The National Guilder August-September 2014

THE NATIONAL

GUILDER

Ang Opisyal na Pahayagan ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines Agosto-Setyembre 2014

Mga nilalaman...

Lathalain • SONA 2014: Ulat sa mga ‘Boss’... pahina 4

• Adyenda sa Pag-amyenda... pahina 5 • Evacuation echoes yearning for protected land for tribal Manobos... pahina 7

Balita • Patriyotiko at demokratikong pamamahayag sa ika-83

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anibersaryo ng CEGP... pahina 10 • CEGP, nagsampa ng reklamo sa CHED laban sa CPFVs... pahina 11 • CEGP Pampanga calls first general assembly for 2014... pahina 11

PAMBANSANG KOMITENG TAGAPAGPAGANAP 2014-2016

Of Persecution and Injustice

MARC LINO ABILA Pambansang Pangulo The LPU Independent Sentinel Lyceum of the Philippines University-Manila

The Official Statement of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines on AFP’s Vilification

IAN HARVEY CLAROS Tagapagpaganap na Pangalawang Pangulo The Torch Publications Philippine Normal University

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), an alliance of tertiary student publications, vehemently denounces Capt. Nathaniel Morales’ outright slander to the 83-year-old institution. Capt. Morales of the 10th Infantry Division of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has reportedly accused CEGP as a legal front of CPP-NPA-NDFP. The incident happened during Ateneo de Davao University’s NSTP orientation last August 23, Saturday.

The Guild holds that this incident is an additional count of violation to the student press all over the country. As National Center for the Advancement of Campus Press Freedom, it is imperative for us to refute and condemn this baseless and dubious accusation tied to the institution’s prestige.

The red-tagging incident only shows that the State is hostile to the progressive orientation of the campus press. The State reserves all interests and exhausts all efforts to deface the critical stance of student journalists. Being a social critic, an alternative media and an eye opener, the campus press bears insightful reportage and opinion that shatter the illusion of the nation. Thus, it is the capacity of the press to vanguard and to convey the truth which is preyed by the State through its repressive apparatus, the military.

It is also noteworthy that NSTP becomes an avenue of AFP’s vilification to progressive organizations and institutions. NSTP is clearly deformed to be an instrument that insinuates student pacification. It is as if NSTP and ROTC have no differences at all. Let it be a reminder to AFP that NSTP is promulgated by the law to usher service among the youth. NSTP is not pulpit where they can spread their ungrounded propaganda.

CEGP is also dismayed over the erroneous historicizing of Capt. Morales.

Let it be clear that Beng Hernandez was not a rebel but a civilian; she was killed not in an encounter but in a fact-finding mission. She was killed in her exercise as a journalist. It is grave a dishonor and disrespect to the family of Beng Hernandez and the entire Guild that her martyrdom is distorted – muffled in lies. Indeed, AFP’s sole aim is to taint and blemish the institution’s rich history.

In a larger scale, this incident is directed to the continuing Aquinosponsored Oplan Bayanihan. Not only is it extant in areas of conflict, now it meddles within the walls of the campus. This type of harassment aims to compromise every publication’s inherent and inviolable right to freedom of expression. This notorious program has cost numerous lives and settlements; therefore its presence at school demands serious attention and inquiry.

The State’s game plan is obvious; to silence the campus press. It is the silence of the campus press that ferments and prolongs social injustice. The State wished to suspend the truth from being uttered; it wants to draw a worsened picture of the campus press situation and let the 185 cases of violations balloon even more.

Though dissent to the status quo makes the student publications vulnerable to various violations, nothing can deter us from being the mouthpiece of the students and of the people. The Guild along with its nationwide members shall staunchly counter these transgressions against our basic rights; reluctance and inhibition are disservice to our oath, the students and the country.

CLAUDINE BUENAAGUA Pangalawang Pangulo para sa Luzon Outcrop University of the Philippines Baguio FRANEL MAE POLIQUIT Pangalawang Pangulo para sa Visayas Tug-Ani University of the Philippines Cebu ROCHAMAE BIHAG Pangalawang Pangulo para sa Mindanao Mindanao Varsitarian Mindanao State University MA. ATHENA ALEXIS GARDON Pambansang Pangkalahatang Kalihim The Manila Collegian University of the Philippines Manila JIAN CARLO GOMEZ Pambansang Pangalawang Pangkalahatang Kalihim KALasag University of the Philippines Diliman College of Arts and Letters JOHN CARLO GASIC Pangalawang Pangkalahatang Kalihim para sa Luzon The Philippine Artisan Technological University of the Philippines-Manila LESLEY CARA DELOS SANTOS Pangalawang Pangkalahatang Kalihim para sa Visayas Today’s Carolinian University of San Carlos NUR JANNAH KAALIM Pangalawang Pangkalahatang Kalihim para sa Mindanao Himati University of the Philippines Mindanao

PAMBANSANG KALIHIMAN ANGELO KARL DOCEO The Pillar, University of Eastern Philippines MARY ROSE IGGIE ESPINOZA Arellano Standard, Arellano University ELIZABETH DANIELLE FODULLA The Manila Collegian, University of the Philippines Manila ROSE VALLE JASPE The Communicator, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Main College of Communication MICHELLE LADO Cyber Isko, University of the Philippines Open University JOANNA MARIE UDARBE The Manila Collegian, University of the Philippines Manila

College Editors Guild of the Philippines Pambansang Tanggapan Pamuhatan: Room 305 National Press Club Bldg., Magallanes Drive, Intramuros, Manila 1002 Hotline No.: (+63)936-902-6236 Email: cegphils@gmail.com Facebook Page: /CEGPNationalOffice Twitter: @GuilderPH Website: www.cegp.org

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Ang Opisyal na Pahayagan ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines PUNONG PATNUGOT: Marc Lino Abila DIBUHISTA: Christian Henry Diche MGA KAWANI SA ISYUNG ITO: Aprille Joy Atadero, Ian Harvey Claros, Nur Jannah Kaalim, Michelle Lado, Andrea Isabelle Mejos, Linelle Mercado, Issa Purungganan, Charis Selene Tubiano

PABALAT: Marc Lino Abila Para sa mga kontribusyon at pakikipag-ugnayan sa patnugutan, maaaring magpadala ng email sa cegp. newsdesk@gmail.com.

