Angeles school justifies honorary degree for Stanley Ho

ANGELES CITY — The Angeles University Foundation (AUF) justified yesterday its conferment of an honorary doctorate on Macau gambling tycoon Stanley Ho, saying the degree was to recognize his contributions to education, research and business.

In an official statement, AUF said "the decision of AUF to confer Dr. Stanley Ho was done in good faith. The decision was unanimously approved by the board of trustees in a referendum passed on March 1, 2004."

AUF issued the statement after Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Oscar Cruz, a staunch critic of illegal gambling and a former president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), said he will return a similar degree the university conferred on him to protest being included in the same roster as Ho.

AUF, however, stressed that the recognition given to Ho is "purely based on his achievements and contributions to education, research, and global business."

The foundation attached to its statement some documents citing Ho’s various involvements in the field of "education, sports, and other community services."

AUF also said while it respects Cruz’s reaction, it is saddened because Cruz had served as a member and later as chairman of the AUF board of trustees from 1977 to 1988.

"Acting in his capacity as active member of the CBCP, we recognize and support the staunch advocacy of Msgr. Cruz against illegal gambling. As a Catholic university, AUF also stands firm on its position against illegal activities that besmirch the morality and tarnish the identity of the Filipino people," the statement said.

The AUF, whose chairman is San Fernando, Pampanga Archbishop Paciano Aniceto, pointed out that Pope John Paul II himself had awarded Ho the "Eqvitem Commandatorem Ordinis Sancti Gregori Magni" in 1989.

The foundation also debunked reports that President Arroyo had met with Ho here amid reports that the Hong Kong-based businessman contributed some P700 million to the President’s campaign kitty.

Ho was conferred the doctorate degree at the Holiday Inn Hotel at the Clark Special Economic Zone (CSEZ) last March 22 and Mrs. Arroyo was reported to have rested the following day at her nearby official residence within Clark.

The AUF said they observed transparency in Ho’s conferment, noting that journalists as well as immigration and university officials witnesses Ho’s arrival aboard his private plane at the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport in Clark at exactly 12:40 p.m. up to his departure for Hong Kong at 8 p.m. on the same day.

"The itinerary did not include any alleged meeting with Mrs. Arroyo inside Clark," the foundation said.

Ho’s name caught public attention in 1999 when he towed his Jumbo Floating Restaurant from Hong Kong to Manila Bay to manifest his plans to invest in tourism projects in the Philippines. The barge has remained unused at the bay.

Ho was then supposed to invest in the Best World Gaming Corp. controlled by Dante Tan, a close ally of former President Joseph Estrada. But the plan was met with widespread protests.

The AUF, however, stressed that Ho is presently the "vice-patron of the Community Chest, a trustee of the Better Hong Kong Foundation, as well as a founding member of the Court of Hong Kong Polytechnic University."

The university also noted the Ho has received "a number of decorations and honors from many governments in the world."

The AUF said Ho was honored seven times by the Portuguese government, and was awarded the Gra-Cruz da Ordem do Infante Dom Henrique, Portugal’s highest honor for a civilian, in 1995.

The United Kingdom also conferred on Ho the title of "Commander of the Most Venerable Order of St. John of Jerusalem."

The AUF also noted that in 1957, Ho was awarded "insignia of the Order of Sacred Treasure" by the Emperor of Japan, and in 2000, he was also given the "Global Award for Outstanding Contribution for the Development of International Trade and Relations" by the Priyadarchni Academy in India.

Last Friday, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (Pagcor) denied media reports of an alleged deal with Ho for any casino project in the country.