Philippine Collegian Tomo 93 Issue 15

KULĂŠ

Opisyal na lingguhang pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Diliman Huwebes 14 Abril 2016 Tomo 93 Blg 15

2 EDITORYAL

Huwebes 14 Abril 2016

KAHINGIAN NG PANAHON

P L AY B A C K Ano ang kahalagahan ng pagboto sa darating na University Student Council Elections?

The USC elections this year happen at the same time that the country commemorates the thirtieth anniversary of an uprising that toppled the dictatorship and holds national elections set to install a new presidency.

These elections are very important in strengthening the power of students to decide the life of the university, something that is not given but fought for in the midst of repression, even before Marcos was ousted from power. UP students’ voices, especially those of student leaders, are expected to contribute in the struggle of memory against forgetting, of experiences against the deceitful revision of history, and the continuous realization of rights and welfare of the students and the people.

JPaul Manzanilla

USC Chairperson, 2003-2004

MULING GUGUHIT NG PANIBAGONG kasaysayan ang mga estudyanteng bubuo sa susunod na University Student Council (USC). Bilang sandigan ng mga mag-aaral sa pamantasan, mahalaga ang gampaning nakaatang sa USC—manguna sa paglulunsad ng mga kampanya at laban ng mga mag-aaral at sambayanan.

Hindi lamang simpleng kinatawan ang grupo ng mga estudyanteng bubuo sa konseho ng mga mag-aaral para sa susunod na akademikong taon. Kaya naman hindi dapat ibatay sa ganda ng retorika o sa hitsura at pustura ang pagpili sa kandidatong iboboto.

Kailangan natin ng mga liderestudyanteng may kakayahan at paninindigang ipaglaban ang ating mga karapatan laban sa mga patakarang matagal nang nagpapahirap sa mga iskolar ng bayan. Mga prinsipyadong lider na bubuo sa isang konsehong mabilis ang pagtugon sa mga isyu batay sa interes ng mag-aaral.

Ngunit higit sa lahat, kailangan natin ng mga lider na nakikialam at nakikibahagi sa nagaganap sa labas ng pamantasan at hindi nagpapakulong sa responsibilidad bilang estudyante. Ang pagiging isang iskolar ng bayan ay nangangahulugahan ng pagkakaroon ng malalim na pagunawa sa danas ng mamamayan, upang maisakatuparan ang ating mandatong pagsilbihan ang lipunan.

Kailangan natin ng isang USC na maninindigan hanggang sa huli at hindi isasangkalan ang karapatan ng bawat iskolar ng bayan para sa mga programang hindi tunay na nagsusulong ng interes at kagalingan ng mga estudyante

Sa lumalalang krisis sa loob at labas ng unibersidad, kagyat ang pangangailangan ng isang konsehong kritikal na haharap sa mga isyu ng iba’t ibang sektor katulad ng reporma sa General Education, pondo para sa pagsasa-ayos ng mga gusali upang maiwasan ang sunog o anumang sakuna, demolisyon sa mga komunidad sa UP, at ang pinagkakakitaang edukasyon sa bansa.

Kagyat na dapat matugunan ang problema sa edukasyon dahil dito nakaugat ang mga porma ng komersyalisasyon sa anyo ng mga bayarin at kolonyal na oryentasyon ng ating kurikulum.

Patuloy tayong sasalungat sa pagtaas ng matrikula, dagdag na mga bayarin, at pakikipagkasundo ng UP sa mga pribadong kompanya na sumisira sa pampublikong karakter ng pamantasan.

Kailangan natin ng isang USC na maninindigan hanggang sa huli at hindi isasangkalan ang karapatan ng bawat iskolar ng bayan para sa mga programang hindi tunay na nagsusulong ng interes at kagalingan ng mga estudyante.

Inaasahan ang kanilang matapang na pamumuno sa mga kapwa kamag-aral at mahigpit na pakikipag-ugnayan sa iba pang sektor ng UP at ng lipunan.

Isang malaking pagkakataon ang eleksyon upang itama ang mga maling desisyon ng nakaraang taon. Isa rito ang pagsang-ayon sa pagbabago ng

akademikong kalendaryo kung saan kasalukuyang nararanasan ng mga estudyante ang matinding init sa mga pasiilidad na kulang sa mga kagamitan.

