MANILA, Philippines – The Supreme Court (SC), through the Office of the Bar Confidant (OBC), has released the names of 13,441 applicants who may take the 2026 Philippine Bar Examinations, giving aspiring lawyers an important confirmation ahead of the three-day examinations in September.
The list, dated August 19, 2026, was released after the OBC reviewed the applications of those who registered for this year's Bar examinations.
A total of 14,291 applicants registered for the 2026 Bar exams, the highest registration figure in the history of the qualifying examinations for admission to the Philippine Bar.
The figure surpassed the 13,193 applicants registered for the 2025 Bar exams.
13,441 applicants may take 2026 Bar exams
Of the 14,291 applicants who registered, 13,441 were cleared to take the 2026 Bar examinations, according to the OBC.
The Supreme Court has published the names of the qualified applicants as part of the admission process.
LIST OF APPLICANTS WHO MAY TAKE
THE 2026 PHILIPPINE BAR EXAMINATIONS
(as of August 19, 2026)
Applicants are advised to check the official Supreme Court publication for their names and rely on the Court's official announcements for further Bar-related information.
When are the 2026 Bar exams?
The 2026 Philippine Bar Examinations will be held on:
- September 6, 2026
- September 9, 2026
- September 13, 2026
The examinations will be conducted in 15 testing centers nationwide, with seven centers in the National Capital Region (NCR), three in Luzon, three in the Visayas, and two in Mindanao.
Where will the 2026 Bar exams be held?
National Capital Region
- New Era University – 9 Central Avenue, Quezon City
- University of Santo Tomas – 1817 España Boulevard, Sampaloc, Manila
- San Beda University – 638 Mendiola St., San Miguel, Manila
- Ateneo de Manila University (School of Law) – 20 Rockwell Drive, Rockwell Center, Poblacion, Makati City
- Manila Adventist College – 1975 Corner Donada & San Juan St., Pasay City
- University of the Philippines (Bonifacio Global City) – 14th Drive University Parkway, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
- San Beda College Alabang – 8 Don Manolo Blvd., Alabang Hills Village, Muntinlupa City
Luzon
- Saint Louis University – A. Bonifacio Street, ABCR, Baguio City
- Cagayan State University – Palm Avenue, Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan
- University of Nueva Caceres – J. Hernandez Ave., Naga City, Camarines Sur
Visayas
- Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation – Brgy. 96, Calanipawan Road, Tacloban City
- University of San Jose-Recoletos – Magallanes Street, Cebu City
- Central Philippine University – Lopez Jaena Street, Jaro, Iloilo City
Mindanao
- Ateneo de Davao University (Senior High School) – Km. 7, MacArthur Highway, Bangkal, Talomo, Davao City
- Mindanao State University - Iligan Institute of Technology – Andres Bonifacio Ave., Tibanga, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte
San Beda College Alabang in Muntinlupa City will serve as the National Headquarters for the 2026 Bar examinations.
2026 Bar exam subjects and weights
The subjects covered in the 2026 Bar examinations and their corresponding weights are:
| Subject | Weight |
|---|---|
| Political and Public International Law | 15% |
| Commercial and Taxation Laws | 20% |
| Civil Law and Land Titles and Deeds | 20% |
| Labor Law and Social Legislation | 10% |
| Criminal Law | 10% |
| Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics, with Practical Exercises | 25% |
Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan chairs the 2026 Bar examinations.
2025 Bar exams recorded 48.98% passing rate
The 2026 Bar examinations follow a record-setting 2025 edition.
In the previous Bar exams, 5,594 out of 11,420 aspirants passed, yielding a 48.98% passing rate.
The 2025 Bar examinations were held on September 7, 10, and 14 at testing centers nationwide.
Jhenroniel Rhey Timola Sanchez topped the 2025 Bar examinations with an overall rating of 92.70%.
Lawyers defend publication of Bar applicants' names
The publication of the names of Bar applicants drew questions from some aspirants, particularly over the Supreme Court's online posting of the list.
Several lawyers, however, defended the publication, noting that it forms part of the Supreme Court's Bar admission process and allows the public to raise legitimate concerns regarding an applicant's character and fitness to practice law.
Paolo Tamase, associate dean of the University of the Philippines College of Law, said publishing the names of the Bar takers allows the public to raise concerns regarding character and fitness.
Law professor Galahad Pe Benito likewise said the public has a right to know who is taking the Bar because the legal profession is imbued with public interest.
Pe Benito advised Bar takers to remain calm, noting that not everyone would go through the names of more than 13,000 applicants.
Why are the names of Bar applicants published?
Under Rule 138, Section 5 of the Rules of Court, as amended in 2025, the list of qualified applicants who may take the Bar examinations shall be published by the Office of the Bar Confidant of the Supreme Court on the official Supreme Court website not later than 15 calendar days before the scheduled first day of the examinations.
Before the amendment, Section 8 of Rule 138 provided that notice of applications for admission had to be published by the clerk of the Supreme Court in newspapers for at least 10 days before the beginning of the examination.
2026 Bar Exam Updates
With the release of the official list, the 13,441 applicants cleared by the OBC can now proceed toward the final stretch of their preparation for the September examinations.
Applicants should regularly check this page for the latest updates on the 2026 Bar examinations, including official announcements, examination guidelines, testing center information, and other important reminders from the Supreme Court.
— The Summit Express
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