UPLB Perspective Tomo 44, Issue 5

TOMO

O 2018 • PEBRER A IN H A P . 5• 12 XLIV • BLG

E P B UPL MGA AGAN NG Y A H A P A YAL N ANG OPIS

E V I T C E P S R

MAG-AAR

OS S LOS BAÑ A IN IP IL P G ERSIDAD N L NG UNIB

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Student Power | editoryal 2

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balita

Students walkout for free education and call for ouster of Duterte

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KULTURA

Elbi’s Disappearing Act

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LATHALAIN

A trip down bloddy lane: Media Represion in the Philippines

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opinyon

TRAIN for whom?

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UPLB PERSPECTIVE

student power

As an answer to the Duterte regime’s anti-poor policies, attempts to silence the press, and oppression of militants that are critical towards his administration, students from academic institutions all over the country went out to the streets from their classes to express their dissent against the Duterte Administration last November 23.

The youth, aggravated by the regime that presupposes its might and imposes an environment that attempts to silence their calls for genuine social change and splinter their nationalist spirit, stands firm and unyielding despite the threats and remarks of the Praesident.

Apart from the remarks by the President himself, his army of trolls continue to promulgsate his propaganda and antagonize progressive individuals and students. Social media has been an unsafe environment for students to voice out their dissent against the administration that burdens the poor with policies and fake promises of change. Despite the administration’s relentless pursuit to silence its critics, the youth, together with different sectors, are more empowered to register their collective condemnation of the Duterte Administration’s policies and fascist rule The youth has stood with the masses in standing up for the rights of every Filipino, the Hagdan ng Malayang Kamalayan of the University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), the Palma Hall of UP Diliman (UPD), the streets of EDSA, and the Mendiola Peace Arch have bore witness to the united calls and collective action of the students and the masses to resist tyranny and dictatorship, even to extent that it played a pivotal role in toppling a dictator in the Malacañang Palace.

Once again, the students along with other sectors in the society registered their dissent against an administration that trumps down on the rights of the Filipino masses and showed that they are once again willing to overthrow another dictator.

History has shown that the youth has been one with the masses in their struggle. Students welcomed the indigenous people who travelled from Mindanao and integrated with them during the Lakbayan ng Pambansang Minorya last September. Students also protested with the jeepney drivers against the Jeepney Modernization Plan that attempts to phase out the jeepneys along with the livelihood of the jeepney drivers and operators. it is expected that as long as more people are killed and more progressive individuals are imprisoned as proof of Duterte’s tyrannical rule, students together with the

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Kasapi UP Alliance of Student Publications and Writers’ Organizations (Solidaridad) at College Editors’ Guild of the Philippines Pamuhatan Silid 11, Pangalawang Palapag, Student Union Building, Unibersidad ng Pilipinas, Los Baños, College, Los Baños, Laguna , 4031

PEBRERO 2018

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

BALITA

PEBRERO 2018

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masses will go out in the streets and fight for their democratic rights.

The lessons learned by integrating with indigenous people and peasants, by consultations with jeepney drivers who cannot afford the modernization scheme proposed by the government, by keeping an open ear to the plights of the marginalized, and by going out in the streets together with the different sectors of the society are integral components in the comprehension of the state of our community which are not offered to the youth sector inside the four corners of a classroom. Through immersing with the masses, students learn firsthand the experiences that they have, and the dire situations that they face.

The Duterte Administration said that protesting is a waste of taxpayers’ money, however, it is much more a waste of taxpayers’ money to produce an Iskolar ng Bayan who remains silent as he/ she sees that more people die under state sponsored killings, the displacement of our countrymen due to militarization in the countryside, the jeepney drivers who will lose their source of livelihood over the modernization scheme that they cannot afford, the below-minimum wage worker who would have to pay more for basic goods and services under the TRAIN Law, and his/her own government that gives up its own sovereignty and disregards the rule of law to cater to its own interests. [P]

Punong Patnugot Julianne Afable Tagapamahalang Patnugot Michelle Andrea Laurio, Charity Faith Rulloda Patnugot ng Balita Caren Malaluan Patnugot ng Lathalain Miguel Carlos Lazarte Patnugot ng Kultura Mac Andre Arboleda Patnugot ng Paglalapat Kristine Joy Orig Patnugot ng Grapiks Jandelle Cruz Patnugot ng mga Larawan ⋅ Kristine Paula Bautista Mga Kawani Ranielle Averion ⋅ Paul Christian Carson ⋅ Monica Laboy ⋅ Lianne Rose Parajeno ⋅ Juvelle Villanueva ⋅ James Jericho Bajar ⋅ Patricia Echano ⋅ John Albert Pagunsan ⋅ Eunice Alexcy Senadoza ⋅ Juan Sebastian Evangelista ⋅ Maria Maxene Jaleco ⋅ Amiel Oropesa

#WALKOUTPH AMIEL OROPESA

Carrying placards bearing calls for free education, press freedom, and democratic rights, UPLB students join the nationwide walkout on February 23, 2018 to protest against the Duterte ADministration’s Neoliberal policies, Jeepney Phaseout, and call for the ouster of President Dutrerte

Students walkout for free education and call for ouster of Duterte WORDS l JULIANNE AFFABLE

University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB), together with different universities and colleges all over the country, walked out of their classrooms to show their collective condemnation of the Duterte administration’s policies and the President’s own fascist rule.

The call for the ouster of President Rodrigo Duterte was also emphasized in the Nationwide Walkout. The rise in the number of progressive group leaders killed in the country side, the red-tagging of progressive individuals, the President’s moves in strengthening the country’s ties with imperialist countries such as the United States (US) and China, the anti-poor policies such as the War on Drugs, TRAIN Law, and the Jeepney Phaseout were reasons cited

by UPLB’s ouster movement, UPLB-Unite in the Battle to Oust the Neoliberal Dictator (UPLB-UNBOUND), to call for the ouster of President Duterte. tungkol sa pabalot WALKOUT Dibuho ni Juvelle Villanueva

Call for a nationalist, scientific, and mass oriented education Among their calls during

the Nationwide Walkout, the students emphasized their call for a nationalist, scientific, and mass-oriented education and denounced the RA 10931 Universal Access to Quality Tertiary Education Act. Rise for Education Alliance-UPLB said that contrary to the claim that the bill is the solution to the ails of the Filipino students, especially the poor, the bill has served to exacerbate the woes and even deprived some students of a genuine, quality free education.

Student Councils from various colleges also emphasized concerns raised by students with regard the limited availability of laboratory equipment and costly laboratory manuals. College of Human Ecology Student Council (CHE SC) said that their laboratories lack equipment needed by the students for their laboratory classes. UPLB University Student Council (UPLB USC) in a solidarity message said that the UPLB administration is sacrificing the quality education and is using the free tuition as an excuse whereas these should have

been subsidized and provided for by the university.

League of Filipino Students-UPLB (LFS-UPLB) also emphasized that free education is not limited to free tuition, the organization cited other fees that a student would have to pay in order to survive at the university. Some of the fees cited are dorm fees, transportation expenses, and other fees needed for academic requirements.

