UST flags unauthorized use of logo by candidate

The University of Santo Tomas (UST) has flagged the unauthorized use of its logo by a senatorial candidate.

In a statement sent to its official school publication, Varsitarian, UST Secretary General Fr. Louie Coronel, O.P. clarified the university did not approve the use of its name and official seal in any campaign material as "it does not endorse any political candidate."

Coronel made the statement after tarpaulins bearing UST's name and old official seal were spotted along Dapitan Street in Sampaloc, Manila, earlier this week, campaigning for Rep. Eric Martinez of Valenzuela's second district.

The tarpaulins showed the solos as being from the "Batch '93 BCS-B.A." with the words "May Kandidatong Senador na taga USTe" written above.

“The Office of the Secretary General shall endeavor to keep in touch with Mr. Eric Martinez to cease and desist from using the University’s name and logo in any campaign-related materials, take down or remove all existing content (print or digital) bearing University logo (old or new) or implying University endorsement; and to issue a public correction or clarification that his campaign is not endorsed by the University,” Coronel was quoted as saying.

According to Coronel, the use of UST name and any version of its logo — whether old or new — in materials that imply the school's endorsement is also prohibited.

Martinez, who has been the second district representative of Valenzuela since 2016, is running under the party Partido Demokratiko Pilipino (PDP Laban).

The senatorial candidate has yet to issue a statement as of this writing.