Storm over Mocha; Lawmaker returns UST award

MANILA, Philippines — Another alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas yesterday returned the Thomasian in Government Service Award given to him by the UST Alumni Association.

Rep. Tom Villarin of party-list group Akbayan said he returned the award “because I refuse to buy into their justification for awarding Mocha Uson that one only needed to be a graduate of our alma mater and be part of government.”

“If that were true, then all Thomasian civil servants should have also been given such an award,” Villarin said.

Villarin and Uson, presidential communications office assistant secretary and STAR columnist, were among the 27 alumni recognized by the USTAA for government service.

Villarin criticized the association’s choice of Uson as one of its awardees and its criteria for the award.

“It is shameful and unpleasant for someone to accept the award when one’s actions go against the core values of Thomasians, ‘truth in charity’ as well as public accountability and transparency in government. Uson is a purveyor of fake news. She has corrupted the values that Thomasians hold dear,” he said.

Villarin said awards should distinguish role models from the rest based on merit. 

“Awards should stand for something, but if they can mean anything, then they are nothing,” he said.

The other awardees include Sen. Joel Villanueva and Representatives Lito Atienza of Buhay party-list, Joaquin Chipeco Jr. of Laguna, Emi Rubiano of Pasay, Lord Allan Jay Velasco of Marinduque and Frederick Siao of Iligan City.

Earlier, former health chief Carmencita Reodica returned her outstanding Thomasian alumni award she received in 1997.

“Out of personal conviction and many others more deserving, I am returning this award for it has lost its meaning and significance,” she said in a Facebook post.

Reodica was health secretary during the Ramos administration.

Henry Tenedero, USTAA president, called for a meeting last night after they received flak for recognizing Uson, “to clarify the issues raised on social media.”

He said they would study the proposal of some USTAA members to take back Uson’s award. – With Evelyn Macairan