The 2026 Bar Examinations proceeded generally peacefully as of noon Sunday with no reported security incidents, inconveniences, or delays.
Supreme Court Associate Justice Samuel Gaerlan, chairperson of the 2026 Bar Examinations, said the SC had put extensive security measures in place and coordinated with local government units and security agencies to ensure the safety of examinees at testing centers nationwide.
“As I have stated earlier, we coordinate with the LGUs in the different testing centers together with the PNP,” Gaerlan said during a press conference on the first day of the examinations.
In Metro Manila, Gaerlan said the SC also sought the assistance of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority and the Philippine Coast Guard.
Gaerlan said the Coast Guard provided a bomb-sniffing dog the night before the examinations as part of security preparations at San Beda College Alabang, the headquarters of the 2026 Bar Examinations.
He said the area was thoroughly checked and no bombs or other suspicious items were found.
Security personnel also deployed metal detectors and conducted frisking of examinees before they entered the examination areas.
“It took a while, but a lot of people were frisked,” Gaerlan said, adding that the Court also tapped security personnel from the local testing centers alongside its own security teams.
Despite the heightened security measures, Gaerlan said the SC had not received any reports of inconvenience or delays since the examinations started Sunday morning.
“So far, nothing,” he said.