February 24, 2024 | 6:19pm
MANILA, Philippines — The company that operates the convenience store 7/11 chose not to comment on the controversy involving the University of Santo Tomas’ Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and media organization TomasinoWeb.
This decision was reported by the Varsitarian, UST’s official student publication, citing Philippine Seven Corporation, the company behind the convenience store.
“We have no comment on this matter. We remain focused on providing convenience to our customers,” the Varsitarian’s report quoted the firm as saying.
The Varsitarian’s report also noted the varied opinions of 7/11 employees regarding the issue.
The incident stemmed from OSA’s directive to remove a photo posted by TomasinoWeb featuring a student in a Type B uniform entering a 7/11 store.
In response to the controversy, OSA claimed that the photo led to “public ridicule” as it supposedly resembled the uniform of 7/11 workers.
Following this, Leo Laparan II, the adviser of TomasinoWeb, resigned, denouncing the OSA order as an insult to his journalistic integrity and a form of censorship.
As a result of the directive, TomasinoWeb ceased its operations citing OSA guidelines that require the presence of an adviser for the organization to function.
Progressive groups, including the National Union of Journalists in the Philippines (NUJP), criticized OSA’s action, labeling it as “elitist” and a form of censorship against campus press freedom.
UST Public Affairs stated that efforts are underway to resolve the issue amicably.
Subsequently, on February 21, UST alumni initiated a signature campaign calling for an end to campus repression. The petition has garnered 939 signatories including UST alumni, journalists, and media practitioners.
On February 23, OSA issued a show-cause order against a student activist who participated in a protest in support of TomasinoWeb.
In a press release by Panday Sining-UST, OSA directed a show-cause order against Reven Racelis, a Philosophy student from UST, for affiliating with an organization not recognized by the university.
Racelis, undeterred by the threat of penalties, expressed pride in being targeted by the university administration, interpreting it as proof of her opposition to student repression.
Anakbayan National Chairperson Jeann Miranda and Rep. Raoul Manuel of Kabataan Partylist condemned OSA’s actions, condemning it as a violation of freedom of expression and academic freedom.
Manuel disclosed that Kabataan Partylist is contemplating filing a House Resolution to investigate alleged instances of students’ rights violations in various universities.
Repeated attempts by Philstar.com to elicit responses from UST Secretary-General and OSA on the matter have remained unanswered.
