16 August 2022

DR. TIRSO A. RONQUILLO

University President, Batangas State University-
The National Engineering University,
Rizal Ave., Ext., Batangas City, Batangas

THRU : DR. CHARMAIN ROSE I. TRIVIÑO

Vice President for Academic Affairs,
Batangas State University- The National Engineering University

Dear Dr. Ronquillo:

Salvete Excellentiae!

Cicero, in his book titled “Tusculan Disputations” narrated the story of Dionysus II,
ruler of Syracuse. Dionysus was a tyrant, but he was unhappy. As time went by, fear
disturbed and ruled his heart. He never let anyone come near him except for his
daughters who would shave his beard. He became very weary and anxious of what is to
happen with his life which troubled him without end.  

One day, a court flatterer named Damocles adorned Dionysus with praises and
compliments that Dionysus enticed Damocles to experience his life and position.
Damocles accepted the offer and started to live the life of a king. He was served with
fine food, women, and the comfort he always dreamt of. As he was busy enjoying his
new lifestyle, he became unmindful of a sharp sword hanging from the ceiling.
Damocles started to fear for his life, and ironic as it was, he wished that his fortune be
gone, and his life to go back to what it was before.

The story of the Sword of Damocles is an illustration of how ironic and unfortunate
those who pursue their dreams, and stay in such illusions.

Recently, the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs issued the Memorandum
No. 51 dated August 8, 2022, which mandates that faculty members are required to
report to school during face-to-face classes. The students must comply with the
academic calendar which illustrates the alternate weeks scheduled for face-to-face and
online classes.

In line with this, we, the College of Law Student Body, formally lodge this petition to
allow our faculty members to have the discretion to conduct online classes during the
scheduled face-to-face classes with the undertaking that all major examinations shall be
conducted face-to-face.

The College of Law is approximately composed of one hundred (100) students, forty
percent (40%) of which come from the Province of Oriental Mindoro, excluding the
students from different parts of our region and Metro Manila.

Once the Memorandum is enforced on its full extent, most of us will experience
hardships and financial setbacks since the majority of us are working students.
Approximately, we need to spend a hefty amount ranging from six thousand pesos
(₱6,000.00) to twelve thousand pesos (₱12,000.00) per month, exclusive of board and
lodging, food, law books and other expenses.

Considering that the fare rates now for fast craft, roll-on/roll-off (RORO) vessels, and
other transportation costs have skyrocketed or even doubled, each trip now will cost us
eight hundred pesos (₱800.00) for a one-way trip which is unconscionably higher than
the pre-pandemic cost of two hundred fifty pesos (₱250.00). Once the scheduled face-to-
face classes have started, we will be obliged to travel back and forth from Oriental
Mindoro to Batangas City twice or even thrice per week since there are classes that are
set from Wednesday to Friday. Hence, we are hindered to enroll in the weekday classes
due to financial constraints because some of us are minimum wage earners.

In addition, the scheduled trips of fast craft and RORO vessels are limited, erratic and
unpredictable. Thus, we may not be able to catch our return trip as several classes will
last until ten o’ clock in the evening.

Meanwhile, some of our classmates also consider filing a Leave of Absence (LOA) and
transferring to another Law School. In fact, there are those who already filed their LOA
as a result of the impending hybrid learning set-up.

Likewise, we also need to take into consideration that the threat of COVID-19 pandemic
is still present. Constant transportation will expose us to contract the said virus and
even transmit it to innocent loved ones, classmates, and our beloved professors. In truth
and in fact, the number of COVID-19 cases are still increasing at an incessant rate
despite the imposition of minimum public health standards, and herd immunity. Our
humble faculty also share the same sentiments.

In view of the foregoing, we humbly appeal to your good office to grant our request to
allow our faculty members to have the discretion to conduct online classes during the
scheduled face-to-face classes with the undertaking that all major examinations shall be
conducted face-to-face.

We trust that our petition would be given due consideration and positive response.

Thank you!

Name Year Level Signature

Magsisi, Jake 4th year
Gutierrez, Jaime Victorio A. 4th year
Nicasio, Mark Daniel M. 2nd year
Alcazar, Dianah A. 4th year
Bagsit, Ruby 3rd year
Arjona, Mark Sean U. 3rd year
Casiple, Gabriel A 2nd Year
Gardoce, Patricia Anne M. 3rd year
Altabano, Clarice M 2nd year
Lucero, Saloma 3rd year
Mortel, Xryn L. 3rd year
Ramirez, Ma. Nikka Floan M. 2nd year
Maliwanag, Anthony 2nd year
Pastrana II, Robert Jay Regz M 2nd year
Sales, Francisco III S. 3rd year
Villena, Hilleary A. 3rd year
Lejencio, Valentin Jr. A 3rd year
Aceveda, Ken Ian Derick Z. 2nd year
Evora, Krezel B 1st year
Joseph Rey Villasin Marco 2nd year
Garcia, Nerissa P. 2nd year
Linga, Francisco III S. 2nd year
Macalintal, Lorenzo Luis A. 2nd year
Mithz Ivy C. Miciano 2nd year
Noche, Maria Erica C. 3rd year
Belandres, Shahira Karla R. 3rd year
 Name Year Level Signature
Ola, Angel Joselie A. 1st year
Navarro, Sherwin Jan A. 2nd year
Mirriam S Dela Cruz 1st year
Abela, Leo A. 2nd year
Bathan, Paulyn Marie R. 2nd year
Ramos, Elyka Jeanne L. 2nd year