The University of Santo Tomas (UST) wants you to know that it had nothing to do with that controversial award given to blogger and Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Mocha Uson.
The university said in a statement Monday that the UST Almuni Association Inc. (USTAAI), which gave Uson the Thomasian Alumni Award for Government Service, is not an official part of the institution.
“…the University wishes to clarify that the recognition given to Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux J. Uson came from the UST Alumni Association Inc. and not from the University,” the statement reads.
They then explicitly said that USTAAI is a corporation “distinct and separate from UST.”
According to ABS-CBN News, UST Rector Fr. Herminio Dagohoy told the university newspaper The Varsitarian that he was not informed about the award.
Many were offended when news broke on Sunday that the USTAAI gave Uson the award. Although Uson is a government official, she is more infamous than famous. Uson is a staunch supporter of President Rodrigo Duterte and is very influential on social media. She currently has more than 5 million followers on Facebook, where she regularly attacks critics of the president and shares articles from fake news sites.
Many found that awarding her was against the values of the university, a Dominican-run Catholic school known for being conservative.
Some also think it tarnishes the institution’s legacy. UST is considered to be one of the top four universities in the country and is the oldest existing university in Asia at more than 400 years old. It counts many notable people as alumni including Philippine national hero Jose Rizal.
Other graduates of the university who were awarded the same recognition by USTAAI said that they will return the award. Representative Tom Villarin returned his award yesterday and said:
“Uson is a purveyor of fake news, an unrepentant violator of ethical standards in journalism, and a free-flowing fountain of foul language and obscenity. Indeed, she has corrupted the values that Thomasians hold dear”
Uson herself wants to return the award too. In a text sent to USTAAI President Henry Tenedero earlier today, she said that she plans to return the award and release a statement soon.
In an editorial published by The Varsitarian on Monday, the paper asked USTAAI officials to resign from their posts, calling the award “useless and baseless.”
It said that knowing Uson’s past work and background “should have alerted any ordinary alumnus that she’s too controversial for UST’s usually prudential and Catholic tastes.”
Apart from being known for spreading fake news, Uson was previously a sexy dancer.
“But for the entire USTAAI (UST Alumni Association Inc.) leadership to have ignored her dubious track record and the controversy it had elicited is sheer incompetence, irresponsibility, stupidity, and even corruption,” the editorial reads.
Last night, Tenedero did exactly what the paper asked for and quit his position. However, a statement from the association said that they are not rescinding the award, even though Uson wants to return it.
“The USTAAI stands firm with its decision not to rescind the recognition already conferred. As head of the USTAAI, President Henry Tenedero humbly takes full responsibility on what has happened, thus, tendering his resignation,” the statement reads.
Uson graduated with a degree in Medical Technology from UST. She was also part of the institution’s prestigious medical school but eventually quit.
