MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University law graduate emerged on top of the 2018 bar examination based on the results released by the Supreme Court on Friday.
Sean James B. Borja topped the bar examination held at the University of Santo Tomas last November 2018 with an average of 89.306 percent.
Borja said the result was unexpected amidst pressure of graduating valedictorian in law school.
“When you are a valedictorian, a lot of expectations come out. There was definitely that pressure going into the bar. But I thought I don’t owe anything to anyone,” Borja said.
“There were a lot of times I doubted myself, but I did overcome those doubts and insecurities and I am happy of who I am right now,” he added. “I just hope I made my Ma and Dad proud.”
Borja said he wanted to become a criminal lawyer to “provide a voice to those who don’t have it and to speak up and stand up for their rights.”
“A lot of lawyers in the Philippines think it ends with passing the bar and getting the ‘abogado’ title,” he said. “Just keep pushing, keep achieving your dreams and contributing to the society.”
Aside from Borja, two other Ateneo de Manila law graduates made it to top 10 in No. 4 ranked Daniel John A. Fordan (85.4430%) and No. 5 Katrina Monica C. Gaw (85.4210%).
Four law graduates from the University of San Carlos in Cebu made it to top 10 in No. 2 Marcley Augustus Natu-El (87.5300%), No. 3 Mark Lawrence Badayos (85.8420%), No. 9 Jebb Lynus Q. Cane (84.8050%) and No. 10 Alen Joel R. Pita (84.6930%).
At No. 6 and No. 7 were University of the Philippines’ Nadaine P. Tongco (85.9320%) and Patricia O. Sevilla (84.8590%) respectively.
And at No.8 was Kathrine T. Ting (84.8570%) of De La Salle University – Manila.
SC Justice Mariano del Castillo announced that 22.07 percent of the examinees, or 1,800, passed the 2018 bar examinations. A total of 8,155 aspiring lawyers took the exams on four Sundays of November 2018.
According to the SC, the bar exam is considered the most prestigious professional licensure exam in the country. Administered by the office of the Bar confidant, it is the only licensure exam not administered by the Professional Regulatory Commission. /PN
