manny pangilinan once again does the right thing – quits ateneo for good
part of PDI’s news article:
“Circumstances have continued to the point where [this issue] is creating division within the university,” the Ateneo statement quoted Pangilinan as saying in a letter to the school’s president, Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, S.J.
“I have no desire to see this happen, or be an accessory to it,” he went on. “In that light and all things considered, it is best that I stand firm in my decision to retire, and reiterate this wish in my earlier note to you on 3rd April 2010.”
read in full: http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20100417-264734/Manny-Pangilinan-quits-Ateneo-board-for-good
manny pangilinan’s speechgate has taken another bizarre turn – he now says his resignation from the ateneo is irrevocable.
pangilinan delivered a plagiarized speech in the 2010 commencement exercise at the ateneo. this was exposed on the internet where a side by side comparison was made identifying important parts of his speech plagiarized from graduation speeches delivered by barack obama, oprah winfrey, j. k. rawling and conan o’brien in the US. in some parts, the speech copied them word for word.
as a reaction the exposed plagiarism, pangilinan apologized for his error and resigned his post at the ateneo.
fr. ben nebres, ateneo president responded to pangilinan saying he should not yet resign and would like to talk it over with him and the ateneo’s board of trustees. after a few days, the board of trustees of the ateneo released a statement saying they are rejecting pangilinan’s resignation.
now, pangilinan is once again doing the right thing – by rejecting ateneo’s rejection of his resignation.
this shows pangilinan to be a man of honor where he relentlessly upholds principles, keeps on doing the right thing even though the ateneo keeps on giving him an open door to excuses.
the ateneo, on the other hand has lost it’s principles and integrity in first honoring plagiarism at the university, gives the sinner an excuse for his sin and even rejects his resignation. pangilinan’s irrevocable resignation puts ateneo once again in a bad light and much worst than how this whole thing began.
the last episode proves once again ateneo has no principles and has lost it’s integirty. one wonders, has ateneo lost the way?
what is “the ateneo way” now?
ateneo professors disagree with official ateneo action on manny pangilinan speechgate
we are publishing here verbatim what we got through email.
THIS is the Ateneo Way! we will give our response to this next.
——————
Response to the Statement of the
Ateneo de Manila University’s Board of Trustees
Regarding the Issues Arising from
the Commencement Address of Manuel V. PangilinanWe, the undersigned faculty, administrators and staff of the Loyola
Schools of the Ateneo de Manila University, strongly disagree with the
decision of our Board of Trustees to reject Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan’s
offer to retire from his official duties most notably in his role as
Chairman of the Board.As an academic institution, the Ateneo de Manila University should
take cases of plagiarism very seriously as these are violations of
intellectual integrity. In this instance, the act of plagiarism in the
speech delivered by Mr. Pangilinan at the graduation ceremonies of the
John Gokongwei School of Management and the School of Science and
Engineering on March 26, 2010 and the speech delivered by Mr.
Pangilinan at the graduation ceremonies of the School of Humanities
and the School of Social Sciences is beyond dispute.While it was suggested by Mr. Pangilinan himself that he had some help
with the speeches, he also accepted ‘full and sole responsibility’ for
the plagiarism. Having taken full and sole responsibility, Mr.
Pangilinan bore the sole burden of accountability. As a University, we
should have applied the standards we usually apply to cases of
plagiarism, the same standards we use in handling acts of intellectual
dishonesty among our students, staff, professionals and faculty. We
teach the members of our community to accept responsibility for their
actions and to accept the consequences for such actions. But in this
case, there is a claim of responsibility without accountability.In fact, a higher standard must apply in this instance because Mr.
Pangilinan is the Chairman of our Board and as such, he is the co-head
of the University along with our President. In many respects, he
represents the University. As a symbol of his representation of the
University, the Chairman of the Board of the University has a seat on
stage at commencement exercises and academic convocations, two of the
most sacred rites of the academe. It would present an awfully awkward
situation and a tremendous distraction to have memories of a
plagiarized speech overshadowing these ceremonies because of the
presence (or absence) of Mr. Pangilinan.Accepting Mr. Pangilinan’s offer to retire would have allowed him and
the University to move on from this unfortunate incident. Mr.
