S P E C I A L I S S U E
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SPECIAL ISSUE The Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines Manila Volume 25, Number 4 Monday, July 25, 2011
Transcript of S P E C I A L I S S U E
S P E C I A L I S S U E
The Official Student Publication of theUniversity of the Philippines Manila
Volume 25, Number 4Monday, July 25, 2011
CEGP Condemns Press Repression; Celebrates 80th Year YodHim GudEl GEptY dEla Rosa and BEanca JHaninE mulato samiano
To continue the struggle against campus press repression, the College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), the longest running and widest alliance of student publications in
Asia-Pacific, together with college and student based publications across the country, held a series of campaigns to uphold the student’s rights to free campus journalism so as to prevent the occurrence of further press violations in celebration for its 80th anniversary on July 25.
Pursuit for Genuine Press FreedomAccording to CEGP National President Trina Melissa Federis, a great number of harassment and campus press repression are still prevalent due to the futile and inefficient Campus Journalism Act of 1991
“We continue to be burdened with campus press freedom violations, including harassment of publication staffers, censorship and even military surveillance. For the last school year, the national office documented 187 cases of campus press repression from 44 publication respondents” said Federis.
She also pointed out that these violations and the problems of student journalists are also an effect of the worsening crisis on education due to the Pres. Aquino’s anti-student policies.
“The crackdown on student publications was nothing less systematic, as student journalists continue to expose and oppose policies such as tuition and other fees increase. One of the most glaring examples is the withholding of the publication fund, and more often than not, this is the case with the most critical of student publications” stated Federis.
“… at the face of campus press repression, the only way to assert for our rights is through collective efforts” added Federis.
Struggles against RepressionTo convey the journalist’s struggles on press repression and the worsening situation of education in the Philippines, the student publications across the country held the Campus Press Freedom Week from July 18 to 25.
“The Campus Press Freedom Week should provide student journalists with the avenues to inform their fellow students of the worsening crisis in education. It will also be a venue in which student journalists can express their indignation over the Aquino administration’s incompetence in addressing people’s issues, especially as his second State of the Nation Address is approaching,” said CEGP National Deputy Secretary General.Cristopher Pasion.
In collaboration with the CEGP’s 80th anniversary, college publications gathered in the National University (NU) to formally start the event through a “Pubs Baha”. The event focused on the re-opening of “The National”, the university’s official student publication and also a founding member of the Guild which was then closed during the Martial Law period.
“There is a need to re-open the National because students have to be armed with the knowledge to assert their rights amid policies that restrict access to quality education” asserted Federis.
As participation in the event, The Manila Collegian, the official student publication of the University of the Philippines Manila and a member of CEGP, also conducted an exhibit at the College of Arts and Sciences Gusaling Andres Bonifacio Lobby.
02 NEWSMONDAY, JULY 25, 2011
S C , D O J P r o b e o n M i s s i n g A c t i v i s t sAFP, PNP Considered Prime Suspects
Palparan: “Not Guilty”
Palparan firmly denied the charges pressed against him by the missing students’ mothers, Concepcion Empeño and Erlinda Cadapan, and maintained that he was not involved in the abduction in his 7-page counter affidavit.
“Inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment were never the policy of the AFP and for that matter by the 7th Infantry Division which I then headed,” Palparan stated in his affidavit.
Furthermore, Palparan added that there is not enough evidence to back the accusations against him. “Do they have competent and convincing evidence other than allegations which are mere conjectures and speculations? So far, there is none. Remember that accusations are not synonymous with guilt,” he said.
The mothers of Cadapan and Empeño had already anticipated that Palparan and the other men would deny the charges filed against them. Unable to hold her anger, Mrs. Cadapan shouted at Palparan during the hearing.
Mothers’ cry: “Not giving up”In May, families of Cadapan and Empeño filed criminal complaints of rape, serious physical injuries, arbitrary detention, maltreatment of prisoners, grave threats, grave coercion, as well as other violations to the Republic Act 7438, also known as “An Act Defining Certain Rights of Persons Arrested, Detained or Under Custodial Investigation” against Palparan.
Other military men were also charged along with Palparan, namely Lt. Col. Rogelio Boac, Lt. Col. Felipe Anotado, 2Lt. Fracis Mirabelle Samson, Arnel Enriquez, Master Sergeant Donald Caigas, and Master Sergeant Rizal Hilario, among others.
Prior to the hearing on July 19, Palparan strongly denied accusations before the preliminary investigation held at the DOJ. “What will you admit, if there is nothing to admit?” he quipped.
Having recently reached the 5th year of disappearance, mothers of Cadapan and Empeño are still calling for the surface and are still searching for their beloved daughters.
