tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-79472662024-03-08T10:30:01.062+08:00Flight of Ideasnon-stop to whatever conceptAlberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.comBlogger131125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-32510746379683045312009-11-01T09:49:00.000+08:002009-11-01T13:50:32.220+08:00Celebrity for Charity (UP Sagip Isko)With Typhoon Santi (Mirinae) promptly leaving the Metro at around 10:00 am yesterday, doubts went away with the dark skies on whether or not <a href="http://www.thewhitehat.com.ph/" target="_blank">The White Hat Italian Frozen Yogurt</a> would push through with its Celebrity for Charity Halloween event. Interestingly in relation to the weather risk, the beneficiary <a href="http://upsagipisko.org/" target="_blank">UP Sagip Isko</a> happens to be a student-led group within UP Diliman that has successfully coordinated typhoon relief efforts for the victims of T.S. Ondoy and Pepeng.<br><br>More info and photos <a href="http://albertdomingo.com/celebrity-for-charity-up-sagip-isko/">here</a>.<br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-36856357367254046862009-10-03T14:00:00.000+08:002009-10-03T18:01:50.359+08:00UP Sagip Isko: Relief Operations for T.S. Ondoy (Ketsana) VictimsDear Professors, Colleagues, Classmates, and Friends,<br><br>Relaying to you these photo and video updates on <a href="http://updusc.multiply.com/journal/item/41/UP_Sagip_Isko">UP Sagip Isko</a>'s student-led relief operations for T.S. Ondoy (Ketsana) victims:<br> <a href="http://updusc.multiply.com/photos/album/26/UP_Sagip_Isko" target="_blank"><br> Photos</a><br> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jw2LwH3c8k" target="_blank">Video 1 - Call to Action/HQ</a><br><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkc6NdFxDS8" target="_blank">Video 2 - On Site</a><br><br>Thank you very much to all donors, volunteers, and supporters. Our work however is not yet done, what with this new Typhoon Pepeng.<br> <br>Please standby for updates at <a href="http://www.facebook.com/updusc" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/updusc</a> as to UP Sagip Isko's plans for the upcoming week, in consideration of the new typhoon this weekend, and the resumption of classes on Monday. We can do this!<br> <br><i>Maraming salamat po!</i><br> <br><br>UP SAGIP ISKO<br><br>(Please forward this concise message of thanks and advisory to contacts who may be willing to help.) <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-71975193488428251672009-06-12T17:50:00.000+08:002009-06-12T21:52:00.354+08:00UPM Constituents: URGENT Re: A(H1N1) ProtocolHello. I am Dr. Regina Berba of the UP-PGH Hospital Infection Control Unit and in charge of UPM response to H1N1. I am writing you to give some guidance on how we could best respond to the recent events.<br> <br> It is very important that we all follow the guidelines below. I am also attaching the school policies related to influenza A (H1N1). Please take time to read through this letter and the attached document.<br> <br> 1. In this period of a pandemic, we should all take care of our own selves, our families and communities. While the infection seems to be currently presenting as a mild illness, we still want to reduce our risks of getting it and passing it on to others. As much as we can, let us take extra precautions to minimize the number of persons who will become ill.<br> <br> Observe hand hygiene. Wash hands frequently. Buy a bottle of alcohol or alcohol based hand rub and keep in your pocket, Observe cough etiquette. Avoid crowded areas. Stay away from sick persons.<br> <br> 2. If you had travel to a country with confirmed cases - please stay at home (self-quarantine) for 10 days. That means if you arrived on June 7, the earliest you can go back to school is June 18- assuming you did not become ill.<br> <br> 3. If you had close contact with our index case within 6ft distance even for only a few minutes, please put yourself on quarantine. If the exposure was June 6, you should be on quarantine until June 16 and the earliest you can go back to school is June 17-assuming you did not become ill.<br> <br> The purpose of quarantine is to reduce the interactions you have with other susceptible people so that in the event you develop the illness, there would be less contacts who can become ill later. Less contacts, less cases. Quarantine means staying by yourself in a well ventilated room in your house. If you will be in a common area with other family members, wear a mask even if you do not have symptoms. Its an inconvenience but it is important! <br> <br> 4. Whether you belong to #1 or #2 above and during this 10-day period you develop or now have any of: fever, cough, colds, sore throat- kindly consult. Begin to wear a disposable surgical mask even while you are at home so that you protect the other family members from possibly catching the virus if you have it already.<br> <br> You and your parents may opt to go to: a) the Research Institute of Tropical Medicine (RITM) in Alabang, Lung Center of the Philippines in QC, San Lazaro Hospital Manila; b) a private medical center of your choice; c) UP-PGH.<br> <br> If you decide to go to PGH, please call or text the UPM H1N1 Hotline 09197470570 before proceeding so we can prepare for your arrival. Give the anticipated time of your visit. The area we will see you at would be at the PGH H1N1 unit -previous AMBU in front of the ER. <br> <br> The consultation will involve getting a thorough history, PE, respiratory specimens (nasopharyngeal swab and oropharyngeal swab) and decision making whether you need to be admitted. The specimens are brought to the RITM. Results of the RT-PCR for the influenza A(H1N1) will become available in 24-48 hours.<br> <br> If your test will become positive for influenza A (H1N1) please inform me 09178926954 so we could do contact tracing. Please follow all the physician's advise and medications.<br> <br> 5. When you have symptoms, whether or not it is influenza A (H1N1) or the regular seasonal flu or other viruses, staying at home in isolation (the proper term now is not QUARANTINE anymore but ISOLATION) is very critical. Wear a mask. Practice the cough etiquette. Cover your mouth when you cough,<br> <br> 6. If you become ill, DO NOT GO TO SCHOOL until 24 hours after all your symptoms have disappeared. You would need clearance from the UPHS before the first day back to school.<br> <br> 7. Quarantine and isolation due to exposure or illness will be excused. Please call the College Secretary's office to notify them of your absence and reason behind and duration of the absence.<br> <br> 8. Any questions please call the Hotline 09197470570 (our IDS fellow will answer you) or my number (09178926954) .<br> <br> In behalf of Chancellor Arcadio and Dean Roxas, I extend my sincerest hope to all of you that everyone will be well. We will be here to help you.<br> <br> <br> For your full compliance please.<br> Regina Berba <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-45235754410037474732009-04-07T04:41:00.000+08:002009-04-07T08:42:47.853+08:00Upsilon Sigma Phi's statement on PGMA's clemency for Cochise's Murderer<div><b>Joint Statement of the U.P. Upsilon Sigma Phi and Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association, Inc.<br></b><br>We, the members of the <b>U.P. Upsilon Sigma Phi</b> and the <b>Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association, Inc.</b> condemn in the strongest possible terms the commutation of the sentence of Rodolfo “Rudy” Manalili, the murderer of our dear fraternity brother <b>Ernesto “Cochise” Bernabe II</b> and his girlfriend Ana Lourdes “Beebom” Castanos.<br> <br>As law abiding citizens and taxpayers of this country, we are appalled at the utter disregard by Her Excellency President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo of the rule of law and our time-honored system of justice.<br><br>Manalili and those convicted with him – Roberto Lising, Robin Manga, Enrico Dizon and Filemon Garcia slaughtered Cochise as if he were an animal, and then raped and slaughtered Beebom as well. Cutting short Manalili’s double life sentence for the kidnapping and murder of Cochise and Beebom will allow him to roam the streets within the next 3 years, thus exposing to serious danger the lives of the witnesses who testified against him.<br> <br>The decision penned by then Quezon City trial judge Tirso Velasco stated that the crime Manalili et al committed was so heinous that he (Velasco) would have sentenced them to death had the death penalty been in place at that time. To the relatives of Cochise and Beebom, and to the public at large, the double life sentence was lean enough. Comes now President Arroyo who, probably having been misled by officials of the Board of Pardons and Parole, lessens the penalty to a ridiculous pittance of time in prison.<br> <br>Based on the presidential prerogative, which we believe was grossly abused, Manalili may be out in 3-8 years time, too soon for those who testified against him or had anything to do with his prosecution. Was it because Manalili is from Pampanga, where President Arroyo hails? Was it because Manalili’s family is moneyed and the 2010 elections are near? Is the commutation of Manalili’s sentence connected with the commutations of the sentences of other rich heinous crime convicts like Claudio Teehankee, Jr. or wealthy child rapist Romeo Jalosjos? Who will the President free next – Mayor Sanchez?<br> <br>We therefore appeal to President Arroyo to reconsider this travesty of justice. Setting free criminals like Manalili and his ilk sends a chilling message to law abiding citizens of this country – we can never feel safe – and gives hope to the criminals of this country – go ahead, commit a heinous crime, and get away with it. But if you do get caught – don’t worry… you can always get executive clemency for as long as you know people in the Board of Pardons and Parole and Malacanang.<br> <br><b>Julian Rodrigo A. dela Cruz</b><br>Illustrious Fellow, U.P. Upsilon Sigma Phi (Diliman)<br><br><b>Jupiter Pante P. Nunez</b><br>Illustrious Fellow, U.P. Upsilon Sigma Phi (Los Banos)<br><br><b>Jacinto S. Puno</b><br> President, Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association, Inc.<br><br><b>Noel Cruz</b><br>President, Upsilon Sigma Phi - North America<br><br>---<br>Letter to the Editor<b><br>Speaking in Tongues</b><br><div> <p>Early this week, news broke on the pardon granted by Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to Rodolfo M. Manalili who masterminded the abduction and murder of <b>Ernesto “Cochise” Bernabe II</b> and Ana Lourdes “Beebom” Castanos in April 25, 1990. </p> <p> In a year’s time, we would be commemorating the abduction, rape and murder of these two young and promising students and future leaders our nation will never have. After creating a maelstrom that saw the enactment of the death penalty and the creation of the witness protection program brought about by public outrage and condemnation of this crime, our President, in one stroke of her mighty pen appends closure to Cochise and Beebom’s deaths by rewarding the killers and re-opening the yet unhealed wounds it has brought to Bernabe’s and Castanos’ families, friends and colleagues. </p> <p> Because Press Secretary Cerge Remonde is aware of the utter heinousness of Manalili’s crime, he hides under the oft repeated chorus that the recent pardons is yet just another part of the ministerial duties of the President. That murderers, rapists, and grafters are freed after spending time for their crimes while alleviated by credible good behaviour is purely hogwash. Nothing can be more revolting when our officials coax our anger with arrogance treating us like children. We are even led to the self induced refrain that these actions are part of the corrective nature of the modern penal system. In short, don’t blame the President, she was just doing her job. </p> <p> But our beef is not on forgiveness and on the Board of Pardons and Parole. Our anger stems from the transactional politics of this administration. The common adherence to law and order is thrown at the waste bin to accommodate patronage and political accommodation. The President fails to realize that above-all the wheeling and dealing in the Palace, she is expected to raise the bar of presidential action and in this case, her application of her power to grant pardons. </p> <p> We have and will continue to support the Constitution and the laws of this Republic. We have done so and continue to do so in the ninety decades of our existence. But what we abhor is the wanton capitulation of this Administration to interest groups or individuals exposing the lack of political will to enforce judicial decisions creating a shadow of doubt as to how this government will fight corruption and lawlessness when high profile and financially endowed murderers, rapists, thieves and plunderers are granted pardon and clemency at the beck of presidential prerogative. </p> <p> We are aware that Arroyo’s record of pardoning and granting executive clemency to many prisoners run into the hundreds if not thousands by this time. But we reckon that such actions to release and award freedom to old, sickly convicts with deteriorating health conditions will be the same action of any other president. To argue here that the president chooses neither from power nor from lack of it is misleading, if not downright pretentious. And because the decision to grant pardons and clemency have been tainted , what we hear is the “process” rhetoric. </p> <p> Why then would we not think that this government is biased for the privileged few and not for all when the President pardons the likes of Jaime Ponce de Leon, convicted of 27 counts of graft and sentenced to 203 years in prison but never saw even the mere shadow of his prison cell because he was pardoned on the day he was to serve his sentence. We have the bungled initial release and pardon of convicted rapist Romeo Jalosjos, an ex-Congressman who had to be “re-captured” in hometown Zamboanga only to be finally freed after a few months re-detention. The other equally famous Claudio Teehankee, son of a former Chief Justice who lived a pampered life inside Bilibid who was released even before media got wind of the news. And of course, most obvious and sensational of all, the granting of executive clemency to former president Erap Estrada who was convicted of plunder, more from being handed his sentence. </p> <p> We are a nation of laws. We seek redress from the courts and we find its judgment the final arbiter of the gravity of one’s offense. Presidential pardon is a special privilege allocated to the President to use and exercise with utmost care and discretion. It is neither a magic wand nor a “free-pass” granted at whim. The Board of Pardons and Parole is a commendable government agency whose goal is to provide a venue for relief and executive action for humanitarian reasons. Its recommendations must not be the sole basis for judgment of pardons and clemency. Just like any other democratic process, the flip side of the coin must also be presented. The parties aggrieved must be reached and their assent secured. </p> <p> We believe that Rodolfo M. Manalili deserves to serve his full sentence. The lives of Cochise and Beebom can at the very least be honored by making those responsible for their deaths serve their full sentence. We deplore the official statement that the pardon was an exercise in process and that the President’s signature is merely ministerial. We condemn the inclusion and even the mere allusion of “a changed man” as a primary basis for exacting pardons and the process used to bear these fruits. The serving of one’s sentence implicitly involves one’s repentance and remorse. No amount of good behaviour should be incorporated as a means to shorten one’s sentence for it depraves us of our own dignity and corrodes our trust and allegiance to our laws. </p> <p> We ask the President to repeal the pardon and exact on Manalili and his cohorts that in the Philippines, crime does pay. </p> <p> We also call on every decent and law-abiding Filipino to join our call. </p> <p> For the memory of Cochise and Beebom, we remain steadfast. <br> </p> <p> For the <b>Upsilon Sigma Phi Alumni Association (USPAA)</b>: <br> <b>Eliseo M. Ilano</b>, Chairman <br> <b>Jacinto S. Puno</b>, President </p> <p> For the <b>Upsilon Sigma Phi Los Banos Alumni Association (USPLBAA)</b>: <br> <b>Arbie Bisenio</b>, Chairman </p> <p> For the <b>Upsilon Sigma Phi North America (USPNA)</b>: <br> <b>Noel Cruz</b>, President </p> <p> For the <b>Upsilon Sigma Phi Resident Chapters</b>: <br> <b>Julian Rodrigo A. dela Cruz</b>, Illustrious Fellow (Diliman) <br> <b>Jupiter Pante P. Nunez</b>, Illustrious Fellow (Los Banos) </p> </div> </div> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-73242896219699638272009-02-08T03:36:00.000+08:002009-02-08T08:37:26.212+08:00Career Opportunity: Health Policy Fellowship Program<b>The Health Policy Development Program </b><br> <br>The Health Policy Development Program (HPDP) is a USAID-supported, 5-year initiative implemented by the UPecon Foundation, Inc.<br>It aims to assist the Department of Health (DOH) in its institutional role of shaping the policy environment towards achieving better health outcomes, a more responsive health system, and equitable health care financing. HPDP is providing assistance along the following <br> Program Components: <br> <br>1) Contraceptive Self-Reliance, Family Planning/ Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (CSR-FP/MNCH) <br>2) Standards and Regulations (S&R)<br>3) Local Health Systems (LHS)<br>4) Health Care Financing (HCF)<br> 5) Capacity-Building, Sustainability and Institutionalization (CSI)<br><br>As part of the CSI component, HPDP is implementing the Health Policy Fellowship Program (HP).<br><br><b><br>HEALTH POLICY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM </b><br> <br>HPDP wishes to announce its <b>Health Policy (HP) Fellowship Program</b> for junior professionals below 35 years of age, interested to pursue a career in health policy work. The HP Fellowship Program provides exciting learning opportunities in policy work through internship with the DOH, and/or its attached agencies as <b>HP Fellows</b>. The <b>HP Fellows</b> will be provided opportunities to: <br> <br>a. Perform regular and special technical staff work on a full-time basis; <br>b. Attend short courses on health policy; <br>c. Participate in various policy fora and workshops; and <br>d. Meet regularly with designated HPDP mentors to discuss progress of their policy work <br> <br>Applicants must be graduates of degree programs in medicine or other health-related courses, public administration, economics and other social sciences, management, communications, information technology, statistics or mathematics. They must express interest in health policy and systems development work. <br> <br>Successful applicants will be engaged for a minimum of six months. HPDP offers a highly competitive compensation package for the fellowship, depending on individual <br>qualifications.<br><br>To apply, please submit: (1) letter of application, (2) curriculum vitae, and (3) official transcript of records or true copy of grades, to Dr. Orville Jose C. Solon, Chief of Party, HPDP, Room 322, UP School of Economics, Diliman, Quezon City, 1101.<br> <br>For inquiries, please write or call Dr. Loyd Brendan P. Norella, HPDP Program Associate, at Telefax +63 2 436 3677, Tel +63 2 927 9686 local 321 and 322, or e-mail at <a href="mailto:upecon.hpdp@gmail.com" target="_blank">upecon.hpdp@gmail.com</a> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-7595451769437181612009-01-26T11:26:00.000+08:002009-01-26T16:34:07.719+08:00UPOU Students: How to Vote (Referendum on CRSRS)From MyPortal:<br><br>The referendum on the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) is from January 26 to 31.<br><br>The UPOU will conduct the referendum using the UPOU Online Voting Booth. The Booth is an online poll developed for collecting votes via Internet for voters' approval or disapproval of the CRSRS as rules and qualifications for the selection of the Student Regent. This means that UPOU students can cast their votes anywhere through this system. A computer will be provided for this purpose at the Learning Center (LC) in Diliman for students visiting the LC.<br><br>Graduate and undergraduate students enrolled during the second semester of AY 2008-2009 are qualified to vote. Active participation is strongly encouraged.