PNU Students held vigil protest against Prexy Barbo

Students, along with professors of Philippine Normal University (PNU) adhering with their call not to put their 'President-elect' in position held a vigil in front of the PNU gates, saying that the selection process was "marred with controversies and should be considered null and void."

According to Joseph Invierno, currently the chairperson of Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan (SDK)- PNU Chapter, the selection process, which was done through straw voting, did not even manifest that PNU President-elect Lutgardo Barbo was included in the three finalists.

"Atty. Barbo, as per the results of the selection process, only placed number five. This means that he is not qualified to pass through the final 3 selection," Invierno said.

He added that Barbo, in the technical aspect of the selection, is also not qualified because he did not incur a master's and doctoral degree, and neither became an instructor nor a professor in his lifetime.

"This means that he lacks all the needed background in the academe, not to mention the fact that he made politics his profession. He served three terms as an Eastern Samar governor and served as a secretary-general of the Senate during deposed president Joseph Estrada's impeachment period. We believe that neither of these political backgrounds would be healthy for the entire PNU community," Invierno said.
It will be remembered that PNU students have been posing calls such as "No to politics, Yes to Merits!" since June 27, when Atty. Barbo was declared as PNU President. SDK, meanwhile, also challenged the PNU Board of Regents to consider themselves accountable for what took place in the selection process.

Students from neighboring universities such as the Technological University of the Philippines, University of the Philippines-Manila, Adamson University, Arellano University and Far Eastern University joined the vigil and expressed solidarity towards the said struggle.

"We will be continually calling for the immediate replacement of Barbo with someone who is dignified on his/her thorough experience in the academe and serving the interests of the studentry. We don't need a politician in PNU, just a true servant of the academic community," Invierno concluded.

- Samahang Demokratiko ng Kabataan(SDK)