The City Government of Davao and its Educational Benefit System Unit (Ebsu) are celebrating a significant achievement, as nine scholars from their Law School Educational Assistance Program successfully passed the 2025 Bar Examinations.
Bar Exam Success and Davao's Contribution
The Supreme Court announced the results of the 2025 Bar Examinations on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. Out of 11,420 examinees nationwide, a total of 5,594 passed, resulting in a national passing rate of 48.98%. The announcement was made by Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, the Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, during the release ceremony at the SC Courtyard in Manila.
From Davao City's program, the new lawyers are: Aljun Magsanay Aniban, Krizia Rafaella Salcedo Bumanglag, John Glen Luza Lambayon, Gerryk Roldan Mayormita, Ralph Renzo Tan Naquila, Lyka Mae Ompong, Jessa Mae Beltran Suico, Aimee Louise Perigo Venteroso, and Marielle Jane Ballaque Walohan.
Scholarship Program: A Lifeline for Aspiring Lawyers
In a statement released on January 8, 2026, Ebsu Technical Staff Emilio Domingo Jr. congratulated the passers. He highlighted their perseverance, discipline, and commitment to excellence, wishing them success in their legal careers.
One of the successful scholars, Jessa Mae Beltran Suico, who joined the program in 2021, shared how crucial the financial support was. "Ebsu gave me hope and an opportunity to survive law school," Suico stated. She explained that as a working student, the grant significantly eased her burdens by covering tuition, miscellaneous fees, and providing a book allowance.
Suico also expressed hope for the program's continuity: "I hope Ebsu and the City Government of Davao continue to help more law students and produce more lawyers... who will be able to serve the people of Davao City, the Philippines, especially those who need justice most."
Sustained Support for Legal Education
The Davao City scholarship program provides substantial aid to its beneficiaries:
- Full scholars receive P50,000 for tuition and miscellaneous fees, plus an P8,000 book allowance per semester.
- Half scholars receive P25,000 and a P4,000 book allowance per semester.
Currently, the city supports 49 law school scholars, with 39 on full scholarship and 10 on half-scholarship. Since the program's inception in 2018, it has now produced a total of 30 successful bar passers, demonstrating its lasting impact on the local legal community.
This initiative underscores Davao City's commitment to investing in education and nurturing homegrown talent for the legal profession, ensuring that capable individuals can pursue their dreams of serving justice regardless of their financial background.
