24/03/2026
๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ง ๐ข๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐จ๐ ๐ข๐ ๐ก๐๐ฃ๐๐ ๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ก๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก๐ฆ (๐๐ก๐ข) ๐ข๐ก ๐ง๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก ๐๐๐๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐ฆ๐๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก: ๐ก๐ข ๐๐ข๐ก๐๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ ๐ช๐๐ง๐๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐๐๐ข๐จ๐ก๐ง๐๐๐๐๐๐ง๐ฌ, ๐ก๐ข ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฃ๐ฃ๐ข๐ฅ๐ง ๐ช๐๐ง๐๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ง!
CHANCY, HEED THE CALL FOR A GENUINE AND PEOPLE-CENTERED COMMUNITY!
On March 2, 2026, the Chancellor Search Committee for the 2026 UP Diliman Chancellor Selection released the calendar of activities. However, on March 3, 2026, a day before the scheduled public forum, the Committee announced the inclusion of Dr. Alfredo Mahar Francisco A. Lagmay alongside current Chancellor Edgardo Carlo L. Vistan II as a nominee for the Chancellorship. During the public forum, various sectors of the UP Diliman community raised questions following the presentation of plans of both nominees. Additionally, the UP Diliman University Student Council launched the UP Diliman 2025-2026 Student Demands Papers, outlining the major concerns and urgent issues faced by the studentry.
The League of NCPAG Organizations (LNO), composed of the UP NCPAG Student Council, NCPAG-Umalohokan, UP Samahan Tungo sa Progresibong Administrasyon (UP STPA), Initiative for Genuine Involvement, Transparency and Empowerment (IGNITE-NCPAG), Practice of Administrative Leadership and Service (PALS-NCPAG), and Sandigang Mag-aaral para sa Pambansang Demokrasya (SANDIGAN-NCPAG), affirms the report on Student Demands of UP Diliman University Student Council Chairperson and Student Representative to the Search Committee Joaquin H. Buenaflor, that these challenges are not abstract concerns but lived realities that shape the daily academic, social, and political experiences of the studentry. We echo the collective assertion that the student body, including that of the NCPAG community, cannot confidently name a candidate with whom we can fully entrust our confidence as the next Chancellor of UP Diliman.
We recognize that each nominee brings distinct strengths to the table. Chancellor Vistan II draws from his administrative experience, offering a grounded approach to infrastructure management, which is germane to the NCPAG community given the prolonged rehabilitation of its college building, all while demonstrating a commitment to institutional integrity. We likewise commend his favorable endorsement of student actions, including the September 12 campus walkout and the EDSA@40 commemoration, which merit acknowledgment.
On the other hand, Dr. Lagmay presents a vision rooted in systems-based governance and data-driven decision-making. We wish to highlight his experience in Project NOAH and the UP Resilience Institute, which reflects a commitment to science-based transparency and institutional resilience. At the same time, recognizing the qualifications of both nominees does not negate the responsibility to scrutinize their positions on issues that directly affect students, workers, faculty, and campus communities.
However, the search process has also surfaced deeply troubling positions that cannot be ignored.
On the SDG Wellness Park, both nominees maintained their support despite strong opposition from students and affected communities. Dr. Lagmayโs role as a proponent of the project is likewise worth noting, given UPRIโs documented involvement in the project. At the same time, opposition to the project has been clearly raised by students and affected communities, including residents of Pook Aguinaldo, Pook Malantik Bukid, and Area 17. Additionally, after obtaining a general consensus amongst the members of each organization, the LNO would like to strongly reaffirm its stance of opposing the implementation of the SDG Wellness Park. It is clear that this endeavor is neither collaborative nor pro-community. No life should be put at stake for false โwellnessโ that only benefits the few.
On agreements with militarized institutions, both nominees expressed support for collaborations with the AFP and PNP, justifying these through mandates of public service or technical cooperation. This directly contradicts the student body's demand to terminate all agreements with fascist institutions and reinstate protections similar to the UPโDND Accord. The League likewise emphasizes that NCPAG has seenโeven welcomedโuniformed personnel from BJMP, PNP, Navy, AFP, as well as notorious personalities such as Fmr. Pres. Spox Salvador Panelo and Sen. Rodante Marcoleta.
