Cavite State U president claims she didn't know VP was assembly guest: 'Mamatay na po kaming lahat'

Cavite State University President Divinia Chavez swears on her life she was unaware that Vice President Jejomar Binay was the invited guest speaker in the August 3 assembly the school's student council organized.

 

"Hindi ko po talaga alam. Mamatay na po kaming lahat. Sumusumpa po ako; dalawang kamay akong tumataas na hindi ko po talaga alam," Chavez said in a report on GMA News'  "24 Oras" newscast.

 

In a Twitter post, presidential spokesperson Edwin Lacierda asked Chavez to explain why several college students were required to attend Binay's so-called "true" state of the nation address on Monday. 

 

The memo released by the Office of the University President and was signed by Chavez states that the Central Student Government was sponsoring a "student assembly" and that all third and fourth year students were required to attend the activity. 

 

"Kindly excuse from their classes those who will participate in the said event. Attendance shall be checked by CSG officers," the memorandum read.

 

Vincent Bae, president of the CSG, said the council is willing to be held responsible for the activity. 

 

"We are going to be responsible kung ano po yung ginawa namin. Naniniwala po kami na as a student government, we are somehow very independent," he said in the television report.

 

Vice President Binay, for his part, said he was invited to deliver his alternative state address before the students of the university. 

 

"Hindi ko po alam basta't ako ay naanyayahan na doon ho ako magbigay ng katotohanang state of the nation. Pero mabalik tayo, 'di ba sila gumagawa nun? 'Di ba sila po e nag-i-speech sa mga eskwela?" Binay said. 

 

"'Pag ako pumupunta sa mga nasasalanta, pag-alis ko, pinagagalitan ang mga mayor. 'Bakit tinanggap ang vice president?' Eh dumating naman po 'yun, vice president pa rin naman ho 'yun," he added. 

 

Communications Secretary Herminio Coloma, Jr. meanwhile took exception on the "martial law" comment of Binay's spokesperson Joey Salgado.

 

"Wala naman po tayong Martial Law. Ang Martial Law ay mayroong definition sa ating batas at isa sa mga matingkad na manifestation niyan ay walang kalayaang maghayag. Palagay ko kalabisan naman na gumamit ng ganyang pananalita," Coloma said. 

 

Salgado said the Palace was over reacting to Binay's event, as he asked Lacierda, "Mr. Secretary, are we under Martial Law again?"  — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/ELR, GMA News