Bar exams start at UST amid tight security

Amid tight security, this year's Bar exams went off to an orderly start at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila Sunday. Manila police and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) personnel were at the UST early to ensure peace and order, radio dzBB's Manny Vargas reported. While Manila Police District (MPD) cops patrolled the area since late Saturday, the Manila District Traffic Enforcement and MMDA deployed aides to guide motorists and keep traffic around UST smooth. By 7:30 a.m., the report said traffic along España Avenue and Dapitan and Lacson Streets was smooth as most of the Bar examinees had entered the UST by then. Earlier, the MMDA advised motorists to expect traffic to be affected at the UST Sunday due to the Bar exams there. In a message on its Twitter account, the MMDA said it is sending mobile and motorcycle units to help manage traffic in the area. "Bar Exams (Sunday) at UST along España [Boulevard]. Expect traffic to be affected. MMDA mobiles and motorcycles will be deployed at the area to assist," it said. As of 2 a.m. Sunday, however, it said there was no advice of road closures in the area. There was also no flood in the UST area despite continuous rain since Saturday night. Some 6,200 law graduates were expected take the 2011 Bar examinations starting Sunday. The exams will take place during the four Sundays of November. Manila police had put in place tight security measures for the exams. The tightened security measures stemmed from an incident last year where more than 40 people were wounded in a grenade attack at the De La Salle University along Taft Avenue. — LBG, GMA News