Senior brods deny Lex Leonum link to hazing

Several alumni of the Lex Leonum Fraternitas have denied that their organization is involved in hazing, even as they expressed willingness to cooperate in investigating the death Monday of hazing victim Marc Andre Marcos.

In a prepared statement released during a press conference on Friday morning, the group also extended its condolences to the Marcos family and condemned the use of violence.

“The Lex Leonum Fraternitas alumni is extremely saddened by the news of the untimely death of Marc Andre,” the statement said. “We want (the Marcos family) to know that we also seek the truth so that justice for Marc Andre may be served,” it added.

Lex Leonum spokesperson and former Quezon City Councilor Antonio Inton Jr. described the fraternity as an “exclusive group” with around 200 members that has been in existence for 44 years.

‘More mental than physical’

Inton said this was the first time that the fraternity has been dragged into controversy.  The organization initiation process, he added, was more “mental than physical.”  In fact, he said, he had never undergone hazing as a member of the group.

Lex Leonum said as much in its statement.  “Our fraternity has never advocated violence and we condemn hazing in the strongest possible manner,” it said. “We are professionals and we do not believe in the power of force used as reason, but in the power of reason used as force,” the statement added.

The organization said that “as a fraternity for lawyers, we adhere to the rule of law and the principles of due process.”

Inton said the fraternity would cooperate in the probe of Marcos’ death, but added that the alumni have no information about the activities of its resident members.

“They are not required to inform us,” he said.

Inton said the alumni would check with resident members of the fraternity if Marcos was indeed applying to be part of the group.