11,425 Candidates Successfully Complete the 2025 Bar Exams
Examinees, together with their families and friends, celebrate at the 14 local testing centers nationwide on September 14, 2025, the third and final day of the 2025 Bar Examinations. (Photo courtesy of the Supreme Court Communications Office)
The 2025 Bar Examinations concluded on September 14, 2025, with 11,425 examinees completing the three-day tests. Out of a record 13,193 admitted applicants, this year’s Bar Exams posted the highest first-day turnout of 11,437 takers and set a new milestone with the largest number of finishers in Philippine Bar history.
The exams were held in 14 local testing centers (LTCs) across the country, continuing the Supreme Court’s (SC) commitment to a regionalized, digitalized, and inclusive Bar Exams. The SC also ensured that persons with disabilities had equal access to take the tests.
The number of examinees per testing center is as follows: (1) University of Santo Tomas (UST) in Manila —703; (2) San Beda University in Manila —873; (3) New Era University in Quezon City — 1697; (4) Manila Adventist College in Pasay City — 426; (5) San Beda College Alabang in Muntinlupa City — 762; (6) University of the Philippines – BGC in Taguig City — 584; (7) Ateneo de Manila University School of Law in Makati City — 512; (8) Saint Louis University in Baguio City — 1,252; (9) University of Nueva Caceres in Naga City — 600; (10) University of San Jose-Recoletos in Cebu City — 1,264; (11) Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation in Tacloban City — 469; (12) Central Philippine University in Iloilo City — 547; (13) Ateneo de Davao University in Davao City — 1,097; and (14) Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City — 639.
SC Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, shared that the conduct of the exams was smooth, without accidents or other untoward incidents. “There was no violence or harm to anyone,” she said.
2025 Bar Chairperson and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier at the Turnover Ceremony held at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, on September 14, 2025, the third and last day of the 2025 Bar Examinations. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
During the Turnover Ceremony at the UST Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building (Frassati Building), Justice Lazaro-Javier highlighted a distinctive feature of this year’s exams—Question #20, which she called “the magical question.” This special item focused on the SC’s long-term reform program, the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022-2027 (SPJI), and was consistently assigned across all subjects.
“It is more than just a test item—it is a tribute, a nod to the SPJI. Its goal is to raise awareness among our new lawyers. New lawyers must align their actions with the four guiding principles and expected outcomes of the SPJI.”
Justice Lazaro-Javier emphasized that new lawyers should not be passive observers but active partners in the Judiciary’s efforts toward innovation, accessibility, efficiency, and justice. She added that they are called not only to welcome the SPJI, but to actively contribute to its implementation. “The SPJI is a gift from the Supreme Court. It must be nurtured by this generation and passed on to the next,” she said.
Justice Lazaro-Javier expressed gratitude to all who contributed to the success of the Bar Exams. “Everyone deserves to be honored, acknowledged, and appreciated for all their hard work for the 2025 Bar Exams,” she shared.
She thanked Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen, and the other Members of the Court for their full support and for personally visiting the LTCs, noting that their presence served as inspiration and a morale booster to the examinees.
“Naramdaman talaga ng mga bar babies natin ang pagmamahal ninyo. Kahit pagod na kayo, talagang inikot ninyo lahat. Kapag nakikita nila kayo, mayroon silang pag-asa. May hope na, ‘Kaya namin ito. Papasa kami.’”
Justice Lazaro-Javier also recognized the 14 LTCs, represented by their respective Law Deans, for their key role in the success of the exams.
She also thanked the officials and personnel of UST, her alma mater, which served as this year’s Bar National headquarters; local government units; SC offices including the Office of the Bar Confidant, Management and Information Systems Office, and Office of the Judiciary Marshals, as well as law enforcement agencies for ensuring the safety and security of the examinees.
She gave special mention to her Bar Team, led by Bar Head Atty. Maria Michaela M. Billones-Vitug, saying
“Everyone carried out their tasks without ever thinking that a mundane, simple or tedious duty was beneath them. … I’m so proud to call them my team as they were purely driven by their desire to serve.”
During the Turnover Ceremony, Justice Lazaro-Javier officially handed over the responsibility of administering the Bar Exams to SC Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan, who will serve as Chairperson for the next Bar.
2025 Bar Chairperson and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier (second from left) hands over the gavel, symbolizing the transfer of authority over the Bar Examinations, to 2026 Bar Chairperson and SC Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan (third from left) during the Turnover Ceremony at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, on September 14, 2025, the final day of the 2025 Bar Examinations. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Justice Gaerlan acknowledged the great responsibility that comes with stewarding the gateway to the legal profession. He vowed to “carry on the ideals, adopt the best practices, and continue the legacy of my predecessor.”
2026 Bar Chairperson and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan delivers his message as he accepts the Bar Chairpersonship during the Turnover Ceremony at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, on September 14, 2025, the final day of the 2025 Bar Examinations. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen delivered the closing message on behalf of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo:
“The work of shaping lawyers does not stop here. We must continue to mentor those who aspire to join our ranks into becoming socially-committed lawyers. We must remind them that the nobility of this profession does not lie in the mastery of the law and doctrines, but in the integrity, competence, and compassion with which this profession is practiced and lived.”
Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen delivered the closing message on behalf of Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo during the Turnover Ceremony at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, on September 14, 2025, the final day of the 2025 Bar Examinations. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Other SC Justices attended the ceremony, including Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Rodil V. Zalameda, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Japar B. Dimaampao, Jose Midas P. Marquez, Antonio T. Kho, Jr., Maria Filomena D. Singh, and Raul B. Villanueva. Also present were retired Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro, and retired SC Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez.
Key SC officials also joined the event, including Court Administrator Theresa Dolores C. Gomez-Estoesta, Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas, Chief Marshal Manuel M. Gaerlan, Assistant Court Administrator Atty. Maria Regina Adoracion Filomena M. Ignacio, SC Chief Communications Officer Atty. Michael Jobert I. Navallo, Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer Atty. Maria Carina A. Matammu-Cunanan, Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief of the Fiscal Management Budget Office Atty. Marilyn I. De Joya, Deputy Clerk of Court and Judicial Reform Program Administrator Atty. Laura C.H. del Rosario, Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Technology Officer Atty. Jed Sherwin G. Uy, Deputy Marshal for Luzon Joel Napoleon M. Coronel, Office of the Bar Confidant Officer-In-Charge Atty. Bettina C. Melchor, and Deputy Chief Justice Staff Head Atty. Antonio Ceasar R. Manila. The program was emceed by SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting.
Officials of the LTCs were also present, either in person or online. These included Dean Nilo Divina of UST; Dean Cheryl Lopez-Chu of Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation; Dean Marciano Delson of San Beda University; Dean Gwen Grecia-De Vera of the University of the Philippines – BGC; Dean Jose Maria Hofileña of the Ateneo School of Law; Dean Aila Rae Endonilla of Central Philippine University, represented by Vice President for Administration Engr. Danny Molina; Dean Yasmin Lee Tadeo of Saint Louis University; Dean Antonio Rivero of the University of Nueva Caceres; Dean Jonathan Capanas of University of San Jose-Recoletos; Dean Manuel Quibod of Ateneo de Davao University; and Dean Norhabib Bin Suod Barodi, represented by Chancellor Alizedney Ditucalan of Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology.
On Day 3, examinees took Criminal Law in the morning and Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics with Practical Exercises in the afternoon. Day 1 subjects were Political and Public International Law and Commercial and Taxation Laws, while Day 2 covered Civil Law and Labor Law and Social Legislations.
All official announcements on the 2025 Bar Examinations are available on the Bar 2025 SC microsite. (Press release courtesy of the SC Office of the Spokesperson)
Supreme Court (SC) Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen (front row, sixth from right), 2025 Bar Chairperson and SC Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier (front row, sixth from left), and 2026 Bar Chairperson Samuel H. Gaerlan (front row, fifth from left) lead the Turnover Ceremony at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, on September 14, 2025, the final day of the 2025 Bar Examinations. With them are (front row, from left): SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting; and SC Associate Justices Raul B. Villanueva, Antonio T. Kho, Jr., Japar B. Dimaampao, Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Rodil V. Zalameda, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Maria Filomena D. Singh. They are joined by retired Chief Justice Teresita J. Leonardo-De Castro (second row, third from left), retired SC Associate Justice Mario V. Lopez (second row, second from left), law school deans, and SC officials and personnel. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
2025 Bar Chairperson and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier (seated, center) poses with her husband, Atty. Rolando K. Javier and her Bar Team, led by Bar Head Atty. Maria Michaela M. Billones-Vitug (seated, second from right), Deputy Bar Head Atty. Lloyd Danielle V. Javier (seated, rightmost), Judicial Staff Head Ms. Lucia F. Argana (seated, leftmost), and Deputy Judicial Staff Head Michelle Karla C. Manese-Corpus (seated, second from left), during the Turnover Ceremony at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, on September 14, 2025, the final day of the 2025 Bar Examinations. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
2026 Bar Chairperson and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Samuel H. Gaerlan (seated, center) with his wife Dr. Ma. Nenette A. Gaerlan (seated, second from right), brother Joselito H. Gaerlan (seated, leftmost) and sister-in-law Eufrecina Margie A. De Castro (seated, second from left) during the Turnover Ceremony at the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, O.P. Building of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, on September 14, 2025, the final day of the 2025 Bar Examinations. They are joined by his staff, led by Judicial Staff Head Atty. Katherine C. Villena-Laureta (seated, third from left) and Deputy Judicial Staff Head Atty. Chasmeneth C. Hermosura (seated, rightmost). (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Well-wishers congratulate an examinee who had just completed the 2025 Bar Examinations at the San Beda College Alabang testing center in Muntinlupa City on September 14, 2025, the final day of the exams. (Photo courtesy of the Supreme Court Communications Office)
Examinees hug one another after completing the 2025 Bar Examinations at the Central Philippine University testing center in Iloilo City on September 14, 2025, the final day of the exams. (Photo courtesy of the Supreme Court Communications Office)