ILOILO City – First Lady Atty. Louise “Liza” Araneta Marcos, wife of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos, Jr., will be a part time professor at West Visayas State University (WVSU) College of Law here.
WVSU president Dr. Joselito Villaruz confirmed yesterday that Marcos will teach Criminal Law 1.
“Yes, she will be teaching part time, one subject in the College of Law,” Villaruz said in an interview with Panay News.
According to Villaruz, Marcos is more than qualified to teach in the College of Law as the university’s Merit Selection Board reviewed her documents, capacity and qualifications in teaching.
“She was found to be more than qualified to teach the subject because of her professional experience, her teaching experience in some universities in the past and of course her qualifications,” he said, adding that it is the first lady’s advocacy to support law students.
Villaruz also revealed that Marcos chose WVSU because her father was a native of Iloilo City.
“We did not invite the first lady to teach. She actually chose WVSU because this is her father’s hometown. Her father is from Jaro,” Villaruz added.
There is a big possibility that the first lady will personally go to the university when face-to-face classes resume. However, Villaruz understands that in case Marcos will get busy at work, the method of teaching will be online.
Classes at WVSU College of Law will start on August 15.
NO SPECIAL ATTENTION
Meanwhile, following negative reactions and comments he received, Villaruz clarified that there was no special attention or special consideration given to Marcos as a part-time professor.
He said the application process regarding the first lady’s entry at WVSU has been followed.
“We have received negative comments in her application. Her application passed through the usual process and she was also found to be qualified to teach so she was given this chance to join our faculty,” Villaruz told Panay News.
He added that WVSU is an academic community which welcomes every student and faculty member regardless of color, age, gender, political affiliation, or social beliefs.
“I would like to put it in the proper context. Una, WVSU is an academic community and we accept students, faculty members regardless of colors, age, gender, political affiliation or social beliefs. So, everybody is welcome to apply at WVSU,” Villaruz added.
However, the university president admitted that he already expected mixed reactions regarding the first lady’s entry in the College of Law.
“With the personal interest of the first lady to join us it can create mixed emotions, I know, considering the political climate in the region pero ang gusto ko lang ya ihambal is the first lady is going to teach in an academic community, in a school. That is the only reason why she is going to be here at West to teach the subject, nothing else,” Villaruz said./PN
