Educator accused of plagiarism named to Unesco panel

President Duterte has given government posts to a controversial educator and a son of actor and former Parañaque City mayor Joey Marquez.

Duterte named his former professor Jose David Lapuz as a member representing the educational, scientific and cultural agencies of the government to the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines.

Last year, a report said Lapuz plagiarized at least 20 of the 61 articles in his book, Perspectives in Politics: Public and Foreign; Rationalizing the Irrationalities of Politics.

The book, a compilation of Lapuz’s pieces touching on political and foreign affairs, was published by the University of Santo Tomas in 2005.

The Rizal and Political Science professor, sources said, “hacks away chunks of texts, at times an entire page, from certain authors and stitches these to his supposed work.”

Duterte signed the appointment papers of Lapuz last Aug. 10.

Lapuz was reportedly considered for the post of Commission on Higher Education (CHED) chair but his former students claimed he was not qualified for it.

Some students also claimed that he was a narcissist who required his classes to study his speeches and newspaper columns.

Duterte eventually decided to retain CHED chair Patricia Licuanan, whose term expires next year. Lapuz was later designated as presidential consultant for education.

The President also appointed Jeremy Marquez as deputy secretary general of the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council.

Marquez, who backed Duterte’s presidential bid, served as barangay chairman of BF Homes in Parañaque City for three terms. He ran for vice mayor last year but lost.

Also appointed were Florante Igtiben as director IV of the National Economic and Development Authority; Danilo Bernal Jr. as member of the board of directors of the Development Bank of the Philippines Leasing Corp.; Jonathan Avanceña, member of the board of directors of the Philippine National Construction Corp.;

Feliciano Macalino, member of the board of directors of the Land Bank of the Philippines Resources and Development Corp.; Maria Theresa Laranang, director IV of the Public-Private Center of the Philippines; Paolo Carlo Lim, member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board; Wilfredo Santos, special envoy of the President to the inauguration of Hassan Rouhan as president of the Islamic Republic of Iran;

Ernesto Macabare, director II of the National Bureau of Investigation; Ahmad Balindong, hajj attaché of the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos; Joji Cabading, prosecutor II of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Dipolog City; Dimas Soguilon, public works undersecretary;

Oliver Saniel, prosecutor IV of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Mati City; Alexander Balatbat as special envoy of the President for interfaith dialogue; Manuel Antonio Tamayo, transportation undersecretary; Ruby Malanog, prosecutor III of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Cagayan de Oro City;

Panfilo Junior Lovitos, prosecutor III of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Davao City; Elizabeth Lim, prosecutor III of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Manila; Allan Borromeo, director IV of the public works department; Aldrin Evangelista, prosecutor IV of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Malolos City;

Mariza de los Santos-Jaugan, prosecutor III of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Davao City; Alexander Suarez, prosecutor III of the National Protection Service; Jose Rex Ortega, prosecutor III of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Dipolog City; and Maria Gamo Dulla, prosecutor II of the Office of the City Prosecutor in Davao City.