CHED: Basic law degrees not quivalent to PhDs

The Commission on Higher Educa on (CHED) has expressed "serious concern" over a Legal Educa on Board (LEB) resolu on which implies that basic law degrees are equivalent to doctoral degrees in other non-law academic disciplines. CHED Chairperson Prospero de Vera III made the statement late Friday, January 11, a!er LEB Resolu on 2019‐406 made rounds on social media. "The Commission on Higher Educa on views with serious concern Resolu on 2019‐406 purportedly issued by the Legal Education Board, and posted on social media, that declares, inter alia, that the basic law degrees, whether Bachelor of Laws (LLB) or Juris Doctor (JD), shall be considered as equivalent to doctoral degrees in other non-law academic disciplines for purposes of appointment/ employment, ranking and compensation," De Vera said. "The issuance of this Resolution has been interpreted by some to mean that individuals who have completed basic law degrees have been granted doctoral degrees," he added. De Vera said CHED is open to a dialogue with LEB on the matter. De Vera said that while CHED recognizes that the LEB has authority in administering legal education in the Philippines, Republic Act No. 7722 or the Higher Education Act is clear about CHED's powers and du es.