The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 - Wednesday
under scrutiny 06 features
song of hope 10 opinion
FARMERS ESCAPE 'SLAVE-LIKE' CONDITIONS IN HACIENDA LUISITA 02 NEWS
02 NEWS
NEWS DOSE: Continuing state fascism in the countryside (Part 1/2)
NIÑA KEITH MUSICO FERRANCOL
Last January 6, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) confided its new campaign plan Development Support and Security Plan Kapayapaan (Oplan Kapayapaan) that would replace the Internal Peace and Security Plan Bayanihan (Oplan Bayanihan). AFP Public Affairs Chief Colonel Edgard Arevalo claimed Oplan Bayanihan to be a success during the Aquino administration. However, progressive groups lead by Makabayan and Karapatan condemned Oplan Bayanihan which targeted killings and harassment of farmers and indigenous people activists in the rural communities. They demanded the immediate pullout of military and paramilitary soldiers from the rural communities. Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said that despite the unilateral ceasefire declaration, there still have been vicious combat operations in the countryside in the guise of war on drugs. Data from Karapatan shows that under Duterte’s administration from July to November 2016, there have been 13, 627 threats, harassments, and intimidation; 12,979 cases of indiscriminate firing; 14,083 incidents of use of schools, churches, and other public places for military operations; and 13, 734 forced evacuations due to heavy militarization in their communities.
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Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
Farmers Escape ‘Slave-like Conditions’ in Hacienda Luisita ‘Sakadas’ poised to file complaints ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE AND ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON
Fifty-two seasonal farmers also known as “sakadas” from Bukidnon fled Hacienda Luisita as the management failed to fulfill promised compensations and instead, subjected them into desperate working conditions, multiple salary deductions, and long working hours. Following this, the sakadas filed charges due to the aforementioned causes with the help of several groups and government agencies. Modern - Day Slave Work Last November, 200 farmers from Bukidnon left for Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI) in Tarlac in anticipation of better working conditions and wages. According to the workers’ contract signed between them and the Greenhand Labor Service Cooperative (GLSC), they will receive 450 pesos daily, a cash advance of 7,000 pesos to be given in three tranches, free meals, boarding, free transportation to and from HLI, health insurance and other benefits. To give context, the minimum wage of plantation workers in Region III amounts to 334 pesos. Moreover, the sakadas have gone to HL knowing that their work was a livelihood project of President Duterte. It was known that GLSC was based in Polomolok, South Cotabato and had a deal with Agrikulto Inc., a company that grows and markets sugarcane under the Central Azucarera de Tarlac (CAT). According to Unyong ng Manggagawa sa Agrikultura (UMA), an organization of agricultural workers in the Philippines, Agrikulto Inc. was the largest aryenador in HLI. In line with this, Aryendo is a process in which farmers lease their land to rich people in exchange of money. During the process, majority of farmers who chose aryendo ended up being in deep debt. However, these promises were never fulfilled and were only used for deceiving farmers to work in HLI. Due to this, with the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s (DSWD) aid, 32 workers and 4 child workers left HLI on December 28. Subsequently, several others joined them a few days later at the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) after walking from Cubao Bus Station. Amidst the promises, the sakadas paid for their own food and provisions, according to UMA Secretary General Danilo Ramos. Sometimes, the farmers have little food or worse,
they go to the fields famished. Moreover, their heavy work will start early in the morning to late afternoon for a below minimum wage pay still subject to deductions including plates, rice cookers, and even the bolo they use to cut sugar canes. At the end, they will receive only 9 pesos to 128 pesos per day and will sleep on packed, poorly ventilated bunkhouses in Barangay Mapalacsiao near CAT.
have charges filed against them as they enforced substandard wages, illegal salary deductions and dismissal, and violated overtime regulations. Greenhand’s license can be deemed ineffective should the sakadas file an administrative case against it.
Ramos also said that the wage received by the sakadas and the HLI workers who went on strike in November 2004 were almost the same. “They were treated like slaves,”, Ramos reiterated.
Presently, Saladero and his colleagues are currently studying if a human trafficking case is feasible to be filed. Lastly, the sakadas and their lawyers visited the DOLE Region 3 Office in San Fernando Pampanga to demand compensation from the companies. In effect, a conciliationmediation hearing between the workers and the management will take place on January 25.
One of the escapees, Mario Bagnaran, 58, stated that he chose to go to Tarlac as the 6,000 pesos he earned monthly as a farmer on DOLE’s pineapple farms was deemed insufficient to support his family of nine. His brother, Brixcio, 62, contracted Tuberculosis at the hacienda and was only given fever medicines and free transportation for his trip back to Bukidnon. He died last January 4 due to not being able to afford hospital expenses, leaving his wife and eight children. Furthermore, UMA stated that the sakadas included minors, indigenous people and illiterate farmers who were recruited verbally and/or persuaded by their chieftains who were blinded by the company’s promises of aiding them in their fight for their ancestral lands. Lastly, the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provided shelter to the victims and the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) pledged funds for their transportation back to Bukidnon.
Subsequently, the sakadas filed labor complaints against Greenhand at the National Labor Relations Commission in San Fernando City, Pampanga.
Pushing for Systemic Changes Secretary General Antonio Flores from KMP, a group of landless farmers, pointed that such incidents still shows todays’ existing feudal bondage. He further mentioned that should the House Bill 555, also known as the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) be passed, landless farmers would no longer be forced to work in such conditions. Additionally, Ramos from UMA mentioned that the existence of Agrikulto Inc. – which grabbed lands from Luisita land owners and is now exploiting new workers from Mindanao, is a proof of the failed land reform policies of the Aquino Administration.
against ‘slave’ firms
Meanwhile, Anakpawis Representative Ariel Casilao urged the president to apprehend oligarchs like the Lorenzos and Conjuangcos for massive human trafficking.
Likewise, law firms provided legal assistance to sakadas. Pro-Labor Assistance Center (PLACE) Labor lawyer Remigio Saladero Jr, a counsel of labor group Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), presented to the sakadas that Greenhand, Agrikulto, and CAT can
In place of the sakadas, UMA appealed to the public for additional help including financial support for their transportation back to Bukidnon, government transactions, food, toiletries, medicines and aid for Brixcio Bagnaran’s family.
Charges
Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
DOLE under Duterte fails to end contractualization
NEWS 03
Workers, youth protest as new policy breaks six-month promise RYANA YSABEL NERI KESNER
Youth organizations and labor unions held a protest last January 12 in Intramuros, Manila against the Department of Labor and Employment’s (DOLE) negligence to end contractualization. On the campaign trail, President Duterte vowed to junk contractualization in the first six months of his presidency. Instead, he approved DOLE’s Department Order No. 168 (DO-168) on January 4, a policy which labor unions say is a “sugar-coated” version of contractualization.
