The University of Santo Tomas Rector, Very Rev. Fr. Richard G. Ang, O.P., PhD, has been elected President of the Association of Catholic Universities of the Philippines (ACUP), for the term 2025-2027. The thirty-six-member association was established in 1973 and aims to enhance the Christian identity of member institutions as leading centers of teaching, research, and service. Apart from being venues for consultation on common concerns, the association organizes conferences and training programs. It likewise articulates the position of Catholic universities on issues and policies involving schools in the country.
Fr. Ang, who previously served as Vice-President, leads the nine-member officer team, where he is joined by San Beda University Rector-President Fr. Aloysius Ma. A. Maranan, OSB, EdD as Vice-President; University of the Immaculate Conception President Sr. Ma. Marissa R. Viri, RVM as Secretary; De La University President Br. Bernard S. Oca, FSC, EdD as Treasurer; and Saint Louis University President Fr. Gilbert B. Sales, CICM, PhD, Adamson University President Fr. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, CM, University of St. La Salle President and Chancellor Br. Joaquin S. Martinez, FSC, DMin, Ateneo de Davao University President Fr. Karel S. San Juan, SJ, PhD, and University of San Carlos President Fr. Francisco Antonio T. Estepa, SVD, PhD as Board Members.
This marks the return of UST to ACUP leadership, which was previously held by former Rector fr. Herminio V. Dagohoy, O.P., PhD (2013-2015). Meanwhile, the ACUP Secretariat is headquartered in UST through the Office of Public Affairs.