<br><br>For general information about the referendum, visit: <a href="http://upou.webs.com/">http://upou.webs.com/</a><br><br>Voting procedure:<br><br>1. Register for your Voter ID and Voter PIN. Go to <a href="http://www.ambertechnica.com/live/register.php">http://www.ambertechnica.com/live/register.php</a><br> <br>2. Enter your name, student number and email address.<br><br>3. Check your registered email address for a confirmation message from automailer@ambertechnica.com with the title "Voter ID and PIN for UP Open University Poll". If you do not receive the email after an hour, please check your Bulk/Spam folder.<br><br>4. Once you have received your Voter ID and Voter PIN, go to <a href="http://www.ambertechnica.com/live">http://www.ambertechnica.com/live</a><br> <br>5. Sign in and cast your vote.<br> <br>6. The system displays a message that the voter's choice has been counted and the window can be closed.<br><br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-77983519379132082472009-01-18T04:34:00.000+08:002009-01-18T09:36:39.974+08:00What happened to UP Activism? Is it now self-serving and undemocratic?In reply to the unsolicited online flyer discourteously posted below on my personal space, it is easy to point out the inconsistencies and hypocritical actions of a double standard that KASAMA sa UP and its affiliates have been banking on. And in doing so, I will use KASAMA's own words:<br><br><br>1) "As we move further into the historic week of the SR Referendum, in pursuance of the anti-democratic UP Charter provision requiring such, the Iskolars ng Bayan are bombarded with leaflets-upon-leaflets of positions by different student groups on the validity of their respective causes." and "It is in the pursuit of such an understanding of democracy that the Office of the Student Regent is vigorously fighting for the success of the SR Referendum, no other."<br><br>This is the ULTIMATE IRONY I have seen so far for 2009. While KASAMA et al sees the SR Referendum as coming from an "anti-democratic UP Charter provision", WHY ARE THEY FORCEFULLY CAMPAIGNING for a Yes vote and ergo, for PARTICIPATION? They are "vigorously fighting for the success" of the anti-democratic UP Charter provision on referendum?<br><br>Say what?<br><br>What ever happened to being pure, true, and the right way of seeing things? So now, KASAMA is willing to use methods it sees as corrupt JUST TO FURTHER ITS AGENDA?<br><br>Analogy: This morning I wanted to eat fried eggs for breakfast. As I was about to cook, I saw that the eggs were already rotten. I decided to no longer have fried eggs but eat something else instead. If I was KASAMA, based on their ironic statement above, I would go ahead and fry the rotten eggs and then eat them, just because I want fried eggs and cannot think of any other breakfast item. <br><br><br>2) "Their actions, at best, are the acts of desperate political groups who remain unyielding in defense of their already bankrupt positions on specific matters in the current CRSRS. Time and time again, their proposals have been rejected by a majority of student councils in the UP System through the GASC (General Assembly of Student Councils), a most effective democratic institution now created by statute."<br><br>This paragraph's validity depends on who it is directed to. Who are "they"? <br><br>The new UP Charter (RA 9500) gives the power to choose the means of SR selection DIRECTLY TO EACH AND EVERY STUDENT. After all, is it not right to presume that all of us are old and intelligent enough to decide on our own? Thus, when a student group, or even an individual speaks their/his/her mind, is it not an exercise of "FREEDOM" and "DEMOCRACY" that KASAMA so rabidly screams for whenever they attack the (any) establishment?<br><br>Look at the situation: the groups who are forwarding positions on the CRSRS (that are different from KASAMA's own) are actually STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS and FORMATIONS composed of several individuals. On the Choose2Know website (http://choose2know.multiply.com), it is HUMBLING and at the same time EMPOWERING to see that I am not alone, that although I have been in UP since 1999, there are many others WHOM I HAVE NEVER MET or WHO MAY NOT AGREE WITH MY POLITICS ALL THE TIME who have come together to collectively voice their sentiments.<br><br>In lumping "them"/us altogether into so-called desperate policital groups, I believe it to be the HEIGHT OF ARROGANCE to label A LOT OF UP STUDENTS as "desperate". Actually, to label even ONE UP student as "desperate" just because he/she decides to express his/her points of view is so not the way we are trained in UP. To be political is acceptable, because such is the nature of our dear University of the Philippines that allows us to THINK ON OUR OWN and in the process PARTICIPATE in politics, through our own ways.<br><br>Anyone or any entity who claims that he/she/they are the only way, the truth, and the life is committing BLASPHEMY not only in the Christian sense that God is the only one who can say that (don't bother arguing religion with me, it's just an example), but is blaspheming against the very fabric of the University of the Philippines which is INDEPENDENT THOUGHT.<br><br>While I itch to say that maybe the quoted paragraph should be referring to KASAMA, I refrain from declaring so, because I do NOT want to myself be a hypocrite in disrespecting KASAMA's views.<br><br>By the way, it is not entirely true that "time and time again, their proposals have been rejected by a majority of student councils...". Maybe KASAMA should refresh its memory, because their own affiliate the Hon. Raffy Jones Sanchez, Student Regent in 2006 was SELECTED using a CRSRS that was modified 1) to include academic requirements and 2) without KASAMA as Secretariat, among other changes that were ALLOWED by STUDENT COUNCILS.<br><br><br>3) "batches upon batches of student leaders through the years and across the UP System have consistently rejected their proposals..."<br><br>Again, this is NOT true. Remember GASC 2005? Maybe the Hons. Marco Delos Reyes, Ken Ramos, and Raffy Jones Sanchez (specially Raffy) can refresh your memory. Raffy, a KASAMA affiliate, STILL WON even under a CRSRS that required academic qualifications of the SR and did not have KASAMA as its Secretariat.<br><br><br>4) "To insinuate that there is greater democracy in subjecting questions directly to the electorate whilst forgetting the historic and democratic rejection of their proposals shows how clear the discourse on democracy is being peddled with great malice and vested interests."<br><br>A false statement again! Let's see... GASC 2005 anyone?<br><br><br>5) "To force the Office of the Student Regent to include their proposals in the ballot is to invalidate the existence of the current CRSRS as a genuinely democratic document, to be subjected to the approval of the greatest democratic body, the students themselves."<br><br>Apparently, the BIGGEST IRONY for 2009 has been replaced! Let's read this sentence at least five times: <br><br>current CRSRS as a genuinely democratic document (Ok, good so far)<br>to be subjected to the approval of the greatest democratic body (hmmmm, also ok.)<br><br>Doesn't this sound correct and consistent? "Genuinely democratic document approved by the greatest democratic body"<br><br>The SR is not being forced to invalidate the existence of the current CRSRS. She is just being asked to make available other options for the students to choose. When the "greatest democratic body" decides on a document (even if it's a new CRSRS), won't that document then become a "genuinely democratic document"?<br><br>Let's go back to the breakfast analogy. Say I went into a famous breakfast place at the Shopping Center and asked for a menu. The waiter then shows me a list to choose from. In the analogy, I would be the student body, the breakfast place would be the Referendum, and the menu the proposals. The order slip effectively becomes my ballot. The waiter is SR Abdulwahid. <br><br>The way KASAMA wants it, the menu would contain nothing else but fried eggs (present CRSRS) on the menu.<br><br>What if for that morning I wanted Danggit to go with my fried eggs? Danggit being an amendment, Waiter Shan would tell me, "Sorry, fried eggs only." But what if I really want Danggit to go with the fried eggs?<br><br>We are not asking for Shan to get rid of the fried eggs (present CRSRS). It will still be on the menu, alongside Danggit and perhaps, Sinangag. (Sarap!) At noon when the breakfast place closes and does an inventory (counts the order slips which are the ballots), it is still possible that Fried Eggs was the most ordered item.<br><br><br>6) "There is no debate that the Office of the Student Regent remains despite a failed referendum. But what we are clearly fearful of in such an eventuality is not the non-existence of an Office but the absence of a Student Regent to represent the Iskolars ng Bayan during the monthly Board of Regents meeting. The UP Administration can assure us all they want that Regent Abdulwahid shall continuously be recognized, but in the eventuality that she does vacate the Office due to whatever contingency such as her imminent graduation, among others, it is clear that there shall be no mechanism by which the next Student Regent can be chosen for as long as no referendum to approve the rules is validly approved by the students."<br><br>One person to think of in this example: the Hon. Terry Ridon (SR 2007).<br><br>Before becoming SR, Terry ran for and won as the USC Chair of Manila immediately after my term. His term was AY 2006-2007. A question on his being a UP Manila student was raised: Terry was already graduating from UPM when he ran for USC Chair in 2006. He was already accepted in UP Law and would start at the same time his USC term would. What did he do to maybe circumvent the rule? He enrolled for a masters' degree in UPM CAS. Thus UP Manila had a USC Chair whose primary course was in UP Diliman.<br><br>Moral of the story: Shan can always pull off a Terry. If she wants to. If she really is Pro-student, Pro-SR.<br><br>Also, the old UP Charter upon which the OSR exists (up to this day, prior to the scheduled referendum) was itself not clear/had no mechanism by which the next SR could be chosen. But still, the OSR existed, and an SR was chosen annually. The admin, throughout the years, respected our autonomy as students.<br><br>What KASAMA is doing by the above-quoted paragraph is using SCARE TACTICS. So un-UP. Whatever happened to "makibaka, wag matakot?"<br><br><br>7) "The test of democracy and its unrelenting pursuance is not merely the physical act of providing venues by which the greatest number of persons may participate in the creation of policy, but also, whether rights of already underprivileged sectors are expanded and realized through the exercise of democratic processes and the establishment of democratic institutions."<br><br>Here we go AGAIN. Irony again. Statement-by-statement:<br><br>a) democracy is not the physical act of greatest number participating (hmmm, ok let's say yes for now)<br>b) democracy is also when rights of underprivileged are expanded (of course, yes)<br>c) through the exercise of democratic processes (huh? I thought "a" is not true...)<br>d) and the establishment of democratic institutions (huh? but "a" is supposedly false...)<br><br>So which is which? That we exercise democratic processes and establish democratic institutions WITHOUT a physical act of the greatest number participating? This sounds inconsistent.<br><br><br>8) "The other road is one that is created and built by the laborious and historic struggle of Iskolars ng Bayan past and present, with the clear direction and destination of bringing us closer to the realization of our rights by ensuring the unhampered functioning of the Office of the Student Regent through the triumph of the SR Referendum and the immediate selection of a new Student Regent."<br><br>I agree with this 99%, the 1% disagreement because I have to clarify who is that "other road". That other road belongs to the numerous UP Students out there who now, although having the power BY LAW to decide for themselves on how to select their Student Regent, are being restricted to only one method of selection by SR Abdulwahid et al.<br><br>How sad.<br><br>It is true that over the years the OSR has been a struggle - from the day of the very first Student Regent (Kiko Pangilinan). It is therefore not coincidence that Senator Kiko Pangilinan HIMSELF is the lead author in the Senate of the New UP Charter, RA 9500, that has sponsored the referendum.<br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-26390595055838073282009-01-03T13:26:00.000+08:002009-01-03T18:32:40.149+08:00An Open Letter to the UP Student Regent<strong><span style="font-style: italic;font-weight: normal;">This is a reposted piece from the incumbent Law Representative to the UPD USC. Very straight to the point, factual, and rational in approach.<br><br>Albert Francis E. Domingo, MD<br>Former Chairperson (AY 2005-2006)<br>UP Manila University Student Council<br></span><br>-----------------------<br>An Open Letter to the Student Regent<br><br></strong>I speak now no longer as a member of the General Assembly of Student Councils but as a constituent. Ms. Abdulwahid, as a courtesy to your constituents, our duly elected representatives at least deserved to be informed that the proposals we submitted will never see the light of day in your special meeting. We deserved to be given notice that the entire day of deliberations was merely recommendatory. We deserved to know, prior to the day itself that our representatives will be stripped of their right to vote, because the meeting was a special meeting and not a regular meeting.<br><br>Shan, as a Student Regent, many student councils look to you for guidance. As late as September 30, 2008, you yourself were not certain of the import of the new law requiring a referendum, thus you sought the opinion of the Vice President for Legal Affairs. Why did you seek those clarifications only on September 30, the day before the deadline for submission of amendments, when the law was passed as early as May? How can you expect your constituents to proceed accordingly if you did not know how to proceed? Why did we not receive a memo informing us that despite the new law, we are still adviced to submit amendments to the CRSRS prior to October 1, 2008 as was customary? Why did you break away from this tradition? Is it not your sworn mandate to extensively conduct information campaigns in the interest of maximum participation? You were not elected to sit in a watch tower and watch your constituents as they amble along uncertain. You were elected to lead and pave ways, and to take initiatives when there are none.<br><br>But you would be happy to note that these are all water under the bridge. And now you can rest easy knowing that the perceived threats to the student regent, which is nothing more than a call by your constituents to be recognized and be heard, has been stifled by technicalities borne by your own inaction.<br><br>You consider the referendum as a threat to student democracy, autonomy and representation and claim that the GASC and the CRSRS is democratic and yet you would allow in your own house legitimate voices to be muted by technicalities of no more than the Roberts Rules on Parliamentary Proceedings, which at best is merely directory for a body that was not served a copy thereof (you even sought the help of a resource speaker, knowing that you are not an expert on those rules, and yet you presume that we are aware of its contents). You worry about a house that stands divided as we approach the day of referendum. Ms. Abdulwahid, that is democracy for you. That is UP for you.<br> <br>But like I said, that is water under the bridge. Fait accompli.<br><br>However, you can be sure that on January 19, 2009, one ballot will be cast with a “no” vote.* That ballot will be the voice of one silenced dissenter. That ballot will be my expression of democracy. Because inasmuch as I want to defend the Office of the Student Regent because of the high ideals for which it was created, your performance as our leader has shown me how the Student Regent under the Codified Rules of Student Regent Selection cannot, and in many instances has failed, to defend me.<br> <br><span style="font-weight: bold;">SOPHIA MONICA V. SAN LUIS</span><br><span style="font-style: italic;">2002-14849</span><br>COLLEGE OF LAW, UP Diliman<br><br> <div style="text-align: center;">__________________________________<br></div><br><br>To my fellow UP Law Students:<br><br>The campaign as it stands now calls for a vote of "Yes." But it is prudent to ask: a vote of yes to what? The question was drafted as follows:<br><br>"Do you approve of the CRSRS as rules and qualifications for the selection of the Student Regent? Yes or No."<br><br>Please note that the Vice President for Legal Affairs, Prof. Theodore Te has not yet issued an opinion as to the effect of a failed referendum. However, we can be sure that in the event of a failed referendum, the Office of the Student Regent will not be abolished as it is an office mandated by law. The only question is what will happen in the interim (i.e. whether or not we will have a student regent then, and if so, how will the said student regent be selected).<br><br>The question as drafted did not take into consideration the proposals submitted by six student councils which included a proposal to include a minimum academic requirement for the selection of the Student Regent, a proposal to exclude Kasama sa UP from the existing rules, a proposal to widen the voting base for a more democratic and representative selection process and a proposal to add specific duties to the office of the Student Regent. Attached below is the Official Memo of the Student Regent with the final question and the reasons for not considering the proposals which can be summarized as follows--<br><br>1. The GASC was not convened as a policy making body as it was a special meeting and not a regular meeting.*<br>2. The period for submitting proposals has lapsed and the proposals were submitted after the deadline.**<br><br>Attached also is a copy of the current CRSRS. I suggest that you peruse it before voting in the referendum.<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">SOPHIA MONICA V. SAN LUIS</span><br><span style="font-style: italic;">College of Law Representative</span><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Chairperson, Student Legal Aid and Action Committee</span><br>UPD University Student Council<br><br><br>*The fact that the assembly was a special meeting was announced only during the discussion of the house rules approved on the same date (and which ironically provided for a voting mechanism), via a point of inquiry/clarification raised by the USC Vice Chairperson, Ms. Airah Cadiogan. On a point of inquiry, UPD-USC Chairperson, Mr. Third Bagro asked what the import of a special meeting is. The inquiry was not answered. It was only much later, after lengthy debate and deliberations, and several caucuses to attempt to arrive at a consensus that the body was informed that the import of having a special meeting was that the body could not vote.<br><br>**On this matter, the LSG EB as represented by our Secretary and PRO submits that the proposals could not be governed by the CRSRS which has yet to be approved by a referendum. They also argued that the CRSRS is to be considered as one proposal and the amended CRSRS as another proposal. Additionally, I (as member of the USC) argued that the proposals are submitted not to amend the CRSRS per se but to have them included in the drafting of the ballot which is entirely different from amendment. However, no vote was made on this issue as the assembly was merely a special meeting. <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-82116800870356431892008-12-13T03:06:00.000+08:002008-12-13T08:14:28.609+08:00Eat your DonutsThere was a certain Professor of Religion named Dr. Christianson, a studious man who taught at a small college in the western United States.<br> <br>Dr. Christianson taught the required survey course in Christianity at this particular institution. Every student was required to take this course their freshman year, regardless of his or her major.