To: Sociology Department Chair Dr. Clemen Aquino, CSSP Dean Dr. Zosimo Lee and UP Diliman Chancellor Sergio Cao
We, faculty members of various schools, colleges and universities (excluding the University of the Philippines) in and outside the Philippines call for justice and tenure to Prof. Sarah Raymundo.
Last November 6, the chair of the Department of Sociology, College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), UP Diliman verbally informed Prof. Sarah Raymundo that the tenured faculty of the department decided to deny her application for tenure. Further, she was told to refrain from meeting her classes until further notice.
Since her application for tenure in February 2008, and after nine long years of outstanding academic work, Prof. Sarah is bound to get nothing for her hard work and dedication to the University. Not even any clear and written explanation of her non-tenure.
Indeed, this is shocking news.
What puzzles us most is that Prof. Raymundo has published articles in refereed journals, is an outstanding researcher, and has been invited to speak and participate in colloquia here and abroad. Her work as a scholar and educator actualizes both academic excellence and social responsibility - core missions of the University that is regarded as the premiere state university.
Given her outstanding academic and extension work, we are led to believe that her department's decision is a reaction to her engagements as the General Secretary of the Congress of Teachers / Educators for Nationalism and Democracy (CONTEND-UP), as an active member of the All UP Academic Employees Union (AUPAEU) and National Treasurer of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), and as a researcher for the militant human rights organization KARAPATAN.
Thus this case is not only about Prof. Sarah's solo fight for survival in the University. This can be the start of a crackdown directed toward progressive faculty and academic union members.
We are called to challenge the lack of transparency in the tenure process. Further, we are called to expose and resist all schemes of political repression and all attacks to our democratic rights.
Prof. Raymundo has served the University for almost a decade. Needless to say, she has served well the University and its constituents. We reiterate our call for the granting of tenure to Prof. Sarah Raymundo.
"Sa papatinding krisis pang-ekonomiya at pampulitika sa kasalukuyan, sadyang hindi nawawalan ng paraan ang mapagsamantalang rehimeng US-Arroyo na supilin at ibayo pang ilugmok sa busabos na kalagayan ang kanyang mamamayan. Ang pasismo ng estado ay patuloy na naghahasik ng lagim at pangunahing tinututok sa mga progresibo't militanteng organisasyon at indibidwal. Subalit sa aspetong pagngigipit at pananakot, hinding hindi uurong ang sambayanang patuloy na lumalaban upang makamit ang panlipunang hustisya at pagbabago! Sa panggigipit kay Prof. Sarah Raymundo, maihahalintulad ito sa iba pang sinusupil at ginigipit ng estado:
Lahat sila at maraming iba pa, kasama si Prof. Sarah Raymundo, ay mga personalidad na nagsisiwalat ng kabulukan ng rehimeng US-Arroyo. Sa nagaganap na malawakang panunupil sa lahat ng paraan at pormang alam at kaya nitong gobyernong mapagsamantala sa kanyang mamamayan, tinatawagan ang lahat, bahagi ka man ng UP community o nasa labas ka nito, na patuloy na manindigan at mapangahas na makibaka at lumaban. Lumahok sa paglaban sa mga paglabag sa karapatang pantao.
Tutulan ang represyong pulitikal!
Itaguyod ang kalayaang pang-akademiko!
Ipagtanggol ang guro at iskolar ng bayan!
Katarungan at tenure kay Propesor Sarah Raymundo!
UP ang galing mo, ialay sa bayan!
Ipagtanggol ang karapatan pantao!
Patalsikin si Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo!"
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