The Manila Collegian Vol. 31 Issue No. 9

T H E O F F I C I A L S T U D E N T P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES - MANILA VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9 • JAN 17, 2018

NEWS

04

FEATURES

06

CULTURE

12

OPINION

10

STUDENT LEADERS CONVENE FOR 45TH GASC ALLOCATION MISCALCULATION GOOD GAME, BADLY PLAYED! UTAK, PUSO, ATBP.

Pagtanaw sa 2018 Pambansang Badyet 02 NEWS

02 NEWS

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9 JAN. 17, 2018

ISKOTISTIKS

PAGTANAW SA 2018 PAMBANSANG BADYET

Bagong panukalang batas na nakaangkla sa badyet, anti-mamamayan SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO AT LIAMSON ACEDERA GATAPIA

M

MGA DIBUHO NI ERIN CAMYL VELAZCO ALVIAR

akalipas ang mahabang deliberasyon sa Kongreso at Senado, inaprubahan na ni Pangulong Rodrigo Roa Duterte noong Disyembre 19 ng nakaraang taon ang P3.767 trilyon na pambansang badyet o General Appropriations Act (GAA) para sa taong 2018, kasabay ng Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) Act, na ngayon ay isa nang batas.

Public Works and Highways (DPWH), at Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Ang naturang badyet ay 12.4% na mas mataas kompara sa nakaraang taon, at nakatuon sa imprastraktura at edukasyon na nakaangkla sa ambisyon ng rehimeng Duterte sa programang “Build, build, build” at libreng matrikula sa mga kolehiyo at pamantasan.

Kompara sa mga naunang nabanggit na kagawaran, P683.5B ang kalahatan ng pondo ng limang sumunod sa listahan ng prayoridad. P170.8B para sa Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) P167.9B para sa Department of Health (DOH), P149.7B sa Department of National Defense (DND), P141.8B para sa Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), at P53.5B para sa Department of Agriculture (DA)

Kaugnay nito, nagbigay ng pahayag ang IBON Foundation, isang organisasyong nag-aaral ng mga isyung panlipunan, sa konteksto ng Pilipinas, ukol sa mga bagong panukala para sa taong 2018.

“The new year seems to usher in more difficulties for Filipinos in accessing basic goods, public utilities, and services this year amid government’s exclusionary policies,” bitaw ng grupo.

Pagkakahati sa badyet Sa pinal na bersyon ng badyet, nananatili pa rin sa tuktok ang sektor ng edukasyon na may P672.4B na nakabahagi sa kaniyang iba’t ibang sangay. P553B ay inilaan para sa mismong kagawaran, P49.4B sa Commission on Higher Education (CHED), at P62.1B para sa state universities and colleges (SUCs) habang P7.6B sa Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

Dagdag pa rito, ang nasabing badyet ay gagamitin para sa dagdag na P1, 000 allowance sa mga guro na nagtuturo sa pampublikong paaralan at tugon sa ipinasang batas hinggil sa libreng matrikula sa ilang mga pamantasan.

Samantala, P637.9B at P66.3B ang nakalaang pondo para sa Department of

Isiniwalat ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) na asahang lolobo pa ang badyet ng mga kagawarang namamahala sa mga programa at proyektong pang-imprastraktura upang ito’y masustentuhan hanggang sa pagtatapos ng termino ng kasalukuyang administrasyon sa 2022.

Sa kabilang banda, tumaas ng 2.5% ang alokasyon ng badyet para sa Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) na P33.1B habang P24.9B ang nilaan para sa Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).

Gayumpaman, nagkakahalagang P2, 786, 187, 550 ang lahat ng pinaglaanan ng gobyerno para sa taong 2018 habang mayroong nakalaan na P980, 812, 450 para sa mga hindi pa nakatalang proyekto at, Automatic Appropriations para sa retirement funds at iba pang hindi nangangailangan ng pag-apruba ng lehislatibo.

Kung susumahin, pinalawig ni Senador Loren Legarda na nanatiling mayroong pinakamalaking badyet ang ‘social services’ na sumasakop ng 38.7% na sinundan ng ‘economic services’ na nasa 30.5% habang mayroong 16.4% ang ‘general public services.’

Samantalang lumapag sa ika-apat na mayroong malaking alokasyon ang ‘debt burden’ sa 9.8% at pinakamaliit naman para sa ‘defense’ na nasa 4.6%.

Prayoridad ng pamahalaan Kung susuriin ang ipinasang 2018 GAA, ang may pinakamalaking alokasyon na kagawaran ay sumasaklaw sa 16.93% ng buong badyet o nagkakahalagang P637B ay napunta sa DPWH. Ang naturang kagawaran ay nagkaroon nang 40.28% na pagtaas kumpara sa nakaraang taong alokasyon dito.

Mula sa plano na inilabas ng DBM, ang ‘Build, build, build’ na ipinagmamalaki ng administrasyong Duterte ay susustentuhan gamit ang alokasyon dito at pag-utang sa mga bansang ang

pangunahing pinagkakakitaan ay aspekto ng imprastraktura tulad ng Estados Unidos, Tsina, at Japan.

Ayon sa pahayag ng IBON Foundation, ang mga nagpautang ng pondo ang magdidikta ng teknolohiya, disenyo, at pagpapagawa na pumapabor sa kanilang suplayer at imprastraktura. Kaakibat nito, sa mga nagpautang din nakasalalay ang operasyon at pagpapanatili sa mga proyektong pangmalawakan at pangmatagalan ang gamit.

Isiniwalat din ng IBON Foundation na malaki ang pakinabang ng

NEWS 03

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9 JAN. 17, 2018

pagpapautang ng Tsina para sa imprastraktura sa mga mahihirap na bansa dahil nakapagpapataas ito ng sarili nilang lakas-paggawa.

ng pamahalaan na ang reporma sa pagbubuwis na ito ay ginawang simple, patas, at mas epektibo para sa lahat habang itinataas ang pinagkukuhanan ng mga pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan at pamumuhunan sa imprastraktura.

Ibinida rin nila na mas magaan na ang pagbubuwis sa mga mamamayan.

Pagpalit ng plano Mula sa pinal na bersyon, pang-apat sa prayoridad ng badyet ang DILG na mayroong P170.8B alokasyon kung saan tinanggal dito ang P500M para sa Masa Masid at ang P900M alokasyon para sa Oplan Double Barrel ng Philippine National Police (PNP).

“Let me emphasize that this budget is a credible budget and I ensure everyone that this will be supported by the comprehensive tax reform program embodied by the TRAIN,” ipinagmalaki ni Duterte.

Samantala, sinabi naman ni Sen. Loren Legarda na ang pondo sa nabanggit na programa ay inilipat sa pabahay sa mga pulis at sundalo pati na rin pambili ng mga body camera ng hanay ng kapulisan.

Sa kabilang banda, ayon muli sa IBON Foundation, tanging ‘high-income households’ lang ang makikinabang sa TRAIN sa pagpapababa ng personal na kita, estate, at donor taxes. Diniin nito na ang pamilyang kumikita na mas mababa pa sa minimum living wage na P1, 039 kada araw ay ang sasalo sa pagtaas ng mga halaga ng pagkain, pangunahing pangangailangan at bayarin pangserbisyo.

Sa kabilang banda, ipinahayag naman ni Bayan Muna Representative Carlos Zarate na ang pagbawas ng P2 bilyon para sa pagpapagaling sa mga umaabuso sa droga at pagpapatayo ng mga rehabilitation centers pati na rin ang pagtanggal ng P1.5B sa Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) ng mga pampublikong ospital ay karumaldumal.

Kung tutuusin, kinuwestiyon nina Zarate at ACT Teachers party-list Representative Antonio Tinio, ang pagkakapasa ng TRAIN sa kongreso habang wala nang quorum sa plenaryo.

Sinabi ni Tinio na nagpuntahan na ang mga mambabatas sa isang fivestar hotel para sa Christmas party ng administrasyon kasama ang PDP-Laban.

