Statement
N.B. - The University Council (UC) of UP Diliman approved this
statement at its special meeting on 13 July 2005. The UC also agreed to
annex the statement of the UP College of Law faculty members released
on 4 July 2005.
The President Must Resign Now
Statement of the University Council (UC) of the University of the
Philippines (UP) in Diliman, Quezon City on the political crisis facing
the Arroyo administration
13 July 2005
The pursuit of the truth and the quest for a democratic society are
integral to the university’s mission in society. In the conduct of its
work, the University of the Philippines is strictly guided by the
paramount values of honesty, personal integrity, and responsibility.
We have strong reason to believe that the recent actions of the Arroyo
administration in relation to the so-called "Gloriagate" tapes – the
initial attempt at a cover-up, the use of threat and intimidation to
prevent public access to these tapes, and the clever admission of
half-truths to conceal a serious offense, among others – constitute a
direct assault on nearly all the values we hold sacred in academe.
A careful analysis of the content and context of the recorded
conversations between the President and Commission on Elections
(COMELEC) Commissioner Virgilio Garcillano clearly shows that there has
been a betrayal of public trust, if not a subversion of the people’s
will in the last presidential election.
Grave economic problems confront the nation today. At no other time
have we needed a leader who can heal the divisions in our society and
inspire hope especially among our young people. President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo has done enough damage to our public institutions and
to the country’s self-esteem. We cannot afford to be led any further by
a dishonest president who has shown no qualms about using the awesome
powers of her office for purely personal interests.
The University Council (UC) of UP Diliman, Quezon City - composed of
professors, associate professors and assistant professors and chaired
by the Chancellor - calls on the people to guard against foreign
meddling and military takeover in charting the nation’s future in the
event of her removal from office. UP Diliman faculty members will join
the people in their struggle to build a progressive society and a
responsible government and in their commitment to uphold civilian
supremacy in government and governance.
We thus call on President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to immediately
resign.
(end)
Danilo Araña Arao
Assistant Professor and Chair
Department of Journalism, College of Mass Communication Plaridel Hall
University of the Philippines (UP), Diliman, Q.C. 1101
Telephone: (632) 920-6852, 981-8500 loc. 2672
Fax: (632) 926-3465
Email: danilo.arao@up.edu.ph
Website: http://www.dannyarao.com