Recurring Motive On the whole, the DO-168 declares the employer-employee relationship to be between the employee and the manpower agency, instead of between the employee and the company they work at. Although it promises regularization to workers, the policy actually frees companies and agencies from providing their employees with securities and benefits that are rightfully theirs by law. “Sa esensya, kontraktwalisasyon pa rin ang pinapairal ng DO-168,” Anakbayan National Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo explained. “Nangangahulugan pa rin ito ng pagbarat ng sahod, pagtanggal ng benepisyo at seguridad sa trabaho, at atake sa karapatang mag-organisa at mag-unyon.”
Profit
over progress
Overall, labor unions and youth groups are calling primarily for the end of all forms of contractualization,
which Labor Secretary Silvestre “Bebot” Bello III said he was willing to work for when he was appointed to his office by President Duterte in June 2016. However, despite the power given to him by the country’s Labor Code to effectively get rid of contractualization, he claims he cannot completely do so. “Bello is lying [through] his teeth when he said he cannot totally prohibit contractualization because his hands are tied by existing laws,” Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU) said in a statement. “That is just a flimsy excuse to cover up his strong bias for capitalists’ profits over workers’ rights and welfare.” Bello’s seemingly welcome attitude towards capitalism and contractualization has resulted in him issuing anti-worker orders such as the DO-168. This has caused many to accuse him of hindering the fulfillment of Duterte’s promise to junk such harmful policies. In response, protesters threw paint bombs at the department to express disappointment in the labor secretary’s actions.
Youth groups gather at the Department of Labor and Employment to call for the end of contractualization and other neoliberal policies oppressing the labor sector. Photo by Genevieve Seño “Secretary Bello has failed to deliver President Duterte’s promise to heed our demand to end contractualization,” Kilusang Mayo Uno Chairperson, Elmer Labog remarked. “He has rejected the labor
sector’s demand to end all forms of contractual employment and instead sided with big businesses and labor contractors in legitimizing labor contracting through his DO-168."
1,000 pisong dagdag sa SSS pensiyon, ikinasa na ni Duterte LEAH ROSE FIGUEROA PARAS Simula ngayong buwan ng Enero, matatamasa na ng mga retiradong miyembro ng Social Security System (SSS) ang dagdag P1,000 sa kanilang buwanang pensiyon. Batay ito sa pahayag ng palasyo nitong Enero 10 ukol sa pagpayag ni Duterte sa dagdag P1,000 sa pensiyon, kalahati ng pagtaas na inihahain ng mga mambabatas. “Inaprubahan ng pangulo ang P1,000 pagtaas ng pensiyon ngayong buwan subalit may kaakibat itong 1.5% na pagtaas ng kontribusyon at pagtaas ng monthly salary credit mula P20,000 patungong P16,000 na eepekto sa Mayo 2017”, ani ni Presidential Spokesperson Ernesto Abella sa ginanap na press briefing sa Malacañang. Pinahayag ni Duterte ang kaniyang pinal na desisyon noong Enero 9, nang mapag-usapan ang naturang isyu sa pagpupulong ng gabinete. Inaasahan ang pangulo ang haharap sa midya subalit tanging sina
Abella, SSS President Emmanuel Dooc, at SSS Chairman Amado Valdez ang dumalo para sagutin ang mga inihandang tanong ng midya. Alinsunod sa resolusyon ng kongreso, susundan pa ang pagtaas ngayong buwan ng isa pang dagdag P1,000 sa pensiyon pagdating ng 2022 o kung kakayanin ay mas maaga pa. Ayon kay SSS President Dooc, sapat ang pondo ng SSS para tustusan ang naturang dagdag pensiyon ngayong buwan.
Mas
malaking kontribusyon
Bagaman tinatayang dalawang milyong pensiyonado ang makikinabang sa dagdag pensiyon, kaakibat naman nito ang paglaki ng buwanang kontribusyon ng 34 milyong miyembro na magiging 12.5% mula sa kasalukuyang 11%. Ayon kay Abella, maaaring pumatak mula P15 hanggang P740 ang dagdag
singil sa kontribusyon, na kapwa paghahatian ng empleyado at ng employer. Dagdag nina SSS Chairman Valdez at SSS President Dooc, dapat managot ang mga employer na hindi nagbabayad nang maayos at hindi nagreremit ng kontribusyon ng kanilang mga empleyado. Alinsunod sa payo ng economic managers ni Duterte na sina kalihim Carlos Dominguez ng Department of Finance (DOF), Benjamin Diokno ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM), at Ernesto Pernia ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), inuna na ang naturang pagtaas ng pensiyon nang hindi hinihintay ang aksiyon ng gobyerno ukol sa nakabinbing income tax reform package para sa mga empleyadong nais ibaba ang income tax mula 32% patungong 25%.
Pagtugon
sa pangako
Kinuwestiyon naman nina kalihim Judy Taguiwalo ng Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Rafael Mariano ng Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), at Liza Maza ng National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC) ang motibo at posisyon ng economic managers ni Duterte at hinamon ang pangulo na tuparin ang kaniyang pangakong itaas ang SSS pensiyon ng P2,000. Kaugnay ito ng pahayag nina Diokno sa kanilang ipinasang posisyong papel kay Pangulong Duterte na kumokontra sa dagdag pensiyon sapagkat mababangkarote anila ang pondo ng institusyon. Dagdag pa nina Diokno, hindi maikakahon ang pangulo sa kaniyang ginawang mga pangako noong kampanya, tulad ng pagsuporta sa P2,000 dagdag pensiyon, kung mas makasasama ang hakbang kaysa makabubuti.
04 NEWS
Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
Pangakong pagpapalaya sa mga bilanggong politikal, hindi pa rin natutupad ARIES RAPHAEL REYES PASCUA
Kinondena ng iba’t ibang grupo, sa pangunguna ng Anakbayan, si Pangulong Duterte dahil nananatiling nakapako ang kaniyang pangako na pakawalan ang lahat ng bilanggong politikal sa bansa. Maaalala na nangako ang pangulo na palalayain umano ang humigitkumulang 430 bilanggong politikal sa araw ng Pasko at Bagong Taon, ngunit walang naganap na pagpapalaya. “Tapos na ang Pasko at Bagong Taon, ngunit 'di pa rin natupad ni Duterte ang pangako ng kaniyang gobyernong palayain ang mga bilanggong politikal,” wika ni Anakbayan National Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo.
Pangakong
napako
Sa mga nakaraang ulat, nabanggit na maglalabas ng amnestiya si Pangulong Duterte para palayain ang mga bilanggong politikal, Oktubre 26 ng nakaraang taon, ayon na rin sa napagkasundunan sa unang NDFP-GRP peace negotiations.
Sa kasawiang palad, hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring inilalabas na amnestiya ang pangulo para sa mga bilanggong politikal. Hindi niya umano pipirmahan ito hangga’t hindi pa naikakakasa ang tigilputukan sa pagitan ng NDFP at GRP. Sa pagpapatuloy, ang mga bilanggong politikal na lamang umano ang natitira niyang alas para sa usaping pangkapayapaan sa Pilipinas. “By treating political prisoners as mere trump cards to compel revolutionaries to surrender, Duterte shows that he is not serious in ensuring respect of human rights and implementing socioeconomic reforms to address the roots of armed conflict,” pahayag ni Crisostomo.
