The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 - Thursday
MGA BIGONG PANGAKO NI DUTERTE, KINONDENA SA INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 05 NEWS
02 NEWS NEWS DOSE:
Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
Peace talks, itinuloy (Part 2/3) Pasismo ng estado, nanatili
ARIES RAPHAEL REYES PASCUA
Ang Partido Komunista ng Pilipinas ay itinitatag ni Jose Maria Sison noong 1968 sa pag-asang makapagtatag ng demokratikong lipunan sa Pilipinas. Ito ay may dalawang sangay; ang Bagong Hukbong Bayan at ang National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Ilang beses nang sinubukang magkaroon ng matagumpay na usaping pangkapayapaan sa loob ng 40 taon at sa ilalim ng limang administrasyon, ngunit walang naging matagumpay sa mga ito. Ang nakaraang bahagi ng News Dose ay naglalaman ng balitang pagbawi ng pamahalaan sa tigilputukan at pagpapahinto ng usaping pangkapayapaan, ngunit ayon sa mga pinakahuling ulat, napagkasunduang muli ang tigil-putukan at ipinagpatuloy ang peace talks sa pagitan ng pamahalaan at NDFP. Sa kabila ng mga balitang ito, ayon sa mga progresibong grupo, patuloy pa rin ang pandarahas ng estado sa mga mamamayan, lalo na sa kanayunan. Sa isang pahayag ng Anakbayan, sinabi ng grupo na simula nang maupo ang Pangulong Duterte, hindi na umano mabilang ang mga kaso ng paglabag nito sa mga karapatang pantao, kaalinsabay ng kaniyang programang war on drugs. Sa pagpapatuloy, noong Marso 9, nagbabala ang Pangulong Duterte na ipapatupad sa kaniyang administrasyon ang Batas Militar sa Mindanao kung sakaling lumala ang kagulohan sa bahaging ito ng Pilipinas. Ang Batas Militar umano ay makakapagbigay kapangyaerihan sa pamahalaan upang makapag-aresto nang walang arrest warrants dahil sa suspensiyon ng writ of habeas corpus. Sa araw ding ito, inutusan ng pangulo ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) na bombahin ang kampo ng New People’s Army (NPA), at ayon sa eksaktong salita ng pangulo, “flatten the hills”. Kaugnay nito, noong Marso 16, nagpaulan ang AFP ng bomba sa Malibcong, Abra. Ayon sa mga ulat, humigit-kumulang walong bomba ang pinaulan ng AFP sa lugar. Samantala, ang pinakahuling kaso ng pasismo ng estado namang naitala ay noong Marso 20. Nagkaroon ng armadong engkwentro sa pagitan ng NPA at mga sundalo sa Sultan Kudarat. Ayon sa mga saksi, ang mga sundalo ay nalagasan ng pitong kasama at walo sa kanila ang sugatan. Matapos nito, ibinaling ng grupo ng militar sa mga residente ng komunidad ang kanilang poot at sinaktan ang mga mamamayan dito. *Abangan ang ikatlong bahagi ng News Dose para sa mga pinakabagong ulat ukol sa usaping pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng NDFP at GRP.
"Following the 4th death anniversary of UPM student Kristel Tejada, student groups demand for the administration to end all neoliberal policies in education. Her parents join the tudent mobilization in the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS)." Photo by Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag
“Affordable Higher Education for All Act” Passes Legislation Numerous Groups Label Act as “Bogus” and “Illusory” ADOLF ENRIQUE SANTOS GONZALES
Senate Bill 1304 (SB 1304) or the “Affordable Higher Education for All Act” passed its final reading on March 13 with 18 affirmative votes. Originally known as the “Free Education Act”, SB 1304 seeks to fully subsidize tuition fees in 112 State Universities and Colleges (SUCs). However, youth groups slammed the bill due to provisions that refute it from being a genuine free tuition policy. “Under the said measure, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) is mandated to manage the 8.3 Billion Peso SUC Tuition Subsidy Fund. The bill states that Filipino students who are currently enrolled or will enroll in SUCs for an undergraduate degree are qualified to avail the full tuition subsidy. However, students who already had a bachelor’s degree and the like, or were dishonorably discharged for HEIs for any reason other than financial incapacitance to pay tuition fees were barred from availing the said subsidy. The bill also mentioned that students who have the capacity to pay will be subject to their SUCs newly crafted mechanism that will make them opt out of the tuition subsidy or donate to the school instead. According to the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP), reverberating talks on free tuition was the product of the decades - long mobilization of the students for a comprehensive and free education.
D eceptive Scheme On the other hand, various groups opposed the said legislation and pointed out several provisions that refutes it as a genuine free tuition policy. For an instance, groups drew similarity between the bill and the University of the Philippines’ (UP) Socialised Tuition Scheme (STS) as the bill mandates SUCs to have a “meritocratic and equitable mechanism” of implementation - the rationale behind UP STS. Thus, Kabataan
Party-list (KPL) Representative Sarah Elago mentioned that the bill will only institutionalize the STS nationwide. She emphasized that the STS only paved the way for fees in UP to skyrocket and thus, hindered access to free education. KPL also showed restraint on the bill’s mandate to provide subsidy for students who will study in private higher educational institutions (HEIs).They said that billions of state funds will only be funnelled to private HEIs which are run by the biggest names in business. Elago also added that the bill only subsidizes tuition fees and does not address the deregulated nature of Other School Fees (OSFs) which can be used for profiteering through redundant, exorbitant and dubious fees. She also criticized the bill’s provision of seeking funding from foreign loans, which she said, is detrimental to local development as the Philippine Education System will be subject to the foreign lenders’ Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs). Lastly, through its Section 12, the bill itself revealed that higher public education is not free. "Malinaw ang ating panawagan: ang libreng edukasyon ay nangangahulugan ng pagpapabasura sa lahat ng bayarin at porma ng paniningil sa mga estudyante kabilang ang STS", emphasized STAND UP.
Pro-Student Provisions On the other hand, bills of the like were also filed on the 17th congress including that of KPL’s HB 4800 or “Comprehensive
Free Public Higher Education Bill”, which aims to grant free college education for students in public HEIs. The said bill pushed for the readmission of drop - outs, the special grant for the financially - disadvantaged students, the introduction of a nationalist, scientific, mass - oriented curriculum, and the abrogation of the tuition system and neoliberal policies in education. Currently, the bill only received support from 28 legislators.
D enied Justice On the date of SB 1304's passing, commemorations of Kristel Tejada’s 4th death anniversary also took place in several UP campuses, and at the gates of CHED. The said protest was led by several organizations including UP Minggan, Anakbayan and Agham Youth. The said organizations pointed out that schemes like the STS pushed Tejada, and 5 others to take their lives. In line with these, mass organizations called on the students to fight for the abolition of neoliberal policies robbing the Philippine Education system like the K to 12 program, STS, Education Act of 1982, and the Higher Education Modernization Act. They also challenged Duterte to junk the said policies if he really is willing to heed calls for a free education. Moreover, Anakbayan Engineering - UP Diliman also reiterated that education is a right and a necessity for the country’s national industries and the proliferation of a nationalist, scientific, mass-oriented culture.
NEWS 03
Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
Urban poor families in danger of eviction and harassment in Bulacan Housing rights for the destitute, demanded by groups EUNICE BIÑAS HECHANOVA
In a movement led by the Kalipunan ng Damayang Mahihirap (KADAMAY) also known as “Occupy Bulacan”, over 200 families relocated in over 5,208 unowned units under the National Housing Authority (NHA) in five different sites at Pandi, Bulacan last March 8, 2017. KADAMAY then conducted a protest action in front of the National Housing Authority in Quezon City on March 18. On the same day, families occupied the idle units under the Philippine National Police (PNP) housing project in Bocaue Hills. By then, the units covered by the urban poor in Bulacan increased to 8,500. At the same time, these groups also demanded that the Duterte government continue the peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP). Despite the presence of 52,341 housing units ready for use nationwide, NHA reported that only 8,327 are being used. During the “Occupy Bulacan” movement, about 10,000 of vacant units were inhabited by the urban poor. NHA quipped that the unoccupied units will be granted to beneficiaries, implying that they are already owned.
