The Supreme Court released the official results of the 2025 Bar Examinations on January 7, 2026, marking one of the most closely watched Bar cycles in recent years. The results reflected a high passing rate and several notable achievements among examinees and law schools nationwide.
With thousands of aspiring lawyers awaiting the outcome, the 2025 Bar Exams stood out for their improved performance figures and record-breaking stories.
Out of 11,425 Bar examinees, 5,594 passed, translating to a 48.98% passing rate, which was a significant increase from 2024’s 37.84%.
Among law schools with over 100 examinees, Ateneo de Manila University ranked first with a 98.11% passing rate, followed by University of the Philippines (UP) Law (96.83%) and University of Santo Tomas-Manila (96.30%).
The topnotcher of the 2025 Bar Exams was UP Law graduate Jhenroniel Rhey Timola Sanchez, who scored 92.70% on his first attempt. He completed his Juris Doctor degree at the UP Diliman College of Law in 2025.
One of the highlights was Eduardo Rivera Regio, 59, who passed the Bar on his 11th attempt after more than three decades of persistence. He was previously disqualified in 2005 under the Supreme Court’s former five-strike rule, but continued his pursuit until finally passing.
In the category of law schools with 51 to 100 examinees, Ateneo de Davao University led with 80 passers and a perfect 100% passing rate.
The 2025 Bar Examinations were conducted over three days in September 2025, chaired by Associate Justice Amy Lazaro Javier, and held in 14 local testing centers nationwide, including: University of Santo Tomas, San Beda University, New Era University, Manila Adventist College, San Beda College-Alabang, University of the Philippines-BGC, Ateneo de Manila University School of Law, Saint Louis University, University of Nueva Caceres, University of San Jose-Recoletos, Dr. V. Orestes Romualdez Educational Foundation, Central Philippine University, Ateneo de Davao University, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology.
The exams were fully digitalized, covering Political, Civil, Criminal, Labor, Remedial, Commercial and Taxation Laws, and Legal Ethics.
As new lawyers prepare to enter the legal profession, the 2025 Bar Exams will be remembered not only for its numbers, but also for the stories of excellence, resilience, and long-earned success that defined this year’s results.