Iginiit din ni Crisostomo na hindi baraha ang mga bilanggong politikal para itago upang may ipanglaban pa sa mga susunod na panahon.
K arampatang
aksiyon
Samantala, nagsagawa naman ng mobilisasyon upang ipanawagan ang pagpapalaya sa lahat ng bilanggong politikal sa bansa, sa pangunguna ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines at (CEGP) Anakbayan sa Department of Justice (DOJ), Enero 11. Ayon kay CEGP National President Jose Mari Callueng, sumusuporta ang CEGP sa panawagang pagpapalaya sa mga bilanggong politikal dahil mali ang akusasyon sa kanila at nakulong ang mga ito bunga ng pasismo ng estado. Ayon naman kay Anakbayan
Aquino faces plunder raps over falsified gold shipment ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON
Last January 6, 2016, plunder and graft charges were filed against former president Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III and 6 of his allies over an alleged $141.3 billion shipment of gold to Thailand in 2014. Uproar over the purported gold shipment emerged when a post containing forged documents from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) and Department of Finance (DOF) made rounds on several social media sites. According to the documents, 3,500 tons of gold each weighing 12.5 kg/bar and containing 99.99% purity were discreetly transferred from a Union Bank of Switzerland account owned by former president Ferdinand Marcos to the Bank of Thailand. In response to the post, lawyers Rogelio Cantora and Fernando Perito filed formal charges with the Office of the Ombudsman against Aquino as well as several of his allies, including BSP Governor Amando Tetanco Jr., former BSP treasury department chief dealer Lorelei Fernandez, former Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary Mar Roxas, former finance secretary Cesar Purisima, Senator
Leila De Lima, and pro tempore Senate President Frank Drilon. "The Honorable Ombudsman must not delay the investigation of this case, it being of National interest and for economic survival of the country. To say the least, this is the grandmother of all plunders involving $143 billion, or trillion of pesos," the complaint stated. However, the legitimacy of the affidavit has been debunked due to numerous inconsistencies present in the document. Foremost, Circular Number 49, the document present in the viral post regarding the gold transfer, was actually released on September 20, 1994 and not on December 22, 2014 - the date stamp present in the alleged document. Furthermore, laws cited in the document such as Republic Act (RA) 7665 and RA 7735, which the post purports as the basis of the transfer
and conversion of the money to a humanitarian fund, respectively, have no actual connection to matters regarding monetary transfers. Notably, the document also identifies former DILG secretary Mar Roxas and former Department of Justice (DOJ) secretary Leila de Lima as former Department of Nutrition and Local Government Secretary and former Department of Finance (DOF) Secretary, respectively. Meanwhile, Aquino administration Spokesperson Abigail Valte stated that Aquino’s camp refuses to respond to the controversy due to the glaring illegitimacy of the document. “The blatant disregard for simple facts is telling of the provenance of the allegations. Sana ay hindi na piliting pasagutin pa ang dating pangulo, dahil napaalala sa amin ang kasabihang ito sa Tagalog: ang pumatol sa baliw, mas baliw,” Valte announced.
National Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo, nagpapatunay lamang ang hindi pagpapalaya sa mga bilanggong politikal ng kawalan ng sinseridad ng Pangulong Duterte sa mga napag-usapan sa naunang peace talks. Tumataliwas din umano ang hindi pagpapalaya sa mga naunang pahayag ng pangulo na nirerespeto nito ang karapatang pantao, gayundin ang mga pahayag ng rehimen na magtutulak ito ng mga repormang sosyo-ekonomiko bilang sagot sa armadong pakikibaka. Sa kasalukuyan, 19 na NDFP consultant ang nasa labas ng piitan upang makilahok sa nagaganap na peace talks.
43RD GASC...
FROM P.05
tions. Along with this, UPD CMCSC advanced the unified campaign for the release of all political prisoners with the primacy in raising funds for the Taysan 3, a group of political detainees currently imprisoned at the Batangas Provincial Jail. The body also adopted UP Visayas USC’s resolution, demanding that the Duterte administration end contractualization of workers immediately and effectively. However, the united stands of the student councils were divided as UP Cebu USC and UPVTC USC resolved to promote and instate free and quality education in all levels. During the division of the house, out of 35 SCs, one disagreed, one abstained and 33 agreed to the said resolution. Accordingly, the UP Business Administration Council (BAC) abstained with the notion that they still need to discuss it within their council, while the UPD School of Economics SC dissented to adopt the resolution. Lastly, the UP Manila CASSC forwarded an affirmation to have a comprehensive declaration on student’s rights which prioritized the unfailing student movements amidst struggles. With the resolutions adopted, the declaration of January 27, 2017 as a systemwide day of action and February 23, 2017 as a systemwide day of walkout against neoliberal attack on education were passed.
NEWS 05
Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
43rd GASC promotes free education in all levels CRSRS amendments, withdrawn
PATRICIA ANNE LACTAO GUERRERO, ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE AND SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO
During the two-day biannual UP System-wide General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) that took place last January 6-7 at UP Visayas Tacloban College (UPVTC), Tacloban City, the proposed amendments on the Codified Rules on Student Regent Selection (CRSRS) were withdrawn by its proponents while six resolutions including the support for free education in all levels were adopted by the body. The assembly saw 35 of 53 student councils across the whole UP System in the two-day convention presided by Student Regent (SR) Raoul Danniel Manuel. SR Manuel also presented the report of the Office of Student Regent (OSR) before the reports of each UP Unit.
Pulled out amendments After years of trying to revise the CRSRS, UP Diliman College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (UPD CSSP SC), the proponents of this year’s amendments once again failed to advance the revisions after exhausting all arguments, therefore retracting their proposals. Included in their proposal for the 43rd GASC are the Scholastic Delinquency, which states that SR nominees should not be under probationary status prior to his/her nomination and the One Council One Vote policies, which aims to gather the highest number of votes of all USCs and College SCs of the autonomous and regional units present in the GASC upon SR selection. Once again, these proposals were not agreed upon by the body. Consequently, the student councils in opposition have repeatedly voiced out that these proposals have been consistently dismissed by the body
hence, time allotted for discussing and debating these amendments should be re-allocated to building unity statements and campaigns instead. After stating all arguments trying to convince the body to adopt the revisions, UPD CSSP SC has detached their proposals and respectfully accepted the motion of the body to indefinitely suspend their motion to approve the said amendments.
Unified UP As the first semester ended, SR and the student councils gathered to report their midterm accomplishments. Due to time constraints, the per student council report was changed to by unit in behalf of their autonomous or regional unit. Accordingly, after presenting some clips from the monthly SR Talks, SR Manuel started the report entitled “Towards Greater Victories”. He clarified that the report he will present is not solely the report of the OSR, but collated reports from students within the previous semester. Manuel highlighted the fulfillment to campaign the resolutions from the last convention such as support to the GPHNDF (Government of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front) peace talks, campaigning for societal change, and joining the People’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). Moreover, SR Manuel indicated the OSR’s involvement in the search for the next UP president and in the united stance against the General Education (GE) reforms, the eUP project, the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program and militarization. He added that Kabataan Partylist
GASC: ISANG PAMANTASAN, ISANG LABAN. The midterm report of SR Raoul Manuel gave emphasis on the collective struggles faced by the students that became the driving force for the SCs not just to be compromising but rather assertive for their academic and democratic rights. Photo by Angelu Pagobo
(KPL) Representative Sarah Elago filed a resolution to have a Congressional hearing on the eUP project.
victims and tackling the Davao night market bombing and violent dispersal of national minorities.
