Senator Raffy Tulfo deplored the irregularities relating to the decision of the University of Manila (UM) to not allow all the 140 civil engineering students to graduate after the school’s premature collection of graduation fee supposedly due to failing grades.
The graduating civil engineering students of UM who first complained on “Wanted sa Radyo” against their university met with the Senate staff of Tulfo, along with the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) representatives and UM officials last July 25 to discuss the issue.
“All of the students received the same failing grade of 70, and the professor resigned immediately after issuing the score.”
It can be noted that all of the students received the same failing grade of 70, and the professor resigned immediately after issuing the score.
The legislator shared that his staff who attended the meeting noticed that there are indeed irregularities and grave injustice perpetrated by UM officials against the students.
Said observation was also similar to that of Atty. Spocky Farolan, the lawyer of CHED, who claimed that the students were victims of estafa.
“Napag-alaman din sa nasabing paghaharap na pangkaraniwan na palang kalakaran ito.”
“Napag-alaman din sa nasabing paghaharap na pangkaraniwan na palang kalakaran ito,” the lawmaker said.
In stressing the obvious unfair treatment UM students were subjected to, the senator cited in example the useless question on the test paper that came from the school president.
These questions include: “What is your subject?” “Define and explain why this subject is important in your course,” and “Give at least three practical examples on its importance.”
“Sa mga tanong na ito ay walang tamang sagot at nakadepende lamang sa kapritso ng gumawa ng tanong,” Tulfo said.
“Kaya pala minali ang sagot ng mga estudyante at parepareho silang nakakuha ng 70 failing grade dahil kahit ano pang isagot nila rito ay ang presidente pa rin ng eskwelahan ang masusunod sa gusto niya,” he added.
But what Tulfo really found extremely alarming was the threat of the UM president over a phone call that was put on speaker during the meeting that everyone who fights with and gets on the bad side of the school ends up DEAD.
This prompted him to draft a resolution seeking a thorough investigation of this issue.
Said resolution also aims to invite to appear before the Senate the UM president and officials, CHED and past and present students who experienced the crooked system of the university.
“Ang tanong: Mamamatay ba ang 24 senators at ang mismong Senado na mag-iimbestiga sa problemang ito ng UM tulad ng pasaring ng kanilang presidente?! ABANGAN!” Tulfo concluded.
