By Lito Rulona
A XAVIER University graduate made it to the Top 10 in the November 2015 bar exams.
Soraya Salubo Laut, a certified public accountant, garnered 85.85 percent, making her rank 8th in the bar examinations, showed a list released by Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Of 6,608 takers, only 1,731 passed the bar exams, reputedly one of the hardest tests in the world. The passing grade is kept at 75 percent. The national passing rate is 26.21 percent.
Laut, 26, is the eldest of the three siblings who hails from Malaybalay City in Bukidnon.
Other XU law school graduates who passed the examinations in their first try were Dhetty Joy Abregana, Archiene Aguhob, Gregorio Alenton III, Diana Mae Bebelone, Melanie Mae Cabanlas, Liegh Angeli Gipulla, Michael John Manuta and Sittie Aisah Mohammadali.
XU law school professor lawyer Rey Raagas said he was not surprised when he learned that Laut made it to the top 10 because he knew how dedicated she was in her studies.
“Laut is a consistent achiever in my class. She is deserving in getting a passing grade of 85.85 percent,” Raagas said.
Raagas, chairman of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Misamis Oriental-Cagayan de Oro chapter, said that Laut’s achievement would serve as an inspiration to other XU law students.
“Dili lang sa XU pero apil sab sa Liceo de Cagayan University. Daghan ang ma-inspire kaniya,” Raagas said.
Last year’s bar exams were held at the University of Santo Tomas where tests were given in a span of four Sundays in November.
The bar exams covered eight different subjects, namely: political and public international law, labor and social legislation, civil law, taxation, mercantile law, criminal law, remedial law, and legal and judicial ethics.
During the 5th founding anniversary of the Legal Education Board, Xavier Law was hailed as one of the Top 10 law schools in the country. The recognition was conferred on Dec. 1, 2015 at Bayleaf Hotel, Intramuros, Manila.
Xavier Law’s inclusion to the list of top law schools was determined on the basis of its cumulative ratings in the bar examinations of 2012, 2013 and 2014 as certified by the bar confidant of the Supreme Court. (lito rulona)
