The University of the Philippines has extended the deadline for nominations for the next Faculty Regent from Oct. 19 to Nov. 4 in a move aimed at encouraging more candidates to join the race for one of the highest faculty-representative positions in the UP System.
UP President Angelo Jimenez, through Memorandum No. PAJ 26-21, reset the deadline for the submission of nominations until 5 p.m. on Nov. 4, 2026. In explaining the decision, Jimenez emphasized that an engaged constituency is critical to ensuring integrity, accountability, and meaningful participation in university governance.
The Jimenez administration introduced reforms to enhance voter participation in the Faculty Regent selection process. In 2024, the selection process lifted the no-campaign rule and provided System support for nominees to visit the constituent universities, present their plans, and discuss directly with faculty members. The Faculty Regent Electronic Voting System (FREVS) was launched in the same year. Other changes involved ensuring broader representation, such as allowing candidates to have poll watchers along with representatives of the All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) during the tallying of results.
He added that the University now provides more venues for qualified faculty members to seek the post. Fielding multiple candidates, he believes, would also give faculty members a genuine choice, encourage voter engagement and help develop a broader pipeline of future university leaders. Jimenez, a former UP Diliman University Student Council chair and activist, had campaigned for representation of the faculty, students, and staff in the Board, and later served as Student Regent.
“Whoever is selected to serve as Faculty Regent, what’s important is that our faculty members are engaged and heard, that they actively participate in the process of choosing their voice on the Board, and that more are encouraged to step up and lead as Regent,” Jimenez said.
The Faculty Regent serves as the elected representative of UP faculty in the University’s 11-member Board of Regents, the highest policy-making body of the UP System under Republic Act 9500, the UP Charter of 2008.
Past Faculty Regents include former UP Presidents Francisco Nemenzo and Emerlinda Roman, former NEDA Secretary Solita Monsod, sociologist and journalist Professor Emeritus Randolf “Randy” S. David, former DSWD Secretary Judy Taguiwalo, academic and poet Ramon Guillermo, and the first Chancellor of UP Tacloban, Dr. Patricia Arinto (see the list of former Faculty Regents here).
For the 2027-2028 term, the Faculty Regent will be chosen from among qualified faculty members of UP Open University, UP Mindanao, UP Baguio and UP Tacloban, following the University’s rotational selection system. The successor will replace outgoing Faculty Regent and UP Visayas assistant professor Early Sol Gadong, whose two-year term ends on Dec. 31, 2026.
Under the selection guidelines, nominees must be permanent faculty members from the eligible constituent universities who have rendered at least 10 years of service, are no older than 63 on Jan. 1, 2027, maintain active status in the University throughout the term, and possess a clear administrative and disciplinary record.
Following the close of nominations, candidates are expected to present their programs to constituent universities from Nov. 11 to Nov. 25. Faculty voting, through both electronic and manual methods, is set for Dec. 2 and Dec. 3. The University president is expected to announce the results on Dec. 9.
All regular and substitute faculty members qualified under University rules may participate in the election. The winning candidate will be proclaimed by the Board of Regents and will serve a two-year term representing faculty interests while participating in systemwide policy-making and governance. ###