Bar Subjects

The examination covers the following topics, popularly known as the bar subjects:[12]
Political and Public International Law

o Constitutional Law
o
Political Law
Administrative Law (only the basic doctrines, excluding implementing rules and regulations of
government agencies)
Law on Public Officers
Public Corporations
Suffrage
Public International Law
Labor and Social Legislation

o
Labor Law (Labor Code of the Philippines, excluding the implementing rules and regulations)
Social Legislation
Social Security Law
Revised Government Service Insurance Act of 1977 (including Employees Compensation

Act of 1977)
Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law
Civil Law
o
Civil Code of the Philippines (excluding the Code of Muslim Personal Laws, Water Code, Rental
Law, Law on Sale of Subdivision of Lots and Condominiums)
Family Code of the Philippines (including the Child and Youth Welfare Code)
Property Registration Decree (excluding the Public Land Law)
Conflict of Laws (Private International Law)
Taxation
o
General principles of Taxation
Republic Act No. 1125, creating the Court of Tax Appeals
National Internal Revenue Code (including the Expanded Value Added Tax or EVAT)
Tariff and Customs Code (excluding Arrastre and Classification of Commodities)
Mercantile Law
o
Negotiable Instruments Law and Other Allied Laws
Negotiable Instruments Law (with the Uniform Currency Act)
Merchants and Commercial Transactions (including Articles 1 to 63 of the Code of

Commerce, Retail Trade Law, Bulk Sales Law)
Letters of Credit under the Code of Commerce
Insurance Code
Transportation Laws
Common Carriers (Articles 1732 to 1766 of the New Civil Code)
Commercial Contracts for Transportation Over Land (Articles 349 to 379 of the Code of
Commerce)
Maritime Commerce
Public Service Act
Corporation Law
Corporation Code
Securities Act
Banking Laws
Laws on Secrecy of Bank Deposits
Deposit Insurance Corporation
Trust Receipts Law (excluding the General Banking Act)
Other Special Laws
Chattel Mortgage Law
Warehouse Receipts Law
Laws on Intellectual Creations
Copyright Law
Patent Law
Trademark Law
Insolvency Law
Truth in Lending Act
Criminal Law
o
Revised Penal Code (Books I & II excluding penalties for specific felonies)
Indeterminate Sentence Law
Probation Law
Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act
Anti-Fencing Law
Bouncing Checks Law
Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972
Heinous Crimes Law (excluding penalties)
Remedial Law
o
Revised Rules of Court
1991 Revised Rule on Summary Procedure
Local Government Code on Conciliation Procedures (Chapter VII)
Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 (excluding purely administrative provisions, Military Justice
Law, Judiciary Act of 1948, and the Law Reorganizing the Court of Agrarian Relations)
Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises
Legal Ethics
Judicial Ethics
Code of Professional Responsibility
Grievance Procedures (Rules 139-B, Revised Rules of Court)
Forms
[edit] Grading system

The eight bar subjects are separately graded. Each subject contributes to the general average in
the following proportion:[13]
Civil Law - 15%

Labor and Social Legislation - 10%
Mercantile Law - 15%
Criminal Law - 10%
Political and International Law - 15%
Taxation - 10%
Remedial Law - 20%
Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises - 5%
The passing average fixed by law is 75%, with no grade falling below 50% in any bar subject.[14]
[edit] Passing average vs. Passing rate

The passing average is the minimum grade in the exam required to be admitted to the practice
of law. The passing rate is the proportion of total number of bar passers in relation to the total
number of bar examinees. It is usually computed on two levelsthe national level (national bar
passing rate), and the law school level (law school passing rate).
In the past, passing averages were considerably lower to admit more new lawyers (i.e. 69% in
1947, 69.45% in 1946, 70% in 1948). Since 1982, the passing average has been fixed at 75%.
This has led to a dramatic decrease in the national passing rate of bar examinees, from an alltime high of 75.17% in 1954 to an all-time low of 16.59% in 1999 (all-time low should have
been the single digit 5% national passing rate for the 2007 bar examination if the Supreme Court
did not lower the passing average to 70% and lowered the disqualification rate in 3 subjects). In
recent years, the annual national bar passing rate ranges from 20% to 30%.[15]
[edit] Passing Percentage (1978-2009)

2009 24.58 (1,451 out of 5,903)
2008 20.58 (1,310 out of 6,364)
2007 22.91 (1,289 out of 5,626)
2006 30.60 (1,893 out of 6,187)
2005 27.22 (1,526 out of 5,607)
2004 31.61 (1,659 out of 5,249)
2003 20.71 (1,108 out of 5,349)
2002 19.68 (917 out of 4,659)
2001 32.89 (1,266 out of 3,849)
2000 20.84 (979 out of 4,698)
1999 16.59 (660 out of 3,978)
1998 39.63
1997 18.11 (710 out of 3,921)
1996 31.21 (1,217 out of 3,900)
1995 30.90 (987 out of 3,194)
1994 30.87
1993 21.65
1992 17.25
1991 17.81 (569 out of 3,194)
1990 27.94 (866 out of 3,100)
1989 21.22 (639 out of 3,012)
1988 24.26 (689 out of 2,840)
1987 16.95 (480 out of 2,832)
1986 18.88 (491 out of 2,600)
1985 25.78 (701 out of 2,719)
1984 21.80 (563 out of 2,582)
1983 21.30 (523 out of 2,455)
1982 20.50 (433 out of 2,112)
1981 43.71 (841 out of 1,924)
1980 33.61 (605 out of 1,800)
1979 49.51 (903 out of 1,824)
1978 56.93 (1,076 out of 1,890)
[edit] Law school passing rates

Law schools with the highest bar passing rates from 1996 to 2005 include:
Schools with more than 30 examinees:
Ateneo de Manila Law School - 89.19%

San Beda College of Law - 85.27%
University of the Philippines College of Law - 85.19%
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law - 56.70%
Far Eastern University Institute of Law - 26.25%
Schools with 30 or less examinees:
Ateneo de Davao College of Law - 65.57%

University of San Carlos - 54.45%
Arellano University - 46.18%
Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, College of Law - 41.26%
Xavier University - 37.45%
Lyceum of the Philippines University - 32.40%
St. Louis University - 31.38%[15]
[16][17]
[edit] Role of the Supreme Court, Criticisms

In 2007, only 5% (of the 5,626 who took the 2007 tests, or less than 300) got the passing grade
of 75%. Thus, the Supreme Court adjusted the standard to 70% and the disqualification rate in 3
subjects (civil, labor and criminal law) from 50 to 45%. Accordingly, 1,289 or 22.91%, passed.
This passing grade reduction is highly unusual, since it last happened in the 1981 exam when the
passing grade was lowered to 72.5%. Prior to 1982, the passing mark jumped unpredictably from
year to year: 69.45 percent in 1946; 69 in 1947; 70 in 1948, 1963, 1972 and 1974; 71 in 1961;
71.5 in 1953, 1964 and 1965; 72 in 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960 and 1967; 72.5 in 1954, 1962 and
1981; 73 in 1950, 1956, 1968, 1969, 1970, 1975, 1978 and 1980; 73.5 in 1955 and 1979; 74 in
1949, 1951, 1952, 1966, 1971, 1973 and 1977; and 74.5 in 1976. In 1954, the Court lowered the
passing grade to 72.5%, even if the passing percentage was already at its highest at 75.17%. In
1999, moves to lower the passing grade to 74% failed, after Justice Fidel Purisima, bar
committee chairman failed to disclose that his nephew took the examination. He was censured
and his honoraria was reduced to half.[18]
[edit] Bar topnotchers

Bar topnotchers are bar examinees who garnered the highest bar exam grades in a particular
year. Every year, the Supreme Court releases the bar top ten list. The list contains the names of
bar examinees who obtained the ten highest grades. It is possible for more than ten examinees to
place in the top ten because numerical ties in the computation of grades usually occur.[19]
From 1913 to 2009, schools which have produced bar topnotchers (1st placers) are as follows:[19]
University of the Philippines College of Law - forty-six (46) bar topnotchers

