Far Eastern University Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) released a unity statement in affiliation with five other Institute Student Councils (ISC) last October 8, Friday, condemning Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.'s presidential candidacy.

In a Facebook statement, FEUCSO, along with FEU Makati SC and four other ISCs including Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance (IABF) SC, Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts (IARFA) SC, Institute of Nursing (IN) SC, and Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM) SC, expressed their denunciation of Bongbong Marcos’s presidential bid, citing numerous injustices such as abuse of power and violation of Filipinos’ human rights during the Marcos’ regime.

“Sa rehimen ng namayapang diktador, siya ay naupo bilang bise-gobernador sa Ilocos Norte…at naging gobernador…kung kaya naman hindi maipagkakaila na sila ay nakinabang sa pandarambong sa kaban ng bayan at paglapastangan sa mga Pilipino noong Batas Militar (During the late dictator’s regime, he [Bongbong Marcos] seated as Ilocos Norte’s Vice Governor [in 1981] and became Governor [in 1983 until 1986], which is why it is undeniable that they had benefited from plunder and [were involved] in the killings of Filipinos during martial law),” FEUCSO wrote.

Moreover, the student councils pointed out that the Marcoses remain firm in refusing to admit and feel remorse for their family’s atrocities, which dismisses all the horrifying events during the Marcos regime.

In addition, the union stressed that electing another Marcos is a blatant disrespect for all the victims and a tolerance of the continuous distortion of the dark chapter of Philippine history.

“Ang pagluklok sa isa na namang Marcos ay isang malaking insulto sa lahat ng biktima ng Batas Militar at pagpayag na patuloy na baluktutin ang ating mapait na kasaysayan (Appointing another Marcos is a big insult for all the martial law victims and an authorization for the unceasing distortion of our history),” the councils emphasized.

Further, the statement underscored the importance of remembering the role of activists and students during martial law, adding that supporting the Marcoses equates to giving power to wrongful, dishonorable individuals and condoning unconstitutional and selfish governance.

“Nag-aklas ang mga estudyante ng pamantasan at nakiisa sa iba pang mga Pilipinong ipinaglaban ang karapatang-pantao at demokrasya ng Pilipinas. Ang pagsuporta sa mga Marcos ay katumbas ng pagbibigay kapangyarihan sa mga taong sinungaling, walang pananagutan, at ang tingin sa pulitika ay mapagkukunan ng yaman at kapangyarihan; hindi serbisyong pampubliko (The university students went on strike and united with other Filipinos who fought for human rights and democracy of the Philippines. Supporting the Marcoses is equivalent to providing power to liars, imprudent people who consider politics as a source of wealth and power, and not a public service),” the councils stressed.

FEUCSO and the affiliated Student Councils used hashtags #NoToBongbongMarcos2022, #NeverAgain, and #NeverForget while encouraging each member of the FEU community to stand for the future of the Filipinos and to not let anyone from the Marcoses get back in power.

The statement was released days after Marcos filed for his certificate of candidacy (COC) for the presidency last Wednesday, October 6, for the upcoming 2022 national elections.

- Laurice Anne U. Alas

(Photo courtesy of FEUCSO)