<br><br>Although Dr. Christianson tried hard to communicate the essence of the gospel in his class, he found that most of his students looked upon the course as nothing but required drudgery. Despite his best efforts, most students refused to take Christianity seriously. This year, Dr. Christianson had a special student named Steve. Steve was only a freshman, but was studying with the intent of going onto seminary for the ministry. Steve was popular, he was well liked, and he was an imposing physical specimen. He was now the starting center on the school football team, and was the best student in the professor's class.<br> <br>One day, Dr. Christianson asked Steve to stay after class so he could talk with him. "How many push-ups can you do?" Steve said, "I do about 200 every night."<br> <br>"200? That's pretty good, Steve," Dr. Christianson said. "Do you think you could do 300?" <br> <br> Steve replied, "I don't know.... I've never done 300 at a time". <br> <br>"Do you think you could?" again asked Dr. Christianson.<br><br>"Well, I can try," said Steve.<br> <br>"Can you do 300 in sets of 10? I have a class project in mind and I need you to do about 300 push-ups in sets of ten for this to work. Can you do it? I need you to tell me you can do it," said the professor.<br> <br>Steve said, "Well... I think I can...yeah, I can do it." Dr. Christianson said, " Go do ! I need you to do this on Friday. Let me explain what I have in mind."<br> <br>Friday came and Steve got to class early and sat in the front of the room. When class started, the professor pulled out a big box of donuts. No, these weren't the normal kinds of donuts, they were the extra fancy BIG kind, with cream centers and frosting swirls. Everyone was pretty excited it was Friday, the last class of the day, and they were going to get an early start on the weekend with a party in Dr. Christianson' s class.<br> <br>Dr. Christianson went to the first girl in the first row and asked, "Cynthia, do you want to have one of these donuts?" <br> <br>Cynthia said, "Yes."<br> <br>Dr. Christianson then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Cynthia can have a donut?" <br> <br>"Sure!" Steve jumped down from his desk to do a quick ten. Then Steve again sat in his desk. Dr. Christianson put a donut on Cynthia's desk.<br> <br>Dr. Christianson then went to Joe, the next person, and asked, "Joe, do you want a donut?"<br> <br>Joe said, "Yes." <br> <br>Dr. Christianson asked, "Steve would you do ten push-ups so Joe can have a donut?"<br> <br>Steve did ten push-ups, Joe got a donut. And so it went, down the first aisle, Steve did ten push-ups for every person before they got their donut.<br> <br>Walking down the second aisle, Dr. Christianson came to Scott. Scott was on the basketball team, and in as good condition as Steve. He was very popular and never lacking for female companionship.<br> <br>When the professor asked, "Scott do you want a donut?"<br> <br>Scott's reply was, "Well, can I do my own push-ups?"<br> <br>Dr. Christianson said, "No, Steve has to do them." <br> <br>Then Scott said, "Well, I don't want one then."<br> <br>Dr. Christianson shrugged and then turned to Steve and asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Scott can have a donut he doesn't want?"<br> <br>With perfect obedience Steve started to do ten push -ups. Scott said, "HEY! I said I didn't want one!"<br> <br>Dr. Christianson said, "Look! This is my classroom, my class, my desks, and these are my donuts. Just leave it on the desk if you don't want it." And he put a donut on Scott's desk. <br> <br>Now by this time, Steve had begun to slow down a little. He just stayed on the floor between sets because it took too much effort to be getting up and down. You could start to see a little perspiration coming out around his brow.<br> <br>Dr. Christianson started down the third row. Now the students were beginning to get a little angry. Dr. Christianson asked Jenny, "Jenny, do you want a donut?"<br> <br>Sternly, Jenny said, "No." <br> <br>Then Dr. Christianson asked Steve, "Steve, would you do ten more push-ups so Jenny can have a donut that she doesn't want?"<br> <br>Steve did ten....Jenny got a donut.<br> <br>By now, a growing sense of uneasiness filled the room. The students were beginning to say, "No!" and there were all these uneaten donuts on the desks.<br> <br>Steve also had to really put forth a lot of extra effort to get these push-ups done for each donut. There began to be a small pool of sweat on the floor beneath his face, his arms and brow were beginning to get red because of the physical effort involved.<br> <br>Dr. Christianson asked Robert, who was the most vocal unbeliever in the class, to watch Steve do each push up to make sure he did the full ten push-ups in a set because he couldn't bear to watch all of Steve's work for all of those uneaten donuts. He sent Robert over to where <br>Steve was so Robert could count the set and watch Steve closely. <br> <br>Dr. Christianson started down the fourth row. During his class, however, some students from other classes had wandered in and sat down on the steps along the radiators that ran down the sides of the room. When the professor realized this, he did a quick count and saw that<br>now there were 34 students in the room. He started to worry if Steve would be able to make it.<br> <br>Dr. Christianson went on to the next person and the next and the next. Near the end of that row, Steve was really having a rough time. He was taking a lot more time to complete each set.<br> <br>Steve asked Dr. Christianson, "Do I have to make my nose touch on each one?" <br> <br>Dr. Christianson thought for a moment, "Well, they're your push-ups. You are in charge now. You can do them any way that you want." And Dr. Christianson went on.<br> <br>A few moments later, Jason, a recent transfer student, came to the room and was about to come in when all the students yelled in one voice, "NO! Don't come in! Stay out!"<br> <br>Jason didn't know what was going on. Steve picked up his head and said, "No, let him come."<br> <br>Professor Christianson said, "You realize that if Jason comes in you will have to do ten push-ups for him?"<br> <br>Steve said, "Yes, let him come in. Give him a donut." Dr. Christianson said, "Okay , Steve, I'll let you get Jason's out of the way right now. Jason, do you want a donut?"<br> <br>Jason, new to the room, hardly knew what was going on. "Yes," he said, "give me a donut."<br> <br>"Steve, will you do ten push-ups so that Jason can have a donut?"<br> <br>Steve did ten push-ups very slowly and with great effort. Jason, bewildered, was handed a donut and sat down.<br> <br>Dr. Christianson finished the fourth row, and then started on those visitors seated by the heaters. Steve's arms were now shaking with each push-up in a struggle to lift himself against the force of gravity. By this time sweat was profusely dropping off of his face, there was no sound except his heavy breathing; there was not a dry eye in the room. The very last two students in the room were two young women, both cheerleaders, and very popular. Dr. Christianson went to Linda, the second to last, and asked, "Linda, do you want a doughnut?"<br> <br>Linda said, very sadly, "No, thank you." Professor Christianson quietly asked, "Steve, would you do ten push-ups so that Linda can have a donut she doesn't want?"<br> <br>Grunting from the effort, Steve did ten very slow push-ups for Linda.<br> <br>Then Dr. Christianson turned to the last girl, Susan. "Susan, do you want a donut?"<br> <br>Susan, with tears flowing down her face, began to cry. "Dr. Christianson, why can't I help him?"<br> <br>Dr. Christianson, with tears of his own, said, "No, Steve has to do it alone; I have given him this task and he is in charge of seeing that everyone has an opportunity for a donut whether they want it or not. When I decided to have a party this last day of class, I looked at my grade book. Steve here is the only student with a perfect grade. Everyone else has failed a test, skipped class, or offered me inferior work. Steve told me that in football practice, when a player messes up he must do push-ups. I told Steve that none of you could come to my party unless he paid the price by doing your push-ups. He and I made a deal for your sakes."<br> <br>"Steve, would you do ten push-ups so Susan can have a donut?"<br> <br>As Steve very slowly finished his last push-up, with the understanding that he had accomplished all that was required of him, having done 350 push-ups, his arms buckled beneath him and he fell to the floor.<br> <br>Dr. Christianson turned to the room and said, "And so it was, that our Savior, Jesus Christ, on the cross, plead to the Father, 'Into thy hands I commend my spirit.' With the understanding that He had done everything that was required of Him, He yielded up His life. And like some of those in this room, many of us leave the gift on the desk, uneaten." <br> <br>Two students helped Steve up off the floor and to a seat, physically exhausted, but wearing a thin smile.<br> <br>"Well done, good and faithful servant," said the professor, adding, "Not all sermons are preached in words. "<br> <br>Turning to his class, the professor said, "My wish is that you might understand and fully comprehend all the riches of grace and mercy that have been given to you through the sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He spared not only His Begotten Son, but gave Him up for us all, for the whole Church, now and forever. Whether or not we choose to accept His gift to us, the price has been paid."<br><br>"Wouldn't you be foolish and ungrateful to leave it lying on the desk?"<br><br>-------<br>I got this from an e-mail forward. Moral of the story? Eat your Donuts.<br><br>Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!<br><!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-22764887818616564692008-11-20T04:59:00.000+08:002008-11-20T10:16:22.467+08:00My Classroom's OnlineIn this Firefox tab is Multiply's blog interface, while in another tab is my classroom. There are around sixty of us taking a common subject - Introductory Economics (Econ 11) - the class being composed of a variety of individuals ranging from the fresh high school graduate, to a paramedic somewhere in Cebu City, to the IT Systems Administrator somewhere abroad. Our professor is literally chillin in the City of Pines that is Baguio. <br><br> On the showbiz and celebrity side, some of our schoolmates are actually <span style="font-style: italic;">kapamilyas </span>(ABS-CBN Television Talents) or <span style="font-style: italic;">kapusos</span> (GMA Talents). We were informed that Senator Loren Legarda is also part of the UPOU, taking a degree in Environmental Studies.<br><br>We are all part of the <a href="http://www.upou.org/about/history.htm">University of the Philippines Open University</a>, or UPOU.<br><br>The UPOU has been called "Open" because the often-heard UP saying that "learning is not confined in the four walls of a classroom" is literally implemented in this Constituent University of UP. It is truly self-directed study, which is kept in check quality-wise by the structured system of UP. While we are almost 90% of the time not together in a classroom, we are still required to meet ijn online study sessions at least four times for the semester, and in learning centers near us for our proctored/supervised examinations.<br><br>I for my part am rather motivated in browsing through the written modules for Introductory Economics. The last time I was taught this subject was in High School, where we never went beyond the Supply and Demand curves in brief in our Social Science subject. My enrollment as a non-degree student seeking nothing more but credit units in Econ 11 is also in season, what with phrases like "Economic Slowdown" or "Upcoming Recession" making their way into our newspaper's front pages.<br><br>Of course I don't expect to start talking shop when it comes to the money market, among other things. All I'm doing is trying to gain a fundamental understanding of the world of Economics in all its complexity. :-)<br><br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-59993943668007956972008-11-17T07:58:00.000+08:002008-11-17T16:38:00.745+08:00Yuppie MD, with a Twist Back in medical school, our teachers always told us to be the best possible doctors that we can be, and to aim to become a "five-star physician" in accord with the World Health Organization model of the same name. I'd like people to use that model to understand my present job, what I do for that job, and what I'm looking forward to in the long term.<br><br><span style="font-style: italic;">The Classic Q&A </span><br><br>Case in point: during friendly conversation initiated between myself and someone I haven't met before, it is but natural for both of us to ask each other (or sometimes, volunteer) what we do for work. Mine is easy to relate to - or so I thought.<br><br>U<span style="font-style: italic;"></span>pon mentioning that I am a doctor, the next question for me becomes either "What hospital do you work in?" or "What's your specialization - internal medicine, surgery?"<br><br>If I happen to be in a light social situation when asked that question, I would simply reply that I just graduated from medical school, and that I am aiming for a career in Internal Medicine, or even Family Medicine. That is my standard, run-of-the-mill reply, which saves time in small talk. I use it whenever my work circumstances do not really matter in my relationship with the person who asked. It may not be an accurate answer, but it is not a lie either - note that I simply said that <span style="font-style: italic;">I just graduated</span>, and that I am <span style="font-style: italic;">aiming</span> for a career in IM or FamMed. <br><br>However, if there is the luxury of time, and the person I'm talking to has a little background info on me (or is sincerely/necessarily interested in my occupation), then I answer with the full details: I work with the UP Econ - Health Policy Development Program, or HPDP, as a <span style="font-style: italic;">Health Policy Fellow</span>.<br><br>I started work with the HPDP last Wednesday, November 12, and I'm fast beginning to like what I'm doing.<br><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Am I still a Doctor?</span><br><br>After giving my HPDP answer, some would awkwardly ask if I still "heal" people/patients. My straightforward answer is <span style="font-style: italic;">Yes.</span> Being a registered Physician at the Professional Regulations Commission (PRC), I am a holder of a Philippine Medical License, and that allows me to practice medicine - to see patients, to interview and examine them, to arrive at a diagnosis of their illness, and to prescribe/perform the appropriate treatment. In case the question of my medical practice still persists, I refer the inquisitor to my short stint as a Resident-on-Duty at the Ospital ng Muntinlupa, where I worked at the medical wards and at the Emergency Room.<br><br>There actually is what I'd like to refer to as the <span style="font-style: italic;">Doctor Stereotype</span>. Because most of us are acquainted with the doctor being a 30ish to 40ish white-coated healthcare professional working in a clinic or hospital, it is easy for the general public to think of the doctor in terms only of a <span style="font-style: italic;">Clinician</span>, or a physician that sees and treats <span style="font-style: italic;">individual </span>patients. I'm also one of them clinicians, in the sense that I am capable of and legally licensed to practice General Medicine.<br><br>But I have decided that I can't limit myself to clinical practice. I'm not saying that clinical practice is just that - something that is limited. No, I have the deepest respect and highest regard for the expert clinicians - doctors who heal <span style="font-style: italic;">individual </span>people. Their training is very technical and rigid, because they literally are entrusted with <span style="font-style: italic;">individual </span>lives.<br><br><span style="font-style: italic;">The Five-Star Model</span><br><br>The WHO Model of the Five-Star Physician envisions a physician to be 1) a <span style="font-weight: bold;">clinician</span>, 2) an <span style="font-weight: bold;">educator</span>, 3) a <span style="font-weight: bold;">researcher</span>, 4) a <span style="font-weight: bold;">manager</span>, and 5) a <span style="font-weight: bold;">social mobilizer</span> each at some point in his career, or perhaps be a combination of any of the five at the same time. <br><br>The doctor stereotype everyone knows is at least #1; if s/he belongs to a training hospital with a medical school, s/he can also be #2 and 3; if s/he is part of administration, s/he can also be #4. Sometimes when there's an advocacy, or in the case of the practitioners of Community Medicine, #5 comes into strong play.<br><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Health Policy Fellow</span><br><br>HPDP Health Policy Fellows (HP Fellows) can either be medical doctors or not, but all the same they work under a United States Agency for International Aid (USAID)-funded project that helps the Philippines' Department of Health come up with <span style="font-style: italic;">health policies</span> that seek to improve healthcare in the country, in general. Think of the HPDP as a "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Think_tanks">think tank</a>". In my work as an HP Fellow, initially the educator, researcher, and social mobilizer roles come into play:<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">Educator</span>, because when HP Fellows provide technical assistance to their assigned Department of Health (DOH) agencies, we make new concepts (or rediscovered ones) available for use. We give this knowledge to our agencies not as the classic classroom teacher, but all the same we still impart new concepts.<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">Researcher</span>, because in the course of our work, we need to turn to scientific literature to have hard evidence as the basis for our policy recommendations.<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">Social Mobilizer</span>, because our work results in policies that are bound to be used for programs and projects on a public health scale.<br><br><span style="font-style: italic;">Multiple Levels of Care</span><br><br>To drive home the point, allow me to use the example of one of our HPDP Consultants - Mario M. Taguiwalo.<br><br>Let's say that an expectant mother dies of severe hemorrhage on the delivery table. Who's at fault? It's may not be just the Obstetrician who attended the delivery. The patient may have not availed of pre-natal check-ups, which makes the Primary Care delivery system also at some fault. And higher up, perhaps it's the lack of funding for the Primary Health system that's causing the inability to make pre-natal check-ups available. The bottomline is there are multiple levels of care in our health system.<br><br>In the clinical scenario above, I may not be the <span style="font-style: italic;">clinician</span> (Obstetrician), but I'm part of a team who is analyzing the policy factors surrounding the scenario - the systems, so to speak. And in doing my work, I hope to contribute towards a future wherein the above mortality would be avoided, on a larger scale.<br><br><br><br><br><br><br><br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-46738167746223388262008-11-10T09:41:00.000+08:002008-11-10T15:16:12.256+08:00Is your Prescription (Rx) Computerized?With the license to practice medicine comes the responsibility of communicating directions (medical orders) to the appropriate health professionals who participate in the care of a patient. These include but are not limited to other physicians, nurses, midwives, physical & occupational therapists, and pharmacists. In outpatient or office clinic practice, the pharmacist (or pharmacy assistant, as the case may be) is the one most communicated with by way of the Prescription Order.<br><br>While there is formal training in the subject Pharmacotherapeutics as to how one should write a Prescription, the actual practice of individual physicians do vary somewhat, depending on their clinical experiences while in training, and even in actual medical practice.<br><br>When it comes to patients, the Prescription does matter a lot - because it is tangible proof that the doctor cares for the patient, and wants something to be done regarding the illness. Which is why as early as clerkship (4th year Medicine Proper), I took to heart the tip of one of my residents in the Philippine General Hospital. She told me <span style="font-style: italic;">not</span> to use medical shorthand (such as, "1 tab PO BID x 7d"), but to spell out my instructions in plain English (same instruction: "take one tablet by mouth two times a day, for seven days") or even in Filipino/Tagalog, on a patient-to-patient basis (translation: "uminom ng isang tableta dalawang beses sa isang araw, sa loob ng isang linggo").