The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 - Thursday
helpline 10 opinion
state slaughter 12 features
trigger warning 07 culture
LAKBAYAN 2016 LAUNCHED IN OCTOBER
02 NEWS
02 NEWS
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday
Lakbayan 2016 launched in October
Injustice and oppression against IPs and Lumads, condemned EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA PHOTOS BY KYLA DOMINIQUE LACAMBACAL PASICOLAN
The month-long programs aimed to call on the government for selfdetermination and just peace of the national minorities ended on October 28, 2016. Since former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s term in 2010, these groups have been pursuing the advocacy for change for the improved condition for various sectors, alongside alleviation of poverty in their communities.
Exploited Resources Accordingly, national minority groups asserted on the need to end oppression brought about by US domination in the country. “We are accused of being terrorists to justify the plunder of our resources”, stated Jerome Aba from Suara Bangsamoro. In line with this, KATRIBU Secretary General Piya Macliing Malayao cited that lands inhabited by national minority communities were being enclosed and then used by several foreign corporations for mining operations. Other transactions included the building of dams and establishment of plantations.
In line with this, the Lakbayan Campaign Network was formed to highlight the coverage of this event composed of students, health and both academic and nonacademic workers from UP ManilaPhilippine General Hospital (PGH). Upon the arrival of delegates of indigenous peoples’ (IPs) and Lumad groups in October 13, they were joined by various youth and progressive groups along Taft Avenue on their way to Mendiola. From there, they held protests against the militarization of their communities and the injustices committed towards their leaders. Consequently, the University of the Philippines Diliman (UPD) opened their grounds for the southern contingent to temporarily reside in. The remainder of the activities for Lakbayan 2016 (Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya para sa kanilang sariling pagpapasya at makatarungang kapayapaan) were based in the campus. Prior to this, Lakbayanis from the northern contingent were welcomed in UP Los Baños on October 11. To further compel the administration to eliminate the military troops occupying their schools and to hold them responsible for terrorizing their communities, the newly assembled national minorities alliance, SANDUGO, KATRIBU (Kalipunan ng mga Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas) and other organizations gathered in front of the Department of Justice (DOJ) on October 17.
Act
of
Terrorism
Following this, they staged a protest along with progressive groups and mass organizations at the US Embassy on October 19 to address the oppressive policies biased to multinational companies that continuously drive thousands of IPs and Lumads from their lands and to appeal to
“The people themselves must push for an independent foreign policy,” furthered Malayao.
Continuing Struggle Furthermore, Benito Tiamzon and Wilma Austria-Tiamzon from the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) maintained their support for the demands of the national minority groups in a dialogue conducted at UP Diliman on October 26. In addition, Consultant AustriaTiamzon established that the predicament of the IPs and Lumads will be a main concern among the issues to be tackled between the NDFP and the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP). President Rodrigo Duterte to severe ties with the United States (US) and back up his plans of implementing a foreign independent policy. However, as the rally ended, the police stationed in the area amassed in number and enacted brutal force on the demonstrators. "We are almost at the end of our program in front of the US embassy when the Manila Police District-PNP, shot canisters of tear gas and began the dispersal. They even went as far as brutally ramming the police mobil to the protesters hurting a number of protesters. After so much casualties, the PNP did not stop the attacks”, reported League of Filipino Students (LFS) National Spokesperson JP Rosos. Perpetrated by Senior Superintendent Marcelino Pedrozo, the Deputy
Director for Operations of the Manila Police District (MPD), the violent dispersal on the unarmed rallyists caused heavy injuries to the protester and the detainment of around 40 of the participants. Later, Pedrozo refuted his command on the dispersal and instead pointed that the demonstrators committed acts of vandalism. Presently, the National Capital Region Police Office removed Pedrozo and several other MPD officers, including PO3 Franklin Kho, who was responsible for ramming protesters with the police vehicle. Due to the insufficient punishment, groups present at the dispersal claimed that all the police forces responsible "must be held criminally liable and denounced by the Filipino people for being traitors against their own countrymen. "
Included in the NDFP’s 12-point program is the statement that it will “uphold the rights to self-determination and democracy of the Moro people, Cordillera peoples and other national minorities or indigenous peoples.” “We are even indebted to you and the people’s struggle for our release,” added NDFP panel member Benito Tiamzon. In closing of the Lakbayan for this year, cultural performances were presented nearing the end of October in UP Diliman, and then later transferred to the Baclaran Church on October 27. Along with this, UPD Chancellor Michael Tan assured the aid of the university towards the national minorities and their cause.
NEWS 03
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday
Update on Duterte’s first 100 days Progressive group's divided responses SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO
October 8 marked the 100th day of Rodrigo Duterte as the 16th president of the Philippines. On top of his “Change is coming” campaign, people who rallied in Mendiola on the said date delivered commendations and continued calls for their rights. Pursuing Sovereignty “Most significant among the accomplishments of the administration is Duterte’s consistent assertion of national sovereignty and his pursuit of an independent foreign policy. For the first time since Andres Bonifacio, we will have a Filipino president not beholden to US interests. This may pave the way for mutually beneficial relations with countries not aligned with the US which may be utilized for national development,” said Renato Reyes Jr., secretary general of Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan). Concerning the international affairs, Duterte severed the Philippine’s relationship with United States of America, United Nations, and the European Union and alternatively reached out to China and Russia. Concurrently, Gabriela Youth avowed that they are one with ending the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and for the legit sovereignty of the country. Moreover, they reiterated that the presence of American soldiers may result to another Laude or Nichole case, whom the prosecutors have offered special treatment. “The contradictions will sharpen as pro-US factions of the ruling elite maneuver and resist President Duterte’s assertions of sovereignty,” added Reyes. Futhermore. He included that the people should remain vigilant and should struggle even harder for the fundamental reforms and social change. On the other hand, the Ecological Challenge for Change (EcoChallenge), commended Duterte for environmental reforms but restated that there is still much to be done, such as looking at the standing track record of environmental impacts by US military exercises and bases.
Stagnance
in
Health
Moreover, progressives did not see any change for the health sector in
connection with the national budget. “The budget reduction would also mean more out-of-pocket expenses for the people, because the hospitals are in a bind to collect fees and enforce other income-generating schemes to sustain operations,” stated Alliance of Health Workers National President Robert Mendoza. In accordance to the improvement of Philippine’s healthcare, Duterte sent Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Paulyn Jean Ubial to Cuba to study their pro-people healthcare system. On the other hand, the Health Alliance for Democracy affirmed that the DOH leadership failed to truly learn and apply Cuba’s best practices. In addition, the public healthcare is becoming a private enterprise and an over-reliance to PhilHealth. Furthermore, Ubial envisaged that future rural doctors in the Philippines could be Cubans. “Ubial’s stance on other issues such as contractualization in the DOH, the transfer and abolition of Fabella, and zero capital outlay for barangay health stations, among others, reek of the anti-people health policies of previous administrations,” stated the Health Alliance for Democracy.
Persisting Struggles Simultaneously, in accordance with Duterte’s campaign to end contractualization, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) concluded an order to suspend registration of new contractors or manpower agencies. However, Kilusang Mayo Uno Chairperson Elmer Labog stated that after weighing DOLE’s effort, it has not yet taken concrete steps to stop contractualization. “In major issues that affect the people, (Duterte) listens. But in certain issues which he already has set beliefs, we need to push and explain more,” stated Leon Dulce, a coalition convenor of the Kalikasan People’s Network for the Environment. Consequently,
Anakpawis
Rep.
Various mass and youth organizations gathered at the Mendiola Peace Arch on October 8, 2016 to call on Duterte to pursue further change especially in land reform, basic social services, regularization of jobs and the prioritization of health and education. Photos taken by Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua
Ariel Casilao said that the budget for the Department of Agiculture (DA) is not enough. Likewise, the hunger and poverty of Filipino farmers are attributed to monopoly and ‘anti-people’ policies. However, Casilao praised Duterte for approving the ban on land use conversion pushed by Agrarian Reform Secretary Rafael Mariano. Generally, Duterte’s banner campaign on war on drugs, according to one of the peace consultants of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), Vicente Ladlad, the Philippines is turning out to be anti-democratic and anti-poor. “The sad part is that many of those killed belong to the poor while the suspected drug lords are the only ones given due process, elaborated Ladlad. “The legitimacy for Philippine’s sovereignty is the most significant step of Duterte within his 100 days of presidency followed by the on-going peace talks between the NDFP. But there are still many stages to pursue
to reach a nationalist and democratic aims of the Pilipino people. The administration faces various problems such as ending poor quality of life, raising the status of laborers and peasants, and a stable and growing economy. He also faces challenges with the capitalists and outside forces for instance the US government. With this, we should support him for fighting for our national sovereignty and not the negative side, ” said Reyes.
