Lasallian Mayor builds public library in Leyte

By Hannah M. Riñoza, DLSP Media Bureau Student Correspondent

LEYTE - To provide education, particularly to the young and those who cannot afford it, is a mission taught to us as Lasallians. A mission taken to heart by Mayor Bernard “Benjo” Remandaban of Tabango, Leyte.

A Computer Science graduate (1990) from De La Salle University-Manila (DLSU-M), he was a faculty member of the Department of Computer Studies at De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) for almost a decade before he entered politics in 2001. Mayor Benjo was recently hailed for constructing a two-story library in his hometown—an idea which according to him sprang from the awareness that people from barangays within his vicinity only had access to komiks, and had schools with dilapidated buildings in dire need of renovation. The library was constructed as a response to the need for a place for learning and research. It can house 20,000 books, has a television set with only National Geographic Channel and Discovery Channel, and also has five personal computer units with internet access.

The construction of the library was not without hindrances, in the form of political opposition and lack of resources. However, the desire to do good for others prevailed; a desire traceable to his Lasallian education, where discipline and the drive to be of service to other people were instilled in him. As a message to young Lasallians, this is what he has to say: “Count your blessings. There are millions of kids out there who do not have the same resources and opportunities that you have. Use it to do good for others.” As a final note, this 37-year old Mayor urges every Lasallian to “Make a difference as you have the moral obligation to give back to society.”

Primer on the Supreme Court Decision (Neri vs. Senate Committee and its Implications)

In General:

What is the case of Neri vs. Senate Committee?

This case is about the Senate investigation of anomalies concerning the NBN-ZTE project. During the hearings, former NEDA head Romulo Neri refused to answer certain questions involving his conversations with President Arroyo on the ground they are covered by executive privilege. When the Senate cited him in contempt and ordered his arrest, Neri filed a case against the Senate with the Supreme Court. On March 25, 2008, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Neri and upheld the claim of executive privilege.

What is “executive privilege”?

It is the right of the President and high-level executive branch officials to withhold information from Congress, the courts and the public. It is a privilege of confidentiality which applies to certain types of information of a sensitive character that would be against the public interest to disclose. Executive privilege is based on the constitution because it relates to the President’s effective discharge of executive powers. Its ultimate end is to promote public interest and no other.

Is executive privilege absolute?

No. Any claim of executive privilege must be weighed against other interests recognized by the constitution, like the state policy of full public disclosure of all transactions involving public interest, the right of the people to information on matters of public concern, the accountability of public officers, the power of legislative inquiry, and the judicial power to secure evidence in deciding cases.

Did the revocation by the President of E.O. 464 on March 6, 2008 diminish the concept of executive privilege?

No. Executive privilege may still be invoked despite the President’s revocation of E.O. 464 because it is based on the constitution.

On the Contents of the Supreme Court Decision:

What events led to the filing of the case before the Supreme Court?

On April 21, 2007, the DOTC and Zhing Xing Telecommunications Equipment (ZTE), a corporation owned by the People’s Republic of China, executed a “Contract for the Supply of Equipment and Services for the National Broadband Network Project” (NBN-ZTE Contract) worth US$329,481,290.00 (around PhP 16B). The project sought to provide landline, cellular and internet services in government offices nationwide and was to be financed through a loan by China to the Philippines. President Arroyo witnessed the contract signing in China.

After its signing, reports of anomalies concerning the project (e.g., bribery, “overpricing” by US$ 130M, “kickback commissions” involving top government officials, and loss of the contract) prompted the Senate, through the Committees on Accountability of Public Officers and Investigations (Blue Ribbon), Trade and Commerce, and National Defense and Security, to conduct an inquiry in aid of legislation. The inquiry was based on a number of Senate resolutions and in connection with pending bills concerning funding in the procurement of government projects, contracting of loans as development assistance, and Senate concurrence to executive agreements.

In one of the hearings held on Sept. 26, 2007, former NEDA Director General Romulo Neri testified that President Arroyo initially gave instructions for the project to be undertaken on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) arrangement so the government would not spend money for it, but eventually the project was awarded to ZTE with a government-to-government loan from China. He also said that then COMELEC Chairman Benjamin Abalos, the alleged broker in the project, offered him PhP 200M in exchange for NEDA’s approval of the project. Neri testified that when he told President Arroyo of the bribe offer, she told him not to accept it. But Neri refused to answer questions about what he and the President discussed after that, invoking executive privilege since they concerned his conversations with the President. The Senate required him to appear again and testify on November 20, 2007. On November 15, 2007, Executive Secretary Eduardo Ermita wrote the Senate Committees and asked that Neri’s testimony on November 20, 2007 be dispensed with because he was invoking executive privilege “by Order of the President” specifically on the following questions:

a. Whether the President followed up on the NBN project?
b. Were you dictated to prioritize the ZTE?
c. Whether the President said to go ahead and approve the project after being told about the alleged bribe?

