MANILA, Philippines — His search for a vocation began when he was still a boy growing up in Lipa City. As he entered the religious life, it became crystal clear: He also wanted to become an educator.
Br. Armin Luistro FSC, chancellor and president of De La Salle University (DLSU), was named by President-elect Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III to head the Department of Education (DepEd).
Luistro is an outspoken man of the cloth who joined the clamor in 2005 for President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to resign.
He was among those who, galvanized by the “Hello Garci” election fraud scandal, led in the formation of Bukluran Para sa Katotohanan (Coalition of Truth), which backed Ms Arroyo’s impeachment in September 2005.
Also in that month, along with former President Corazon Aquino, Luistro brought together opposition figures, including Susan Roces, the widow of defeated presidential candidate Fernando Poe Jr., and members of the “Hyatt 10,” for an interfaith Mass at La Salle Green Hills that was attended by close to 500 leaders and members of more than 30 anti-Arroyo organizations.
In September 2006, Luistro joined the protests against Ms Arroyo’s “illegal and immoral” attempt to amend the Constitution through a “people’s initiative”.
In February 2008, he threw his support behind NBN-ZTE whistle-blower Rodolfo “Jun” Lozada and offered to shelter him.
To date, Luistro is still hosting Lozada and his family at La Salle Green Hills.