Ateneo de Manila Law School - nineteen (19) bar topnotchers
San Beda College of Law - seven (7) bar topnotchers
Philippine Law School - five (5) bar topnotchers
University of Manila College of Law - four (4) bar topnotchers
Far Eastern University Institute of Law - four (4) bar topnotchers
University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law - three (3) bar topnotchers
University of the Cordilleras (formerly Baguio Colleges Foundation) College of Law two (2) bar topnotchers
Manila Law College Foundation (formerly Escuela de Derecho de Manila) - one (1) bar
topnotcher
Manuel L. Quezon University College of Law - one (1) bar topnotcher
Holy Name University (formerly Divine Word College of Tagbilaran) - one (1) bar
topnotcher
University of the East College of Law - one (1) bar topnotcher
San Sebastian College - Recoletos - one (1) bar topnotcher
Two bar examinees topped the bar exams without officially graduating from any Philippine law
school:[19]
Jose W. Diokno - former Senator of the Philippines; 1st placer, 1945 bar exams. Mr.
Diokno, who tied for Number One with Mr. Jovito Salonga in the 1945 Bar Exams,
would have graduated from the University of Santo Tomas had not World War II
supervened. Mr. Diokno's success in the bar exams is further underscored by the fact that
he was also under-age[20] and that he also placed number 1 in the 1940 CPA Board exams
which he took while in law school. This double number 1 feat may never be paralleled.
The closest may have been Cesar L. Villanueva (from the Ateneo Law School) who
placed second in the 1981 Bar Exams and second again in the 1982 CPA Board Exams.
Carolina C. Grio-Aquino - former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court; 1st placer,
1950 bar exams. Ms. Aquino (who later became the wife of Mr. Ramon Aquino, 6th
placer in 1939 Bar Exams) was a special student of the UP College of Law, where she
finished her last two years of law school having taken her first two years of law school at
the Colegio de San Agustin in Iloilo. Ms. Aquino was advised to take her last two years
of law school in UP by Colegio de San Agustin Law Dean Felipe Ysmael. Coincidentally,
Mr. Ysmael (a UP Law graduate himself) placed number 1 in the 1917 Bar Exams. Since
Ms. Aquino only took her last two years of law at UP, she can't be certified as an official
UP law graduate.[20] Both spouses Aquino (in addition to being topnotchers) also served
as Justices of the Supreme Court.[21]
In the past, non-law school graduates were allowed to take the bar. However, the Revised Rules
of Court and Supreme Court Circulars allow Filipino graduates of Philippine law schools (and
subject to certain conditions, Filipino graduates of foreign law schools) to take the bar,
necessarily excluding non-law graduates and foreigners who have law degrees from taking part
in the exercise.[4]
While not a guarantee for topping the bar, academic excellence in law school is a good indicator
of an examinee's fortune in the bar exams. Ateneo Law School's only summa cum laude
graduate, Claudio M. Teehankee, placed number one in the 1940 Bar Exams.[19] It is worth noting
that Teehankee's son, Manuel Antonio, followed in his footsteps by graduating at the top of his
Ateneo Law School class (albeit, not as summa cum laude) and placing first in the 1983 bar
exams. Claudio's nephew, Enrique (a cum laude graduate from the UP College of Law), also
placed number one in the 1976 bar exams. Claudio eventually became Supreme Court Chief
Justice, Manuel was formerly Department of Justice Undersecretary and currently Philippine
Special Envoy for International Trade as well Permanent Representative to the World Trade
Organization in Geneva, Switzerland while Enrique is a successful private practitioner.
This father-son-nephew feat has yet to (and, perhaps, may never) be equalled in the annals of
Philippine Bar. For siblings, the closest is when Manuel B. Zamora Jr. placed third in the 1961
Bar Exams and younger brother Ronaldo placed first in the 1969 Bar Exams.
The UST Faculty of Civil Law's sole summa cum laude graduate, Roberto B. Concepcion, placed
first in the 1924 Bar Exams.[19] He later served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The UP College of Law (which has yet to produce a summa cum laude graduate) had four of its
fourteen magna cum laude graduates (the College of Law first conferred the honor to Lorenzo S.
Sumulong in 1929[22] and, to date, last conferred the same honor to Dionne Marie Sanchez in
2007) place number one in their respective bar exams: Lorenzo S. Sumulong in 1929, Deogracias
Eufemio in 1962, Roberto San Jose in 1966 and Ronaldo Zamora in 1969.[19] Sumulong became
Senator of the Republic and a renowned statesman, Eufemio and San Jose established their
respective successful private law practices while Zamora became Executive Secretary to then
President Joseph Estrada and is currently the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives.
[edit] Highest and lowest topnotcher grades
In the Philippine Bar's recorded history, the highest grade first recorded was the 92% garnered in
1913 by Manuel A. Roxas (future Philippine President) of the UP College of Law. The following
year, 1914, Atty. Roxas' feat was bested by the 93% obtained by first placer Manuel C. Goyena
(also from the UP College of Law). Atty. Goyena's top mark was tied by 1916-first placer
Paulino Gullas (future Congressman from Cebu), another alumnus of the UP College of Law.
Another standard was created in 1940, when Claudio M. Teehankee (future Supreme Court Chief
Justice), from the Ateneo Law School, got a grade of 94.35% when he topped the examinations.
This record was obliterated four years later in 1944 when Jovito Salonga and Jose W. Diokno
tied with the highest score of 95.3%. This was the first time that first place ended in a tie. When
they took the 1944 Bar Exams, Atty. Salonga was an undergraduate at the UP College of Law
while Atty. Diokno (future Senator) was an undergraduate of the University of Santo Tomas
Faculty of Civil Law. After passing the bar, Atty. Salonga (future Senate President) went back to
UP to complete his bacholer's degree in law, earning it in 1946. The only other instance of a tie at
first place of the bar exams was when Edwin Enrile (salutatorian of his Ateneo Law School
class) and Florin Hilbay (an honor student of the UP College of Law) both garnered the same
score in 1999. Atty. Enrile served as Deputy Executive Secretary to President Gloria Arroyo and
as a Professorial Lecturer at the Ateneo Law School while Atty. Hilbay is a Professor of Law at
the UP College of Law.[20]
After another four years, the "bar" was raised a few notches when Manuel G. Montecillo of the
Far Eastern University Institute of Law got a grade of 95.50% when he bested all the bar
examinees of 1948. The following year, another record was set when Anacleto C. Magaser, an
alumnus of the Philippine Law School, got a grade of 95.85% when he topped the 1949 bar
exams.
But the diamond standard (the highest general average ever obtained among all bar topnotchers
in recorded history) was set in 1954 when Florenz D. Regalado (future Supreme Court Associate
Justice) of the San Beda College of Law scored 96.7% when he topped the 1954 Philippine Bar
Examinations. To date, Atty. Regalado's feat remains unsurpassed and may never be equalled
(much less topped).[23]
The lowest grade was obtained by Ateneo Law School's Mercedita L. Ona, 83.55%, 2008, which
erased the prior record of 84.10%, obtained by Adolfo Brillantes of Escuela de Derecho de
Manila (now Manila Law College Foundation) in 1920.[19][24] Atty. Ona was the just the latest of
women first placers. In 1930, Tecla San Andres (an alumna of the UP College of Law and future
Senator) broke the proverbial "glass ceiling" when she became the first woman to top the bar
with a grade of 89.4%. Ameurfina A. Melencio (also an alumna of the UP College of Law and
who later became a Justice of the Supreme Court) has the highest grade of all female bar
topnotchers in recorded history, when she obtained a 93.85% rating in 1947.
Below is a listing of all 97 first-placers (from 1913 to 2009) ranked from highest to lowest in
terms of rating obtained. It should be noted however that bar ratings are not exactly comparable
from year-to-year as the difficulty of the exams varies through the years.
Rank
1st
2nd
3rd
4th (tie)
4th (tie)
6th
7th
8th
Year
1954
1949
1948
1944
1944
1940
1952
1953
Rating
96.700
95.850
95.500
95.300
95.300
94.350
94.250
94.050
2001
Name
School
Florenz D. Regalado
San Beda College
Anacleto C. Magaser
Philippine Law School
Manuel G. Montecillo
Far Eastern University
Jose W. Diokno
Special (University of Santo Tomas)
Jovito R. Salonga
University of the Philippines
Claudio M. Teehankee
Ateneo de Manila University
Pedro Samson C. Animas University of the Philippines
Leonardo A. Amores
University of Manila
Ameurfina A. MelencioUniversity of the Philippines
Herrera
Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada University of the Philippines
9th
1947
10th
11th
(tie)
11th
(tie)
11th
(tie)
14th
1914
Manuel C. Goyena
93.000
1916
Paulino Gullas
93.000
1932
Hermenegildo Atienza
93.000
2002
Arlene M. Maneja
University of Santo Tomas
92.900
93.850
93.800
15th
16th
17th
18th
19th
20th
21st
22nd
(tie)
22nd
(tie)
1984
1937
1929
1978
1933
1971
1939
Richard M. Chiu
Cecilia Muoz-Palma
Lorenzo S. Sumulong
Cosme D. Rosell
Lope C. Quimbo
Henry R. Villarica
Ferdinand E. Marcos

