The Manila Collegian Volume 29 Number 21-22

The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 - Thursday

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02 EDITORIAL Prelude 03 NEWS Duterte approves FOI bill 09 FEATURES Eyes on Conflict 10 CULTURE Poking Pokemon GO 15 OPINION #Conyo

02 EDITORIAL

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 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 G R A P H IC S E DI T O R Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes

DANIELLE MONTEALEGRE RODRIGUEZ

A

T THE DAWN OF A NEW era, the first State of the Nation Address of the country’s polarizing new leader is a promising start.

President Rodrigo Duterte delivered his first State of the Nation Address and its message was a stark contrast to that of the previous administration, especially when it came to the demands of the people.

Last July 25, thousands of Filipinos - some who were members of progressive groups, others from various sectors - marched on Commonwealth Avenue to reassert their call for pro-people policies guaranteed by the new administration.

In the past, such action was met with rows of policemen armed with riot shields, barricades reinforced with barbed wire, and a fire truck that sprayed the protesters with blasts of water. However, as a way of showing the government’s new relationship with the people, the protestors were met with the minimum resistance.

PRELUDE for responsible mining and logging to protect the environment as well as the need to protect informal settlers from demolition without relocation.

All of these promises were met with resounding applause by the crowds along Batasan.

administration, and the ignorance towards the presence of imperialist powers that continue to oppress every facet of our society.

President Duterte needs to understand that these forces drive and reinforce the cycle of poverty and desperation that leads the However, merely listening to people to fall victim to the illegal the people is still a far cry from drug trafficking that he so adamantly understanding them; while it is a wishes to resolve. If he truly wishes good start, it is not enough. to end criminality in the country, then he must address its root cause.

Despite having made some decisive and progressive pronouncements, This is why the masses must the president has remained mum on not rest on the laurels of their certain pressing issues that affect belief that the Duterte regime

N E WS COR R ESPON DEN TS Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales Eunice Biñas Hechanova Ronilo Raymundo Mesa 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 Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo

O F F IC E 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000 EMAIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com W EBSITES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule

However, merely listening to the people is still a far cry from understanding them; while it is a good start, it is not enough. society’s oppressed sectors, such as commercialization of education and the need for genuine agrarian reform.

Furthermore, his fiery advocacy against illegal drugs continues to encourage a culture of injustice, prompting an almost governmentsanctioned, vigilante-lead witch hunt that denies victims of their right to due process.

Duterte’s promises of a propeople government were further exemplified in his declarations, with the biggest announcement perhaps that of a unilateral ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks with the Communist Party of the Philippines, These issues will definitely appear New People’s Army, and National to be difficult for the president Democratic Front (CPP-NPA-NDF). to tackle due to to his decision to maintain the neoliberal economic Apart from this, there were also calls policies implemented by the Aquino

is a breath of fresh air. Every administration has its flaws and shortcomings, and while giving credit where it is due is fair, that is not all the people must do.

Even though this SONA has proven itself to be a beacon of hope for the future, we must continue to challenge the Duterte regime to ensure that it will continue engaging with the people and evaluating the state of the nation. The future of this country must not be left up to the hands of the few, but must be seized by the masses themselves.

MEMBER

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations

The Cover

Illustration by Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo

Layout by Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan

NEWS 03

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

COLLEGE BRIEFS A university-wide educational discussion fest, IGNITE: ED was held on SJOR Auditorium from July 27 to July 29. It was an Educational Discussion Fest which aims to arm every ISkolar ng Bayan the knowledge and skill to actively and sharply criticize various social issues through a comprehensive curriculum that features courses on social analysis and theoretical foundations.

Duterte approves FOI bill EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

President Rodrigo “Digong” Roa Duterte inked the Executive Order (EO) on the Freedom of Information (FOI) bill on July 23, 2016. Previously known as House Bill No. 334, the bill was finally approved after 29 years since it was first proposed by former Camarines Sur Representative Raul Roco in 1987.

During a press conference on July 24, Press Secretary Martin Andanar stated that the signing included the advice of Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador Panelo, Executive Secretary Salvador Medialdea, and Undersecretary Jesus Quitain.

The FOI bill grants access to records and documents concerned with transactions and government research information regarding national development to the public. The act encompasses government offices operating under the Executive Branch and encouraged local government units to follow.

Mechanism and exclusions Meanwhile, after the submission of a letter of request to the government office, the process for obtaining information would take around 15 days.

The examination of the validity of claim will be assessed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG).

Andanar maintained that under the FOI

bill, public officials are required to state properties they own and the net worth of their assets for transparency. Failure to comply with the EO entails sanction for the officials in charge.

reflect the principles of full transparency in government and full accountability of government officials and employees,” Zarate stated.

Until they are confirmed to threaten national security, documents are subject to the EO. Further exemptions to the bill will be consolidated by the DOJ and OSG to the Office of the President (OP) within a month.

Initially incorporated in the 2010 platform of former President Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III and in his Good Governance and Anti-Corruption Plan of 2012-2016, his administration failed to see it through.

“The OP shall thereafter immediately circularize the inventory of exemptions for the guidance of all government offices and instrumentalities covered by this order and the general public,” Andanar explained.

For the finalization of its legislation,House Bill 334 is left to Congress. “Congress is an independent branch of government and the president believes on the independence of independent branches of government,” Andanar stated.

Invitation for Congress As a call for accountability and transparency in the government, Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate filed the said house bill in June 30 this year.

“We urge in particular the House leadership to fast track the passage of a genuine FOI bill, one that will truly

“The most important fact here is the FOI is not only limited to the media, but the FOI that is inclusive to the rest of the hundred million Filipinos who would want to extract and know vital information running the government,” Andanar added.

SONA 2016 goes on peacefully

Duterte meets revolutionary leaders after SONA ARIES RAPHAEL R. PASCUA

ORGANEWS UP Manila Indayog Dance Varsity launched series of open dance workshops held last July 23 and 30.

It featured Breaking, LA, Hiphop, Vogue and Collab Choreography for P80 per class.

Thousands of demonstrators marched along Commonwealth Avenue all the way to Batasan Road in what is being hailed as a historic State of the Nation Address (SONA) rally.

Led by umbrella group Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan), various protesters from various sectors and provinces expressed their messages of support for the new administration’s pro-people policies and programs, July 25.

and peace,” said Bayan secretary general Renato M. Reyes, Jr. “For the millions of oppressed Filipinos, the SONA is an occasion to highlight the true state of the nation,” Bayan added.

Leaders welcomed After the program conducted by the militant groups, some leaders were invited to Batasang Pambansa to meet with the president and discuss their concerns.

On the other hand, this year’s SONA rally notably lacked the police barricades usually placed along Commonwealth Avenue. It also marked the first time the annual SONA rally was allowed to take place in the vicinity of the Batasang Pambansa.

“We were seated at the island resting while waiting for the pack up of the stage when we were approached by the PNP who asked us to go with them. He did not say where and why. We just followed thinking they just wanted to discuss something,” Reyes said.

“This is indeed a historic day. Rodrigo Duterte is the first Mindanaoan to deliver the SONA. He’s the first president to sign the Freedom of Information executive order. He is the first president to do away with the overkill security measures which were the norms during past regimes. Today, thousands of rallyists march to Batasan to demand genuine freedom, democracy, justice,

According to the militant leader, the President talked about peace and how he wanted to allocate more resources to social services once the armed conflict has been resolved.

The meeting between Duterte and the militant leaders lasted for about one hour and a half, and Reyes expressed appreciation for the gesture.

For the first time, protesters were allowed past Commonwealth Avenue. Photo by Kyla Pasicolan.

04 NEWS UP Visayas’ first summa cum laude is 34th UP Student Regent

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

42nd GASC adopts seven resolutions ARTHUR GERALD BANTILAN QUIRANTE

Raoul Danniel A. Manuel, the first summa cum laude of the University of the Philippines (UP) Visayas and a graduate student at UP Diliman, was selected as the 34th Student Regent (SR) of the UP System.

Manuel was elected by consensus by the student councils present during the 42nd General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) held at UP Los Baños last July 16-17.

the 2nd SR Nominee, and Josiah against K-12 and GE reform, and Hiponia from UP Diliman as 3rd SR mark September 21 and October 13 Nominee. as nationwide days of action against neoliberal attacks on education.

Meanwhile, SR Manuel stated that he envisions the OSR as one that Finally, resolutions garnering During the two-day assembly, 33rd fights along with the student body in support for peace talks with the Student Regent Mico Pangalangan promoting welfare of marginalized government and the National presented his End-of-Term Report sectors. He further expressed that and several student councils raised one major tasks of UP students is to their points of manifestation for the support programs that push forward Office of the Student Regent (OSR). national democracy and bring genuine change.

Consensus decision

Manuel, the former National Chairperson of KASAMA sa UP (KSUP) and MS Applied Mathematics student in UP Diliman, was selected by the 50 out of councils present in the assembly via consensus-building. Only 3 out of the 53 councils in the UP System were not represented in the 42nd GASC.

Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP), directing members of the GASC to become part of “Kabataan Para sa Pagbabago” campaign, and calling councils to participate in the State of the Nation Address (SONA) mobilization on July 25 were also passed.

Resolutions passed Following the selection of the 34th Student Regent, the student councils passed several resolutions for the body to adopt. Among the first resolutions passed were to stop the implementation of the eUP project, to abolish the ROTC program, and stop campus militarization.

