ni Eli San Miguel - Trainee @News | November 13, 2023
Inamin ni Department of Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu ngayong Lunes na hindi siya nakatapos ng pag-aaral sa kolehiyo.
Batay sa profile ni Laurel online, iniulat ng ilang news organizations na nagtapos ng computer science sa UST ang bagong DA chief.
Naglabas ng paglilinaw si Laurel matapos iulat ng Varsitarian, ang opisyal na pahayagan ng University of Santo Tomas, na hindi siya nagpatuloy sa anumang undergraduate studies sa UST.
“Let me clear the air about my educational background given news reports that claim I am an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas, or any other institution of higher learning. That is not true,” pahayag ni Laurel.
“I never finished my education because I became a father at 19. I needed to work to support my eldest child. My father impressed upon me that my responsibility as a father comes first,” dagdag niya.
Ipinaliwanag naman ni Laurel na nais niyang makakuha ng degree ngunit ang trabaho at responsibilidad sa pamilya ang pumigil sa kanya. Sa halip, tumulong siya sa pagtataguyod ng pangunahing kumpanya ng kanilang pamilya, ang Frabelle.
“Like many, I dreamt of wearing a toga and receiving a diploma. But that wasn’t meant to be. The sea became my university, experiences in life taught me the value of perseverance, my children gave me the courage and inspiration to get to where I am now, and the good fortune I have today, I enjoy through God’s grace,” aniya.