“We will not stop seeking for justice. We will not stop until the perpetrators are punished. I cannot settle with the fact that I can only embrace my daughter in my dreams,” Mrs. Cadapan asserted.Cadapan and Empeño were allegedly abducted in Hagonoy, Bulacan, on June 26, 2006.
SC to AFP: “Produce Jonas Burgos”According to CHR, they have found evidence that a certain 1st Lt. Harry Baliaga Jr. of the Army’s 56th Infantry Battalion is alleged to be the principal abductor of Burgos.
Moreover, Burgos’ mother, Edith Burgos called for President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s attention, pleading for him to issue a direct order to the AFP to release her son. Mrs. Burgos also said that this is Aquino’s “opportunity to really clean up the ranks of the Armed Forces of the Philippines.”
PNP, however, admitted that they “are facing a blank wall” regarding the disappearance of Burgos, who was abducted on April 28, 2007 in a mall in Quezon City.
Following the Supreme Court’s (SC) order for the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to release missing students Karen Empeño and Sherlyn Cadapan, retired general Jovito Palparan sworn on his counter-affidavit before Department of Justice (DOJ) on July 19.
Meanwhile, SC also ordered the AFP and the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (PNP – CIDG) to investigate the disap-pearance and find farmer activist Jonas Burgos.
dEonaH aBiGail luGo miolE
Studes staged a walkout on July 19 as a form of assertion of their rights to education and other basic social services. See full story on Page 3. Photo courtesy of Ehcel Hurna.
03NEWSMONDAY, JULY 25, 2011
Y S S t a g e s N a t i o n w i d e W a l k o u tStudes oppose Aquino’s neglect on Education
Condemning the government’s failure in addressing the concerns of the education sector, thousands of students from different universities and colleges walked out from their classes on July 19 in
preparation for President Benigno Simeon Aquino III’s State of the Nation Address (SONA) on July 25.
The action was joined by progressive organizations such as League of Filipino Students, Student Christian Movement, College Editor’s Guild of the Philippines, Anakbayan, Kabataan Partylist (KPL), Bayan Muna, Gabriela, and Kabataang Artista Para sa Tunay na Kalayaan, among others.
The youth sector (YS) marched from outside the University of Santo Tomas towards Mendiola to show their protests against the neglect of the government to attend to the problems of the education system in the country.
Students from private and state universities and colleges such as University of the Philippines Manila (UPM), Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippine Normal University, UP Diliman, Rizal Technological University, and Far Eastern University took part in the walkout.
Genuine State of the NationAfter the continuous budget cuts and tuition increases on State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) for the past years, KPL Representative Raymond Palatino said that one of the movement’s goals is to make an impact on the upcoming budget talks between the Department of Budget and Management and Aquino. “Our united resolve to push for a sufficient budget increase for our SUCs will impact SONA and the budget talks. If we need to mobilize ourselves for another massive strike to make President Aquino listen, then so be it,” claimed Palatino.
Regarding the assertion for an increase on the SUCs’ budgets, UPM College of Arts and Sciences Student Council Chairperson Mudir Ahmad Estrella stated that every cent spent by the citizens through taxation must go to the right sectors which are social services, health, and education.
Meanwhile, despite the claims that the implementation of the K-12 program will be the answer to the increasing unemployment rate in the country, the YS sees it as a problem on the education system since this brings the interest of the basic and tertiary education to a clash.
“Mali naman talaga na pinagbabangga niya yung interest nung basic education at ng tertiary education. Dahil if education is really your priority, dapat lahat ng levels ay pinoprotektahan mo, dahil yun yung gina-guarantee sa atin ng constitution na education is a right at all levels and the state shall promote such provisions,” Estrella stated.
Furthermore, the YS also expressed their protests on state abandonment, primarily on the price hikes on basic services and commodities, as well as the welfare of the people.
“Pagod na yung mga kabataan na hintayin na tuparin [ni Aquino] yung mga pangako niya sa atin. Actually, yung mga pangako niya sa atin ay binaliktad niya pa. Andyan yung sunod-sunod na pagtaas ng bilihin na hindi na makontrol. Nagpapakita ito na walang kakayahan ang gobyerno na i-secure yung welfare ng mamamayan. Kaya naman, yung walkout ng mga kabataan ay hindi lang para pamantasan niya. Para rin ito sa bayan dahil ramdam niya at bahagi siya nung bayan na pinagsasamantalahan at naghihirap,” said UPM University Student Council Vice-chairperson Cleve Robert Arguelles.