Part of the nationwide walkout is a snake rally around the campus where short programs are held at every college, at the Biological Sciences Building, students protested against the Org Tambayan Phaseout, the laboratory equipment that students have to pay for, and the orientation of the biological sciences curriculum. The UPLB Genetics Society (GeneSoc) said in a solidarity message that the graduates of the Biological Sciences Curriculum are produced to serve corporate interest instead of serving the country and its people.

“Ang mga inaaral ng ating mga siyentista para sa bayan

ay napupunta lamang sa mga pribadong institusyon at hindi sa mga samabayanang Pilipino,” Denise Doctolero, GeneSoc member said.

One with the masses After the snake rally around the campus, jeepney drivers joined the students in the Walkout.

Carrying their placards bearing calls against the jeepney phaseout and corporatization of public transport, jeepney drivers marched with the students at the Oblation Park and registered their disgust against the jeepney modernization scheme.

The students together with the jeepney drivers proceeded to Los Baños Junction where they registered their disgust against the neoliberal policies of the administration and strongly condemned the implementation of various antipoor and anti-Filipino policies like the Jeepney Phaseout and TRAIN Law. The UPLB USC emphasized that the walk out served as a way to forward the students’

collective struggle to the continuous threats to our democracy and resist the looming Duterte’s dictatorship.

“Now is the time for us to rally with them to forward our collective struggle to oust the tyrant that is Duterte,” UPLB USC Chairperson, Charmane Jay Maranan said.

As part of the call to oust Duterte, the UPLB community, together with other delegation from Southern Tagalog, joined protests at Cabuyao and Crossing Calamba to commemorate the People Power Uprising which successfully toppled the Marcos dictatorship. In commemoration of the People Power Uprising, the UPLB community together with other groups from Southern Tagalog region called for the ouster of President Rodrigo Duterte and pledged that in the event that they would have to topple another dictator or dethrone the seat of power at the Malacañan Palace, the students together with the masses will be ready to do so. [P]

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BALITA

UPLB PERSPECTIVE PEBRERO 2018

New tax reform program signed into law; Hikes on commodities, services feared New tax packages have arrived with the signing of the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) into law, generating both optimism and pessimism from various sectors.

Signed into law last December 19, 2017 by President Rodrigo Duterte, the TRAIN Law endeavors to finance the multiple Build, Build, Build projects of the Duterte administration and the free irrigation program; the TRAIN law was implemented at the turn of the year 2018.

Many key provisions of the bill include a wider net of tax exemptions for lowincome employees, with those earning P250, 000 and below now free from the income tax. Additionally, the law enacted increased excise taxes on sweetened drinks, coal and petroleum products, cigarettes, and automobiles.

The provisions garnered praise from business analysts and government officials, mentioning the reductions in taxes and a more simplified tax collection system.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health aired optimism on the passage of the TRAIN Law, claiming that it would promote “healthy lifestyles and prevention and control of non-communicable diseases”.

Amidst the joy over the measure, however, criticism has also been expressed against the TRAIN. Additional tax packages The Department of Finance, in its presentations, stated that the TRAIN will be implemented through a series of packages, with the first package being the added excise taxes, reduced income tax, and other additions.

The next four packages — which are currently deliberated in the legislature, aims to further adjust the tax system. Package 1B will provide amnesties to the estate tax and general tax, update the motor vehicle users’ tax, and amend the bank secrecy law.

Packages 2 and 4, meanwhile, will lower the corporate income

WORDS l PAUL CHRISTIAN CARSON

tax and update fiscal incentives, and amend provisions on financial taxes and passive income, respectively.

However, the TRAIN law also rides in pessimism; with expressed fears of driving more people into poverty.

bridges, fly-overs, railways, seaports, and airports,” noted IBON Executive Director Sonny Africa, observing the skewed infrastructure spending from the Build, Build, Build program in favor of projects near the national capital.

TRAIN to poverty

Foreign interests behind TRAIN

The TRAIN, rather than uplift, would put more Filipinos in deep poverty, independent research organization IBON Foundation said.

The independent think tank digressed that the progressive tax system was actually a regressive one – as it benefits the rich more, contrary to its purpose.

In a series of articles analyzing the impact of the TRAIN Law, IBON noted monthly additional costs of P646 for every rice farmer; P937 for farm workers; P1,141 for every construction worker; and P1,363 for private school teachers, among others.

Meanwhile, annual benefits of about P90, 000 are seen to be acquired by the richest decile already earning an average of P104, 170 monthly. IBON used the Department of Finance’s (DoF) income tax calculator to generate this conclusion.

It also noted the unachieved gains from the law for an estimated 15.2 million families out of the country’s 22.7 million; that have already faced price increases from the excise taxes on commodities and services, and have already been tax-free before the measure came into effect. On the other hand, the richest percentile of families will gain 100 to 300 thousand pesos from the tax savings – while expecting the decrease in income taxes by 2023.

“Instead of irrigation, milling factories, and post-harvest facilities; public schools; public hospitals; and mass housing, which millions of poor Filipinos need, the Duterte administration’s flagship projects are mostly big-ticket transportation infrastructure eyed by oligarchs and their foreign counterparts for business, such as roads,

IBON also stated that foreign interests are sure to be included in the TRAIN. It highlighted the US-initiated Partnership for Growth (PFG) as one of the main drivers of tax reform in the country.

Mainly an aid project also partnering with the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, US Agency for International Development (USAID) and many more, it also supervises The Arangkada Philippines Project (TAPP), which produces policy briefs under the Joint Foreign Chambers of Commerce (JFCC), which recommends to the Legislative and Executive departments.

“Among hundreds of specific policy proposals of the JFCC are comprehensive tax reforms that will raise excise tax on petroleum products,

(…) sin taxes (alcohol, cigarettes, and tobacco products), as well as broaden the base of the value-added tax (VAT), while reducing the corporate income tax. It also pushed for the lifting of constitutional restrictions on foreign investments through Charter change (Cha-cha),” IBON noted in a statement.

Moreover, the organization also raised concern over the US remaining as a major player in the Philippine foreign direct investments. According to their investigation, American businesses gave US$4.12 billion or 10.3% of the total foreign direct investment (FDI) that flowed into the domestic economy, the second biggest among all foreign investors from 2006 to 2016.

“Both the pro-business tax reforms of the Duterte administration and Cha-cha for greater economic liberalization will further benefit US corporations. This includes lower corporate income tax that will be offset by heavier indirect taxes at the expense of the public, and the opening up of additional sectors of the economy for US investments and profits,” it raised.

“Railroaded” However, the law’s ratification was quickly hit by lawmakers, citing a “railroaded”

proceeding and one that has circumvented regular procedure.

ACT Teachers Party list Representative Antonio Tinio mainly cited that the objections raised for not achieving quorum, and therefore a necessary vote, were not heard.

The Makabayan bloc has filed a protest at the Supreme Court over the TRAIN Law, urging the court to issue a temporary restraining order against the statute and strike it out, stating unconstitutionality.

However, the administration asserted that the bill was passed legally and procedurally. House Deputy Speaker Fred Castro (2nd District, Capiz) said that the contentions were a “very flimsy excuse” and required the solons to present “burden of proof” through the minutes of the proceedings.

The Makabayan bloc, in a press conference last January 15, presented the video of the actual House proceedings, which showed a paltry number of solons and an apparently hurried closure of the proceedings.