Inaccessible Services “Agencies who criticize this campaign are those who have miserably failed in providing housing services and in ensuring that processes are fast and units are affordable and accessible. These government agencies have turned housing into a profit-making scheme”, asserted Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay. Palabay furthered that housing is another avenue wherein privatization is promoted by the government, wherein the private corporate firms extract profit from the poor. “Housing units being provided through the National Housing Authority have poor and unlivable quality, are too costly for the urban poor, and/or very far from
workplaces. With the high rate of unemployment and underemployment in the Philippines, most of the urban poor are employed in the so-called informal sector, which does not afford them any social insurance or legal guarantees”, contended Palabay. “This campaign is the urban poor’s response to neoliberal policies that rid them of their access not just to housing, but all social services”. In line with this, Kabataan Partylist Sarah Elago related the concern of insufficient regular jobs and contractual labor which burden the people and adds housing as a problem for them. “ We find it ironic that these settlement areas remain unoccupied, for years even, while thousands of urban poor workers and peasants suffer in inhumane, vulnerable conditions”, Elago said. Consequently, Secretary General of KADAMAY Carlito Badion reiterated that the urban poor continue be robbed of housing rights. “Even the law states that the poor must have decent housing”, emphasized Badion. “If anything, the people who should be punished are government and housing officials whose corruption, negligence and adherence to neo-liberal policies have led to massive homelessness and idle housing”. Badion also brought up the documented report of NHA, wherein a meager 13% of around 60,000 housing units for AFP and PNP personnel were owned and used. This situation, remarked Badion, was caused by the lack of appropriate conditions for housing projects in the area and insufficient opportunities for work.
Opposing Directives
In line with this, Kabataan Partylist criticized the harassment of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the private guards on the people from KADAMAY. Aside from this, the guards blocked the transport of food and supplies for the occupants of the units.
Sa ‘di mawala-walang burgesya at pasismo, laging nauuna ang pansariling interes ng mga matatakaw sa kapangyarihan. Natural na lamang sa kanila ang dumikit sa kung sino ang sa tingin nila’y kauri at kapag nasipsipan na niyang parang linta ay hahanap na ng bagong kakampi. Dahil sa makitid at inidbidwalistikong pananaw ng mga nasa naghaharing-uri, sila ang higit na nag-aagawan ng posisyon sa pamahalaan. At sinoman sa kanila ang manungkulan, ang mahihirap ang laging talo at papasan sa bigat ng pagiging makasarili ng mga nasa itaas.
Kapit Bisig
In a press conference at the Malacañang following the “Occupy” campaign, President Rodrigo “Digong” Roa Duterte expressed that KADAMAY and their members should observe obedience to the law. “If you want to ignore the law, you cannot do that. I will force the issue with eviction”, he stated.
Ang palaka, kapag nilagay sa tubig na unti-unting umiinit ay mamamatay. May kakayanan ang palaka na tumalon upang makatakas sa oras na maramdamang mainit na ang tubig. Ngunit bahagyang nasasanay ang katawan sa palala’t palubhang sitwasyon. Kaya naman, kapag umabot na sa pagkulo ang tubig ay ubos na rin ang lakas para lumaban.
Following this, Palabay mentioned the issues on Duterte’s Oplan Tokhang and Double Barrel, which incited state violence against the poor. “We remind this government that poverty is not a crime, and eradicating poverty is not tantamount to eradicating the poor. We likewise challenge the government to seriously undertake long-term and rehabilitative programs that will lead to a life of dignity for the Filipino people,” Palabay conveyed.
Sa bawat pagpalit ng administrasyon, tila ba papataas ang temperatura ng tubig. Sobrang legit tuloy ng global warming na nagmimistulang impyerno na ang Pilipinas sa sagad-sagarang init, damay pati political climate. Paano ba naman, ilang lider na ang nakalipas, ilang pangako na ang pinanganak at pinako, at nananatili pa ring bulok ang sistema. Pinagpasa-pasahan na nang ilang dekada ang mga problemang ‘di pa rin nasosolusyunan at patuloy na binibigo ang masa.
Furthering Awareness The University of the Philippines Manila University Student Council (UPM USC) conducted a two-day basic masses integration (BMI) activity with the participation of environmental and progressive organizations in UPM including Agham Youth and Minggan. With this, it was planned to shed light on the conditions of the urban poor families currently residing at the units in Pandi, Bulacan. “Decent housing, along with other public utilities like water, electricity, is a basic social service that must be provided by the government to its constituents, whose access must not be barred by high prices, interest rates, deregulation, and neglect”, Agham Youth indicated in a statement. “Thus, we call on the Filipino youth to stand in solidarity with #OccupyBulacan in their call to junk anti-poor and neoliberal policies. We must collectively fight for massoriented housing, social services and regular jobs and decent wages for the poor”, pronounced Kabataan Partylist. government. She urged students to strengthen the collective campaign to purge the system that afflicts the masses.
"Militant groups join KADAMAY in a program in front of the National Housing Authority (NHA) to vilify the anti-poor policies under the government". Photo by Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino
BUNONG BRASO FROM P.12
“CEGP joins the youth in their call for a free public education and the immediate junking of neoliberal policies”, Callueng affirmed. “We will join the fight of youth and student groups across the country to assert our right to a free education that is nationalist, scientific and mass oriented through these kinds of protests”.
Limited supply lang ang pasensya kaya kapag naging husto na ang pang-aabuso, kapag naipon, napikon, at napuno na ng galit ang mga tao, natural na natural ay matututong mag-alsa ang masa. Ngunit ang paglaban ay nasusuklian ng karahasan ng mga nakatataas sapagkat sa lipunang pinaiikot ng mga bagay na may katumbas na pera, kung saan ang mga tao ay nahahati base sa kanilang pinansyal na kakayanan, malamang na ang mga nasa tuktok ay gagawin ang lahat, kasama na ang dahas, upang mapangalagaan is na mabawasan ang nag-aaklas sa kung sino man ang namumuno, itinatampok sa mga tao na maganda at mabango ang mga bagong proyekto. Maging sa plataporma pa nga lang kapag eleksyon, mas nakakapukaw nga naman kasi ng botante kapag pinangakuan mo sila ng kaginhawaan. Ang bawat galaw ng mga nakatataas ay binibihisan upang magmukhang maka-masa pero sa katunayan ay nananatiling api ang mahihirap at ninakawan ng karapatan. Mukha mang walang hangganan ang pait ng pasismo, kapag naubusan na ng aangkinin at nangalit na ang sambayanan, kasabay na maililibing ang pagpapaksyon at pang-aalipin sa lipunan. Ang nagpapatakbo sa makina ng pasistang estado ay ang ating pagiging pasibo — ang ating pagpapahintulot sa pagyurak nito ng ating mga karapatan. Kinakailangan nating umaklas mula sa sistema at baklasin ang mga nagtataasang pader nitong tinatakpan ang buong kabuktutan nito. Nararapat nating mapagtanto na tayo ay pinakamalakas sa panahong pilit tayong pinahihina ng estado, at ang lakas na ito ay dapat gamitin upang tuldukan ang pasismo at mga salot sa lipunan.
04 NEWS
Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
Congress approves death penalty in landslide vote
Decision sparks outrage from youth groups ANTON GABRIEL ABUEVA LERON
After its third reading last March 7, the House of Representatives passed the death penalty bill in a 216-54 vote with 1 abstention. The passing of the bill marks the reinstatement of capital punishment in the country after it was previously suspended in 2006 by virtue of Republic Act (RA) 9346.
