PUP to confer doctorate on Pimentel

MANILA, Philippines - Polytechnic University Of The Philippines (PUP) will confer the Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa on Sen. Aquilino Martin “Koko” Pimentel III during the joint graduation ceremonies of the PUP Graduate School and the Open University System tomorrow, May 18 at the Bulwagang Balagtas, Ninoy Aquino Library and Learning Resource Center in PUP, Sta. Mesa, Manila campus.

Pimentel will address the 162 graduating students from various programs of the PUP Graduate School and the 164 who will be conferred with their masters degrees from the different centers of the Open University System.

Newly-installed university president, Dr. Emanuel De Guzman, leads the PUP community in honoring the Senator. He will be joined by the members of the PUP Board of Regents as well as the other university officials. Together, they will stand witnesses to the hooding of the graduates which is one of the highlights of the said graduation ceremonies.

According to De Guzman the graduates should be inspired by this year’s guest speaker: “His being proclaimed Senator in August 2011, barely a couple of years left of his six-year term is already a challenge by itself. What he has learned from the entire experience is something from which our graduates can draw inspiration in their own struggles in life,” the president explained.

Pimentel topped the Bar examination in 1990. He co-anchors the program “Bantay OFW” on AM radio. He served as Commissioner of the National Youth Commission representing Mindanao in the mid-1990s. At present, he serves as resource person and adviser to various organizations and associations such as the National Commuters Council of the Philippines, Catholic Media Network and National Press Photographers.