REACTING TO calls for him to vie for president of Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Valenzuela (PLV), UST Creative Writing chair Prof. Joselito delos Reyes said he would not apply “for now” due to livelihood concerns and the local politics surrounding the institution.
An open letter formally requesting delos Reyes to seek the PLV presidency post circulated on Facebook last week and has garnered over 1,500 reactions and numerous expressions of support.
Award-winning author Jerry Gracio, who reposted the request, attributed the letter to some of the school’s alumni.
The request cited delos Reyes’ qualifications and described him as someone who can offer fresh perspectives to PLV’s management.
“You’re not just an academic. You are familiar with the operation of the local government unit (LGU)…we believe you can navigate not only the administration of PLV but also its relationship with the LGU and LGU leaders,” it said.
Delos Reyes declined the invitation, citing concerns over confronting the system and the culture of an institution that has “grown accustomed to a leadership of nearly twenty years.” He also cited the possible impact of such a career move on his children who benefit from the privileges accorded to him as a tenured UST professor.
“Sa dalawang dahilan na ito kaya ako magdedesiyong hindi muna mag-apply. Hindi muna, dahil malay natin, baka sa susunod kapag nagbago ang klima at ang kabuhayan, kaya ko nang suungin ang hamon mula pag-a-apply, panel interview/s, hanggang teaching demonstration kung kailangan. Kakayanin ko ring sumayaw sa tugtog ng politika kung kailangan basta para sa PLV,” delos Reyes wrote on Tuesday, Jan. 6.
(Because of these two reasons, I have decided not to apply for now. For now, because who knows? Perhaps in the future, when climate and livelihood conditions change, I will be able to take on the challenge, from the application process to panel interviews, and even teaching demonstrations if necessary. I would even be willing to dance to the tune of politics if required for the sake of PLV.)
His response was posted on Facebook and Rappler, where it was published as an opinion piece titled “Kabuhayan showcase.”
Delos Reyes, who grew up in Valenzuela, said the vacancy stemmed from cumulative issues within the school over the past five months, including alleged corruption, illegal fee collection and red-baiting.
The accusations against PLV, which were posted online by the youth organization Angat Kabataan Valenzuela, even reached the mayor’s office.
“Mula 2022, paulit-ulit na may ulat ng student repression sa PLV—mula sa pagpigil sa mga estudyante na magsalita laban sa korapsyon at kapabayaan sa flood control, hanggang sa kawalan ng independent student publication,” the organization wrote on its social media account on Sept. 22 last year.
(Since 2022, there have been multiple reports of student repression at PLV—from censoring students to speak out against corruption and negligence over the flood control issues, to the absence of an independent student publication.)
“There were many issues in PLV last year, so there was the issue of student suppression, also sort of corruption, a professor was charging students in NSTP (National Service Training Program), and also red-tagging. So, what happened was it made waves in Valenzuela,” the Creative Writing chair told The Flame.
“Red-tagging” is the local term for red-baiting, or the linking of activists to communist groups.
The open letter for delos Reyes also alluded to these concerns.
“But above all, we know you will listen and respond to the needs of the students, care for the faculty, guarantee that the salaries of instructors and staff are not delayed, and ensure that the PLV will contribute to the production of knowledge—that the Pamantasan will produce not just board topnotchers, but graduates with a heart and readiness to serve the community and the nation,” it read.
“We are also certain that you will not red-tag students, student organizations or faculty, but will instead protect students rights, foster dialogue and zealously guard academic freedom.”
Following an assurance by the local government that it would address the allegations, by December, Valenzuela City announced the transfer of PLV’s NSTP director to another office pending investigation, as well as the call for applicants for the position of university president.
“In view of the audit report conducted by the internal audit unit of the city government of Valenzuela and consultative meetings with stakeholders regarding the alleged irregularities in the implementation of the [NSTP] in [PLV] such as the non-issuance of official receipts and irregular disbursement procedures among others, the city government takes the following measures,” Valenzuela Mayor Wes Gatchalian said in a video statement on Dec. 16.
Gatchalian said the city would hear the cases filed against the accused NSTP official by January and that a moratorium would be set for the conduct of the course’s field training exercise pending its review.
The official also emphasized that NSTP handbooks are free, there is no increase to the students’ thesis fee and that all transactions must be settled through the university cashier.
On Dec. 27, Valenzuela City’s Facebook page announced that it was seeking candidates for a university president position, but it did not mention PLV.
“The kids feel like it’s a victory. Someone was suspended, then suddenly there was a call for presidency. So this is not just a vacancy; an issue occurred beforehand,” delos Reyes said.
He added that students supposedly fear that nothing would change if the next president comes from within the university.
Although delos Reyes deferred his application, he said his decision may change once his two children, who are still in college and high school, finish their studies.
Points for improvement
In his opinion piece, delos Reyes listed six suggestions for the next administration of PLV. One of these was the plan to establish the Dr. Pio Valenzuela School of Allied Health, which he said would cater to the increasing demand for professionals in the field.
Noting the numerous factories in the city, Reyes also pressed for the creation of the PLV Labor Studies and Policy Center under the College of Public Administration and eventually the Justice Guillermo Santos School of Law. He likewise noted that the institution could partner with the University of the Philippines School of Labor and Industrial Relations to expand ongoing research to improve labor conditions.
His other proposals include the inclusion of PLV in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) University Network, the establishment of a clear tenure process for its faculty members, stronger partnerships with the private sector and a responsive Office of Student Affairs.
“Even if I do not become part of PLV, I would be glad to see any of these suggestions be valued by the next president,” delos Reyes said.
“May this letter serve as closure to the discussions in Valenzuela City,” he added.
According to the Commission on Higher Education’s (CHED) Memorandum Order No. 18 of 2022, the selection process for the president of a local university or college like PLV is a highly structured search involving various government clearances and stages of screening.
The process, typically beginning six months to a year before a term expires, is overseen by a governing board and a specifically constituted search committee for the presidency, composed of representatives from the academic community, the private sector, CHED and the Philippine Association of State Universities and Colleges.
Valenzuela’s post said the candidates for university president must be doctorate degree holders, at least 45 years old and have proven success as a high-level university administrator for a minimum of five years.
Delos Reyes has headed the Creative Writing department since 2019, when it was still a program under the Literature department, which he had also led for two years.
He graduated from high school in Valenzuela. Delos Reyes also held various positions within the local government, such as barangay secretary, Liga ng mga Barangay administrator and Sangguniang Panlungsod consultant. F
