DepEd ban vs politics in graduation rites is unconstitutional - ACT

MANILA, Philippines - The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) on Thursday lashed out at the Department of Education for its ban against using graduation rites for politics saying that it was unconstitutional as it suppresses freedom of speech. In a statement, the group urged students, teachers and principals to assert their freedom of speech, saying that graduation themes this year should be “a search for truth and fight for justice". The group pointed out that the Feb 20 memorandum issued by the DepEd effectively banned ZTE witness Rodolfo Noel Lozada Jr and other political personalities from speaking in graduation rites. The ban, it said, is an outright violation of their constitutional rights. “Education Secretary Jesli Lapus should respect academic freedom and freedom of expression in schools," said ACT chairman Antonio Tinio, who also accused the secretary `politicizing graduation rites’. He claimed Lapus statement clearly intended to curry favor with President Arroyo. “What if the school valedictorian wants her speech to be about the campaign for truth and accountability in government? Will this be disallowed by Lapus?" Tinio stressed. Lapus on Wednesday said he will not allow further “campus tours" by personalities involved in the national broadband scandal to spare schools from politics. The DepEd chief explained that his agency did not issue a ban order against Lozada, saying that the order provide was the general guidelines which intends to insulate students from partisan politics. He said that the order merely serves as a reminder for school officials and that graduation rites should be simple and frugal. However, Lapus admitted that DepEd will not allow the exercise of partisan politics in public schools much more during graduation rites while private schools are not prevented to adopt such guidelines. - GMANews.TV