Publication of law schools’ Bar passing rate sought

MANILA, Philippines - The Bar passing rates of law schools must be published to improve legal education in the country.

Supreme Court Associate Justice Arturo Brion made the proposal during the oath-taking ceremony of 1,731 new lawyers last Thursday.

Brion, who is set to retire from the judiciary in December, challenged the Legal Education Board (LEB) to consider his suggestion so parents and prospective law students would know the schools where they should enrol.

“At the very least, the law school passing rates should be given the widest publication so that the public can at least be informed that enrolling in a given law school poses an 80 percent, 90 percent even a 100 percent hazard of failing the Bar exams,” he said.

“And once we have arrived at a national consensus on solutions and approaches, then let us apply the agreed measures with an unwavering will.” 

Brion was the valedictorian of Ateneo law school batch 1974 and placed first in the Bar examinations with an average of 91.65 percent.

However, he said he does not wish the closure of law schools with poor Bar performances.

“But at the very least, a close inquiry into this matter should publicly be undertaken so that the public would be aware and concrete and holistic actions can be taken,” he said.