Legal education in the History (See: wikipedia.org. Some of the data in this Wikipedia article may need verification ). The University of Santo Tomas established its faculties of canon law and civil law in in 1733 From 1734 to Legal education in the Philippines is developed and 1800, of only 3,360 students, only 29 graduated with offered by Philippine law schools, supervised by the the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law, 8 with the degree Legal Education Board, and regulated by the Commission of Licentiate in Civil Law and 3 with the degree of on Higher Education and the Supreme Court of the Doctor of Civil Law in that university.[1] Philippines. In 1890, the Universidad Literia de Filipinas was Law degree programs are considered graduate programs in established in , . It offered Law as well the Philippines. As such, admission to law schools as Medicine, Surgery and Notary Public. In 1899, Felipe requires the completion of a bachelor's degree, with a Calderon founded the Escuela de Derecho de and sufficient number of credits or units in certain adopted the name Manila Law College in 1924. The subject areas. University of the Philippines opened its College of Law in 1910. There were around 50 Filipino and American Graduation from a constitutes the students.[2] Justice Sherman Moreland of the Supreme primary eligibility requirement for the Philippine Bar Court of the Philippines was named its first Dean, but Examinations, the national licensure examination for after he ultimately declined the position, he was practicing lawyers in the country. The bar examination replaced by George A. Malcolm, who is recognized as the is administered by the Supreme Court during the month college's first permanent dean. of September every year. Legal Systems Members of the bar in the Philippines are required to take mandatory continuing legal education in order to The Philippine legal system is an amalgamation of the continue practicing their profession. world's major systems which are the Roman Civil Law and the Canon Law of the Catholic Church inherited from the Legal education in the Philippines normally proceeds Spanish, EnglishCommon Law from the , and along the following route: Islamic Law.

 Undergraduate education (usually 4 years)  Law school (usually 4 years)  Admission to the bar (usually by taking a Law degree programs Philippine bar exam)  Legal practice and mandatory continuing legal education Law degrees in the Philippines may be classified into College of Law and the three types--professional, graduate level, and Institute of Law.[5] honorary. o Juris Doctor-Master of Business Administration (J.D.-M.B.A.) - The J.D.- M.B.A. program is a double degree program in law and management offered at the graduate Professional law degrees level. It was introduced and is so far only offered by the La Salle-FEU MBA-JD Program, In order to be eligible to take the bar examinations, a consortium of Far Eastern University one must complete one of the two professional degrees: Institute of Law and De La Salle Graduate The Bachelor of Laws (Ll.B.) program or the Juris School of Business. Under this program, the Doctor (J.D.) program. Advanced degrees are offered by requirements of the J.D. and M.B.A. programs some law schools, but are not requirements for are satisfied by the taking of concurrent admission to the practice of law in the Philippines. units of study, allowing students to complete the program in five instead of six years.[6]  Bachelor of Laws (Ll.B.) - The Ll.B. is the most common law degree offered and conferred by

Philippine law schools. It is a standard four-year law program covering all bar exam subjects. Almost all law schools follow a standard LL.B. Graduate law degrees curriculum, wherein students are exposed to the required bar subjects. Other schools, like the Beyond the J.D. or Ll.B., members of the Philippine bar University of the Philippines College of Law, have the option of pursuing graduate degrees in law. allow students to substitute electives for bar review subjects offered in the fourth year of  Master of Laws (LL.M.) - The Ll.M. is a graduate study. [3] law degree offered to holders of basic law degrees (LL.B. and J.D.). It is generally offered to law  Juris Doctor (J.D.) - The J.D. program is a four- graduates and lawyers of any nationality. Only year law program. Like the standard Ll.B. program, five Philippine law schools so far conduct the the J.D. curriculum covers the core subjects program--University of Santo Tomas Faculty of required for the bar examinations. Unlike the Civil Law, which first offered the program; Ll.B., the J.D. program requires students to University of ManilaManuel L. University finish the core bar subjects in 2 1/2 years, take College of Law; San Beda Graduate School of Law; elective subjects, undergo an apprenticeship, and and PLM Graduate School of Law of the Pamantasan prepare and defend a thesis.[4] The J.D. degree was ng Lungsod ng MaynilaAteneo School of Law, the Far first conferred by the Ateneo School of Law in Eastern University Institute of Law, the Escuela 1991. Aside from the Ateneo, only two other law de Derecho de Manila (now Manila Law College schools offer the J.D.: the University of Foundation), and the University of the Philippines College of Law[7] College of Law; (University of  UNESCO Director General Koichiro Matsuura (LL.D., the City of Manila). LL.M. programs were once honoris causa, University of Santo Tomas)[11] offered by the but were eventually phased out due  former International Court of Justice Judge Cesar to lack of enrollment and funding. Bengzon (LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila University and University of Santo Tomas) [12] [11] There are two kinds of doctoral programs in law offered  former United Nations General Assembly President in the Philippines: Carlos P. Romulo (Ll.D., honoris causa, University of Santo Tomas)[11]  Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.) - The D.C.L. program  former Philippine President (LL.D., is a doctoral program in law offered to holders of honoris causa, University of the Philippines and the LL.M degree. Candidates who hold only LL.B. University of Santo Tomas)[13] [11] degrees may be admitted upon completion of  former Philippine President prerequisite LL.M. subjects. The D.C.L. was (LL.D., honoris causa, )[14] pioneered by the University of Santo Tomas Faculty  former Philippine President of Civil Law. Their program structure is highly (LL.D., honoris causa, University of the East)[14] similar to the D.C.L. offered in the Complutense  former Philippine Chief Justice [8] University of Madrid. The PLM Graduate School of (LL.D., honoris causa, University of Iloilo)[15] [9] Law has already opened its own D.C.L. program.  Canadian Chief Justice Beverly McLachlin, P.C. (LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila  Doctor of the Science of Law (S.J.D.) - a doctoral University)[12] program in law soon to be offered in the San Beda  former chairman of the United Nations Security Graduate School of Law.[10] Council, Carlos P. Romulo (LL.D., honoris causa, University of the East)[14]  former Philippine First Lady Aurora Aragon Quezon (LL.D., honoris causa, University of Santo Honorary law degrees Tomas)[11]  former Philippine First Lady (LL.D., Some Philippine universities also confer the honorary honoris causa, University of the Philippines).[13] Doctor of Laws (LL.D.) degree. It is given to famous  Philippine Senator individuals who, in the discretion of the awarding (LL.D., honoris causa, Centro Escolar University institution, were found to have made significant and Xavier University)[16] [17] contributions to a certain field, or to the improvement  former Philippine Senator (LL.D., of society or development of the conditions of mankind honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila University)[12] in general. Honorary law doctorates in the past  former on Elections Chairman include: Christian Monsod (LL.D., honoris causa, Ateneo de Manila University)[12]  King Juan Carlos I of (LL.D., honoris causa, University of Santo Tomas)[11] curriculum introduced by the Ateneo School of Law (the J.D. Programs of the FEU-La Salle consortium and the Practicality University of Batangas Law School are of this mold), and second, simply changing the name of the degree While advanced law degrees (LL.M., D.C.L., S.J.D., conferred from “Ll.B.” to “J.D.” while essentially LL.D.) may elevate a lawyer's standing in academic retaining the same course offerings as those in the settings, the basic law degree (LL.B., J.D.) remains DECS Model Law Curriculum (DECS Order No. 27, series of [4] the most important academic qualification to be 1989). admitted to the practice of law in the Philippines.[18]

Admission to the practice of law Ecclesiastical law degrees The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines has given the A few Roman Catholic seminaries and graduate schools Supreme Court the sole power to admit individuals to [20] offer degree programs in Canon Law, an ecclesiastical the practice of law in the Philippines. This power is program that is not required in the Philippine Bar exercised through a Bar Examination Committee, an ad Examinations.The University of Santo Tomas Faculty of hoc academic group tasked to formulate questions, Canon Law runs the oldest academic programs of this administer proceedings, grade examinations, rank kind. Its Licentiate of Canon Law (J.C.L.) and Doctor candidates, and release the results of the Philippine of Canon Law (J.C.D.) programs are open to priests, Bar Examination. nuns, theologians, and even to lay people (i.e., trial court judges, law deans, family lawyers etc.). Judges To be eligible to take the national bar exam, a of the Roman Catholic Marriage Tribunal typically hold candidate must be a Filipino citizen, at least twenty- academic degrees in the field.[19] Degrees in canon law, one years of age, and holder of a bachelor's degree and strictly speaking, are not considered law degrees in a law degree obtained from a government recognized law the Philippines. school in the Philippines. Graduates of law schools from other countries must obtain a law degree from the [21] Philippines to qualify for the Philippine Bar.