<br><br>Yes, some colleagues have lightly joked that I'm being too obsessive-compulsive in writing my Prescription instructions in Filipino. But I'm not changing the way I do it - I find that patients comply more when they understand.<br><br>Lately I've taken on a relatively new trend - issuing computerized/typewritten Prescriptions. I first saw such Prescriptions last May 2006 when I rotated at a Family Practice Clinic in Houston, Texas. Little did I realize that locally, they were also already doing it - at least in the bigger medical centers/hospitals. Now that I am licensed to write my own Prescriptions, I decided to give it a try.<br><br>A little academia: in the book <span style="font-style: italic;">Goodman & Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics</span> (Hardman and Limbird, Eds., 2001), there is an entire Appendix dedicated to the "Principles of Prescription Order Writing and Patient Compliance". In it, authors Edwards and Roden stated the obvious: "The clear communication of a prescription order to other members of the healthcare team and to the patient is a vital step in drug therapy." <br><br>Regarding typing Prescriptions, the same authors wrote: "All prescriptions <span style="font-weight: bold;">should be written in ink <span style="text-decoration: underline;">or</span> typed</span> ... as erasures on a prescription easily can lead to dispensing errors or diversion of controlled substances" (emphasis supplied).<br><br>I set out to write this blog post because earlier today, a patient of mine approached me for a prescription of Phenobarbital, an anti-epileptic drug. In summary, she needed a new Prescription for her previous one was already completely dispensed (Phenobarbital being a controlled substance, the local pharmacy is strict on counting the amount dispensed). After her consultation with me, I decided to give her a computerized Prescription for her medication.<br><br>A few minutes later, I received a phone call from the local pharmacy, verifying if I indeed wrote the Prescription. I appreciate the fact that they do conduct such verification, for the drug in question is a controlled substance. However, what perplexed me was when the pharmacist/pharmacy assistant mentioned that his basis for verification was not the drug per se, but the fact that the Prescription was computerized.<br><br>As I earlier pointed out, the textbooks are quite clear that <span style="font-weight: bold;">Prescriptions should either be written in ink, or typed</span>. Is a computerized Prescription not better than a handwritten one in terms of medical errors avoided, and eye strain? My handwriting is the classic so-called "doctor's handwriting" - not so clear. Again it was nice of them to call, but I think pharmacists/pharmacy assistants should be oriented that so long as a computerized/typewritten Prescription bears the <span style="font-style: italic;">handwritten signature</span> of the physician, it should be accepted. <br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-91763786628909107152008-08-22T01:53:00.000+08:002008-08-22T06:45:19.036+08:00On the Third (Working) Day <span class="insertedphoto"><a href="http://albertdomingo.multiply.com/photos/hi-res/upload/SK3vQgoKCrkAACY34SQ1"><img style="width: 530px;height: 175px;" class="alignmiddleb" src="http://images.albertdomingo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SK3vQgoKCrkAACY34SQ1/board.jpg?et=LF%2Bq8dmUoQbzolRBaTLaqA&nmid=0" border="0"></a></span>The Medical Board Exam was one sure way of testing your emotions to the limits. For four days after the last day of exams I, along with my classmates, friends, and now colleagues from across all the different medical schools languished in the uncertainty of fate. But GOD in his goodness did not forget us. Rather than rely on fate, he taught me to have FAITH.<br><br>On the eve of the first day of exams, on that same night when the Olympic torch was lit in Beijing, China, text messages of encouragement came in droves. One particular message that struck me reads thus:<br><br>"My child, you've done your part in this fight and now it's time you rest and take a break. Trust not only in your own capabilities but in ME fully. I AM with you always, have been so from day one up to now, and I can feel your worries, fears, and uncertainties. Drop them and take My Hand... I won't leave you until it's over. You'll make it through the board exam. All you have to do is to BELIEVE. With ME, nothing is impossible."<br><br>Another said:<br><br>"Reach up as high as you can today, and God will reach down the rest of the way. After months of preparation, it's finally time. Good luck and God bless."<br><br>Now I am averse to passing on forwarded text/SMS jokes or quotes. I however took exception to the above two and passed them along to fellow examinees. We needed the morale boost that night.<br><br>Part of my preparation in terms of prayer included a trip to Our Lady of Manaoag in Pangasinan, along with visits to the Holy Spirit Adoration Sisters (aka Pink Sisters) in Tagaytay and to the Parish of St. Jude near Malacanang Palace. Perhaps God above smiled through it all, looking at me tormented and running about desperate to offer the most prayers at different earthly shrines dedicated to Him.<br><br>It was all an exercise in medical knowledge, but for me it was also a test of FAITH. Everything became spiritually significant and imprinted on my mind and heart.<br><br>I could not forget one Sunday's homily wherein the priest-presider emphasized that what we routinely say before communion: "Lord, <span style="font-style: italic;">I am not worthy</span> to receive you, but <span style="font-weight: bold;">only say the word</span> and I shall be healed." The homilist said that healing in this case was only one of infinite things that God can do for us. What is important, he said, is that God only has to say the word.<br><br>On the Sundays of the Board Exams, I felt the Gospel to be quite relevant. Maybe it was also because Fr. Francis Gustilo, our regular priest of the 5:00 pm Youth Mass, is a very good homilist.<br><br>On August 10, the first Sunday in the Board Exam period, the Gospel was about Jesus walking on the water and Peter coming out of the boat to join Him. A part of it reads thus:<br><br>"And Peter answered him, 'Lord, if it is you, bid me come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus; but when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and <span style="font-weight: bold;">beginning to sink he cried out, 'Lord, save me.'</span>"<br><br>After that first weekend of exams wherein Anatomy reared its difficult head, I felt that I was also already sinking. I was crying out repeatedly: Lord, save me! Now that the results have come out, the next line to the above paragraph touched me at my very core:<br><br>"Jesus immediately reached out his hand and caught him, saying to him, '<span style="font-weight: bold;">O man of little faith, why did you doubt?</span>'"<br><br>It is really humbling how God makes himself felt during the most trying times of our lives.<br><br>On the second Sunday of the Board Exam period, specifically last August 17, the Gospel was about a Canaanite woman who, in spite of the cultural boundary set-up distinguishing Jews from non-Jews, persisted in asking Jesus to cure - from a distance - her daughter who was tormented by a demon. Jesus tested the woman's <span style="font-weight: bold;">sincerity</span> and even rejected her initially:<br><br>"But she came and knelt before him, saying, 'Lord, help me.' And he answered, 'It is not fair to take the children's bread and throw it to the dogs.'"<br><br>I could feel that like that woman in the Gospel story, I was desperate specially after that Surgery Exam that seemed to come from hell. The Canaanite woman did not relent in her prayer:<br><br>"She said, 'Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table.' Then Jesus answered her, 'O woman, great is your faith! <span style="font-weight: bold;">Be it done for you as you desire</span>.' And her daughter was healed instantly."<br><br>There again is the scriptural reference to what we always say before communion: "only say the word, and I shall be healed".<br><br>Now I feel that this coming Sunday (August 24), the Gospel again applies to this chapter of my life. In the upcoming Gospel, Jesus will ask:<br><br>"'Who do men say that the Son of man is?' And [the disciples] said, 'Some say John the Baptist, others say Eli'jah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.'"<br><br>I feel that God is also asking all of us Board passers now, as he did when he asked again his disciples:<br><br>"But who do <span style="font-weight: bold;">you</span> say that I am?"<br><br>I would like to answer that question now, as Simon Peter did:<br><br>"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."<br><br>THANK YOU to everyone who joined me physically and spiritually in this journey. Congratulations to my colleagues! <br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-37112388201964010112008-06-29T08:01:00.000+08:002008-06-29T12:07:01.374+08:00"He's just too fast!" -David Diaz"I can't punch him, he's just too fast!" said David Diaz, dethroned WBC lightweight champion, of his hard-hitting opponent Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao a few minutes ago - during the break between the sixth and seventh round. The two slugged it out at the Mandalay Bay Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.<br><br>Thanks to my broadband internet service provider, we were able to watch here at home a live stream. Dad and a family friend went out to watch the same fight live on the bigscreen.<br><br>Manny never fails to stir passions in his audience whenever he fights. <span style="font-style: italic;">Galing!</span><br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-40439676735110854742008-06-09T11:05:00.000+08:002008-06-09T16:05:52.926+08:00Brazil! Serendra: A Senior-Citizen Unfriendly Churrascaria? Today is my parent's 40th Wedding Anniversary. Dad, a retired electrical engineer, is still going strong at 71, while Mom still works part-time as a Realtor at her 62. She'll probably frown at me for revealing in public her chronological counter, but it's necessary to reveal that both of them are already <span style="font-style: italic; ">senior citizens</span> for this piece to make its point.<br><br>Fortunately and coincidentally for their celebration, Malacanang declared June 9 this year as the non-working holiday in observance of Philippine Independence Day come June 12. And with me in the middle of board exam review, our family decided to have a simple gastronomic celebration of sorts by having lunch at an eat-all-you-can restaurant.<br><br>A chinese buffet was out of the question because chinese food has become such a family favorite that we often dine out on weekends at the popular (and sometimes "secret" but delicious) chinese cuisine places. The same went for Japanese, because if dimsum was not our fare of the moment, we'd go for tempura and the like.<br><br>We wanted something relatively new, and Mom and Dad's experience with the churrascarias (Brazilian BBQ restaurants) in Houston, Texas had us decide on trying the so far only local equivalent - <span style="font-style: italic; ">Brazil!</span>, which has branches in Alabang Town Center (ATC), Metrowalk Pasig, Powerplant Mall Makati, and Serendra Fort Bonifacio. We chose the one at Serendra's The Piazza, because last night when we searched online for a nearby Southern Metro branch, ATC's branch still didn't have an internet listing.<br><br>The food was good and the service highly commendable. Friendly waiters and waitresses served us initially with bowls of warm garlic and egg soup, and guided us to the buffet counter that had four types of salads, some rice dishes, seafood pasta, a tasty sole fish fillet dish, and some dessert.<br><br>Of course the highlight of the place is the Brazilian barbecue in its different forms - grilled and tastily marinated beef tenderloin, beef brisket, pork belly, pork tenderloin, chicken legs, sausages, corn, and pineapple (yes, grilled pineapple). Very good (and filling) food, perfect for the meat-lovers in Dad and myself. Mom, not to be outdone, also sampled everything.<br><br>We were practically the only diners at the time. I thought that the holiday would bring in more guests, but maybe people would come it later tonight.<br><br>Thus we were attended to with gusto, and we were so comfortable with the place and its staff that it practically felt like eating at home. We were relating to the staff how the churrascarias in the US had more choices on their skewers, but all the same we agreed that for the first churrascaria in the Philippines, <span style="font-style: italic; ">Brazil!</span> was doing well.<br><br>Our check was closed around an hour and a half after we arrived, and Mom paid for it by credit card. As was our routine, before the bill arrived we always gave the staff Dad and Mom's valid <span style="font-style: italic; ">Office of Senior Citizen Affairs (OSCA)</span> ID cards to avail of a discount due senior citizens eating in restaurants, among other things. For the record and based on the original official receipt we have in our possession, our particular transaction was covered by OR No. 7313 Dated 6/9/2008, at <span style="font-style: italic; ">Brazil!</span> Serendra branch. The receipt says that the establishment is operated by "Rio Grande Foods Corp.", with VAT/TIN 229-996-373-004.<br><br>What I'm trying to say is that I'm not making this incident up, and I have the documents to prove it.<br><br>Pertinent in law to the transaction that took place is Republic Act No. (RA) 7432 (An Act to Maximize the Contribution of Senior Citizens to Nation Building, Grant Benefits and Special Privileges, and for other purposes) approved on April 23, 1992, as amended by RA 9257 (Expanded Senior Citizens Act of 2003) approved on February 26, 2004.<br><br>The law defines a senior citizen to be "any resident citizen of the Philippines at least sixty (60) years old", and decrees for them - among other privileges - "the grant of <span style="font-weight: bold; ">twenty percent (20%) discount</span> from all establishments relative to the utilization of services in hotels and similar lodging establishment, <span style="font-weight: bold; ">restaurants</span> and recreation centers, and purchase of medicines in all establishments for the exclusive use or enjoyment of senior citizens, including funeral and burial services for the death of senior citizens" (emphasis supplied).<br><br>Our receipt detailed our transaction as follows (until I figure out how to optimize the faint purple ink typical of cash register tape receipts, please bear with me for not uploading an image):<br><br><div style="text-align: center; ">Light Buffet PC 1,154.54 V<br>2.00 @ 577.27<br>Light Buffet PC 1.00 577.27 V<br>Royal D Can 1.00 80.00 V<br>Coke Light Can 1.00 80.00 V<br>Senior Discount -16.00<br>Ice Tea GLS 1.00 70.00 V<br>Senior Discount -14.00<br>---------------<br>Subtotal 1,931.81<br>Service Charge 10% 193.18<br>---------------<br>Total 2,124.99<br><br><div style="text-align: left; ">Indulge me as I interpret the cash register's shorthand. Each one of us three ordered three buffets at P577.27 per plate. Dad got a Royal Dalandan Soda in can for his drink, Mom chose a Coke Light in can for hers, and I took a bottomless glass of Iced Tea for myself.<br><br>Everything seems to be in order as per the receipt's items, yes? Of course.<br><br>Now pay attention to how the "senior discount" was given. Recall that both Dad and Mom gave their own official OSCA-issued Senior Citizen ID Cards. The best, most commendable food establishments we've eaten in apply a single 20% discount to the entire bill regardless of whether a non-senior citizen ate with the party. Some would strictly apply a discount only to the food items visibly eaten by the senior citizen(s). Both are, in my humble opinion, okay as far as the law is concerned.<br><br>Some would not grant a senior citizen discount at all, or make it difficult to avail of the same.<br><br><span style="font-style: italic; ">Brazil!</span> Serendra, on the other hand, discounted <span style="text-decoration: underline; ">only the following items</span>: Mom's can of Coke Light (P80.00, discount = P16.00) and my glass of Bottomless Iced Tea (P70.00, discount = P14.00). Thus for a gross bill of P1,931.81 exclusive of 10% service charge, only P30.00 <span style="font-weight: bold; text-decoration: underline; ">(1.55%)</span> was discounted.<br><br>Dad and Mom's buffet plates were not discounted, and so was Dad's can of Royal Dalandan Soda. The discounted Bottomless Iced Tea glass was not even consumed by a senior citizen! It was consumed by a 25 year-old trying to lose weight.<br><br>We found this out as we were on the way out of the mall. In Mom's disappointment, she called up the restaurant at its number (856-0671) and got to talk to an initially abrasive individual named "Noel", who later on introduced himself as the branch manager.<br><br>Mom told Noel about the above alleged infraction, and the latter called up the receipt and was overheard to bark out to someone in the room "<span style="font-style: italic; ">Hindi niyo diniscountan yung senior citizens?</span> (Didn't you give a discount to the senior citizens?)". Mom told Noel to call her back as to what the latter would think of as a solution.<br><br>Still no call up to this time.<br><br>I pity the courteous and friendly floor staff who attended to us that they have to work in a restaurant that, by the above account, may not be senior-citizen friendly. Perhaps someone in authority or with considerable influence should look into this.<br><br>Why be bothered? Because my Mom and Dad could might as well be your own parents, or grandparents/loved ones unjustifiably not given the twenty percent discount due them <span style="font-style: italic; "><span style="font-weight: bold; ">by law</span></span>.<br><br>In our particular case, Mom and Dad should have received discounts in the amount of P131.45 each. In other well-meaning establishments who do follow the law to the letter, we would have done a habit that my Mom and Dad formed in gratitude to the law's compassion for their age. We would have given half of what we would get as a senior discount to the staff as a tip.<br><br>What a shame in <span style="font-style: italic; ">Brazil! </span>Serendra's case.<br></div></div><div style="text-align: center; "><br></div><br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-64640149542141850202008-05-11T03:27:00.000+08:002008-05-11T07:34:05.498+08:00A Mother's Journey<span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/upload/SCYw1QoKCrkAAHObdTI1"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.albertdomingo.multiply.com/image/1/photos/upload/300x300/SCYw1QoKCrkAAHObdTI1/APIndex244-OrazioGentileschi_1565-1647_MadonnaAndChild_je.jpg?et=YK%2CmOA7C0%2ByIRB8cizHS8A&nmid=" border="0"></a></span>The young mother set her foot on the path of life. "Is this the long way?" she asked. And the guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it.. But the end will be better than the beginning."<br><br>But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years. So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this."<br><br>Then the night came, and a storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come."<br><br>Morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."<br><br>The mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today, I've given them strength."<br><br>On the next day came strange clouds which darkened the earth with war, hate, and evil, and the children groped and stumbled. The mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light." The children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. That night the Mother said, "This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."<br><br>The days went on, weeks, months, and years, and the mother grew old and she became little and bent. But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said, "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them."