Manila Hotel
11 April 2012
President Benigno S. Aquino III was conferred with a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) by the officials of the Centro Escolar University, led by its President and Chief Academic Officer Ma. Cristina Padolina, during the University Commencement Exercises at the Fiesta Pavilion, Manila Hotel.
He was awarded with the honorary degree because of "his enlightened and inspiring leadership as President of the Republic of the Philippines which exemplifies the CEU ideals of Science and Virtue; his exemplary government service and selfless contribution as Congressman of Tarlac and as Senator by crafting laws that create productivity initiatives and economic opportunities for the welfare of workers, thus manifesting the values the University advocates; his steadfast advocacy for good governance and transparency in public service, his unqualified commitment to fight graft and corruption and his passion for truth and honesty; strengthening the Filipinos' faith in freedom and democracy by serving as a moral exemplar for those who seek justice and peace in the country and in the international arena;his ardent desire to advance the nation into a culture of moral uprightness and integrity, virtues that Centro Escolar University upholds," the citation stated.
Addressing before CEU graduates, the President declared his desire to implement massive reforms in the judicial system and remind every member of the Judiciary to truthfully fulfill their sworn duties. He said this after discussing the tainted justice system in the Philippines and mentioning several unresolved cases and unfair decisions committed under the prevailing structure of justice in the country for the past years until now. Among these are the cases of Bai Omera Lucman of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Ruby Rose Barrameda, Banco Filipino, a DPWH project in Mindanao and the fact-finding committee on the investigation of former NBI Director Magtanggol Gatdula.
President Aquino was joined by Justice Secretary Leila de Lima, Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority Director General Joel Villanueva.
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