The Philippine Online Chronicles

University of the Philippines (UP) alumni regent Alfredo E. Pascual is the next president of the country’s premier state university. Pascual, 62, was chosen through a vote by the 11-man Board of Regents (BOR), UP’s highest policy making body.

The selection was set for November 19 this year but postponed to December 3 due to the lack of a student representative. Pascual will take over from incumbent UP President Emerlinda Roman, who is due to finish her term in February next year.

According to Tinig ng Plaridel, Pascual’s priorities will “include the finding of alternative funding for UP in an open, competitive process.” He said he had no plans to increase tuition during his term as UP President. “Responsibilidad ng gobyerno na pondohan ang unibersidad," Pascual said in a report.

Pascual’s election was immediately supported by UP’s University Student Council, which regarded him as "pro-student."

The UP alumnus holds a degree in BS Chemistry and Masters in Business Administration.

Pascual was a long-time international development and investment banker. He worked for the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for 19 years and was among the pioneers of investment banking in the Philippines and held senior executive positions in Bancom Development Corporation, Philippine Pacific Capital (now RCBC Capital), and First Metro Investment. He also taught at the Asian Institute of Management, UP, and Ateneo.

In his vision statement for the selection process, Pascual said there is a need and opportunity to remake UP as a great university in the 21^st century.

“A university takes a leadership role in the educational, cultural, social and economic development of the country it serves. UP as the national university must give paramount consideration to national concerns. UP should pursue its teaching, research and extension service functions not only within the framework of its many academic disciplines but more so in the context of national development needs that are ever changing and becoming increasingly complex. UP has a historic commitment of service to the Filipino nation. In the 21st century, this must include efforts to help the country become a significant and positive player in global society,” he said.

Pascual is the lead convenor of election watchdog Automated Elections System (AES) Watch.

The other nominees included Consolacion Alaras, Patrick Alain Azanza, Leonor Briones, Esperanza Cabral, Sergio Cao, Benjamin Diokno, Ma. Serena Diokno, Raul Pangalangan, Virginia Teodosio and Luis Rey Velasco.