The Manila Collegian Vol. 31 Issue No. 2

T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA V O L U M E 3 1 • I S S U E 2 • O C T. 1 1 , 2 0 1 7

NEWS

04

FEATURES

12

CULTURE

06

OPINION

10

DESIGN AND DURABILITY

REPRESSED FREEDOM GUILTY AS CHARGED XOXO

CHED'S PROPOSED BUDGET FOR SUCs 02 NEWS

IN BRIEF: CHED’s proposed 2018 budget for SUCs NEWS

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NEWS DOSE DAGDAG PONDO SA OSPITAL NG BAYAN (PART 2/3) ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE

Kasalukuyang pinamumunuan ni Director Gerardo Legaspi, isang batikang neurosurgeon, ang Philippine General Hospital (PGH) simula noong 2016. Dati siyang naging Medical Director ng buong UP-PGH System bago maging direktor ng PGH. Mula noong naupo siya sa puwesto, nagawa niyang dahan-dahang magpatupad ng mga pagbabagong pang-imprastraktura at pangserbisyo sa “Ospital ng Bayan”.

Sinimulan ni Legaspi ang hangarin niyang paunlarin ang pampublikong ospital sa pamamagitan ng pakikipagugnayan sa mga kasabayan niyang nagsipagtapos sa pamantasan na naghahanap-buhay sa ibang bansa.

Free tuition, CHED-sponsored funding, and Marawi, discussed RYANA YSABEL NERI KESNER

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED), led by Chairperson Patricia Licuanan, presented its draft budget for the following academic year in a meeting held on August 31. In their report, they disclosed updates on the free tuition scheme currently in effect this semester, as well as plans for its establishment in the years to follow. Other topics discussed included the proposed allocation of funds for academic year (AY) 2018-2019 and CHED’s role in the Marawi crisis.

On Free Tuition This semester, CHED detailed that an estimated P7,789,987 out of the allocated P8 billion has been allotted to SUCs. As a result, a number of SUCs reported deficiencies in the budget allocated to them.

In response, CHED’s Unified Student Financial Assistance System for Tertiary Education (UniFAST) provided assistance to SUCs with budget deficit concerns, as it was designed to provide government-funded financial aid to tertiary education and technical/ vocational students. Despite this, many SUCs remained with budgetary problems after enrollment.

Concurrently, a number of SUCs remained unaffected by budget deficiency and

even reported excess budget for the first semester of the current academic year. Thus, CHED ruled that these unused resources could supplement the budget deficits of other SUCs.

and programs on higher education and research. Similarly, she touched on plans to rationalize existing programs, SUCs and other higher educational institutions (HEIs).

Meanwhile, CHED discussed the process of signing Republic Act (RA) No. 10931, or the Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act, into law. Through collaboration with CHED UniFAST, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and other stakeholders, the first draft of the law was finalized on September 1. Its Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) are slated for approval this October.

Additionally, CHED proposed a review of all institutional charters of existing SUCs and other HEIs for quicker resolutions of areas of concern.

Likewise, CHED presented plans to convert a number of schools to HEIsl.

Defining CHED's Role Licuanan emphasized the need to establish new standards for the composition and endorsement of plans

Meanwhile, the report pointed out the need to sustain the development of faculty members in SUCs nationwide.

As of the moment, an estimated 47% of faculty obtained a bachelor’s degree, 38% have received their master’s degree and only 14% possess a doctorate.

Mula rito, humingi siya ng tulong sa pamamagitan ng mga donasyon at ipinangakong bawat ambag na maipapaabot ay mapupunta sa pagsasaayos ng mga pasilidad at kuwarto sa PGH. Kabilang dito ang paglalaan ng mga bagong kama, flat screen TV, at iba’t ibang uri ng kagamitan sa bawat kuwarto at pasilidad ng ospital.

Sumatotal, nakalikom ng humigitkumulang $800,000 para sa PGH at kasalukuyan pang gumagawa ng ibang paraan upang madagdagan ang pondo.

“The DOH also included us in their hospital development plan, and the DSWD put their program here,” ani Legaspi. “Outpatients get free medication worth anywhere from P5,000 to 10,000 a month,’’ dagdag pa niya.

Alinsunod dito, malaki rin ang nakukuhang pondo ng PGH mula sa opisina ng pangulo na inamin ni Legaspi na isang malaking tulong para sa ospital.

“We have P100-million a month in funding from Malacañang, and it will be topped up if we can finish it. A month!” dagdag ni Legaspi. Layunin na umano ng pamunuan ng PGH na tumulong sa mga mamamayan at kliyente nito sa abot ng kanilang makakaya.

Allocation of cash grants to medical students in SUCs for the first semester of AY 2017-2018.

Illustration by Genevieve Seño

CONTINUED ON P.3

NEWS 03

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CHED'S PROPOSED 2018 BUDGET FOR SUCS

CHED in Marawi A memo released by Chairperson Licuanan on June 14 encouraged nearby regional offices and HEIs to provide as much support as it could to the victims of the Marawi siege. Meanwhile, Mindanao State University (MSU) continued operations during the crisis, with the number of enrollees dropping by 4,000 compared to the previous school year.

In line with this, a close collaboration between the Philippine Armed Forces (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) have ensured that MSU remains a peace zone. Under this protection, MSU’s Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) campus safely conducted the graduation of over 10,000 students from across MSU’s 11 campuses last July 12.

The university was also able to resume classes on August 22.

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Infrastructure and Accreditation Moreover, the report pushed the development of a “Build, Build, Build” master plan involving dormitories for SUCs, emphasizing that they would not serve as income-generating projects (IGPs), but as part of student services.

Aside from this, the plan covers the addition of model community colleges with 2-year programs, designed to act as a pipeline to the main campuses of SUCs. Finally, Licuanan ended the proposal with reassurances that RA 10931 would be set up effortlessly next school year.

She also guaranteed unabating support for faculty scholarships, as well as for the accreditation of various SUC programs and for Centers of Excellence (COE) and Development (COD).

Proposed changes in budget, MOOE and capital outlay from AY 20172018 to 2018-2019.

Illustration by Genevieve Señno

Bagong sistema ng pagbubuwis, isusulong ng administrasyong Duterte LEAH ROSE FIGUEROA PARAS

Inaasahan nang maipatupad sa Enero 2018 ang ibinalangkas na reporma sa pagbubuwis ng administrasyong Duterte matapos makalagpas sa deliberasyon ng Senado ang Senate Bill No. 1592 nitong Setyembre 20.

Ayon sa Senate Ways and Means Committee, ang Senate Bill No. 1592 ay bunga ng kanilang pagrerebisa sa inihaing panukalang Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) ng Kongreso noong Mayo 31.

Pananagutan sa Taumbayan Maaalalang isa sa mga pangunahing pangako ni Pangulong Duterte ang pagbabalangkas ng bagong sistema ng pagbubuwis kaya naman itinuturing ng mga awtoridad na isang malaking pag-abante ang Senate Bill 1592 sa programang ekonomiko ng administrasyon.

"Kapag kakaunti lamang sa ating mga kababayan na nasa baba ang nakakaakyat o nakakaangat, ito ay labag sa katarungang panlipunan o social justice na nakasaad sa ating Saligang Batas at dapat nabibigyan ng pinakamataas na prayoridad ng

Kamarang ito," salaysay ni Senator Sonny Angara na siyang tagapangulo ng komite. Ayon kay Angara, sinigurado ng Senate Bill 1592 na malinaw nang nakasaad kung saang proyekto o serbisyo mapupunta ang karagdagang pondo na makakalap dahil sa panukala.

Aniya, titiyakin ng pamahalaan na lahat ng makokolekta mula sa hakbang na ito ay tunay na mapupunta sa mas aksesibleng mga programang pangkalusugan, pangkabuhayan, transportasyon, at edukasyon.