Idiniin din ni Zarate na ang P4.41B na ibinigay sa sektor ng pabahay kompara sa P48B na nakalaan sa mga proyektong pang-imprastraktura ng gobyerno ay nakalaan lamang sa pagpapalayas at demolisyon.

Makikita sa pag-aaral ng IBON Foundation na sa pagbaba ng badyet ng pabahay ay sinabayan nito ng pagtaas ng value-added tax (VAT) sa mga paupahan at pagbayad sa mga pabahay.

Sa kabilang banda, nagkaroon nang malaking bawas sa badyet ang mga tanggapan ng gobyerno na hindi direktang tumutugon sa ambisyon ng administrasyong Duterte.

Isa sa nakaranas ng pinakamalaking bawas ay ang Office of the President na 70.10% o nagkakahalagang P14.1 milyon sapagkat kompara sa nakaraang taon, pinagkagastusan nito ang ginanap na Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) dito sa Pilipinas.

Gayumpaman, ang Office of the Vice President ang nakatanggap ng pinakamaliit na badyet na 0.01% sa kabuuang badyet kasunod ang Commission on Human Rights (CHR) na may 0.02%.

Sa katunayan, P1, 000 lamang ang nakalagay sa proposal na inihain ng DBM para sa CHR sapagkat hindi umano ito tumutugon sa kanilang tungkulin.

Makaraang dumaan sa masusing pag-

aaral sa kamara, pinaglaanan ito ng P695, 504 para sa taong 2018.

“The measures and agencies that suppress rights and ensure that the rich gets richer and the poor gets poorer are the ones being funded by our taxpayers money,” pahayag ni Zarate.

Anti-mamamayang batas Kasabay ng pag-apruba ni Duterte ng badyet ay ang TRAIN Act. Sinasabi

“TRAIN and 2018 National Budget are derailments in reality and are US-Duterte regime’s imposed brazen, anti-people and deceptive policies which will further drown the country in debt; the newly-signed tax reform law will further burden the people with more taxes imposed on basic commodities and services,” pahayag ng Kabataan Partylist.

Sa kabuuan, idiniin ni Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Elago na sa panahong ito ay mahalaga na mayroong malawak na hanay at organisadong masa na kumikilos para ipaglaban ang karapatan ng mga mamamayan kahit na may banta at nagpapatuloy hanggang makamit ang tunay na kapayapaan at pambansang soberanya.

04 NEWS

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9 JAN. 17, 2018

Student leaders convene for 45th GASC Issues on militarization and impending policies, discussed ROMEO EARNEST GERIAL FUNTILA III

Organized

by

the

University

of

the

Philippines Student Regent (UP OSR), the 45th General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) commenced at the University of the Philippines Mindanao (UP Min) from January 7 to 8 and consolidated discourses amongst student leaders of the entire UP system.

Jumpstarting the event, the UPM USC proposed to omit any discussion on the Codified Rules for the Student Regent Selection (CRSRS), this was in turn opposed by a couple of councils due to the reason that time restraints were not a problem. This motion was followed by talks regarding the safety of the venue as well as the university itself, due to the ongoing implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao.

Human Rights Prerogative Meanwhile, Chief Justice Maria Lourdes Sereno was introduced as the guest speaker of the event, wherein she tackled the youth’s role in fighting for democracy amidst the threat against security and independence. She concluded by saying, “Huwag malito sa dami ng isyu na ibinabato sa due process lalo ng mga karapatan ng mahihirap.

Speakers from different mass organizations for the National Youth Summit on Human Rights and Peace covered a wide spectrum of topics ranging from the injustices caused by the implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao, the increase in price of petrol, the

unmet promises of president Duterte especially regarding free tuition and the increasing threat of fascism.

Kenji Muramatsu from the National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) stated, “As we face 2018, dapat kasama ang continuous militant enthusiasm sa pagharap sa ganitong klaseng sistema at sa ganitong klaseng rehimen.

The student movement ended the year with militant enthusiasm and a sense of urgency.”

Muramatsu furthermore added, “No doubt, President Duterte is already paving the way for fascism. Patuloy ang kanyang kontrol, pambubusabos, at pagpapahirap gamit ang kaniyang mga economic programs laban sa mga mamamayang Pilipino. Untiunti niya tayong pinapatay sa mga polisiya na humuhuthot ng pera.”

He conclusively stated, “That’s why NUSP is also a part of Youth Act Now Against Tyranny which seeks to unite justice-seeking and freedom-loving Filipinos in order to criticize the administration".

Subsequently, Catherine Cortez, also from NUSP, complemented the statements of Muramatsu by defining the essence and significance of vigilant reporting.

Afterwards, various speakers from different Mindanaoan organizations then contributed to the discourse

Student officers posing the “UP Fight!” stance at the beginning of the second day.

Photo by Leah Rose Figueroa Paras

topics such as the declining trend of peace talks in Mindanao and the highly unmet endeavors of President Duterte especially to the farmers of the Mindanaoan region.

Kabataan Partylist (KPL) Representative Sarah Elago thereupon took the stage by mentioning the scanty Agrarian Reform Bill which still remains at the legislative process and the recent tax reform, “Hindi yumayaman ang mga nagpapakahirap para sa bayan. Ito ang panawagan nila para sa hustisya - ang Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill, ngunit hanggang ngayon sa ating legislative process ay nandoon pa rin sa committee level.”

Another speaker, Carlo Olalo, from Kilusang Mayo Uno (KMU), acknowledged and consequences of the President’s actions regarding in accordance with the average worker’s welfare, “Kami sa workers, patuloy ang atake, hanggang ngayon ay mas matindi. Sa magsasaka, kung hindi si Pangulong Duterte ay hindi titigil sa pag-atake, pagtutulongtulungan ng mamamayang Pilipino kung paano bibiguin ang pasistang rehimen ni Pangulong Duterte.”

Students Condemn Injustices Student Regent Oliquino concluding the 45th annual GASC. Photo by Leah Rose Figueroa Paras

After such talks, a mobilization was held by the convention’s delegates against

the Crackdown and Military Rule in Mindanao. This was then followed by a lightning rally in front of the UP Mindanao Oblation, calling to action against the attacks of the fascist US-Duterte regime towards the Filipino masses.

On to the next agenda, Student Regent Shari Oliquino’s presentation of the history of the UP Board of Regents followed by her report of the issue of free education respectively allowed the different bodies to give their various manifestations of the report.

Resolutions Consolidated The UPD College of Education student council drafted the first resolution of the day which comprehended the full implementation of free tuition and OSF in SUCs and in State-run TechnicalVocational Institutions (STVIs).

However, various councils manifested that complaints and negative remarks were aimed towards the university’s system however with some disunity amongst the councils regarding the very resolution albeit being furthered twice.

Concluding the first resolution, UPM USC moved to adopt the resolution and the body seconded. The motion for "A Resolution to Call for the Full Implementation of Free Tuition and Other School Fees in State CONTINUED ON P.9

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9 JAN. 17, 2018

Pagpapalaya kay Mary Jane Veloso, muling ipinanawagan

Nitong ika-siyam ng Enero, nagpadala si Veloso ng pahayag sa pamamagitan ng Migrante International sa Maynila patungo kay Pangulong Rodrigo “Digong” Duterte bilang apila na siya ay tuluyang makalaya at maidiin sa korte ang kanyang pagka-inosente.

Umaapila pa rin ang kanyang pamilya sa Kagawaran ng Ugnayang Panlabas (DFA) hanggang sa kasalukuyan upang bigyan si Veloso ng pagkakataong humarap sa korte.

Ang inihatol na bitay kay Veloso ay kasalukuyang naantala dahil inaantay pa ng korte ng Indonesia ang paghahatol sa mga nagsangkot kay Veloso sa pagdala ng droga na sina Christina Sergio at Julius Lacanilao sa Panrehiyong Hukuman sa Paglilitis ng Nueva Ecija simula pa noong ika-15 ng Abril ng 2015. Noong ika-29 ng Abril noong 2015, hindi naiudlot ang pagbitay kay Veloso dahil sa pakikipag-usap ng nakaraang administrasyon ni dating Pangulong Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino at ang pagsuko ng mga akusado.

