KABATAAN Partylist Rep. Sarah Jane Elago wants Congress to look into the expulsion of several students of the St. Paul University Philippines in Tuguegarao City.

Reports said that the students were expelled for conducting an email campaign seeking a list of tuition and other fees.

In a virtual press briefing, Elago said she would also investigate the Commission on Higher Education to find out if it did not take action when the students raised the issue with the agency.

“The rules and regulations in schools need to comply with the Constitution and human rights guaranteed by our [Constitution],” she said.

Last June, SPUP students and their parents asked for a breakdown of fees for the year. They wanted to see if they could ask for a refund of the unused fees since the school has shifted to distance learning.

However, the school refused to grant their request. The parents and students raised the matter with CHED to compel the school to release the breakdown of fees.

When there was no reply from the agency, the students launched an email campaign seeking transparency from the administration.

On September 21, SPUP expelled nine students involved in the campaign.

The school said the students violated a provision of the student manual which  was punishable with ‘exclusion’.

However, the students said the school manual only mandated suspension as a ‘punishment’for such offense and claimed that SPUP subjected them to an unjust investigation.

Former SPUP Public Administration student Wildae Trinidad said she was  dumbfounded by the school’s justification.

“I do not understand how the St. Paul administration could kick out students in the time of a pandemic, when there is a need for compassion and when families are struggling due to a crisis triggered by the pandemic. The students merely asked for transparency,” Trinidad said.

Some students were also required to report to the dean even if there were quarantine restrictions implemented in Tuguegarao City.

Meanwhile, CHED said it had ‘very limited power’ and could only intervene if there was any violation of due process committed by the school.

Elago said the Kabataan party list would help the students if they intend to file a formal complaint.

“ If they decide that they need to file a formal complaint, then Kabataan will support them in their initiative to hold St. Paul responsible and accountable,” the lawmaker said.