Speaker Lord Allan Velasco has been conferred with the Award of Distinction by his fellow alumni from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Faculty of Civil Law.
This award, the highest honor the UST Law Alumni Foundation
Inc. can bestow, is given to distinguished law graduates of the university in
recognition of their outstanding career achievements, leadership in the
professions, and noteworthy public service.
The foundation recognized the 44-year-old Velasco for his
“sterling leadership” as Speaker of the House of Representatives;
representative of the lone district of Marinduque province; past president of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines-Marinduque Chapter; and provincial administrator of Marinduque.
It said that in all of which positions, Velasco has “proudly
exhibited an unqualified commitment to serve God and the nation through a
strong adherence to the Thomasian core values of competence, compassion and
commitment.”
The House leader was also recognized for his “impeccable
governance marked with honesty and selflessness.”
The foundation likewise noted Velasco’s “firm determination
to conduct his professional and personal endeavors with integrity, thereby
enhancing the honor and prestige of his venerable Alma Mater, the Faculty of
Civil Law of the [UST].”
The foundation officials, led by their president Atty. Maria
Elena Go Francisco and Committee on Awards chair retired Sandiganbayan Justice
Teresita Diaz-Baldos, personally handed over the award to Velasco at the
Batasang Pambansa in Quezon City.
They also gave the plaque of appreciation to Velasco as keynote speaker at the 287th Founding Anniversary of the UST Faculty of Civil Law and Grand Alumni Reunion for 2020 and 2021 held on December 5.
In response, Velasco thanked the foundation for the
recognition as he attributed his career brilliance to the sound education he
acquired from his alma mater.
“It is my honor to uphold the values and embody the Tomasian
spirit in my career as a public servant,” Velasco said.
“I consider this a privilege and as proof that I am treading
the right path in my work as a legislator,” he added.
Velasco earned a degree on business management from the De
La Salle University. He obtained his law
degree from UST and was admitted to the Philippine Bar in 2005.
Prior to becoming provincial administrator under
then-governor Jose Antonio Carrion, Velasco worked at the Supreme Court—first
as court attorney and then as judicial staff head.
