2026 Bar Exams Kick Off Across Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The 2026 Bar Examinations, the gateway to becoming a lawyer in the Philippines, commenced on Sunday, September 6. The exams will be conducted over two Sundays and one Wednesday in September, with testing centers set up in localized areas across the country. The Supreme Court has designated 15 testing centers nationwide. Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan chairs this year's Bar Examinations. San Beda College Alabang in Muntinlupa serves as the headquarters for the exams. On the first day, September 6, examinees will tackle Political and Public International Law in the morning session and Commercial and Taxation Laws in the afternoon. The second day is scheduled for Wednesday, September 9, with the final day on Sunday, September 13. The Supreme Court cleared 13,441 applicants to take the exams out of a total of 14,291 registered candidates. In the 2025 Bar Examinations, 5,594 examinees passed, resulting in a passing rate of 48.98%. This examination is a crucial step for aspiring legal professionals in the Philippines, attracting numerous law school graduates annually. Its rigorous nature and relatively low pass rate are indicative of the high standards required for legal practice.