UP revokes recommendation of regent Farolan’s reappointment after UAAP champ statements

Despite the Palace’s statements to give the Duterte-appointed official “the benefit of the doubt,” the State University withdrew its recommendation for the reappointment of Regent Farolan to the Board of Regents after his two-year term ended last month. (FIle Photo: Mar Manigas/Facebook)

Despite the Palace’s statements to give the Duterte-appointed official “the benefit of the doubt,” the State University withdrew its recommendation for the reappointment of Regent Farolan to the Board of Regents after his two-year term ended last month. UP President Danilo Concepcion also apologized for any “anxiety” that Farolan’s statements may have caused officially stating, “Whatever his motives may have been, there is no excuse for sowing fear and confusion, especially at a time when the University’s attention should have been focused on the rising successes of its athletic program. We view with extreme disapproval and strongly condemn violence in any form.”

Concepcion added that, “[The statements] do not in any way represent the values of the University, and the high esteem in which it holds sportsmanship, fair play, and civility in athletics as well as in other aspects of our academic and social life,” and that he is “extremely disappointed” with the regent’s words.

Senator Kiko Pangilinan agreed with the school’s decision and even expressed that he believes “Regent Farolan should tender his resignation as member of the UP Board of Regents immediately” because “his views expressed on social media are totally unacceptable and a disgrace to the University of the Philippines.”

However, in the midst of UP’s strong distancing from Farolan, the State University’s President for Public Affairs Dr. Jose Dalisay clarified on DZMM Teleradyo that the Board can “only recommend,” but “the ultimate appointing authority is the President.”

In April 2018, Farolan also made headlines after responding on social media to negative comments about UP’s delayed release of College Admission Test results.

While both UP and Ateneo communities are awaiting how the situation regarding Farolan will unfold, they are also anticipating Game Two of the best-of-three University Athletics Association of the Philippines (UAAP) Season 81 finals, where UP will have to do-or-die on Wednesday, December 5.