Mga Alituntunin ng Panukala May mga pagkakaiba ang inilatag na panukala ni Angara kompara sa panukalang ipinasa ng Kongreso.

Sa bersiyon ng Kongreso, ang mga kumikita ng P250,000 o mas mababa pa ay ligtas sa pagbabayad ng income tax, samantalang P150,000 o mas mababa lamang ang itinakda ng Senado.

“Nirerespeto namin ang intensiyon ng mga senador na baguhin ang proposal na inihain ng DOF batay sa kanilang masusing pagtataya at konsultasyon sa mga stakeholders,”

pahayag ni Deparment of Finance (DOF) Kalihim Carlos Domiguez.

Sinubukan din ng Kongreso na itakda ang highest tax bracket sa mga kumikita ng P5 milyon pataas, subalit P2 milyon pataas lamang ang itinakda ng Senado.

Nagkasundo naman ang dalawang partido sa pagpapatupad ng P6.00 pagtaas sa presyo ng gasolina sa loob ng tatlong taon subalit magkaiba ang opinyon sa paglobo ng presyo ng mga sugar-sweetened na inumin tulad ng mga de-bote at tinitimplang juice.

Sa bersiyon ng Senado, hindi saklaw sa pagtataas ng presyo ang mga 3-in-1 na kape sapagkat ayon sa kanila, 90% ng mga bumibili nito ay mula sa mga mamamayang nasa klaseng D at E. Wala ring tax na ipapatong sa mga masustansiyang alternatibo tulad ng gatas, tsaa, at natural fruit at vegetable juices.

Pagsusuri sa Benepisyo at Pinsala Ang mabilisang pagpasa ng Senate Bill 1592 ay ikinabahala ng oposisyon sapagkat ayon sa kanila, mas

mahihirapan lalo ang mga Pilipinong mababa ang sahod alinsunod ng pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin na maaaring magpapamahal sa transportasyon at pabahay.

Dagdag pa rito, umalma rin ang Philippine Association of Stores and Carinderia Owners (PASCO) sa ngalan ng humigit-kumulang 1.3 milyon may-ari ng mga sari-sari store sa bansa sa napipintong pagtaas ng mga paninda nilang juice, energy drinks, at softdrinks na bumubuo sa 40 porsyento ng kanilang arawaraw na kita at napagbebentahan.

Ayon sa palasyo, sa oras na malagdaan ni Pangulong Duterte ang naturang panukala sa Disyembre 15 ay maipatupad na ang mga bagong ekonomikong patakaran pagpasok ng Enero 2018. Inaasahang makalilikom ang gobyerno ng higit P134 bilyon mula dito na anila’y ilalaan sa mga proyektong imprastruktura ni Pangulong Duterte.

04 NEWS

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IKSOTISTIKS: DESIGN AND DURABILITY

An Overview of the Construction Plans in UP Manila SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO AND ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON

The 6.3 magnitude earthquake that took place last August 11 caused the temporary closure of the building and suspension of classes due to the appearance of cracks in the walls of the Gusaling Andres Bonifacio (GAB) in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS). This led to the suspension and transfer of classes occupying GAB to Rizal Hall (RH) for a week.

Disrupted Classes Following this, the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development (VCPD) Michael Tee and Campus Planning and Development Maintenance Office (CPDMO) Chief Allen Buenaventura supervised the inspection of GAB and concluded that the building needed retrofitting.

In line with this, CAS Associate Dean for Planning and Development (ADPD) Ma. Paula Sioco said that there were already plans for the renovation of GAB even before the earthquake occurred.

She added that the retrofitting will strengthen the integrity of the building, to be followed by the renovation.

However, Sioco stated that most of the lecture classes will be assigned to the College of Nursing (CN) and College of Pharmacy (CP), as to be managed by the Office of the College Secretary (OCS). In addition, the laboratory classes such as computer and biology will be held at the Cybernook and RH 112 respectively. On the other hand, Physical Education (PE) classes are still distributed around the campus while waiting to be assigned to the almost finished floor at the new Students Sports and Wellness Center (SSWC).

General Plan According to Tee, the assessment for the retrofitting of GAB was classified to be not urgent. Nevertheless, corresponding procedures were done immediately.

De facto, there are ongoing constructions around UP Manila. Tee stressed that the planning for the campus entails the detour and the balance of safety and security of the people.

For instance, the massive hole in the College of Medicine is now redesigned to match the building to the substrata.

Tee assured that the structural integrity of the infrastructures are regularly checked in coordination with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH).

Currently, the new building for the National Institute of Health (NIH) has a budget of P72 million for the furnishing of the floor allocated for frontliner offices such as Budget and Human Resource.

In line with the #WeNeedSpaceNow campaign, Vice Chancellor Tee expressed that the design for the planned University Library will include free spaces for students and the gender sensitive comfort rooms. Tee added that the dormitory to be built can accommodate foreign students and invited faculties. See Table 1.

For the development in the satellite campuses, Tee reported that School of Health Sciences (SHS) Palo had their administration building erected while

NAME Sports and Wellness Center UP Manila 8-Storey Dormitory

SHS Baler had their oblation and Power House constructed. In addition, SHS Koronadal was granted with a new gym and modernized dormitory.

Disjointed Development In light of all the construction occurring in the campus, Buenaventura noted that the Office of the Engineering and Technical Services (OETS) of Philippine General Hospital (PGH) is separate from that of UP Manila.

According to Buenaventura, PGH’s separate engineering group functions autonomously from UP Manila’s CPDMO despite the fact that officially, PGH is being operated by UP Manila. Nevertheless, Buenaventura asserted his willingness to help the PGH’s engineering group in future infrastructure upgrades should they choose to approach him with any plans.

Importantly, Buenaventura stressed the importance of having bonafide

planners and architects as part of the campus development team.

While the team can conceptualize possible upgrades and renovations, it is integral to have an in-depth understanding of the technicalities, budget, and execution of such a project.

Staggered Progress Aside from the division of planning teams, Buenaventura noted a variety of other problems when it comes to campus development.

Returning to the issue of the recent earthquake that affected GAB, Buenaventura asserted that the retrofitting of the GAB building has been put up for bidding by the Bidding and Awards Committee (BAC) for a long time. While the retrofitting itself should just take 1-2 months, the delay arose since two attempts of bidding have CONTINUED ON P.5

FUND SOURCE

COST

STATUS

Undergraduate Tuition Fee Increment (UGTFI)

P 38, 561,064.61

Partial turnover; w/ phase 2 to complete

UGTFI

P57.9M

75% COMPLETE

Renovation of Joaquin Gonzales Hall (Phase 1)

GAA 2015

P17,888,888

79% COMPLETE

Renovation of Joaquin Gonzales Hall (Phase 2)

GAA 2016

Amount appropriated: P30M

Completion of plans/ drawings and scope of works

CPH Dr. Stephen Zuellig Hall

Donation from the heirs of Dr. Stephen Zuellig

Not disclosed

Not updated

National Institutes of Health

GAA 2013

P1B

Ongoing

UPM University Library

GAA 2017

P200M

Design phase

UPM Perimeter Fence

% from DPWH

Not disclosed

Not updated

UP System reprogrammed savings

P23,817,858.65

Ongoing

Construction of Academic bldg. 2 and Admin bldg. (phase 2) SHS Baler, Aurora

UPCOMING MAJOR REHABILITATION AND RENOVATION PROJECTS NAME

COLLEGE

FUND SOURCE

BUDGET

Upgrading and modernization of CD labs, including thermal and moisture protection

Dentistry

GAA 2017 - FLR

P20M

Arts and Sciences

UGTFI

P1,745,278.45

Public Health

UGTFI

P2,718,446.60

Renovation of Salcedo Hall (Departmetn of Biochemistry)

Medicine

SSARO UPS-288-16

P14,559,904.08

Renovation of Calderon Hall (Phase 1), 2nd & 3rd floor, Department of Anatomy

Medicine

SSARO UPS-288-16-025 (total appropriations: P30M)

P7,271,882.03

Rehab works at CN Audi, Ground Floor, Sotejo Hall (Phase 1)

Nursing

Not disclosed

P5,157,338.56

Retrofitting of GAB Installation of fire detection and alarm system at CPG bldgs Lara Hall, Annex 1 &2

TOTAL

P32,741,544.82

Table 1. Data on ongoing and upcoming infrastructure projects in UPM. (Source: Office of the Vice Chancellor for Planning and Development)

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NEWS 05

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ISKOTISTIKS:DESIGN AND DURABILITY already occurred and the third round of bidding is still underway.

