Lasallian community asseses NBN scandal, lights candles for truth-seeking

Christopher M. Alcantara, DLSP Media Bureau Student Correspondent

“What was right was to stand by him in the desire to tell the truth,” said De La Salle Philippines (DLSP) President Br. Armin Luistro FSC as he spoke to a crowd of student leaders, administrators, and alumni from different schools during an emergency forum held at the Yuchengco Hall of De La Salle - Manila (DLSU-M) last 13 February.

The forum aimed to recount and assess the recent developments that led to Rodolfo "Jun" Lozada’s expose on the scrapped $329 million National Broadband Network (NBN) deal with China's ZTE Corp. (For a detailed chronology of events, refer here).

Present in the forum were youth representatives from DLSU-M, De La Salle College of St. Benilde, and De La Salle Araneta University, as well as other schools like University of the Philippines, Diliman (UP) and Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU).

Fueled discussions

During the forum, the audience asked questions and shared their insights with regard to the pressing situation. Noelle Arcinue, Student Council (SC) President of DLSU-M, asked what other developments the issue would bring about, following a series of activities (forums and inter-faith rallies) sponsored by the Lasallian community. “Let’s continue to monitor what is happening,” said Br. Armin, stressing the need to remain vigilant in the face of controversy.

Br. Mike Valenzuela FSC, who also supported Lozada, reiterated that the recent events were a clear violation of civil rights. “When the machinery of the state is moving against you, you have no protection… we have to step back and see the implications of a government willing to violate human rights,” he said.

A member of the faculty commended the La Salle Brothers for discerning well over the issue and initiating concrete action. The faculty said that it is not enough “if we just watch and pray". Br. Armin affirmed this, saying that it is important that “we act now”. He furthered, “If we allow others to be corrupt, we will be corrupted too.”

An editor from Matanglawin, one of AdMU's official student publications, asked Br. Armin if the Lozada controversy is enough for President Arroyo to step down as president. He quoted a Scholastican nun as saying, “We only call for resignation for someone who has delicadeza.” Br. Armin believes that GMA will not resign, even if the people asks her to step down.

Instead, Br. Armin and Br. Mike challenged the audience to intensify their duty of assessing the responsibilities of public and political offices.

A representative of the Student Christian Movement of the Philippines and the Student Regent of UP commended the Lasallian community for being consistent in standing by the truth. A UP student leader also stated that even if the citizens are faced with pressing issues like these, “we should not lose our bearing as a nation.”

Dino De Leon, the president of the DLSU-M Debate Society, asked about Br. Armin's view on staging another People Power. The Brother President replied, “Many of the young people here are tired of People Power. It is something that they have heard. People Power has taken on different forms. You have to make use of the power of the people through standing up for the right of others.

“I will not confine People Power to just one instantaneous moment to just oust GMA. Don't plan for People Power. For Jun Lozada, what was right for him is to tell the truth. For us, for me, what was right is to stand by him in the desire to tell the truth,” Br. Armin concluded.

Light in the Darkness

After the forum, the participants went out of the DLSU-M and lined up in front of the campus, armed with lighted candles and green ribbons.

Participants lit candle for truth-seeking.

One community for peace

The candle-lighting was highlighted by a rendition of Bayan Ko that was witnessed by all those passing by the busy Taft Avenue.

The participants are expected to participate in series of fora and rallies this week.

Photos by Francis Garucho, DLSP Media Bureau Student Correspondent
Videos by Paul Garilao, DLSP Media Bureau Correspondent

Refer to the following links for updates:

1. Political concerns pull down stock market.
2. Ombudsman summons First Gentlemen for NBN hearing
3. Running accounts
4. Echanis to Lozada: Tell the truth, rely on the people
5. Gov't to probe "anomalies" in PhilForest