UP Econ and Ateneo Councils head First Senate Inquiries
By Golda P. Cainglet
Published in SIDHI, the Official Student Publication of the UP School of Economics
December 2007
Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Francis “Chiz” Escudero were the main guests in the first-ever Senate Inquiries held at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) last December 7, 2007 from 4 to 7pm. UP School of Economics (SE) professor, Solita Collas-Monsod was the facilitator of the event.
The Senate Inquiries: A look into the pertinent issues of the youth today, was a venue for students from different schools to address their concerns directly to the senators. The main topics of inquiry revolved around the state of Philippine education, Philippine economic growth and development and the politicization of the military. Panelists include Rob Roque of Ateneo de Manila, Marian Panganiban of UP Diliman, and Ms. Levie Cequena of New Gen.
Other questions ranged a number of topics including the plight of the Sumilao farmers and the Trillanes stand-off. When asked if they would run for higher office in the 2010 elections, Mr. Pangilinan said he would answer it in a year while Mr. Escudero said “May plano, wala pero may pangarap, oo”.
University Student Council Chairpersons Shahana Abdulwahid (UPD), Karl Satinitigan (ADMU), and Reyner Villasenor (UST) also took part in the event as they tackled campus and national issues with the senators and the audience.The affair culminated with a concert by Urbandub hosted by MTV Pilipinas.
The Senate Inquiries was organized by the Office of the Economics representative to the University Student Council (USC) under Marian Panganiban together with the ADMU Sanggunian through Committee on Social Concert and Involvement Chair Faith Raagas. Partner groups included NEWGEN and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Leadership Center.
P Econ and Ateneo Councils head First Senate Inquiries By Golda P. Cainglet
Published in SIDHI, the Official Student Publication of the UP School of Economics
December 2007
Senators Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan and Francis “Chiz” Escudero were the main guests in the first-ever Senate Inquiries held at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater, Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) last December 7, 2007 from 4 to 7pm. UP School of Economics (SE) professor, Solita Collas-Monsod was the facilitator of the event.
The Senate Inquiries: A look into the pertinent issues of the youth today, was a venue for students from different schools to address their concerns directly to the senators. The main topics of inquiry revolved around the state of Philippine education, Philippine economic growth and development and the politicization of the military. Panelists include Rob Roque of Ateneo de Manila, Marian Panganiban of UP Diliman, and Ms. Levie Cequena of New Gen.
Other questions ranged a number of topics including the plight of the Sumilao farmers and the Trillanes stand-off. When asked if they would run for higher office in the 2010 elections, Mr. Pangilinan said he would answer it in a year while Mr. Escudero said “May plano, wala pero may pangarap, oo”.
University Student Council Chairpersons Shahana Abdulwahid (UPD), Karl Satinitigan (ADMU), and Reyner Villasenor (UST) also took part in the event as they tackled campus and national issues with the senators and the audience.The affair culminated with a concert by Urbandub hosted by MTV Pilipinas.
The Senate Inquiries was organized by the Office of the Economics representative to the University Student Council (USC) under Marian Panganiban together with the ADMU Sanggunian through Committee on Social Concert and Involvement Chair Faith Raagas. Partner groups included NEWGEN and the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Leadership Center.
Students grill senators in forumby Karl Louie B. Fajardo and Nikko Carlo A. TolentinoArticle from
The Guidon, the Official Student Publication of the Ateneo de Manila University
ALTHOUGH SENATOR Francis Pangilinan has always spoken with the youth, it was his first time to meet young people with “very difficult” questions. “And it’s a good sign,” he said.
“It is an indication that young people are affected by what happened here.”
Pangilinan and Senator Francis Escudero were the guests at the Senate Inquiries on December 7 at the Henry Lee Irwin Theater.
The Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral, together with the University of the Philippines School of Economics Student Council, and New Gen sponsored the forum. New Gen is a group encouraging the youth to participate in political reform.
UP professor and economist Winnie Monsod facilitated the program. Students from the Ateneo, UP-Diliman, and De La Salle University attended the forum.
The sponsors also worked with youth projects and institutions such as the Ateneo School of Government, Simbahang Lingkod Bayan, Citizens of Good Example, and Bantay Pangako.
“It’s good to have talks like this,” Escudero said in an interview with The GUIDON. “It gives opportunities [for] dialogue between the senate and the youth.”
Student representatives asked Pangilinan and Escudero’s stands on issues like the state of Philippine education, Philippine growth and development, and the politicization of the military. The senators were given three to five minutes to give their stand on the issues.
Pangilinan said that the Philippine educational system is in crisis because of a lack of funds.
“We won’t be able to address our ability to compete [with other countries] … We have to throw money on education and make sure that they are spent correctly,” Pangilinan said.
Escudero also said, “There are two things to be done: one, provide more money to education, and two, [the Department of Education] should learn to plan ahead.”
On Philippine growth and development, Pangilinan and Escudero said that while the macro-economic indicators show the progress of the country, the government must focus on micro-economics.
Escudero, meanwhile, also responded to the issue on the politicization of the military. He said that a soldier is free to
leave the military if he has grievances against the institution.
An open forum was also held where students raised questions based on the three issues discussed.
According to Pangilinan, he looks forward to speaking with young people.
“[Young people have] so much energy, so much dynamism,” he said in an interview with The GUIDON.
Pangilinan added, “The presenters, in this case the academe, gave us perspective, provided us feedback and quotes, and at the same time the young speakers gave us insights to challenge us to get involve in changing the nation.”
Quotable Quotes: From the two Francis (Escudero and Pangilinan) and Urbandub
Q: Should people trust their government?
Chiz: The government? In general? Yes. This government no.
Kiko: I don't think so.
Q: What will you do to encourage people to trust this government?
Kiko: Why should I encourage people to trust this one when I myself don't trust it.
Q: Do you have plans to run for higher office?
Chiz: Libre mangarap. Pangarap meron ako. Plano, wala...
Kiko: Sharon and I talk about running for higher office. I tell her, bagay yata ako maging First Gentleman.
Q: What do you think of subsidizng the MRT fare after its buy-out?
Chiz: In general, I am against subsidies because they are not sustainable.
Q: Ano ang iyong konsepto ng pagkakaisa?
Kiko: Ano ba muna ang pinagkakaisahan?...Para sa akin, nagkakaisa dapat tayo tungo sa makabuluhang pagbabago.
Q: Your thoughts on corruption
Chiz: The highest government of the land must not only be perceived as not steal but must also not tolerate any act of stealing.
Urbandub: Kami lang ang bandang makapagsasabing naging opening act namin ang mga senador!
