The UP Board of Regents (BOR) has unanimously approved the resolution on the institutionalization of the UP-Department of National Defense (DND) Accord during its 1365th meeting, November 4, and has requested DND to continue enforcing the guidelines and principles of the accord.
The resolution has called for the DND to revert to the status quo ante, where parties should act as if the 1989 UP-DND Accord is in place, UP Student Regent Renee Co told the Collegian. This means members of the military are not allowed to conduct any military or police operations in any UP campus without prior notification, except in cases of hot pursuit and similar occasions of emergency or ordinary transit.
Initially drafted by the sectoral regents, the amended resolution showed support to House Bill (HB) 10171 which institutionalizes the abrogated accord between UP and DND by amending Republic Act 9500 or the 2008 UP Charter.
"The resolution reiterates the rights and freedoms of UP under the law and Philippine Constitution, the reason behind the accord, and the long-standing resolve of the community to take measures and actions to defend the rights of the university and uphold the interests of the people," read part of the Office of the Student Regent's statement, November 3.
The BOR also backed and commended solons Sarah Jane Elago, Isagani Zarate, France Castro, Ferdinand Gaite, Arlene Brosas, Eufemia Cullamat, and Jose Christopher Belmonte, who objected the reconsideration of the approval on the third reading of HB 10171.
The lower chamber had already approved the measure on final reading during its session on September 21. But nine days later, the House also approved Cavite Representative Jesus Crispin Remulla’s motion for the reconsideration of the bill.
For the seven lawmakers, Remulla’s motion was invalid as it violates Section 106 of the House rules, which states that a member who voted with the majority for the approval of a measure, report, or motion may only move for reconsideration on the same or succeeding session day.
The BOR urged the House to resolve the said issue and called for the Senate to implement parallel efforts in approving counterpart bills that would institutionalize protections in the university. As of September 22, HB 10171 has been forwarded to the Senate. The Senate version of the bill, meanwhile, is still pending at the committee level.
With BOR’s approval of the resolution, the sectoral regents, together with the UP community and administration, continue to lobby for the university’s rights and freedom that have been compromised by the state since the accord’s abrogation in January.
“The passage of this resolution was 10 months in the making. It is about time the BOR stated in clear terms that it sides with the UP community in protection of its rights, in defense of academic freedom, and in taking legislative steps to institutionalize protections,” Co said. ●