Buenaventura added that the strict adherence to government procedures regarding the procurement of materials and manpower for development projects further delayed any planned upgrades.

Enduring Vision Despite the various problems faced by infrastructure development in UP Manila, Buenaventura has asserted his commitment to the vision of a campus whose facilities are conducive to architectural and academic excellence.

He explained that forecasting the budget during the planning phase is necessary, especially for the project to materialize within the planned time frame. “Halimbawa plinano ngayon, matatayo siya next year, kase matagal

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ang planning, bidding, at construction.

So hindi siya nagagawang mabilisan.

Kasi ‘yung planning lang it will take time for the end user, for the dean, para mag-agree tapos gagawan ng documents. Ibibidding pa siya, tapos itatayo. It takes a lot of time para matapos.” said Buenaventura.

Buenaventura emphasized that the architecture of buildings should be considered as important as the research and publication endeavors of education institutions since a well-planned campus can improve the psychosocial well-being of the school’s constituents.

Thus, Buenaventura reaffirmed his office’s dedication to excellence when he stated that they would do their best to get competent and efficient contractors in future projects, since good project plans are as important as the workers

who build them. With proper planning by the CPDMO and further support from the administration, he believes that this vision can eventually come into fruition.

Buenaventura also praised the efforts of the recent administration in creating a framework upon which to base future infrastructural developments. Notably, he mentioned the UP system architecture and engineering guidelines, a document currently managed by the UP Vice President for Development Elvira A. Zamora, which details the specific technical requirements for the development of UP campuses.

Space Issue In an interview, UPM USC Vice Chairperson Charles Jimenez said that the #WeNeedSpaceNow campaign aimed to call for better and more accessible spaces for organizations and students. Jimenez noted that the safety

and security of the infrastructures are also a concern of the space issue.

However, Jimenez reminds the student body, faculty and non-faculty employees to remain united and vigilant along with the continuing campaign for space. “Although may gains like free hours, may iba’t-ibang infrastructure projects, hindi ibig sabihin ay tapos na ang laban. Babantayan natin ito, hindi natin hahayaan na magkaroon nang further privatization and commercialization,” stated Jimenez.

As of press time, classes are still held at GAB. On the other hand, the bridgeway connecting RH and GAB is closed due to the huge cracks.

Padilla, sole nominee for chancellorship Future plans for UP Manila, discussed LEAH ROSE FIGUEROA PARAS

The most recent dialogue held between University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) Chancellor Carmencita Padilla and the students took place at the UPM Theater, College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) last September 13, 2017. During the open forum, pressing issues within the campus were brought up by the attendees.

Dr. Padilla started her term as UP Manila Chancellor on November 1, 2014, which will end this October 31. She aimed that the UP unit will be developed as a center for health research in the country.

Moreover, she declared that when geared with innovation, the campus will boost its academic growth and competitive advantage.

As Dr. Padilla’s term is nearing to a close, a forum on the Search of the Chancellor was conducted last September 11, at the UP Manila Theater.

The program commenced with the oath-taking of the newly-elected CAS Student Council led by Dean Leonardo

Estacio. Following this, Chancellor Padilla led the oath-taking of new members of the executive committee.

Meanwhile, Department of Social Sciences (DSS) Professor Lourdes Abadingo was named in charge of the Search committee.

Directed Goals Dr. Padilla also presented her Accomplishment Report, ranging from her first day in office until the day of the forum.

“Today, I stand before you and say my vision for UP Manila is anchored on UP’s mandate to perform its unique and distinctive leadership role in higher education and development,” Padilla declared. “Under my leadership, UP Manila will continue its quest for leadership and academic excellence in the fields of health, natural sciences, social sciences and the humanities.”

Aside from this, Dr. Padilla welcomed questions and suggestions from the students, and encouraged that dialogues be held regularly.

Academic Progress In expounding her plans for the improvement of the academe’s integrity, Dr. Padilla cited that access and opportunities to learning should be maximized, including international linkages, re-equipping the faculty, relaunching of UP Manila journals and the increase of electronic books.

Accordingly, research would be prioritized by enhancing the Technology Transfer and Business Development Office (TTBDO), web portal iREB of the UPM Research Ethics Board (UPMREB) and the Research Grants Administration Office (RGAO). Partnership with the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHIL) could follow, as well as the further review of degree programs under UP Manila.

She included that the psychosocial program under the Office for Student Affairs (OSA) needs to be strengthened.

September 11, 2017 - Incumbent UPM Chancellor Padilla declares her vision and mission for the campus.

Photo taken by Eunice Biñas Hechanova

July 27, 2017 - UPM Chancellor Carmencita Padilla holds a dialogue with the UPM USC in her office. OSA Director Tristan Ramos and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Nymia Simbulan are also in attendance.

Photo taken by Eunice Biñas Hechanova

06 FEATURES

I

N THE ABSENCE OF FREEDOM WHERE FEAR IS ALIVE AND A CONSTRAINT ROAMS AROUND, THE ONE WHO IS LOST, CRIES, AND THE WHO PROTESTS, DIES. As the country continues its search for true democracy, it ironically falls deeper into an abyss of a merciless and unforgiving regime – a regime that impairs, little by little, the rights of its people. The administration of the day, with its backward leadership and philosophies, holds back the peace that the Filipino people deserve by blatantly disrespecting the citizens' civil liberties. One of the rights that is assured to be protected in the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is that of the Freedom of the Press. Enshrined in Section 4 of Article III of the constitution, that is the Bill of Rights, it is stated, “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

In the era before the enactment of the current constitution, the freedom of the press was known to be gravely neglected and infringed upon; once again, this right is threatened by the present administration as the country’s head of state proclaimed martial law in Mindanao, and hints a new proclamation of a nationwide martial rule.

For in the existence of a reign of terror where hope is spent and liberty is preyed upon, the body seems caged, but the mind shall remain free.

Constitutional Subjug ation As the state continues to prove its power over the press by ignoring or even instigating abuses against it, the Philippines consequently nurtures its title as one of the of the most dangerous places for journalists.

As of April 2017, the Philippines ranked 127th out of 180 countries, in the World Press Freedom index released by the media advocacy group Reporters Sans Frontieres.

The country still carries the reputation of being one of the least safe places for journalists, even though its rating improved this year because of the decline in the number of deaths of journalists last year.

This may be due to the country’s bloody history concerning the so-called “fourth branch of the government”.

Under the governance of President Rodrigo Duterte, the country slowly bids goodbye to

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Represse

Probing the Restraint in Media Rep

JUSTIN DANIELLE TUMENEZ FRANCIA AND CZYRAH ISABELLA MANALO CORDOBA

the dreams it longed for but never achieved.

