By Franco G. Regala
BACOLOR, Pampanga – The Don Honorio Ventura Technological State University (DHVTSU) here is seeking out answers relating to the death of one of its students.
Kenneth Masa Ramos, 27, a mechanical engineering student, allegedly took his own life April 4 by drinking poison after being barred by university higher-ups from joining the school graduation ceremony due to incomplete grades.
Dr. Enrique G. Baking, DHVTSU President, said he created a fact-finding committee to look deeper into the allegations, assuring those found to be at fault would be sanctioned.
“I created an investigation committee just to see if there are lapses here,” he said. “The moment na napatunayan ng fact-finding committee na may lapses on the part of the university, whether we like it or not, we have to impose sanctions.”
In a meeting held the other day, school professors, registrars, as with Ramos’ classmates discussed why the latter was not allowed to march.
School officials revealed that as matter of practice and for humanitarian consideration, a student who is enrolled for the last semester in his fifth year shall be included in the list of graduating students even if he or she has incomplete grades.
Meanwhile, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is also conducting its own investigation of the case.
The investigating team consists of Commissioner and DHVTSU Board of Regents Chairperson Ronald Adamat; representatives from the CHED Legal and Legislative Services (LLS); the Office of Students and Development Services (OSDS); and the university student regent.
In a press statement, Adamat said reports of DHVTSU not allowing Ramos from marching due to incomplete grades was “very disturbing.”