Developments

There is a move among members of the Philippine Philippine Bar Examinations Association of Law Schools (PALS) to convert their Ll.B. programs into J.D. curricula.[4] There are The Philippine Bar Examinations is the national currently two possible directions for the change: licensure exam for admission to the practice of law. It First, the conversion of Ll.B. programs through is conducted during the four Sundays of September of adopting a model substantially similar to the J.D. every year. It is arguably the hardest and the most media-covered of all government licensure examinations  Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) [22] in the country. It is also reputedly one of the  Philippine Association of Law Schools (PALS) [23] hardest bar examinations in the world.  Philippine Association of Law Professors (PALP)  active law practitioners For candidates intending to practice Islamic law in the  bonafide law students Philippines, the Special Bar Exams for Shari’a Court Lawyers is given every two years. The Supreme Court Bar The Board has made legal reforms which include--the Office conducts the exam while the Office of Muslim stricter selection of law students and law professors; Affairs determines the qualification and eligibility of [24] improvements in quality of instruction and facilities candidates to the exams. of law schools; provisions for legal apprenticeship of law students; and the requirement of attendance to continuing legal education seminars for practicing attorneys.[29] Attorneys-at-law

To be a full-fledged lawyer in the Philippines and be eligible to use the title Attorney, a candidate must Mandatory Continuing Legal Education graduate from a Philippine law school, take and pass the Philippine Bar Examinations, take the Attorney's Lawyers with names appearing in the Rolls of Attorneys Oath, and sign his name in the Rolls of Attorneys of [25] of the Supreme Court, unless disbarred, are all members the Supreme Court. of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP). [30]

The full names of lawyers are found in the Rolls of However, to be IBP members of good standing, lawyers Attorneys of the Supreme Court, and in a similar list are required to complete, every three years, at least included in a Supreme Court publication entitled Law [26] thirty-six hours of continuing legal education seminars List. approved by the Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee (MCLE). Members who fail to comply shall pay a non-compliance fee, and shall be listed as a delinquent member.[31] Legal Education Board The Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Office, The Legal Education Board supervises all law schools established by the Supreme Court, is the official and continuing legal education providers in the government agency tasked to implement compliance with Philippines.[27] The Board is headed by a Chairman who is the MCLE requirement.[32] a retired justice of a collegiate court (i.e., Supreme Court, Court of Appeals, , Court of Tax Appeals, etc.). Regular members of the Board include a representative from each of the following:[28] Philippine law schools Cagayan State Tuguegarao, Cagayan University [33] There are eighty-nine law schools legitimately Camarines Norte Itomang, Talisay, Camarines Norte operating throughout the Philippines. They include School of Law independent law schools, resident colleges, and affiliated units of much larger private and public Central Philippine universities:[34] University College Jaro, of Law Christ the King Name Location Calbayog City College 900 San Marcelino St., Manila College of Law Colegio dela IBP Office, Hall of Justice, Roxas Purisima Concepcion City Andres Bonifacio College Park, Dipolog City Cor Jesus College Digos, Davao del Sur College Cordillera College Bugayan, La Trinidad, Benguet Aquinas University 2-S King's Building, JAA Penaranda College of Law St., Legazpi City Don Mariano Marcos Memorial State Araullo University San Fernando, La Union Bitas, Cabanatuan City University College College of Law of Law Taft. Ave. cor. Menlo St., Pasay Dr. Vicente Orestes Law Foundation City Romualdez Education Tacloban City, Leyte Ateneo de Davao Foundation, Inc. University School of Jacinto St., Davao City East Central San Fernando City, Pampanga Law Colleges Ateneo de Manila Ateneo Professional Schools Nicanor Reyes Sr. St., Sampaloc, University School of Building, Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Manila Law Center, City (The La Salle-FEU MBA-JD Program Basilan State Far Eastern is offered at College Basilan City University Institute Professional Schools, RCBC Plaza,

of Law of Law Ayala Ave., Makati City. It is Bicol University offered in consortium with the De Daraga, College of Law La Salle Graduate School of Business.) Bukidnon State Malabalay, Bukidnon Fernandez College of College Gil Carlos St., Baliuag, Bulacan Arts & Technology Cagayan Colleges- Cagayan Tuguegarao Foundation Dr. Miciano St., Dumaguete City University Mindanao State Harvardian Colleges San Fernando, Pampanga University College Marawi City of Law Holy Name University Tagbilaran City, Bohol Misamis University College of Law Bonifacio St., Ozamiz City College of Law Jose University College 82 Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City St. Joseph St., Milton Hills of Law College of Law Subd., Bgy. New Era, Leyte Colleges Zamora St., Tacloban City Northeastern College Santiago City, Isabela Liceo de Cagayan Northwester Rodolfo N. Pelaez Blvd., Carmen, University College University College Laoag City of Law of Law Luna Goco Colleges Calapan, Oriental Mindoro Notre Dame University College Notre Dame Ave., Cotabato City Luzon Colleges Quezon of Law Lyceum of the Pagadian College of Philippines L.P. Leviste St., Makati City Criminilogy & Pagadian City University College Sciences of Law Palawan State Sta. Monica, Puerto Princesa, Lyceum-Northwestern University College Palawan University College Dagupan City, Pangasinan of Law of Law Pamantasan ng Manila Law College Lungsod ng Maynila Intramuros, Manila Foundation (formerly Sales St., Sta. Cruz, Manila College of Law Escuela de Derecho Philippine Advent de Manila) Sindangan, College Manuel L. Quezon Philippine Law University College R. Hidalgo St., Quiapo, Manila F.B. Harrison St., Pasay City of Law School Manuel S. Enverga Polytechnic University University of the Foundation St., Lucena City Mabini Campus, Santa Mesa, Manila Foundation College Philippines College of Law of Law Masbate Colleges Masbate, Masbate Samar Colleges Catbalogan, Samar San Beda College of Medina Colleges Ozamiz City Mendiola St., San Miguel, Manila

Law San Beda College of Don Manolo Boulevard, Alabang College of Law Law-Alabang Hills Village, City University of San Pablo Colleges San Pablo City Mindanao College of Bolton St., Davao City San Sebastian Law College-Recoletos Claro M. Recto Ave., Manila University of Negros College of Law Occidental-Recoletos Iriga City Saint Louis College San Fernando City, La Union College of Law St. Louis University University of Nueva Bonifacio St., Baguio City College of Law Caceres College of Dagupan City, Pangasinan Law Hubbard Ave., Dumaguete City, College of Law Negros Oriental Unversity of Perpetual Help-Rizal Las Piñas City Southwestern Urgillo St., Sambag District, College of Law University College City of Law University of Perpetual Help Biñan, Tabaco Colleges Tabaco, Albay System College of University of Law Batangas College of Batangas City University of the Malcolm Hall, U.P. Diliman Campus, Law Philippines College Quezon City

University of Bohol of Law Tagbilaran City College of Law University of San University of the Agustin College of Gen. Luna St., Iloilo City Cordilleras Law (formerly the Baguio Harrison Rd., Baguio City University of San Colleges Foundation) Carlos College of P. Del Rosario St., College of Law Law University of the Claro M. Recto Ave., Manila University of San East College of Law Jose-Recoletos Cebu City University of College of Law Eastern Philippines Catarman, Northern Samar University of Santo Main Building, U.S.T. Campus, College of Law Tomas Faculty of España St., Sampaloc, Manila

University of Iloilo Civil Law Iloilo City College of Law University of Cebu City Mv. delos Santos, Manila Southern Philippines Foundation College 3,360 students, only 40 students graduated from of Law various law programs: 29 in Bachelor of Civil Law, 8 in Licentiate in Civil Law, and 3 in Doctor of University of Law, reflecting the rigid training in these Visayas College of Cebu City courses. The school has produced four Philippine Law Presidents, three Vice Presidents, and six Chief San Francisco St. cor. J.C. Aquino Urios College Justices of the Philippine Supreme Court. Ave., Butuan City Virgen de los 10 Fontaine St., East Bajac-bajac,  Universidad Literia Filipinas, established in Remedios College Olongapo City 1898, was the second oldest law school in the Virgen Milagrosa country. It is no longer operating. The university University College Zamboanga City was established in Malolos, Bulacan and offered of Law progams in law and notary public. The school later moved to Tarlac. Western Mindanao State University Corales Ave., Cagayan de Oro City  Escuela de Derecho de Manila (now Manila Law College of Law College Foundation) was established in 1899. Don Zamboanga A.E. Felipe Calderon, author of the 1899 Malolos J.S. Alano St., Zamboanga City College Constitution, founded the school. In 1924, the school was renamed the Manila Law School. It was further renamed Manila Law College Foundation.

