The incoming President of the University of the Philippines returned to his hometown in Mindanao to make a “Pledge to the People,” an act he said is intended to remind the state university of its fundamental mission.
In a social media post on Thursday, incoming UP President Atty. Angelo “Jijil” Jimenez said that he took his oath in Butuan because he wanted to remind UP that “we owe the people our loyalty.”
The 22nd UP President said he was conscious of “the expectations of our people in CARAGA, living in the nation’s poorest region, next only to BARMM.”
“We have yet to fulfil our mission to uplift lives where it matters most,” stressed the lawyer.
“This is our reason for being. We cannot stop from striving.”
The 22nd UP President said he was conscious of “the expectations of our people in CARAGA, living in the nation’s poorest region, next only to BARMM.”
Jimenez pointed out that the UP community “cannot afford to indulge too much in self-absorption.”
“That is fertile fields for arrogance, and there is none more hurtful than the arrogance of elites,” he lamented. “Honor and excellence are no longer enough. The time calls for humility and compassion. And kindness.”
Jimenez took his ceremonial oath on Wednesday morning at Mahayahay Elementary School in Butuan City, Agusan Del Norte. His oath was administered by Anticala Brgy. Captain Antonio Masamayor and took place at Mahayahay Elementary School. Present at the oath taking were Mahayahay Elementary School students and teachers, representatives from indigenous peoples, and Legal Education Board Commissioner Atty. Josefe S. Ty.
In his oath, delivered in Bisaya, Jimenez pledged to fulfill his duties honestly and to the best of his ability. He also promised to perform his responsibilities as UP President consistent with the Rule of Law.
After his ceremonial oath, Jimenez joined a thanksgiving mass at St. Joseph Cathedral presided by Father Saturnino Urios University (FSUU) President Rev. Fr. John Christian Young.
Among those who attended the mass were family members of Jimenez, Butuan local government officials, FSUU HS Batch ’83, Butuanon UP almuni, and Boy Scouts.
At the mass, Butuan City Vice Mayor, Atty. Lawrence Fortun, read a Resolution congratulating Atty. Jimenez while City Mayor, Engr. Ronnie Vicente Lagnada, delivered a short message.
Jimenez was born and raised in Butuan City. He received his elementary and secondary education at FSUU––then known as Urios College––before obtaining his sociology and law degrees from UP.
