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Manila Bulletin

Philippines

Priest urges UP Visayas graduates: Die for the truth

Philippines

Priest urges UP Visayas graduates: Die for the truth

By Tara Yap

ILOILO CITY – A well-known Catholic priest urged graduates of the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas in Miagao, Iloilo to fight for truth.

MONSIGNOR Meliton Oso speaks to graduating students of the UP Visayas during the Thursday, July 21 baccalaureate service. (UP Visayas PIO)

“Protect your brothers and sisters from fake news and outright disinformation by proclaiming the truth, standing by the truth, and dying for the truth when the time calls for it,” urged Monisgnor Meliton Oso during the baccalaureate service for graduating UP Visayas students Thursday, July 21.

“This country is fast becoming, if it has not already become one, a country of liars because of fake news and disinformation that inundate cyberspace,” Oso said.

Oso, long-time director of the Jaro Archdiocesan Social Action Center (JASAC), has been fighting online disinformation and misinformation. JASAC has partnered with both fact-checking and youth groups.

“Do not fail your alma mater. Above all, do not fail God to whom you will be accountable,” Oso added.

During the service, Oso honored the late Archbishop Emeritus Angel Lagdameo who was laid to rest Tuesday, July 19.

Oso recalled that Lagdameo was one of the few who joined a public rally calling for the resignation or impeachment of President Joseph Estrada in 2000.

According to Oso, he warned Lagdameo of possible retaliation from Malacañang. But Lagdameo stood his ground and told Oso that the “truth is not dependent on numbers.”

UP Visayas is holding its first face-to-face graduation ceremony since the pandemic began. UP vice president Cynthia Rose Bautista was the commencement speaker.

Related Tags

BACCALAUREATE SERVICE archbishop angel lagdameo UP Visayas Iloilo City truth

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