UST’s The Varsitarian Reacts To Alumni Association Awarding Mocha Uson
VARSITARIAN – The official student publication of the University of Santo Tomas, The Varsitarian, reacted to the giving of an award of the UST Alumni Association Inc. (UAAI) to Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Assistant Secretary Margaux “Mocha” Uson.
Based on a report, the alumni association of UST gave the Thomasian Alumni Award to Assistant Sec. Uson because of her service under Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte.
The move of the UAAI to give the said award to Uson gathered different reactions not just from the people but as well as from those who are really part of the prominent university including The Varsitarian, the official student publication of UST.
According to the report, the UST has recently released its statement on the giving of the Thomasian Alumni Award to Assistant Sec. Uson. It stressed that the body that gave the said award to Uson is separate from the University.
The University of Santo Tomas Central Student Council (UST-CSC) did not agree with the decision of the alumni association to give the award to Uson due to the accusations to her spreading fake news and information on social media.
Based on a recent report in ABS-CBN News, The Varsitarian called for the resignation of the officials of the UAAI for giving a “useless and baseless award” to PCOO Assistant Sec. Mocha Uson.
In the editorial of The Varsitarian dated January 22, it is stated in the student paper that a survey of the work of Uson “should have alerted any ordinary alumnus” that she is “too controversial” for the given award.
It is stated that in giving the said award to Uson with the name of the University, the alumni association has “perpetuated a libel” on the University.
“For its libel on UST and abetting assault on the truth, the UAAI leadership should resign.”
Based on the report, The Varsitarian cited the challenge of Uson to the Catholic Church over her support to the Reproductive Health Bill and the view of the Assistant Secretary on the death penalty.
In a phone interview with the source, UST Alumni Association Pres. Henry Tenedoro expressed that the alumni officials are not leaving their positions. They will be having an emergency meeting to discuss the matter.