BY GEROME DALIPE IV
ILOILO City – Friday the 13th turned into a day of celebration for 3,962 Bar examinees, who successfully passed one of the most rigorous professional licensure exams in the country.
The Supreme Court announced yesterday the results of this year’s Bar Examination, revealing that 3,962 out of 10,483 aspiring lawyers had achieved the coveted “dot” to rightfully claim the title of “attorney.”
The 2024 Bar exam achieved a passing rate of 37.84 percent, slightly higher than the 36.77 percent recorded in 2023.
In Iloilo City, the West Visayas State University College of Law (WVSU-COL) achieved an impressive feat as 12 out of 13 members of its pioneer batch, Batch Banaag, passed this year’s Bar examinations.
Dean Pauline Grace Alfuente proudly announced on her Facebook page that the college achieved an exceptional 92.31 percent passing rate, far surpassing the national passing rate of 37.84 percent.
Alfuente lauded the achievements of Batch Banaag, emphasizing that their success serves as a “beacon of hope and inspiration” for future WVSU law students.
She highlighted that this accomplishment as a testament to the institution’s growing reputation as a formidable force in legal education within the region.
The success of WVSU-COL’s first batch reflects its dedication to academic excellence and its commitment to nurturing competent legal professionals, Alfuente stressed.
The Supreme Court en banc unanimously decided to set 74 as the passing grade for this year.
Associate Justice Mario Lopez, the 2024 Bar chairperson who is set to retire next year, announced the results following the SC’s special en banc session.
Kyle Christian Tutor of the University of the Philippines emerged as the topnotcher, achieving an impressive grade of 85.77%.
The top 10 passers are the following:
1. Kyle Christian Tutor (University of the Philippines): 85.77%
2. Maria Christina Aniceto (Ateneo de Manila University): 85.54%
3. Gerald Roxas (Angeles University Foundation School of Law): 84.355%
4. John Philippe Chua (University of the Philippines): 84.28%
5. Jet Ryan Nicolas (University of the Philippines): 84.265%
6. Maria Lovelyn Joyce Quebrar (University of the Philippines): 84.06%
7. Kyle Andrew Isaguirre (Ateneo de Manila University): 83.905%
8. Joji Macadine (University of Mindanao): 83.745%
9. Gregorio Jose Torres II (Western Mindanao State University): 83.59%
10. Raya Villacorta (San Beda University): 83.47%
As in previous years, the Supreme Court released the list of successful Bar exam passers on a large screen mounted on its grounds, drawing a crowd of hopeful examinees and their loved ones eagerly awaiting the results.
The list was also made accessible online through the SC’s website and official social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.
Successful examinees are set to participate in the oath-taking ceremony and the signing of the Roll of Attorneys on January 24, 2025, marking the culmination of their journey to becoming licensed legal professionals.
The Bar exams were held on September 8, 11, and 15, 2024, in various testing centers nationwide.
Justice Lopez revealed in a press briefing in September that a total of 10,483 aspiring lawyers took the 2024 Bar examinations, conducted on Sept. 8, 11, and 15.
This figure represents a significant turnout from the 12,246 registered applicants.
The 2024 Bar examinations covered six core subjects, weighted as follows: Political and Public International Law, (15 percent); Commercial and Taxation Laws, (20 percent); Civil Law, (20 percent); Labor Law and Social Legislation, (10 percent); Criminal Law, (10 percent); Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics with Practical Exercises, (25 percent).
In 2023, the passing rate was 36.77 percent, with 3,812 out of 10,387 examinees successfully passing. This was a decline from the 2022 passing rate of 43.47% (3,992 out of 9,183 examinees).
Ephraim Bie, a graduate of the University of Santo Tomas School of Law, topped the 2023 Bar exams with a grade of 89.2625 percent.
The Bar exam, often considered one of the most demanding professional licensure tests in the Philippines, remains a crucial milestone for aspiring lawyers.
This rigorous test serves not only as a gateway to the legal profession but also as a defining moment in their journey toward becoming attorneys.
This year, the release of the Bar results on Friday the 13th added a touch of symbolism, leaving many examinees and their families pondering whether the day would bring fortune or misfortune.
For some, it was a day of triumph and new beginnings, while for others, it marked a step back but also an opportunity to regroup and persevere.
Regardless of the outcome, this significant milestone underscores the resilience and dedication required to enter the noble profession of law.
The suspense and anticipation of Friday the 13th made the moment even more memorable for those embarking on their legal careers./PN
