Saturday, March 08, 2008 DepEd allows Lozada to speak at graduation rites
THE Department of Education (DepEd) now allows Lozada to visit and even speak during graduation rites provided he does not incite the students to go against the government.
This decision was arrived at a day after getting flak from militants and even lawmakers for banning Rodolfo Lozada Jr., the key witness in the Senate hearing on the national broadband network (NBN) deal, from appearing in public schools.
Education Secretary Jesli Lapus said Lozada should also not create any controversy when he spoke to the students.
"He (Lozada) can visit and be a guest at school's graduation rites, so long as he does not incite or create controversy," said Lapus, adding that, "We know he is trying to incite something."
Earlier, several lawmakers joined the militant teachers group Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) to rebuke Lapus for banning Lozada from speaking in graduation rites saying it is a violation of the Constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression of the students and teachers.
"Secretary Lapus should respect academic freedom and freedom of expression in public schools," said ACT president Antonio Tinio accusing the official of "politicizing graduation rites."
He said Lapus order was clearly intended to carry favor with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo whose administration is embroiled in scandal generated by the alleged overpricing and bribery in the US$329 million NBN contract with China's ZTE Corporation.
"What if the school valedictorian wants her graduation speech to be about the campaign for truth and accountability in public offices? Will this be disallowed by the Department of Education?" Tinio added.
Tinio was referring to DepEd Memorandum Order (MO) 13 issued last February 20 prescribing the guidelines for the conduct of this year's graduation ceremonies in both public and private elementary and secondary schools nationwide.
The group underscored the order stipulating that graduation rites "shall not in anyway be used as a venue for political forum."
Tinio said the order effectively bans Lozada from speaking in graduation rites.
However, Lapus clarified reports that he had issued an order banning Lozada from speaking or visiting schools.
"That is erroneous. There is no truth that there is a guideline or order against Lozada in particular. There is a guideline but it has been issued several years ago against politics in graduation rites and that is right we should not politicize graduation rites of the students," Lapus said stressing that such events are not forum for politicking.
He further explained that what the DepEd has provided was the general guidelines, which intends to insulate students from partisan politics.
He added that the order also served as reminder for school officials reiterating the education department's position that graduation rites should be simple and frugal.
But Lapus admitted that the DepEd cannot do anything to prevent politicians from speaking or serving as guests during graduation ceremonies.
Lozada's camp earlier complained that the ban on him was just part of the ongoing move of the administration to harass him after he surfaced and disclosed the alleged irregularities in the national broadband deal.
He had also implicated First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo and resigned Commission on Election (Comelec) chairman Benjamin Abalos Sr. to the botched telecommunication contract.
But Lozada insisted that with or without the ban, he will push through with his campus tours that started in several schools and universities in Metro Manila and is now set to go to campuses in the provinces.
The camp of Abalos said they are also set to conduct their own speaking engagements in various schools nationwide as they appeal that they also be given the chance afforded to Lozada to tell their side on the ZTE mess. (AH/Sunnex)
