NYC chief backpedals on call to revoke scholarship of student protesters
Credit to Author: Tempo Desk| Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2019 11:56:39 +0000
National Youth Commission chairperson Ronald Cardema yesterday backpedalled on his call to revoke the scholarship of students protesting against the government.
Cardema backpedalled after senators reacted against his suggestion which they tagged as unconstitutional. Sen. Francis Joseph Escudero urged that Cardema be fired from his post for his “ignorance of the Constitution.”
Cardema, in an interview at the Senate, denied that he asked President Duterte to remove the scholarships of anti-government students who have links with Leftist and communist groups.
He said he is “correcting” his statement to clarify that his proposal was only intended for students who have joined the New Peoples’ Army and are already taking arms to overthrow the government.
“I’m correcting this kasi my statement was to ask President Duterte to issue an executive order to study the government scholarships being given to anti-government scholars na nagrerebelde na, sumusuporta sa New People’s Army,” Cardema, who attended a committee hearing at the Senate, told reporters.
“Kung hindi naman sila sumusuporta sa New People’s Army, walang problema, di ‘ba? Tayo lang naman ang gusto nating makita, why are we giving government scholarship doon sa mga scholars na lumalaban sa gobyerno o gustong pabagsakin ang gobyerno o sumasapi sa NPA para pumatay ng mga tropa ng gobeyerno? ‘Yon lang punto natin,” he added.
Cardema added that he has no problem with government scholars and street protesters who participate in rallies against the President.
“Kahit pagresign-in niyo ko, ang Pangulo labanan niyo, you’re only voicing your opinion, that’s part of democracy, walang problema,” he said. (Vanne Terrazola)