Watered Down Policy Since late January, the bill’s sponsor, Oriental Mindoro Representative and Justice Committee Chairman Reynaldo Umali, had expressed his eagerness to fast track the bill’s approval in Congress. “This is on top of our priority because the priority was given by no less than the President on the matter,” added Umali. In the original iteration of the bill, the list of crimes punishable by execution included 20 offenses. Notably, the list included a variety of crimes such as planting illegal evidence, drug possession, kidnapping, and carnapping. However, the House Majority bloc introduced a substitute death penalty bill on February 20 which deemed only 4 offenses worthy of capital punishment – plunder, treason, rape, and drug-related offenses. On February 20, the House chose to further reduce the list of punishable offenses so that it only included drug-related offenses. When asked why the other offenses were removed, Umali explained that the move was done so that the lawmakers could more quickly reach an agreement regarding the contents of the bill.
"The UPM USC conducted a protest action at the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) to oppose the forwarding of the death penalty bill into law". Photo by Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino
Outraged Public Numerous organizations responded to the bill’s passing by swiftly denouncing the move. For Anakbayan National Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo, the re-implementation of the death penalty was indicative of the growing fascism of the Duterte administration.
“Ultimately the death penalty is simply another instrument to sow terror and silence dissent. That plunder is excluded from the bill is very telling of the "It is more of getting the consensus way death penalty is directed of the group. It became easier primarily against the poor, the when we limited it to just one dispossessed, and the voiceless,” crime," reasoned Umali. stated Crisostomo.
Similarly, the League of Filipino Students (LFS) lambasted the death penalty as a an effort by the administration to cover up their failure to eradicate crime while Kabataan Party-list (KPL) Representative Sarah Elago denounced the death penalty as a move that would only worsen the growing culture of impunity in the country. "Duterte insists on touting death penalty as the 'change' that is coming, while conveniently hiding its irresponsibility and grave negligence in addressing the real roots behind the growing prevalence of poverty and crime, such as contractualization and the worsening neoliberal policies on education and trade," elaborated Elago.
As of press time, the bill is still awaiting its approval in the Senate before it can be handed over to President Rodrigo Duterte to be signed into law.
NEWS 05
Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
Mga bigong pangako ni Duterte, kinondena sa International Women’s Day LEAH ROSE FIGUEROA PARAS
Bilang paggunita ng International Women’s Day nitong Marso 8, nanawagan ang libo-libong kababaihan, kabataan, at militante sa gobyerno upang panagutin si Pangulong Duterte sa kaniyang mga bigong pangako at pagsasawalang-bahala sa kapakanan ng taumbayan.
"In remembrance of the People Power Revolution over 31 years ago, groups condemned state fascism and the looming threat of Martial Law under the current administration. Aside from this, the groups also commemorated the people's collective action that lead to the collapse of the Marcos regime in 1986". Photo by Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino Sa pangunguna ng Gabriela partylist, nagmartsa mula Mendiola patungong Liwasang Bonifacio ang mga kalahok kung saan idinaos ang mga programang bumabatikos sa mga pasistang polisiya ni Duterte partikular na ang anti-poor “war on drugs” na kumitil na ng halos 8,000 at ang “all-out war” laban sa mga rebolusyonistang kilusan na bumibiktima sa mga aktibista at sibilyan.
Karapatang Isinantabi Batay sa ulat ng Kabataan partylist, mula nang ideklara ang all-out war sa ilalim ng Oplan Kapayapaan noong Pebrero, 15 aktibista at sibilyan na ang pinaslang ng puwersa ng militar at kapulisan habang libo-libong magsasaka at pesante ang sapilitang pinaalis sa kanilang mga komunidad. Umabot na rin sa 30 ang bilang ng mga bagong bilanggong politikal kung saan kabilang si BAYAN Metro Manila officer Ferdinand Castillo.
“Kumapit si Duterte sa Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) para mapagtibay ang kaniyang kapangyarihan, bagay na nagdulot ng mabilisang pagwawakas ng usaping pangkapayapaan habang pinahihintulutan ang presensiya ng militar ng US sa pamamagitan ng EDCA at VFA”, ani Sarah Elago, kinatawan ng Kabataan partylist. Ipinahatid din ng mga grupo ang kanilang mariing pagkondena sa pagpapasa ng House Bill 4727 sa Kongreso, na naglalayong ibalik ang death penalty para sa mga krimeng kaugnay ang droga. Ikinababahala ni Elago na ang mabilisang pagpasa ng panukala bilang isang “all-out offensive” sa taumbayan. “Duguan ang kamay ng pasistang rehimeng Duterte. Kailangang labanan ng mga Pilipino ang all-out war at pasismo at manatiling listo sa paglalaro ng pangulo sa planong muling ibalik ang martial law, death penalty, mandatory ROTC, at ang mapang-abusong Philippine
Constabulary”, dagdag pa ni Elago. binatikos din nila ang nakaraang pagpasa ng isang huwad na free education bill na maihahanlintulad sa kasalukuyang Socialized Tuition System ng UP at inaasahang sisiguro lamang sa pribadong kita ng malalaking kapitalista-edukador.
Lumalalang Kalagayan Ayon sa kalihim ng Gabriela Joms Salvador, bigo si Duterte na paunlarin ang buhay ng kababaihan sapagkat sa halip na tuldukan ang kontraktuwalisasyon at mamahagi ng lupa sa mga magsasaka, mas pinakinggan ng pangulo ang interes ng kaniyang mga neoliberal na tagapayo sa gabinete. Sa pagpapatupad ni Pangulong Duterte ng mga polisiyang neoliberal, nagbabadyang bumaba ang sahod ng mga manggagawa, maabuso ang demokratikong karapatan ng mamamayan, at magkakamal ng mas malaking kita ang malalaking negosyo at dayuhang korporasyon.
A GAME OF THRONES FROM P.10 It is merely an escalation of the war on drugs, a war waged against the poor and defenseless on the streets while the rich and powerful drug lords live lavishly inside their cells. A travesty, that’s what it truly is. To add insult to injury, the House supermajority decided that it was the best to punish those who voted against the death penalty by effectively removing them from their current positions. The politics of Westeros has truly made its way here. But unlike in that fictional land, there are no Children of the Forest or fire-breathing dragons to liberate and save us. No, that is something we must do ourselves. That is something we must unite and stand up for. Because if we don’t, when it comes to winning or dying, then we’re headed for the latter. I think Daenerys said it best: we shouldn’t turn the wheel, we should break the wheel. I’ll catch you next time.
Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
06 FEATURES
HAPPILY NE
Analyzing the Reality of in the P
MIKA ANDREA OCAMPO RAMIREZ AND ANNA YSABELLA CULATA YAO Fooled by the pretense of struggle-free lives and fairytalelike happy endings, women are constantly burdened by the struggle to rise above the impunity imposed upon by violence against them. Violence against women (VAW) is more than just the abuse that women face; in fact, it is a clear testament to the imbalance of power between men and women. It is the medium by which the patriarchy tramples upon women’s liberties and rights through various forms of abuse, may it be physical, sexual, or psychological. Violence against women is a war being fought by women that endangers them and puts them in the frontlines globally. In the Philippines alone, the last few years have borne witness to a significant increase in the number of documented cases of crimes committed against women. Despite numerous laws and
policies in place that seek to defend women’s rights, Filipina women continue to be oppressed by the abuses of not just their perpetrators, but of an inadequate justice system that has failed in its promise of true gender equality.
The Truths The oppression against women in the country has constructed an inescapable reality in which they have become easy targets for commodification, prostitution and objectification. The Philippines has long been known as a hotspot for human trafficking, and consequently, prostitution. In a report from the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime, the Philippines is ranked high in terms of human trafficking incidences. One of the most lucrative industries in the country, cases of human trafficking are commonly seen in stories of women from brothels and beerhouses. Statistical reports estimate that the number of prostituted women in the country ranges from 600,000 to 800,000. Majority of these women come from the provinces, some of which are lured and trapped under false pretenses. With illegal recruiters promising secure employment in the city, girls rush to seize the opportunity and alleviate their impoverished lifestyles. However, things took a dark turn when they finally arrived to see that the offered jobs weren’t those of waitresses or domestic helpers, but as sex workers.
Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
FEATURES 07
EVER AFTER
f Women’s Rights Struggles Philippines ILLUSTRATION BY JAZMINE CLAIRE MARTINEZ MABANSAG With no one to help, women are forced into a lifetime of selling their bodies. Most victims of sex trafficking compose of people from war-torn communities, typhoon-stricken places, and impoverished families. While some may have fallen victim to false promises, others have deliberately chosen prostitution as their line of work, driven by the desperation to survive the country’s harsh conditions. At present, the Internet has become another means to an end, with online prostitution on the rise. Ironically, despite the technological advancements that have improved the prostitution industry, its opposition—the government—shows no signs of progress. While it continues to condemn prostitution as a heinous crime and to enact laws against it, the stagnant and enduring presence of the industry in the country highlights the government’s inefficiency to counteract it. It is common that, when talking about prostitution, much of the focus is centered on the more salacious and sensational aspects of the cases. The underlying factors behind prostitution, such as the lack of job security or opportunities, remain unresolved and overlooked. Thus, at the expense of abused and violated women, the industry remains alive, rich, and prosperous. In the end, the government has proved itself inefficient in enacting prowomen directives due to its ingrained misogynistic tendencies, its unjust fixation on generating income from lucrative industries, and its sheer incompetence in providing for all its constituents. In addition to the shackles of prostitution that perpetuate the inferiority of women in society, the perils o f
violence against women and girls extend even into digital and virtual spaces. While social media has brought new avenues for selfexpression, this freedom has also been abused by many, inflicting inescapable dangers on women online. Anonymity has led to a greater confidence in objectifying women, regardless of her age, race, social status, or even educational attainment. This ability to victimize women anonymously powers predators who consider everything they see in their environment as their prey. In the digital realm, violence against women is usually done in the form of catcalling and slut-shaming. Recent years have seen the rise of cases of catcalling and slut-shaming, but even if their prevalence is more observed in the virtual world, they exist even more persistently in the real world. These issues spare no woman from being its next victim. Evidently, any woman is prone to the dangers of objectification. One incident which exposes the severity of these acts of objectification is that of the case of student Anne Nicole Castro, who had been the target of online sexual harassment after a photo of her protesting at a rally against the burial of the late dictator and Former President Ferdinand Marcos at the Heroes’ Cemetery surfaced on social media. Castro was catcalled by netizens, who were mostly men, and
became yet another female to receive countless of perverse comments online. The recent treatment of Sen. Leila De Lima is another example of unwarranted, and given the context, unrelated slut-shaming on women. During the hearings against her alleged drug trade involvement, senators and prosecutors betrayed protocol and feasted on her alleged sex tape controversy instead of focusing on the real issue at hand. These scenarios depict the reality that respect for women is not being given, but is undermined instead. Worthwhile aspects such as political stances or educational attainment are overlooked, and even professionalism is not a factor in the equation. The primary concern that surrounds these issues is that these only perpetuate the culture of sexism, as modern-day society becomes reminiscent of its barbaric predecessors, finding glee in trampling on women who show any sign of dominance. Catcalling and slut-shaming do not merely equate to personal attacks, but they serve as punishment for women when they do not conform to their “traditional and submissive” gender roles. More than just being verbal and emotional abuse, these acts of objectification perpetuate the inferiority of women and further impose the double standards that they are burdened with. It is grounded on the perverse notion that men are always better than women, and that men alone have the right to be the dominant gender. These facts alone only further justify the need to put an end to the oppression of women. Since VAW occurs in a variety of platforms, solutions that address issues like these need to be more concretized.
The Betrayals Aside from the endless tales of oppression that shroud women’s lives nowadays, legislative measures that perpetuate the culture of sexism and gender inequality still remain ineffective.
Among the various forms of VAW, domestic violence is regarded as one of the most abusive forms of violence inflicted on women. Based on the definition set by the Philippine Commission on Women, domestic violence pertains to the physical, sexual, emotional, or economic violence done against a woman or her child and usually occurs in the home or in the family. With a woman’s husband or partner as the usual perpetrator, acts of domestic violence inflict harm on women in different aspects. Although global reports such as the World Economic Forum’s Gender Gap Report in 2014 regard the Philippines as one of the world’s most gender-fair countries, national statistics reveal otherwise. Even more so, despite the country ranking first among all other Asian nations in terms of women’s economical, educational, health, and political empowerment, the Philippines still has a long way to go before it can consider itself as a truly woman-friendly nation. Results in the National Statistics Office (NSO)’s National Demographic and Health Survey in 2013 reveal that domestic violence is one of the primary reasons for the filing of separation or annulment cases in married Filipino couples. This is due to the fact that more than one-third of the total number of separated or widowed women have been victims of physical violence in which 14.4% of married women have been victims of physical abuse from their husbands, with 8% of married women reported to have experienced physical abuse within the first two years of marriage. With these numbers taken into consideration, it can be noted that CONTINUED ON PAGE 03
08 NEWS
Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
Mga Fulung-Vulungan ng Nagjijisang
ITANONG KAY ISKO’T ISKA
A NINJA-MOM- SAVES-DA- DAY EDISHUUUUN Hayern halooww agen mga afowss kooo! Mwah mwah mwah, yer third-generation mothar izz here agen chew make spluk to yer sumbongsz! Ayern hopefully we hab all sed lyk thank you thank you to all da women in our laybs who hab been derr for uss all!! Lalo na chew our mothars who are alwayz der to save us from kahihiyan! Swertey tologoh nitey si Frappy Kelly dahil na-save siya ng momz!! Harts all around! Lezz lizzen na to dizz sumbongs <3 <3
Ninja-Moda-Moda Sumbong Numbah Wan: Waley-waley iwanan frend ! Hay nakoows, lately I hab heard rants from my afowss sa layf, lalo na huwen da pipolz dey trust da most let them down! I hope I, yer Lola, izzent one of dows!! Pero hayun mostly huwat I hab heard are about, aherm, aherm, pellow iskolar ng bayanzz in da zeym grufo az dem in class! Dey make iwan-iwan zome op deyr gruffmayz to do all da work by
mommah Ms. Kim Jung-a na ready to seyb da day ha anooo.
Ninja-Moda-Moda Sumbong Numbah Chew: Frappy Needz Koffee! Zow, deyrs more moda moda in here!! Omayghad poor afows, so meni stressesnezz in der laybs. Oh huwell. Dizz wan naman izz nat a zumbong, but a chizmaks eggstended by a concerned bb affow. Itzz abawt a few frappies from da DoSleepSoon hu need a drink of koffee! Yezz we underztand dat it izz hard chew be a frappy, at da seym taym pa iba rin ang ginagawa in da hawz nila at fatey naren za ibang stuff dey werq werq werq on! Bb iskows and iskas, dat’s huway yer shud not be meyking pazaway pazaway in clazzez ha! And meyk treat yo frappies soon haahachew. Meyk aral mabuti. If yer are nayz chew yer frappies, dey wud alzow bee nayz chew yuuu <3 Spread harts all around!
no ang masasabi mo sa paglunsad ng militar ngindiscriminate aerial bombings sa kanayunan, at bakit?