04 NEWS
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday
RSA Amendments
Implementation of revisions, discussed ADOLF ENRIQUE SANTOS GONZALES, ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON & RYANA YSABEL NERI KESNER
To further address concerns regarding the Return Service Agreement (RSA), a third RSA workshop took place at Bayleaf, Intramuros on October 11, 2016. University Student Council (USC) Chair Pholyn Balahadia, College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) SC Chair Carlos Olegario, College of Public Health (CPH) SC Chair Pibelle De Chavez and Representative Diony Flores, College of Medicine (CM) SC Chair Leonard Javier, and College of Dentistry (CD) SC Vice Chair for Externals Abbie Alexis were among those in attendance. Additionally, as one of the College of Pharmacy’s first events for the Pharmaceutical Association (UPPHA) Week, Return Service Agreement (RSA) committee head *Dr. Melfred Hernandez hosted a forum on the RSA held last September 19.
General Framework The Return Service Agreement is a tripartite contract between a student, the university and the government which requires university graduates to offer return service to underserved areas of the country in exchange for their years of education. This agreement, meant to lessen the effects of human capital flight on the country’s health sector, has worked extremely well in the School of Health Sciences (SHS) in Leyte with over 90% of graduates continuing to work in the country. For this reason, the RSA is an admission requirement for students of the College of Health Workers (CHW), Doctor of Dental Medicine (DDM), Doctor of Medicine (MD) and baccalaureate of health sciences programs which must be completed within 5 years after graduation. Failure or refusal to do so means paying an exorbitant penalty fee or garnering additional years of service. Consequently, the RSA committee keeps money collected from the penalty fee in a separate bank account, which is only allowed to be used for purposes related to the program.
respective contracts. Often, the problem arises from the fact that students easily reach the lock-in limit while still taking a minimal amount of major subjects. “We only start really honing our dexterity and getting the feel of being a dentistry student when we get to our 1st year proper (3rd year)”, elaborated CD SC Vice Chair for Externals Abbie Alexis, ”Dentistry involves dexterity, something that can be learned but sometimes, some people do not really have the dexterity it takes to continue dentistry.” Another point of contention has been the employment opportunities of graduates under the RSA. As stipulated in the contract, students who sign the RSA are enjoined to work, for a period of time set by the college, in fields relevant to their degrees. For graduates hailing from CAMP, the direct training they receive during their stay in UP allows them easier integration into the workplace. Due to the hourly nature of their jobs, they are also less constrained from pursuing post-graduate degrees.
However, graduates are exempted from these sanctions if proven to be physically or mentally unfit, or financially incapable. Aside from this, students enrolled in less than 60 units and have shifted to another course are also included among the exempt.
On the other hand, students from courses with no clear job description – such as those from CPH- have had a far more difficult time securing stable employment that suffices the RSA. According to CPH Student Council Chairperson Pibelle de Chavez, fresh CPH graduates also lack the specialization that allows them to become competitive with other applicants.
On the other hand, cases of disciplinary action pass through the RSA Committee, the Arbitration Committee, the dean of the respective college, and, finally, the Chancellor. The Chancellor and the Chancellor’s Advisory Council are also responsible for approving all amendments to the RSA before they are put into effect.
“In the case of being Registered MedicalTechnicians (RMTs), napakaraming subjects ang kailangan naming i-catch up bago makapag-boards kasi PH is honestly more than medtech courses. Sa other fields of public health, more often than not we have to compete with people who have more work experience.” expounded de Chavez.
Implemented by former first gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo in 2006, the Bagong Doktor ng Bayan program serves as an example of an existing return service mechanism outside the university. Others include Department of Health (DOH) programs such as the Pinoy MD Program and the Midwifery Student Scholarship.
Furthermore, the short time span within which signatories are required to complete their practice often leads to students delaying their plans of post-graduate studies in favor of completing the RSA.
Conditional Service
Overall, response to the implementation
of the RSA has been extremely divisive. While students applaud the vision of the RSA, many still have reservations regarding the restrictive terms of the agreement. One such clause is the 60-unit limit after which students are locked into their
de Chavez added, “It’s normal to have some doubts as college students pero in the case of CPH, hindi mo talaga alam kung ano ang gagawin mo o kung saan ka pupulutin after graduation. Lifelong dream ng marami ang maging doktor pero dahil sa RSA parang nawawalan ng pag-asa ang students.” Students have also complained that they were not properly notified of the provisions of the RSA in their freshman year.
According to CN Representative to the USC Yul John Berina, his fellow students in CN were not properly oriented regarding the RSA. He went on to explain that they were simply notified that there was an orientation regarding the contract, but that attendance in the event was not required since it was purportedly not implemented for everyone. Overall, response to the implementation of the RSA has been extremely divisive. While students applaud the vision of the RSA, many still have reservations regarding the restrictive terms of the agreement. One such clause is the 60-unit limit after which students are locked into their respective contracts. Often, the problem arises from the fact that students easily reach the lock-in limit while still taking a minimal amount of major subjects. “We only start really honing our dexterity and getting the feel of being a dentistry student when we get to our 1st year proper (3rd year)”, elaborated CD SC Vice Chair for Externals Abbie Alexis, ”Dentistry involves dexterity, something that can be learned but sometimes, some people do not really have the dexterity it takes to continue dentistry.” Another point of contention has been the employment opportunities of graduates under the RSA. As stipulated in the contract, students who sign the RSA are enjoined to work, for a period of time set by the college, in fields relevant to their degrees. For graduates hailing from CAMP, the direct training they receive during their stay in UP allows them easier integration into the workplace. Due to the hourly nature of their jobs, they are also less constrained from pursuing post-graduate degrees. On the other hand, students from courses with no clear job description – such as those from CPH- have had a far more difficult time securing stable employment that suffices the RSA. According to CPH Student Council Chairperson Pibelle de Chavez, fresh CPH graduates also lack the specialization that allows them to become competitive with other applicants. “In the case of being Registered MedicalTechnicians (RMTs), napakaraming subjects ang kailangan naming i-catch up bago makapag-boards kasi PH is honestly more than medtech courses. Sa other fields of public health, more often than not we have to compete with people who have more work experience.” expounded de Chavez.
Furthermore, the short time span within which signatories are required to complete their practice often leads to students delaying their plans of post-graduate studies in favor of completing the RSA. de Chavez added, “It’s normal to have some doubts as college students pero in the case of CPH, hindi mo talaga alam kung ano ang gagawin mo o kung saan ka pupulutin after graduation. Lifelong dream ng marami ang maging doktor pero dahil sa RSA parang
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NEWS DOSE: Peace talks JOSEF BERNARD SORIANO DE MESA AT ARIES RAPHAEL REYES PASCUA Kasalukuyang isinasagawa ang peace talks sa pagitan ng Republika ng Pilipinas at ng National Democratic Front (NDF) sa Oslo, Norway upang makapagtakda ng kasunduan sa pagitan ng dalawang panig. Nagsimula ang pakikipag-usap noong ika-22 ng Agosto, 2016 sa pangunguna ni Presidential Adviser on Peace Process Secretary Jesus Dureza at Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III. Matatawag na makasaysayan ang peace talks na ito dahil nagsilbi rin itong panahon sa pagkikitang muli ng mga pinuno ng Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas (PKP). Naglalaman ang peace talks ng iba't ibang adyenda tulad ng sosyoekonomikong reporma, politikang reporma, at ekonomikong reporma. Naglalayon din itong mapatigil ang marahas na tunggalian ng dalawang puwersa. Dagdag pa sa usapin ay ang pagpapalaya sa mga bilanggong politikal. May limang puntong pinagtuonan ang unang pag-uusap ng dalawang panig. Ilan dito ang pagpapatibay ng mga nauna nang kasunduan, at rekonstitusyon ng Joint Agreement on Security and Immunity Guarantees (JASIG). Mahalaga rin na puntos ang pagtatakda ng oras sa mga nakabinibin na reporma. Sunod dito ang proklamasyon ng amnestiya para sa pagpapalaya ng mga bilanggong pokitikal, at huli, ang pagpapahayag ng tigil-putukan. *Layon ng News Dose na na magbukas ng serye ng mapanuring pag-ulat hinggil sa napapanahong balita.
NEWS 05
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday nawawalan ng pag-asa ang students.” Students have also complained that they were not properly notified of the provisions of the RSA in their freshman year. According to CN Representative to the USC Yul John Berina, his fellow students in CN were not properly oriented regarding the RSA. He went on to explain that they were simply notified that there was an orientation regarding the contract, but that attendance in the event was not required since it was purportedly not implemented for everyone.
