UP Vice President leaves post after backlash on community pantry remark

MANILA, Philippines — The University of The Philippines’ (UP) Vice President Dr. Teodoro Herbosa resigned from his post due to “personal reasons,” after receiving intense criticism online for a controversial post involving the community pantry launched by actress Angel Locsin.

Herbosa, an adviser of the National Task Force Against COVID-19, tendered his resignation “effective immediately” on Sunday, according to a statement released by the UP media and public relations office.

UP President Danilo Concepcion accepted Herbosa’s resignation, expressing regret due to the fact that Herbosa had served the University with “great dedication.”

“In your service as Executive Vice President, you have shown how vital this position can be to the governance of the University,” Concepcion said.

The president, however, also noted that “it is imperative that there be consistency and harmony in our relationship as administrators, as well as in our public pronouncements, given that we both represent the larger University community, its spirit, and its interests.”

Herbosa served as Executive Vice President of UP since the start of Concepcion’s administration in 2017.

Teodora’s resignation came a day after he drew flak for his “death by community pantry” Twitter post.

The said post was a reaction to the death of an elderly who died while waiting in line at a community pantry organized by actress Angel Locsin in Quezon City for her birthday.

Teodoro received backlash from netizens online, prompting the now former UP executive to apologize through Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/ted.herbosa/posts/10220977363717397?_rdc=2&_rdr

“I sincerely apologize for my tweet earlier today, tagging as ‘death by community pantry’ news of a senior citizen’s death at a community pantry of a celebrity. It may have sounded like a criticism but was ill-judged, when many are facing hardships & being helped by these kind hearted souls,” Teodoro said.

“I apologize to sincere organizers of community pantries who were hurt. I continue to reflect on the impact of  my behavior. I assure you this has nothing to do with the institution that I serve, the University of the Philippines, I have filed a leave of absence while I reflect on my actions & this misstep,” he added.

Herbosa was also a part of the UP COVID-19 Response Team which provided projections, analyses, and recommendations for the government regarding COVID-19.

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