Furthermore, resolutions were also On the other hand, the assembly passed to demand that the next UP also unanimously selected Omid President support the UP Student Siahmard from UP Mindanao as Agenda and General Demands (UP SAGD), intensify the campaign

Student pubs condemn press freedom violations

Calls made for greater protection of campus press ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON & LEAH ROSE FIGUEROA PARAS

The College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), together with its roughly 750 member publications, spearheaded a number of activities last July 18-25 to celebrate the Campus Press Freedom Week (CPFW) and highlight the advocacies and adversities currently faced by student publications throughout the country.

Under siege The celebration was kicked off with a press conference at the National Press Club (NPC) where the CEGP denounced the widespread repression of campus press.

of our countr y,” stated CEGP National Deputy Secretar y Jose Mari Callueng.

During the conference, the alliance also heav ily criticized the present Campus Journalism Act of 1991. Despite being in effect for years, the CEGP assailed its inability to impose sanctions upon v iolators, thus failing to suff iciently protect the campus press.

“It is a 25-year struggle and yet we are neglected and brushed aside as he also did to the masses. In his term of off ice, we had always been calling for the junking of the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 (R A 7079) that furthered repression, but he did not listen to the plea of the students,” Callueng added.

“We are alarmed as we summed up all the cases of campus press repression that we have gathered over the six years in off ice of Aquino. Ev idently, the Subsequently, these student campus press faced a perilous publications called for the path in his term as president passing of the Campus Press

Raoul Danniel A. Manuel is the 34th Student Regent. Photo by Kyla Pasicolan.

Freedom Bill, a prov ision proposed by the Kabataan Partylist in 2013 which seeks to prov ide genuine protection to student publications against censorship.

Unhe a r d ple a s Meanwhile, the inability of the Aquino administration to

uphold campus press freedom was made ev ident by the guild’s documentation of more than 200-400 cases of v iolations ever y year since 2010.

off ice, closure of the student publication, suspension and expulsion of student editors and writers, and worse, f iling of libel charges against student journalists,” Callueng reported.

One major incident occurred in 2011 when the administration of the Mindanao State University – Institute of Information Technolog y (MSU-IIT) withheld the P8 – P13 million fund of its off icial student publication, Silahis. Similarly, the University of Perpetual Help – Binan, Laguna (UPHL) Gazette faced the same case in 2013 when the school’s administration halted collection of the Gazette’s funds.

“The v iolations are of various forms such as censorship of editorial content, threat and harassment, meddling with editorial policies, withholding According to Callueng, the of publication funds, non- easiest way for authorities to collection of publication fee, silence student publications padlocking of the publication CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

SC acquits Arroyo of plunder due to lack of evidence

NEWS 05

Other crimes committed by Aquino and Arroyo remain overlooked, groups say ADOLF ENRIQUE SANTOS GONZALES

Former President Gloria Macapagal - Arroyo was released from hospital arrest on July 21 as the Supreme Court (SC) dismissed plunder charges against her involving the Philippine Sweepstakes Charity Office (PCSO) funds.

The SC’s basis for dismissing the case was supposedly the failure of the prosecution to prove its allegations, and the evidences it presented having no “immediate relation to the act of plunder”.

In relation to this, several groups have condemned SC’s ruling and claimed that the Aquino administration “failed miserably” to deliver justice to the Filipino people.

A new plunder case against Arroyo is currently undergoing preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman.

Under siege In 2011, Arroyo was diagnosed with cervical spondylosis, a degenerative disease of bones and cartilages of the neck, bladder problems and experienced episodes of hypertension. In November of that year, Arroyo was held under hospital arrest at the Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) in Quezon City following the criminal charges against her for electoral fraud.

After posting bail for the said case, Arroyo remained in the VMMC as the Sandiganbayan issued a new arrest warrant due to the PCSO Confidential and Intelligence Funds (CIF) misuse alleged by the Ombudsman.

The case was a consolidation of separate cases earlier filed

by Teddy Casino and Neri Colmenares of Bayan Muna, and PCSO Board Secretary Eduardo G. Araullo.

The plaintiff’s claimed that Arroyo approved P366 million of PCSO CIF from 2008-2010 by writing “OK” to fund requests sent by then PCSO General Manager Rosario Uriarte. The CIF is used to monitor the misuse of PCSO funds and is less restrictive in essence because it is confidential. CIF funds released on the said years were

far higher than the P12 million have presumably received allotted in 2002.

P36,599,791.50 each, an amount below the threshold value of However, because of Arroyo’s P50,000,000.00 for somebody practices, the Commission on to be considered a plunderer Audit’s (COA) requirements were unmet because of Furthermore, the SC mentioned insufficient documentation. that the prosecution failed to The Ombudsman argued that prove the conspiracy between the release of funds for fictitious Arroyo and her subordinates. expenditures were used by The failure of the prosecution’s Arroyo for her personal and/or main witness to determine political gain. where the funds have actually gone also contributed to SC’s Evidence lacking decision.

In August 2014, the Arroyo The SC also cited the doctrine camp urged the Sandiganbayan of command responsibility to dismiss the plunder case due and ruled that it is inapplicable to the lack of evidence. Arroyo, in the said case. Thus, Arroyo filing a demurrer or objection, cannot be incriminated because argued that the prosecution’s of the actions of her subordinate main evidence of her writing officers.

“OK” on fund release documents is insufficient to prove her A rrest ended guilty.

Consequently, on the afternoon In April 2015, Sandiganbayan of July 21, Sandiganbayan issued denied Arroyo’s request for a resolution allowing Arroyo, a demurrer prompting her and other co-accused, to be plunder to resume. However, set free from arrest. Presiding Arroyo successfully delayed the Justice Amparo Tang, one of the trial until June 30, 2016 as all resolution’s signatories, refused of her Status Ante Quo Order to comment on criticisms (SAQO) requests were granted against the Sandiganbayan by the SC multiple times. mentioned in the SC’s ruling.

Tang only mentioned that Finally, on July 19, 2016, the SC the SC is the “final arbiter granted Arroyo’s plea with an of all justiciable issues, the 11 - 4 vote, with 9 of Arroyo’s Sandiganbayan is duty-bound appointees voting in favor and to respect and abide it”.

3 of Aquino’s appointees voting against. According to the SC, Following her release, Arroyo Arroyo’s writing of “OK” on labelled her detention as fund requests does not have an “unjust” and later attended immediate relation to the act of President Duterte’s first State plunder. The court also added of the Nation Address (SONA) that the said act was a common on July 25 as well as a National legal practice signifying Security Council meeting approval of fund release. convened by Duterte on July 27.

The SC also argued that according to the said case, 10 accused individuals amassed a total of P365,997,915.00 in public coffers. Since there is no main plunderer stated in the case, each of the accused individuals - including Arroyo - would

plunderers. According to Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Isagani Zarate, the Aquino administration left Arroyo to be politically paralyzed for only 6 years rather than obtaining a full conviction. He also said that Arroyo’s acquittal was a setback for their campaign to hold former government officials accountable, including former President Benigno S. Aquino III. Meanwhile, Karapatan, a human rights group, reminded the SC of the Arroyo administration’s human rights violations which total 1206 political killings, 216 enforced disappearances, as well as the controversial Morong 43 and the Ampatuan Massacre.

On the other hand, Anakbayan, a mass organization, urged President Duterte that “genuine change” requires the imprisonment of both Aquino and Arroyo for their crimes.

Currently, a new plunder case against Arroyo is undergoing preliminary investigation by the Ombudsman. The said case involves a plunder and malversation complaint against Arroyo for the alleged misuse of P57 million PCSO intelligence funds from 2004 to 2007.

As of press time, Arroyo still has 3 pending cases, including 2 counts of graft regarding the NBN – ZTE Deal that she approved of despite knowing ZTE’s irregularities and the deal’s disadvantages. She also has one count of violating the Code of Conduct for Public Officials and Employees, regarding the time Arroyo had lunch and golf with ZTE officials Justice denied while the deal wasundergoing On the other hand, numerous government assessment. groups expressed their Arroyo filed bail on both cases disappointment towards the on March 2012.

SC’s acquittal of Arroyo, arguing that the Aquino administration “miserably failed” to strengthen the case against Arroyo and other

06 NEWS

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

ISKOTISTIKS: UNDER SCRUTINY

Exposing and Mapping Neoliberalism in the Philippines THALIA REAL VILLELA ILLUSTRATION BY JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG

Neoliberalism or new liberalism is an economic theory that promotes the idea of “free market” and “free trade” at the age of monopoly capitalism or imperialism. For thirty years now, neoliberalists have instituted the belief that each economic problem can be solved by feeding the monopoly capitalists with money and credit, and yet concrete conditions tell otherwise.

state), and the political system of other nations. Neoliberal policies are enforced in almost all countries through international finance institutions, such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), with the US Treasury being at the forefront.

intervention during the Great Depression, which persisted until after World War II.

The purported philosophy of neoliberalism is to enhance the role of the private sector in the economy by giving capitalists the freedom to increase profits and accumulate capital to stimulate production and boost As such, the Philippines, economic growth. It comes in a former colony of the US, the forms of extensive economic continues to be a neocolony due liberalization, fiscal austerity, to its continued dependence deregulation, free trade, and As a global power, the on its former owner. reductions in government government of the United spending. These, in turn, have States (US), for instance, been detrimental to workers as Inculcation ensures dominion through its their labor has been exploited various machineries that can The early 1980s is considered through lowering their wages, impose worldwide economic the advent of the neoliberal repressing their rights to neoliberal policies. These ideology’s dominance; it was in unionize, and denying them job could in turn inflict direct and this era that former US President security as well as social services. indirect changes in different Ronald Reagan and then UK Prime aspects such as the culture, Minister Margaret Thatcher Locally, the Philippine economy institutions (e.g. education translated neoliberalism into has remained backward and and the actual but its policies, primarily foreign-dependent, development has been further manifesting through widespread stunted when its entire privatization.

