by Grace Roque, Ryan Julianne Monzon, Ezra Viola, PJ Cruz
Amidst the rough weather, a record-breaking 11,425 examinees completed the three-day 2025 Bar Examinations, chaired by Supreme Court Associate Justice Amy Lazaro-Javier, on September 7, 10, and 14.
The Bar exams, held across 14 local testing centers (LTCs) nationwide, marked the highest number of candidates in history, nearly twice the number recorded in 2015. An unprecedented 11,437 examinees attended the first day, with 11,429 returning for the second day, and 11,425 finishing the final day.
The Supreme Court revealed that the majority who took the bar exams were female at 6,673, 40 of whom are pregnant. 5,214 are first-time takers, 206 examinees are senior citizens, and 241 are examinees with special needs. The youngest examinee was 24 years old, while the oldest was 80 years old.
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) served as the National Headquarters for the first time since the decentralization in 2020, while San Beda University and San Beda College Alabang remained as one of the LTCs in Metro Manila.
Chief Justice Alexander Gesmundo extended his well wishes to the candidates and stated: “we extend our examinees not only our good wishes, but also our faith in them. They are not alone in this journey; behind them stand their families, friends and loved ones, their deans and law professors, and indeed the entire legal profession and community waiting to welcome them into its fold.”
Bar Chair Justice Javier also offered words of encouragement, saying, “With each question, I really prayed hard for discernment and wisdom that the Lord will guide me in helping you fulfill your lifelong dream of becoming lawyers. So you must believe me when I say that if I could just carry all of you towards the finish line, I would.”
“My thoughts, my prayers, my heart are all with you, my Bar babies. #KeepAMYingForExcellence and finish strong,” she said.
THE BARRISTER 