TINIG NG PLARIDEL
WEDNESDAY / 5 APRIL 2017
2 IN THE ABSENCE OF HONOR
3 RUNDOWN: WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STAND
YEAR 38, ISSUE 9 The official student publication of the College of Mass Communication, University of the Philippines Diliman
tinigngplaridel tinigngplaridel.net
4 CSSP SC BETS CLASH OVER MAGNA CARTA
UP CMC ISA and STAND UP CMC face off at the CMC Auditorium during Hot Off the Grill 2017, Tuesday. PHOTO BY SHAIN EPANAG
Hot Off 2017 sparks debate on frat politics, student representation KRYSTEN BOADO AND DALE CALANOG
This year’s Student Council Elections (SCE) continues to blaze as University Student Council (USC) aspirants and College of Mass Communication Student Council (CMCSC) candidates squared off in Hot Off the Grill 2017 at the CMC Auditorium, Tuesday. Addressing questions thrown by their would-be constituents, USC bets from KAISA - Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan (KAISA) and Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP) as well as independent councilor runners Paolo Sevilla and Carlos Cabaero gave insights on the issues such as free education, the Socialized Tuition System (STS) and student consultations with the Board of Regents, among others. The issue of fraternity politics did not also escape public eye as KAISA standard-bearers Leandro Anton Castro and Jose Rafael Toribio, who are both members of the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity, were asked on how they would face and lead the student body, when their fraternity glorifies one of its brothers, former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. “I don’t glorify Ferdinand Marcos; however, in our fraternity, we recognized him as our history,” Castro clarified. STAND UP chairperson aspirant Ben Te argued against this, saying that the golden era of Martial Law is but an illusion. “Hindi maliit na bagay ‘yung
nangyari noong Batas Militar,” Te said. He added that in essence, Martial Law stepped on the rights of the Filipinos. Te added that there should be no hesitation in condemning a dictator, especially for UP students, who, in history opposed Martial Law and the Marcos regime. “Siya [Marcos] po sa huli’t huli ay isang diktador. Kapag kinondena po natin ang isang diktador, kinukundena natin ito nang buongbuo, the chaiperson candidate said. Toribio further explained that while Upsilon recognizes Marcos as part of their fraternity’s history, its members do not discredit the atrocities he has committed during his administration. Human rights watchdog Amnesty International has tallied 70,000 illegally arrested individuals, 34,000 torture victims as well as 3,240 slain through summary executions during the Martial Law period. The same organization also recorded 1,000 victims of enforced disappearances during the said era. Besides countless human rights violations, the Marcos regime also brought about massive inequality, with 42 percent of the Filipino population living below the poverty line by 1980, according to data from the World Bank. “After all, as part of the fraternity, our loyalty is with the country,” the KAISA vice chairperson hopeful said. Marcos was not the only Upsilonian brought up during the forum as both Castro and Toribio were asked to assess their fraternity brother, former UP President Alfredo Pascual, and his six-
year term as the university’s top official. “As a brod lahat ng ating analysis in line with what is better for the students and the people,” Toribio said. “We are clear in condemning what happen during his administration,” he added, saying that KAISA continues the call to hold Pascual accountable. Meanwhile, his running mate, Castro, said he was able to register his dissent towards Pascual whenever he and the former UP president would run into each other. STAND UP councilor Almira Abril spoke against this, however, saying KAISA has been missing in action when it comes to calling out Pascual. “Dito makikita natin na ang KAISA ata, hobby nila na maging missing in action sa mga pagkilos ng mga estudyante na nagpapanawagan ng pagcall-out sa isang presidente na walang ibang ginawa kundi pahirapan ang sa estudyante,” Abril said. The discussion among CMCSC bets was just as heated. Assessment of the present CMCSC as well as issues of each CMC department dominated the forum, with the hopefuls addressing questions both from the audience and their fellow candidates. With CMCSC broadcast communication representatives hailing from UP CMC Interdependent Student-centered Activism (UP CMC ISA) for the past two years, this year’s broadcast communication bets Chino Mendiola and Arlan Jondonero were asked to determine