They economy was aligned to the deemed it as the solution global neoliberal framework. to the stagflation Neoliberalism was manifested phenomenon they in the Philippines as early as the considered to be 1980s, when policies such as the rooted from Structural Adjustment Programs the state’s were implemented, only to e c o n o m i c result in extensive and severe socioeconomic conditions.

welfare of the labor sector and the peasants also being compromised.

Privatization Privatization is one of the three main facets of neoliberalism in the Philippines, together with liberalization and deregulation.

Such facets, which transferred responsibilities from the public to the private sector, were followed by then President Corazon Aquino marked by the sale of state enterprises and other assets during her term. In 1986, she approved the Philippine Privatization Program to lessen state spending on large enterprises that provide crucial economic services. Among the first big institutions that were privatized include the Philippine National Bank, Philippine National Oil Company, and Philippine Airlines. The sales yielded $2 billion, which was then used to pay for the foreign debts incurred by the Marcos dictatorship. Privatization was later continued under President Fidel Ramos, and by the year 2000, the state was able to sell over 466 state assets amounting to P194 billion — the biggest being the prime commercial land In the present time, in Fort Bonifacio. neoliberal attacks public services in the country are Additionally, were opened to the private sector manifested the by virtue of the Build-Operatemost in the (BOT) Law which was state’s refusal Transfer passed during first Aquino to invest in regime. The lawtheallows i n f r a s t r u c t u r e and local businessmen toforeign build and social facilities for public services, services, with the

NEWS 07

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

particularly in the energy and transportation sectors. The law was also used by Ramos during the energy crisis in 1992-1993 to award contracts to foreign companies and their local partners.

Industry Reform Act (EPIRA), the National Power Corporation and National Grid Corporation were also privatized in 2001. The law formed the Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESM) to lubricate the placement of independent power producers under one Furthermore, privatization has market, which then enabled them also taken a toll in the rendering to raise charges arbitrarily. of basic social services and amenities. For instance, Ramos Such practices continued under awarded the largest privatization President Benigno Aquino, as he contract in 1992, when he gave continued and even intensified a 25-year concession of the the Private Partnership (PPP) Metropolitan Waterworks and program. Under PPP, the state Sewerage System (MWSS) water did not only provide public services to two consortiums funds to businessmen to build composed of foreign and local public infrastructure — it also companies. guaranteed their profits for the next 25 years.

The practice of privatizing services continued, with In sum, the most essential needs telecommunications being and basic social services were privatized in 1993, banking and forcibly converted by the state shipping in 1994, and airlines into profiteering schemes, leaving and mining in 1995. Shortly after, the people to be the milking cows the Ramos administration also of the private sector. privatized the oil industry in 1998 by virtue of the Downstream Oil Deregulation Industry Deregulation Act (RA 8479). Government subsidies on Neoliberal attacks on the petroleum were repealed, the country’s labor sector have also then state-run Petron was sold heightened over the past three to the private sector, and foreign decades. For instance, three laws companies were allowed to passed by the first Aquino regime construct new gasoline stations. have proven to be the most to workers. In 1989, Even the health sector was not detrimental the Wage Rationalization Act, spared from the neoliberal the Herrera Law, and National doctrine during the term of Labor Relations Act were passed, President Gloria Macapagal - which lowered wages, pushed Arroyo. Corporatization, a kind of widespread contractualization, privatization of health services, and busted unions and attacked was implemented, resulting in workers’ rights, respectively. the turnover of health services such as pharmaceuticals and Worse, neoliberalism has laboratories to the private sector. also affected the education Simultaneously, road networks sector, as manifested in the that contribute to national implementation of the K-12 efficiency for faster transport of program by the second Aquino goods were extensively privatized regime. Supposedly aimed at during Arroyo’s term. modernizing and globalizing country’s education system, Moreover, following the passage the the reality is that the country of when the Electric Power

has given in to the pressure of producing more overseas workers for foreign countries. In turn, the program has defeated the real purpose of education: to produce the professionals needed by the country for its national industrialization.

However, large corruption scandals involving the nation’s money such as the Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF) and Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) scams only attest to the fact that the government has either failed or refused to use its funds for As for agrarian reform, landlords the betterment of the Filipino retain control over thousands of people. hectares of land, and production continues to be disjointed Even the academic studies and small-scale despite the conducted on the IMF’s Comprehensive Agrarian programs have shown that Reform Program (CARP)’s the institution’s neoliberal implementation in 1988. CARP policies are more harmful has proven to be an immense than helpful. Instead of failure as peasants were made bringing benefits, they have to burden the costs of lands endangered millions of people in the form of amortizations, across the world. Experts have or were otherwise offered the denounced the conditions option of corporatization. that have been imposed on countries”, As the result of thwarted “developing such as the Philippines, in genuine land distribution, the agricultural sector continues exchange for loans. Last June to be backward — instead of 2016, even the IMF itself supporting production, the claimed in their publication already meager subsidies for rice that some neoliberal policies and other agricultural products are ineffective due to their were scrapped, and worse, the adverse effects on the people’s irrigations have been privatized livelihood. as well.

The reigning practice of capitalismTaxation has also been used as a monopoly means of exploiting the masses, imperialism has only used such as when a ten percent Value neoliberalism as a buffer to Added Tax (VAT) was applied to save itself and slow down consumer products in 1986 as a its inevitable failure. As precondition for new loans from the imperialists continue the IMF and WB. In addition, to employ such detrimental the Comprehensive Tax Reform framework, it is imperative Program was implemented in not only to familiarize, 1997 which exempted local and but expose and oppose, foreign companies from various the local manifestations of taxes (including corporate, neoliberalism that thrive in income, VAT, sales, and others) the country. for three to six years. Such conditions gave rise to large The imperialists cannot be budget deficits, which the state expected to give up without addressed by further raising a fight, but the people, the VAT to 12% and extending who are united in resisting its coverage to private services being exploited, repressed, under the Expanded Value Added and silenced, will never be defeated .

Tax (EVAT) Law in 2006.

08 NEWS

Volume 29 Number 21-11 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA

Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang

Lola Patola

GMA EDITION

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Neck

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Lalow pung mangiyacngiyac iteng afowz kow dahil pag hindi siya Anetch itechiwang nasagap nakagetsung ng 18 yunits ay baka kangkowng sumvhong abawt da hindi siya maka-sablay own tym!!!!! nat-sow-amazeballs na Stress Nako fowzzz!!!!!! Foor foor afowz TiiS??????? Reklamosung ng isa kong oh!!!!! afowz, nag-going up da mountain eng peg ng brecket niya!!!!!!! Gets Neck brace malaise waleys sumvhong numbah tri: nemern sana kung nag-winning ng lotto a la Pepitoe Manalowtow Lasting na itech, afowz!!!!!! ang pahmilee niya, but no!!!!!

Marameeng nakanoticing Dehins nemern nangyari na 100 years na eng itech, so wandering nakapassing, wiz khalifa nuhlung si afowz y paring katapusan eng dis happeninged tu renobaeshowns ng Lotlot her??!!!!

Thether sa Collage of Alleys and Nid na ng afowz kowng Sidewalks!!!!!! i-prove na poorita sila Kalurkey nemern para hindi niya bayuhran powz????? eng pagkam@hal m@ Hasslepuff tu da hal na tweeshown max dahil need pee!!!!! Juszkel3rd, na need itechiwa Stress TiiS poor events en tuluguh diz stuffs!!!!! shistem!!!!!!

Dear Tita Come on vamonos, C h a n c y y y, admin??!!!!! prom wan tita Pakirush rush tu anothere, rush tri tyms a paki-fixing day nemern pow, nemern itech ow???? oh????

Labyu hihihi!!!! brace malaise waleys sumvhong numbah wan:

Neck

brace malaise waleys sumvhong numbah tu:

Nagkanda-cray-crayola raw itechlavung afowz kow na nahirapan tu da maxxx mag-enleest online!!!!

Tenks no tenks sa Susmaryosep Aneksung Itechiwang Shomai!!!!!

Dehins daw kasi siya maka-getsung ng 18 yunits!!!!!!! Muntik na nga dawsung makipagwarla itech na afowz kow dahil supah dupah hunger games na eng peg sa agawan ng sluts.... este

So der u go mga afowz!!!!!!!!!! Huwag na mag-worrying sa mga Team Instick na insekyora at sa pahirap na sistema sa YuFiEm!!!!!

Charot!!!!!! Go pight lungs, mga afowz!!!!!!

At bye da way, heller heller din nga puhluh sa mga lably freshie afowz!!!!!!

Hihihi.

Maggagala na muna eng mahal niyong Lola P!!!!!

Eklabush babooosh!!!!! XOXO

1A

no ang masasabi mo sa pananatili ng mga problema sa SAIS sa implementasyon nito sa UPLB?

Nagpapatunay lamang ito na hindi talaga nireresolba ang ugat ng problema sa ating unibersidad. - chookstogo, 2013, CAS Nakakapraning. Nasayang lang ang budget sa napaka-ineffective na software na pwede naman ding gawin ng ating mga Compsci majors. Halatang may ibang napuntahan yung pera. Or napakatiwala lang ng admin sa dayuhang produkto imbis na sa magagawa ng sariling produkto ng UP. - wtF, CAS, 2012 Pag-isipan niyo ginagawa niyo, admin.

Labis na nakakaperwisyo yang racket niyo. Kung ayaw niyong harapin ang galit ng mga estudyante, umayos-ayos kayo.