Agosto-Setyembre 2014

EDITORYAL

3

Ang Politika, Si Aquino at ang Lipunang Pilipino

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ahigit apat na taon na nang manungkulan si Pangulong Aquino, ngunit hanggang ngayon ay wala pa ring pagbabago – patuloy pa rin ang pag-iral ng mga kronikong suliranin sa lipunang Pilipino. Sa ngayon, mas lumubha ang krisis, hindi lang sa ekonomiya kung hindi maging sa politkal na katayuan ng bansa. Hawak pa rin ng piling iilan ang kapangyarihang nagsisilbing gabay sa pagbagtas ng pambansang kaunlaran. Dahil dito, hindi nakakagulat na ang atensiyon ay hindi nadidirekta sa pangangailangan ng kalakhang mamamayan. Sa hanay ng aktibidad ng gobyerno, wala itong ibang napala kundi magluwal ng sunodsunod na problema.

Kamakailan lang ay napiramahan ng US at Pilipinas ang Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) na mas magpapalawig sa saklaw ng kapangayrihan at impluwensyang poltikal at militar.

Gumagarantiya ang kasunduang ito sa pagtayo ng mga base militar, libreng paggamit ng ating likas na yaman, at pinansyal na suporta mula sa kaban ng bayan. Walang dudang makaisang panig ang kasunduang ito, at hindi nagbibigay ng adbentahe sa ating pagunlad. Ang paglagda sa EDCA ay pagkitil sa ating soberanya.

Ang pagsuko sa politikal na kapangayarihan ay tahasang pagpapakatuta ng rehimeng Aquino; pinapahiwatig lamang nito na hindi kaya ng kasulukuyang administrasyong pangalagaan ang kalayaan ng bansa.

Ang goberyong Aquino ay gobyernong makadayuhan. Ikanga, “Kano ang boss ko!�

Nakakadismaya na kanlungan ng abuso at korapsyon ang politika ng lipunang Pilipino. Naging behikulo ng mapagsamtalang uri ang Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) at Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) na pawang mga pork barrel.

Imbes na dumirekta ang pondo sa mga batayanag pangngailangan ng mga mamamayan, napupunta ito sa mga huwad na organisasyon. Nakakabahala pa rito ang pagpapalit pangalan ng pork barrel upang lituhin ang taumbayan.

Dahil sa paulit-ulit na kamaliang ito, hindi na tayo muling maloloko ng rehimeng Aquino.

Nang ideklarang hindi naayon sa konstitusyon ang DAP, hinamon ni Aquino ang Korte Suprema na baguhin ang kanilang solidong desisyon. Malinaw na magdudulot ng krisis sa konstitusyon at kalakaran ng gobyerno ang pagbabanggaan ng ehekutibo at hudikatura. Pinapakita nito ang isang buwag na sistemang hindi kayang mamuno ng sistematiko at batay sa wastong prinsipyo.

Sa kabila ng mga pangyayaring ito sa lipunang Pilipino, charter change, o Cha-cha ang naging tugon sa atin ni Pangulong Aquino.

Layon ng pagpapalit ng konstitusyon na paliitin ang kapangyarihan ng hudikatura, padamihin ang dayuhang pribadong pagmamayari, at dagdagan ang termino ng Pangulo. Manhid na nga ang rehimeng ito sa disguto ng taumbayan sa kanya. Sa dami ng pangulong maghahangad ng term extension, isang antema na manggaling

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ito sa anak ni Corazon Aquino. Tila nagmana si Aquino kay Marcos at hindi sa kanyang ina.

Malinaw na ang ganid na administrasyong ito ay walang balak na umalis sa pwesto. Malinaw na gusto pa nitong palubhain ang kalagayan ng lipuang Pilipino, kung saan mas nanaisin pa nito na baguhin ang konstitusyon kung hindi nasusunod ang gusto nila.

Malinaw na hindi pa kontento ang rehimeng Aquino sa pagsasamantala sa mamamayang Pilipino. Malinaw na hindi na naglilingkod ang gobyerno sa bayan.

Ngayon, nakaatang na ang responsiblidad sa kabataan at sa sambayanan upang pagbagsakin ang lahat ng entidad na nagpapahirap sa sa lipunan.

Nararapat na baguhin natin ang elistista at makadayuhang oryentasyon ng politika sa bansa, sapagkat ang politika ay behikulo ng paglilinkod sa bayan, at hindi sa abuso at korapsyon. Ang tunay na kapangyarihan ay dapat na nasa sambayanan, at hindi sa piling iilan lamang.

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LATHALAIN

4

Aprille Joy Atadero The Catalyst, Polytechnic University of the Philippines

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a ika-limang pagkakataon, natunghayang muli ng mamamayang Pilipino ang State of the Nation Address ni Pangulong Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” Aquino III.

Narinig natin ang pamilyar na tugtugin ni Pangulong Noynoy Aquino – walang nagbago sa tono ng kanyang pananalita at mga dahilan. Namutawi pa rin ang kanyang mga retorika, mga pasaring, pagkukumpara sa nagdaang administrasyon, at paggamit ng emosyon sa pagpapakita ng “katotohanan” sa kalagayan ng bayan sa kanyang mga Boss.

Ipinagmalaki ni Aquino na talagang “ready for take-off” na ang ekonomiya ng bansa. Patuloy niyang pinipilit na ang mga sunudsunod na kumperensya at pagtitipong pang-ekonomiyang ginaganap sa bansa, at ang malaking tiwala ng ibang bayan na pautangin ang Pilipinas ay patunay na umunlad na ang ekonomiya ng bansa. Ngayong bukas na bukas ang bansa sa iba’t ibang dayuhang bansa at negosyante, totoo ngang “More open for business na nga po ang Pilipinas” – para sa mga dayuhang negosyante.

Pinapatotohanan ito ng P62.6 bilyong inaprubahang pondo para sa Public Private Partnership (PPP) mula 2011 hanggang Hunyo ngayong taon. Ang PPP ang programang ginagamit ng gobyerno upang tugunan ang malaking kakulangan sa serbisyong panlipunan, kung saan kalakhan sa mga kasosyo ng gobyerno sa mga proyekto ay ang mga malalaking kapitalista tulad ng pamilyang Ayala, Sy, at Consunji. Dagdag pa rito, ang mga negosyanteng ito ay naitala bilang mga pangunahing isponsor ni Aquino sa panahon ng eleksyon sa pagkapresidente noong 2010.

