José Abueva

Dr. José Veloso Abueva was the 16th president of the University of the Philippines. A Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee for political science in 1962, he has devoted much of his career in academic circles. He has been faculty member of the National College of Public Administration and Governance of the University of the Philippines Diliman and visiting professor at Brooklyn College, City University of New York and Yale University. He has also worked with the United Nations University in Tokyo. Dr. Abueva's service to the nation includes stints as secretary of the 1971 Constitutional Convention, executive director of the Legislative-Executive Local Government Reform Commission and Chairman of the Legislative-Executive Council that drew up the conversion program for former military bases. Dr. Abueva has written a number of books, including "Focus in the Barrio: The Foundation of the Philippine Community Development Program" and "Ang Filipino sa Siglo 21." Among the publications he has edited is the 20-volume "PAMANA: The UP Anthology of Filipino Socio-Political Thought since 1872."

Abueva is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of the Philippines Diliman.^[1] He also chairs the advisory board of the Citizens Movement for a Free Philippines.^[2] He was elected by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as chairman of the consultative constitutional commission in the Philippines. He is a strong supporter of federalism and parliamentary government for the Philippines.^[3]

He forms the team of analysts of Pulse Asia, a public opinion polling body in the Philippines.^[4]

Abueva is the founder and current president of Kalayaan College.

Biography and career

Dr. Abueva was born in Tagbilaran City, Bohol on May 25, 1928 to Teodoro Lloren Abueva, a former Bohol congressman and Purificacion (Nena) Veloso, head of Bohol's Women’s Club and women's suffrage campaign.

As a young boy of 16 during World War II in the Philippines, he had to search for his parents who were taken by the Japanese, eventually finding them dead.^[5]

Dr. Abueva has six other brothers and sisters: Teodoro (Teddy), Jr., now based in New York City, USA; Purificacion (Neny - dec.), married to Atty. Ramon Binamira (dec.) of Tagbilaran City; Napoleon Abueva (Billy), Philippines National Artist for sculpture; Amelia (Inday) Martinez, now living in Chicago; Teresita (Ching) Floro, now living in Sydney, Australia; and Antonio (Tony), a landscape artist.^[6]

Professor Emeritus Abueva served as President of the University of the Philippines in 1987-1993. He introduced the Socialized Tuition Fee Assistance Program (STFAP) in 1987. Dr. Abueva also institutionalized a Filipino language policy within the university.

He is currently the President of Kalayaan College as well as U.P. Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration.^[1]

Professor Emeritus Abueva is married to Mrs. Ma Socorro Encarnacion Abueva from Surigao and Manila. Their children are Lanelle, Jobert, Rosanna and Jonas.

Significant contributions to Philippine governance

On September 4, 2007, the Presidential Task Force on Education under the Office of the President named Bienvenido Nebres, chairman. Nebres will be joined by 4 others—Angeles University Foundation President Emmanuel Angeles, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Donald Dy, Asian Institute of Management Professor Victor Limlingan, and former University of the Philippines president Jose Abueva. The 5 with Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Romulo Neri, and Augusto Syjuco, complete the task force. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Order 635 on August 24 creating a presidential task force to assess, plan and monitor the entire educational system.^[7]

Quotes

• "There were many reasons (for the proposal to scrap the 2007 polls). That is just one of them." (referring to popularity)
• "Our electoral system may not be reformed at that time (2007). This would raise questions on the credibility of the elections."
• "I respect his (Ramos) opinion but I am standing with the commission's recommendation. He is entitled to his opinions but we should look at the substantive proposals."^[8]

References

Additional readings

• Dr. Jose V. Abueva Some Advantages of Federalism and Parliamentary Government for the Philippines Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Retrieved 13 December 2006.
• Dr. Jose V. Abueva. Consolidating our fragile democracy ABS-CBN Interactive December 13, 2006.
• Maila Ager Under new form of gov't Arroyo can finish term as transition PM--Abueva Seen as part of transition Philippine Daily Inquirer July 28, 2005.
• Cesar Torres Dr. Jose V. Abueva and the Philippine Constitution in California - an appeal to the power elite in the Philippines SamarNews June 10, 2006.
• Refusing to Hate: Jose Abueva - Former President of the University of the Philippines Soka Gakkai International Quarterly October 2000.
• Jaime Pilapil Criticisms drown out One Voice Manila Standard Today June 29, 2006.
• Lira Dalangin-Fernandez Abueva chosen head of Charter consultative body Philippine Daily Inquirer September 28, 2005.
• Ronnie E. Calumpita and Maricel V. Cruz Abueva: Gov't shift will impact on GMA’s term Manila Times November 9, 2005.
• Proposed Charter changes to reflect views of Filipinos nationwide - Con-Com www.news.ops.gov.ph October 12, 2005.
• Abueva Speaks Before SF Community On Charter Change Consulate General of the Philippines 24 April 2006.
• Sam Mediavilla Charter panel to tackle only specific provisions The Manila Times October 13, 2005.
• Books by Jose Veloso Abueva
• Edmundo Santuario III Federalism: Antidote to Separatism? Part 1
• Edmundo Santuario III Federalism: Antidote to Separatism? Part 2

External links

• Consultative Commission