When Neri failed to appear on November 20, 2007, the Senate required him to show cause why he should not be cited in contempt. Neri explained that he thought the only remaining questions were those he claimed to be covered by executive privilege and that should there be new matters to be taken up, he asked that he be informed in advance of what else he needs to clarify so he could prepare himself.

On Dec. 7, 2007, Neri questioned the validity of the Senate’s show cause order before the Supreme Court. On January 30, 2008, the Senate cited Neri in contempt and ordered his arrest for his failure to appear in the Senate hearings. On February 1, 2008, Neri asked the Supreme Court to stop the Senate from implementing its contempt order, which the Court granted on Feb. 5, 2008. The Supreme Court also required the parties to observe the status quo prevailing before the issuance of the contempt order.

What reasons were given for the claim of executive privilege?

Executive Secretary Ermita said that “the context in which executive privilege is being invoked is that the information sought to be disclosed might impair our diplomatic as well as economic relations with the People’s Republic of China.” Neri further added that his “conversations with the President dealt with delicate and sensitive national security and diplomatic matters relating to the impact of the bribery scandal involving high government officials and the possible loss of confidence of foreign investors and lenders in the Philippines.”

What issues were considered by the Supreme Court in resolving the case?

The Supreme Court said there were two crucial questions at the core of the controversy:

a. Are the communications sought to be elicited by the three questions covered by executive privilege?
b. Did the Senate Committees commit grave abuse of discretion in citing Neri in contempt and ordering his arrest?

How did the Supreme Court resolve these issues?

The Supreme Court first recognized the power of Congress to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation. The Court said that the power extends even to executive officials and the only way for them to be exempted is through a valid claim of executive privilege.

On the first question, the Supreme Court said that the communications sought to be elicited by the three questions are covered by the presidential communications privilege, which is one type of executive privilege. Hence, the Senate cannot compel Neri to answer the three questions.

On the second question, the Supreme Court said that the Senate Committees committed grave abuse of discretion in citing Neri in contempt. Hence, the Senate order citing Neri in contempt and ordering his arrest was not valid.

What are the types of executive privilege?

a. state secrets (regarding military, diplomatic and other security matters)
b. identity of government informers
c. information related to pending investigations
d. presidential communications
e. deliberative process

In what cases is the claim of executive privilege highly recognized?

The claim of executive privilege is highly recognized in cases where the subject of inquiry relates to a power textually committed by the constitution to the President, such as the commander-in-chief, appointing, pardoning, and diplomatic powers of the President. Information relating to these powers may enjoy greater confidentiality than others.

What specifically are the executive privileges relating to deliberations or communications of the President and other government officials?

These are the presidential communications privilege and the deliberative process privilege.

How are the presidential communications privilege and the deliberative process privilege distinguished?

The presidential communications privilege applies to decision-making of the President. It pertains to “communications, documents or other materials that reflect presidential decision-making and deliberations and that the President believes should remain confidential”.

The deliberative process privilege applies to decision-making of executive officials. It includes “advisory opinions, recommendations and deliberations comprising part of a process by which governmental decisions and policies are formulated.”

Unlike the deliberative process privilege, the presidential communications privilege applies to documents in their entirety, and covers final and post-decisional materials as well as pre-deliberative ones.

Moreover, congressional or judicial negation of the presidential communications privilege is always subject to greater scrutiny than denial of the deliberative process privilege.

What is the type of executive privilege claimed in this case?

The type of executive privilege claimed in this case is the presidential communications privilege.

Is there a presumption in favor of presidential communications?

Yes. Presidential communications are “presumptively privileged”. The presumption is based on the President’s generalized interest in confidentiality. The privilege is necessary to guarantee the candor of presidential advisors and to provide the President and those who assist him with freedom to explore alternatives in the process of shaping policies and making decisions and to do so in a way many would be unwilling to express except privately.

The presumption can be overcome only by mere showing of public need by the branch seeking access to presidential communications.

Who are covered by the presidential communications privilege?

