EXAMINEES who will not be able to take the Bar examinations due to struggles brought about by the onslaught of Severe Tropical Storm (STS) Paeng may request for a refund of the fees they paid, the Office of the 2022 Bar Chair said on Thursday, November 3, 2022.

In a statement, the Office of the Bar Chair (OBC) said concerned examinees may apply for a refund using their Bar Personal Login Unified System (Bar Plus) registered email addresses.

“At the option of the examinee, the Bar fees paid may also be applied to the forthcoming Bar examinations scheduled in September 2023,” it said.

The office said it is open to receiving queries regarding the matter and it can be reached through https://bit.ly/2022BarExamHelpDesk or through the OBC Helpdesk at (02) 8552-96-90/(02) 8552-96-42.

The OBC maintained that Bar examinations will push through on November 9, 13, 16 and 20, as earlier scheduled, amid calls on social media for the test’s postponement following the effects of Paeng.

“Pursuant to the initial assessment of the extent of damage and possible effects of STS Paeng on the 2022 Bar Examinations, the Office of the 2022 Bar Chair immediately undertook the surveying of all the local testing centers (LTCs) and all the local government units (LGUs) covered, said LTCs. Importantly, all the LGUs and all the LICs categorically indicated that they remain prepared and ready to participate in the 2022 Bar examinations as scheduled,” it said.

“The Court also recognizes that it must consider the hundreds of personnel and volunteers who have rearranged their professional and personal lives in order to serve and contribute to the success of the Bar examinations this November. Still more, the Court acknowledges that any postponement of the upcoming Bar examinations will have ripple effects on, among others, the annual Bar examinations, the next succeeding schedule of which is in September 2023,” it added.

The SC earlier identified 14 LTCs across the country where the 2022 Bar examinations will be held.

A total of 9,916 examinees were expected for the upcoming Bar examinations. (SunStar Philippines)