Para lang 'tong war on drugs: may mga inosente't mga nananahimik na buhay na nagiging collateral damage. Di ko pa rin lubos maisip na ang walang habas at walang pakundangang pagpatay ang mukhang natatanging means ng gobyerno para maayos ang mga problema ng bansa. - damingpapersayokonapls, 2015, CN Ibig sabihin lamang nito na hindi naman pokus ng militar ang pagpuksa ng mga rebelde o mga kriminal. Ibig sabihin nito na balak lang nilang magpalaganap ng takot at pagkasira sa kanayunan upang mga bigyan ng pressure ang mga aktibista, at ang pagudyok sa members ng NPA na sumuko. Sleepyhead, CAS, 2012
Ako ay nabigla, at nagalit sapagkat hindi karapat-dapat ang ginawa ng militar dahil ito ay abuso sa mga naninirahan sa kanayunan. - F_L_A_C2015-XXX67, College of Arts and Sciences NAKAGAGALIT. LAGI NA LANG AKO GALIT SA MGA BALITA TUNGKOL SA GOBYERNO. - midsemnakayakopaba, 201*, CD Kung tinatraydor lang pala ng gobyerno ang mga Pilipino, para kanino pa siya naninilbihan? - bakasyonnapls, 201*, CAS
Sobrang kupal. Guguluhin, papalayasin, patatahimikin, papatayin, tapos ngayon If yuu need a hug or muwah muwah, bobombahin ang mga tao sa don’t forget chew meyk lafeet chew yer rural? Tapos sasabihin ng AFP na mamazz who are alwayz derr for youu!! pinoprotektahan lang naman nila Lezz meyk avoidanz da moda moda ang Pilipinas? Kaninong interes ba zana. ang tunay na isinusulong ng AFP? - nagtatanong, 2014, CM
demselves! Tapows namarn ay vavalik langz kapag patapos na, sasabiheen fa eyy “Oyy ano nang nangyayari??” Well hay we shud not mang-iwan sa ere!! Hay bakeet nga ba tayo’y iniiwan ng mga taong mahals nateen? Kazee nga hinde kayow chumuchulong za gruffwork!! Yu shud not eggzpk eni greydz or mafanzeen ng prends mo iff yu do dat to dem!!! Dafat til tres do us fart!!! Vuti nalangz zana kung ikaw si
Ninja-Moda-Moda Sumbong Numbah Chewree: K ay TUF nagfafasabi ng Sawree!!
Yezz I heard a zumbongz abawt pipol who want chew meyk zorey zorey, but kennat namern say it direkkly. I kennat brodkasst it here bcozz yuu hab chew do it yer werds namern ehh!! Yuu can alzoo send “sawree” messajes on da popular peyj dat alzo disseminates kuwentows and zoombongs! Vasta do not meyk zarili all yer hinaingz and peyn bb afoows!
Huwaw so dats eet! Go moda moda, check check to self ekspresyuun bb afows! If yuu kennat muster da tapng chew do so, yuu can meyk sumbongs chu yer lola fatola nemern ehh. Meyk Nikki-messaj me nalangs on my feyj dibuuhhh keribells keriboom!
It shows how much fascist our government is. The military continues to rampage in the countryside and cause destruction, harming and taking, many innocent lives as well. This just shows how much the government allows the military to enact state violence and that it is not concerned on how much extent of damage is caused. - Iwokeuplikethis Pasista ang gobyerno. Hindi lang naman sa indiscriminate aerial bombings nailalahad ang ganyang karakter ng gobyerno, pati sa pagintimidate sa mga komunidad at pag-occupy ng kanilang mga pasilidad. --CurrentLEE, CAS
KR
ung ikaw si Professor obert Kelly, ano sa tingin mo ang nararapat na gawin kung na-interrupt ang live interview mo?
Basta maging flexible ka lang throughout the process. Pero hinde
eh, sanay na talaga akong mainterrupt. Okay lang, kaya kong maghintay when it's my turn again. *sobs* - damingpapersayokonapls, 2015, CN Ngingiti at aantayin na matapos ang kung sino man ang nag-interrupt. Titigan ko siyang mabuti at di iimik. Pag di pa siya lumabas sa kuwarto ko, aba eh, wala rin akong magagawa kasi live interview yun. ~Sleepyhead, CAS, 2012 Pagpapasiyahan ko na lamang na magmasid at mag-obserba. F_L_A_C2015-XXX67 College of Arts and Sciences Hayaan na lang. Ganyan naman lagi eh. - midsemnakayakopaba, 201*, CD Tatawa na lang ako para kunwari masaya. Tutal, ‘yun naman ang lagi kong ginagawa ‘pag nasisingitan eh. -bakasyonnapls, 201*, CAS Isasama ko sila sa live interview para hindi naman boring. -professor oschner, 2014, CM Depends on how they interrupt me. If they interrupt to add something useful, I would accommodate them. However, if they interrupt to intimidate, then I would confront them until they burn to ash and laugh at their downfall bwahaha. #pasistadaw -#keepcalmandrant, 2011-8**** Smile : ) Wag nalang patulan. -CurrentLEE, CAS Wala, sanay naman ako hahahaha. -Meowzi Dong Sasayaw din ako kasabay ng anak ko, awra! -Saging Sasabihan ko siya #WENEEDSPACE! -Paracanthurus Hepatus, CAS
ng
Tatakpan ko na lang muna yung camera siguro??? Or iiyak ewan ko ba. -Flowerescence, 2015, CP "Dasal lang talaga" -Jabeejabee, 2013
GRAPHICS 09
Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
HALUKAYIN MO NG TODO
DANIELLE MONTEALEGRE RODRIGUEZ
HAPPILY NEVER AFTER FROM P.07 women are not as protected and the country is not as gender-fair as it claims to be. The age range presented in the survey also presents the alarming truth that any female is essentially doomed to be a victim of VAW at any stage in her life, for VAW haunts its victims with a clear disregard for age and marital status. Domestic violence has become an inescapable reality especially for married women, since they cannot easily file for annulment or separation unless they are backed up by sufficient evidence against their perpetrators. In addition, the rising cases of domestic abuse in the country only strengthens the persistence of the patriarchy, contributing even more to the already large divide in the equality between men and women. Reports from the Philippine National Police (PNP), moreover, disclose that the 23,865 reported VAW cases in 2013 showed a 49.4% increase from the 5,734 reported cases in 2012. What is even more alarming to note is that the data presented in the PNP’s 2013 report has been so far the highest number of reported VAW cases since 1997, and this reveals a 500% increase in VAW cases in the last 16 years. This only points to the country’s regression in achieving gender equality as well as in its failure to formulate more comprehensive and protective measures that could alleviate these circumstances. Even more so, these numbers reflect the government’s failures in executing its mandate to protect its citizens, especially women and children. To address these growing numbers concerning issues on women’s rights, several legislative measures have been taken by the Philippine government throughout the years. A number of laws that seek to ensure the protection of women from all forms of violence have been implemented. However, the government considers R.A. 9262 or the Anti-Violence against Women and their Children (Anti-
VAWC) Act of 2004 to be one the one of the government’s most successful laws in addressing VAW in the Philippines, since it penalizes all forms of abuse and violence within the family and considers VAW as a public crime. Despite the seemingly promising provisions of this law, the Anti-VAWC Act of 2004 still failed to alleviate women’s struggles against VAW, as reported cases under the said Act increased from 218 since its
MANDATE
KYLA DOMINIQUE LACAMBACAL PASICOLAN
enactment in 2004 to an alarming 16,517 cases in 2013. This only points to the reality that any law always looks good in paper, but its true success lies in its proper execution. To compensate for this inadequacy, Philippine legislation enacted R.A. 9710 or the Magna Carta of Women (MCW) in 2009 to continue the combat against VAW. The MCW mandates the State to protect women from all sectors of society from violence. It reaffirms the government’s responsibility to take actions to end discrimination against women and to ensure the equality of men and women. Aside from the implementation of the MCW, several new bills are also passed to strengthen the government’s efforts in battling VAW and to endow women with a stronger backbone in defending their rights. The “Tres Marias” Bill is a trio of legislative bills that include the Anti-Rape Act (Senate Bill No. 1252), the Anti-Sexual Harassment Bill (Senate Bill No. 1250), and the Gender-Based Electronic Violence Act (Senate Bill No. 1251). These bills seek to strengthen existing laws, as well as to criminalize gender-based electronic violence and peer-to-
peer sexual harassment. With these provisions, proponents concur that the “Tres Marias” Bill serves as a response to the growing number of sexual harassment cases done to women both offline and online. Although the Tres Marias Bill is yet to be enacted into law, the said set of bills seem promising to the point that it may as well be a potential and effective solution to the country’s VAW issues. However, the enactment of laws alone shall never be enough to protect the lives and rights of women. Laws and bills can never fully guarantee the protection of women’s rights, for these will remain ineffective and inefficient as long as there are people who continue to violate them. The efficiency of any anti-VAW law will always be compromised whenever the government fails to properly execute them and whenever those in authority perpetuate the stigma imposed upon women. Laws which supposedly seek to protect and uphold women’s rights shall remain futile when oppression, in all of its forms, persists in society. Women can never truly live freely as long as their fundamental rights and dignities continue to be
disregarded and trampled over by societal institutions that bank on the perpetual imbalance of power in society. A society cannot be fully free from violence and discrimination when society continues to enable a system of abuse and oppression. The fight against VAW can only be put to an end when the government no longer offers band-aid solutions, and instead address these problems as mere consequences of the larger, systemic flaw. Prostitution, human trafficking, and sexism can only be abolished when society’s fondness for inequality is revoked. To end the cycle of impunity and oppression against women, the struggle of upholding equality must not be limited to the government’s implementation of stricter laws and regulations, or Filipino women’s louder voices for change. True equality will only be achieved when one no longer benefits from the plights of another, and the oppressed continues to resist its oppression.
