As the nation mourns the death of a brilliant political expert, educator and public administrator, Dr. Jose “Pepe” Abueva, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Bohol (SP) led by Vice Governor Rene Lopez Relampagos approved a resolution that pays tribute to the great Boholano educator and peace studies advocate on Tuesday, August 24, 2021, according to reports.

Abueva died on Aug. 18, 2021 in his home in Beverly Hills, Antipolo, Rizal, at the age of 93.

To show utmost respect and gratitude, Relampagos wrote last week about Dr. Abueva’s humble beginnings, hardships, and how he had risen and became a great influence in the fields of education, development, and peace studies.

The vice governor likewise cited how Dr. Pepe, as he was fondly called, had always extended help to Bohol towards the province’s continued growth and development.

Born on May 25, 1928, in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Dr. Jose Veloso Abueva, made significant contributions in the academic field as a political scientist and public administration scholar who served as the 16th president of the University of the Philippines. 

He was a Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) awardee for political science in 1962.

Ha had devoted much of his career to various academic circles. He was a faculty member of the National College of Public Administration and Governance of UP Diliman and a visiting professor at Brooklyn College, City University of New York and Yale University. He had stints with the United Nations University in Tokyo.

Adept in the academic field, the Boholano political expert was a Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public Administration at UP Diliman.

He also chaired the advisory board of the Citizens Movement for a Free Philippines and was also appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as chairman of the Consultative Constitutional Commission in the Philippines.

Among Abueva’s notable contributions to Philippine governance include his membership of the Presidential Task Force on Education created by former President Arroyo in 2007 to assess, plan and monitor the entire educational system.

Recognizing Dr. Pepe Abueva’s immense contributions to Bohol and in the country, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan moved and approved, en masse, the resolution that expresses sympathy to the bereaved family, as well as rendering a posthumous tribute to the late Boholano political expert.

“Dr. Pepe had always extended himself in helping push Bohol towards growth and development. His inputs had greatly contributed to the development our island province enjoys, and his immeasurable contributions would forever be remembered,” Relampagos said.