The Rise for Education Alliance-University of the Philipines Diliman (R4E-UPD) has organized an online petition on Monday, May 9, urging the UP administration to suspend the "synchronous and asynchronous activities, examinations, quizzes, and deadlines until May 13, 2022."
With #SuspendClassesNowUP now trending on Twitter, the petition calls on giving students enough time to focus on being vigilant and exerting efforts to defend the country's democracy during this crucial time of our country—election.
Numerous reports about illegal campaigning near voting facilities, electoral violations, inefficient processes, and vote-counting machines (VCMs) anomalies lead to the ongoing petition.
It has already gathered a total of 33,300 signatories as of writing.
The group also gives importance to the role of the UP Community and Filipino youth, most being first-time voters, in exercising their right to participate in the national elections as one of their civil duties.
R4E-UPD is a group of individuals aiming for a free, accessible, and quality education and democratic rights for all. (Luisa Cabato)