THE OFFICIAL student publication and university student council of the University of the Philippines Diliman endorsed the presidential bid of Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo.

The UP USC held an emergency general assembly on Wednesday night to select Nemenzo among the other candidates vying for the position.

UP President Danilo Concepcion who will step down next year is set to finish his term in 2023 after serving for six years.

The Collegian said that Nemenzo has the qualities that a university president should possess.

“Nemenzo is far from perfect. Should he become our UP president, he will have to reckon with some of the issues that beset his term as chancellor. But these days do not call for an immaculate UP president. Our unusual and precarious times call for a steadfast leader with a relevant and feasible mission for the university,” the PH Collegian said.

The publication said that the last time that it endorsed a president was in 1993.

“At a time when attacks on UP’s autonomy are on full throttle—the looming budget cut, the planned reimposition of mandatory military training, and various rights violations—Nemenzo has proven himself to be a staunch defender of not just academia, but also the broader sectors outside the university,” it added.

The other nominees for the position are Wesleyan University-Philippines College of Law Dean and former 1-Ang Edukasyon Party-list Representative Salvador Belaro Jr.; former UP Board of Regents Member Angelo Jimenez; former UP Los Baños Chancellor Fernando Sanchez Jr.; UP Diliman Institute of Civil Engineering full professor Benito Pacheco and Catanduanes State University President Dr. Patrick Azanza.