Ateneo de Manila University 20 June 2012
Office of the President
Dear Mr. Crescini,
Peace to you. Please forgive me [for] this delay in replying to you. Thank you for bringing fraternity related violence to my attention. I wish to assure you that I have raised this issue ti me and again to our Law School. We have been firm in resolving this issue, even at the risk of being brought to court. as evidenced by the cases that have been brought to my office for review. We do not recognize these fraternities and we make it a point to orient our new students even during the admissions process on the issue of these fraternities. I am told that even the recruitment process of these fraternities is done surreptitiously now at the undergraduate level before they enter the Law School. As you are aware, the roots of this problem go deep.
I am hopeful that our renewed thrust in mission and identity, as translated into concrete formation goals and strategies for the professional schools will uproot the violence that thrive in these fraternities.
Sincerely,
(original signed)
Jose Ramon T. Villarin, SJ
President
(Editor’s Note: Above letter was sent by Fr. Jose Ramon Villarin, SJ in reply to my Open Letter which was published in Philippine Daily Inquirer on May 11, 2012.)