The Supreme Court is currently deliberating the representatives’ petition. [P]

UNBOUND Duterte ouster alliance launched WORDS l CHARITY FAITH RULLODA

An alliance aiming to unite the UPLB community in a campaign to oust President Rodrigo Duterte was launched on January 24, 2018.

UPLB UNBOUND, or Unite in the Battle to Oust the Neoliberal Dictator, established by various UPLB organizations, student councils, faculty members, and individuals is University of the Philippines Los Baños’ main ouster campaign to fight against Duterte’s fascist regime. The Duterte ouster campaign is part of Resolution 2018-009, titled “A resolution enjoining the 45th GASC to call for the ouster of President Rodrigo Duterte,” authored by UPLB University Student Council, and adopted by the body during the 45th General Assembly of Student Councils (GASC) on January 7-8 at the University of the Philippines Mindanao.

UPLB UNBOUND was founded in the clamor for the ouster of the president due to the Duterte Administration’s anti-poor policies, tyranny, and dictatorial rule. The call for ouster was an answer of the UPLB community to Duterte’s continuing

subservience to imperialistic advances of foreign elements such as the US, negligence of his responsibility to assert sovereignty, enactment of anti-poor policies such as the TRAIN Law and the Jeepney Modernization Program, and his fascism towards the constituents of the state by enforcing extra judicial killings, allowing displacement of the people in the countryside, oppression of the press, and disregard for human rights.

The launch held at the Molawin Hall, Student Union Building, was attended by several UPLB organizations, students, faculty members, and UP Rural High School students.

“Together, we, the people, will remove this power-hungry, anti-people, pro-imperialist, and neoliberal dictator from his seat, and struggle once again for the change that we were promised, and the progress that we deserve,” UPLB UNBOUND said in a statement posted on their Facebook page.

The alliance is open to all students, faculty, staff, and administration of UPLB. [P]

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

BALITA

PEBRERO 2018

STARTER-PISTON holds forum on Jeepney Phaseout, decries modernization program policy WORDS l JAMES JERICHO BAJAR

ANAKBAYAN-UPLB and Southern Tagalog Region Transport Sector Organization (STARTER-PISTON) conducted a forum entitled “Para Po! Para Saan?: A Forum on Jeepney Phaseout” last February 17, 2018 at the Makiling Ballroom Hall, Student Union Building. The forum was attended by jeepney drivers, students and professors.

According to STARTER-PISTON, more than 250,000 jeepneys and a million tricycles will be forcefully replaced by new models of jeepneys and tricycles under the Jeepney and Tricycle Modernization Program of the Duterte administration. Safety and environmental concerns are the government’s reason behind its implementation. According to the government, the current model of jeepneys and tricycles are already outdated and not roadworthy; it emits gases that are dangerous to the public and to the environment and causes heavy traffic due to the competition among drivers in getting passengers.

Through the initiative of the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and Land Transportation Office (LTO), the current jeepneys will be replaced with new jeepney units which are electric (E-jeep), Euro 4 compliant, and solar-powered.

The government claims that through this modernization, there will be less smoke and pollutant emissions. Each new jeepney units are also obligated to be installed with beep card (like those in LRT and MRT), Global Positioning System (GPS), Wi-Fi, CCTV, dashboard camera and speed limiter. The said

jeepneys will be managed by corporations under the Fleet Management Program.

At first glance, the program seems to be good for it aims to address environmental concerns and use efficient technology.

However, according to the (STARTER-PISTON), the jeepney phase-out is a neoliberal policy of the government and its main objective is to transfer the ownership of jeepney operation to big foreign and local businessmen.

The DOTr said that the new jeepney unit will cost P1-1.8 Million. However, PISTON said that ordinary jeepney drivers and operators can only afford P200,000 - 400,000 as capital per jeepney. The government offers loan as solution to this wherein jeepney drivers will pay down payment and P800 boundary per day in 7 years with 6 percent interest per annum plus a 5 percent equity which costs P80,000. With the current P400 per day earning, the ordinary jeepney drivers and operators cannot afford the modernization program. This will lead to the unemployment of those who cannot afford. An estimated number of 500,000 drivers, 300,000 operators and 2 million families will be affected by this scheme.

If the Jeepney and Tricycle Modernization Program is implemented, not only the drivers and the operators but also the commuters will be affected. From the current P8.00, the minimum fare will increase to P10.00 -12.00 and even more than P20.00, which is the current fare for e-jeepneys and e-trikes in Manila according to the STARTER-PISTON. [P]

“Tunay na Reporma sa Lupa at Pagpapatalsik kay Duterte”, sigaw ng mga magsasaka sa ika-31 na anibersaryo ng Mendiola Massacre Tatlumpu’t isang taon na ang nakalilipas mula nang maganap ang Mendiola Masaker, nananawagan pa rin ng hustisya at tunay na reporma sa lupa sa panahon ng admininistrasyong Duterte ang mga grupo ng mga magsasaka kasama ng iba pang sektor mula sa Timog Katagalugan nitong nagdaang ika-22 ng Enero.

“Tatlong dekada na ang nakalipas simula nang maganap ang marahas na pagpatay sa labintatlong magsasaka sa Mendiola Masaker. Pito sa magsasaka na ito ay mula sa Timog Katagalugan. Hanggang

WORDS l ANDIE LAURIO ngayon sa panunungkula ni Duterte, wala pa ring nakakamit na hustisya at tunay na reporma sa lupa ang mga magsasaka,” ani ni Eddie Bellones, tagapagsalita ng Kalipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid – Timog Katagalugan (KASAMATK).

Sa pangunguna ng KASAMA-TK, umabot sa 300 na mamamayan mula sa iba’t ibang probinsya at sektor ng Timog Katagalugan ang lumahok sa protesta sa Mendiola. Bago nito, naglunsad ng caravan ng mga magsasaka sa probinsya ng Batangas mula ika-19

hanggang ika-21 ng Enero.

Caravan ng mga Magsasaka sa Batangas Nagkaroon ng dayalogo ang mga pinuno ng mga iba’t ibang samahan ng magsasaka at ng iba pang sektor sa naturang probinsya kasama si Gob. Hermilando Mandanas. Inilatag dito ang mga mahahalagang usapin katulad ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao lalo na sa mga magsasaka partikular ang pagbomba sa Mt. Banoi, demolisyon sa Sta. Clara at iba pang lugar, at ang pagpapatuloy ng CALABARZON project kung

saan maapektuhan ang mga nakatira sa baybaying dagat ng Batangas.

“Dito natin sa Batangas inilulunsad ang peasant caravan dahil kabi-kabila ang paglabag sa karapatang pantao lalo na sa hanay ng mga magsasaka at mangingisda. Kabilang sa naapektuhan ang kanilang kabuhayan bukod pa sa malawakang militarisasyon,” dagdag ni Billones.

Ayon sa KARAPATAN – Batangas, halos “puro pambobola at walang nakuhang kapasyahan mula kay Gob. Mandanas dahil wala raw sa kanyang kapangyarihan na aksyunan ang mga nabanggit na usapin.” Sa pagtatapos ng dayalogo, ipapatawag ni Gob. Mandanas ang tripartite council meeting na kinabibilangan ng iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno sa probinsya na uupuan din ng KARAPATAN – Batangas, KASAMA – TK, at iba pang progresibong grupo.

