A total of 1,800 law graduates out of the 8,155 takers passed the 2018 Bar Examinations, led by Ateneo de Manila University graduate Sean James B. Borja as topnotcher.

Mr. Borja had an 89.3060% rating in last year’s exams which in turn posted a passing rate of 22.07%.

The top 10 was dominated by graduates of the University of San Carlos (USC) in Cebu as well as the Ateneo de Manila. Mr. Borja is followed by Marcley Augustus D. Natu-el (87.53%) and Mark Lawrence C. Badayos (85.8420%) both from USC and Daniel John A. Fordan (85.4430%) and Katrina Monica C. Gaw (85.4210%) from Ateneo.

University of the Philippines’ Nadaine P. Tongco (85.0320%) and Patricia O. Sevilla (84.8590%) ranked 6th and 7th, respectively, followed by Katherine T. Ting from the De La Salle University (84.8570%) and USC’s Jebb Lynus Q. Cane (84.8050%) and Alen Joel R. Pita (84.6930%).

In a radio interview with DZMM Teleradyo, Mr. Borja said he wanted to speak up for people who don’t have the courage to speak for their rights.

“Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be a detective like a dream. And eventually, that transformed into criminal law. And then now, I am seeing my options. I think it’s being able to provide a voice for people who don’t necessarily have that, in the sense that not everybody might have the courage to speak up for their rights are. So, I thought that I could be that voice,” he said.

Associate Justice Mariano C. Del Castillo, chairperson of the Bar Committee, said the successful examiners will take their oath on June 13 at the Philippine International Convention Center.

Mr. Del Castillo also said in the announcement that the highest grade recorded in this year’s exam is 98% in Legal Ethics, with 5,436 out of 8,155 examinees passed or 66.6585%.

The subject which had the least number of passers was Taxation where only 1,532 takers passed or a passing rate of 18.7837%.

Initially, the SC said 8,158 law graduates took the exam but three of them dropped out during the exams held at the University of Santo Tomas during the four Sundays of November 2018.

The 2018 passing rate is lower compared to the previous year where 1,724 out of 6,748 or 25.5% of examiners passed the Bar Examinations. In 2016, 59.06% passing rate was recorded as 3,747 out of 6,344 examiners passed the exam.

In a statement, Solicitor-General Jose C. Calida called on the soon-to-be lawyers to serve the public.

“We encourage all bar passers to heed the call of public service and join the OSG in its pursuit of social justice as the Defender of the Republic and Tribune of the People,” Mr. Calida said.

“For those who unfortunately won’t make the cut, do not lose faith. Courage lies not in the number of times we fall, but, in every fall, we rise up from ashes ready to fight anew,” he added.

For his part, Presidential Spokesperson Salvador S. Panelo said he hopes the new lawyers consider pursuing government careers and “help build a progressive and peaceful nation that will provide a comfortable life for all.”

“Their youth, idealism, academic competence and personal integrity are welcome under the present Administration, and should be in succeeding administrations as well,” he said in a statement.

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