Kaugnay nito, ang dumidinig sa panig ni Veloso ay si Edre Olalia ng NUPL at sa panig naman ng akusado ay ang Public Attorney’s Office (PAO). Sa ngayon, nasa kustodiya ng polisya ang mag-asawang sina Lacanilao at Sergio habang humaharap sa alegasyon ng ‘human trafficking’ dahil sa umano’y illegal na pagrekrut at pagluwas kay Veloso sa Indonesia.

Kahadlangan sa pagtestigo Dahil sa pagkakakulong ni Veloso sa ibang bansa, hindi siya maaaring makadalo sa pagdinig sa hinggil sa kanyang kaso. Nagpasa ng mungkahi ang kanyang partido upang ang kanyang salaysay ay maibahagi niya sa sulat bilang sagot sa ihinandang tanong ng korte para sa interogasyon ni Veloso.

Subalit, naghain naman ng oposisyon ang partido nila Sergio at Lacanilao na labag ang hinihingi ni Veloso sa konstitusyunal na karapatan nila sa kadahilanang hindi maiging masusuri ang testimonya ni Veloso sa ganitong paraan.

Kahit na inaprubahan ni Justice Anarirca Castillo-Reyes ang hinaing ni Veloso noong Agosto ng 2016, pumanig naman ang Hukuman ng Apelasyon ng Pilipinas sa pagrarason ng akusadong partido noong ika-13 ng Disyembre ng 2017.

T R A I N W R E C K | FROM P.10 Tatanawin at pagmamasdan ko ang paligid.

Pakikinggan ang headlines ng balita.

Lulunukin ang pag-asikaso ng pamahalaan sa pagpapalakas ng armado nitong pwersa—mula sa 100% increase base pay para sa kapulisang wala namang ginawa kundi pumalya at pumatay, hanggang sa pagtanggap na mas malaki ang alokasyon ng administrasyon sa pangarap nitong Build!Build!Build! na mga imprastrakturang pinaglalaanan ng pera ngunit hindi naman din nakikitang nagsisimula kesa sa mas batayang pangangailangan tulad ng edukasyon at kalusugan.

Sa tagal ng pagbutbot ko kung ano ba ang rason ng ganitong pakana, mandidiri na naman ako sa lantarang panggagantsong nagaganap. Sa kaibuturan ng diwa ko alam ko kung saan napupunta ang lahat ng pinagpapawisan. At kung hindi na lang otso pesos ang dating siyeteng 3-in-1 na

JAN. 17, 2018

NEWS

NEWS DOSE

EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA

Nakaraan na ang walong taon ngunit hindi pa nakakamtan ni Mary Jane Veloso at ng kaniyang pamilya ang hustisya. Ayon sa tala ng National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL), nakapiit sa kulungan sa Indonesia si Veloso mula pa noong 2010 dahil sa posesyon ng pinagbabawal na droga.

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9

Pagtulak ng Suporta “Pangulong Duterte, nasa kamay po ninyo ang kaligtasan ng aking buhay.

Hindi po ako nawawalan ng pag-asa na makakamtan ko ang katarungan kasi kasama po ang Diyos sa laban pong ito.

At hanggang kailanman, hinding-hindi ko aakuin kasalanang hindi ko ginawa”, ani ni Veloso sa kanyang ipinadalang mensahe sa pangulo.

Kasunod nito, idinepensa ng OFW rights group Migrante International ang kalagayan ni Veloso. “Deposition in Indonesia jail, therefore, is the only available, allowable and practicable mode to officially get Mary Jane’s testimony as she is in jail on death row”.

Idiniin nila sa kanilang pahayag sa Hukuman ng Apelasyon ng Pilipinas na ipahintulot na si Veloso ay makapagbahagi ng patotoo sa Indonesia.

“We are urging President Duterte to do everything in his power to let Mary Jane speak the truth,” iginiit ng grupo.

Sa kabilang banda, inilahad ni Rey Cortez mula sa NUPL na maaaring ilapit sa Korte Suprema ang pakikipag-usap. Maliban rito, nakapaghain na umano ang grupo ng mungkahi ng rekonsiderasyon sa Tanggapan ng Taga-usig Panlahat.

G O O D G A M E . . . | FROM P.12 kapeng nilagok ko kanina, paniguradong niluwa ko na ‘to dahil sa sama ng sikmura ko sa kasalukuyang sitwasyon. Panigurado, lalaki na naman ang agwat ng nagdarahop sa mayayaman. Higit pa, sa paglobo ng buwis sisibol ang mas malaking prayoridad sa pinapaborang mga institusyong dahas at pagkitil lang ang alam gawin.

Isang paa sa hukay mula sa mabigat na buwis, o isang bala sa sentido mula sa nagpapatuloy na pandarahas. Matagalang pamimilipit ng tiyan o mabilisang baling magbubulwak ng kalamnan sa lansangan.

Nagkakatotoo na ang kasabihan, at ano pa man sa dalawa, isang bagay lang ang malinaw: lantarang manipestasyon na ‘to ng pandarambong at pambubusabos.

Panibagong taon, panibagong krisis.

pa nga lang sa ospital, ‘di na kaya ng tustusan ng nakuhang trabaho ni itay dito sa Pilipinas, mas lalo na ang pambayad sa matrikula. Kaya tiniis ko ang galit ng mga magulang at naglaro nang naglaro, nagpagaling nang nagpagaling. Pero wala rin; hindi ako gumaling nang sapat o baka naman ‘di lang ako napapansin. Pero, ganoon din ang narating ko sa huli.

Siguro ganito talaga ang buhay na para sa ‘kin. Siguro kailangan kong tanggapin na ito ang mundo ko, na ito ang tadhana ng tulad namin. Sana ‘di ako naadik.

Sana ‘di ko niloko ang sarili ko na kahit sino pwedeng tahakin ang ganoong landas. Sana nakagawa ako ng paraan para makapag-aral—o kaya kung sana ‘di ganoon kamahal. Nakakalungkot isipin, kaya pagkatapos ng trabaho, gagamitin ko ang kapiranggot na sobra sa sweldo ko at didiretso sa computer shop.

#BalikBayad (Part 1/4) ADOLF ENRIQUE SANTOS GONZALES

On August 2017, the “Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act” also known as “Free Tuition Law” was signed by the Duterte Administration thus abolishing the collection of tuition and other school fees (OSFs) across 112 state universities and colleges (SUCs). The said move was lauded by several organizations including that of Kabataan Party-list, a youth organization, and Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT), a political party of workers from the education sector.

For the context of the University of the Philippines (UP), most students will benefit from the said law except those who were deemed ineligible as per guidelines set by the university.

The enactment of the said law was concurrent with the on-going enrollment of the whole university system. Several students have reported that they already paid their tuition before the law’s ratification. Due to such incidents, the Office of the Student Affairs (OSA) of UP Manila issued a memorandum last October stating that refund instructions would be posted by respective college secretaries and the processing of such would be managed by the secretaries themselves.

Students were required to submit forms as required by their college.

These set of forms varies per college ranging from refund forms, change matriculation forms, registration forms and others. The College of Allied Medical Professions (CAMP) and College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) set a deadline of filing for refunds on October 23, and 24, 2017, respectively.

Refunds are expected to be received 1 to 3 months after the filing or on the end of the first semester SY 2017-2018.

JOIN MKULE! Visit us at 4th Flr. Old NEDA Bldg.

UP Manila

06 FEATURES

N

OW AND THEN, THE allocation of national budget continues to be a mere representation of the executive's motives for managing the common affairs of the elite - bolstering potential through infrastructure at the expense of humans rights violations and basic human services.

