MAYOR HONEY THWARTS PURVEYORS OF FAKE NEWS IN MANILA WHO MAY USE UM SITUATION
THWARTING fake news which she says her political opponents have apparently mastered, Mayor Honey Lacuna clarified that the University of Manila (UM) is a private school, is not being run by the city government of Manila and is different from the Universidad de Manila (UdM) and the Pamantasan ng Maynila (PLM).
Lacuna said the PLM and the UdM are the only two universities which are being run by the Manila local government where, as mayor, she chairs the boards of regents.
The lady mayor made the clarification after the UM’s Legal Education Board announced the closure of its College of Law due to its “dismal performance” in bar examinations, failure to meet prescribed curriculum and academic standards for legal education and deficiencies in facilities and resources.
According to Lacuna, the clarification had to be made as some unscrupulous political opponents may use the UM situation to make it appear that the said college is being operated by the city of Manila and pin the failures cited on her administration.
“We are fully aware and it is also public knowledge that our opponents do employ dirty tactics and hinge their campaign on fake news, disinformation and misinformation due to apparent lack of solid programs and lack of legitimate issues against our administration,” Lacuna said.
The mayor said that even if the city is saddled with the responsibility of having to pay the P7.8 billion debt left behind by Isko Moreno, Lacuna’s efficient fiscal management enabled the city government to subsidize PLM to the tune of P344.155 million and P459.35 million for the UDM. It also earned for the city its first ever Seal of Good Local Governance in the city’s over 450 years of existence.
Through the joint efforts of the city and the Office of Congressman Rolan Valeriano (2nd district), Lacuna also said that the first ever annex of the UdM will soon rise in the first district of Tondo.
Also, PLM and UdM students receive P1,000 in monthly financial assistance as part of the city’s social amelioration program which also provides the same amount of monthly cash aid for senior citizens and P500 monthly for persons with disablity and solo parents.
Among the other accomplishments of Lacuna’s administration in the aspect of education are as follows: P2,000 graduation gift to graduates of PLM and UDM along with new courses being offered; new public libraries in Paco and Sta. Cruz and construction of new public school buildings, namely Guerrero building at the Aurora A. Quezon Elementary School, V. Mapa High School building, Isabelo Delos Reyes Elementary School and Emilio Jacinto Elementary School. (MARISA SON)
