The University of the Philippines College of Law (LAW) excelled in the recently concluded bar examinations (Bar) 2020-2021 with a remarkable passing rate of 72.28 percent.

The bar was administered on Feb. 4 and 6 in 31 testing centers in 22 local government units, where 8,241 of the 11,402 takers passed.

Four of the 14 excellent passers, or those with a passing grade of above 90 percent, are from the LAW. They are Julia Alexandra D. Chu, Camille Angela S. Cruz, Danica Mae M. Godornes, and Kristel Shayne M. Sigua. 

Of the 761 exemplary passers, or those with a passing grade of 85 to 90 percent, 147 are from the LAW. 

The LAW also tops the list of excellent and exemplary passers for law schools with more than 100 takers.

The LAW had 372 passers out of its 379 takers, or a passing rate of 98.15 percent, landing them the second spot among law schools with more than 100 takers. In terms of first takers, the LAW is also second with 341 passers out of 345 first takers, or a passing rate of 98.84 percent. The LAW has the largest contingent in this year’s bar exams.

In lieu of bar top notchers, bar chairperson Justice Marvic Leonen said during the press briefing that “reforms [on the conduct of the exams] include the recalibration of the rating system to avoid unnecessary competition for an artificial top 10, recognizing that the examinations are not the competition. The system of pass, exemplary pass, and excellent pass without any ranking already recognizes the effort without encouraging needless competition among individuals.”

The passing rate of 72.28 percent is second to the 1954 bar which recorded a 75.17 percent passing rate.

Leonen, however, pointed out that “We cannot compare it [passing rate] with the others. Kasi, for example, the past bar exams were conducted for four Sundays, covered eight subjects, and answers were handwritten. I don’t want to be setting records for passing rates kasi baka sabihin nila, hinahabol lang natin ang percentage.”

The reduced number of questions and digitization resulted in the early release of bar results.

“Checking was swifter because of fewer questions. May veteran bar examiners that actually said it is easier to check kasi wala ng deciphering of the handwriting,” Leonen explained.

There were many firsts in the bar examinations 2020-2021: first digital examination, first to be done locally through several testing centers in various parts of the country, and first to be conducted in two days, instead of four Sundays. These adjustments were in response to the challenges and threats posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 11,790 applied for the exams but only 11,402 finished the two-day exams. Some were disqualified for violating policies of the Office of the Bar Chairperson and the Honor Code. A number of violations were reported including “entering local testing centers without disclosing that they previously tested positive for COVID-19; smuggling mobile phones inside the examination rooms; and accessing social media during their lunch break inside the premises.” The oath-taking ceremony of the new lawyers will be on May 2, Monday, at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. A separate venue will be provided for the companions of the bar passers.