Roy Lando

List: Filipino Bar Topnotchers from 1903 to Present

In the Philippines, most students dream to become a lawyer. Hence, passing the bar examination and having the title “Atty.” affix to your name brings great joy not only to the family but also to the whole clan and community. Yet, topping the bar examination is great news in the whole country.

Here is a list of all the lawyers who topped the bar examination from 1903 up to the present.

Year Name Rating School Hometown
1903 Jose L. Quintos 96.33 Escuela de Derecho Baliuag, Bulacan
1913 Manuel A. Roxas 92 University of the Philippines Roxas City, Capiz
1914 Manuel C. Goyena 93 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1915 Francisco Villanueva, Jr. 90 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1916 Paulino Gullas 93 University of the Philippines Cebu City
1917 Felipe Ysmael 91 University of the Philippines Iloilo City
1918 Alejo Labrador 87 University of the Philippines San Narciso, Zambales
1919 Gregorio Anonas 87 Philippine Law School Iba, Zambales
1920 Adolfo Brillantes 84.1 Escuela de Derecho Bangued, Abra
1921 Pablo C. Payawal 89.1 University of the Philippines San Miguel, Bulacan
1922 Amando L. Velilla 89.1 University of the Philippines Balasan, Iloilo
1923 Roque V. Desquitado 90.9 University of the Philippines Bantayan, Cebu
1924 Roberto R. Concepcion 89.1 University of Santo Tomas Manila, Metro Manila
1925 Rafael Dinglasan 91.1 University of the Philippines Roxas City, Capiz
1926 Eugeniano Perez 88.1 Philippine Law School Mandaue, Cebu
1927 Cesar Kintanar 87.7 University of the Philippines Argao, Cebu
1928 Filomeno B. Pascual 90.3 Philippine Law School Sagay, Negros Occidental
1929 Lorenzo S. Sumulong 92.5 University of the Philippines Antipolo, Rizal
1930 Tecla San Andres 89.4 University of the Philippines Naga, Camarines Sur
1931 Jose N. Leuterio 89.4 University of the Philippines Boac, Marinduque
1932 Hermenegildo Atienza 93 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1933 Lope C. Quimbo 92.45 University of Manila Calbiga, Samar
1934 Marciano P. Catral 89.7 Philippine Law School Luna, Isabela
1935 Enrique Estrellado 91.7 University of the Philippines San Pablo, Laguna
1936 Diosdado P. Macapagal 89.85 University of Santo Tomas Lubao, Pampanga
1937 Cecilia Muñoz-Palma 92.6 University of the Philippines Bauan, Batangas
1938 Emmanuel Pelaez 91.3 University of Manila Medina, Misamis Oriental
1939 Ferdinand E. Marcos 92.35 University of the Philippines Sarrat, Ilocos Norte
1940 Claudio Teehankee 94.35 Ateneo de Manila University Manila, Metro Manila
1941 Emmet P.D. Shea 90.2 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1942-1943 Cancelled due to World War II
1944 Jovito R. Salonga 95.3 University of the Philippines Pasig, Metro Manila
1944 Jose W. Diokno Special Dispensation (non-degree holder) (University of Santo Tomas undergraduate) Manila, Metro Manila
1945 Cancelled due to Post-war Rehabilitation
1946 Gregoria T. Cruz 92.25 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1946 Pedro L. Yap 91.7 University of the Philippines San Isidro, Leyte
1947 Ameurfina A. Melencio-Herrera 93.85 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1948 Manuel G. Montecillo 95.5 Far Eastern University Liliw, Laguna
1949 Anacleto C. Mañgaser 95.85 Philippine Law School Caba, La Union
1950 Carolina C. Griño 92.05 Special (Colegio de San Agustin and University of the Philippines) Leganes, Iloilo
1951 Vicente R. Acsay 92.25 University of Manila Bugasong, Antique
1952 Pedro Samson C. Animas 94.25 University of the Philippines Ozamiz City, Misamis Occidental
1953 Leonardo A. Amores 94.05 University of Manila Roxas City, Capiz
1954 Florenz D. Regalado 96.7 San Beda College Concepcion, Iloilo
1955 Tomas P. Matic, Jr. 90.55 Far Eastern University Concepcion, Tarlac
1956 Francisco C. Catral 90.2 San Beda College Lal-lo, Cagayan
1957 Gregorio R. Castillo 89.15 University of the Philippines Buhi, Camarines Sur
1958 Manuel G. Abello 89.25 University of the Philippines Isabela, Negros Occidental
1959 Agustin O. Benitez 89.2 Far Eastern University Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte
1960 Ismael Andres 91.7 Manuel L. Quezon University Looc, Romblon
1961 Avelino V. Cruz 90.95 San Beda College Pasig, Metro Manila
1962 Deogracias G. Eufemio 90.8 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1963 Cornelio C. Gison 86.35 Ateneo de Manila University Iloilo City
1964 Jesus P. Castelo 88.4 San Beda College San Isidro, Nueva Ecija
1965 Victor S. de la Serna 89.8 San Beda College Tagbilaran City, Bohol
1966 Roberto V. San Jose 90.6 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1967 Rodolfo D. Robles 89.6 San Beda College Tiaong, Quezon
1968 Oscar B. Glovasa 87.45 Divine Word College of Tagbilaran Tagbilaran, Bohol