The current administration, who is only on its second year of service, already harbored much of the horrors that its predecessors accomplished in the entirety of their terms – almost wanting to be of comparison to the Philippine nightmare that is the Ferdinand Marcos regime. Every passing day that Duterte holds the office of the presidency, comparisons of the two administrations continue to unravel; the most striking resemblance is their need for total authority and their call for the proclamation of martial law. It is in these dark times where the so-called “crony press” eventually emerge; a press that is commandeered by the controlling government – restricted in doing its mission of delivering the truth, and forced to hide the dirty biddings of the people in power.

In the Marcos-era martial law, the president and his puppets tampered with the laws of the land to give the dictatorial regime the powers and advantages that it needed to survive.

Just a day after the September 21, 1972 proclamation, Marcos ordered the closure of media establishments like the Manila Times, the Philippine Daily Express, and the Philippine Free Press. Three days after that, the Department of Public Information (DPI) issued Order No. 1 which required all media publications to get clearances from the said department, and Order No. 2 which prohibited publications from printing anything for mass dissemination without the DPI’s permission. A month after that, Marcos issued Presidential Decree (PD) No. 33 which penalized “the printing, possession, and distribution of leaflets and other materials, and even graffiti which undermine the integrity of the government”. He also issued PD No. 1737 which empowered the presidency to issue orders as it may seem necessary in order to suppress “subversive publications or other media of mass communication,” and “ban or regulate the holding of entertainment deemed detrimental to the national

interest”. In these events alone, one could already imagine the constraint that bound the freedom of expression and of the press during the past martial law; from these events, one could already see the damages that a new military rule can bring. While Marcos used extra-legal ways to stifle the press, in the present, Duterte conveniently uses the ghost of the past to threaten the press that he deems adversarial.

It has already been proven by history that in a state of martial law, the media and the press move limitedly in accordance to how the government wants them to move.

Under a martial rule, the press acts in an all-or-nothing manner; it either acts as the regime’s legitimizing apparatus – showing anything but the atrocities committed by the government, or it doesn’t perform altogether because of the censorship and suppression of the ruling administration.

In this authoritarian situation, because the press only serves under the command of the dictatorship, journalism is put into a bad light and the concept of “press release journalism” emerges. In the Marcos-era martial law, the media and the press were reduced to institutions that only validated and presented the “saintly” actions of the government to the public. In Duterte’s martial law in Maguindanao, however, the press is not only restrained from showing the cruel reality in Marawi, but it is also treated as a secondary source of reliable information behind the president’s own cronies.

But it is not only in the state of a military rule where the media is put in danger; this reality has been testified by the administration of President Gloria Arroyo.

In her term as president, the freedom of the press was treated like an agreement written in the wind – non-existent and not binding.

On February 24, 2006, Arroyo issued Presidential Proclamation No. 1017 which placed the country under a State of National Emergency. This proclamation issued

guidelines for the media – prohibiting news and commentaries that are “subversive” in nature, and it warned that the government was closely monitoring the movements of the press. It was also during her term wherein the horrific Maguindanao Massacre occurred, which took the lives of at least 34 journalists and media personnel. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) even called the carnage the “single deadliest event for journalists in history”.

This is a manifestation that it doesn’t always take a martial law procla mat ion to restrain the freedom of the press; the only precedent needed is an oppressive and apathetic government.

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ed Freedom

portage in a State of Martial Law

DIBUHO NI JUSTIN VINCE AMANCA DE DIOS

In an environment prone to coercion and fragile towards power, only the bravest or the stupidest people dare speak the truth. The dawn of freedom, in this case, of the press, will never be truly witnessed by this country as long as the elites continue to connive with the administration of the day in limiting the freedom of the people. As long as the government continues to serve only the selfish interests of the ruling class, the Philippines will never be a safe place for the press, and generally for the Filipino people.

Infested with oligarchs and capitalists, the countr y is a dangerous place for p e o p l e whose job is to spill the beans, especially if it is

destructive facade built

to by

the perfect the said elites.

Actual Restraint As deception is penetrated by those who benefit from the Marawi siege, the crucial and pivotal mandate of the press continues even in the perils of danger as they remain to expose what is true.

The various information coming from mainstream media about the conflict in Marawi had been contradictory towards each other. This made the turnout of events in Marawi become harder to recognize as those who want to demolish the truth for their own personal interests have gone beyond their ways to control and justify their falsified claims. As a matter of fact, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) themselves hold media staff and facilities restrained as social media posts and news in publications, radio stations, and televisions are manipulated.

However, behind the good image that the martial law tries to portray are trampled rights of the Filipino people. While there are news releases that the AFP already had control of the Maute terrorist group, civilians have also been under the attack of the armed forces as cases of police and military abuses arise. The war ignited by the terrorist group were responded with military force not only raised towards the enemies but even in civilians. Reports show that there are at least a thousand dead bodies which have been recovered in the area, yet the AFP claims that a total of 30 civilians and less have been killed. More so, there have been relentless bombings and firing aimed to destruct Marawi and the people in the area – regardless of whether they belong to the terrorist groups or not. The attempt to bury the truth has already come to the extent that death for the witnesses of the conflict would rather be an option than losing the credibility of the armed forces,

especially in the warfare wherein they did the exact opposite of their duty of protecting their own constituents.

With distressing checkpoints, warrantless arrests legalized by the suspension of the writ of habeas corpus, partnered with repressive motives, the people in Mindanao suffer the terrors that came with the declaration of military rule in the territory. Moreover, the slaughter in the Marawi conflict has now paved way for the government to ask for military interventions from the United States – which, the situation in Marawi nor the current state of the country, clearly does not call for. The stateinstigated siege bound with the declaration of martial law in Marawi continues to assault the Filipino people as many innocent lives continue to be put to an end. The rights of the people not only in Marawi but in the whole Mindanao are now dissolved as they are subjected to harassment from the country’s very own armed forces. Through the implementation of martial law, Duterte has further encouraged the armed forces to perpetuate violence not only in Mindanao but throughout the country.

Along with this are conflicting reports on the recent turnout of events, but despite the military threats especially when it comes to media proclamations and release of information, the press shall continue in executing its duty of exposing the truth.

Media censorship is an attack towards the power of the press to expose realities and liberate the people from deception. While it is true that falsified information are easily propagated in the online realm, media censorship should never be an option-especially in vital and national occurrences just like the Marawi incident. National security shall never be a reason to silence the press, as it is the media’s responsibility to ensure that accurate information is accessible to the public, particularly in reportage of critical events like such.

With rampant extrajudicial killings, abductions, torture, indiscriminate firings, military occupation of communities, forcible evacuations, aerial bombings, and military oppression towards the people, the power of the media is needed now more than ever.

The threats to repress the media are not only blatant attacks towards press freedom, but are direct offensives against the right of the masses to be aware of the turnout of events and be free from deception.

Moreover, the concealment of the truths behind the siege will only allow the state to cover up the atrocities done by the armed forces and to further allow them to continue with such acts. The media censorship in the country only justifies the declaration of martial law as it hinders the reportage of the reality in the crisis. The public, thus, in the loss of perspectives and contexts that should be delivered by the press, only accepts the stateperpetuated idea that the siege happens because of religion-based terrorism.

The demolition of a free press under the military rule is also the destruction of the rights of the public; while the conflict continues to perpetuate the culture of violence, bodies are buried to death, and so are the stories of oppression that remain unrevealed in the hands of those repress the media.

In the face of Duterte’s martial law declaration in Mindanao, the necessity of press freedom is crucial now more than ever as the media does its duty to free the masses from state-perpetuated deception.

Under the military rule in Mindanao, it is not only the war against the Maute terrorist group that was established, the government’s protracted war against the people has also worsened as they remain to protect the interests of the state and the elite, ruling few. Their war against the Filipino people has intensified, and it is to curtail more lives in their defense of their own exploitative welfares.