- rockenroad, 2013-2xxxx Is that the worst you can do, eUP? Salamat ha sa pagpapahirap sa pag-enlist ng mga estudyante, dagdag pa sa gastos nila. Ang hirap pumila, ang hirap mag-antay. May forever nga! - EWANquohpoh, CAS Bakit pa kasi kailangang palitan ang isang bagay na hindi naman sira at mas better pa kaysa dun sa pinalit??? Wag na kasing ipilit.

Pwede bang CRS na lang ulit?? Please lang.

Maawa kayo sa mga estudyante.

- WhoGoat, CAS, 2013 JUNK SAIS! wag niyo galitin mga kalabaw sa uplb ha! - sadboy, CAS, 2014 Malala, kailangan ng transparency report ang eUP project - Highflyer, CAS, 2013-xxxxx Dapat iinvestigate ng eUP yung issues regarding sa SAIS kasi sayang yung budget at effort kung wala ring mangyayari dito.

- BuhayPatatas, CAS, 2013-17581

Pwede ring ipadala ang inyong mga sagot sa pamamagitan ng pag-text sa 0917 510 9496 o sa 0917 539 0612! (Pero bawal textmate!)

ma-pressure ang admin na gawing pang estudyante ulit. đ&#x;™‚ - AceZ, CAS, 2014-55889 Masasabi ko lang na parang malalang epidemya yung SAIS. Unti unti lumalaganap sa lahat ng UP Campuses.

Pag kumalat na, lalala ito at mamamatay na tayong mga isko at iska. RIP to us. Death

by SAIS. - Pinakamagiting na Autobot, CAS, 2014-20355 Nakakadismaya na may defenders pa rin ng SAIS/eUP kahit nakita na natin kung gaano kalala yung system. Kailangan talaga magkaroon ng accountability ang admin sa mga nangyare at hindi dapat nila isisi sa mga estudyante na kumilos para sa mga karapatan nila. - nignog, CAS, 2015 Una sa lahat, ang tanga ng sinabing nagcacamp out dahil sa spirit ng camping.

Pangalawa, how can SAIS give slots eh it cannot actually accommodate a block I mean, yung restricted mismo na course subject ay hindi naeenlist ng dapat magtatake nun so basically course subjects are all out in the open. There is no orderly system. Pangatlo, P720 million or so ay yung cost ng SAIS? The design itself does not maximize the given space.

Pero pagdating sa perang mahihita para sa proyekto, sobrang na-maximize. Actually, words cannot convey how inefficient and disgusting SAIS is. - Dale, CAS, 2013-***** sobrang ineffective at irresponsible ng admin. dinaig pa ang bulag, pipe, at manhid. - agit, CAS, 2013

2S

aang lugar sa Pilipinas dapat ganapin ang Miss Universe pageant? Bakit?

Sa Taft. Para haggardo na mga contestants.

- chookstogo, 2013, CAS Sa gitna ng Faura. Para masuspend ang classes. - wtF, CAS, 2012

Dear SAIS, syete ka.

- anikadambel, CAS, 2013

Sa tapat ng bahay ng crush ko, kasi siya ang universe ko. - sadboy, CAS, 2014

Lumitaw nang malala ang pagka-antistudent ng UP Admin. Overpriced ang proyekto at minadali ang implementasyon nito sa UPLB. Hindi pa ba sila natuto sa mga problema ng SAIS sa UPM? - Tegui, CAS, 2014-51905

Philippine Arena para madaming fans! So we can show the world, the universe rather that we are confidently cheerful with a heart <3 - Highflyer, CAS, 2013-xxxxx

Hindi ko na masikmura kung gaano kabulag at walang pakialam ang UP admin sa mga dinadanas ng mga estudyante.

Ipinapakita lang nito kung gaano na kauhaw sa pera ang mga taong dapat sanaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;y pangunahing nagsasabuhay ng Honor and Excellence. - TriggeredBySAIS, CAS, 2013 Patunay lamang na, sa kabila ng malaking pondong inilaan para sa SAIS, ay bulok at pinagkakitaan lamang ng UP administration ang mga estudyanteng sabik na matuto at madagdagan ang kaalaman kahit na pumila sila ng mahaba at magdamagan ang kapalit nito.#JunkSAIS - Harleyking. 2013-*****. CAS Hindi ko masasabi kung paano ang paggamit SystemOne o CRS dahil nasa UPM na ako ay simula nang ginagamit ang SAIS pero kung papalitan ang isang sistema kung saan ay maayos naman para sa isang sistema na mas laos para lamang sa paggamit ng 1 sistema ang buong UP system, at pagkatapos ng 2 taon nito sa UPM ay parehas lang ang problema, hindi na para sa estudyante ang SAIS at walang pake na ang Admin. Kailangan nating makibaka kasama ang UPLB para

Sa loob ng PGH kasi malamang ay pamatay ang swimsuit portion ng pageant.

- BuhayPatatas, CAS, 2013-17581 Sa Iloilo City! Panahon na para ipakita naman ang ilang lungsod sa bansa maliban sa Manila. - Tegui, CAS, 2014-51905 Sa Scarborough Shoal? Para walang tao, kapag sa main islands kasi matatalbugan sila ng mga Pilipina. At dahil atin na ang islang yon! - TriggeredBySAIS, CAS, 2013 Wala. Kingina nila HAHAHAHAHA. Against ako kasi objectification of women yun. - Harleyking. 2013-*****. CAS Sa tumbong ko kasi buong universe kasiya doon - AceZ, CAS, 2014-55889 Try natin sa Little Theater baka maganda na. - Pinakamagiting na Autobot, CAS, 201420355 Are you kidding???? No, walang place.

- Dale, CAS, 2013-***** Kahit saan basta wag sa manila bc medyo laking sagabal- agit, CAS, 2013

FEATURES 09

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

Eyes on Conflict The Progress of the China-PH Dispute over the South China Sea MARILOU HANAPIN CELESTINO ILLUSTRATION BY PAULINE SANTIAGO TIOSIN

Remarkable progress was achieved by the country in terms of the South China Sea (SCS) territorial dispute when the UN Permanent Court of Arbitration ruled in favor of the Philippines over its claim on SCS against China last July 12, 2016. Threat, however, still looms as China has firmly contested the decision, with President Xi Jinping has even reasserted China’s “historical rights” over the area. The territorial rivalry between China and Philippines has seemingly intensified, and different security actions and tactics are expected to be maintained and executed more rigorously.

usually mentioned in claims made by various countries—these islands include The Spratly Islands, which are estimated to have between 0.8 and 5.4 billion barrels of oil and between 7.6 and 55.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas in undiscovered resources; the Paracel Islands, the Pratas Islands, the Natuna Islands, and the Macclesfield Bank.

China, Philippines, and Taiwan have specifically asserted their claims over Scarborough Shoal or the Bajo de Masinloc, known to contain minerals, natural gas, and rumored huge oil deposits. Apart from these portions of the area are the gulfs and straits which are mostly used as shipping routes by nearby locale.

In terms of trade, more than half of the world’s annual merchant fleet tonnage passes through the Straits of Malacca, Sunda, and Lombok, with the majority continuing on to the SCS. Almost a third of global crude oil and over half of global liquefied natural gas (LNG) trade passes through the SCS, making it one of the most important trade routes in the world.

However, it must be noted that the dispute over South China Sea has been a long-time international issue, not just due to it concerning East and Southeast Asian countries, but also because of possible external intervention.

It is not only a simple conflict between countries claiming islands and seas to be theirs, but the domination of politics and gaining of interests that turns the wheel of the issue — who claims Oil and gas resources are what what and what affects who. primarily attract different nations.

The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates Assertions the deposits in the SCS with The hollow of abundant resources approximately 11 billion barrels has not only summoned interposing of oil and 190 trillion cubic feet of interests, but also assertions on natural gas in proved and probable territorial control, sovereignty, and reserves. In addition to proven and probable reserves, the SCS may power. have additional hydrocarbons in In the past centuries, countries aside underexplored areas. Thus, control from China and the Philippines have over the disputed areas could serve made claims over the SCS, such as as a game changer for the economy Vietnam, Taiwan, Malaysia, and of any country, given such huge oil Brunei. While these claims arose deposits. from historical bases, they are also being asserted as estimates of the But beyond the argument of rich natural resources in the area are resources, the reason as to why continuously being unveiled. Among parties have increasingly resorted the abundant natural resources in to aggression and not diplomatic the SCS are over 250 small islands, procedures must be looked upon. atolls, cays, shoals, reefs, and Specifically, one must look at the sandbars. Particular islands are influence that the United States and

its “pivot to the Pacific” exerts on the Asian region. Military presence in the disputed areas were scarce until China started to gear towards aggression in 2010, with the United States then asserting itself in the name of upholding “freedom of navigation”. This has materialized through militarization, such as when the US sent the missile destroyer USS Lassen within twelve nautical miles of Subi Reef in the Spratlys.

Jurisdiction With militarism having been provoked by an administration committed to a US-dependent foreign policy, the binding effect of the recent international ruling on the dispute is yet to be felt.

The glaring conflict on the control over SCS is yet to be meditated by international law and diplomatic procedures. When the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) lacked in terms of resolving jurisdictional issues, it was followed in 2002 by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) signed by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China. In the declaration, the parties involved have sworn “to exercise selfrestraint in the conduct of activities that would complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability including, among others, refraining from action of inhabiting on the presently uninhabited islands, reefs, shoals, cays, and other features and to handle their differences in a constructive manner.” However, the dispute still continues as the parties fail in abiding to the provisions of the DOC.

The US itself has admitted its national interests regarding freedom of navigation — proof that it not only seeks to restrain China, but also to assert its “pivot to the Pacific”.