Habang tumitindi ang usapin ng korapsyon na kinakaharap ng sambayanan, hinahainan tayo ng “ama ng bayan” ng “in good faith” na mga panukala. Mariin na ipinagtatanggol ng Pangulo sa Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP), na ayon sa kaniya ay para sa benepisyo ng mamamayan, kung kaya para sa kanya, ang pagdedeklara ng Korte Suprema sa DAP bilang labag sa saligang batas ay mistulang pagpigil sa pagsisilbi sa mamamayan. Mula rito, inudyukan niya ang kongreso at senado na tatakan o aprubahan ang inihain niyang supplementary budget para sa 2015.

Sa panig naman ng isa pang naturingang boss, ano nga ba ang kalagayan ng bayan?

Sinasabi ng gobyerno na bumaba ang bilang ng mga naghihirap na Pilipino ng tatlong porsyento, o 2.5 milyon, mula noong 2012. Pawang ilusyon lamang ito sapagkat ang mga datos na ito ay nakalap matapos palitan ng ilang ulit ang pamantayan ng kahirapan, at itakda ng gobyerno na hindi mahirap ang isang tao kung siya ay mayroong P53 kada araw.

Ngayong taon, walang ginawa ang gobyerno upang mapigil ang sunudsunod na pagtaas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing pangangailangan.

Ayon sa tala ng Ibon Foundation, anim na piso ang itinaas ng presyo kada kilo ng bigas mula noong 2010. Nagimbal rin tayo sa pagsirit ng presyo ng bawang hanggang P300 kada kilo. Idagdag pa natin ang mahigit piso na pagtaas sa singil sa kuryente na umaabot na ngayon sa P11.32 kada kWh mula sa P10.35 kada kWh noong 2010. Tumaas na rin ng limampung

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Kuha ni Michelle Lado

SONA 2014: Ulat sa mga ‘Boss’

Agosto-Setyembre 2014

sentimo ang pinakamababang pasahe sa dyip, at may pangambang magkaroon rin ng pagtaas sa pamasahe sa LRT at MRT. Dagdag pa rito, patuloy pa rin ang pagtaas ng presyo ng produktong petrolyo.

Kabi-kabila ang pagtataas ng presyo ng mga pangunahing bilihin ngunit nananatili ang kakulangan sa sahod ng mga manggagawa at ang malawak na kawalan ng trabaho. Bagamat ang datos na naitala ng gobyerno ay nagsasaad na may 1.65 milyong Pilipino ang nadagdag sa bilang ng nagtatrabaho, karamihan sa mga trabahong ito ay kontraktwal lamang.

Nananatiling mababa ang sahod, kaya hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin abot kaya ang mga batayang serbisyong panlipunan. Bukod pa dito ay hinahayaan lamang ni Aquino ang kasalukuyang kalagayan ng mamamayan. Kaniyang ibinubulalas lamang ang mga programang hindi naman talaga nakatutugon sa pangangailangan ng kaniyang mga Boss, tulad ng K-12, two-tierred wage system, at Expanded Conditional Cash Transfer Program.

Nanatili pa ding hindi abot-kamay ang karapatan sa edukasyon, 287 pribadong unibersidad ang pinahintulutan ng Commission on Higher Education na magtaas ng matrikula ng halos P36 kada yunit o higit pa, samantalang nananatiling mababa ang badyet para sa mga state universities and colleges.

Dahil sa kapabayaan sa pagtuon ng pansin sa batayang serbisyong panlipunan, lumalalaganap ang pribatisasyon ng iba’t ibang pasilidad para sa serbisyong panlipunan tulad ng mga pampublikong ospital.

Marami rin sa mga bakanteng lupang tinitirhan ng maraming Pilipino ay ginagawang mga condominium at iba pang pribadong establisyamento.

Dahil dito, libo-libong pamilya na ang pinalayas at inalisan ng karapatan sa disenteng pamamahay. Naitalang 59,000 pamilya ang biktima, kung saan may anim ang pinatay, 345 ang nasaktan, at 159 ang inaresto.

Sa usaping agraryo, hanggang ngayon ay hindi pa rin nakakamit ng mga magsasaka ang lupaing sila ang nagpayaman. Sa kabila ng desisyon ng Korte Suprema noong 2011, hindi pa rin naipapamahagi sa mga magsasaka ang lupa sa Hacienda Luisita, bagkus ay gumagamit ang pamilya ng Cojuangco-Aquino ng mga mapanlinlang na programa at negosasyon upang mapigilan ang pamamahagi nito.

Wala ring nabanggit sa SONA ukol sa mga migrante sa kabila ng umaabot sa 5,000 na overseas Filipino workers ang umaalis kada araw.

Hindi rin natalakay ang nakababahalang sitwasyon ng karapatang pantao, serbisyo pangkalusugan, at karapatan sa pangkabuuan.

“Kayo ang haharap sa sangandaan; kayo ang magpapasya kung magtutuloy ang pagbabago… Kayo po ang Boss, kayo ang lakas, kayo ang gumagawa ng pagbabago—kaya kayo rin ang magpapatuloy nito.

Nasasainyo kung paanong isusulat sa kasaysayan ang mga panahong ito,” ani ni Aquino. Ngunit ang kanyang SONA ay hindi SONA ng mamamayang Pilipino. Ipinakita ng kanyang SONA kung sino ang kanyang tunay na pinagsisilbihan, ang kanyang tunay na boss. Sa huli, nasa mamamayang Pilipino pa rin ang kapasyahan at lakas, at umiigting ang pangangailangang ipakita kay Aquino kung paano natin iuukit sa kasaysayan ang paglaban ng mamamayan sa kabulukan ng sistemang umiiral.

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LATHALAIN

Agosto-Setyembre 2014

5

Adyenda ng Pag-amyenda Issa Purungganan The Warden, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa

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a ngalan ng kapangyarihan, handang balewalain ni Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang tagumpay ng mamamayang nagtulak ng ‘demokrasya’ laban sa diktaturyang Marcos.