Furthermore, SR Manuel expounded that the UP Administration plans to elevate the Vice President for Student Affairs on the same step as the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
In addition, the continuous fight against neoliberal policies on education centered on the Socialized Tuition System (STS), Student Academic Information System (SAIS), and the whole eUP project in general.
In line with this, the OSR also conducted the UP Island-wide Student Congresses which consolidated particular confrontations and campaigns of the different units to be presented to the newly-elected UP President Danilo Concepcion. “Kailangan na ipakita na natin sa bagong UP President ang ating sama-samang lakas laban sa repressive policies”, stressed SR Manuel. He also mentioned a one-on-one with the former UP President Alfredo Pascual during the latter's term regarding the problems barring the students' educational rights. Regardless, neoliberal policies still continued under Pascual's term. As a conclusion, SR Manuel noted that the promises made by the new UP President came from the campaigns forwarded by the students throughout the past year. “Marami pa tayong mapagtatagumpayan at mas palakasin pa ang ating pagkakaisa”, he furthered. Despite geographical disparities, unit reports unanimously contain similar accomplishments mobilizing students accentuated on rallies against Marcos' burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani (LMNB) and historical revisionism. Aside from this, enacted mobilizations aimed to confront other issues through commemorations of state negligence to the Yolanda
"Sa patuloy na pag-arouse, organize, and mobilize, nakakamit natin yung tagumpay," stated Alfe Omaga, Chairperson of UP Manila College of Arts and Sciences Student Council (UP CAS SC).
Resolutions Passed Consequently, six resolutions were passed during the assembly forwarded by student councils concerning national and local interests of both the UP community and the masses. Following this, the UP Diliman University Student Council (UPD USC) proposed to re-educate the public on Martial law and continuing state fascism in line with the campaign against Marcos’ burial at LMNB and historical revisionism. “It was during this time that a lot of media workers were jailed and killed,” the UPD College of Mass Communication Student Council (UPD CMCSC) addressed, reminding the assembly on the significance of taking a rallying stand on the issue. Likewise, the UP Los Baños College of Arts and Science Student Council (UP LB CASSC) lobbied support to the ongoing peace talks along with the condemning of human rights’ violaCONTINUED ON PAGE 04
GASC: BREAKOUT. Instead of usual proceedings, the later discussion about Student Power- was convened in separate groups aimed to facilitate a thorough discourse among SCs in the 43rd GASC. Photo by Angelu Pagobo
Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
06 FEATURES Focusing on the concept of change during his campaign, President Rodrigo Duterte and his administration banks on the promise of a renewed Philippine government that veers away from traditional politics. Six months later, President Duterte has proven that change is indeed the core of his administration. Since the appointment of some progressive individuals in the Cabinet, the introduction of new departments, and the implementation of new policies and directives, Duterte and his administration seem to be prompting change efficiently. However, despite this progress in bringing change in the Philippine society, the 2017 National Expenditure Program (NEP) is yet to be analyzed well. Dubbed as “A Budget for Real Change”, the 2017 NEP is considered the first major program under the Duterte administration which is designed to effect concrete adjustments—one which actually address the true needs and is in favor of service to the Filipino people.
The Values Masked under the false concept of change, the 2017 National Expenditure Program and its subsequent policies are nothing but mere clones of previous administrations’ budget programs. With an approximate worth of P3.350 trillion, the first Budget under the Duterte administration is 11.6% higher than that of the previous Aquino administration, amounting to Php 3.002 trillion. Given with a larger allocation, the incumbent government believes that the budget will be more accommodating to needs the other sectors, exemplifying its premise of being “pro-people”. However, despite Duterte’s pronouncements that such a program is geared towards the promotion of social justice, an increase in the country’s budget allocation does not necessarily warrant benefit to the Filipino people. The budget’s success cannot be immediately guaranteed, as allotments for the country’s different sectors can easily be misused and misappropriated, especially when these allocations fall to the hands of those in authority instead. The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) argues that the 2017 budget is underscored by key principles which seem to fortify the fact that unlike previous budgets, the current budget is formed to promote pro-Filipino and pro-poor
UNDER S P robing the 2017 B udget A llocation and
JENNAH YELLE MANATO MALLARI AND ANNA YSABELLA CULA development--designed to support a “ just and disciplined fiscal policy” in which policies that revolve on tax burden reductions, infrastructure and social services expenditures, and streamlined government operations are created to benefit the people. Further, it is focused on social and equitable progress, in which a professional police and military, an efficient justice system, and a clean and organized bureaucracy, are all vital in the government’s efforts in promoting national peace and order. Insisting that transparency is one of the key principles underscoring both his directives and the budget itself, the Duterte administration asserts that aside from earning people’s trust, transparency is also vital in social progress—a factor that previous administrations failed to improve on. Of the Php 3.350 trillion budget slated for this year, Php 2.48 trillion will be sourced from taxes and other incomegenerating schemes such as income taxes from both employees and corporations, import duties, valueadded taxes on consumer goods and services, sin taxes from the tobacco and alcohol industries, non-tax revenues, and privatization schemes. In order to make up for the P478.1 billion budget deficit, P631.1 billion shall be borrowed by the government from both foreign and local entities. The succeeding P89.3 billion and P45 billion remainder from this debt shall go to the settlement of maturing debt obligations and the Bond Sinking Fund, respectively. According to the President, this debt profile is heavily based on domestic or local borrowings, as 80% of the country’s borrowings throughout his term shall be sourced locally, while only 20% shall come from foreign entities. He therefore assures that this borrowing scheme is safer to utilize since it can minimize foreign exchange risks and support the development of the local capital market instead. Although these borrowings are 9.2% lower than that of the previous year, such a decrease in the country’s debts does not take away the reality that
the country is still liable to other existing debts. Despite Duterte’s claims that larger fiscal debts will eventually produce good results, a debt remains a debt until every centavo is returned and settled with. Thus, these fiscal deficits will only result to more debt burdens carried by each Filipino. At this rate, each Filipino – regardless of social status – will be held liable to a debt worth Php 62,199 by the end of the year, an amount Php 2,271 higher than the previous year’s Php 59,928 debt per person. These alarming individual debts only further prove that the current administration is no different from its precursors. Problems will continue to multiply and arise for millions of impoverished Filipinos if the administration is unable to fully address these issues and if it fails to allot the budget towards genuine propeople policies. However, despite these deficits, the government still insists that the current budget remains to be a budget for the people. This is because the general services sector shall receive the highest funding after garnering 37.9% of the total P3.350T allocation. This percentage, which amounts to P1,271 billion, shall cover expenditures for general administration such as lawmaking, fiscal management, foreign affairs, public debt transactions, and other governance or regulatory services. The Social Protection and Public Order & Safety sectors, which are involved in programs concerning housing, Conditional Cash Transfer, and justice services, are allotted 17.6% of the budget and thus amount to P589.45B. Meanwhile, the Economic Services sector is set to receive 16.9% of the budget. This amount, which totals to P565.5 billion in allocations, shall be used to fund expenditures for the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industries, as well as in the country’s general economic, labor affairs. Allocations worth P286.29 billion, which accounts for 8.6% of the budget, will be utilized for expenditures in the Health, Defense, Housing and Community Amenities,
Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
FEATURES 07
CRUTINY its I mplications on the
ATA YAO
E ducation S ector
ILLUSTRATION BY SHIRLEY NICOLE APOLONIO
Environmental Protection, and Recreation, Culture, & Religion sectors.
how high—still predisposes the country to an ailing education system.
