Who among Philippine presidents were bar topnotchers?

Of the 97 Bar topnotchers so far, some rose to extraordinary prominence after joining politics and government.

Three Bar first placers made history as presidents of the Philippines.

One became a vice president while several others became senators, congressmen, chief justices or associate justices, or were appointed to important government posts.

Manuel Roxas, grandfather of Sen. Mar Roxas of Capiz, made history in 1913 when he topped the 1913 exam with a grade of 92 percent.

Roxas, a UP law graduate, was the first president of an independent Philippine Republic.

Roxas was elected president on April 23, 1946. The Philippines achieved its independence from the United Sates on July 4, 1946. Prior to his election to the presidency, Roxas was also House Speaker and Senate President.

Following Roxas’ footsteps was Diosdado Macapagal, father of President Arroyo. He was elected as ninth president of the Philippines in 1961.

Macapagal, a graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas, topped the Bar in 1936.

Macapagal, however, failed in his reelection bid in 1965, losing to Ferdinand Marcos, who topped the Bar in 1939 with a rating of 92.35 percent. He graduated c u m laude from the UP College of Law. He was also a former congressman and Senate president.

As a law student in UP, Marcos was indicted and convicted for the murder of Julio Nalundasan, who twice defeated his father for a seat in the then National Assembly.

He reviewed for the Bar in detention. He appealed and defended his case before the Supreme Court, and won an acquittal.

1. Manuel Roxas, grandfather of Sen. Mar Roxas of Capiz, made history in 1913 when he topped the 1913 exam with a grade of 92 percent.

Roxas, a UP law graduate, was the first president of an independent Philippine Republic.

Roxas was elected president on April 23, 1946. The Philippines achieved its independence from the United Sates on July 4, 1946. Prior to his election to the presidency, Roxas was also House Speaker and Senate President.

2. Diosdado Macapagal, father of President Arroyo. He was elected as ninth president of the Philippines in 1961.

Macapagal, a graduate of the University of Sto. Tomas, topped the Bar in 1936.

Macapagal, however, failed in his reelection bid in 1965, losing to Ferdinand Marcos.

3. Ferdinand Marcos, who topped the Bar in 1939 with a rating of 92.35 percent. He graduated c u m laude from the UP College of Law. He was also a former congressman and Senate president.

As a law student in UP, Marcos was indicted and convicted for the murder of Julio Nalundasan, who twice defeated his father for a seat in the then National Assembly.

He reviewed for the Bar in detention. He appealed and defended his case before the Supreme Court, and won an acquittal.

I heard that Erap was a top bar hopper.

He could also drink anyone under the table.

Actually he did everything under the table.