Faculty members, administrators, student leaders and alumni denounced massive corruption involving anomalous flood-control projects in a “solidarity night” on Friday, Oct. 3, and called for transparency, accountability, and zero tolerance of theft of public funds.
Why this story matters: The gathering brought different sectors of UST for a common cause, reflecting public anger over corruption in public works projects that has ensnared government officials and lawmakers, some of them UST alumni.
- Among the participants were UST labor coalition Organisasyon ng Nagkakaisang Empleyado ng UST (ONE UST), administrators and faculty members, officials of the UST Faculty Union (USTFU), Samahang Manggagawa – UST (SM-UST), Ugnayan ng Nagkakaisang Manggagawa ng UST Hospital (UNM – USTH), and students.
- The protest and prayer vigil began with a march from the Plaza Mayor to the Quadricentennial Pavilion Practice Gym.
Rewind: On Sept. 29, an estimated 1,500 Thomasians marched around the UST Manila campus in a walkout protest condemning the corruption in the government.
- The University, along with various academic units and student councils, has condemned the anomalies and supported the anti-corruption protests dubbed “Baha sa Luneta” and the “Trillion Peso March” on Sept. 21.
Indignation from Thomasians: Representatives of UST labor groups, students, administrators, and alumni gave speeches during the program.
- USTFU President Emerito Gonzales emphasized the importance of upholding the truth during upheavals. “Transparency is the hallmark of truth. It is the starting point of justice, the compass for accountability. The fight for truth is not just a legal or political matter,” he said.
- SM-UST President Dan Patricio encouraged Thomasians to continue speaking up until they are heard. “Ang pananahimik ay katumbas na din ng pagkunsinti sa maling gawain. Kaya patuloy tayo mag-iingay hanggat di tayo ay mapakinggan. Ipakulong ang mga kurakot at bawasan ng buwis,” he said.
- UNM-USTH President Donell Siazon said it was painful to see health workers leave the country, as “casualties” of corruption. “‘Yong korupsyon… ito ay sintomas lamang sa malala at malalim na sakit ng bansa natin,” he said.
- Office for Student Affairs Director Asst. Prof. Jaezamie Ong said in her speech, “As a Catholic institution guided by the teachings of the Church and the values of truth, which we know as Veritas, compassion and justice, we take firm and unequivocal stand against corruption in all forms.”
- UST Philets and Artlets Alumni Association President Henry Tenedero, who represented the UST Alumni Association, echoed the need to take a stand against corruption, saying, “Ang sigaw dapat ay consistent na palagi natin papaalalahanan ang mga nakaupo sa gobyerno at ang mga taong walang humpay na nangungurakot.”
- “Together we say that we will not let corruption steal our future, we will never give up and never forget this nation is worthwhile fighting for,” said UST Central Student Council President Annie Agon.
- Arts and Letters Student Council President Angela Palaya said, “Ang tunay na Tomasino ay may tapang, may boses at may paninindigan. Nawa’y isabuhay natin ang mga aral at buhay ni Hesukristo at ang dangal ni St. Thomas Aquinas.”
- Dex Frogoso, a representative of UST Senior High School, delivered a speech on the historical tradition of Thomasians standing against corruption. “Kaya’t ngayon, tayo ay nananawagan na huwag lang tayong maging saksi sa araw-araw na danas ng mga Pilipino, dahil nararapat lamang na tayo ay makilakok sa laban nila,” he said.
UST’s anti-corruption campaign: The University campaign against corruption was unveiled during the program. It carries the tagline “In Truth and Hope, there is Strength.”
- The logo, drawn by UST Senior High School faculty and former Varsitarian art editor Jonathan Gamalinda, has a painted tiger on top of the word “corruption,” which is torn in the middle. There are claw marks on the background.
- Arts and Letters Faculty Association President Rene Tadle said the logo represents all sectors of UST. “The call for corruption is felt and is coming from all the sectors of UST,” he said.
A candle lighting ceremony was held and attendees also participated in the signing of the commitment board which states, “I am a Thomasian and I condemn corruption.” A.S. Demaisip and E.M.A. Sison