Gayundin ang programang K-12 na naglalayong mabigyan ng pagkakataong makapagtrabaho ang kabataan sa kabila ng hindi pagtatapos sa kolehiyo.

Sa pagsasanay sa mga kabataan sa bokasyunal na trabaho, patuloy at mas masahol lamang na pagsasamantalahan ang lakas-paggawa ng mga Pilipino lalo na ng mga kabataan.

Sa susunod na mga araw bago ang ika21 ng Abril, gamitin natin ang mga debate at araw-araw na kampanya sa mga silid-aralan upang higit na makilala ang mga kandidato.

Maaaring nakalulunod ang mga retorikang binibitawan ng mga kandidato, ngunit gamitin natin ang sariling pagpapasya na itaas ang diskurso at limiin ang tunay na mga lider sa mga nagpapanggap lamang.

Bilang botante, nasa atin ang pagpapasya.

Kailangan natin ng konsehong magsusulong ng karapatan ng mga estudyante at sambayanan.

Kailangan nating bumoto nang naaayon sa kahingian ng panahon. y

Ang USC ang pinakamataas na kinatawan ng mga estudyante sa Diliman. Sa panahon kung saan LAHAT ng mga palisiya ng administrasyon ay laban sa interest ng mga estudyante at ng iba't ibang sektor ng ating komunidad, ay kailangan ng isang konsehong lalaban at maninindigan para sa bawat Iskolar ng Bayan. Ito ay nagsisimula sa pagboto—sa pagboto ng mga Iskolar na kritikal, prinsipyado, at walang takot banggain ang sistema.

Alex Castro

USC Chairperson, 2013-2014 Itong darating na USC elections sobrang importante ng boto ng estudyante. Una, syempre ang goal natin ay pataasin ang voter’s turnout, last year 51 percent ang boto ng chair. Kapag napataas natin ito, hindi lang siya numero eh, ito yung ibig sabihin sa mandato na ibinibigay sa USC. Ang binibigay nito, naniniwala pa ang estudyante sa institusyon. Kasi kung ikukumpara ang USC this year at ang USC ni Lean Alejandro, ang USC ay kayang maggather ng maraming estudyante. Kasi nung panahon na yun, naniniwala sila na kayang maging lider ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan. Magagawa lang ito ng USC kung maniniwala ang mga estudyante sa institusyon.

JP Delas Nieves

Incumbent USC Chairperson

UKOL SA PABALAT

Dibuho nina Kenneth Gutlay at Jiru Rada

PHILIPPINE COLLEGIAN 2015-2016

Punong Patnugot Mary Joy Capistrano Kapatnugot Victor Gregor Limon Tagapamahalang Patnugot Jiru Rada Patnugot sa Balita Arra Francia Patnugot sa Grapiks Guia Abogado Tagapamahala ng Pinansiya Karen Ann Macalalad Kawani Kenneth Gutlay / Chester Higuit Pinansiya Amelyn Daga Tagapamahala sa Sirkulasyon Gary Gabales Sirkulasyon Amelito Jaena / Glenario Ommamalin Mga Katuwang na Kawani Trinidad Gabales / Gina Villas Kasapi UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations (Solidaridad) / College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Pamuhatan Silid 401 Bulwagang Vinzons, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Diliman, Lungsod Quezon Telefax 981-8500 lokal 4522 Online kule1516@gmail.com / www.philippinecollegian.org / fb.com/philippinecollegian / twitter.com/phkule / instagram.com/phkule

Huwebes 14 Abril 2016

STANDARD BEARERS 3

Huwebes 14 Abril 2016

COUNCILORS 4-5

6 PARTY PROFILES

Huwebes 14 Abril 2016

Now on its 16th year, the UP ALYANSA NG MGA MAG-AARAL PARA SA PANLIPUNANG KATWIRAN AT KAUNLARAN (UP ALYANSA) continues to uphold a brand of leadership based on its core principles of academic excellence, student empowerment, social justice and social progress, and “multi-perspective activism,” which ALYANSA defines as a form of activism that respects and recognizes different perspectives in promoting the interests of the oppressed, marginalized, and powerless.

