REPRESSION? | Lawmakers want probe into censorship, other issues raised by UST organizations

March 11, 2024 , 03:32 PM

(March 11, 2024) – Members of the Makabayan bloc on Monday filed a resolution that seeks a legislative inquiry into the “censorship and threats of closure” faced by a digital media organization in the University of Santo Tomas (UST) over a viral photo.

Kabataan Rep. Raoul Manuel, along with ACT Teachers Rep. France Castro and Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas, filed House Resolution (HR) No. 1633 to delve deeper into the hurdles faced by TomasinoWeb and the implications of such on freedom of expression and the campus press.

HR No. 1633 also detailed other instances of alleged repression shared by other student organizations in UST. According to the lawmakers, these highlight the need for “urgent investigation and action as it compromises the life and security of concerned students.”

“It also appears that the rights to autonomy, the right to organize, and the right to press freedom are placed in jeopardy,” read HR No. 1633.

TIGNAN: Nagfile ng resolusyon si Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raoul Manuel with Makabayan Bloc at mga representatives ng ilang student organizations sa UST upang pa-imbestigahan ang kaso ng censorship sa TomasinoWeb at represyon sa mga student organizations.#StandWithTomasinoWeb pic.twitter.com/MLs5MSFV7h

— Kabataan Partylist (@KabataanPL) March 11, 2024

Last month, the issue of TomasinoWeb spread on social media after its photo of students from the College of Information and Computing Science (CICS) wearing their Type B uniform in front of a 7-Eleven store was ordered to be taken down by the UST Office of Student Affairs (OSA).

Many netizens poked fun at it because of the resemblance between the CICS’ Type B uniform with that of 7-Eleven employees’. This prompted OSA to issue its directive.

But the progressive lawmakers argued that this should be a non-issue.

“The administration deemed it a cause for concern, fearing that it could subject the university to public mockery,” added HR No. 1633.

Following the takedown of the photo, journalism instructor and Philippine Star desk editor Leo Laparan II resigned from his position as adviser of TomasinoWeb, maintaining that OSA’s order constituted censorship.

“Pinilit ninyo ipa-takedown, tapos may threat na ‘pag ‘di ginawa, puwedeng ma-sanction. Saan kami lulugar?” said Laparan in an interview with The Varsitarian, UST’s official student publication.

According to a post by TomasinoWeb today, it has resumed the operation of its social media accounts after the appointment of its new adviser.

The experience of TomasinoWeb prompted other student formations in UST to also speak out about their challenges.

Aside from TomasinoWeb, the UST Central Student Council lamented the “difficulty in functioning and upholding its autonomy due to repression from UST OSA,” especially when the student-leaders “attempt to participate in the discussion of national issues.” Similar sentiments were raised by the Artlets Student Council.

The Makabayan bloc stressed the importance of ensuring accountability over violations of students’ rights.

“Kabataan Partylist stands firm in its resolve to defend the rights of students and youth in the country, and will continue to push for accountability and justice in cases of censorship and threats against student organizations and individuals,” read its statement.

(PM)

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