92.850
92.600
92.500
92.475
92.450
92.400
92.350
1951
Vicente R. Acsay
92.250
Aug1946
Gregoria T. Cruz
92.250
24th
1950
Carolina C. Grio
Special (Colegio de San Agustin,University of the

92.050
Philippines)
1913
Manuel A. Roxas
92.000
1917
Felipe Ysmael
92.000
1977
Virgilio B. Gesmundo
91.800
1998
Janet B. Abuel
Baguio Colleges Foundation
91.800
1935
Enrique Estrellado
University of Egypt
91.700
1960
Ismael Andres
Manuel L. Quezon University
91.700
Pedro L. Yap
91.700
Arturo D. Brion
Ateneo de Manila College
91.650
Gregorio M. Batiller Jr.
91.400
91.400
91.300
91.200
91.100
25th
(tie)
25th
(tie)
27th
(tie)
27th
(tie)
29th
(tie)
29th
(tie)
29th
(tie)
32nd
33rd
(tie)
33rd
(tie)
35th
36th
37th
38th
(tie)
38th
(tie)
38th
(tie)
41st
42nd
(tie)
42nd
(tie)
44th
(tie)
44th
(tie)
44th
(tie)
47th
Nov1946
1974
1979
1938
1995
1925
Manuel Antonio J.
Teehankee
Emmanuel N. Pelaez
Leonor Y. Dicdican
Rafael Dinglasan
1961
Avelino V. Cruz
San Beda College
90.950
1981
Irene Ragodon-Guevarra
90.950
1982
Ray C. Espinosa
90.950
1923
Roque V. Desquitado
90.900
1962
Deogracias G. Eufemio
90.800
1976
Enrique Y. Teehankee
90.800
1966
Roberto V. San Jose
90.600
1996
Patricia Ann T.
Prodigalidad
90.600
2000
Eliseo M. Zuiga Jr.
90.600
1955
Tomas P. Matic Jr.
90.550
1983
48th
1928
(tie)
48th
1973
(tie)
50th
1941
(tie)
50th
1956
(tie)
52nd
1997
53rd
1915
54th
1991
55th
1936
(tie)
55th
1990
(tie)
57th
1965
58th
1980
59th
1934
60th
1967
61st (tie) 1930
61st (tie) 1931
61st (tie) 1985
64th
1958
65th
1959
(tie)
65th
1994
(tie)
67th
1957
68th
1921
(tie)
68th
1922
(tie)
68th
1924
(tie)
71st
1986
72nd
1987
73rd
2003
74th
1999
(tie)
74th
1999
(tie)
76th
1964
Filomeno B. Pascual
90.300
Vicente R. Solis
90.300
Emmet P.D. Shea
90.200
Francisco C. Catral
San Beda College
90.200
Ma. Cecilia H. Fernandez University of the Philippines

Francisco Villanueva Jr.
Joseph P. San Pedro
90.025
90.000
89.950
Diosdado P. Macapagal
89.850
Aquilino L. Pimentel III
89.850
Victor S. Dela Serna

Rafael R. Lagos
Marciano P. Catral
Rodolfo D. Robles
Tecla San Andres
Jose Leuterio
Janette Susan L. Pea
Manuel G. Abello
San Beda College

San Beda College
89.800
89.750
89.700
89.600
89.400
89.400
89.400
89.250
Agustin O. Benitez
89.200
89.200
89.150
Pablo Payawal
89.100
Amado L. Velilla
89.100
Roberto B. Concepcion
89.100
Laurence L. Go
Mario P. Victoriano
Aeneas Eli S. Diaz

88.600
88.550
88.530
Edwin R. Enrile
88.500
Florin T. Hilbay
88.500
San Beda College
88.400
88.325

University of the Cordilleras
Far Eastern University[25]
88.120
88.100
87.700
87.600
87.500
Francisco Noel R.
Fernandez
Gregorio R. Castillo
77th
1993
78th
79th
80th
81st
82nd
83rd
(tie)
83rd
(tie)
1988
1926
1927
2006
1970
Jesus P. Castelo
Anna Leah Fidelis T.
Castaeda
Maria Yvette O. Navarro
Eugeniano Perez
Cesar Kintanar
Noel Neil Q. Malimban
Romulo D. San Juan
1968
Oscar B. Glovasa
Divine World College of Tagbilaran
87.450
2004
January A. Sanchez
87.450
85th
86th
87th
88th
(tie)
88th
(tie)
88th
(tie)
91st
92nd
93rd
94th
95th
96th
97th
1969
2005
1972
Ronaldo B. Zamora
Joan de Venecia
Januario B. Soller Jr.

87.300
87.200
87.130
1918
Alejo Labrador
87.000
1919
Gregorio Anonas
87.000
1992
Jayme A. Sy Jr.
87.000
1975
1963
1989
2008
2009
1920
2007
Nicanor B. Padilla Jr.

Cornelio C. Gison
Gilberto C. Teodoro, Jr.
Judy A. Lardizabal
Reinier Paul R. Yebra
Adolfo Brillantes
Mercedita L. Ona
University of the East

San Sebastian College
San Beda College
Escuela de Derecho
86.700
86.350
86.185
85.700
84.800
84.100
83.550
[edit] Highest scores in specific bar subjects

While no bar examinee has ever reached a 100% general average, several bar examinees have
garnered perfect and near-perfect grades in specific bar subjects.
In 1930, Tecla San Andres-Ziga (future Senator) of the University of the Philippines got a grade
of 99% in Remedial Law[26]. She also placed number one in the bar exams of the same year.
In 1949, Anacleto C. Magaser of the Philippine Law School earned 100% in Mercantile Law,
[citation needed]
and placed 1st in the bar exams of that year. His average of 95.85% broke all prior
records before it was bested by Florenz Regalado in 1954.[19] Magaser's bar rating remains the
second highest of all time.
In 1953, Juan Ponce Enrile (future Defense Minister and Senate President) of the University of
the Philippines College of Law, where he graduated salutatorian and cum laude, earned 100% in
Mercantile Law [citation needed] and placed 11th in the bar exams of that year.[19]
In 1955, Raul Gonzales (future Congressman, Secretary of Justice and Chief Presidential Legal
Counsel) of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law earned 99% in Remedial Law
[citation needed]
and 95% in International Law.[citation needed] However, he did not place in the top ten.[19]
In 1997, Maria Celia H. Fernandez of the University of the Philippines College of Law, where
she graduated salutatorian and cum laude, earned 100% in Legal Ethics [citation needed] and emerged
as the year's bar topnotcher.[19]
In 2001, Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada, that year's valedictorian of the University of the Philippines
College of Law, obtained a perfect score of 100% in Remedial Law[citation needed], the highest
weighted of the bar subjects. The difference (3.75%) between his final bar examination score
(93.80%) and that of the second-placer, Jesus Paolo U. Protacio (90.05%), that year's
valedictorian of the Ateneo de Manila Law School and who got a perfect score of 100% in
Criminal Law,[citation needed] is the highest of all time. Notably, that year's valedictorian of the San
Beda College of Law, Adonis V. Gabriel, obtained a perfect score of 100% in Political Law [citation
needed]
and placed 8th (88.25%).[19][27] The 3.75% difference between No. 1 and No. 2 eclipsed the
previous highest difference of 2.10% registered in 1966 when Roberto V. San Jose (valedictorian
of the UP College of Law) garnered a grade of 90.6% versus the 88.5% of the tied second
placers, Ruben F. Balane (salutatorian of the UP College of Law) and Pablo S. Trillana III
(valedictorian of the San Beda College of Law).
In 2005, Gladys V. Gervacio of the University of Perpetual Help-Rizal earned a perfect 100% in
two bar subjectsLegal Ethics [citation needed] and Labor Law [citation needed]. She placed 6th in the bar
exams of that year.[19]
[edit] Increasing difficulty