Founded in 2000 by pioneer members Buklod College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), Tau Rho Xi, UP Alliance for Responsive Involvement and Student Empowerment (ARISE), and other student organizations, UP ALYANSA this year aims to bring dreams and aspirations into possibilities with its tagline “UP Posible.” This year’s slate focuses on three pressing issues in the university, incumbent ALYANSA Chair Arjay Mercado said. These include

inefficiency in systems within UP, the lack of a prostudent orientation and the policy-making process of the UP administration.

Given the widespread socioeconomic inequality and perennial budget cuts, “a socialized tuition scheme is the most just and equitable mechanism by which the burden of tuition is distributed among students,” said the party in a statement released after the implementation of the new Socialized Tuition System in 2013. ALYANSA also called for a progressive tuition rollback and is a member of the Progressive Alliance for the Rollback of Tuition and Accessibility of Education.

Besides being a strong supporter of gender equality and a staunch advocate against fraternityrelated violence, UP ALYANSA is also at the helm of pushing for the approval of the Students’ Magna Carta by the Board of Regents. The Magna Carta is a document seeking to secure and protect

the rights of the student body. A petition signing garnered 6,712 votes in favor of the Magna Carta out of a total 7,088 votes cast.

This year, ALYANSA enjoins UP students to dream, envisioning a student council whose relevance is defined as an institution that transforms them into possibilities by paving clear paths, and through strong, unwavering resolve to continue ALYANSA has started.

The party's current member organizations are as follows: Buklod CSSP, UP ARISE, UP Economics Towards Consciousness (ETC), UP Sirkulo ng mga Kabataang Artista (SIKAT), UP Organization of Human Rights Advocates (OHRA), Kasama Ka sa Paglikha ng Arte at Literatura Para sa Bayan (KALikha), Strength in AIT (StrAIT), and Akbayan Youth UP Diliman. y

UP Diliman’s NAGKAKAISANG ISKOLAR PARA SA PAMANTASAN AT SAMBAYANAN (KAISA-UP) stands tall as the youngest among the three major political parties in UP Diliman (UPD). It was founded by two separate organizations from UP ALYANSA and other college-based organizations in 2005. With over 11 member organizations, KAISA-UP has participated in the political scene of the university for eleven years.

Under a “Six for Six” banner, KAISA UP is fielding six candidates for UPD USC councilors pushing for a “BASICS” agenda, which stands for (1) budget, (2) academic rights and freedom, (3) student organizations, fraternities and sororities, (4) improved health and security, (5) climate justice, and (6) “Six Will Fix.” Since 2008, KAISA-UP has been calling for the passage of the “Six Will Fix” bill, which aims to institutionalize the appropriation of at least six percent of the nation’s gross national product to the education sector.

“This could mean better facilities for UP. This could mean free education not only in UP but also in other state universities in the country. This is a UNESCO world standard for developing countries.

This is scientific. This is proven,” said KAISA UP Chair Marlina Carlos.

KAISA UP condemns the Socialized Tuition System (STS) as they see this as a hindrance to a student’s right to education. The party supports the lease of the university’s idle assets to private corporations under several conditions, said Carlos.

These conditions are: (1) assets should be of academic use, (2) revenue from land leases should not be used as a substitute to state subsidy, (3) there should be sectoral consultation and consent, (4) use of leased lands should not harm the environment, and (5) transactions should be transparent.

Aside from the advocacies included in their BASICS platform, KAISA UP vows to continue their

campaigns for voter education, mental health awareness, gender equality, the passage of the AntiDiscrimination bill, and labor rights.

If elected, KAISA's roster this year also plans to reinstate the committee for student organizations, fraternities, and sororities which was abolished two years ago.

KAISA-UP’s 11 member organizations are the following: Bukluran ng mga Iskolar-Atleta Tungo sa Progresibong Aksyon, Facilitators of Educational Development-Uniting People, KAISA Mass Organization, Leaders for Excellence, Action and Development, MagKaisa College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Practice of Administrative Leadership and Service, Sanlakas Youth-UP Diliman, Student Action Towards Responsive Leadership in Tourism, UP Beta Sigma Ladies’ Corps, UP Paralegal Society, and the UP Phi Delta Alpha Sorority. y

The largest and longest-running political party in UP Diliman (UPD), the STUDENT ALLIANCE FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC RIGHTS IN UP (STAND UP) is celebrating their 20th anniversary this year.

