Out of 796 examinees the Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that 235 successfully passed the 2026 Sharia Special Bar Examinations, with a passing rate of 29.52 percent.

Associate Justice Henry John Paul Inting, chairman of the 2026 Sharia Special Bar Examinations, revealed the results during a formal announcement at the Supreme Court.

This year, a total of 1,055 applicants registered for the examinations. Of this number, 799 examinees completed the first day, while 796 returned and completed the second day, representing a completion rate of 99.62 percent.

Among the 796 examinees, 267 were male and 529 were female. First-time examinees numbered 536, while 260 were repeat takers. A total of 751 examinees utilized the English examination, while 45 opted for the Arabic version.

It was conducted through a digitalized format using Exemplify, in line with the judiciary's commitment under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations (SPJI). Testing centers were established in Metro Manila and Mindanao, including New Era University, Ateneo de Davao University, Ateneo de Zamboanga University, and Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology.

The SC set the passing grade at 75 percent. Subject performance rates were as follows: Jurisprudence and customary laws, 35.43 percent; Persons, family relations, and property, 73.87 percent; Succession, wills, adjudication, and settlement of estates, 18.09 percent; and Procedure in Sharia courts, 11.43 percent.

Of the 235 successful examinees, 84 were male and 151 were female.

Two examinees tied for the top spot with a grade of 89.15 percent: Van Regine Lim Perlas and Ahmad Nuska Bato.

The successful examinees was congratulated by Justice Inting and encouraged those who did not pass to persevere.

"Though law is not merely a profession, it is a public trust," Inting said. "The knowledge you have acquired and the qualifications you have earned carry with them a continuing obligation to serve others with competence, fairness, and integrity."

The oath-taking and roll-signing ceremonies for successful examinees are scheduled for 16 July 2026, at 1 p.m. at the Manila Hotel in Ermita, Manila.