<br><br>The children said, "You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates." They stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said: 'We cannot see her but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."<br><br>Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street; she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks; she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter. And she's crystallized in every tear drop. She's the place you came from, your first home; and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you. Not time, not space... not even death! <br><br><span style="font-style: italic;">[I got this from an e-mail forwarded to me. I seldom do pass on e-mail forwards as they clog up internet bandwidth - but once in a while these well-written articles do get my attention. Happy Mother's Day to all of our mothers, and grandmothers too!]</span><br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-88186649572429623252008-05-04T17:11:00.000+08:002008-05-04T21:21:56.931+08:00Anatomy of the New UP Charter <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span class="insertedphoto"><a href="/photos/hi-res/59/5"><img class="alignleft" src="http://images.albertdomingo.multiply.com/image/9/photos/59/300x300/5/UPVCC%20012.jpg?et=d4RR+zdReY,uXEpZuTddaA&nmid=93550574" border="0"></a></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">“Act No. 1870, as amended, and all laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly” (Sec. 30, RA 9500).</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>While a repealing clause is a standard part of new laws placed there so as to avoid legal confusion, the repealing clause written as part of the New University of the Philippines (UP) Charter can arguably be viewed as a form of political and perhaps emotional closure in the long wait for a law that shall strengthen UP. It has effectively declared a revolutionary ideal: that after one hundred years on paper of being under the defunct American Governor General’s office by virtue of the archaic University Charter (Act No. 1870), UP can finally say that it is truly the Filipino’s National University under a New UP Charter.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A Struggle to Change a 100-year Charter<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>On ten o’clock in the morning of April 29, 2008, a Tuesday, at the UP Visayas Cebu College, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo exercised her Constitutional duty and signed into law Republic Act (RA) No. 9500, formally known as “An Act to Strengthen the University of the Philippines as the National University,” or in short “The University of the Philippines Charter of 2008.” This finally came to be after a colorful 20 plus-year history of drafting, revision, filibustering, and suspension in Congressional sessions that has seen UP constituents agree and disagree (in classic UP habit) with several provisions in the draft law, not to mention the political maneuvering of certain solons who held the draft law hostage to see their personal motivations through.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>With its many origins in various bills filed in several Congressional sessions, it has had different versions, each with its own name after their respective sponsor solons: the Tanada Bill, the Liban-Belmonte Bill, the Nachura Bill, and the Casino Bill. Ultimately however it was the Pangilinan Bill - named after former UP Student Regent and now Senator Francis N. Pangilinan - that paved the way, with amendments, to RA 9500. <span style=""> </span>To all UP constituents alike, it is simply known as the New UP Charter.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The National University<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">An Autonomous University System<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>From its title alone and supported by the Declaration of Policy (Sec. 2.), the New UP Charter strongly asserts UP’s primacy as the Philippines’ own National University. The dominant policy of RA 9500 is for the State to strengthen UP in consideration of this status. Furthermore, the university’s institutional autonomy shall be respected by government service-wide agencies.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>It recognizes the present set-up of a University System that spans the nation’s islands, currently with seven autonomous Constituent Universities (Baguio, Diliman, Los Banos, Manila, Mindanao, Open University, and Visayas) physically distributed among twelve campuses nationwide. The Board of Regents, upon recommendation by the UP President, may establish more Constituent Universities in the future.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Redefining UP’s Mandate<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>UP is envisioned to be a unique and distinctive leader in higher education and development. It shall lead in setting academic standards and initiating innovations, serve as a graduate university for advanced studies and specialization, promote research and the dissemination of knowledge, conduct public service, protect and promote the rights and welfare of all its personnel, facilitate learning in academics including sports and nationalism, network with regional and global institutions, and provide avenues for democratic governance.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Academic freedom will be UP’s right, and it will have the responsibility to protect it as it has always done. Academic excellence shall not just be a goal but will be a norm. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Iskolar para sa Bayan (Scholar for the Nation)<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p></span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">The university is now formally committed to national development in that it is directed to regularly study the state of the nation in politics and economics, among others, and in so doing it shall formulate responsive policies and give recommendations to government. Government, in turn, may request the university research or advice on any matter concerning public policy, and any such government agencies who will request for this service will also shoulder the costs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Notable is the New UP Charter’s implication that more than being <i style="">Iskolar ng Bayan</i> (national scholar), a UP student must be <i style="">Iskolar para sa Bayan </i>(scholar for the nation), by its Sec. 8 that obligates the university’s activities to be related to the needs of Filipinos and the latter’s aspirations for social progress and transformation. To this end, the university has been authorized to provide venues for student volunteerism.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">A Democratic Board of Regents<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>The Board of Regents (BOR) has been retained in essence, with revisions that shall make it more democratic and dynamic in its governance. The UP President is no longer just a Vice-Chair of the BOR; s/he is now a Co-Chair, on equal footing with the Chair of the Commission on Higher and Technical Education (CHED). There is also now the inclusion in the BOR of a new Staff Regent who shall represent full-time permanent research, extension, and professional staff (REPS) and administrative personnel.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Instead of the original five Malacanang appointees, the Philippine President’s voting power by extension has been reduced to three, and these three Presidential appointees must be distinguished in their professions or fields of specialization, in consideration of the BOR’s own recommendations. Two out of the three should be alumni of UP.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Sectoral Regents (Faculty, Student, and Staff Regents) are also now held more accountable to their constituents – their membership in the BOR ends in cases of suspension, separation, or recall by their own sectors.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Discussion through Consultative Assemblies</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>While the University System Assembly - an idea of the UP-Wide Democratization Movement (UP-WIDEM) - was not adopted as the highest university governing body in place of the BOR, Sec. 3. (h) provides for the holding of such assemblies of students, faculty, REPS, staff, and alumni for the discussion of non-academic issues affecting the university.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Balanced Admissions Policy<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Admission to the University as a student is to be made democratically accessible. The university is allowed to have an alternative and equitable admissions process for disadvantaged students such as indigenous peoples, poor but deserving students, including (but with no limitation to) valedictorians and salutatorians of public high schools, and students from depressed areas. Religious freedom is reaffirmed, and as such the university shall not discriminate on the basis of religion.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Strengthening through Sports Development<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Sports programs that promote physical education, uphold excellence and encourage competitive participation shall be undertaken by UP. These programs shall be meant to instill school identity and solidarity, in addition to cultivating pride, self-discipline and teamwork as a foundation for participation in university affairs, and in nation building.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Competitive Salaries and Benefits for Employees</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>What has long made it challenging for UP to retain its brightest is now about to end. The lure of higher compensation and benefits for faculty and staff working in other academic institutions (notably the private ones) can now be addressed, what with the exemption of UP employees from the Salary Standardization Law. As stated in Sec. 13 (k), the BOR can now, “any law to the contrary not withstanding,” fix and adjust the salaries and benefits of faculty and employees, “provided that [these] shall be equivalent to those being received by their counterparts in the private sector…”.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Empowered and Truly Democratic Student Institutions</span></i><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>The Charter of the national university is also unique amongst several other university charters that govern the establishment of other state colleges and universities in that it has an entire section (Sec. 21) on student affairs, and other supporting sections throughout the law that contributes towards empowered and truly democratic student institutions.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>While tuition and other fees can be fixed by the BOR, they can only do so after mandatory comprehensive consultation with students concerned by proposed changes in the said fees.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>The office of the Student Regent, which supposedly has long been controlled by an elite group of student councils with similar ideologies, is now subject to genuine participation and approval by the general student body, as provided for by law. Those who seek to maintain a specific selection process that can be easily controlled by vested political interests now have to submit their selection rules and qualifications as proposals alongside other possible variants, ultimately for the entire UP student body to choose from in a referendum.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Student Councils are guaranteed their existence by law. Every college and degree-granting institute shall have a College or Institute Student Council, while every constituent university will have a University Student Council. In that same line, the entire UP System will have a general assembly of all student councils. The student council shall serve as the primary student body that shall the interests of its respective student constituents, and is now authorized by law to adopt its own internal rules of procedure.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Student Publications are to be established in every constituent university and college, to be funded by student fees. It is a must, however, that students of the particular units covered by the student publications are to be comprehensively consulted on their operations. Established student publications are guaranteed the freedom of expression and autonomy in all editorial and fiscal policies.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p></o:p></span><i style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Fiscal Autonomy with State Commitment<o:p></o:p></span></i></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>In response to the alleged deterioration of the university brought about by inadequate government funding, the New UP Charter has effectively granted UP enough fiscal autonomy to augment State Subsidy which, incidentally, is still mandatory as guaranteed by law in Sec. 28: “… such lump sum representing the responsibility of the national government for the continued growth, operation and maintenance of the national university shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>The new charter allows UP to retain its unused income or government subsidy (which before is returned to the national government) for future use. The specific provisions on this (Sections 13 (m) and 28) even allow the BOR to, in the case of funded projects that for reasons beyond its control was not pursued, reprogram budget allocations. There is also a guarantee that funds collected from students for a specific purpose cannot be diverted to other expenditures.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Section 22, on “Land Grants and Other Real Properties of the University”, allows UP to productively use its vast idle assets to generate income that shall be geared towards the academic mission and orientation of the university. Land owned by the UP may be lease to interested tenants for financial returns, but the lands that may be leased exclude those of the academic core zones of the UP campuses. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>There is also an entire provision (Sec. 23) that outlines the safety nets for the university’s productive use of idle assets. The outright sale of UP’s lands shall not be allowed, except for the sale of donated property meant to be sold (as indicated by the donor), given to the university after the effectivity of RA 9500. Long-term leases (more than five years) are subject to the protection offered by consultation, careful planning by experts, competitive and public bidding, and the advice (not directive) of an advisory board composed of experts in monetary management. Also, transactions involving more than fifty million pesos in value will require a three-fourths vote of all members of the BOR, and splitting said transactions into smaller amounts to get around this safety net is explicitly forbidden.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>A monetary management provision is also in place (Sec. 24). An independent trust committee chaired by the UP President and composed of representatives from the country’s lead finance organizations will be in charge of recommending to the BOR how the university’s money should be managed, with the ultimate goal of securing investing returns for UP’s academic mission.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>The New UP Charter also has a provision on tax exemptions for certain aspects of UP’s operations (Sec. 25). In particular, revenues and assets used for educational purposes, gifts and donations (which are now also deductible from the donor’s gross income), and academic awards shall all be tax-free. The importation of books, supplies, materials, computer hardware and software for academic use shall also from now on be customs duty-free. Lastly, the university shall no longer need to pay any value-added tax (VAT) for all transactions subject to VAT.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Lastly, as a gift to UP, government has seen it fit for the law to grant a centennial fund in addition to the regular government subsidy, totaling five hundred million pesos (P500,000,000) to be given to the university as one hundred million pesos (P100,000,000) annually for five years.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> <br></o:p></span><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";">Vigilance is Key<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>As with any law, the New UP Charter will only be in effect after a certain period of its publication in newspapers of general circulation or in The Official Gazette (a government publication). In reality, its full force and effect will only be felt over the span of a few to even more years depending on how easy it is to logistically implement the changes it contains.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>It may also be difficult for certain university groups to set aside their political and ideological differences in so far as the New UP Charter is concerned. To the very end of the legislative process, there were groups – individuals even – who went to the extent of getting personal with UP administrative officials just to delay the passage of RA 9500.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>Everyone was given a chance to be heard, to speak in Congress, and to demonstrate either support or disdain. The issues have been extensively examined, studied, and even rewritten in some cases. What is more important now is that we all have a new law that is waiting to be implemented. As one university community facing the next one hundred years of UP, it is imperative on us to be vigilant, no matter which side of the UP Charter debate we used to belong to. We must make sure that this new law will work for the good of the university, and in so doing for the good of our nation.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: "Arial","sans-serif";"><o:p> </o:p>What is a law’s letters worth if its spirit is not carried out anyway? We must, therefore, seek to strengthen our beloved UP ourselves, with this New UP Charter as our starting point.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-34279035162010444782008-05-04T02:58:00.000+08:002008-05-04T07:01:12.485+08:00The University of the Philippines Charter of 2008 (Full Text of RA 9500)<div id="item_body" class="bodytext" author="janrobert" author_possessive="janrobert's"><div class="Section1"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">S. No. 1964<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">H. No. 2845<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';">Republic of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 23pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';">Congress of the </span></b><st1:country-region><st1:place><b style=""><span style="font-size: 23pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';">Philippines</span></b></st1:place></st1:country-region><b style=""><span style="font-size: 23pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';">Metro </span><st1:city><st1:place><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';">Manila</span></st1:place></st1:city><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';">Fourteenth Congress<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 18pt; font-family: 'Holy Union';">First Regular Session<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Begun and held in Metro Manila, on Monday, the twenty-third day of July, two thousand seven.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">[ REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9500 ]<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">AN ACT TO STRENGTHEN THE UNIVERSITY OF THE<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">PHILIPPINES</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> AS THE </span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">NATIONAL</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">UNIVERSITY</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> in Congress assembled:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SECTION 1. <em>Title</em>.</strong> – This Act shall be known as “The University of the Philippines Charter of 2008.