MANILA, Philippines – Jhenroniel Rhey Timola Sanchez of the University of the Philippines (UP) topped the 2025 Philippine Bar Examinations, the Supreme Court (SC) announced on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.
Following closely was Spinel Albert Allauigan Declaro of the University of Santo Tomas (UST)-Manila, who placed second with a score of 92.4625 percent. Alaiza Agatep Adviento, also from UST-Manila, secured the third spot with 91.9125 percent.
In total, 5,594 out of 11,420 examinees passed the 2025 Bar Examinations, posting a passing rate of 48.98 percent.
The high court successfully administered the 123rd Philippine Bar Examinations on September 7, 10, and 14, 2025, across 14 testing centers nationwide. Of the 13,193 applicants who initially registered, 11,425 took part in the grueling three-day examinations for aspiring lawyers.
Bar Exam Results 2025 Summary
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2025 Bar Exam, List of Topnotchers
SUPREME COURT OF THE PHILIPPINES
TOPNOTCHERS: 2025 BAR EXAM RESULTS
Held on September 7, 10 & 14, 2025
Released on January 7, 2026
| Rank | Name | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sanchez, Jhenroniel Rhey Timola | University of the Philippines | 92.7000% |
| 2 | Declaro, Spinel Albert Allauigan | University of Santo Tomas-Manila | 92.4625% |
| 3 | Adviento, Alaiza Agatep | University of Santo Tomas-Manila | 91.9125% |
| 4 | Mitra, Angelica De Castro | De La Salle-Lipa | 91.6875% |
| 5 | Santos, Marc Angelo Galvez | University of Santo Tomas-Manila | 91.5875% |
| 6 | Ompad, Jeowy Loyloy | University of San Jose-Recoletos | 91.2500% |
| Paguia, Enrico Gabriel Reyes | Ateneo de Manila University | ||
| 7 | Gata, Johann Raphael Silapan | University of Santo Tomas-Manila | 90.9000% |
| 8 | Sarmiento, Marie Shantelle Atienza | University of the Philippines | 90.8750% |
| 9 | Lucas, Richmond Bulan | University of La Salette, Inc. | 90.4500% |
| 10 | Yap, Jusmin Teriann Afable | University of the Philippines | 90.3625% |
| 11 | Paran, Allan Leo Tabuco | Arellano University | 90.2000% |
| 12 | Navarro, Patric Kiel Quiroz | University of the East | 89.9375% |
| 13 | Cabungcal, Alfrancis Bagadiong | University of the Philippines | 89.8000% |
| 14 | Gascon, Gerilin Ano-Os | Bukidnon State University | 89.7125% |
| 15 | Villareal, Ignacio Lorenzo Dela Cruz | University of the Philippines | 89.7000% |
| 16 | Locsin, Mae Angela Damaso | University of Santo Tomas-Legazpi (Aquinas) | 89.4225% |
| 17 | Pabilane, Randall Lipnica | Arellano University | 89.4125% |
| 18 | Abisana, Mikaella Franchesca Nuarin | Ateneo de Manila University | 89.3875% |
| 19 | Viernes, Chinzen Tañada | University of the Philippines | 89.3500% |
| 20 | Gonzales, Ronald Vincent Ofrecio | University of the East | 89.3125% |
Previous Examinations
In previous bar examinations, the Supreme Court announced the list of topnotchers at the same time it released the names of successful bar passers.
In the 2024 Philippine Bar Examinations, Kyle Christian Tutor of the University of the Philippines (UP) emerged as the topnotcher with a rating of 85.7700%.
Meanwhile, in the 2023 Bar Examinations, Ephraim Porciuncula Bie from the University of Santo Tomas claimed the top spot after posting an impressive score of 89.2625%.
For the 2022 Bar Examinations, Czar Mathew Gerard Torres, an alumnus of the University of the Philippines College of Law, led the list with a rating of 88.8083%. Notably, all of the top five examinees that year came from UP.
Here's the summary of topnotchers during the past bar exams:
| YEAR | TOPNOTCHER | SCHOOL | RATING |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Kyle Christian Tutor | University of the Philippines | 85.7700% |
| 2023 | Ephraim Porciuncula Bie | University of Santo Tomas | 89.26% |
| 2022 | Czar Mathew Gerard Torres | University of the Philippines | 88.81% |
| 2020-2021 | No top 10 list (but named 14 excellent passers) | ||
| 2019 | Mae Diane Azores | University of Santo Tomas - Legaspi | 91.05% |
| 2018 | Sean James Borja | Ateneo de Manila University | 89.31% |
| 2017 | Mark John H. Simondo | University of St. La Salle - Bacolod | 91.05% |
| 2016 | Karen Mae L. Calam | University of San Carlos | 89.05% |
| 2015 | Rachel Angeli B. Miranda | University of the Philippines | 87.40% |
| 2014 | Irene Mae B. Alcobilla | San Beda College - Manila | 85.50% |
| 2013 | Nielson Pangan | University of the Philippines | 85.80% |
| 2012 | Ignatius Michael D. Ingles | Ateneo de Manila University | 85.64% |
| 2011 | Atadero, Raoul Angelo D. | Ateneo de Manila University | 85.54% |
Bar Exam Overview
The Philippine bar examination is a professional exam not handled by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC). It is exclusively supervised by the Supreme Court.
The SC conducts the Bar examinations pursuant to Article VIII, Section 5 of the Constitution which provides that it shall have the power to promulgate rules governing the admission to the practice of law.
Some Filipino lawyers say the bar exam is hard because it is centralized on wide-range bar subjects, with the expected annual passing rate of 20% to 40%.
— The Summit Express