MEMBERS OF Philippine Jesuit educational institutions released a unity statement opposing the Presidential bid of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr for the upcoming 2022 National Elections. Bongbong filed his certificate of candidacy on October 6 under the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas.
Signed by students, alumni, faculty, staff, and administrators from different Jesuit universities, the statement also recalled how former dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr embezzled $10 billion worth of public funds and committed approximately 9,000 human rights violations during the Martial Law era.
“Bongbong Marcos is actively rewriting history to cleanse his family of their sins against the nation. […] The idea of another Marcos coming into power is closer to reality than ever,” the statement read.
As of writing, 300 people have co-signed the statement opposing Marcos Jr’s 2022 Presidential bid.
Sociopolitical solidarity
Sanggunian Commission on Socio-Political Development (CSPD) Co-Commissioner Téa Abastillas said that they spearheaded the drafting of the statement alongside Sanggunian President Kara Angan and the Sanggunian Department of Communications.
Despite the Sanggunian Office of the President’s intent to turn the document into a nationwide unity statement, Abastillas explained that the proponents found it difficult to get engagements outside of the Loyola Schools (LS) community.
Office of the Buklod Ambassador Tanya Granados added that their office coordinated with other Jesuit institutions through the pre-existing system of Jesuit networks for sociopolitical mobilization. “We shared the same opinions and trusted the available Buklod Atenista (BA) members to properly represent our sentiments as a collective,” Granados said.
Further motivated by the alleged corruption and other violations by the current administration, Granados said that the BA is currently creating the Ateneo Center for Elections alongside other Jesuit institutions. She explained that, through this platform, the BA will become a “political watchdog” that documents the candidates’ platforms while engaging with senatoriables and presidentiables.
Notably, in March 2016, the Ateneo universities also released a statement against Bongbong’s contradicting claims during the Martial Law and his father’s burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery). The initial statement received support from 412 signatories against the “darkness and oppression of the Marcos years.”
Acting on concerns
Throughout the years, the LS community has been steadfast in its efforts to prevent the atrocities of Marcos Sr’s regime from being forgotten. Commemorating the 49th anniversary of the Martial Law proclamation, the University established the Ateneo Martial Law Museum to further educate the Filipinos about the realities of the Martial Law era.
After actress and Youtuber Toni Gonzaga’s interview with Bongbong went viral on social media, the Ateneo Martial Law Museum also penned an open letter to Gonzaga urging the said media personality to interview martial law victims as well.
Meanwhile, Abastillas highlighted the Socio-Political Help Desk, which is a new initiative where LS students may seek assistance from the Sanggunian if they experience forms of sociopolitical harassment. This initiative is also a part of the Sanggunian’s efforts to encourage students to speak out for what they believe in without the fear of being red-tagged or threatened.
Furthermore, the CSPD collaborated with Atin Ang Boto—previously known as Ateneans for Voters’ Registration—to craft a petition for the extension of COMELEC Voter Registration for the 2022 elections. Abastillas also mentioned that the CSPD is currently working with the Ateneo Assembly to execute voter’s education among LS organizations.
With this, she emphasized the importance of uniting concern and acting on it—referring to speaking out and responding to socially relevant matters, such as Marcos Jr’s Presidential bid.
Ultimately, Abastillas noted that the Loyola School’s “engagement as a community can be much stronger,” especially when it comes to its participation in sociopolitical issues.