As a response to the deployment of the destroyer ship, China sent its South Sea Fleet to conduct a naval exercise in the disputed area. Thus, beyond the conflict on resources is the standoff of two global powers seeking to assert their dominance in the Asian region. Sonny Africa from the IBON Foundation states that a big mistake of the Aquino administration was intensifying its subservience to the US, and narrowing its foreign policy to US militarism. This was seen through the enactment of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA) and the Visiting Forces Agreement (VFA) under the hopes that the US will protect the Philippines in case of a war with China.

More recently, the Philippines has sought international arbitration due By giving prime on aggressive and to the lack of progress in resolving US-directed measures that do not the dispute. In January 2013, the necessarily guarantee security and Philippines took its assertion to protection for the country, the former an arbitration tribunal under the administration undermined the legal presages of the UNCLOS. This procedures and negotiations needed action highlighted the Philippines to actually resolve the dispute.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

10 CULTURE

K

Poking Pokemon GO PAGTANAW SA BIRTWAL AT TUNAY NA MUNDO NG POKEMON GO JOSEF BERNARD SORIANO DE MESA DIBUHO NI JOSE PAOLO BERMUDEZ REYES

CULTURE 11

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

P

ARANG NAGING BATA uli lahat. Dati, paupoupo ka lang panay pindot.

Ngayon, nalilibot mo na mula bakuran hanggang kanto.

Sa gulo ba naman ng nangyayari sa lansangan, makakatingin ka pa kaya nang tuwid kung sa Pokemon ka nalang nakatutok?

Kalaro mo na ang daigdig. At sa patuloy nitong pag-inog, nakikipagsapalaran ang bilyong katao sa sariling adventure — masalimuot, minsan malubha, madalas ay lingid sa kamalayan.

Napayuko ka. “Time to walk!”, utos ng app. “Move in the real world...”

To Catch Them is my Real Test Ang dali sanang mabuhay sa mundong imahinasyon lang ang tanging hinuhuli.

Dala ng laro ang ligayang hatid ng pagkabata. Ang birtwal na mundo dati’y makikita lang sa Gameboy o pinapanood na animé ay inaakay na sa palad. Lumalawak ito sa kada minutong tumutungo ka sa mga pook na dati-rati’y binabalewala mo lang.

Iba na ang pagtingin mo sa sementong iyong inaapakan. Hindi mo na lang basta nilalagpasan ang mga bantayog; sasadyain mo nang huminto para makalikom ng Pokeball. May saysay na ang bawat hakbang dahil tinitiyak mong may masisilang ka nang bagong Pokemon.

Pinag-isang tadhana kayong mga manlalaro sa kadahilanang nakakamiss ang Pokemon. Naiibsan nito ang kaba na makipagbatian sa mga estranghero. Sa video games at online roleplaying, pangalan lang meron ang kakampi’t kalaban. Walang taong maipapamukha.

Impersonal ang paglalaro. Dito, magagawa mong makipagkasundo’t makipagtagisan nang harap-harapan. Palalabasin nitong laro mula sa ‘comfort zone’ ang mga tipo ng taong hirap makipagugnayan.

Itong malakas na paghatak ng pansin sa taumbayan ay sumasalalay sa kinagisnang kultura ng nakalipas.

Mainam ang pagtanaw sa ‘noon’ bilang instrumento sa paggamit ng oras sa ‘ngayon’, ngunit isang paraan lamang ang nostalgia sa pagbabalik-tanaw sapagkat nananatili pa rin ito bilang pantasya. Ang persepsyon ng tao sa nangyari noon ay nakatuon lamang sa mga bagay na mahalaga sa pansarili — ang kasaysayan niya’y nakakulong pa rin sa personal, hindi lapat sa konteksto ng lipunan. Kung ekonomiya nga ang pag-uusapan, wala halos pinagkaiba ang dekada kung kailan unang nakilala ang Pokemon sa kasalukuyan: marami pa rin ang naghihirap.

Mala-mahika ang pagbalik ng Pokemon sa bago nitong plataporma, kaya hindi maikakailang kakambal ng aliw ang peligro na maging adiksyon ang paglaro. Kapag natatalikuran na ang importanteng gawain, bisyo nang maituturing ang pagwaglit hindi lang sa sarili kundi sa ibang tao. Maaaring hindi ka gaanong apektado sa problema ng iba, baka maisip mo namang labas ka na sa usapin. Ang malulong ay sanhi ng pagkalaho ng malasakit.

Hindi masamang mahumaling sa Pokemon Go. Bagkus, isinasailalim ka pa nga nito sa tila isang pagsusulit: na likas pala sa lahat ang magsama-sama’t kumilos tungo sa iisang hangarin.

Gayunman, nananatili pa rin itong pantakas sa realidad lalo’t hindi naman lahat ng tao’y nakakalaro nito. Ang tunay na paglabas sa “comfort zone” ay nagsisimula sa pagkamulat sa sariling pribilehiyo.

Hinuhuli man nitong laro ang kiliti ng iyong gunita, marapat na himayin ang nakaraan hindi sa panlabas nitong anyo kundi sa pagpapalalim nito sa kaganapan ng kongkreto’t mahahalagang pag-unlad, sapagkat lunas sa pagkukulang ng sanlibutan ang pagkaunawa sa kasaysayan.

Prepare for

Trouble; Make it Double

Pagputok ng balitang malalaro na sa wakas ang Pokemon Go, naasiwa kang wala pa ang Pilipinas sa mga unang pinaunlakan. ‘Yung mga ‘di makapagantay, nagpakitang-gilas na lang sa pagiging maparaan. Konting kalikot lang sa orasan ng cellphone sa akmang time zone, kabilang ka na sa mga bansa kung saan makakakuha ka na nito.

Ayun nga lang, hindi nagtagal ang pagdiriwang.

Alam naman ng ibang pandurugas ito.

‘Tamo, saglit ka pa lang nakakalabas, binawi na agad yung laro. Sinarado ng mga developer ng Pokemon Go ang mga server sa Pilipinas upang hindi muna ito magamit. Kumalat pa ang babalang tanggalin na ang app sa panganib na hindi lang account mo ang maalisan ng kapangyarihang makapag-download, kundi telepono na mismo.

Sa maikling sandali ng pangamba, mapapaisip ka kung gaano kalakas ang kapit ng mga tao na manipulahin ang laro. Maliit na bagay pa lang ang nangyaring hack. Wala pa diyan ang kakayahan ng kompanya ng Pokemon Go na mangalap ng maseselang impormasyon mula sa publiko, tulad ng lokasyon at pangkontak gaya ng e-mail. Kung may nagnanais mang magsamantala, madali na lang para

sa kanya ang agawin ito nang walang pahintulot.

Hindi naman puro digital ang pwedeng pangyarihan ng iligal na gawain. Sa pagsiklab ng Pokemon Go, dumating din ang pambihirang mga ulat na may kinalaman sa laro. Dahil may feature ito kung saan maaaring mag-iwan ng ‘parola’ upang makaakit ng ibang manlalaro, nagsilbi itong pain para pagnakawan ang nabakanteng mga bahay. ‘Pag babad sa panghuhuli ng Pokemon, nawawala ang atensyon sa kapaligiran. May nahulog nga sa bangin. May nakabangga pa. Merong pinagtangkaan, at merong tinuluyan.

Nagbukas rin ng debate ang iba’t ibang nasyon kung saan ba aabot ang hangganan ng laro. Iran ang unang bansang nagdeklarang bawal ang Pokemon Go dahil nakababahala diumano sa seguridad ng tao. Binalaan naman ng gobyerno ng Japan na umiwas sa teritoryo ng plantang nuclear na sinalanta noon ng tsunami, nang mapag-alamang may matatagpuang Pokemon doon. May hinuli pa sa France nang may isang manlalarong aksidenteng nakapasok sa base militar.

Mula sa mga nabanggit, kaligtasan ang pinag-aalala sa bawat manlalaro.

Hindi kataka-taka na kahit maiatras pa ang laro dito, nakuha pa ng MMDA na manawagang “ituon ang mata sa kalsada at huwag kalimutang lumingon”. Kahit naman magpaalala ang awtoridad na maging alisto, hindi pa rin nito matugonan ang pagkatalamak ng krimen, may Pokemon Go man o wala.

Pagbukas pa nga lang ng TV, kung ano-ano nang makakasabay mo sa hapag. Papakla ang timpla ng iyong kinakain sa binabalitang mga inhustisya. Mula sa point-blank na pagpaslang ng sundalo sa siklistang nanlamang, hanggang sa executionstyle na pagbaril ng konstabularyo sa motoristang nanlaban, mamimilipit ang sikmura mo sa pagkainis kung paano lumala ang sitwasyon. Ngayong available na ulit ang Pokemon Go, hindi maiwasang isipin na — sa dinudulot nitong bagal sa paglakad at matagalang pagtitig sa screen — madali kang mapagkakamalan sa kalye. Matunogan ka lang, timbre ka na agad bilang tulak, kahit payapa ka lang namang naglalaro.

Bago pa man nagkaroon ng Pokemon, matagal nang may Team Rocket.

Ngunit, nagkakaroon lang ng krimen sapagkat may gustong makaangat at nagiging posible ito dahil batid ng mga taong may hindi pagkakapantaypantay. Kaakibat ng pagiging bayolente ang paghasik ng paranoia. Sa takot na mabiktima, nawawalan ng tiwala ang mga tao sa isa’t isa. Kaya kapag nagkanya-kanya na, hindi mahirap para sa mga mas makapangyarihan na mambiktima ng mahihina.