In line with the upcoming SONA of Aquino, the youth and the students reveal the true state of the nation. Anakbayan National Chairperson Vencer Crisostomo asserted that the real state of the nation is a poor, hungry and deprived one. “The conditions of the Filipino youth have worsened after a year. The promise of change was clearly a farce. No real change has been instituted in terms of providing access to education and a decent future for the youth, we have instead seen budget cuts for education and social services to favor corruption, military and foreign debt spending,” he stated.
Furthermore, Arguelles stated that the walkout will not be the last action that would express the students’ fight for the universities’ greater state subsidy, the nation’s right to basic social services, and the country’s state in the future.
“Kaya nga sa darating na July 25, pupunta pa tayo doon sa SONA niya para maipakita talaga na mabait tayong mga iskolar ng bayan at nais natin siyang tulungan na makita talaga yung tunay na kalagayan ng sambayanan,” Arguelles concluded.
SC Ruling Favors HLIFWBs: “The Biggest Betrayal of a Lifetime”
alYssa nicolE cacHo GRatil
Farmer-worker beneficiaries (FWBs), along with church leaders and ad-vocates, condemned the Supreme Court (SC) ruling which called for the
holding of a referendum which enabled the FWBs to choose between a par-cel of land or a share of stocks, following the revocation of the 1989 stock distribution plan for the 6,296 farmers of Hacienda Luisita Inc. (HLI).
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SC Ruling Par tial on RevocationDuring the hearing on July 5, the SC voted 6-4, upholding the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council (PARC) revocation. SC spokesman Midas Marquez clarified that 10 of the justices stood for the revocation, yet their opinions differ in the way it should be implemented.
Associate Justices Arturo Brion, Martin Villarama Jr., Jose Catral Mendoza, and Maria Lourdes Sereno affirmed the direct redistribution of land to the FWBs, saying that the land in question should be put under the coverage of Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program. The six remaining justices which formed the majority of the vote, however, want the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) to re-conduct a referendum among the 6,296 FWBs, asking them to “choose whether
they want to remain as HLI stockholders or not.”
Associate Justices Presbitero Velasco Jr., Teresita Leonardo de Castro, Lucas Bersamin, Mariano del Castillo, Jose Perez, and Roberto Abad contested that the PARC revocation only covered its approval of the stock distribution order (SDO), but not the SDO Agreement as a contract between HLI and the FWBs. As a result, the power over the FWBs and their maintenance to the SDO was still left to HLI.
In addition, the six justices stated that “the Court cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that in 1989, 93 percent of the FWBs agreed to the SDO Agreement,” which was the primary ground for PARC to approve the SDO.
As a result of the voting, the application
of the referendum was favored. FWBs are now faced with the choice of keeping their standing stocks at the HLI or getting the part of land equivalent to their shares.
The argument given by the SC justices held up the HLI. The ruling failed to set the SDO revocation aside, and in turn gave HLI another opportunity to direct the referendum.
The farmer and workers relayed their past, claiming that the firm influenced and controlled them in 1989 and under HLI’s own-supervised referendum in 2005. As a new compromise referendum was presented, the farmers and workers of Hacienda Luisita became more apprehensive.
FWBs, Leaders Slam SC DecreeFarmer-worker groups dubbed the SC ruling as “bigay sa kaliwa, bawi sa kanan,” as it presented subtle opportunities for the HLI to maintain their authority over the FWBs.
Upon reading the majority’s decision, agrarian reform leaders say that the justices based their decisions mainly on legal points and seemingly overlooked the importance of agrarian reform as an act of social justice.
The Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas condemned the ruling, calling it “the biggest betrayal of a lifetime,” as it might
be considered far worse than the 2004 Hacienda Luisita massacre. Advocates believe that this action will only feed the agrarian uproar in the hacienda instead of ending the half-century-old conflict between the HLI and the farmer workers.
FWBs’ Two-decade Clash vs. HLIIn retrospect, the HLI management asked for the SDO in 1989, which the PARC approved, allowing the HLI to distribute 18,804.32 shares of stocks to FWBs, instead of giving them a half-hectare of land. According to Bayan Muna Partylist Representative and President Satur Ocampo’s statement in an editorial, more than a decade later, “beneficiaries” complained that the SDO only worsened the FWBs’ quality of life rather than uplift them from their meager situation.
In 2005, farm workers petitioned the revocation of the said order to the DAR and asked to just distribute the land they till. As a response, PARC voided their 1989 approval to the SDO and ordered the redistribution of land to the FWBs. Acting on their side, HLI petitioned the SC to issue a restraining order on DAR and to reserve PARC’s SDO revocation. The HLI was privileged, and the PARC order was kept back for five years. It remained untouched and unnoticed until August last year when the SC became aware of the verbal arguments of both sides.
