UP revokes Regent Farolan's reappointment amid Facebook post threatening Ateneo players
MANILA, Philippines — The University of the Philippines Board of Regents, the university's highest decision-making body, revoked its recommendation to reappoint Frederick Mikhail "Spocky" Farolan from the board.
Farolan reaped criticism for his Facebook post threatening the safety of Ateneo de Manila University basketball players.
"Sayang hindi kumpleto ang players ng Ateneo sa Wednesday. Tatlo injured. Pili na kayo kung sinu-sino mga yon. (Too bad the will not be complete on Wednesday. Three are injured. Just choose who these will be.)" Farolan said in a Facebook post, which has already been deleted.
Deleted post from UP Board of Regents member Mr. Frederick "Spocky" Farolan. Joke man or hindi, mismong estudyante ng UP hindi na safe ang pakiramdam sa UP Campus tapos may ganyang post pa? Maraming salamat sa paninindigan, Madam Nina Alentajan-Santiago. Saludo po ako sa iyo!!! pic.twitter.com/Ygtto1Sswp
— Titan (@_CEREALKILL3R) December 2, 2018
The Duterte-appointed UP BOR member made the post after the UP Fighting Maroons lost to the Ateneo Blue Eagles in the first game of the UAAP Season 81 men's basketball finals.
The BOR apologized to the officials, staff and athletes of ADMU, as well as the UP community, for Farolan's statements.
"Committed to a higher standard of accountability for its members, the Board hereby withdraws its recommendation for the reappointment of Regent Farolan to the Board of Regents," the board said in a statement released Monday afternoon.
The board stressed that Farolan's actions have no excuse for sowing fear and confusion at a time when the university's focus should be on its athletics program.
"We view with extreme disapproval and strongly condemn violence in any form," the BOR said.
"The Board continues to uphold the principles of civility and sportsmanship. All Regents, officials, and members of the UP community are expected to keep with the highest standards of decorum," it added.
A Statement from the UP Board of Regents on Regent Frederick Mikhail I. Farolan's social media post that appeared to advocate the use of violence against members of the Ateneo men’s basketball team. Read full statement: https://t.co/xACV9UIWX3
— UP System (@upsystem) December 3, 2018
This statement came a day after UP President Danilo Concepcion dissociated the university from Farolan's comments, which made the rounds on social media.
"They do not in any way represent the values of the University, and the high esteem in which it holds sportsmanship, fair play, and civility in athletics as well as in other aspects of our academic and social life," Concepcion said.
President Rodrigo Duterte appointed Farolan to the UP BOR in October 2016 to replace former UP College of Mass Communication Dean Georgina Encanto.
Malacañang, on the other hand, said Farolan should be given a chance to explain himself.
"Fairness only dictates that it is the person subject of the call for resignation should decide for himself whether or not there is a validity for these calls or not," presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a press briefing.
The UP Board of Regents withdraws its recommendation for the reappointment of Regent Spocky Farolan to the board over his Facebook post that appeared to advocate the use of violence against members of the men’s basketball team of the Ateneo de Manila University.
In a Facebook post, Duterte-appointed Farolan suggested that three Ateneo Blue Eagles players would be injured by Wednesday.
Deleted post from UP Board of Regents member Mr. Frederick "Spocky" Farolan. Joke man or hindi, mismong estudyante ng UP hindi na safe ang pakiramdam sa UP Campus tapos may ganyang post pa? Maraming salamat sa paninindigan, Madam Nina Alentajan-Santiago. Saludo po ako sa iyo!!! pic.twitter.com/Ygtto1Sswp
— Titan (@_CEREALKILL3R) December 2, 2018
UP President Danilo Concepcion on Sunday disowned the regent over his remarks.
Farolan has since deleted his post and apologized.
The Ateneo Blue Eagles disposed of the UP Fighting Maroons, 99-81, to seize their second straight UAAP men's basketball title on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ateneo Blue Eagles secures a whopping 18-point lead against the UP Fighting Maroons.
The gap widened to two digits in the first few minutes of the third quarter after the Eagles dominated the first half with a 9-point command.
Below is the full statement of the UP Board of Regents.
The Board of Regents of the University of the Philippines takes note of the apology of Regent Frederick Mikhail I. Farolan during the Board of Regents meeting today regarding his post on social media that appeared to advocate the use of violence against members of the men’s basketball team of the Ateneo de Manila University.
We dissociate ourselves as a Board from Regent Farolan’s statements and actions. Whatever his motives may have been, there is no excuse for sowing fear and confusion, especially at a time when the University’s attention should have been focused on the rising successes of its athletic program. We view with extreme disapproval and strongly condemn violence in any form.
The Board continues to uphold the principles of civility and sportsmanship. All Regents, officials, and members of the UP community are expected to keep with the highest standards of decorum.
We apologize to the officials, staff, and athletes of the Ateneo de Manila University and to the UP community for any anxiety Regent Farolan’s statements may have caused. We also deeply regret the dampening of the euphoria of UP reaching the UAAP finals.
Committed to a higher standard of accountability for its members, the Board hereby withdraws its recommendation for the reappointment of Regent Farolan to the Board of Regents. We enjoin Regent Farolan from making any such further statements which can compromise the reputation and the goodwill of the University.
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