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MANILA, Philippines - Manila has barred the holding of bar operations or “bar ops" for the 2008 bar examinees this September to avoid traffic jams on Taft Avenue.

Radio reports on Wednesday said Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim’s action was prompted by the call of Supreme Court Deputy Clerk and Bar Confidant, Ma. Cristina Layusa, to the city government to stop issuing permits to bar ops organizers.

The activities have been the tradition of school organizations and fraternity groups to demonstrate their support for bar examinees. Organizers put up tents, use loud sound systems and create other forms of hoopla, including partying on the streets.

According to Layusa, these activities snarl up traffic, making it hard for both commuters and examinees to pass by the exam venue. She added that in the past bar ops, some streets along Taft Avenue have been closed to accommodate the supporters.

The report said secretary to the mayor Rafaelito Garayblas has tasked Supt. Roberto Rosales, Manila Police Director, to enforce the ban.

The Philippine Bar Examination is the national licensure exam for the admission to the practice of law. It is conducted during the four Sundays of September of yearly.

The 2008 Philippine Bar Examinations will be held at the De La Salle University on Taft Avenue, Manila, on September 7, 14, 21 and 28 from 8 a.m. to 5p.m.

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/115055/Manila-bans-bar-ops-for-2008-bar-takers#

Manila prepares for bar exams; seeks ban of naked runners

The Manila City government has asked bars, restaurants and fast-food chain owners along Taft Avenue to refrain from engaging in “distractive activities” during the conduct of the bar examinations during the four Sundays of September. Likewise, the traditional “Oblation Run” being conducted on the last Sunday of the bar exams will be prohibited.

Lawyer Rafaelito Garayblas, secretary to Mayor Alfredo Lim of Manila, wrote a letter to owners and operators of all restaurants, eateries, boarding houses and concerned business establishments along Taft Avenue to disallow “groups, fraternities and those involved in the bar operations from holding activities and gatherings, partying, playing loud music and engaging in drinking sprees in front of establishments or parking spaces.”

Garayblas was responding to the letter of Supreme Court Deputy Clerk of Court and Bar Confidant Ma. Cristina Layusa to Lim.

“Likewise, for the past years, the portion of Taft Avenue, particularly the stretch of Quirino to Vito Cruz, has been closed to traffic, per approval of the MMDA [Metro Manila Development Authority]. Despite this, its southbound area, specifically fronting McDonald’s Taft under the LRT [Light Rail Transit] station, has always been utilized by school groups and fraternities as send-off sites for bar examinees,” Layusa told the Mayor.

The mayor’s secretary said the business permits of establishments violating the city’s directive would be revoked.

Layusa recalls that school groups and fraternities often put up tents and park vans and trucks in the area obstructing the De La Salle University gates, which delays the entry of bar examinees and court and bar personnel.

She also sought Lim’s help to stop the “Oblation Run” being conducted by the Alpha Phil Omega fraternity every last Sunday of the bar examinations.

“We have received numerous complaints not only from the bar examinees but also from their parents and guests as regards [to] the unnecessary noise and obscenity of the said oblation run,” she added.

Garayblas already gave notices of the prohibition to concerned City Hall officers and the Manila Police District.
--Ruben D. Manahan 4th

http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2008/aug/21/yehey/metro/20080821met6.html