The quiet normalization of patronage in state universities and collegesPatronage in higher education is often discussed as an episodic governance problem: a matter of particular appointments, individual interventions, or isolated cases of political influence. In some State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), patronage no longer appears primarily as overt interference. That commitment must be visible in leadership practice, appointment standards, research governance and the protection of academic voice. What is at stake is not only administrative integrity, but the capacity of public universities to remain sites of independent thought, critical inquiry and principled public service. Jovito C Anito Jr ([email protected]) is an associate professor at Jose Rizal Memorial State University.

Source: Philippine Star March 28, 2026 09:39 UTC