So That You May Know the Truth

This is the Truth, the whole Truth and nothing but the Truth. Every Isko and Iska of Pamantasan deserves to know this.

No Violation Has Been Committed in Choosing Relans Digital Photography

There were no formal and concrete guidelines for the graduation picture and yearbook. The Editorial Board acted in all good faith when it followed the same steps undertaken by the previous 2008 and 2009 Editorial Boards. If there may have been lapse on our part, it is maybe because there may have been miscommunication between the Editorial Board and OSDS.

Public bidding, as contemplated by Republic Act 9184, is prescribed only for projects funded out of government funds. In the case of the graduation picture and yearbook which is a project not by a government institution but by student organizations which carry another nature, it does not entail any funding from the University neither disbursement of any public fund. Hence, any prescription to place this project under the Bids and Awards Committee of a distinct government entity is misplaced. Clearly, RA 9184 does not apply to the projects of student organizations.

Considering that the University has customarily accorded authority to the SSC to create an annual Editorial Board to independently manage the publication of the yearbook, including the conduct of its version of a transparent bidding process for the selection of its service provider for this project, said practice was dutifully complied with. Necessary documents are available for public examination. We signed the contract with the mandate and power to transact official business so long as it is not contrary to law, morals, good customs and public policy. The power to regulate does not include the power to control.

Amenities and Past Mistakes

The graduation picture and yearbook is purely voluntary. The prices were determined through the kind of services sought from the company -- NOT due to amenities. The amenities all go back to the students in some forms of sponsorship during University and College activities. As a precautionary measure against corruption, the current Editorial Board has restrained itself from handling payments to insulate itself from pecuniary interests and other financial temptations that may cast doubt to its clean intentions.

If there had been unsavory issues committed in the past by other personalities, the accountability does not bear on the shoulders of the current Editorial Board. Those were not committed by the current Editorial Board. Undeniably, we cannot be made to suffer the consequences of someone else’s fault or omission. Putting the current Editorial Board at stake for the mistakes of others in the past does not in any way correct such mistakes. As for the current Editorial Board, we are completely aware of such mistakes made by others, and we commit ourselves to the satisfaction of our obligations as true leaders of our community.

Ang Pamantasan Allegations

Did the Ang Pamantasan, as a conveyor of truth (by the way it presented the news and commentaries on yearbook and graduation picture), had the guts to tell the whole Pamantasan the real reason why the approval of the said project was delayed? Is the dilemma just all about inexistent guidelines not having been followed? Why was the last batch’s approval of the same project been delayed too? Were there really powerful entities with vested interests and have personal bet on which company should handle the production of the graduation picture and yearbook? Was the Ang Pamantasan, with all strong conviction, really able to dig out and present the truth, and not just the superficial truths made available to it? Did it exert an extra mile in its efforts to uncover the truth that its readers ought to know instead of choosing what it only wants to convey?

It’s so convenient for anyone to say that the problem is rooted on corruption, but have we realized the efforts of the SSC to decrease the SSC fee as contrary to what other entities did considering that the SSC’s responsibilities are far bigger than theirs? It’s so easy to claim that the SSC and CSC Presidents will be receiving 10K from Relans, but is it really the truth? In the two previous Editorial Boards which handled Relans, no one from them received 10K! It’s so easy for us to judge that the SSC and CSC Presidents are not doing anything to solve this problem; Again, is it really the truth? Do we know all the struggles that the student leaders have gone through just to push for this project? No amount of money or any kind of amenities can equate the difficulty in proofreading thousands of descriptions, in personally lay-outing the designs and making templates for the yearbook -- all for the benefits of their constituents, while at the same time preparing for college days and college activities, as well as struggling to pass the academics.


It is hoped that write ups should not be made conclusive without concrete basis for we are depriving the people of their rights to know the truth. We should not talk about corruption when we cannot provide substantial evidences to prove it. Little knowledge can be destructive. We should not mix facts with personal judgment and perception. A newsletter issued months after the last issue has more than an ample time to search and validate the facts. It has no excuse at all in downplaying the need for fact validation and publishing a deeply lopsided view instead of a responsibly balanced article. Commentaries and Isyung Isko are not just about freedom of expression. Every article must be crafted in a responsible manner without disregarding the rights of others, as writing without solid basis is an abuse and violation of constitutional rights. We are challenging those who accused us of corruption to file a case against us and let the truth shake the four walls of Pamantasan!


Pieces of unbalanced news and baseless opinions can ruin someone’s credibility -- casting doubt on the credibility of claims for responsible journalism. With great power comes great responsibility and with great responsibility comes high accountability -- a dictum that with the passage of time the Media has not realized it has already complacently abused or forgotten -- leading to the breeding of false perceptions! Hiding behind the cloak of the enormously powerful “sword of the pen” does not help the community and is not a hallmark of true democracy -- but a monopoly of power when used to destroy the credibility of others while basking on its self-styled immaculate virtues.

Prayers

After all these, what will happen next? Can we not move and learn from the mistakes? We, the SSC and CSC, are more than determined to fulfill its commitment of serving the student body. Let the concrete guidelines be formally provided so that the next batch of Editorial Board be guided accordingly. We pray that this problem be resolved with SSC, CSCs, Ang Pamantasan and OSDS united as one. After all, we aim and serve the same purpose.