UST Faculty of Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina has issued a statement urging Filipinos to unite under the leadership of President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., who banked on his message of unity during the campaign period.
In a “personal” statement issued on July 24, prior to Marcos Jr.’s first State of the Nation Address, Divina said political differences should be set aside to “prioritize meaningful work” as poverty, inflation, and other economic uncertainties continued to loom not just in the Philippines but worldwide.
Divina said it was time for Filipinos to unite as he claimed the Philippines had already reached “the ending chapter of the pandemic.”
“While the country prepares for the gargantuan task of recovery and rebuilding, there is nothing more crucial than to unite under one decisive and responsive leadership,” Divina said.
“While I do not speak in my capacity as dean of the University of [Santo] Tomas Faculty of Civil Law and as the managing partner of DivinaLaw, I issue this statement with sincerity and conviction in my personal capacity as a concerned citizen,” Divina added.
Divina also called on Filipinos to “not subscribe to any falsehood as it will only negate our aspiration for unity.”
In 2020, former Cambridge Analytica director turned whistleblower Brittany Kaiser revealed that the Marcoses tapped the political data company to rebrand the Marcos family image in social media as early as 2014.
“In this day and age when truth can be distorted, let us commit to the pursuit of truth at all times,” Divina said.
Divina said part of his confidence in the leadership of Marcos Jr. was due to the fact that UST alumnus Vic Rodriguez was part of his Cabinet as executive secretary, a post also called “little president” due to its many inherent powers.
Before he was appointed executive secretary, Rodriguez was the spokesman of Marcos Jr.
In June, Rodriguez returned to UST for a “closed-door” meeting with UST officials including Divina, UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P., Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. and Civil Law Regent Fr. Isidro Abaño, O.P.
LOOK: President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s Executive Secretary-designate Vic Rodriguez, a UST alumnus, meets with UST Rector Fr. Richard Ang, O.P. and other University officials during a closed-door meeting on Thursday, June 23. pic.twitter.com/BPR4y4Xdch
— The Varsitarian (@varsitarianust) June 25, 2022
Rodriguez also used to be the treasurer of the UST Law Alumni Foundation. Justin Benedict T. Lim
