MANILA, Philippines (UPDATE 2) - A total of 982 examinees passed the 2010 Bar examinations, the Supreme Court announced late Thursday.

The SC said a total of 4,847 examinees finished taking the tests in all 8 law subjects.

"Originally, 5,038 law graduates have filed their petitions to take the 2010 Bar tests. Of the number, 5,012 petitions were granted," the court said Wednesday.

SC Justice Conchita Carpio Morales is the chairperson of the 2010 Committee on the Bar Examinations.

Prior to the release of the results, a special En Banc session for the "decoding" of the results were held. "Decoding...is when the Court orders the Bar Confidant to open envelopes containing the names of the examinees in the presence of the Bar Chairman," according to Deputy Clerk of Court and Bar Confidant Atty. Ma. Cristina Layusa.

Bomb blast, changes

The 2010 exams at the De La Salle University in Taft Avenue, Manila were marred by a bomb blast that hurt 24 people on the final day.

The exams were previously held on four Sundays of September. For 2011, the schedule has been moved to November. The home of the Bar exams will also now be at the University of Sto. Tomas.

The high court will also be using new types of examinations. The Bar is conducted annually pursuant to the SC's constitutional mandate to promulgate rules governing, among others, the admissions to the practice of law.

The first Bar exams were held in 1901, with only 13 examinees, the high court said. ABS-CBN News

List of Successful 2010 Bar Examinees

ABAD to CONSTANTINO | CORPUS to LIGUTAN | LIM to ROCAFORT | RODRIGUEZ to ZUÑIGA