EQUATION OF EVILS
Leonardo A. Quisumbing
1961-1962 (First Semester)
Two professors and several students of the
University of the Philippines face at present a serious charge of sedition filed by a
Quezon City councilor. Preliminary hearings have been conducted by the city fiscal’s
office, and the accused have asked for dismissal of the charge for lack of merit.
At the moment, while the judicial mills
have but started, grinding, we are in no position to evaluate the case on its merits ,
much less offer the public our own conclusions. But in no way are we prohibited to touch
on the subject to determine the implications of the charge on the academic community. A
discussion of an issue before a court, sub judice, can be - if proper - within the
bounds of fair comment.
What perhaps distinguishes the present
sedition charges is the degree of seriousness displayed by the accuser, Councilor Albert.
While others, most for publicity, contented themselves with mere legislative committee
probes , the councilor has proceeded to the courts. On e can best hope the proceedings are
hastened and those charged either convicted, if guilty; or exonerated if innocent.
For, to the academic community, a pattern
of prolonged investigations can be harmful. Whether true o false, founded or unfounded,
charges like the present puts UP on the spot. The impact on the public is not pleasant.
The resulting tension gripping UP itself at the moment is far from salutary.
What do charges like sedition seek to
accomplish, if successful? What will result, if they fail? Avowedly, public officials like
Councilor Albert with a keen sense of patriotism want to purge the state university of
communists.
Their success will mean removal from the
ranks of the faculty and the students of totalitarian advocates and followers. Their
failure will clear the reputation not only of those charged but everyone in the campus.
So far, the dedicated public even who
proceeded Councilor Albert have miserably failed to establish the presence of communists
in our midsts. On the contrary, they have but succeeded in besmirching UP. While they
sought to do good, they did nothing but incalculable harm. To say it kindly, those
well-intentioned gentlemen have done us evil and nothing more.
Shall we allow this state of affairs to go
on?
It is true that UP is under public support
and can be placed under the microscope of public scrutiny. But important to note, it also
enjoys, by constitutional mandate a right called academic freedom. The evils of shutting
our ears to public criticisms are obvious. But the evils that can result from the rash
infringement of academic freedom are equally clear and much more grave.
As the only public nursery of ideas, UP has
its own functions. To fulfil these functions, it must proceed independent of public
pressure. It must be free from open dictation, free from silent meddling. Whatever the
consequences, it cannot be forced to stay from its path to the pursuit of truth. Research
on and even free discussion of the prevailing ideologies cannot, must not, be prohibited.
And while there mat be slight deviation from old norms here, that is no reason for
puritive interference .
Otherwise, the campus will be but one big
bottle of stagnant and dogmatic ideas. Scholars and thinkers would have no business in it.
It should be left to its death by sterilization.
All these, members of UP academic community
take note. All these, the public - even the zealous detractors - must be made aware of.
And if the present sedition case could be proper medium for their much-needed exposition,
then let the courtroom bear these out as either the truth or the lie.
What is asked of the UP faculty and
students at the moment is not too difficult. It will be unconscionable if having made its
official stand against infringement of its academic freedom, several students and even
mentors go against UP and conspire with its detractors. Members of the UP community,
therefore, are urged to remain true to their University.
Until the equation of evils is resolved for
us or against us - or some of us by the courts, let us keep if not our loyalty, then at
least our mental and emotional poise. |
