DLSU seeks clarification, mulls pullout

De La Salle University yesterday questioned the UAAP board decision barring it from participating in all sporting events of the league’s Season 69, breaking its silence but extending the controversy many thought had been solved last week.

Representatives from all sectors of La Salle gathered at Taft Campus’ North Conservatory as System president Bro. Armin Luistro, FSC, read out the De La Salle’s plan of action in the aftermath of the suspension slapped on the school.

"Let me clarify that it’s not an appeal but a clarification letter," said Luistro, referring to their letter to outgoing league president Fr. Max Rendon, OP, of Adamson

The four-page letter tackled issues concerning negligence, due process, and the gravity or severity of sanction.

"We do not deserve suspension. We forfeited the games we played the past two seasons. We requested a leave of absence from men’s basketball for the forthcoming season. We addressed the gaps in our sports program. But the (UAAP) board dismissed all these," Luistro said.

He also broached the idea of taking their case up to the Supreme Court.

"They can call us names, but they can’t take the integrity away from this institution. All our options are open including that one," he said.

Or, La Salle might consider a possible pullout.

"There is life beyond the UAAP," Luistro said.

But he explained that the school’s next action would hinge on how the UAAP board would react to their letter.

"We deserve nothing less than a forthright clarification from the UAAP. We are more than willing to submit ourselves to the decision of a body that upholds justice, respects due process and values honesty and fairness. We have sent to the UAAP today (yesterday) a letter seeking clarification on these issues. We will deliberate on our options after we have received their response," it added.

The (UAAP) board is expected to meet today to discuss La Salle’s letter.

"DLSU is aware of and is not running away from its responsibilities as a member of the UAAP and the issues at hand. However, DLSU would like to get clarification and explanation from the UAAP Board on issues mentioned," he added.

At the same time, La Salle said the verdict was "vague," "arbitrary" and "censured all the athletes of DLSU, from the juniors and seniors level, for an offense that arguably was out of honest omission and which was brought to the attention of the UAAP Board by the University itself."

"The issue goes beyond the realm of interschool sports competition. It touches on our integrity as an educational institution and strikes at the heart of our cherished traditions. On what basis were we considered negligent? Was there due process arriving at this decision? How grave was our offense, if any, to deserve a one-year suspension from all events? The decision of the UAAP Board raises more questions than it provides answers," said La Salle in a statement red by Bro. Edmundo Fernandez, FSC, who heads all the brothers of La Salle in the country.