MANILA, Philippines (3rd UPDATE) – A total of 2,103 takers passed the 2019 Bar, making for a 27.36% passing rate, Senior Associate Justice Estela Perlas Bernabe, also the Bar Chairman, announced on Wednesday, April 29.

This passing rate is higher than the previous year’s 22.07%.

2,103 examinees passed out of the total 7,685 takers. University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi’s Mae Diane Azores topped the Bar with 91.049%, followed by University of the East’s Princess Fatima Parahiman who got a grade of 89.523%. Azores’ schoolmate Myra Baranda landed on No. 3 with a grade of 88.825%.

Bernabe said the en banc lowered the passing grade to 74%.

“The Court en banc decided to lower the passing rate from 75% to 74% in light of, among other considerations, the discerned need for younger and technologically adept lawyers to help different fronts of society as we meet the peculiar challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and transition to the new normal,” Bernabe said.

Bernabe delivered her traditional message which was livestreamed by the High Court.

The full list of the 2019 Bar passers was expected to be published on the Supreme Court website shortly after the High Court completed its special en banc session.

This year is a peculiar experience for Bar passers as the coronavirus pandemic forced the hopefuls to wait for the results at home. Visiting the Supreme Court premises, as is tradition every year, has been prohibited.

In the 2018 examinations, 22.07% passed, with Ateneo de Manila University class valedictorian Sean James Borja topping the Bar.

The Bar Chairman for the 2020 Examinations is Associate Justice Marvic Leonen. – Rappler.com