UP to decide on Mark Solis case next month

Screen grab of Mark Joseph Solis’ page on the Global Youth Anti-Corruption Network of which he is a member.

MANILA, Philippines—The University of the Philippines will be deciding by next month on the case of its student Mark Joseph Solis, who allegedly passed off other people’s photographs as his own in several contests.

This was after the UP Diliman chancellor, Dr. Caesar Saloma, received last week a fact finding report on the allegations against Solis, a post-graduate public administration student.

In a text message, the official said he expects the decision and recommendation to be released within a month after a careful study of the report, submitted by the National College of Public Administration and Governance.

“The UPD decision will feature not only the finding of guilt but also the corresponding penalty for the violation,” Saloma said.

“For proven dishonesty cases, penalties could range from one-year suspension, dishonorable dismissal from the University, to withdrawal of degree by the University,” he added.

The official assured that the decision-making will undergo due process to allow Solis to present his side.

Solis, who is also a political science graduate of the university, was accused of allegedly submitting a photograph of Gregory John Smith to a contest sponsored by the Chilean embassy and passing it off as his own.

The ruse was eventually exposed by Smith, with Solis losing the top prize of $1,000 and a trip abroad.

The NCPAG fact-finding committee found out that the student entered at least six contests in which he passed off other people’s photographs as his own.

Smith’s photo of a smiling boy with wet seaweed draped on his head was reportedly submitted to at least three contests, including a students-only contest sponsored by a UP Diliman-based student organization.

Saloma explained that aside from his office, the deliberation process will also involve the Diliman executive committee comprised of college deans and vice chancellors.

The decision is still subject to the approval of UP President Alfredo Pascual, or even the UP Board of Regents, which is the highest decision-making body in the university.

Saloma added that the respondent can still appeal penalty decisions at the UP Diliman level with the UP President, or the Board of Regents.

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