Laurel is being honored for showing exemplary leadership in public service at the highest levels, for his self-sacrifice in the interest of national unity, for championing the cause of the oppressed and defenseless, forging bonds of friendship with former enemy countries, documentation of epochal events in Philippines legal history and espousing penal and judicial reforms thus giving honor to the University of the Philippines.
In selecting Laurel, the UPAA took into account his excellent record as a public official despite the highly sensitive and partisan nature of the positions he held in the executive and legislative departments of government.
He was also cited for his pioneering work in providing free legal services to poor but deserving litigants through the Citizens’ Legal Aid Society of the Philippines (CLASP) which he founded in 1967, and for which he received the "Most Outstanding Legal Aid Lawyer of the World" award from the International Bar Association in 1976.
As a freshman senator in 1968, Laurel authored five "Justice for the Poor Laws," laws on judicial and penal reforms, government reorganization and land reform.
During martial law years, Laurel spearheaded the opposition working tirelessly to unite all political parties in the country under the banner of the United Nationalist Democratic Organization (UNIDO) which sought to dismantle the martial law regime through peaceful means.
Already nominated by the democratic opposition as its presidential standard-bearer in the 1986 snap elections, Laurel, in a rare display of self-sacrifice, gave way to Corazon Aquino, to ensure the victory of the opposition against the well-oiled political machinery of the Marcos regime.
The UPAA will also honor the UP alumni belonging to Classes 1942, 1952, 1962 and 1977 who are celebrating their diamond, golden, ruby and silver jubilees, respectively.
Laurel belongs to Class 1952 of the UP College of Law which was adjudged as the most outstanding class in the history of the UP College of Law.
Among the members of the star-studded Class 1952 who held high positions in government aside form Laurel were Cesar Virata, former prime minister and finance minister; Marcelo Fernan, chief justice of the Supreme Court; Florentino Feliciano, Flerida Ruth Romero, Hugo Gutierrez and Serafin Cuevaz, justices of the Supreme Court; Vicente Santiago, chairman of the Comelec; Froilan Bacungan, dean of the UP College of Law; and the late Tomas de la Cruz, Comelec commissioner; Estelito Mendoza, solictor general and justice secretary; and Bartolome Fernandez Jr. of the Commission on Audit.