The Manila Collegian Volume 30 Number 2

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 - Friday

diagnosis 06 features

relearning 10 opinion

in the middle of it all 12 culture

CASE STUDY ON NEOLIBERAL ATTACKS ON EDUCATION

02 NEWS

02 NEWS COLLEGE BRIEFS The UP Manila College of Dentistry held the “Inaugural Ceremonies and Turn Over Rites” with their new dean, Dr. Danilo Magtanong on September 20, 2016.

Meanwhile, the UPM College of Medicine achieved a passing rate of 98.69%, with 151 out of 153 examinees passing the September 2016 Physicians Licensure Exam.

Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday

Case study on neoliberal attacks on education ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE AND ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON ILLUSTRATION BY JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG

In opposition to the anti-student policies imposed in state universities and colleges (SUCs), the University of the Philippines (UP) conducted a system-wide walkout in lieu of the National Day of Action for Education and Human Rights on September 20, 2016.

Meanwhile, UP Manila student leaders from the University Student Council (USC), youth groups and other colleges gathered at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) to condemn the recurring neoliberal policies in the education sector and the extrajudicial killings under President Rodrigo Roa “Digong” Duterte’s administration.

History

of

Tuition Hikes

For the past three decades, the total cost of education has been steadily rising. Annual tuition hikes still welcome the students every new academic year and different incomegenerating policies are still being used as machinery for private institutions.

The Education Act of 1982 under former President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. gave private and public schools the license for imposing tuition fee increases purportedly to raise the quality of education. Section 4 of the Education Act of 1982 states that institutions governing education are responsible for the regulation of tuition fees and their encompassing rules outside government supervision.

ORGANEWS The Development Studies Program invites everyone to watch its annually-held Praxis Practicum Conference (Practicon) 2016 on October 7, 2016, 8 a.m. to 5p.m. at the PGH Science Hall. Practicon presents video-documentaries that aims to discuss different issues of the country’s marginalized sectors from the Luzon and Visayas provinces.

Prior to this, GABRIELA-Youth UP Manila, in partnership with the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council, conducted a forum about the ongoing peace talks entitled #GIRLS4PEACE: Women for Peace, Women for Change on September 28, 2016 at the PGH Science Hall.

This is in clear contrast to section 6.1 of the CHED Memorandum No. 3 series of 2012 (CMO 3) saying that any changes in the matriculation fees made by educational institutions should be consulted with the students.

Years after the phenomenon of annual and regular tuition fee increase more observed in private institutions, the cost of education has been tantamount to better quality of education but in international surveys, only three private universities usually land among the world’s top 1,000 higher educational institutions.

Since this act was imposed, private educational institutions have been given independence to deregulate tuition without the need to consult its primary stakeholders such as the students, faculty, and parents of the students.

In addition, scrutinizing the beneficiaries and audit of previous hikes in tuition and miscellaneous fee is no longer mandatory.

From this Education Act of 1982, several programs and policies have been established by private institutions which are in line to the independence of dictating increases in tuition hikes without the stakeholders’ consultation.

From then, not only private institutions are imposing their annual tuition hikes. According to a recent study of Kabataan Partylist, there have been a double in increase of tuition of private institutions ranging from Php 30,000 Php 50,000 to Php 60,000 - Php 100,000.

The supposedly state-run SUCs also had their version of forced tuition hikes due to budget cuts. Just last year, the University of the Philippines System suffered its biggest budget cut under the leadership of former President Benigno Aquino III which saw a Php 2.3B budget cut (from Php 13.1B to Php 10.8B) from capital outlay and maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE).

Furthermore, due to the rampant increase in tuition and other school fees, five state university students had to end their lives due to financial incapability. The failure to meet financial needs including matriculation fees primarily pushed these deaths.

Since then, several similar policies that aim to commercialize and privatize education have been in effect to several SUCs including UP. These manifest in the form of the Socialized Tuition System (STS), other school fees (OSFs), PublicPrivate Partnership (PPP) Program, Roadmap for Public Higher Education Reform (RPHER), and many more.

Expensive and Ineffective Alternative In line with its goal of innovation, the UP administration has also attempted to take steps in updating its current digital databases by introducing the Student Academic Information System (SAIS) in AY 2014-2015. eUP – the umbrella project under which SAIS is managed - aims to have all constituent universities adopt SAIS in the coming years. However, the project has been lambasted due to numerous controversies surrounding the venture, most especially the hefty allocation of Php 750 million allotted for the project’s implementation.

“Despite their appearance as a data management and information integration system, the substandard SAIS and eUP Project are rip-offs led by UP President Alfred Pascual to gain more profits from the commercialization of education,” stated Anakbayan UP Diliman Chairperson Kenji Muramatsu.

A large chunk of the budget was used in purchasing the software used for SAIS from the US-based Oracle Corporation.

Consequently, locally-sourced and fully operational systems such as the Computerized Registration System (CRS) and SystemOne were phased out in their respective campuses to make way for the new centralized system.

Dismay over SAIS reached its peak when during the enrollment period for AY 2016-2017, SAIS was subject to a Denial of Service (DoS) attack which rendered the system inaccessible during a majority of the enrollment dates for UP Manila, UP Baguio, and UP Los Baños. The mishap caused an uproar among students and faculty of the affected universities who asserted that the decision to replace the already-functional databases was frivolous and unnecessary.

“The overblown budget of 700 million for the failed eUP system could have been used for more immediate student services and subsidies,” added Muramatsu.

The incident incited systemwide protests, mainly focused in UP Los Baños, which demanded accountability and transparency from the UP President Alfredo Pascual and the eUP team.

"This is a disservice to the students, stripping them of their right to free and accessible education,” said UPLB University Student Council (USC) Chairperson Merwin Jacob Alinea, “These are manifestations of the public-private partnership programs and an evident form of commercialization of education,” On August 25, over 200 students and personnel stormed the Board of CONTINUED ON PAGE 03

NEWS 03

Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday

CASE STUDY ON NEOLIBERAL ATTACKS ON EDUCATION

Regents (BOR) meeting in UP Diliman to forward their demands which included the scrapping of the eUP project and the Socialized Tuition System (STS).

Incompatible Adaptation Aside from the weight the system is letting the families carry, the preparation itself for this educational reform is quite rushed and tends to compensate for other aspects of education.

For example, many schools nationwide still lack budget for construction of additional rooms, facilities, and hiring of added faculty personnel. With this, the educational institutions are now forced to increase matriculation through hikes in tuition collection from students in order to compensate for the shortage of labor force and facilities.

These effects could be best observed in primary and secondary educational institutions. In the tertiary level however, there are masquerading policies brought about by the neoliberalism in education that also aim to commercialize and further privatize the state of education.

This year in UP Manila, the University Council has approved the implementation of the General Education (GE) Reform. While provisions of the said reform may differ from each department, this policy could strongly debilitate the nationalist and public character of UP as it has been known since the beginning.

General education units which comprises of Math, Science and Technology (MST), Arts and Humanities (AH), and Social Science and Philosophy (SSP) domains are some of the vital courses that have upheld the nationalist character of UP as they relate theories, ideas, and lessons in the subject to national setting where analyzations and reflections are done to prove or disprove that certain ideas are existing.

With the GE Reform, the number of units for GE courses will not be no longer be mandatory. From the previous 18 units per domain, GE Reform gives independence to the department or faculty handling the course to set the number of units or subjects that a student must take.