10 OPINION Truth Be Told
Mico Cortez A GAME OF THRONES
You win or you die.
That’s the premise of the book series and TV show, Game of Thrones. If you’re like me – that is, a basic millennial – you look forward to seeing the politicking, manipulating, and fighting play out on screen. What’s not as fun is seeing the same dirty, self-serving politics play out in our own Congress. A game of thrones is being played, and it’s the Filipino people who are losing – and losing badly. Past administrations have gone back and forth on the issue of the death penalty. From the time we were under Spanish rule up until the very end of the Marcos dictatorship, death penalty was carried out in various means: firing squads, lethal injections, hanging, and even the silya elektrika. It was then abolished. Then reinstated. Then abolished one more time. And then Rodrigo came along. Oh, Rodrigo. Now, with a supermajority formed by spineless suck-ups, the death penalty seems set on making a return. However, unlike past iterations which included crimes such as theft, the new death penalty focuses on one kind of crime in particular: drug-related offenses. It’s almost funny, if you think about it. After months of condemnation of the extrajudicial killings of drug addicts, actual or not, reformed or not, the government has finally taken steps to end the “extrajudicial” aspect of it. Now, they can be tried in a court of law and killed – legally. But not all that is legal is just. It has been proven over and over again that unless you have money, influence, and popularity (or any combination of those) would ensure that the justice system worked for you. Your complaints would be heard, your hearings would be publicized, and you would get what you were due, whether that would be a fine, some jail time, or an acquittal. Unfortunately, if you diwwdn’t have any of those three, you would join the ranks of many Filipinos waiting endlessly for justice to be served, if it ever does. One of the biggest arguments of those in favor of the death penalty is its purpose as a crime deterrent, as a way of beating criminals into submission with the threat of death. But its focus on drug-related crimes betrays this claim. CONTINUED ON PAGE 05
Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
DESISYON
DAI KA NGANI MAGPUNDO*
SOFIA MONIQUE KINGKING SIBULO
Naranasan mo mapaglaruan?
na
bang
Akala mo ang sinasabi kumanan pero ang totoong daan pala talaga ay pakaliwa. Sa tingin mo ang nakalagay lang tumawid dito; natakpan lang pala yung bawal. Pagkagising mo may hawak ka ng ipis, napatili ka at kinabahan; pinagtripan ka lang pala ng kapatid mo na naglagay ng pekeng ipis sa iyong kamay habang ikaw ay natutulog. Ang text niya nakasakay na ako sa tren pero yun pala ay nagsisipilyo pa lang sa banyo. Ang pagkakaintindi mo sa napag-usapan ninyo ay ala-sais ng umaga pero dumating siya makalipas ang isang oras kasi siya lang nakakaalam ng totoong simula ng sine. Tapos ang lala, akala mo ikaw yung nauna pero ayun pala ay hindi dahil hindi ka mulat o hindi mo tanggap. Masaya ba? Nakatutuwa bang mapaglaruan? Naluluha-luha ka ba at sumasakit ang tiyan katatawa sa mga pagkakataong may mga napaglaruan ka o kahit nasaksihan mo lang? O kahit yung panga mo lang ay nangalay dahil sa tagal nang nakangiti? Akala mo siya na yung perpektong
tao kasi napapangiti ka niya. Sa tingin mo gusto niya ng kaayusan dahil laging nakaligpit nang maayos ang mga gamit niya. Nakasimangot siya sa’yo akala mo nagtatampo yun pala tinatago lang ang totoong saya na nararamdaman. Sa sobrang lagi kayo magkadikit ay lumalagkit na kayo sa isa’t isa. Sa tingin mo ba pambata lang ang paglalaro?
Masaya ba?
Nakatutuwa bang mapaglaruan? Akala mo noong nasa adolescent period ka ay tapos ka na maglaro. Ayaw mo na maglaro, na ang mga laro mo na lang ay yung sports na hilig mo at kung anumang laro sa kung anumang gadyet. Tinakdaan mo na ang pagtatapos nang laruan at laro na lang ang iyong gagawin. Nawalan ka na ng interes sa paglalaro pero hanggang pagbitaw lang pala sa mga laruang manyika o kotse-kotsehan o kung ano pa mang stereotypical na laruang pambata na nabibili sa
MONAD
That opinion is not one that is shared by the powerful. Expressions of truth, justice cannot be commodified. Which is why there are those who only value art that is of a merely shallow beauty, superficially treasuring sculptures and paintings on the basic levels of beauty. Laughing amongst themselves amidst postmodern works that serve no meaning except for their existence. Let me clarify by saying that there is nothing wrong with self-expression as every single individual has the right to speak freely. However, to lounge about surrounded by beautiful aesthetics is decadence that only the upper class enjoys while the shouts of
Masaya naman talaga maglaro. Kasi maaari kang maging sino o ano man ang gusto mo. Puwede kang maging instant superhero na tagapagligtas ng lahat na walang humahadlang sa imahinasyon mo. Puwede mo rin ito gawing kaapi-api ng walang nasasaktan. Pero nang bitawan mo ang mga laruan ay sana natuto ka sa mga naging kalaro mo at may hangganan lang ang mga laruan na kung ibabagsak mo ito ay maaari ding masira o magkulang. Ikaw ang naging tagapaglikha ng mga laruan. Ipagpatuloy mo lang ang paggana ng imahinasyon mo pero sa pagbitaw sa mga laruan at gusto mo pa rin maglaro ay isipin na wala ka nang hinahawakang laruan para pagalawin o paglaruan. Tandaan na sa mundo ng tao ay may mga indibidwal na may sariling pakiramdam at buhay. *ang titulo ay salitang Bicol na nangangahulugan na ‘wag ka ngang tumigil.
ONE AND THE SAME
JOSE PAOLO BERMUDEZ REYES
Nothing is more regrettable than It has always been a firm belief in my mind that artists have a duty to free the masses. Not in the way that puts creatives and intellectuals above everyone else but with an understanding that media in all its forms has the potential to be a powerful emancipatory tool for those who suffer in this society that we live in.
toy store. Noong bata ka kasi kahit anong kuwento o katangian ng laruan ay puwede mong baguhin at takdain dahil wala naman itong buhay.
the oppressed, of the farmers, women and youth that need media now more than ever continue to be drowned out by rising terror and state fascism. The irony of the social responsibility artists have as part of the masses and the purpose society brands on our skins continues to weaken the voice of the Filipino artist as an amplifier for the voice of the
Most
of us begin
with a simple desire
to create, but there
a call to be more than that. When we see people being killed left and right, farmers shot over their needs for land and rice and women and youth being denied their basic social services our hearts should be open to the transformative capabilities that our works can put out. Whether it be to give hope to the weary soul or to spark discourse between the oppressed and the ruling class, we have to continuously realign our personal and political and visual for they are one and the same.
is always a call to be more than that.
common Filipino. This furthers my belief that we should use the freedom that creative privilege grants us to allow our art and media to evolve so as to create a new identity for the country and to give a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves. Most of us begin with a simple desire to create, but there is always
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Volume 30 Number 13 March 30, 2017 | Thursday
T
EDITORIAL 11
he bombs that raze
the ground and the bullets that rain on the rooftops leave fear and destruction in their wake. Alongside this, the threatening shadow of violence falls upon the urban masses, extending its claws to various sectors in society.
