MLQU Launches Professorial Chair in Honor of Atty. Erlinda Arce Ignacio Espiritu

The Manuel L. Quezon University (MLQU) School of Law marked the birth anniversary of its distinguished alumna, Atty. Erlinda Arce Ignacio Espiritu, with the launching of the Erlinda Arce Ignacio Espiritu Professorial Chair in Civil Law and Legal Innovations at the Victoria Sports Hotel, EDSA, Quezon City.

The Professorial Chair, made possible through an Endowment Fund from the Espiritu family led by Dr. Benjamin “Chippy” Espiritu, will support a Professor of Civil Law in producing scholarly research on significant Supreme Court decisions in civil law, with corresponding lectures delivered annually. The Professorial Chair holder will receive an award of at least ₱50,000, while proceeds from the publication of the work will further augment the Endowment Fund.

Present at the launch were MLQU officials led by Chairman and President Atty. Paquito N. Ochoa, Jr., School of Law Dean Atty. Jose Perpetuo Lotilla, faculty, students, and guests including former PMS Secretary Leny De Jesus, former Secretary Gabby Claudio, former Comm. Ruel Canobas, Cong. Lenlen Oreta, and former doJ Secretary Silvestre Bello.

President Ochoa described the launch as a milestone for MLQU, saying: “This Professorial Chair honors Atty. Espiritu’s legacy and ensures that her name continues to inspire future generations of Quezonians.” Dr. Espiritu, in his message, underscored the enduring role of MLQU in honing leaders under its guiding motto Pro Patria et Jure — for country and for law.

Atty. Erlinda Arce Ignacio Espiritu, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from MLQU School of Law and became the first Filipina to earn a Master of Laws degree at Harvard Law School, was a trailblazer in the legal profession and a servant-leader whose life exemplified faith, loyalty, and service to others.