'Foreign schools to boost PH nationalism'

A RANKING House leader has asserted that allowing foreign schools in the country, as pushed in the resolution that amends the 1987 Constitution, would further strengthen the nationalism and patriotism of Filipinos.

Deputy Speaker David Suarez also assured critics that House lawmakers are focused only on economic amendments.

Suarez's assurance came after the University of the Philippines-Diliman University Council denounced the passage of Resolution of Both Houses (RBH) 7 in the House of Representatives.

House Deputy Speaker and Quezon 2nd District Rep. David Suarez

UP Diliman University Council statement, released only on May 14, states that the reasoning of the proponents that Charter change is a way to encourage foreign investment is «thin,» noting that reforms should be geared towards improving institutional quality for better ease of doing business, addressing corruption, and eliminating red tape.

It added that opening the doors to 100-percent foreign ownership in education will subvert the country's «nationalistic principles and erode our cultural identity.»

«Surrendering our education system to foreign interests will compromise our ability to develop curricula tailored to our society's specific needs and values. Our education system has long been shaped by our history, culture, and struggles for freedom and democracy,» the council said.

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In a press briefing on Wednesday, Suarez reiterated that the House only focused its resolutions on economic reforms, which include loosening ownership restrictions on several industries, including education, mass media and advertising.

He also relayed an anecdote during his visit to Washington, D.C., where he met with the delegation from the Second Congressional Commission on Education or Edcom, who was also on an official tour in the United States.

«I clearly remember that the Indonesian experience was mentioned to me. When Indonesia allowed foreign universities and colleges in their country, Stanford University was invited to put up a campus in Indonesia, and because of this, they can be assured that the graduates of Indonesia would be more globally competitive,» Suarez said.

He said that while he understood the