NO TO PLAGIARISM! ASSERTING ACADEMIC FREEDOM--- A Statement of the University of the Philippines Diliman Executive Committee*

Below is the statement approved by the UP Diliman Executive Committee in its October 27, 2010 meeting.

NO TO PLAGIARISM! ASSERTING ACADEMIC FREEDOM--- A Statement of the University of the Philippines Diliman Executive Committee

We, the University of the Philippines Diliman Executive Committee, denounce plagiarism and uphold academic integrity.

 As educators, scholars and researchers, our worth is measured by the integrity, excellence and discipline we bring to our work. Plagiarism undermines that integrity and destroys the value of scholarship.

We strongly disagree with the Supreme Court’s decision to exonerate Justice Mariano del Castillo from charges of plagiarism based on the lack of malice or negligence on his part (in In Re: Del Castillo, A.M. No. 10-7-17-SC, 15 October 2010).

The lack of malice or intent does not excuse the act of plagiarism.

The Court has undermined academic freedom by threatening to discipline 37 faculty members of the U.P. College of Law for taking a principled position on a grave academic concern.

We stand by the U.P. College of Law Faculty for speaking out against plagiarism.

We ask the Supreme Court to withdraw the “show cause” order against the 37 faculty members of the U.P. College of Law.

U.P. Diliman Executive Committee, 27 October 2010*

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*Composed of the Deans/Directors of the different Colleges and Schools in U.P. Diliman, including the Chancellor, Vice Chancellors, University Registrar, and three (3) members-at-large

-even in the Philippines, the Supreme Court said so!