UST Dominicans will start the selection process for the next rector by determining the terna on May 27, following the completion of Fr. Richard Ang, O.P.’s first term as UST Rector.
This process will involve a secret ballot by Dominicans residing in the Priory of St. Thomas Aquinas at UST and those assigned to teach at the University during the academic year.
Their task is to nominate three candidates, known as the terna, who must be Filipino members of the Dominican Order and hold a civil or ecclesiastical doctorate degree.
Once the list is finalized, it will be sent to the UST vice chancellor, Fr. Filemon de la Cruz, O.P., for approval. De la Cruz is the prior provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines.
The list will then be forwarded to the Academic Senate, which is composed of the University’s vice rectors and academic unit heads. They are tasked with evaluating and ranking the candidates.
The ranked list of candidates will then be submitted to the Board of Trustees, which includes University vice rectors, the secretary general, and other Dominican friars.
The list will then be endorsed by the Master of the Order and UST chancellor, Fr. Gerard Timoner III, O.P., to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education.
Following the final evaluation by the dicastery, the Holy See will issue the declaration “nihil obstat,” which is Latin for “nothing obstructs” or “there is no obstacle,” and will give the name of the top nominee back to the Master of the Order, who will then make the official appointment.
UST rectors serve four-year terms and are allowed to hold the position for two consecutive terms.
Ang assumed the role from Fr. Herminio Dagohoy, O.P. in 2020.
Ang is eligible for reelection to a second term.
Before his appointment as Rector, Ang concurrently held the positions of UST vice rector and dean of the Faculty of Philosophy from 2012 to 2020.
While the University awaits the appointment of the new rector, Fr. Isaias Tiongco, O.P., occupies the post of acting rector.
