MANILA, Philippines – House Bill 2407, which would change the name of Mariano Marcos State University in Batac, Ilocos Norte to Ferdinand E. Marcos State University, was passed by the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education on Tuesday by a vote of 7-1.
Rep. Angelo Marcos Barba of Ilocos Norte’s 2nd District filed the bill again after it passed the third and final reading in the lower chamber during the 18th Congress.
MMSU president Shirley Agrupis has informed the committee that she and most of those who attended the special meeting of the administrative council and local board of regents last Monday were in favor of the measure.
“I gave my unconditional support to this proposal because Pres. Marcos is the father of state universities and colleges in the country, for establishing most of them during his term, thereby providing access to quality education.”
MMSU President Shirley Agrupis
The Commission on Higher Education did not raise any concerns about the proposed change.
However, Raoul Manuel, a representative for the Kabataan Party List, voiced opposition to the law by pointing to the wrongdoings that occurred under the late Marcos’ dictatorship.
“‘Yung ganitong bill, it runs contrary to the essence of some legal actions and executive orders that recognize that Ferdinand Marcos Sr. has done some abuses on our Filipino people. We have Republic Act 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation Recognition Act of 2013.”
Raoul Manuel, a representative for the Kabataan Party List
“Nabanggit dito na kinikilala ng ating pamahalaan yung mga biktima ng summary execution, torture, enforced or involuntary disappearance and gross human rights violations under the martial law of former President Marcos Sr. noong 1972 hanggang 1986,”
“Mayroon ding Supreme Court ruling na nagsasabi na ‘yung assets and properties ng mga Marcos ay hindi kapantay… disproportionate to their aggregate salaries as public officials. This simply implies na nagnakaw sa kaban ng bayan ang pamilya nila,” he added.
He further emphasized that he will continue to oppose the measure during the plenary sessions.
“We really can’t explain to our young people and to the Filipino people kung paano kinikilala ng gobyerno ‘yung mga abuso ng batas militar, pero sa kabilang banda ay may mga hakbang tayo para makatulong na linisin ang reputasyon ni Marcos Sr. sa pagpapangalan ng ganitong unibersidad.”
Raoul Manuel, a representative for the Kabataan Party List
The committee also approved a plan to call the University of Science and Technology of the Southern Philippines the University of Science and Technology of the Philippines.
They also gave the green light to other proposals that would improve the mental health resources available at state institutions and colleges. It requires that SUCs set up mental health offices and staff them with qualified mental health specialists.