On December 19, 2017, President Rodrigo Duterte finally signed the Department of Budget and Management’s (DBM) proposed 2018 national budget into a General Appropriations Act (GAA). Although he vetoed a few items, there was still a stark 12.4% increase from 2017’s Php3.35 trillion to 2018’s Php3.78 trillion. Basic economics states that large government spending could lead to high inflation rates, but in addition to this perspective, one can determine the fate of the nation by assessing what the new budget entails and corroborating this with the shady political motives of those in power.

In light of the cruelties concurring with the spectacle Duterte has been putting up so far, everyone must be critical in analyzing both the prioritized investments and the agencies that are being ostracized.

This way, one can identify the stakeholders that are winners and losers for the year ahead and determine the implications these have on the Filipino people.

Unpromising Promises While the several budget increases should ideally instill optimism and hopefulness in the hearts of the Filipinos, they only serve as an impetus for vigilance, promises that will either be broken or defiled.

Last year, Duterte was bold in announcing his major infrastructure plan with the tagline of Build, Build, Build—claimed to be the “golden age of infrastructure.” In accordance to this, the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) was given the lion’s share of the 2018 national budget with a 40.28% increase from 2017.

The Department of Transportation (DOTr), on the other hand, being in

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9 JAN. 17, 2018

the same sector, received a sizable 24.36% increase. These may prove to be dubious mainly because of Duterte’s being a staunch advocate for China’s support. While infrastructure is a vital domestic factor for development that can benefit people across all socioeconomic classes and help with economic growth in the long run, China, who is funding many of the Duterte administration’s mega-projects, may jeopardize the state of the nation’s current account.

Many spectators argue that this is a valid reason to be worried after seeing Sri Lanka plunge into a heavy debt crisis due to its cavalier attempt in developing infrastructure through Chinese loans and its consequential leasing of one of its ports to China—a similar erosion of sovereignty that the Philippines may one day face amidst land disputes with the giant.

Other than the corresponding budget increases for the infrastructure plans presented by the president, another agency that was given an increase was the Department of Education (DepEd), along with State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). An important question on the allocation of funds for the education sector is whether or not the 1.69% increase for DepEd and 5.79% for SUCs are enough, given that schools are still adjusting to the new K-12 and Senior High School (SHS) programs, and free tuition in SUCs has to be retained.

Once these transitions are achieved in a stable manner, the focus then shifts to the even more difficult battle—schools’ much needed refinement of their services by abolishing policies that are profit-oriented and essentially against their student constituents. If these pressing issues are addressed and kept sustainable, then the investment in human capital will be maximized, creating positive externalities in the long run through increased economic output, lower crime rates, and even spilling over to the health sector.

Other agencies that received budget increases are in the service sector: the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) whose 10.53% increase aims to provide better services for the people and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) whose 15.35% increase may be subject to corruption. The increase for these two agencies serves as a way for

ALLOCATION MI

Analyzing the Duterte administra LEONARD LIM

the administration to spread influence through the use of soft power on both citizens and politicians. Based on the high poverty rates in local areas, the money allocated for DILG is at risk of being pocketed by local government officials. This is an opportunity for Duterte to gain more political allies, especially in a country where parties are not committed to specific ideologies and can easily be swayed to join the side in power. The Department of Health’s (DOH) increase of 11.38% may not be as questionable, but in light of the recent mishap with the defective dengue vaccines, the government is receiving a lot of pressure from the families that are affected and is not that flexible in addressing their complaints. This rigidity is a testament to how the budget increase may still not suffice in providing free health services for all.

The Department of National D e f e n s e (DND) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) were given 9.12% and 2.56% increases, respectively.

Again, given the land disputes that the country has with China, people may attribute this budget increase to preparations needed for when these conflicts escalate. However, the Duterte administration’s heavy reliance on China for infrastructure and trade means that the strengthening of military might be more geared towards the potential terrorist attacks in the upcoming year. This is supported by his questionable decision to extend martial law in Mindanao. Furthermore, the ARMM budget increase is the president’s way of saying that he is fulfilling his promise

ILLUSTRATION BY JOSHUA DY E

FEATURES 07

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9 JAN. 17, 2018

ISCALCULATION

ation’s dubious budget for 2018

ELEVAZO

to reach out to the developing areas farthest from Manila, but this is just an attempt to steer the Mindanaoans’ attention away from the abuses of the administration under martial law.

Although multiple agencies were suspiciously given more funds, raising grave issues for each sector, their increased budgets still pale in comparison to the funds allocated for infrastructure. It may appear promising at first glance, but one must not be deceived, for these are undoubtedly self-interest driven. In the past year, Duterte has been very cunning with how he presents himself—barking at the United States of America and the European Union while maintaining strong relations with China.

This is all a ruse for him to spread his influence because China’s predator y lending will make his administration look good through a temporary spike in the economy.

Moreover, this will appeal to a great number of Filipinos who equate tangible infrastructural investments to an impactful presidential stint.

Outsiders Within The Filipinos are not the only ones on the losing end but also the government agencies that represent them—a testament to how institutions that clash with an aspiring dictator are forced to thrive in a hostile setting.

The Duterte administration sparked controversy last September for giving the Commission of Human Rights (CHR) P1,000 for its 2018 budget, but the Senate voted against this contentious decision. In spite of this,

however, CHR funds were still cut down by 4.05%, and it is the department with the second lowest budget, right after the Office of the Vice President (OVP).

This budget cut is the most alarming as it is common knowledge that so many have already been unjustly killed in the war on drugs, but more than eliminating toothless critics against his administration, it is an exhibition of his might and political will to reinforce government agencies to never oppose him.

Along with the CHR, the Department of Agrarian Reforms (DAR) and the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) also suffered 2.73% and 2.63% budget cuts, respectively—two more departments that ultimately aim to serve the poor, giving a clearer view of who the administration is fine with neglecting. The pro-business tactics go against Duterte’s initial appeal of challenging the oligarchs of the country, providing himself with an opportunity to introduce his own set of cronies.

In addition, it makes the duties of one of the most crucial departments for economic development more difficult.

What China and the so-called “Asian tigers” have in common is that their governments redistributed land and restructured their agricultural sector after the war, leading to an increase in output of grains and a solid foundation for their relatively prosperous countries. For the Philippines, only the local elites could afford land when the Americans auctioned them, thus a political system that is plagued with a weak democracy and strong cronyism, and now an administration that condones and even perpetuates this.

Apart from the aforementioned agencies that promote citizens’ rights, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ (DENR) funds were decreased by 6.51%. Although the president complied to the Paris Climate Agreement, his misgivings are still reflected on the DENR’s budget cut. This shows how Duterte still exerts a conscious effort to uphold our global standing as China is one of the biggest economies doing its part in the agreement. The administration only decided to stray away from their duty to the world through a budget cut that will most likely be overlooked by other countries, hence

not causing a social media uproar that the administration has already been a victim of in the past two years.

While the DENR’s budget cut requires utmost attention, the rollback on the CHR’s, DAR’s, and DOLE’s funds is even a greater cause for concern. Aside from revealing Duterte’s efforts to weaken the departments that challenge his convictions, these are ways in which the administration is sullying the fate of the Filipinos’ democracy—by disdaining the intrinsic rights that everybody possesses and hindering development by disrupting some services.

Looking at the entirety of the national budget for 2018, one’s interpretation of it may be equivocal, but it would also be naive to conclude that it is a step closer to the betterment of the country, for it is broadly anti-poor. Economic growth usually has a direct relationship with economic development, but in this case, the government is only paying attention to growth and not doing its job in addressing the development goals of alleviating poverty and reducing unemployment, as evidenced by the budget cuts on the outsiders in the administration and the recently approved law called the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusive Act (TRAIN) which to put in simple terms, makes food more expensive for the poor. What makes the country’s situation worse is that the economic growth promised by the government is an illusion—a scheme for Duterte to exercise his capacity to become a dictator, uncovering his desire for a superpower to back him up in the process.

