BY IME SORNITO & RHENJIE MARIE CALANTAS
ILOILO City – Two law schools here produced 103 new lawyers, based on the November 2022 Bar Examinations results released by the Supreme Court on Friday, April 14.
The University of San Agustin’s (USA) College of Law had 67 Bar passers while the Central Philippine University (CPU)-College of Law had 36.
“Very happy gid kami sa amon nga performance,” said Atty. Jose Mari Benjamin Francisco Tirol, USA-College of Law dean, in an interview with Panay News yesterday.
According to Tirol, the entire faculty, students, alumni, and staff, including USA president, Fr. Frederick C. Commander, OSA, were happy with the results.
USA is the only one in Western Visayas to be cited as one of the Best Performing Law Schools based on the recent Bar exam results. With a 63.53 passing percentage, its College of Law ranked fifth among law schools with 51 to 100 first time Bar exam takers.
Tirol said the USA-College of Law has been working to provide quality education to its students and help them pass the exam.
“We do our best, we try our best and that is what we always do,” said Tirol.
The USA-College of Law had no “secrets” on how to excel during Bar exams other than teamwork, he added, not only of the school’s faculty and administration but also of the students, alumni and their supporters.
“Ang objective namon is not just to produce lawyers. Lawyers nga indi lang may utok kundi nga may konsensya, indi lang para sa sarili nila kundi para sa banwa, sa university, para sa society, and para sa pungsod,” added Tirol.
Meanwhile, Aila Rae B. Endonila, dean of the CPU-College of Law, said in an interview with Panay News yesterday they were very proud of their new lawyers.
“If we excel it is because we want to better ourselves. We don’t really compare ourselves to other schools, whether here locally or outside. We think that we can do better if we find our pitch how we can improve in the community that we are in,” said Endonila.
The CPU-College of Law achieved a 53.49 percent passing rate for first time takers: 23 passed out of the 43 takers. For retakers, 40.63 percent, or 13 out of 32 examinees passed.
Endonila congratulated those who passed and gave inspiring words to those who did not make it.
“We congratulate all those who passed the Bar exams. That means they can already start their journey to become Christian lawyers, that is what was taught to them in CPU. For those who did not pass, do not let this define who you are. It is because the incident now may be God’s plan or God has a plan for you,” she added.
Here are the 67 Bar exam passers from the USA-College of Law: Fredric Lean V. Ajesta, Maria Ignacia A. Alba, Leslie F. Am, Kirsten Abner T. Aportadera, Faith Beatrix T. Arcenas, Emmanuel T. Barcelona, Rhett Alvin S. Bastareche, Shaira C. Bataga, Noel Christopher G. Belleza, Mary Monique H. Cajandig, Lyndon F. Calimoso, Jewenyl Elaiza B. Calimpong, Charles Angelo L. Cataluña, Roger A. Catedral, Nelle June C. Centina, Theo Javriel S. Chavez, Antonie C. Collantes, Hudson C. Custodio Jr., Preciose Anna M. Dabalus, Dominique T. Del Rosario, Emmalene Dela C. Diana, Louis Gabriel A. Espinosa, Julius B. Estolano, Nozel Christy A. Fabila, SanJay Von B. Figueroa, Mary Louraine U. Firmeza, John Dexter A. Fuentes, Jeric Dave S. Gallardo, Joebelly B. Gaspar, Myra Gene G. Gautier, Clowie Angelica B. Gongob, Nieva Apundar Gorantes, Andrea S. Guillergan, William A. Laride, Joel A. Lenaming, Shiela S. Magno, Mary Anthonette P. Managaytay, Jazer P. Miranda, Novi Mari F. Noble, Jaybee John O. Noblezada, Kurt Nicolo E. Ogatis, Mark Nonette P. Pacificar, Kimberly J. Paglauna, Jan Martin V. Pagtanac, Kia Marie E. Pano, Andrea Nicole C. Parce, Marco Emilio B. Parce, Jyle T. Perez, Genesis B. Primalion, John Mar B. Pungot, Joby Jane D. Raco, Marianne M. Regalado, Jannah Isabel R. Ruzgal, John Winston T. Sison, Alexis D. Solacito, Sandra Ruth A. Sta Ana, John Paul S. Suaberon, Jessie T. Tabobo, Irish Joi S. Tapales, Francis Leo J. Tianero, Beatriz F. Tobongbanua, Caleb O. Tonogbanua, Joefritz A. Varon, Jon Paolo P. Velasco, Heda Marie P. Villanueva, Fatima Jane C. Villarias, and Christine A. Zaldivar.
The 36 new lawyers from the CPU-College of Law are the following: Samille Jan Abada-Agravante, Mary Patricia Alcantara-Basinang, Jeremiah Andrada, Timothy Ben Andrade, Jeremiah Bantigue, Angela Anna Baranda, Melvin Bustamante, Thea Faye Cahuya, Israel Colmo, Alejandro Constantino III, Jeddel Grace Cortez,Frank Paul Cuevas, Cleo Andrea Dianson, Vicc Ann Zara Espinas-Casten, Anne Karmela Eucogco, Zulein May Gardose, Edward Datseen Giagone, Jaiah Nicole Gonzales, Tina Liza Hautea, Chem Huervana, Hartney May Labaco, Guimbert Lim, Joan Mecono, Myna Zosette Mesias, Ian Nandin, Joji Marie Palec, Lingelu Pedregosa, Maria Carina Prias, Edryl Ranido, Lenicia Soldevilla, Ruel Von Superio, Jean Jamailah Tomugdan, Riza Ella Tulio, Jeremae Ventar, and Ramon Villanueva Jr.
According to the Supreme Court, of the 9,183 examinees, 3,992 passed the 2022 Bar examinations, or 43.37 percent national passing percentage.
The oathtaking and roll signing for the new Bar passers will be on May 2, 2023 at the Philippine International Convention Center./PN