The Filipino people and the media, in times of repression and resistance to martial law, shall intensify not only the struggle for press freedom and liberation from fraud, but must also uphold and defend their democratic rights as they wage for even bigger liberties – from oppression and flawed system of society.

MGA FULUNG-VULUNGAN NG NAGJIJISANG

MGA FULUNG-VULUNGAN NG NAGJIJISANG

NEWS

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ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA L O L A PAT O L A M A H - R O O N P O W - R AY D E D I S H U U U N Haaaalllooowww mga afows! I super miss you ol na! Sovhrang clingy ng lola mo eh noh? Anyway, lola is soo soo hafi dahil UP won! Your lola is very froud of her afows!

Anyway, havang some of my afows are busy cheering or shooting on da ring, some of my afows are shooting many sumvhongs to their one and only lola who is Lola P.!

Sovhrang streshed ang lola mo! Sana ay graham vallz na lang ang vinato ng aking mga afowz kaysa naman mga sumvhong na triple stresh ang dala! Pero your lola asked for it nemern so keep it coming! Stresh lang ang itechiwang lola mo coz hindi na mawaley waley ang mga ganitchiwang mga sumvhong! Hir dey are mga affows!! Taddaahhh!!

ISHOOT MO NA ANG VALL NUMVAH ONE: MANGGAGAMIT! Sintechiwa these people daw na ginagamit ang fangalan ng isa ko fang wuv na wuv na inschichuewzuhn ng aking mga afows na UyPetMalouUSoCute. These fifol here are very working hard fero some fifol are using the insti’s name daw to reserve school facilities at ginagamit din daw ang inschichuewzuhn to get fartners for events! Ava! Sinuswerte this person or persons ah! To you my thug life afows, stop doing that naman, huwag aneq.

ISHOOT MO NA ANG VALL NUMVAH TWO: VAWAL ANG MASHUNGET! Isa fa itong layvrary na ito from Yufiem na sovhrang shungit din daw ng mga shtaff!

Minshan daw, na ma ma hiya pa ang other fifol from this layvrary! Very unprofessional!

Sino kaya ang totoong nakakahiya?

Mga afows ko ba talaga o kayo? Ayos ayos din tayo ng layff! Ava, shabi pa ng mga afows koh, hindi fa daw sila namamansin.

Aneq?!?!?!

Hindi namamansin?!?!?

Para saan ka fa at nandyan ka? Hiyang hiya naman aketchiwa sa iyo, dear staff sa hindi fagfansin sa afows ko?

Gamfanan mo naman trabaho mo! Labyu.

ISHOOT MO NA ANG VALL NUMVAH THREE: SOVHRANG VAGAL, AABOT PA ATA NG OHMAY-GUHRAD! Hay nako, ths org that fublishes and arranges some hanashes sa end of the year, yung mga fifol behind this org daw was veeerrryyyyyyyy, verrrryyyy, verrryyy slow daw in their frogress. Frogress like a frog. HAHAHAHA nag joke na naman ang lola mo! Tawa ka naman! Dagdag fa daw, sufer dami daw mga tyfo errors sa mga fosts nila! Vuti fa ang lola mo, walang tyfo! See? Vukod sa tyfo errors, sovhrang tagal din daw nilang magfost ng announchements and instructions that my affowsss are waiting for! Sovrang disservice! Dagdag fa diyan, waley din daw organization skillz ang kanilang heady head! Jusko, to these fifol, WERQ WERQ NA TAYO MGA BESH! HUWAG NA PAABUTIN NG GRADUATION IYAN! And there you go my affowwss!

Naka trifol shot ang mga stresshful fifol sa lola moh! Hay nako! If only your lola can shoot to them UAAP valls and knock them down, your lola already did it for you my afows na.

Pero shempre, awra ang lola niyows! Last resort na ng lola mo iyan coz your lola always give chances to these stresshful fifols.

To these fifols naman, you should learn to love your work! Look at your lola, stresh stresh receiver fero maganda fa din! Coz your lola loves her work kahit inuuulan siya ng stresh because of fifol like you!

Anyway, my dear afows, shoot lang kayo ng shoot ng Labyu UPM!

GOT SUMBVH0NGS?! I-SPLUK MO NA BEH!

ANO ANG MASASABI MO SA PATULOY

ANO ANG SPECIAL SKILL MO?

NA REPRESYON NG AKADEMIKONG KALAYAAN NG MGA ISKOLAR NG BAYAN?

Ang patuloy na pamamasista sa ating kampus ay patunay lamang na kailangan na nating sumulong at lumaban para sa ating mga karapatan.

- TaktePagodNaAko, 2014

Kaya ko pong pumasok sa thesis class ko kahit wala pang usad thesis ko *ugly cry* - TaktePagodNaAko, 2014 Kaya kong magmahal kahit masakit na.

Char. Pero oo.

- qtp2t CAS

Manipestasyon ito ng mas malawak na pamamasista lalo na sa mga yunit na nagpapahayag ng direktang pagtaliwas sa umiiral na sistema.

- qtp2t CAS

Kaya kong ilubog ang Taft, P. Gil, at Faura areas gamit lamang ang maaalat kong mga luha.

- white cool edge, 2015

Hinahadlangan nito na mamulat at matuto nang husto ang mga estudyante. Hindi ba't sa ibinigay na kalayaan na ito ay mas mahahasa ang galing nila upang maglingkod sa bayan?

- white cool edge, 2015

Nakangiti habang nasasaktan - human barricade, 2014-gagaraduateako

takot silang mga humahadlang - human barricade, 2014-gagaraduateako Walang hiya talaga ang estado. Sa totoo lang di na nila kailangan magdeclare ng ML sa lagay na 'to.

- Katay Dugong, 2014, CAS Pucha talaga ng strategy ng gobyerno para mapanatili nilang nasa sa kanila lang ang kapangyarihan. Mas makapangyarihan tayo!!

- DentPLS, 201* Tama na, sobra na!

- mermaid sa Espanya History is repeating itself. Duterte is already showing his true colors – a man following in the footsteps of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos.

- special kuno, 2012-35495 Ang masasabi ko sa patuloy na represyon sa akademikong kalayaan ay bilang mga iskolars ng bayan kailangan natin ipaglaban ang ating karapatan at ang ating pagiging iskolars.

- Ayokonapohz, 2017 Nakakadismaya ang ganitong pangyayari.

Di ba't ang kabataan ang pag-asa ng bayan?

Kinakailangan natin ng paggabay, hindi paglimita sa ating mga kayang gawin at makamit.

- shhh, 20**

magbukas ng elevator - ashnamon voyanasar!, 2014 Mag-cram ng paper.

- Katay Dugong, 2014, CAS Ang hindi matulog * bow * -DentPLS, 201* Kaya kong maka-uno sa exam habang lumalaban para sa bayan.

- Paraluman, CAS, 2017-01545 Kaya ko pong mag-exam na walang review CP, 2014 Kaya ko pong matulog kahit may exam tayo mamaya - countseelore Kaya kong matulog kahit may test pa bukas - Ayokonapohz, 2017 Kaya kong kiligin kay crush kahit wala na talagang pag-asa. shhh, 20** Pilitin na mabuhay kahit namamatay na.

- specialkuno, 2012-35495 Magmahal ng tunay sa isang taong hindi naman nabubuhay sa totoong mundo.

- yaoi, CAS

GRAPHICS 09

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P L A T A O P L O M O | FROM P.10 nanlaban, patay ka pa rin kapag ikaw ay nasa oposisyon at tumutunggali.

Sa pagitan ng dalawa, nagpasya akong lumaban. Pero hindi ako lalabang mag-isa. Kasama natin ang mga mamamayang walang laman ang tiyan at uhaw sa hustisya. At kahit gaano pa katindi ang unos, alam nating sila ang kasangga at mauuwian natin.

