This is a reaction to Conrado de Quiros' column titled "A man named Muslim." (Inquirer, 9/4/07)
I am a Maranao Muslim and a local of Marawi City. Mindanao State University Main Campus happens to be my alma mater. Although I am not a fan of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo (I'm praying every night for her removal from the office which is not hers in the first place), I believe Ricardo de Leon was her better choice as MSU's acting president. I know this is hard to understand for someone who lives in Manila or for someone who hates Arroyo.
De Leon has not been going around and outside MSU, soliciting signatures of support. Anyone who has seen the improvements at MSU will definitely agree with what I'm saying. It takes one "MSUan" to understand this.
De Leon is the "exception" to the typical Arroyo appointee. He has done a lot of "great" miracles for MSU. Let us not judge him on the basis of who appointed him but by how he has helped MSU. It is not Gloria but the MSU alumni, students, faculty and staff who are the ones supporting him.
Secondly, it doesn't follow that "it pays to appoint Muslims to institutions that have to do with Muslims." What? Is MSU a Muslim university? No way. It is just located in the heart of an Islamic city, but it is not an institution for Muslims only. "MSU aims to become a Center of Excellence not only in teacher education, science and technology but also in tourism, sports, arts, humanities and social sciences. It hopes to contribute to the goals of urban and countryside development through peace, unity and understanding among Christians and Muslims." It is a public institution for everyone, regardless of one's religion, ethnic culture, social standing, etc., except that students, professors and administrators must meet certain academic requirements and qualifications.
So how come De Leon is less fit compared to Macapado Muslim? Because De Leon is a Arroyo appointee? Because he is a former police general? The Bill of Rights mandates that "[n]o law shall be made respecting the establishment of religion ... [n]o religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights."
Thirdly, it does not follow that an insider can do better than an outsider in solving an MSU problem. The situation of the university is unique. It needs an outsider to look at the problems objectively. Not that I am belittling the insiders. But right now, an objective approach is necessary.
Lastly, there is always an exception for every good rule. An academic institution should not be viewed with lewd political interests. I challenge those who question De Leon's capability to visit MSU and see for themselves the situation there. They should ask around, and not complain from a distant. I have never met a man as fit to be MSU president as De Leon.
I admire De Quiros' views, but his Aug. 4 column has to be an exception. --KHAL MAMBUAY, MSU, Marawi City, via e-mail
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