THE MEMORANDUM TREATING BACHELOR OF LAWS

DEGREE AS EQUIVALENT TO MASTER'S DEGREE

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 Masters 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 bachelors 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 Masters Degree qualified for the
post of Division Chief.

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

Thank you and best regards.

Very truly yours,

ESTER A. GARCIA
Chairperson