UST statement on the travesty in the Senate [Archive]

Rach

Jan 19, 2001, 01:59 AM

OUTRAGE FOR THE TRUTH
(A statement of the University of Santo Tomas on the travesty in the Senate)

January 16, 2001 will go down in Philippine history as a bitter day for democracy and the truth. On that day, the majority of our senators, who were supposed to sit as impartial judges in an impeachment court and to ferret out the truth about serious allegations of graft and corruption against President Estrada, set aside all pretensions at probity and voted to muffle the truth. The nation watched in horror as its leaders struck a deathblow to the cause of truth and godly government.

The damage these partisan senator-judges have caused to the nation and to the truth is incalculable. It is up to us, the people of God, to repair the damage. We do that by expressing our outrage categorically and vehemently. We condemn the shameless and self-serving scheme of the eleven Senator-Judges. We denounce the President and his minions who have made government a den of malefactors and liars.

But in condemning, we also commend. January 16, 2001 may be a day of infamy, but it is also a day of courage. We commend the ten senator-judges who voted bravely for the truth. We particularly commend Senate President Aquilino Pimentel who cast aside political and personal interests to join the people of God in the cause of truth.

We reiterate our earlier call on President Estrada to resign because he has lost the moral legitimacy to govern. We also urge the Senator-Judges who vetoed the truth to reflect, heed the true voice of the Filipino people and repair the damage done. Give truth a chance!

We likewise repeat our appeal to all UST alumni, including those in church service and in government, to withdraw their support from the present administration. We direct this call particularly to Senate Majority Floor Leader Francisco Tatad and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Andres Narvasa, our alumni. We ask them to heed the call of the Church and of the Truth. Heed it now, we appeal to them, and the mercy of God will be theirs. For its part, the University has done what is in its power to show its unwavering support for the truth. In particular, it has notified the Fortun, Narvasa and Salazar law office of its decision to terminate its contract for legal services to the University.

We call on Thomasians and all the people of God to stand and be counted. We are all called upon to witness to the truth. Now more than ever, when truth is under assault, we should strike a blow for the cause of democracy and the truth. Let us tell the forces of darkness, “We shall not be silenced, we shall not be fooled, we shall not be cowed. We shall fight for the truth- for as Christ said, ‘The truth shall set us free’ (John 8:32).”

The University of Santo Tomas