As per announcement of Vice Chancellor for Academics Geronio Ulayao via Benilde mail on Feb. 7, the involved faculty member in the viral “thesis for sale” where students paid to pass a subject, Mr. Ariel Pineda, has voluntarily stepped down as the Export Management (EM) Program Chair to give way to a fair and impartial investigation.

After a letter of explanation was sent by Mr. Pineda when issued a Notice to Explain by College authorities, his next step was to step down from his current position as investigation is being done by the College. 

While the College is still in the process of investigating Mr. Pineda’s case, complainant Ak Paras has disclosed to The Benildean new developments regarding the alleged “thesis for sale” as a third witness step-up and claimed to be one of the victims of Mr. Pineda. 

Benilde has also reached out to Paras as an investigator talked to him and is in the process of arranging a meeting with Benilde Chancellor Mr. Robert Tang to shed light on his complaints against Mr. Pineda.

The College assures the Benildean community that proper measures are being done in the investigation process in accordance with the rights to due process of Mr. Pineda, and those proven liable will be held accountable.

Mr. Siegfred Javelosa, current Dean of School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT), will take charge as the EM Program chair effective immediately for the second trimester of the ongoing academic year 2019 to 2020. 

The full statement can be read below.