Human Rights Online Philippines

[STATEMENT] Denouncing attacks against Jejomar Contawe’s stand as a scholar of taxpayers

The publication believes that the danger is not the outspoken nature of the youths on pressing issues but the blinding idealism people believe despite of all the evidences of social injustices.

Pertaining to the right to free education approved and being implemented in the Philippine’s state universities and colleges, Jejomar Contawe’s recent post garnered both endorsements and attacks as he stand firm on owing Filipino taxpayers for being Iskolar ng Bayan and not by the government.

Consequently, it is alarming as his post rained attacks from people in the opposition of his stand leaving hate comments, denying his voice and calling him ungrateful for standing against the government.

With this, the comment section is filled with the same incredulous tactic in red-tagging Contawe among many Filipino scholars while being blatant when it comes to expressing dismay and remarks in government’s governance and other societal issues.

It is by strong condemnation that his assertion towards the issue has been taken advantage by people who posted his story on change.org without his permission in purpose of ‘reimbursing the government’s money spent on his education’ thru signatures and fundraising.
It is by fact that the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act is enabled by administration as they should as part of their sworn duties. But to take note of Contawe’s claim, the government revenues came from taxes, custom duties, state-owned enterprises, capital revenues and foreign aid.

More to his stand shed light to the hard work of Filipino taxpayers who contribute to the revenues for programs of the government.
The publication stands solidly that youth scholars are scholars of the Filipino people and the country itself. Along with this, voicing out for the minority will and is never an act of terrorism. Let this be a stand for the country’s scholars, students, individuals and activists who continue to speak to uncover the unjust.
#DefendPressFreedom

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