3 top UST priests resign; P3-B hospital project stopped

Three priests who were top officials of the University of Santo Tomas have been replaced to give way to new leadership, while a P3-billion project for the university’s hospital to become a commercial operation has been put on hold, the school’s official student newspaper reported. The Varsitarian said in an article posted on its website that the priests who resigned were Edmund Nantes, prior provincial of the Philippine Dominican Province and also UST vice chancellor, Rector Ernesto Arceo, OP, and Vice Rector Juan Ponce, OP. A circular issued last September 11 also stated that the plan to spin off UST Hospital into a commercial operation has been stopped and would be reviewed. The university hospital, which separated from the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery three years ago, was to embark on a P3-billion expansion program, involving the construction of a 19-storey tower to house doctors’ clinics and other facilities. The student newspaper said the resignation of the three priests was accepted by Argentine priest Carlos Aspiroz Costa, head of the Order of Preachers (OP), known as the Dominicans. Aspiroz is in Manila for a canonical visit. “The Master believes that a new leadership team will be better able to create the consensus necessary for future developments at the University and Hospital, especially as UST begins preparations for its 400th anniversary in 2011," said UST secretary general Isidro Abaño, OP. Abaño refused to comment on the reported resignation of the three priests, saying UST will issue an official statement on Friday. Aspiroz named Rolando De La Rosa, OP, acting rector of UST until Pope Benedict XVI appoints a new rector. Dela Rosa has previously served as UST rector and is former chairman of the Commission on Higher Education. Quirico Pedregosa, OP, was named vicar over UST and asked to “remain in office for the foreseeable future." UST has about 38,000 students and, founded in 1611, is the second oldest university in the country. -GMANews.TV