Removing Filipino, Panitikan as core college subjects ‘unconstitutional,’ ‘anti-youth,’ Lagman says

Opposition lawmaker Albay Representative Edcel Lagman on Tuesday said the Supreme Court ruling that effectively removes Filipino and Panitikan as core college subjects is "unconstitutional" and "anti-youth."

In a statement, Lagman said Article XIV, Section 6 of the 1987 Constitution explicitly states that Filipino is the national language of the Philippines — a provision that does not need and implementing law for enforcement.

"It is an aberration that the teaching of Filipino, which is the national language, is only elective while teaching of a foreign language like English is compulsory," he said.

"What the Constitution provides for voluntary and optional teaching is Spanish and Arabic, not Filipino," he added.

At the same time, Lagman said required teaching of Filipino and Panitikan subjects in college is not a duplication of what is being taught in elementary and high school.

"[This is] because instruction of Filipino and Philippine literature in college is more advanced, intense, and incisive," he said.

Lagman, likewise, argued that demoting Filipino and Panitikan as elective subjects in college prevents students from imbibing Philippine history and culture, as well as practicing nationalism and patriotism.

He pointed out that Filipino as the national language is complemented by Section 17 on State Policies and Article XIV, Section 3(2) of the 1987 Constitution.

Section 17 on State Policies states that the “State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress and promote total human liberation and development."

Meanwhile, Article XIV, Section 3(2) provides that all educational institutions "shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights, and appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country."

"There is no alternative to fostering and inculcating nationalism and patriotism other than teaching Filipino and Philippine literature," Lagman said.

"Language involves muscle memory. You lose it if you don’t use it," he added. — MDM, GMA News