The Supreme Court ruled that aside from the President, the presidential communications privilege covers senior presidential advisors or Malacanang staff who have “operational proximity” to direct presidential decision-making.

What are the elements of the presidential communications privilege?

The following are the elements of the presidential communications privilege:

a. The protected communication must relate to a “quintessential and non-delegable presidential power”.
b. The communication must be authored or “solicited and received” by a close advisor of the President or the President himself. The advisor must be in “operational proximity” with the President.
c. The privilege is a qualified privilege that may be overcome by a showing of adequate or compelling need that would justify the limitation of the privilege and that the information sought is unavailable elsewhere by an appropriate investigating agency.

What are examples of “quintessential and non-delegable presidential powers” which are covered by the presidential communications privilege?

The privilege covers only those functions which form the core of presidential authority. These are functions which involve “quintessential and non-delegable presidential powers” such as the powers of the president as commander-in-chief (i.e., to call out the armed forces to suppress violence, to declare martial law, or to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus), the power to appoint officials and remove them, the power to grant pardons and reprieves, the power to receive ambassadors, and the power to negotiate treaties and to enter into execute agreements.

Are the elements of the presidential communications privilege present in this case?

Yes. The communications elicited by the three questions are covered by the presidential communications privilege because:

a. First, the communications relate to the power of the President to enter into an executive agreement with other countries.
b. Second, the communications are received by Neri, who as a Cabinet member can be considered a close advisor of the President.
c. Third, the Senate Committees have not adequately shown a compelling need for the answers to the three questions in the enactment of a law and of the unavailability of the information elsewhere by an appropriate investigating authority.

Does the grant of the claim of executive privilege violate the right of the people to information on matters of public concern?

According to the Supreme Court, it does not, for the following reasons:

a. Neri appeared before the Senate on Sept. 26, 2007 and was questioned for 11 hours. He also expressed his willingness to answer more questions from the Senators, except the three questions.
b. The right to information is subject to limitation, such as executive privilege.
c. The right of Congress to obtain information in aid of legislation cannot be equated with the people’s right to information. Congress cannot claim that every legislative inquiry is an exercise of the people’s right to information.

Was the claim of executive privilege properly invoked by the President in this case?

Yes. For the claim to be properly invoked, there must be a formal claim by the President stating the “precise and certain reason” for preserving confidentiality. The grounds relied upon by Executive Secretary Ermita are specific enough, since what is required is only that an allegation be made “whether the information demanded involves military or diplomatic secrets, closed-door Cabinet meetings, etc.” The particular ground must only be specified, and the following statement of grounds by Executive Secretary Ermita satisfies the requirement: “The context in which executive privilege is being invoked is that the information sought to be disclosed might impair our diplomatic as well as economic relations with the People’s Republic of China.”

What reasons were given by the Supreme Court in holding that it was wrong for the Senate to cite Neri in contempt and order his arrest?

a. There was a legitimate claim of executive privilege.
b. The Senate’s invitations to Neri did not include the possible needed statute which prompted the inquiry, the subject of inquiry, and the questions to be asked.
c. The contempt order lacked the required number of votes.
d. The Senate’s rules of procedure on inquiries in aid of legislation were not duly published.
e. The contempt order is arbitrary and precipitate because the Senate did not first rule on the claim of executive privilege and instead dismissed Neri’s explanation as unsatisfactory.

Implications of the Supreme Court Decision:

Who has the burden of showing whether or not a claim of executive privilege is valid?

Executive privilege is in derogation of the search for truth. However, the decision recognized Presidential communications as presumptively privileged. Hence, the party seeking disclosure of the information has the burden of overcoming the presumption in favor of the confidentiality of Presidential communications.

This presumption is inconsistent with the Court’s earlier statement in Senate vs. Ermita (April 20, 2006) that “the presumption inclines heavily against executive secrecy and in favor of disclosure”. It is also inconsistent with constitutional provisions on transparency in governance and accountability of public officers, and the right of the people to information on matters of public concern.

Does the decision expand the coverage of executive privilege?