On fiscal autonomy for student councils and publications, the inconsistency is glaring. While Chancellor Vistan expressed support, Dr. Lagmay remained undecided, a position thatโas the Student Representative's report rightly notesโcan itself be seen as a form of suppression. The League likewise asserts that the fiscal autonomy and recognition of our very own NCPAG-Umalohokan remain unresolved, as neither funding nor a dedicated office has been offered or turned over to the publication.
On academic policies, both nominees offered their insights to the demand for a genuine wellness break, and both are in favor of the proposed UP General Education (GE) Core Curriculum, which was proposed under Chancellor Vistan IIโs term. This proposal further contradicts the goal of the GE program to ensure a holistic, critical, and nationalist education. The League echoes the stance of the Congress of Teachers/Educators for Nationalism and Democracy: the proposed UP Core Curriculum erodes not only the most essential aspects of UPโs GE program but also the quality of instruction and learning, and the autonomy of all UP units.
On student services, while both nominees' vision papers contain initiatives, students registered frustrations over the lack of concrete plans and operationalization during the search process. These visions must translate into accessible health services, affordable food, timely stipend allocation, and safe spaces. They must not remain on paper as these demands mirror the lived realities of every Iskolar ng Bayan.
The League of NCPAG Organizations (LNO) asserts that the next UP Diliman Chancellor must uphold the principles of good governance rooted in transparency, accountability, integrity, and inclusiveness at all times. A chancellor who believes in a profit-oriented and scientifically-centered university without regard for the essential insights of the humanities and social sciences, and crucially, without regard for the people who constitute this University, is undeserving of the position.
In an era of declining public trust and growing demand for meaningful participation, participatory governance is not optional. It is the only path forward for an institution that claims to serve as the national university. UP Diliman needs a Chancellor who heeds and acts upon the calls, needs, and aspirations of its peopleโnot one who signs documents under pressure only to qualify commitments in subsequent interviews.
In this regard, neutrality is not enough. Silence, indecision, or vague commitments on matters that directly affect democratic rights and student welfare only deepen distrust within the university community. The League of NCPAG Organizations (LNO) demands that both nominees revisit their current stances on the growing issues confronting the University and the nation:
Unequivocally oppose the SDG Wellness Park and all anti-community projects that prioritize private interests over the welfare of students, residents, and vendors.
Commit to terminating all agreements with militarized institutions and reinstating full protections against state intrusion on campus.
Guarantee the fiscal autonomy of student councils and publications, recognizing that institutional support for these bodies is integral to academic freedom and student life.
Translate visions for student services into concrete, time-bound plans with adequate budget allocation and genuine student participation in implementation and evaluation.
Institutionalize participatory governance mechanisms and systems that involve students, faculty, staff, and communities at every stage of university decision-making.
We stand with our Student Representative's findings: rather than extending unconditional support, we will continue to challenge and hold both nominees accountable to the demands raised throughout this process. The next Chancellor must not only possess administrative competence and strategic vision, but demonstrate genuine accountability to the university community, and most especially to the students. Until these demands are clearly and publicly addressed, no nominee can expect automatic confidence from the student body.
For a better future of UP Diliman, we continue the struggle for genuine change in the administration's system in attaining social, cultural, and economic justice.
๐๐๐๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ข๐ !
๐ก๐ข ๐ง๐ข ๐๐ข๐ ๐ ๐๐ฅ๐๐๐๐๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก!
๐ก๐ข ๐ง๐ข ๐๐๐ ๐ฃ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐ญ๐๐ง๐๐ข๐ก!
๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐ ๐ฃ๐๐ข๐ฃ๐๐-๐๐๐ก๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐, ๐๐๐ก๐จ๐๐ก๐, ๐๐ก๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ข๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ ๐จ๐ฃ ๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐ก!
๐๐๐๐ก๐๐ฌ, ๐๐๐๐ ๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ฅ ๐ ๐ฃ๐ฅ๐ข-๐ฃ๐๐ข๐ฃ๐๐ ๐๐ก๐ฆ๐ง๐๐ง๐จ๐ง๐๐ข๐ก!
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