ADMU tops large law schools in 2025 Bar exams

Despite the University of the Philippines producing the topnotcher and the University of Santo Tomas placing five examinees in the Top 20, the Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) emerged as the top-performing large law school in the 2025 Bar Examinations.

Data released by the Supreme Court of the Philippines showed that ADMU posted the highest passing rate among institutions with more than 100 examinees.

The law school recorded a 98.11 percent passing rate, with 104 of its 106 first-time takers successfully passing the Bar — marking the strongest performance among large law schools this year.

The University of the Philippines followed closely, with 214 of its 221 examinees passing for a 96.83 percent passing rate. UP also topped the 2025 Bar Examinations through its graduate Jhenroniel Rhey Timola Sanchez, who ranked first nationwide.

Placing third in the large-school category was the University of Santo Tomas–Manila, which posted a 96.30 percent passing rate with 104 passers out of 108 examinees and produced five graduates who finished in the Top 20.

At least 10 law schools fell under the category of institutions with more than 100 Bar candidates. Among them was the Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation, which recorded an 80.19 percent passing rate with 85 of its 106 examinees passing.

In the category of schools with 51 to 100 examinees, Ateneo de Davao University led with a perfect 100 percent passing rate after all 80 of its candidates passed the Bar. It was followed by De La Salle University-Manila, which posted a 94.34 percent passing rate, and the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, which recorded a 94.20 percent passing rate.

Smaller law schools also posted strong performances. Among institutions with 11 to 50 examinees, five schools achieved a perfect passing rate, with all candidates passing the Bar. These were the University of Makati, Bulacan State University, San Beda University, Palawan State University School of Law, and the West Visayas State University.

Overall, 5,594 of the 11,425 examinees passed the 2025 Bar Examinations, translating to a national passing rate of 48.98 percent.

The Bar Examinations are widely regarded as the most demanding professional licensure test in the Philippines.

The Supreme Court also named the examiners for each subject area. Political and Public International Law examiners were retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang, Regional Trial Court Judge Cleto R. Villacorta III, Atty. Blessilda B. Abad-Gamo, and Atty. Eduardo S. Nachura Jr.

Commercial and Taxation Law was handled by retired Court of Tax Appeals Associate Justice Esperanza R. Fabon-Victorino, Regional Trial Court Judge Cherry Chiara L. Hernando, Atty. Prudence Angelita A. Kasala, and Atty. Amado E. Tayag.

Civil Law examiners included retired Supreme Court Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, Court of Appeals Associate Justice Ronaldo Roberto B. Martin, Atty. Carla E. Santamaria-Seña, and Atty. Philbert E. Varona.

Labor Law and Social Legislation examiners were retired Court of Appeals Presiding Justice Mariflor P. Punzalan-Castillo, retired Court of Appeals Associate Justice Magdangal M. De Leon, Court of Appeals Associate Justice Gabriel T. Robeniol, and retired Assistant Solicitor General Renan E. Ramos.

Criminal Law was examined by Court of Appeals Associate Justice Maria Elisa Sempio Diy, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Sarah Jane T. Fernandez, Assistant Solicitor General Marissa B. Dela Cruz-Galandines, and Atty. Fe Tengco Becina-Macalino.

Remedial Law and Legal and Judicial Ethics were overseen by Court of Appeals Associate Justice Myra V. Garcia-Fernandez, Regional Trial Court Judge Myra B. Quiambao, Regional Trial Court Judge Virgilio V. Macaraig, and Atty. Edwin M. Carillo.