UP cites former Regent Aranton’s contributions

The University of the Philippines awarded former Alumni Regent Robert Lester Aranton a citation certificate enumerating his contributions to the university as regent from July 2023 to August 2026 — a post he assumed ex officio as president of the UP Alumni Association.

The brief ceremony took place during the UP Board of Regents meeting on Oct. 26 at the Asian Institute of Tourism, UP Diliman. The certificate memorialized the BOR’s “profound gratitude and sincere appreciation” to Aranton, on behalf of the University’s faculty, REPS, staff, and students. 

He was cited for alumni leadership that strengthened the organization’s presence and fostered collaboration among its chapters. Aranton was elected to lead the UPAA with his rallying call, OneUP. 

As regent, his active participation in the board deliberations, particularly as a member of the finance committee, “helped optimize university resources in pursuit of strategic goals.” Records show he supported the expansion of the Enhanced Hospitalization Program, or eHOPE; the reprogramming of unexpended funds for priority projects across the constituent units; the Philippine General Hospital; and the UP College of Medicine. Aranton was also credited “for promoting transparency and operational efficiency in university administration, including measures concerning delegated authority in procurement and greater transparency in the status and costs of infrastructure projects.”

He was recognized for having affirmed “the university’s responsibility to protect academic freedom, free expression, and the welfare of its community, and for supporting the university’s institutional response to threats, harassment, red-tagging, and other attacks against its officials and members”.

The citation certificate was signed by Board co-Chairs Shirley Agrupis and Angelo Jimenez.