Thirty-four (34) graduates of the John Wesley School of Law and Governance (JWSLG) of Wesleyan University-Philippines (WUP) passed the 2025 Philippine Bar Examinations, following the official release of results by the Supreme Court of the Philippines on January 7, 2026, recording the highest number of passers in Central Luzon.

The Supreme Court reported that 5,594 out of 11,420 examinees, or 48.98 percent, passed the 2025 Bar Examinations. The digitalized and regionalized Bar Exams were administered on September 7, 10, and 14, 2025, across various testing centers nationwide, accommodating more than 11,000 aspiring lawyers from different parts of the country.

The newly admitted lawyers from the JWSLG included:

Arucan, John Erwin
Bruan, Allan
Bulawat, Albert
Cabilla, Karl Daniel
Candelaria, Ed Ace
Castillo, Gracel Anne
Chioco, Grace Tricia
Chua, Allysa Mae
Clemente, Mary Cloie
De Leon, Zyrene
Esguerra, John Louie
Espiritu, Joshua John
Galang, John Ellis
Gaoat, Oliver
Garcia, Bon Charlo
Garcia, Fernando
Gedo Cruz, Mark Jay
Hernal, Clarence
Hurtado, Renato
Lao, Ranilo
Lazaro, Marc Allaine
Pangilinan, Mia Pauline
Reyla, Michelle
Sakay, Dante
Santos, Adora
Sapiandante, Angelica
Saturno, Sonny Boy
Terre, Baby Leny
Tolentino, Elizabeth
Valle, Marycar Normin
Vicencio, Crizaldo
Vidar, Mark Kevin
Villanueva Paul Ryan
Volante, Crispulo

A total of 13,193 applicants initially applied for the 2025 Bar Examinations, although some later withdrew due to unforeseen circumstances. According to Associate Justice Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Chairperson of the 2025 Bar Examinations, this year recorded the highest number of admitted candidates in the history of the Philippine Bar.

On the first day alone, 11,437 examinees reported to testing centers nationwide, including 5,214 first-time takers, 6,673 women, 206 senior citizens, and 241 examinees with special needs, highlighting the growing inclusivity and diversity of the legal profession.

JWSLG was established in 2015 and produced 129 lawyers since its first batch of graduates took the Bar Examinations in 2019.
Article by Ayumi San Cai Valerio (PIO)

Photos courtesy of John Wesley School of Law and Governance and PIO
Sources: Supreme Court of the Philippines; John Wesley School of Law and Governance
List of Passers: Atty. Darren Gonzales