Gradual Improvements Past interactions with the RSA committee have left students leaders distraught due to the former’s lack of responsiveness. “It's the job of the University RSA Committee to address these problems but in one of the meetings that I attended, they focused more on the discussion on how to collect the money from the students of different colleges who breached the contract.” stated UPPha Representative to the USC Joyce Alvarez. In response, recent efforts by the RSA committee have been geared towards improving the provisions of the agreement through increased student consultation. For CAMP, the RSA Appeals Committee, composed of the college’s Dean, Secretary, and Student Relations Officer (SRO), has employed the help of student representatives from each of the college’s undergraduate courses. These representatives then work with the committee to revise the terms of their RSA – particularly for the requirements that graduates submit as proof of their employment. To increase awareness regarding the provisions of the contract, parents and guardians of freshman students have also been enjoined to attend a yearly orientation regarding the RSA since A.Y. 2014-2015. Furthermore, college administration offices have been making an effort to tailor fit the RSA to the needs of each student. One such example is the case of an unnamed RSA contractee who shifted to study film in UP Diliman. Since he would not become a general practitioner, his contract was modified so that he must instead make a film promoting the advocacies of the college or of persons-with-disabilities (PWDs). Notably, colleges under the RSA have begun holding several RSA Workshops in recent months, an avenue through which attendees are able to discuss their concerns with representatives from the UP Administration and their respective colleges. The CP also held a RSA Forum last September 19 in which the resource speaker - the University RSA Committee Head- was questioned regarding concerns specific to the context of the college’s students. Nevertheless, students still feel unsatisfied with the present provisions of the RSA and are continually pushing for further reforms. “We strongly believe that service is
rendered best when done willingly and not because of a repressive contract such as the RSA in its current form.”, de Chavez stated, “As such, we continue to push for the passage of these amendments in order to allow the students to explore different paths to improve competencies and, thus, provide the best service to the nation while maximizing the growth of their potentials and the pursuit of their passions.”
Proposed Amendments On the said workshop, motions, topics and arguments were raised by representatives from student councils and administrative offices. Furthermore, several of the discussed matters were relayed to the Manila Collegian during an interview with CAMP SC Chairperson Carlos Olegario. To begin, CPH Dean Romeo R. Quizon brought up that PH students must fulfill the 2-year RSO within 7 years rather than the current 5 years. He also added that PH students pursuing medicine gives them more competency to serve and PH itself is a preparatory course for Medicine. However, Vice Chancellor for Administration Nymia Simbulan directed that using PH as a pre-med is inappropriate. She also said that the prime essence of RSA is to “payback” immediately. Moreover, UPCM College Secretary Salome Vios intended that delaying medical school for two years is good for preparing for medical school itself. Additionally, CPH SC Chair De Chavez said that the proposed provision should only be limited to CPH and must only serve as an interim solution until CPH’s new curriculum takes effect. In line with this, CPH Dean Quizon asked on the possibility of specific Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) per college. In effect, a motion was raised suggesting all baccalaureate programs to have the same IRR with regards to the RSA prescriptive compliance period. The administrative officials present in the meeting from CAMP, CN, CD, CP, CM approved of this, while those from CPH dissented along with the student representatives. Accordingly, a motion was also raised in which graduates of health science baccalaureate programs should complete their 2 year RSA within 4 years after graduation. This was likewise approved by admin officials from CAMP, CN, CD, CP, CM, but was then faced with objection from CPH and the student representatives present. Meanwhile, graduates taking their master’s degree as a return service was also raised. CAMP Dean Jocelyn Marzan said that the master’s program should not be counted as return service. However, she supported the students on being allowed to take their master’s degree even during the prescribed period. “Who are we to allow or not allow?”Dr. Marzan said. She also added that master’s degree enriches graduates. This motion was prodded by all participants. The workshop also recommended that students who were granted extension
beyond the MRR should return service for an additional year. Other topics under the RSA included the difficulty in computing for education costs by the university, addressing the issues of accounting for donations received by UP, and the completion of computation reaching up to two months. These were raised by Dr. Hernandez, CAMP Dean Marzan and CP Dean Loquias respectively. In separate interview with CD SC Vice Chair for Externals Alexis the workshop also discussed the conditions for students transferring between UP campuses and the mechanisms for holding clearance. According to UPPha Representative to the USC Joyce Alvarez, the amendments tackled during the workshop will be forwarded to the Chancellor’s Advisory Council (CAC), and then to the University Council and finally to the Board of Regents. Following this, UPM University Student Council Chairperson Pholyn Balahadia suggested that there should be a universitywide forum before the workshop’s decisions be presented to the Chancellor’s Advisory Council (CAC). Balahadia’s request was approved by the body. In another interview with the Manila Collegian, Health Alliance for Democracy Vice Chair Gene Nisperos, questioned the workshop’s receptiveness to student’s opinion towards RSA, “Laging malaking tanong diyan ay kung pinapakinggan ba talaga o pinapahalagahan ba talaga ang tinig ng mag aaral sa mga workshop na iyan.”
Appropriate Context In line with this, Dr. Nisperos summed the general premise of RSA to be the recognition of UP graduates of state subsidy through the contribution of taxpayers by staying and working in the country. Subsequently, Dr. Nisperos mentioned that the RSA is most fitting to the College of Medicine (CM). “Mahalaga kasing tignan siya sa konteksto ng Kolehiyo ng Medisina, para malaman bakit siya isang hakbang sa tamang direksyon”. Following this, he cited two factors that influenced the formation of a return service program regarding CM. “First we have to look at our history in the context of the College of Medicine. For the longest time, the College of Medicine graduates have been going to the States en masse”, he explained. “Pangalawa, nakikita rin natin na sa kalakhan – dati kasi, malinaw at very clear that students from the College of Medicine come from the upper class. Ang RSA yung pagkakataon na higit na mailapit sila sa mga underserved sectors”.
a contentious issue, especially since it focuses on the condition of CM. He also impressed the need for the RSA to be applied to the circumstances of each college. “Ako ang sinasabi ko particular sa College of Medicine, tama ang RSA. I cannot make the same judgment let’s say for the college of pharmacy, for the college of nursing. Pero kung ang pinaghuhugutan nila ay kapareho ng sitwasyon ng college of medicine, maaaring angkop”, he aimed. “Kasi kung wala siya sa konteksto maaaring niyang masagasaan yung karapatan ng estudyanteng magsalita kung ano dapat yung disenyo.” “Kailangan nating isunod at igiit yung iba pang mga pagbabago para maging mas makabuluhan ang epekto ng RSA”, he stated, “Kasama diyan sa mga pagbabago yung sa admissions, sa curriculum at sa deployment.”
System for the Masses Alternatively, Nisperos questioned the perception by some that RSA is repressive and cited the experience of the School of Health Sciences (SHS). The RSA program there had been practiced longer yet had not reaped much complaint. “Isa siyang requirement na ‘pag hindi mo tinanggap, okay naman. Pero hindi ka makakapag-aral sa College of Medicine. Paano siya magiging repressive, may choice ka naman na huwag pumirma. Pero ‘pag pumirma ka na, dito ka na, susundin mo iyon”, he indicated. In coherence with this, he expressed that the RSA would be considered repressive if it causes contradiction between the interest of the masses and of the students. “Ang masa ay kulang na kulang sa doctor. Ang doctor ay kulang na kulang sa exposure, sa pagkakataon na talagang manilbihan sa malalayong lugar sa mga komunidad kung saan sila talagang kailangan na kailangan. Ito ay isang hakbang para bumukas yung ganung oportunidad”, Dr. Nisperos stated. “Kung ang ipinaglalaban mo ay bourgeois na uri ng karapatan, masasabi mong repressive siya”, he signified. “Kasi tinitignan mo na ang karapatan ng kabataan, ng mag-aaral ay salungat sa karapatan ng masang pinaglilingkuran dapat niya. Iyan ay isang uri ng bourgeois na pagtingin sa usapin ng karapatan”. Likewise, he said that the RSA should not be considered anti-labor if the agreement helps provide adequate prospects of employment and advancement locally. “Dito dapat may malaking papel ang gobyerno, lalo na ang Department of Health”.
With those supporting the RSA, Dr. Nisperos approved the fact that the fees for deferring signatories be deterrent so that the decision would impact on both the financially lacking and capable students. “[So] ang gusto kasi namin...gawin yung price so ridiculously high as to become a deterrent, para hindi na ito (payment) ikonsidera bilang option”.
Moreover, Dr. Nisperos emphasized that the RSA should not override the democratic rights of the student. “Yung demokratikong karapatan ng mag aaral ay yung right to representation, right to engage in discussion, right to participate in decision making, yung mga ganun pa rin. Kasi, naniniwala kami na ang karapatan ng ordinaryong Pilipino, magsasaka at manggagawa, hindi dapat ibinabangga sa karapatan ng mag aaral”, he explained.
Admittedly, he agreed that the RSA is
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06 FEATURES
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday
IN THE TONGUE OF FIRE: Probing the Plight of Women
under Duterte’s Administration JUSTIN DANIELLE TUMENEZ FRANCIA ILLUSTRATION BY VINCE DE DIOS
The man who was believed to be the hope that will light up a fire for the women trapped in the dark alleys of the marginalized realm only turned out to be one of the perpetrators of women oppression. The election of President Rodrigo Duterte fueled misogyny in the Philippine society. With the President’s attitude towards women, the nation’s sense of women empowerment and emancipation has been stained. Some people feel entitled to further marginalize, abuse and objectify women. This leads to the nullification of their human rights as women are continued to be further subjected into oppression and discrimination. For instead of putting out the fire in which women are constantly burning, the President only fed the blaze, causing it to grow larger and deadlier.
