“First and foremost, I’d like him to acknowledge that he did in fact commit plagiarism and apologize to the Filipino population. Afterwards, I would like for him to assume accountability befitting his position in government and simply resign in the same manner MVP did when he was charged with this case.”
JC Del Mundo (III BS Mgt)
“Kung merong mga nagsasabi na hindi sa kanya ung speech na ‘yun and ‘yung sinabi niya lang ay kinuha niya lang sa isang blog site, edi humingi na lang siya ng paumahin, baka mapatawad pa siya. Kasi kung paninidigan niya lang, eh mas mahirap ‘yun kasi mas lalo siyang madedehado.”
Jonard Tubera, Security Guard
“At the very least, apologize and take responsibility for his wrongdoing. Most desirably, resign.”
Leo Francis F. Abot (II AB-MA POS)
“I want him to have the decency to apologize to the public and step down from his position, promising never to run again in any public office (and keeping that promise). I find it insulting that he doesn’t think that plagiarism is a serious concern. He also said that plagiarism is a grave issue only in the academe but not in politics so more leeway should be given. The reason why we go to school is for us to be able to learn concepts and values which will be applied outside the academe later on. Sotto’s statement and example contradict this and I find it offensive to both the academe and public. It’s as if he’s not taking things seriously and thinks he can get away with it. What kind of people are we electing into office? I hope that with these events, people will be more careful and wiser in choosing their candidates for election. We don’t want another Sotto who will disappoint us and embarrass us as a nation.”
Therese B. Reyes (IV BS PSY)
“Seriously, I want him to resign. I take plagiarism very seriously. Obviously, I’m an academic so it’s a huge part of what I do. But I think it’s more than that. I think it’s a basic value. I even find it contradictory that someone who claims to—with his position in the RH Bill—champion moral standards is also violating something that is also, for me, a moral issue.”
Jaime Manuel Flores, Communication Department Instructor
“It is my belief that politicians are held to a higher standard because they are elected to represent the public’s interests. When they violate the public’s faith and trust in a scandal like Senator Sotto’s case, the most professional thing they can do is to volunteer to step down. In the United States for instances, a senator who would be caught in a scandal like Mr. Sotto would be under enormous pressure to resign, and in fact many have lost their jobs for much less. I think honestly the longer he continues to try and defend himself, the more this is dragged out and the worse he is making it for himself. If he is allowed to remain in office, he would essentially be condoning cheating and plagiarism, which would be a tragically sad message to send to the people. I only can hope he searches his heart and does the right thing.
Zach Feinberg, History Department Professor
