Probe on presence of students during council session sought

Local

THE Cebu City Council’s rejection of a proposed scholarship inclusion for students of the Asian College of Technology (ACT) Pit-os campus has escalated into a formal investigation.

This follows a council-approved resolution that now refers the matter to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) and other agencies over the alleged off-campus mobilization of minor students.

The development stems from the council’s narrow 8–7 vote denying the proposed inclusion of ACT International Educational Foundation (ACTIEF) Pit-os Campus in the city’s scholarship program.

A resolution authored by Councilor Mikel Rama, and approved during the April 21 session, raised “grave concern” over the alleged deceptive mobilization of minor learners who attended the April 14 council session.

The measure directs the NBI’s Cybercrime Division, the Philippine National Police’s Women and Children Protection Center, the Department of Education (DepEd), and the Office of the Ombudsman-Visayas to conduct separate fact-finding investigations.

The resolution cited possible violations of Republic Act No. 7610 (Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act), Republic Act No. 10173 (Data Privacy Act), Republic Act No. 10175 (Cybercrime Prevention Act), and Republic Act No. 3019 (Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act), among others.

Central to the resolution are allegations that minor students, mostly senior high school learners, were transported to City Hall under the premise of attending a “scholarship orientation,” only to be present during a legislative session deliberating the proposed resolution.

It also raised concerns over the recording and online publication of minors’ images without proper consent, and the potential psychological distress experienced by the students.

Meanwhile, Councilor Alvin Arcilla, proponent of the now-rejected ACT resolution, questioned the basis for elevating the issue to a national investigation.

“Nakabasa ko about it. Actually wala ko kasabot niya ngano mutawag siya og NBI investigation. Everytime naay institution nga maigo sa resolution or ordinance, mangadto gyud na sila sa session,” Arcilla said in an interview on Friday, April 24.

Arcilla pointed out that public attendance in council sessions is not unusual, noting that other groups, including students from different universities, have also attended deliberations.

“For example, carbon market now kung gi question niya ang mga students sa ACT nga ningadto sa deliberation sa proposed resolution, nganong wala niya questiona nga daghan students from a university nga nitambong sa session?” he said.

He also raised concerns over what he described as inconsistent treatment.

“Nganong naa may double standards? Ipa imbestiga sad to niya sa NBI nganong nangabot sila sa session hall?” Arcilla added.

The councilor emphasized that the session gallery is open to the public, questioning the need for an investigation based on attendance alone.

“Wala ko kasabot niya ngano magpa imbestigar siya nga ang gallery open mana sa publiko. Open mana,” he said.

Arcilla also expressed concern over the impact of the decision on students, particularly those from upland barangays who had hoped to benefit from the scholarship inclusion.

“Dili nalang unta pun-an ang kasakit sa mga students nga naigo sa pag wala niya pag approve sa resolution sa ACT Pit-os,” he said.

Despite the escalation, Arcilla said he would no longer pursue a counter-resolution, noting that the matter has already been referred to investigative bodies.

“Wala nasad purpose if mo counter resolution pa ko kay if iya na gisubmit didto sa NBI dili man sad na ingon nga ang NBI dili sila mo conduct thorough investigation,” he said.

Instead, he said he would explore alternative ways to assist affected students.

“Ang ako nalang ron kay mangita ko og paagi nga maka hatag gihapon og scholarship sa mountain barangays students nga national intervention ba,” he added.(TGP)