Miriam College (MC) on Thursday, July 8, responded to the allegation of National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) spokesperson for Youth Affairs Celine Pialgo, claiming that when she was a student "joining rallies was a class requirement."
Pialago graduated with a degree in AB Communication at Miriam College.
"I have to admit nung mga panahon po na yun, ang pagsali ho sa mga rally, very present din po ako diyan. Honestly speaking po kasi, pag estudyante ka, ang pagsali kasi sa rally, minsan dagdag points yun sa klase. Totoo, totoo. Kasama yun sa ano, requirement (I have to admit, during my time, as I was very active in joining rallies. Honestly speaking, when you were a student, joining rallies brings additional points in classes. It's true. It's one of the requirements)," Pialago said.
In a statement, MC emphasized its college's motto: Veritas or Truth.
"In pursuing Truth in their academic work, MC students are also taught to apply what they learn by working for peace, social and economic justice, gender equality, and the preservation of the integrity of creation," MC said.
It added that MC has encouraged students to "choose and act according to one's conscience" and to "work with others in using knowledge to address local, national, and global issues that threaten human rights, justice, and well-being."
"Miriam College students are not cookie-cutter academic products given the various opportunities offered to study the body politic," the college underscored.
MC also stressed that students are "empowered to participate in political affairs and various development programs and not to remain bystanders nor fence-sitters."
"And in being trained to respect opposite choices taken by others, MC students also learn to appreciate dissent as part of a healthy democracy while being reminded to act in loving charity, regardless of differences," it added.
"Miriam College hopes that its graduates will remain engaged in important issues, wherever they are, and will always be guided by a constant North Star called Veritas."