E D I T O R- I N- C H I E F Agatha Hazel Andres Rabino A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R F O R I N T E R NA L S Aries Raphael Reyes Pascua A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R F O R E X T E R NA L S Sofia Monique Kingking Sibulo M A NAG I NG E D I T O R Arthur Gerald Bantilan Quirante A S S I S S TA N T M A NAG I NG E D I T O R Adolf Enrique Santos Gonzales NEWS EDITOR Eunice Biñas Hechanova NEWS COR R ESPONDENTS Elizabeth Danielle Quiñones Fodulla Patricia Anne Lactao Guerrero Anton Gabriel Abueva Leron Niña Keith Musico Ferrancol Leah Rose Figueroa Paras Shaila Elijah Perez Fortajada F E AT U R E S E D I T O R Chloe Pauline Reyes Gelera F E AT U R E S C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Justin Danielle Tumenez Francia Liezl Ann Dimabuyu Lansang Jennah Yelle Manato Mallari Marilou Hanapin Celestino C U LT U R E E D I T O R S Josef Bernard Soriano De Mesa Thalia Real Villela C U LT U R E C O R R E S P O N D E N T S Jose Lorenzo Querol Lanuza Jonerie Ann Mamauag Pajalla GR APHIC S EDITOR Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag R E S I D E N T I L LU S T R AT O R S Michael Lorenz Dumalaog Raymundo Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes Danielle Montealegre Rodriguez R E S I D E N T P H O T OJ O U R NA L I S T Kyla Dominique Lacambacal Pasicolan
OFFICE 4th Floor Student Center Building, University of the Philippines Manila, Padre Faura St. corner Ma. Orosa St., Ermita, Manila 1000 EMAIL themanilacollegian@gmail.com WEBSITES issuu.com/manilacollegian www.facebook.com/themanilacollegian www.twitter.com/mkule MEMBER
College Editors Guild of the Philippines
Solidaridad - UP Systemwide Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations
The Cover Illustration by Genevieve Ignacio Seño Layout by Jose Paolo Bermudez Reyes & Jazmine Claire Martinez Mabansag
The government that supposedly serves for the interest of the masses consents the attacks of the military in the countryside. Following the pronouncement of President Rodrigo “Roa” Duterte of an all-out war with the New People’s Army, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has even deployed more attacks against suspected rebel areas. In the process, the heightened aggression of the military has equated to the intensified violation of human rights. Oplan Kapayapaan, a scheme to counter rebellion in the country, actually disguises the intention of the military to suppress the people and quell opposition to their authority. The fact that the president has given license to the military to wreck havoc and terror on the people greatly contends the notion of promoting security and peace in the nation. The killings and arrests of indigenous people leaders and mass organization officers conveys that the government is prepared to veer from its mandate to defend the masses in order to safeguard its absolute power over the people.
MARIE ANGELU DE LUNA PAGOBO
FIRE AND BLOOD The fascist government slams the voice of the people and invalidates their reason by dismissing the media that speak against the government as biased. However, labeling journalism, which mainly aims to shed light on the many accountabilities of the government and the military, as an avenue for overthrowing the government, proves how much the regime is bound in empowering and glorifying itself.
expression and right to information. The obligation of the campus press in the youth sector is not only limited to writing to inform or express. Their duty to fellow students extends to exposing them to the strife of the people against neoliberal policies, and the reiteration that the problems that plague each sector in society are not isolated cases.
Last March 16, the indiscriminate dropping of bombs on Malibcong, Abra caused the suspension of The forwarding of the president’s classes and the displacement of intent to implement Martial Law about 60 families. The impact of the to eradicate the bombs also damaged problem of drugs agricultural lands in the country only belonging to the he fact that the president has given highlights his heavy Mabaka, Banao inclination towards license to the military to wreck havoc and Gubang tribes. aut hor ita r ia n ism. Earlier, on March and terror on the people greatly Despite the blood of 11, the dropping of the poor, civilians, bombs on Mabini, contends the notion of promoting farmers, activists Compostela Valley and journalists on the caused almost security and peace in the nation government’s hands, 80 families to it proudly states its flee the area. fascist directives. S i mu l t a n e o u s l y, 300 families were driven from their homes in Barangay In line with this, the Regional Office Placing the military in a seat Andabit, Maguindanao when FA-50 of PNP Bicol released a memorandum of power does not improve the fighter jets dropped bombs in the area. which blocked the inclusion of The democratic rights of the people, as Nexus student publication from Baao seen by the forward and apparent The use of civilians as collateral Community College and campus attacks on the masses by the AFP and damage in their declared war publications of Ateneo de Naga PNP. Giving them the authority to against the NPA is horrifying. University in Lunduyan 2017 - a carry out fascist policies only would Merely considering lives as pawns campus press convention organized hamper social justice and further in a game of chess, the military by the College Editors Guild of the exacerbate the ills of the nation. disregards both the death and Philippines (CEGP) within Luzon. The looming threat of a dictatorial destruction they leave in their wake. With the apparent conviction, PNP government should not threaten the State fascism persists Bicol admonished the administration people who continue to campaign self-determination, freedom in the cities as well. of Ateneo de Naga University to for adhere to their protocol. They even and equality. The struggle of the against an oppressive Moving conspicuously to smother initiated to get the names of the masses promulgation that uncovers their participants of the CEGP event. power has always been imminent in the country’s history, even hold over the masses, the military launches surveillance on potential Student publications exist to uphold as the ruling body in the nation threats. The democratic rights of advocacy journalism, abiding by hides behind the Philippine flag. the public are stifled as the AFP and their duty to promote the rights and Philippine National Police (PNP) welfare of the youth sector, and to The interest of the government should ignore the value of human rights lobby for reform in the decaying always serve the masses, while the of education. Barring true power for genuine reform in in their harassment of groups or system individuals that call out against the the assemblage of publications society rests upon the people. repressive system and point out the and youth groups is a blatant policies that oppress the masses. impediment of their freedom of
T
.
MGA RELASYON SA KAPANGYARIHAN SA ILALIM NG PASISMO JOSE LORENZO QUEROL LANUZA AT MARI LOREAL MARQUEZ VALDEZ DIBUHO NI JOSE PAOLO BERMUDEZ REYES
Maihahalintulad ang bansa sa katawan ng tao — may paa na nagpapalakad, may ulo na namumuno, may brasong bumubuhat, at tig-isang kamay sa kanan at kaliwa. Kapag nagpalakas ang katawan at naging competitive, ang mundong kanyang ginagalawan ay magmimistulang isang paligsahan. Ang estado’y magiging agresibo, at sa labis na pagmamahal sa sarili’y makikipagbuno sa iba upang patunayan na siya ang pinakamagaling. Ang agresibong bersyon ng nasyonalismo ay imperiyalismo. Sa puntong ito, ipu-purge niya ang lahat ang sa tingin niya’y hindi makabayan, o sa madaling salita: tutugisin ang mga ayaw magpasailalim sa kanyang pamumuno. Ito ang tinatawag na pasismo.
