Top university presidents and school heads came together in a show of force to renew the education sector’s unequivocal support for the candidacy of Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

A video (https://fb.watch/cMacVZaSPb/) released by the group, Schools for Leni-Kiko, cites the worsening education crisis and the challenges faced by many schools and students due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Thus, the country’s top education leaders underscored the need for a “hands-on” leader to confront pressing needs of the education sector.

Those who have expressed their support include Fr. Roberto C. Yap, SJ (President, Ateneo de Manila University), Br. Bernard S. Oca FSC (President, De La Salle University), Fr. Marcelo V. Manimtim, C.M. (President, Adamson University), Dr. Elizabeth Quirino-Lahoz (President, Technological Institute of the Philippines), Dr. Chito B. Salazar (President & CEO, PHINMA Education), and Engr. Javier Bautista (President, University of Baguio).

In their statement, the group lauded Robredo’s plans for education, echoing commitments made by the Vice President in various fora during the campaign.

These include raising the budget for education to 6 percent of gross national product, unburdening teachers from administrative work, expanding access to education through scholarships and voucher programs, and ensuring that there are jobs for all graduates.

Apart from her competence in effectively steering the Office of Vice President during the Covid-19 pandemic, the education leaders also highlighted Robredo’s focus on the poor, her unquestionable integrity, and her consistent defense of the truth.

“We take this stand consistent with our responsibility to ensure that academic institutions serve as safe spaces for discussion and truth-telling while reminding our fellow educational leaders how our schools and universities served as bastions of truth during the years of the dictatorship,” the group said.

They noted that this campaign season is unprecedented, bringing together previously conservative or apolitical groups to take a strong position supporting Robredo and Pangilinan.

Together they find commonality in a shared advocacy to address the widening learning gap that separates Filipino students and the rest of the world.

The group said this video reinforces the previous statement of support released by over a hundred university leaders in March of this year.

“We take this stand in defense of truth, as we share our resounding condemnation of historical revisionism, presenting the Marcos dictatorship as ‘golden years’ despite the human rights abuses, the censorship of mass media, and the underinvestment in education during those dark years,” read the Statement.

More than 40 schools have thus far supported Vice President Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan.

There are now more than 15,000 students, faculty, staff, and alumni signatories representing De La Salle Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University, Adamson University, University of Santo Tomas, University of the Philippines Los Banos, University of San Beda, Silliman University, University of the Assumption, Centro Escolar University - Malolos, Holy Spirit School of Tagbilaran, Marist School Marikina, Philippine Science High School System, Holy Angel University, PHINMA Education, University of San Agustin, Xavier School, Ateneo de Iloilo - Santa Maria Catholic School.