Uphold rule of law, BBM urges Bar passers

As the Supreme Court released yesterday the results of the 2023 Bar examinations, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. challenged the newly minted lawyers to remain true to the ideals of the legal profession.

Mr. Marcos cited the need for new law practitioners to keep their integrity intact as they embark on different paths in their chosen profession.

In a message posted on X (formerly Twitter), the President reminded the lawyers of the crucial role they play in upholding the rule of law and ensuring access to justice for every Filipino.

A total of 3,812 out of 10,387 examinees passed the 2023 Bar examinations, reflecting a passing rate of 36.77 percent, lower than the 43.47 percent passing rate (3,992 passers out of 9,183 takers) in the 2022 Bar.

On the other hand, 72.28 percent or 8,241 of 11,402 takers passed the 2020-2021 Bar examinations.

The SC said the oath-taking and signing of the roll by the new lawyers is scheduled for 22 December at the SMX Convention Center Manila in Pasay City.

"As you begin your unique paths, stand firm in upholding your integrity and remain true to the reasons that called you to practice the law," the President said.

Marcos urged the new lawyers to remain united in their commitment to justice and to use their legal knowledge and skills to make a positive impact on society.

Not just win cases

"Remember that the law is not just about winning cases or making money. It is about upholding the values of justice, fairness and equality," he said.

"I encourage you to use your legal skills to make a difference in the lives of others and to help build a more just and equitable society for all Filipinos."

Ephraim Porciuncula Bie from the University of Santo Tomas and a staffer at DivinaLaw emerged as the top examinee, garnering 89.2625 percent.

"It's been a while since UST had a No. 1, and UST is a very prestigious institution. I'm just happy to bring honor and pride to my faculty," Bie wrote in Filipino in a social media post.

"Just study hard, set a schedule, read everything, and then when there are bad days and you're tired, rest," he said.

Bie was closely followed by Mark Josel Padua Vivit from Ateneo de Manila University with 89.1250 percent.

Frances Camille Altonaga Francisco, from San Beda University, claimed the third spot with 88.9125 percent, while Nathaniel Niño Alipion Tang from Aquinas-UST-Legazpi secured the fourth position with 88.6500 percent.

David Joseph Austria Flores from De La Salle University landed fifth place with 88.5500 percent. Ralph Vincent Salvador Samaniego from the University of the Philippines was in sixth place with 88.4750 percent.

Ateneo de Manila University's Brian Gerard Tapnio Antonio secured the seventh position with 88.3125 percent.

Pio Vincent Roura Buencamino from the University of Santo Tomas and Paulo Batolan from the University of San Jose Recoletos tied for the eighth spot with 88.2500 percent.

Grace Abigail Morales Bautista from the Angeles University Foundation School of Law was in ninth place with 88.0625 percent. The tenth is Zes Trina Bañares Non from Aquinas-UST-Legazpi with 88.0125 percent.

Top law schools

No listing for the 11th to 20th spots was provided by Supreme Court Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, the chairperson of the 2023 Bar exam.

Emerging as the top performing schools (with more than 100 exam takers and the percentages of their passers) were Ateneo de Manila University, 159 passers out of 169 examinees, 94.08 percent; San Beda University, 130 out of 141, 92.20 percent; University of San Carlos, 170 of 187, 90.91 percent; University of the Philippines, 229 of 256, 89.45 percent; and University of Santo Tomas, 104 out of 122, 85.25 percent.

Leading legal firm DivinaLaw congratulated its staffers who passed the bar, including the number one Bie and eighth placer Buencamino.

It also lauded its corporate affairs department section chief Charisse Arellano and underbar associates Kara Ramos, Christian Gio Senarlo, and Jonathan Vincent Yusi for passing the toughest professional examination in the country.

"Your DivinaLaw family is proud of you! A 100-percent passing rate once again for DivinaLaw!" the firm said.

DivinaLaw's Enrique "Buko" dela Cruz Jr. also congratulated University of Santo Tomas Law Dean and DivinaLaw founder Nilo Divina as the school took the top and the eighth spots in the ranking.

The Bar was conducted at 14 testing centers across the country. This was the third year the tests were digitized instead of handwritten.

Passing rate not low

Justice Hernando pointed out that this year's 36.77 passing rate cannot be considered low since the difference between it and last year's passing rate was only six percent.

"The feeling of the Court is that the number of admitted new lawyers is representative of what we want to be admitted to the Bar, and that is legal professionals who can competently, with their good skills, represent clients before the court," the magistrate said.

Hernando said the questions formulated by the Bar examiners were for "entry-level professionals." He urged the new lawyers to adhere to the new Code of Professional Responsibility and Accountability.

"We would want this new brand of lawyers to be admitted to the Bar on 22 December to be accountable for their actions, in whatever capacity they will be practicing the profession," Hernando said.

"Lawyers can be fielded anywhere… but with their every action, with their every duty and responsibility, they have to think and keep in mind that they are to be held accountable by the Court if they fall short of the duties and responsibilities that are expected of them," he said.

Meanwhile, the mastermind in the robbery of a pawnshop in Cebu City on 25 November, is among the successful Bar examinees. 

Jigger Geverola, who is currently detained at the Cebu City Police Office, was arrested on 28 November after two other arrested suspects identified him as the one who instructed them to bring the suspected getaway vehicle to a mountainous area in Argao town, Cebu.