Kasabayngpagbabanderangadministrasyong Aquino na malaki ang pag-unlad ng bansa pagdating sa usaping pang-ekonomiya sa ilalim ng kanyang panunungkulan, inihain ni House Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Ang House Resolution No. 1 sa ika-16 na Kongreso.

Naglalayon umano itong amyendahan ang Saligang Batas para sa mga repormang higit na makakapagpatatag ng kalagayang pang-ekonomiya ng bansa. Bagama’t hindi sinasaklaw dito ang pagpapalawig ng termino ni Aquino, ginintuang pagkakataon naman ito upang repasuhin din ang mga limitasyon sa pananatili sa pwesto ni Aquino. Ito ay sa kabila ng lumalakas na panawagan ng pagpapababa sa pwesto dahil sa mga usapin ng anomalya sa paggamit ng pondo, lantarang kapabayaan sa mga kababayang biktima ng sakuna at patuloy na pagmamatigas sa usapin ng Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP).

Pagtakas sa Pananagatuan Ayon kay Aquino, ang usapin sa pagpapalawig sa kanyang termino ay prayoridad batay sa pangangailangan at naglalayon umano na ipagpatuloy pa ang mga reporma na nasimulan ng kanyang liderato at hindi direktang nangangahulugan ng pagnanais na manatili sa pwesto. Bagama’t pumupustura na nagaatubili na sumang-ayon sa usapin ng ekstensyon o mas mahabang panunungkulan, taliwas naman ang ipinapakita ng kanyang mga kapanalig sa pulitika sa usaping ito. Bawat linggo ay nagkakaroon ng sesyon ang House Committee on Constitutional Amendments maging sa mga probinsya upang talakayin ang pagrerepaso ng Saligang Batas. Upang maging magaan para sa kanya ang pagtutulak ng nasabing term extension, ginamit ni Aquino na dahilan ang mamamayan at sinabi na ang pagpapasya sa usapin na ito ay batay sa kagustuhan ng kanyang ‘mga boss,’ kasabay nito ay ang paglulunsad ng mga aktibidad o usapin na maaaring makapagpataas sa kanyang satisfaction rate upang mabigyang hustisya ang sinasabi niyang ‘batay sa kagustuhan ng kanyang mga boss.’

Ayon kay Bayan Muna Rep. Neri Colmenares, ang pagtutulak ni Aquino sa usapin ng charter change ay tila pagpapahayag ng isa nanamang diktaturya. Dagdag pa niya, pangunahing matutukoy na dahilan ng kagustuhan ni Aquino na isulong ito ay upang mapagtakpan ang katiwalian na nagawa sa ilalim ng kanyang panunungkulan sa usapin ng pork barrel at DAP, higit lalo ay masustini ang immunity bilang pangulo ng bansa upang hindi managot sa nagawang krimen sa mamamayan, at kasabay

ay maipagpatuloy pa ang sistema ng pork barrel habang itinatanggi at binibigyan lamang ito ng ibang mukha at pangalan.

Ngayon Agosto ay inilabas ng Department of Budget Management (DBM) sa publiko ang kabuuang halaga ng badyet na inilaan ng gobyerno para sa taong 2015, bagamat mariin ang pagtanggi ng administrasyong Aquino na muli silang naglaan ng pondo para sa DAP at Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF), inilabas ni Rep. Antonio Tinio ng ACT Partylist ang isang voice recording na kuha mula sa isang sesyon sa kamara habang tinatalakay ang pagtatalaga ng badyet, lumalabas dito na nananatili ang discretionary pork barrel sa panukalang badyet sa 2015 at klasipikado ito sa dalawang klase ng lump sum appropriations: una ay ang lump sum na kontrolado ng mga mambabatas o PDAF at pondong na kontrolado ng punong ehekutibo o DAP. Higit na Pandarambong ng Dayuhan Ayon sa pahayag ni Rep. Loreto Leo Ocampos, tagapangulo ng House Committee on Constituional Amendments, nakapokus umano ang mga pag-uusap sa layunin na maiugnay ito sa mga repormang pang-ekonomiya, ang pagbubukas ng bansa sa dayuhang pangangapital ay magdudulot umano ng pagangat sa ekonomiya sa tulong ng direktang pamumuhunan o direct investments. Isa raw ito sa mga kondisyon ng International Monetary Fund (IMF) at Asian Development Bank (ADB) para patuloy na makahiram ng pera ang gobyerno ng Pilipinas at iangat mula 14 hanggang 20 bahagdan ang foreign direct investments (FDI) sa bansa.

Kasabay nito ay sinuportahan rin ng embahador ng Estados Unidos sa Pilipinas na si Philip S. Goldberg ang pag-amyenda sa Saligang Batas.

Ayon sa kanya, mahalaga ang

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constitutional amendments sa Pilipinas dahil susi ito sa Trans-Pacific Partnership o isang free trade bloc na pinamumunuan ng Amerika at kapalit nito ay ang pag-amyenda sa Saligang Batas ng bansa. Kaugnay rin nito ay ang lalo pang pagpapapasok ng mga mga militar ng Estados Unidos upang magtayo ng mga base militar sa tulong na rin ng Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) na madaling magagawan ng provisional ratification sa oras na matuloy ang nasabing pagbabago.

Sa ganitong kalagayan, litaw na ang diin at pagpupursigi na maituloy ito ay nagmumula sa mga makikinabang sa nasabing hakbang: gobyernong ng Amerika, mga malalaking negosyante, at administrasyong Aquino.

Nangangahulugan ito na bagama’t hindi tuwiran ay higit pang pagkontrol ng dayuhang interes sa ating bansa, higit sa usaping pangekonomiya na tiyak na magdudulot ng pasakit sa lokal na industriya at pangkabuuang estado ng bansa.

Hayag ang tunay na layunin ng administrasyong Aquino sa pagtutulak ng usaping ito, pansariling kagalingan ni Aquino upang pagtakpan ang krimeng nagawa sa bayan sa pamamagitan ng immunity at pagpapatuloy ng pork barrel system, kapangyarihang pangpulitika at lalo pang pagbubukas ng bansa sa dayuhang kontrol.

Sundan sa pahina 8...

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FEATURE

6

Agosto-Setyembre 2014

Colonizoned: US-Philippines Friendship Ian Harvey Claros The Torch Publications, Philippine Normal University

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Photo courtesy of Asia Matters for America

all it – It’s Complicated.

