Rappler Talk: Bar topnotcher Chinzen Viernes on why ‘justice system is worth saving’

During the 2025 Bar Examinations, the Supreme Court (SC) recognized the top 20 takers who garnered the highest ratings among the 5,594 passers. Among them is Chinzen Viernes, who took the 19th spot. Like five other topnotchers, Viernes comes from the University of the Philippines. Viernes had been exposed to the legal system at a young age after becoming a subject of a petition. This, among other factors, pushed her to choose lawyering as her profession. In this Rappler Talk episode, justice reporter Jairo Bolledo sits down with Viernes to discuss the topnotcher’s perspectives on lawyering and why she believes that country’s justice system is “worth saving.” https://www.rappler.com/video/rappler...