The difficulty of the recent bar examinations, compared to exams of the past, can be attributed to
the following factors:[15]
The growing volume of Philippine case and statutory laws is unprecedented. Laws,
jurisprudence, and legal doctrines of the past constitute only a small fraction of
contemporary Philippine legal materials, which are increasing on a daily basis.[28]
The 75% passing average with no grade lower than 50% in any subject is already fixed
by law. Actual candidates who scored 74.99% in the general average were not admitted to
the practice of law, unless they retake the bar exams.[15]
The Three-Failure Rule is now in place. Candidates who have failed the bar exams for
three times are not permitted to take another bar exam until they re-enroll and pass
regular fourth-year review classes and attend a pre-bar review course in an approved law
school.[29]
The Five-Strike Rule is implemented since 2005. The rule limits to five the number of
times a candidate may take the Bar exams. The rule disqualifies a candidate after failing
in three examinations. However, he is permitted to take fourth and fifth examinations if
he successfully completes a one year refresher course for each examination.[30]
The four-year bachelor's degree is required before admission to law school. Hence, every
bar examinee has to hold at least two degreesone in law and one in another field. In the
past, law schools readily admit high school graduates and two-year Associate in Arts
degree holders.[31]
After the end of the Second World War, the passing rate in the succeeding years was remarkably
high, ranging from 56 to 72% percent. However, after Associate Justice J.B.L. Reyes, a noted
scholar, was appointed Chairman of the 1955 Bar Examinations, the passing rate for that year
dropped dramatically to 26.8%, with a mortality rate of 73.2%. That ratio has been invariably
maintained in the 50+ years since.[32]
[edit] Waiting period

The largely essay-type exams are manually checked by members of the Committee of Bar
Examiners. Candidates have to wait from the last Sunday of the bar exams in September up to
the date of the release of results, which traditionally happens before or during the Holy Week
(the last week of March or the first week of April) of the following year.
During this period, candidates (who already hold law and bachelor's degrees) may opt to work in
law firms and courts as legal researchers, teach in liberal arts and business colleges, function in
companies and organizations using their pre-law degrees (i.e. Communication Arts, Accounting,
Economics, Journalism, etc.), help run the family business, or take a long vacation.[33]
[edit] Admission of Successful Bar Examinees

The Office of the Bar Confidant of the Philippine Supreme Court releases the Official List of
Successful Bar Examinees, usually during the last week of March or the first week of April of
every year. Candidates whose names appear in the list are required to take and subscribe before
the Supreme Court the corresponding Oath of Office.[34]
Candidates shall take an Oath of Office and sign their names in the Roll of Attorneys of the
Supreme Court.[35] The oath-taking is usually held in May at the Philippine International
Convention Center (PICC) with a formal program where all Justices of the Supreme Court,
sitting en banc, formally approve the applications of the successful bar candidates. The eight bar
examiners are officially introduced to the public. A message to the newly inducted lawyers is
delivered by one of the justices. Candidates who made the bar top ten list are also introduced and
honored. The deans of all Philippine law schools are requested to attend the ceremony and grace
the front seats of the plenary hall.[12]
[edit] Controversies
In the 1930s, a distant relative of Imelda Romualdez Marcos who was a Justice in the High Court
resigned after a controversy involving the bar examinations. Justice Ramon Fernandez was
forced to protect his name and honor when he resigned because of a bar examination scandal.[1]
On November 23, 1979, the High Court, per Justice Pacifico de Castro ordered new
examinations in labor and social legislation and taxation.
On May 7, 1982, 12 of the Supreme Court's 14 justices resigned amid expose "that the court
fixed the bar-examination score of a member's son so that he would pass." Justice Vicente Ericta
was accused to have personally approached the bar chairman to inquire whether his (Ericta's) son
passed the bar. Ferdinand Marcos accepted the resignations and appointed the new Justices.
Chief Justice Enrique Fernando wept at a news conference as he accepted responsibility for
rechecking and changing the exam score of Gustavo Ericta, son of Justice Vicente Ericta.[36]
Associate Justice Fidel Purisima, chairman of the bar committee, did not disclose that he had a
nephew who was taking the bar examination in that year. He was merely censured and his
honoraria as bar examiner were forfeited.
On September 24, 2003, the Supreme Court, per a bleary-eyed Associate Justice Jose Vitug,
annulled the tests results on mercantile law after "confirmation of what could be the most
widespread case of cheating in the 104-year-old bar exams".[37]
[edit] Bar Top Ten List

The Office of the Bar Confidant releases an official Bar Top Ten list together with the list of
names of all successful bar examinees. The Bar Top Ten contains the names of the candidates
who garnered the ten highest general averages in the bar exam for that year. The highest ranking
candidate in the list is known as the bar topnotcher. The list has always been the subject of
much media attention and public speculation.[38]
Making a place in the list is widely regarded as an important life achievement, an attractive
professional qualification, and a necessary improvement in a lawyer's professional and social
status.[38]
[edit] Famous bar top ten placers

