Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. (Picture from the Fb web page of the Division of Agriculture)
MANILA, Philippines — Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. mentioned on Monday mentioned he didn’t end college to lift his eldest baby, following reviews debunking an internet biography claiming that he graduated from the College of Santo Tomas (UST).
“Let me clear the air about my academic background, given information reviews that declare I’m an alumnus of the College of Santo Tomas or every other establishment of upper studying. That isn’t true,” Laurel mentioned in an announcement on Monday.
“I by no means completed my schooling as a result of I grew to become a father at 19. I wanted to work to help my eldest baby. My father impressed upon me that my duty as a father comes first.”
READ: New DA chief Tiu Laurel severs enterprise ties – Garafil
Laurel issued the assertion after The Varsitarian — the official scholar publication of UST – launched a report saying that he didn’t graduate and pursue undergraduate research on the college, in response to the Workplace of the Registrar.
“Like many, I dreamt of sporting a toga and receiving a diploma. However that wasn’t meant to be,” Laurel mentioned.
“The ocean grew to become my college, experiences in life taught me the worth of perseverance. My youngsters gave me the braveness and inspiration to get to the place I’m now.”
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appointed Laurel as head the Division of Agriculture chief final Nov. 3. Earlier than that, Laurel was president of Frabelle Fishing Corp., a fishing firm based mostly in Navotas.
Based mostly on earlier reviews, he additionally held positions in Gravelle Shipyard Corp., Frabelle Properties Corp., Markham Assets Corp., Bacoor Seafront Improvement Corp., and Bukidnon Hydro Vitality Corp.
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