Kamay na Bakal Hindi kanan o kaliwa, hindi rin pula o dilaw, ngunit simpleng taong nagmamahal sa kanyang bansa. “Why don’t we just unite as Filipinos kasi and fight for our national interests na lang?” Yah, ito na nga eh, ‘yung “gray area” na pinakahihintay mo. “Kung mamahalin mo ang ating bansa, ikaw ay makabayan, at kung mamahalin mo ang mga tao, ikaw ay komonesta,” sabi ng pasistang Briton na si Mosley. Isa sa natatanging katangian ng pasismo ay ang hindi nito pagpapasailalim, halimbawa sa konteksto ng Pilipinas, sa nakagisnang mga paksyon: dilawan, kaliwa, atbp. Masasabing ang pasista ay hindi purong liberal o sosyalista bagamat maaari niyang angkinin ang ilang katangian ng mga ito, sapagkat naniniwala siya na ang estado ang dapat na unahin at paunlarin bago ang interes ng indibiwal (liberal) o grupo (sosyalista). Howbowdah? Kaya ding hatiin ng pasista ang kinabibilangang nasyon sa “tayo” bilang superyor at “sila” bilang dumi na kailangang linisin. Ito’y alinsunod sa konsepto ng social darwinism na nagsasabing umaagos daw ang kasaysayan sa ilalim ng batas ng “survival of the fittest”. Kumbaga sa usapin ng kababaihan at kapitalismo, dapat obosen ang hindi pasok sa standards ng Miss Universe sapagkat sila’y pangit at hindi
dapat lahian! Samakatuwid, ipu-purge ng mga pasista ang lahat ng makitang maaaring sumagabal sa pag-unlad ng nasyon. Kill them before they lay eggs! Gamit ang social darwinism, kayang i-justify ng mga lider ng pasistang rehimen ang kanilang posisyon. Argumento nila'y nararapat lamang na ang mamuno ay ‘yung mga pinakamatatalino at pinakamahuhusay, at ‘yung mga pabebe ay dapat nasa ilalim lang tagahimod ng puwet; absolutong responsibilidad at absolutong awtoridad ng mga pinakamalalakas. Haluan ng charisma at kompleto na ang iyong pasista ala carte! Taglay nitong sangkap ang panghamig sa mga nasasakupan (lalo na sa mga bulag na panatiko) na pakilusin upang durugin ang anomang banta sa kadakilaan ng estado. Palalawakin nila ang kapangyarihang militar upang lipolin ang mga internal na banta sa estado, tapos ipapakita sa buong mundo kung gaano kadakila ang kanilang estado sa paglupig nila sa mga karatig-bansa. Pasismo ang mali at agresibong bersyon ng nasyonalismo. Sa ngalan ng estado at sa ilalim ng “makabayang disiplina”, hindi sila mag-aatubiling gumamit ng puwersa at dahas upang patahimikin ang sinomang tutuligsa. Pinipili nilang maging bingi sa interes ng mardyinalisado at makabayang sektor ng lipunan dahil sa labis na pagsamba sa kapangyarihan — sa pagsulong ng interes ng estado na walang iba kundi ang pansariling makauring interes.
Kamao sa Kamao “Sumunod lamang ako. Wala akong kasalanan!” Malapit na ang Mahal na Araw, tiyak maririnig na naman ito mula sa mga hudas ng lipunan na naghuhugas-kamay ng kanilang mabibigat na kasalanan sa mga tunay at dapat nilang paglingkuran. Ang pagtratrabaho ng sinoman para sa pasistang rehimen, anoman ang kanilang motibo, ay responsable sa mga krimen ng estado sapagkat pinili nilang makisangkot kahit may alternatibong landas — ang lumaban kahit nakamamatay. Ang blind
obedience ay malaking salik halimbawa sa Nazi genocide, sa pagmasaker ng LGBT, at sa pagpaslang sa mahihirap na drug pushers. Dapat mapagtanto na ang bulag na pagsunod at hindi paggamit ng kritikal na pag-iisip ay isang malaking kasalanan dahil hinahayaan at pinatitindi nito ang mga krimen laban sa tao. May dalawang grupo ng mga bulag na tagasunod: ang mga hindi na nag-iisip, at ang mga piniling itikom ang bibig. Bagamat hindi pareho ang bigat ng pananagutan (mas mabigat ang sa hindi na nag-iisip), sa isang banda’y masasabing responsable silang lahat sa krimen ng estado. Ang mga krimen ng estado ay unti-unting manonormalisa kung pipiliin ng lahat na magkibit-balikat. Kung tinatarantado ka na ng ex mo at wala ka pang ginagawa dahil bulag mo siyang minamahal, may pananagutan ka pa rin dahil hinahayaan mo lang siyang abusohin ka. Intensyon man o hindi, nararapat tignan kung ano’ng epekto ng gagawin mo sa buhay ng iba. Hindi maaaring tanggalan ng pananagutan ang isang tao nang dahil sa sumunod lamang siya sa batas, sa utos, o sa tungkulin. Hindi tayo mekanikal. Tayo ay dapat na gumagamit ng kritikal na pagiisip upang makapagdesisyon ng para sa ikabubuti ng lahat, at nang sa gayo’y sa tuwing itatanong kung large ba ang order mong softdrinks ay kaya nating magsabi ng “regular lang po”. Sa ilalim ng pasistang diktaturya, lahat ay hindi ligtas sa pangdudusta’t pang-aapi. Kaya walang ibang nararapat na paraan kun’di magkubli sa lakas ng sama-samang paglaban sa anomang uri ng karahasan at inhustisya. Sa lakas ng kritikal na pag-iisip at kolektibong aksyon mabubuwag ang bulok na sistema, hanggang sa makamtan ang makatarungang kapayapaan.
Mga Sikong Singit Parang araw-araw sa Pilipinas may sportsfest na may magkabilang grupong nagtutunggalian para sa inaasam-asam na ginto. Sa umpisa ng laro ay kunwari pang magkakaibigan at may malasakit kahit sa
kalaban ngunit kapag natalo na, luto raw ang laban. At kapag weak ang teammates, lilipat sa partido ng katunggali para more chances of winning. Napakaraming balimbing sa lipunan na gagawin ang lahat, kahit na magpanggap na kaawa-awa, mapunan lamang ang pansariling interes. Sa katotohanan, ‘di naman lahat ng talunan sa gobyerno at mga nasasagasaan sa pagpapaksyon ay tunay na para sa bayan ang hangarin. Sa bawat eleksyon, nagkakaroon ng asosasyon ang mga malalaking negosyante, grupong politikal, pangkating-militar, maging mga relihiyong sekta sa pagsuporta sa panibagong pinuno na kanilang makakaalyansa sa pamumuhunan sa lipunan at pag-abot ng kani-kanilang interes. Pare-parehas lamang ang inihaharap na plataporma at pangakong pagbabago ng mga nagdaang administrasyon ngunit hindi pa rin napauunlad ang sistema, bagkus, nagkakaroon lamang ng panibagong mukha ang mapanlinlang na demokrasyang inihaharap sa atin. Bagamat may naglalahad ng plataporma para sa tunay na kaginhawaan, nauuwi pa rin ang pamamalakad sa pagbalanse sa negosyo ng mga nakatataas at mga pangangailangan ng mga nasa ibaba. Iyong akala mong siya na ‘yung “the one” pero rebound lang rin pala na magliligpit ng iniwan ng nakaraang nakaupo sa pamamagitan ng pagpatong ng panibagong mga proyekto na binibihisan upang magmukhang makamasa. Sa kabilang banda, propaganda na ng mga natatalong partido ang pagpapakita sa taumbayan na maging sila’y naaapi ng ‘di-makatarungang pamumuno. Lalo nilang ilalantad ang baho ng sinomang kasalukuyang nakaupo upang ipamukha na dapat nang pabagsakin ang sinomang mayhawak ng kapangyarihan. Magmumukha itong pakikiisa sa masa, ngunit ang bawat kilos ng mga oportunista ay para lamang din sa layunin na makaupo para sila naman ang maghari.
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