IN A privilege speech during the Sanggunian Central Board (CB) meeting held on December 13, School of Social Sciences (SOSS) Sophomore CB Representative Abbo Hernandez said that the faults in the Sanggunian’s structure are being exposed in the wake of the impeachment cases currently being faced by SOSS Secretary-Treasurer Marvin Lagonera.

On December 11, the Ateneo Student Judicial Court (SJC) accepted two out of the six impeachment complaints filed against Lagonera by the SJC Prosecution Office, headed by Chief Prosecutor Clyde Maramba.

These include the following: Appointment of executive officers (EOs) and CB representatives without due process, and failing to keep the records of the School Board (SB) transparent and falsification of official SB documents in the course of the investigation.

Hernandez said, “We have abused and oppressed an individual to the point where he (Lagonera) may even be robbed of everything that he has worked for. We have made it clear, that our structures allow us to misinterpret our own laws and burn an individual.”

“Now more than ever we realize the vagueness of our constitution. Now more than ever we need political opinion,” he added.

As an example, Hernandez explained that there were several comments in the thread of previous articles by The GUIDON about Lagonera’s impeachment raps that he felt were made without proper context.

“Inasmuch as I was happy that this discussion happened, I felt as if these comments were filled with prejudice and no sort of balanced political discussion was ever there to [begin] with,” he said.

Hernandez added that a comment “Go to hell” struck him the most.

“I don’t even know the guy but he was able to laugh about everything I’ve fought for,” Hernandez said in a mix of English and Filipino.

He said that “they (commenters) even criticize our opinion based on our affiliation to Crusada (Christian Union for Socialist and Democratic Advancement), but have yet to be brave about their own.”

“They clamor for a fair and clear discussion but have chosen to hide behind the guise of anonymity, as if they find it a good thing to run from the responsibility of their opinions,” he added.

Both Hernandez and Lagonera are members of Crusada, the only accredited political party in the Ateneo.

The party released an official statement on December 6 expressing its support of Lagonera amidst the impeachment cases.

“Political injustice”

In his speech, Hernandez likened Lagonera to Andres Bonifacio and Jose Rizal.

“All of these brave men and women have one thing in common. They stood and spoke for those who have lost the power to speak for themselves,” Hernandez said.

“Like this party, they have realized and understood that true oppression is when we remain silent in the midst of injustice. And that the only cure to this oppression is to stand in solidarity,” he added.

Hernandez explained that Crusada has dedicated itself to “privilege solidarity among the few for the sake of many.”

Crusada has made partnerships with the Casiguran farmers, the workers of the Philippine Airlines Employees’ Association and the workers of the Ateneo.

“These groups are groups who have been robbed of due process and public opinion. So you will have to excuse this party’s strong conviction because this impeachment case hit just a little closer to home than most,” Hernandez said.

He added that Crusada will continue to “to bolster its efforts of being in solidarity with the marginalized and changing the institutions of student government to serve this purpose.”

However, Hernandez maintains that those responsible for the impeachment cases against Lagonera should be held accountable.

“It could have been easier for Marvin to resign. He is a victim of political injustice, and could have as easily given up. Andres could have stayed in a stable. Rizal could have just cured the sick in Spain. But they all knew what we know now—truth was on their side as it is on ours.”

Sanggunian officers react

After Hernandez’s speech during the CB meeting, two Sanggunian officers expressed their sentiments about the Sanggunian and Lagonera’s impeachment charges.

“Sanggu, we have to wake up,” said Constitutional Amendment Process Head Nick Lucero.

He explained that Sanggunian officers should be vigilant because aside from the reputation of the SOSS SB, the Sanggunian is losing public trust as a result of the impeachment cases.

Meanwhile, SOSS Sophomore EO Theo Catalo said that the Sanggunian should be supporting each other in times of crisis.

“He (Lagonera) is not being backed by the very institution that he so rightfully fought for in the elections. He wanted this position. He wanted to do what was right for SOSS and he’s being attacked for it,” he said.

Catalo said that “everyone should realize the gravity of the situation” because the issue is more than just about politics.

“Everything aside, we are all humans and we wouldn’t want this to happen to any human,” he said.

“We are the people united for the betterment of something that people consider irrelevant. We should be stronger after this. We should be one,” Catalo added.

In a separate interview with The GUIDON, John Gokongwei School of Management Chairperson JV Poe said that Sanggunian officers “seem to be carrying on [as if it is] business as usual.”

“I would say we (Sanggunian officers) don’t talk about it (Lagonera’s impeachment cases). We know of course [about] what’s going on, or at least some of us are aware of what’s going on, but we haven’t taken any special action given the situation,” Poe said.

He said that even the JGSOM SB has just been focusing on its own initiatives. However, not that the issue has been brought to their attention, Poe said he would “like to make a change.”

For example, Poe said has offered to help Catalo and the rest of the members of the SOSS SB to organize the upcoming SOSS Week.

With reports from Mara D. Cepeda