The Memorandum Treating Bachelor of Laws Degree as 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

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