By Rjay Zuriaga Castor
First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos was conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree (honoris causa) by West Visayas State University (WVSU) during the university’s College of Law Commencement Exercises on Saturday, June 8.
“I am deeply humbled to receive this award. Needless to say, I should try my best to live up to your expectations today and in the years to come,” she said.
The honorary degree was awarded by Commission on Higher Education Chairman Dr. J. Prospero “Popoy” E. De Vera, WVSU President Joselito Villaruz, and WVSU College of Law Dean Atty. Pauline Grace Alfuente.
WVSU stated that the First Lady, a law professor at WVSU since 2022, was honored for her dedication to public service and commitment as a law professor.
Earlier this January, WVSU broke ground for its state-of-the-art P800-million twin four-story law building. According to Villaruz, the First Lady played a crucial role in securing funds for the building’s construction.
“For the past years, we have had no capital outlay insertion in the budget… And for the first time, she facilitated the insertion of P400 million for the College of Law building with the help of Speaker Martin Romualdez,” he said.
WVSU, the first and only state university offering legal education in the Western Visayas Region, started its Juris Doctor program in 2020. The first cohort of law students graduated on Saturday.
“As future lawyers, you will have the power to shape the future, to influence change, and to ensure that justice is served. This is both a privilege and a responsibility that you should carry on with integrity, courage, and unwavering commitment,” Araneta-Marcos told the graduates.