It would have been the greatest momentum of history when Philippines was untangled from the shackles of the Spanish conquest.

It would have been an opportunity for the nation to grow; bereft from external dominating influences. But in the twist of events, everything went delusional. Everything went wrong. Everything went complicated.

The general assumption was that America was an ally who treated the Filipinos as their brown brothers. America was a friend who shall help us breathe the air of freedom and democracy. It was through their support that we shall draw a nation framed from liberty and independence. But as things settled, it was clear that they were not our true friends. It was a flawed and infidel relationship. It was a friendship antedated by the Treaty of Paris where America bought the Philippines from Spain like a tagged commodity. For the Filipinos, it was friendship but for Uncle Sam – it was a plot of colonialism. It was then that the country’s history and conduct became brewed by submission and subservience.

True enough that Spain and America bear similar colors. Both were united with the agenda of annexing hegemony. But America made things more creative and treacherous. They labeled colonialism as benevolent assimilation. Their conquest appeared as though they were trying to spark an exemplar democracy in the east. While Spain utilized the power of the gospel, America used education. Atis became apple.

The tropical country was dreaming of winter. The Americans never needed troops of priests to enforce their dominance; they employed a ship-load of teachers to control how the Filipino thinks. Now colonialism never capitalized on gun powder, it was fashioned as if it was method of instruction. The American way was engaged to supersede the 333 years of Spanish influence. They were eyeing the Philippines as their perpetual colony. Everything they have done was intricately staged.

And the world was a dumbfounded audience to the undressing of the old-style colonialism.

The American imperial motives gained a significant clamor from prominent figures like Mark Twain, W.E.B Du Bois, and William James – for them this was a disgusting move. It was turning against their beloved ideals of democracy. It was unbecoming of America. But their country’s capitalist orientation made them numb from the protests. No matter how the means appear; the justification of their end rests on the economic gain of the elite few.

Though this seemed to end on July 4, 1946 when America freed the Philippines to avoid spending for its rehabilitation after the World War II, they were able to package a more acceptable colonialism streaming

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through economy, politics and culture. Treaties from treaties came to shower the American presence. In every dynamic course of this nation, they always make themselves present – leeching from every turning point. Even the EDSA Revolution was American sponsored.

Now, the American power has never ceased. It, in fact, increased strength as a potent influence in this country. Uncle Sam has grossly gripped the nation, overtly suspending the national sovereignty. It has also called to manipulate our educational track.

Currently the K-12, which the US actively lobbied for, is in its third year of implementation. Still, unending figures of the Philippine Government’s inadequacy persist. Lack of facilities, classrooms, and teachers become perennial issues of the entire education system. As long as the program is railroaded, the US-Philippine government never cared to solve these fundamental issues. It turns out that the main goal of the K-12 is to prepare students for overseas work as semi-skilled workers. The US-Philippine friendship has only arrived to package a system that breeds the servants of the world.

Another problem that fermented from K-12 is the abolition of Filipino as a tertiary subject. Our national language will no longer be a priority.

Not only that it will tarnish cultural identity, it would pave way to a massive loss of jobs. This is among the few preliminary repercussions of the neo-colonial influence to our education system.

But above all US interventions is the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA). The treaty served as the epitome of Philippine puppetry and subservience. It is said that the approval of the pact was a welcome gift for the Obama’s visit. It basically sets the limits to the sovereign of this nation. It allowed increased presence of US military in land. It ordered the country to burden all the expenses incurred by the US. It allowed uncontested claims over ‘agreed locations.’ It opens the entire archipelago to toxic substances brought by the US military.

Lastly, problems concerning their stay cannot be passed to national or international tribunal for arbitration without their consent. Ironically, EDCA never even passed through the scrutiny of the treaty-making body of the nation – Senate.

These events prove that US regime came not to benefit us. As Noam Chomsky said, “In the Philippines, US troops killed a couple hundred thousand people, establishing a colonial system, which still exists.

That’s the reason why the Philippines has not joined the rest of East and Southeast Asia in the economic development for the past twenty or thirty years.” The only logical step is to cut all American ties and venture into independence.

And call it - friendship over.

THE NATIONAL GUILDER

Agosto-Setyembre 2014

FEATURE

7

Photo courtesy of Davao Today

Evacuation echoes yearning for protected land for tribal Manobos

by Davao Today

T

hey slept by day. At night, they left. Following the trail of the river, they walked, crawled, and stumbled. Datu Tungig Mansumuy-at didn’t use flashlights so that they won’t be seen. They first carried their children then went back for the ill.

On the 29th day of April, the entire village of Talaingod evacuated here again due to heightened military activities and alleged abuses against civilians in their area.

It was getting dark at UCCP (United Church of Christ of the Philippines) when Manobo tribal Datu Tungig Mansumuy-at, wearing a blue shirt and purple drawstring pants, led his son by hand to a nearby bench, where there was light.

Mansumuy-at is one of the leaders of Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon, a group that Manobos in Talaingod formed to defend their land from investors.

Upon taking his seat, he narrated what happened back then.

In 1993, C. Alcantara and Sons Inc. (CASI, formerly Alsons) was awarded an Industrial Forest Management Agreement (IFMA) with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR). The agreement granted 20,000 hectares of land CASI to develop into an industrial tree plantation.

In 1994, armed with bows and arrows, bolos, and spears, the tribal baganis, their warriors, led by Chieftain Datu Guibang Apoga waged a bush war for their land. They used booby traps called batik wherein a sharpened bamboo is tied with a rope in such a way that when someone trips over the rope, the bamboo hits him with a fatal blow.

It was a while before the government military was able to understand their battle tactics, Datu Mansumuy-at said, because their weapons do not bang like guns do. Then they decided to evacuate to the city.

The Manobos are traditionally nomadic in culture. For food, they constantly search for land to till. They look for another place to live in if a family member dies in their house. In believing that god as creator makes him the rightful owner of land, they do not claim absolute ownership of it. Benefiting from properties not theirs is a practice called usufruct. In return, they take care of it.

But now the nomadic culture can no longer be practiced, for they no longer have land to go to. And in grievous circumstances, they staged

a pangayaw, a tribal war.

Salugpungan Ta Tanu Igkanugon is a Manobo term for “the land we will not give to the foreign capitalists.”

