Huge tasks ahead for next UP president

MANILA, Philippines — Incoming University of the Philippines president Angelo Jimenez is facing an enormous task to address issues facing the country’s national university, which is comprised of eight constituent units, the Philippine General Hospital and thousands of students, faculty and personnel.

Hours after his selection on Friday, Jimenez – a two-time member of the UP Board of Regents – faced members of the university community that was largely disappointed by the outcome.

He was immediately asked to clarify his position on various issues, including the displacement of those living inside campuses, the proposed mandatory National Citizens Service Training (NCST), commercialization of university properties and the institutionalization of an agreement that will prohibit uncoordinated entry of military personnel inside UP.

His responses left many dissatisfied, citing the lack of categorical positions on many of the issues.

“The citizens’ training is part of the Constitution because we have to defend the country. It is not wrong per se, but what is important is that it is properly done. It should not have ideological orientation and training, purely the defense of the country,” Jimenez said in English and Filipino about the proposed NCST, which youth groups have described as rebranded mandatory Reserved Officers Training Corps.

“The Department of National Defense (DND) has nothing to do with arrests; it’s a military organization. Arrest is a police function, a civilian function… so the presence of military … we have to apply international humanitarian law,” he said, when asked about his position on institutionalizing the UP-DND accord.

Jimenez vowed to consult with members of the community and “prepare” for his assumption in February.

Asked about his priorities, the labor lawyer and former Overseas Workers Welfare Administration acting deputy administrator cited his vision paper, in which he underscored UP’s mandate on research, teaching and extension.

“Those are the three main things,” he said.

Jimenez also reiterated his commitment to defend academic freedom and the independence of the university.

‘Serious review’

UP Diliman chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, who received endorsements from hundreds of faculty and alumni as well as numerous student groups, said he respects the process and the decision of the 11-member Board of Regents, the university’s highest policymaking body that chose the 22nd UP president.

Nemenzo also called for a “serious review of processes” to ensure that the voice of the community is heard.

As head of UP’s flagship campus, he committed to work with Jimenez when the latter assumes his new post next year.

“Definitely, the big challenge right now is the return to the face-to-face mode. We have to make sure that the students and faculty are kept safe. We’ve learned a lot from the pandemic, we have new learning platforms and we have to make the most out of it,” Nemenzo said.

“The pandemic is not the last disruption that we will face, but we need to draw the lessons from the last few years and use this for the next phase… We also need to strengthen the public service character of the university,” he added.

In a separate statement, UP student regent Siegfred Severino explained his decision to shift his support from Nemenzo to Jimenez, citing the need to prevent the selection of former UP Los Baños chancellor Fernando Sanchez Jr.

“In the spirit of defeating the worst and most reactionary candidate among all, we agreed to the motion, instead of allowing the Sanchez camp to grow and regroup. It was a necessary compromise to guarantee that the seat would not go to Sanchez and his political backers,” Severino said.

“We reassure the entire student body that this does not mean our unconditional support for Jimenez nor does it mean that we’ve dropped the agenda with which we scrutinized every candidate. In fact, this was done to ensure that an environment where the student agenda may be furthered is present,” he added.

Students have largely opposed the selection of Sanchez, whose term as chancellor was marked by what were described as “anti-student” policies.

Severino maintained that his office would continue to remain critical on Jimenez’ stance on various issues, including commercialization of assets, contractualization of workers and the institutionalization of the UP-DND accord.

“We are with the students in looking at the turnout of this election with watchful eyes, and we are ready to mobilize thousands across the system if any attempts are made to bypass our points of unities or curtail our democratic rights,” Severino saidd.

Earlier, the Katipunan ng mga Sangguniang Mag-aaral sa UP, the alliance of student councils in the university, urged nominees to ensure the right to quality education, demand greater and equitable budget for the university, uphold its democratic spaces and defend academic freedom.