By Michael Aaron Gomez
Ms. Camille B. Remoroza, a graduate of the Ateneo de Davao University College of Law, has placed 3rd in the 2017 Bar Exams held last November, garnering a score of 90.79%. Her results mark the first time since 2002 of a Bar passer breaking through the 90% threshold. Ms. Remoroza joins these 37 other passers from the Ateneo de Davao University:
Bagundang, Farizah Joy P.
Bajenting, Noribeth D.
Basadre, Shiela Mae B.
Bugacia, Kathleen Rose B.
Ceballo, Maicie I.
Ceriales, Emmanuel R.
Cuaterno, Guian Meng R.
Datukon, Ranizza D.
Dela Cruz, Kirstin C.
Deligero, Marianne Kristine G.
Escovilla, Emiko Antonette T.
Gentiles, Bernmarie D.
Gonzales, Carizza Joy Y.
Ibañez, Merissa M.
Jambangan, Adam Dandro C.
Javier, Kristine C.
Juezan, Monica Katherine S.
Juyo, Ciena Mae S.
Lao, Richard Von U.
Lizada, Raphael Jose N.
Logramonte, Bena Sofia A.
Lora, Ann Lucille Grace L.
Monday, Ruby L.
Morales, David Gil A.
Morente, James Noel V.
Murcia, Erika Joy B.
Pader, Jessica Resurrecion L.
Pusta, BJ Bonn D.
Remollo, Albert Jr. V.
Remoroza, Camille B.
Sagarino, Giovanni Francis V.
Sarno, Hazel Yvette M.
Solano, Datu Morro L.
Sy, Luis Jude Rey B.
Tautho, Kay Frin Chez C.
Tejero, Faizah Gladys Mae K.
Valle, Joanna Charis E.
Yaphockun, Frances
A total of 6,748 law graduates from across the country took the latest Bar Exams, and only 1,724 ultimately passed, which translated to a nationwide passing rate of 25.55%. Compared to the national rate, the AdDU registered an overall passing rate of 82.61%, with 38 passers out of a roster of 46 takers; the University Law School also notched a passing rate of 94.87% for its fresh graduates, with 37 passers out of 39 takers.
At the press conference held in the afternoon of 26 April at the University grounds, Ms. Remoroza fielded questions from the media. Accompanying her were Pre-Bar Review Director Fr. Agustin Nazareno; Assistant Dean of the College of Law Atty. Lydia Galas; her father Mr. Rogelio Remoroza; and finally, Assistant to the President for Research and Advocacy Atty. January Faye Risonar-Bello. Asked what kind of preparations Ms. Remoroza made for the Bar Exam, she said, “I started preparing since January. I made a schedule and stuck to it all year.” She also adds that she did not expect to reach such a high ranking, because “passing the Bar is all that we really aim for.”
Ms. Remoroza also advised prospective Bar Exam takers not to despair, given the challenges of studying Law. Despite having failed in the second year of Law, she revealed, she managed to pull through in the end and become a top-notcher, after all. “You just have to be disciplined. Your preparation starts in law school; don’t take your minors for granted because they will help you during your exams,” she said.
Atty. Bello also took note of the fact that out of the 37 passers from AdDU, 26 of them were women. “This is women empowerment,” she said. Further, Atty. Bello also commented on the fact that this year’s top 10 Bar passers comprised a majority from universities outside Metro Manila. “This is the second year where we see schools from outside Metro Manila producing bar topnotchers,” she said. “You see that they really are doing very well…. for the Ateneo de Davao, today is a good day.” Amid comments that last year’s similar results were simply a fluke, Atty. Bello said that this year proves these naysayers wrong and that this year does signify a trend.
Among the passers from AdDU are children of legal practitioners in Davao City. David Gil A. Morales is the son of Judge Evalyn M. Arellano-Morales; Erika Joy B. Murcia is the daughter of retired Judge Virgilio Murcia; Emiko Antonette T. Escovilla is the granddaughter of retired Judge Antonina Escovilla; and finally, James Noel V. Morente is the son of Bureau of Immigration Commissioner Jaime Morente.
The Ateneo de Davao University College of Law also announces that the Pre-Bar Review at the University will begin on 2 May 2018, from Monday to Friday, at 5:00-9:00 p.m., and on Saturday at 2:00-5:00 p.m. Classes will be held at the fully air-conditioned Dotterweich Building. Enrollment is now going on.