Prominent lawyers who made the bar top ten include:[39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48]
[edit] Presidents and Vice Presidents
Manuel A. Roxas - 1st President (3rd Philippine Republic); 1st placer (92%), 1913 Bar
Exams (UP)
Diosdado P. Macapagal - 5th President (3rd Philippine Republic); 1st placer (89.85%),
1936 Bar Exams (UST)
Ferdinand E. Marcos - 6th President (3rd Philippine Republic); 1st placer (92.35%), 1939
Bar Exams (UP)
Jose P. Laurel - President (2nd Philippine Republic); 2nd placer, 1915 Bar Exams (UP)
Elpidio C. Quirino - 2nd President (3rd Philippine Republic); 2nd placer, 1915 Bar
Exams (UP)
Sergio S. Osmea - 2nd President (Philippine Commonwealth); 2nd placer, 1903 Bar
Exams (UST)
Manuel L. Quezon - 1st President (Philippine Commonwealth); 4th placer, 1903 Bar
Exams (UST)
Carlos P. Garcia - 4th President (3rd Philippine Republic); 7th placer, 1923 Bar Exams
(PLS)
Emmanuel N. Pelaez - former Philippine Vice President; 1st placer, 1938 Bar Exams
(UM)
Arturo M. Tolentino - former Philippine Vice President; 2nd placer, 1934 Bar Exams
(UP)
Curiously, each President of the Philippines who happened to be a lawyer was always a bar
topnotcher. The other Presidents (i.e., Emilio F. Aguinaldo, Ramon F. Magsaysay, Corazon C.
Aquino, Fidel V. Ramos, Joseph E. Estrada and Gloria M. Arroyo) were all non-lawyers (and
hence could not have been bar topnotchers). For the coming 2010 presidential elections, among
those who have declared their intention of seeking the highest post of the land is Gilberto
Teodoro. Aside from being a Secretary of Defense (like former Presidents Magsaysay and
Ramos), Secretary Teodoro (a lawyer from the University of the Philippines) placed first in the
1989 Bar Exams with a grade of 86.185%.
In Philippine political history, two bar topnotchers sought the presidency but failed. Vice
President Pelaez (1938 Bar Topnotcher) lost the Nacionalista Party nomination to President
Marcos (1939 Bar Topnotcher) for the 1965 presidential elections. Senate President Jovito
Salonga (1944 Bar Topnotcher) of the Liberal Party lost to President Ramos of Lakas-NUCD in
the 1992 presidential elections.[49]
[edit] Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Justices
Jose Yulo - 6th Philippine Chief Justice; 3rd placer, 1913 Bar Exams (UP College of
Law)
Ricardo Paras - 8th Philippine Chief Justice; 2nd placer, 1913 Bar Exams (UP College of
Law)
Cesar Bengzon - 9th Philippine Chief Justice; 2nd placer, 1919 Bar Exams (UP College
of Law)
Roberto Concepcion - 10th Philippine Chief Justice; 1st placer, 1924 Bar Exams (UST
Faculty of Civil Law)
Querube Makalintal - 11th Philippine Chief Justice; 7th placer, 1933 Bar Exams (UP
College of Civil Law)
Enrique Ma. Fernando - 13th Philippine Chief Justice; 13th placer, 1938 Bar Exams (UP
College of Law)
Ramon Aquino - 15th Philippine Chief Justice; 9th placer, 1939 Bar Exams (UP College
of Law)
Claudio Teehankee - 16th Philippine Chief Justice; 1st placer, 1940 Bar Exams (Ateneo
Law School)
Pedro Yap - 17th Philippine Chief Justice; 1st placer, 1946 Bar Exams (UP College of
Law)
Andres Narvasa - 19th Philippine Chief Justice; 2nd placer, 1951 Bar Exams (UST
Faculty of Civil Law)
Artemio Panganiban - 21st Philippine Chief Justice; 6th placer, 1960 Bar Exams (FEU
Institute of Law)
Jose P. Laurel - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 2nd placer, 1915 Bar Exams
J.B.L. Reyes - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 6th placer, 1922 Bar Exams
Cecilia Muoz Palma - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 1st placer, 1937 Bar
Exams
Ambrosio Padilla - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 3rd placer, 1934 Bar Exams
Ameurfina Melencio-Herrera - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 1st placer, 1947
Bar Exams
Irene Cortes - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 9th placer, 1948 Bar Exams
Carolina A. Grio-Aquino - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 1st placer, 1950
Bar Exams
Isagani A. Cruz - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 8th placer, 1951 Bar Exams
Rafael C. Climaco - former Philippine Court of Appeals Justice; 5th placer, 1939 Bar
Exams ( Ferdinand Marcos placed 1st )
Florentino Feliciano - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice and Chair, WTO
Appellate Tribunal; 6th placer, 1952 Bar Exams
Florenz D. Regalado - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 1st placer, 1954 Bar
Exams
Adolfo Azcuna - Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 4th placer, 1962 Bar Exams
Antonio Eduardo Nachura - Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 7th placer, 1967 Bar
Exams
Presbitero Velasco, Jr. - Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 6th placer, 1971 Bar Exams
Antonio Carpio - Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 6th placer, 1975 Bar Exams
Arturo D. Brion - Philippine Supreme Court Justice; former Philippine Court of Appeals
Justice; 1st placer, 1974 Bar Exams
Bienvenido V. Reyes - former Philippine Court of Appeals Presiding Justice; 5th placer,
1954 Bar Exams
Salome A. Montoya - former Philippine Court of Appeals Presiding Justice; 6th placer,
1954 Bar Exams
Alicia V. Sempio-Diy - former Philippine Court of Appeals Justice; 5th placer, 1950 Bar
Exams
Oscar M. Herrera - former Philippine Court of Appeals Justice; 8th placer, 1953 Bar
Exams
Demetrio Demetria - former Philippine Court of Appeals Justice; 2nd placer, 1964 Bar
Exams
Mario Guaria III - former Philippine Court of Appeals Justice; 2nd placer, 1967 Bar
Exams
Lucas Bersamin - Philippine Court of Appeals Justice; 9th placer, 1973 Bar Exams
Celia Librea-Leagogo - Philippine Court of Appeals Justice; 5th placer, 1981 Bar Exams
Only eleven of the 22 jurists who rose to become Chief Justice of the Supreme Court were bar
topnotchers, starting with Jose Yulo (3rd in 1913), followed by Ricardo Paras (2nd in 1913), then
by Cesar Bengzon (2nd in 1919), then by Roberto Concepcion (1st in 1924), then by Querube
Makalintal (7th in 1933) then by Enrique Fernando (13th in 1938), then by Ramon Aquino (6th
in 1939), then by Claudio Teehankee, Sr. (1st in 1940), then by Pedro Yap (1st in November
1946), then by Andres Narvasa (2nd in 1951) and finally by Artemio Panganiban (6th in 1960).
However, the first four chief magistrates (Cayetano Arellano, Victorino Mapa, Manuel Araullo
and Ramon Avancena) became lawyers (all after graduating from the UST Faculty of Civil Law)
before the establishment of the Bar Exams in 1901 while the fifth head of the judiciary (Jose
Abad Santos) graduated from a foreign law school and was admitted to the Philippine bar in
1911. Six Chief Justices did not place in the Bar Exams: Manuel Moran (the father of Philippine
remedial law), Fred Ruiz Castro (the father of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines), Felix
Makasiar, Marcelo Fernan, Hilario Davide and the incumbent Reynato Puno).
Of the candidates to become the next Chief Justice (to replace the retiring Reynato Puno) only
two were bar topnotchers: Antonio Carpio (6th in 1975) of the UP College of Law and Arturo
Brion (1st in 1974) of the Ateneo Law School. Both Carpio and Brion graduated valedictorian of
their respective law classes.
[edit] Senators and Representatives
Manuel A. Roxas - former Philippine Senate President and Speaker of the House of
Representatives; 1st placer, 1913 Bar Exams
Manuel L. Quezon - former Philippine Senate President; 4th placer, 1903 Bar Exams
Arturo M. Tolentino - former Philippine Senate President; 2nd placer, 1934 Bar Exams
Ferdinand E. Marcos - former Philippine Senate President; 1st placer, 1939 Bar Exams
Jovito Salonga - former Philippine Senate President; 1st placer, 1944 Bar Exams
Neptali Gonzales - former Philippine Senate President; 9th placer, 1949 Bar Exams
Rodolfo Ganzon - former Philippine Senator and Iloilo City Mayor; 2nd Placer, 1950 Bar
Exams
Ernesto M. Maceda - former Philippine Senate President; 10th placer, 1956 Bar Exams
Franklin M. Drilon - former Philippine Senate President; 3rd placer, 1969 Bar Exams
Lorenzo Sumulong - former Philippine Senator; 1st placer, 1929 Bar Exams
Jose W. Diokno - former Philippine Senator; 1st placer, 1944 Bar Exams
Renato V. Saguisag (Rene Saguisag) - former Philippine Senator; 6th placer, 1963 Bar
Exams
Sergio S. Osmea - former Speaker of the House of Representatives; 2nd placer, 1903
Bar Exams
Jose Y. Yulo - former Speaker of the House of Representatives; 3rd placer, 1913 Bar
Exams
Aguedo F. Agbayani - former Pangasinan Representative; 5th placer, 1947 Bar Exams
Antonio Eduardo Nachura - former Samar Representative; 7th placer, 1967 Bar Exams
Ronaldo B. Zamora - San Juan Representative; 1st placer, 1969 Bar Exams
Prospero Nograles - Speaker of the House of Representatives; 2nd placer, 1971 Bar
Exams
Arturo D. Brion - Assemblyman, Philippine National Assembly; 1st placer, 1974 Bar
Exams
Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro, Jr. - former Tarlac Representative; 1st placer, 1989
Bar Exams
Jose P. Laurel- former Senator; 2nd Placer 1915
Of the lawyers who became President of the Senate, only the following were bar topnotchers:
Manuel Quezon (4th in 1903), Manuel Roxas (1st in 1913), Ferdinand Marcos (1st in 1939),
Arturo Tolentino (2nd in 1934), Jovito Salonga (1st in 1944), Neptali Gonzales (9th in 1949),
Ernesto Maceda (10th in 1956), Franklin Drilon (3rd in 1969) and Juan Ponce Enrile (11th in
1953). Of the incumbent senators with terms expiring in 2013, five are lawyers (Ateneo Law
School's Alan Peter Cayetano as well as Edgardo Angara, Joker Arroyo, Francis Escudero, and
Francis Pangilinan of the UP College of Law) and none of whom were previous bar topnotchers.
Curiously, Aquilino Pimentel III of the UP College of Law (who is contesting the seat occupied
by Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri) placed 1st in the 1990 Bar Exams.
On the other hand, of those who became Speaker of the House of Representatives, only the
following were bar topnotchers: Sergio Osmena, Sr. (2nd in 1903), Manuel Roxas (1st in 1913),
Jose Yulo (3rd in 1913) Querube Makalintal (7th in 1933) and Prospero Nograles (2nd in 1971).
Of the chamber's other officers, only Ronaldo Zamora was a former bar topnotcher (1st in 1969).
Curiously, the incumbent heads of both houses of Congress were previous bar topnotchers:
Ateneo Law School's Nograles for the lower house and UP College of Law's Ponce Enrile for the
upper house.
[edit] Appointees and career service officials
Roberto Concepcion - Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission; 1st placer, 1924 Bar
Exams
Lorenzo Sumulong - Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission; 1st placer, 1929 Bar
Exams
Arturo Tolentino - Member, Philippine Civil Code Commission; former Minister of

Foreign Affairs; 2nd placer, 1934 Bar Exams
Ambrosio Padilla - Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission; 3rd placer, 1934 Bar
Exams
Diosdado Macapagal - President, Philippine Constitutional Convention of 1971; 1st

placer, 1936 Bar Exams
Cecilia Muoz-Palma - President, Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986;

Chairperson, Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office; 1st placer, 1937 Bar Exams
Jovito Salonga - former Chairman, Presidential Commission on Good Government; 1st

