Iloilo university denies snubbing Imee Marcos

THE Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) in La Paz, Iloilo City

THE Iloilo Science and Technology University (ISAT-U) in La Paz, Iloilo City denied reports on social media that it turned down the reservation for Ilocos Norte Governor Maria Imelda Josefa “Imee” Marcos, daughter of the late president Ferdinand Marcos Sr.

ISAT-U headed by its president Dr. Raul Muyong made the clarification in an official statement released Sept 10, 2018.

The university, said it “categorically denies the allegations of some quarters that ISAT-U removed the welcome banner for Gov. Imee Marcos from its main gate and that ISAT-U personnel and students immediately staged a protest rally thereby compelling the Governor to abort her consultative meeting/student forum with her supporters at the AVR, N-Building of the said university on the afternoon of Saturday, September 8, 2018.”

Prof. Heinz Gumaquil, ISAT-U public information officer, said the Society Agri Venture Enterprises, Inc. (SAVE, Inc.) rented the AVR for the event.

However, due to the Alumni Homecoming of the university scheduled on the same date, the Industry, Linkages and Development Office of the university requested a certain Maria Carina Prias, SAVE, Inc. representative, to place Imee’s welcome streamer in front of the venue as agreed instead of hanging it on the gate.

Gumaquil also denied that ISAT-U and students participated in a protest action against Marcos.

Reports indicated that 20 individuals who are allegedly members of cause-oriented groups staged the protest rally along Burgos Street in front of the ISAT-U main gate.

The statement added that “the abortion of the consultative meeting/student forum of Gov. Marcos with her constituents was not due to the alleged refusal of ISAT-U personnel of her entry to the premises of the University but rather it was due to hers and her representative’s personal decision.”

The alleged refusal stemmed from a Facebook user’s claim that ISAT-U cancelled Marcos’ reservation.

The post reads, “Today, Iloilo Science and Technology University took a principled stand other schools should follow. Somebody reserved a conference hall without identifying what is it for and who will be the guest. On the day of the affair, school officials and students were surprised to find a streamer on its’ main gate welcoming Gov. Imee Marcos.”

“Even with a police advance party present already, ISAT U people quickly took down the streamer and picketed, forcing Marcos to abort the affair. This is one place of learning that won’t take historical revisionism. Never again to a Marcos.”

But Gumaquil denied the protest action as early as Sunday.

SOURCE: The Daily Guardian

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