Naglunsad din ng mga pulong masa kung saan tinalakay ang Charter Change at Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion Law (TRAIN).

Dagdag pa, nagkaroon ng aksyong protesta ang mga grupo sa harap ng Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas upang kundenahin ang lumalalang militaritasasyon laban sa mga magsasaka.

Mga Paglabag sa Karapatang Pantao sa mga magsasaka Ayon sa KARAPATAN, umaabot sa 126 (hindi kabilang dito ang pagpatay na may kinalaman sa droga) ang bilang ng extrajudicial na pagpatay sa panahon ng panunungkulan ni Duterte. 110 dito ay galing sa sektor ng mga magsasaka.

Isang tampok na kaso dito sa Timog Katagalugan ang pagpatay kay Lito Casalla, 52 anyos na lider magsasaka sa Calatagan, Batangas, noong ika-3 ng Hunyo 2017. Isa sa Lito Casalla sa mga magsasakang nangangampanya laban sa pang-aagaw ng lupa ng Asturias Mining Corporation na pagaari nila Danding Cojuangco at Ramon Ang. Dagdag pa sa listahan ng paglabag sa karapatang pantao sa Timog Katagalugan ay ang malawakang operasyong militar na nagdudulot ng takot sa mga mamamayan.

Ayon sa KARAPATANBatangas, madalas ang panliligalig, iligal na pangaaresto, at pagsasampa ng gawa-gawang kaso ng mga nagooperasyong militar sa naturang lugar. Nagkaroon

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din ng tangkang pagpatay kay Moises Hernandez, lider magsasaka, noong ika-23 ng Disyembre 2017 sa Brgy. Pantay, Calaca.

“Walang deklarasyon ng Batas Militar dito sa Timog Katagalugan, pero ang militarisasyon sa rehiyon ay nagdudulot ng takot sa mga magsasaka at mga komunidad sa kanayunan,” ani sa isang pahayag ng KASAMA-TK. Sigaw ng mga Magsasaka: Tunay na Reporma sa Lupa at pagpapatalsik kay Duterte “Mula pa noong pagpatay sa labin-tatlong magsasaka sa Mendiola Masaker noong 1987, wala pa ring tunay na reporma sa lupa ang ibinibigay ng mga nagdaan at kasulukuyang administrasyon,” sambit ni Billones.

Libreng pamamahagi ng lupa at hustisya sa mga magsasakang biktima ng karapatang-pantao ang bitbit na panawagan sa pangunguna ng KASAMATK sa ika-31 na anibersaryo ng Mendiola Masaker. Isa rin dito ay ang pagpapatuloy ng naudlot na usapang pangkapayapaan sa pagitan ng administrasyong Duterte at ng National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).

“Umaasa pa rin kami na matuloy ang usapang pangkapayapaan dahil napakaloob dito ang pagbubuo ng Comprehensive Agreement on SocioEconomic Reforms o CASER kung saan nakaprograma ang tunay na reporma at libreng pamamahagi ng lupa sa mga magsasaka,” dagdag ni Billones.

Noong nakaraang Abril 2017, pinagkaisahan ng dalawang panig ang libreng pamamahagi ng lupa bilang “batayang prinsipyo ng reporma sa lupa”.

Ngunit, ito ay naudlot ng unang kinansela ni Pangulong Duterte ang usapang pangkapayapaan.

Ngayon taon, nagbuo ng Tinig at Lakas ng Kanayunan laban kay Duterte o TALSIK, isang alyansa ang mga iba’t ibang samahan ng mga magsasaka sa Timog Katagalugan para sa pagpapatalsik kay Duterte.

“Bunsod ng kabi-kabilang kaso ng militarisasyon sa mga magsasaka pati na ang pagtataguyod ng mga neoliberal na patakaran at programa katulad ng Build, Build, Build at CHACHA, nagkakaisa ang mga magsasaka ng Timog Katagalugan na patalsikin ang kontramamamayan at diktador na si Duterte,” panapos ni Billones.

[P]

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KULTURA

UPLB PERSPECTIVE PEBRERO 2018

When someone mentions law, one might think that it is something that is ought to be followed. Law are seen by some as something that is infallible, but in essence, it should be a codified mass of text that aims to serve the people.

The Philippines have long been liberated from colonialism by foreign powers.

Although imperialistic forces still hold power over the country, the fact that we gained independence and the ability to create laws from our own for our own is a monumental victory on its own. The creation of laws by the Filipino people puts the legal aspect from a local perspective. However, it sings a different narrative when law itself tries to go against its original mandate that is indicated in the constitution and presents a different service than what is advertised. Law is not usually taught at school and oftentimes, it is limited to tertiary education with disciplines that are directly related to politics. Hence, many people do not receive a primer to the intricacies of law nor of their basic rights that are enshrined within it. With this in mind, legislators have the capability to pass laws without due consultation and opposition.

The last quarter of the year 2017 saw President Duterte proclaim insurgent organizations as terrorists with the context provided within RA 9372 otherwise known as the ‘Human Security Act of 2007.’ The Human Security Act necessitates the categorization of rebellion and insurrections as terrorism. Duterte, citing that he recognizes the insurgents as legitimate rebels, was willing to throw the recognition aside after alleged depredations. This formalization by the government is followed by the continual citation of insurgents as terrorists by the government and some of the mainstream media.

In the legal aspect, the tagging of organizations in categories by the government implies a national perspective. Formally calling a group with a tag will force the media and other legitimate outlets to use the same. The terrorist tag is not in accordance with most of modern day dictionary definitions, as most do not equate rebellion with terrorism. The Human Security Act of 2007 cites the Revised Penal Code’s definition of rebellion and insurrection and added the classification of terrorism. Duterte’s initial proclamation saw Spokesperson Harry Roque citing RA 10168, but even inside the law, there was no justifiable reason to brand them as terrorists other than allegations that came from the government itself.

Irresponsible attribution of words leads the people to the tune of the government’s accounts. While it is of no argument that it is the interest of the government to sees left-wing insurgents as criminals of no offense other than pushing for a revolution that wills itself to topple them, it is a curtailing of the legalese to brand criminality with that of terrorism. The translators and enactors of the law are unhindered to brand its constituents of whatever fits the agenda. There are laws that attempts to categorize the citizenry based on their activities and creates a narrative that serves to preserve power. Throughout the years, they are not presented for discourse and there are no attempts to amend them in recent times with regards to conventional applicability.

Legitimate concerns by the masses and are translated into a bigger voice by progressive groups and as well as left-wing insurgent organizations mars the government historically. Recent proclamations by the government attempts to downplay the concerns and dissent brought upon by these groups as an effort to save face.

It poses the question, why are the definition provided by the government dangerous? It risks the dissenting citizenship of being tagged as a criminal- the worst of its kind, a terrorist. Red-tagging would brand progressive organizations as terrorists. It will serve as a silencer for dissent. The government would offer no safe haven for those who are branded with such tags the same way that they saw disgust with alleged drug pushers. It is not human security that is offered but rather an indiscriminate power to tag the citizenry of foul play and proceed to call them as terrorists with them of having of no defense at hand. It is likened to that of the controversial tokhang that left thousands of lifeless bloodied corpses along the roads.

