IF CHARTER change pushes through in the country, what would be the best way to do it?
Members of Political Science 100 classes sparred on the answers to that question through a debate tournament, titled “Diskurso 2008.” Teams debated whether a constitutional convention or a constitutional assembly would be the best way to push for charter change in the Philippines.
The debate tourney on September 10 and 12 aimed to raise awareness on political issues and “break the stereotype” that Ateneans are apathetic, said The Assembly President Princess Meeralith Celestino (IV AB PoS).
The Assembly, together with the Ateneo Debate Society, organized the two-day event.
There were 11 teams that competed in the tourney. Each team consisted of three members.
PolSci application
The debate tournament was a venue for the participants to apply what they had learned in their PolSci 100 classes, said Nikkolo Gaspe (IV AB PoS), The Assembly’s vice president for academics and curricular.
“We are assuming that the PolSci classes have already been taught by their mentors the basics of Philippine politics and governance,” added Hansley Juliano (II AB PoS), Diskurso 2008’s project head.
For Diana Mendoza, assistant professor of the Political Science Department, the debate showed how the students understood and analyzed politics.
“This is one way of seeing the impact of those lessons in class, and at the same time, [a way of] seeing their own initiative as students to do their task,” Mendoza said.
“[We want] to be able to [make] students who are in PolSci 100 [classes] deal with these issues in a scholarly or academic manner,” said Gaspe.
Cha-cha
Celestino said the debate was about Charter Change because it is an issue pertinent to the country now. Since the debaters of the tourney are Political Science majors, the debate topic is something close to what the students are presently studying—the Constitution.
“We wanted them to debate about something they know about and since PoS100 basically teaches about the constitution—it teaches something about constituent assembly and constitutional convention,” Celestino added.
What is your stand?
“Before the debate, I had no particular stand. I’m a bit apathetic [but the debate] makes you care and it makes you realize [that] this matters to our country,” said Patricia Anne Sta. Maria (II AB-MA PoS), a participant of the tournament.
For Steffi Sales (I AB-MA PoS), the debate not only showed her the pros and cons of an issue, but also allowed her to understand better what the issue entails.
Noelle Alana Intal (IV AB MEco), another participant, added, “I think any form of discourse [is relevant] in a sense that opinions are raised and we see two sides of the coin.”
Intal also said Diskurso 2008 cultivates an atmosphere of debate, and makes students look into issues more critically. “There is a point to actively participate in this debate…if not to raise awareness in Malacañang, then at the very least, to raise awareness in our fellow students.”