Yes, the decision expands the coverage of executive privilege in at least two ways:

a. The decision explained that the presidential communications privilege covers communications authored or “solicited and received” by a close advisor of the President or the President himself. This means that the privilege applies not only to communications that directly involve the President, but also to communications involving the President’s close advisors, i.e., those in “operational proximity” with the President. There is no definition of “operational proximity”, so it is not clear how far down the chain of command the privilege extends. This expansion of the coverage of the privilege means that information in many areas of the executive branch will become “sequestered” from public view.

b. The decision also stated that the presidential communications privilege applies to documents in their entirety, and covers final and post-decisional materials as well as pre-deliberative ones. This means that the privilege protects not only the deliberative or advice portions of documents, i.e., communications made in the process of arriving at presidential decisions, but also factual material or information concerning decisions already reached by the President.

How will the decision affect other investigations?

The decision makes it easy for the President to invoke executive privilege, since what is required is only that an allegation be made “whether the information demanded involves military or diplomatic secrets, closed-door Cabinet meetings, etc.” This in effect will enable the use of executive privilege to hide misconduct or crime. According to Fr. Bernas, S.J., the implication of the ruling is that once the “presidential communications privilege” is invoked, no evidence is needed to support it even if there are valid reasons for disclosing the information sought. “This would revolutionize the doctrine in a manner that can affect all other investigations. This can, for instance, hamper effective use of the … writ of amparo and writ of habeas data. It can also cripple efforts to battle official corruption ….”

In particular, what is the effect of the decision on the Senate’s power to conduct inquiries in aid of legislation?

The decision severely limits the Senate’s power of legislative inquiry and its ability to investigate government anomalies in aid of legislation. The decision encroaches upon matters internal to the Senate as an institution separate from and co-equal to other branches of government.

The decision, for instance, requires the Senate to give its questions in advance of its hearings. But this is a requirement applicable only to the question hour and not to inquiries in aid of legislation. Moreover, it is impractical, since follow-up questions of Senators will be difficult to anticipate.

The decision also requires the Senate to publish its rules of procedure on legislative inquiries every three years. But the Senate traditionally considered as a continuing body. Senate committees continue to work even during senatorial elections. By tradition and practice, the Senate does not re-publish its rules. To require publication of its rules every three years is unnecessary and inconsistent with its tradition and practice.

Did the Supreme Court ruling establish a doctrine on executive privilege?

No. Although the vote is 9 – 6 in favor of upholding the claim of executive privilege, two of the nine Justices concurred merely in the result, while one Justice argued not on the basis of executive privilege. Hence, only six out of the nine Justices explained their votes in favor of the claim of executive privilege. Six out of a total of 15 Justices do not establish a doctrine.

Can the Senate continue with its investigations despite the Supreme Court ruling?

The decision does not stop the Senate from continuing with its investigations and from undertaking other inquiries, although the government has already declared that officials will not appear unless the Senate rules are first published. Should Neri (and other officials) appear, the Senate can ask him questions other than the three questions. But Neri may again invoke executive privilege on other questions, which could result in another case before the Supreme Court, and the cycle may be repeated again and again. Such a situation, particularly where there appears to be a pattern of concealment in government activities, will ultimately be harmful to public interest.

Prepared by:

Atty. Carlos P. Medina, Jr.
March 30, 2008

Lasalyanong Panalangin para sa Pag-asa

(Salin-dasal ni Yuri Cipriano)

Panginoon,
Ipahintulot mong ako ang magpasimula sa pagbabagong
Nais kong makita.

Gampanan ko nawa ito nang may lakas at karunungan
Upang gawing ganap ang lahat
At maging pag-asa sa abot ng aking makakaya.

Palayain mo ako sa takot at pag-aalinlangan.
Pagkalooban mo ako ng tapang at pagpapakumbaba.
Punuin mo ako ng iyong espiritu
Upang maharap ang mga hamon
At masimulan ang pagbabagong nais kong makita.

Sa araw na ito, sisimulan ko ang pagbabago
Na aking nais makita.
Hindi man ako ang liwanang,
Ngunit ako ay maaaring maging siklab.

Sa ngalan ng katapatan, paglilingkod at pakikibahagi
Halina't simulan ang pagbabagong ating nais makita,
Ang pagbabagong ako ang magpapasimula.

Manatili si Hesus sa ating mga puso magpakailanman!