On the other hand, another major educational reform also occurred in the UP System wherein the school calendar which usually runs from June to March was shifted from August to May. The administration reasoned out that in order to increase global competency and to develop student exchange programs and other avenues for student-university exchanges, the academic calendar must be shifted to the current August to May scheme.

While it has been already in effect for the past two years, benefits of this academic calendar have yet to be felt as students are suffering from the hot season brought about by the April and May months which fall under regular academic days.

Even though one of the aims of the academic calendar shift policy is to avoid multiple class suspensions due to rainy seasons, several class suspensions have been observed this academic year. This goes to show that August and September are still part of the rainy season which only manifest little effect to the envisioned mitigation of class suspensions.

Another income-generating policy brought about by reforms in education is the “Life Long Learner Track”. Under this policy, dropout students who wish to continue their education are required to take two years of Senior High School before advancing to tertiary education.

With this, students are forced to pay for their tuition and matriculation for two years before getting to college. The same students may also be forced to pay other school fees rampant in several schools which further increase the burden they are carrying to pay for their education.

According to Anakbayan, this policy clearly shows that CHED favors the owners of private colleges and universities. Aside from this, it supports the schools to generate more income, despite many students are at risk of halting their education due to financial constraints.

Budget Cuts Under the proposed 2017 national budget, the Department of Education

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(DepED) is to receive the largest allocation among all executive agencies at Php 567.56 billion.

Despite the 29% increase from last year’s allotment, 57 SUCs are expected to experience budget cuts.

“At first glance, the budget for SUCs in 2017 is significantly bigger than last year’s budget. But if we analyze each component of the budget carefully, one will see deep cuts in the maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE) and capital-outlay (CO) components ,” stated Kabataan Partylist (KPL) representative Sarah Elago.

Of the 57 institutions, 13 are set to incur reductions to their overall budget while the rest are to receive reduced MOOE and CO allotments.

In response to the controversy, KPL headed the creation of a unity statement, which was signed by 113 representatives from various Congress party-lists, that chastised the proposed budget cuts and called for greater protection of the public character of SUCs. “The government’s current budget framework for state schools is contradictory to its intention of developing public education. Greater state funding is needed for our schools to regain their public character, and provide ample support for student services and faculty development,” said Elago in a reading of the statement.

04 NEWS UPB Outcrop former EIC cleared from libel case

Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday

SUCs condemn restrictions on campus publications SHAILA ELIJAH PEREZ FORTAJADA AND EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

Five years after the filing of the libel case against Outcrop UP Baguio former Editor in Chief Jesusa Paquibot, the Baguio Regional Trial Court Branch 6 junked the complaint last September 22, 2016 since the article was not considered to be libelous and there was not enough evidence. The case was filed by a professor following Paquibot’s “Yupiang Yupi” lampoon article in the Outcrop's July 2011 issue.

Call to Decriminalize Libel The complaint was filed by a professor from the College of Arts and Communication as if it were an article that caused defamation. Despite the apology of the Editorial Board, Paquibot was still sent a subpoena on November 11, 2011. Paquibot filed a counteraffidavit on November 25.

Almost five years later, the case filed against her was scrapped by the court. “The column published was not defamatory because taken in its totality, it did not cause damage to the character and reputation of the private complainant who was not identified or named at all,” as quoted in the court decision.

The Philippines, as an agreeing party, violates the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and has an unreasonable penalty for Libel as a criminal act, as per the United Nations Human Rights Committee (UNHRC). Outcrop, winning the case against libel is an initial step to defend campus press freedom. The publication stands firm on their call to decriminalize libel in the Philippines.

Outcrop is an alternative publication which helps raise awareness and

encourages mass movements that not just cater to students but also to the masses, and has stood for press freedom for 55 years.

Protests against repression

In line with this, state universities and colleges (SUCs) experienced the restriction of budget for their school publications from their administration.

Due to the Procurement Law of 2006, the publication funds acquired from student fees will be categorized as government funds. The publication was required to submit documents in order to request for budget to cover printing expenses and staff honoraria.

Consequently, the Philippine Collegian was prohibited from publishing its first issue for the current school year 2016-2017 due to the unfinished bidding process for its new printing contract.

Moreover, the approval for the budget proposal this academic year was delayed and the reimbursement of expenses accumulated by the members is usually completed after a month.

In a protest against the restraint on campus press freedom and the hampering of student democratic rights last August 24, the CEGP decried

the fascism present in educational institutions in the Philippines, which further their own commercial interests over the rights of the students.

“Conflicts of interest between school administrators and students will always result to repression of student democratic rights”, CEGP stated.. “As such, student publications, being at the forefront of forwarding the interests of students, will inevitably face various forms of threats and harassment from the school administration to suppress them”.

“Philippine Collegian is not alone to experience this, similar cases brought by the law are experienced by publications in SUCs across the country”, added CEGP National President Jose Mari Callueng.

Concurrently, the Catalyst of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) also encountered the same situation with the Collegian.

Meanwhile, the Torch of the Philippine Normal University had staff and printing expenses limited to P15,000, with office supplies provided by the administration.

The publication’s printing presses of choice were limited to only three, from which the PNU administration will select the publisher of the Torch’s issues.

Uphold Campus Press Rights Conversely, the CEGP demanded for the abolishment of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991, which was put into effect during the term of former President Corazon “Cory” Aquino in order to promote the rights and freedom of the campus press. However, due to the non-penal attribute of the policy, the act only further restricted freedom of campus press, said Callueng.

Upon the introduction of the Campus Press Freedom Bill in the 15th and 16th Congress by the Kabataan Partylist, CEGP claimed its support for the implementation of the bill to further campus press freedom and to provide an environment wherein student publications could fully operate.

Following the recent acquittal of Paquibot, CEGP called for the case of libel to be decriminalized and heavily criticized acts of campus press repression. Furthermore, CEGP reaffirmed in a statement that they will not condone threats to campus press freedom and will fulfill their duty to bring up irregularities within the campus for scrutiny.

44th anniversary of Martial Law, commemorated SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO AND PATRICIA ANNE LACTAO GUERRERO Hundreds of college and high school students, along with different sectors, marched from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) to the Mendiola Peace Arch last September 21, 2016 to call for the release of political prisoners starting from the Marcos regime in line with the commemoration of the declaration of Martial Law 44 years ago.

“More than four decades after the declaration of Martial Law, the same conditions exist - and have even worsened - the plight of youth and students, the climate of impunity, the worsening economic situation. And that is precisely why we marked the anniversary of the declaration of martial law with massive protests,” said Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Elago.

In line with this, UP Student Regent Raoul Manuel issued a memorandum

mandating the conduct of systemwide days of action on student issues on the 3rd week of September.

Call for Freedom Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) called on President Rodrigo Duterte to be true to his words and to give a general amnesty proclamation for all the political prisoners.

“The release of political prisoners is a just demand. The practice of criminalizing political dissent, which was rampant during the Marcos dictatorship, remains even to this day. President Duterte himself knows this, because unlike the past regimes, he acknowledges the existence of political prisoners in the Philippines.

It is time they are released via a general amnesty proclamation,” stated Bayan Secretary General Renato M. Reyes Jr.

Moreover, Bayan reiterated that the existence of more than 500 political prisoners is a step towards another dictatorship and state repression, similar to the Martial Law of former President Ferdinand E. Marcos' regime.

“Ang pagkakaroon ng mga bilanggong politikal sa sinasabing demokratikong bansa ay nagpapatunay na ang marka ng Batas Militar ay naririto pa rin,” stated Second Secretary General of KARAPATAN Jigs Clamor.