The Burn The scorch of disaster caused by the blaze of oppression and injustice carries a big impact on the tormented women of the society. Oppression of women is one of the many forms of oppression that is created out of a society based upon class exploitation. It is in the direct interest of capitalism and the state by giving women low-income jobs on the faulty premises that women have inadequate capabilities and that women’s work is mediocre compared to those of men. This leaves them with no job security and low wages. As a result, companies are given the opportunity to establish a cheap workforce in which they can hire and fire women at their own will. In turn, some people start to believe the lies told by the more powerful ones – which in reality, are only publicity stunts and apparatuses for profit maximization. Through these kinds of influences, male privilege and discrimination remains. Sexism becomes arbitrarily justified for the purpose of those who greedily want to remain in their positions in the political, economic, and social spheres of society. Wherein women, despite being the victims in their vulnerable state, are
held even liable for the cruelties they experience. The oppressors, never failing at their attempts to ensure that sexist ideas spread to the society, usually use mass media to further inculcate and promote sexist ideas by providing hateful and exploitative ideas and images of women—further justifying abuse and violence. The propagation of sexist ideas worsened with the appointment of President Rodrigo Duterte. The president himself flagrantly shows defamation of women. Yet albeit such apathy, loss of moral compass, and the forgetting of humanity at the most basic level, his most fanatic devotees feel entitled to do the same things as well. However, the impact of oppression lies heaviest on the state of women who belong to the lower class of the society. They are the most affected as they are the ones who are most prone to structural discrimination. In the context of Philippine society, it is indeed a huge contradiction that even though we have women political leaders in the legislative, executive, and judiciary branches of the government, male dominance is still evident especially in the marginalized sectors of our society. The government, instead of making way for the fair treatment between men and women, only retains a societal thinking that cages and diminishes consciousness on feminism. It redefines oppression rather than removing it. More often than not, women are objectified and slutshamed, as if they are sexual toys not entitled to their own sexuality. However, the patriarchal culture that Filipinos grew up with is not and will never be an enough excuse to justify oppression. Sexism, along with other cruelties that further infects the burn of the Filipino
people, stems from class oppression. Therefore, in order to tackle any one of these, we must assert equal and effective distribution of rights for a democratic country wherein people’s interests are favored regardless of sexual category.
The Scar Tenacious in burning the cries of women, the president has always been tactless and undiplomatic in his blows on women’s rights. Oppression has been prevalent ever since. In numerous things, there had always been obstacles with built-in hindrances made especially for women. Evident in how the past administrations managed the issues of women’s rights, our nation had elected presidents who tolerated the overarching structure of patriarchy in our country. Up to now, several cases involving violations on women’s rights are not fully responded to and have not been fully resolved by the government. Disempowering women, they deliberately prevent the implementation of laws that favor women, continue gender discrimination, carry out violence, and permanently deny women of justice in the tragedies that transpired in the past. At present, we have a leader who willingly engages himself to the oppression of women as he disseminates catcalling, slutshaming, and disrespect. The presidentelect has committed numerous violations on women’s rights. He has shown his low disregard on women and incompetence as a national leader through his insensitivity in cases such as rape and catcalling. The biggest irony, lies on the fact that merely whistling at a woman in Davao City actually breaks a city ordinance the President himself signed into effect as mayor in 1997. Back in May, President Rodrigo Duterte had whistled at Mariz Umali, a female journalist, in a press conference. When interviewed, Mariz Umali stated that “It may have been improper from a presidentelect but, of course, we will continue to do our job and we are not expecting any apology from him personally.” This is a clear manifestation of how women are subjected into the culture of silence. For instead of defending themselves, they
resort to just being lenient about it. Amidst the second-class treatment of women by the country’s head of state himself, no one seems to have the guts and dare to bat an eye; and the more tragic tendency is, people regard his wrongdoings as “correct”, rather than taking notice of his disrespectful actions and his violations of the law he implemented himself. His position as the head of the country has also terrifyingly paved way for him to get away with his impolite actions, despite the existence of laws such as Republic Act 7877, or the Anti-Sexual Harassment Act of 1995. This allows injustice and inequality to further persist. Nonetheless, some argue that the president is just a playful individual - including the presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo himself told ABS-CBN News in an interview that he was not disrespecting Mariz Umali but complimenting her rather. Panelo further explained that if the president whistles, “It means he is fond of the person.” However, the issue does not lie on what Duterte’s intent was, but how the female reporter felt violated with how the president, by his definition in the laws he has implemented, verbally harassed her. Then again, the disparity between his statements and its interpretation is not for the Filipino people to understand and mind on their own, as it is the president’s responsibility as a national leader to be straightforward and careful with his statements so as not to cause confusions. Harassing statements should never be tolerated even if it comes from the highest appointed leader of a country. Instead of the head of state being a spark of change for the women, he now becomes a tormentor and a hindrance for women’s liberation. As tyranny and dominance persists, the struggle to end gender-based oppression continues and the government shall be held accountable for the various cases of neglect towards its constituents. The women in our society today now face a scar of tragedy that carries on from a generation to another. And as the burn of tradition meets the skin of the oppressed, fire continues to scorch in the hands of the tyrants, and the people, united in struggle at all costs, will find a way to eradicate the flames. Women’s rights should be continuously asserted, for only in a nation free from oppression will we truly achieve genuine democracy that serves not only a few but the whole nation itself. And in order to achieve a society free of discrimination and subjugation, the Filipino people should collectively struggle in ending gender discrimination and oppression. The Filipino people must be united in battling the ironic fire – that instead of lighting our path to liberty, it burns us instead.
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday
TRIGGER WARNING:
CULTURE 07
State Comorbidities Exacerbating a Vulnerable State of Mind MARI LOREAL MARQUEZ VALDEZ ILLUSTRATION BY ANGELU PAGOBO “It’s all in your head,” an excuse echoed whenever mental health issues arise. The brain, of synapses and neurotransmitters, is the seat of being. Everything we experience is all processed in the mind. A single breakdown can cripple the whole body. To discredit the mind is to discredit the person. What seems to be confined in many heads are ignorance and internalized stigmas. Mismanaged by the state and distorted by society, the afflicted loses opportunities to voice these struggles out.
HIDE AND SICK “…I know a psychiatrist. Have a check-up. You’re not bipolar. You’re a psychopath,” the rant of an actress to the president is being broadcasted while a boy mutters at a corner. With bruises fresh from belt whips, he is chained to a bed after nearly choking his mom, accusing his parents of being imposters. Disturbed by the screaming, neighbors avoid the house and gossip instead that demons possessed the family. When symptoms of a person with a mental condition appear, most people don’t always see it as a disease. Attempts to comfort someone with depression might be in the form of invalidation such as “Others have it worst” or pleading like “Just stop being sad”. On the other hand, a known schizophrenic, even without manifestations, is shamed out of fear. Prejudices either underestimate the nature of illness (claiming that it will go away sometime soon) or define the person (thinking that they’re no longer human since they’re potentially dangerous). Likewise, having little knowledge to what these terms really bear, mental disorders entered the mainstream vernacular in its most incorrect sense: to insult. A fan of slasher flicks is deemed antisocial. Autistic are those socially awkward classmates. A roommate who organizes every other minute is obsessive compulsive. Moody equals bipolar. Mental disorders are relegated to as slurs, conveniently used to describe what others find inconvenient. Since its manifestations don’t go as obvious, many are unaware of its importance even if health is the state of both physical and psychosocial wellbeing and not just merely an absence of disease. Whereas physical illnesses are caused by pathogens or injuries, diseases of the mind are multifactorial (i.e. genetics, disposition to handle stress, and/or environmental triggers). Poor physical health increases the risk of developing mental health problems. If only the biological aspect is remedied, the client may show signs of depression as the burden of carrying the disease is left untreated. Similarly, poor mental health has a negative impact on
physical health. For example, a manic episode predisposes the person to risky behavior in doing stunts that may cause fractures or in being sexually deviant, possibly transmitting venereal diseases. Unfortunately, it is commonly perceived that mental health conditions are disorders for the well-off — those who have the luxury of getting checked by a highly-paid doctor in a hospital with world-class facilities. The truth is, mental illness can affect anyone, both rich and poor. However, the latter are at a higher risk due to lack of access to basic social services. Impoverished families are prone to malnutrition, which can cause delirium. To get one’s mind off of how bad living conditions are, some resort to solvents or meth, which in turn causes substance abuse disorders. The government, in its role to secure public health, should allocate adequate budget to prioritize a comprehensive mental health policy and program. Instead, we get publicprivate partnerships. Because of this, government proposals on establishing health service infrastructures now serve as platforms for corporates to profit on what is supposed to be a public good, putting socioeconomically-disadvantaged patients at a further disadvantage. Stigma not only affects those with mental health problems. It doesn’t just undermine a sense of self, it prevents everyone to help and give out support. Ergo, social contact is significant for improving attitudes and behaviors towards the mentally ill. However, breaking the stigma alone is not enough. As long as the problems in the current status of mental health do not get their deserved concrete solutions, these illnesses will remain stigmatized.
