Faculty Regent Gadong expresses alarm over 2025 UP budget cut
Faculty Regent Early Sol Gadong has expressed alarm over the PhP2.08 billion budget cut affecting the University of the Philippines (UP), alongside reductions in the budgets of critical social services such as the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Health (DOH), and housing agencies. Speaking at the All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) Strategic Planning for 2025, Gadong urged collective action to address these austerity measures, which she warned would adversely affect UP and marginalized sectors across the country. Newly sworn-in Faculty Regent Gadong officially assumed office after being sworn in by UP President Angelo Jimenez in a short oath-taking ceremony at Quezon Hall in UP Diliman, Quezon City, attended by academic union officers, former faculty regents, university officials, and members of the UP community. During the planning session, Gadong delivered an in-depth discussion on the National Situation, providing a critical review of 2024 challenges and key political and economic issues for the new year. She analyzed the tensions between the ruling political cliques of the Dutertes and Marcoses, emphasizing their impact on national governance. She also discussed the quadcom hearings investigating former President Rodrigo Duterte’s bloody war on drugs and Vice President Sara Duterte’s questionable fund allocations under the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education, including the alleged misappropriation of PhP125 million in just 11 days. The discussion highlighted the Marcos administration’s budget reductions for education, health, and disaster response, as well as the controversial PhP4.5 billion confidential funds under the Office of the President. Gadong warned of potential misuse of these funds to influence electoral outcomes and criticized increased Social Security System (SSS) contributions that burden working-class Filipinos. Faculty Regent Gadong called on AUPAEU members to join the campaign against budget cuts for social services and to advocate for academic freedom, social justice, and institutional accountability. The planning session ended with a commitment to advancing the welfare of UP faculty and staff while standing in solidarity with sectors affected by budget cuts, corruption, and political infighting.
Prof. Early Sol Gadong sworn in as 28th Faculty Regent of the University of the Philippines System
The Office of the Sectoral Regents (OSR) of the University of the Philippines (UP) welcomed its newly sworn-in Faculty Regent, Prof. Early Sol Gadong, during a ceremony held on January 6, 2025 at Quezon Hall in UP Diliman campus, Quezon City. Prof. Gadong, a faculty member of UP High School in Iloilo, brings with her a strong commitment to the welfare and well-being of the UP faculty and the university community. She assumes the office of the 28th Faculty Regent for the term 2025-2026. Her oath-taking ceremony was attended by various members and leaders of the UP community, including UP President Angelo Jimenez, UP Vice President for Academic Affairs Leo D.P. Cubillan, UP Vice President for Legal Affairs Abraham Rey Acosta, Secretary of the University and of the Board of Regents Roberto M.J. Lara, All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) National President Perlita Raña, Prof. Hermie Cartagena from the AUPAEU-Iloilo chapter, Jonathan Beldia from the UP Workers Alliance, members of UP Multisectoral Alliance, CONTEND, UP Arboretum community members, and others. Prof. Gadong articulated her vision for the office, focusing on a service-oriented leadership model that places a premium on faculty welfare, academic freedom, and inclusion. Central to her plan is the advocacy for more plantilla positions, liveable wages, and transparent policies on faculty recruitment, tenure, and promotion. Following the advocacies of outgoing 27th Faculty Regent Carl Marc Ramota, Prof. Gadong also expressed her intention to further push for the promotion of academic freedom, ensuring that UP remains a safe space for free thought and critical expression. Prof. Gadong further emphasized her commitment to mental health initiatives and welfare policies, such as advocating for enhanced housing benefits and stress-free commute options for newly hired faculty members. Additionally, her plan includes fostering stronger collaboration and dialogue across the different UP campuses to address unique academic challenges, such as those faced by the basic education units and creative sectors. As the newly appointed Faculty Regent, Prof. Gadong takes on the responsibility of representing the UP faculty’s interests in the Board of Regents and will work closely with university administrators and unions to push for reforms that address the growing needs of the faculty sector. In her message during the oath-taking ceremony, Prof. Gadong thanked his predecessors, particularly outgoing Faculty Regent Ramota, for their leadership and unwavering advocacy for academic freedom and faculty welfare. She assured the UP community that under her leadership, the Office of the Faculty Regent (OFR) would continue to be a vital platform for addressing the challenges faced by the faculty while upholding the university’s commitment to academic freedom and public service. The ceremony concluded with a humble salu-salo, where attendees partook of light snacks and gathered for a photo session.