A TOTAL of 796 examinees completed the two-day Shari’ah Special Bar Examinations (SSBE) conducted in four local testing centers nationwide, according to the Supreme Court.

Of the total number of examinees, 81 took the examinations at New Era University, 72 at Ateneo de Zamboanga University, 479 at Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, and 164 at Ateneo de Davao University.

The Supreme Court said 529 of the examinees were female, while 267 were male. The examinations were administered in both English and Arabic, with 45 examinees opting to take the test in Arabic.

This year’s SSBE introduced regionalized Arabic-language examinations, an innovation aimed at expanding access to the Shari’ah Bar for aspiring lawyers across the country.

The reform forms part of the Court’s continuing efforts to modernize judicial processes under the Strategic Plan for Judicial Innovations 2022–2027.

Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting, chairperson of the 2026 SSBE, emphasized that the Shari’ah Bar stands on equal footing with the regular Bar examinations. He said its distinct character stems from its vital role in the country’s legal framework, reflecting the Philippines’ cultural and legal diversity and its commitment to a justice system that is accessible, responsive, and respectful of Muslim traditions and beliefs.

“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.