Manila: A total of 207 personnel from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), including those from its attached agencies, are among the more than 5,000 passers of the 2025 Bar Examinations. Of the 207 passers, two are from the DILG-Central Office and 15 from regional offices, the agency said in a statement on Friday.

According to Philippines News Agency, 109 of the successful examinees are from the Philippine National Police, 40 from the Bureau of Fire Protection, 29 from the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, eight from the National Police Commission, and three from the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos. One of the passers, Hana Rea Pagapong of DILG Region 10, expressed her intention to continue serving the people of Misamis Occidental, focusing on guiding elected public officials at the barangay level.

Kareen Estabillo of the DILG Bureau of Local Government Development highlighted that passing the Bar enhances her role in the Local Fiscal Reform and Development Division. She emphasized that the legal knowledge gained will aid in reviewing policies to ensure compliance with the law while benefiting local government units and their constituents.

Senior Fire Officer Gilbert Berou from the National Fire Training Institute noted that his experience as a first responder influenced his journey to becoming a lawyer. He stated that his service in the Bureau of Fire Protection and his legal aspirations are driven by the same goal of serving the public with honor and competence.

The newly minted lawyers are scheduled to take their oath on February 6, 2026, at the Philippine Arena.