University of Bohol President Dr. Victoriano “Ryan” B. Tirol III was elected president of the Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities (PACU) for the 2026-2028 term, marking a milestone for the university and the Boholano community.
The association’s Board of Trustees elected its officers on Oct. 16, 2026. The result strengthens the university’s representation in the country’s higher education sector.
Other officers elected for 2026-2028 are Laurice Faye R. Juarez of Capitol University, first vice president; Zorba Bnn R. Bautista of the University of Baguio, second vice president; Ma. Socorro M. Eala of San Pablo Colleges, corporate secretary; and the Rev. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, C.M., of Adamson University, treasurer.
The board also elected regional vice presidents: Marco Alfredo M. Benitez of Philippine Women’s University for the National Capital Region; Patricia Bustos-Lagunda of Baliuag University for Luzon; Augusto W. Go of the University of Cebu for the Visayas; and Guillermo P. Torres Jr. of the University of Mindanao for Mindanao.
Tirol previously served the association as first vice president, corporate secretary, treasurer and trustee. His election reflects his continuing involvement in advancing the interests of private higher education institutions in the Philippines.
The board vote followed the association’s annual general assembly and election on Sept. 26, 2026, at the Sheraton Manila Hotel in Pasay City.
Member institutions nationwide elected representatives from the group’s four regions.
The representatives are:
National Capital Region: the Rev. Daniel Franklin E. Pilario, C.M., of Adamson University; Danilo L. Concepcion of Centro Escolar University; Juan Miguel R. Montinola of Far Eastern University; Vicente K. Fabella of Jose Rizal University; Dodjie S. Maestrecampo of Mapúa University; Caroline Marian S. Enriquez of Our Lady of Fatima University; Benitez of Philippine Women’s University; Elizabeth Quirino-Lahoz of the Technological Institute of the Philippines; and Zosimo M. Battad of the University of the East.
Luzon: Bustos-Lagunda of Baliuag University; Peter P. Laurel of Lyceum of the Philippines-Batangas; Naila E. Leveriza of Manuel S. Enverga University Foundation Inc.; Eala of San Pablo Colleges; Bautista of the University of Baguio; and Anthony Jose M. Tamayo of the University of Perpetual Help System Dalta-Molino.
Visayas: Bernard Nicolas E. Villamor of Cebu Institute of Technology-University; Tirol of the University of Bohol; Go of the University of Cebu; and Christopher A. Tan of the University of Iloilo.
Mindanao: Juarez of Capitol University; Karen Belina F. De Leon of Misamis University; Evelyn Abellera Magno of Rizal Memorial Colleges; and Torres of the University of Mindanao.
Tirol’s election brings added recognition to the university and to Bohol province as he assumes a key leadership role in an organization that represents and advances private colleges and universities nationwide.
The association, established in 1932, is the country’s oldest private higher education group. It set higher standards for private educational institutions and promotes the interests of private education. It has 197 member institutions, including some of the leading private colleges and universities in the country.
The association says it remains committed to quality, innovation, complementarity, sustainability and resilience in Philippine private higher education, as well as to excellence and to shaping the future of Philippine education. (Leo Boncales)