QUEZON CITY—The National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC) recognized 11 personnel from the Regional Arbitration Branches (RABs) who passed the 2025 bar examinations during the flag-raising ceremony on January 12, 2026.

Third Division Commissioner Cecilio Alejandro C. Villanueva led the simple recognition where the newly passed lawyers each received a token for their remarkable achievement.

“In this new year, we have new beginnings and we have new lawyers. We have new hope and new opportunities,” Commissioner Villanueva said as he congratulated the NLRC’s bar passers.

The NLRC’s new lawyers are:

1. Atty. Gregorio B. Capanan, Jr. – Labor Arbitration Associate (LAA), National Capital Regional

Arbitration Branch (NCRAB)

2. Atty. Felix G. Dalisay – LAA, NCRAB

3. Atty. Eddie N. Estrellado – LAA, NCRAB

4. Atty. Juanito B. Gumpal, Jr. – LAA, NCRAB

5. Atty. Van Christian O. Leynes – LAA, NCRAB

6. Atty. Dino A. Mangabat – LAA, NCRAB

7. Atty. Teofilo Butch A. Tavera – Sheriff, NCRAB

8. Atty. Roland Mark Gatchalian – Administrative Assistant V, Sub-RAB I

9. Atty. Jobelle Jane G. Talisay – Administrative Assistant V, Negros Island Regional Arbitration

Branch

10. Atty. Cherry Luz R. Mascual – LAA, RAB VII

11. Atty. Fatima Jean A. Okyo – LAA, RAB XI

The NLRC bar passers are among the 5,594 successful examinees of the 2025 examinations. This is equivalent to 48.98 percent of the total 11,420 law graduates who finished the exams held on September 7, 10, and 14, 2025 in 14 local testing centers across the country.

Overall, the 2025 bar examinations rank third in the highest number of passers. The oath-taking and roll-signing ceremonies will be held on February 6, 2026 at the Philippine Arena.

Presiding Commissioner Julia Cecily C. Sosito, Commissioner Ma. Minerva S. Paez-Collantes, Commissioner Nicolas B. Nicolas, and Commissioner Mary Ann F. Plata-Daytia also commended the new

NLRC lawyers. Aside from giving recognition to the Commission’s bar passers, Commissioner Villanueva also delivered an inspirational message for all the employees.

“Let us look back at the lessons of 2025 and learn from them. In the performance of our solemn duty in the NLRC, let us serve with excellence,” he concluded. ###

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