Consumers Domain
By Ian Seruelo

An anti-govt state-U

“A fool's brain digests philosophy into folly, science into superstition, and art into pedantry. Hence University education.”

—George Bernard Shaw

“UP is a breeding ground of anti-government critics.” And so said Justice Secretary Raul Gonzalez. For such a contention, UP students condemned the branding as “ unfair and unjustified”.

“What is his basis for those irresponsible remarks? What proofs does he have that UP seeks the downfall of the government?” These are questions posed by the UP College of Management Student Council.

Hmmm. I understand where the statement of the UP students is coming from, especially that I'm an alumna of the same State University myself. But you know what, I think the proper reply to the statement is not to condemn Raul Gonzalez but to educate this poor moron on the essence of his assertion.

(Of course, its easy to forgive Raul for intellectually he is simply a so-so, you know what I mean. I can't even remember this fellow articulate on an issue in a cerebral manner. On the contrary, recall his recent stupid remarks on Cory-Kris-ek-ek and those concerning the Garci tapes.)

I say, yes, UP is a breeding ground of anti-government critics! And I will wear that declaration with honor. For what this means is that UP is living up to its mandate of molding the Filipino youth to become critical, open-minded individuals who participate in the affairs of the nation. UP should indeed be a breeding ground of critical thinking especially that which pertains to governance, economics and culture.

UP, as a state university being funded by the Filipinos themselves is supposed to be a progressive and nationalist academic community, critical of the government, as opposed to an institution, academic or otherwise, that blindly accepts all what the government is saying as truth and all its programs correct. UP should indeed be an institution that studies, examines, critiques and articulates policies, programs, alternatives to promote the interests of nation and its people.

Now, look at how this government prioritizes its creditors above the education of its youth, above the life of its people. Wouldn't that be enough reason for you to be anti-government?

Look at how this government blindly promotes neo-liberal policies (trade liberalization, privatization, deregulation, etc.) that end up hurting our economy and the very livelihood of the Filipinos. Wouldn't that be enough that we tremble in indignation (to borrow a phrase from Comrade Che' Guevara) against this government?

Look at how the people in charged of the government advance their selfish interests in looting the country's resources and enriching themselves, their relatives and cronies. Wouldn't that be enough to call for the destruction of this system of corruption characterizing this very government?

Look at how this government has become a playground of these disgusting trapos, those kinds of creatures named Raul, who think the country is their kingdom and the people are pawns whom they can manipulate to satisfy their hunger for power. Wouldn't that be enough reason to seek the end of this government and establish a totally new and responsive one?

If this is what they call a government then by all means I am anti-government. In the very first place, we don't deserve this kind of government. And well, what is it to be anti-government during these times, but to struggle against this system of elite democracy and break the chains of this rotten trapo politics.

This brings me now to the sad reality. While UP has a rich tradition of activism and struggle (indeed Raul's remarks are justified!), it is apparent that the institution's culture of vigilance and critical thinking has diminished. Its intervention in the national and local political and economic discourse has waned. (Yup, this is good news for Raul.) This, I say, is what we should fear.

To the students of UP and the UP community in general, don't be fearful that Raul's comments will destroy the reputation of a century-old university. That will be putting too much weight on that little pestering trapo.

Let us be fearful that UP will in the future be a meek and silent establishment, callous to the plight of the very people it seeks to serve.

Iskolars ng Bayan, tuloy pa rin ba ang laban?

(For comments and reactions send SMS to 0919-348-6337 or email to ianseruelo@yahoo.com.)