In 1997, the government passed the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) whose aim was to recognize, protect, and promote the rights of the Indigenous Peoples. However, there are sections that seem to contradict its goal.

Section 55 states that communal rights over ancestral domains should not be confused with coownership as in the R.A 386 (New Civil Code).

Also, section 56 provides that property rights in ancestral domains existing upon effectivity of said act shall be recognized and respected.

It was in 1993 that IFMA was formed. Two years after, the DAO 96-40 (Philippine Mining Act of 1995) was passed, which tribal communities in many mountain communities in Mindanao have voiced out their disagreement.

The Manobos of Talaingod like Datu Tungig wonder what law they can use to uphold their rights.

Now 20 years later, the Matigtalomo-Manobo have evacuated again in the ensuing fight between the NPA and the military. They had to leave, Datu Mansumuy-at said, to speak of their plight and to be helped.

Fearing for their safety, they decided to evacuate to the city again.

In the eyes of a Manobo, Datu Mansumuy-at wondered why people have no homes to sleep in when the land was so wide. “Why do people eat garbage when in the city, food is so abundant? Why is fish and wood being sold? Why do the land and the seas have to be divided?

Why is no one helping those sleeping outside and eating garbage?”

The people from support groups helping them were how all leaders should be, said Datu, for they all ate the same food. If the evacuees only had gabi/taro, the support group members ate that as well. A hungry people’s leader should be hungry too, he said, then added, when they think, they don’t think for themselves only, but for everyone.

“I am called Datu by my people, but I am not different from them. If they’re hungry, I’m hungry too. If they worry, I worry more.” *First published on May 16, 2014 in Davaotoday.com

THE NATIONAL GUILDER

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8

OPINION

Agosto-Setyembre 2014

People’s initiative: Challenges and responses Definitively, the nationwide signup campaign for a trailblazing people’s initiative bill to abolish the pork barrel system and, through its penal provisions, to “exact accountability for the plunder of the people’s money” will go full-blast starting September.

It aims to collect, within a year, 6 million or more voters’ signatures – with at least 3% of the registered voters signing per congressional district.

The signatures attached to the bill/petition will be submitted to the Commission on Elections for verification. After certifying the petition to be sufficient in form and substance, the Comelec shall submit it to the people in a referendum. Approval by onehalf plus one of the 52-million registered voters shall enact the bill into law.

From published comments on this people’s initiative, launched via a People’s Congress held in Cebu City on August 23, at least three issues have been raised expressing doubts that it can succeed.

These are: 1. The Comelec may fail to verify all the signatures, as those who oppose can put up obstacles. Failure to verify-certify the required number – 10% of all the registered voters, 3% in every district – can deter the Comelec from submitting the petition to a referendum.

2. Political fiefdoms in many of the 234 districts can thwart the collection of 3% of the voters’ signatures. Failure to gather 3% in any district may render the initiative a failure.

3. Supposing the bill passes muster and becomes a law, it can be repealed

by Congress. The bill’s provision on amendment or repeal (Section 10) — only through another people’s initiative and referendum — may be questioned on its constitutionality before the Supreme Court.

The People’s Congress declaration of unity

acknowledges these challenges and resolves to overcome them. It states: “We know we are up against entrenched and well-organized forces currently holding the reins of political power. We are also faced with the lack of resources as well as the inertia and cynicism that attend any attempt at meaningful change in the unjust status quo.

But we will persevere and inevitably triumph against all adversity for we know this fight — to abolish the abominable pork barrel system — is the people’s fight.”

To overcome the first two challenges, the proponents vow to set up an effective campaign machinery; undertake a “massive information and education campaign nationwide”; and continue to “reach out and forge unities with all forces, groups and individuals to build the broadest possible unity for this People’s Initiative.”

Thus far, the initiative has been endorsed, among others, by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. The bishops’ support through the parishes in their respective dioceses can be crucial to the campaign’s success.

By early September, a national coordinating committee with a joint general secretariat shall set up shop to oversee the signature campaign. Regional, provincial, city and district counterpart committees and secretariats shall be organized to monitor the campaign and submit timely reports.

For a systematic collection and verification of signatures, three sets of signature sheets/ folders shall be filled up and signed by each voter, as follows: (1) per congressional district in provinces or cities with multiple districts; (2) per lone-district city or per municipality in lone-district provinces; and (3) for big provinces and cities, regardless of congressional districts, for voters who cannot go to their districts to sign up.

Through (1) and (2), the coordinating committees and the Comelec can determine if the 3% per-district requirement has been met, while (3) can complement the effort

to attain the 10% nationwide requirement.

Even after the 3% is attained, signing-up shall continue to build a comfortable buffer for both the 10% and 3% requisites.

To avoid overburdening the Comelec, signatures collected every month will be submitted for immediate verification and certification by the commission’s provincial, city and municipal offices.

Thus, any deficiency detected can be remedied in time.

What of the issue that Congress can repeal the legislation passed through people’s initiative? The proponents assert: No, Congress cannot repeal it. And Section 10 of the bill is constitutional.

The legal grounds for such assertions are two provisions of the 1987 Constitution pertaining to people’s initiative. These are: Article VI, Section. 1, which says, “The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines… except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum”; and Article VI, Section 32, which provides for the system of initiative and referendum, “whereby the people can directly propose and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law or part thereof passed by the Congress” after the requirements cited earlier are fulfilled.

Note that while the legislative power of Congress includes the power to pass, amend or repeal laws, Section 1 separates from such power the people’s reserved power to legislate via initiative and referendum.

More important, note that Section 32 upholds the people’s power not only to directly enact laws but also to approve or reject – repeal, in effect – any law passed by Congress. Not the other way around.

As sovereign, the people hold the inherent power to legislate. Congress, constituting the people’s elected representatives, only exercises legislative power delegated by the people. Thus, Congress cannot override what the people’s initiative will enact. *First published on August 30, 2014 in The Philippine Star

Adyenda ng Pag-amyenda... mula sa pahina 5 Ang Mamamayang Lumalaban Kung babalikan ang mga nakalipas na administrasyon, makikita na hindi lamang si Aquino ang nagtangka na panatilihin ang kapangyarihang pampulitika sa kanilang kamay.

