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UP confers honorary degree on Legarda

June 24, 2018

The University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman on Sunday conferred an honorary degree on Senator Loren Legarda during its 107th General Commencement Exercises.

Legarda, who also served as commencement speaker, received a Doctor of Laws degree honoris causa from the university.

The senator was conferred the honorary degree in recognition of her years of commitment as a lawmaker, journalist and advocate of various social issues such as human rights, peace, environment, education, among others.

UP president Danilo Concepcion, along with the Board of Regents, the highest policy-making body of the university, led the granting of the honorary degree to Legarda.

 

UP Diliman to confer Doctor of Laws degree honoris cause to Senator Loren Legarda. She also serves as the commencement speaker for this year’s general commencement exercises. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/S3kxrRgAPs

 

Legarda graduated cum laude with a degree in broadcast communication in 1981 from the then-UP Institute of Mass Communication, now College of Mass Communication.

In 1993, she earned her master’s degree in National Security Administration from the National Defense College of the Philippines with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

In her speech, Legarda vowed to push for the resumption of the peace talks, in support to the call of some graduating students.

 

Legarda delivers her speech, calls for the resumption of peace talks. @gmanewspic.twitter.com/Z881eYt3DX

 

“Kanina may nakita akong nag-aangat ng mga senyas: Resume peace talks now. Yes, I agree with you. And as an adviser of the GRP panel, I agree with you,” she said.

“The peace talks is suspended for the meantime but I am one with you and I will help push for the immediate resumption of the peace talks,” she added.

The peace negotiations, which have been suspended since November, were supposed to resume on June 28 in Oslo, Norway, but President Rodrigo Duterte has called it off to give way to public consultations.

Legarda also encouraged the graduates as they step out of the university and face the real world to never forget what their UP education is for.

“Bagamat ang ating pag-aaral sa Pamantasan ang pinagmumulan ng kaalaman, hindi maaring magtapos sa kaalaman ang ating pananagutan. Kailangan nating gamitin ang kaalamang ito upang maghanap ng mga solusyon sa mga kagyat at maigting na suliranin ng ating bansa at lipunan,” she said.

“UP would not be UP if it were not to remain the bastion of intellectual inquiry and academic freedom in this country. UP would not be UP if we were to devote ourselves to anything less than service to the people, in whatever form. UP would not be UP if it did not dare to lead, to be different, and to excel,” she added.

More than 4,000 UP Diliman students graduated on Sunday, led by 29 summa cum laude honorees. —KG/LBG, GMA News

 

Source: GMA News Online