Unity in Action. Students from different colleges and universities walked out from their classs to condemn the government’s neglect on the education sector on July 19. Photo courtesy of Ehcel Hurna
State of Negligence and Abandonment Mon Gabriel PoSadaS diStor and anGela Mariz UleP CaUdal
04 NEWSMONDAY, JULY 25, 2011
As the novelty of his illustrious campaign slogan: “Matuwid na Daan” wore off a year after his first State of the Nation Address
(SONA), President Benigno S. Aquino III’s noble promise of “building a better nation” seemed to have merely earned the disappointment of the masses.
Maganda na po ang nasimulan natin. At mas lalong maganda po ang mararating natin...”
After tackling issue of graft and corruption, lambasting the injustices of the previous administration, and promising growth through economic and social reforms in his first SONA, the state still suffers under same old problems of unemployment, poverty, and social injustice.
Demonstrating a Trace of Incompetence
Matagal pong naligaw ang pamahalaan sa daang baluktot. Araw-araw po, lalong lumilinaw sa akin ang lawak ng problema na ating
namana. Damang-dama ko ang bigat ng aking responsibilidad.
A large bulk of Aquino’s public report highlighted his attacks to the previous administration. He, however, seemed to fall short of populace’s expectations.
As such, Aquino boasted of the Truth Commission that shall render justice towards former president and now Pampanga representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo. The commission was to be the first executive order of Aquino, to be headed by former Chief Justice Hilario Davide Jr.
Hahanapin natin ang katotohanan sa mga nangyari diumanong katiwalian noong nakaraang siyam na taon.
On December 8, 2010, however, the Supreme Court (SC) affirmed that the Truth Commission as unconstitutional, and regarded it as a redundancy and repetition of the function of the Office of the Ombudsman. In addition to that, the SC argued against its specification to tackle only the cases of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and no other government official.
The failure of the foundation of the Truth Commission as a justice-seeking body implies that the present administration has failed to make the past administration accountable for its misdeeds. Moreover, the culture of impunity still reigns as Arroyo still retains her political power and unaccountability from the humongous crimes and anomalies she comitted.
Blind Justice under Aquino Government
Singkuwenta porsyento po ng mga insidente ng extralegal killings ang patungo na sa kanilang resolusyon. Ang natitira pong kalahati ay hindi natin tatantanan ang pag-usig hanggang makamit ang katarungan. Pananagutin natin ang mga mamamatay-tao. Pananagutin din natin ang mga corrupt sa gobyerno.
Despite the fact that a year has already passed since Aquino vowed to prosecute Arroyo and her cronies, justice remains blind to the victims of her injustices and impunity. With the slow-paced due process of cases, the administration failed to protect and uphold justice and human rights.
Hacienda Luisita farmers complained that Aquino’s ascendancy to presidency made no difference at all. As there had been no significant changes in their daily life a year after he won, Katipunan ng mga Samahang Magbubukid ng Timog-Katagalugan Secretary General Axel Pinpin remarked “peasants are still landless and landlords like Aquino continuously exploit from their toil.”
In addition, along with other political cases and human rights violations such as abductions, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances under the previous leadership, the injustices committed during the Aquino administration from July 2010 – March 2011 approximately amounted to 30 cases, 10 more than Arroyo’s first nine years as president.
The peasantry and the other victims of extrajudicial killings underwent the slack justice system in the country. Others, however, are still to profess justice from their perpetrators. Aquino’s rule, thus, is an apparent testimony that his government is also susceptibly predisposed to committing injustices and engendering inequality.
Feeble Calls for Peace TalksTungkol naman po sa CPP-NPA-NDF: handa na ba kayong maglaan ng konkretong mungkahi, sa halip na pawang batikos lamang?
Sa susunod na buwan ay maghahain tayo ng budget na kumikilala nang tama sa mga problema, at magtutuon din ng pansin sa tamang solusyon.
In a year after his first SONA, Aquino, however, did otherwise. Instead of granting priority over basic services such as health and education, Aquino’s policy actions and schemes exhibited partiality towards debt servicing and national defense.
Continuing GMA’s distorted fiscal policies, Aquino placed a higher allotment for debt servicing due to previous regime’s questionable debts, debt servicing and the public debt stock which forced the country to pay Php634 billion in debt service between July 2010 and April 2011 - P 8 billion more than the equivalent previous period under the Arroyo administration. Hence, this inevitably contributed to the economic decline of the country.
Much to the apprehension of the public, the administration’s blueprint of agenda for the country, as encapsulated in its Philippine Development Plan 2011-2016, is substantially the reflection of GMA: “stick to globalization policies implemented over the last decades and selectively implement social protection programs especially conditional cash transfers (CCTs).”
