Wednesday, September 12, 2007 Classes in schools near Sandiganbayan building suspended
THE Department of Education (DepEd) announced the suspension of classes in 23 elementary and secondary schools in and around the vicinity of the Sandiganbayan in time for Wednesday’s promulgation of the verdict on the plunder case against former President Joseph Estrada.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus made the announcement as authorities ratcheted up security preparations all over Metro Manila, particularly near the anti-graft court’s building in Quezon City, for the scheduled promulgation.
The elementary and secondary schools that will be affected by the suspension of classes are the Doña Juana Elementary School, Batasan Elementary School, San Diego Elementary School, Commonwealth Elementary School, Culiat Elementary School, New Era Elementary School, Pasong Tamo Elementary School, Holy Spirit Elementary School, Payatas A, B, B (Annex) and C Elementary School, Lupang Pangako Elementary School, Bagong Silangan Elementary School, Manuel L. Quezon Elementary School and Commonwealth High School, Holy Spirit Annex High School, Batasan Hills National High School, Justice Cecilia Muñoz Palma High School, Bagong Silangan High School, Culiat High School, New Era High School and Pasong Tamo High School.
As regards 33 private schools near the Sandiganbayan building, Lapus said officials of these schools should exercise the discretion whether they would suspend classes or not.
Quezon City Mayor Feliciano Belmonte Jr. said he will talk with the owner of the two private schools located in the Sandiganbayan vicinity to suspend classes as well.
One of the school’s principal, Angelina Reyes of the Our Lady of Mercy School near the St. Peter’s Church, has declared suspension of their classes.
The UP Diliman Preparatory School has also announced suspension of classes later on Tuesday.
Despite the heavy security preparations and the expected traffic problem in the area, Belmonte said the suspension will cover only those schools located in the Sandiganbayan vicinity saying there is no need to halt classes in all schools in the city.
“We have 142 schools in the city. We will not have a general suspension, only those schools near the Sandiganbayan building,” Belmonte said.
Meanwhile, Lapus believed that it will be better if the Sandiganbayan verdict on Estrada’s case will be aired live on TV and radio and be heard or viewed by the public particularly the students.
He said to allow the live coverage of Estrada verdict will broaden the public, especially the students, its understanding of the Sandiganbayan court proceedings and proper decorum.
He also said Sandiganbayan’s verdict on Estrada case is another major part of the history of the country wherein not only the entire nation awaits the decision but as well as officials of other countries who are closely watching the political condition in the Philippines.
In a related development, traffic enforcers started clearing Commonwealth Avenue as early as 6 a.m. Tuesday in anticipation of the mass rallies planned near the Sandiganbayan building in time for the promulgation of the verdict.
Local traffic police chief, Superintendent Norberto Mabagay, said they are also strictly enforcing the “no-parking” rule along Commonwealth Avenue aside from removing the concrete barriers in the roads between the University of the Philippines (UP) and the Commission on Audit (COA) which will serve as an alternate route for vehicles passing through Commonwealth Avenue. (AH/Sunnex)