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 2. <em>Declaration of Policy</em>.</strong> – The University of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> is hereby declared as the national university.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The State shall promote, foster, nurture and protect the right of all citizens to accessible quality education. Toward this end, it is the policy of the State to strengthen the University of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> as the national university.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 3. <em>Purpose of the University</em>.</strong> – As the national university, a public and secular institution of higher learning, and a community of scholars dedicated to the search for truth and knowledge as well as the development of future leaders, the University of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> shall perform its unique and distinctive leadership in higher education and development. The University shall:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(a) Lead in setting academic standards and initiating innovations in teaching, research and faculty development in philosophy, the arts and humanities, the social sciences, the professions and engineering, natural sciences, mathematics, and technology; and maintain centers of excellence in such disciplines and professions;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(b) Serve as graduate university by providing advanced studies and specialization for scholars, scientists, writers, artists and professionals, especially those who serve on the faculty of state and private colleges and universities;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(c) Serve as a research university in various fields of expertise and specialization by conducting basic and applied research and development, and promoting research in various colleges and universities, and contributing to the dissemination and application of knowledge;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(d) Lead as a public service university by providing various forms of community, public, and volunteer service, as well as scholarly and technical assistance to the government, the private sector, and civil society while maintaining its standards of excellence;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(e) Protect and promote the professional and economic rights and welfare of its academic and non-academic personnel;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(f) Provide opportunities for training and learning in leadership, responsible citizenship, and the development of democratic values, institutions and practice through academic and non-academic programs, including sports and the enhancement of nationalism and national identity;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(g) Serve as a regional and global university in cooperation with international and scientific unions, networks of universities, scholarly and professional association in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world; and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(h) Provide democratic governance in the University based on collegiality, representation, accountability, transparency and active participation of its constituents, and promote the holding of for a for students, faculty, research, extension and professional staff (REPS), staff, and alumni to discuss non-academic issues affecting the University.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 4. <em>The University System</em>.</strong> – The University of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> is a university system and shall be composed of constituent universities established solely by its Board of Regents upon the recommendation of the President of the University. The University of the Philippines System is composed of its existing constituent universities, as follows: University of the Philippines Diliman; University of the Philippines Manila; University of the Philippines Los Baños; University of the Philippines Visayas; University of the Philippines Mindanao; University of the Philippines Baguio; University of the Philippines Open University; and those that may be created in the future. It is referred to in this law as the “</span><st1:place><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">National</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">University</span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">.”<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 5. <em>Academic Freedom.</em> </strong>– The national university has the right and responsibility to exercise academic freedom.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 6. <em>Academic Excellence</em>.</strong> – The national university has the responsibility to maintain and enhance its high academic standards in the performance of its functions of instruction, research and extension, and public service.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 7. <em>Commitment to National Development</em>.</strong> – The national university shall harness the expertise of the members of its community and other individuals to regularly study the state of the nation in relation to its quest for national development in the primary areas of politics and economics, among others, identify key concerns, formulate responsive policies regarding these concerns, and give advice and recommendations to Congress and the Philippines.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The Congress of the Republic of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">, the Supreme Court and other lower courts, other government agencies and instrumentalities as well as any constitutional body may request the national university to conduct research or provide advice on any matter involving public policy. The budget for such research or request for advice shall come from the appropriation of these public agencies.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 8. <em>Social Responsibility</em>.</strong> – The national university is committed to serve the Filipino nation and humanity. While it carries out the obligation to pursue universal principles, it must relate its activities to the needs of the Filipino people and their aspirations for social progress and transformation. The national university may provide venues for student volunteerism.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 9. <em>Democratic Access</em>.</strong> – The national university shall take affirmative steps which may take the form of an alternative and equitable admissions process to enhance the access of disadvantaged students, such as indigenous peoples, poor and deserving students, including but not limited to valedictorians and salutatorians of public high schools, and students from depressed areas, to its programs and services.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">No student shall be denied admission to the national university by reason solely of age, gender, nationality, religious belief, economic status, ethnicity, physical disability, or political opinion or affiliation.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The national university recognizes the separation of Church and State. It shall guarantee religious freedom and shall not discriminate on the basis of religion.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 10. <em>Sports</em>.</strong> – The national university shall undertake and support comprehensive sports programs that promote physical education, uphold excellence and encourage competitive participation in sports activities, instill school identity and solidarity, cultivate pride, self-discipline and teamwork which serve as a foundation for fostering active participation in the national university, as well as in nation building.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">SEC. 11. <em>Institutional Autonomy as the </em></span><st1:place><em><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">National</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">University</span></st1:placetype></em></st1:place></strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>.</strong> – To provide greater flexibility, it shall be treated in a manner consistent with its institutional requirements as the national university by the service-wide agencies in the exercise of their respective jurisdiction. Taking into account national goals and priorities, it shall exclusively determine its teaching, research and extension thrusts, plans, policies, programs and standards, and, on the basis of such determination, the national university shall recommend its annual budget to the President of the Republic of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> and Congress.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 12. <em>The Board of Regents</em>.</strong> –<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(1) <em>Composition</em> – The governance of the national university is vested in a board of regents known as the “Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines System,” hereinafter referred to as the “Board,” composed of: <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(a) The Chairperson of the Commission on Higher Education as Chairperson;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(b) The President of the University of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> System as Co-Chairperson;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(c) The Chairperson of the Senate Committee on Education, Arts and Culture;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(d) The Chairperson of the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(e) The President of the U.P. Alumni Association, to serve as Alumni Regent during his or her incumbency in that position;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(f) One Faculty Regent representing all teaching personnel, chosen in accordance with the rules and qualification set by the constituent university councils to serve for a term of two (2) years;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(g) One Student Regent, to serve for a term of one (1) year, chosen by the students from their ranks in accordance with rules and qualifications approved in a referendum by the students;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(h) One Staff Regent representing the full-time permanent research, extension, and profession staff (REPS) and administrative personnel, and chosen by them from their ranks in accordance with the rules and qualifications set by their duly recognized organizations, to serve for a term of two (2) years; and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(i) Three other Regents who have distinguished themselves in their professions or fields of specialization, to be appointed by the President of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">, considering the recommendation of the Board. At least two (2) of these Regents should be alumni. All these Regents shall each serve for a term of two (2) years: Provided, That the Regents holding office as members of the Board at the time of the effectivity of this Act shall continue to serve until the expiration of their appointments as provided in Executive Order No. 204-A, issued by the President of the Philippines on July 15, 1987.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(2) <em>Vacancy</em> – In case of vacancy in the Board, except for the President of the University, such vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as provided for the predecessor, and such appointee shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term. In case of a sectoral Regent, membership in the Board ceases upon suspension, separation, or recall.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(3) <em>Compensation</em> – Members of the Board shall serve without compensation other than reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in attendance to meetings of the<span style=""> </span>Board or other official business authorized by the Board.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(4) <em>Meetings; Quorum</em> – The Board shall convene regularly. The Chairpersons of the Board may call a special meeting whenever necessary: Provided, That members are notified in writing at least ten (10) working days prior to the meeting: Provided, further, That the notice shall contain a brief description of the agenda items to be discussed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">A majority of all members of the Board holding office at the time the meeting is called shall constitute a quorum for Board meetings.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">In no case shall any and all members of the Board appointed representatives to act on their behalf: Provided, That the ex-officio members of the Board coming from Congress may participate and vote through teleconferencing or equivalent verifiable means of communication.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 13. <em>Powers and Duties of the Board of Regents</em>.</strong> – The administration of the national university and the exercise of its corporate powers are vested in the Board of Regents.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The Board shall exercise the following specific powers and duties:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(a) To define in general terms the thrusts of the national university and adopt broad policy guidelines to ensure their implementation;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(b) To preserve the integrity of the national university;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(c) To approve the institution, merger or abolition of academic programs, upon recommendation of the University Council of the constituent university concerned, through the President of the University;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(d) To approve the graduation of students and grant of honors, as recommended by their respective University Council through the President of the University;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(e) To confer honorary degrees upon persons in recognition of learning, statesmanship, or eminence in literature, science, or are, upon recommendation of a committee created by the President of the University; Provided, That such degrees shall not be conferred in consideration of any payment, gift or other valuable consideration;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(f) To approve the rules on student discipline recommended by the University Councils through the President of the University, with the Board retaining the power to review and pass final judgment on student disciplinary cases;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(g) To create, organize, reorganize, merge or abolish constituent universities, colleges, institutes and other academic and administrative units of the national university;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(h) To establish professorial chair awards;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(i) To provide fellowships, scholarships and grants, including athletic grants and to award the same to faculty, staff and students having special evidence of merit, especially those who are poor and deserving students;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(j) To elect the President of the University for a single term of six (6) years following a process of democratic consultation with the university community based on standards and guidelines set by the Board. In the event of a vacancy, the Board shall elect a president who shall serve a full term. A Chancellor chosen by the Board may act as Officer-in-Charge of the national university when the search process is in progress. In no case shall the search and election of the next President be loner than ninety (90) days from the date when the vacancy occurs;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(k) To appoint faculty members and other officials and employees to draw up a position classification and compensation plan for its faculty and staff, and, any law to the contrary notwithstanding, to fix and adjust salaries and benefits of the faculty members and other employees. Provided That salaries and other benefits of the faculty shall be equivalent to those being received by their counterparts in the private sector; to determine the hours of service of faculty and staff, and such other terms and conditions of employment as it may deem proper; to grant leave of absence under such regulations as it may promulgate, any other provisions of law to the contrary notwithstanding; and to remove them for cause as provided by law after due investigation and proper hearing;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(l) To extend, with their consent, the tenure of faculty members of the national university beyond the compulsory retirement age, any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, on recommendation of the units upon endorsement of the President of the national university, whenever their services are especially needed: Provided, however, That no extension of tenure shall be made beyond the age of seventy (70);<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(m) To fix the tuition fees and other necessary school charges, as the Board may deem proper impose, after due and comprehensive consultation with students concerned. Such fees and charges, including government support and other income generated by the national university shall constitute special trust funds and shall be deposited in an authorized government depository bank. Any and all interest that shall accrue therefrom shall form part of the same funds for the use of the national university.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, all incomes generated by the national university or by its subsidiaries shall, upon their collection, be retained by the national university and disbursed at the discretion of the Board for the professional growth and development, health, welfare, and other benefits of the students, faculty members and other personnel; for the acquisition, construction, maintenance and repair of urgently needed instructional and auxiliary facilities, equipment, buildings and other infrastructure; and for expenses necessary for the attainment of its purposes under its approved program of expenditures;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">If the national university, for reasons beyond its control, shall not be able to pursue any project for which funds have been appropriated and allocated under its approved program of expenditures, the Board may authorize the use of said fund for any reasonable purpose for which it deems necessary and urgent for the attainment of the objectives of the national university: Provided, That funds collected from students for a specific purpose shall not be reprogrammed to other expenditures;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(n) To receive and appropriate all sums as may be provided by law for the support of the national university to the ends specified by law, and all other sums in the manner it may, in its discretion, determine to carry out the purposes and functions of the national university;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(o) To authorize the construction, maintenance and repair of its buildings, machinery, equipment and other facilities, and the purchase and acquisition of real and personal properties, including necessary supplies, materials and equipment;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(p) To receive in trust legacies, gifts and donations of real and personal property of all kinds and to administer and dispose the same when necessary for the benefit of the national university and subject to the instructions of the donor, if any;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(q) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, to authorize its faculty and staff to travel abroad to study, deliver papers, attend conferences and disseminate research: Provided, That the fellowship, scholarship or grant is authorized by the Board: Provided, finally, That research and other activities funded by the national university shall likewise undertake research in fields or topics that have promising commercial applications, and that the faculty and staff involved in said research be allowed to participate in its financial or economic benefits;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(r) To exercise the general powers set out in the Corporation Code;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(s) To delegate any of its powers to the President of the University or other officials or officers as it may deem necessary;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(t) To prescribe rules for its own government and the discipline of the faculty and other personnel and to enact for the government of the national university such general policies, rules and regulations, not contrary to law, as are consistent with its purposes; and <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(u) To exercise such powers as may be proper and necessary to carry out the objectives of this Act.