Marc Andre Marcos. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARCOS FAMILY
MANILA, Philippines – The San Beda College (SBC) has expelled 27 members of the Lex Leonum Fraternitas in connection with the death of freshman law student Marc Andre Marcos who died after he reportedly underwent hazing rites of the fraternity in a farm in Dasmariñas City, Cavite.
Marcos, 21, a native of Ramos, Tarlac, succumbed to severe body injuries while being treated at the De La Salle University Medical Center on July 30, a day after the fraternity rites.
The seven-member Committee on Student Conduct also meted out the penalty of suspension on three other fraternity members and five neophytes who were supposed to be Marcos’ batchmates in the fraternity.
Another student, Jade Ashley Manguera, was cleared by the committee for lack of evidence.
“(Marcos’) untimely demise is absolutely a loss to San Beda College of Law and to the whole legal profession as well,” the committee said in a 13-page ruling dated Oct. 23, a copy of which was obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer Thursday.
“The committee will ensure however that his death will not be meaningless, but instead will serve as a symbol of hope and an inspiration to become better Christian lawyers,” it added.
“Marc Andre Marcos will always be remembered as long as love reigns in our hearts.”
In a letter to SBC vice president Ricardo Palo, SBC law dean Virgilio Jara endorsed the findings of the school’s Committee on Student Conduct which conducted an investigation into the involvement of the fraternity members in Marcos’ death last July 29.
The school subsequently approved Jara’s recommendation on Nov. 5.
“Respectfully endorsed to the Rector-President with the suggestion that the… recommendation be approved subject to the qualifications that (the) suspension shall be without prejudice to the application of the rule on absences in the student handbook,” Jara said in a letter dated Oct. 24.
Jara said the penalty of community service to other Lex Leonum members should be under the supervision of SBC chaplain Fr. Rembert Tumbali.
Dismissed from the school were Erich Justine Alano, Julius Arsenio Alcancia, Mohammad Fyzee Alim, Chino Daniel Amante, Daniel Baltazar, Rem Cabangon, Manuel Adrian Cabansag, Dexter Circa, Aldrian Robert David, Aardan Mikhail Kutch dela Cruz, and Jason Esguerra.
Also expelled were Bjone Carlo Favorito, Ralph Juico, Levy John Lalusis, Cornelio Marcelo, Michael Jethro Opelanio, Kenneth Rafols, John Cromwell Recto, Lorenzo Marvin Reyes, John Ray Rivera, Reynaldo Anthony Marc Rodriguez, Richard Rosales, Vyron Samson, Emmanuel Jefferson Santiago, Idony Tan, Jenno Antonio Villanueva and Aloysius Yebra.