Ayon sa pahayag ni Renato Reyes, Pangkalahatang Kalihim ng Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN), tila masyadong mataas ang tingin ng Pangulo sa kanyang sarili na kaya niyang labagin at baguhin ang Saligang Batas batay sa kanyang kagustuhan.

“Malinaw na ang gusto ng mamamayan ay ang pagbasura sa korap na sistemang

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pork barrel na pinagpapatuloy ni Aquino at maparusahan ang nagdambong at nag-abuso ng kapangyarihan at hindi upang ipagpatuloy pa ang kanyang panunungkulan,” paliwanag naman ni Rep. Carlos Zarate ng Bayan Muna.

Tulad ng mga nakaraang administrasyon ni Fidel Ramos, Joseph Estrada at Gloria MacapagalArroyo, laging nasa gobyerno ang pagnanais na mapanatili ang kapangyarihang pampulitika sa kanilang kamay, bagama’t iba-ibang mukha ay nanatiling isang sistema ang umiiral.

Makikita na lahat ng pagtatangka na ito ay nanatiling pagtatangka lamang dahil sa malakas

THE NATIONAL GUILDER

at malawak na kilusang protesta na inilulunsad ng mamamayan. Maaalala na minsan nang nilahukan ng ina ng Pangulo na si dating pangulong Corazon Aquino ang malawak na hanay ng mamamayan na nagnais na labanan ang diktaturyang Marcos kaya naman isang kwestyon para sa karamihan ang hakbang na ito ng Pangulo.

Mistulang kapit-tuko man ang Pangulo sa estado, ang malawak na pagkakaisa naman ng mamamayan na patuloy na nagbabantay ang mapagpasyang tatalop at magpapababa sa kanyang pwesto.

Agosto-Setyembre 2014

OPINION

THE NATIONAL GUILDER

9

www.cegp.org

10

BALITA

Agosto-Setyembre 2014

Patriyotiko at demokratikong pamamahayag sa ika-83 anibersaryo ng CEGP Charina Claustro The Communicator, Polytechnic University of the Philippines-Main, College of Communication Sa pagdiriwang ng ika-83 anibersaryo ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), muli nitong itinampok ang serye ng mga aktibidad na siyang nilahukan ng iba’t ibang publikasyon, kaugnay sa linggo ng kalayaan sa pamamahayag pangkampus noong Hulyo 21-26.

Isang photo exhibit ang isinagawa ng The Bedan ng San Beda College na siyang nagbaliktanaw sa mga naging pakikibaka at tagumpay ng CEGP sa loob ng 83 na taon, at isang diskusyon hinggil sa pangkalahatang kalagayan ng mga mamamahayag sa bansa ang isinagawa ng The Chronicler ng Politeknikong Unibersidad ng PilipinasTaguig bilang pambungad sa linggo.

Kaugnay nito, nagsindi ng mga kandila sa harapan ng Mendiola ang mga publikasyon ng CEGP-Metro Manila upang ipanawagan ang hustisya at gunitain ang halos limang taon matapos ang pagpaslang sa 32 na mamamahayag sa Ampatuan Massacre.

Nangalampag din ang CEGP sa Commission on Higher Education (CHED) upang maningil ng agarang aksyon sa halos 185 na kaso ng paglabag sa kalayaan ng mga mamamahayag pangkampus na naidokumento ng CEGP, gayundin and represyong pangkampus na nagaganap sa buong Pilipinas.

“Hindi titigil ang CEGP sa pagprotekta sa lahat ng mga mamahayag pangkampus, mga kabataa’t estudyante maging ang mga kasamahan natin sa midya laban sa

Isang group discussion sa kalagayan ng midya kasama ng mga mamamahayag at mamamahayag pangkampus ng CEGP-Northern Mindanao Region ang isinagawa bilang paggunita sa Campus Press Freedom Week. Larawan mula sa Northern Mindanao News Bureau.

paglabag ng estado sa karapatang pantao.

Ang panawagn natin ay itigil ang talamak ng impunidad na umiiral sa ating lipunan,” saad ni Marc Lino Abila, kasalukuyang pambansang pangulo ng CEGP. Isang gabing pangkultura naman ang naging pagtatapos ng nasabing pagdiriwang na siyang kinatampukan ng mga kultural na pagtanghal, pagtula, at pag-awit, na siyang dinaluhan ng mga mamamahayag pangkampus sa Metro Manila.

“Patuloy nating itataguyod ang patriyotiko at demokratikong pamamahayag, patuloy na

Pakikiisa ng mga mag-aaral at mamamahayag pangkampus ng Central Luzon State University (CLSU) sa lalawigan ng Nueva Ecija sa paggunita sa Campus Press Freedom Week at sa panawagan para sa tunay kalayaan sa pamamahayag. Larawan mula sa CLSU Collegian.

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THE NATIONAL GUILDER

maninindigan at magmumulat ang Guild hindi lang para sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag, kundi pati sa tunay na pagbabagong lipunan ng ating bansa,” ani Abila.

Tawi-tawi, nakiisa sa paggunita ng CPF Week Western Mindanao News Bureau Sa pangunguna ng Kawasa, ang opisyal na pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng Mindanao State University-Tawi-tawi College of Technology and Oceanography (MSU-TCTO), naglunsad ng isang pagtitipon ng mga mamamahayag pangkampus sa lalawigan ng Tawi-tawi upang gunitain ang Campus Press Freedom (CPF) Week at ika-83 anibersaryo ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP).

Sa pakikipagtulungan ng Kabataan Partylist at Unified Successors for Change (USC), ginanap ang pagtitipon noong Hulyo 25 sa Sabdani Bulante Hall ng MSU-TCTO. Naglalayong itong ipakilala ang CEGP at ang mga layunin ng nasabing organisasyon, imulat sa iba’t-ibang uri ng campus press freedom violations sa mga mamamahayag pangkampus ng Tawi-tawi.

Dinaluhan ang nasabing pagpupulong ng mahigit 50 mamamahayag pangkampus mula sa Mahardika Institute of Technology, Tawi-Tawi Regional Agricultural College, MSU-Science High School, MSU-Preparatory High School at mga estudyante ng MSU-TCTO. Naglunsad rin ng pagsisindi ng kandila, nanawagan ng katarungan at nag-alay ng panalangin ang mga dumalo para sa mga biktima ng Ampatuan Massacre at sa mga biktima ng digmaan sa pagitan ng mga pwersa ng Israel at Palestine sa Gaza Strip.