Ameurfina Melencio-Herrera - Chancellor, Philippine Judicial Academy; Chairperson,

Legal Publications Committee, Supreme Court Centenary Celebrations; 1st placer, 1947
Bar Exams
Alicia V. Sempio-Dy - Member, Philippine Civil Code Revision Committee; former

Commissioner, National Commission on Women; 5th placer, 1950 Bar Exams
Andres Narvasa - Chairman, Preparatory Commission for Constitutional Reform; 2nd

Gabriel Singson - former Governor of the Central Bank of the Philippines; 2nd placer,
1952 Bar Exams
Florentino Feliciano - Chairman, Feliciano Commission investigating the Oakwood

Mutiny; 6th placer, 1952 Bar Exams
Florenz D. Regalado - Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission; 1st placer, 1954 Bar
Exams
Jose Nolledo - Delegate, 1971 Constitutional Convention & Member, 1986 Constitutional
Commission; 3rd placer, 1958 Bar Exams
Haydee Yorac - former Chairperson, Presidential Commission on Good Government;

former Commissioner, Commission on Elections; 8th placer, 1962 Bar Exams
Adolfo Azcuna - Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission; 4th placer, 1962 Bar Exams
Joaquin G. Bernas - Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission; Member, Feliciano

Commission investigating the Oakwood mutiny; 9th placer, 1962 Bar Exam
Anacleto C. Magaser (var. Mangaser) - former Chairman, Reparations Commission; 1st

Sergio A. Apostol - Chief Presidential Legal Counsel; 7th placer, 1958 Bar Exams
Ismael G. Khan Jr. - former Spokesperson, Philippine Supreme Court; 6th placer, 1959
Bar Exams
Antonio Eduardo Nachura - former Solicitor General; 7th placer, 1967 Bar Exams
Fulgencio S. Factoran, Jr. - former Executive Secretary; 9th placer, 1967 Bar Exams
Jose Mario Buag - former Bureau of Internal Revenue Commissioner; 2nd placer, 1968
Bar Exams
Ronaldo B. Zamora - former Executive Secretary; 1st placer, 1969 Bar Exams
Franklin Drilon - former Secretary of Labor and Employment; 3rd placer, 1969 Bar
Exams
Jess Dureza - Mindanao Super Region In-charge; 10th placer, 1973 Bar Exams
Arturo D. Brion - Secretary of Labor and Employment; 1st placer, 1974 Bar Exams
Antonio Carpio - former Chief Presidential Legal Counsel; 6th placer, 1975 Bar Exams
Avelino Cruz, Jr. - former Secretary of National Defense; 7th placer, 1977 Bar Exams
Simeon Marcelo - former Philippine Ombudsman; 5th placer, 1979 Bar Exams
Manuel Antonio J. Teehankee - former Undersecretary of Justice; Ambassador to the

World Trade Organization; 1st placer, 1983 Bar Exams
Antonio M. Bernardo - former Bureau of Customs Commissioner; 2nd placer, 1988 Bar
Exams
Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro, Jr. - Secretary of National Defense; 1st placer,
1989 Bar Exams
Persida V. Rueda-Acosta - Chief Public Attorney of the Philippines; 5th placer, 1989 Bar
Exams
Ruben Carranza, Jr. - Commissioner, Presidential Commission on Good Government; 8th

Maria Celia H. Fernandez - former Chief, Presidential Management Staff; 1st placer,
1997 Bar Exams
Janet T. Abuel - Regional Director, Department of Budget and Management; 1st placer,
1998 Bar Exams
Edwin R. Enrile - former Assistant Executive Secretary, Office of the President; Deputy
Executive Secretary, Office of the President; 1st placer, 1999 Bar Exams
Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada - former Assistant Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice President;
1st placer, 2001 Bar Exams
[edit] Local officials
Pablo P. Garcia - former Governor of Cebu; 3rd placer, 1951 Bar Exams
Aguedo F. Agbayani - former Governor of Pangasinan; 5th placer, 1947 Bar Exams
Isidoro E. Real, Jr. - former Governor / Congressman of Zamboanga del Sur; 7th placer,
1961 Bar Exams
Roldan Dalman - former Governor of Zamboanga del Norte;former Presidential Assistant

for Regional Concerns, Western Mindanao 6th placer, 1975 Bar Exams
Douglas RA. Cagas - incumbent Governor / former Congressman of Davao Del Sur; 4th
placer 1967 Bar Exams
[edit] Academe
Joaquin G. Bernas - former President, Ateneo de Manila University; Dean Emeritus,

Ateneo Law School; 9th placer, 1962 Bar Exam
Jovito Salonga - former Dean, Far Eastern University Institute of Law; 1st placer, 1944
Bar Exams
Neptali Gonzales - former Dean, Far Eastern University Institute of Law; 9th placer, 1949
Bar Exams
Andres Narvasa - former Dean, University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law; 2nd
Norberto S. Gonzales - Dean, Manuel L. Quezon University School of Law; 5th placer,
1958 Bar Exams
Custodio O. Parlade - President Emeritus, Philippine Dispute Resolution Centre; Lecturer

and Bar Reviewer; 4th placer, 1959 Bar Exams
Agustin O. Benitez - former Dean, University of the East College of Law; 1st placer,
1959 bar Exams
Virgilio B. Jara - Dean, San Beda College of Law 5th placer, 1962 Bar Exams
Cesar L. Villanueva - Dean, Ateneo Law School; 2nd placer, 1981 Bar Exams
Jose Jesus G. Laurel - former Dean, Lyceum of the Philippines College of Law; 6th
Roy Joseph M. Rafols - former Dean, Palawan State University College of Law; 2nd
Pacifico N. Castro - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; 8th placer, 1954 Bar Exams
Manuel T. Muro - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer, former Trial Court Judge; 6th placer,
1955 Bar Exams
Roberto San Jose - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; 1st placer, 1966 Bar Exams
Ruben F. Balane - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; 2nd placer, 1966 Bar Exams
Hildegardo F. Iigo - former Dean, Ateneo de Davao University College of Law and Bar
Reviewer, 8th placer, 1966 Bar Exams
Jacinto D. Jimenez (Jack Jimenez) - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; 3rd placer, 1968
Bar Exams
Arturo de Castro - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; 3rd placer, 1970 Bar Exams
Rene Gorospe - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; 2nd placer, 1979 Bar Exams
Manuel J. Laserna, Jr. - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer (Far Eastern University,
Manila, 1985-2006); 3rd placer, 1984 Bar Exams (90.95%); trial lawyer; Bar leader;
founder of the Las Pinas City Bar Association (2001); and managing partner of the
Laserna Cueva-Mercader & Associates Law Offices (LCM Law, Las Pinas City).
Abelardo T. Domondon - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; 4th placer, 1985 Bar Exams,
graduate of Adamson University College of Law
Roberto A. Gana - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; 5th placer, 1986 Bar Exams
Jose Maria G. Hofilea - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; 10th placer, 1987 Bar Exams
Michael G. Aguinaldo - Law Professor; 7th placer, 1992 Bar Exams
Anna Leah Fidelis T. Castaeda - Law Professor; 1st placer, 1993 Bar Exams
Maria Socorro Z. Manguiat - Law Professor; 10th placer, 1993 Bar Exams
Maria Paz Romana S. Angeles - Law Professor; 10 placer, 1994 Bar Exams
Carla E. Santamaria-Sea - Law Professor; 5th placer, 1995 Bar Exams
Ralph A. Sarmiento - Dean, University of St. La Salle College of Law; International Law
Bar Reviewer; 10th placer, 1997 Bar Exams
Shennan A. Sy - Law Professor; 6th placer, 1995 Bar Exams
Arnold De Vera - Law Professor; 8th placer, 19087 Bar Exams
Rhett Emmanuel C. Serfino - Practicing Lawyer; Professor and Bar Reviewer (MLQU,
PUP, Universidad De Manila); 3rd placer, 1997 Bar Exams
Florin T. Hilbay - Law Professor; 1st placer, 1999 Bar Exams
Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada - Professor of Law (UP and Ateneo); 1st placer, 2001 Bar
Exams
Solomon F. Lumba - Professor of Law (UP); 4th placer, 2001 Bar Exams
Adonis V. Gabriel - Professor of Law (SBC); 8th placer, 2001 Bar Exams
Samson S. Alcantara - Practicing Lawyer; Professor and Bar Reviewer (MLQU); AuthorPhilippine Labor and Social Legislation; 3rd placer, Bar Exams
Connie Chu - Professor(Ateneo), 2nd Place, 2002 Bar Exams
Ma. Ngina Chan-Gonzaga - Professor(Ateneo), 4th Place, 2002 Bar Exams
Michelle Juan - Professor(Ateneo, FEU-DLSU, PLM), 4th Place, 2002 Bar Exams
Nyerson Dexter Tito Q. Tualla - Corporate Attorney, TransCo; Civil Law Lecturer,
Manuel L. Quezon University; 4th placer, 2005 Bar Exams
Pedro Jose F. Bernardo - Professor (Ateneo, FEU-DLSU, PLP), 8th Place, 2005 Bar
Exams
Noel Neil Q. Malimban - Business Law Lecturer and Reviewer, University of the
Cordilleras; 1st placer, 2006 Bar Exams
[edit] Private sector
Manuel Montecillo - Name Partner, Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako (oldest law
firm); 1st placer, 1948 Bar Exams
Manuel S. Abello - Founding Partner, Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz
(ACCRALAW) ; 1st placer, 1958 Bar Exams
Nelly Favis-Villafuerte - Editor, Manila Bulletin; 7th placer, 1959 Bar Exams
Avelino V. Cruz - Founding Partner, ACCRALAW; youngest to top the bar, 1st placer,
1962 Bar Exams
Mercedita V. Santiago-Nolledo - Corporate Secretary, Ayala Corporation; 2nd placer,