1969 Ronaldo B. Zamora 87.3 University of the Philippines Calumpit, Bulacan
1970 Romulo D. San Juan 87.5 Far Eastern University San Jacinto, Masbate
1971 Henry R. Villarica 92.4 University of the Philippines Meycauayan City, Bulacan
1972 Januario B. Soller, Jr. 87.13 Ateneo de Manila University Manila, Metro Manila
1973 Vicente R. Solis 90.3 Ateneo de Manila University Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Sur
1974 Arturo D. Brion 91.65 Ateneo de Manila University San Pablo City, Laguna
1975 Nicanor B. Padilla, Jr. 86.7 University of the East Cebu City, Cebu
1976 Enrique Y. Teehankee 90.8 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1977 Virgilio B. Gesmundo 91.8 Ateneo de Manila University San Pablo City, Laguna
1978 Cosme D. Rosell 92.47 University of the Philippines Daanbantayan, Cebu
1979 Gregorio M. Batiller, Jr. 91.4 Ateneo de Manila University Davao City, Davao del Sur
1980 Rafael R. Lagos 89.75 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1981 Irene Ragodon-Guevarra 90.95 Ateneo de Manila University Manila, Metro Manila
1982 Ray C. Espinosa 90.95 Ateneo de Manila University Manila, Metro Manila
1983 Manuel Antonio J. Teehankee 91.4 Ateneo de Manila University Manila, Metro Manila
1984 Richard M. Chiu 92.85 Ateneo de Manila University Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
1985 Janette Susan L. Peña 89.4 University of the Philippines San Juan, Metro Manila
1986 Laurence L. Go 88.6 Ateneo de Manila University Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur
1987 Mario P. Victoriano 88.55 Ateneo de Manila University Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental
1988 Maria Yvette O. Navarro 88.12 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1989 Gilberto Eduardo Gerardo C. Teodoro, Jr. 86.185 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
1990 Aquilino L. Pimentel III 89.85 University of the Philippines Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental
1991 Joseph P. San Pedro 89.95 Ateneo de Manila University Malolos City, Bulacan
1992 Jayme A. Sy, Jr. 87 Ateneo de Manila University Sagay, Negros Occidental
1993 Anna Leah Fidelis T. Castañeda 88.325 Ateneo de Manila University Manila, Metro Manila
1994 Francisco Noel R. Fernandez 89.2 University of the Philippines Butuan, Agusan del Norte
1995 Leonor Y. Dicdican 91.2 University of the Philippines Davao City, Davao del Sur
1996 Patricia-Ann T. Prodigalidad 90.6 University of the Philippines Brooklyn, New York, US
1997 Ma. Cecilia H. Fernandez 90.025 University of the Philippines Makati, Metro Manila
1998 Janet B. Abuel 91.8 Baguio Colleges Foundation Dagupan, Pangasinan
1999 Edwin R. Enrile 88.5 Ateneo de Manila University Naga, Camarines Sur
1999 Florin T. Hilbay 88.5 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
2000 Eliseo M. Zuñiga, Jr. 90.6 University of the Philippines Mandaluyong, Metro Manila
2001 Rodolfo Ma. A. Ponferrada 93.8 University of the Philippines Quezon City, Metro Manila
2002 Arlene M. Maneja 92.9 University of Santo Tomas Quezon City, Metro Manila
2003 Aeneas Eli S. Diaz 88.53 Ateneo de Manila University Sorsogon City, Sorsogon
2004 January A. Sanchez 87.45 University of the Philippines Santa Maria, Bulacan
2005 Joan A. De Venecia 87.2 University of the Philippines Dagupan, Pangasinan
2006 Noel Neil Q. Malimban 87.6 University of the Cordilleras Baguio, Benguet
2007 Mercedita L. Ona 83.55 Ateneo de Manila University San Jose, Batangas
2008 Judy A. Lardizabal 85.7 San Sebastian College Imus, Cavite
2009 Reinier Paul R. Yebra 84.8 San Beda College Daet, Camarines Norte
2010 Cesareo Antonio S. Singzon Jr. 89 Ateneo de Manila University Catbalogan, Samar
2011 Raoul Angelo D. Atadero 85.536 Ateneo de Manila University Quezon City, Metro Manila
2012 Ignatius Michael D. Ingles 85.64 Ateneo de Manila University Quezon City, Metro Manila
2013 Nielson G. Pangan 85.8 University of the Philippines Manila, Metro Manila
2014 Irene Mae B. Alcobilla 85.5 San Beda College San Remigio, Antique
2015 Rachel Angeli B. Miranda 87.4 University of the Philippines Quezon City, Metro Manila
2016 Karen Mae L. Calam 89.05 University of San Carlos Kalilangan, Bukidnon
2017 Mark John M. Simondo 91.05 University of St. La Salle Bacolod, Negros Occidental
2018 Sean James Borja 89.306 Ateneo de Manila University Muntinlupa, Metro Manila
2019 Mae Diane Azores 91.049 University of Santo Tomas–Legazpi Legazpi City, Albay
2020 Postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic
2021 No topnotcher but 14 passers with exemplary performance
2022 Czar Matthew Dayday 88.8 University of the Philippines

(To be continued…)

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4 comments

  1. why felipe agoncilio was not included on your list , he got a perfect score of 100

    Reply

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