This is the reality that sets the tone for another year of atrocities, and since the obstinate leader isn’t going to change, it does more than that. It sets the dark path that the staggered nation will walk for the rest of his administration. Hopefully, Duterte’s ploy sparks a revolution at its current infancy stage, way before the country crosses to the other side just to meet its doomed fate.

MGA FULUNG-VULUNGAN NG NAGJIJISANG

NEWS

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9 JAN. 17, 2018

ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA D E B U T AT M A L A - K A N YA N G PA L A S Y E W E D I S Y U N My deaaarrr mga inaanak at pabibong afows!!! Here I am with my bonggang bonggang supah-red to symbolayz my fabuluzness! Your lola is back para i-remind kayo sa stresh bago pa magsimula ang semesterrr aha aha aha! chika tayo mga beshiecakes!!! Like omg. Ehniway mga luvs, your lola is here to make your sumbong heard okay? Hoe-fully lahat tayo ay represhed prom our so-cold bekishewn! Kaya naman heto na ang mga sumbongs na naipaabowt to yer lola’s radar ears!

SUMVONG NUMVAH WUHN:

HAVA NG HAIR, HAVA NG WAIT

Tulad nga ng maaagang photoshewt ni ate gurl sa palazz, sana maaga at on-taym din ang fagpaza ng grayds ng aking mga afows from derr frappies.

Yezz eberywan had been strezzed sa lazt zemezter fero in ol da defartmentz and kolejez sa YuFiEm ay der were frappies na inaabangan to layk pazz de grayds of ze studenzz.

Sabik na sabik fo ang mga afows to l e a r n of deyr grayds, h w e r na dem digitz p o w s ?

H w e l l we kennat namern kasi discreditch d efforz of da frappiez coz dey hab lots to juggle diba! Pero we alzo kennat deny dat der are alzo some frappies hu make no worry worry layk ate debutant in malakanyang palashew and make der afowz await await langs until da next zemester fa. Please upDATE us namern fows!

Tenkuu amuuchu amuchuuu! Opisyal na pong tafows ang unang zemestre, lalo na za mga afows na sumikaf talogo na ibigay ang lahat!! Lahat!! Para maipaza ang kanilang mga korzes.

SUMVONG NUMVAH CHEW: DI TRANSFARENT ANG DREZZ! Nako po itong narineg ninyong lola aber ay abawt diz yir’s

G ow nna A na logousSaCa r nage!!

Hnngg may mga afows akech na nagtetweetch sa ibon-langers na ang suffozed GalingAnekSaCalokohan ay hiney daw transfarent? Huway naman daw? Dey zed namern dat der waz no buhaynaagos! Avech nek tsk tsk.

On da ader kamay’s defenz namern, dey claimed dat the sayaw-sayaw dat waz bideod lazz yir waz juzz tatlong minuchew at mozt puwett the buong GoAnd ServeCommit takez up 12-15 hars chew almozt two deyzz, end azide prom dat ay no-no badyet to suff lemench d i z !

So mach strezziness!

Zana namern sa orazz and araws na kelangan ay magkaiza ang aking mga afowz.

Mahiraf and so Tom Hardy namern na di united as wan ang babiez ahuhuubells.

So hayon mga bb kong mahal!

Diz iz hwer anader kwentuhan and chizmakan haz come to an end! Salahmuch for entrusteng diz sumbongz chew yer lola ahihihi. Am olwayz zo ready to gib mah lab to yer all!!

Looking forward to an awsam debut - I meant zemezter op korsz! Lezz all be pashent wid wan anader and lab each ader! Mwah mwah! Unteeel next taym fowz!

SANG-AYON KA BA SA TAX REFORM PACKAGE NA IPAPATUPAD SA SUSUNOD NA MGA TAON SA BANSA?

ANO ANG PINAKAMAGANDANG REGALONG NATANGGAP MO SA NAKALIPAS NA TAON?

We need to be more critical of TRAIN kasi while it may seem beneficial to some parts ng economy ay makakasakit ito sa mga less-privileged na walang fixed income. - spotify

SLEEP! - spotify

Not surprising that the govt would "renew" a scheme to cater to a limited number of people, and not the majority of the population that are from industries rarely served by our economy. - despacit0e, CAS

Yung mga tunay na tao na nakapaligid at nagmamahal sa akin. - tababoy, 2018 emotional instability and crippling anxiety - nyep nyep nyooray, 2019, puti

Hindi, magpapahirap lang itong lalo sa mga naghihirap na Pilipino. Isa na naman ito sa mga anti-mahirap na polisiya na itinulak ng rehimeng Duterte. - tababoy, 2018 Paano naman na yung mga taong di stable ang daloy ng kita? Sino ba talaga ang pinaglilingkuran ng patakarang ganito? - nyep nyep nyooray, 2019, puti Ayos sana ‘yung tax reform para sa mga taong sume-sweldo ng hindi naman kataasan pero may downside rin, like pagtaas ng ibang commodity na usually mga lower class talaga maapektuhan.

Kaya medyo alangan akong sumangayon sa issue na’to. hati ‘yung opinion ko sa issue. - Annika The Panda Hindi. Isa itong anti-mahirap polisiya. - kulong, 20**

na

Hindi. Wala nang bentelog dahil sa TRAIN. Sad. - Mocha Ulul Oo para bumaba ang polusyon , traffic, mga sakit (diabetes and cavities) , at tunay na mga taong may pera ang pinaka apektado nito.

- bunny bon bons, 2014-xoxo Hindi dahil halata naman na hindi kinonsidera ang epekto nito sa 99% ng tao, ang madlang mahihirap na hindi laging may pera. Totoong tama na kailangan ng tax reform, pero sa hindi ganitong paraan.

- balimbing , 2014-00000

Mga replies from people I never thought would reply. HAHAHAHA - despacit0e, CAS

Ang pinakamagandang regalong natanggap ko last year is, as always, my family. Hahaha! pero kung bagay, ‘yung cellphone ko.

- Annika The Panda Ang isang bagong taon para humarap sa mga panibagong o patuloy na pagsubok ng buhay, makasama muli ang mga kaibigan at pamilya sa kahit ano pang inog ng buhay, at matuto at mahubog ng isa pang semestre kasama ang mga institusyon na aking minamahal.

- Chubby chummy and cheesy, 2012-XXXXX Peace of mind - kulong, 20** Yung baby puppy kooo <3 - bunny bon bons, 2014-xoxo A second chance to live.

- balimbing , 2014-00000 Wala. - Mocha Ulul Bagong sapatos at tsinelas.

- Darth Mall, 2013 Sangkatutang face mask #clearskin2018 hahahaha - Kpot, 2014

for

Oras para sa tulog, kain at pagbinge ng Netflix!!!

- Mushroom, 2014-xxxxx Catching up with fam tsaka neck pillow para makatulog na ko sa biyahe hehehehe - sleepislyf, 2018

GRAPHICS 09

SIGNOS

LINYA

JIA CZARINA IGNACIO

W R E C K | FROM P.11 recognize calls and campaigns of its people; the burden of fighting for a taxation system that will certainly serve the Filipino masses is the duty of all the people of the country. As long as there exists a divide between the elite and the poor treated unequally, the country can never really progress as a nation. As long as the oppressive lash is held, there will always be a casualty.

S T U D E N T L E A D E R S C O N V E N E . . . | FROM P.04 and State-Run Technical-Vocational Institutions (STVIs)" was approved.

The second resolution was forwarded by the UPD College of Mass Communication Student Council, as it called for the GASC to heighten system-wide efforts in defending students' democratic rights. The UPD CAL SC moved to adopt the resolution, which UPD USC opposed.

The latter then asked the UPD LSG SCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s opinion on the clause to be repealed, later, the UPV CAS SC moved to adopt the resolution and the motion was hereby nonetheless approved.

