UE confers honorary degree on SC Associate Justice Zalameda

Supreme Court Associate Justice Rodil Vaquilar Zalameda was awarded the honorary Doctor of Laws degree by the University of the East (UE) during formal ceremonies attended by high-ranking government and UE officials at the UE Theater in Manila on October 27.

Conferring the honorary doctorate and medallion to Justice Zalameda were UE Vice Chairperson of the Board David Chua, UE President Zosimo Battad and UE President Emeritus and former Commission on Higher Education Chairperson Ester Albano Garcia, with Lucio C. Tan III.

"We recognize Justice Zalameda's legal excellence and unwavering integrity in public service. As a steadfast defender of the rule of law, his distinguished career exemplifies the values of honor, commitment, and service to the nation," UE President and Chief Academic Officer Zosimo Battad said.

Justice Zalameda is the 36th individual to receive a doctorate honoris causa from UE since the university began conferring the prestigious distinction in 1957.

UE confers the distinction to exceptional individuals whose noteworthy accomplishments in their respective professions, public service and humanitarian endeavors have significantly contributed to the advancement of society, rule of law, and national development, embodying the core values and institutional mission of the university.

"I receive this honorary doctorate with deep gratitude and a strong sense of responsibility. I look at it as a reminder of the standards that this institution expects from its graduates — and its honorees — to uphold," Justice Zalameda said in his acceptance speech.

Justice Zalameda was appointed to the Supreme Court in 2019, following an 11-year tenure as Associate Justice of the Court of Appeals beginning 2008. He is the first former city prosecutor to be appointed as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

He earned his secondary education from UE Caloocan in 1979 and his Bachelor of Arts major in Political Science from UE Manila in 1983. He subsequently obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 1987. He passed the Philippine bar examinations in 1988.

Justice Zalameda began his legal career as a Branch Clerk of Court at the Regional Trial Court of Makati City, followed by private practice from 1990 to 1995. He then returned to government service as Public Prosecutor for the Office of the City Prosecutor in Mandaluyong City that culminated in his appointment as Chief City Prosecutor in 2002 at the age of 39.

Prior to the honorary doctorate, Justice Zalameda was twice recognized as one of UE's Outstanding Alumni.

Attending government officials included Professional Regulation Commission Chairperson Charito Zamora, Regional Trial Court Judges Jesus Angelito Huertas and Manuel Sta. Cruz, and Legal Education Board Chairperson Jason Barlis, among others.

Other high-ranking UE officials at the event were Board of Trustees members former Chief Justice Diosdado Peralta, former Supreme Court Associate Justice Dante Tinga, UERM Vice Chairperson Wilson Young, and Fe Enrile-Bacsal; Special Adviser to the Board and former Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista; Senior Vice President for Finance and Administration Florence Siy; Vice President for Finance Annie Villegas; and UE Chancellors Victor Macam Jr. and Louie Divinagracia.

The academic conferment on Justice Zalameda formed part of UE's celebration of its milestone 80th founding anniversary this year.