De La Salle- College of St. Benilde offers summer courses

De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde

School of Design and Arts

Short Courses Program

Summer 2008 course offerings

1. CRASH INTO AUDIO: Audio for Multi Media Productions

Facilitator: Mr. Andre Quimpo

Schedule: Monday and Thursday (8 Session) – start Apr. 24 to May 22, 2008

Time: 6:00pm-9:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1014, MMA Big Studio

Fee: Php. 7,500.00

2. BASIC TV DIRECTING: Hands-on workshop using Multi-camera operation for broadcasting

Facilitator: Ms. Connie Macatuno

Schedule: Monday to Saturday (4 Session) - start Apr. 26 to May 17, 2008

Time: 9:00am-5:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Green Room

Fee: Php. 6,000.00

3. BOOK DESIGN: The Students will explore actual book production workflow

Facilitator: Mr. Dino Brucelas

Schedule: Monday to Friday (5 to 10 days session) – start Apr. 28 to May 12, 2008

Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm and 3:00pm-6:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1204/1205

Fee: Php 6,000.00

4. SOCIAL DESIGN: Learn how design affects society

Facilitator: Mr. Dino Brucelas

Schedule: Monday to Friday (2 – 3 weeks) – start Apr. 28 to May 19, 2008

Time: 12:00pm-3:00pm and 3:00pm-6:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus 9^th floor

Fee: Php 6,000.00

5. POSTER ART: Concentrates on the poster as an art and design object

Facilitator: Mr. Dino Brucelas

Schedule: Monday to Friday (1 to 2 weeks) – start Apr. 28 to May 12, 2008

Time: 12:00pm–3:00pm and 3:00pm-6:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1204/1205

Fee: 6,000.00

6. WRITING STUDIO: Overview on writing techniques for various media and industry

Facilitator: Ms. Gerrilyn Cadiz

Schedule: Saturday (4 sessions) – start Apr. 26 to May 17, 2008

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus 9^th floor

Fee: 6,000.00

7. 3D ANIMATION: Basic Autodesk MAYA animation techniques

Facilitator: Mr. Francis Flores

Schedule: Monday to Saturday (14 sessions) – Apr. 28 to May 15, 2008

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1007/1003

Fee: Php. 12,000.00

8. BASIC PHOTOGRAPHY: Hands-on workshop that covers all the fundamentals of Photography

Facilitator: Mr. Edwin Celestino

Schedule: Monday to Saturday (14 sessions) – Apr. 28 to May 15, 2008

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1115 to 1117

Fee: Php. 9,000.00

9. BASIC AUTHORING: Learn Adobe Director, software used by majority of multimedia and web developers

Facilitator: Ms. Luna Pagarigan

Schedule: Monday to Saturday (14 sessions) – Apr. 28 to May 15, 2008

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1011/1010

Fee: Php 7,900.00

10. DIGITAL DESIGN: Covers Photoshop, illustrator, indesign and Acrobat integration workflow

Facilitator: Mr. Jessie Lazaro

Schedule: Monday to Friday (14 sessions) – Apr. 28 to May 15, 2008

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1109/1110

Fee: Php 7,600.00

11. DIGITAL IMAGING: Adobe Photoshop CS3

This course is an introduction to working with images and working with color, layers and photographs

Facilitator: Mr. Brian Brinas

Schedule: Monday to Friday (14 Session) – Apr. 28 to May 15, 2008

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1109/1110

Fee: Php 7,600.00

12. DIGITAL VIDEO EDITING: Adobe Premiere PRO 2.0

This is Hands-on computer workshop will introduce students to digital video imaging and non-linear video editing with Adobe Premiere

Facilitator: Ms. Trinidad Suguitan-De Leon

Schedule: Monday to Friday (14 sessions) – Apr. 28 to May 15, 2008

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1013

Fee: Php 8,500.00

13. SPECIAL EFFECTS FOR VIDEO: Adobe After Effects

Adobe After Effects is used to create video graphics, special effects and 2D Animation for digital video

Facilitator: Ms. Trinidad Suguitan-De Leon

Schedule: Monday to Saturday (14 sessions) – Apr. 28 to May 15, 2008

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1013

Fee: Php 8,000.00

14. WEB ANIMATION: Learn Adobe Flash

Pave the way for the production and delivery of high-impact vector based animation, presentations and websites

Facilitator: Mr. Joby Provido

Schedule: Monday to Saturday (14 sessions) – Apr. 28 to May 15, 2008

Time: 1:00pm-4:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1103

Fee: Php. 7,700.00

15. WEB DESIGN and DEVELOPMENT: Learn Adobe Dreamweaver

A professional HTML editor for designing, coding and developing Websites, Web pages and Web other application

Facilitator: Mr. Joby Provido

Schedule: Monday to Friday (14 sessions) – Apr. 28 to May 15, 2008

Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Venue: SDA Campus Room 1103

Fee: Php. 7,700.00

Note: Each Course leads to Certificate of Completion in the field of specialization taken and includes Program Handouts, Internet and Access to college library's resources and facilities.

