‘Pure and simple bigotry’ is Montalvan’s, not UST’s

First posted 00:13am (Mla time) Nov 04, 2006
Inquirer

Editor's Note: Published on Page A12 of the November 4, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer

THIS refers to the Oct. 23 column of Antonio J. Montalvan II. He said that “a retake [of the nursing board exams] is the price UST (University of Santo Tomas) wants the schools -- especially those in the provinces -- that did well in the exams to pay for humiliating it [UST].” Montalvan added that UST believes that “provincial schools are unlikely to emerge from the exams because they are not at par with Manila schools.”

Montalvan’s words reminded me of a comedy routine where an African-American guy took everything as racial and as a direct assault to his roots and to his being a member of the minority. Except that Montalvan’s yarn is not funny.

I do not recall a news story -- in newspapers, on radio or TV -- in which UST people were reported to have said it was impossible for the provincial universities to top the licensure exams. Montalvan suggested that the position of UST on the retake constitutes bigotry and is motivated by revenge. Such strong accusations a responsible columnist should not tell the public without substantial proof, lest he adds fuel to the fire of an already smoldering issue. (By the way, he condemned UST for saying, without offering any proof, that the leakage might have occurred also in other parts of the country.)

It was not only UST that clamored for the retake; and I congratulate the people who stood up in the forefront of this fight despite knowing that the majority saw them playing the spoiler’s role. The majority is not always right. (Just look at our congressmen and the last impeachment complaint.) And going against the tide to fight for something you strongly believe in takes courage. UST and company were after the review centers involved in the leakage—not after the nursing graduates of our provincial schools. The university said it wanted a retake so that the integrity of the nursing profession would be preserved.

Montalvan may not want to believe this but it was “pure and simple bigotry” for him to suggest that UST just wants to get even. We may differ in where we stand on issues but neither of us has the right to assume, much less imagine, the intentions behind other people’s actions.

ERIC P. VALENZUELA, 307 Santolan Road, San Juan, Metro Manila