THE ISSUE of the separation of Church and State has always been present in the country. While the Constitution grants government sovereignty, the Church often finds its ways to influence the State’s decisions.
Let’s go back in time for a bit. The Reproductive Health Bill issue remains unresolved due to our congressmen’s fears of the social and religious backlash their support for the law would create.
Going further back, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines publicly denounced then Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral’s decision to distribute condoms during Valentine’s Day. Conservative and religious groups were very vocal in the call for her resignation.
Recently, certain bishops again demanded that the pilot testing of sex education in elementary and high school be stopped because it might encourage promiscuity.
Adding to the friction between the Church and the State is the recent appointment of Bro. Armin Luistro FSC, former De La Salle University and De La Salle Philippines President, as Department of Education (DepEd) secretary.
Luistro’s appointment has been welcomed, but at the same time has raised eyebrows. With him being appointed at a time where there is still tension on sex education, one can’t help but think if his affiliation to a religious order may directly affect the proposal’s outcome.
As of press time, Luistro declined to disclose his plans for sex education but said that the issue needs further study.
His term as the President of De La Salle University is characterized by significant improvements in the De La Salle System. With th restructuring of the De La Salle Philippines in 2006, resource sharing among the different La Salle schools was made easier. Under his administration the La Salle Law School was also put up.
In a span of six years, he succeeded in introducing numerous innovations at De La Salle, and as such, who’s to say he cannot emulate the same as Secretary of the DepEd? While he may have a religious background he is also fully qualified to be the next education head.
Filipinos should not worry in the appointment of a man from a religious order to a government post. Luistro is the President’s man, as well as the Filipinos’. In one-way or another, his plans will be in line with the bigger Aquino agenda for education.
If we go back to President Aquino’s promises during his campaign, among others, he states that there should be a 12-year basic education system, corruption should be eradicated inside DepEd and more schools in coordination with the local government units should be built.
Moreover, in accordance with the Aquino thrust for transparency and accountability, it must be emphasized that though he is Education Secretary, all the stakeholders involved would have a say in the direction of schooling in the country.
With that said, Luistro should always weigh his decisions not only according to his morals and religious background but more through rigorous study and dialogues with involved parties. If worse comes to worse, he should be prepared to stand up against his Church.
