Faculty Regent calls for creation of UP committee on academic freedom
7 February 2023
University of the Philippines (UP) Faculty Regent Carl Marc Ramota joined officials of the University and the All U.P. Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU), members of the faculty in a press conference at the Quezon Hall in UP Diliman, a day after the arrest of union leader, Dr. Melania Flores in her residence inside the campus. Dr. Flores was released yesterday after posting with the help of the National Union of People’s Lawyers, and was accompanied by the Faculty Regent, UP Diliman Chancellor Fidel Nemenzo, and AUPAEU Vice President for Faculty Rommel Rodriguez at the Quezon City Criminal Investigation and Detection Unit in Camp Karingal.
Faculty Regent Ramota called for an investigation on the serious lapses on protocol by the arresting officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP), saying Dr. Flores’ arrest inside the Diliman campus violated the UP – Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Agreement. One of the provisions of the 1992 Accord stipulated that “the service of search or arrest warrants on any UP student, faculty, employees, or invited participants in any official activity shall, as far as practicable, be done after prior notification is given the UP President, or Chancellor of the constituent university, or Dean of the regional unit concerned, or their respective officers-in-charge in the event of their absence.” The UP Diliman administration also confirmed that PNP authorities did not coordinate with them before the arrest inside the campus was made.
Regent Ramota said the arrest of Dr. Flores sets a dangerous precedent for all UP constituents and the academic community in all institutions of learning, and urged the University officials to use all administrative and legal resources to promote and uphold academic freedom. “At the heart of the University is the exercise of academic freedom, and its promotion and protection must be the priority of all its administrators,” Faculty Regent Ramota pointed out.
“It is the University’s duty to promote and protect academic freedom amid disinformation, historical distortion, and wanton disregard of people’s rights,” Faculty Regent Ramota said.
He added that the abduction incident in Cebu last month and Dr. Flores’ arrest highlight the need for coordinated efforts both at the level of the UP System and constituent university. The proposal for the establishment of a Committee on the Promotion and Protection of Academic Freedom and Human Rights was adopted in last week’s Tipunan system-wide consultative meeting organized by the Office of the Faculty Regent. Regent Ramota plans to present the adopted proposal before the Board of Regents and the incoming administration of UP President Angelo Jimenez this month. #