In a World We Must Defend

Pinalabo ng Pokemon Go ang pagitan ng ‘real world’ at ‘augmented reality’.

Kung paanong nagsikalat ang mga Pokemon sa daan, siya ring pagtagas ng mga isyu sa laro.

Hinog ang laro sa pagtuklas, kaya maraming kumagat sa pagkakataong angkinin ito sa kani-kanilang interes — madalas ay umiikot sa salapi.

Tutal grabe ang pag-ubos nito ng baterya, inaasahang lolobo ang benta sa mga power bank. Magpapatayo ng establisyimento ang ilang negosyante karatig ng kilalang mga Pokestop.

Kahit wala ka namang bibilhin, kapag nakapasok ka sa tindahan/kainan nila’y papipilitin kang magbayad. Meron pa ngang nagpapakilalang “trainer” na naglalako ng tulong sa mga hirap makahuli ng Pokemon.

Kung tutuusin, maliliit pa ‘tong mga taktika kumpara sa higanteng may hawak sa laro, ang mga kompanyang pineperahan ang kasiyahan mo. Libre man ito sa unang paningin, sa huli’t huli’y komersyalisado pa rin. Hinubog nga ito para hikayating kang gumastos sa karagdagang features.

Sinamantala narin ito ng iba sa mas makabuluhang bagay. Dahil global ang sakop ng Pokemon Go, binuksan nito ang oportunidad na ipahayag sa mundo ang kalagayan ng mga taong malayo sa ginhawa. Sa Estados Unidos halimbawa, nakuha ng isang African-American na ipakita ang diskriminasyon sa pagkuha ng bidyo sa sarili habang naglalaro. Naiugnay niya ang ilandaang kaso ng pagkitil ng kapulisan laban sa kanyang mga kalahi nang dahil lamang sa kulay ng balat ay pinaghihinalaan kahit inosente. Sa Pokemon Go din inihayag ng mga bata galing Syria ang pagkakaipit nila sa digma. May lumikha pa nga ng “Syria Go”, kung saan imbis na Pokemon ang hinuhuli ay mga pangangailangan ng mga refugee gaya ng tubig, paunang lunas, at tirahan.

Sa kabila ng eksploytasyon sa likod nitong pandaigdigang penomena, pinamalas ng ilang manlalaro ang kakayahang palutangin sa kamalayan ang suliranin ng ibang bansa. Kung may dapat mang ipagtanggol, ito ay ang mga nasa laylayan. Kung may isang bagay mang magandang kapulotan sa Pokemon Go, ito ay ang pagtatantong nasa lansangan ang laban.

Binalik man nito ang iyong kamusmosan, babalibagin ka ng realidad na hindi sapat ang manatiling manhid kahit nakalabas ka na sa tahanan. Tanggapin ang hamon ng Pokemon Go na lumabas sa apat na sulok ng smartphone at makilahok sa tunay na laro ng buhay.

12 GRAPHICS

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

threats have been put such as high-powered weapons and water cannons to hinder local fishers from trying to fish in the shoal.

Signos

THE PROLETARIAT Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan EYES ON CONFLICT

seeking for the declaration that claims in the SCS must comply with UNCLOS. This in turn, invalidates China’s nine-dash line and classifies maritime features occupied by China as rocks, low tide elevations, or submerged banks, but not islands. This also declares the Philippines’ right to operate inside of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf as outlined

by UNCLOS without Chinese harassment.

This move was rejected by China as it refused arbitral authority.

Despite China’s refusal, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague has issued the rules of procedure and the initial timetable with which the Philippines have submitted throughout the given time period. China, being a major party in the issue, has been given an extended deadline for the submission of counterargument reports by the Hague, but the said country still missed it. Nonetheless, the Philippines remained persistent on taking a stand over the case and has complied with every constraint the court requires. There have been two rounds of trial in the Philippines’ claim of jurisdiction over the territory. If also proven and decided by the tribunal, China must cease its reclamation activities in the area.

stating that China had violated the Philippines’ sovereign rights, and that “there is no legal basis for China to claim historic rights to resources within the sea areas falling within the nine-dash line”. The line, which that marks the boundaries of its claim over two-thirds of the South China Sea, has overlapped with four ASEAN countries including the Philippines’ 200-nautical mile EEZ. The tribunal has also released ruling on the Scarborough Shoal that the fishermen from the Philippines (like those from China) had traditional fishing rights at Scarborough Shoal, and that China had interfered with these rights by restricting access.

China has unlawfully prevented Philippine fisher folk from fishing, and has violated its obligations under UNCLOS to protect and preserve the marine environment.

The international ruling has given rise to cheers for the victory of the Philippines over it sovereign rights. But apart from the revelry that had arisen when the courts favored the Philippines, there is tension that has been stirred up.

China rejected the decision and uttered that they will not be bound by it — thus, any action from the opposing party is highly expected, as it would not follow the verdict of the international court.

Marginalization

A year after the second rounds of argument ended, the tribunal In the midst of clashing global backed the Philippines’ claim, powers and contesting territorial

FROM PAGE 09

claims, the plight of the primary stakeholders—particularly the fishermen making a living by the disputed areas— must also be given light.

The Scarborough or Panatag Shoal, known locally as the Kalburo Shoal, has been a good fishing spot over the decades. Back in the 1970s, fishing in Kalburo began to be an alternative to the payaw fishing during the summer. Payaw is an artificial fish sanctuary or fish catching tool, usually made of piled and tied bamboo poles to catch fish. Due to its rich aquatic resources, Kalburo has been home to traditional fishing by the fisher folk from Pangasinan and Zambales. Despite being the main source of income for locals, the industry has been largely affected by long-time disputed and fishing and sailing constraints filed by claiming countries.

Chinese occupation in the area due to the country’s more aggressive stance on its claims had largely affected local fishing.

Reports stated that fishing ships sent by China destroyed the marine environment in Kalburo, as Chinese vessels had scraped off corals, harvested Taclobo or giant clams, and captured sea turtles — all of which are clearly designated as illegal by the Philippine Fisheries Code. Aside from destruction of marine features in Kalburo, Chinese vessels have continually obstructed Filipino fishermen to go any nearer. Visible

With the Chinese powers stopping fishermen to pursue their main livelihood, they have resorted to find other jobs such as being parttime tricycle drivers just to be able to make ends meet for their families. When left with no choice, spouses have also decided to work overseas mainly as domestic helpers. Due to difficulties in looking for steady income, some fishermen still attempt to go offshore to gather fish despite the perils that entail in the area. In 2013, for instance, there had been a report where two fishermen from Masinloc had been trapped inside the shoal, when a Chinese Coast Guard vessel prevented the mother boat from fetching them.

Several similar cases of Chinese intervention have also been reported, thus massively affecting the livelihood of the fisher folk near the shoal.

With the situation of the Filipino fishermen being subjected to dire living conditions and poverty, all the more must the current administration assert its claim to Philippine sovereignty.

The international ruling favoring Philippines in its claim over the South China Sea serves as a step in backing and asserting the country’s sovereignty. However, it must be noted that the Philippines is still far from actually achieving full sovereignty, for as long as it remains dictated and in the iron grip of any imperialist power.

Beyond its continuous fight for its territorial claims, the administration must be steadfast in not being under the wing of either the United States or China.

Genuine victory is yet to be achieved, as the international ruling remains to be threatened of being undermined and disregarded by China. As militarization in the area continues, the security of the country remains to be at stake, with the people residing and making a living near the area being compromised the most.

The challenge for the current administration is to push for the demilitarization of the region, in order to secure safety for its citizens and genuine freedom for the entire country.

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

baka isang araw na lamang ay sa’yo na nakatutok ang mga kamera — nakatanghal ka sa telebisyon, duguan at wala nang buhay.

Sino nga ba ang hindi mauumay at mapapakamot ng ulo sa malabo at paulit-ulit na rason ng pulisya na “nanlaban daw ang biktima”?

Isang malabnaw na batayan upang kalabitin ang gatilyo. Nakakatakot mang isipin, ngunit ang ganitong kalakaran sa mga isinasagawang opresyon ay patunay lamang ng baluktot na hustisyang kasalukuyang ibinabandera ng kasulukuyang estado.

Sa masidhing pagnanais ng gobyerno na wakasan ang industriya ng droga, nalimutan nitong nasasagasaan na ang karapatang pantao ng mga akusado, partikular na ang kanilang karapatan sa karampatang proseso. Nalimutan nilang ang lipunang naghihikaos ang nagtulak sa JOSE PAOLO BERMUDES REYES mga mahihirap na gumawa ng mga SA PAG-IGKAS NG BARIL

MULA SA PAHINA 16 desperadong aksyon para mabuhay.

