MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 2) - A graduate of the San Beda College of Law topped a total of 1,451 examinees who passed the 2009 Bar examinations, the Supreme Court announced Friday.

2009 Bar examinations results ABANTE to ELBANBUENA | ELTANAL to PAMINTUAN | PANDOY to ZULUETA

Here is the list of the top 10 successful examiness of the 2009 Bar Examinations

1] YEBRA, REINIER, 84.800, San Beda
2] TAPIC, CHARLENE MAY, 84.600, San Beda
3] LIM, JOHN PAUL , 84.500, Ateneo Law
4] LAGOS, CAROLINE, 84.400, UP Law
5] TAN, ERIC DAVID, 84.050, Ateneo Law
6] GONZALEZ, YVI RANDOLF, 83.900, Ateneo Law
7] TO, JOAN MAE, 83.650, Ateneo Law
8] BAGRO, HERMINIO III, 83.400, UP LAw
9] LUMAUIG, TIMOTHY JOSEPH, 83.200, Ateneo Law
10] BAINTO, NAELLA ROSE, 83.100, Ateneo Law
10] GO, SHIELA ABIGAIL, 83.100, Ateneo Law

Justice Antonio Eduardo B. Nachura, chair of the 2009 Committee on Bar Examinations, earlier said "the passing rate was lowered from 75% to 71%."

The disqualification grade in Taxation was also lowered from 49% to 45%.

The Supreme Court said that in the last decade, "the highest passing rate was posted in 2001 with 32.89%, while the lowest was in 2002 with 19.68%."

"The highest passing percentage of all time though in 1954 with 75.17%, while the lowest was in 1999 with 16.59%," it added.

The 2009 Bar Examinations were held on September 6, 13, and 20; and October 4, 2009 at the De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila.

The Bar exams are traditionally held in 4 consecutive Sundays of September, but the High Court had to reset to October 4, 2009 the last exam week due to the widespread flooding brought about by Typhoon Ondoy.

2009 Bar examinations results ABANTE to ELBANBUENA | ELTANAL to PAMINTUAN | PANDOY to ZULUETA