1965 Bar Exams
Rodolfo D. Robles - General practitioner; 1st placer, 1967 Bar Exams
Januario B. Soller Jr. - Co-founder, Soller Chain of Pawnshops; 1st placer, 1972 Bar
Exams
Jesus M. Manalastas - Name Partner, PECABAR Law Firm; 2nd placer, 1972 Bar Exams
Victor P. Lazatin - Senior Partner, ACCRALAW; 3rd placer, 1972 Bar Exams
Barbara Anne Migallos - Name Partner, Roco Buag Kapunan Migallos Law Firm; Cofounder, Migallos & Luna Law Office; 3rd placer, 1979 Bar Exams
Mario Luz Bautista - Co-founder, Poblador Bautista Reyes Law Firm; 6th placer, 1979
Bar Exams
Arthur Lim - former National President, Integrated Bar of the Philippines; 3rd placer,
1981 Bar Exams
Ray C. Espinosa - Partner, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan; Executive Director,
Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company; President and CEO, ePLDT; President
and CEO, Associated Broadcasting Corporation; Vice Chairman, Philweb Corporation;

1st placer, 1982 Bar Exams
Agerico T. Paras - Founding Partner and Managing Partner, Paras and Manlapaz
Lawyers; 6th placer, 1983 Bar Exams
Menardo L. Guevarra - Co-founder, Serapio Guevarra Medialdea Law Firm; 2nd placer,
1985 Bar Exams
Marlon Manuel - Director, SALIGAN (non-profit legal assistance group); 5th placer,
1994 Bar Exams
Patricia-ann T. Prodigalidad - Partner, ACCRALAW; 1st placer, 1996 Bar Exams
Maria Celia H. Fernandez - In-house counsel, Yuchengco group of companies; 1st placer,
1997 Bar Exams
Jose Raulito E. Paras - Partner, Andres Marcelo Padernal Guerrero & Paras; 5th placer,
1997 Bar Exams
Eliseo M. Zuiga Jr. - Associate, Quisumbing Torres Law Firm; 1st placer, 2000 Bar
Exams
Valerie Feria Amante- Legal Division Head, Jollibee Group of Companies; 7th placer,
2000 Bar Exams
Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada - Associate, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan; 1st
Ma. Theresa U. Ballelos - Associate, Quisumbing Torres Law Firm; 6th placer, 2001 Bar
Exams
Arlene Maneja - Associate, Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako; 1st placer, 2002 Bar
Exams
Aeneas Eli S. Diaz - Associate, Villaraza & Angangco; 1st placer, 2003 Bar Exams
January A. Sanchez - Consultant, Asian Development Bank; 1st placer, 2004 Bar Exams
Joan A. De Venecia - Associate, SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan; 1st placer, 2005
Bar Exams
Noel Neil Q. Malimban - Associate, Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose; 1st
[edit] 1st place in the Philippine Bar Examinations

Name
Year
1900
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
School
Hometown
Manuel Roxas
Manuel Goyena
Francisco Villanueva
Paulino Gullas
Felipe Ismael
Alejo Labrador
Gregorio Anonas
Adolfo Brillantes
Pablo C. Payawal
Amando L. Velila
Roque Desquitado
Roberto Concepcion
Rafael Dinglasan
Eugeniano Perez
Cesar Kintanar
Filomeno B. Pascual
Lorenzo Sumulong
Tecla San Andres
Jose Leuterio
Hermenegildo Atienza
Lope C. Quimbo
Marciano P. Catral
Enrique Estrellado
Diosdado Macapagal
Cecilia Muoz-Palma
Emmanuel Pelaez
Ferdinand Marcos
Claudio Teehankee
Emmet P.D. Shea
Jovito Salonga
Jose Diokno
Gregoria Cruz
Pedro Yap
Ameurfina MelencioHerrera
Manuel Montecillo
Anacleto C. Magaser
Carolina A. GrioAquino
Vicente R. Acsay
Pedro Samson C. Animas
Leonardo A. Amores
Florenz D. Regalado
Tomas P. Matic, Jr.
Francisco C. Catral
Gregorio R. Castillo
Manuel G. Abello
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
1942
1943

Escuela de Derecha

Special (University of Santo Tomas)
1945 University of the Philippines
1944
Roxas City, Capiz
Manila
Antipolo City
Lubao, Pampanga
Bauan, Batangas
Medina, Misamis Oriental
Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
Manila
Pasig, Rizal
San Isidro, Leyte

1948 Far Eastern University
1949 Philippine Law School
Special (Colegio de San Agustin, University
1950
of the Philippines)
1951 University of Manila
1953 University of Manila
1954 San Beda College
1955 Far Eastern University
1956 San Beda College
Candelaria, Quezon
Caba, La Union
Capiz
Concepcion, Iloilo
Agustin O. Benitez
Ismael Andres
Avelino V. Cruz
Deogracias G. Eufemio
Cornelio C. Gison
Jesus P. Castelo
Victor S. de la Serna
Roberto San Jose
Rodolfo D. Robles
Oscar B. Glovasa
Ronaldo B. Zamora
Romulo D. San Juan
Henry R. Villarica
Januario B. Soller, Jr.
Vicente R. Solis
Arturo D. Brion
Nicanor B. Padilla, Jr.
Enrique Teehankee
Virgilio B. Gesmundo
Cosme D. Rosell
Gregorio M. Batiller, Jr.
Rafael R. Lagos
Irene Ragodon-Guevarra
Ray C. Espinosa
Manuel Antonio J.
Teehankee
1959
1960
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982

Manuel L. Quezon University
San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College
San Beda College
Divine Word College of Tagbilaran
University of the East
Richard M. Chiu
1984 Ateneo de Manila University
Zamboanga City
Manila
1983 Ateneo de Manila University
Janette Susan L. Pea

1985
Laurence L. Go
1986
Mario P. Victoriano
1987
Maria Yvette O. Navarro 1988
Gilberto Teodoro, Jr.
1989
Aquilino Pimentel III
1990
Joseph P. San Pedro
1991
Jayme A. Sy, Jr.
1992
Anna Leah Fidelis T.
1993
Castaeda
Francisco Noel R.
1994
Fernandez
Leonor Y. Dicdican
1995
Patrcia-ann T. Progalidad 1996
Ma. Cecilia H. Fernandez 1997
Janet B. Abuel
1998
Florin Hilbay
1999
Edwin R. Enrile
Eliseo M. Zuiga, Jr.
2000
Rodolfo Ma. A.
2001
Ponferrada
Arlene Maneja
2002
Aeneas Eli S. Diaz
2003
January A. Sanchez
2004

Dumaguete City, Negros

Oriental
Cagayan de Oro City

Naga City, Camarines Sur
Joan A. De Venecia
Noel Neil Q. Malimban
Mercedita L. Ona
Judy A. Lardizabal
Reinier Paul Yebra
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009

San Sebastian College - Recoletos
San Beda College
Imus, Cavite
[edit] Fraternities and the Bar