It is of no difference that this, like the latter, serve less than what is advertised, and is an attempt to manifest its purpose: to instill a mindset to the Filipino people by the use of language. By branding the individuals as terrorists, drug pushers, destabilizers, etc. and then proceeding to serve as the pedestal for glory, a pinnacle of service and the infallible judge for justice, it serves no moral end for the Filipino people nor does it offer a legitimate human security measure.

When it comes to terror, is it not the government that provides the primary source of terror? Is it not that the government who rescinded peace talks to pursue a bloodier approach to public order? Is it not the government who incited extrajudicial killings, massacres of farmers, and land-grabbing? Is it not the government who propagated the scare of the the Dengvaxia fiasco despite the expert findings?

How can a government provide human security when it is the primary instigator of discomfort? With a brief review of the laws of the republic, one can see that it is written in a way that it provides a positive outlook upon its enactment, but contrary to it, it certainly does not serve up to its role. The government faces a problem in language- a problem in identity, for it does not present itself for what it truly is and dons a mask to hide its disfigured face. [P]

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

KULTURA

PEBRERO 2018

ELBI’S DISAPPEARING ACT

7

WORDS l JOHN ALBERT PAGUNSAN

Less than a year has passed since Cady’s graduation yet the campus has become a little more unfamiliar to her. A concrete skeleton stands on what used to be the home of We Deliver (or Silog Express), a meat shop, and hidden but loud photocopying shops. Its bottom is dressed in tarpaulin bearing a familiar cosmopolitan logo - Starbucks. Like other UPLB alumni, Cady feels the Elbi she has known is slowly being erased and replaced by a cosmopolitan fantasy. An army of tweets celebrated Starbucks’ arrival citing accessibility of good coffee and the transformation of Elbi to a modern university town. However, like the trojan horse that Troy wildly celebrated as a gift, the arrival of Starbucks is a premonition of much worse things to come.

The Starbucks Effect Pierre Carapetian, a real estate broker in Canada, has observed that properties that surround a Starbucks store appreciate in value after the store opens. Quartz and The Gaurdian, two western news and opinion sites, have also cited the impact Starbucks and other coffee shops such as Dunkin Donuts have on property value.

Carpetian, Quartz, and The Guardian clarify that even prior to the construction and opening of a Starbucks store, properties that surround the lot are already high in value. Starbucks’ present aggravates the situation and encourages property values to skyrocket because of the personalities that flock the coffee shop.

While rising property values sounds good to property owners, it is the poor and low-middle class that suffer most of the brunt. As customers from upper and middle classes flock Starbucks, businesses would take the opportunity to acquire properties adjacent to the coffee shop to tap a new market. Businesses would offer owners of apartments, dormitories, or establishments that line Grove generous amounts of compensation for their desired properties. This would mean that owners would have to evict their tenants or residents to sell their property. It would also mean that owners will exploit this opportunity to increase rent to either attract a wealthier class to occupy their rooms or encourage big business to replace small sized businesses occupying their space. This is called Gentrification.

In the United States, the construction of Starbucks or a high-end apartment complex, meant that it was time for colored people to pack their bags and bid farewell to a town they called home for centuries if they can not afford the new set of rent prices.

These gentrified areas were thriving pots of ethnic cultures but after Starbucks, they have become leisure spots for many of privileged American millennials.

While most of the occupants were able to relocate after the annex of Vega was torn down for Starbucks’ construction, some of the occupants who sold umbrellas and knickknacks are now left on the pavements of Grove facing a possible threat of

eviction from town authorities. Most were able to afford to relocate but those who can not shell out more are those who rely most on their livelihood to survive.

Jose Alejandro Inciong, a BS Biology graduate from UPLB, claims that there are rumors circulating in Los Banos that multinational corporations are on the hunt for property along Lopez and and National Highway for their local branches. He says that Starbucks is just one of the first few chapters of Elbi’s transfiguration.

New businesses opened by Multinational Corporations provide job opportunities and stimulate economic growth but at what cost? Their profits go to their coffers while they can avoid taxes and taxes can become politicized against the provincial poor.

Coffee could warm the sleepless Iskolar but it has left the evicted and financially disempowered cold on the streets.

The Untapped, rising The renovation of Selina’s, Dunkin Donuts and Paponei’s, the rise of Centtro Boulevard and BonChon, the opening of National Bookstore, and the expansion of Bugong and Seoul Kitchen in the recent years are symptoms that there is Elbi’s profile has changed. The sudden and unexpected demise of Sulyaw, a legendary establishment known for its cheap meals (and world-class sanitation), could have been a trigger that Elbi was moving away from frugality (this could be true if not for the sudden stardom of Bogart’s Bentelog) It is safe to assume that the demographic now consists of students who come from middle and upper income classes of the population.

While Elbi culture demands one reforms their own ways to adapt to the hermit and frugal life of an Elbitizen, the current demographic’s desire for a cosmopolitan life defined by coffee consumption is about to be tapped.

The harms that these desires and businesses bring might be unintended but they have long term implications. Higher property prices and the existence of highly valued establishments affect the cost of living in the university town.

Expensive rents would mean lesser options for current and prospective students who come from low income backgrounds.

Education is free but students and parents also weigh in cost of living as part of choosing a university. Expensive restaurants might not kill all budget-friendly establishments but it trims down cheaper options for students. Much worse is the threat of eviction faced by established but cheap restaurants by big corporations and profit-driven property owners. In this scenario, the solution of providing stipends for lowincome students is good but how far those stipends can go is the next question that needs to be resolved.

If Elbi refuses if not fails to address this, the university student population becomes less heterogenous by being composed more by the middle and upper classes. The consequence for academic freedom and diversity are harmful because it would mean a community who would have lesser boundaries of difference with regards to lived experience, thinking, and lifestyle. Much frightening are the lost talents and intellect who refuse to pursue Elbi because of high cost of living.

It is not Elbi’s obligation to adjust to the demands and desires of the middle and upper class for high priced coffee or Korean fried chicken.

If market forces become the Oracle of our faith as a community, patronizing the remaining local cheap establishments could be a weapon to signal a strong demand.

If Elbi becomes a town of the privileged, does a state university then fully serve its purpose?

Like many alumni, Cady plans to visit Elbi annually because she still considers it as home. But she has to confront the question - “Is it still home when the parts of pieces of it have changed?”

She just hopes, Elbi doesn’t pull off an entire disappearing act. [P]

8 LATHALAIN 8

UPLB PERSPECTIVE PEBRERO 2018

LATHALAIN 9

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

PEBRERO 2018

a trip down bloody lane: media repression in the Philippines WORDS l MIGUEL CARLOS LAZARTE GRAPHICS | JUVELLE VILLANUEVA

With the continuing harassment of the media among many other human rights violations under the current regime of Duterte, there is but a continuing struggle and fight to unite, again, the stronghold of the Filipino people. With the Security and Exchange Commission’s attempt of revoking the license of online news media Rappler under the grounds of foreign ownership, and the National Telecommunications Commission’s recommendation of closing down several radio stations in Davao on the basis of violating broadcasting laws, the administration, at this time, does not hide under sheep’s clothing anymore. Rather, the wolf pack stands bold, ready to pounce and silence the truth – so the hunt has already begun. This is only the beginning.