Pangilinan’s offer to retire was an honorable act. Not accepting Mr.
Pangilinan’s offer to retire dishonors that action.Accepting Mr. Pangilinan’s offer to retire does not diminish our
regard for his person and for his contributions to society and to the
University. Not accepting his offer to retire, on the other hand,
seriously undermines the academic integrity of the Ateneo de Manila
University.Signed:
Leland Joseph R. Dela Cruz (Development Studies Program),
Joy G. Aceron (Department of Political Science),
Fernando T. Aldaba (Department of Economics),
Clark Lim Alejandrino (Chinese Studies Program),
Rowena Anthea Azada-Palacios (Department of Philosophy),
Edsel L. Beja Jr. (Department of Economics),
Rica Bolipata Santos (Department of English),
Louis Catalan S.J. (Department of Philosophy),
Antonio F. B de Castro S.J. (Department of History),
Aleta C. Domdom (Department of Economics),
Ma. Celeste T. Gonzalez (Department of Education),
Marita Castro Guevara (Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
Development Studies Program),
Roberto O. Guevara (Department of Theology),
Estelle Marie M. Ladrido (Department of Communication),
Albert M. Lagliva (Department of Philosophy),
Joseph Anthony Y. Lim (Department of Economics),
Ma. Emma Concepcion D. Liwag (Department of Psychology),
Gabriel Maria J. Lopez (Department of Leadership and Strategy),
Ada Javellana Loredo (Department of English),
Pamela Joy M. Mariano (Department of Philosophy),
Isabel Pefianco Martin (Department of English),
Lara Katrina Tajonera Mendoza (Department of English),
Ruben C. Mendoza (Department of Theology),
Jovino G. Miroy (Department of Philosophy and Fine Arts Program),
Luisa O. Moldera (School of Social Sciences),
Ambeth R. Ocampo (Department of History),
Glenda C. Oris (Kagawaran ng Filipino),
Emma E. Porio (Department of Sociology-Anthropology),
Mary Racelis (Department of Sociology-Anthropology),
Danton R. Remoto (Department of English),
Fructuoso T. Sabug Jr. (Department of Leadership and Strategy),
Sairry R. Sandoval (Department of Economics),
Elizabeth S. Tan (Chinese Studies Program),
Maria L. Tendero (School of Social Sciences),
Philip Arnold P. Tuano (Department of Economics),
Fernando N. Zialcita (Department of Sociology-Anthropology),Signatories as of 6.04 p.m., Wednesday, 14 April 2010.
ateneo response to manny pangilinan’s plagiarism re-defines ateneo
we are posting here reader reactions on manny pangilinan’s speechgate. this is the official response of the ateneo: ateneo honors plagiarism, rejects manny pangilinan’s honorable act of resignation
MVP gives a speech with plagiarism.
MVP is caught. MVP weighs his options. MVP is greatly embarrassed. MVP apologizes.
MVP resigns from the board.
MVP says he will continue his support of Ateneo sports. MVP will not reveal if he knew the speech contained plagiarism before he gave the speech.
What else do we want MVP to do? What else can MVP truly do aside from killing himself?
BUT what the Ateneo’s Board decides to do is another thing. MVP is not Ateneo and the Board is not MVP.
Ateneo has a tradition and name to protect. These tradition and name are rooted in 150 years. They may go another 150 years from now.
Ateneo has spawned heroes. Ateneo has grown leaders of corruption as well. Ateneo has influenced the Philippines for good and for evil. Which tilts the balance? That is good for Ateneo to know.
How will Ateneo define itself now? Its action on the MVP apology and resignation will define itself.
Ateneo is now put to a test.
Is its slogan, Man For Others, just a silly slogan or can it really stand the winds of the times?
Careful, Ateneo Board, you are weighed not just for yourself but for what Ateneo stands for.
As for me, it is good to put to the test what we stand for and to discover who we really are. Only then, we can make changes for the better.
REY ANGELES
AB Economics 1970
Ateneo de Manila
A sad, sad day has come to the Ateneo where the decision and actions by its board of trustees in this case of plagiarism has spoken louder than the words they have crafted on their justifications.
