The Supreme Court (SC), led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, announced yesterday that 5,594 out of the 11,420 qualified examinees passed the 2025 Bar Examinations, posting a passing rate of 48.98%. The announcement was made during a program held at the SC Courtyard in Manila.
Jhenroniel Rhey Timola Sanchez, a graduate of the University of the Philippines, clinched the top spot in the 2025 Bar examinations with an overall rating of 92.70%.
The exams, held on September 7, 10, and 14, 2025, in 14 local testing centers (LTCs) nationwide, marked the 123rd professional licensure tests for aspiring lawyers in the Philippines.
Justice Lazaro-Javier thanked all those who contributed to the success of the Bar examinations, including the Justices who visited the LTCs, court officials and personnel, volunteers, law school deans, and the 14 schools that served as testing centers. She also acknowledged the University of Santo Tomas – Manila, which served as the 2025 Bar general headquarters, and gave special recognition to the members of the 2025 Bar Chairperson’s Office, led by Bar Head Atty. Maria Michaela Billones-Vitug.
Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, announces that 5,594 out of the 11,420 candidates passed the examinations during the release of the results on January 7, 2026, at the SC Courtyard in Manila. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Justice Lazaro-Javier also acknowledged and introduced the examiners for the six Bar subjects: Retired Sandiganbayan Presiding Justice Amparo M. Cabotaje-Tang, Regional Trial Court (RTC) Judge Cleto R. Villacorta III, Atty. Blessilda B. Abad-Gamo, Atty. Eduardo S. Nachura, Jr. (Political and Public International Law); Retired Court of Tax Appeals Associate Justice Esperanza R. Fabon-Victorino, RTC Judge Cherry Chiara L. Hernando, Atty. Prudence Angelita A. Kasala, Atty. Amado E. Tayag, (Commercial and Taxation Laws); Retired SC Senior Associate Justice Estela M. Perlas-Bernabe, Court of Appeals (CA) Associate Justice Ronaldo Roberto B. Martin, Atty. Carla E. Santamaria-Seña, Atty. Philbert E. Varona (Civil Law); Retired CA Presiding Justice Mariflor P. Punzalan-Castillo, Retired CA Associate Justice Magdangal M. De Leon, CA Associate Justice Gabriel T. Robeniol, Retired Assistant Solicitor General Renan E. Ramos (Labor Law and Social Legislations); CA Associate Justice Maria Elisa Sempio Diy, Sandiganbayan Associate Justice Sarah Jane T. Fernandez, Assistant Solicitor General Marissa B. Dela Cruz-Galandines, Atty. Fe Tengco Becina-Macalino (Criminal Law); CA Associate Justice Myra V. Garcia-Fernandez, RTC Judge Myra B. Quiambao, RTC Judge Virgilio V. Macaraig, and Atty. Edwin M. Carillo (Remedial Law, Legal and Judicial Ethics with Practical Exercises).
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo (seated, sixth from right) and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier (seated, fourth from right), Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, led the release of the Bar Examinations results on January 7, 2026, at the SC Courtyard in Manila. With them are (seated, from left) SC Associate Justices Raul B. Villanueva, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Samuel H. Gaerlan, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Ramon Paul L. Hernando; Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen; Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Rodil V. Zalameda, Ricardo R. Rosario, and Jose Midas P. Marquez. They are joined by the Examiners of the 2025 Bar Examinations. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Justice Lazaro-Javier shared a heartfelt message to all the examinees whom she affectionately calls her Bar Babies:
“Whatever happens in the next few minutes, I want you to know. I am proud of you. I see you—all your hard work, your perseverance, and your spirit. You have made me the proudest Bar Mom I could ever be. If I could only pass all of you, I would. But as it was, all I could do was give you as much guidance as I could, ensure that the questions were reasonable, and your answers, graded fairly and objectively. I gave you the best fighting chance I could ever muster, without compromising the integrity of the bar examinations.”
She welcomed the Bar passers into the legal profession, reminding them to carry the privilege of the calling with humility, the responsibilities with resolve, and the public’s trust with unwavering integrity.
To those who did not make the list, she said:
“My heart goes to you. I know what it is like to give it your all and still fail. There is nothing shameful about failing. Do not allow yourself to believe otherwise. So, when I tell you that this setback is not the end of the world, you have to believe me. Mothers know best, after all. I will never stop being your Bar Mom despite the results today.
Joining the Chief Justice and Justice Lazaro-Javier in announcing the results were Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen and Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Ramon Paul L. Hernando, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Rodil V. Zalameda, Samuel H. Gaerlan, Ricardo R. Rosario, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Jose Midas P. Marquez, and Raul B. Villanueva.
The Justices also announced the Top 20 examinees, with two examinees tied at sixth place:
| 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 Paguia, Enrico Gabriel Reyes | University of San Jose-Recoletos Ateneo de Manila University | 91.2500% |
| 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% |
A press conference followed at the SC Dignitaries’ Lounge, where Justice Lazaro-Javier clarified that the total number of examinees was reduced from 11,425 to 11,420 after five were disqualified for failing to submit the required documents on time. She also thanked the media for helping disseminate news on the Bar Examinations and for highlighting inspiring stories of the examinees’ perseverance and the unwavering support of their families.
The press conference was facilitated by SC Spokesperson Atty. Camille Sue Mae L. Ting.
Justice Lazaro-Javier also announced that the oath-taking and roll signing ceremonies for successful Bar examinees will be held on February 6, 2026, at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.
Complete details on the 2025 Bar Examinations are available at the Bar 2025 SC microsite. (Press release courtesy of the SC Office of the Spokesperson)
Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo (sixth from right) and Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier (fourth from right), Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, lead the release of the Bar Examinations results on January 7, 2026, at the SC Courtyard in Manila. With them are (from left) SC Associate Justices Raul B. Villanueva, Jhosep Y. Lopez, Samuel H. Gaerlan, Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, Ramon Paul L. Hernando; Senior Associate Justice Marvic M.V.F. Leonen; and Associate Justices Alfredo Benjamin S. Caguioa, Rodil V. Zalameda, Ricardo R. Rosario, and Jose Midas P. Marquez. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
The number of passers is shown on the LED wall during the announcement of the 2025 Bar Examinations results on January 7, 2026, at the Supreme Court (SC) Courtyard in Manila. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro- Javier (seated, seventh from right), Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, leads the release of the Bar Examination results on January 7, 2026, at the SC Courtyard in Manila. With her are the members of the 2025 Bar Chairperson’s Office, led by Bar Head Atty. Maria Michaela M. Billones-Vitug (seated, sixth from left), Deputy Bar Head Atty. Lloyd Danielle V. Javier (seated, fifth from left), and Deputy Judicial Staff Head Atty. Michelle Karla C. Manese-Corpus (seated, sixth from right). (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Successful examinees together with their loved ones and supporters erupt in cheers, tears, and celebration during the release of the 2025 Bar Examination results on January 7, 2026, at the SC Courtyard in Manila. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Successful examinees and their well-wishers celebrate following the release of the results of the examinations on January 7, 2026, at the SC Courtyard in Manila. (Photo courtesy of the SC Communications Office)
Supreme Court (SC) Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier (at podium), Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, answers questions from the media in a press conference following the release of the Bar examination results on January 7, 2026, at the SC Dignitaries’ Lounge in Manila. (Photo courtesy of the SC Office of the Spokesperson)
Originally published by the Supreme Court Public Information Office.