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By James Konstantin Galvez, Reporter
A group of concerned teachers scored Justice
Secretary Raul Gonzalez for boasting that it was he who ordered the
banning of Senate star-witness Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada from
speaking before of public schools in Iloilo City.
In a statement, Alliance of Concerned Teachers
(ACT) Chair Antonio Tinio said that Gonzalez had no business issuing
“orders” regarding the “campus tours” of Lozada in public
schools, whether in Iloilo or elsewhere.
“Perhaps Secretary Gonzalez is having trouble
remembering, so let us remind him that he is the Secretary of
Justice, not Education. Neither is he the school superintendent of
Iloilo City,” said Tinio.
He also cited the earlier statement of Education
Secretary Jesli Lapuz that Lozada “is not banned anywhere,” and
that he may be allowed to speak in public schools at the discretion
of school officials.
ACT urged Lapus to clarify once again the
Education department’s policy in the wake of the purported order
issued by Gonzalez.
“Sec. Lapus has an obligation to reiterate
DepEd’s policy regarding Lozada’s school tours. He should not
allow Gonzales to usurp his authority. At the very least, Gonzalez
has shown utter disrespect for the publicly stated policy of a
fellow Cabinet member,” said Tinio.
The teachers’ group likewise criticized
Gonzalez for “using public schools to reinforce his image as an
Arroyo loyalist” and for suppressing basic constitutional rights.
DepEd - National Employees Union (DepEd-NEU)
President, Atty. Domingo Alidon said Gonzalez must be
‘hallucinating’ and should consult a psychiatrist.
“As a lawyer he should know that he cannot do
that and that such act is tantamount to suppression of the Constitutional
guarantee on freedom of speech and expression.” Alidon said.
Alidon asked Gonzalez “to leave the education
sector alone and to stop meddling in the education affairs.”
“What he did only showed how arrogant he
is.” Alidon said.
“On what legal ground would Raul Gonzales ban
Lozada?” Lea Navarro, Black and White convenor, asked.”Does
Gonzales own Iloilo?”
“If his grudge is personal would it be fair
for us to assume Jun Lozada will be under threat in Iloilo?”
Navarro asked.
She said the Black and White movement is
concerned about Lozada’s safety and with the Justice Secretary’s
threat it is clear that Lozada is “under threat from the
government.”
On the other hand, Education Undersecretary for
legal affairs, Franklin Sunga said education and school officials in
Iloilo should follow the DepEd guidelines on the holding of
graduation rites.
He said the elementary and high school students
are still minors and should be insulated from partisan politics,
adding that politicians should understand that graduation rites are
regarded as solemn events, most especially by the parents.
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