ILOILO City – A University of the Philippines Visayas (UPV) graduate landed eighth nationwide in the October 2026 Certified Public Accountant Licensure Examination (CPALE), leading the university’s impressive performance that saw all its first-time examinees pass despite a dismal 37.11 percent national passing rate.
Roxine Ann B. Barrion, a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy graduate of Class 2026, secured eighth place with a rating of 90.50 percent, emerging among the country’s top performers in one of the most challenging professional licensure examinations.
The UPV College of Management produced 34 new certified public accountants, registering a perfect 100 percent passing rate among first-time takers and a 97.14 percent overall passing rate.
The results placed UPV well above the national average, as only 3,988 of the 10,746 examinees nationwide passed the examinations administered on October 24, 25 and 26.
The Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) released the results on November 3.
Barrion’s achievement capped an outstanding academic journey at UPV, where she graduated at the top of her batch with a General Weighted Average (GWA) of 1.3396.
Her success also highlighted a consequential personal decision.
Although she had qualified for the BS in Business Administration and Accountancy program at UP Diliman, Barrion chose to pursue her college education at UPV to remain closer to her family and ease the financial and logistical burdens on her parents.
That practical decision ultimately paved the way for her emergence as one of the country’s top-performing accountancy graduates.
The CPALE covers six major subjects: Auditing, Management Advisory Services, Taxation, Regulatory Framework for Business Transactions, Financial Accounting and Reporting, and Advanced Financial Accounting and Reporting.
Since 2021, the examination has maintained an average national passing rate of approximately 31 percent, underscoring the significance of UPV’s performance.
The UPV College of Management celebrated the achievement of its graduates, expressing pride in their success.
“Congratulations to our new Bluechips accountants! Your CM family is very, very proud of you,” the college wrote on Facebook.
For Barrion, her achievement carries a responsibility that extends beyond professional recognition.
“I hope to use everything I have learned to enhance public trust in financial reporting and to contribute to a business environment grounded in transparency, accountability, and integrity,” Barrion said.
“I wish to bring with me the values of honor, excellence, and service that UP has strongly instilled in me,” she added./PN
