“IT just establishes the fact that the school itself is recognized as among the top law schools, not just in regard to the delivery of quality legal education but as to facilities itself,” Atty. Ulpiano Sarmiento III, the Dean of the School of Law (SOL), said as the 2024 Philippine Bar Examinations approaches. For the second time, SBCA has been chosen as a local testing center and the national headquarters. 

     In an interview with THE BEDAN HERALD, Atty. Sarmiento III and Atty. Juan Ruffo D. Chong, the Dean of the School of Business, Accountancy, and Management, and SOL faculty provided insights about the preparations and renovations that are ongoing in preparation for the upcoming bar exams. 

     According to Atty. Chong, the Supreme Court will be taking control of the campus. As explained by Atty. Sarmiento III, Rev. Fr. Gerardo Ma. De Villa, OSB, SBCA Rector-President, Fr. Anthony Ma Mendoza, OSB, and Dr. Andres Ignacio C. San Mateo, Jr., the Vice President for Academic Affairs, would assist them in managing the affair. 

     The renovations and resources the SBCA prepared are minimal, as they already did much of the renovations from last year when the Benedictine institution was first selected to host the bar examinations. St. Bede Hall has undergone renovations not only to make it more pleasing but also to provide equipment that complies with the requirements of the Supreme Court, such as installing security cameras all over the campus and the acquisition of tables and chairs to ensure that the examinees can take their bar examination using laptops properly.

     Atty. Sarmiento considers it a blessing that SBCA has been selected again, as it allows for the utilization of renovations and resources once more, given how the previous bar examinations went smoothly, while Atty. Chong views this as indicative of the school’s more than adequate facilities. 

     SBCA has realized its shortcomings from the previous year's bar examination and is now more than ready to serve again as the national headquarters. The SOL Dean mentioned that they required securities and mandated that SBCA be off-limits. Classes will shift to an online modality from Aug. 28 until Sept. 20 to accommodate the preparations and exams.

     The school continuously monitors for issues or problems while preparing. However, Dean Sarmiento noted that there are no serious problems as this year is a repetition, and its preparations will only improve it. 

     Atty. Sarmiento III also hopes that the Alabang Homeowners Association will cooperate, as it would be problematic for them to make it difficult for the Supreme Court to access the campus.  

     The two deans also provided pieces of advice to the examinees. Atty. Sarmiento III highlights the importance of having lots of rest and continuous prayer. While Atty. Chong emphasized looking out for the syllabus to know the subjects they opted to study. “The students went through rigorous processes in the law school with solid legal education behind them, and that should comfort them when they feel like they should have been more ready,” he asserts. 

     Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez, San Beda College of Law Alumnus, chairs this year’s bar examinations and the exams will happen on Sept. 8, 11, and 15.  It will serve as #MostValuableLaban for aspiring lawyers before they finally get the “Atty.” title. The St. Bede Hall will be used as one of the buildings as a local testing center, while Manny Reyes Hall will be the National Headquarters. The examinees will also use the buildings of St. Maur, Our Lady of Montserrat, and Christ the King.