Student leader denied enrolment after joining protest vs gender discrimination

By Jian Zharese Joeis Sanz
Bulatlat.com

MANILA – A Kabataan Partylist chapter leader may be unable to graduate this year after the school revoked his enrollment over his participation in an LGBTQIA+ rights protest.

Marcus Baltazar is supposed to be an incoming fourth year Public Administration student at the City College of San Jose Del Monte (CCSJDM) in Bulacan. But he received a letter dated July 29, telling him that his enrollment for academic year 2025-2026 is being revoked for not complying with the community work sanction imposed following his participation in what the school administration described as “unauthorized assembly.” 

The said assembly, according to the letter, has no approval or coordination with college authorities. “This act constitutes a clear violation of institutional policy regarding lawful student conduct and expression,” the letter of the CCSJDM Student Welfare Board read. 

In an interview with Bulatlat, Baltazar expressed his frustration.  “It’s disheartening. It’s infuriating because an institution that is supposed to mold students is turning into an oppressor just to protect itself rather than its students.” 

Standing for the LGBTQIA+ rights 

The said protest was held on May 28 calling for a Gender Affirmative Clothing Policy organized by CC Barangaw, an LGBTQIA+ organization in CCSJDM.  This policy is supposedly supported by the 2023 CCSJDM student handbook, under Annex C, section 2.2, which states that students should not face discrimination or harassment based on their gender. However, the college administration labeled the protest as an “illegal assembly.” 

According to the account of the KPL-SJDM, Marcus, along with three other students were summoned by the administration into a meeting held on June 16. In the said meeting, they were asked to sign an undertaking that prohibited them from participating in any assemblies not recognized by the school. They were also assigned to do community service for seven days from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, write a reflection paper, and pledge not to take part in any actions that, according to the administration, violate the student handbook. Baltazar refused to sign the said undertaking.

Baltazar again received a letter regarding the area where he was assigned to do community service. Because of this, Baltazar was compelled to submit a letter expressing his opposition to the said sanction. He asserted his rights and explained his reasons for participating in the rally, as well as his request for procedural due process, since no formal charge had been filed against him. He also emphasized that this should not be used as a basis to affect his enrollment, as education is a right.

Baltazar was then summoned by the Dean of their college, the Director of the Office of Student Affairs and the Vice President for Administration. In this meeting he was told not to resist and to simply comply with the sanction. He was also warned that his continued opposition would only put him in a difficult position. “The official also mentioned that College President Roger S. Ambida wanted to revoke his enrollment, so it would be better for him to resolve the issue, stop resisting, do community service, and write a public apology,” the KPL-SJDM said. 

A meeting was scheduled on July 15 together with the Vice President for Administration about the matter but Baltazar was not able to attend due to a personal reason. The meeting was supposed to be rescheduled, but according to KPL-SJDM, Baltazar didn’t receive an update since then. 

Due to these circumstances, Baltazar wrote in his grievances in his personal social media account. 

On Aug. 1, Baltazar received a letter from the Student Welfare Board with a subject: Decision on Revocation of Enrollment for A.Y. 2025-2026, allegedly due to his failure to attend the meeting and complete the community service.  

He appealed against the decision of the Student Affairs Office on August 8, the same day he sent a letter to the Office of the SJDM City Mayor. Twelve days have already passed, but Baltazar hasn’t received any response yet. 

Baltazar revealed that although this was his first experience with harassment from the college administration, the college’s annual special seminars frequently involve red-tagging of progressive individuals or groups. This was evident in a post from KPL SJDM on Aug. 7, which reported that during a special orientation for Bachelor of Public Administration students, Arriane Jane Ramos, a self-introduced rebel-surrenderer red-tagged former Kabataan representative Raoul Manuel.

Ramos also red-tagged the League of Filipino Students (LFS), National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP), Anakbayan, Gabriela, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, ACT Teachers. 

Violation of right to education

Kabataan Partylist (KPL) condemned the CCSJDM for revoking the enrollment of its local chairperson, Baltazar, saying that the move is a violation of his right to education and student freedom.

In her International Youth Day speech on Aug. 12, KPL Rep. Renee Co said Baltazar’s punishment not only lacked substantive due process but also stripped Baltazar of his right to education.” She cited the Supreme Court ruling in Non v. Danes II, which affirmed that “the student does not shed their constitutionally protected rights at the school gate,” including the right to assembly and academic freedom.

Despite his enrollment being revoked, Baltazar stated that his fight is not yet over. “Education is a right of all, not just of a few who can turn a blind eye just to follow your wrongful governance. Despite what they did to me, they will never be able to take away my principle to stand firm, my courage to speak out, and my commitment to fight for the rights not just for myself, but also for my fellow student,” he stressed. 

The student-leader added that the college administration should listen to the students’ grievances. Moreover, he stressed that student handbooks should not be used to suppress students, as educational institutions should be a place of knowledge, not of fascism. 

Baltazar encouraged students to assert their rights and stand their ground, as he explained that his experience reflects a broader issue not just within the college but in society at large.  “This is not just the fight of Marcus as an individual student, but the fight of the entire City College of  San Jose Del Monte Bulacan. That is why we encourage all students who have experienced anti-democratic policies to intensify the struggle to assert our democratic rights.”

Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution highlights the importance of freedom of speech and expression in a democracy.  

As of this writing, Baltazar’s enrollment remains revoked. (AMU, RVO) 

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