Manila, Philippines: University of Santo Tomas (UST) student journalist Ephraim Bie defied expectations and emerged as the 2023 Bar Exam topnotcher, announced by the Supreme Court on December 5th. Bie's impressive 89.26% rating not only marks his personal achievement but also ends UST's 21-year drought in producing the Bar exam's top scorer.
The news was met with joy and celebration within the UST community. "It is a very prestigious institution, and I'm just happy to bring honor and pride to my faculty," Bie humbly shared with the Varsitarian.
Driven by his childhood dream of serving the people, Bie aspires to use his legal knowledge and expertise "for the rule of law, for justice," as he stated in an interview with ANC.
UST College of Law Dean Nilo Divina expressed his excitement about the news. "We could not contain our joy and jubilation after hearing the wonderful news," Divina shared, describing the joyous scene when he learned of Bie's achievement.
Bie, who graduated from law school at the top of his batch and with magna cum laude honors, currently works for a law firm. He also boasts a journalism background, having been a staff writer for the college paper after completing his journalism degree in 2015.
Despite his impressive achievements, Bie admitted that he didn't expect to top the Bar.
This year's Bar exam saw a considerably lower passing rate of 36.77%, significantly lower than the previous year's 43.37%. The examinations were held on September 17th, 20th, and 24th.
Bie's success marks a significant milestone for UST. The last Thomasian to top the Bar exam was legal management alumna and civil law graduate Arlene Maneja in 2002, with a score of 92.90%.
Other notable Thomasian topnotchers include former Philippine president Diosdado Macapagal (1936; 89.95%), former senator Jose Diokno (1944; 95.3%), and former chief justice Roberto Concepcion (1924; 89.1%).
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