Notable law schools  University of the Philippines College of Law, established in 1910, is the flagship law school of state colleges and universities in the Philippines. In 1910, the College of Law of the University of the Philippines opened with fifty Oldest law schools {50) Filipino and American students. Justice Sherman Moreland of the Philippine Supreme Court was named as the first dean, but after he ultimately declined the post, he was replaced by [35] The eleven oldest law schools are as follows: George A. Malcolm, the first permanent dean of the College. The school has dominated past and present  University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law, memberships in the Philippine Supreme Court and established in 1734, is the oldest law school in other collegiate courts. the Philippines. In 1734, the University of Santo Tomas opened a Faculty of Civil Law and a Faculty of Canon Law. From 1734 to 1800 (66 years), out of  Philippine Law School was established in 1915.  Francisco Law School was established in 1940. It Former Presidents Diosdado MacapagalCarlos P. is now defunct. Garcia attended the school. and  University of the East College of Law, established  University of Manila College of Law was in 1950. Famous graduates are ManilaAlfredo Lim established in 1918. Cecilia Muñoz Palma, the and Philippine Supreme Court Associate Justice first woman to be appointed Associate Justice of Dante Tinga. Philippine Court of Appeals Associate the Philippine Supreme Court and the President of Justices Demetrio G. Demetria, Japar B. Dimaampao, the 1986 Constitutional Commission, earned her Arturo G. Tayag and Normandie B. Pizarro. mayor Master of Laws from this institution. and former Philippine Senator

 Far Eastern University Institute of Law,  San Beda College of Law,was founded in 1948. Over established in 1934, is the alma mater of former the years, it has produced senators, justices of Supreme Court Chief Justice Artemio Panganiban, collegiate courts, judges of lower courts, active former Philippine President Corazon Aquino, former lawyers and law professors. It has also achieved Philippine Court of Appeals Presiding Justices one of the highest bar passing rates and largest Oscar Herrera and Salome A. Montoya, and number of law graduates among law schools in the Sandiganbayan senior associate justice Edilberto country.[3] A famous alumnus, Florenz D. Regalado, Sandoval. is a Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, an established author, and the holder of the highest  Southern College of Law was established in 1935. bar exam grade in the history of the bar exams in It is no longer operating. the Philippines.

 Ateneo de Manila University School of Law, established in 1936, is the alma mater of former Chief Justice , 1986 Bar Performance Constitutional Commissioner Fr. Joaquin Bernas, S.J.., and former Philippine Vice President The performance of law schools in the annual bar exam Teofisto Guingona. can be measured using two criteria:

 Arellano Law College (now Arellano Law Foundation) was established in 1938. Former Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Manuel Gaviola, Former Bar passing rate Congressman and Senator Francisco Sumulong and Former Congressman Jose Zafra] attended the The bar passing rate is the proportion of successful school. bar exam passers in relation to the total number of bar exam takers coming from a particular law school. The national bar passing rate (proportion of all bar exam The list contains the names of bar examinees who passers in relation to all bar exam takers) changes obtained the ten highest grades. It is possible for every year, and has gone from an all-time high of more than ten examinees to place in the top ten because 75.17% in 1954 to an all-time low of 16.59% in 1999.[36] numerical ties in the computation of grades usually occur.[40] Law schools with the highest average bar passing rates include: Schools which have produced bar topnotchers (1st placers)[41] include:  Ateneo de Manila University School of Law - 89.19%  San Beda College of Law - 85.27%  University of the Philippines College of Law -  University of the Philippines College of Law - forty-nine (49) bar topnotchers 85.19%  Ateneo de Manila University School of Law -  Ateneo de Davao University School of Law - 65.57% eighteen (18) bar topnotchers  University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law -  Philippine Law School - seven (7) bar topnotchers 56.70%  University of Manila College of Law (former  University of San Carlos - 54.45% passing rate Escuela de Derecho) - six (6) bar topnotchers  Arellano University - 46.18% passing rate  San Beda College of Law - six (6) bar topnotchers  Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, College of Law -  Far Eastern University Institute of Law - four (4) 41.26% bar topnotchers  Xavier University - 37.45%  University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law -  Lyceum of the Philippines - 32.40% four (4) bar topnotchers  St. Louis University - 31.38%  University of the Cordilleras (formerly Baguio  Far Eastern University - 26.25. Colleges Foundation) College of Law - two (2) bar topnotchers  Manila Law College Foundation (formerly Escuela de Derecho de Manila) - one (1) bar topnotcher In the 2006 bar examinations, Basilan State  Manuel L. Quezon University College of Law - one University's lone bar candidate passed, giving the (1) bar topnotcher school a 100% passing rate.[39]  Divine Word College - one (1) bar topnotcher  University of the East College of Law - one (1) bar topnotcher

