José Abueva

Infobox Person
name =José Veloso Abueva


image_size =
caption =
birth_date =
birth_place = Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
death_date =
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occupation =educator
author
spouse =Cora Abueva
parents =Teodoro Abueva
Purificacion Veloso
children = Lanelle, Jobert, Rosanna, Jonas

Dr. José Veloso Abueva (MPA, IRKEWL, UP; PhD Political Science, University of Michigan) is former president of the University of the Philippines. A Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee for political science in 1962, he has devoted much of his career in academic circles. He has been faculty member of the UP College of Public Administration and visiting professor at Brooklyn College, City University of New York and Yale University. He has also worked with the United Nations University in Tokyo. He is now professor emeritus of political science and public administration at UP. Professor Abueva's service to the nation includes stints as secretary of the 1971 Constitutional Convention, executive director of the Legislative-Executive Local Government Reform Commission and Chairman of the Legislative-Executive Council that drew up the conversion program for former military bases. Professor Abueva has written a number of books, including "Focus in the Barrio: The Foundation of the Philippine Community Development Program" and "Ang Filipino sa Siglo 21." Among the publications he has edited is the 20-volume "PAMANA: The UP Anthology of Filipino Socio-Political Thought since 1872."

Abueva is a Filipino educator and author. He was the president of the University of the Philippines from 1987 to 1993. He is currently the President of Kalayaan College as well as U.P. Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration. [http://www.kalayaan.edu.ph/admin_founders.html Kalayaan College] ] He also chairs the advisory board of the Citizens Movement for a Free Philippines. [ Dr. Jose V. Abueva [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=8261 Consolidating our fragile democracy] ABS-CBN December 13, 2006. ] He was elected by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as chairman of the consultative constitutional commission in the Philippines. He is a strong supporter of federalism and parliamentary government for the Philippines. [Dr. Jose V. Abueva [http://www.pcij.org/blog/wp-docs/Abueva-Federalism.pdf Some Advantages of Federalism and Parliamentary Government for the Philippines] Philippine Center for Investigative JournalismRetrieved 13 December, 2006.]

He forms the team of analysts of Pulse Asia, a public opinion polling body in the Philippines. [Pulse Asia [http://pulseasia.newsmaker.ph/main.asp?page=sectionpage&section=Team Team of Analysts] Retrieved 18 December, 2006. ]

Biography and career

Dr. Abueva was born in Tagbilaran City, Bohol to Teodoro Abueva, a Bohol congressman and Purificacion (Nena)Veloso, president of the Women’s Auxiliary Service. His father was a friend and contemporary of former Philippine President Manuel Roxas and Ambassador Narciso Ramos. He was a member of the Provincial Board, and later became the Provincial Governor of Bohol. He ended his career as a Congressman in 1934. Both of Abueva's parents died serving their country.

As a young boy of 16 during World War II in the Philippines, he had to search for his parents who were taken by the Japanese, eventually finding them dead.

Dr. Abueva has six other brothers and sisters: Teodoro (Teddy), Jr., now based in New York, USA; Purificacion (Neny - dec.), married to Atty. Ramon Binamira (dec.) of Tagbilaran City; Napoleon Abueva (Billy), Philippines National Artist for sculpture; Amelia (Inday) Martinez, now living in Chicago; Teresita (Ching) Floro, now living in Sydney, Australia; and Antonio (Tony), a landscape artist who met a tragic fate aboard Princess of the Orient; his body has not been found. [http://www.boholtimes.com/daan2004/jan252004/events4.htm Napoleon Veloso-Abueva the first and only Boholano National Artist] . The Bohol Times 25 January, 2004. ]

After the war, the orphaned Abueva children pulled together to take care of each other, growing into fine adults. Jose studied at the University of the Philippines and then the University of Michigan before eventually becoming a professor at his alma mater in the Philippines. [http://www.sgi.org/english/Features/quarterly/0010/portraits.htm Refusing to Hate: Jose Abueva - Former President of the University of the Philippines] SGI Quarterly 2000 ]

He earned his A.B. (Arts-Law, cum laude) at U.P. and his Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Ph.D in political science at the University of Michigan. In 1968, he received the Distinguished Scholar Award of U.P. He was Visiting Professor at the City University of New York (1966-1967) and Yale University (1969-1970). He also worked with the Ford Foundation (1973-1977), and with the United Nations University in Tokyo and New York, 1977-1987. He served as Secretary of the 1971 Constitutional Convention and as Chairman of the Legislative-Executive Military Bases Council under President Corazon C. Aquino. He heads the research and advisory panel of the Citizens’ Movement for a Federal Philippines.

Dr. Abueva served as President of the University of the Philippines in 1987-1993. He introduced the Socialized Tuition Fee Assistance Program (STFAP) in 1987. Dr. Abueva also institutionalized a Filipino language policy within the university.

He is currently the President of Kalayaan College as well as U.P. Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration.

He is author, co-author, or editor of several books published in the Philippines and abroad, including "Focus on the Barrio"; "Ramon Magsaysay - A Political Biography"; "The Philippines Into the 21st Century"; "Filipino Nationalism"; "Leadership and Authority in Asia"; "Political and Administrative Development"; "Development Administration in Asia"; and "New Challenges for Development and Modernization".

