Hail to the FLP bar topnotchers and passers
The Foundation for Liberty and Prosperity hails and congratulates its 14 scholars who topped or passed the 2025 bar examinations. Per the press briefer of the Supreme Court, three FLP scholars were among the top 20 passers: the class valedictorian of the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU), Enrico Gabriel Paguia (6th place), and two from the University of the Philippines (UP) College of Law: Ignacio Lorenzo Villareal (15th) and Chinzen Viernes (19th).
ASIDE FROM THE THREE TOPNOTCHERS, 11 other FLP law scholars passed (thereby upholding FLP’s 100 percent passing rate): Mariana Alberto (UP), Joanna Rizza David (Bulacan State University), Kerstein Kylle Despi, University of San Carlos (USC), Susanna Ruth Gruyal (UP), Cicily Isabelle Mirasol (UP), Christa Marie Mutuc (USC), Jayson Orajay, Xavier University, Allan Cairo Reyes (UP), Janelle Sy (ADMU), Ricardo Anton Sobreviñas (ADMU), and Mary Lynn Te (USC).
Since 2018, the FLP—in partnership with the Tan Yan Kee Foundation—has been sponsoring a unique, merit-based “Legal Scholarship Program.” This program aims to identify and support the best and brightest law students and provides them with the resources and opportunities to excel academically, socially, and professionally.
Our track record includes several bar toppers: our first batch of 10 examinees in 2018 was led by Sean James Borja (ADMU, 1st place), Katrina Monica Gaw (ADMU, 5th), and Ervin Fredrick Dy (UP, 17th). Our 2019 law scholars had two bar toppers, Kenneth Glenn Manuel, University of Santo Tomas (UST, 6th) and Dexter Rojas, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP, 9th); in 2022, Louis-Mari Opina (UST, 19th); and in 2024, Kyle Christian Tutor (UP, 1st place), Maria Lovelyn Joyce Quebrar (UP, 6th), and Betlee-kyle Barraquias (ADMU, 18th).
Notably, the Supreme Court did not rank the Top 20 passers in the 2020 to 2021 bar exams amid a pandemic, opting instead to recognize exemplary (85 percent-90 percent average grade) and excellent (above 90 percent) performances. Three of our scholars achieved excellent performance: Stephanie Mae Domingo (University of the Cordilleras), Geremae Mata (USC), and Jani Omamalin (USC).
May I also praise retired Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, a member of the FLP board of trustees, for being the examiner in civil law, and my personal friends who were likewise bar examiners: Regional Trial Court Judge Cherry Chiara L. Hernando (commercial and taxation law), Sandiganbayan Justice Sarah Jane T. Fernandez (criminal law), and retired Court of Appeals Justice Magdangal M. De Leon (labor law and social legislation).
Of course, the loudest clap belongs to Supreme Court Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, overall chair of the 2025 bar exams. History will long remember her headship and, more importantly, her authorship of Pimentel v. House (Dec. 3, 2025)—that the monies of PhilHealth belong to its contributors and cannot be transferred to the National Treasury, much less fund wantonly fraudulent public works projects.
LAWYERING IS INVESTED WITH PUBLIC INTEREST, and lawyers are regarded and disciplined by the Supreme Court as public officers. After all, our profession serves as the first key to the justice system. Whenever people encounter legal problems, the first experts available to help them are bar exam passers.
While topping the bar does not guarantee future success or exceptional skill, history shows that many top 20 passers become leading practitioners, professors, corporate counsels, and public officials. As such, they are highly sought after and well-compensated, but achievement always comes with the burdens of responsibility and expectations of integrity.
It is my fervent hope that the FLP scholars will carry the philosophy of the foundation wherever their legal careers take them: the safeguarding of liberty and the nurturing of prosperity under the rule of law. These are not merely abstract ideals but practical guides that should inform every decision, every case, and every client interaction throughout their careers.
IT IS MY DEEPEST PRAYER that our country will produce more enlightened, well-trained, and principled lawyers who will dedicate their lives and careers to competent and ethical practice. Excellence demonstrated through exams is obvious and easily measured, but ethics is not always so apparent. Ethical practice in law lies not just in doing what is right, but in consistently serving and uplifting the lives of many Filipinos, especially the marginalized and the poor.
Earning the title “Attorney” is only the beginning. How new lawyers uphold integrity, competence, and service will be judged by time. The title itself can be revoked through disbarment—the permanent removal from the roll of attorneys—for gross misconduct. This is a sober reminder that great privilege carries great responsibility.
To all the new passers, especially our FLP scholars: congratulations again. The bar exam is merely the beginning. What comes beyond is a journey that will define not only your career but also your steadfast commitment to liberty, prosperity, and the rule of law.
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