Bar topnotchers Two bar examinees topped the bar exams without graduating from any Philippine law school: Bar topnotchers are bar examinees who garnered the highest bar exam grades in a particular year. Every  - former Senator of the Philippines; year, the Supreme Court releases the bar top ten list. 1st placer, 1945 bar exams  Carolina C. Griño-Aquino - former Associate o Arturo D. Brion - Secretary of Labor and Justice of the Supreme Court; 1st placer, 1950 bar Employment exams o Rolando Andaya Jr. - Secretary of Budget and Management In the past, non-law school graduates were allowed to o Sergio Apostol - Chief Presidential Legal take the bar. However, the Revised Rules of Court and Counsel Supreme Court Circulars allow only Philippine law o - former Senate President graduates to take the bar, necessarily excluding non- o Hernando Perez - former Secretary of Justice law graduates and foreign law graduates from taking o Evelio Javier, former Governor of Antique part in the exercise.  Far Eastern University Institute of Law alumni:[44] o Corazon Aquino - former President of the Philippines Law schools with prestigious alumni o Artemio Panganiban - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court The quality of law schools is often measured by the o Court of Appeals Presiding Justice and prestige, influence, or wealth of famous law alumni.[42] Remedial Law expert Oscar Herrera o Jose Nolledo - Member of the 1986 Constitutional Commission, Delegate of the Some of the law schools and their famous alumni 1971 Constitutional Convention include: o Salome Montoya - former Presiding Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals  Ateneo de Manila University School of Law [43] o Eliezer R. De los Santos - Associate Justice alumni: of the Philippine Court of Appeals o Teofisto Guingona - former Vice President of o Juan Q. Enriquez Jr. - Associate Justice of the Philippines the Philippine Court of Appeals o Claudio Teehankee - former Chief Justice of o Edilberto Sandoval - Associate Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court the Sandiganbayan (Philippine Anti-Graft o - Associate Justice of the Court) Philippine Supreme Court o - former Secretary of o - Associate Justice of the Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to the United Philippine Supreme Court Nations o Jose Miguel Arroyo - First Gentleman of the o Sedfrey Ordonez - former Solicitor General, Philippines Secretary of Justice, Ambassador to the o Fr. Joaquin G. Bernas, S.J. - Member of the United Nations, and Chairman of the 1986 Constitutional Commission Commission on Human Rights o - Senator of the o Edgar Ilarde - former Senator of the Philippines Philippines o Ignacio Bunye - Presidential Spokesman o Wenceslao Lagumbay - former Senator of the o Jose C. Reyes Jr. - Associate Justice of the Philippines Philippine Court of Appeals o Jr. - former Mayor of o Fernanda Lampas-Peralta - Associate Justice Mandaluyong City and Majority Floor Leader of the Philippine Court of Appeals of the Philippine House of Representatives o Eduardo Joson - former Governor of Nueva o Manuel J. Laserna Jr. (3rd placer, 1984 bar Ecija exams, 90.95%; AB, Ll.B, Ll.M) and Myrna C. Mercader. CPA, DBA, Ph.D. - FEU law  University of the Philippines College of Law professors and bar reviewers (1985-2006), alumni (Associate Justices not included):[46] trial lawyers, bar leaders, and founders of o Jose P. Laurel - former President of the the Las Pinas City Bar Association (2001). Philippines o Diosdado "Dado" Arroyo - youngest son of o - former President of the President Philippines o - former President of the  San Beda College of Law alumni:[45] Philippines o Florenz D. Regalado - former Associate o Ferdinand Marcos - former President of the Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court; Philippines holder of the highest bar exam grade o Jose Yulo - former Chief Justice of the o - former Senator, Secretary of Philippines Education, IBP President, and 1998 & 2004 o - former Chief Justice of the Presidential candidate Philippines o Rene Saguisag - former Senator of the o Cesar Bengzon - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Philippines o Antonio Eduardo Nachura - Associate Justice o - former Chief Justice of of the Philippine Supreme Court, former the Philippines Solicitor General o - former Chief Justice of o Antonio Martinez - Associate Justice of the the Philippines Philippine Supreme Court o Felix Makasiar - former Chief Justice of the o Romeo Callejo - Associate Justice of the Philippines Philippine Supreme Court o Querube Makalintal - former Chief Justice of o Justo P. Torres, Jr. - former Associate the Philippines Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court o - former Chief Justice of the o Bienvenido L. Reyes - Associate Justice of Philippines the Philippine Court of Appeals o - former Chief Justice of the o Noel G. Tijam - Associate Justice of the Philippines Philippine Court of Appeals o - former Chief Justice of the o Jose C. Mendoza - Associate Justice of the Philippines Philippine Court of Appeals o Hilario Davide Jr. - former Chief Justice of Preparatory Commission for Constitutional the Philippine Supreme Court Reform o - current Chief Justice of the o Angelina Sandoval-Gutierrez- Associate Philippine Supreme Court Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court o Cecilia Muñoz Palma - President of the o Rosalinda Asuncion Vicente - Associate Philippine Constitutional Commission of 1986 Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals and first woman Associate Justice of the o Monina Arevalo Zenarosa - Associate Justice Philippine Supreme Court of the Philippine Court of Appeals o - Associate Justice of the  University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law Sandiganbayan (Philippine Anti-Graft Court) alumni:[47] o Raul Gonzalez - Secretary of Justice and o Manuel L. Quezon - former President of the former Tanodbayan {Special Prosecutor) Philippines o Arturo Buena - former Associate Justice of o Sergio Osmeña - former President of the the Philippine Supreme Court and Presiding Philippines Justice of the Philippine Court of Appeals o Jose P. Laurel - former President of the o Bernardo Pardo - former Associate Justice of Philippines the Philippine Supreme Court and Commission o - former President of the on Elections Chairman Philippines o Alfredo Benipayo - former Commission on o Emmanuel Pelaez - former Vice President of Elections Chairman, Solicitor General, and the Philippines Supreme Court Administrator o - former Vice President of the Philippines o - former Vice President of the Philippines External links o - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court  Supreme Court of the Philippines o - former Chief Justice of the  Integrated Bar of the Philippines Philippine Supreme Court  Commission on Higher Education, Republic of the o Manuel Araullo - former Chief Justice of the Philippines Philippine Supreme Court o Ramon Avanceña - former Chief Justice of the

Philippine Supreme Court o - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court See also o - former Chief Justice of the Philippine Supreme Court and Chairman,  Philippine Bar Examinations  Integrated Bar of the Philippines  Supreme Court of the Philippines Philippines or abroad.[2]

Posted by Philippine Laws and Cases - Atty. Manuel J. He should also meet certain non-academic Laserna Jr. at 5:41 AM requisites:[3]

6 comments: * A Filipino citizen. * At least twenty-one (21) years of age. * A resident of the Philippines. * Satisfactory evidence of good moral character 1. (usually a certificate from the dean of law school or an immediate superior at work). Atty. MANUEL J. LASERNA JR.October 7, 2007 at 6:06 * No charges involving moral turpitude have been AM filed against the candidate or are pending in any court in the Philippines. Philippine Bar Examination From Wikipedia, the free Committee of Bar Examiners encyclopedia The Supreme Court appoints memberships in the Committee of Bar Examiners, the official task The Philippine Bar Examination is the professional force for formulating bar exam questions, licensure examination for lawyers in the instituting policy directives, executing Philippines. procedures, grading bar examination papers, and releasing the results of the annual bar It is the only professional licensure exam in the examination.[4] country that is not supervised by the Professional Regulation Commission. The exam is exclusively The committee is chaired by an incumbent Justice administered by the Supreme Court of the of the Supreme Court, who is designated by the Philippines through the Supreme Court Bar Supreme Court to serve for a term of one year. The Examination Committee. members of the committee includes eight (8) Admission requirements members of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines, who also hold office for a term of one year.[5] A bar candidate must meet the following academic While the Justice who shall act as Chairman is qualifications: immediately known, committee members must exert every effort to conceal their identities until the * Holder of a professional degree in law from a oath-taking of the successful bar examinees, recognized law school in the Philippines[1] approximately six months after the bar exam.[6] * Holder of a bachelor's degree with academic credits in certain required subjects from a recognized college or university in the Bar review programs o Mercantile Law (morning session) Candidates who meet all the admission requirements o Criminal Law (afternoon session) usually enroll in special review classes after graduating from law school. These programs are * Fourth Sunday: held from April to September in law schools, colleges, universities, and review centers. o Remedial Law (morning session) o Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises (afternoon Program schedule, content, and delivery differs session) from one review program to another. Lecturers in these programs are called bar reviewers. They are usually full-time professors and part-time Coverage professorial lecturers in law schools and universities. Most review programs invite The examination covers the following topics, incumbent and retired justices and high ranking popularly known as the bar subjects:[9] public officials both as a marketing tool and as a program innovation.[7] * Political and Public International Law o Constitutional Law o Political Law Venue and itinerary o Administrative Law (only the basic doctrines, excluding implementing rules abd regulations of The examinations are held during the four Sundays government agencies) of September of every year in the campus of De La o Law on Public Officers Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila. o Public Corporations o Suffrage Examinations for the eight bar subjects follow a o Public International Law fixed schedule:[8] * Labor and Social Legislation * First Sunday: o Labor Law (Labor Code of the Philippines, excluding the implementing rules and regulations) o Political and International Law (morning o Social Legislation session) + Social Security Law o Labor and Social Legislation (afternoon session) + Revised Government Service Insurance Act of 1977 (including Employees Compensation Act of 1977) * Second Sunday: + Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law o Civil Law (morning session) o Taxation (afternoon session) * Civil Law o Civil Code of the Philippines (excluding the * Third Sunday: Code of Muslim Personal Laws, Water Code, Rental Law, Law on Sale of Subdivision of Lots and Condominiums) Banking Act) o Family Code of the Philippines (including the + Other Special Laws Child and Youth Welfare Code) # Chattel Mortgage Law o Property Registration Decree (excluding the # Warehouse Receipts Law Public Land Law) # Laws on Intellectual Creations o Conflict of Laws (Private International Law) * Copyright Law * Patent Law * Taxation * Trademark Law o General principles of Taxation # Insolvency Law o Republic Act No. 1125, creating the Court of Tax # Truth in Lending Act Appeals o National Internal Revenue Code (including the * Criminal Law Expanded Value Added Tax or EVAT) o Revised Penal Code (Books I & II excluding o Tariff and Customs Code (excluding Arrastre and penalties for specific felonies) Classification of Commodities) o Indeterminate Sentence Law o Probation Law * Mercantile Law o Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act o Negotiable Instruments Law and Other Allied Laws o Anti-Fencing Law + Negotiable Instruments Law (with the Uniform o Bouncing Checks Law Currency Act) o Dangerous Drugs Act of 1972 + Merchants and Commercial Transactions (including o Heinous Crimes Law (excluding penalties) Articles 1 to 63 of the Code of Commerce, Retail Trade Law, Bulk Sales Law) * Remedial Law + Letters of Credit under the Code of Commerce o Revised Rules of Court o Insurance Code o 1991 Revised Rule on Summary Procedure o Transportation Laws o Local Government Code on Conciliation Procedures + Common Carriers (Articles 1732 to 1766 of the (Chapter VII) New Civil Code) + Commercial Contracts for Transportation Over o Judiciary Reorganization Act of 1980 (excluding Land (Articles 349 to 379 of the Code of Commerce) purely administrative provisions, Military Justice + Maritime Commerce Law, Judiciary Act of 1948, and the Law + Public Service Act Reorganizing the Court of Agrarian Relations) o Corporation Law + Corporation Code * Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises + Securities Act o Legal Ethics + Banking Laws o Judicial Ethics # Laws on Secrecy of Bank Deposits o Code of Professional Responsibility # Deposit Insurance Corporation o Grievance Procedures (Rules 139-B, Revised Rules # Trust Receipts Law (excluding the General of Court) o Forms led to a dramatic decrease in the national passing rate of bar examinees, from an all-time high of 75.17% in 1954 to an all-time low of 16.59% in 1999. In recent years, the annual national bar Grading system passing rate ranges from 20% to 30%.[12]

