We, the University Council of UP Diliman, 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 UP College of Law for taking a principled position on a grave academic concern.
We stand by the UP 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 UP College of Law.
U.P. Diliman University Council, 26 November 2010
*This statement, which was originally a statement of the Executive Committee of UP Diliman, was unanimously adopted by the University Council of UP Diliman at its 115th meeting held on 26 November 2010.