Only 1,800 out of the 8,155 examinees passed the 2018 Bar examinations held for four consecutive Sundays last November.
The Supreme Court which administers the exams congratulated the successful examinees.
“We wish to congratulate you all for the hard work you put in,” SC Associate Justice Mariano del Castillo, chairman of the 2018 Bar examinations committee, said during his announcement of the results yesterday.
“Only 1,800 successfully hurdled the test which means only 22.7 percent emerged with flying colors,” the magistrate said.
Del Castillo noted that out of the eight subjects, legal ethics had the most passers. “The subject that had the least number of passers was in taxation. There were only around 18.7837 percent or 1,532 examinees passed,” he added.
Successful examinees were shouting and crying upon seeing their names on the LED wall of the SC.
“I’m so overwhelmed,” said Adamson University law graduate Leo Acebedo, who is a first time Bar examinee, when asked what he felt upon seeing his name on the LED wall. “Happiest na po siguro ito,” admitted the teary-eyed Bar passer who is the first lawyer in his family.
Acebedo admitted that the Bar examinations were hard, particularly, taxation.
Because of this, he advised future Bar examinees to be diligent in their law studies. “Kahit gaano ka kagaling kung wala kang sipag hindi mo maaano,” said Acebedo who bared that he plans to work in the government.
Jean James Borja of the Ateneo de Manila University topped this year’s examination with a 89.306 percent rating.
Borja advised those who want to take the Bar exams to be dedicated and work hard to be able to pass.
“Ang advise ko lang po siguro talagang dedication lang, hard work,” Borja said. “Stick to your goals, don’t let your insecurities get the best of you,” added Borja.
Two other Ateneo graduates also landed in the Top 10 – Daniel John Fordan, fourth, with a 85.44 percent rating, and Katirna Monica Gaw, fifth, with a 85.42 percent rating.
Others in the Top 10 are Marcley Augustus Natu-el of the University of San Carlos, second, 87.53 percent; Mark Lawrence Badayos, third, University of San Carlos, 85.84; Nadaine Tongco, sixth, University of the Philippines, 85.03; Patricia Sevilla, seventh, University of the Philippines, 84.859; Kathrine Ting, eighth, De La Salle University, 84.857; Jebb Lynus Cane, ninth, University of San Carlos, 84.805; and Alen Joel Pita, tenth, University of San Carlos, 84.69.
The SC said successful examinees may secure their clearances from the Office of the Bar Confidant from May 7 to June 11.
Del Castillo said that their oath-taking will be held on June 13 at the Philippine International Convention Center in Pasay City, followed by the signing of the Rolls of Attorney the following day.
SC Associate Justice Estela Perlas-Bernabe is the chairperson of the 2019 Bar examinations.
The number of examinees is considered the highest in the histroy of the Bar exams in the country. (Jeffrey Damicog)