their party’s stand on laboratory fees. “Nailatag nila [past broadcast communication representatives] lahat ng concerns sa kanilang pakikipagusap sa administration,” Jondonero said. Mendiola also brought up the Rise for Education Alliance (R4E), saying that most broadcast communication constituents do not agree with the walkouts proposed by the said alliance. R4E is an alliance of student councils and publications, youth organizations, members of the academe, parents, and the out-ofschool youth from different colleges, universities, and communities, who are fighting for accessible education for all. Its local chapter in CMC has organized different forms of protest, from free haircuts against budget cuts to dance protests for free education and human rights, aside from the regular call for walkout against lab fees and other school fees and the Socialized Tuition System (STS). “Naniniwala po kami na bilang isang political party, fino-forward ng R4E na highest point ang mobilization,” the broadcast communication representative bet answered. “Naniniwala kami na negative ang naibibigay na message sa mga walkout.” This was countered by opposing candidate Nickolo Domingo of STAND UP CMC, who said the R4E Alliance does not require its members to participate in the walkouts. “Lahat tayo naniniwala sa Rise for
C O N T I N U E D T O PA G E 4
ISSUE 9 / APRIL 5, 2017
EDITORIAL | PAGE 2
IN THE ABSENCE OF HONOR In the tension brought about by the University Student Council (USC) campaign season, spiels and slogans may have a l r e a d y caused some to forget the most important phrase of them all: honor and excellence. The USC campaigns have been an annual spectacle in UP Diliman for a number of reasons. For one, the campaign period serves as an arena for members of different political organizations to prove to the student body why their party, or lack thereof, is deserving to lead the next USC. However, much like how UP is pertained as a microcosm of Philippine society, the period also hosts a number of incidents of personal attacks - ”black propaganda”against i n d i v i d u a l s or entire formations. While the attacks have thankfully not fully mirrored the violence of national elections, the attacks experienced by s t u d e n t s have still been threatening and damaging. This year is no different. Recently, pictures and video clips of an SUV roaming the campus have made the rounds in social media, where its occupants indiscriminately tossed out flyers at populated areas. Bearing the hashtag #NeverAgain, these flyers included the faces o f K A I S A - Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan (KAISA) standard-bearers LA Castro and Yael Toribio, along with their Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity brothers, former President and dictator Ferdinand Marcos and former UP President Alfredo Pascual.
Although the perpetrators of this incident have not been identified, Upsilon Sigma Phi itself has been subject to controversy regarding another set of photos and videos that surfaced shortly after. The footage showed men alighting another SUV and r e p l a c i n g posters of political parties Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP) and UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA) with ones from KAISA. Former USC Chairperson JP de las Nieves confirmed in a Facebook post that they were, indeed, his fraternity brothers. He also defended them by claiming that what his brothers did was not illegal, as the posters they took down did not have s t a m p s f r o m t h e O f f i c e o f S t u d e n t Affairs (OSA). The onground platform for debates are not spared in this year’s unsporting elections with candidates throwing either lowkey or overt personal attacks to each other. In one of the most wella t t e n d e d election forums in the University, ALYANSA Standard Bearer Magnolia del Rosario received f lak for a t t a c k i n g STAND UP bet Shari O l i q u i n o a n d K A I S A’ s Ya e l To r i b i o , her opponents for the vice chairperson post, when asked about work ethics and transparency. Furthermore, the issue of being taken out of context has fanned the flames of hostility among candidates and parties. For instance, ALYANSA’s del Rosario has claimed to have been taken out of context with her statement last year on the nami ng of U P ’ s BGC campus afte r business tycoon Henry Sy.