The protesters also highlighted that the root causes of the Filipino peoples’ struggle are from the neocolonial policies of the PH government backed by the continuing US imperialism.

Resist revisionism Subsequently, Bayan Muna Partylist

Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate challenged the youth to thoroughly study history, to involve themselves in progressive youth organization and to view the history from the struggle of Filipino masses.

“Clearly, the Marcoses are hell-bent on erasing their grave crimes against the people. To honor the collective memory of the thousands of Martial Law victims, we should not allow the Marcoses and their revisionist minions to succeed in re-writing our history,” added Zarate.

Furthermore, the protesters memorialized the 120,000 people victims of human rights violations, 3,000 of which were killed, 35,000 tortured, 75,000 jailed, and 7,000 went missing.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 05

NEWS 05 Groups celebrate 25th Anniversary of US Bases Treaty Rejection Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday

"Independent Foreign Policy" sought by Duterte, lauded by various groups THE NEWS TEAM

In commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Philippine Senate’s rejection of US military bases in the country, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) and other groups held a protest on September 16, 2016 in Davao City and at the US Embassy in Manila. The said decision to turn down US’ request to extend base lease in 1991, expelled US troops and marked the first time in 426 years that no foreign militaries were present in Philippine soil.

On the other hand, protesters urged the Duterte Administration to terminate military agreements entered by the country since 1999 if he really is committed in his pursuit for an "Independent Foreign Policy".

The protest action led by the League of Filipino Students (LFS) and BAYAN - Southern Mindanao in Davao City were relatively more peaceful than the demonstrations held near the US Embassy where policemen’s truncheons or batuta were aimed at urban poor leaders.

Kicking out 'Uncle Sam' On a vote of 12 – 11 the Philippine Senate rejected the ten-year extension of the 1947 Military Bases Agreement between the Philippines and the United States. Along with it is the turning down of the 200 million dollars’ worth of aid for the same time span.

Thus, US forces were asked to leave as the Philippine Constitution bans foreign troops unless on the strength of a senate - ratified treaty or on the presence of an executive agreement.

With this and other treaties expiring in 1992, together with the US’ refusal to detail withdrawal plans nor answer if nuclear weapons were kept on the leased bases, the Philippines requested the US Government that its forces leave the country by the end of the same year.

Finally, on November 24, 1992, for the last time, the American flag was lowered in Subic Bay Naval Base and the remaining US personnel also left on that day.

Evading justice Nevertheless, the said agreement gained more weight due to scandals, human rights abuses and environmental degradation problems caused by the presence of US bases.

According to GABRIELA SecretaryGeneral Joms Salvador, US soldiers committed 3,000 cases of rights abuses against women and children by the time they left back in 1991.

In addition, she cited the rape case of "Nicole" who withdrew her charges against her perpetrator, convicted Marine Lance Corporal Daniel Smith as well as the case of Jennifer Laude who was murdered by US Marine Scott Pemberton in Olongapo City in 2014.

Salvador further stated that many women became victims of prostitution and some women who were violated

did not pursue cases due to fear.

In line with this, during the 29th Summit of the Association of South East Asian Nations in Vientiane, Laos, Duterte criticized the United States on the atrocities it committed on millions of Filipinos during the Philippine – American War. This was in response to the United States’ condemnation of Duterte’s drug war.

Severing neo-colonial ties Incidentally, BAYAN and other groups showed optimism for Philippine President Rodrigo Roa “Digong” Duterte's pronouncements of an "Independent Foreign Policy".

BAYAN stated that an Independent Foreign Policy should include the probing of US troops, specifically their role in the Mamasapano Incident, and the termination of unequal military agreements and joint exercises like the Enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA). Likewise, the assertion of sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea and the denouncement of wars of intervention led by the US should be prioritized.

Additionally, BAYAN Secretary-General Renato Reyes, Jr., said "However, he must go further if he truly wants to pursue an independent foreign policy,” In this case, the VFA restored US military presence in the Philippines through Senate ratification on May 27, 1999 and was complemented by the EDCA, an executive agreement, signed by former President Aquino on July 26, 2014.

Furthermore, BAYAN backed Duterte's calls on pulling out 107 US troops under the Joint Special OperationsTask Force Philippines (JSOTFP) based in Zamboanga City. They expressed hopes that such pronouncements would eventually lead to the termination of the EDCA and the VFA. Later, the president toned down his statements and clarified that he only wanted US soldiers to be safe.

US soldiers can return to Mindanao

when the island is already declared peaceful, the president added.

Following the president’s recent statement, Makabayan Coalition President Satur Ocampo emphasized that it is clear Duterte meant peace in Mindanao will not happen if US soldiers are still present in the island.

Ocampo included that Duterte needs support from the people as his cabinet contains "US lapdogs" that hinders him to "rock the boat".

Correspondingly, Reyes articulated that it is about time the Philippines must break free from neo-colonial relations with the US. "All forms of intervention should stop. Only then can we truly develop as a nation,” he asserted.

Moreover, during the protests, International League of Peoples' Struggles (ILPS Philippines) Chairperson Elmer Labog narrated how revolutionaries wiped out a battalion of US scouts during the Battles of Balangiga in Eastern Samar and Bud Dajo in Sulu during the Philippine-American War.

However, he explained that US troops killed thousands of civilians on the said locations in retaliation.

Recently, on September 28, Duterte pronounced to the Filipino community in Hanoi, Vietnam that US-PH war games after 2016 will be halted and new alliances for trade and commerce with Russia and China will be forged. Youth group Anakabayan commended the president’s announcements however, warned that new alliances should be mutually-beneficial so that it will not garner the country a new oppressor.

“This is the first time that we have a Filipino president bravely standing up against the long history of unequal and oppressive USPH relations.”, said Anakbayan national chair Vencer Crisostomo.

44TH ANNIVERSARY OF MARTIAL LAW...

Condemn neoliberal education Consequently, youth protesters who walked out of their classes also condemned the Martial Law and its economic remnants in the face of neoliberal and fascist policies vested on already commercialized education, health and other sectors.

“Since the enactment of the Marcosian Education Act of 1982, education in the country has spiraled into a profit-oriented business venture it now is. As we remember the horrors of Martial Law, we also take the time to not only reflect but fight against the Marcosian legacy of commercialized and deregulated education,” Elago explained.

Accordingly, Anakbayan convicted the Marcos dictatorship not only for its corruption and human rights

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violations but also for initiating the deregulation of the education sector resulting in a 5,000-7,000% hike in tuition from P700-P2,600 a semester in 1982 to P40,000-80,000 this year.

Hence, the youth sector announced the onset of another system-wide walkout on October 13, 2016 to further intensify the struggle for genuine change in the education, health and other sectors to fully achieve just peace in the country.

06 FEATURES The honeymoon period is over; it’s time for the first checkup.

Then Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s election as the new president of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines (GRP) is people’s resounding rejection of BS Aquino Jr. and his claims of good governance and inclusive growth—of Tuwid na Daan.

It is a good thing that the Philippine state is finally headed by someone who is not completely beholden to imperialist United States of America (US) because of his bad encounters to them in the city he has governed. However, his iron-fist style of leadership and unpredictable or seemingly “foul” mouth put public’s perception of him on the rocks.

Nonetheless, the Duterte administration, with its ”Change is coming” slogan and “multi-colored” set of handpicked cabinet officials that are reflective of his approach, objectively, has done more commendable—both in quantity and quality—actions in its first 100 days especially when contrasted with the apparently inutile regime it has replaced. Alongside commending the achievements is our continued rigorous pointing out of its shortcomings.

