Malimban, 31, is the second University of Cordilleras (UC) College of Law alumnus to top the Bar, after Janet Abuel in 1998.
The 2006 bar topnotcher said he relied heavily "on prayers and lots of it."
President Arroyo, who spent her "working" Holy Week break here, said, "I am happy for you."
The President said that despite Malimban’s many offers, including a teaching job at the UC and an accounting firm in Manila, she is offering him a job in the government.
Abuel, the 1998 topnotcher from UC, is now the Budget and Management director in Region I, and was with Malacañang for a time.
Malimban was accompanied by UC officials led by Reynaldo Agranzamendez, dean of the College of Law, Jesus Benjamin Salvosa, chairman of the UC board of trustees, his parents and an aunt who brought him up. The President hailed the UC officials for a job well done.
Agranzamendez said Mrs. Arroyo was also happy to note that the supposed "unknown" law schools north of Manila are proving that their graduates are on equal footing with the students of the finest law schools in the country.
Malimban told reporters he is considering teaching at the UC College of Law or working in Manila.
Vicente Malimban, 65, and father of the topnotcher, said he was happy with the accomplishments of his son, saying the latter brought pride and glory not to only to their family but to the people of Baguio.
The bar topnotcher, along with the local journalists, also greeted the President with a birthday song after the photo-op inside the conference hall. – Artemio A. Dumlao