Founded in 1996 on the principle that education is a right, STAND UP is known for its militant stance against budget cuts and the Socialized Tuition System.

The alliance has mobilized protests to oppose budget cuts, commercialization schemes such as laboratory and dormitory fee increases, as well as the 300 percent tuition hike in 2006. The party's call to struggle for a nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented education has brought together 24 organizations, fraternities, sororities, and other formations, including seven chapters in different colleges.

Acknowledging the need to unite with other sectors of society in pursuing genuine change in the country, STAND UP has also launched various campaigns, programs, activities, and projects that

forward the interests of farmers, workers, indigenous peoples, women, and other marginalized sectors.

The party is also one of the convenors of multisectoral alliances, such as Kilos Na Laban sa Budget Cut and the Stop Lumad Killings Network.

The alliance recognizes that poverty, landlessness, joblessness, lack of access to social services, and other present problems of the majority of the Filipino people are deeply rooted to the backward agrarian, pre-industrial, and foreign-dominated political socioeconomic system of the Philippines.

STAND UP was the first alliance to call for the ouster of former President Joseph Estrada in 1999 and Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2004. As of present, it is the only student alliance in UP Diliman to join Kabataan Partylist, the only youth partylist in the Philippines.

This elections, STAND UP reaffirms the primacy of collective action as the decisive force in claiming victories for the students and the people, embodied

in their theme: “Tumindig para sa pagbabago! Samasama sa paglaban! Tayo na, pag-asa ng bayan!”

STAND UP's current member organizations are the following: AGHAM Youth, ALAB UP, Alay Sining, Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity, Anakbayan, Artists' Circle Fraternity, Artists' Circle Sorority, Center for Nationalist Studies, Cinema as Art Movement, EMC^2 Fraternity, GABRIELA Youth, Kappa Epsilon Fraternity, League of Filipino Students, NNARA Youth, Pi Sigma Delta Sorority, Sigma Alpha Sorority, Sigma Delta Pi Sorority, Sigma Kappa Pi Fraternity, Sinagbayan, Student Christian Movement of the Philippines, Tau Omega Mu Fraternity and its Ladies' Circle, Union of Journalists of the Philippines-UP, UP Praxis, and UP Ugat. y

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LATHALAIN 7

Huwebes 14 Abril 2016

THE UPCOMING NATIONAL ELECTIONS, threats of internationalization, and cases of state violence hound the country today. Under the leadership of the University Student Council (USC), UP Diliman (UPD) students must then be united if it is to withstand the tough times.

The past year has been UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran’s second consecutive year of heading the USC, with 16 out of 35 posts clinched by the party, including the chair and vice chair positions. Tasked to carry on the legacy left by the likes of Wenceslao Vinzons and Lean Alejandro, the incumbent USC however spoken a voice too weak for the body it represents.

Fraternity war The council was placed under close scrutiny after the brutal clash between fraternities Upsilon Sigma Phi (Upsilon) and Alpha Sigma in June 2015.

A member of Upsilon, USC Chair John Paulo delas Nieves vowed to make sure that all suspects involved in the attack against four students would be held accountable. In a series of the council’s general assemblies, representatives from both fraternities were invited to air their sides. The proceedings however were muddled with complaints for Nieves’ impeachment from the USC and expulsion from his own party while the real issue of fraternity-related violence was sidelined.

Almost a year after the incident, the suspects remain at large and the violence they perpetuated cast behind the shadows. The incident only highlighted the council’s glaring mistake of not reinstating the Committee on Organizations, Fraternities, and Sororities which has not existed since 2014.

Overbooked The acceptance of an additional 800 freshman students also caused a confusion during the registration period. By the first week of August, around 300 students were protesting over the lack of affordable dorm slots.

Some classes under the General Education (GE) curriculum listed at most 70 students, more than twice the acceptable class size of 30, according to university rules. While some student groups camped out of dorms and accompanied students still without proper housing, the council came up with a different approach to ensure that the same would not happen again.

