What's our stand?
FROLICS
STUDENT GOVERNMENT
BEDAN ELITE
SOCIAL CHRISTIAN ACTION
PARKING LOT COMMUNE
FILIPINO CHINESE ASSOCIATION
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HIGH SCHOOL BAND
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HIGH SCHOOL BAND
In solidarity with the Catholic Church in the Philippines, we the Benedictine monks, administrators, faculty, service personnel, and students of San Beda College and St. Benedict College, support the call for the immediate resignation of President Joseph Estrada. His graceful exit should be the first step in a movement for reform in the government and in our values as a people. Since he assumed the presidency in June 1998, President Estrada has failed to lead the nation towards unity and progress, and instead has plunged it into crisis after crisis because of his lack of competence and moral leadership. The latest explosion, the jueteng scandal, is of such appalling magnitude that it has resulted in a major political and economic crisis that threatens the future of our nation. As educational institutions committed to forming Christian Filipinos, we deplore the further damage that has been inflicted on moral values by brazen corruption, condoned misconduct, and hardened impenitence. It is ironic that after the centennial of our nationhood, which should have meant the renewal of patriotism, we are confronted with the ugly truth about the state of leadership in our country. A new beginning is necessary. President Estrada should resign and give way to a new president and we should acknowledge the need for a national examination of conscience and a profound change of heart.
Sgd. PAUL DE VERA, OSB
Prior-Chancellor
San Beda College and St. Benedict College
BERNARDO MA. PEREZ, OSB
Rector, San Beda College
TARCISIO MA. H. NARCISO, OSB
Rector, St. Benedict College
Even though San Beda has produced several of the Philippines' prominent
political minds, past and present, with no less than Ninoy Aquino in the
forefront, it has not had the reputation or the tradition of being vocal in
the political arena as an institution. Unlike extrovert academic communities
such as U.P., San Beda has relatively been reserved or reticent about
expressing its opinions in issues of national concern. It is arguable that
this apparent neutrality or silence was the proper thing to do in certain
circumstances.
But these are extra-ordinary times and circumstances. Our country is on the
fringe of an upheaval similar to the one last experienced in 1986. We all
should know by now what is at stake here. These are historical and critical
times when not doing or saying anything could be the worst course to take.
WE completely support our community's position, although understandably not
everybody will agree with it. To those who oppose it and to those who have
opted for stoicism, indifference, or passivity: Tough! Wake up! Take a cue
from the subject of this message and REMEMBER OUR COMMITMENT
-- TO SAN BEDA, OUR COUNTRY AND GOD!
SBC Class 69/73
Drafted by Ricky Ong, 4-43