To their young students in the Ateneo, it simply says that the high standards they once held for integrity and truth no longer exists. Plagiarism and other forms of violations of integrity and intellectual property are now permissible acts in the Ateneo blessed from the very top guardians of its moral standards.
It is really sad to see what the Ateneo has now become and for what is now stands for. This was a very poor example to its grade school and high school students from whom they pretend to demand excellence and integrity.
ateneo honors plagiarism, rejects manny pangilinan’s honorable act of resignation
Response of the Board of Trustees on the issues arising from the Commencement Address of MVP
date posted: 2010-04-12 14:59:56
SPECIAL BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETING
11 April 2010The Board of Trustees met on April 11, 2010 to deliberate on the issues arising from the commencement addresses of its Chairman, Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, on March 26 & 27, 2010. The Board reviewed the history of the case, from the writing of the speeches to the posting of the blogs, from the response of Mr. Pangilinan to the reply of Fr. Nebres issued on April 3, 2010. It kept in mind as well the concerned statements from faculty, students, staff, administrators and the public at large.
The Board came to the following conclusions:
1. The Board considers the matter of plagiarism very serious, particularly for an academic institution. It recognizes that Mr. Pangilinan considered this a very serious matter that has caused him deep embarrassment and pain. With him, the Ateneo community has struggled with the issue and engaged in a deep reflection on its own values of honesty and integrity.
2. In its discussion, the Board kept in mind the Catholic moral tradition which for culpability considers not just the seriousness of the matter but also whether there is full awareness and consent. It recognizes that the matter is serious, but that the plagiarism happened without full awareness on the part of Mr. Pangilinan.
3. At the same time, the Board acknowledges with deep respect Mr. Pangilinan’s immediate and full acceptance of responsibility and apology for this mistake. This is particularly admirable, because in acting in this manner, he spared others from this responsibility. This is a rare example of humility, selflessness, and leadership in our midst.
4. The Board accepts Mr. Pangilinan’s apology as the appropriate response to this unfortunate incident.
5. However, the unanimous decision of the Board is not to accept Mr. Pangilinan’s resignation. It expresses full confidence in his leadership as Chairman.
6. On the matter of the honorary degree conferred on Mr. Pangilinan, the reasons for the conferment are articulated in the citation. These are his visionary leadership, his love of country and service and commitment to our people, his generous self-giving to our country, the Ateneo de Manila and many other institutions. These remain unchanged.
In conclusion, the Board of Trustees asks Mr. Pangilinan to please reconsider his resignation from the Ateneo Board of Trustees. There is so much to be done, not just for the Ateneo, but for our country and people. His leadership is needed today more than ever.
ateneo batch 2010 response to manny pangilinan’s plagiarism – calls who disagree with it as “vultures”
Batch 2010’s Official Response to Manuel V. Pangilinan
Dear Mr. Pangilinan,
Graduation is an event marked by people overflowing with triumph and euphoria, with some hint of sadness. It is a time of hanging on to the fond memories of friendship and lessons learned; letting go of the bad things which hinder one’s own and others’ growth; looking forward to the future as the graduates face a brand new chapter in their lives in entering the “real” world; and going with love because it is true that the world would die without it.
Just a day after that momentous event, the Graduation of SOH and SOSS Sesquicentennial Batch 2010, however, I and the rest of my batchmates still in the dark were greeted with the news of other people comparing parts of your commencement address with other previously given addresses by (as far as I know) J. K. Rowling, Barack Obama, Conan O’ Brien and Oprah Winfrey. People were voicing out views, comments and reactions all over the place, specifically on the social networking site Facebook. They ranged from the most negative and severe, the impartial and reflective, to the most supportive and optimistic on your behalf. The enormity with which the incident blew out of proportion, significantly because of media coverage and the internet, seemed astounding in the days that followed. This was then followed with the immediate release of your public apology and you owning up (and taking full and sole responsibility at that) to the mistake many of your detractors have maliciously chosen to point out, highlight, and emphasize. For that alone, you already have our full respect and admiration. Father Ben replied consequently, and asked that you reconsider your decision, after he accepted your apology with much care and understanding.