COMMENDAT IONS For the record, the Duterte government is laudable for its assertion of Philippine sovereignty and its peace process with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP)--emphasis on the fact the he is the only Philippine president who has done both. “These two accomplishments will allow us to make important reforms to our economy and push harder for nationalistic development,” Bayan secretary general Renato Reyes Jr said.

Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday President Duterte’s assertion of national sovereignty manifests in his plans of formulating an independent foreign policy against US intervention, of ending US war games in the Philippines, of ending joint patrols in disputed waters, of reviewing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement, and of opening our country’s doors for equal and mutually beneficial relations with countries not aligned with the US. On the other hand, the current administration expresses its intent to achieve peace through cooperating in the resumption of peace talks with the NDFP. It entails the release of political prisoners, affirmation of previous GRP-NDFP agreements, acceleration of discussions on substantive agenda and the historic indefinite unilateral ceasefires by both sides of the armed conflict.

Such rhetorics coupled with concrete gradual actions are of significance as these indicate the government’s prioritization of the Filipinos’ needs and interest over meddlesome and abusive foreign interests.

Another achievement in President Duterte’s first 100 days is his appointing of progressives to key cabinet posts such as Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR), National AntiPoverty Commission, as well as officials in Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) and in the Presidential Commission on Urban Poor. That was a substantive move as those few people he has chosen to be partners for change are surely grounded and have experiences of grassroots organizing who can competently plot plans and deliver actions, which are based on country’s socioeconomic concrete conditions, that will then yield propeople and nationalist significant results.

As a good start of Duterte’s term—a result of the combination of his propeople pronouncements and appointed progressive cabinet officials—358 hectares in Hacienda Luisita and counting are being genuinely distributed under new DAR Secretary Rafael Mariano who is also

the one who convinced Duterte to convene the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council for the first time in nearly ten years. A nationwide two-year freeze on farm land conversion is also to be in effect. Great leaps forward too are the conducted mining audit and suspension of companies engaged in destructive mining operations.

Additionally, DSWD Memorandum Circular 9 has been released--under new secretary Judy Taguiwalo--which upholds the Supreme Court ruling against pork barrel funds by members of Congress, and gives the DSWD the final say in determining what kind of assistance will be given to requests endorsed by lawmakers.

President Duterte can too be praised for his pronouncement against contractualization. “We highly appreciate that it was more than a campaign promise and that steps are being taken,” Kilusang Mayo Uno chairperson Elmer Labog said. He shared that DOLE is taking steps to prevent abuses by employers, especially manpower agencies.

Rep. Ariel Casilao of Anakpawis Partylist, on the other hand, called the policy reforms achieved under the Duterte adminstration “unprecedented, historic, and positive,” citing the reforms achieved under the progressives in the administration.

“They implemented serious and agreeable reforms. They have proven that their appointment is more that simple rhetorics,” Casilao added.

Included also in the initial accomplishments of the incumbent administration are the return of displaced Lumads in their communities after the creation of some favorable conditions and the official acknowledgement that paramilitary groups sowing terror in the countryside are government-backed; the exposition of the extent of problem of illegal drugs and its connection to corruption in the police, local government units and agencies of the executive; the end to the "tanim-bala" scam; the scrapping of the Overseas Employment Certificate for returning OFWs; the speedy repatriation of stranded and displaced OFW's in the Middle East; and the executive order on Freedom of Information, which covers all agencies under the executive branch, during its first month in office.

The Duterte administration, notably, has accomplished much in a span of 100 days; the Philippines, however, is still far from the real change we need. A number of positive steps were already taken by the GRP but one fact remains: there’s still so much left to do.

COMPL IC AT IONS Amid the initial achievements, however, are issues left hanging and further challenges brewing. We, the Filipino people, must be aware of the contradictions between the president’s allies, most especially those who continue to advocate for neoliberal interests.

Some of them are National Economic and Development Authority director general Erneso Pernia who speak against DAR’s current pro-people programs and the cabinet secretaries who constantly clarify Duterte’s profanity-laden statements regarding several institutions and personalities, like US president Barack Obama and the European Union. Rep. Casilao manifested the needlessness for the latter as he believes that secretaries should take what the president says as a policy statement, thus, their lack of right to change his words and context despite the president’s expression of giving them leeway to do their job. He emphasized that people must dwell on Duterte’s speech content and nationalistic reasons rather on his manner and phrasing.

The health sector, on the other hand, was initially pleased by Duterte’s mandate to improve health system--even sending Department of Health secretary Paulyn Ubial to Cuba to learn from their strong public health care system--however the trip seemed useless as DOH continues hugging neoliberal programs, i.e. corporatization of health services and the privatization of public hospitals such as Fabella Hospital. Furthermore, Dr. Joseph Carabeo, secretary-general of the Health Alliance for Democracy, condemns DOH’s decision to further cut the budget for public hospitals, lack of salary increase for health workers, and the decreasing figures of our doctors and nurses in rural areas because of poor-in-quality opportunities.

Neoliberalism’s tentacles persist in the education sector through anti-student K-12 CONTINUED ON PAGE 09

DIAGNOSIS Assessment of President Rodrigo Duterte’s First 100 Days THALIA REAL VILLELA ILLUSTRATION BY JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG

CULTURE 07

Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday

A LIEN NATION

WHY PEOPLE DETACH THEMSELVES FROM POLITICS AND CLASS STRUGGLE AGATHA HAZEL ANDRES RABINO ILLUSTRATION BY DANIELLE MONTEALEGRE RODRIGUEZ It’s the dawn of a new era, you think, noticing the influx of political analysts debating in the comments section of every site in the internet. Resigned with the fact that everything’s becoming too political these days yet nothing still changes, you conclude that the political world is turning into a carnival.

So you decide to do away with all the dirty politics in order to regain sanity. Yet, in your comfort, it seems that your inaction blankets the ongoing turmoil in your society.

Silence is blissful, but only at the cost of suppressing the cries of many.

Rules o f Dis e n g a g e m e n t The world’s nothing but a political arena; some, however, would rather stay away than engage in it.

From navigating around relationships up to participating in duties for the betterment of society, everything that man decides is influenced by politics. As the political spectrum branches out into

different variations of right, left, or center, and as every color imagined becomes a poster color of some new brand of politics, people will always learn to lean towards the ones they deem ideal.

While majority of the population decide to let a political leaning influence them, there seems to be a number of naysayers who sever their ties with the political world. The emergence of “apoliticals” seemingly disproves Aristotle’s claim that we are all political animals.

In a ring in which political principles clash until one dominates, apoliticism is the one

that stays away and waits on the sidelines.

Their stand--not subscribing to politics-manifests deviance in a society riddled with issues, thus, with various beliefs as well.

The apoliticals’ rejection of the norm may be an unpopular opinion, but it’s also an indication of their upbringing.

Their apathy stems from ignorance of the power of their social status. It’s no surprise that many of the proclaimed apoliticals come from the lines of elites.

Given that society favors the status quo, the upper class—unlike the masses— has the luxury to ignore the discomfort brought about by the chaotic government.

Blessed with privilege to live comfortably, most apoliticals do not see necessity of partaking in politics. The probable time these elites would see the need to engage in such would be when situations arise to disturb their absolute

but from their ‘practicality’—unknowingly honed to benefit the ruling class.

continuing oppression, helps cultivate the culture of alienation within society.

Poverty is used to secure the ruling class’ interests. Oppression becomes the fuel feeding the masses’ apathy. Learned helplessness muddles their minds until they could only think about surviving, inducing alienation from themselves and from their society. By suppressing of the masses’ potential in politics, the ruling class retains their power in dictating the affairs of the government.

Whether being an apolitical is done with a conscious choice or not, apoliticism still plays a vital part in maintaining the status quo. By doing nothing to change the tides of discourse or enlighten perspectives, the apoliticals contribute to the preservation of a society that’s lucrative for few and exploitative for many.

On the surface, apoliticism may be an extreme reaction of the citizens to the current state of the government. In reality, it’s a manifestation brought about by two different conditions, which benefits the ruling class in the end. On one hand, it’s the result of the relentless oppression of the middle-class and the masses, which benefits the ruling class’ preservation of power. On the other, it’s an example of elitist privilege forged by ignorance of their own luxury: the favor of their very own society.

State O f the Nat i on Abandonm ent In

comfortability.

It is merely done as an act of self-preservation, a way to protect self-interest. Unless luck decides not to grace these apoliticals any blessings, they would only see politics as a tool handy in relieving threats.

Aside from privilege, political alienation also plays a part in propagating apoliticism. Disillusionment from the current state of affairs pushes some members of the middle-class and masses to turn away from politics completely.

Due to being frontline victims of poverty, this type of apoliticals resigns themselves into believing that engaging in state affairs would be time wasted. For them, ensuring food for the family outweighs the society’s problems. Unpaid bills are dreadful than the issues of government. The apoliticism that they exhibit comes not from privilege,

a society separated by social classes, ignorance is never blissful.

The notoriety of apoliticism is a manifestation of one’s political privilege propagated in a society depr ived of such luxury. Its existence may be bred from ignorance of privilege, but underneath its apathetic facade lies a darker truth that benefits few and oppresses many.

On surface, having no political participation might seem harmless.

However, inferring that no harm comes from being apolitical heightens one's false sense of security; this perspective actually exacerbates the divide between classes. The privilege of apoliticism blinds the apoliticals to the reality of a society riddled with problems.

As if stuck in an ivory tower, the apoliticals’ adherence to apathy pushes them to trivialize the problems of masses. This heightens the stratification of the different social classes. Instead of analyzing the problems of society, they turn a blind eye on them, strengthening the divide between the wealthy and the underprivileged.

This detachment, added with the

Apathy debilitates the development of one’s critical thinking. It dilutes the ability of the citizens to assess the flaws in their government. It should be realized that however accomplished these apoliticals may be, if their education is not put into practice, then all would be nothing but waste products of their potential.

Being apathetic manifests an individual’s grip on his comfort at the cost of the suffering of many. His silence is a burden that the downtrodden must carry. His negligence is a proof of his intellectual laziness in analyzing societal problems. His perspective is nothing but liberal individualism. The crime in having an apathetic political approach is allowing it to become a tool in aiding oppression to persist.

As the current society continues to become oppressive, silence and inaction amplifies the inequality between classes.

As more opt to stay ignorant, the number of people asserting rights and questioning flaws of the state will continue to decrease.

Keeping mum in the face of exploitation encourages oppression to continue.

Apoliticism implies dangerous consequences to a society suffering under the hands of few. It’s a symptom of deteriorating society. Left untreated, this will serve as a catalyst for poisonous oppression that will debilitate society.

It’s a vicious reaction that will influence stagnation and submission to the status quo at the cost of the ailing masses.

Apoliticism is a mirage stemming from the citizens’ need to find comfort in the chaotic politics. It’s an illusion to pamper the privileged from the problems of society. In truth, man will always be a product of his politics, whether he engages with it or not.

Therefore, if he wishes for sanity in the political warfare, he must involve himself with the affairs of his state and assert his and the masses’ rights. For as long as the exploitative few continue to reign over the masses, silence will only continue to aid the oppressor and never the oppressed.

08 NEWS

Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday

Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA

S

ang-ayon ka ba sa pagtanggal kay Senator Leila de Lima bilang Committee Justice Chair?

LEILA DE LIMA EDITION Asdfghhjkl!!! Haler haler de mga affowz!? Imbyernalush lvl 9999999999 ang Lola nyo sa mga insekyorang froggy dyan sa tabi tabi. Eym innocent kaya! Wiz akong ginagawang kasalanan. Right mga affowz?

Heniway, how how de carabao de batuten nemern eng hell week nyo. Always and forever haggardo verzosa talaga dites sa YuFiEm. Embey rin ba kayo sa layf at sa mga chakang impaktita sa tabi tabi na nakakajiritz. Dun worry, ur wan en Lola P is to the rescue. Justice shall prevail mga affowz.

Leila di Lemma Numvah 1:

Leila di Lemma Numvah 2:

Anern itechlavung happening na exclusion sa mga affowz kong non-block? Wit man lang daw sila na-informed sa deadline ng paper nila. Why nemern ganern?

Napaka-inconsiderate nemern ng block na itich from DudeBakitSnob kahit noes nila na may activities na ginagawa ang mga affowz kong itich. Emeberika tuloy ang poorita kong mga affowz sa block na diz. Buti ang laki me nila coz mabait ang proffie nila at Debbie Gibson sila ng extension.

Pero nalurkey pa rin sila coz may activity pa rin sila the day of submittion.

So Cryola

Huz diz mga eksenadorang freshies from DaSanaSensitib na sobrang noisy sa isang forum.

Waz daw pakialam if may mga renowned speakers na nagsasalita sa front. Mga antibiotic na spoiled brat daw itichlavung mga freshies.

No rezpect talaga kasi they were fussing over their foods and the smell is so distracting!!! Hindi pa raw madala sa tingin. No no no! Dun gaya gaya dis attitude mga affowz.

K home n i pa rin sila.

And while doing the event, nonstop writing sila para makapagpasa!

Sana namern ay I geyb justiz chew ol may affowz who sent me di sumbongerz.

Nakakainerz tologoh ang mga taong so insenstib as fak.

I want ter hab a long, gud talk with yer Lolo Upo abawt diz disrespectfurll pipolz. Anek!

So der u go mga affowz.

Dapat wapakels tayo sa mga shangit na inconsiderate pipz dyan sa tabi tabi.

Epek lang us. Queri natin i-pak ganern ang mga bullies dyan! O sha, fly fly away muna atashi.

Speak out lang mga affowz and keep your sumvhongs heard! Eclavu chenelyn baboosh!

Mahal ko kayow, XOXO.

Due to being a critic of Duterte, there is a prejudice against De Lima. It's unfair that Duterte reacts harshly towards critics instead of taking their opinion into consideration. So in a way, I do not approve of her being removed from her post.

- EDIspoiledbrat, 2012 She presented Matobato as a witness, and acted without consultation of the Senate. So yes, her sanction is justifiable.

- hotpot, 2013 She deserved it. She acted without the knowledge of those who should be informed. Moreover, if she wanted to hit back at Duterte, she should have not taken that action.

- control freak, CAS Karapat-dapat lang! Aba! mas eligible naman ang ipinalit sa kaniya.

- traintobwisit , 2013 Nararapat lamang na ipatanggal sa puwesto si De Lima.

- totally! CAS 2012-3xxxx Oo naman. Siya mismo may mga alleged na kaso sa kanya tapos siya pa yunh Justice Chair?

- legen-wait4it-dary, 2013**** Being a lawyer, I would have thought na siya most likely na sumunod sa system. So yung nangyaring yun ay nakakadagdag lang sa current chikachika sa kanya. Napupunta na siya sa bad light. Credential-wise, she's one of the best choices pero sa nangyayari ngayon, nawawala yung shall we call it "credibility" - girlscout, CAMP, 2014

Dapat lang. Kasi may mga alegasyon din naman sa kaniya.

- pakganern, 2013

T

apos na ang Setyembre, pero bakit siya pa rin ang Agosto mo?

Sorry, move on ka na kasi. Get on with the times. LOL - EDIspoiledbrat, 2012 Bakit? Yan din ang tanong ko sa aking sarili.

- hotpot, 2013 Baka next month, may room na puso niya for me.

- control freak, CAS Nagmo-move on na nga ako pinaalala mo pa. Haaaay naku!

- traintobwisit , 2013 Siguro iba pa rin lagi ang gusto niya dahil hindi ka niya type.

- totally! CAS 2012-3xxxx Bakit ba?! I do believe on second chances! Chemistry and timing!

Timing's a bitch tho.

- legen-wait4it-dary, 2013**** HAHAHAHAHAHAH Sige. Di makamove on?

- girlscout, CAMP, 2014 Bakit? Bawal ba?!

- pakganern, 2013 di ko rin alam. Help?

- siyangsiya, 2014 Kasi loyal ako - Dyosa True love stays, no matter the season.

- THEaspiringPWET Bakit ba? Dates don't have anything to do with the time of love. Anek.

- ZantaKlaws, 2012, CAS dahil siya pa rin ang tinitibOCT ng puso ko - Poging napadaan Puso ang nagpasya.

- Hangin, 20xx

OO naman!

- siyangsiya, 2014

*Britney Spears voice* "Oops! I did it again" sorry na bes - ramona flowers, CAS, 2014-xxxx

De Lima has a fault, but I still laud her for keeping her stance. This is very much unlike Duterte, who doesn't stand firm on his statements.

- THEaspiringPWET

Dahil AGOSTO ko man syang kalimutan, SETYEMPRE di ko magawa kasi sya ang laging laman ng OKTak at puso ko.

- Nov 1, CAS, 2014-2XXXX

I don't really understand Philippine politicians.

- ZantaKlaws, 2012, CAS

Hindi kasi sapat ang isang buwan para makalimutan siya....

- Kween, cas, 2014

Teka, ANO? Sino si De Lima?

- ohwellohwell

Kasi di pa ako Oct-ober sa kanya - Sikat Na Ako, CAS, 2014-4****

I guess she deserved it.

- maydaysomebee

Kasi di na magbabago ang Agosto ko - Grease Po, CAS, 2014-62802

GRAPHICS 09

Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday

MENDIOLA EPISODE

KYLA DOMINIQUE LACAMBACAL PASICOLAN

ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO

DIAGNOSIS

JOSE PAOLO BERMUDEZ REYES

program in the service of global manpower needs and of private profits. Benjie Valbuena of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers assailed the Department of Education (DepEd) for focusing on bandaid solutions and neglecting the longstanding problems within the educational system such as the dwindling number of teachers and classrooms and the longstalled revisions to teachers’ salaries and the content of the current curriculum.

Valbuena further revealed that the active DepEd Order No. 221 “continues to endanger students and holds our indigenous brethren back” because it allows soldiers to use schools as barracks.

resistance by big business to efforts to end contractualization and to the passage of a national minimum wage then ensues. Further crippling the fight to end contractualization is DOLE’s lack of clear guidelines and steps towards it.

Another disturbing issue is the continuing adoption of the neoliberal economic framework by Duterte's economic team, i.e. relying heavily on foreign investments, foreign debt, overseas remittances and public-private partnership projects;

In the international arena, Duterte must stand firmly in his assertion of our national sovereignty as it entails increased US intervention and other counter actions aimed at undermining his government; resistance from within government by

Additional challenges the administration must face are the transportation and traffic woes and questions regarding emergency powers for the transportation department, and Department of Finance’ anti-people tax reforms that seek to remove VAT exemptions to senior citizens and persons with disabilities and raise excise taxes on petroleum products.

FROM P.06

pro-US cabinet and military officials is expected as well. Alongside with it is the resistance by rightist, militarist and pro-imperialist groups to peace efforts through continuous militarization and operation of paramilitary groups, thus, the immediate need to address the socioeconomic roots of the armed conflict and to pass a general amnesty for political prisoners.

On his war on drugs, Duterte and his people must be badly criticized as hundred counts of violation of due process and human rights have been commited which is then responsible for the rising death toll--especially of innocents and mistaken identities--and the worsening climate of impunity directly involving state security forces. Reyes of Bayan, representing all national democrats, condemns the extrajudicial killings caused by the

CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

10 OPINION Truth Be Told

Mico Cortez A CHANGE OF HEART "So what?"

No, I’m not referring to the P!nk song.

That's what I said to myself upon seeing the pubmats for this “Lakbayan”. I had heard of it before, and I had the exact same reaction.

It's probably because of my extreme cynicism. Or perhaps my pitiful ignorance.

Regardless, the fact remained that despite seeing all of these posts and statements and calls to action, I remained unmoved, passive.

To be honest, I was not aware of the plight of these people. Or, more accurately, I was aware but simply didn’t care.

After all, I have my own life to worry about and my own plight to bear.

But that is my comfortable, middle class, bourgeoisie self speaking. My perspective drastically changed, however, when - out of sheer curiosity - I took the time to try to understand where these people were coming from. I decided to find out why they would march all the way here, leaving their homes and abandoning their lands.

It turns out, they didn’t have a choice. For decades, these indigenous peoples have simply sought to maintain their way of life in their homeland, something that they most certainly have a right to. And yet, with the presence of foreign mining companies - multi-billion giants who crave nothing but profit - the lives of these indigenous peoples have been threatened.

Doing research opened my eyes, but something else pushed me into action.

I watched a video of Michelle Campos, the eldest daughter of a slain Lumad leader, speaking passionately about their struggles and desire for peace. For a 17 year old to survive the things she has and continue to fight puts the rest of our generation to shame.

While we whine and rant about toxic subjects and strict professors, it is incredibly humbling to be made aware that there are children out there who would do anything to have what we take for granted - a quality education and peaceful life.

But instead of sulking pathetically, I decided to take action. And that is why I find myself here, in UP Diliman, cutting bamboo poles and setting up camp. The sun’s heat may be wearing me down, and my shirt may be drenched in sweat, but it is worth it.

You see, supporting our fellow countrymen doesn’t require that we take a bullet for them. Even something as simple as listening to their stories and making them feel welcome can help a lot. But more than that, we can join them in taking a stand and fighting for the justice they deserve.

I doubt that this year’s Lakbayan will be the last; as long as there are natural resources in our land and foreign companies who desire them, there will surely be conflict. I only hope that you too will stand with them, with us.

I’ll catch you next time.

Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday

MONAD

RELEARNING

JOSE PAOLO BERMUDEZ REYES

Balance is a foreign word to me nowadays.

Hours meld into days that then meld into weeks as my sense of time slips away from me. It always feels like there is something new that I have to do, something urgent I have to take care of. A single day taken for me to catch my breath only sends things hurdling towards disaster at an even more breakneck speed.

Composure is a foreign word to me nowadays.

Believe me: I want to give off the impression that I have everything in my life under control; I really do. But sadly, that effort is about as successful as chopping a raw onion without crying.

I’m getting wrapped up with my insecurities again. The voice in

my head that tells me “everything will always go wrong” has been growing louder and louder, drowning out any faint voices of hope that still manage to echo.

