Senator says history textbooks still not covering martial law period thoroughly

September 19, 2018

Two textbooks being used in schools allegedly do not cover the martial law years during the time of the late President Ferdinand Marcos, Senator Risa Hontiveros said in a hearing on the Department of Education (DepEd) budget Wednesday.

Hontiveros said the book “Pilipinas: Bansang Papaunlad” that narrates Philippine history but ends in 1946.

"It says nothing about the Marcos dictatorship. It is currently being used in a public school in Bulacan," said Hontiveros in a statement.

The book “MAKABAYAN: Kasaysayang Pilipino” provided a lengthy narrative on the merits of the Marcos dictatorship. The book is reportedly being used in Valenzuela City public schools,. said Hontiveros,

"In the age of fake news and historical revisionism, one should be able to rely on our education system to equip our students with correct information and critical thinking skills," said Hontiveros.

Hontiveros asked Education Secretary Briones the status of the review of these textbooks.

"Have these textbooks been pulled out from our schools and replaced? Is there an approved set of textbooks that factually, truthfully and completely narrate the Marcos dictatorship?" Hontiveros asked.

Hontiveros also asked the DepEd the status of the implentation of the mandatory teaching of martial law atrocities in different levels of education as mandated by the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013.

"The Department of Education plays a big role in developing our children to become critical thinkers and truthtellers. Miseducation is a mortal misstep, especially in matters concerning civic education because it has dire implications for our political and democratic life," Hontiveros said. DMS