Over 12,000 aspiring lawyers commenced the first day of the 2026 Philippine Bar Examinations on Sunday, September 6, marking a significant event in the nation’s legal calendar.
A total of 12,029 out of 13,441 qualified law graduates participated in the initial subject of the ongoing online examinations, which continue the Supreme Court’s innovative localized and digitalized format introduced in recent years to enhance accessibility and safety.
These crucial examinations were administered across 15 local testing centers nationwide, operating under the stringent oversight of the Supreme Court, the Philippine National Police, and various local government units, underscoring the national importance and integrity of the process.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan noted that while the precise reasons for the absence of some examinees remain unconfirmed, a common factor might be a perceived lack of full preparedness for the notoriously challenging national licensure exam.
The court further revealed that women constituted the majority of examinees for the first subject, with several senior citizens also demonstrating their commitment to joining the legal profession.
To maintain order and security, local governments proactively enforced liquor bans and temporary road closures around key testing venues, including the University of Santo Tomas and San Beda University, a standard practice for high-stakes national assessments.
The remaining segments of the Bar examinations are slated for September 9 and September 13, with comprehensive security and traffic management plans already prepared to ensure a smooth continuation of the rigorous assessment.