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In This Issue
Editorial Board
The Arellano Law Gazette |
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Arellano Law Gazette Bar Exams and Politics 
The first Bar Examinations were held in 1901 with 13 examinees. Most of those who subsequently passed the bar turned their sights to politics; several even reached the pinnacle of their careers by holding the highest position of the land, the Presidency. In 1903, Manuel L. Quezon who later became the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines topped the Bar Exam, while Sergio Osmeria, who was the Vice President under Manuel L. Quezon, ranked second. They were followed by Manuel Roxas in 1913 garnering an average of 92 percent in the exams. In the 1915 Bar Examination, Elpidio Quirino was second place. Carlos P. Garcia, who briefly studied law in Siliman University, earned his degree in Philippine Law School, was among the top ten in the 1923 Bar Examination. Among the others who did exceptionally well at the Bar Exam who later also became president were Diosdado Macapagal in 1936, who placed first with a mark of 89.85 percent and Ferdinand Marcos in 1939 topping the bar with a score of 92.35 percentage. The first woman who topped the bar, Tecla San Andres-Ziga became senator afterwards. Former Senate President Jovito R. Salonga and former senator Jose W. Diokno were tied in the top 1 rank in 1944 Bar Examination both receiving 95.3 percentage. Even to this day, many of our Congressmen and Senators are lawyers. In addition to winning in National Elections, many lawyers are also victorious in Local Elections, a testimony to the prevailing trust of the Filipino people in lawyers.
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