The CCT 29.6 billion peso budget for 2011 targets a mere 4.3 million, a far cry from the reality of 65 million poor Filipinos. Moreover, a part of the budget shall be borrowed from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the World Bank.
IBON Foundation slammed the CCTs as a “smokescreen for globalization”, saying that when in fact, the government is paying 1 peso for every 4 peso in cash given out and is paying US$5 for every US$4 in foreign loans taken out.” IBON described the cash “dole-outs” to be “unsustainable, expensive, and relief without reform.”
Privatizing Basic Rights
Oras na maipatupad ang public-private par tnerships, mapopondohan ang mga serbisyong panlipunan, alinsunod sa ating plataporma...Magkakapondo na po para maipatupad ang mga plano natin sa edukasyon...Mapapalawak natin ang basic education cycle mula sa napakaikling sampung taon tungo sa global standard na labindalawang taon...Madadagdagan natin ang mga classroom...
Aquino has repeatedly stressed the importance of the private sector in socio-economic reforms particularly in the education sector. Furthermore, aiming to make the country business –friendly, he planned to lessen the workload of filing business permits.
While the Department of Education was bestowed the largest appropriation for primary and secondary levels – during GMA’s term - roughly 11% of the total budget, Aquino gave an extreme reduction to it. The budget for state universities and colleges (SUCs) received a drastic slash by P 2.127 billion, implying not only the bastardization of the rights of students for higher education but also Aquino’s economic scheme of pushing for privatization.
As mentioned in his 2011 Budget Message, he intended to reduce the subsidy of SUCs “to push them toward becoming self-sufficient and financially independent, given their ability to raise income.”
Aquino claimed that the government is always “ready” for peace talks. In a simultaneous broadcast by the bulatlat.ph, research director Sonny Africa said that the CPP-NPA-NDF has already laid a set of conditions for the peace talks, namely, respect for human rights and international Humanitarian Law, socio-economic reforms, political constitutiuonal reforms, and ceasefire and dispostion of forces.
Albeit the Aquino government extended diplomacy among rebel groups through peace talks, a great number of extajudicial killings and other human rights violation among those derogatorily labeled as “leftists”, indicates that the administration is negligent not only to human rights but also to the lives of his countrymen.
Mirroring Arroyo’s Deplorable Policies
Paalala lang po: una sa ating plataporma ang paglikha ng mga trabaho, at nanggagaling ang trabaho sa paglago ng industriya. Lalago lamang ang industriya kung gagawin nating mas malinis, mas mabilis, at mas maginhawa ang proseso para sa mga gustong magnegosyo...Pabibilisin natin ang proseso ng mga proyektong sumasailalim sa Build-Operate-Transfer. Sa tulong ng lahat ng sangay ng gobyerno at ng mga mamamayan, pabababain natin sa anim na buwan ang proseso na noon ay inaabot ng taon kung hindi dekada..Ang walang-katapusang pabalik-balik sa proseso ng pagrehistro ng pangalan ng kumpanya, na kada dalaw ay umaabot ng apat hanggang walong oras, ibababa na natin sa labinlimang minuto...
However, according to IBON the proliferation of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) is detrimental to the state. The nature of privatizations is the continual “pursuit of profit” and thus, the service that people should be recieved is not guaranteed.
ContinUed on PaGe 5
05NEWSMONDAY, JULY 25, 2011
Stupify! RAaaWR! Hello mga afows! Nanditow nanaman ang ever veautiful at nag-jijisang nyong Lola Fatola!! Alam kong namiss nyo akow da-hil namiss ko din akow.. chosss!! Akalain naten yon, Jisang taon nadin fala ang nakalifas nung huling SowNa ni PNoy, fero dahil farang ever-nakainvisivility cloak sha, parang waley naman Anyare! Azar! Weyt, sfeaking op nakakaazar, ha-now tong mga nakikidagdag pang mga kabalita-ang nazasagap ko sa sang-kaufieman? Chaaaa!
