Brazilian-Japanese model-actor Daniel Matsunaga finally broke his silence about the Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanity Major in Social Work (Honoris Causa) he received from the Brethren Evangelical School of Theology (BEST) which the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) considered as invalid.
Matsunaga proudly shared the video of the ceremony on his Instagram account showing the school officials of BEST conferring the honorary degree to him last week.
However, days after he received his Ph.D. in Humanities, CHED released a statement saying that they will not credit the actor-model’s honorary degree as their records show that BEST is an unrecognized higher education institution (HEI).
Related Story: Daniel Matsunaga’s honorary degree is invalid, CHED says
But Matsunaga appeared in ABS-CBN’s morning show “Umagang Kay Ganda” to set the record straight.
He said that the issue has affected him and his family, but understands that the publicity he is getting because of it is the price to pay for being a public figure.
The model-actor also said that BEST and CHED are the ones who should answer the questions regarding the issue.
Nevertheless, he said that he will not return the award that as given to him.
“I’m really, really happy. I’m really blessed to have received that award. Then I would never say or think that I would give the award back.
“Of course, not because it’s something that… it is a blessing to my life no matter what. It means a lot to me. It means a lot to my family, too,” he said.
He was accompanied by Bishop Ariel Coleto, the founder of BEST, who said that they conducted research and evaluation before conferring the award to Matsunaga.
Bishop Coleto defended that they are a religious organization and that CHED has nothing to do with the award they have given.
“Hindi namin ito ginawad bilang course sa kanya, kundi award, pagkilala sa kanyang kontribusyon anuman ang kanyang activities or community services na nagawa,” he said.
In the US, Religious Organizations are not covered by their Academic regulations therefore, they are given the rights to bestow honors and awards to anyone they deem fit to acquire it. However being an academic institution, they are covered by CHED, as far as Philippine regulation is concerned. Therefore, the question is which will apply to them knowing that they are in the Philippines.