The University of Santo Tomas (UST) administration said they do not endorse senatorial candidate Eric Martinez, whose campaign posters appeared along Dapitan Street.

Emmanuel Batulan, executive assistant of the Office of the Secretary-General, clarified to TomasinoWeb that the University does not endorse any political candidate as it maintains its commitment to “neutrality” and “academic integrity.”

“We clarify that the University does not endorse any political candidate, did not authorize the use of its name/logo, and maintains political neutrality, particularly in keeping with its academic integrity,” Batulan said through an email reply.

The poster featured an unofficial UST logo placed above Martinez’s ballot number, alongside the phrase “May KANDIDATONG SENADOR na taga USTe.”

Batulan said the University has already sought legal advice from its in-house counsel following the circulation of the campaign material.

“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,” he added.

UST also directed Martinez to take down both print and digital versions of the poster, whether they bear the old or updated version of the University logo.

It further urged the senatorial aspirant to issue a public correction or clarification stating that UST does not endorse his candidacy.

TomasinoWeb has reached out to Martinez’s camp for comment but has yet to receive a response as of writing.

Eric Morales Martinez was a Business Administration student of UST, but did not earn his degree in the University.

He currently serves as the representative of Valenzuela City’s second district.