Senate slams UST for unclear org rules

Senators on Nov. 6 lambasted the University of Santo Tomas (UST), saying the hazing death of Horacio Castillo III could have been prevented had its regulations on fraternities been clear.

The senate probed UST Civil Law Dean Nilo Divina and Office for Student Affairs (OSA) Director Ma. Socorro Guan Hing for allowing Aegis Juris, the fraternity responsible for Castillo’s death, to continue its activities despite being unaccredited for the school year 2017-2018.

"If the UST or the Faculty of Civil Law had come out with a very clear-cut policy on which fraternity or organization [is recognized,] this (death of Castillo) could have been prevented,” Senator Juan Miguel Zubiri said.

"There seems to be a problem with UST with these organizations. If students knew the status of this organization, baka hindi na nagpa-recruit, baka si Atio hindi na nagpa-recruit,” he added.

Senator Grace Poe said the University acted “only after the hazing incident” and that the negligence of some UST officials paved way for the Aegis Juris fraternity to conduct the prohibited hazing rites.

“It was only in September that they were deemed not recognized but during the orientation it was presumed they were recognized,” Divina said when asked by Poe why the fraternity was able to recruit in August despite it not being accredited this school year.

Divina said the OSA is in charge of determining the status of university organizations but Guan Hing said they should get recommendations first from certain offices, including the office of the Civil Law in the case of Aegis Juris.

Guan Hing said UST officials are currently holding talks regarding preventions of hazing deaths.