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.
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"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.