SICK AND TIRED Despite going out, she can’t help but feel extremely sad and think of ending her life. Her dad doesn’t want her to visit a doctor, saying it’s a waste of money for something that’s just made up. Having no idea what to do with her life anymore, her only consolation is the empty coldness of the Internet, posting “#Suicidal people are just angels who want to go home”. 0 likes 0 comments 21 views Given the statistics of online users in our country, raising awareness for mental health can be maximized through social media. These sites have become an escape ground for people to express, usually of thoughts easier written than said. Though breaking the stigma is the aim, these sites prove to be double-edged in becoming an avenue in mystifying mental health disorders. On one hand, an anonymous poster can publish, say, memes on anxiety to which those with and without the disorder can
laugh at, like a sort of refuge from how serious its symptoms are. On the other, people might translate mental health disorders as fodder for comedy. If one isn’t careful enough to package as intended, the user might get flak for being insensitive. It’s easy to dismiss the gravity beneath the humor. One can, at the very least, realize the human behind the screen.
think. They would only be limited to being subservient to keep their bosses contented, even at the expense of their own mental health. Those who aren’t able to keep up are intimidated into thinking it’s their fault. The opposite rings true: companies might offer employees psychiatric consultations to show their care but it can never resolve alienation.
Romanticism of mental health disorders impractically presents its mishaps. Photos of suicidal letters and of arms with blood rising from razor cuts are worrisome as these posts are perceived as “beautiful”. The Internet, being a public space, has every kind of reaction: amused or disgusted, but everyone must see it as a call for intervention. Cyberbullies only add to the problem as the two-way attention-seeking behavior does more harm by promoting suicide.
Our current educational system tolerates this dangerous romanticism, settling us into a nation of mentally unstable citizenry. A mass-oriented education which caters to scientific knowledge and mass-oriented consciousness is vital in understanding and treating mental health conditions. This lays the foundation for every citizen to validate how fast and good the government progresses, to scrutinize if the programs they propose are for the people and of the people.
The entertainment industry also participates in sensationalizing a regressive picture of mental health. Representation is misleading and exaggerated, often biased against the welfare of the mentally ill as it provokes the thought that it’s because of their condition that they are so special. Series thrive either in glorifying antagonists making life hell for persons with disabilities or in demonizing the mentally ill themselves as they are the ones making life hell for others. No matter how unrealistic the portrayals are, what they’re after is catching the viewer’s interest. This goes to show how they only gain for what they want, where fame is currency and ratings is king.
Persons with mental health diseases are not alone in the struggle for quality and inclusive national healthcare as their conditions are exacerbated by a repressive and oppressive system.
A clouded view on mental health basically shows us what we want to see and not what we need to see. This will prevail if the masses are not yet oriented to topical issues like sex education and mental hygiene, which are not fully tackled in institutions because of conser vatism, worsened by com merc ia l i z e d, colonial, and fascist education. If the graduates our schools’ produce is labor made for export, their viewpoint is robbed of the ability to critically
Help for mental health issues is not an endless game of hide and seek. The fight for substantial attention and investment towards health in general should transcend the individual setting and be actualized in collectively replacing the root cause of inaccessibility and discrimination.
08 NEWS
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday
Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang
ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA
S
ang-ayon ka ba sa nais ipatupad ni President Rodrigo Duterte na "Independent Foreign Policy"?
NOVEMBERIFIC EDITION Vum vrum panez! Kumusta nhaman phowsz ang hellz na hellzzweeky ng akhung mga afowz? Keri niyo pa ba? Bawal ma-teguibells, dapat keribells lang lagi! It’z time 2 share some chismax sa aking mga afowz na pagodaviridae nang mag-aralsung to the max! Here goez your superlola boom boom pow to the reskyubells!
Novemberific sumvhong numbah wan: Social media pole-ing Nakow naman, one of my afowz last weekerts ay lumalapit sa akhung fashown na fashown na outfitz at crying because of shameimomum! Paano ba naman daw kasi, itong si cutienewbie prof sa isang departamentung sa isang malaking kolehiyo, aba’y tila ibrinoadcast ala Mike Enriquez-Mel Tiangco ang ganapsung sa isa niyang klase! Ngunit, aneksung nga ba ang latest ganapsung sa kanyang klase de boom boom boom? Aba itong si bagets prof pala, nagbigaysung ng isang malupit-lupit na eggzam!!! Ito namang aking mga afowz, aba’y brain hemorrhage ala mental blanko yata ang tinamo dahil sa resulta!!! Ayon sa aking afow, halohaloz buong klase daw ang bumagsak sa eggzam ni profy! Aba’y wala naman sanang kaso itong resulta sa aking mga afowz kung hindi lang nag-live streaming si profy sa kanya social media account at isinaad pa ang malufet na resulta ng kanyang klase!!!! Sinobells ba namansung ang hindi mahihiya doon matapos ipamalit sa whole wide world ang ganapsung ng eggzam!!! At bakit pa nga ba namansung needed malamansung ng people outside the whole wide world ang resulta ng eggzam ni profy!!! Ayun, kahihiyan ang inabot ng aking mga afowz pero worry not! I got their backsungs. At para naman sayo profy, sana naman pfowz, next timerz, di mo na-bells kailangang magpost sa social media ng result ng eggzam ng klase mo lalo na kung bagsakers sila dahil ikaw lang din ang repleksyonism kung bakit sila bumagsakersss!!!
Novemberific sumvhong numbah two: garbage court
Inabangan this academic year ang fresh na fresh at vagong vagong Yu Fi Em Dormitorybells!!! Sa wakasimutati, may matitirahan na rin ang aking mga afowz na fighter to the max sa pag-uwi at pagpasok sa Yu Fi Em!!! Pero kung may good news, aba’y hindi rin nakakaligtaang izumvong ala bhong bhong ang mga bad news!!! Itong mga basketballers kong afowz, eggzited na eggzited na maglaro sa PGH Court!!!! Pero shocking spree ang sumalubong sa kanila sa pagpasok ng taon kasi aneeek, yung PGH court biglang naging g a r b a g e court!!! Mizmo! Aba’y halos matabunan na ang kalahati ng court ng mga nagkalat na kung anoanong equipmentum galing sa PGH!!! From hospital bed to tables to chairs, name it, garbage court este PGH court has it!!! Kaya ayown hirap pa maglaro ang aking mga afowz dahil sa sikip ng ginagalawan at mas maaari pa silang maaksidentebells na huwag naman sana dahil sa mga kinakalawang na kagamitanism sa PGH court!!! Anek pa ang health sciences center kung wala nang health sa paligid ng Yu Fi Em!!!! Thank youbells na lang at kamakailan ay inalis na rin ang mga basura sa PGH court at unti-unting na ring lumilinis-kintab-ayos ang lagay!!! Naexcite na ulit maglaro ang aking mga afowz ng favorite gamez nila! At sana, hindi na ma-part 2 ang naganap na pagtatambakerz ng basura sa PGH court ano bae laruan dapat iyon at hindi tapunan! At ayun na nga shunganga! Nagtapos na naman ang sumvhong ng aketch afowz na sana ay ma-improve furtherism ng mga taong involving!!!! Aral mabuti afowz, sa aking pagbabalik!
Hindi naman makakaila na developing country pa lang din ang Pilipinas, ngunit kung ipatutupad ni PDiggy and policy na ito, siguro ito ay makakabuti upang hindi na tayo maging mga alipin ng mga imperyalistang bansa tulad ng US. - julanis morrissette, 2015-xxxx, CAS Oo. Panahon na para ipakita ng Pilipinas na kaya nating tumayo magisa. - Kween, 2014, CAS Oo, dahil ineexploit lang naman tayo ng ibang bansa. - agiteveryday, 2013 Yes! We'll still be abused by the big countries we ally ourselves with, we should be employ national industrialization and use our country's vast resources to improve our economy. The only problem with us is corruption, which limits the benefits of our resources and manpower to the ruling elite. Thus they only use it for their own interests. - I'dratherbee, 2012, CAS I believe!!!! The Philippines have the potential to compete globally in all fields but we cannot deny the fact that we need the assistance of well-off nations. - gfnisirneil, 2015-xxxxx, CAS Oo. Hindi naman kasi nangangahulugan na kakalas tayo sa trade relations ng ibang bansa porke may implementation ng Independent Foreign Policy. Ibig sabihin lang nito, handa tayong makipag-ugnayan sa ibang bansa nang hindi tayo nakokompromisa. Yun kasi ang madalas na nangyayari ngayon eh, iniipit tayo ng ibang bansa with their policies na mas nagfe-favor sa kanila (EDCA, VFA, APEC, TPP need I say more?) - ok?ok. I agree with the policy itself, but given his inexperience with foreign relations, Duterte just isn't the right person to implement it. - lowbatt, 2016, CAS Pabor. Panahon na (matagal na dapat) upang kumawala sa Amerika at sa mapang-abuso nitong mga polisiya. - 201x-xxxxx, bagonghalaman FUCK that "Independent Foreign Policy." Eh ano yung shit niyang "CHINA + RUSSIA + PHILIPPINES AGAINST THE WORLD." Shit siya. Shit his friendship with China. - #dentstudentsformentalhealth, 2013 Yes, kaya naman nating tumayo bilang isang bansa. - praxis, 2013, CAS Oo. Panahon na. -Hayahay, 201*
N ng
ais mo ba maging isang Agot Isidro sa gitna mga Mocha Uson?