SoNa Potter Controversial Issue Numvah 1: UniversityofSecondChoice Beybeh Beybeh
Talaga namang nafataas ng vongga ang kilay ng lola nyo nung navalitaan ko ang mga kachorva-han za UniversityofSecondChoice.. Chika sakin ni Halley Parrot(ang alaga kong baklang parrot) meron daw jisang memvah ng UniversityofSec-ondChoice ang nagsulat ng No-NO-No-letter fara icancel ang decizion za isa sa magrerepresenta ng mga estudyate sa Chancy elections.. Goshness afow, bakit nemen ganitow? Di ba dafat maging happii ka nalang at may magrerepresent sa mga ischoodents? Keylengen tandaan na matagal ng tafos ang eleksyon.. Waley na dafat ang mga kulay sa UniversityofSecondChoice. Dapat lessgo and make-magkaisa na diba? Fara naman maibigay nyo ng mas Vongga ang servisyong kinakailangan ng buong sangkayufieman.. Okay, Alrayt? Alrayt? Alrayt? Fero teka, theres more, more, more.. di fa-fala jan natatafos ang issue sa mga officers na itech!! Chika fa sakin ni Halley, isang Universityof-SecondChoice Councilor daw ang nag-tangay ng fayong sa Nazional Vookstore.. Random umbrella, ella ella, eh, eh, eh galing sa shack ang kinuha nya kasi daw baka wala nemen may-ari.. Nako nako nako nemen, hindi lang fala sa loov ng Ufiem uso ang kuhanan ng gamit, pati sa rov. Wooo. Zigi, Okaaay lang naman mgkamali minsan, basta wag na uulitin ah, nazizira kazi ang reputation ng ibang mga afowz ko na ala naman kinalaman diba? <3
SoNa Potter Controversial Is-sue Numvah 2: Alumni Cheverloo
Ow. May. Gulay. Sino va naman itong recent gradweyt ng AnSabe na maysave na furo daw reklamo ng reklamo ng reklamo ang mga ala-ga afowz kong MKulet?! “Mag-aral nga kayo!” Vanat pa nya! How deyr yu meyk criticize sa
Mga Fulung-Vulungan ...
Lola Patola
mga afow ko na nakikifaglaban fara za kanilang mga karafatan at faniniwala?! Kung maka-comment ka ng kung aney-aney ay kala mo ‘di na nag-aaral ang mga afow ko?! FerYerKaala-man, kayang kaya pagsavayin ng mga afow ko ang acads at journalismo! At di forket gradweyt kana e lamang kana sha kanila. Gaaad. Napa-FUUUUUUUUUU(isearch sa google imgs) talaga ako nung navasa kow ang comment nya sa efbi. Ow May Gulay talaga! Parang di ka iska! Howkey lang naman kung di ka sumama za kahit anong issue, desisyon mo yan. Pero dafat mo imake-galang ang mga kapwa mo isko at iska! Kaay?
Hala! Tumaas na nemen ang dugo ko.. Gaad. Muntik ko na tuloy makalimutan na nirereser-va ko nga fala ang boses ko fara sa July 25.. Ha? Watemaytalkengabout? Huwaat di nyo alam? Magfeferform ang Lola nyo sa SowNa ng bayan!! Join me Everybodeh! Punta kayo! Yeah! Yeah! Kaduet ko ang ever-pogi kong jugz na si Lolo Ufo. Kekentehen namin si Pe-Noy na wag na uli mag-ever-make ng mga pangakow kung di din nya matutupad.. sabi nga ni Harreh, ‘one must not tell lies’.. <3
1. Ano sa tingin mo ang lalamanin ng SONA ni PNoy ngayong taon? Pawang ka-SONA-ngalingan, serbisyong kunwari lamang. Sa SONA’y ihahatid ang mga balitang walang katotohanan.-she-who-shall-not-be-named Words, mere words. Null, void, invalid, hallucina-tions, not true. Dadaanin nanaman tayo sa mala palabok niang salita na wala namang saysay.-Paul Adrian Soriano, DDM MGA KALOKOHAN NIYANG WAGAS-Ziara Carmelli, CP, BSP Mga nagawa nya-Lean,CAS,BSCS Malamang puro euphemisms lang ang laman ng SONA niya. Ay.. saka baka sa SONA niya na din ilabas ang mga emo quotes niya tungkol sa love life niyang fail.-biologicallyfemale Wishful Thinking, pero sana mayroon nang matinong plano ang Pangulo para sa mga isyung kinakaharap niya, hindi yung puro paninisi lang ang ginagawa niya. - Buknoy, PolSci Pa-pogi. Kailangan niya yun e.-NagiisangTitik, BA BS Paninisi sa nakaraang administrasyon sa mga aberya at problemang iniwan nito, pagmamalaki sa mga band-aid solutions na ipinatupad para solusyunan ang lumalalang krisis panlipunan, mga panibagong pangako habang sa kasalukuy-an ay wala namang pinatutunguhan ang “daang matuwid” para tugunan ang pangangailangan ng mamamayan. walang pagbabago sa ilalim ni aquino!-anakbayan up manila mga “achievements nya sa ppp”which i don’t marami ang maniniwala- suzaku_eatscakes ba polsci “Papakulong ko na si Gloria.”