Open Statement on the Arrogance of UP President Roman

Last night, December 18, 2007, someone,obviously with connections to the UPAdministration, sent this text message around: “PERR and VP Leonen had heated argument wd Jamby Madrigal who brought group of union members and students 2 pres roman and insisted that she debate wd them on charter. Then got on mic and insulted perr and all univ officials as arrogant n vs. transparency. D sessionwas adjourned after kiko pangilinan put on record that he disagreed. Pls. pas.”

I was in the Senate Session Hall yesterday and was with Sen Madrigal when the incident referred to by the text message happened. What I have seen wereactions hardly fit for a UniversityPresident, much more when that president comes from my beloved UP.For the whole day of 18 December 2007,my colleagues and I from the Office ofSenator Jamby Madrigal were busy drafting amendments to the UP Charter Bill based on the submissions of the UP Wide Democratization Movement (UP WIDEM)to promote democratic governance and accountability, and to strengthen statesupport to the University of thePhilippines through its charter amendments. At the same time, we werediscussing these matters with the staff of Sen. Pangilinan to hopefully reach acompromise.

My principal discussed these proposals,too, with Sen. Pangilinan and SenatePresident Villar , who advised us todiscuss the same with UP Pres. Roman andher group. Sen. Madrigal took the initiative to approach them at theirseats in the gallery, with myself by herside.We expected a congenial discussion, butwhat we got were verbal abuses andinsults to my self.I was yet to say my greetings to UPPres. Roman when she started pointingher finger at me, saying loudly that Iwas doing a “disservice to theUniversity” repeatedly just because I have a different position with her as regards the UP Charter. Her manner of speaking was bereft of respect for a former colleague in the UPadministration. She knows this: I was a member of the Board of Regents which elected her as UP President. I voted forher on the basis of a principled stand at that time. I differ with her and her administration now on the specific provisions of the UP Charter that they are supporting. Again, it is a principled stand.

Does Pres. Roman see me as just a“former student regent”? Not even anordinary student is entitled to suchdisrespect, much more right in the hallsof the Senate. Her arrogance isunacceptable by any standards. I willnot cower. I demand an apology from herfor the insults she hurled to me inpublic in the Senate Plenary Hall yesterday.I have served the University of thePhilippines well and will continue to do so.

MARCO M. DELOS REYES
Office of Senator Madrigal
UP Student Regent (2004)
UP Diliman USC Chairperson (AY 2005-2006)