6 of 12 topnotchers in 2016 Bar exams join Office of the Solicitor General

Half of the 12 topnotchers in the 2016 Bar examinations have opted to work for the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG), the government's chief counsel.

They are Alanna Khio, Athalia Liong, Mark Dave Camarao, Nia Rachelle Gonzales, Andrew Stephen Liu, and Justin Morilla.

“Six topnotchers from the most recent bar examinations will be joining the OSG in its pursuit of social justice as the Republic Defender and the Tribune of the People,” Solicitor General Jose Calida said in a statement.

2016 Bar topnotchers joining the OSG in its pursuit of social justice as Tribune of the People and defender of the Republic. ???????? pic.twitter.com/nkZyB5qhLM

— SolGen Jose C Calida (@SolGenCalida) June 7, 2017

Khio, the second placer from Dipolog City, said joining the OSG would help her realize her full potential.

“In order to become the best lawyer I can be, I need to be trained in the best law firm in the country,” she said.

Liong, who placed third, said she believes the OSG would provide her the best training, experience and exposure to hone her full potential as a lawyer. 

Camarao, sixth placer from Ilocos Norte, said joining the OSG was a "lifelong dream and to act as counsel for the Republic of the Philippines."

A mother of two, Gonzales, meanwhile, said joining the OSG was the best way to serve the country.

Gonzales, who placed ninth, is currently working as a court decongestion officer in Batangas.

For his part, Liu, the 10th placer from Dumaguete City, said: “When I got invited to join the OSG, there was no doubt that I would accept the invitation. What better place to start your career than the best law firm in the country."

The OSG is celebrating its 116th founding anniversary on Thursday.

A total of 3,747 out of the 6,344 examinees passed last year's licensure exam, which had a passing rate of 59.06 percent, the highest in recent years.

In an unprecedented turnout, all topnotchers came from provincial law schools, beating out law graduates from usual top performing Metro Manila-based schools including the University of the Philippines and the Ateneo De Manila University. — MDM, GMA News