Professor Justice's Secret Files

Continuing The Unauthorized Trips

It takes weeks or even months to get activities or field trips approved. Sometimes, we could not wait because the opportunity just arrives and it would be gone in a short matter of time. There are times, however, when the opportunity is always there but it's too trivial to have it proposed. Sometimes, we could not get a common schedule for students. Furthermore, not everybody can afford going to these trips.

However, I noticed that students could better understand or appreciate society and politics if they see the world outside. Once they are exposed, back in class some of them become more attentive and inquisitive. There's a behavioral change that happens once they're exposed even in controlled environments.

The other unauthorized trips that we continued were the following: 1) visiting the resting places of nationally-relevant historical figures; 2) sudden invitations to meet or interview historically relevant people; 3) visiting the buildings of the national museum; 4) other trips in the Senate, House of Representatives, and Malacañang Palace.

I had a student who, because he wanted to be part of a deliberation, managed to convince a Senate staff to let him enter the session hall. I had another student who was scheduled to interview Senator JV Ejercito. There was a group of students whom I joined in interviewing the radio personality Papa Jackson. I had students who met Juan Ponce Enrile, former Chief Justice Sereno, former Senator Bobby Tañada, and former Senator Rene Saguisag together with other celebrities.

There was a section of students who managed to enter the House of Representatives' on their own. There was one group of students who interviewed former Senator Bam Aquino in his office and, later, they were seen by Senate President Tito Sotto and they were offered dinner. Others did ambush interviews of other senators.

There were others organizing their own trips. There were those showing me video clips of their observations and interviews.

I showed them how the bureaucracy works, how their letters can go a very long way. I told them that the opportunities they can create can be useful if they want to lobby in favor or against a bill or a law they wish to amend or repeal. They saw that they did not have to be rich, famous, or influential to get an audience with the powerful. Their social class did not matter as to whether or not they would be allowed to enter the corridors of power to sit, observe, and listen to the serious discussions as well as the gossips done by those who make political decisions in the country.

Their eyes looked mesmerized. They wanted to study more. They experienced a taste of raw political power, and I told them they must use it to help develop our country. Even as ordinary citizens, they can do something. They can be heard.

Once, I sent two students to talk to a senator regarding our work immersion. Eventually, we had students sent to have something like an on-the-job training in that senator's office.

All of the unauthorized trips were done with the consent of the students and permission of their parents. It was only the school and the Admin's Wife who did not approve of such trips. None of those trips were required anyway.