JOSHUA ELEVAZO

Hindi na nawala sa kumustahan namin ng mga kaibigan ko ang tanong na, "Laya, natatakot ka ba?" Minsan yayabangan ko lang nang very slight at tatawanan, o kaya lolokohin ko at sasabihin kong "Pusher naman talaga ako na lumalaban.

Lumalaban and pushing for social change!", pero madalas inaamin kong may takot ako. Sino ba namang hindi?

Determinasyon lang ang panangga ko sa banta ng bala sa sentido eh. Ngunit 'di naman pumapalya ang katwiran ko, hindi naman maluluto ang sinaing kung 'di ka magsasaing. Hindi naman mababago ang lipunan kung hindi ka magpapasyang maging parte ng pagbabago nito. Weird analogy, alam ko, pero tingin ko naman nakuha mo ang punto.

mas nangingibabaw ang galit na nagpapatuloy sa bawat balitang lumalabas na may bago na namang "pusher na nanlaban". Naisip kong mabubuwag at matatapos lang ang bangungot ng realidad kung gigising tayo lahat upang labanan ang pagtuldok dito. Maratrat na kung maratrat, alam kong walang mali sa paghingi ng hustisya para lahat ng nawalan ng anak, o ama, o ina. Walang mali na lumaban kapag may tinatapakan.

Hindi mali ang pakikipagtunggali, lalo na kung ito ay makatuwiran, lalo na kung ito ay nakatuon sa paghulma ng makatarungang lipunan.

Kaya sa lahat ng nangangamba ngunit naniniwala na kailangang may itama sa ating lipunan, narito na ang malawak na hanay ng mamamayang sumusuporta sa desisyon mong kumilos at pinagpapasalamat na sa panahon ng ligalig ay isa ka sa mga namulat.

Tara? *Tibak – maikling termino para sa aktibista.

May takot at pangamba man akong nararamdaman ngayon,

SIGNOS

THE CITY FIGHTS

MARIE ANGELU DE LUNA PAGOBO

SANGANDAAN L AYA V E R G A R A

PLATA O PLOMO

Past time ko ang mag-remenis minsan at mabuhay sa loob ng panaginip, pero ngayon pakiramdam ko binabangungot na ako at gusto ko na magising.

Ang nakakatawa lang naman, hindi ako nananaginip ngayon. Sa tuwing sumasapit ang bukang-liwayway, kahit gaano pa katindi ang sikat ng araw, naninimdim ang umaga. Para akong nasa bangungot na hindi matapos-tapos dahil ito na ang realidad na maaabutan ko pagkagising at hanggang sa pagtulog.

Sa tagal ng panahon na binangga ko ang hindi pangkaraniwan nang pagpasyahan kong pagsabayin ang pag-alam ng teorya sa klase at pagalam kung paano ito gumagana sa mundo ng mga gutom, hindi na bagong marinig ang katagang "Ingat ka."

Malupit ang lipunang pabor lang sa iilan, lalo na sa mga nagtatangkang ipinta ang katotohanang ito sa mga pinagsasamantalahan.

Placard at prinsipyo lang ang ipinantatapat sa baril at batuta. Ano't ano pa man, makakahanap ka rin ng lakas na magpatuloy, lalo na kung naaalala mo ang dahilan kung bakit nga ba sumasama ka sa mga mobilisasyon at nakikinig sa mga diskusyong sumusuri sa lipunan. Tulad nga ng walang kupas na litanya ng mga tibak*: walang mali sa paglaban, may mali kaya may lumalaban.

Kung kaya't sa kasalukuyang pagiral ng mga bagay-bagay, tumitindi na ang sitwasyon. Parang dati lang nang magkasama tayo sa pag-alala sa kahangalan ng ibinabang Martial Law ni Marcos, ngayon, alisto na naman tayo dahil ramdam pa rin ang multo nito, kahit 45 taon na ang lumipas.

Dumadami pa rin ang mga nagdarahop at gutom, at pilit itong binabawasan ng gobyerno sa pamamagitan ng pagpinta ng dugo ng mga maralita sa bawat lansangang pwedeng madaanan. May paninikil at pasistang nakaamba sa lahat ng naniniwala at nagtatangkang patunayang ang hakbangin na ito ay mali. Ngayon, nahaharap tayo sa desisyong hindi naman dapat natin ginagawa. Wala ka nang ibang choice kundi mamili: patay ka kapag inakusahan kang durugista na CONTINUED ON P.9

OPINION

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XOXO

EXIT GATES

CATHREENA SANTIAGO – GARCIA

Hindi ito ang pinangarap nating paglalayo. Hindi ito yung paghihiwalay na may pagpapaalam, patutunguhang sigurado, o pangakong babalik. Hindi ito yung minimithi nating pagbubukod, at dahil doon patawad.

Sa iyo aking minamahal, patawad dahil pagsinta’y naudlot ng hindi inaasahan.

Mawawala na ang mga umagang magigising kapiling ka, mga hapong puno lang ng pag-aaral at pagkain, at mga gabing pinaguusapan lamang ang mga balak patunguhan. Patawad dahil maiiwan ka sa mundong hindi pa labis na tanggap ang ating kasarian, ang ating pagsasama. Hindi na natin matutupad ang mga pangako nating harapin ang mga kontradiksyon sa pamilya, sa mga kaibigan, at sa lipunan. Patawad kung mapipilitan kang maghanap ng iba dahil sa aking paglisan. Patawad kung haharapin ulit ang mga pagsubok nang unang ligawan. Patawad rin kung kahit tayo’y hindi na magkita, ikaw pa rin ang lalamanin ng puso ko.

Sa mga magulang na nag-alaga at nagpalaki, pasensya na rin dahil mas piniling arugain ang bayang api. Pasensya dahil hindi ko maisasakatuparan ang mga ipinangarap niyo para sakin. Hindi ko kailanman ninais na kayo’y lubusang ipag-alala sa aking kalagayan, na kayo’y mapuyat sa gabi kakaisip kung makikita pa akong muli. Pasensya kung hindi na tuluyang

makakauwi sa bahay at lamasin ang maginhawang buhay. Pasensya kung hindi ako magiging kasing husay ni Ate, kung hindi ako naging magandang ehemplo para sa mga kapatid na mas nakababata. Pasensya na rin kung hindi niyo masasagot ang mga tanong nila kung saan ako nagtungo, kung saan ako naroroon

Sa mga kaibiga’t kabarkada na kasama sa hirap at ginhawa, paumanhin kung mas ginusto kong humanap ng ginhawa sa bayang naghihirap at sa pakikibaka. Paumanhin kung hindi na ako makakasama sa mga inuman at kantahan, sa mga gabing walang pahinga sa pag-aaral. Paumanhin kung hindi na matutuloy ang mga lakad na nakaplano, mga gawaing nakasanayan, at mga pangakong sinumpaan.

Ngunit, sana’y intindihin niyong lahat na kailanma’y hindi kayo nagkulang.

Unawain niyo sana na kahit sa piling ng masa mas piniling mamalagi, hindi kahit minsan nagbangga ang tinitibok ng puso ko para sa inyo, at ang panawaga’t sigaw ng lipunan. Malaman niyo sana na ang paghihiwalay natin ay hindi ko sinasadya, at bunga lamang

lamang ay basagin ang tanikala ng pananamantala. Sa bayang patuloy na naagnas sa kabulukan ng sistema at ng mga tagapagtaguyod nito, patawad dahil parehas na tayo. Patawad dahil sa mapaniil na estadong ito, ako’y tuluyang napabilang sa mga desaparecido.