- gd, polsci eh di ganun parin; “Kung walang kurap,walang mahirap” at gagawa raw siya ng paraan para mailabas lahat ng baho ni Arroyo.- Biankalets, BA Political Science Kung panu nya tayo inihatid sa “tamang daan”- expelliarmus, ba polsci Paninisi sa taong bayan kung bakit tayo na-kikialam sa lovelife niya kaya tuloy wala siyang girlfriend. - Aberforth Dumbledore, Defense Against the Dark Arts of the US-Aquino Regime ipagyayabang nya ang pagiging handa ng huk-bong sandatahan ng Pilipinas at ang matalik na pagkakaibigan ng Pilipinas at Estados Unidos-swastika, DSS Ang favorite excuse niya na, “nauubos ang termino niya sa kakalinis ng mga problemang iniwan sa kanya ng nakaraang administrasyon.” Sa madaling sabi, Huwag na tayong magexpect na may gagawin siyang bago habang nakaupo. Grabe, ang tagal niyang mag move-on ‘teh!-toxicated, BABS Mga criticisms niya sa nakaraang administrasyon. Papalabasin niyang mas maganda ung adminis-trasyon niya. Talk-shit.-Totoy Bibo Si Kris Aquino-masterr.xp Siguro mga pangakong mapapako nanaman tapos mga patama nanaman sa nakaraang ad-ministrasyon. Wag naman na sanang isama yung hairstyle ni Gloria. haha.-frog princess GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA,GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA,
2. Kung hindi kotse ang ibibigay mo sa mga obispo, anong ibibigay mo? Isang matinong lovelife.-she-who-shall-not-be-named Petition letter calling for higher state subsidy.-Paul Adrian Soriano, DDM Bike =))-Ziara Carmelli, CP, BSP Bus.-Lean,CAS,BSCS mga sako ng harina para marami silang mapaga-wang ostiya, may shortage sa parokya namin eh. -Buknoy, BA PolSci ung prang bilog na something kapag may misa...:3- suzaku_eatscakes ba polsci condom at isang maliit na papel na may nakalagay na RH.-swastika, DSS Pork barrel. Hehe .- gd, polsci DVD ng 100 Days to Heaven, sabay sabi: “eto,panuorin niyo na lang. Mas may kapupulutan pa ng aral ito kesa sa inyo”- Biankalets, BA Political Science Dahil mas mayaman pa sila kaysa sa akin, magbibi-gay ako nang letter na humihingi ng tulong or schol-arship. Para may pambayad ako next enrollment.- Aberforth Dumbledore, Defense Against the Dark Arts of US-Aquino Regime the “Bible”, baka sakaling maalala nila yung preach-ings nila. Kung wala pa rin, Phil. constitution para malaman nilang bawal yung mga ginagawa nila.- mang :D, BA PolSci Bibliya at magnifying glass. HAHAHA!-Flam Konsensya. ‘Nuff said. :)-toxicated, BABS Trip to Vatican. :)-Totoy Bibo posters ng RH Bill-masterr.xp Pagmamahal. ;)-NagiisangTitik, BA BS Private jet XD-frog princess
Time machine para makapunta sila sa hinaharap at makita ang mga katakot-takot at kalunos-lunos na epekto ng pinaggagagawa nila ngayon.-Reggie Soriano, CAS, BA Dev Stud
Noynoy: “napakabigat talaga ng binigay ng nakara-ang administrasyon kaya nahirapan akong gumawa ng kahit na ano..” -amboy
sandamukal na pictures ng mga mahihirap na pamilya. para makonsensya sila sa paghihingi ng mga sasakyan na kadalasan ay para lang sa pansaril-ing kagustuhan at hindi para sa lahat. kairita lang? -kesong.bughaw
GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, GMA, repeat until satisfied. - Reggie Soriano, CAS, BA Dev Stud Noynoy: “napakabigat talaga ng binigay ng nakara-ang administrasyon kaya nahirapan akong gumawa ng kahit na ano..”-amboy
oh, what’s new? karamihan nyan mga fabricated or brought up by the imagination inside of what he BELIEVES as a brain. :P - kesong.bughaw
ITANONG KAY ISKO AT ISKA
“Ang problema sa privatization, sinusuko ng gobyerno ang responsibilidad sa mga institution na ito,” Africa stated when asked regarding the perils of privatization.
“Nag-seset-up tayo sa pag-privatize ng mga [government offices] at [nakikita natin na nais niyang] magtanggal ng balakid sa burukrasya,” he added.
By virtue of the PPP scheme, Aquino assumed that he could solve the problems that impede the development of the society and the education system.. This, however, is essentially a clear testament to the government’s abandonment and neglect to its duty to provide genuine reform. Through the implementation of the PPP, he remained apathetic to the students who could not pay their already expensive education.
