’It only shows they want to fulfill their dreams, even if only somehow, so they can say, attorney-at-law, attorney-at-last.’
BEFORE the law tests their minds, love steadies their hearts. Parents, partners, friends and even a watchful dog send Bar examinees into the halls Sunday with prayers, embraces and a little luck. The exam runs on three consecutive Sundays.
Photographs by Toto Lozano and Zedrich Xylak Madrid for DAILY TRIBUNE
’It only shows they want to fulfill their dreams, even if only somehow, so they can say, attorney-at-law, attorney-at-last.’
Gaerlan said Sunday he was surprised and inspired by the number of women he saw during visits to testing centers at San Beda College in Manila and Manila Adventist College in Pasay City on the first day of the exams.
“I was surprised, and it was inspiring to see many women taking the Bar examinations,” Gaerlan said during a press conference.
He recalled that female Bar examinees were considerably fewer during his time.
“During our time, we can count on our fingers the women examinees. But now, more than 50 percent,” he said.
Gaerlan also noted the presence of senior citizens among this year’s examinees, saying their participation showed that the dream of becoming a lawyer could be pursued regardless of age.
“It only shows they want to fulfill their dreams, even if only somehow, so they can say, ‘attorney-at-law, attorney-at-last,’” he said.
The Supreme Court said 13,441 applicants were eligible to take the 2026 Bar examinations on 6, 9 and 13 September Another figure cited by Gaerlan and the Supreme Court placed total registered applicants at 14,291, described as the highest number in Bar history.
The digital examinations are being administered at 15 local testing centers — seven in the National Capital Region, three in Luzon, three in the Visayas and two in Mindanao.
Out January
The exams continue the digitalized and regionalized format first introduced during the 2020-2021 Bar examinations and now codified under Rule 138 of the Rules of Court, as amended by A.M. 24-10-05-SC dated 12 August 2025.
Examinees answer 20 essay questions covering all subjects, with each question carrying 5 percent. A general average of 75 percent is required to pass unless the Supreme Court en banc sets a different passing rate.
Sunday’s exams covered Political and Public International Law in the morning and Commercial and Taxation Laws in the afternoon. Civil Law and Land Titles and Deeds, followed by Labor Law and Social Legislation, will be given on the 9th. Criminal Law, followed by Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics and Practical Exercises, will be given on the 13th.
Gaerlan said preparations were made for bad weather, noting that organizers had anticipated rain after weeks of unsettled conditions.
“What we did first, of course, is to pray and go further to heaven with our prayers. And God was kind enough to us to give us good weather today,” he said.
Gaerlan also said the Bar results will be released in January 2027, allowing examinees and their families to enjoy the Christmas holidays.
“Everybody must have to enjoy the holiday. So I’m referring to Christmas holiday,” he said.
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