Sunflowers lined the University Avenue at the University of the Philippines Diliman again as graduates gathered on a bright Sunday morning for UP’s 115th Commencement Exercises last July 5.
Their families cheered from the sidelines of the University Amphitheater as the graduates raised fists—a tradition that punctuates both UP student activism and personal triumphs on graduation day.
The university reported that 5,022 students completed their courses this year, including 154 as summa cum laude, 927 magna cum laude, and 914 cum laude.
Former Ombudsman and retired Supreme Court associate justice Conchita Carpio Morales, this year’s commencement speaker, called on the graduates to uphold the rule of law and remain committed to serving the people.
Speaking on the theme “Gumagalang” (Respecting), Morales expressed concern over what she described as a growing disregard for laws and democratic institutions.
“As a magistrate, it pains me to see lawmakers alleged to be lawbreakers,” she said.
“Rules bent, redefined, or misinterpreted to suit individual or group interests. There is little paggalang for those who have limited or no voice at all. The powerless have become dispensable,” she added.
Laws applied fairly
For Morales, institutions are meant to protect the public and ensure that the laws are applied fairly regardless of status and influence.
Her years as Ombudsman and Supreme Court associate justice were marked by anticorruption cases involving high-ranking government officials. She became known for pursuing what she called the “big fish”—powerful politicians and public figures accused of corruption and abuse of power.
Most of the graduates seated in front of Morales shielded themselves from the blazing sun with umbrellas. Graduates from the College of Law, where she finished her law studies 58 years ago, carried umbrellas with a slogan that echoed her message—“Mga kurakot, panagutin! (Make the corrupt pay!)”
Her remarks came at a time when accountability, public trust and the proper use of power dominate the national discourse. These range from allegations of ghost projects funded by the people’s taxes to debates over whether government officials are being held fully accountable for their actions. The controversies kept concerns about transparency, accountability and the rule of law at the center of public discussions.
Backbone of democracy
Morales told the graduates that laws and institutions are the backbone that held up and protected democracy. When these laws are interpreted or applied to benefit only the few instead of the public, that is when the law starts losing its essence.
In keeping with the university’s commencement tradition, some members of the graduating class staged a lightning rally before everyone rose for the University Hymn, UP Naming Mahal—a poignant song urging all students and alumni to embody the university’s credo of honor, academic excellence and service to the people.
Graduating UP activists, led by the outgoing University Student Council Chairperson Joaquin Buenaflor, called for justice for the victims of the Toboso 19 massacre last April in Negros Occidental and the swift conviction of Vice President Sara Duterte in her impeachment trial. Buenaflor also criticized the continued presence of the US military forces in the country and projects that perpetuate foreign influence over the nation.
“Graduate na tayo sa UP, pero hindi pa graduate ang bansa sa imperyalismong kontrol,” he said. (We are now graduates of UP, but the country hasn’t yet graduated from imperialist control.)
For many students, graduation is not only a celebration of academic achievements but also a reminder of the responsibilities that come with being an Iskolar ng Bayan.
Margaux Fundales, a journalism graduate from the UP College of Media and Communication (CMC), said the lessons students learn from UP should not remain inside the university.
Being true scholars
“Ang pagiging tunay na Iskolar ng Bayan ay hindi lamang malilimitahan sa pamantasan natin, kundi dapat dinadala sa labas ng ating mga apat na corners of the classroom,” she said in an interview. (Being true scholars of the people means we shouldn’t confine ourselves to our university, and should instead take our learning beyond the four corners of our classroom.)
This was the same way her fellow journalism graduate, Gwyneth Nolasco, saw what UP had taught its students. “Kailangan mabuhay, hindi lang para sa sarili, kundi para sa bayan,” she said. (We need to live, not just for ourselves, but for the country.)
Speaking later in the afternoon at a separate recognition ceremony of the UP CMC held at the UP Film Center’s Cine Adarna, outspoken television host and comedian Vice Ganda urged UP graduates to use their education and platforms responsibly.
“Much is expected of you because you are the product of the country’s premier university,” he said. “You are expected to spark change, change not chaos. You are expected to share your education, not disinformation.”
“Hindi kayo ang magsisimula ng korupsyon. Hindi kayo ang maghahasik ng kasinungalingan. Hindi kayo ang magliligaw at magmamanipula ng opinyon ng publiko. Hindi kayo ang magpapasimuno ng impunidad. Hindi kayo ang magtatakip sa mga dapat managot sa batas tulad ng ibang mga pulitiko na nagtapos sa unibersidad na ito,” he said.
(You will not be the ones to start corruption. You will not be the ones to sow lies. You will not be the ones to mislead and manipulate public opinion. You will not be the ones to enable impunity. You will not be the ones to shield those who must be held accountable under the law, unlike other politicians who graduated from this university.)
Warning and challenge
His statement—both a warning and a challenge—was received with loud applause.
As the ceremony at the UP Amphitheater came to a close before noon, the graduates shifted their Sablay to their left shoulders to signify that they were now officially UP alumni.
Before ending her speech, Morales reminded the Class of 2026 to remain guided by truth and conscience. “No one is above the law,” the retired justice and Ombudsman said.
“Amid these loud divergent views and incessant noise, there should remain a space to listen to the voice of principled reason and the heartbeat of an impassioned conscience,” Morales said.
“After all, truth is not measured by decibels.” CS
K Cleto, a third-year journalism student at the University of the Philippines’ College of Media and Communication in Diliman, is an intern at CoverStory.ph.
