STUDENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS of San Beda University (SBU) took to social media to condemn the institution’s supposed inaction amid public outrage over widespread government corruption, expressing their disappointment with the University’s timid response to the anti-corruption protests that took place last September 21.
The mobilizations called for accountability in light of the revelations that the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) and several lawmakers were involved in anomalous flood control projects. Hours after these protests at Luneta and EDSA Shrine, the official Facebook page of San Beda posted a “Prayer to Restore Hope for the Nation.”
“Give courage to every Filipino to say no to dishonesty, no to greed, no to injustice. Strengthen the suffering, comfort the oppressed, and raise up leaders who will serve with integrity,” the post read.
No statements of solidarity or condemnation were issued by SBU in the days leading up to the mobilizations, unlike higher education institutions such as the University of Santo Tomas and Adamson University. This prompted students and organizations to voice their frustrations over its perceived unwillingness to confront pressing national concerns.
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Council (SC), the highest student body representative of the CAS, first released a statement demanding action from the University.
“Hanggang panalangin na lang ba ang kaya nating ibigay? Kung kaya naman nating kupkopin ang mga kabataang nangangailangan ng panandaliang mahihingahan habang ipinaglalaban ang bayan,” its post read.
“Kung hindi pagbubuksan ang taumbayan sa Mendiola, buksan ang San Beda para sa mga biktima,” they added.
In an interview with The Bedan, Mitziko Yema, incumbent CAS SC President, echoed the same sentiments, likening its silence to corruption and injustice in itself.
“[San Beda] chose to stay quiet. It chose to back down from the issues its students and alumni are in the streets rallying for. Silence in times of blatant corruption and injustice is as worse as corruption and injustice itself,“ she said.
Likewise, the SC President called on the University to “live up” to its teachings of prayer and work in demanding accountability from those in power.
“‘For San Beda, our country, and God.’ We are constantly reminded to honor prayer and work, to instill in us courage and bravery as red-blooded lions. It is time we live up to what we teach our students. Demand accountability and action. Make noise for the great big palace to hear,” she said.
Bedans and other alumni also shared their personal thoughts and reactions on the University’s response, or lack thereof, to the recent protests and the broader issue of corruption.
“Nakakalungkot lang talaga because even before the protest transpired, wala [nang] say ang San Beda regarding calling out the societal ills, lalo na sa corruption. Kasi if you think about it, as I have observed, Ateneo, UST, ‘yung mga talagang religious instructed na Catholic Universities, they have been very brave enough to speak out on these kinds of issues we’re currently facing,” said political science senior Joshua Tcheng.
For Ronald Kent Sta. Ana, an economics alumnus and the former Team Captain of the San Beda Red Sea Lions, the lack of a proper response showed a clear “disconnect” between the University’s values and its actions.
“…[I]f the University itself doesn’t embody the very motto [ora et labora] they teach us, it just shows [it] is all talk. Like I said in my comment, we cannot envision a community that is Fully Human and Truly Filipino if a prayer is all that we got,” he said.
Encouraging fellow student athletes to speak out regarding the matter, Sta. Ana stressed that “…this goes to the sports teams of San Beda as well. To my fellow student-athletes, you are not in San Beda just to play and carry the name of our University. Never ever be afraid to speak up, especially for what is right.”
Several professional and special interest organizations within SBU have also released their statements regarding the matter, including The Repvblic, Junior Bedan Law Circle, San Beda Electoral Board, and The Bedan Lamp.
Earlier comments in the original post showed students and alumni denouncing the University’s timid response to the protests. However, they are no longer there as of press time.
(with reports from Rcee Tenefrancia)