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 14. <em>The President of the University</em>.</strong> – The President of the University is the chief academic officer, head of the university faculty and the chief executive officer of the University. The President of the University shall exercise the powers specifically provided for in this Act, those determined by the Board, those which pertain to the office of the president of a university, and those which are related or necessary to its functions. The Board shall determine the compensation of the President of the University.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The President of the University shall be appointed by the Board and shall serve for a single term of six (6) years.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 15. <em>The Secretary of the University and of the Board of Regents</em>.</strong> – There shall be a Secretary of the University appointed by the Board, who shall also be the Secretary of the Board, and who shall keep such records of the University as may be designated by the Board. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 16. <em>The University Council</em>.</strong> – There shall be in each constituent university a University Council consisting of the Chancellor as Chairperson, and all faculty members in the constituent university holding the rank of assistant professor and higher as members.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 17. <em>Powers of the University Council</em>.</strong> – The University Council shall be the highest academic body of each constituent university and shall exercise the following powers:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(a) Fix the requirements for admission to any college or unit, graduation, and the grant of honors subject to the minimum system-wide requirements;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(b) Prescribe the academic programs including their institution, revision, abolition and merger, subject to the approval of the Board;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(c) Recommend to the Board the graduation of students and the grant of honors;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(d) Exercise disciplinary power over the students, through the Chancellors or their appropriate committees, subject to review by the President of the University according to the limits prescribed by system-wide rules on student discipline;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(e) Undertake the periodic review of academic courses, programs, standards, thrusts and policies; and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(f) Adopt internal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this Act.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">SEC. 18. <em>The Chancellor of the </em></span><st1:place><em><st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Constituent</span></st1:placename><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> </span><st1:placetype><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">University</span></st1:placetype></em></st1:place></strong><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong><em>.</em></strong> - The Administration of each constituent university is vested in the Chancellor insofar as authorized by the Board and the President of the University. The Chancellor of the constituent university shall be elected by the Board upon nomination of the President of the University, following a process of consultation with the constituents of the constituent university based on standards and guidelines set by the Board. The Chancellor shall report to the President of the University and shall perform the duties and functions elsewhere stated in this Act, and all the usual, necessary and related functions of the Office of the Chancellor, subject to the policies and rules prescribed by the Board. The Board shall determine the term and compensation of the Chancellor. If a Chancellor fails to complete his/her term, the President shall appoint an acting Chancellor while a search process is in progress. In no case shall the search and election of the next Chancellor be longer than sixty (60) calendar days from the date when the vacancy occurs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 19. <em>The Faculty</em>.</strong> - The teaching staff of each college shall constitute its faculty. The College Faculty shall be presided over by a Dean. The Dean shall be elected by the Board upon nomination of the President of th University and recommendation of the President of the University and recommendation of the Chancellor of the constituent university, following a process of consultation with the constituents of the college based on standards and guidelines set by the Board. If a Dean fails to complete his/her term, the Chancellor shall appoint an acting Dean while a search process is in progress. In no case shall the search and election of the next Dean be longer than sixty (60) calendar days from the date when the vacancy occurs.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 20. <em>Appointment Requisites and Practice of Profession</em>.</strong> - Faculty members as well as research, extension and professional staff (REPS) of the national university, shall be exempt as such to many civil service examination or regulation as a requisite to appointment. The provisions of existing law to the contrary notwithstanding, licensing requirements for professional regulatory boards shall not affect appointments to faculty positions. In the appointment of faculty members, no religious test shall be applied, nor shall the religious or political opinions or affiliations of the faculty members of the national university be made subject of examination or inquiry.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 21. <em>Student Affairs</em>.</strong> - (a) There shall be established in the national university the following student councils: for every college and degree-granting institute, a college or institute student council; and for every constituent university, a university student council; and for the University System, a general assembly of all student councils.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The student council shall be composed of elected students of a definite academic unit of the national university. Each member of the student council shall serve for a term of one (1) year, without prejudice to reelection.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The student council shall serve as the primary student body that shall advance the interests, welfare, and aspirations of the students of the national university. It shall have the power to adopt internal rules of procedure consistent with the provisions of this Act.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(b) Subject to due and comprehensive consultation with the students, there shall be a student publication established in every constituent unit and college to be funded by student fees. Freedom of expression and autonomy in all matters of editorial and fiscal policy shall be guaranteed especially in th selection of its editors and staff.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 22. <em>Land Grants and Other Real Properties of the University</em>.</strong> -<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(a) The state shall support the University of the Philippines System as the national university in the form of lump sum amount, through general appropriations and other financial benefits, and in kind, through land grants and donations and use of other real properties. To carry out the intent of these grants, income derived from the development of all land grants and real properties shall be used to further the ends of the national university, as may be decided by the Board;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(b) Such parcels of land ceded by law, decree or presidential issuance to the University of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> are hereby declared to be reserved for the purposes intended. The absolute ownership of the national university over these landholdings, including those covered by original and transfer certificates of title in the name of the University of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> and their future derivatives, is hereby confirmed. Where the issuance of proper certificates of title is yet pending for these landholdings, the appropriate government office shall expedite the issuance thereof within six months from the date of effectivity of this Act: Provided, That all registration requirements necessary for the issuance of the said titles have been submitted and complied with;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(c) The Board may plan, design, approve and/or cause the implementation land leases: Provided, That such mechanisms and arrangements shall sustain and protect the environment in accordance with law, and be exclusive of the academic core zone of the campuses of the University of the Philippines: Provided, further, That such mechanisms and arrangements shall not conflict with the academic mission of the national university;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(d) The Board may allow the use of the income coming from real properties of the national university as security for transactions to generate additional revenues when needed for education purposes;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(e) The Board may approve the implementation of joint ventures: Provided, That in the event real properties of the national university are involved, only the income derived by the University from the use of the real properties shall be the subject of its participation or obligation in the joint ventures: Provided, further, That no joint venture shall result in the alienation of the real properties of the national university; and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(f) Any plan to generate revenues and other sources from land grants and other real properties entrusted to the national university shall be consistent with the academic mission and orientation of the national university as well as protect it from undue influence and control of commercial interest: Provided, That such programs, projects or mechanisms shall be approved by the Board subject to a transparent and democratic process of consultation with the constituents of the national university: Provided, further, That funds generated from such programs, projects or mechanism shall not be meant to replace, in part or in whole, the annual appropriations provided by the national government to the national university.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 23. <em>Safeguards on Assets Disposition</em>.</strong> – The preservation of the value of the assets of the national university shall be of primordial consideration.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The sale of any existing real property of the national university shall be prohibited: Provided, That the Board may alienate real property donated after the effectivity of this Act if the terms of the donation specifically allow it.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Notwithstanding the provision of this Act or any other law to the contrary, the lease of more than five (5) years of the assets of the national university and any transaction referred to in Section 22 shall be subject to the following conditions and procedures:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(a) The transactions shall be discussed with the members of the Board, in any of its formally convened regular or special meeting, at least one (1) month before a decision is to be made;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(b) The transactions shall be based on a multi-year comprehensive development plan, crafted and developed by qualified urban planning professionals having at least five (5) years experience, with prior consultations with and concurrence of third-party experts and duly approved by a majority vote of all the members of the Board;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(c) The transactions shall be subject to competitive and public bidding as provided under Republic Act No. 9184, otherwise known as the “Government Procurement-Reform Act”;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(d) In the case of two (2) failed biddings and negotiated transactions, if undertaken, the Board, when considering the approval of any such transaction, shall secure a fairness opinion report from an independent third-party body. This body shall have five (5) members, three (3) of which shall be nominated by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), Investment Houses Association of the Philippines (IHAP), Trust Officers Association of the Philippines, or the Financial Executive Institute of the Philippines (FINEX). The members shall be entitled to a reasonable per diem as the Board may specify.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The fairness opinion report shall contain a statement expressing the opinion of the body as to the fairness to the national university of the terms of the proposed transaction, particularly its financial terms. The report shall include, but not limited to, a review and analysis of the proposed transaction, financial statements, industry information, economic conditions assumptions using management projections and the assumptions used therein and a comparison of similar transactions: Provided, That if the Board differs with the fairness opinion report they shall justify their decision in writing and make this available to the community of the national university.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">This provision shall not apply to leases granted to faculty and staff as part of their benefit and those for academic purposes; and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(e) If the contract or transaction involves an amount more than Fifty Million Pesos (P50,000,000.00), it shall be approved by three-fourths (3/4) of all the members of the Board: Provided, That the splitting of contracts, which is by breaking up a contract into smaller quantities or amounts or dividing contract implementation into artificial or arbitrary phases or subcontracts for the purpose of circumventing this provision, shall not be allowed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 24. <em>Management of Funds</em>.</strong> – (a) There shall be an independent trust committee to be composed of the President of the University, as Chairperson, one (1) representative each nominated by the Bankers Association of the Philippines (BAP), the Investment Houses Association of the Philippines (IHAP), the Trust Officers Association of the Philippines (TOAP) and the Financial Executive Institute of the Philippines (FINEX). The members shall be entitled to a reasonable per diem as the Board may specify. (b) The independent trust committee shall recommend to the Board five (5) universal banks selected on a prudent basis which trust departments shall manage the corporate and other funds through trust agreements of the national university on a non-directed basis: Provided, That any such agreement shall be for a period of not more than two (2) years. (c) The independent trust committee shall provide the Board with direction on appropriate investment objectives and permissible investments with the view to preserving the value of the funds while allowing the University to earn a reasonable return thereon.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 25. <em>Tax Exemptions</em>.</strong> – The provisions of any general or special law to the contrary notwithstanding:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(a) All revenues and assets of the University of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> used for education purposes or in support thereof shall be exempt from all taxes and duties;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(b) Gifts and donations of real and personal properties of all kinds shall be exempt from the donor’s tax and the same shall be considered as allowable deductions from the gross income of the donor, in accordance with the provisions of the National Internal Revenue Code of 1997, as amended: Provided, That the deductions shall be equivalent to 150 percent of the value of such donation. Valuation of assistance other than money shall be based on the acquisition cost of the property. Such valuation shall take into consideration the depreciated value of property in case said property has been used;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(c) Importation of economic, technical, vocational, scientific, philosophical, historical and cultural books, supplies and materials duly certified by the Board, including scientific and educational computer and software equipment, shall be exempt from customs duties;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(d) The University shall only pay 0% value-added tax for all transactions subject to this tax; and<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">(e) All academic awards shall be exempt from taxes.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 26. <em>Reportorial Requirements and Auditing of Accounts</em>.</strong> – The national university shall submit an annual report to Congress containing the financial statements, statement of assets and liabilities, actual projected income from tuition fees and other revenue sources, contracts and investments entered into pursuant to Section 22 (c) hereof and programs of expenditure. All accounts and disbursements of the national university shall be audited by the Commission on Audit.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 27. <em>Rules of Construction</em>.</strong> – No statutory or other issuances shall diminish the powers, rights, privileges and benefits accorded to the national university under this Act or enjoyed at present by it under other issuances not otherwise modified or repealed under this Act, unless subsequent legislation expressly provides for their repeal, amendment or modification. Any case of doubt in the interpretation of any of the provisions of this Charter shall be resolved in favor of the academic freedom and fiscal autonomy of the University of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 28. <em>Appropriations</em>.</strong> – The amount needed to carry out the implementation of this Act shall be charged against the lump sum appropriation of the current fiscal year and other internal funds of the national university. Thereafter, such lump sum representing the responsibility of the national government for the continued growth, operation and maintenance of the national university shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">The national university may use unexpended balances in any appropriation for purposes that the Board determines.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">In addition to the regular appropriations and increases for the university under the annual GAA, a centennial fund shall be appropriated in the amount of One Hundred Million Pesos (P100,000,000.00) per year for a period of five years, which shall likewise be included in the annual GAA.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 29. <em>Separability Clause</em>. </strong>– Should any provision herein be declared unconstitutional, the same shall not affect the validity of the other provisions of this Act.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 30. <em>Repealing Clause</em>.</strong> – Act No. 1870, as amended, and all laws, decrees, orders, rules, and regulations or other issuances or parts inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><strong>SEC. 31.</strong> <strong><em>Effectivity.