Key Developments
• The SC has approved amendments to Rule 138 which institutionalise the conduct of the Bar Exams in an electronic (digital) format and on a regionalised (local testing centre) basis.
• Specifically:
• The examinations will be held electronically via a “secure and reliable assessment platform”.
• They will also be conducted in regional/local testing centres (“LTCs”) rather than being centralized in a single national venue.
• Moreover, the SC has committed that this format will remain stable for the next three years, and there will be no reversion to the pen-and-paper format in that period.
• The SC indicates that this change is part of a broader strategy of modernisation, enhanced access and fairness, consistent with its digital transformation agenda.
• As evidence of the new regime already in place: the 2025 Bar Exams were held in 14 testing centres across the country, under this digital / regionalised setup.
Implications & Observations
• From a professional-regulatory view, this is a major shift: the licensing gate for the profession (i.e., the Bar) moves from handwritten, centralized testing to a computer-based, decentralised regime.
• The regionalised approach may reduce logistical burdens on examinees (travel, lodging, etc.) and promote equity (especially for candidates outside Metro Manila). The press report emphasises this.
• The digital format also aligns with the Judiciary’s push for digital-transformation in both adjudication and legal education.
• For law schools, students, and practitioners: this means adapting to the form of the exam (computer interface, typing rather than pen-and-paper), possibly changes in exam pedagogy and preparation. The SC had earlier called on legal education to adapt accordingly.
• From the integrity and security standpoint: while digital formats can raise concerns (cybersecurity, proctoring, uniformity across centres), the SC emphasises a “secure and reliable assessment platform”.
Recommendations for Practitioners & Stakeholders
• Law schools should ensure students are trained in the relevant digital competencies: typing speed, familiarity with on-screen answering, computer connectivity, etc.
• Candidates should verify the particular local testing centre (LTC) assigned to them, confirm seating, equipment, rules (e.g., device usage) well ahead of time.
• Bar candidates should also inquire whether accommodations (for those with disabilities) have been addressed in the digital/regional format (which the SC said it ensures) and prepare accordingly.
• Regulatory stakeholders (legal educators, bar associations) should monitor how the digital/regionalised format affects passing rates, equity of access, and exam quality over the coming years.
• Given the commitment that “no new rules” will apply for the next three years (i.e., format continuity) → stakeholders can plan on a stable format until at least 2028.
Caveats / Things to Watch
• Implementation risk: regional centres may vary in technical robustness (internet connectivity, power backup, hardware quality) which could affect the uniformity of exam conditions.
• Transition costs and burdens: While travel burdens may be reduced, candidates may need to familiarize themselves with the digital interface which may disadvantage those more accustomed to handwritten exams.
• Integrity issues: Digital testing often demands strong proctoring mechanisms (both physical and virtual) and cybersecurity safeguards; the SC’s mention of a “secure and reliable” platform is reassuring, but actual operational details matter.
• Equity concerns: Regionalisation may reduce centralising burdens but ensuring that all regions have comparable conditions (facilities, tech support) is key to avoid disadvantaging some examinees.
• Data privacy & confidentiality: With digital capture of responses, exam security and candidate privacy become higher stakes. Monitoring how the SC addresses these will be important.
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The full text of Rule 138 of the Rules of Court (Philippines) — governing Attorneys and Admission to the Bar — is publicly available on The LawPhil Project and Official Gazette websites.
Here is the official text (prior to the recent amendments institutionalizing electronic and regionalized Bar Exams):
Rule 138 — Attorneys and Admission to the Bar
Section 1. Who may practice law. — Any person who is a citizen of the Philippines and who has been admitted as a member of the bar in accordance with the provisions of this Rule, and who is in good and regular standing, is entitled to practice law.
Sec. 2. Requirements for all applicants for admission to the bar. — Every applicant must be a citizen of the Philippines, at least 21 years of age, of good moral character, and a resident of the Philippines. He must produce before the Supreme Court satisfactory proof of good moral character, and that no charges against him, involving moral turpitude, have been filed or are pending in any court in the Philippines.
Sec. 3. Requirements for lawyers who are citizens of the United States of America. — Citizens of the United States of America who are also citizens of the Philippines shall, before admission, make an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines.
Sec. 4. Requirements for all applicants. — Every applicant for admission to the bar shall file with the Clerk of the Supreme Court a written application stating his age, residence, and citizenship, accompanied by the requisite proof of moral character, educational qualifications, and clearance from any pending criminal charge.
Sec. 5. Additional requirements for applicants from law schools. — The applicant must have successfully completed all prescribed courses for the degree of Bachelor of Laws or its equivalent in a law school duly recognized by the government.