Definitely, ayoko maging mocha uson! but hindi ko rin nais maging isang agot isidro. mas gusto ko maging OPENMINDED at INFORMED observer/ citizen. - kambal, 2013 Pwede na ring maging-Agot. Agot-afeeling na we see eye-to-eye. - ~kbye, 2012 I'd rather be someone who speaks against the atrocities of a big man in power backed up by fanatics than be someone who ignores these atrocities and follows blindly. - I'dratherbee, 2012, CAS Hindi pero at least, si Agot, isang beses lang. Si Mocha, bingo na bingo na. Mas mabuti siguro kung ibigay sa masa ‘yung boses at impluwensya na meron silang dalawa, ‘no? - umiiyak, 2015, CAS No, di ko bet si Agot. Pero mas lalong hindi ko bet si Mocha. - #dentstudentsformentalhealth, 2013 Ayoko ng mocha bes. Chocolate na lang. - 201x-xxxxx, bagonghalaman Oo. I would rather have the guts to criticize than be someone who blindly supports whatever the president is doing. Constructive criticism. It's a thing. - lowbatt, 2016, CAS Hindi, dahil pareho naman silang may kahinaan. Mas gugustuhin kong maging isang mulat na estudyante sa mga nangyayari sa ating bansa. - KND, 2015, CAS I aspire to be as brave and as analytical as Agot Isidro rather than putting blind faith on a person na halatang naman binub***s**t ang politics :(( - gfnisirneil, 2015-xxxxx, CAS Hindi. Si Agot, mahal ang mga imperyalista. Si Mocha, mema. - Hayahay, 201* Hmm. Keri! - praxis, 2013, CAS Oo, jusko Mocha Uson? Tsss. - agiteveryday, 2013 Hindi ko nais maging kahit na sino sa kanila. Naninindigan ako sa pakikiisa sa masa. - Kween, 2014, CAS Why not, coconut? - julanis morrissette, 2015-xxxx, CAS Paano? - snorlex, 201*
GRAPHICS 09
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday
DANIELLE MONTEALEGRE RODRIGUEZ
STATE SLAUGHTER FROM P.12 Moreover, the larger problems in society where the drug problem is rooted, are being undermined. As long as the root cause of poverty and corruption remains unaddressed, the vicious cycle of drug addiction will only continue. It must be realized that the drug problem is not the country’s disease itself but a symptom of a larger and worse illness that is perpetually neglected to be cured ; it stems from the lack of a better way of living, opportunities, and equal allocation of resources that are supposedly provided for by the government.
ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO
AGONY OF UNJUST JUSTICE GENEVIEVE SEÑO RSA AMENDMENTS
Improvement for Healthcare
“Isa siyang hakbang. Hindi siya isang solusyon. Hindi siya tinitignan na end-all be all-solution. Isa lang siyang hakbang”, clarified Dr. Gene Nisperos. According to Dr. Nisperos, the RSA provides a way to prevent the exodus of Filipino health workers and at the same time, gives them the opportunities to serve and be closer to the masses. “Ito yung masa, dapat mo talagang paglingkuran”, stressed Nisperos.
JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG
Moreover, Dr. Nisperos also highlighted the importance of ensuring opportunity of employment for the graduate. Upon deployment, the Department of Health (DOH) should provide hazard pay wherever the graduate is assigned to. Dr. Nisperos also articulated that reforms in admission policies and in the curriculum should be made in tandem with the implementation of the RSA. These changes should be designed to give Filipino health workers the right values and capacities for them to voluntary stay and serve
FROM P.05
the country which, in turn, will eventually make the RSA irrelevant.” Consequently, Dr. Nisperos also said that the RSA is a mechanism to counteract the effects of commercialization through changing it from return service agreement into a return service opportunity. "Isipin mo nalang siya na isang dagdag na taon sa pag-aaral mo labas sa kolehiyo”, he added. “Natututunan mo ang tunay na kalagayan ng lipunan [na] dapat mo ding ayusin, natututunan mo [kung] ano ‘yung mga pangangailangan niya, ng taumbayan. Iyan sana ang makukuha nila sa panahon na finu-fulfill nila ang RSA”. Lastly, Dr. Nisperos said that an expectation for RSA is that little by little, it should strengthen the country's healthcare system as Filipino health workers choose to stay once they are exposed to serving local communities through their skills. "Natututo sila kung paano mahalin yung ganoong uri ng trabaho", he expounded.
The problem of drugs in our country is not one that can be eliminated easily and immediately. It involves a lot of factors: time, conscientious planning, more humane approaches, and collective effort – not only from the government, but also from the masses. It doesn’t only involve one sector of our society, and it should not be addressed solely as a problem of the police. Instead, it should involve and engage every one of us. Poverty, however, will only continue to worsen in a society that is kept backward and controlled in behalf of the few powerful and corrupt. In order to achieve genuine change, the basic structure of the society must first be tipped in favor of the interests of the people. In the long run, it is in the hands and the unified action of the people that the struggle to end the large and small scale problems of society will be won.
10 OPINION Truth Be Told
Mico Cortez A CUP OF MOCHA
“The said Facebook page widens the rift between those who support the current administration and those who are critical of it.” That statement comes from the petition filed by one netizen to bring down Mocha Uson’s Facebook page. That petition, posted on change.org, has received approximately 33,000 signatures as of the time of this writing. If I’m being completely honest, I’d just say “f*ck it”. I’d ask my family to migrate abroad, somewhere cold and peaceful like Canada or somewhere in Europe. Let the Mocha Uson blog and the kaDDS and the kultong dilawan drive this country deeper into its own grave. But as I have learned writing for The Manila Collegian, every one of us myself included - has a responsibility to our country and our people. So as frustrating, tiring, and infuriating as it may be, we must continue to inform and enlighten those who are blinded, confused, and lost. To start with, I do not like Mocha Uson. I don’t admire or respect her. But, I don’t support that petition either. The petition claims that her Facebook page has to be shut down because it 1) spreads “fictitious/unsupported claims, fake news, and false information” and 2) it’s being divisive, widening the rift “between those who support the current administration and those who are critical of it”. Now, on that first point, yes it’s true that not all of her posts or “reports” are entirely, factually true. The thing is, the exact same argument can be used against the mainstream media. TV and radio stations are notorious for framing issues in particular ways, to paint the parties of their choosing in a bad light and protect the reputation of those they are biased for. This is, I feel, one of the biggest reasons so many people follow and support the Mocha Uson Blog. The people feel deceived and betrayed by the mainstream media, so they turn to what they see as an underdog, a vigilante journalist of sorts. As for that second point, a single Facebook page cannot be blamed for the division in our present society. The nature of our society itself, the imbalance of power and resources between the rich and the poor, and the continued dominance of machinations such as imperialism, capitalism, and patriarchy are to blame. Mocha Uson is not a credible journalist. Mocha Uson is not a political scientist or economic analyst or intellectual. But that does not make her right to free speech any less important than ours or anyone else’s. Suppressing her opinions does not make us heroes, but fascists instead. It makes us the very people we should oppose and bring down. It may seem like the easiest way of reducing misinformation and healing our country’s divisiveness. But just because it’s easy doesn’t make it right. I’ll catch you next time.
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday
MISCHIEVOUS MAVERICK ARTHUR GERALD B. QUIRANTE
Recently, another fellow student from a known university in Taft decided to end her life due to failing grades and her poor performance in academics. Much of her story has not yet been disclosed. Only her close friends and family may fully know how she manages things in her life, but there’s one thing for sure the moment committing suicide crossed her mind. She needed help. She needed help from her support system as she was going through maybe her most difficult situation in her life. Surely, she did not want to disappoint her family who might have huge expectations from her especially she is under the Accountancy program of the university and accountants nowadays earn a good amount of salary enough to provide for her family. But where could’ve she sought help when she was enduring all these thoughts and facing that she will at some point, disappoint her family? Was there any program the university offered which genuinely offers to help students suffering like her? Was there any mechanism the government came up with to help people who are undergoing depression like her? There was none.
Or if maybe there was, it was lacked existence enough to encourage people approach or subscribe to the program. According to a report by CNN, The Philippines has the lowest suicide rate among ASEAN member states. But
The best thing we can give to them is time. time to listen, time to help them, time to talk to them. mental illnesses, such as depression, persist in the country. The suicide rate in the Philippines is 2.5 for men and 1.7 for women (per 100,000 population), according to the DOH's National Center for Mental Health. In 2012, the DOH estimated more than 2,500 suicides: 2,008 males and 550 females. According to the World Health Organization, suicide is more common in males than in females. While it is true that the Philippines has the lowest suicide rate among ASEAN states, this does not eliminate the fact that as a developing country, much of the
CLOCK STRUCK TWELVE MARILOU HANAPIN CELESTINO
Minahal kita noon, mas mahal kita ngayon.
tumatawa ka, tapos papasok sa isip ko bigla na “Hindi, magkaibigan lang tayo.”
