In a briefing in Manila, SC Public Information Office chief and spokesman Theodore Te said the event was reset in light of the visit of US President Barack Obama to the Philippines next week.
“The oathtaking is moved to May 5, Monday, 2 p.m., PICC (Philippine International Convention Center),” Te said. “This is due to the expected heavy traffic due to the visit of the US President.”
Earlier in the day, the SC PIO had announced that the oathtaking was to take place Monday next week on April 28.
“Please take note that there might be heavy traffic at or leading to the area of PICC because of the arrival of President Obama on same day,” said the SC PIO an hour before the date of the event was reset.
The SC encouraged inductees and guests to be at the venue earlier than 2 p.m.
The SC said the oath-taking event is considered a special en banc session since all 15 magistrates are expected to show up.
The University of the Philippines copped five of the top ten places in last year’s Bar exams, including the number one spot taken by Nielson Pangan.
The latest Bar exams’ passing rate was 22.18 percent, according to 2013 Bar chairman and Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion. That was a significant jump from the 17.76 percent passing rate in 2012, a 12-year low.
A total of 5,293 examinees hurdled the four Sundays of the exams, from the original 5,593 who were admitted to take them in October last year. According to the Supreme Court, 5,641 law graduates applied for the 2013 Bar exams. —Mark Merueñas/KBK, GMA News