The Education sector, on the other hand, ranks second highest in allocations amongst other sectors, as it shall receive 20.9% of the total budget, which translates into an approximate worth of Php 621.52B in funding. This amount, which is 29.4% higher as compared to the previous year’s Php 501.81B allotment, shall enable the country’s different education agencies such as DepEd, CHEd, and TESDA, to cover expenditures for their basic and tertiary education programs.
The education sector’s budget showed a significant increase in amount as opposed to the allocations of past administrations. To begin, according to the President’s Budget Message for the year 2017, 20.9% of the overall national budget is allocated to the education sector. When divided, the biggest chunk will be allocated to basic education with the Department of Education (DepEd) boasting a 31% growth rate—amounting to P544.1 billion in total—compared to past allotments. Furthermore, the department is also the recipient of the highest budget allocation among other government agencies. The budget given to DepEd will be used to build a total of 37,500 classrooms and to hire 53,831 teachers. Scholarships will also be provided to students in need of assistance. The numbers show Duterte’s pompous goals for education and improvements are to be expected. However, despite the monetary increase, the state of the education sector remains grim.
Despite claims made by President Duterte that his directives are geared towards effecting ‘real change’ in Philippine society, true societal change remains to be a farfetched reality. The 2017 Budget has already failed to exact improvements simply because it had followed the same budgeting pattern as its precursors. The budget’s priorities remain unchanged, as the same sectors receive the highest allocations every fiscal year. Albeit growths in funding allotted for the country’s different sectors can be evidently seen, these growths are still borne from even higher amounts of borrowings which the country is still liable for. Even more so, an increase in budget allocations for the country different sectors - regardless of their significant improvement as compared to previous years – does not necessarily guarantee that proper programs will be implemented or that the people will immediately benefit from these allocations. Thus, a supposed increase in the country’s budget stays ineffective if its citizens remain unable to rise above the debts and policies that continue to oppress their lives.
The Facts Funding geared towards oppressive and anti-people policies—no matter
Duterte’s directive on education is no different from his predecessors. Comparing the budget allocations passed on previous years, a pattern is observed: every year, the budget for education increases. According to DBM, by the precedent year, DepEd received a 14.0% increase on budget compared to the allocation on 2014. Similarly, another increase amounting to P58.2 billion is given to the department last year. The purpose of the increase on the aforementioned years is to fund and sustain the K to 12 Program spearheaded by the Aquino administration. Similarly, the budget appropriated to DepEd for this year is aimed towards the program. To address the criticism against the program, more classrooms and teachers will be provided to the students, especially for those in Senior High School. The directive may address the issues involving the implementation of the program
but the immutable implications of the program will remain. Despite having public schools which can accommodate a vast number of students, the program will not deliver on its promise of providing secure jobs and even tertiary education. K to 12 will only serve as a machine that produces cheap labor sent to our neighboring countries. Here, the problem lies. In salvaging the education system, the billions allotted for basic education is misappropriated to an anti-student program that brings more harm than good to the masses. In this regard, Duterte’s attempt in alleviating the condition of the education sector has already failed. The money provided will be of little benefit to the stakeholders.
The Variables The administration settled on the comfort provided by increased budget appropriation that it failed to address the underlying perils of the educational system itself. The educational system continues to be in peril due to the inaccessibility of tertiary education. In the 2017 General Appropriations Act, a total of P58.72 billion will be allotted to State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)—higher than the P49.7 billion allocation last year. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) also received funding amounting to P18.7 billion. The aim is to provide free tuition fee to students and to provide monetary assistance to those in need. Even so, a different approach in implementing the policy was adapted by the administration as some provisions of the Act were subjected under conditional implementation. According to Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno, President Duterte did not veto the provision of granting free tuition fees for the SUCs. This conditional implementation is to safeguard and monitor the perpetuation of the provision. The administration emphasized that the underprivileged but bright students will be the prime recipients of the free tuition fee. This, despite looking reasonable, strips equal access towards education. The State assumes those deemed ineligible by the guideline provided by DBM and CHED are capable of shouldering their costs and are “rich until proven poor”. This system then introduces another burden to the students—to prove that they are “poor enough” to be considered eligible for free CONTINUED ON PAGE 09
08 NEWS
Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang
ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA
A
no sa sa
BEAT ENERGY GAP VERSION Energee energee ohhhhh….Heyo mga afowz! Yor faboritouh Lowla P iz back…. energizzeed!! sanuh kayow rin mga afows fero farang sa mga sumvhongs niyo recently…mej fagowd na kayow. Wawa namuhn. Nakow, energy gap yern. Du nat wori mga afows, ito na si Lowla P tu da reskyuuu! Tsampyon nauh tsampyon and dating ng Lola niyouh, redi na i-spluk ang mga sumvhongs. Ang mga sumvhongs niyo na may cocoa at prowtowmowlt pa na kasamuh. Kakalerky. Vasahin niyo na mga afows tafows nood kayo ng champ moves ng feyborit niyong Lola P. Charowt. Lezz beat energee gap, beat energee gap and start nuh natin itu dah tsampyon weeeeeeeeeeey.
Energized! sumvhong numvah wan: Leyt na onlayn enlistmehnt Wazz new namuhn di buh mga afowz? Ang hazzle sa maskels puh rin ng pag-enrowl. Kahit lumagok pa kayow ng isang batsuh ng e n e r g e e d r e e n k , u b o w s energee pa rin. Chika sa akech na for awt of favz Yu-Fi-Em kidz daw ang may ayaw sa Sinusumpa At Iniindang Sakit charlot! Wahahahahaha chosera mas aplikabol sigurong sabihin na for awt of fayv Yu-Fi-Em kidz ang nagkaenergee gap dahil sa Sinusumpa At Iniindang Sakit. Ganeeeern. Enwei itong sumvhong na itech ay from my afowz na pak na pak with energee paruh gumeezing as in gumeezing nang maaguh faruh mag-enlist sa amazeballs na Sinusumpa At Iniindang Sakit na yern. Wawa naman mah beloved afows, umasa na namuhn. Eyt ey-em daw ang taym na vinigay fero haluh siya mga afows ko nagweyt puh nang matagal lyk enebeh. Mega hunger geyms at agawuhn na nga sa slots, ganon puh nangyaree. Energized na inis na lang talaguh. Di nila
stinart ang year da tsampyon wey.