Ngunit kahit pinagtapunan ng bangkay ko’y di na matagpuan, sana’y nasa puso’t isipan ninyo na ipagpatuloy pa rin ang laban. Hindi dapat pag-ugatan ng takot ang aking pagkawala, kundi dapat ito’y mitsa ng mas masikhay na pagkilos.

Hindi na ako nakapagpahabilin, nakapagpaalam nang maayos sa inyong lahat. Hindi ko kayo mabibigyan ng maligayang pagbabalik, ng muling pagkikita. Hindi ito ang bayang ninais na iwanan, at dahil doon patawad.

BORROWED TIME

RONALD SATORE SIMYUNN, JR.

Ever since accepting that my passion resides within political science, I had this nagging feeling that I have wasted four semesters right off the bat as I have

At sa bayang iniwan na hindi pa rin malaya, patawad kung maaga kitang lilisanin. Patawad kung hindi na masisilayan ang ipinaglalabang pagbabago. Patawad kung patuloy na nababawasan ang mga rebolusyonaryo’t aktibistang ang tanging hangarin

Hindi dapat pag-ugatan ng takot ang aking pagkawala, kundi dapat ito’y mitsa ng mas masikhay na pagkilos.

FIRST & AMISTAD I never thought that I would be this happy that I would not be graduating this year, as my supposed batch mates will be.

The extra load of expectations on top of serving the people selflessly seems to be something that I cannot bear yet. The me right now appears to be someone still incapable of wholly personifying every conceivable lesson that I have learned here in UP, may it be from my professors, ΣKΠ, my organizations, and finally, MKule. Also, there lies countless daydreams somewhere within my imagination that beg to be realized before that inevitable day.

ng paghadlang ng estado sa matinding pag-ibig sa bayan.

to restart things over as a shiftee. What exactly was the point of expending my efforts on activities that I now deem unproductive? It was from there that I started this whole business.

I began this path of redemption by doing what I should have done before.

After joining a fraternity, I dared applying to MKule, ignoring my lack of any prior journalistic experience, lest I regret not doing anything at all again for the nth time. The winds have been blowing in my favor from then on, yet can all my endeavors so far justify the people’s money spent on me?

Will any number of CS/US certificates truly compensate for the potential lost from those days? Can I still make it

up for those professors that have done everything within their capacity for me to grow and to think at least a little more like them, even as I received grades that knew I do not really deserve deep within? How about those times when I unwittingly slept half of the class away?

They say that what you learn in college is not everything, and that your failures there would not be that much of a big deal compared to those of the outside world. Yet how can I exactly face the masses that I am supposed to serve the way I am right now?

I often think of those fond days spent in revisiting our history, as well as in solving for the maxima and the minima of a function among others. It was fun.

EDITORIAL 11

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M

AHIGIT TATLONG DEKADA

E D I T O R -I N - C H I E F Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua A SSOCI AT E EDI TOR FOR I N T ER NA L S Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo A SSOCI AT E EDI TOR FOR E X T ER NA L S Justin Danielle Tumenez Francia M A N AG I N G E D I T O R Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante A S S I S S T A N T M A N AG I N G E D I T O R Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero N E WS EDI TOR Eunice Biñas Hechanova N E WS COR R E SPON DE N T S Shaila Elijah Perez Fortajada Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Ryana Ysabel Neri Kesner Anton Gabriel Abueva Leron Leah Rose Figueroa Paras F E AT U R E S EDI TOR Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera F E AT U R E S COR R E SPON DE N T S Czyrah Isabella Manalo Cordoba Ronald Satore Simyunn Jr. Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari Mika Andrea Ocampo Ramirez John Michael Torres C U LT U R E E D I T O R Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa C U LT U R E C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Jonerie Ann Mamauag Pajalla Mari Loreal Marquez Valdez GR A PHICS EDI TOR Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo R E SIDE N T ILLUST R ATOR S Justine Vince Amanca De Dios Marie Angelu De Luna Pagobo Genevieve Ignacio Seño R E S I D E N T P H O T OJ O U R N A L I S T Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan

OF F ICE 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000 EMAIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com W EBSI T ES 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

LAYOUT Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan Genevive Ignacio Seño

ILLUSTRATION Marie Angelu De una Pagobo

THE COVER

ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO

mula nang mapatalsik ang diktaturyang Marcos, may panibagong diktador na nag-aambang ibalik ang nakaraan.

Noong nakaraang Mayo 23, idineklara ni Pangulong Duterte ang Martial Law sa buong Mindanao, upang masolusyunan ang nangyayaring sagupaan sa pagitan ng Sandatahang Lakas ng Pilipinas (AFP) at ng Maute Terror Group. Ayon sa kanya, ito ay upang bigyang-kasagutan ang nagaganap na rebelyon sa Marawi.

Noong una, inendorso ito bilang isang panandaliang solusyon, ngunit hindi rin nagtagal ay ipinamalas ng pangulo ang kanyang kagustuhan na pahabain pa ito. Ang mga sumunod na pangyayari ay sumang-ayon naman sa kanya: noong Hunyo 23, pinahintulutan ng Kongreso ang pagpapalawig ng Batas Militar hanggang sa katapusan ng taon.

Malapit sa loob ni Duterte ang usapin ng Batas Militar. Sa katunayan, ang pagdeklara niya nito sa Mindanao ay hindi ang unang beses na kanyang ipinamalas ang kanyang pagpayag sa pagpapataw nito. Higit pa rito, hindi rin ito ang unang beses na nagmaang-maagan siya sa malaking posibilidad ng karahasan at abuso na kaakibat nito. Mistula rin siyang nagbingi-bingihan sa mga biktimang inabuso at kinatay matapos itong inimplementa ng dating diktador na si Marcos. Klaro itong makikita sa kanyang pagsuporta sa pamilyang Marcos, mula noong kampanya pa lang hanggang sa kasalukuyan. Dagdag pa rito, wala siyang pinapakitang kahit anong senyales ng pagbabago ng kanyang isipan hinggil sa usaping ito. Tuwing mababanggit ito sa kanyang mga talumpati at intebyu, makikita pa rin ang kanyang galak ukol dito. Kahit na bigyang-dahilan ito ng kanyang mga alipores at sabihing siya’y nagbibiro, bakas pa rin sa mga salita ng presidente ang tunay niyang hangarin.

Hindi naloloko ang mga mamamayang nakikinig sa kanya. Mula pa sa mga unang pahayag ng pagsuporta ni Duterte sa Martial Law noong kampanya, hanggang sa pagpapahaba ng Kongreso ng Batas Militar sa Mindanao, sinalubong na siya ng samu’t saring pagkontra at pagprotesta. Walang pinipiling tao ang pagtutol sa Martial Law: matanda man o bata, mga dating biktima man o mga mamamayang mulat sa kasaysayan, libolibo na ang nagpahayag ng kanilang pagkondena sa pagbabalik nito.

Patunay ang nakaraang pagkilos noong Setyembre 21 sa Luneta sa malawakang pagtutol sa patuloy na pagsulong ni Pangulong Duterte sa Martial Law. Mahigit tatlumpung libo ang nagmartsa sa kalsada hindi lang upang ipamalas

SIGAW ang kanilang pagtutol sa mga hakbang na ginagawa ng pangulo, kundi para alalahanin din ang mga trahedya ng nakaraan na nagbabantang maulit muli.

Sa naganap na pagkilos, napakaklaro na ng tunay na saloobin ng mga mamamayang Pilipino: galit. Marahil, ang galit na ito ay nagmumula sa kabiguan— dismaya ng isang bansa na naglaan ng tiwala sa kanya. Kahit na umugong na

diktador na si Marcos, ngunit ang kanyang mga hakbang ay hindi lamang senyales ng paghanga, kundi ang tapat at masugid na debosyon ng isang namamanata. Sa pagpataw niya ng Martial Law sa Mindanao at sa kanyang pag-ambag sa patuloy na kampanya sa pagbabago ng kasaysayan, makikita na handa niyang gawin ang lahat upang purihin ang kanyang idolo.