The third resolution was referred to as "A resolution for all councils to oppose the UP Master Development Plan and Other Forms of Commercialization of UP Land Assets". After being altered by a few clauses and being furthered twice by the UPMin USC and the majority respectively, the resolution was approved Comprising the fourth resolution of the day, the UPB University Student Council presented it as "A Resolution to oppose all forms of harassment and

attacks on the political and democratic rightsâ&#x20AC;?. A development by UPM CAS SC moved to adopt the fourth resolution of the day, which was then seconded by the body and then approved.

Following this, UPV SC presented the fifth resolution, referred to as "A Resolution urging the KASAMA sa UP to actively support the Eastern Visayas regional campaign against militarization and the stand with Samar campaign UPMin USC moved to adopt the fifth resolution of the day and the body no-differently seconded. The motion for "A Resolution urging the KASAMA sa UP to actively support the Eastern Visayas regional campaign against militarization and the stand with Samar campaign" ended-up being approved.

Conferred by UP Tacloban SC once more, the sixth resolution called for all SCs to join and lead the fight to hold the Duterte admin accountable for its criminal negligence towards Yolanda victims in the recent Typhoon Urduja. After being amended once, the resolution was adopted with the

JOSHUA DY ELEVAZO

body seconding with the motion being led by the UPD CMCSC. The seventh resolution which called all student councils to conduct Basic Masses Integration (BMI) in peasants' communities and Kampuhan was presented by the UP Mindanao SC, being immediately adopted by the UPD College of Education SC and approved via consensus.

The eighth resolution of the day was presented by the UPM CAS SC which urged all SCs to call for a thorough and independent probe on the carnage of Jo Lapira and 14 other martyrs in Nasugbu, Batangas. With almost all councils being in unison in accordance with this resolution, UPLB USC moved to adopt the eighth resolution via consensus as the resolution was approved.

Meanwhile, the ninth resolution was presented by UPLB which enjoined the 45th General Assembly of Student Councils to call for the ouster of President Rodrigo Duterte. The topic, being highly controversial, was met with intense and thorough discussion amongst the councils.

Nonetheless, this was approved as several councils seconded the motion, without being met with opposition.

Lastly, UP Visayas student councils presented the tenth resolution which called for students to fight against tyranny and state-sponsored violence and establish the "Uprise!

UP Rises against tyranny and dictatorship." This resolution was adopted by UPMin and was approved no differently via consensus.

SANGANDAAN L AYA V E R G A R A

TRAINWRECK

Sabi nga ng isang kilalang personahe, dalawang bagay lang ang tiyak sa mundong ito: kamatayan at buwis.

Hindi ko na maalala kung kailan ba nabuhay ang lipunan na walang konsepto ng pagbubuwis—siguro panahon pa ‘yon ng mga taong Tabon—pero simula noong iniluwal tayo mula sa sinapupunan ng inay natin hanggang sa panahon na ihihimlay na tayo sa huling hantungan natin, sinusundan na tayo ng buwis.

Kung makakaabot man tayo sa susunod na buhay, panigurado, may buwis pa rin sigurong naghihintay roon na bayaran natin. Minsan ang sarap lang baguhin nung kasabihan. Mas angkop pa ata ‘yung “death is temporary, but taxes are eternal.”

Sa inabot ng kaunlaran ng sibilisasyon natin, dinikdik na sa kukote natin kung gaano kahalaga ang buwis. Ginagamit daw ‘yun para sa pagpapabuti ng serbisyo publiko na ipinagkakaloob sa atin ng gobyerno. Sa mundo ng mga dapat ay marapat lang nilang gawin ‘yon.

Pinagpawisan at iniyakan natin ang bawat kaltas sa sahod para lang sa income taxes.

Nilunok ang urong-sulong at taas-babang presyo ng bilihin na nakakaapekto sa palagiang VAT na likas nang binabayaran kahit ng mga bata mula sa grade school.

Subalit laking kabalintunaan din, na sa dinami-dami at limpak-limpak na bayarin, nauuwi lang lagi tayo sa serbisyo publikong tingi-tingi. Nagtitiis sa siksikan at sirang pasilidad ng pamantasang laging inaatake ng budget cuts. Pumipila simula madaling araw hanggang abutin na ng dilim sa publikong ospital na hindi sapat ang equipment, ward, o lakas-tao para tugunan ang ating pangangailangan. At madalas, iniinda rin ng ating puwitan ang bako-bakong daan habang paulitulit na pinaiikot ang mantrang ito sa utak natin: this is where our taxes go.

Kung kaya’t nang malaman ko na pagpasok ng taon ay delubyo at krisis sa buwis ang madadatnan natin, mas ginusto ko pang magpasagasa sa literal na tren kesa mabigwasan nitong bagong pakana ng gobyerno. Malaki na ang kinakaltas at binabayaran ng mamamayan bago ito inimplementa, pero sa depensa ng magaling na administrasyon, kinukulang pa rin. Minsan mapapatanong ka na lang: saan ba napupunta ang pinagpapaguran sa loob ng walo o higit pang oras? Kung tunay ngang napupunta sa taumbayan, bakit napakarami pa rin ang nanlilimahid?

At bakit, kahit sa batas na ito, ay mas manlilimahid pa ang mayorya?

Napakaraming tanong ngunit iisa lang ang kasagutan. At sa pagtumbok sa sagot na ‘to, magsisimulang umusbong ang galit.

IPINAGPATULOY SA P.5

OPINION

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9 JAN. 17, 2018

BIANCA PARAISO

UTAK, PUSO, ATBP.

ERIN CAMYL VELAZCO ALVIAR

I still remember the first time I failed an exam when I entered UP. It was the dreaded subject of Math 11, which was taught by a professor that would average grades of dos (2.0) among most of the students he taught. Studying all those nights and skipping block hangouts to try to understand the topics seemed futile. Once I received my score, I saw a 28/65 on my first departmental exam.

Having graduated with honors in high school and being the first in my immediate family to go to the majestic University of the Philippines, I thought I was too stupid to belong.

Looking back at my first ever semester in college, I spent countless hours forcing information in my head. The subtle competition in my block made me believe I had to be on top. Everybody seemed to feel that way, especially some of the other girls who would cry at 1.75’s and secretly form study groups.

As the next semesters rolled in, I found myself getting angry at my 1.5’s, secretly resenting my blockmates who would score 1.0’s. In the process of trying to beat them all, I worked to the

top until I reached second. Yet, second in the block was not enough. By this time, I had lost myself. My other block mates transferred to UP Diliman, I had no friends, and college became more of a nagging chore than anything else.

When I was unsure of the outcome of my grades, I told my father not to expect.

The masses have given color to my life, and my heart grows larger for my passions everyday.

“Your grades are like a photograph.

They can only capture an image of you, they’ll never be able to describe who you are. Just because your grades are bad doesn’t mean that you are a failure as a person.”

He was right. Why was I suffering for numbers on a paper? How could I have let scores define me as a person?

So, I stopped trying. I didn’t study myself to satiety. I joined a student publication, a mass organization, and

INTERLUDE

Unfortunately, he cannot find a way out of the cycle.

He stepped down to only realize that he was on an island: deserted, miniscule, unnoticeable. Darkness crunched the vastness of the sky.

this person worthy of being rewarded for his struggles. He has fought tooth and nail, hasn’t he? To stand as proud as he is right now, he should’ve used any means necessary to fight.

Swords, bows, or axes should have come into your mind. Nothing of the sharp or deadly sort was wielded. He only had to

As much as UP has taught me to become steadfast with my work, life consists of much more than feeding an ambition that leaves you tired. My principles and my art have fed my soul much more than the undying need to be “smart”. The masses have given color to my life, and my heart grows larger for my passions everyday.

In twenty years, I hope to be looking at my college life as something that didn’t consist of studying until I received an award, but one that helped me discover the true calls of my heart.

Instead of a single photograph, my memories would live like a multifaceted jewel, filled with memories of the people I have served and loved.

