MANILA, Philippines, April 16, 2026 — Vice President Sara Duterte has publicly revealed her 2005 Bar examination rating of 80 percent, surpassing the 75 percent passing mark, in response to allegations raised by Ramil Madriaga questioning her law school record and conduct. 

The disclosure comes amid ongoing impeachment proceedings where Madriaga, who claims to be Duterte’s former bagman, accused her of seeking special treatment from professors and exhibiting violent behavior during her time at San Sebastian College–Recoletos.

Duterte released her Bar rating to counter claims made during the House justice committee hearings. “I passed the Bar on my first attempt,” she said, stressing that she was never the subject of any complaint for misconduct or violence while studying law. She added, “I was never the subject of any complaint for rudeness or violence against other students at SSC-R College of Law.”

Madriaga alleged that Duterte needed assistance to complete her law degree and sought favors from professors, but Duterte strongly denied these claims. “They cannot even weave a believable lie,” she remarked, taking offense at suggestions that she required help to graduate. She emphasized that she finished her studies independently and passed the Bar in September 2005, a year she described as “relatively difficult.”

In her defense, Duterte also pointed out that she placed greater value on living a well-rounded life rather than pursuing academic excellence, but insisted she never asked for special accommodations. 

“I completed my studies on my own terms. I never asked any professor for special accommodation for my grades because the bare minimum was easy enough to meet,” she explained.

Her camp has dismissed Madriaga’s testimony as lacking credibility, with legal counsel Salvador Panelo branding him the “weakest link” in the impeachment case. Duterte herself referred to Madriaga as a “bar flunker and kidnapping suspect,” further questioning his reliability as a witness.

The controversy over Duterte’s academic record has become a focal point in the impeachment hearings, with critics using it to challenge her integrity while supporters argue that her Bar rating proves she met the professional standards required of a lawyer. The release of her exam score is seen as a strategic move to reinforce her credibility amid mounting political pressure.

As the impeachment proceedings continue, Duterte’s disclosure of her Bar rating underscores her effort to directly confront allegations and maintain public confidence. The case highlights how personal academic records and professional qualifications have become intertwined with political battles in the Philippines.