In view of all these and upon consultation, Batch 2010 would like you to know that like Father Ben, we understand that this incident has caused much personal embarrassment and pain on your part. And also with Father Ben, the Batch accepts your earnest apology wholeheartedly, and also utterly respects the fact that you do take full responsibility, even though the whole thing was not entirely of your doing.
Also like Father Ben, the Batch would have to disagree with your decision of retiring from your duties in the Ateneo, especially for the Ateneo community. The Batch recognizes that your response to what has become a sort of fiasco for waiting vultures was apt for a man such as you, and we can only imagine your distress throughout this whole unfortunate event – enough that you would claim that “wala na akong mukhang maihaharap.” Speaking in behalf of the alumni and undergraduates of the university, we indeed recognize that you are very much valued by the Ateneo community; so much so that it is believed we are fully equipped in moving on, learning, and going forward from this whole regrettable occurrence. And enumerating everything you have contributed to the Ateneo would be futile and overwhelming, to say the least; hence, I will refrain from doing so here.
As you must have felt that the events which unfolded were out of your hands, we too believe that your decision in the end is also beyond our grasp – it is between you, Father Ben, and the Board of Trustees. It has always been an honor that a man such as your magnanimity, innovation, dedication, and ardent spirit chose to be prominently of service to and for the Ateneo; and we sincerely hope you continue gracing us with that honor despite whatever ultimate decision you make. You, together with other Ateneo visionaries, were given the gift of having the capacity to change lives – lives which work and thrive from being inspired and motivated by you – through your life right now and beyond. Now, more than ever, we need someone who can show us how to deal with challenges, the way you have handled this situation with courage and utmost humility.
Sincerely yours,
Gregorio Ramon A. Tingson
President
Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng mga Paaralang Loyola
Pamantasang Ateneo de Manila
Academic Year 2009-2010
Ateneo de Manila University Batch 2010
date posted: 2010-04-12 15:03:36
what manny pangilinan and manny villar have in common and it’s not just the nickname
at The 2010 Presidentiables Blog, a post on manny villar has been getting a lot of attention. the topic is the possibility of the manny villar campaign plagiarising a tv ad from argentina. it’s quite a coincidence.
click to read: did the manny villar campaign plagiarize a Cannes Lions award winning argentina tv ad?
——
this one posted at The 2010 Presidentiables Blog (click to view: http://2010presidentiables.wordpress.com/)
the post we have on this blog on the possibility of the manny villar campaign plagiarizing the tv ad of an award winning argentina tv ad is getting a lot of read. (click to read here: did the manny villar campaign plagiarize a Cannes Lions award winning argentina tv ad?)
it’s quite a coincidence that our other blog, WAWAM! after hours (click to view here: https://wawam.wordpress.com/) a very similar topic is also getting a lot of read.
there are two common denominators: (1) it involves two people with the same nickname, “manny” – manny villar in this blog and manny pangilinan in the other blog.; and (2) it
involves plagiarism.
many pangilinan in the other blog delivered at the the ateneo de manila university during it’s graduation commencement exercise for 2010 graduates a speech that was found out to have major parts of it plagiarized from other graduation speeches delivered by barack obama, oprah winfrey, conan o’brian and j. k. rowling.
manny, as in manny pangilinan, was outed at a facebook account for ateneans (Overheard At The Ateneo) where side by side comparison was made that showed what parts were plagiarized. in many instances the plagiarism was severe with the exact words copied.
pangilinan has offered to resign from his post at the ateneo because of the incident. but fr. nebres, president of the ateneo wants to think about it first.
is this a coincidence or what? manny and manny on the same plagiarism sin.