The right to write corresponds to the people’s right to know. This has always held true over the years the rich and ever-changing press has enjoyed its freedom. But a look back over the past few years, the past administrations had failed to protect these rights of the People. And being not held liable for these actions, fear rises among the servants of media; the hands holding the pens shake.

The Arroyo Terrors In 2002, two radio broadcasters were murdered. The year after, a writer of a weekly tabloid in Tarlac was shot dead. A radio commentator in General Santos City was gunned down for criticizing the local mayor. Not to mention, program directors of radio stations in General Santos City and Roxas City were assassinated. And behold, the National Telecommunications Commission and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas, then denied airtime of critical views of the Arroyo regime in national television. Press freedom was on its last breath.

The former militarist president Arroyo has long spearheaded the systematic oppression of journalists in the Philippines. Dissenters were killed, activists and writers alike; abduction and guns were rampant. The blood is not forgotten.

During her eight years of seating as President, 60 journalists were killed. While all in all, 82 has been killed since 1986. A large majority of those have perished in Arroyo’s ruling. They are those who denounced government corruption among many other assassinations of men and women in good faith of delivering the truth.

During this time, the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP) was reinforced, decrying the Arroyo government of inaction over the gruesome deaths of media workers. The notorious Arroyo was said to foster the culture of impunity – a culture nurtured by the government’s “inaction, apathy, and its outright attempts to stifle press freedom”. In 2005, the Internal Federation of Journalists (IFJ) noted that these men were killed because “they rubbed up local strongmen, politicians, and police chiefs the wrong way.” Furthermore, it has noted that this culture of impunity, along with the failed judicial system fostered and condoned these crimes.

Along with Arroyo’s Congress passing the Anti-Terror Law, it posed a serious threat to journalists and the freedom of expression. There was, undeniably, a hostility to the press. Media workers, activists, and dissenters are labeled as fronts of the NPA and the Communist Party – labeling many individuals from legal organizations as terrorists.

And who would forget the Maguindanao Massacre where at least 34 journalists were slain. This was called the single deadliest event for journalists in history.

“The most murderous country for journalists since 2000” as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in New York identified the Philippines. To note that in April 2008, the CPJ announced that the Philippines earned a top ranking honor in the Impunity Index, a standard measuring safety and protection of journalists around the world.

Blind Man Aquino The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) noted that the numbers summed up to a total of 31 journalists during the former president Aquino’s six-year term.

This has set the toll to a total of 153 journalists killed since 1986, records as of 2016.

And to note, these are killings; libel suits and harassment aside, hundreds more, or even thousands, reported and unreported, media harassments persist. The CMFR has recorded 28 incidents of attacks against journalists in 2016 alone, from 18 in 2015.

2016 was a year as brutal as any other year for media men. In February, a radio broadcaster in Pagadian City was killed when a gunman shot him twice in the chest after a forceful entry into his home. This was for reporting and commenting on illegal drugs and illegal gambling. In May, a reporter and columnist of a local tabloid in Manila was shot in the head in Quiapo. In December, a local businessman in Catandanues who published the newspaper was shot by an unidentified gunman for criticizing the inaction of local officials to the manufacturing of illegal drugs in the island. His writings also claimed that the foreigners who set up drug facilities were helped by the locals.

CMFR also notes that with the 28 incidents in 2016, more than half of those were against radio workers for these journalists were “more prone to threats especially in the provinces where people listen to them during siesta and at night”.

The free press is continually being suppressed by those in power. Second to harassments, criminal libel remains to be most used weapon of silencing journalists – in mainstream media or even in campus papers. There is also a large attribution to the midterm elections in 2013 where there were 25 election-related incidents. This was the highest number in an election year even with 2007, 2010, and 2016 combined.

The Age of “Dutertards” “Bayaran!” “Presstitute!” “Mga dilawan!” ” Even before President Duterte’s victory, the trolls have already begun. It was a disaster waiting to happen. Any journalist, or even any individual who expresses dissent on the President was not given mercy by the Ka-DDS. The number of online threats and attacks against individuals, journalists alike, and even whole news organization are harassed and threatened for commenting on corruption and criminality in Duterte’s reign. They have been subjected to bullying and personal attacks, messaged by various unknown numbers and threatened online, while called by their names and being told them that they’ll be killed if they do not stop opposing through their means.

Even the foreign journalists were not given clemency by the online trolls; as international news organizations cover the anti-drug campaign, along with Oplan Tokhang, journalists were being called names and the comments section in social media were flooded by how these writers should be killed or raped. And with Oplan Kapayapaan, a mere continuation of Aquino’s Oplan Bayanihan, the counter-insurgency program of the government not only attacks the dissenters but the journalists who write for the people as well, labeled as fronts or members of opposing groups.

The rise of these so-called bloggers who have replaced the credibility of long-standing news sources have crowded the country with the spread of misinformation and “fake news”.

Appointees to the government’s communications arm are bloggers who express audaciously the support to the President while these bloggers attack and demonize the other political parties and news organizations who write bravely about the mischief-maker president.

Mocha Uson, purveyor of fake news, has hired social media propagandists to lead the country’s information system – for mere purpose of spreading misinformation and fake news, attacking the press who criticize the government, and simply encourage hate speech.

The accreditation to online trolls and bloggers are putting the journalists at a loss of credibility.

The internet has been weaponized to allow the wide use of content to promote the candidate and suppress criticism against him, as Rappler noted. This corrupted online terrorism limits discourse and destroys democracy; instead of discussing facts and figures and engaging in exhaustive conversations and arguments, the trolls silence the truth by threats and use of power.

Sitting from his throne in Malacanang, the President has insulted journalists who ask questions inquisitively about things he would not like to answer, he has called out news organizations on press conferences and on his SONA. Along with his main arm of the police, journalists are allegedly not given first-hand spot reports via denying access to vital information on police data of the summary killings or deaths under investigation.

In this era of the dictator, the violence is much real and much felt. And it goes unpunished, unprecedented and critical as time worsens. His hostility to media has gagged the freedom of the press, but as seen in the internet, it can be seen that the victimized news organizations, media men, and individuals are being united in solidarity to demonstrate against the curtailing of this democracy. It is not forgotten how Presidential Proclamation 1081 in 1972 muzzled our right to know and to write. The People will not let history repeat itself – not especially Martial Law. The press will not be silenced. The press, with its role and function in a free, democratic society, is to report, comment, scrutinize, and analyze. This time calls journalists to work outside of the traditional process of reportage – with the discrediting of the government, a blind eye should be now critical and keen. And with this time, instead of fearing for the lives and becoming afraid, we are not shaken. Instead, we are rekindled of our responsibility for the Filipino people. Time has proved that the credibility of the press stands by its people, and the truth will and always will, set us free from the chains. [P]

Sources: Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Philippine Cultural Studies Center

OPINYON

UPLB PERSPECTIVE PEBRERO 2018

MUMBLINGS CONSENT

WORDS l JANDELLE CRUZ

Least Priority Ulit Kapag binubuksan ko ang ay mas maganda na ang serbisyo noong panahon namin kumpara aking social media account sa Twitter at Facebook kapag sa kanila noon.

