Senate bets slam NYC chair Cardema over proposal vs. student activists

Several senatorial candidates, including those from the opposition, on Wednesday thumbed down the suggestion of National Youth Commission (NYC) chair Ronald Cardema that scholarships of students who join protest rallies must be revoked.

Former Solicitor General Florin Hilbay said a student's political stand should not be a factor in considering whether or not he or she deserves a scholarship.

"Walang kinalaman yung pulitika sa kapasidad nila na magkaroon ng access sa scholarship," he said at a press conference.

His fellow candidate under the opposition Otso Diretso banner, Gary Alejano, said it is important for the youth to have a "critical mind."

"Kailangan natin sa ating mga kabataan na magkaroon ng critical thinking, critical mind," said the former party-list lawmaker in the same press conference. "Hindi pupuwede basta niyong busalan ang kanilang bibig sa nangyayari sa ating bansa."

Civic leader Samira Gutoc, for her part, said she was saddened by Cardema's statement, as she had worked with him in several youth development programs in the past.

"I am so sad that the National Youth Commission chairman would even, [na] sa bunganga niya lalabas yun," she said.

Gutoc said she believes students should be more vocal about their political opinions especially about marginalized sectors.

"Even inside the campus, you have the right much more. Kayo ang boses namin na hindi nagsasalita," she said.

Cardema's statement also did not sit well with Neri Colmenares and Leody de Guzman, who are both activists.

At a separate press conference, Colmenares said Cardema is not fit to lead the NYC as he is setting a bad example to the youth.

"He is exercising his interpretation kung ano ang karapatan mo. Ang sinasabi ko diyan, dangerous and ominous sign 'yan ng ating shift na talaga towards a dictatorship not only the president but even a young youth commission officer who is supposed to know na students and youth mahal 'yung freedom," he said.

Following Cardema's statement, Colmenares put the blame on President Rodrigo Duterte for supposedly promoting the "intolerance of dissent" in the country.

"Ang natuturo niya kasi sa iba ay intolerance of dissent eh. When he speaks, bibirahin ka niya, 'Gago ka, kriminal ka, P.I. mo, ang Diyos mo stupido...' pero kapag may sasabihin naman sa kanya ‘yung iba galit siya. Hindi siya sport eh," he said.

Cardema made the call as he believes that communist groups have been recruiting students as new members and that they aim to overthrow the Duterte administration.

Colmenares said if it is true, Cardema should file a complaint instead of violating the students' right to freedom of speech.

"Why don't you file a case? The President is with you. The President is a lawyer. Why don't you file a case kung tingin mo may ebidensya ka," Colmenares, a former party-list lawmaker, said.

De Guzman, who chairs the labor group Bukluran ng Manggagawang Pilipino (BMP), said Cardema's proposal is a "fascistic policy."

"Constitutional rights ang pagtitipon at concerted action. Bakit aalisan ng scholarship? Ano ang gusto? Kapag scholar ka dapat sumunod lang ng sumunod at huwag magreklamo kahit may mali?" he told GMA News Online. —KBK, GMA News