02 EDITORIAL
Volume 29 Number 23 September 8, 2016 | Thursday
E DI T O R - I N - C H I E F Carlo Rey Resureccion Martinez A S S O C I AT E E DI T O R F O R I N T E R N A L A F FA I R S Patrick Jacob Laxamana Liwag A S S O C I AT E E DI T O R F O R E X T E R N A L A F FA I R S Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla M A N AG I N G E DI T O R Thalia Real Villela A S S I S TA N T M A N AG I N G E DI T O R Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari N E W S E DI T O R Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua F E AT U R E S E DI T O R Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang C U LT U R E E DI T O R Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza
DANIELLE MONTEALEGRE RODRIGUEZ
TRUTH
T
printing press, despite the fact that it has only had a single bidder for the past few years. Thus, as of press time, the Philippine Collegian remains unable to print any issues until it goes through the unnecessary bureaucratic hindrance imposed Campus press repression is a battle upon it. that student journalists across the country has faced for decades. However, it is not just through According to the College Editors legalese and bureaucracy that Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), student journalists are impeded there have been anywhere from from performing their duties. 200 to 400 cases of campus press Sometimes, it has even escalated to freedom violations annually since force. One such instance took place 2010. These violations include in February 2016, when members indirect forms of harassment, such of Tinig ng Plaridel - UP Diliman HOSE WHO STRUGGLE TO expose realities and give a voice to the silenced are being harassed and oppressed in a desperate attempt by those in power to snuff out the truth.
pointed out by the CEGP. Some of the notable weaknesses is its lack of a penalty clause for erring school administrations, as well as its failure to make the existence of student publications mandatory for all educational institutions. The greatest, however, is the fact that it legalizes the non-mandatory collection of publication fees. In turn, it provides school administrations who wish to undermine their student publications with the means to do so.
Campus press oppression is not just an issue for student journalists, However, it is not just through legalese and but for every other student as well. bureaucracy that student journalists are impeded As the vanguards of the truth, student publications represent from performing their duties. Sometimes, it has the collective interests of all the even escalated to force. students. And if these publications are oppressed, harassed, or as imposition of unfair editorial College of Mass Communications’ otherwise mistreated, it is a massive policies or non-collection of student publication - were physically blow to the democratic rights and publication fees. However, there are barred and even verbally attacked by freedom of the entire student body. times when such violations escalate, supporters of the Liberal Party (LP) from the forced closure of the during an event organized by the The CJA may have had good publication to the filing of charges National Anti-Poverty Commission intentions, but it is clearly lacking. Thus, there is a need for stronger at the UP Bahay ng Alumni. against journalists. legislation that truly fulfills the Most recently, the regular operations Given these instances, as well as the intent of protecting campus press of the Philippine Collegian - UP many other documented cases of freedom, such as the Campus Press Diliman’s student publication - have campus press freedom violations in Freedom Bill filed by the Kabataan been hindered by the inaccessibility recent history, it seems imperative Party List. of its funds. This has allegedly that the rights and privileges of been caused by the Government campus journalists be upheld by law. More importantly however, the Procurement Reform Act of 2006 And as a matter of fact, they are, at Filipino youth must open their eyes to the abuses and injustices which allows the publication’s funds least on paper. affecting their fellow student to be treated and used as government Signed into law in 1991, Republic journalists and collectively oppose funds. Act 7079 or the Campus Journalism it. As The Manila Collegian has According to a statement released by Act (CJA) is supposedly intended asserted for the past 29 years, the UP Solidaridad, the Philippine to protect the freedom of the press, magna est veritas et prevaelebit Collegian is being required to even at the campus level. However, - the truth is mighty and it shall conduct a bidding process for its there are major flaws in the CJA, as prevail.
G R A P H IC S E DI T O R Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes N E WS COR R ESPON DEN TS Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo F E AT U R E S C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera Katrina Maria Limpiada Perolino Angelica Natividad Reyes C U LT U R E C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa Pia Kriezl Jurado Hernandez Jamilah Paola dela Cruz Laguardia Gabrielle Marie Melad Simeon R E S I D E N T I L LU S T R AT O R S Maria Catalina Bajar Belgira Jamela Limbauan Bernas Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo
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College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations
The Cover
Illustration by Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes Layout by Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan