First Lady gets emotional at graduation rites of Iloilo law students
By Tara Yap
PRESIDENT Marcos and First Lady Liza Marcos grace the June 5, 2026 graduation rites of the WVSU College of Law in Iloilo City. (PCO)
ILOILO CITY – First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos became emotional at the graduation rites of her 25 law students at West Visayas State University (WVSU) on Friday, June 5.
The First Lady was seen holding back tears when she was honored for her role as one of their professors at College of Law (COL).
“I would like to extend our sincerest gratitude on behalf of our class,” said class valedictorian Faith Estrallanes Montalban of Pavia, Iloilo.
The First Lady has been teaching law at WVSU since 2022.
“I never imagined I would ever meet you and let alone be taught by you for four whole years, wherein you had to fly Manila to Iloilo for our class. Thank you so much,” expressed Montalban.
WVSU-COL Batch 2026 then had a video tribute to the First Lady.
“You are an instrument of force,” the 2026 law graduating class said.
The tribute to the First Lady was made before President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. addressed the graduates as the commencement speaker.
The First Lady initially started teaching criminal law in 2022. She later became a part-time professor of public international law.
The First Lady has roots in Iloilo. Her father Manuel Araneta Jr. is from Iloilo City while her mother Milagros Ledesma Cacho has roots from both Iloilo and Negros.
Also present during the WVSU-COL graduation rites were retired Supreme Court Associate Justice Francis Jardeleza, WVSU President Dr. Joselito Villaruz, WVSU-COL Dean Ian Thomas Besana, and former WVSU-COL Dean Atty. Pauline Grace Alfuente.