TINIG NG PLARIDEL 2016 - 2017
ILLUSTRATION BY ANDREA JOBELLE ADAN
However, a video from DZUP Radio Circle proves otherwise and shows ALYANSA’s vice chairperson aspirant saying UP students ought to thank Sy for making the UP building possible. Another illustration of pointing fingers at the m e d i a would be BU K LOD CSSP ’s M a r i e l C u n a n a n , whose supporters cried foul after Philippine Collegian missed out a few words in their tweet. According to them, the tweet puts the College of Social Science and Philosophy vice chairperson bet in a bad light. Like most incidents of black propaganda before it, this series of events have once again stolen precious time that could have b e e n devoted to further d i s c u s s i o n s of issues such as c a m p u s b u i l d i n g s a f e t y, c o n t r a c t u a l i z a t i o n of UP workers as well as fraternity related violence. Time has once again been wasted on parties and individuals jockeying for advantages over the others by advancing demolition jobs and debates anchored on these black propaganda. Sadly, in the midst of a
showcase of excellence, some have forgotten an Iskolar ng Bayan’s primary mandate – honor. H o w e v e r, despite all these hurdles, the UP community will press on. Campus publications will continue to perform their duties with the hope that the students will be critical towards tainted platforms. At the end of the day, much like the country it reflects, UP is inherently resilient and inclined to serve its fellow people. In the remaining days of this year’s election season, candidates ought to maintain their promise of ethical campaigning, which they had sealed at the beginning of this year’s campaign season alongside OSA. More importantly, this year’s student council aspirants ought to embody what it truly means to be an Iskolar ng Bayan, who, besides serving the studentry and the people, must also uphold UP’s mark of honor and excellence. After all, if elected, they shall become the leaders of the UP community, the leaders of this nation’s future.
Botong Isko Heads Krysten Mariann Boado, Beatriz Zamora | Associate Editor Pathricia Roxas | Associate Editor for Broadcast Shain Epanag | Managing Editor Dale Calanog | News Editor Frances Josephine Espeso | Chief Photographer Mariel Frances Urbiztondo | Layout Director Hannah Perez | Art Director Inna Christine Cabel | Contributing Writers Franchesca Persia | Illustrator Andrea Adan | Photographers Shain Epanag, Antonne Santiago Contact tinigngplaridel@gmail.com | twitter.com/tinigngplaridel | facebook.com/tinigngplaridel
PAGE 3 | FEATURES
THE RUNDOWN
WED. APRIL 5, 2017/ ISSUE 9
NEWS
YEAR 38 / ISSUE 9
CSSP SC bets clash over Magna Carta JEUEL BARROSO
saying that the Magna Carta is not a simple document but one that enforces student rights, not just tambayan guidelines. Independent runner Maraon shared the same sentiment, adding that the Magna Carta can provide students’ tambayan rights. “Ngunit kaabikat nito [Magna Carta] dapat din nating ipagpatuloy ang kakayahan ng student movement para patuloy na i-assert ang ating karapatan,” he added. Besides
discussing
the
students’
Magna Carta, the CSSP bets also debated on the Free Higher Education for All Act, the influx of new establishments in UP, as well as government accountability for
the
homeless
occupying
idle
housing projects at Pandi, Bulacan.
College of Social Sciences and
natin, natutuunan ng Magna Carta.”
impose anything on me,” he said. “Sinasabi sa
Philosophy Student Council (CSSP SC)
Independent Philosophy Department
statements na nag-impose sila. Mali po ako.”
bets clashed at the discussion of the
Representative candidate Kwen Kwen
Maraon also clarified that educational
students’ Magna Carta in PASABOG,
Cabalag also supported the need for the
discussions were conducted in the SALiGAN
CSSP’s
debate
Magna Carta to ensure students’ rights.
slate and that he was able to express his
at the Palma Hall Lobby, Friday.
annual
SC
“We have to have a legal, concrete
contentions of being pro-Magna Carta.
Drafted by the University of the
document that will ensure our rights as
Philippines (UP) Diliman University
students,” Cabalag said. “It’s not about
level
Student Council (USC) 2014-2015, the
talking about your rights... we have
addressed
Magna Carta is a codified list of UP
the right to have this legal document.”
CSSP organizations’ tambayans, which
students’ rights that cannot be found
Meanwhile, independent chairperson
had been assessed as fire hazards
in any other university document.
runner Allyson Maraon stressed that
by the Campus Maintenance Office.