The eight bar subjects are separately graded. Each subject contributes to the general average in the following proportion:[10] Law school passing rates

* Civil Law - 15% Law schools with the highest bar passing rates * Labor and Social Legislation - 10% include:[13] * Mercantile Law - 15% * Criminal Law - 10% Schools with more than 30 examinees: * Political and International Law - 15% * Taxation - 10% * Ateneo de Manila University School of Law - 80- * Remedial Law - 20% 95% passing rate * Legal Ethics and Practical Exercises - 5% * San Beda College of Law - 70-85% passing rate * University of the Philippines College of Law - The passing average fixed by law is 75%, with no 60-75% passing rate grade falling below 50% in any bar subject.[11] * University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law - 40-70% passing rate * Far Eastern University - 40 - 70% passing rate

Passing average vs. Passing rate Schools with 30 or less examinees:

The passing average is the minimum grade in the * Ateneo de Davao University School of Law - 50- exam required to be admitted to the practice of 80% passing rate law. The passing rate is the proportion of total * University of Perpetual Help-Rizal College of number of bar passers in relation to the total Law - 50-80% passing rate number of bar examinees. It is usually computed on two levels--the national level (national bar passing rate), and the law school level (law Bar topnotchers school passing rate). Bar topnotchers are bar examinees who garnered the In the past, passing averages were considerably highest bar exam grades in a particular year. lower to admit more new lawyers (i.e. 69% in 1947, Every year, the Supreme Court releases the bar top 69.45% in 1946, 70% in 1948). Since 1982, the ten list. The list contains the names of bar passing average has been fixed at 75%. This has examinees who obtained the ten highest grades. It is possible for more than ten examinees to place * Jose Diokno - former Senator of the Philippines; in the top ten because numerical ties in the 1st placer, 1945 bar exams (Mr. Diokno, who tied computation of grades usually occur.[14] for Number One with Mr. in the 1945 Bar Exams, would have graduated from the Schools which have produced bar topnotchers (1st Philippine Law School had not World War II placers) include:[15] supervened. Mr. Diokno's success in the bar exams is further underscored by the fact that he was * University of the Philippines College of Law - also under-age){{fact]} forty-nine (49) bar topnotchers * Carolina C. Griño-Aquino - former Associate * Ateneo de Manila University School of Law - Justice of the Supreme Court; 1st placer, 1950 bar eighteen (18) bar topnotchers exams (Ms. Aquino, wife of Mr. Ramon Aquino, 6th * Philippine Law School - seven (7) bar placer in 1939 Bar Exams, is officially a graduate topnotchers of the UP College of Law although she took her * University of Manila College of Law (formerly first two years of law school at the Colegio de Escuela de Derecho de Manila) - six (6) bar San Agustin)[citation needed] topnotchers * San Beda College of Law - six (6) bar In the past, non-law school graduates were allowed topnotchers to take the bar. However, the Revised Rules of * Far Eastern University Institute of Law - four Court and Supreme Court Circulars only allow (4) bar topnotchers (Amante Liberato placed number Philippine law graduates to take the bar, 5 in the 1996 Bar Exams) necessarily excluding non-law graduates and * University of Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law - foreign law graduates from taking part in the four (4) bar topnotchers (Diokno, Concepcion, exercise.[17] Macapagal,Maneja) * University of the Cordilleras (formerly Baguio Colleges Foundation) College of Law - two (2) bar topnotchers Highest and lowest topnotcher grades * Manila Law College Foundation (formerly Escuela de Derecho de Manila) - one (1) bar topnotcher Among all bar topnotchers, the highest general * Manuel L. Quezon University College of Law - one average is 96.7%, attained by Florenz D. Regalado (1) bar topnotcher (future Supreme Court Associate Justice) of San * Divine Word College - one (1) bar topnotcher Beda College of Law in 1954. The lowest is 84.10%, * University of the East College of Law - one (1) obtained by Adolfo Brillantes of Escuela de bar topnotcher Derecho de Manila (now Manila Law College Foundation) in 1920.[18]

Two bar examinees topped the bar exams without graduating from any Philippine law school:[16] 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 Increasing difficulty specific bar subjects. The difficulty of the recent bar examinations, In 1953, (future Senator) of the compared to exams of the past, can be attributed University of the Philippines College of Law to the following factors:[23] earned 100% in Taxation Law and placed 11th in the bar exams of that year.[19] * The growing volume of Philippine case and statutory laws is unprecedented. Laws, In 1955, Raul Gonzales (future Secretary of jurisprudence, and legal doctrines of the past Justice) of the University of Santo Tomas Faculty constitute only a small fraction of contemporary of Civil Law earned 99% in Remedial Law and 95% in Philippine legal materials, which are increasing International Law. However, he did not place in on a daily basis.[24] the top ten.[20] * The 75% passing average with no grade lower than In 1997, Maria Celia H. Fernandez of the 50% in any subject is already fixed by law. Actual University of the Philippines College of Law candidates who scored 74.99% in the general earned 100% in Legal Ethics and emerged as the average were not admitted to the practice of law, year's bar topnotcher.[21] unless they retake the bar exams.[25]

In 2001, Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada, that year's * The Three-Failure Rule is now in place. valedictorian of the University of the Philippines Candidates who have failed the bar exams for three College of Law obtained a perfect score of 100% in times are not permitted to take another bar exam Remedial Law, the highest weighted of the bar until they reenroll and pass regular fourth-year subjects. The difference (3.75%) between his final review classes and attend a pre-bar review course bar examination score (93.80%) and that of the in an approved law school.[26] second-placer, Jesus Paolo U. Protacio (90.05%), that year's valedictorian of the Ateneo de Manila * The Five-Strike Rule is implemented since 2005. University School of Law, is the highest of all The rule limits to five the number of times a time. That year's valedictorian of the San Beda candidate may take the Bar exams. The rule College of Law, Adonis V. Gabriel, placed 8th disqualifies a candidate after failing in three (88.25%).[citation needed] examinations. However, he is permitted to take fourth and fifth examinations if he successfully In 2005, Gladys V. Gervacio of the University of completes a one year refresher course for each Perpetual Help-Rizal earned 100% in two bar examination.[27] subjects--Legal Ethics and Labor Law. She placed 6th in the bar exams of that year.[22] * The four-year bachelor's degree is required before admission to law school. Hence, every bar examinee has to hold at least two degees--one in Admission of Successful Bar Examinees law and one in another field. In the past, law schools readily admit high school graduates and The Office of the Bar Confidant of the Philippine two-year Associate in Arts degree holders.[28] Supreme Court releases the Official List of Successful Bar Examinees, usually during the last After the end of the Second World War, the passing week of March or the first week of April of every rate in the succeeding years was remarkably high, year. Candidates whose names appear in the list ranging from 56 to 72% percent. However, after are required to take and subscribe before the Associate Justice J.B.L. Reyes, a noted scholar, Supreme Court the corresponding Oath of was appointed Chairman of the 1955 Bar Office.[31] Examinations, the passing rate for that year dropped dramatically to 26.8%, with a mortality Candidates shall take an Oath of Office and sign rate of 73.2%. That ratio has been invariably their names in the Roll of Attorneys of the maintained in the 50+ years since.[29] Supreme Court.[32] 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, Waiting period formally approve the applications of the successful bar candidates. The eight bar examiners The largely essay-type exams are manually checked are officially introduced to the public. A message by members of the Committee of Bar Examiners. to the newly inducted lawyers is delivered by one Candidates have to wait from the last Sunday of of the justices. Candidates who made the bar top the bar exams in September up to the date of the ten list are also introduced and honored. The release of results, which traditionally happens deans of all Philippine law schools are requested before or during the Holy Week (the last week of to attend the ceremony and grace the front seats March or the first week of April) of the following of the plenary hall.[33] year.