Agosto-Setyembre 2014

BALITA

CEGP: No one is above the People National News Bureau

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), along with the Abolish Pork Movement and Youth Act Now, joins the People’s Initiative to strike down the pork barrel system in the country. The activity is set to garner six million signatures for the bill’s passage. Exactly one year before, the people also gathered to Luneta to decry this laden system. After the program, progressive groups continued the symbolic action to Mendiola.

“This gathering assures that people are not tired of demanding to end the pork barrel system that converts the government into a den of thieves. And by this collective disgust, the people shall never be tired. They shall never end flooding the streets until authentic reform is achieved,” CEGP National President Marc Lino Abila stated.

CEGP stressed that the gathering for a People’s

Initiative means that Filipinos no longer trust the legislative branch. It only bespeaks that such instrumentality is as good as dysfunctional since it does not serve its real purpose.

“This action is an immense source of shame for the Congress. The people do not consider them credible enough to cast reform and end corruption. Thus, the confidence of the people to the government is lost. They have fully decided to take reform in their collective mandate ‒ a resort that emphasizes the Congress’ incapacity,” Abila commented.

The Guild pointed out that the government must bend to the mandate of the people. It also holds that, in a democratic country, there is no law more powerful than that of the people’s dictate. There is nothing more supreme than the people. No one is above the people.

Furthermore, the Guild is also dismayed that BS Aquino’s response to all this dissent is charter

11 change that shall extend his term. At the time when the people’s trust to his administration is dwindling; a call for a term extension is outright insensitivity, abuse and tyranny.

Abila also added that instead of calling for a term extension; BS Aquino, with limited time, should keep himself busy in starting authentic reforms to the country’s perennial issues. Aquino should even be at the forefront of this exercise of democracy. He should not wait for the people to take their initiative. He should therefore serve the people not his allies, family, friends and himself.

“BS Aquino must not wait for the people to overthrow him from power,” Abila noted.

Finally, the Guild called for its member publications nationwide to support the people’s initiative bill to abolish the pork barrel system. Student journalists should expose the truth. They must be instruments to end this institutionalized corruption.

CEGP Pampanga calls first general assembly for 2014 Central Luzon News Bureau

Si Victor Villanueva, National Convenor ng Youth ACT Now!, habang nagbibigay ng talumpati sa isang kilosprotesta sa kahabaan ng España sa Maynila noong Agosto 22 upang manawagan sa mga mamamayan na suportahan at pumirma sa People’s Initiative laban sa pork barrel. Larawan mula sa Pinoyweekly.org.

CEGP, nagsampa ng reklamo sa CHED laban sa CPFVs National News Bureau Naghain ng pormal na reklamo ang College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) sa Commission on Higher Education (CHED) hinggil sa mga paglabag sa kalayaan sa pamamahayag at mga demokratikong karapatan ng mga magaaral noong ika-13 Agosto.

“Bilang pangunahing adbokasiya ng Guild na isulong ang kalayaan sa pamamahayag ng mga mag-aaral, hinihingi namin sa CHED ang agaran at nararapat na aksyon sa mga kasong isinampa ng CEGP. Hindi lamang kami nagsampa ng reklamo sa mga paglabag sa campus press freedom kundi maging sa iba pang demokratikong karapatan ng mga mag-aaral at sa iligal paniningil ng development fee sa mga paaralan kasama ng Rise for Education Alliance,” ayon kay Marc Lino Abila, Pambansang Pangulo ng CEGP. Kasabay ng pagsusumite ng mga reklamo,

nagkaroon ng kilos-protesta ang mga magaaral at mamamahayag pangkampus sa harap ng gusali ng CHED. Kabilang sa mga isinampang kaso ay ang tangkang pagpapasara sa EARIST Technozette ng Eulogio“Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST); pagtatanggal ng iskolarsyip ng dalawang lider-estudyante ng National University (NU) kabilang ang kasaluyang Punong Patnugot ng The National; ang kasong cybercrime laban sa isang estudyante ng De La Salle Araneta University (DLSAU); at ang 185 kaso ng paglabag sa campus press freedom na nadokumento ng CEGP sa unang anim na buwan ng 2014.

“Ang mga mag-aaral ay matagal nang biktima ng mga mapanupil na palisiya sa mga paaralan.

Hindi natin iniiwan ang ating mga karapatan na nakasaad sa ating Saligang Batas kapag tayo ay pumapasok sa paaralan. Tayo’y may kalayaan sa pananalita, pagpapahayag, ng pamamahayagan,

THE NATIONAL GUILDER

The Pampanga chapter of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) held its first general assembly at Holy Angel University in Angeles City, Pampanga last August 9 to build unity between the student publications in the province.

A total of seven student publications from different colleges and universities in Pampanga came to represent their school publications, namely, The Nexus, The Angelite and The Solution of Holy Angel University, The Fatimanian of Our Lady of Fatima University, Allimed of Angeles University Foundation, The Gear of the University of the Assumption, and Frontliner of the University of the Philippines Diliman Extension Program in Pampanga.

Former CEGP Central Luzon Chairperson Jayvee Pangan, current CEGP Central Luzon Chairperson Lester De Leon and CEGP National Secretary General Jian Carlo Gomez were present during the meeting. Also in attendance were Rep. Terry Ridon of the Kabataan Partylist and National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) member Alfredo Villareal; both gave short speeches on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) and on the local journalism scene and status, respectively.

CEGP Pampanga is under the Central Luzon regional chapter and will be hosting this year’s Lunduyan, the 15th Luzon-wide Student Press Convention and the 10th Gawad Eman Lacaba at the Department of Education Regional Educational Learning Center in Angeles City, Pampanga this October 20 - 24, 2014. at ng mapayapang pagtitipon. Ang Saligang Batas ang pinakamataas na batas ng ating bansa ngunit nagagawa pa rin itong labagin ng mga administrador ng mga paaralan,” dagdag pa ni Abila.

“Hindi matitigil ang mga paglabag na ito kung hindi lalaban ang kabataan.

Kinakailangang magkaisa upang igiit ang ating mga karapatan,” ayon kay Abila.

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