3,812 takers pass 2023 Bar exams; UST grad placed first

A TOTAL of 3,812 out of 10,387 takers passed the 2023 Bar examinations, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday. 

Bar Chairperson Associate Justice Ramon Paul Hernando said the passing percentage was 36.77%, lower than last year’s 43.47%. 

University of Santo Tomas’ Ephraim Bie topped the exam with a rating of 89.2625%, followed by Ateneo de Manila University’s Mark Josel Vivit and San Beda University’s Frances Camille Francisco, who received a grade of 89.1250% and 88.9125%, respectively.

Law graduates from UST-Legazpi, De La Salle University, the University of the Philippines, the University of San Jose Recoletos, the Angeles University Foundation, Saint Paul School of Professional Studies, Bulacan State University, the University of Makati, and Arellano University also made it to the Top 20.

Ateneo de Manila obtained the highest passing rate (94.08%) among law schools with more than 100 first-time applicants, followed by San Beda University (92.20%), University of San Carlos (90.91%), UP (89.45%), and UST (85.25%).

University of Cebu had the highest passing rate among law schools with 51 to 100 first-time candidates (76.67%), while the University of Makati had the best performance among law schools with 11 to 50 first-time examinees (93.94%). 

Held on September 17, 20, and 24 in various testing centers across the country, the 2023 Bar exams featured the following subjects: Political and Public International Law (15%); Commercial and Taxation Laws (20%); Civil Law (20%); Labor Law and Social Legislation (10%); Criminal Law (10%); and Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics with Practical Exercises (25%).

The oath-taking and roll-signing ceremonies will be held on December 22 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.