UP Student Regent condemns move to confer honorary degree on Duterte

The University of the Philippines (UP) Office of the Student Regent slammed the plan of the Board of Regents (BOR) to confer an honorary doctorate on President Rodrigo Duterte. 

"Honors are not deserved by a president whose regime killed thousands of citizens and leaders of progressive groups under Oplan Tokhang and Oplan Kapayapaan," the UP Office of the Student Regent said in a statement posted on Facebook. 

"Honors must not be given to a president that declares all-out war against his people to quell their struggle for just and lasting peace, and reimposes death penalty to legitimize the killing of the poor."

The Office of the Student Regent (OSR) is the only student member of the BOR representing thousands of undergraduate and graduate students from all the UP campuses.

The OSR underscored that Duterte has not yet exhibited "excellence" as the country's leader. 

"His plan to continue neo-liberal policies, which ultimately enhance profit generation for the privileged few, have resulted in unfulfilled promises," it said, adding that contractualization will be more rampant with Labor Department's Order 174.

"Collection of profits from students will be systematized through nationwide implementation of socialized tuition," it added. 

GMA News Online is trying to reach Palace officials for their comment on the matter. 

Members of the BOR earlier announced that Duterte has been nominated for an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

Regent Frederick Mikhail Farolan said the conferment of an honorary degree was “customary” on the part of the university.

“It was brought to the attention of the Board that the bestowing of an honorary degree to the President, Senate President and Chief Justice have been customary,” Farolan told GMA News Online.

This means honorary degrees would also be offered to Senate President Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III and Supreme Court Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno.

The Office of the Student Regent said that it was not the first time that UP will confer an honorary degree to a president for the sake of tradition.

President Benigno Aquino III was given the same degree, "despite his incompetence, lack of accountability on corruption, and human rights violations committed during his term." 

"Other presidents were offered the same regardless of their respective contributions to the worsening of the country's economic and political system, to the dismay and embarrassment of the UP community," it added. 

The group also called on the members of the UP community to join protest activities scheduled next week. — BAP, GMA News