THE University of the East (UE) on Tuesday conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree on Supreme Court Associate Justice Rodil Zalameda in recognition of his public service and commitment to the rule of law.
“The law must therefore be understood not only as a body of rules, but as an instrument of justice,” Zalameda said during a ceremony at the UE Theater in Manila. The event was part of the university’s 80th founding anniversary.
Zalameda said judicial authority must serve ordinary Filipinos seeking justice, and that judicial office requires restraint, independence, humility and careful decision-making.
Zalameda credited UE with instilling the core values that guided his career. He said the judicial reforms he intends to pursue would reflect those values and acknowledged the teachers, mentors, colleagues, family members and institutions that supported him.
UE President and Chief Academic Officer Zosimo Battad praised Zalameda’s legal excellence and integrity in public service, describing him as a defender of the rule of law whose career reflects honor, commitment and service to the nation.
Zalameda is the 36th recipient of an honorary doctorate from UE since the university began conferring the distinction in 1957. He was recognized twice as one of UE’s Outstanding Alumni.
He completed high school at UE Caloocan in 1979 and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from UE Manila in 1983. He obtained his Bachelor of Laws degree from Ateneo de Manila University in 1987 and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 1988.
