MANILA, Philippines — The University of Santo Tomas Alumni Association Inc. said its decision to recognize alumni in government service was meant to challenge recipients to uphold the university's core values.
The inclusion of Presidential Communications Assistant Secretary Esther Margaux "Mocha" Uson in the list created buzz on social media Sunday night.
It also prompted the UST Central Student Council to issue a statement saying Uson, whom it described as "widely known as the main purveyor of politically-motivated propaganda against known members of the government's opposition, and an avid spreader of fake news" did not deserve the citation.
“[The Thomasian Alumni in Government Service] is envisioned to inspire and challenge the recipients to lead the Thomasian core values of compassion, competence and commitment,” USTAAI president Henry Tenedero and vice president John Simon said in a statement Sunday.
They said criteria are for the recipients to be:
- A graduate of the University of Santo Tomas
- Working for the House of Representatives, Senate, judiciary or executive.
The Communications assistant secretary earned bachelor's degree in Science in Medical Technology in 1998.
She also took up Medicine at the UST Faculty of Medicine and Surgery but later chose to focus on a career in entertainment.
USTAAI clarified that alumni initiated the grant of the award, not the university itself. It said the awards given are different from the Outstanding Thomasian Alumni Leadership Awards—the highest award bestowed by the institution.
In a Facebook post, Uson thanked the USTAAI for the recognition and dedicated it to her mother and to Filipinos.
READ: UST gives award to Mocha Uson for gov’t service
‘Revoke Mocha’s award’
USTAAI’s recognition of Uson for her service in President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration has sparked criticism, with many individuals, including Thomasians, saying she is undeserving of the award.
The Arts and Letters Student Council called on the alumni association to revoke the award to Uson, whom it said is known for propagating politically-motivated propaganda and fake information.
“The ABSC believes that she does not deserve any form of award, which entails a reward for her merits; let alone be recognized by the University as a notable [alumna],” it said in a statement.
The UST Central Student Council earlier said that Uson “does not, in any way, embody the ideals of a real Thomasian.”
In a strongly-worded Facebook post, Filipino-American novelist Bino Realuyo also said that Uson’s award is “an insult to all UST alumni who believe in upholding one of the pillars of strong democracies—veritas (truth).”
“Her idea of change has resulted in the death of many Filipinos. I am sure there are many unsung and worthy alumni of UST whom you can honor and recognize. Mocha Uson is certainly not one of them,” he said.
Realuyo, an alumnus of UST High School and who was honored for his contributions in literature, said the decision to recognize Uson prompted him to return the award he received from the university.
“Her idea of change has resulted in the death of many Filipinos. I am sure there are many unsung and worthy alumni of UST whom you can honor and recognize. Mocha Uson is certainly not one of them,” he said.
READ: UST student council strongly denounces award given to Mocha