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DA chief sets record straight: 'I never finished my education'

Philippines | National

DA chief sets record straight: 'I never finished my education'

By Jel Santos

(MB FILE PHOTO/NOEL PABALATE)

Agriculture Secretary Francisco “Kiko” Tiu Laurel Jr. has clarified that he never finished his education because he became a father at the young age of 19.

This came after several reports claimed that Laurel graduated from the University of Santos Tomas (UST).

“Let me clear the air about my educational background given news reports that claim I am an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas, or any other institution of higher learning. That is not true,” the new secretary of the Department of Agriculture (DA) said in a statement.

“I never finished my education because I became a father at 19,” he added.

According to Laurel, he needed to work to support his first child.

“My father impressed upon me that my responsibility as a father comes first.”

Laurel stated that he intended to attend college but was unable to due to employment and family duties.

Instead of finishing his studies, the new DA chief said he helped build the family’s flagship company, Frabelle, from a simple fishing operation to a conglomerate that now includes power generation, real estate development, meat and seafood processing, cold chain network, aquaculture, and shipbuilding and repair.

“Like many, I dreamt of wearing a toga and receiving a diploma. But that wasn’t meant to be. The sea became my university, experiences in life taught me the value of perseverance, my children gave me the courage and inspiration to get to where I am now, and the good fortune I have today, I enjoy through God’s grace,” he ended.

On Nov. 3, President Marcos appointed Laurel as the new chief of the DA.

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