Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, August 18) – Jose Abueva, former president of the University of the Philippines, died on Wednesday. He was 93 years old.
His daughter Rossana confirmed this in a Facebook post, saying Abueva “passed away peacefully” in his home in Beverly Hills in Antipolo, Rizal.
Abueva served as the 16th UP president from 1987 to 1993.
He signed the 1989 agreement with the Department of National Defense barring state forces from entering UP campuses without prior notice.
The deal, which he described as a reflection of the “deep understanding” of the UP community’s “inalienable rights to freedom, democracy, justice and peace,” was unilaterally abrogated by the DND in January this year.
Abueva was also UP chancellor from 1990 to 1991, and was Professor Emeritus of political science and public administration at the university.
In a statement, the UP National College of Public Administration and Governance said it “mourns the passing of [Abueva] and honors his legacy of service to the nation and the University.”
Abueva also forged a career outside academia, serving as secretary of the 1971 Constitutional Convention.
During the term of former President Corazon Aquino, he was chairman of the Legislative-Executive Military Bases Council.
He was also appointed as chairperson of the Consultative Constitutional Commission during the administration of former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
In 2000, along with other UP professors, Abueva founded Kalayaan College, which was originally located in Marikina and is now in Quezon City.