—-
click to read : transcript of manny pangilinan’s speech at ateneo graduation rites and the plagiarized parts and links to original speeches
click to read all posts on the topic here: https://wawam.wordpress.com/category/manny-pangilinan/
manny pangilinan speechgate – how it all started at facebook’s “Overheard At The Ateneo”
the manny pangilinan speechgate all started at facebook, at the “Overheard At The Ateneo De Manila University”. (click here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=275733258561)
news reports said someone posted the side by side comparison of pangilinan’s speech and the plagiarized parts which pangilinan read and convinced him a large part of his speech was plagiarized. however, the original post has been taken down.
we would very much be interested to find out who posted it first at the facebook account. this person did a great job discovering these things.
how did the person go about finding out pangilinan’s speech was plagiarized?
there were multiple plagiarism from different sources, that must have taken some work.
manny pangilinan’s letter to fr. nebres:
I had taken a look at the side-by-side comparison @ Facebook, and must admit to this mistake.
manny pangilinan letter to fr. nebres:
I am told further that comments posted on Facebook have started to spill beyond graduation, and are now alluding to my misconduct with respect to Meralco, with former President Erap, and so forth. Under the circumstances, it is best for the Ateneo and myself to shorten the life of this controversy and prevent it from spinning out of control.
let’s see if we get more information on this one. please post a comment.
manny pangilinan speechgate: writers are not ateneans, reaches The New York Times
The New York Times calls manny pangilinan the “eminent imitator” for his speechgate at the 2010 ateneo graduation rites. it has reached beyond the 7,100 islands, one of the most prominent filipino business tycoon now known for something else other than business prowess.
—
in today’s telecast of ABS CBN’s TV Patrol World, ateneo said the writers who wrote manny pangilinan’s plagiarized speech are not ateneans. it did not identify who they are and from what school they came from.
this gives us some relief.
—-
we have received some emails identifying the names of the writers. one name keeps getting mentioned. since we do not yet have a way to verify these names or that one name, we will not publish it here.
we are still hoping we will get something from the writers themselves.
—-
we wonder how the graduates of batch 2010 feel about all these. i am sure graduation time was a happy one. hearing that speech should have helped the happy moment. but reading about the speech days after the graduation may bring some new emotions and thoughts.
—-
ateneo needs to reconcile what fr. nebres wrote in his letter to pangilinan versus the school’s stand and policy on plagiarism in the school.
—-
this is a very good lesson to CEOs who are invited to deliver commencement exercise speeches – ask the speech writer point blank if any part of the speech has been copied from someone else.
better yet, don’t hire a speech writer, write it yourself.
writers of manny pangilinan’s plagiarized speech – 2 ateneo students!
from PDI:
2 new writers
Pangilinan—who also chairs telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), where Nebres serves as independent director—is known in media circles to use the services of at least two staff members as his speech writers.
But public relations men who claimed to represent the tycoon in this crisis said Sunday morning that the draft for the March 27 speech was prepared by “two new speech writers.” No names were given.
A PR practitioner who works for Pangilinan on certain projects said the two new writers were “Ateneo students” who “wanted to impress” the tycoon.
“They wanted to come out but Pangilinan insisted that he will take responsibility,” the PR practitioner said on condition of anonymity.
A portion of Pangilinan’s letter to Nebres reads: “I have had some help in drafting my remarks, but I take full responsibility for them.”
this is exactly the kind of irony that we were hoping we will not have – pangilinan’s plagiarized speech was written not just by 1 but 2 ateneans! we had previously written here of our fear that the speech writer could be an atenean. we were afraid of this as there are many ateneans in the staff of PLDT.
according to PDI, they are two ateneo students and they wanted to come out but pangilinan insisted on taking the responsibility. again we applaud pangilinan on this gesture.
we encourage the two ateneo students who wrote pangilinan’s plagiarized speech to come out and identify themselves. we will post their names in this blog and will publish their statements on the matter.
the plagiarized speech has obviously harmed the reputation of one of the country’s most successful and most admired business tycoon. it has also harmed the reputation of your own school, the ateneo. coming out and owning up to your error is the right thing to do and will begin restoring the lost reputations of pangilinan and the ateneo. save pangilinan, save the school and save yourself.
it’s time to own up – The Ateneo Way.
~~~~~
make a comment in this post or send us an email at wawam.email@gmail.com if you want to publish a statement on this matter or if you have information on it.
——-
also read:
- writers of manny pangilinan’s plagiarized speech are 2 ateneo students! OMG!
