JAKARTA – University of the East denied it refused to allow its student and national cycling team member Marella Salamat to compete in the 18th Asian Games.
The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) rued the decision of UE, particularly its College of Dentistry, refusing Salamat to give her a leave of absence in order for her to represent the country in the Asian Games.
In a letter addressed to POC president Ricky Vargas that was also released to media outlets, UE president Ester Garcia said those claims are not true, saying Salamat didn’t file a leave of absence and that it was Salamat and her mother Marivic Tangonan-Salamat who decided to choose academics in lieu of joining the Asiad.
“Ms. Salamat did not file a leave of absence for her potential participation in the 2018 Asian Games and, moreover, this is because it is Ms. Salamat and her mother, Dr. Marivic Tangonan-Salamat (herself a UE Dentistry graduate) who ultimately decided for Marella to abstain from taking part in the coming Asian Games in favor of pursuing her studies,” wrote Garcia.
Garcia also denied claims by Salamat that she will repeat her Dentistry course if she decides on joining the Asian Games.
“There is no truth to Marella’s reported statement that she would have to go back to her first year as a Dentistry student and that she would have to repeat the whole course, a remark that Ms. Salamat had made without the proper consultation with the UE College of Dentistry Dean’s office. Plus, Ms. Salamat had previously filed LOAs with UE for her previous tournaments, all of which were granted by the University,” said Garcia.
Garcia also felt it was unfair that UE was put into a negative light due to the statements made by the POC.
“It is thus grossly unfair for the University of the East and the officialdom of the UE College of Dentistry to be cast in the negative light in the news reports that have come out regarding this matter,” said Garcia.
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