01/10/2025
๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ข๐๐ข๐๐ฅ ๐๐ญ๐๐ญ๐๐ฆ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ๐ โ๐๐ซ๐๐ก๐ข๐ญ๐๐๐ญโ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ฑ๐ญ๐ฌ ๐๐ฒ ๐๐๐๐ข๐
OPEN LETTER TO THE PUBLIC
The United Architects of the Philippines (UAP), the duly accredited professional organization of architects representing more than 65,000 registered and licensed Filipino architects, strongly denounces the persistent misuse of the word โarchitectโ by the media and public commentators when describing masterminds of plunder, corruption, crime, or other negative acts.
Recent headlines and articles โ such as referring to a government official as an โarchitect of plunderโ โ reflect a long-standing trend of equating the word โarchitectโ with the mastermind of wrongdoings. This is not only misleading but gravely unjust to a profession that has, for centuries, been dedicated to the highest ideals of public service, safety, progress, and nation building.
An Architect, as defined under Republic Act No. 9266 or The Architecture Act of 2004, is a person professionally and academically qualified, registered, and licensed under the law, with the authority to practice architecture and responsible for the planning, design, construction, enlargement, conservation, renovation, remodeling, or alteration of buildings and the environment for human habitation.
An Architect is therefore a duly recognized steward of the built environment โ one who upholds the principles of safety, sustainability, functionality, creativity, and social responsibility in shaping communities and advancing the quality of life of the Filipino people.
Words matter. When the media uses โarchitectโ as a synonym for โmastermind of crime,โ it corrodes public perception of the profession, trivializes years of education, licensure, and ethical responsibility, and undermines the trust that architects have worked hard to earn from the Filipino people.
We therefore urge all members of the press โ in print, broadcast, and social media โ to exercise discernment and precision in language. There are more accurate words available: โmastermind,โ โperpetrator,โ or โbrains behind corruption.โ To misuse โarchitectโ is an affront to an entire professional community.
The United Architects of the Philippines calls on government agencies, private institutions, and media outlets to respect and preserve the dignity of the profession by refraining from such misapplications of the term.
The Filipino people deserve truth in reporting, and truth begins with words used responsibly. Let us not diminish a profession dedicated to building, by mislabeling it with those who destroy.
On behalf of the 65,000 registered and licensed architects of the Philippines, we categorically oppose and condemn the continued misuse of the word โarchitectโ in negative contexts.
