U.P. Diliman professors condemn Davao bombing, call for justice
The University Council, composed of all professors, associate professors, and assistant professors, is the highest academic policy-making body of the autonomous U.P. constituent unit.
(Anyone who has attended a meeting of the University Council would probably compare it to a deliberative body composed of 200 republics –– the number of independent-minded and articulate faculty members in attendance at any given time. Prepare to be grilled in a coliseum of academics when you stand up there to present a proposal. Any statement presented must be substantive, and in a form that can unify a large number of meticulous and critical educators. One would be well-advised to focus on fundamental principles.)
This body is not easy to sway.
Last Monday, this statement of condemnation of the Davao bombing was written on-the-spot (by the UC Committee on National Issues), projected on-screen, edited on-the-spot by different professors, deliberated upon and approved by the U.P. Diliman University Council presided over by Chancellor Michael Tan, PhD, that rainy and sunny morning:
Blog file photo of a University Council meeting photographed this year
“UC Statement on the Sept. 2 Davao Bombing
“We, the members of the University of the Philippines Diliman University Council, condemn in the strongest terms the recent bombing and killing of innocent civilians in Davao, and sympathize and condole with those who have lost family and friends in that tragedy.
“We wish speedy recovery for all those injured, and a quick return to normalcy in Davao. As we seek swift justice for these victims, we urge utmost respect for human rights and civil liberties, particularly under the state of national emergency declared by President Rodrigo Duterte.
“In these trying times, the UP community stands in solidarity with the people of Davao and with all Filipinos in pursuit of peace and justice.”
(“This statement was approved by the University Council at its meeting on September 5, 2016 at the NISMED Auditorium, UP Diliman. The University Council is composed of the Chancellor, professors, associate professor and assistant professors of the University.”)
Published in the official website of U.P. Diliman, upd.edu.ph , at:
As stated here two days ago, the President does not declare lawlessness (siyempre hindi — who declares lawlessness?), or a state of lawlessness, or a state of lawless violence.
Mali nga iyung sentence construction na iyon.
Ang kukulit.
He is the Commander-in-Chief, he has the Commander-in-Chief authority under the Constitution to deploy the armed forces to suppress lawless violence.
The Constitution does not require him to declare in writing a “state of lawlessness” or “a state of lawless violence”.
Hindi kailangan iyon.
HOWEVER, his numerous talking heads in the government have caused so much confusion that… it might be necessary to set down in writing his orders to the armed forces without revealing the disposition of forces and without disclosing the exact areas of deployment (put in the premise or the Whereas clause the existence of lawless violence, para matapos na ang confusion na yan; it is a premise, it is not the declaration itself.)
Second, his statement a few hours after the bombing that he would “invite the military to run government” needs to be clarified. Surely he did not mean that civilian offices and public utilities would be taken over by the military. Siyempre hindi. He needs to clarify exactly what functions would be added to the combat functions of the military, i.e., patrols; inspections in seaports, wharves, airports, etc.; supervised and regulated checkpoints, etc.
Third, he is leaving for abroad today or in a few days. He needs to put down in writing his to-do for his Executive Secretary, for the DND Secretary, for PNP Chief Bato, and for his Chief of Staff, and the Presidential Communications Office, so he needs to issue an order in writing anyway.
(and don’t forget a secret gag order for the confusing and confused talking heads in government).
Published in the official website of U.P. Diliman, upd.edu.ph , at: 