Last Wednesday, several congressmen appeared before the press in the House of Representatives and pledged to disapprove the proposed budget cuts on state universities and colleges (SUC’s). Kabataan Party-List had gathered more than thirty signatures of congressmen who are against the Aquino administration’s proposed budget cuts. Earlier, thousands of students walked out of their classes and protested against the impending cuts on state subsidies.

Among the legislators who signed the unity statement against higher education budget cuts initiated by Kabataan Partylist Rep. Raymond Palatino were:

• House Committee on Higher and Technical Education Chairman Rep. Sonny Angara
• Lone District of Sarangani Rep. Emmanuel Pacquiao
• Lone District of San Juan Rep. Joseph Victor Ejercito
• Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Teodoro Casiño
• Bayan Muna Partylist Rep. Neri Colmenares
• Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Luzviminda Ilagan
• Gabriela Women’s Partylist Rep. Emerenciana de Jesus
• Anakpawis Partylist Rep. Rafael Mariano
• ACT Teachers Partylist Rep. Dante Antonio Tinio
• Lone District of Ifugao Rep. Teddy Brawner Baguilat Jr.
• Lone District of Apayao Rep. Eleanor Bulut-Begtang
• Davao del Sur Rep. Marc Cagas
• Lanao del Norte Rep. Fatima Dimaporo
• Ang Kasangga Partylist Rep. Teodorico Haresco
• Bagong Henerasyon Partylist Rep. Bernadette Herrera-Dy
• La Union Rep. Eufranio Eriguel
• AVE Partylist Rep. Eulogio Magsaysay
• Samar Rep. Emil Ong
• Lone District of Nueva Viscaya Rep. Carlos Padilla
• Bataan Rep. Herminia Roman
• Lone District of Camiguin Rep. Pedro Romualdo
• Cebu Rep. Gabriel Quisimbing
• Buhay Partylist Rep. Michael Velarde

Among those who also supported the unity statement are:

• Minority Leader Rep. Edcel Lagman
• Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairperson Rep. Josefina Joson
• Lone District of Catanduanes Rep. Cesar Sarmiento
• Lone District of Mountain Province Rep. Maximo Dalog
• Manila Rep. Rosenda Ocampo
• ALIF Partylist Rep. Acmad Tomawis