- fr. nebres gives pangilinan an excuse slip for the plagiarism
- manny pangilinan delivers commencement exercise speech at ateneo plagiarized from jk rowling, oprah, conan o’brien and barack obama’s speeches
- manny pangilinan’s ateneo commencement address transcript and the plagiarized parts
- manny pangilinan speechgate: who is the idiot speech writer who wrote the plagiarized commencement exercise speech at the ateneo?
fr. nebres gives manny pangilinan an excuse slip for delivering a plagiarized speech at ateneo graduation rites
we applaud manny pangilinan for doing the right thing – admitting his error and resigning from the ateneo.
he should however fire his speech writer. we don’t understand how this speech writer can even consider plagiarizing other people’s commencement exercise speeches, most specially celebrities. copying it from others by itself we think is really dumb but plagiarizing the speeches of celebrities is simply stupid.
this speech writer did not think of the humiliation he/she is putting his/her boss in delivering a plagiarized speech. this is the ateneo, it is easy to expect the students are very much well read that at least one of them have read obama’s, oprah’s or rowling’s speeches.
manny pangilinan did the right thing but we do not understand how fr. ben can not do the right thing here.
in fr. ben’s letter to pangilinan, fr. ben was too forgiving and even went out of his way to provide pangilinan an excuse for his error. fr. ben puts the blame on pangilinan’s unnamed speech writer and exonerates pangilinan from the error as he may have not been “fully aware”.
we have a simple question for fr. ben to answer – based on ateneo policy and principles, what does the ateneo do to an ateneo student if they find out the student plagiarized?
the ateneo way is the principled way. it teaches it’s students and prides itself in being very principled. it protects and upholds principles, what is right and honorable regardless of consequences, even unpopular ones.
ateneo as a school also holds the highest and completely unflinching standards of excellence on it’s students. grade school students as early as grade 3 are taught that should they use a quote from someone or from the internet, the students should identify it’s source be it the author or the web link in homework or projects they submit to their teachers.
this is said in all grade school documents for homework and projects. all the students follow this and it is always checked. not doing this will get the student a lower if not a failing mark for the assignment or project.
we wonder why all of a sudden fr. nebres is not following these same standards and principle with manny pangilinan.
pangilinan is not a student, we understand that but he did perform a very important role at the school during the commencement exercise. his role is supposed to provide inspiration to the new graduates and when you do that it is expected that you do it at the highest standards that is why only men or women of substance or only those who are deserving are invited to make speeches like that.
fr. nebres in his letter to pangilinan sounded very willing to bend or even ignore the very same principles that it teaches its students to follow and abide by.
pangilinan knew what he did was wrong and he knew it’s gravity and how the plagiarism has hurt the school. he knew it so well that in his letter he said “wala talaga akong mukhang ihaharap pagkatapos.”
but fr. nebres disagreed with pangilinan’s statement of contrition. pangilinan is an ordinary citizen, fr. nebres is a priest and yet pangilinan knew the sin he committed and the moral shame he has caused the school and himself while fr. nebres a priest and president of the university can so easily can ignore it. this is really very hard to understand.
plagiarism is dishonesty. and plagiarism committed in a university destroys the very foundation of what a school of learning is. it is from universities where many great things in our world begin. copying it from someone else is no great achievement nor does it contribute anything. it is a shame.
the situation seems like everything is turned the opposite way or upside down. the sinner owns up to his sin that he knows to be a sin while the priest ignores it is a sin and lets it pass, reluctant to accept the act of contrition. the sinner already admitted the sin, can the priest not accept it?
we do not belittle who manny pangilinan is. he has done so much for ateneo and we admire him for it and are very thankful for his efforts.
but like pangilinan, we will call a spade a spade. he screwed up and what he did was shameful. we know he had not intended it but as he has said so himself, the damage has been done. and it was a very meaningful damage.
for his mistake, we think it is right for him to resign his position at the ateneo. if he still wants to serve and help the school, he should continue to do so but not having the same title and function he used to have. if he continues to serve and help the school, we will continue to admire him and be thankful for his efforts.