Anim na buwan na mula noong mawala kung ano mang mayroon tayo noon. Walang tayo noon. Espesyal ka sa akin, espesyal rin ako sa ’yo. Inaamin ko namang kasalanan ko kung bakit bigla na lang nanlabo ang lahat. Naglihim ako sa ’yo; sa iba mo nalaman, at hindi mo matanggap, pero ibang istorya iyon.
Nakakatawa pa ngang isipin, dalawang kaibigan niyo na ang inireto niyo sa akin pero tinanggihan ko pareho. Bakit? Kasi siguro natakot na ko at saka siguro mayroon pa kong kaonting nararamdaman para sa ’yo. Ayoko nang maulit pa yung nangyari sa ’tin. Ayoko nang umangat nang sobra pero ako lang mag-isa yung babagsak. Masakit.
Nawala ako nang dalawang buwan, sabi mo makakatulong sa akin ‘yon para makawala sa bangungot na nangyari. Bumalik ako pero sobrang layo na ng loob mo sa akin. Sinabi mo pa ngang huwag na ako makikipag-usap sa ’yo kahit kailan. Nagpuyos ako sa halong galit at lungkot. Marami akong nasabing hindi maganda sa ’yo. Pero dumating ang kaarawan mo, nagtungo ako sa bahay niyo para dalhan ka ng paborito mo. Nagulat ka nang nasa labas ako, at niyakap mo ko nang sobrang higpit at sinabing “Bati na tayo.” Sobrang saya ko noon. Napaiyak pa nga ko sa simbahan sa Quiapo nung dumaan ako doon bago umuwi. Kahit hindi na maibalik yung espesyal na namagitan sa atin, kahit yung masayang pagkakaibigan na lang. Hanggang ngayon, sobrang lapit nating magkaibigan. Yung mga matatalik mong kaibigan, matalik ko na ring kaibigan. Lagi na tayong magkakasama. Palagi na rin tayong tumatambay sa inyo hanggang hatinggabi. Sa totoo lang, may mga panahon pa ring napapatitig ako sa ’yo lalo kapag nagkukuwento ka o ‘di kaya’y
Kahapon, pumunta tayong magkakaibigan sa isang parke. Sumakit pa nga ang paa ko sa haba ng nilakad natin. Matagal tayong tumigil doon. Naupo’t nahiga pa tayo sa ilalim ng mga punong nilagyan ng magagandang ilaw. Nagkwentohan tayong magbabarkada, kagaya ng lagi nating ginagawa. Pauwi na tayo noon, hindi tayo madalas na magkwentohan kapag magkatabi tayong naglalakad dahil siguro naiilang tayo kapag inasar nila tayo. Pero kahapon, nagulat na lang ako at bigla mo akong dinaldal. “Minsan ba napapaisip ka sa mga bagaybagay?,” tanong mo. “Oo. Like, mga what ifs, ganern?,” mariin kang um-oo noon. Pagkatapos ay tuloy-tuloy na tayong nagkwentohan sa mga “what if ” na naisip natin. Hanggang sa paghatid natin sa isa nating kaibigan, nagdadaldalan pa rin tayo; naputol na lang noong humiwalay ka na pauwi. Hatinggabi na nang makauwi ako sa bahay. Nag-chat ako sa ’yo at sinabihan kang matulog ka na pero nagkwentohan pa tayo hanggang sa may
HELPLINE statistics presented here will continue to rise in the coming years. And depression, highlighted by the lack of a mental health system in the country, isn’t excused. The present government has murmured about the sensitive topic of mental health. The government even came up with a 24/7 suicide counseling hotline also known as “Hopeline” which is a start to put action to the mental health state of the country. Mental Health Bill is also in the Senate right now. Mental Health advocates are pushing for its enactment as soon as possible. While there are promising steps towards achieving and establishing a genuine Mental Health system in the Philippines, let us stop blurting out words that press people who undergo depression and other mental disorders. After all, people who suffer from mental illness is just the same people who happen to be in some sort of a battle with his or her emotions and cognitive process. The best thing we can give to them is time. Time to listen, help them, to talk to them. And soon maybe, time to engage in the discourse of mental health.
ANO NAMAN? bigla kang inamin sa akin.
Bisexual ka. Kahit ako nabigla. ‘Yon pala yung sikretong ayaw niyong sabihin sa akin. Akala mo kasi huhusgahan kita. Kahit noong bago pa may mamagitan sa atin, bi ka na. Pero natuwa ka nang ang tanging tugon ko lang ay “Ughhhhh! Ang cute!” Siguro akala mo talaga ‘di ko matatanggap at inamin mo pang natakot kang sabihin dahil baka isipin kong hindi umobra yung sa atin dahil doon. Pero huwag kang mag-alala. Tanggap kita. Ano naman? Wala akong pakialam kung ano ka pa. Kung noong may namamagitan pa sa atin ay inamin mo ‘yan, wala pa rin namang magbabago. Sinabi ko na sa iyo ito kaninang madaling araw, at hindi ako mapapagod ulit-uliting sabihin ito: Walang mali sa kung ano ka. Ikaw pa rin yung taong nakilala ko noon. At kung sa tingin mo, mali yang nararamdaman mo dahil hindi ito tanggap ng iba: tangina nila. Mas matindi ang kung anong mayroon tayo sa kahit ano pang lihim na malalaman ko. Kung sa tingin mo, huhusgahan ka ng iba, ipagtatanggol kita mula sa kahipokritahan nila. Wala namang nagbago. Sa totoo nga, mas humanga pa ako sa ’yo ngayon sa paglalakas-loob mo na umamin sa akin. Ito ang pakatandaan mo: kahit isang libong mata pa ang tumirik at kahit ilang kilay pa ang tumaas dahil sa kasarian mo, tanggap kita. Mahal kita. Mas minahal kita. Bisexual ka, eh ano naman?
EDITORIAL 11
Volume 30 Number 3 November 10, 2016 | Thursday
A N E W S C OR R E S P ON DE N T S
Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Eunice Biñas Hechanova Anton Gabriel Abueva Leron Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales
F E AT U R E S C OR R E S P ON DE N T S Justin Danielle Tumenez Francia Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari Katrina Maria Limpiada Perolino Thalia Real Villela
C U LT U R E C OR R E S P ON DE N T S Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino
R E S I DE N T I L LUS T R AT OR S
Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes Danielle Montealegre Rodriguez
R E S I DE N T P H O T OJOU R NA L I S T Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan
OF F IC E 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000 EMAIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com WEBSITES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule MEMBER
College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations
The Cover
NG MALIIT NA TINIG ng pambansang minor ya na dapat pinalalakas at pinaiigting, ay patuloy na pinapapaos at pinaliliit ng matigas na pag-iisip ng mga naghahari-hariang uri sa lipunan. Ang masaklap pa, tila gusto pa nilang iurong nang tuluyan ang dila ng mga ito. Para sa mga Lakbayani, ang bagong taon ay sumisimbolo ng panibagong pagkakataon upang tumindig at ipahayag ang kanilang boses. Nitong Oktubre 13 opisyal na nagsimula ang Lakbayan 2016, na may kaakibat na temang “Lakbayan ng Mga Pambansang Minor ya para sa Sariling Pagpapasya at Makatarungang Kapayapaan”. Layunin nila na maiparating sa pamahalaan ang mga isyung kanilang kinakaharap na karaniwang hindi nahahagip ng lente ng kamera – ang militarisasyon sa kanayunan, ang pagkamkam at pandarambong sa kanilang lupang ninuno, ang pagkakait ng kanilang karapatan sa edukasyon, at ang ‘di-makatarungang pagpaslang sa mga katutubo. Sa kanilang pagdayo sa kapatagan, tangan-tangan nila ang pag-asang maririnig na ng masa ang kanilang boses, nang sa gayo’y makarating na ang kanilang mga hinaing at hiling sa kinauukulan. At sa pagasang kanilang pinanghahawakan, baon-baon din nila ang kagustuhang maisakatuparan ang mga hangaring ito sa pamamagitan ng mapayapang diskurso. Kagaya na lamang ng mainit na pagtanggap ng mga militanteng grupo at ng iba’t ibang mga pangkat sa kanilang pagtapak sa lupa ng Maynila, sinalubong din sila ng mga maiinit na ulo sa hanay ng mga patrolya. Tinatayang limampung katao ang naiulat na nasugatan sa naganap na violent dispersal sa US Embassy kamakailan. Tatlo sa mga ito ay inararo ng rumaragasang police mobile, at dalawampu’t isa naman ang naaresto at dinala sa himpilan. Bukod pa rito, nauna na ring napabalita na sinalubong sila ng mga miyembro ng AFP ng water cannon habang nagsasagawa ng kilos-protesta sa Camp Aguinaldo.