While the Magna Carta has yet to
the Magna Carta for Students’ Rights
be lobbied to the UP administration as
of
a
hot
January, topic
election
the
Bringing the debate to a collegediscourse,
the
impending
BUKLOD
candidates
relocation
councilor
of
aspirant
complements the student movement,
Kristine Kyla De Torres affirmed the
HOT OFF 2017 SPARKS...
adding that the fact that a lone student
rights of UP students to organize and
SC
Education Alliance, na lahat ng kaya nating iambag para sa pagpapabasura ng laboratory fees at upang maisulong ang ating karapatan sa edukasyon, ay ating gagawin, pag-walkout man ‘yan o hindi o kung ano pang mga porma na nakikita natin,” he said. The issue of student representation was also highlighted during the debate. With STAND UP CMC lobbying against the students’ Magna Carta, UP CMC ISA USC representative runner Mary Nicole Fabian questioned STAND UP CMC’s ability to represent the students as their party is against the document that garnered 94 percent of favorable votes from 7,000 students from last year’s referendum. STAND UP CMC chairperson aspirant Mikko Ringia quickly countered Fabian’s point. “Hindi kailangan ng Magna Carta dahil jinu-justify niya ang commercialization ng edukasyon,” Ringia said. Meanwhile, UP CMC ISA, which has been for the passage of the Magna Carta since its drafting, was asked by a member of the audience on whether they would change their stand on the issue, should students be against it in a referendum. “Makikinig tayo sa mga estudyante,” said UP CMC ISA chairperson bet Arjay Torno. He added that they will always side with the students. Voting for SCE begins tomorrow, 8 a.m. Students are required to bring their UP ID or Form 5 in order to cast their vote.
hopefuls.
representation in the BOR must be
to have their own spaces as per the
addressed to eliminate the BOR-related
CSSP SC Constitution, which states that
Christopher
contentions against the Magna Carta.
corresponding spaces must be provided
Kahulugan explained that his party is
“Patuloy pa rin nating ipaglalaban
to organizations upon their transferring.
against the Magna Carta because the
ang Magna Carta for students’ rights
De Torres was supported by her
document surrenders students’ rights
kaakibat ng ating pag-push for more
slatemate, BUKLOD chairperson candidate
to the Board of Regents (BOR), which,
student representation sa BOR,” he
Lorenzo Miguel Relente who added that his
according to SALiGAN, has been proven
said. “Hindi Magna Carta ang end-
party has been forwarding these tambayan
anti-student
years.
all, be-all solusyon sa unibersidad.”
guidelines for years along with the CSSP SC.
He further stated that the Magna
Maraon was formerly SALiGAN’s
Carta allows the BOR to increase
bet for the CSSP SC’s top post before
vice
tuition
fees
the
deciding to run an independent bid to
Pasigpasigan, who asked if BUKLOD
power
of
councilor
CSSP
candidate
throughout
and the
the
undermines
student
This was countered by SALiGAN chairperson
candidate
Renz
movement.
forward his stand on the Magna Carta.
had consulted CSSP organizations on the
“Napatunayan naman natin… na
During the debate, he clarified that
demolitions during the previous years.
hindi natin kailangan ng isang codified
he was given a choice by the CSSP
set of rights para ipaglaban ang ating
College Student Electoral Board to stay
SALiGAN cooperated with the Rise for
mga
karapatan,”
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
remains
among sa
Follow Tinig ng Plaridel (@tinigngplaridel) for real time updates on this year’s Student Council Elections. #BotongIsko2017 #HalalanUPD2017
issue
(SALiGAN)
SALiGAN
UP Diliman, let’s aim for 100% voter turnout.
Kahulugan
According
to
Pasigpasigan,
said.
under SALiGAN or revoke his candidacy.
Education Alliance to write to the CSSP
However, BUKLOD CSSP (BUKLOD)
Formally, Maraon remains under the
administration to delay the demolition.
Vice Chairperson hopeful Mariel Louisse
party; however, he runs unaffiliated.
“Tayo sa SALiGAN sa CSSP, malinaw
Cunanan argued against this, citing the
Later in the event, Maraon also
sa atin na hindi lang mere document
board’s power over UP’s tuition fees as
admitted his mistake in his Facebook post,
‘yung ating ginagamit para itaguyod
long as there is student consultation.
now deleted, which read that SALiGAN and
ang ating karapatan, bagkus ‘yung
“The BOR has the right to increase
the Student Alliance for the Advancement
sama-samang
our tuition fee,” said Cunanan. “Hindi
of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP)
ng mga konsensya ng bayan para sa
pinapayagan ng Magna Carta ang tuition
imposed on him to go against Magna Carta.
ating karapatan sa tambayan,” he said.
fee increase. Almost lahat ng problema
“SALiGAN and STAND UP did not
BUKLOD’s Cunanan rebutted by
pagkilos
at
pagtindig