HORMES

ANONYMOUS

The exterior surface presents a highly functioning human being. He seems ready for yet another battle. As a matter of fact, the scars on his body might give off the mental image of him triumphantly toppling mountain after mountain of circumstances. It is an interesting sight, really, for people see

I began to explore my artistic side. My days consisted of making more friends, educating myself about agrarian reform, and producing content for people to enjoy. I watched my ranking on the block fall down to fourth, but my heart soar to the top. I used to dream of being smarter than the rest, but doing what I loved was more than enough.

use his teeth. It could tear and grind, yes, but he only had to do one thing above all.

He only had to smile. Thank the heavens he can still do this, along with some humor—albeit usually dark and “cheerfully nihilistic”. Otherwise, he would have succumbed to battles he could have lost over and over again.

A vicious cycle keeps him from marching on. On his end, it is quite disappointing that he has only realized this just recently. However, the epiphany struck not his skin but his heartstrings, his socalled Achilles’ heel. The heartstrings played a melody that signaled his life about to come crashing down upon him, like a hundred-foot tower struck in half by lightning. His body was standing proud, yet his Titanic ship for a heart sank deep enough to behold no light again. Heck, he was like Elpis at the bottom of the pithos with his inner demons confining around him.

Ominous ruminations keep his mind, heart, and soul in a tight bondage. The

routines of a monotonous life haunt him with a constant reassurance, telling him that soon enough, the normal would seem different. That would only happen if he waited. At least, that’s what he thought. His body tells him to do otherwise because such a mindset would only leave him stagnant indefinitely. He must take action. He has to step down from where he is standing as it could only bear his weight. The proud look on his face remained, for that was all he could ever have at this point.

Unfortunately, he cannot find a way out of the cycle. He stepped down to only realize that he was on an island: deserted, miniscule, unnoticeable.

Darkness crunched the vastness of the sky. In its midst, all he could do was smile. He made sure to smile so radiantly that it would outshine the sun hiding beyond the darkness. Soon enough, he thought, that someone somehow would follow his beacon and guide him home.

That was his first step.

VOLUME 31 • ISSUE 9

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

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

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

LAYOUT Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan

ILLUSTRATION Justine Vince Amanca De Dios

THE COVER

HE COUNTRY WELCOMED THE new year with a blast – in prices of commodities brought by the enacted tax reform approved with a vote of 246-9-1. The Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) aims to be a fairer taxing system that will lighten the burden of those part of a lower social status. TRAIN will result to higher incomes due to the lowering of income tax and adjustments to the Value Added Tax (VAT) and excise tax. After all, they will benefit more from the projects that the taxes will fund. However, this is not the case.

Duterte has been firm that in his administration, change is to come.

He has been true to his word - from declaring war on drugs, martial law, and now changing the taxing system.

TRAIN is part of the Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) approved

by Duterte. In line with this, TRAIN will not only increase 99% of the population’s earning due to the income tax cut, but would also provide cash transfers for them. The problem with this is that minimum wage earners, the largest proportion, will not benefit from this for they are exempted from paying income tax but they are subject to the excise tax that would affect the prices of commodities. The richest 1%, on the other hand would have at least 100,000 - 300,000 more from their income along with other tax gains. Furthermore, middle-income earners would shoulder additional burden from the excise tax and the removal of tax deductions from their income. It is assumed that the people would earn more with this tax reform but with careful analysis, it is apparent that this tax reform is anti-poor.

The poor will pay more for basic commodities and services due to excise tax, without having an increase in their earnings. The excise tax increased LPG prices by 3-6 pesos per liter while 7-10 pesos per liter on regular and premium.

LPG is commonly used for cooking, along with increased oil process comes the increase on the prices of commodities where oil and gasoline is used such as electricity and transportation. In addition, VAT only exempts persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens. That’s another 12% tax targeted to the poor. The sugarsweetened beverage tax would increase the process of these beverages such as soda and coffee for 10-20 pesos per liter.

TRAIN is a tax reform that benefits the rich not only by increasing their incomes and having less income tax,

ABIGAIL BEATRICE MALABRIGO

E D I T O R -I N - C H I E F Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua

College Editors Guild of the Philippines

EDITORIAL 11

T

JAN. 17, 2018

WRECK but also by the inheritance tax, donor’s tax, and corporate income tax. It was said that by lowering the rich’s income tax, they would save up to 927 billion pesos. The poor would never be affected by the lowering income and donor’s tax for most of them will not inherit and donate something for they are lacking – these changes are just targeted for the rich. Additionally, the reduction of corporate income tax would pave way for more companies, may it be a foreign oligarchy or local, to invest and eventually rule and abuse the country.

In lieu of this, the rich are earning more but paying less while the poor earn less but pays more, not even the cash transfers planned would cushion

It

country for the prosperity of its citizens, the state must let go of its oppressive policies towards the poor. By using a tax system, in a nurturing manner instead of an exploitative one, the country grows in a process that is beneficial to all its members. The new tax law should serve the Filipino masses who really work hard for survival in this tyrannizing society.

Government projects, programs, and policies that were formulated and implemented because of the tax of the people should go directly to them to alleviate the people from poverty and not to drown them there.

Every Filipino people, by simply being citizens of this nation and individuals in this world, do have the right to charge

is only when continuous, dominant, and collective

actions are done does the state recognize calls and campaigns of its people; the burden of fighting for a

Filipino masses is the duty of all the people of the country. taxation system that will certainly serve the

the costs that the poor will bear. The projects such as Build, Build, Build, is planned to be funded by this reform but that will not guarantee that the poor will benefit from these projects.

The rich should be taxed accordingly because they earn a lot and continue to earn more. If Duterte would really want change, then he should start by disabling anti-poor policies.

Now and then, the tax system in the Philippines continues to be a mere representation of the fascist state’s motives for managing the common interests of the elite – to be richer and richer, at the expense of the toiling masses. TRAIN, as we can all notice, further widens the gap between the rich and the poor, thus, coercion takes place in this level again, giving the poor the double burden of oppression.

As the Philippines aspires to be a better

the state for every centavo of tax they pay under this dubious tax system. Like food and shelter, economic stability of every Filipinos is a vital part of the citizens’ existence because this is a path for both progress of the country and preservation of every people’s dignity. It is, then, the job of the state to ensure the safety of the people’s rights from being harmed – a sadly ironic idea because of the country’s current situation.

As fellow Filipino citizens, it is an obligation to speak up and move with our subjugated compatriot, not because it is dictated to do so, but because there exists a worthy end goal, which is the collective betterment of all. It is only when continuous, dominant, and collective actions are done does the state CONTINUED ON P.9

CYNESS EDWARD FERGUS ULANDAY RESUELLO DIBUHO NI MARIE ANGELU DE LUNA PAGOBO

Sa Harap Ko’y Kompyuter, Sa Likod Ko’y Madla Noong 2013, nanalo ng isang milyong dolyar ang koponan ng Natus Vincere sa The International, ang pinakaunang Dota 2 tournament sa kasaysayan. Kasisimula ko lang maglaro ng Dota noon, pero mula noon, alam ko nang gusto ko rin mapanalunan ang TI. At ngayon, nandito ako sa backstage ng Key Arena sa Seattle, napakalapit na sa aking hangarin. Sumisigaw ang madla sa pananabik.

Hinuhulaan ng mga commentator at analyzers kung ano ang mga susunond na pangyayari.

Ako raw ang unang lalabas. Ako raw kasi ‘yung star player, ‘yung pinakasikat. Paglabas, tinginan ang mga tao. Kawayan, ngitian, pero dapat astigan din ang dating. Angasan, ngisian, kumpiyansa dapat. Finals na kaya dapat magpakabida, kaya dapat magpakadakila.

Naiinip na ako. Gusto ko nang makahawak ng mouse at keyboard, at magsuot ng headset.

Gusto ko nang maglaro at dumurog ng mga bano—ng mga bobo at walang dating. Gusto ko nang patunayan na ako ang pinakamagaling.