Energized! Sumvhong numvah tu: Leyt nuh pag-lift ng restrictionzzzz Abangerz na namuhn ang mga afowz ko sa lifting na yuhn. Pero ayern, nagsarreh namuhn ang mga peeps
ang masasabi mo enrollment para semestre na ito?
walang tatalo sa talunang SAIS - 2014-0#$!$ K lang. - Laa-laa dyosa Haggardo versoza ang daming ganap sa restriction. Mas marami pang ganap kaysa congress! - GoMissColombia, 2015-07112, CAS SAIS BULOK!!! - PakGanern, 2013 As usual, paasa ang SAIS. PERO GRABE FIRST TIME KO MAG-ADD SLOT KA-STRESS DRILON MAS MAHABA PANG ORAS ANG GINUGOL KO SA PILA KAYSA SA PAGMAMAKAAWA KO SA PROF - tweedledee, 2015 Inconsistent. Parang siya… - politicalwheel, 2014, CAS In fairness, this time proved to be the easiest enrollment. Joke! The online enlistment was like waiting for your death sentence. - Pangeant, CAS, 2012 SAIS = So Again, It's Shit - nonsensical adult, 2012***** One word: Napakapaasa. - qtp2t
na leyt sila sa pag-lift. Bigyan ng energee yuhn wid 3 balanzed meals nang magkarown ng energee ma-lift ang restrictionzzz agad agad! Kafagowd kaya mag-weyt na lang nang mag-weyt and emergerd, sayuhng fa sa owras. Kawawa rin my afows na nauvusan ng slot. Fero don’t get me rong namuhn mga afow, wag namuhn tayo maxadong mabeast mowd sa kaniluh, ya know naman na tao luhng deen sila ganern. Minsan talaguh nagkaka-low energee, matuhmlay, low focus sila ganern – energee gap na nga yern mga afows. Fatay. Dahan dahan lang sa mga bad words mga afows, wag veblow da belt. Akow na vahalung tumulowng sa kaniluh everydei to beet energee gap.
Waley pang hevigat na acad loadzzz ang mga afowz ko fero may energy gap na ngayong enrowlment pa luhng. Baunin ang champ moves to beat energee gap and makakuha ng mataas na greyds dis sem. Yaaaas. Osya, faalam na me mga afows. Luv naluv kayo ng energeteek Lowla P niyo erkay? Ispluk niyo lang mga sumvongs niyo and sasamahan ko fa yan ng champ moves. Beet energee energee gap, beet energee gap. Do champ moves everydaaaay para redi sa skul and pley! Tandaan lung mga afows, bee a champ evereedei at help beet energee gap!!
SAIS = 6. 3rd year na ako at thrice na akong sinasaktan ng SAIS kasi 666 talaga siya. Illuminati izz real. - star, 2014
KM
ung isa iss ang gusto sa mga
kang
judge
sa ano mong itanong contestants?
Universe,
bakit sa tingin mo kailangan matangkad at balingkinitan ang isang kandidato sa Miss Universe? - 2014-0#$!$ DO YOU LIKE MESSI? - Laa-laa dyosa For you, is the Miss Universe contest inherently flawed in its representation of the current condition/image of women worldwide, or is it not? Why? - GoMissColombia, 2015-07112, CAS Sa tingin mo, paano mai-aangat ng Miss Universe pageant ang kalagayan ng kababaihan sa buong mundo? - PakGanern, 2013 If you were to win Miss Universe, how would you use your crown and popularity to advocate for women's rights? - tweedledee, 2015 What is the major major role of loving your mother to prevent cyberbullying in order for your pamili to achieve La Niña? - politicalwheel, 2014, CAS How will you use your title to empower women all over the world? - Pangeant, CAS, 2012 Hindi ako judger eh. LOL - nonsensical adult, 2012*****
Mabilis sa dent. Go dent! - codename yong pal
Why do let yourselves be commodified? Miss U candidates, unite! You have nothing to lose but your sashes. Chos. - qtp2t
Pampalubag-loob yung free screening ng 21 Jump Street and K-Drama. - wight_collage
What would you rather have, choco na batok o batok na choco? - star, 2014
As a graduating student, medyo hassle kasi imbes na bigyan kami priority before the lower years e pinagsabaysabay pa rin. In the end, naubusan kami ng slots sa mga subjects na kailangan namin. - pakalu papito, 2013-XXXXX, CAS
How can you convince us that you're still representing your country and fellow women and not your ego? - wight_collage
As usual, discriminating ang SAIS sa mga non-blocks. We are also human bes! We hurt and bleed. - BloodyHel Mejj oks naman yung addslot. Hindi pa mahaba ang pila. Yung SAIS lang talaga yung kailangan i-JUNK! - hello2017mwah! Sad lang na you’re separated with your friends dahil nga diba restricted slots and all. SAIS is no different from CRS, except it’s more paasa - lutang in life, 2013
[wala akong maitanong sorry hahaha di ako fan ng mga pageants labyu HAHAHAHA] - pakalu papito, 2013-XXXXX, CAS How do you think pageants empower women? - BloodyHel what is the essence of being a woman? Charot!! - hello2017mwah! So ganda ka na nyan? *sabay hair flip - lutang in life, 2013 Do you like messi? - codename yong pal
GRAPHICS 09
Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
VINCE DE DIOS
UNDER SCRUTINY
FROM P.07
education. Even with billions at their disposal, the State is still unwilling to provide education that is equally accessible to all. Furthermore, issues involving tertiary education remain unaddressed. Even with the increase in allocation, the administration did nothing to prevent the increase of tuition and other fees. Through CHED Memorandum Order No. 3 or the Higher Education Act of 1994, the continuous increase of fees is justified. This benefits private institutions while pushing students out of school. The Duterte administration also did not repeal Aquino’s Roadmap for Public Higher Education Reform (RPHER). The RPHER itself nullifies the increase in funding granted to SUCs as the needs of each institution are not adequately provided. This policy rationalizes education and determines the budget allocation for each according to their performances as institutions. Because of this program, SUCs—especially those at the bottom of the tier—resort to various income generating schemes to continue operations. This, in turn, passes the burden of cost to students. The increase in funding is proven to be insufficient in providing accessible education when the State itself is unwilling to abandon its lenience on anti-student directives. For as long as the government remains silent in facing such policies, the billions will never reach the benefit of its constituents.
CITY BEFORE DARK
KYLA DOMINIQUE LACAMBACAL PASICOLAN
MKULAY
DANIELLE MONTEALEGRE RODRIGUEZ
The signing of Republic Act No. 10924 or the 2017 General Appropriations Act opened doors for the educational sector which were immediately shut by the administration. The State’s misappropriation of funds, problematic implementation of policies, and lenience to oppressive directives diluted the benefits provided by the increased allocation for the educational sector. In the midst of anti-student policies, funding—no matter how high— will only be used to propagate the commodification and privatization of education. Providing sufficient funds to a sector is only a step towards improvement. To remain true to its mandate, the State should not only provide adequate expenditures for education. It should also abandon the oppressive and anti-student policies that compromise its constituents. Only then can education be truly accessible for the masses.
