The National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) decries the continuing harassment and repression, by the Sto. Niño Parochial School (SNPS), of Krisel Mallari, the salutatorian of the school’s batch of graduating high school students in school year 2014-2015. As we write, Mallari is unable to have her college enrollment in the University of Santo Tomas processed because SNPS is withholding her certificate of good moral character. Mallari, during her graduation speech, accused SNPS officials of playing politics in granting honors and awards. Mallari cried injustice, which prompted SNPS officials to interrupt, even stop, her speech.
The Court of Appeals has issued an order directing SNPS to issue Mallari’s certificate. We are hereby reminding SNPS to uphold the decision of the Court of Appeals.
The continuous withholding and blatant noncompliance by SNPS of a legitimate court order are not just a matter of pride. They are a violation of democratic rights and constitute defiance of a lawful court order. They reflect the culture of repression prevailing among SNPS officials.
Student repression by school institutions should stop. Schools should not be allowed to withhold documents due students simply because the latter have dared to exercise their rights; or because their actions, though legitimate, have displeased school officials.
We urge the Department of Education to look into the merit of Mallari’s exposé and to conduct further investigation of school policies on the grant of honors and awards and the imposition of sanctions. The DepEd must uphold the constitutional and democratic rights of every student.
NUSP maintains firmly: School policies should not supersede constitutional rights, such as freedom of expression and freedom of assembly.
We appeal to UST to let Mallari enroll even in the absence of an SNPS-issued certificate of good moral character. We appeal to the UST administration to open its arms to Mallari and understand fully the reason why she lacks that one requirement. It is not criminal or immoral to speak about justice and humanity. It is not an act of negligence, it is exercising a civic responsibility. We ask the UST administration to support Mallari’s cause, and admit her into the university’s academic program in the name of justice.
—JC SIBAYAN, media liaison officer,
SARAH JANE ELAGO, national president,
National Union of Students of the Philippines,
nusp.national@gmail.com