THE attempt by the Duterte government to interfere with the autonomy of the University of the Philippines (UP) and of other schools such as the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), De La Salle University (DLSU), University of Santo Tomas (UST), Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) and University of the East (UE) by labeling them as breeding grounds for rebellion has brought to center stage discussions about academic freedom and the role of universities in the life of the nation.
In defense, we in the academe insist on our fundamental right that is guaranteed by the Constitution and reinforced by a long list of rulings by the Supreme Court. Article XIV, Section 5 (2) of the 1987 Constitution clearly states that academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning. Academic freedom is commonly accepted as that principle where universities and colleges are given the freedom to determine who may teach, what may be taught, how it shall be taught and who may be admitted to study.
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