Romblon State University (RSU) President Merian Mani confirmed that students who participated in the recent rally at the university have been instructed to render 20 hours of community service and attend a debriefing session.
This decision was made following an investigation by a fact-finding committee (FFC) in response to complaints filed by VPAA Dr. Emelyn Montoya regarding the unauthorized rally and alleged disrespectful behavior exhibited by the students.
Initially, the FFC recommended a suspension of 1-30 days, which would have prevented the students from participating in the graduation ceremony and obtaining a good moral certificate. However, after the students expressed their apologies, the university’s president and top management decided to modify the verdict.
Dr. Mani cited the students’ sincere apologies, patience, humility, and willingness to cooperate throughout the process as factors that influenced the final verdict.
The students also demonstrated honesty and courage by providing information about the individuals involved in organizing the unauthorized rally. The revised decision allows the students to join the graduation rites and perform their parts on stage. In addition, they are required to complete 20 hours of community service and attend a debriefing session.
“What is important now is that I am at peace to see the students happy, grateful with the forgiveness they received. They got the best life lessons in this experience. I hope they will be better persons having pass this trial in life,” Dr. Mani told Romblon News Network.
The rally, which took place on July 11, centered around the students’ opposition to the implementation of new guidelines for Latin honors. Despite the students’ concerns, Dr. Mani emphasized that there would be no changes to the guidelines, as they were carefully deliberated upon before being implemented.
