By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA, Philippines — The Supreme Court (SC) has officially concluded the 2026 Shari’ah Special Bar Examinations (SSBE), highlighting the resilience of examinees and reaffirming the growing role of Islamic law within the Philippine justice system.
During the Chairperson’s Report held Wednesday at New Era University in Quezon City, Supreme Court Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting said the Shari’ah Bar stands on equal footing with the regular Bar examinations, emphasizing its vital contribution to a more inclusive and culturally responsive legal system.
“The Shari’ah Bar deserves not only recognition, but also deeper appreciation, greater institutional support, and wider understanding within the Judiciary and the legal profession,” Inting said.
A total of 796 examinees completed the two-day examinations conducted simultaneously in four testing centers nationwide. The largest number of examinees came from Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology with 479 takers, followed by Ateneo de Davao University with 164, New Era University with 81, and Ateneo de Zamboanga University with 72.
Of the total examinees, 529 were female while 267 were male. The Supreme Court also disclosed that 45 examinees opted to take the examinations in Arabic.
This year’s SSBE introduced regionalized Arabic examinations for the first time, an innovation aimed at improving accessibility for aspiring Shari’ah lawyers across different regions. The reform forms part of the Judiciary’s modernization efforts under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027.
Justice Inting praised the determination of the examinees, noting that many traveled long distances and balanced work, studies, and family responsibilities in preparation for the examinations.
“Each number embodies a story of sacrifice, hope, and unwavering commitment to justice,” he said.
He also reminded aspiring Shari’ah lawyers that the profession demands not only legal knowledge but also integrity, fairness, humility, wisdom, and compassion in serving the public.
Members of the High Court monitored the examinations nationwide, including Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo, who visited Ateneo de Zamboanga University together with Associate Justices Antonio T. Kho Jr. and Maria Filomena D. Singh.
The second day of the examinations coincided with Eid al-Adha, prompting the Court to designate prayer areas in all testing centers for community prayers. Associate Justice Japar B. Dimaampao joined examinees during prayers at New Era University.
Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, commended partner institutions, volunteers, court personnel, and government agencies that helped ensure the orderly and secure conduct of the exams.
The Supreme Court also unveiled the official logo of the Shari’ah Special Bar Examinations during the event. The winning design, created by Architect Prince William T. Wico of the SC Office of the Spokesperson, will serve as the official visual identity for future SSBE-related activities and communications.
The examinations covered Islamic jurisprudence, customary laws, family relations, succession, wills and estates, and Shari’ah court procedures.
All official announcements regarding the 2026 Shari’ah Special Bar Examinations will be released through the Supreme Court’s SSBE microsite.
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