SUPREME Court Associate Justice Marvic Leonen said that the Supreme Court is ready to conduct localized Bar examinations.

The Bar examinations will be held on November 7, 14, 21 and 28, 2021.

Under the scheme, students will bring their own devices and follow the guidelines of the Covid19 Inter-Ageny Task Force.

Leonen, the chairman of the 2020/2021 Bar Examinations, gave the assurance during the signing of contract with Saint Louis University in Baguio City, one of the testing centers for the Bar.

Leonen, in his speech, announced that the Supreme Court will launch on July 15 an online portal for the digital filing of petitions to take the Bar Examinations called the Bar Personalized Login Unified System of Bar PLUS.

“No longer will a Bar applicant have to go to Manila, to line up at the Office of the Bar Confidant,” he said.

Using Bar PLUS, applicants will be able to submit their personal details, access the necessary forms for their application, upload petition requirements, and pay for their application digitally.

Applicants will also be able to choose their preferred exam venue, subject to the approval of the Office of the Bar Confidant.

There are already 16 local testing centers including Ateneo de Manila University; Manila Adventist College; SLU Baguio; Saint Louis College-La Union; Saint Mary’s University; Cagayan State University; De La Salle Lipa; University of Nueva Ceceres; University of St. La Salle – Bacolod; Central Philippine University; University of Cebu-Banilad; Mindanao State University-Iligan; Mindanao State University-General Santos City; Ateneo de Davao University; Xavier University-Cagayan de Oro; and Ateneo de Zamboanga University.

Leonen said that the high court might approve 25 testing sites nationwide.