Dr. Abueva is married to Mrs. Cora Abueva from Surigao. His children are Lanelle, Jobert, Rosanna and Jonas

Significant contributions to Philippine governance

Dr. Abueva, who was also an elected delegate to the 1971 Constitutional Convention, has been a staunch advocate for constitutional reforms particularly the shift to a unicameral parliamentary government and the march towards federalism in the Philippines. [http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=29815 Staunch Charter change advocate loses cool over SC ruling] Philippine Daily Inquirer October 31, 2006. ]

He chaired the Consultative Commission formed by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo in 2005. The commission came up with a draft constitution that called for unicameral parliament with both a president and a prime minister.

To Dr. Abueva, the adoption of a federal form of government will address the country's woes. According to him: “Countries under the federal system are more productive, are able to accelerate their development and the people are more resourceful. Under the present system we have not solved our problems." Abueva said the present political set-up does not fit the country's archipelagic nature and diverse cultures. [Vanessa Bago [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/images/news/microsites/onddot/federalism.htm Abueva: Federalism will address country's woes] ABS-CBNnews.com July 30, 2002 ]

On September 4, 2007, the Presidential Task Force on Education under the Office of the President named Bienvenido Nebres, chairman. Nebres will be joined by 4 others -- Angeles University Foundation President Emmanuel Angeles, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Donald Dy, Asian Institute of Management Professor Victor Limlingan, and former University of the Philippines president Jose Abueva. The 5 with Education Secretary Jesli Lapus, Romulo Neri, and Augusto Syjuco, complete the task force. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed Executive Order 635 on August 24 creating a presidential task force to assess, plan and monitor the entire educational system. [ [http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/nation/view_article.php?article_id=86613 Inquirer.net, Ateneo president tapped to head education task force] ]

Quotes

* "There were many reasons (for the proposal to scrap the 2007 polls). That is just one of them." (referring to popularity)
* "Our electoral system may not be reformed at that time (2007). This would raise questions on the credibility of the elections."
* "I respect his (Ramos) opinion but I am standing with the commission's recommendation. He is entitled to his opinions but we should look at the substantive proposals." [ [http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/jose_abueva/ Jose Abueva quotes] en.thinkexist.com Retrieved 13 December, 2006. ]

References

Additional readings

* Dr. Jose V. Abueva [http://www.pcij.org/blog/wp-docs/Abueva-Federalism.pdf Some Advantages of Federalism and Parliamentary Government for the Philippines] Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism Retrieved 13 December, 2006.
* Dr. Jose V. Abueva. [http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx?StoryId=8261 Consolidating our fragile democracy] ABS-CBN Interactive December 13, 2006.
* Maila Ager [http://news.inq7.net/top/index.php?index=1&story_id=45107 Under new form of gov't Arroyo can finish term as transition PM--Abueva Seen as part of transition] Philippine Daily Inquirer July 28, 2005.
* Cesar Torres [http://www.samarnews.net/gugma/articles/article27.htm Dr. Jose V. Abueva and the Philippine Constitution in California - an appeal to the power elite in the Philippines] SamarNews June 10, 2006.
* [http://www.sgi.org/english/Features/quarterly/0010/portraits.htm Refusing to Hate: Jose Abueva - Former President of the University of the Philippines] Soka Gakkai International Quarterly October 2000.
* Jaime Pilapil [http://www.manilastandardtoday.com/?page=politics01_june29_2006 Criticisms drown out One Voice] Manila Standard Today June 29, 2006.
* Lira Dalangin-Fernandez [http://news.inq7.net/breaking/index.php?index=1&story_id=51667 Abueva chosen head of Charter consultative body] Philippine Daily Inquirer September 28, 2005.
* Ronnie E. Calumpita and Maricel V. Cruz [http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/nov/09/yehey/top_stories/20051109top4.html Abueva: Gov't shift will impact on GMA’s term] Manila Times November 09, 2005.
* [http://www.news.ops.gov.ph/archives2005/oct12.htm Proposed Charter changes to reflect views of Filipinos nationwide - Con-Com] www.news.ops.gov.ph October 12, 2005.
* [http://www.philippineconsulate-sf.org/aboutus_pr_abueva.htm Abueva Speaks Before SF Community On Charter Change] Consulate General of the Philippines 24 April 2006.
* Sam Mediavilla [http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/oct/13/yehey/top_stories/20051013top5.html Charter panel to tackle only specific provisions] The Manila Times October 13, 2005.
* [http://www.allbookstores.com/author/Jose_Veloso_Abueva.html Books by Jose Veloso Abueva]
* Edmundo Santuario III [http://www.bulatlat.com/archive/010federalism1.htm Federalism: Antidote to Separatism? Part 1]
* Edmundo Santuario III [http://www.bulatlat.com/archive/011federalism1.htm Federalism: Antidote to Separatism? Part 2]

External links

* [http://www.concom.ph/photos/page_02.php Consultative Commission]