Manila: The Supreme Court (SC) has designated New Era University (NEU) as the national headquarters for the 2026 Shari'ah Special Bar Examinations (SSBE), officially announced by the court. The designation was formalized in a contract signing ceremony led by Chief Justice Alexander G. Gesmundo and SC Associate Justice Henri Jean Paul B. Inting at the SC En Banc session hall.
According to Philippines News Agency, the ceremony included SC Associate Justices Amy C. Lazaro-Javier, Japar B. Dimaampao, Jose Midas P. Marquez, Antonio T. Kho, Jr., and Raul B. Villanueva, along with Clerk of Court En Banc Atty. Marife M. Lomibao-Cuevas, and NEU President and Board of Trustees chairperson Dr. Alberto Domingo Jr. Inting emphasized the collaboration as a demonstration of the SC's commitment to expanding access to justice and enhancing the administration of Shari'ah within the Philippine legal system.
NEU's partnership with the SC began when it served as a local testing center for the 2025 Bar Examinations. This year, NEU's role as the national headquarters signifies a deeper shared responsibility in advancing justice administration, reflecting the institutions' collaborative efforts.
Inting highlighted the significance of NEU's expanded role in the context of the SSBE's purpose. 'The SSBE is more than an academic undertaking; it exemplifies the Court's constitutional duty to ensure justice access for all. It acknowledges the legal traditions and cultural heritage of our Muslim community. Our justice system becomes more effective when it is inclusive and provides opportunities for all qualified individuals to serve,' he stated in a news release.
NEU will be one of four SSBE testing centers, alongside Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology in Iligan City, Ateneo de Davao University in Davao City, and Ateneo de Zamboanga University in Zamboanga City. The 2026 SSBE will cover four subjects, with examinations available in English or Arabic, ensuring broad accessibility for examinees.
