Manila – The Supreme Court (SC) has announced the results of the 2023 bar exams, revealing that 3,812 out of 10,387 examinees successfully passed, achieving a 36.77 percent passing rate. Ephraim Porciuncula Bie from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) secured the highest score of 89.2625 percent among the candidates. Another UST alumnus, Pio Buencamino, tied for 8th place with Paulo Batulan from the University of San Jose-Recoletos.

According to Philippines News Agency, The top 10 also featured graduates from Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), San Beda University, Dela Salle University (DLSU Manila), and the University of the Philippines (UP). ADMU’s Mark Josel Padua and Bryan Gerard Tapnio Antonio placed 2nd and 7th, respectively, while San Beda’s Frances Francisco achieved 3rd place, DLSU Manila’s David Flores 5th, and UP’s Ralph Samaniego 6th. Aquinas Campus of the University of Sto. Tomas in Legaspi City saw Nathaniel Tang and Zes Non securing 4th and 10th places, respectively. Grace Bautista from Angeles University Foundation School of Law placed 9th, and Saint Paul School of Professional Studies’ Jayson Chan shared the 10th position with Non.

UP students also attained the 13th, 15th, 16th, and 17th highest marks. Among larger law schools, ADMU led with a 94.08 percent passing rate, followed by San Beda, the University of San Carlos (USC), UP, and UST. The SC noted that 140 schools had candidates who completed the bar exams, and 130 schools had successful examinees. This year’s exams, chaired by Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando, were conducted digitally at multiple sites, marking the third time for such an arrangement.