The West Visayas State University (WVSU) confirmed the honorary Doctor of Laws degree awarded to First Lady Liza Marcos is valid. 

The College of Law (COL) Dean, Atty. Pauline Grace Buñol-Alfuente, assured the public that the degree, given during the college’s commencement exercises on June 8, followed all legal guidelines.

Buñol-Alfuente told WVSU’s student publication Forum-Dimensions the move did not violate the Legal Education Board (LEB) Memorandum Order No. 9. 

The dean clarified Marcos’ contract with the university ended on May 18, meaning she was no longer part of the faculty when she received the honorary degree.

The LEB also backed WVSU’s decision, stating the university has been a higher education institution for over 25 years, fulfilling the necessary requirement. 

The board clarified the 25-year requirement applies to the university as a whole, not specifically to its law education department.

Some critics, however, have questioned the legality of the award. Atty. Josiah David Quising from Citizen Rights Watch Network argued the degree is invalid. 

Quising argued the College of Law, founded in August 2020, had not operated long enough to grant honorary degrees and that Marcos was a faculty member when she received the award. 

In response, Buñol-Alfuente highlighted WVSU’s extensive 120-year history as an educational institution. She noted Marcos has made notable contributions to the College of Law, such as aiding in the construction of a new building and supporting students with resources such as law books and travel expenses.

The honorary degree, known as “honoris causa,” is a prestigious award given to individuals for their significant contributions to a particular field, even if they have not met the usual academic requirements.

Despite the controversy, Buñol-Alfuente emphasized Marcos deserves the honor due to her “legal advocacy, engagement with legal education, and two decades of experience in teaching law.”

The LEB reaffirmed this position, Forum-Dimensions reported, confirming WVSU’s actions were within the rules and that the First Lady was deserving of the recognition.

The First Lady has not made a public statement, but the university continues to support its decision, emphasizing the award’s legality and appropriateness.