Senator Robin Padilla expressed his dismay over the hazing death of Adamson University student John Salilig, after an official of the Tau Gamma Phi fraternity failed to recite the organization’s prayer during a Senate panel hearing.
Padilla, who attended the hearing of the Senate Committee on Justice and Human Rights on Salilig’s hazing, challenged Daniel Perry – the alleged master initiator during the Tau Gamma Phi initiation rites – to recite the Triskelion Prayer, which reflects the fraternity’s values.
“Ako po ay isa sa nalulungkot dito sapagka’t malapit sa akin ang mga Triskelion eh. Hindi ko maintindihan itong mga batang ito. Pwede bang masagot nyo ako? Alam nyo ba kung ano ang Triskelion Prayer? Pwedeng paki-recite nyo sa akin?” the lawmaker told Perry.
When Perry replied to the senator that “hindi ko saulado,” Padilla expressed dismay, before proceeding to read the text of the prayer.
He particularly pointed out the part of the prayer that seeks enlightenment for the fraternity and sorority’s officers so they can “maintain the highest standard of decision making.”
“Nakakalungkot, mga anak. Pambihira kayo. Gusto ko pang magtanong pero mababaon kayo. Ayoko na kayo baunin pa pero baon na kayo,” Padilla said.
“Itong mga batang ito kawawa ito.”
“Yan po ang inyong prayer. ‘Highest standard of decision making,’ mga anak. Goodness,” he added.
Meanwhile, Padilla was heartened over Adamson College of Law Dean Anna Maria Abad’s promise to assist those involved in the incident. “Sir, tutulong po,” Abad told Padilla after he stressed that Adamson officials are second parents to the students.
“Kung pangalawang magulang kayo, ibig sabihin tinatanggap nyo po na may responsibilidad kayo, sabi ninyo. Itong mga batang ito kawawa ito,” he told Adamson Office of Student Affairs head Atty. Jan Nelin Navallasca, who initially said the students are “of age” already.
“Nakakalungkot, mga anak. Pambihira kayo.”
Likewise, Padilla reminded Abad that while what happened is painful for the school because its reputation is at stake, the welfare of those involved is also important.
When Abad promised to help the students, Padilla said: “Yan po ang gusto ko madinig Maam. Maraming salamat, I love you Maam. Yan ang gusto kong marinig, tutulungan ang mga batang ito.”
