SC Allows Shari’ah Bar Exams Passers to Sign Roll Despite Leakage

Manila — Despite reports that questions for the 2013 Shari’ah Bar Examinations were leaked, the Supreme Court (SC) has allowed all the successful examinees of the recently-concluded exams to sign the Roll of Attorneys before the Bar Confidant on May 14, 2014 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

In an en banc ruling dated April 22, 2014, the SC resolved “with the exception of the three (3) children of Judge Samanoden L. Ampaso, namely: Aquil M. Ampaso, Hebah M. Ampaso, and Zohair M. Ampaso, to allow all the successful examinees…to sign the Roll of Attorneys…at the Training Room, Ground Floor, Centennial Building, Supreme Court, Padre Faura St., Ermita, Manila, provided no other prohibition exists to prevent it.”

During the regular sessions of the SC en banc on March 11, 2014, several letters were brought to the attention of the Court containing serious allegations of irregularity in the behavior of certain examinees as well as irregularities in the conduct of the 13th Shari’ah Bar Examinations.

The SC said that the gravity of the allegations was sufficient to convince the Court to inquire more deeply into the matter.

It formed a committee to ascertain the veracity of the allegations contained in the letters or complaints.

The SC added that it appeared that the three Ampasos may have received undue advantage in the bar examinations questions in several subjects days before the scheduled examinations.

“With respect to Judge Kaudri L. Jainul and [Judge Ampaso], the Office of the Court Administrator is directed to conduct further investigation on the alleged leaked in the 13th Shari’ah Bar Examinations to determine administrative liability, if there is any, to be docketed as a regular administrative matter,” said the ruling signed by en banc Clerk of Court Atty. Enriqueta E. Vidal.

“With respect to [the Ampasos], considering that they have taken their Oath as Counselors, the Office of the Bar Confidant is directed to conduct further investigation on the alleged leakage in the [exams], to be docketed as a regular bar matter for possible sanction under the premises,” the SC said.

The SC also ordered the Bar Confidant “to submit the proposed guidelines/rules for the Shari’ah Bar Examinations within thirty (30) days from notice of the resolution.”

Aside from last year’s irregularities, the SC is also investigating the alleged leakage in the 2014 Shari’ah Bar Examinations. (By Perfecto T. Raymundo (PNA) CTB/PTR)