One of the teams representing Bukidnon State University (BukSU) High School bagged the top prize at the Sagu-Ilaw Debate Competition held last October 1, 2019 in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon. The BukSU debaters won over the team representing San Isidro College.

The event was organized by the United States-Philippines Alumni Association and the US Embassy in cooperation with HUNGLUS-USGAA of Bukidnon and the BukSU College of Law Debate and Moot Society.

During the championship round, the two teams debated over the motion: “Let it be resolved: That the minimum age of criminal responsibility be reduced to 12 years old.” The competition followed the Asian Parliamentary format.

A total of 6 teams vied for the top spot. There were 2 teams that represented BukSU, another 2 that represented Bukidnon National High School and one for STI and another one for San Isidro College.

Lead organizer Judge Marie Therese Aban-Cammanong of HUNGLUS-USGAA of Bukidnon said that a debate competition such as the SAGU-ILAW one serves as a “very good training ground for students to think quickly and logically as well as speak fluently.”

The debate was the second phase of Aban-Cammanong’s SAGU-ILAW project, a guidebook for the Children in Conflict with the Law. The project received a grant from the US-PH Exchange Alumni. Sagu-Ilaw is a native term that can be translated as a guide or enlightenment. The guidebook aims to guide the CICL on what to do, where to go the moment they come in contact with the authorities, what their rights are and concomitant responsibilities as CICL. This is aimed to empower the CICL as they will be less susciptible to abuses if they know what is happening to them. 

Photos courtesy of Mindanaoan

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