</em></strong> – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in any newspaper of general circulation in the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Approved,<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-indent: 0.5in; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div> <div class="Section2"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">PROSPERO C. NOGRALES<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Speaker of the House of Representatives<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">MANNY VILLAR<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">President of the Senate<o:p></o:p></span></p></div> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">This Act which is a consolidation of Senate Bill No. 1964 and House Bill No. 2845 was finally passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives on </span><st1:date month="3" day="5" year="2008"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">March 5, 2008</span></st1:date><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"> and </span><st1:date month="3" day="4" year="2008"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">March 4, 2008</span></st1:date><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">, respectively.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <div class="Section3"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div> <div class="Section4"> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">MARILYN B. BARUA-YAP<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Secretary General<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">House of Representatives</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p></o:p></span> </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">EMMA LIRIO-REYES<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Secretary of the Senate<o:p></o:p></span></p></div> <p><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Approved: </span><st1:date month="4" day="29" year="2008"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">April 29, 2008</span></st1:date><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><b style=""><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO<o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt; line-height: normal; text-align: center;" align="center"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">President of the </span><st1:country-region><st1:place><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Book Antiqua';">Philippines</span></st1:place></st1:country-region></p></div> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-48519149528568876212008-04-26T05:58:00.000+08:002008-04-26T10:00:25.538+08:00Do you agree with my handwriting analysis?<p><span style="font-style: italic;">From <a href="http://www.handwritingwizard.com">http://www.handwritingwizard.com</a></span><br></p> <div> <p><img src="http://www.handwritingwizard.com/images/answers/q22_1094009397.jpeg" alt=""> Albert uses judgment to make decisions. He is ruled by his head, not his heart. He is a cool, collected person who is usually unexpressive emotionally. Some may see him as unemotional. He does have emotions but has no need to express them. He is withdrawn into himself and enjoys being alone.</p><p>The circumstances when Albert does express emotions include: extreme anger, extreme passion, and tremendous stress. If someone gets him mad enough to tell him off, he will not be sorry about it later. He puts a mark in his mind when someone angers him. He keeps track of these marks and when he hits that last mark he will let them know they have gone too far. He is ruled somewhat by self-interest. All his conclusions are made without outside emotional influence. He is very level-headed and will remain calm in an emergency situation. In a situation where other people might get hysterical, he has poise.</p><p>Albert will work more efficiently if given space and time to be alone. He would rather not be surrounded by people constantly. In a relationship, he will show his love by the things he does rather than by the things he says. Saying "I love you" is not a needed routine because he feels his mate should already know. The only exception to this is if he has logically concluded that it is best for his mate to hear him express his love verbally.</p><p>Albert is not subject to emotional appeals. If someone is selling a product to him, they will need to present only the facts. They should present them from a standpoint of his sound judgment. He will not be taken in by an emotional story about someone else. He will meet emergencies without getting hysterical and he will always ask "Is this best for me?"</p> <p><img src="http://www.handwritingwizard.com/images/answers/q21_1094009295.jpeg" alt=""> People that write their letters in an average height and average size are moderate in their ability to interact socially. According to the data input, Albert doesn't write too large or too small, indicating a balanced ability to be social and interact with others. </p> <p><img src="http://www.handwritingwizard.com/images/answers/q24_1094009778.jpeg" alt=""> Albert is secretive. He has secrets which he does not wish to share with others. He intentionally conceals things about himself. He has a private side that he intends to keep that way, especially concerning certain events in his past.</p> <p><img src="http://www.handwritingwizard.com/images/answers/q26_1094010047.jpeg" alt=""> In reference to Albert's mental abilities, he has a very investigating and creating mind. He investigates projects rapidly because he is curious about many things. He gets involved in many projects that seem good at the beginning, but he soon must slow down and look at all the angles. He probably gets too many things going at once. When Albert slows down, then he becomes more creative than before. Since it takes time to be creative, he must slow down to do it. He then decides what projects he has time to finish. Thus he finishes at a slower pace than when he started the project.</p><p>He has the best of two kinds of minds. One is the quick investigating mind. The other is the creative mind. His mind thinks quick and rapidly in the investigative mode. He can learn quicker, investigate more, and think faster. Albert can then switch into his low gear. When he is in the slower mode, he can be creative, remember longer and stack facts in a logical manner. He is more logical this way and can climb mental mountains with a much better grip.</p> <p><img src="http://www.handwritingwizard.com/images/answers/q27_1094010189.jpeg" alt=""> Albert's true self-image is unreasonably low. Someone once told Albert that he wasn't a great and beautiful person, and he believed them. Albert also has a fear that he might fail if he takes large risks. Therefore he resists setting his goals too high, risking failure. He doesn't have the internal confidence that frees him to take risks and chance failure. Albert is capable of accomplishing much more than he is presently achieving. All this relates to his self-esteem. Albert's self-concept is artificially low. Albert will stay in a bad situation much too long... why? Because he is afraid that if he makes a change, it might get worse. It is hard for Albert to plan too far into the future. He kind of takes things on a day to day basis. He may tell you his dreams but he is living in today, with a fear of making a change. No matter how loud he speaks, look at his actions. This is perhaps the biggest single barrier to happiness people not believing in and loving themselves. Albert is an example of someone living with a low self-image, because their innate self-confidence was broken.</p> <p><img src="http://www.handwritingwizard.com/images/answers/q28_1094010336.jpeg" alt=""> Albert will take action on his thoughts. He is positive that his views are correct for him. He has the ability to seem as if he is positively correct when answering a question, even if he does not have the slightest idea of the answer. Albert displays a self-confidence that makes everyone else sure he is correct. He is positive of his own views, but not necessarily stubborn.</p> <p><img src="http://www.handwritingwizard.com/images/answers/q29_1094010583.jpeg" alt=""> Albert has a tendency to put things off, Albert procrastinates. He sometimes pretends to be busy, so he will not have to do whatever he is putting off. He is often late to appointments or deadlines. This usually leads to a great amount of effort at the last minute to meet the deadline. Procrastination is an important factor as it relates to his output on the job or at school. Remember, Albert will put it off until later. Procrastination is easily overcome through a simple stroke adjustment in the handwriting.</p> <p><img src="http://www.handwritingwizard.com/images/answers/q31_1094010938.jpeg" alt=""> Albert has a healthy imagination and displays a fair amount of trust. He lets new people into his circle of friends. He uses his imagination to understand new ideas, things, and people.</p> <p><img src="http://www.handwritingwizard.com/images/answers/q32_1094011073.jpeg" alt=""> For a graphologist, the spacing on the page reflects the writer's attitude toward their own world and relationship to things in his or her own space. If the inputted data was correct Albert has no white space or margins on a typical sheet of paper. Albert fills up every last inch on the top, right, left, and bottom. Hmmm. If this is true, then Albert has a very aggressive personality toward others and quite frankly lacks a bit of respect for the space and property of other people. I would be surprised if Albert just comes into someone's home and helps himself to a drink in the refrigerator. This can be both an obnoxious personality trait and it can be assertive and effective in getting what you want. There isn't much fear of getting in trouble here, Albert finds plenty of reasons to break the rules and get in trouble. (Okay, perhaps when he was younger, not anymore?) Basically, people with no margins are a handful.</p> </div> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-79128620547259809372008-03-01T06:00:00.000+08:002008-03-01T11:01:35.173+08:00THIRD BAGRO: Credentials. Competence. Character.What are we looking for in the next UP Diliman USC Chairperson:<br><br>1. He should be able to LEAD and SERVE; not momentarily, not for credentials, not for show.<br><br>2. He should be able to transcend political lines and boundaries. His understanding of the varying and shifting political terrain is crucial in order to get things done. He should be able to work harmoniously with his co-officers and councilmates to provide a clear direction for the whole council.<br><br>3. His claim to LEADERSHIP and SERVICE should be backed by HARD EVIDENCE -- A track record of impeccable character, competence and credentials that should equip him of the fundamentals of running the position and the council.<br><br>4. He is open and ready to listen; consensus driven and not imposing, multi-perspective and not dogmatic.<br><br>5. He should be HUMBLE and PASSIONATE. Humility comes with a firm resolve to work together; with willingness to cross boundary lines but not compromising principles.<br><br>6. He should be BOLD in approaching issues. He is not afraid to tow the line just so to provide adequate, concrete and practical solutions without letting go of principles.<br><br>Therefore:<br><br>THIRD BAGRO<br>UP Diliman USC Chairperson<br><br>COMPETENCE, CHARACTER, CREDENTIALS are not earned overnight. They cannot be packaged in good words. With nearly 4 years of student council experience... He is the most equipped to lead the USC. No nonsense, no empty positions.<br><br>Actions speaking louder than words.<br><br>>From <a href="http://votethirdbagro.com/wordpress/">http://votethirdbagro.com/wordpress/</a><br><br><br>Bachelor of Laws * Cum Laude Graduate, BA Philosophy, UP Diliman 2005, Number One Councilor, University Student Council (USC) 2007-2008 * Chairperson, ALYANSA ng mga Mag-aaral Para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran * Chairperson, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP-SC) 2004-2005 * Co-Head, USC Centennial Committee 2006-2007 * Project Coordinator, USC UP Centennial Planner Committee 2006-2007 * Coordinator USC Camp Out Protest Against the Dormitory Admission Policy 2007 * Project Co-Head USC Students' Legal Aid and Action Center (SLAAC) Human Security Act Forums 2007 * Vice Chairperson, USC Committee on Culture and the Arts (CCA) 2007-2008 * Member, UP Student-led Alliance Watch Against Hazing (SAWA) 2007-Present * President, UP Law Block 2009D, 2005-2006 * Head, Talks and Events Committee, UP Freshman Law Orientation Program (FLOP) 2006 * Lounge Committee Coordinator, UP Law Bar Operations 2006 * Councilor CSSP-SC 2003-2004 * Head, CSSP-SC Education, Training and Popular Struggles' Committee 2003-2004 * Convenor, CSSP Academic Circle 2003-2004 * Recipient CSSP Leadership Award 2005 * Senior Noble Fellow, Upsilon Sigma Phi 2005 * Head, Public Relations Committee, UP Kabataang Pilosopo Tasyo (UP Kapitas) 2002-2003 * Volunteer, Gawad Kalinga 2004-2005 * Member, Akbayan! Youth UP Diliman 2004-Present * Member, UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artists (UP SIKAT) 2003-2005 * Member, UP Law Charivar 2006-Present * Valedictorian, Juan Sumulong Memorial Junior College (JSMJC) 2001 * Recepient, Gerry Roxas Leadership Award <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-46946859035212746762007-11-07T02:45:00.000+08:002007-11-07T07:48:59.780+08:00Who's to Blame?Jasper Santos* is a 15 year-old male who weighs in only at 22 kg, well below the expected average weight for Filipinos his age.<br><br>Yesterday morning, orange urine, the color of which is because of anti-tuberculosis medications, flowed down my right leg as it spurted forth from Jasper's urethra. He was urinating on me. Backing off immediately, blood pressure at an all time high, I looked at the patient and sternly asked what he was doing and why. He just shut his eyes and looked away.<br><br>Who is to blame for the above situation? More on my website at <a href="http://albertdomingo.com">http://AlbertDomingo.com</a>.<br><br><br>*names and circumstances other than the author's have been changed to protect privacy.<br><br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-38800595731267122622007-10-06T18:14:00.000+08:002007-10-06T22:21:50.982+08:00Herald the Bedans coming......may their fellowship never cease.<br><br>A few days ago my list of bedans (yes, we were from Benedictine Abbey School/St. Benedict College but we still call ourselves "Bedan") apart from myself in the Philippine General Hospital was pleasantly expanded.<br><br>These are physicians currently training in the UP-PGH, who all went through the same hexagonal classrooms of yester years followed by the four-floored Christ the King building sans the aircons of today.<br><br>Dr. Ryan Cablitas (HS '96) - 1st year, Surgery<br>Dr. Samantha Dino (HS '96) - Intern<br>Dr. Jaimie dela Cruz (HS '95) - 1st year, Internal Medicine<br>Dr. Jethro Macallan (HS '99) - Intern<br>Dr. Porquez (HS '96) - 1st year, ENT<br>Dr. Charina Reyes (HS '99) - Intern<br>Dr. Patricia Salvador (HS '94?) - 2nd year, Internal Medicine<br>Dr. Mark Sandoval (HS '94) - Chief Resident, Internal Medicine<br>Dr. Josephine Santos (HS '99) - Intern<br><br>If I missed anyone, please tell me.<br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-78749327024683202882007-10-02T17:41:00.000+08:002007-10-02T22:02:03.446+08:00Desperate ScriptwriterIt was a desperately written script seeking to eke a laugh out of housewives. As pathetic as my attempt to make a literary instrument out of the immediately-preceding sentence in this composition.<br><br>In a recent <span style="font-style: italic;">Desperate Housewives</span> episode titled "Now You Know", a segment goes with this script. The scene is that of Teri Hatcher's character Susan Mayer questioning her (apparent) obstetrician-gynecologist, to wit:<br><br>--<br><span style="font-weight: bold;">Doctor</span>: Susan, I know for a lot of women the word menopause has negative connotations. They hear aging, brittle bones, loss of sexual desire...<br><br><span style="font-weight: bold;">Susan Mayer</span>: Before you go any further, can I check those diplomas? I would just like to make sure that they're not from some med school in the Philippines...<br>--<br><br>Some writer must have been pressured into coughing up quips for the episode. Was his/her job on the line? Was s/he beating a producer's deadline?<br><br>In the American concept of <span style="font-style: italic;">Land of the Free</span>, I think it not the norm for people to have absolute freedom of expression to the point of racially insulting others. Try to crack even a seemingly harmless joke using the wrong expression <span style="font-style: italic;">negro</span> towards black americans and you'll get a political beating. Try inappropriately saying <span style="font-style: italic;">redheads</span> to native american-indians and you'll be <span style="font-style: italic;">persona non-grata</span> if you happen to be a tourist.<br><br>It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth.<br><br>Last 2006 I had my off-campus elective in Family Practice at a branch of a large multispecialty practice in Houston, TX - and I found the work environment quite harmonious. No patient was out discriminating against a physician of non-American descent, and no staff member found it funny to even joke about another healthcare worker's ethnic origins.<br><br>In fact, that same clinic where I rotated in had two Filipinos among the physician staff, one of them being the clinic's <span style="font-weight: bold;">Managing</span> Physician. She, the manager, being from "a med school in the Philippines".<br><br>I do hope that sense will get knocked into the people behind <span style="font-style: italic;">Desperate Housewives</span> for them to realize their mistake.<br><br>I also hope that in the unfortunate event that they figure in a medical crisis, they will receive the best possible care from a Filipino Physician, and in their realization of whose hands their lives are in, they will come to appreciate that medical care is no laughing matter for us Filipinos.<br> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-140893699879509262007-09-26T04:08:00.000+08:002007-09-26T08:12:50.812+08:00Conflicting Medical Opinion <span style="font-style: italic;">(Reposted from an email forward.)</span><br> <br> When the hospital Board of Directors asked a panel of doctors to vote on adding a new wing to their hospital, the Allergists voted to scratch it and the Dermatologists advised no rash moves. <br> <br> The Gastroenterologists had a gut-feeling about it, but the Neurologists thought the administration had a lot of nerve, and the Obstetricians stated they were all labouring under a misconception. <br> <br> The Ophthalmologists considered the idea shortsighted; the Pathologists yelled, "Over my dead Body" - while the Paediatricians said, "grow up!" <br> <br> The Psychiatrists thought the whole idea was madness, the Surgeons decided to wash their hands of the whole thing, and the Radiologists could see right through it. <br> <br> The Internists thought it was a bitter pill to swallow; the Plastic Surgeons said, "This puts a whole new face on the matter." <br> <br> The Podiatrists thought it was a step forward, but the Urologists felt the scheme wouldn't hold water. <br> <br> The Anaesthesiologists thought the whole idea was a gas, and the Cardiologists didn't have the heart to say no. <br> <br> ... and in the end, the Proctologists left the decision up to some asshole. <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7947266.post-41336091673060276382007-09-15T17:29:00.000+08:002007-09-15T21:31:39.107+08:00Image or Personality Look-alikes?<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.myheritage.com/collage" title="MyHeritage - share black and white photos with facial recognition technology" alt="MyHeritage - share black and white photos with facial recognition technology" target="_blank"><img style="width: 459px; height: 527px;" src="http://storage.myheritagefiles.com/H/storage/site1/files/66/64/92/666492_329892acddbe64deno9m29.JPG" border="0"></a><br><br>COMEDY. From Mark Bautista... to Megawati Sukarnoputri? Saan ka pa?<br></div> <!-- multiply:no_crosspost --><p class='multiply:no_crosspost'></p>Alberthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09493135724284116202noreply@blogger.com0