TOYM award to former DLSU student questioned Philippine Daily Inquirer
December 26, 2009
WE, THE CURRENT AND RETIRED FACULTY members of the Behavioral Sciences Department of De La Salle University (DLSU), strongly protest the 2009 TOYM award of Dr. Eliseo Prisno III. We are stunned by this choice because Prisno was dishonorably dismissed by DLSU’s Discipline Board on April 12, 1995 (Discipline Case Number 9495-10-16) for “unbecoming behavior and bringing dishonor to De La Salle University.”
Prisno was a graduate student of DLSU’s Health Social Science Graduate Program in Academic Year (AY) 1993-94. His dishonorable dismissal was related to his grave misconduct while on the Health Social Science Graduate Program practicum in Term 3 of AY 1993-94 at the Kabalikat Drop-in Center (KDIC), an NGO that worked on AIDS prevention, health education and medical referral of sex workers in the Malate-Ermita area in Manila.
Irene Fonacier-Fellizer, project manager of KDIC at that time, sent a three-page report to Dr. Pilar Ramos-Jimenez (coordinator of the Health Social Science Graduate Program then) on April 12, 1994 about Prisno’s sexual and drug-related misconduct involving KDIC’s clients, particularly minors. After meeting with Prisno about Fellizer’s report, Doctor Jimenez forwarded the document to DLSU’s Discipline Board. The case was carefully investigated and deliberated on from May 1994 until April 1995, and Prisno was found guilty of the charge filed against him.
The TOYM awards are “given to recognize young men and women who have proven themselves worthy of honor and emulation.” Thus, as society’s leaders and models, especially for the young, the awardees must be persons of integrity and moral rectitude. Because of the importance and national prominence of the award, TOYM must exercise due diligence in thoroughly screening the nominees and investigating their backgrounds so that only the truly deserving are given the award.
We believe that Prisno does not deserve the award, not only because he has brought dishonor to De La Salle University but most importantly, for his disregard of the human rights of the poor, the powerless and vulnerable children that the Kabalikat Drop-in Center was assisting and nurturing.
—STELLA P. GO, chair, Behavioral Sciences Department; DR. EXALTACION E. LAMBERTE, dean, College of Liberal Arts; DR. JESUSA M. MARCO, associate vice chancellor for research and learning; DR. MA. ELENA CHIONG-JAVIER, director, Social Development Research Center; CRISTINA A. RODRIGUEZ, assistant professor; DR. PILAR RAMOS-JIMENEZ, retired professor and university fellow, De La Salle University