Gusto kong maipakitang mali ang lahat ng nagduda sa ‘kin. Gusto kong patunayan na kaya ko rin magtagumpay. Tutal, palagi naman akong isang kabiguan para sa iba.

Hindi ko naman kasi alam kung paano ka gaganahan mag-aral kung sinusuka mo ang kursong pinilit lang sa ‘yo. Hindi ko rin alam kung ano pa bang ibang libangan ang mayroon kung halos wala namang nais makipagkaibigan sa’yo, at ‘di ko alam kung ano pang gagawin kung iba ang sinisigaw ng puso mo.

Masyadong bobo dahil nahihirapang makasabay sa klase—para bang sa grado mo nakabatay ang buong pagkatao mo—e, o ‘di naman kaya’y masyadong kakaiba, masyadong weirdo kasi bihirang magsalita, kung minsan pa nga’y tango at yuko lang ang alam na isagot. ‘Yan ang tingin nila sa ‘kin, guro man o kamag-aral.

Pareho lang din sa bahay. Kung hindi isa’t isa ang sinisigawan ng mga magulang ko, ako naman ang binubulwayan. Sayang lang daw ang perang pinang-aaral sa akin. Sinasayang ko lang daw ang oras ko kakalaro at linoloko ang sarili sa pangarap kong maging isang pro gamer. Wala daw pera dito, walang kinabukasan. Naaadik lang raw ako sa laro.

Walang alam sa pakikipagkapwa. Walang talento. Walang kwenta. ‘Yan daw ako.

Pero hindi tuwing nagdo-Dota ako. Dota ang inuuwian ko’t binabalik-balikan, at ito rin unang pinupuntahang kaibigan.

Ang saya kasi ng laro. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam na superyor ka sa lahat ng bagay—kunwari’y may iba’t iba kang kakayahan at kapangyarihan. Ang sarap makadaig ng kalaban, tuwing napapatay mo sila o nawawasak ang base nila. Ang sarap tuwing mas nalalamangan mo sila, tuwing alam mong mas magaling ka—tuwing may pakinabang ka ‘t ‘di naging pabigo.

Pero higit sa lahat, ‘yung init at bigat ng laro talaga ang pinakanakapananabik.

Nagkukubli sa likod ng screen ang bawat manlalaro, at sa kasiguraduhan na walang nakakakilala sa ‘yo madalas lumalabas ang yabang ng tao, kaya dito, kahit sino pwedeng magmagaling at magmayabang tuwing nananalo. Siguro ito ‘yung pinakanakakaakit: ‘yung thrill, ‘yung tunggalian ng galing, ‘yung pagtaya at ang pagkamit ng dangal.

Naglaro ako nang naglaro at gumaling din nang gumaling. Pero nasobrahan na rin sa akin ang pamilya ko. Wala na raw akong ginawa kun’di tumitig sa kompyuter.

Pinalayas ako. O ako ba yung lumayas? ‘Di ko na maalala.

Pero naalala ko pa noong may biglang nagPM sa ‘kin sa Facebook. Coach daw siya ng Dota 2 team ng isang eSports company.

Tinanong niya at tinawag sa pangalang ginagamit ko lang sa loob ng Dota, ng birtwal na mundo – sa pangalang hindi ako

hinuhusgahan. Napangiti ako, dahil oo, ako nga ‘yun. ‘Yun ang pangalan ko.

Maraming tumatawa tuwing sinasabi kong pro gamer ako. May ganoong klaseng trabaho raw pala, sasabihin nila.

Tatanungin kung may pera ba talaga sa paglalaro ng computer games o umaasa pa ‘ko sa magulang para lang makapaglaro ako ng video games. Oo, may pera, at marami talaga ang ‘di maniniwala kung ikukwento ko ang halaga ng mga napanalunan namin sa iba’t ibang international tournaments.

Iyon din ang isa sa mga pinang-uudyok sa‘min ngayon ni coach pagkatapos bilinan tungkol sa diskarteng napagplanuhan: ang anim na milyong dolyar na gantimpala.

Tinawag na kami, sinuot ang jacket tinuldukan ng mga logo ng mga sponsor, at naglakad na palabas ng backstage.

Kakalimutan ko sila. Kakalimutan ko silang lahat. Oo sige, tama sila. Adik nga ako.

Pero mali sila sa pagsasabing wala akong mararating. Kakalimutan ko ang lahat ng nagduda at magpapakalunod sa mga hiyaw ng madlang sinisigaw ang pangalan ko.

Ang Umaga Ko’y Laro, Ang Hapon Ko’y Laro Ang simple ng buhay ko dati sa high school. Inikot ko ang mundo ko sa paglalaro ng League of Legends at wala nang iba. Pinag-iisipan ko ‘to sa umaga, at nilalaro sa hapon. Hindi mga turo ng guro ang isusulat sa kwaderno kundi mga gawa-gawa kong magic spell—mga magiging kapangyarihan ko ‘pag naging isang champion ako sa LoL. Napaka-boring naman kasi lagi ng klase. Pati nga mga guro mismo ‘di rin ginaganahan sa pagtuturo. Napakasikip pa ng classroom sa dami namin sa klase kaya ‘di ko rin marinig nang maayos. Iniisip ko na lang na gagamitan ko sila ng silence tuwing papagalitan ako dahil sa binagsak kong mga pagsusulit na ginuhitan ko ng mga karakter sa LoL imbes na sagutan.

Bukod sa walang kwenta na ang klase, napakarumi pa ng buong eskwelahan—

maalikabok ang mga sahig, marurungis pa ang mga palikuran, at kulang pa sa mga kagamitan.

Hindi ko alam kung sino ang gaganahan pang pumasok at magtiis sa ganitong klaseng paaralan, at sa ganitong klaseng edukasyon.

Kung may bagay man akong ikinatuwa sa isang buong araw, iyon ay ang pagtatapos ng klase.

‘Matik na ‘yan, kaya nga kumakaripas ako ng takbo at dumidiretso agad sa computer shop.

Iisipin kong isa ako sa mga assassin na karakter sa LoL habang dinadaanan ang liblib na eskinita kung nasaan ako naglalaro. Kunwari may tinatago ako, kunwari may naghahanap sa ‘kin—o kaya naman ako ang naghahanap.

Minsan naman maglalaro rin ako ng basketbol, pero LoL pa rin ang nasa isip ko. Magkukunwari ako na ako si Yasuo, isang samurai na matulin gumalaw at mahirap depensehan tuwing susubukang maka-score. At pagkatapos, maglalakad ako pauwi — tila ba nangangati ang palad makahawak lang ng katana.

Pagkauwi, ititigil muna ang pantasya, at titiisin ang saway ni inay tungkol sa paglalaro ko. Kung ‘di lang daw napilitang mag-abroad si itay at kung siya’y nandito, matagal na ‘kong nabugbog. Baka pa nga raw napalaki pa sana ako nang maayos. Isa pang masarap gamitan ng silence. Parang kasalanan ko na sa ibang lugar lang siya may pagkakataong mag-farm, may pagkakataong kumita ng kabuhayan. Kapag tumahimik na siya sa kakadada, balik na uli ang isip sa LoL. Kung sana lang pwedeng pumasok sa screen at tumira na lang sa mundo ng LoL at maging isang makapangyarihang nilalang.

Kaya sa huli, naisipan ko na lang maging isang pro gamer. May mga nabubuhay na raw naman sa paglalaro ng video games. Kung ‘di ako mabubuhay sa LoL, lalaruin ko ‘to bilang kabuhayan. Tutal, ayoko rin makulong sa isang nakababagot na trabahong may kapiranggot na sahod. Gusto kong makawala sa masaklap na kapalarang dinaranas ng napakarami sa aming mahihirap.

Hindi rin naman ako makakapagkolehiyo, dahil nagka-stroke si inay. Kung pambayad pa IPINAGPATULOY SA P.5