Author: zaindaclis

By virtue of an En Banc Resolution of the Supreme Court dated November 16, 2021,  Associate Professor Macrina A. Morados, Faculty Member of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies, has been designated as Chairperson of the 2022 Shari’ah Bar Examinations.

Under her chairmanship, the 2022 Shari’ah Bar Examinations will take place at the University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City, for the first time since 1983. There will be four buildings that will serve as testing centers: College of Engineering, School of Economics, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, and College of Arts and Letters. The first day of the exam is on March 20, 2022 (Sunday), while the second day is set on March 22, 2022 (Tuesday). Formerly held at the Court of Appeals, the change of venue was inspired by the successful conduct of the regular Bar examinations in UP Diliman under extraordinary conditions due to the pandemic. UP Diliman has proven its capability, readiness, and efficiency as one of the testing centers during the regular Bar exams held last February. Hence, the same security, health, and administrative guidelines will be observed. Supreme Court Associate Justice Japar Dimaampao has been personally involved in ensuring the successful conduct of the Shari’ah Bar exams.

The change of venue, coupled with financial and administrative assistance, was made possible through the support of current Chancellor of UP Diliman Dr. Fidel R. Nemenzo, Dean of the UP College of Law Atty. Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II, Dean of the Institute of Islamic Studies Prof. Julkipli M. Wadi, newly-appointed Secretary of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) Hon. Atty. Guiling A. Mamondiong, and Director of Bureau of Muslim Affairs also of the NCMF Dir. Laman M. Piang.

The 17th Shari’ah Bar Examinations also paved the way for the UP Institute of Islamic Studies to re-engage with the UP College of Law and National Commission on Muslim Filipinos in developing projects with the mission of improving the Islamic Law and providing services to Muslim constituents, especially in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).

The Shari’ah Bar Examinations is administered every two years to allow Muslim professionals to qualify and practice before the Shariah Courts in the Philippines constituted under PD 1083, otherwise known as Muslim Personal Laws in the Philippines. The Supreme Court of the Philippines, through the Office of the Bar Confidant, is the leading facilitator of the said exams. Around 650 examinees are expected to take the Shari’ah Bar examinations this year.