During this period, candidates (who already hold law and bachelor's degrees) may opt to work in law Bar Top Ten List firms and courts as legal researchers, teach in liberal arts and business colleges, function in The Office of the Bar Confidant releases an companies and organizations using their pre-law official Bar Top Ten list together with the list degrees (i.e. Communication Arts, Accounting, of names of all successful bar examinees. The Bar Economics, Journalism, etc.), help run the family Top Ten contains the names of the candidates who business, or take a long vacation.[30] 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 President; 2nd placer, 1934 Bar Exams of much media attention and public speculation.[34]

Making a place in the list is widely regarded as Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Justices an important life achievement, an attractive professional qualification, and a necessary * Roberto Concepcion - former Philippine Chief improvement in a lawyer's professional and social Justice; 1st placer, 1924 Bar Exams status.[35] * Claudio Teehankee - former Philippine Chief Justice; 1st placer, 1940 Bar Exams * Pedro Yap - former Philippine Chief Justice; 1st placer, 1946 Bar Exams Famous bar top ten placers * Ricardo Paras - former Philippine Chief Justice; 2nd placer, 1913 Bar Exams Prominent lawyers who made the bar top ten * Andres Narvasa - former Philippine Chief include:[36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] Justice; 2nd placer, 1951 Bar Exams [44] [45] * Jose Yulo - former Philippine Chief Justice; 3rd placer, 1913 Bar Exams * Artemio Panganiban - former Philippine Chief Justice; 6th placer, 1960 Bar Exams Presidents and Vice Presidents * Ramon Aquino - former Philippine Chief Justice; 9th placer, 1939 Bar Exams * Manuel Roxas - former Philippine President; 1st * Jose P. Laurel - former Philippine Supreme Court placer, 1913 Bar Exams Justice; 2nd placer, 1915 Bar Exams * Diosdado Macapagal - former Philippine * J.B.L. Reyes - former Philippine Supreme Court President; 1st placer, 1936 Bar Exams Justice; 6th placer, 1922 Bar Exams * Ferdinand Marcos - former Philippine President; * Cecilia Muñoz Palma - former Philippine Supreme 1st placer, 1939 Bar Exams Court Justice; 1st placer, 1937 Bar Exams * Jose P. Laurel - former Philippine President; * Ambrosio Padilla - former Philippine Supreme 2nd placer, 1915 Bar Exams Court Justice; 3rd placer, 1934 Bar Exams * Sergio Osmeña - former Philippine President; 2nd * Amuerfina Melencio Herrera - former Philippine placer, 1903 Bar Exams Supreme Court Justice; 1st placer, 1947 Bar Exams * Manuel L. Quezon - former Philippine President; * Irene Cortes - former Philippine Supreme Court 4th placer, 1903 Bar Exams Justice; 9th placer, 1948 Bar Exams * Carlos P. Garcia - former Philippine President; * Carolina A. Griño-Aquino - former Philippine 7th placer, 1923 Bar Exams Supreme Court Justice; 1st placer, 1950 Bar Exams * Emmanuel Pelaez - former Philippine Vice * Isagani A. Cruz - former Philippine Supreme President; 1st placer, 1938 Bar Exams Court Justice; 8th placer, 1951 Bar Exams * Arturo Tolentino - former Philippine Vice * Florentino Feliciano - former Philippine Supreme Court Justice; 6th placer, 1952 Bar Exams * Florenz D. Regalado - former Philippine Supreme * Manuel Roxas - former Philippine Senate Court Justice; 1st placer, 1954 Bar Exams President and Speaker of the House of * Tomas Matic Jr. - former Philippine Supreme Representatives; 1st placer, 1913 Bar Exams Court Justice; 1st placer, 1955 Bar Exams * Manuel L. Quezon - former Philippine Senate * Sabino Padilla Jr. - former Philippine Supreme President; 4th placer, 1903 Bar Exams Court Justice; 5th placer, 1957 Bar Exams * Arturo Tolentino - former Philippine Senate * Adolfo Azcuna - Philippine Supreme Court President; 2nd placer, 1934 Bar Exams Justice; 4th placer, 1962 Bar Exams * Ferdinand Marcos - former Philippine Senate * Antonio Eduardo Nachura - Philippine Supreme President; 1st placer, 1939 Bar Exams Court Justice; 7th placer, 1967 Bar Exams * Jovito Salonga - former Philippine Senate * Presbitero Velasco, Jr. - Philippine Supreme President; 1st placer, 1944 Bar Exams Court Justice; 6th placer, 1971 Bar Exams * Neptali Gonzales - former Philippine Senate * - Philippine Supreme Court President; 9th placer, 1949 Bar Exams Justice; 6th placer, 1975 Bar Exams * Ernesto M. Maceda - former Philippine Senate * Bienvenido V. Reyes - former Philippine Court of President; 10th placer, 1956 Bar Exams Appeals Presiding Justice; 5th placer, 1954 Bar * - former Philippine Senate Exams President; 3rd placer, 1969 Bar Exams * Salome A. Montoya - former Philippine Court of * Lorenzo Sumulong - former Philippine Senator; Appeals Presiding Justice; 6th placer, 1954 Bar 1st placer, 1929 Bar Exams Exams * Jose Diokno - former Philippine Senator; 1st * Alicia V. Sempio-Dy - former Philippine Court of placer, 1944 Bar Exams Appeals Justice; 5th placer, 1950 Bar Exams * Renato V. Saguisag (Rene Saguisag) - former * Oscar M. Herrera - former Philippine Court of Philippine Senator; 6th placer, 1963 Bar Exams Appeals Justice; 8th placer, 1953 Bar Exams * Sergio Osmeña - former Speaker of the House of * Demetrio Demetria - former Philippine Court of Representatives; 2nd placer, 1903 Bar Exams Appeals Justice; 2nd placer, 1964 Bar Exams * Jose Yulo - former Speaker of the House of * Mario Guariña III - former Philippine Court of Representatives; 3rd placer, 1913 Bar Exams Appeals Justice; 2nd placer, 1967 Bar Exams * Aguedo F. Agbayani - former Pangasinan * - Philippine Court of Appeals Representative; 5th placer, 1947 Bar Exams Justice; 9th placer, 1973 Bar Exams * Antonio Eduardo Nachura - former Samar * Arturo D. Brion - former Philippine Court of Representative; 7th placer, 1967 Bar Exams Appeals Justice; 1st placer, 1974 Bar Exams * Ronaldo B. Zamora - San Juan Representative; 1st * Celia Librea-Leagogo - Philippine Court of placer, 1969 Bar Exams Appeals Justice; 5th placer, 1981 Bar Exams * - Davao City Representative; 2nd placer, 1971 Bar Exams * Arturo D. Brion - Assemblyman, Philippine National Assembly; 1st placer, 1974 Bar Exams Senators and Representatives * Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro Jr. - former Tarlac Representative; 1st placer, 1989 Bar Exams * Florentino Feliciano - Chairman, Feliciano Commission investigating the Oakwood Mutiny; 6th placer, 1952 Bar Exams * Florenz D. Regalado - Member, 1986 Appointees and career service officials Constitutional Commission; 1st placer, 1954 Bar Exams * Roberto Concepcion - Member, 1986 Constitutional * Jose Nolledo - Delegate, 1971 Constitutional Commission; 1st placer, 1924 Bar Exams Convention & Member, 1986 Constitutional * Lorenzo Sumulong - Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission; 3rd placer, 1958 Bar Exams Commission; 1st placer, 1929 Bar Exams * - former Chairperson, Presidential * Arturo Tolentino - Member, Philippine Civil Code Commission on Good Government; former Commission; former Minister of Foreign Affairs; Commissioner, Commission on Elections; 8th placer, 2nd placer, 1934 Bar Exams 1962 Bar Exams * Ambrosio Padilla - Member, 1986 Constitutional * Adolfo Azcuna - Member, 1986 Constitutional Commission; 3rd placer, 1934 Bar Exams Commission; 4th placer, 1962 Bar Exams * Diosdado Macapagal - President, Philippine * Joaquin G. Bernas - Member, 1986 Constitutional Constitutional Convention of 1971; 1st placer, Commission; Member, Feliciano Commission 1936 Bar Exams investigating the Oakwood mutiny; 9th placer, 1962 * Cecilia Muñoz Palma - President, Philippine Bar Exam Constitutional Commission of 1986; Chairperson, * Sergio A. Apostol - Chief Presidential Legal Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office; 1st placer, Counsel; 7th placer, 1958 Bar Exams 1937 Bar Exams * Ismael G. Khan Jr. - former Spokesperson, * Jovito Salonga - former Chairman, Presidential Philippine Supreme Court; 6th placer, 1959 Bar Commission on Good Government; 1st placer, 1944 Exams Bar Exams * Antonio Eduardo Nachura - former Solicitor * Amuerfina Melencio Herrera - Chancellor, General; 7th placer, 1967 Bar Exams Philippine Judicial Academy; Chairperson, Legal * Fulgencio S. Factoran Jr. - former Executive Publications Committee, Supreme Court Centenary Secretary; 9th placer, 1967 Bar Exams Celebrations; 1st placer, 1947 Bar Exams * Jose Mario Buñag - former Bureau of Internal * Alicia V. Sempio-Dy - Member, Philippine Civil Revenue Commissioner; 2nd placer, 1968 Bar Exams Code Revision Committee; former Commissioner, * Ronaldo B. Zamora - former Executive Secretary; National Commission on Women; 5th placer, 1950 Bar 1st placer, 1969 Bar Exams Exams * Franklin Drilon - former Secretary of Labor and * Andres Narvasa - Chairman, Preparatory Employment; 3rd placer, 1969 Bar Exams Commission for Constitutional Reform; 2nd placer, * Arturo D. Brion - Secretary of Labor and 1951 Bar Exams Employment; 1st placer, 1974 Bar Exams * Gabriel Singson - former Governor of the Central * Antonio Carpio - former Chief Presidential Legal Bank of the Philippines; 2nd placer, 1952 Bar Counsel; 6th placer, 1975 Bar Exams Exams * Avelino Cruz Jr. - former Secretary of National Defense; 7th placer, 1977 Bar Exams * Roldan Dalman - former Governor of Batangas; 6th * Simeon Marcelo - former Philippine Ombudsman; placer, 1975 Bar Exams 5th placer, 1979 Bar Exams * Pablo John F. Garcia - Mayor of Cebu City; 4th * Manuel Antonio J. Teehankee - former placer, 1993 Bar Exams 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 Academe * Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro Jr. - Secretary of National Defense; 1st placer, 1989 * Custodio O. Parlade - President Emeritus, Bar Exams Philippine Dispute Resolution Centre; Lecturer and * Persida V. Rueda-Acosta - Chief Public Attorney Bar Reviewer; 4th placer, 1959 Bar Exams of the Philippines; 5th placer, 1989 Bar Exams * Joaquin G. Bernas - former President, Ateneo de * Ruben Carranza Jr. - Commissioner, Presidential Manila University; Dean Emeritus, Ateneo School of Commission on Good Government; 8th placer, 1990 Law; 9th placer, 1962 Bar Exam Bar Exams * Jovito Salonga - former Dean, Far Eastern * Maria Celia H. Fernandez - former Chief, University Institute of Law; 1st placer, 1944 Bar Presidential Management Staff; 1st placer, 1997 Exams Bar Exams * Neptali Gonzales - former Dean, Far Eastern * Janet T. Abuel - Regional Director, Department University Institute of Law; 9th placer, 1949 Bar of Budget and Management; 1st placer, 1998 Bar Exams Exams * Andres Narvasa - former Dean, University of * Edwin R. Enrile - former Assistant Executive Santo Tomas Faculty of Civil Law; 2nd placer, 1951 Secretary, Office of the President; Deputy Bar Exams Executive Secretary, Office of the President; 1st * Norberto S. Gonzales - Dean, Manuel L. Quezon placer, 1999 Bar Exams University School of Law; 5th placer, 1958 Bar * Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada - former Assistant Exams Chief of Staff, Office of the Vice President; * Agustin O. Benitez - former Dean, University of Director, Social Housing Finance Corporation; 1st the East College of Law; 1st placer, 1959 bar placer, 2001 Bar Exams Exams * Virgilio B. Jara - Dean, San Beda College of Law; 5th placer, 1962 Bar Exams * Cesar L. Villanueva - Dean, Ateneo School of Local officials Law; 2nd placer, 1981 Bar Exams * Jose Jesus G. Laurel - former Dean, Lyceum of * Pablo P. Garcia - former Governor of Cebu; 3rd the Philippines College of Law; 6th placer, 1981 placer, 1951 Bar Exams Bar Exams * Aguedo F. Agbayani - former Governor of * Roy Joseph M. Rafols - former Dean, Palawan Pangasinan; 5th placer, 1947 Bar Exams State University College of Law; 2nd placer, 1984 Bar Exams * Maria Paz Romana S. Angeles - Law Professor; 10 * Pacifico N. Castro - Law Professor and Bar placer, 1994 Bar Exams Reviewer; 8th placer, 1954 Bar Exams * Carla E. Santamaria-Seña - Law Professor; 5th * Manuel T. Muro - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer, placer, 1995 Bar Exams former Trial Court Judge; 6th placer, 1955 Bar * Shennan A. Sy - Law Professor; 6th placer, 1995 Exams Bar Exams * Roberto San Jose - Law Professor and Bar * Arnold De Vera - Law Professor; 8th placer, 1987 Reviewer; 1st placer, 1966 Bar Exams Bar Exams * Ruben F. Balane - Law Professor and Bar * Florin T. Hilbay - Law Professor; 1st placer, Reviewer; 2nd placer, 1966 Bar Exams 1999 Bar Exams * Jacinto D. Jimenez (Jack Jimenez) - Law * Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada - Professor of Law (UP Professor and Bar Reviewer; 3rd placer, 1968 Bar and Ateneo); 1st placer, 2001 Bar Exams Exams * Solomon F. Lumba - Professor of Law (UP); 4th * Arturo De Castro - Law Professor and Bar placer, 2001 Bar Exams Reviewer; 3rd placer, 1970 Bar Exams * Adonis V. Gabriel - Professor of Law (SBC); 8th * Rene Gorospe - Law Professor and Bar Reviewer; placer, 2001 Bar Exams 2nd placer, 1979 Bar Exams * Samson S. Alcantara - Practicing Lawyer; Professor and Bar Reviewer (MLQU); Author- * Manuel J. Laserna Jr. - Law Professor and Bar Philippine Labor and Social Legislation; 3rd Reviewer (Far Eastern University, Manila, 1985- placer, Bar Exams 2006); 3rd placer, 1984 Bar Exams (90.95%); trial lawyer; Bar leader; founder of the Las Pinas City [edit] Private sector Bar Association (2001); and managing partner of the Laserna Cueva-Mercader & Associates Law * Manuel Montecillo - Name Partner, Siguion Reyna Offices (LCM Law, Las Pinas City). Montecillo & Ongsiako (oldest law firm); 1st placer, 1948 Bar Exams * Abelardo T. Domondon - Law Professor and Bar * Manuel S. Abello - Co-founder, Angara Abello Reviewer; 4th placer, 1985 Bar Exams, graduate of Concepcion Regala & Cruz (ACCRALAW) ; 1st placer, Adamson University College of Law 1958 Bar Exams * Roberto A. Gana - Law Professor and Bar * Nelly Favis-Villafuerte - Editor, Manila Reviewer; 5th placer, 1986 Bar Exams Bulletin; 7th placer, 1959 Bar Exams * Jose Maria G. Hofileña - Law Professor and Bar * Avelino V. Cruz - youngest to top the bar, 1st Reviewer; 10th placer, 1987 Bar Exams placer, 1962 Bar Exams * Michael G. Aguinaldo - Law Professor; 7th * Mercedita V. Santiago-Nolledo - Corporate placer, 1992 Bar Exams Secretary, Ayala Corporation; 2nd placer, 1965 Bar * Anna Leah Fidelis T. Castañeda - Law Professor; Exams 1st placer, 1993 Bar Exams * Rodolfo D. Robles - General practitioner; 