Swerte! Kahit na nasa huli registration period, hindi na ako kami registration schedule, ok nagtataka sa mga tweet at posts lang dahil may initial schedule na nababasa ko. Karamihan naman at idadagdag na lang sa mga posts ay mga reklamo naman ang mga kulang na at hinaing na kadalasan ay subjects. Gaya ko noon, hindi na sinangkapan pa ng mura tungkol baleng wala pa akong PE 2, basta agahan ko lang ng paggising Ngunit hindi naman kapwapara makuha ko agad. estudyante o prof ang problema.

Pagpatak ng alas-otso, matindi ang pagpindot Kung may sapat lang sanang ko sa “enroll” button pondo, pasilidad, guro, o baka mas at wala pang ilang maganda at maayos na sistema segundo, nakuha ko para sa registration, e di sana kahit na rin ang subject na kailangan ko. May iilan nasa dulo kami, ok lang dahil may din namang nagkaroon puwang pa rin kami sa loob ng ng problema ngunit mga klaseng papasukan namin. nagawan naman ng paraan agad.

Ngunit ngayon?

“

sa kabagalan at kakulangan ng SAIS. Ang iba naman ay may kanya-kayang pakulo at kalokohan upang mapawi man lang ang inis at yamot ng kapwaestudyante. Ang ilan ay patuloy lang sa pagpapalakas ng loob at pagtulong sa mga hindi pa nakakakuha ng slots.

Pangatlong taon na nga rin pala ng Batch 2015 sa dulo ng assigned registration schedule.

Junior na ang standing ng karamihan sa Batch 2015 pero kami na naman ang nasa dulo.

Kahit sa preregistration, ganoon din ang siste. Maliban pa sa problema sa pagbabayad ng mga utang at pagkuha ng form 5 para sa scholarships, mas pinoproblema rin ng Batch 2015 ang pagkuha ng slots. May ilan sa amin na kinukulang sa units kasi naunahan na o may ibang hindi natatanggap kahit

“

Mahigit tatlong oras akong nakatitig sa interface ng SAIS noon. Ibig sabihin, mahigit tatlong oras din akong narindi sa puting background at minimalistic na design ng site.

Naaalala kong patuloy lang sa pagload at pag-ikot ang loading spinner sa gilid ng screen hanggang sa inumaga na ako.

Ngayon ko lang mas natanto na kakaiba pala talaga ang tiyaga at pasensya ng isang Isko o Iskang katulad ko.

Naaalala ko pa noong freshie ako at hindi ko pa inaalintana yung oras ng mga subjects ko dahil may initial slots na ibinigay sa amin noong enrollment.

Ikalawang semestre ko naranasan ang bagsik ng kumpetisyon sa SystemOne. Oo, naabutan din namin ang SystemOne, ngunit ayon sa mga kakilala kong mas nakakatanda na sa unibersidad

SKETCHPAD

magprerog. Pahirapan pa sa pagpi-prerog sa mga GE classes dahil kadalasan ay inuuna pa rin ang mga graduating at freshie. Swerte namin kung may papayag na prof na magbukas ng panibagong section o kung tatanggap pa siya ng ilan pang estudyante sa klase.

Ngunit hindi naman kapwaestudyante o prof ang ang problema. Kung may sapat lang sanang pondo, pasilidad, guro, o baka mas maganda at maayos na sistema para sa registration, e di sana kahit nasa dulo kami, ok lang dahil may puwang pa rin kami sa loob ng mga klaseng papasukan namin. Kung ganito na naman ang siste sa susunod na semestre, naku!

Baka magpost na lang din ako sa isang sikat na confession page. [P]

Pumintig ang ulo ko. “Ano?” “Boss, kasi-” “Diba sinabi ko naman kasi sa ‘yo nung araw na iyon, ‘wag kang tatangatanga?” Inambaan ko siya pero sumakit lalo yung ulo ko. “Umalis ka na.”

Naupo ulit ako sa aking mesa.

Hindi nakatulong ang pagpataysindi ng bumbilyang mapupundi na yata.

“Nakakayamot,” ingit ko pa. Kailangan ko ‘tong ayusin.

Linabas ko ang iniabot sa akin ni Edgar at kumuha ng kakarimpot. Konti lang para hindi kita, walang bakas sa aking mukha.

Para lang hindi ako panghinaan ng loob mamaya. Hinilera ko sa mesa at sa isang iglap ay inubos ko ito.

Tumindig ang aking balahibo at para bang nabara ang aking pandinig.

Nabuhayan ako. Pakiramdam ko kaya kong suntukin ang buwan.

“Aray!” sabi ng isang lumulutang na boses. “Boss?”

“Tumahimik ka! Kasalanan mo ‘to.”

Sinuntok ko ulit ang buwan.

Bumilis ang aking paghinga at napatalun-talon ako. Ayos.

Kinuha ko ang maliit na supot sa aking mesa. Supot na binawasan ko na.

“

Anecdotes and rumors of students sexually assaulted within and around the campus have made it to twitter threads, confession forms of The Elbi Files, or coffee and yosi conversations.

Students who come out to tell their stories are embraced with words of moral support and an army of social justice warriors.

While community efforts to send messages of comfort and calling out suspects are laudable, the spectre of sexual assault will continue to haunt students unless a war on non consensual sex is launched by student organizations, student councils, and the school administration.

What the Elbi community could do is organize mandatory sexual consent

11

WORDS l JOHN ALBERT PAGUNSAN

talks for all students, faculty, around them with regards asking for sex. Classes such as and personnel. It is reckless on to sex. Sadly, there is no SOSC3 and HUME10 explore our part to assume that every mandatory consent classes for these issues but these classes adult has an idea about sexual UP students are not mandatory.

Gender relations also shape consent, especially if there The silence that wraps the have been multiple reports university community when of sexual assault around sexual assault cases arise and inside campus. not the apt response we It’s not just words that isshould The absence of sex take neither does a education in the past and survivors of sexual assault tweet or a post magically our parents’ silence on sex need from us but justice and solve the problem. have allowed pornography an end to rape culture, and it Controlling information to shape our expectations obviously starts with educating about sexual assault cases is of “good and acceptable” the sexually ignorant. not the way to rebuild Elbi’s sex. These expectations image as a safe community are far from reality and rather a university-wide are at best too idealistic. campaign led by the Not everyone enjoys rough student organizations, student and surprise sex neither does our perceptions of bedroom councils, and the university anyone deserve to be coerced politics. There are people who administration that focuses to have unsafe sex. These still feel they are entitled to sex more on preventive rather than perceptions if unchecked, can just because of their gender. just reactive measures against be powerful with regards to Some feel there is a certain sexual assault. how people will treat people gender who will always be The university claims to be

“

UNDERSCRUTINY

SALITA l DENIEL SEAN V. MACAPAL

the haven of “intellectuals” and “progressives” of the country but it’s ironic because we are incapable of confronting campus sexual assault with the power of “education”.

It’s not just words that survivors of sexual assault need from us but justice and an end to rape culture, and it obviously starts with educating the sexually ignorant. [P]

WORDS l EUNICE ALEXCY SENADOZA

TRAIN for whom?