From Beta Sigma Lambda and Tau Kappa Phi of the FEU Institute of Law to the Tau Lambda
Kappa, Epsilon Sigma Lambda Phi and Beta Alpha Lambda of the UE College of Law to Mu
Kappa Phi and Tri-Delta Lex of the MLQU School of Law to Alpha Phi Beta and Lex Talionis of
the SBC College of Law and Gamma Delta Epsilon, Suprema Lex and Aegis Juris of the UST
Faculty of Civil Law, fraternities and sororities have played a significant role in the lives of law
students especially at the point of taking the Philippine Bar Exams. Below is a listing of
fraternities and sororities which have produced first placers in the bar exams:
[edit] Alpha Phi Beta Fraternity
Gregorio R. Castillo (1957)

Henry R. Villarica (1971)
[edit] Aquila Legis Fraternity
Januario B. Soller Jr. (1972)

Vicente R. Solis (1973)
Virgilio B. Gesmundo (1977)
Gregorio M. Batiller Jr. (1979)
[edit] Delta Lambda Sigma Sorority
Janette Susan L. Pena (1985)
[edit] Fraternal Order of Utopia
Cornelio C. Gison (1963)

Arturo D. Brion (1974)
Jayme A. Sy Jr. (1992)
[edit] Lex Leonum Fraternitas
Reinier Paul R. Yebra (2009)
[edit] Portia Sorority
Cecilia Munoz (1937)

Amuerfina Melencio (1947)
Maria Yvette O. Navarro (1988)
[edit] Sigma Delta Phi Sorority
Ameurfina A. Melencio (1947)
Patricia Ann T. Prodigalidad (1996)
[edit] Sigma Rho Fraternity
Jovito R. Salonga (1944)

Pedro L. Yap (1946)
Manuel G. Abello (1958)
[edit] Tau Lambda Kappa Fraternity/ Sorority
Justice Rodolfo Palattao

Justice Efren Dela Cruz
Justice Arturo Tayag
Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano
Commissioner Moselem Macarambon
Commissioner Wilhelm Soriano
Gen. Magtangol Gatdula
Gilberto Duavit
Del De Guzman
Gov. Douglas RA Cagas
Gen. Roberto Calinisan
[edit] Upsilon Sigma Phi
Ferdinand E. Marcos (1939)

Rodolfo A. Ponferrada (2001)
[edit] Big Law Firms and Topping the Bar

In recent years, a significant number bar topnotchers have been associated with one of the top
Makati law firms. Listed below are some of the top law firms and the first placers who have been
associated with them at one time or the other.[50]
[edit] ACCRA Law
(Angara Abello Concepcion Regala & Cruz)
Manuel G. Abello (UP, 1958)

Avelino V. Cruz (SBC, 1961)
Patricia Ann T. Prodigalidad (UP, 1996)
Ma. Cecilia H. Fernandez (UP, 1997)
Edwin R. Enrile (ADMU, 1999)
January A. Sanchez (UP, 2004)
Reinier R. Yebra (SBC, 2009)
[edit] CLTPSJ Law
(Castillo Laman Tan Pantaleon & San Jose; formerly Castillo Laman Tan & Pantaleon)
Gregorio R. Castillo (UP, 1957)

Roberto V. San Jose (UP, 1966)
Noel Neil Q. Malimban (UC, 2006)
[edit] CVC Law
(Villaraza Cruz Marcelo & Angangco; formerly Carpio Villaraza Barza Cruz & Rosell, Carpio
Villaraza & Cruz, and Villaraza & Angangco)
Cosme D. Rosell (UP, 1978)

Aeneas Eli S. Diaz (ADMU, 2003)
[edit] PECABAR
(Ponce Enrile Reyes & Manalastas; formerly Picazo Cayetano Bautista & Reyes, and Ponce
Enrile Cayetano Reyes & Manalastas)
Janette Susan L. Pena (UP, 1985)
[edit] QT Law
(Quisumbing & Torres; formerly Collas & Guerrero, and Quisumbing Torres & Evangelista)
Edwin R. Enrile (ADMU, 1999)

Eliseo M. Zuniga Jr. (UP, 2000)
[edit] RMBSA Law
(Romulo Mabanta Buenaventura Sayoc & delos Angeles; formerly Gibbs McDonough & Ozaeta,
and Ozaeta Gibbs & Ozaeta)
Anna Leah Fidelis T. Castaneda (ADMU, 1993)
[edit] SRMO Law
(Siguion Reyna Montecillo & Ongsiako; formerly Hausserman Ortigas Cohn & Fisher, Fisher
Dewitt Perkins & Brady, and Dewitt Perkins & Ponce Enrile)
Manuel G. Montecillo (FEU, 1948)

Tomas P. Matic Jr. (FEU, 1955)
Deogracias G. Eufemio (UP, 1962)
Romulo D. San Juan (FEU, 1970)
Arturo D. Brion (ADMU, 1974)
Virgilio B. Gesmundo (ADMU, 1977)
Arlene M. Maneja (UST, 2002)
[edit] SSHG Law
(SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan; formerly SyCip & Quisumbing, SyCip Salazar Luna
Manalo & Feliciano, SyCip Salazar Feliciano & Castillo, and SyCip Salazar Feliciano &
Hernandez)
Carolina C. Grino (UP, 1950)

Gregorio R. Castillo (UP, 1957)
Manuel G. Abello (UP, 1958)
Ray C. Espinosa (ADMU, 1982)
Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada (UP, 2001)
Joan A. De Venecia (UP, 2005)
Mercedita L. Ona (ADMU, 2007)
[edit] External links
Supreme Court of the Philippines

Integrated Bar of the Philippines
Integrated Bar of the Philippines - Negros Oriental Chapter
GMA NEWS.TV, COMPLETE LIST OF BAR PASSERS, 1,289 Pass 2007 Bar Exams of
5,626 from 109 law schools
Abs-Cbn Interactive, 2007 BAR EXAMINATIONS LIST OF SUCCESSFUL

EXAMINEES
Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, With Due Respect,How to pass, nay, top the bar
exams
List of Philippine Bar Topnotchers, 1913-2007

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The examination covers the following topics, popularly known as the bar subjects:[12]

Political and Public International Law

Law on Public Officers

Public International Law

Labor and Social Legislation

Social Security Law

Revised Government Service Insurance Act of 1977 (including Employees Compensation

Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law

Property Registration Decree (excluding the Public Land Law)

Conflict of Laws (Private International Law)

General principles of Taxation

Republic Act No. 1125, creating the Court of Tax Appeals

Tariff and Customs Code (excluding Arrastre and Classification of Commodities)

Negotiable Instruments Law and Other Allied Laws

Negotiable Instruments Law (with the Uniform Currency Act)

Merchants and Commercial Transactions (including Articles 1 to 63 of the Code of

Letters of Credit under the Code of Commerce

Common Carriers (Articles 1732 to 1766 of the New Civil Code)

Public Service Act

Laws on Secrecy of Bank Deposits

Deposit Insurance Corporation

Trust Receipts Law (excluding the General Banking Act)

Other Special Laws

Chattel Mortgage Law

Warehouse Receipts Law

Laws on Intellectual Creations

Truth in Lending Act

Indeterminate Sentence Law

Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act

Bouncing Checks Law

Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972

Heinous Crimes Law (excluding penalties)

Revised Rules of Court

1991 Revised Rule on Summary Procedure

Local Government Code on Conciliation Procedures (Chapter VII)

Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises

Code of Professional Responsibility

Grievance Procedures (Rules 139-B, Revised Rules of Court)

[edit] Grading system

Civil Law - 15%

Mercantile Law - 15%

Criminal Law - 10%

Political and International Law - 15%

Remedial Law - 20%

Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises - 5%

[edit] Passing average vs. Passing rate

[edit] Passing Percentage (1978-2009)

[edit] Law school passing rates

Ateneo de Manila Law School - 89.19%

University of the Philippines College of Law - 85.19%

University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law - 56.70%

Far Eastern University Institute of Law - 26.25%

Schools with 30 or less examinees:

Ateneo de Davao College of Law - 65.57%

Arellano University - 46.18%

Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, College of Law - 41.26%

Xavier University - 37.45%

Lyceum of the Philippines University - 32.40%

St. Louis University - 31.38%[15]

[edit] Role of the Supreme Court, Criticisms

[edit] Bar topnotchers

University of the Philippines College of Law - forty-six (46) bar topnotchers

San Beda College of Law - seven (7) bar topnotchers

Philippine Law School - five (5) bar topnotchers