Ang

pagbabagong hinahangad ay hindi magmumula sa

Ito

ay

pangulo.

Hindi rin ito maihahatid ng iisang tao lamang. makakamtan

sa

pagsasama

ng

nagkakaisang

sambayanan na handang sumulong at suungin ang kahit anong unos para dito. ang balita na nagbabalak magpatupad ang pangulo ng Martial Law sa buong bansa sakaling maging bayolente o magulo ang demonstrasyon, hindi pa rin natinag ang sambayanan sa paglabas sa mga lansangan at ipagsigawan ang kanilang mga hinaing. Nabalot na ng galit ang takot na kung tutuusin ay isang natural na reaksyon sa simula.

Nabaon na ng labis na pagtutol sa inuulit na nakaraan ang pangamba na baka sila ay maging susunod na biktima rin.

Umasa ang tao kay Duterte. Nakita siya bilang tagapaghatid ng pagbabago.

Ngunit sa katunayan, sa pagluklok sa kanya sa pinakamataas na posisyon ng gobyerno, mistulang nagtalaga ang tao ng isang masugid na panatiko. Hindi naman ito maiiwasan, sapagkat natakpan ng kanyang mababangong pangako ang baho ng kanyang pagpapanggap.

May ibang nagbabansag sa pangulo bilang isang manggagaya ng nakaraang

Ang pagbabagong hinahangad ay hindi magmumula sa pangulo. Hindi rin ito maihahatid ng iisang tao lamang.

Ito ay makakamtan sa pagsasama ng nagkakaisang sambayanan na handang sumulong at suungin ang kahit anong unos para dito. Wala nang lugar sa pagiging kimi o kampante habang nagpapatuloy ang pangulo sa kanyang krusada sa pagbalik ng nakaraan.

Ang kanyang pagbibingi-bingihan sa hinaing ng bayan na siyang dapat niyang pinaglilingkuran ay isang pahiwatig na ang bayan ay dapat nang lumaban sa kabila ng kanilang takot at pangamba.

Sa panahon ngayon, mga bangkay na lamang ang may karapatang manahimik, pero sa kanilang mga alaala, kahit sila ay nananawagan na rin. Marahil, isa itong paalala sa mga buhay at nananatili – huwag nang matakot sa banta ng panganib kung ang kapalit naman ng pagtahimik ay isang buhay na nasa alanganin.

guilty as charged Illus ion to Cr im in a l Li abil i t y Elus ion

MARI LOREAL MARQUEZ VALDEZ DIBUHO NI CAMYL ALVIAR

I

T IS PRESUMED THAT ONE IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.

The burden of proof is rarely on the accused but on the one who opposes. However, not everyone who is considered liable for the consequences of their actions is criminal by choice. A faulty system creates criminals who are unaware of their wrongdoings and stimulates an environment where people have no other choice but to break the law.

Innocent Defendant Committing something illegal makes people l o s e their

peace. Until people are not caught for their crimes, it will continue creating an atmosphere of fear, haunting them of the possible consequences they might encounter.

Not everyone wakes up one day and decides to be a criminal; rather they are slowly and intentionally being pushed to becoming lawbreakers. A person may be morally good in all aspects of life but when faced by a dangerous situation could create sudden urges or changes in behavior that could transform a person homicidal.

Despite being involuntary, they are the ones who feel the most guilt for suddenly killing someone by their own hands. And it is hard to blame suspects due to selfdefence especially when uncontrollable fear and extreme wanting to survive affected the behavior of the person.

People inhabiting in a place of terror, with

authorities that are more dangerous than criminals, become overprotective of themselves. While staying vigilant, they are willing to do anything to the extent of ending another person’s life in order to protect theirs.

Most countries agree that it is lawful for a citizen to repel violence with violence in order to protect his or her own life.

However, this kind of thinking is more employed by the authority to the citizens than citizens to their fellow citizens. It seems like civilians are subject to judicial examinations after revenging and putting the verdict on their own hands while the authority that will use violence to repel violence especially to those nanlaban cases can run away with their action.

An eye for an eye makes us all blind so for every action that we make, we must first analyze the situation and weigh our choices. When we have already come up with a decision, we must stay firm with it and be responsible even for the consequences that our actions would give us. Sometimes though, we have no other choice to weigh when our environment constraints us from our rights. When the people who should be defending us cannot fulfill their duties anymore

because of factions created by hunger to fulfill personal gains, people tend to put the justice in their own hands.

In the eyes of the victims and those who witness the true intention for such action, personal verdict is just claiming what he or she deserves. However, this cruel society where justice is limited for some will not let you get what you want neither what you deserve. As long as there is faction in the society and many strives to steal a position in the government, the justice will always side on those who can support them in achieving their selfish desires.

long as an authority monopolizes the power towards the people, all who submit to the government needs to weigh the side that they will support to keep themselves alive. Some decided not to go against the administration while trying to avoid being subject to repercussions. Some decided to be a hard core supporter, in this way they could get closer to the authority and it will be easier for them to ask for help using their loyalty card.

As the herd remains following orders from the minority who rules us, we are like jumping on a cliff one after another.

Blind Follower

The herd, which comprises of people from the majority, is not permanently blind.

They possess the power of the majority to fight for what they truly deserve by overpowering the minority and the sly authorities that cover their eyes. They are not hopeless at all; however, when mass organizations try to remove the blindfold from the herd by exposing the dirty laundries of the shepherd, state violence will be inflicted unto them to keep the elite class holding us captive on their hands.

Propagandas will be thrown upon them saying they are armies from the opposing party of the administration, or worse they will be beaten, imprisoned, or killed.

There are two types of criminals: those who can’t sleep at night, and those who can. The latter has the ability to do so either because a bias justice system makes it a norm for criminals to run away and be used to doing such criminality, or because people are deluded that their actions are acceptable in the eyes of law.

Swaying along with the crowd is easier than criticizing the boundaries of a situation including its consequences and alternative choices. As long as many are participating, an action becomes more acceptable to the people who remain blindfolded by the society. Instead of the majority of the already divided society who should be benefitting from our own power and resources through unity, those who want to stay in their ivory tower create a division among us which ripens an environment that will be beneficial for the ruling class.

In order for leaders to benefit from blind followers, they provoke a society that has no choice but to follow them. Authorities had instilled the mindset that obedience is a virtue. At times we allow ourselves to be somebody’s agent as long as we recognize their power and authority as morally right or legally based.

The ruling class continues in deceiving the poor by creating false promises of abundance and prosperity so that we become a fanatic or a loyalist yet we only gain instant pleasures and temporary rain of blessings from our idols or the authorities that we look up to - perhaps half a thousand from a day of devoting ourselves in the streets for our idol, which can only feed us for a day or two.

Despite our ability to freely choose, not everyone has the freedom to do so. As

The supposed to be protectors of our countrymen are the same people that rob lives without due process and the supposed to be neutral justice system apparently has bias towards the people who can bribe those in power. With this faulty system, it is more convenient to follow orders blindly as questioning the authority becomes a taboo. A dictator who rules a divided society handles every follower in their neck to be trained and taught not to think for themselves.

As it becomes normal for people to get away with the consequences of their actions, the world breeds criminals among us - we either become a blind follower because of its convenience, or an innocent defendant because the authority cannot protect us anymore so we have to fight on our own. However, violence is not limited to us civilians alone. We should be more vigilant towards more dangerous criminals of our society - those that are blinded by power and those that are never waken up from delusions.