Illustration Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo
Layout
Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan
Ang naturang mga pangyayari ay mistulang nagyeyelong tubig na pilit na pinaiinom sa haponghapong mga boses – lalo pa nilang pinaliliit ang tinig ng ating mga kababayang nabibilang sa populasyon ng minor ya. Sa
JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG
HIMUTOK pagtanaw ng mga nakatataas sa pader ng mga malalaking isyu, hinayaan na lamang na nakatiwangwang ang isyu ng mga maliliit na sektor ng lipunan. Ang pagpapatuloy ng pambabalewala sa boses ng mga nasa laylayan ay hindi na bago sa ating kasaysayan. Magmula pa noong panahon ng mga mananakop, pilit na pinatatahimik ang mga mahihina at nakabababa, upang lalo pang maghari ang mga nasa itaas. Lahat ng uri ng pag-
kalayaang makapagpahayag, mananatiling bulag ang mga nasa itaas ng lipunan sa mga hinaing ng mga nakabababa sa kanila. Ang pagtanggi sa karapatan ng mga nakabababa sa tatsulok ay isang manipestasyon ng pagyukod sa interes ng minor ya at isa namang palatandaan sa pagtalima sa makasariling interes ng mga nasa itaas. Kung magpapatuloy ang ganitong pagtanaw ay lalo lamang lalala ang pagsadsad ng mga taong itinuturing nang nasa
Kailanman ay hindi magiging sapat ang pagkalakas-lakas na mga boses na nagmumula sa amplifier at megaphone kung walang pangkalahatang suporta at sama-samang pagkilos mula sa mga mamamayan. aalsa ay kanilang sinusupil, at kung sino man ang naglalakasloob na lumaban ay tinatawag pang taksil sa bayan. Ngunit hindi rin naman lingid sa kaalaman ng lahat na sumiklab ang matinding pagnanasa para sa kalayaan sa pamamagitan ng boses ng masa – ang Sigaw sa Pugad Lawin. Ang sigaw na ito para sa kalayaan ang siyang gumising sa diwa ng mga Pilipino upang lumaban at makipaglaban para sa bayan. Sa pag-ulit ng kasaysayan, boses din ang ginamit ng mga katutubo upang magpahayag ng matinding paghahangad sa pagbabago. Sa patuloy na pagpigil sa kanilang
laylayan ng lipunan. Bukod pa rito, mas magkakaroon lamang ng dahilan ang mga nakatataas na balewalain pa lalo ang nakabababang sektor – na di maglalaon ay magiging dahilan ng pagkabuwag ng buong lipunan. Katulad ng nakasulat sa ating kasaysayan, kaakibat na ng sigaw para sa kalayaan ang maprinsipyong kolektibong pagkilos. Kailanman ay hindi magiging sapat ang pagkalakaslakas na mga boses na nagmumula sa amplifier at megaphone kung walang pangkalahatang suporta at sama-samang pagkilos mula sa mga mamamayan.
LIEZL ANN DIMABUYU LANSANG AND CZYRAH ISABELLA MANALO CORDOBA ILLUSTRATION BY SHIRLEY NICOLE APOLONIO
STA TE SLAU GHT ER N G I A P M A C -DRUG
A LOWDOWN OF DUT ERTE'S ANTI “[T]hat is why I call on the Philippine National Police, the barangay chairmen, the Mayors, and Governors and all those occupying seats of power and authority, not to lower their guard. There will be no let-up in this campaign. Double your efforts. Triple them, if need be. We will not stop until the last drug lord, the last financier, and the last pusher have surrendered or put behind bars or below the ground, if they so wish.” Such were President Rodrigo Duterte’s words during his first State of the Nation Address (SONA) last July 25, 2016, marking the start of one of his biggest pet projects—his War on Drugs. Appealing to the desire of the masses to spur concrete change in the country through his campaigns focused on fighting illegal drugs, crime and corruption, the president has won the hearts of the people. But the months following his inauguration saw the massive spilling of blood from the more marginalized parts of society; beyond the perceived efficient achievement of a drug-free country are the transgression of the human rights of many alleged narcotics and the repeated bypassing of the due process of law. In just a few months, the country has seen the dawn of a new era of governance—one where it only easily takes a single gunshot on the back of the head to be silenced.
(Non) Post-Mortem More being
and more left dead on
bodies are the streets.
One of the key promises of Duterte to the citizens was the suppression of crime and illegal drugs in three to six months, and this ought to materialize through the immediate implementation of the anti-drug campaign both in the national and the local level. Thus, in collaboration with the Philippine National Police (PNP) which the president entrusted under Chief Superintendent Ronald dela Rosa, two operations were introduced by the state: the Oplan Double Barrel and the Oplan TokHang (Toktok-Hangyo or “knock and plead”).
While the former aims to target both big-time and small-time pushers through police operations and arrests, the latter involves police knocking on doors of alleged drug pushers or users in order to convince them to surrender—a method used in Davao City back when Duterte still served as mayor. According to PNP statistics, at least 17,319 drug personalities have been arrested in police operations through Oplan Double Barrel, while 714,217 have been said to surrender through Oplan TokHang by September alone. Looking at the numbers alone gives off the notion of government’s efficiency that has never been achieved before; however, beyond the mask created by these numbers are the gaps and loopholes in the process, causing the rising number of deaths through extrajudicial killings (EJKs). Whereas Duterte mentioned the observance of the state in upholding human rights and the rule of law for his anti-drug campaign in both his inauguration and SONA speeches, the actions perpetrated by the state have proven to be the stark contrary. As of October this year, the PNP had already reported a total of 3,860 alleged drug suspects dead—1,566 of whom were killed in police operations, while 2,294 were caused by extrajudicial and vigilante-style killings. Given the numbers, it is alarming how a large number of deaths has unknown killers. Considering that those who were killed were merely suspected drug dealers only further proves how the state has openly bypassed human rights-not giving its people the chance to undergo due process of the law. The brutal ways of how the state has dealt with the country’s drug problem have left many deaths unjustified, such as that of foundation scholar Jefferson Bunuan. The 20-year old who was merely sleeping in the house of an alleged drug suspect was implicated and was shot in a buy-bust operation of the police. Bunuan’s untimely death is not an isolated case—there have been many other instances where citizens from the poorer classes of the society get killed just by being allegedly involved
with drugs. Amidst the ongoing situation, international and local human rights advocates and groups have urged the president to uphold the essence of due process, but unfortunately, such calls seem to have only fallen to the deaf ears of the state. The lack of transparency and prior investigation to the casualties of Duterte’s war on drugs only further breeds a culture of impunity to vigilantes and even state officials. With the lack of due process, unknown gunmen can easily use the excuse of the anti-drug campaign to carry out murders even of innocent people. The further bastardization of the human rights of many suspected drug users have also been pointed by the Philippine Human Rights Commission, when it reported how many autopsies resulted to broken limbs—a sign that torture has been facilitated prior to killing the “suspect”. What is more alarming is that in less than three months, extrajudicial killings under Duterte’s reign have already exceeded the 1,190 deaths under the bloody Arroyo regime. As the government sustains its myopic perspective on the anti-drug campaign through carnage, solving the root cause of the drug problem in the country remains undermined.
ANTE- MORTEM Those who were killed already died even before their unlawful death. In a country where it has always been assumed that drugs bolster the burning flame of poverty, those who are afflicted with the crippling curse of impoverishment tend to see narcotics or psychedelic drugs as a salvaging force that can uplift them from their current predicament; drugs give them a momentary taste of heaven in this suffocating hell. With today’s administration, it seems that bloodshed becomes an accepted method of how to deal with the society’s problem with drugs, for it is being endorsed by the authorities. Apparently, there is a massive force that embraces the lives of the masses which appears to be something incurable, but
in reality is just something underestimated and ignored – the state of impoverishment. Poverty is rampant in our country. In the first semester of 2015, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA)’s estimate on the poverty incidence among Filipinos amounted to 26.3%. In the same report, the subsistence incidence among Filipinos, or the proportion of Filipinos whose incomes fall below the food threshold, was estimated at 12.1%. More recently, IBON, in their September 2016 Opinion Survey which was conducted across the 17 regions, has reported that seven out of ten or 70.8% of respondents considered themselves poor. it
With those being said, a myriad of aspects of the lives of the Filipino people are being compromised; nutrition of many children are greatly affected, health of the masses is deteriorating, and opportunities for the people are awfully limited. As per reports of the PSA, the unemployment rate in January 2015 was estimated at 6.6%, and according to the Department of Health, from 19932013, there had been an increase of 12% in the crude death rate of the country. Considering the current state of a country plagued with poverty, poor health care services, high unemployment rate, and inaccessible education, it would be quite easy to fathom why a problem in drugs exists. According to Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca Jr., a former Bayan Muna chairperson, people who live in a society where there is scarcity of jobs and other opportunities become desperate, and their only way to escape their problems for a while is through substance abuse. It is thus quite clear that people, especially the impoverished, resort to substance abuse as a measure of escapism--a break from the dire living conditions they are subjected to every day. As such, most of the people who are involved in the drug trade are from the lower classes. It is the same lack of basic social services and opportunities that drives them to engage in illegal activities. The administration’s intention in curbing substance abuse ought to bring forth
change in the country, but its measures remain violent and inhumane.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 09