I know very well that I’m not alone

Believe me I want to give off the impression that I have everything in my life under control, I really do. But sadly that effort is about as successful as eating a raw onion without crying. and that everything is fine, but, sometimes, these moments of encouragement make everything I’m going through seem more alien than

EPHEMERAL LIBERTY LIEZL ANN DIMABUYU LANSANG

Dear Andy, I was 20, and you were 21 when you said goodbye.

The memories of that fateful night were still crystal clear in my head.

I remembered the countless tears falling from the sides of my eyes as I begged you not to leave, fingers tightly clutching on the hem of your jacket. And I remembered the way your jaw tightened as you fought your own tears off as you tried to wipe my own with your thumbs, your mouth only chanting apologies and reassurances and promises.

I’m sorry for hurting you with leaving, but this is for the better.

I promise to be back.

You promised to be back, but you never did.

Four decades later, I still long to gaze at those hazel eyes. I still long to hear the deep laughter that your lips exude whenever something amusing from the alternative news come out, just like that time when our president’s audio tapes with a foreign starlet were exposed. I still wish to spend breakfasts hearing you talk about all of your ideas about democracy and freedom, and how much we need to assert our rights even at the cost of being silenced. I still miss how our apartment would smell of paint, whenever you encourage me to spend the day making all these placards about calling to stop the many killings that were happening. Between the two

ever.

The slightest noise sets my heart into panic; the smallest action always misinterpreted as a personal attack that sends my insecurities spiraling and sets my tears to flow unceremoniously. It would honestly make my day if I could actually answer the question I perpetually repeat on my mind: “Why the hell am I still trying to do this?”

It could be to get other people’s respect.

It could be to get my own. It could even be just to get everything over and done with. But for whatever reason my subconscious has prioritized, it has gotten me this far in life.

I guess that’s something I can try and build up on?

Resilience is a word that I’m slowly trying to learn.

'TIL LIFE AFTER DEATH

of us, you were the passionate one—at such a young age, you took the risks of voicing your ideals of overthrowing a regime that remained repressive on the way it treated its people. I have always been by your side of the struggle; truth be told, I have always admired and looked up to you.

But I was held back by many fears: I did not only fear the thought of not making it out tomorrow alive—I feared that I will not face my tomorrows with you.

You promised to be back, but you never did.

My own pitched screams still ring on my ears whenever I think of the day that such fear came true. An acquaintance told me how you and a number of others had an encounter with the military men, and how you fought until you were seized by them brutally. Days, weeks, and months passed and the only news I’ve received about you are rumors of you being dead, or you being detained somewhere far away.

Since the time you said goodbye, nothing else was certain—except that every single day, you were either alive or dead or maybe in between.

1986 came and our so-called democratic institutions have been back, but you have not. It was a time of bittersweet victory, for I knew that your efforts somehow did not go in vain, but on the other hand, I have come to hate my own cowardice. I

hated the feeling of being too scared to lay my blood down for a nation that only needed the spirit of the people in order to become free again. I have come to think that if only i had followed you, I would have come to feel that even in defeat, I know that we would suffer or die for the sake of something greater, and it would be this—freedom.

Today, I know that I am not the only one waiting. I know that out there are still thousands of families and partners who are waiting for their loved ones to come back. Even in my slightest hopes, I wish to see you by the doorstep one day. But today, I am also facing one great challenge: the fact that people are starting to forget what you have done decades ago. Every day feels like mockery, whenever the younger generation would claim for me to move on from what happened. It even felt like a slap on the face, when they announced that the dictator who took you away from me shall be given a heroes’ burial. The pain of the wounds I have kept since the 70s are being reopened, but this time, I know that I have to fight no matter what, and do my best to make sure that you will not be erased from the thoughts of the nation that you fought for.

Love, I may not have been the person that you were during the dark days, but today, I promise you one thing: I endeavor not only preserve you in my memories, but in the nation’s.

‘Til life after death, Georgia

EDITORIAL 11

Volume 30 Number 2 October 28, 2016 | Friday

DIAGNOSIS

administration’s war on drugs. “In this regard, we disagree with him....

The drug issue is not a police problem [and] will not be solved by killing every drug addict and pusher. The Duterte administration must address and solve socioeconomic factors that cause it,” he said.

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

Illustration Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag

Layout

Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan

FROM P.06

ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO

BALIKWAS

T

here are differences, but change has not yet come.

Marahil mayroon na ngang ilang pagkakaiba 100 araw matapos ang pag-upo ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte sa puwesto ngunit wala pa ring pagbabago sa mga neoliberal na polisiya ng pamahalaan mula pa ng panunungkulang Marcos.

Puno ng kontrobersiya ang unang tatlong buwan ni Pangulong Duterte sa pwesto. Maliban sa kanyang

korporasyon. Patuloy ang mga polisiyang nagpapababa ng sahod at benepisyo ng mga mamamayan habang patuloy na nagkakamal ng tubo ang mga kapitalista at mamumuhunan.

Kasabay nito laganap pa rin ang Public-Private Partnership na patuloy na naglalayo sa mga mamamayan sa mga serbisyong panlipunan.

Dagdag pa rito, patuloy pa rin ang mga neoliberal na opensiba sa mga kabataan sa pamamagitan ng deregulasyon

Iskolar kabataan, mamamayan, Pilipino hamon

sa

ating

mga

ng

Bayan,

na habang

tayo ay nagnanais ng pagbabago ay patuloy

na tumindig at igiit ang ating mga karapatan . kampanya laban sa droga na umani ng iba’t ibang reaksyon hindi lamang sa loob ng bansa ngunit maging sa mga internasyunal na mamamayan, mas kapuna-puna ang mga pahayag ni Duterte laban sa imperyalismong US at ang pagigiit niya ng isang independent foreign policy para sa bansa.

sa tuition at programang k-12 na nagpapatindi sa komersyalisadong tipo ng edukasyong siya namang naglalayo sa mga kabataan sa kanilang karapatan sa edukasyon.

Hindi maikakailang malaki ang pinagkaiba ni Pangulong Duterte sa iba pang mga nagdaang pangulong tuta ng imperyalistang US, sa kabila ng mga pinagkaibang ito, nananatili pa rin ang hibo ng neoliberalismo sa mga programa ng pamahalaan.

Hanggang ang mga programa ng pamahalaan ay nakaangkla sa mga neoliberal na polisiyang umiiral patuloy pa rin ang paghihirap at pagkabusabos ng mga mamamayang ang tanging nais ay mabuhay ng disente.

Sa kabila ng mga makabayan at makamasang mga pahayag ni Pangulong Duterte, malaking bilang pa rin ng mga mamamayan ang kapos at walang trabaho. Laganap pa rin ang kontraktwalisasyon sa mga pinakamalalaking korporasyon sa bansa na nageempleyo ng maraming mamamayan.

Gayundin, ang programang pang ekonomiya ay para pa rin sa mga mayayaman at malalaking

Tunay na mayroon na ngang pinagkaiba, ngunit wala pa ring nagbabago.

Kaya naman hamon sa ating mga Iskolar ng Bayan, kabataan, mamamayan, Pilipino na habang tayo ay nagnanais ng pagbabago ay patuloy na tumindig at igiit ang ating mga karapatan.

Hangga’t hindi nakakamit ang tunay na pagbabagong panlipunan, paigtingin ang pag-aklas laban sa idinidiktang ayos ng pamahalaan.

