UPD University Council asks candidates to fight red-tagging, attacks on academic freedom
The University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) University Council challenged candidates running in the 2022 elections to declare their defense against any form of attacks on the education system --- particularly red-tagging.

“We challenge candidates to declare their defense of academic freedom and academic institutions from state intimidation and forms of violence, particularly red-tagging,” the UPD University Council in a statement on the upcoming national elections dated May 4.
“Central to our commitment is the preservation of academic freedom because without it, there can be no critical space that can generate real and humane solutions to the deepest problems of our society,” the council added.
Headed by Chancellor Fidel R. Nemenzo, UPD University Council is composed of professors, associate professors, and assistant professors.
The council also urged voters to evaluate and elect officials who will build up the education system, provide tools and resources to fight against disinformation and revisionism, and will increase the budget for the sector which has suffered from "years of neglect."
"The years since the last national elections saw the prevalence of disinformation, fake news, historical whitewashing and denialism — all deliberate efforts to manipulate public opinion and enable the consolidation of power by certain political figures," UPD University Council said.
Moreover, people were asked to refrain from vote-buying, voting for candidates from political dynasties that establish corruption and patronage, as well as reject those with "records of corruption, lying, human rights abuses, tax evasion, and ill-gotten wealth."
The council also wants the public to determine who among the candidates will lift the oppressed sectors of our society and has concrete platforms for land reform, ending contractualization, providing employment, sufficient wages, healthcare, freedom of information, preservation of ancestral lands, and environment.
"On May 9, let us uphold our constitutional rights and freedom, and elect true and honest leaders," the council added. (Luisa Cabato)