his letter to fr. ben and his resignation from his position in the school is his mea culpa and meant to bring back honor to the school. he should be allowed to do so. why is fr. ben stopping pangilinan from doing so? and why is fr. ben so freely accepting of the sin done on the school’s gradutaion rites?
graduation rites at its core is about achievement and excellence. glossing over a plagiarism committed at these rites we think destroys a lot of the meaning and celebration the event deserves very much. henceforth, graduation rites 201o will be known in the school’s history for the next 150 years and beyond as the one that had dishonesty in it. and fr. ben did not censure it.
we think manny pangilinan has done the right thing in owning up to his error, apologizing and taking the right action of resigning from the school, fr. nebres has not. we applaud pangilinan but we can’t say the same thing for fr. nebres.
what is The Ateneo Way?
Letter of Pangilinan to Fr. Bienvenido Nebres, president of AdMUDear Father Ben
Easter greetings!
I have been told last night that portions of my graduation remarks – in particular my address to the Schools of Humanities and Social Sciences – had been borrowed from certain other graduation speeches.
I had taken a look at the side-by-side comparison @ Facebook, and must admit to this mistake.
For this, I wish to express my sincerest apology to you, the University and to the 2010 graduating class.
I have had some help in the drafting of my remarks, but I take full and sole responsibility for them.
In mitigation perhaps, the body and substance of my speech represented my own story and my thoughts. And I have labored long hours to get those speeches done. It is my hope that their impact has not been lost on the graduates. That said, this post fact event I am certain has devalued the words I have uttered at graduation – whether original or copied.
I am told further that comments posted on Facebook have started to spill beyond graduation, and are now alluding to my misconduct with respect to Meralco, with former President Erap, and so forth. Under the circumstances, it is best for the Ateneo and myself to shorten the life of this controversy and prevent it from spinning out of control.
Fr Ben, this has been a source of deep personal embarrassment for me.
I am truly regretful for it. I already have too many battles to fight, and some of them I wish not to have to fight. In this instance, I do not want to, and would seek only the honorable and principled way out. The matter at hand may rest after this public apology, but it gives me a lot of personal discomfort to continue to be closely involved with Ateneo affairs after this incident. I am afraid the damage has been done – wala talaga akong mukhang ihaharap pagkatapos.
With much regret, Fr Ben, I would wish to retire from my official duties at the Ateneo.
With all good wishes to you and to our graduates.
M. V. P.
Letter of Nebres to Pangilinan
Dear Manny,
I received your apology just a few minutes ago and feel how deeply embarrassed and pained you are by this event. We realize that this was a mistake and we respect and appreciate your taking responsibility and your immediate apology.
At the same time, we know that this happened without your full awareness, though you take full and sole responsibility. Thus this does not diminish our admiration and respect for your person and for your care and accomplishments for our country and for the Ateneo. In fact, your acceptance of responsibility and apology command our utmost respect.
In reading again through your speeches, we also see that indeed the main part of your speeches were your story and your thoughts. We thank you for taking so much time to craft them and to share them with us and our graduates. We are deeply touched by this sharing of yourself.
Again I realize how profoundly embarrassed you are by this event and that you believe that resigning from official duties at the Ateneo is the principled thing for you to do. However, reflecting on the events and circumstances, I cannot quite agree, and I believe with many others that what is appropriate is the apology you have given. Neither can I agree with you that “wala talaga akong mukhang ihaharap pagkatapos.” I would thus like to take up your retiring from official duties at the Ateneo with our officials and Board of Trustees and discuss it further with you.
It is Easter Vigil and may the Risen Christ be Light to you.
Fr. Ben, S.J.
also read:
- writers of manny pangilinan’s plagiarized speech are 2 ateneo students! OMG!
- fr. nebres gives pangilinan an excuse slip for the plagiarism
- manny pangilinan delivers commencement exercise speech at ateneo plagiarized from jk rowling, oprah, conan o’brien and barack obama’s speeches
- manny pangilinan’s ateneo commencement address transcript and the plagiarized parts
- manny pangilinan speechgate: who is the idiot speech writer who wrote the plagiarized commencement exercise speech at the ateneo?
Most Recent Readers Comments