Faculty & professor emeriti of UP question appointment of Edgardo Carlo Vistan as UP Diliman chancellor, prefer current Chancellor Dr. Fidel Nemenzo.

A group of more than 40 faculty and professor emeriti of the University of the Philippines has questioned the selection of Edgardo Carlo Vistan 2nd as chancellor of UP Diliman. The group accuses the UP Board of Regents of selecting Vistan instead of the more qualified Dr. Fidel Nemenzo and Dr. Victor Paz. The signatories argue that the community’s preference should be respected in terms of academic governance. They claim that Vistan is underqualified and lacks experience, credentials and preparation compared to the other candidates. The signatories also raise concerns about the leadership of the country’s premier state university not holding any Doctorates of Philosophy, which may impact the university’s international reputation. The letter calls for transparency and urges UP President Angelo Jimenez to release the full report of the search committee and to reveal his vote. Among the signatories were National Artist for Music and Professor Emeritus Dr. Ramon Santos, Professor Emeriti Dr. Guillermo Tabios, and former Education undersecretary Dr. Dina Ocampo.