UST, USC engages in friendly debate
August 20, CAFA Theatre – A friendly debate between the University of San Carlos (USC) and the University of Santo Tomas (UST) was held at the USC CAFA Theatre earlier this afternoon. The debate was a moderated Oxford – Oregon that took out the rebuttal speaker and awards such as “The Best Speaker” Award and the “The Best Debating Team” Award.
USC was represented by Mr. Vince Joseph Cesista as their necessity, Mr. Glen Sotto as their beneficiality speaker, and Mr. Alvin Clyde Gregorio as their practicability speaker with Atty. Daryll Bretch Largo as their coach.
UST was represented by Kim Apple Carvajal as their practicability speaker, Ron Robbie Rosales as their beneficiality speaker, and Rolando Asuncion as their necessity speaker with Ricky De la Cruz as their debate coach. Both coaches served as moderators for the debate as the original moderator’s trip had been cancelled due to tropical storm Maring.
The proposition was on removing the economic restrictions found in the 1987 constitution. The main argument revolved around House Bill No. 1 by Feliciano Belmonte that seeks to revise the pertinent economic provisions of 1987 Philippine Constitution. The House Bill adds the statement “unless otherwise provided by law” as it recognizes the subjectivity of the economy. The claim thus read: “let it be resolved that the economic provisions of the 1987 constitution be amended as to allow liberalization of economic policies by congress. “ UST chose to debate in the negative thus having USC defend and support the claim. The debate ended with applause from the audience and a show of sportsmanship by the debaters.
The debate was organized by the School of Law and Governance and was graced by Former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr., President of USC Fr. Dionisio Miranda, Dean of the School of Law and Governance, Joan Largo.
Trivia: The oldest school in the Philippines is the University of San Carlos whereas the University of Santo Tomas is the oldest university in the Philippines.