10 OPINION
Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
XOXO
Truth Be Told How do you decide between celebration and objectification, empowerment and oppression? The thrill of having our country host the highly anticipated Miss Universe pageant for 2016 is simply extraordinary. Our signature Pinoy pride reaches fever pitch as pageant day approaches. But this enthusiasm and joy is not shared by all. The Gabriela Women’s Party is at the forefront of opposing and condemning the Miss Universe pageant. They insist that it is deceptive and manipulative. This, of course, is not the first time such criticisms have been thrown at the pageant or others like it. But are these criticisms justified? It’s not like those women are being forced or intimidated into strutting on stage, flaunting their bodies, and answering the judges’ questions. Many of them are successful, independent career women who willingly choose to join such competitions. That doesn’t count as manipulative, at least not in my book. And as for being deceptive, Gabriela claims that the pageant is a distraction or cover up for more pressing issues affecting both women and the rest of the world. But, if you think about it, every Miss Universe has served as a voice and symbol, bringing issues to the spotlight. The 2015 titleholder Pia Wurtzbach, for example, has campaigned against HIV and AIDS.
Charlie Puth’s “We Don’t Talk Anymore” released last 2016, was the same year I discovered that even the catchiest of songs can define how a friendship can go. I was never the one to have nothing to say. I could dish out anything the mood or situation required from a sarcastic line or a corny joke to a snappy comeback or even a cringeworthy pun. I could dish out any of those even if the situation didn’t need it or even if the audience were all strangers to me. I said whatever I could say. Yet my repertoire all went to hell when I sat there across you. I had nothing to say, nothing to joke about; nothing to even bring up. Sitting across you was when I realized that all the times I ran away from you has completely worked. Distancing from you and what you remind me of gave me the time to stand again and finally stop loving you. But never had I realized that success would be this bittersweet. I may have entered the void, but there was no turning back. You were the one who was always quiet, the one with the few things to say, the one who loved to be just
a presence in a crowd. You loved solitude as much as you love K-Pop. You would only talk to the ones you trusted, the ones you cared for deeply, and the ones who you felt would understand you even with all your flaws. You said only what you needed to say.
that I would be destroying one of the few genuine friendships I have ever made. But I did have friends then that told me that it was a bad idea and I was only going to cause harm. I talked to them frequently but that seemed to be the problem: I talked and talked but never did I listened.
Yet the strangest of all things was we became friends, albeit on any other day you and/or I could disprove that. We found common ground even
Yet I was forced to listen to the deafening silence while sitting there in front of you. I was forced to listen to the echoes of the wide chasm that now separates us; the chasm that I myself have carved out for us, the chasm where I tried to bury my feelings in. I would have said whatever I could have but the void between us dampened out what I really needed to say. The void robbed me the courage to say that I was sorry for lashing out and discrediting all the times you tried to be a good friend while it lasted. I could never say sorry for loving you, but I should have said sorry for everything when I had the chance.
I may have entered the void, but there was no turning back. though we liked different things and could only agree on so few. We joined orgs together just to have someone there and not feel alone for the duration of the membership phase. We were almost like best friends until I overstepped and crossed a line. Donna Paulsen from Suits once said that once you’ve crossed the line, you can’t go back. If I have watched this series sooner, I would have known loving you was a bad idea,
PASSIVE TENSE
Well, for one, little girls everywhere watch 88 candidates parade around on screen. They have perfect bodies, perfect makeup, perfect hair - perfect everything. There might not be Photoshop touch ups like what’s done with magazine models, but the message - one reinforced by the media and popular opinion - remains the same: this is the standard of beauty, this is what looks good. And for the millions of young girls around the world who don’t fit into the Miss Universe mold, they start to think that they have the problem and that they need to change. While it is each candidate’s decision to join the pageant, a closer look makes it clear that they do not benefit the most. It’s not the millions of other women cheering for them, either. The exorbitant ticket prices alone make it clear that earning a profit is prioritized just as much as (if not more than) the supposed “empowerment”. Beauty should certainly be celebrated, but not as an unrealistic standard to uphold or as a commodity to objectify. And as “empowering” as it may initially seem, its repercussions are actually more of the opposite. think?
I’ll
catch
you
Nothing is more regrettable than seeing a nation teeming with resources and potential crumble under the tyranny of the few, by the few and for the few. Just last January 23, groups commemorated the thirteen farmers who were victims of the Mendiola massacre in 1987. Very much like the incident in Kidapawan, farmers and militant organizations rallied to demand for what they have been promised. The elites ruling the production of rice and renting out lands to farmers refused to settle amicably and instead, called their goons to face the protesters on their behalf. Similar to the minimal involvement of the past administrations, the government has failed once more to ensure that justice be delivered to the victims of the massacre and that their families be provided compensation. To worsen the situation, the cause that the farmers and peasants have been fighting for still remains to be seen through. Big agricultural corporations such as Lapanday Food Corporation (LFC) use another tactic against
“Speak now or forever hold your peace” as they say it in weddings. It seems now I’d shut up, listen to some Charlie Puth and hold onto my peace for a long time.
SONG OF HOPE
EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA
So what gives?
What do you next time.
ENTER THE VOID
JOHN MICHAEL TRIBBIANA TORRES
Mico Cortez A BEAUTIFUL DECEPTION
the agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) under them. By constructing contracts to deceive the ARBs, the union of farmers are then later bound to the corporation’s control. This practice concludes the nature of LFC and companies of the like, which manipulate farmers to hand their rights over unknowingly.
However, amid the oppression of tycoons backed by their guns, there will always be groups of those rendered underprivileged that would brave dangers and fight for their rights despite the odds. The state of farmers under the previous administrations show how the government has always been in favor of the elites. Majority of the country’s population are those who till the land, and whose labor determines the agricultural produce for the nation and surplus
for export. Despite this fact, their concerted efforts remain to be in vain as oppressive policies aimed at the farmers still persist, including low wages and the retention of lands under landlords. Other than this, the government is yet to implement a genuine agrarian reform and distribute lands to their rightful owners. However, amid the oppression of tycoons backed by their guns, there will always be groups of those rendered underprivileged that would brave dangers and fight for their rights despite the odds. In memory of the farmers whose lives were lost in their struggle to invoke the just intervention of the administration and to demand that the landgrabbers in power be accountable for their crimes, peasant groups incessantly call for true change and justice to be swiftly enacted. *alludes to a progressive song illustrating the continuous struggle of the farmers and peasants.
Volume 30 Number 10 February 1, 2017 | Wednesday
B
EDITORIAL 11
LOOD HAS BEEN SPILLED over the fight for land.
