Students, teachers protest appointment of MSU president

GENERAL SANTOS CITY — Thousands of students and faculty members from the different campuses of Mindanao State University have staged mass actions here yesterday to protest the appointment of retired police Gen. Ricardo de Leon as acting president of the university system.

De Leon, former police director of the National Capital Region, was appointed last week by President Arroyo reportedly due to the need to address the security problem at the MSU main campus in Marawi City.

"We are really surprised and dismayed over the appointment of De Leon who is a retired police official," Dr. Josie Roxas, a member of the MSU Board of Regents and the National President of the MSU Alumni Assicuation.

Roxas admitted that while it is true that it is the discretion of the President to appoint the MSU president, "her authority must be exercised with jurisprudence that will redound to the interest of the academic institution."

He added that there are about 300 PhD holders in the university who are qualified for the position. — John Paul Jubelag