Law Degree Equivalent to Master’s Degree

Republic of the Philippines

 Supreme Court

 Manila   

MEMORANDUM

FOR:  All Concerned Office
   

For your information, attached is a photocopy of the letter dated February 19, 2001 of Ms. Ester A. Garcia, Chairperson, Commission on Higher Education (CHED) informing the Honorable Chief Justice that the CHED has accredited the degree of Bachelor of Laws with corresponding Bar eligibility as equivalent to a relevant Master’s Degree per its en banc Resolution No. 038-2001, a copy of which is likewise attached. Parenthetically, the said Resolution includes the degree of Doctor of Medicine with corresponding board eligibility as equivalent to a relevant Master’s degree.

March 15, 2001
  

EDEN T. CANDELARIA

Deputy Clerk of Court and Chief Administrative Officer     

 

Copy furnished:

Office of the Chief Justice
Offices of the Associate Justices
Philippine Judicial Academy
Judicial and Bar Council
Office of the Court Administrator
Office of the Clerk of Court
Offices of the Division Clerks of Court
Office of Administrative Services
Office of the Chief Attorney
Office of the Reporter
Judicial Records Office
Office of the Bar Confidant
Management Information Systems Office
Fiscal Management & Budget Office
Medical and Dental Services
Library Services
Printing Services

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Republic of the Philippines

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION    
   

February 19, 2001

HONORABLE HILARIO DAVIDE, JR.
Chief Justice
Supreme Court of the Philippines
Padre Faura Street corner Taft Avenue
Ermita, Manila

Dear Chief Justice Davide:

I am pleased to inform your good office of the en banc decision of the Commission on Higher Education on the accreditation of Bachelor of Laws (LI.B.) with bar eligibility as equivalent to a relevant Master’s Degree per attached Resolution No. 038, Series of 2001. The rationale behind this is that Bachelor of Laws is a higher degree requiring completion of a first bachelor’s degree before proceeding to the professional degree program.

The Civil Service Commission (CSC) as per Memorandum Circular No. 1-A, Series of 1997, likewise recognizes degree holders of Bachelor of Laws with bar eligibility for permanent appointment to Division Chief positions provided that applicants meet other requirements of the post. This is further supported by an earlier ruling of the CSC which considers an applicant who is at least a holder of a Master’s Degree qualified for the post of Division Chief.

In view of the above CHED policy and rationale, any other master’s degree earned by the individual relative to the discipline of law is considered equivalent to a second or third Master’s degree as the case may be.

Thank you and best regards.

   

Very truly yours,     

ESTER A. GARCIA

Chairperson

 

  See this related article by Dean Mariano F. Magsalin, Jr.