Bunga ng pagkapit nila sa patalim, Upang tuldukan ang paglaki ng bil- dad. nakita ng masang mas mabuti nang ang ng nasasangkot sa iligal na droga, bala ang nagsilbing sandata ng Kung ang sosolusyonan lamang ng mawala silang mga pariwara. Sa gobyerno. Ngunit nakalimutan nito estado ang tunay na puno’t dulo ng kanilang paningin, ‘di bale nang na kailanma’y hindi makikita sa dulo problema sa droga — kahirapan, at tahasang tinatapakan ng estado ang ng baril ang solusyon sa kahirapan at kawalan ng oportunidad — hindi karapatan ng mga kriminal, kung opresyong nararanasan ng masa na na kailangan pa ng walang saysay ang kapalit naman nito ay seguridad siyang tunay na ugat ng paggamit ng na pagdanak ng dugo. Ang mga gu- nila mula sa mga ‘salot’ na makapagdroga. magamit at nagtutulak ng droga ay dudulot pa ng masama pagtagal. hindi dapat tignan bilang mga salot, Hindi matutukoy ng gobyerno ang kundi mga biktima ng mas tumitin- Ang lubos na pagtitiwala ng mga pinakaugat ng industriya ng droga ding kahirapan na lakip ng patuloy mamamayan sa desisyon ng estado sa bansa hangga’t ang lenteng ginag- na nabubulok na sistema. Ang lahat ang isa sa mga dahilan kung bakit amit nito sa pagsusuri ay nakakabit ng biktima ng giyera kontra droga kakaunti lamang ang umaalma sa sa iskopyo ng baril. Habang dumara- ay nararapat lamang na tulungang walang habas na pagpaslang sa mga mi ang malalamig na bangkay, na- maging produktibo muli at maiba- inaakusahang sangkot sa droga. dadagdagan naman ang nakikibah- lik sa lipunan sa pamamagitan ng Ang pamamalakad ng panibagong agi sa industriya ng bawal na gamot. pagtugon sa kanilang pangunahing administrasyon hinggil sa ganitong isyu ay tinanggap ng karamihan ng Kung agresyon ang pangunahing mga pangangailangan. walang alinlangan. Naitatanim sa sagot ng pamahalaan upang tapusin ang droga, lalo lamang magpapat- Ang dapat na tutukan ng baril ng isipan nila na ang hindi makataong uloy at hahanap ng paraan ang mga gobyerno ay ang bulok na sistemang pagtugis at pagpaslang sa mga inkumakapit sa patalim upang ipag- nagtutulak sa masa na kumapit sa aakusahang masasamang loob ay patuloy ang kalakaran. Ang siklong patalim at hindi ‘yong mga piniling produkto lamang ng doktrinang mapinipilit nilang buwagin ay lalo la- gumamit ng droga para lamang ka- nilbihan at magprotekta ng pulisya. mang mananaig. hit minsa’y makaranas ng kaginhawaang kahit kailan ay hinding-hindi Buhat ng mala-debotong paniniwala Ang lipunang pinaghaharian ng mga ipagkakaloob sa kanila ng marahas sa bagong administrasyon, unti-unting namamanhid ang mga Pilipino naghaharing-uri ang pangunah- na lipunan. sa karahasang lakip ng giyera nito ing nag-uudyok sa mga mahihirap kontra droga. Nagiging apatetiko Karapatan, upang sumugal at makipaglaro sa at bulag ang marami sapagkat tukapahamakan. Kung bubutbutin lamang ng estado ang rason kung Hindi Karahasan matatak na sa kanilang isipan na ordinaryo at normal ang mga nangbakit marami ang tumatangkilik sa yayaring pagpaslang sa mga nasaNakakakilabot ang paulit-ulit na kalakaran ng bawal na gamot, makisangkot sa droga, dulot narin ng laman ng balita.

May natagpuang kita nila na ang ugat nito ay kahiraaraw-araw na pagbomba sa kanila patay, may nakapatong na karton, pan at kawalan ng oportunidad. Ang ng midya ng ganitong balita. Sa gannanlaban daw, nang-agaw daw ng pagtutulak ng droga ang nagsilbing itong lagay, lalo lamang lalakas ang baril.

Tila ba isang nakakatakot na opyong nagdala sa mga mahihirap hawak ng gobyerno sa pagbali ng teleseryeng hindi mo alam kung ng pansamantalang kaginhawahan batas. Bunga ng ipinapakitang tiwakailan matatapos, at hindi mo alam sa isang lipunang salat sa oportuni-

GRAPHICS 13

la ng masa sa estado, sa kabila ng kabuktutan ng umiiral na sistema, hindi na nakapagtataka kung gagamitin ng mga nakaupo sa puwesto ang depektibong sistema ng hustisya para sa pansariling interes.

Ang estado ay magkakaroon ng kapangyarihan na tugisin ang kahit na sinong tutuligsa sa pamamalakad nito kung mananatili ang kasalukuyang umiiral na depektibong sistema ng hustisya kung saan kinakikitaang sapat na ang karton sa pagdiin sa akusado. Hindi na marahil nakapagtataka kung ang susunod na matatagpuang duguan at naka-tape ang buong katawan ay mga kritiko ng bagong administrasyon.

Kung ang ganitong nakakasulasok na kultura ng kontra-drogang operasyon ay magpapatuloy, nararapat na tayo’y maghanda para sa isang panibagong mukha ng batas militar na siyang sasakal sa lipunan at kikitil sa buhay ng marami.

Hangga’t hindi namumulat ang sambayanan sa marahas na kultura ng giyera kontra-droga, hindi nila mapagtatanto na ito ay isang programang kontra-masa. Marapat lang na maging kritikal ang masa sa pamamalakad ng operasyong ito at tahasang ipaglaban ang karapatan ng mga akusado sa pagkakaroon ng karampatang proseso.

Ang maling pagsusuri ay tiyak na magbubunga ng maling solusyon, at ito ang naging kaso ng giyera kontra droga. Kamatayan ang nakitang kasagutan ng gobyerno sa lahat ng sangkot sa industriya ng droga, ngunit nananatili itong bulag sa tunay na kundisyon ng mga biktima at piniling maging bingi sa kanilang mga hinaing.

Ang maling estratehiya ng gobyerno, na nakasandig sa puwersang militar upang iresolba ang isang problemang iniluwal ng lumalalang kundisyong pang-ekonomiya ng lipunan, ay magreresulta lamang sa tahasang pagyurak ng karapatang pantao. Paglaon, mas marami pa ang pamilyang nawasak ng giyerang ito kaysa sa bilang ng pamilyang nasira ng droga.

Ang bandera ng tagumpay sa giyera kontra droga ay maiwawagayway lamang kung ang dating mga kamay na ginagamit sa pagdodroga ay ngayo’y mga kamay na humuhulma sa kinabukasan ng lipunan.

14 GRAPHICS

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday NEW BLOOD

FROM PAGE 15

and no, they do not spend their time fighting for lost causes just for the sake of it. They are critical thinking students who are well aware of the realities of society and know better than to back down in the face of opposition. They know that they have a voice and why they should take a stand – as you should likewise do.

LIZETTE JOAN CAMPAÑA DALUZ

#CONYO

FROM PAGE 15

there are many others - campus militarization, campus press repression, fraternity related violence, and even the ROTC.

The bottomline is this: to discriminate against anyone for how they talk, dress, and / or act, especially if they are not being harmful or offensive to others, is wrong. And to discriminate against students simply because For example, you might have heard they do not fit your stereotype about the failed implementation of of UP students being poor the Student Academic Information and intelligent is even worse, System (SAIS) which disrupted especially if you’re an Iskolar ng enrollment in UP Los Baños earlier Bayan yourself. this month. This online enlistment At the end of the day, every problem system that has been under fire the university and the nation faces since it was initiated. Why? Well, can be solved not just through it promised efficiency during the diplomacy or compromise, but registration period but not at the by having a united front and students’ expense. exercising collective action. And yes, even conyos (like me) are part At the same time, the funding for of that. a multimillion-peso system could STUDENT PUBS... FROM PAGE 04 have been used for more immediate concerns such as meeting the university’s infrastructure needs. is to withhold their funds as Or perhaps allocating more budget it is the lifeblood of ever y for the Philippine General Hospital publication. to reduce the fees being charged to Journalists were also not its charity patients. There are a lot spared from accusations of more things that could have been misconduct as experienced given attention, but the thing is, it is by the editorial board of The being disregarded in order to strip Adamson Chronicle of Adamson off the right to free and accessible University (AdU) after they released an article tackling the education. sexual harassment case against Now, what would you do knowing their Off ice of Student A ffairs this reality? What would you do if director. Consequently, they blocked from enrolment people say otherwise? What would were and the newspaper circulation you do if they tell you that this is was halted. not your fight and that you should just focus on your studies? What More recently, during the 2016 would you do if they tell you that national elections, the staff this is the way things are…and this members of Tinig ng Plaridel is what should happen? And that (TNP) of UP Diliman’s College of Mass Communication and there is nothing you could do?

Union of Journalists of the Would you believe them? Or Philippines were branded as would you let yourself learn what “security threats” by the UP lies beyond the four walls of a Diliman Police. classroom?

Callueng blames these occurrences on the non-penal I hope you dare to do the latter. nature of R A 7079, because according to him, the law permits the school administration to WRITER’S BLOCK FROM PAGE 15 sanction students expressly on the basis of actions alleged to be hanggang sa kaya ko nang magsulat untoward to the interest of the nang hindi ka iniisip bilang administration. inspirasyon.

Meanwhile, other events held Magsusulat ako nang magsusulat during the CPFW include a hanggang maging sa pagsulat forum on youth under the ay nakalaya na ako mula sa Duterte administration, Human pagkakagapos mo.

Chain for Peace, and People’s State of the Nation Address.

Got sumvong?

I-spluk mo na, beh!

- Lola P.

OPINION 15

Volume 29 Number 21-22 August 18, 2016 | Thursday

BANYUHAY

WRITER’S BLOCK

Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino Hindi na ako makapagsulat.

ibang mahihingi pa.

Siguro kasi nasanay akong ikaw ang inspirasyong nag-uudyok sa akin upang kunin ang panulat at ilapat ito sa papel. Ikaw ang pangunahing dahilan sa likod ng bawat salitang nalilimbag. Katunaya’y karamihan nga sa mga nasulat ko noon ay ikaw ang nag-iisang bida. Bilang hilaw na manunulat, sa ’yo ako nakahanap ng rason at daan upang ipagpatuloy ang pagsusulat at pagpapahayag.

