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Malou Choa-Fagar releases UPCMCFI's statement on missing funds issue
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Malou Choa-Fagar has taken to social media to address the ongoing controversy surrounding the missing funds of the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communication Foundation Inc. (UPCMCFI).
In a Facebook post, Malou shared an official statement from the foundation outlining its position on the issue and clarifying her role in the matter.
"The ex-officio Vice Chair and President disassociated from the Foundation on June 3, 2026 via a now-deleted Facebook statement. In this regard, UPCMCFI Trustee Malou Choa-Fagar graciously accepted the appointment to preside at the June 22, 2026 General Assembly," it was stated.
The statement further said that Malou "never had access, possession, or control of the funds in question" and denied allegations circulating on social media linking her to the missing funds.
The foundation added that the Board had already taken action and approved resolutions to engage legal counsel even before the GA.
"The UPCMCFI has built a strong case over the past months and is currently in the process of filing cases to recover the funds. Case details and evidence cannot be released so as not to compromise legal strategy and violate court rules."
Meanwhile, UPCMCFI also clarified that the assembly followed the provisions of the foundation's Constitution and By-Laws (CBL).
"Only members in good standing were allowed inside the venue of the General Assembly (GA). [Article I. Membership Section 10. Good Standing Status- Only members who pay his/her annual membership fee for the applicable year shall be considered in good standing. Members who are not in good standing shall not be allowed to vote in the Annual Meeting for that year.]
"A Quorum of 25% for GA according to the CBL was achieved and so the body proceeded with the Order of Business as specified in the CBL...The COMELEC declared the incumbent members of the Board to continue to serve in a holdover capacity until such time as their successors are duly elected."
As stated, the Notices of Meeting were sent on June 1, 2026, to all registered email addresses of UPCMCFI members, including requirements: Pre-register with the Attendance/ Proxy Form and Membership Dues via bank deposit or bank transfer to be submitted by June 19, 2026 (Friday).
There was also a special consideration for members who had already submitted their attendance form by the deadline and were unfamiliar with online banking.
"Despite these, the said walk-in persons did not submit the duly communicated requirements due to their initial decision to boycott the GA. An email to all CMC faculty was circulated with intent to disrupt the General Assembly through a '5-step game plan,' which included freezing the Agenda after the Call to Order.
"It is apparent that the motivation is not to seek transparency. Thus, to be fair to members who complied to meet the deadlines and requirements, the said walk-in persons were not Members in Good Standing for 2026, and therefore, could not attend the GA. "
UPCMCFI also noted that the foundation is a private non-stock, non-profit organization with the goal to help the College of Mass Communication perform its extension functions.
" The Foundation's Board of Trustees is composed of UPCMC alumni and faculty, who are all volunteers, and do not receive any remuneration or per diem. The Foundation is independent of the UPCMC and is not under the College Executive Board (CEB)," they added.
The controversy began after the UPCMCFI Board said it discovered alleged fund misappropriation following an external audit covering the period from 2021 to 2025 that was initiated from August 2025 to January 2026.
It was reported that the total PhP 4.4M of UPCMCFI funds were missing, including PhP 1.4M remaining funds from different closed projects and PhP 2.9M from Operating and Institutional funds for financial support of the UPCMC Staff and the College.
Without the foundation president, UPCMCFI Trustee Malou Choa-Fagar attended and presided over the June 22 General Assembly, where members raised questions regarding the missing funds.
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