For inquiries and reservation, visit or call the DLS-CSB School of Design and Arts (SDA):

· 950 Pablo Ocampo St., Malate Manila 1004

· sda-scp@dls-csb.edu.ph

· 536-6752 loc. 138

Lasallian to carry torch for the 2008 Beijing Olympics

by Paul Darwynn Garilao, DLSP Media Bureau Correspondent


For the upcoming 2008 Olympics, a Lasallian from La Salle Green Hills Batch '87 is determined to carry the torch not just to participate in the global ceremony but to raise the Filipino pride at its finest.

“Like me, they (Filipinos) will take pride in being part of the Olympic spirit of being united with the rest of the world, in striving for ‘One World One Dream’, the Beijing Olympic slogan,” Marco Torres shared in an online interview.

Marco, a Filipino expatriate based in Beijing, was chosen to join other nationalities in carrying the Olympic torch come August 2008 in Beijing, China. The last time a Filipino carried the Olympic torch was in 1964 Tokyo Olympics.

Out of the 262 candidates from 47 countries and regions, only eight were chosen to participate in the ceremonies. According to China Daily, the eight expatriates will carry the torch for 200 meters on Chinese soil.

Chosen for two criteria, Marco was qualified because he was voted number two in the online polls and he has proven his love for China. Through forms of social media, they forwarded his plea via email, wrote blogs to communicate his appeal, and invited him to appear on TV and radio while he was in the country for a vacation.

Meanwhile, Marco enumerated activities on how to promote China. According to his blog, “He continues to explore the city (in China) almost every weekend and posts them online to share with his countrymen in the Philippines.”

As part of what he wanted to do in his life, Marco moved to China because he wanted to experience life outside the Philippines. He works as market manager for M Moser Associates, the number one design firm in China and the rest of Asia Pacific. “The job’s a perfect fit for me with my marketing background, a practitioner that used to manage the brands, Ovaltine and Anchor, back home, and my degree in Architecture,” he shared.

Despite having reached one of his dreams in life, Marco never forgets every single moment of his experiences in LSGH. He shared: “I learned many things inside and outside the classroom. Being called names in class, and everyone does get called names, is outweighed by all the fun and crazy times though. I believe La Salle is the best venue for one to learn to be well-rounded.”

(Photo courtesy of Marco Torres)

Kamalayan: Vanguards of Truth

By Christopher Alcantara
De La Salle Philippines Media Bureau Student Correspondent

The final Kapihan ng Malalayang Lasalyano (Kamalayan) for the school year was held last 27 March 2008 at the De La Salle University - Manila Yuchengco Hall lobby. In its effort to sustain the social awareness and involvement of the Lasallian community carried over from the NBN-ZTE controversy, the Committee on National Issues and Concerns (CNIC), in cooperation with the Center for Social Concern and Action (COSCA) and the Student Council, aptly themed the forum, "Vanguards of Truth and How Lasallians Can Get Involved".

Notable speakers shared their insights on topics demanding truth and accountability from the government. The keynote speaker, Archbishop Oscar Cruz, spoke about the socio-moral perspective of the recent political developments. With the help of members of the audience, he identified a multitude of anomalies that have plagued the Filipino nation for years. He expressed sincere regret for not having done much about it when he was still young. He challenged the youth of today to move with urgency for the nation's welfare, or else future generations will suffer worse consequences.

Team RP, a coalition of students from the Ateneo De Manila University (ADMU) seeking transparency and accountability from the government, also provided their knowledge on issues of freedom and restraint. Atty. Eirene Aguila informed the audience on the Right to Information Act, and how such provisions and policies could safeguard the freedom and democracy of the Filipino people.

The forum was also intended for the launching of "GIN" or the "Get Involved" program of the CNIC. COSCA volunteers, led by their coordinator, Ms. Christina Umali, shared their experiences from the Summer Immersion Programs of DLSU-Manila every year. They extended their invitation to members of the Lasallian community who would like to vlunteer for socio-civic and community development programs during the summer vacation.

After an open forum with the speakers, Mr. Wadel Cabrera III, Institutional Advocacy Coordinator of COSCA, thanked the speakers and all the members of the Lasallian community who have made Kamalayan 2007-2008 possible. He challenged Lasallians to remain vigilant and involved, especially on pressing national issues.