Press Release
September 20, 2017

Transcript of Sen. Joel Villanueva's manifestation on the death of UST law student Horacio Castillo III

Mr. President, I would like to make a short manifestation in support of Senator Zubiri, regarding the death of young Horacio Castillo III, or Atio as he was called by his family and friends. The unfortunate death has shaken me to my very core, both as an alumnus of the University of Santo Tomas and as a civil servant.

I certainly condemn this senseless act of violence and join Mr. Castillo's family in mourning for his death that not only ended his life but also his dreams and aspirations. Ginusto daw ni Atio na maging isang abugado para sa Korte Suprema, ginusto rin po niya na balang araw na maaaring maging Senador din po siya kagaya natin dito sa plenaryo ngayon. Naglayon pa nga po siyang maging Chief Justice ng Korte Suprema.

Matayog at mataas, Mr. President, ang kanyang mga pangarap.

Ngayon, dahil po sa karahasang ginusto ng illan at sa kanilang paglabag sa batas, hindi na po natin malalalaman, Mr. President, kung hanggang saan, hanggang saan sana ang mararating ni Atio. His full potential as a potential lawyer and civil servant will never be realized. Sinayang na nga po buhay niya, hindi pa siya tinrato bilang kapatid o tao man lang, Mr. President.

As a UST alumnus, I urge my alma mater and the proper authorities to investigate and hold the people accountable for this unfortunate incident involving Atio, my fellow Thomasian.

I fully support Senate Resolution No. 504 of my "Seatmate", Senator Migs Zubiri, as well as any Senate action from this Chamber in investigating the matter. I'd like to put on record that I will fully commit myself in cooperating with whoever will lead the investigation in this particular issue, Mr. President. And it's time, Mr. President, that we act, it's time to perhaps amend or repeal this existing Anti-Hazing Law. I think the key word here is we should be proactive, Mr. President, para tuluyan nang mawala ang karahasan sa ating mga pamantasan.

Huwag po natin sayangin, Mr. President, ang buhay na ibinuwis na ni Atio.

Mr. President, no type of brotherhood can ever equate to the sanctity of life. Hinding-hindi nasusukat sa karahasan ang tunay na kapatiran.

Thank you, distinguished sponsor and thank you, Mr. President.

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