Sec. 6. Pre-Law Course. — No applicant shall be admitted unless he has pursued and satisfactorily completed a four-year course leading to a bachelor's degree in arts or sciences with specified subjects such as logic, English, and political science.
Sec. 7. Examination subjects. — Applicants shall be examined in the following subjects: Political Law, Labor Law, Civil Law, Taxation, Mercantile Law, Criminal Law, Remedial Law, and Legal and Judicial Ethics.
Sec. 8. Examination; by whom given; date. — The examinations are conducted under the supervision of the Supreme Court by the Bar Examinations Committee. They are traditionally held in Manila, annually, in four Sundays of September or such other period as the Court may designate.
Sec. 9. Examination fee. — Every applicant shall pay an examination fee fixed by the Court.
Sec. 10. Duty of the Clerk of Court. — The Clerk shall keep a record of all applications and transmit them to the Bar Confidant.
Sec. 11–Sec. 16. Conduct and grading of examinations; passing average; oath; signing of Roll of Attorneys.
The candidate must obtain a general average of 75%, without falling below 50% in any subject. Successful examinees shall take the Lawyer’s Oath and sign the Roll of Attorneys to practice law.
Sec. 17–Sec. 37. Discipline, suspension, disbarment, and reinstatement of attorneys.
The remaining sections govern attorney discipline, the grounds and procedures for suspension and disbarment, reinstatement, appearance of non-lawyers, and other regulatory provisions concerning the practice of law.
✅ Sources:
• Supreme Court of the Philippines – Rules of Court, Rule 138
• The LawPhil Project (Arellano Law Foundation)
• Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines
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No provision states that the local testing centres (LTCs) will provide laptops or desktop computers to examinees. In fact, it is clear that examinees are required to bring their own laptop computers. Below is a summary of the pertinent points and caveats.
✅ What the rules require
• Under the “2024 Bar Examinations Digital Modality Guidelines (Bar Bulletin No. 3-A, Series 2024)”, the SC states:
“All examinees must install … the Examplify software … The laptop computers must have essential hardware specifications like Wi-Fi capability, an integrated keyboard, a functional trackpad, an inbuilt display monitor, adequate battery life, and working chargers.”
• For the 2024 Shari’ah Bar Examinations, the SC explicitly stated:
“All examinees must bring a laptop during the two days of the SBE. … The examinees are requested to refrain from bringing and using external gadgets and computer accessories… the allotted desk space is sufficient for only one laptop.”
• The “Permitted and Prohibited Items” list for the 2024 Bar Exams includes “1 laptop, 1 laptop charger” under the tech‐related permitted items.
In short: the examinee is required to bring their own laptop that meets the minimum system requirements; the testing centre supplies the venue, supervision and software platform but not the computer hardware.
⚠️ Why this is important and potential caveats
• Ensure compatibility: Because examinees bring their own device, they must ensure it meets the SC’s specifications (correct OS version, required RAM, battery life, etc.).
• Technical risk: If an examinee’s laptop fails (hardware failure, battery dies, software crash) during the examination, the guidelines imply that the SC will not guarantee a backup machine from the LTC. For example, in the Inquirer article it was stated:
“The SC also stressed that … they shall **not be liable for any damage their laptops may incur and examinees will ‘not be allowed to avail of the back-up computers should such a situation arise.’”
• Desk space & accessory limitations: Because space is limited (“the allotted desk space is sufficient for only one laptop”), bringing desktops or large external monitors or extra computers is not feasible under the regulations.
• Confirming any special arrangements: While the current publicly published bulletins do not say the LTCs will provide hardware, one should always check the latest official SC “Bar Bulletin” for the specific year, as changes are possible.
It may be prudent to verify—closer to the exam date—whether any LTC will provide "loaner" laptops in exceptional circumstances (e.g., examinee unable to procure one) and what policy applies in that case.
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READ:
"SC institutionalizes electronic, regionalized bar exams"
https://share.google/RvKudC3FarGfDVY3G
https://tribune.net.ph/2025/10/17/sc-institutionalizes-electronic-regionalized-bar-exams?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/11425-candidates-successfully-complete-the-2025-bar-exams/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://dailyguardian.com.ph/no-more-pen-and-paper-sc-affirms-digital-regional-bar-exams-for-next-three-years/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://sc.judiciary.gov.ph/chief-justice-gesmundo-court-to-pursue-digitalized-format-in-bar-exams/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philippine_Bar_Examinations?wprov=sfla1
https://lawphil.net/courts/rules/roc/roc.html#138
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph
https://pia.gov.ph/supreme-court-releases-permitted-prohibited-items-during-bar-exams/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1544256/fwd-supreme-court-allows-to-keep-reviewers-in-laptops-during-bar-exams?utm_source=chatgpt.com
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Assisted by ChatGPT AI app, October 19, 2025.