1st * Maria Socorro Z. Manguiat - Law Professor; 10th placer, 1967 Bar Exams placer, 1993 Bar Exams * Januario B. Soller Jr. - Co-founder, Soller Chain of Pawnshops; 1st placer, 1972 Bar Exams * Aeneas Eli S. Diaz - Associate, Villaraza & * Jesus M. Manalastas - Name Partner, PECABAR Law Angangco (the firm servicing President Arroyo's Firm; 2nd placer, 1972 Bar Exams family); 1st placer, 2003 Bar Exams * Victor P. Lazatin - Partner, ACCRALAW; 3rd * January A. Sanchez - Senior Associate, Puno & placer, 1972 Bar Exams Puno; 1st placer, 2004 Bar Exams * Barbara Anne Migallos - Name Partner, Roco Buñag * Joan A. De Venecia - Associate, SyCip Salazar Kapunan Migallos Law Firm; Co-founder, Migallos & Hernandez & Gatmaitan; 1st placer, 2005 Bar Exams Luna Law Office; 3rd placer, 1979 Bar Exams * Noel Neil Q. Malimban - Business Law Lecturer * Mario Luz Bautista - Co-founder, Poblador and Reviewer, University of the Cordilleras; 1st Bautista Reyes Law Firm; 6th placer, 1979 Bar placer, 2006 Bar Exams Exams * Arthur Lim - former National President, [edit] 1st place in the Philippine Bar Integrated Bar of the Philippines; 3rd placer, Examinations 1981 Bar Exams Name Year School Hometown * Rey C. Espinosa - Partner, SyCip Salazar 1900 Hernandez & Gatmaitan; Executive Director, 1901 Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company; 1902 President and CEO, ePLDT; Vice Chairman, Philweb 1903 Corporation; 1st placer, 1982 Bar Exams 1904 * Menardo L. Guevarra - Co-founder, Serapio 1905 Guevarra Medialdea Law Firm; 2nd placer, 1985 Bar 1906 Exams 1907 * Edward S. Serapio - Co-founder, MOST Law; 7th 1908 placer, 1985 Bar Exams 1909 * Marlon Manuel - Director, SALIGAN (non-profit 1910 legal assistance group); 5th placer, 1994 Bar 1911 Exams 1912 * Patricia-ann T. Prodigalidad - Junior Partner, Manuel Roxas 1913 University of the Philippines ACCRALAW; 1st placer, 1996 Bar Exams Roxas City, Capiz * Maria Celia H. Fernandez - In-house counsel, Manuel Goyena 1914 Manuel L. Quezon University Yuchengco group of companies; 1st placer, 1997 Bar Francisco Villanueva 1915 University of the Exams Philippines * Eliseo M. Zuñiga Jr. - Associate, Quisumbing Paulino Gullas 1916 University of the Philippines Torres Law Firm; 1st placer, 2000 Bar Exams Felipe Ismael 1917 University of the Philippines * Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada - Associate, SyCip Alejo Labrador 1918 University of the Philippines Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan; 1st placer, 2001 Gregorio Anonas 1919 Philippine Law School Bar Exams Adolfo Brillantes 1920 Escuela de Derecha * Arlene Maneja - Associate, Siguion Reyna Pablo C. Payawal 1921 University of the Montecillo & Ongsiako; 1st placer, 2002 Bar Exams Philippines Amando L. Velila 1922 University of the Pedro Yap 1946 University of the Philippines San Philippines Isidro, Leyte Roque Desquitado 1923 University of the Amuerfina Melencio Herrera 1947 University of the Philippines Philippines Roberto Conception 1924 University of Sto. Tomas Manuel Montecillo 1948 Far Eastern University Manila Anacleto C. Mañgaser 1949 Philippine Law School Rafael Dinglasan 1925 University of the Carolina A. Griño-Aquino 1950 Special Philippines Vicente R. Acsay 1951 University of Manila Eugeniano Perez 1926 Philippine Law School Pedro Samson C. Animas 1952 University of the Cesar Kintanar 1927 University of the Philippines Philippines Filomeno B. Pascual 1928 Philippine Law School Leonardo A. Amores 1953 University of Manila Lorenzo Sumulong 1929 University of the Florenz D. Regalado 1954 San Beda College Philippines Manila Concepcion, Iloilo Tecla San Andres 1930 University of the Tomas P. Matic, Jr. 1955 Far Eastern University Philippines Francisco C. Catral 1956 San Beda College Jose Leuterio 1931 University of the Philippines Gregorio R. Castillo 1957 University of the Hermenegildo Atienza 1932 University of the Philippines Philippines Manuel G. Abello 1958 University of the Lope C. Quimbo 1933 University of Manila Philippines Marciano P. Catral 1934 Philippine Law School Agustin O. Benitez 1959 Far Eastern University Enrique Estrellado 1935 University of the Ismael Andres 1960 Manuel L. Quezon University Philippines Avelino V. Cruz 1961 San Beda College Diosdado Macapagal 1936 University of Sto. Tomas Deogracias G. Eufemio 1962 University of the Lubao, Pampanga Philippines Cecilia Monuz-Palma 1937 University of the Cornelio C. Gison 1963 Ateneo de Manila University Philippines Bauan, Batangas Jesus P. Castelo 1964 San Beda College Emmanuel Pelaez 1938 University of Manila Medina, Victor S. de la Serna 1965 San Beda College Roberto San Jose 1966 University of the Ferdinand Marcos 1939 University of the Philippines Philippines Sarrat, Ilocos Norte Rodolfo D. Robles 1967 San Beda College Claudio Teehankee 1940 Ateneo de Manila University Oscar B. Glovasa 1968 University of Bohol Manila Ronaldo B. Zamora 1969 University of the Emmet P.D. Shea 1941 University of the Philippines Philippines 1942 Romulo D. San Juan 1970 University of the 1943 Philippines Jovito Salonga and Jose Diokno 1944 University of Henry R. Villarica 1971 University of the the Philippines(Salonga)/ Special(Diokno) Philippines (Salonga) Januario B. Soller, Jr. 1972 Ateneo de Manila Gregoria Cruz 1945 University of the Philippines University Vicente R. Solis 1973 Ateneo de Manila University Patrcia-ann T. Progalidad 1996 University of the Arturo D. Brion 1974 Ateneo de Manila University Philippines Manila Ma. Cecilia H. Fernandez 1997 University of the Nicanor B. Padilla, Jr. 1975 University of the Philippines East Janet B. Abuel 1998 University of the Cordilleras Enrique Y. Teehankee 1976 University of the Edwin R. Enrile 1999 Ateneo de Manila University Philippines Eliseo M. Zuñiga, Jr. 2000 University of the Virgilio B. Gesmundo 1977 Ateneo de Manila Philippines University Rodolfo Ma. A Ponferrada 2001 University of the Cosme D. Rosell 1978 University of the Philippines Philippines Gregorio M. Batiller, Jr. 1979 Ateneo de Manila Arlene Maneja 2002 University of Sto. Tomas University Aeneas Eli S. Diaz 2003 Ateneo de Manila Rafael R. Lagos 1980 University of the Philippines University Irene Ragodon-Guevarra 1981 Ateneo de Manila January A. Sanchez 2004 University of the University Philippines Ray C. Espinosa 1982 Ateneo de Manila University Joan A. De Venecia 2005 University of the Manuel Antonio J. Teehankee 1983 Ateneo de Manila Philippines University Noel Neil Q. Malimban 2006 University of the Richard M. Chiu 1984 Ateneo de Manila University Cordilleras Janette Susan L. Peña 1985 University of the Philippines Laurence L. Go 1986 Ateneo de Manila University Mario P. Victoriano 1987 Ateneo de Manila University Maria Yvette O. Navarro 1988 University of the Philippines Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro, Jr. 1989 University of the Philippines Aquilino L. Pimentel III 1990 University of the Philippines Cagayan de Oro City Joseph P. San Pedro 1991 Ateneo de Manila University Jayme A. Sy, Jr. 1992 Ateneo de Manila University Anna Leah Fidelis T. Castañeda 1993 Ateneo de Manila University Francisco Noel R. Fernandez 1994 University of the Philippines Leonor Y. Dicdican 1995 University of the Philippines