Philippine Daily Inquirer
In its reaction to a Rappler story on the doctoral degree of Chief Justice Renato Corona (Inquirer, 1/1/11), the University of Santo Tomas decided to shoot the messenger and avoid the two key issues that Rappler editor at large Marites Dañguilan-Vitug raised in her story, which can be read on www.rappler.com.
Why did UST bend its rules and waive its dissertation requirements for Corona? Why was he given top honors, summa cum laude, when he had overstayed? He told Newsbreak in 2002 he was already attending classes at UST; he graduated only in April 2011.
Vitug stumbled upon the dissertation issue in June 2011, when she began her research on the sequel to her best-selling book on the Supreme Court, “Shadow of Doubt.” At the time, Newsbreak had not merged with Rappler. Newsbreak researcher Purple Romero, now a Rappler reporter, helped Vitug in her research. She sent at least a dozen letters to various UST officials and made various requests for interviews—to no avail.
It was only after the Inquirer published the story that UST decided to respond, denying it broke its rules but at the same time admitting it waived the dissertation requirements for Corona when he was awarded a doctorate in civil law. It’s academic freedom, it said.
This is not in any way connected with the impeachment process, as alleged by Supreme Court spokesperson Midas Marquez. This is not about attacking UST and its views on online journalism. This is simply about accountability and integrity: of a chief justice, who happens to be Renato Corona; and UST, a university granted a higher education institution status.
The story was pursued, written and published to raise questions about possible excesses and abuses, complicity in the degradation of academic standards, and false claims about academic excellence.
—MARIA A. RESSA
CEO/editor in chief
Rappler
http://opinion.inquirer.net/20455/unanswered-issues-on-corona-doctorate
UST, an AUTONOMOUS school, allowed CJ Corona to graduate with Ph. D. degree with explanation in previous articles bannered by Ms. Vitug.
If the writer is still unconvinced with UST’s explanation and others, the right thing to do next is to re-write the article in a form of a letter and address it to COMMISSION ON HIGHER EDUCATION (CHED).
Let CHED explain why it concurred with UST in granting the diploma to CJ Corona.
In the name of “DAANG MATUWID” of P-NOY administration, maybe we can correct the “DAANG MATUWID” of PREVIOUS administrations when it comes to granting AUTONOMOUS status to schools whose integrity endured the challenges of time way back when most of us were not yet born.
Frankly, the AUTONOMOUS school were I graduated allowed me to graduate without a thesis or dissertation (but with equivalent) in contrast to non-autonomous schools like LA SALLE and I think even ATENEO at that time where my co-employees enrolled there were required by said schools to hurdle the dissertation . I am honest about it and I am proud of my diploma.
BIRDS OF THE SAME FEATHER DESERVE EACH OTHER.
the only answer to this question is the continued influence of the catholic bishops and it’s hierarchy……..they want the supreme court to be on their side because of the reproductive health bill.
these child abusers and bishops impregnating women, the sponsorship of the catholic and condoning homosexual priest and homosexuality( period ) and their pope who was a NAZI during WWII is so pathetically offensive to our free society.
these corrupt bishops who literally solicits gifts from GMA for high end luxury vehicles were never castigated or punished for aiding and abetting the thievery of GMA of peoples hard earned taxes that GMA stoled…..with the blessings of these corrupt priests.