The sector of agriculture is the widest avenue for industrial growth in the Philippines. However, even with vast lands for farming, this resource has failed to alleviate poverty in rural areas.
E D I T O R- I N- C H I E F Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R F O R I N T E R NA L S Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R F O R E X T E R NA L S Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo M A NAG I NG E D I T O R Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante A S S I S S TA N T M A NAG I NG E D I T O R Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales NEWS EDITOR Eunice Biñas Hechanova NEWS COR R ESPONDENTS Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Anton Gabriel Abueva Leron Niña Keith Musico Ferrancol Leah Rose Figueroa Paras Shaila Elijah Perez Fortajada F E AT U R E S E D I T O R Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera F E AT U R E S C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Justin Danielle Tumenez Francia Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari Marilou Hanapin Celestino C U LT U R E E D I T O R S Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa Thalia Real Villela C U LT U R E C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza Jonerie Ann Mamauag Pajalla GR APHIC S EDITOR Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag R E S I D E N T I L LU S T R AT O R S Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes Danielle Montealegre Rodriguez R E S I D E N T P H O T OJ O U R NA L I S T Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan
OFFICE 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
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Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations
The Cover Illustration Marie Angelu de Luna Pagobo
Layout Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan & Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag
The question of land distribution is the main conflict in the countryside. Farmlands are monopolized by large corporations and wealthy figures, that acquire majority of the produce and accord a meager percentage of yield of the land to the workers. With determination that they will be able to bring change and end the cycle of corruption, thousands of farmers marched to Mendiola to ask for a dialogue with then President Corazon Aquino. Still ignored despite their negotiations with authorities, they pushed against the barrier of police to forward their claim. In return, they were showered with bullets, the usual way that the administration has never failed to respond. This enactment of state violence, dubbed as the Mendiola Massacre, claimed the lives of thirteen farmers and wounded about eighty people.
JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG
PERSISTING STRUGGLE
a country that is still stranded in a feudal society where the voice of the people is unheeded, stand firm on Following the recent commemoration the mandate of promoting equality, of the Mendiola massacre, groups justice and peace. Be in one with pressure the government to the campaign of the marginalized immediately implement genuine land sectors against tyrannical giants reform. Resonating with the change that exploit the people. Continuously in the framework of agreement lobby against policies that oppress that binds farmers to the elites, the the people, and strive to arouse, abolishment of retention of lands mobilize and organize. Endeavor under landlords should be attained. To battle roots of neoliberalism and to break the chains of state fascism Alongside this, the farmers should be fascism, it should be a priority to that stifle those that forward the receiving proper wages aligned to the confront the ills of the persisting calls of the people. Dismantle the burden of their hold of neoliberalism work, and on the policies that inclusive of grant freedom to ndeavor to break the chains of state the expenses the few privileged to be incurred but restrict and fascism that stifle those that forward the in equipment. burden the majority calls of the people ismantle the hold of of the population. These cases of unjust neoliberalism on the policies that grant The victims of the treatment on Mendiola massacre freedom to the few privileged but restrict the labor force died as they were that fuels the imploring the and burden the majority of the population ag r icu lt ura l government to sector is a settle the feud over major blow not farmlands, and in only to the farmers that devote feudal system that plague the socio- attempting to bring about change in their lives to their work, but as economic development of the nation. the agricultural sector. Their fate is well as to the nation depending tragically repetitive, as inequality on the agricultural produce. In line with this, the ongoing peace and injustice still exist in various talks between the government of the aspects in society. For over thirty The news of the Sakadas who Philippines (GPH) and the National years, there has been no initiative experienced severe and inhumane Democratic Front of the Philippines by the national government to working conditions in Hacienda (NDFP) has still not reached a confront and resolve the issue that Luisita provides more insight to settlement as the government these victims have brought forward. the issue. Despite being promised refuses to enact the comprehensive to be subsidized in terms of food agreement on socio-economic The masses have the right to know and farming tools under an alleged reform (CASER). Under the CASER, the hindrances to the country’s project of President Rodrigo Duterte, farmers would supposedly be freed development, and should be aware of these farmers agreed to enter the from the grasp of big corporations the injustices that truly plague society. contract. Currently, the sick and the and tycoons as land would be Furthermore, the need to forward hungry Sakadas were not assisted rightfully distributed among the these problems to the government financially, and were further forced laborers. Within the agreement, and seek solutions is crucial at to continue tilling the lands in their the rights of farmers as owners this time. The administration condition. Likewise, the manipulative of the land will be highlighted, must answer to the calls of the agreement that the Lapanday Foods and the benefits they receive for people and serve its purpose of Corporation (LFC) extended to their their labor would be appropriated. making basic social services and agrarian reform beneficiaries (ARBs) justice accessible to its subjects. only allowed the corporation to As such, the development in land extort money and produce from these distribution is fundamental, as The fight is far from over. farmers, and restricted these groups much as the upholding of the welfare to work under their corporation. of the farmers. As progressives in Armed and in power, the government stays tucked away in its seat and watches injustice unfold from above. Below, the people are bound under debt and dubious contracts, which strictly confine them in repetitive and harsh labor. Moreover, in favor of the elites that fuel the capitalist society, justice is never served to the farmers.
E
.D
.
"WHEN NATURE BECOMES AN EXCUSE FOR VIOLENCE, EVERYTHING THAT IS GOLD TURNS INTO BLOOD." - DESCRIPTION TAKEN FROM ORO'S FACEBOOK PAGE
To uphold the principles of justice and to curb the burden imposed by criminality is to sever human life—this is what the present administration upholds in its attempt to deliver its promise to eliminate criminality in the country. Months upon assuming office, President Rodrigo Duterte expressed his approval towards the reinstitution of capital punishment in the country. At present, the House of Representatives has approved House Bill No. 1 in a 12-6 decision in favor of capital punishment. The bill presented imposes death penalty on criminals convicted of “heinous” crimes such as treason, murder, rape, carnapping, and drug-related violations. The bill also showcases three methods of execution: death by hanging, death by firing squad, and death by lethal injection. However, 10 years after repealing the inhuman and oppressive Republic Act No. 7659 or Death Penalty Law, the Philippines is now on the verge of tipping the scale of justice in favor of State-sanctioned murder.
MALADAPTED Once again, the hole that permeates in the midst of the Bill of Rights is exploited in favor of a grim and atrocious policy condoned by the State. Twenty-nine years ago, through the 1987 Philippine Constitution, the Philippines is regarded as the first Asian country to abolish capital punishment in favor to reclusion perpetua or life imprisonment. However, succeeding administrations were keen to reinstate death penalty before it was permanently repealed by year 2006 through the Republic Act No. 9346, an act prohibiting the imposition of death penalty in the Philippines. The reintroduction of capital punishment on the year 1993 up to the year 2006 is due to the provision in the Bill of Rights stating, “Neither shall death penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it.” This lapse in the Constitution has been the antecedent used by previous administrations to reinstate capital punishment against criminals convicted on “heinous” crimes determined by the State.
ORO
a Metro Manila Film Festival 2016 Entry ILLUSTRATION BY PAULINE TIOSIN