I I S A N G P U T I N G L I N YA Kakailanganin ko ‘to.

Lumabas ako ng stasyon at pinaandar ko ang kotse. Mahaba pa ang lalakarin ng bata kaya kung bibilisan ko, maaabutan ko pa siya malapit kina Gina. Alas diyes na halos. Tulog na mga tao. Walang nag-iinuman. Lalo na’t sira ang poste ng ilaw sa may bukana ng eskinita paliko kina Kiko. Lalo na’t kamamatay lang ni Ador.

W a l a n g

“Mag-ingat ka ah. Sa panahon ngayon, ‘di mo na alam kung sino yung mga loko-loko riyan.”

“

Alas nuebe pasado na naman. Hinilot ko ang aking noo sumasakit na naman ang aking ulo. Maghapong nakaupo sa aking silya, nangunguryente na naman ang aking binti. Tumayo ako at naginat. Hay, buhay.

Sa kabila ng aking nakakatamad na araw dito sa stasyon, may isa akong bagay na inaabangan buong araw.

Maya-maya lang, mayroon na ulit.

“Hepe,” sabi sa akin ng binatang may bitbit pang bag. “Mauuna na po ako. Pasensya na po, may exam pa po kami bukas eh.”

Para bang hindi mapakali yung binata. Tingin din nang tingin sa orasan.

Dahil lang ba sa exam niya o...

“Ah sige na Kiko, umuwi ka na,” hinatid ko siya sa pinto. “Mag-ingat ka ah. Sa panahon ngayon, ‘di mo na alam kung sino yung mga loko-loko riyan.”

“Ahh,” tawa pa niya. “Opo. Magiingat po ako.”

Ngumiti ako at kinawayan ko pa siya hanggang sa maglaho ang kaniyang anino sa dilim ng kalsada. Anong tinatago ng batang iyon?

“Boss,” tawag ni Edgar. Napalingon ako. “Heto na yung supply niyo.”

“Eh, yung mga binilin ko?

Nakapaglinis ba ng maayos yung bata?

Binantayan mo ba?”

“Yes, boss. Kaso,” napatigil siya.

“Ano?” “Boss may nakita nga ata yung bata.”

OPINYON

magtatangkang lumabas sa kanilang bahay ng ganitong oras. Sinilip ko yung magasin ko. May laman pa naman.

Nakita ko siya sa malayo, malapit nang lumiko. Sabi ko sa inyo maaabutan ko pa siya eh. Pinarada ko ang kotse. “Kiko.”

Madilim man ang daan, kita sa kaniyang mga mata ang magkahalong gulat at takot. “H-hepe,” bulalas pa nito.

“Ano pong ginagawa niyo rito?”

“Ahh.” Dahan-dahan akong bumunot sa aking bulsa. “Patingin nga saglit ng bag mo. Parang may napansin yata ako kanina eh.”

“Po?” Nanlaki ang kaniyang mga mata. “B-bakit po?”

“Amin na.”

“Bakit po?” ulit pa niya, mas malakas.

Kaunti na lang yata at maiihi na ‘to.

Pinigilan ko ang sarili ko sa pagtawa.

“Amin na sabi eh!” Hinigit ko ito at binuksan. Hinalungkat ko saglit at pinakita ko sa kaniya ang hawak ko.

“Aha!” Namumutla ang labi ng bata at nangingilid ang kaniyang mga luha.

Ang sarap talagang mang-uto ng mga bata. “Ano ‘to?”

Ilang segundo na lang at kakaripas na ‘to ng takbo. Halata sa kaniyang mga mata. [P]

President Rodrigo Duterte, in his first State of the Nation Address, promised a reform in our 20-year old tax regime that would transform it into a “simpler” and “fairer” tax reform program.

In appearance, Duterte followed through as he signed into law Republic Act No. 10963 or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (TRAIN) bill and called it the administration’s biggest Christmas gift to the Filipino people as it imposes lower income tax rates for Filipinos making an annual taxable income of P250 000 and below while slapping those earning above P8 million annually with a 5 percent income tax increase. This may sound like a win-win situation, but not for the 22.7 million families who would not receive the benefit of this lower threshold for tax exemption but would bear the burden of rising food prices and other commodities because of the law’s provision on excise tax on fuel.

The TRAIN law, the first package of the administration’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program, aims to finance the government’s envisioned multibillion infrastructure program. In

addition to the collected income tax from the newly reformed tax system, revenue from the imposed excise tax on fuel, sweet beverages, tobacco, etc. will be funneled to this program, with the justification from the government that these products are either harmful to the wealth of Filipinos or harmful for the environment.

Moreover, the law is said to simplify our convoluted tax system as it would allow taxpayers to file and pay their taxes annually or quarterly counter to the current bi-monthly compliance.

It would also simplify b o o k ke e p i n g requirements by slushing the 12-page income tax return (ITR) to 2-page ITR. But as the law took effect at the start of 2018, the initial optimism towards this reformed system was dampened as consumers felt the rise of commodity prices.

For example, Meralco warned an increase of 8 centavos per kilowatt-hour in electricity rates, thus imposing a P32 increase in electricity bill on a household consuming 400 KWh monthly.

“

Moreover, the new tax imposed on fuel was felt simultaneous to increased rates on fuel in the international market. Such increase entails a secondary impact on the prices of consumer goods, threatening to push inflation into an all-time high. All of these and more for a highly intangible promise of long-term benefits in terms of infrastructures that may

Filipinos in everyday life. It seems obtuse to talk about long term effects or temporary sacrifices when affording a kilo of rice is already a struggle for the poor.

To the government’s defense, they have provided plans for a 200-peso monthly cash transfers for the poorest 10 million Filipinos in an effort to cushion the effects of the law. Unfortunately, such is highly insufficient to even meet the daily financial requirement of a five-member family and cash transfers are also riddled with issues of untimely release of funds and unliquidated funds because of ineligible beneficiaries. In addition, the agency tasked to implement cash transfers, the Department of Social Welfare and Development, is headed by no one as the Commission on Appointments rejected President Duterte’s appointee five months ago.

With no social security measure or subsidy to cushion the effects of TRAIN, poor households will surely bear the brunt of the new excise tasks on commodities. The claim then of the administration

It seems obtuse to talk about long term effects or temporary sacrifices when affording a kilo of rice is already a struggle for the poor. or may not benefit the country’s poorest.

In an attempt to dispel dissent from Filipinos over the confounding impacts of the law to prices of basic goods, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Monetary Board member Felipe Medalla asserts that these incendiary effects are merely temporary and transitory. Such train of thought, while may seem rational, is actually insensitive to the realities faced by

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KWENTONG FRESHIE

UPLB PERSPECTIVE

PEBRERO 2018

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10

that the reform will shift the tax burden from the lower rings of the community to the wealthiest 1 percent is highly erroneous. It is indeed true that the tax reform will hurt the rich but it will hurt more those already exempted from income tax and those in informal work with low and erratic incomes, which is majority of the Filipino people.

While there really is a need for a tax system that is more efficient, more operative in ensuring compliance and honesty from taxpayers, and effective in plugging leakages and loopholes in the system, this shouldn’t come without a commensurate and efficient cash transfer program and ultimately at the price of putting additional burden to ordinary Filipinos. [P]