Rains Welcome Bar Examinees as Landmark Legal Test Begins

The 2026 Bar Examinations, a crucial gateway to the legal profession in the Philippines, commenced on Sunday amidst heavy rain across the country. Undeterred by the downpour, examinees made their way to their respective testing centers with resolve, accompanied by steadfast supporters who braved the weather alongside them. The Supreme Court has designated 15 local testing centers nationwide for this year's bar admission tests. Seven of these are situated in Metro Manila, with San Beda College Alabang in Muntinlupa serving as the headquarters. On the first day, aspirants tackled Political Law and Public International Law in the morning, followed by Commercial Law and Taxation Law in the afternoon. The second day, September 9, will feature Civil Law, Land Titles and Deeds, and Labor Law and Social Legislation. The final day will cover Criminal Law, Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics, and Practical Exercises. Approximately 900 personnel from the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been deployed to ensure the security and smooth conduct of the examinations. Major Philip Ines, spokesperson for the Manila Police District, stated that efforts are underway to guarantee the safety of examinees and the integrity of the exam process. In the realm of Bar operations support, the journey toward becoming a lawyer is never a solo march. Claire Pascual, a law student from the University of Santo Tomas, emphasized the importance of a supportive community, stating, "It takes a village to raise a lawyer, and to have a village, you must first be a villager." Lester Rodil, a law student from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, arrived at the New Era University in Quezon City as early as 4 a.m. Despite getting drenched, he described supporting the bar examinees as "worth it," reflecting the "true spirit of the law school community." "Every law student shares the same conundrum and hardship. If there is any moment a bar taker needs unwavering support, it is during the bar exam week," Rodil told Philstar.com, adding a message to the examinees: "Your years of hard work have led to this moment. It's time to harvest the fruits of your labor." Out of 14,291 total registered candidates, 13,441 applicants were cleared to take this year's Bar Examinations. Last year, 5,594 examinees passed, yielding a passing rate of 48.98%. Source: Philstar Nation