(Eagle News) — A University of San Carlos graduate topped the 2016 bar exams, which registered a 59.06 percent passing rate, said to be the highest ever in years.
Karen Mae Calam got an 89.05 percent, followed by a Silliman University graduate, Alanna Gayle Ashley Khio, with 88.95 percent.
USC graduate Fiona Cristy Lao and Andres Bonifacio College alumna Athalia Liong got the third spot, with 88.8 percent each.
University of San Agustin alumna Allana Mae Babayen-on was in fourth place, with 88.75 percent; Justin Ryan Morilla from the Ateneo de Davao University in fifth place, with 88.4 percent; and Mark Dave Camarao of Northwestern University, with 88.1 percent.
Occupying the seventh place was USC alumna Anne Margaret Momongan with 87.8 percent; and the eighth place, Jefferson Gomez from USC with 87.7 percent.
Tied in ninth place were University of Batangas alumna Nia Rachelle Gonzales and Silliman University graduate Marie Chielo Ybio, with 87.5 percent each.
In tenth place was another Silliman University graduate, Andrew Stephen Liu, with 87.45 percent.
The top ten places were dominated by schools in the provinces, unlike in previous years, when they are dominated by schools in Manila.
Of the 6344 takers, 3747 passed, representing a passing rate of 59.06 percent, reportedly the highest in 30 years.
Justice Presbitero Velasco, who announced the results, said because of the high number of successful takers, organizers had to get a bigger venue–the Mall of Asia Arena–for the oathtaking on May 22.