Yorac: Why allow pupils to join Marcos affair?

Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) chairperson Haydee Yorac criticized the education department yesterday for allowing public school students in Ilocos Norte to participate in the private commemoration of the death of the late former strongman Ferdinand Marcos by his family last month.

In a letter to Education Secretary Raul Roco, Yorac said the students should have not been involved in the affair because it might send a wrong message to them.

"We are writing to express our utmost concern over what appears to be the involvement of (the education department) or at least certain public school authorities in the perpetuation of a revisionist, dishonest and grossly distorted view of the dictatorship of Ferdinand Marcos among impressionable Filipino children," she said in the letter.

Yorac was reacting to reports that pupils of Ilocos Norte public schools were made to join the Marcoses in commemorating the death anniversary of the former president last Sept. 28.

Ligaya Miguel, Ilocos Norte schools’ superintendent, reportedly ordered discussions to make the students aware that a great leader was once born in Ilocos Norte. The pupils were also required to bring photographs and other memorabilia of the late deposed president.

Yorac said the incident was in contrast to the 1987 Constitution which declares that all educational institutions must "inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human rights.... Teach the rights and duties of citizens, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline (and) encourage critical and creative thinking" among Filipino students.

"Unless the education department has approved an elementary school curriculum that makes Ferdinand Marcos a national hero and extols the corruption, torture and undemocratic rule of his regime as virtues, what justification could there be for any kind of involvement by public school authorities in the death anniversary rites of the dictator?" she asked.