𝐑𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐀𝐧𝐭𝐢-𝐑𝐞𝐝𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲

Anti-Redtagging policy author Mark Dominic Rivera trusts the policy with safeguarding students from red-tagging cases after its approval from the Bicol University (BU) Board of Regents (BOR) on July 17, 2025.

According to Rivera, the Policy on Comprehensive Rules and Procedures in Handling Red-Tagging Cases was backed up by mechanisms that are paralleled with existing policies and is carefully studied and crafted in accordance with existing laws and jurisprudence by the Supreme Court.

Furthermore, he is confident that this is the best version, which he authored with Shaine Therese Aguado, a 2-year chairperson and one of the founders of the BU Pre-Law Society.

“Insofar as the current policy is concerned, I can confidently say that it is the best of its version,” he said.

According to Rivera, this will complement existing institutional policies that would help the university’s processes to help red-tagging victims from external or internal perpetrators through different mechanisms.

“In line with this, the policy is bolstered with doable mechanisms paralleled with existing policies,” he said.

External cases and internal cases are handled differently.

In external cases, the policy would assist students through help from different government and non-government organizations with an intervention process after it has been resolved.

In internal cases, however, it will allow them to impose sanctions against any student, faculty, or members of the university administration who shall commit redtagging against a student.

However, Rivera thinks that the approved policy’s effectiveness also depends on the authorities who are tasked to implement it.

“Its effectiveness, however, depends upon the implementation by the concerned authorities where the duties and responsibilities to implement such is vested,” he said.

𝐀 𝐠𝐫𝐮𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬

According to Rivera, the proposal was first filed as “Anti-Redtagging Policy” in the opening session of the General Legislative Council (GLC) dated February 07, 2024.

After the approval in the GLC, no significant action was taken, although the Chairperson and Student Regent (CSR) back then tried to lobby the policy, yet to no avail, it was not brought up in the Admin Council.

“Despite the setbacks and the pendency due to inaction of concerned offices, we did further consultation with different individuals who have experienced or once became a victim of redtagging in the past, as well as with the Dean of OSAS at that time, Sir Daves Tonga, and eventually with the BU Legal Office with Atty. Dharyl Redoblado,” Rivera said.

“This time it was with the former CSR Stacy Alamares, who has helped us with the coordination with these offices in BU, as well as in defending the policy in the BU Admin Council, as well as in the Clearing House, and in the UFAREC (University Finance, Academic, Research, and Extension Committee),” he added.

According to him, the policy underwent a series of amendments before the final version was submitted to the BOR.

The amendments were based upon the authors’ consideration of the pieces of advice, recommendations, and suggestions of the consulted offices.

For two years, they continued to lobby it in every possible avenue and forum.

𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐭’𝐬 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞

Stacy Daniel Alamares, former CSR, was also involved in handling the policy approval process.

“Actually, nung na elect pa lang ako last year as CSR, we already started with working on this proposal. May doubts pa nung una pero we gave our 100% sa pag-asikaso ng mga documents and consultations. Together with the authors, we conducted several consultations especially with the BU legal office,” she said.

Alamares and Rivera then submitted the proposal to the BU Admin Clearing House, which usually reviews pending proposals before reaching the Administrative Council.

After that, they presented and defended the proposal during the Administrative Council Meeting.

According to Alamares, after the Administrative Council, they had to present it to the UFAREC before the BOR.

Due to the extended process, the proposal was submitted by the proceeding administration’s CSR, Kyle Reuben Bron.

However, Bron was not able to give his statements due to equally important commitments during writing.

𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬’ 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞

Karl Ian Morissey Ramos, former Editor-in-Chief of Budyong, recognized this as a success for the BUeños.

He also thinks that this will inspire other universities and colleges to push such a kind of measure in the future that will assert their freedom of speech, expression, right to peaceably assemble for addressing their grievances concerning their welfare, interests, and the involvement of the administration and other relevant authorities.

As a journalist, he trusts that the now-enacted mechanisms will provide victims of red-tagging an accommodation that will defend them, unlike before.

“Hindi kasi tulad ng dati, hindi alam ng iba kung ano ang mga prosesong gagawin at saan lalapit na bahagi ng kinauukulan kung kaya maaaring maramdaman nila na mag-isa sila't walang pumapanig sa kanila,” Ramos said.

However, he wishes that the policy will not be abused by anyone especially considering the possible loopholes.

“I hope hindi i-weaponize ang mga technical loopholes na hindi makikita o male-label as inherent sa nasabing polisiya dahil hindi mapapanagot ang sino mang redtaggers without going for a fight,” he said.

He also worries about laws outside the university being used to argue against the enacted policy.

However, he argues that the policy has legal support based on the Writ of Amparo.

“Pero ang kagandahan dito, may legal support na mismo sa pamamagitan ng Writ of Amparo na mismong Korte Suprema na ang naggiit sa isa sa kanilang mga desisyon na maaaring gamit sa kaso ng redtagging,” he said.

However, Ramos thinks that the policy has been overdue.

“For me, it's overdue, considering na may mga napahamak muna sa redtagging bago pa man ito napasa,” he said.

He also explained that the university should not need a policy to protect its students.

“It's ironic that kailangan pa talagang humantong sa paghain ng resolusyon sina Mr. Rivera and Mx. Aguado when in fact, inherent nang ipagtanggol tayo ng pamantasan sa sino mang humahamak sa kaligtasan ng mga estudyante nito,” he said.

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞

When asked about who will continue the policy’s future amendments, Rivera affirmed that he is still in BU, so he would do it himself.

“In terms of tagapagmana hahaha I still have 3 years in BU (if makaka-graduate on time) so I don’t need one, I believed I have the capability and competence in terms of legal research and analysis to further amend the policy if I deem it fit in the future,” he said.

“... and I believed I can do it even if I’m not in the position for so long as we could have the assistance of concerned offices and individuals for consultation and data gathering, because once and for all policy-making should be data-driven and should not be controlled by the whims or personal opinion alone by the one writing it,” he furthered.

Also, according to him, BU is the first State University and College to adopt such a mechanism specifically for redtagging.

Rivera also revealed that behind all of this, he was inspired to continue because of his friend Ryan Hubilla, who was a victim of redtagging and was killed in broad daylight in 2019.

He detailed that the experience was painful and traumatizing for the people around Hubilla and apart from being happy about the policy’s approval, he also offered prayers to his late friend’s soul.

“… because aside from being uncomfortable, I also believe that this is not something to be celebrated as a legacy of someone, but we should celebrate this win solemnly and with the hopes that no one would need this in the future,” he said.

“... and most especially, it is the moral obligation of the University to protect the students from anything that may harm their life, security, safety, and their fundamental right to free thought, speech, and expression,” he furthered.

Alamares was also rejoiced because after a long process, it was finally approved.

“I’m happy dahil syempre, sobrang haba ng proseso bago ito maipasa. Ang dami namin pinagdaanan but at the end of the day, worth it,” she said.

She also emphasized that working with Rivera was easy and he was fast on providing the needed documents.

She also highlighted the importance of the policy for a more systematic process on handling redtagging cases.

“Hindi puwedeng ipagsawalang-bahala na lang ang mga red-tagging cases na nararanasan ng mga estudyante ng Bicol University,” she said.

Also, she was glad to be able to accomplish one of her promises during her campaign before becoming the CSR.

This was also one of my promises when I was still running for the position of CSR, and I'm glad na natupad ko naman na gagawin ko ang best ko na maipasa na ang policy na ito,” she said.

via Jevan Dex Miranda, Associate Editor

Layout by Rens Fernandez, Unibê Layout Editor