SO THE PUBLIC MAY KNOW
Southwestern University is an academic entity authorized by the then Department of Education to operate a College of Medicine. This is by virtue of Government Recognition No. 1 series of 1954 issued by the Department of Education under then Secretary P.M. Endencia to Southwestern Colleges (now Southwestern University). The document authorized Southwestern Colleges (SWU) to offer the COMPLETE MEDICAL COURSE leading to the degree of DOCTOR OF MEDICINE (M.D.). Up until now, this authorization has not nor has it ever been revoked or suspended. Its effectivity has also not been questioned by any competent government authority.
The Matias H. Aznar, II Memorial College of Medicine Foundation Inc. (MHAM – CM Foundation) was created by Southwestern University and delegated to run and manage the medical aspects of the operation of its College of Medicine. The foundation is not registered as an academic institution nor is it authorized to offer and bestow the DOCTOR OF MEDICINE degree. Only Southwestern University, of which MHAM – CM Foundation Inc. OPERATES UNDER, has government authorization to grant the DOCTOR OF MEDICINE degree. In point of fact, the diplomas issued to graduates of the MHAM College of Medicine are Southwestern University diplomas bearing the official SWU logo and the signature of the University President.
It behooves upon all stakeholders to recognize the fact that the current controversy should not hide one basic and indispensable fact: it is Southwestern University that has government imprimatur to offer and grant the Doctor of Medicine degree and not the MHAM – CM Foundation Inc.
Considering this situation, Southwestern University through Board Resolution No. 2014 – 08 dated January 22, 2014 has revoked the authority of MHAM – CM Foundation Inc. to collaborate with Southwestern University. From hereon, Southwestern University will be directly handling the operations of its College of Medicine. The Board of Directors of SWU has appointed Dr. Peter S. Aznar as Dean of Southwestern University College of Medicine with full authority to organize the necessary faculty, administration, staff and other necessities for the operation of its College of Medicine.
We regret any inconvenience that this may have caused on the part of the students of the College of Medicine and their parents but this is done to rectify the situation. Rest assured Southwestern University will act to alleviate and solve these inconveniences for the benefit of the students of the College of Medicine.