If Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada is a Jedi, then the Iskolars ng Bayan are willing to be Padawans.     Judging from the recent actions of students from the University of the Philippines (UP), youth activism is still alive and kicking, and—despite an official statement from the state-run institution—the nation’s scholars are ready to support the knight fighting against the Dark Side.

LOZADA

   Lozada, the Senate star witness for a ZTE-NBN deal involving an alleged $130 million, has had the support of the students since the issue exploded. In explaining why she believed Lozada, UP Los Baños student “Nina” explained in her online journal that “being in a state university, our professors constantly remind us that our education is subsidized by the people’s taxes so we must and should do our best to study hard and somehow contribute to society after we graduate. We realize the gravity of this responsibility so we do our part.”

    The UP students’ “part” is further emphasized by the statement by the YOUTH REVOLT alliance calling for her resignation on Feb 12. UP organizations like the University Student Councils (USC) of Diliman and Manila, UP papers like the Philippine Collegian and UP Manila Collegian, the Office of the Student Regent Terry Ridon, and political party Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP) expressed their support for Lozada, saying his revelations “may yet ’save the country from being hostage to scandalous and shady government deals that offend the common good and serve only personal, family and group interests.”

From the Philippine Collegian

    On Feb. 22, UP students led by Ridon and the UP Law Student Council held a forum “Advocacy for Sustained Accountability and Reform (ASAR),” where Lozada told the youth to “be the change you want to see in the world.”

    "Are you ready to take action now?" he asked the crowd of 1,000 students.

    The acronym of the forum means “fed up” in Filipino—and this is precisely what the UP students meant to express, their disgust over the current political situation. Students repeatedly shouted “Asar na asar na (Extremely fed up)!”prior to Lozada’s arrival as they marched around the UP campus in Diliman. Radio DZBB, according to GMANews.TV, said even if they didn’t attend the forum, UP students would applaud Lozada’s convoy as it passed by.

    But they won’t stop at rallying in their university. The same day an interfaith rally was being held in Makati City, a protest-action by UP Mindanao students awaited Commission on Higher Education Chairman Romulo Neri in Davao City. It was also last Friday that at least 50,000 youth, including UP students, walking out of their classes to participate in the interfaith rally. An attempt was made by police to stop 400 UP students and professors from joining the rally, but it didn’t deter the UP Alliance Working for Arroyo’s Removal (UP Aware) from arriving there.

    Among them were students from political parties like STAND-UP—which was significant, because they missed the miting de avances held in colleges like the College of Mass Communication (CMC) for the USC elections. An explanation the recently-elected CMC representative Ruth Ann Miguel gave was the party believed UP was not isolated, and therefore national issues were of grave importance.

    And on this issue, political party candidates told the Philippine Collegian, the and the students they represent would have spoke up against the corruption even if Lozada hadn’t blown his whistle.

STAND-UP chair Jerrie “Jerrie” Abella, after lauding Lozada for his courage and his principles in exposing the scandal, said in Filipino that even prior to Lozada’s statements, his party has been calling for President Gloria Arroyo’s ouster, as it “was not her first case of corruption.” In another Collegian article, STAND-UP was said to have been calling for her removal from office as early as 2005.

ABELLA

Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA) candidate Herminio “Third” Bagro, as of Tuesday the incoming Chair of the USCm, said in Filipino they would have asked for Arroyo’s ouster as well, because this scandal and the others she has faced “are the manifestations that the administration and the President lack moral ascendancy to lead the country.” He added ALYANSA believed GMA must resign to stop the “moral bankruptcy” in the government.

BAGRO

The candidate for Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan (KAISA) Chairperson Stephanie “Steph” Tan did not call for Arroyo’s removal, but said, “it is very important to call for the transparency of government officials…we have to continue asking her or charging her such claims (of cheating and other corrupt deeds).”
	TAN

    It’s clear no matter what political ideology, the students of the state university will fight for truth and justice.