SPECIAL DAY. Mark John Simondo (left), topnotcher of the 2017 Philippine Bar Examinations, with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia who presented him two executive orders recognizing his rare feat in rites held at the Bacolod Government Center on Wednesday (May 2, 2018). (Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO)
BACOLOD CITY -- The 2017 Bar topnotcher from this city has been honored with a special day through an executive order issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
Executive Order No. 12-A, declaring April 26, 2018 as “Mark John H. Simondo Day” in the City of Bacolod, is one of the two EOs issued by the mayor to recognize the achievement of the 31-year-old Bacolodnon.
Simondo, who is one of the 12 successful examinees from University of St. La Salle (USLS) College of Law, met the mayor in a courtesy call at the Bacolod City Government Center on Wednesday.
Leonardia presented to him copies of EO Nos. 12-A and 13, in the presence of his seven fellow passers and some city officials.
It was on April 26 when the Supreme Court released the results of the 2017 Philippine Bar Examinations, which Simondo topped with a rating of 91.05 percent.
Simondo, son of retired police officer Noli Simondo and wife Edith, is the first from Bacolod to land first place in the Bar exams, and also the first topnotcher in 15 years to breach the 90 percent mark.
A portion of the EO 12-A stated: “Because of his very laudable achievement, Simondo has become the pride of Bacolod and an inspiration to all its constituents.”
“Thus Mark John Simondo deserves to be recognized and forever remembered by the City by making April 26, 2018 as an important date in its history,” it added.
Meanwhile, Leonardia issued EO No. 13 “congratulating and commending” Simondo for his rare feat.
“Simondo has given immense pride to the City of Bacolod by earning the distinction of being the first Bacolodnon to place first in the Bar Examinations, and by proving that there are indeed local talents in Bacolod City who are at par with the best in Manila,” the EO further said.
“Simondo serves both as an inspiration and role model for the people of Bacolod City, especially its youth,” it also stated.
Out of the 6,748 who took the Bar exams last year, only 1,724 or 25.55 percent of the examinees passed.
Simondo, who hails from this city’s Barangay 33, is a registered nurse who graduated valedictorian from the USLS College of Law Class 2017.
In response to the recognition given by the city, Simondo said that while he knows that Bacolod is proud of him, he is also very proud of Bacolod.
“It’s not just about me, it’s about the community, it’s about the city. And this is home. This is home for me, home for us. I am glad that I made Bacolod City proud, and I will do what I can in the near future to make it even more proud of me,” he added.
Leonardia said Simondo’s achievement all the more fueled Bacolod’s 80th year celebration themed “Full Speed Ahead”. (PNA)