“When we convened the League of College Councils, pinag-usapan ang pagkakaroon ng enrolment survey forms to make sure na tama ang demand ng dorms at classrooms,” said Nieves. This type of approach is what Nieves sees as the prime initiative during his stint as chairperson—to institutionalize the groundwork for the next councils to come.

Student center Nieves has also consulted with the administration in bringing Vinzons Hall back to the students. Initially built as a student center where organizations and different groups can meet, the USC chair cited how some rooms in the building have been unused over the years like the Center for Nationalist Studies Library. In its place, a student lounge will be built where students can study. By putting a member of the USC within the committee that processes requests for room usage at Vinzons, the building would cater more to the students’ well-being while inside the university.

Budget cut With an impending P2.2 billion budget cut in 2016, the biggest slash in UP’s budget under the Aquino administration, the university should have been in uproar over such an obvious effect of state neglect. As militant student groups, professors, and employees slammed the government’s negligence, the council was inefficient in its call for greater state subsidy.

Their response

NINE ASSESSMENT POINTS FOR THE AY 2015-2016 USC

has been to invite members of the Department of Budget and Management and UP System’s Vice President for Planning and Finance Joselito Florendo in the trademark forum series Balitaktakan to explain the supposed budget cut.

The demand for transparency however seems a futile attempt to make consequential changes in UP’s budget, when the more pressing situation is to make sure that this budget cut will not happen.

“I don’t think the USC was active at all when it comes to most university and national issues. Aside from the annual events the council organizes, I don’t think there were new campaigns and projects that were introduced,” said Ana Alexandra Castro, second year UP College of Law student and former USC chair.

High cost of tuition The council’s stance on UP’s Socialized Tuition System (STS) has mostly been a continuation of the previous USC’s actions. Instead of facing the root of the tuition system, the council has chosen to improve its

z ARRA B. FRANCIA

implementation. This tactic compromises the fact that students must not settle for a tuition system that only wrings out profit out of their pockets.

In a series of walk-out campaigns, the Rise for Education Alliance has reiterated its stance against socialized tuition and the incessant increase in tuition and other school fees. Despite the USC’s recognition that STS does not capture the student’s real financial situation, their campaign has been geared towards improving the current system.

Upholding students’ rights The highlight of the incumbent USC’s term has been the forwarding of students’ rights through the Magna Carta (MC). Specifically outlining every student’s basic rights and privileges inside the university, the document aimed to institute student welfare.

Consultation with students on the contents of the document have been centered on the discussion on why students need it, railroaded to the actual process of voting for in.

In the Collegian’s previous assessment of the MC, the publication pointed out how the need for intervention from the administration in imposing sanctions defeats the primary goal of protecting their rights. The MC could espouse the very dangers it wishes to avoid by allowing the administration into the independence of students in ruling for themselves.

Manilakbayan The university warmly welcomed the Lumad when they marched from Mindanao to Manila in an effort to escape their

militarized homes and schools in Mindanao. While the UP community stood in solidarity with the Lumad, the two top officials of the USC were missing from the scene, depriving them of the chance to stand up in solidarity with the Lumad.

“The council seems to have distanced itself from the other stakeholders of the university. This includes the UP Manininda, the personnel, the different organizations, and even people outside the university.

I don’t see the USC involving itself in issues other than concerning student services,” said Castro.

GE reform Towards the end of 2015, the reduction of GE courses has been a major threat to the holistic and nationalist education in UP. From a total of 45 required GE programs spread into three domains of learning, the administration sought to reduce the number to as low as 21 units. The council was immediate in expressing dissent over the proposal through a statement released on their Facebook page. Even the statement however only pointed out the lack of student consultation in imposing necessary reforms. The stand argued that it lacked genuine consultation among the university’s stakeholders, most importantly with the students. In the entire UP system, UP Diliman is now the only unit left that has not approved the GE reform because of heated protests from students and faculty alike.

The year has been marred with issues that would definitely surpass this term. In keeping with conservative stances and watered-down solutions, their impact would be lost in the institution’s great tradition. y

Illustration by Guia Abogado Page Design by John Reczon Calay