Kakaiba talagang ang pakikisalamuha ko sa iyo ang siyang nakapagdala sa akin ng kakaunting katahimikan at kahit kasiyahan.

Toxic ka naman talaga kasi. Hindi ka nga raw dapat naglalagi sa isipan ng tao, para kang sakit na dapat agad remedyohan. Pero ewan ko ba kung bakit matagal akong dumepende sa ‘yo para makapagsulat. Hindi

Aaminin kong nakakaadik ang pakiramdam na magsulat kapag ikaw ang ginagamit kong muse.

Ewan ko ba, sa tuwing ikaw ang gamit ko, pakiramdam ko nakakawala ako saglit mula sa ingay ng mundo. Nakakahumaling ‘yung pakiramdam sa tuwing binibisita kita, para kasing may sarili tayong mundo na nakatuon lang sa paggawa ko ng panibagong piece at pagpapalaya sa ‘yo kahit saglit lang.

Sa mata man ng iba ay nakakapagod ang ginagawa kong paggamit sa ‘yo, sa mata ko naman ay wala na akong

Kung tutuusin nga, mabigat kang bagahe na kailangan kong pakawalan, at siguro’y oras na talaga para bumitaw. nagtagal ay nagpalamon na rin ako sa ‘yo para lang manatili akong produktibo. Kung tutuusin, delikado ang ginawa ko pero nakondisyon ko pa ang utak ko na ayos lang ang set-up na ito, tutal matagal naman na kitang muse at walang ibang nakakakilala sa ‘yo kundi ako lang.

REBEL WITH A CAUSE

Carlo Rey Resurreccion Martinez

Whenever I read comments like UP is intended for the poor, that, I’m like so shocked, kasi grabe they say. UP is subsidized by the naman. Like, gets ba? people’s taxes for a reason, they say. And they argue that the people In a world that revolves around who are born rich should opt to social media, everything from go to the more expensive private the most mundane to the most universities instead of taking pressing issues are openly precious and limited UP slots discussed online. One such topic is the supposedly alarming spread of conyos across the University of he idea of the Philippines (UP) System. being conyo is

T

primarily negative,

The term “conyo” itself not with notions only refers to the people who of being maarte embody such a stereotype, or the or mayabang distinct language they use, but as a derogatory term as well. The automatically idea of being conyo is primarily associated with it negative, with notions of being maarte or mayabang automatically associated with it. away from the impoverished and less fortunate.

It’s funny that for more than a century, UP has prided itself But UP’s mandate is not to serve on being the best academic only the poor. As stated in Section institution and having the most 9 of the Republic Act 9500, or the diverse students - from radical UP Charter, “no student shall be activists and aspiring politicians, denied admission to the national imaginative artists and future university by reason solely of national scientists. Yet, for age, gender, nationality, religious some reason, it feels the need to affiliation, economic status, discriminate against the harmless ethnicity, physical disability, or conyos. political opinion or affiliation”.

And if we were to stay true to this, Perhaps, from some people’s then we must accept that this perspectives, it makes sense. provision would include even the dreaded conyos.

.

Hindi naman kasi nila nasabi na may mas malagim palang epekto ang pagpapadala at paggamit ng kalungkutan bilang inspirasyon sa pagsusulat. Ilang buwan na akong nasasakal sa pagkakalilingkis mo, at ngayon ko lang natututunan na kailangan ko nang kumawala.

Hanggang ngayon ay nahihirapan pa rin akong magsimula ulit dahil sa totoo lang ay napakahirap mong pakawalan. Ilang taon na ba akong umaasa sa ‘yo? Para kasing sa tagal ay naging parte ka na ng pagkatao ko, pero habang tumatagal kasi ay lalo lang akong naiipit at nabibigatan.

Kung tutuusin nga, mabigat kang bagahe na kailangan kong pakawalan, at siguro’y oras na talaga para bumitaw.

Famous Last Words Aria Hernandez NEW BLOOD Welcome to UP Manila, freshmen! Or should I say, welcome to hell?

When I started studying in UP, everyone told me that my school life was going to be grueling and unlike anything that I had experienced in high school. At first, I did not believe them. I’ve always been an overachiever so I did not think that it was going to be that hard to succeed in the country’s premier university. But I was wrong.

As the years passed, I realized that studying in this university does Kaya ngayon ay hindi na ako not merely pertain to learning whatever is written in books; makapagsulat. it goes beyond the four walls Pero hahawakan ko pa rin ang of a classroom. It actually goes panulat, ilalapat ang tinta sa papel, beyond the university as well. It pipiliting lumikha hindi para sa will show you the harsh realities sarili ko, at patuloy na magsusulat, of the Philippine society as well as CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 numerous ideas and perspective that will help you see what lies the manufactured media #CONYO beneath releases and false promises.

And beyond their petty argumentation, what these conyo critics need to realize is that there are far bigger fish to fry.

I admit, it was difficult at first.

How can you change your views and beliefs on society that our culture continuously reinforces?

But then you’ll realize that there’s another side of our society that a number of people seemed to miss the side that is struggling to escape the chains of poverty, begging for justice to be served and not delayed, and calling for genuine change that will benefit the people.

The number of Bracket A students in UP have increased significantly since the introduction of the Socialized Tuition Scheme (STS), leading people to think that the number of conyos have increased as well. But not all Bracket A students are conyos, and - more importantly - not all Bracket A Once I had seen that side, I realized students deserve to be in that that I was born to do something bracket. more with my life. I was not merely my mother’s daughter nor As student leaders, progressive successor. I was not just a product organizations, and various publications (including the one of a broken family who is struggling you’re reading right now) have to survive in the harsh reality. I can proven time and again, the STS make a stand on what is right or is nothing a profiteering scheme wrong and encourage others to do where students are presumed to the same. And sometimes join the be rich until they prove otherwise. masses in their fight to bring socalled economic gains, justice, and The Student Academic peace to those in need.

Information System (SAIS), a system that was first implemented I know that what I have been roughly three years ago, continues saying might confuse you but trust to disappoint and cause problems me when I say that it gets a little for everyone involved. bit easier each time. You will get While these are currently the used to this. You will understand two biggest and most talked why students of UP have always about issues in our university, been known for being activists – CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Sa Pa g-I gk as Ba ri l: ng

Kapag Lipunan na ang Tinamaan ng Bala sa Giyera Kontra Droga Hindi pa rin umuuwi ang tatay.

Kanina pa ako naghihintay dito sa salas, sabik sa dala niyang pasalubong. Sabi pa niya sa’kin, huwag daw akong maingay kay bunso dahil meron siyang surpresa. Ang tatay lang kasi ang tanging naghahanap-buhay para sa buong pamilya; kung wala si tatay, hindi kami mabubuhay.

Isang oras pa ang lumipas, at pumikit na ang puyat na mga mata ko.

sa’kin ay bahagi lamang ng isang mas malaking litrato na nagpapakita ng malagim na katotohanang bumabalot sa giyera kontra droga.

Kalayaan, Hindi Kamatayan Bago pa man makapagsalita upang ipagtanggol ang sarili sa maling paratang, tatakpan ng alingawngaw ng baril ang sigaw na namumuo sa lalamunan. Babaon ang dalawa o higit pang bala sa kanyang sentido, at kasabay ng paghandusay sa maruming eskinita ay ang paghahanda ng kartong plakard na may nakasulat na “pusher ako, ‘wag tularan.”

Bumungad sa paggising ko ang maliligalig na boses ng mga kapitbahay na para bang may kaguluhang nangyayari. Nakinig ako.

May natagpuan daw na bangkay sa may kanto. Nakabalot daw ng tape ang buong katawan at may nakapatong na kartong may nakasulat, “drug lord.” Aalis na dapat ako ngunit nung nabanggit Patikim nila ang pangalan ni itay, at kum- l a n g pirmadong siya ang natagpuang ito wala nang buhay, biglang nanghina ang mga tuhod ko. Hindi na uuwi ang tatay.

Hindi man ako makapaniwala ngunit kailangan kong tanggapin na ang nangy a r i

AGATHA HAZEL ANDRES RABINO DIBUHO NI PAULINE SANTIAGO TIOSIN

pa

ng giyera ng lipunan laban sa droga kung saan ang mga nasa mabababang uri ang unang nauupos. Sa mata ng lipunan, sila ay ‘yong mga kumakapit sa patalim — na ang tanging pantawid ng gutom ay panlilimos, pagtutulak ng droga, pagnanakaw, o pagbebenta ng katawan. Para sa mga nasa itaas na hindi nararanasan ang kanilang paghihirap, ang mga dukha ay mistulang mga uod lamang — mahirap at walang pakinabang. Silang itinuturing na ‘latak’ ng lipunan ay ang karaniwang biktima ng giyera kontra droga sapagkat hindi magdadalawang-isip ang lipunan na paagusin ang kanilang murang dugo kahit ang kapalit nito ay isang huwad na kapayapaan.

Magsisimula ang karaniwang araw ng mga mahihirap sa tunog ng kalam ng kanilang sikmura, at depende sa lakas o tumal ng kita, magtatapos ang kanilang araw nang may isang puno o kumakalam na sikmura. Sa nakakaumay na siklo ng gutom at desperasyon, nauudyok ang ilan na patulan ang panandaliang ginhawang inilalako ng droga. Kapalit ng ilang hithit, nalilimutan nila ang gutom at miserableng buhay. Droga ang nagsilbing katuwang nila upang kalabanin ang hagupit ng buhay, at hindi rin nagtagal ay dito sila nakahanap ng mas episyenteng paraan upang kumita. Naging epektibong paraan ang pagtutulak bilang pantawid ng kahirapan.

IPAGPATULOY SA PAHINA 13