As expressed even before Duterte’s oathtaking because of the realistic anticipation of all the issues and challenges mentioned earlier, Reyes reiterated that the progressive organizations will maintain holding demonstrations and bringing the calls, demands, and criticisms—the fights--to the streets where histories— historic victories of collective action— have been and are being made.

Definitely, the Duterte administration has much to accomplish to provide the people’s concrete needs expressed in the presented People’s Agenda for peace and people’s rights. The recently concluded second round of peace talks has made the conditions more promising--making way for more substantial gains for our struggle for good governance. Justice and peace may really seem to be the target of the actions and effort of the Duterte administration, but we must both further advance the struggle for the end of the culture of impunity that perpetuates continued violations of the people’s rights, and forge just and lasting peace based on Filipinos’ national and democratic interests.

While we demand President Duterte to maximumly exercise his political will for the rest of his term to finally provide free, comprehensive, and progressive programs of social services that are founded on equity and social justice, we, the people, must perform our duty as citizens of a nation we claim to have democracy; we have to prepare and watch the government closely especially now that the contradictions from within and outside the administration get worse. Given this situation, it just proves that the real fight will never be won inside the parliament but will always be in the streets where we must engage most actively ourselves-marching and holding protest actions, flaunting the unsurpassable power of the mass movement--until new history is witnessed by and written on it.

You’ve seen this a lot of times. An issue breaks into the mainstream, like a current deepening the separation underneath.

Then, there are those who dip their toes to test the waters, taking account of opposing arguments only to opinionate without having to step on each other’s feet.

They are the ones who try to balance things out, the ones who claim they’re unbiased.

Roam around the world of no extremes.

Welcome to the middle ground.

BETWEEN LEFT AND RIGHT People views

will often hear contradicting — arguments are inevitable.

Given our political arena, controversies ranging from presidential statements blanketed as jokes to state-sanctioned wars against civilians such as the current war on drugs and the ongoing militarization of rural areas upset the masses. As both right and responsibility, watchful citizens are bound to speak up. Continuous discussions become sources of disagreements and syntheses.

The fight or flight response kicks in when issues erupt. Individuals are almost always separated into progressives and reactionaries.

These extremes tend to choose the fight response as they are vocal. There are times when both rage against the government but the difference lies with their approach. Armed with knowledge of correcting and keeping mistakes from repeating, the former struggle to topple the system. Meanwhile, the latter clouded by romanticism — who see the past as somewhat golden (despite numerous conflicts were recorded) — want things to go back as they were. A classic example would be that of Martial Law protestors and Marcos apologists.

Flight responses then belong to the unshaken and undecided. Since none of them gravitate towards each end, they occupy the boundary which melds into a spectrum that stretches respectively from left-wing to right-wing. The ones in between are what is rightly called the “middle ground” also known as the moderates.

The middle ground stays as is, treading along with what is only happening around. Turmoil may not even be enough reason for them to be shaken. Sometimes, the only opportunity to get them agitated is when crisis hits close to home.

Unlike the apathetic who remains in a bubble of comfort, a moderate’s bubble bursts as they wake up in reality and take initiative. However, they still get stuck in a vacuum. The problem they then face is making sure their voice is heard.

Moderates become receptive of media (mostly of commercial news) and scour whichever references fit their line of thought. At the height of the chosen issue, on the peak of online activity, one click and likes and comments come a-running.

No matter how effective the medium is, an opinion from the middle ground lacks critical analysis because moderates are held up by privileges. They see themselves as credible just because they know they’re schooled, but without awareness that education must not only be for the privileged, their “educated say” is nothing of any matter to society as it is devoid of class analysis.

Nevertheless, we have to credit moderates for staying open-minded.

They may not see their biases at first, they’d still lend an ear to counterarguments. But if they remain inconsistent, no matter how wellintentioned and wellinformed the opinions are, no conclusion will be proposed — debating is no longer a goldmine for progress but merely a mental plaything.

Moderates will continue

When moderates turn political (that is when they ramble on social media), they call out the government for being fascist and anti-people but at the same time still believe in the regime for having the capacity to do better next time. This behavior reflects well on national elections as voters typically don’t abide to any ideology. Their process of selecting candidates would most likely be inconsistent as moderates quiet down once their bets win or lose, only voicing out once something goes wrong again. This treatment on politics as separate from everyday life comes with an assumption that even if injustices abound, everything will eventually fall into place.

IN THE MIDDLE OF IT ALL Exploring 360° of Middle Ground Politics

to swing from one mistruth to another if no common thread is spun from evidence. And even if they do recognize a pattern, an opinion that doesn’t call for action stays a shallow rant.

BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG Ideologues who strip news down to its bones are often accused of having a limited point-ofview. For moderates, the world is just too complex to be reduced into black and white. Present them any stand and they will gladly point out that it is just as bad as its polar opposite. They even take pride in staying neutral, claiming that they are the only people capable of looking into the nuances of issues. The challenge for everyone is raising public discourse without getting lost in the noise.

Moderates try to straighten misunderstandings from polarizing disputes.

Nuances mean digging out the meaning and mechanism behind the facts. A situation for moderates is only understood once the key players and prior events that lead to the breaking point are evaluated.

It seems like they’re engaged, but what they’re doing at most is assertive mimicry. Moderates may be able to supply the smallest of details from what has been compiled, but discussing any crisis on equal footing neglects

its degree of severity. Without clear-cut stance in the end, what they deliberated for negates their purpose of clarity. The noise they resisted is what they actually augmented.

Pragmatism has this certain appeal because of its impersonal nature. When it comes to the middle ground, truth becomes a utility. Third Way, the position exercised by moderates, make use of both right-wing and leftist ideologies in that they promote economic fairness but just enough to benefit everyone, the elite included.

Since liberation requires laboring to upend the social pyramid, moderates would instead compromise by advocating for equitable opportunities, giving out Band-Aid solutions instead of dismantling systemic barriers.

Claiming to have zero bias as seen in favoring neither end of the political spectrum is already bias on itself. A first impression on neutrality is that it automatically regards the person’s right to freethinking and that it removes the individual from any commanding influence.

Moderates see rightists as counterproductive because they assume that society needs to take a step backward, as in regressing to dictatorial/feudal state, when it contradicts both historical and current conditions.

Leftists, upholding the belief that people must displace capitalism to establish socialism, hold promise for development; moderates only see it working on paper. This avoidance may be due to the fact that the state aggressively represses those who go against them. From imprisonment on trumped-up charges to forced disappearances and extrajudicial killings, moderates will choose to stay out of trouble rather than sacrifice for genuine change.

Middle ground politics is a result of ignoring one’s own privilege. Moderates fall into the danger of contentment when the situation is fully assessed as a solution is never given.

Taking in multiple perspectives make up for their lack of theoretical framework.

Some even go postmodernist: saying that the truth is relative, that it is in the eye of the beholder, and that it is just an illusion.

In reality, the position to remain neutral does more harm than good. At first glance, removing oneself from the presence of authorities might not directly give power over them, but doing so already denies other people’s right to break free from oppression.

The fact that they choose to keep a distance allows tormentors to keep on gaining for themselves. Indecisiveness and inaction to take sides are crimes on their own as these eventually propagate more cruelties to occur.

Societal injustices are waste products of power relations. Delineating who’s oppressed from their oppressors is just the beginning of the struggle for truth.

Conflict assessment as an end on itself only fulfills individualistic desires. One has to do it as a means to serve a larger purpose, even if it means upsetting one’s own political balance.

JOSEF BERNARD SORIANO DE MESA ILLUSTRATION BY MICHAEL LORENZ DUMALAOG RAYMUNDO