Furthermore, apart from education, the health sector also obtained a meager budget allocation. Receiving a cut of P 1.4 billion for public hospitals, doctors, nurses, and health workers strive to make do with whatever their Php29 billion fund provided them.
Contrary to the preceding government, Aquino gave huge fund decrease to various stakeholders. The budget for 67 hospitals nationwide, used mainly by the poor, was cut by P 368 million, for five specialty hospitals by P 971 million and for subsidies to indigent patients by P 20 million.
As it is, the condition of the basic social services especially the health sector in the country has been suffering an even more miserable state than the GMA regime. Hampered by the harsh effects of the recent budget cuts, Aquino’s primary objective of making health services accessible and available to everyone is still a far-fetch illusion.
Aquino could have been the epitome of the change he spoke of during his first SONA. However, his slogan “Daang Matuwid,” when scrutinized against the current poverty-stricken state substantiates the fact that his administration is not headed to the direction he promised to lead the Filipino people. With the apparent state neglect and abandonment, The Manila Collegian calls on the Iskolars ng Bayan to go out of the confines of the four corners of the classroom and register our demands during the SONA ng BAYAN on July 25. We call on the Iskolars ng Bayan to step forward and stand up for our basic rights, as we address the pressing political and social injustices that have been committed in this regime.
iSkotiStiCS... froM PrevioUS PaGe
Te
rm
ina
l S
ta
ge
Ari
es J
osep
h A
rmen
di H
egin
a A
quin
o pl
edge
d to
giv
e to
the
peop
le a
“he
alth
for a
ll” p
rogr
am a
nd a
n up
grad
e of
pub
lic h
ospi
tals
thro
ugh
es-
tabl
ishi
ng p
ublic
-pri
vate
acc
ords
, am
ong
othe
r pr
ojec
ts t
hat
he p
rom
ised
whi
ch c
once
rns
the
coun
try’
s he
alth
se
ctor
. How
ever
, non
e of
thes
e pr
omis
es w
as re
aliz
ed. T
he h
ealt
h se
ctor
of t
he c
ount
ry, a
sup
pose
dly
indi
spen
-si
ble
part
of
the
Filip
ino
life,
onl
y re
mai
ns t
o be
a p
rivi
lege
too
pri
cey
to b
e av
aile
d an
d to
o fa
r-fe
tche
d to
be
atta
ined
.
“Yel
low
fev
er”
has
rend
ered
Jua
n de
la C
ruz
in w
retc
hed
deso
lati
on. A
nd J
uan
is le
ft t
o fi
nd t
he c
ure
in o
rder
to
sur
vive
.
Inst
itut
iona
lizin
g St
ate
Neg
lect
on
Hea
lth
The
pres
ent s
cena
rio o
f the
cou
ntry
’s he
alth
sec
tor e
pito
miz
-es
the
aba
ndon
men
t of
the
sta
te t
hat
supp
osed
ly u
phol
ds
the
unas
saila
ble
right
for p
ublic
hea
lthca
re.
A ye
ar in
the
new
regi
me
offe
rs n
othi
ng
refo
rmat
ive
for
the
natio
n, e
spec
ially
on
the
coun
try’
s he
alth
sec
tor.
The
appr
oved
201
1 bu
dg
et
is a
gla
ring
evid
ence
of t
he A
qui-
no
adm
inis
trat
ion’
s fu
rthe
ring
abdi
-ca
tion
on
a c
onst
itutio
nal o
blig
a-ti
on
. In
stea
d of
pr
ovid
ing
gre
at-
er
subs
idy
on
basi
c so
cia
l se
rvic
es s
uch
as e
duca
-tio
n an
d he
alth
car
e, t
he p
res-
en
t go
vern
men
t ba
lloon
ed
th
e bu
dget
for
deb
t se
rvic
-i
ng
. An
80.
9 bi
llion
pes
o in
-cr
ease
w
as
impl
emen
ted
for
de
bt
serv
icin
g w
hile
the
bud
-g
et
for
heal
th
was
fu
rthe
r sl
ashe
d an
d re
alig
ned
to
the
budg
et
of
stat
e un
iver
sitie
s an
d co
llege
s. T
he
se
man
euve
rs
prov
e th
at
the
ad-
min
istr
atio
n do
es n
ot p
riorit
ize
the
basi
c se
rvic
es t
hat
its
cons
titue
nts
dese
rve
bu
t in
-
stea
d,
fo-
cuse
s on
ap
peas
-in
g fo
reig
n po
wer
s.
Aqui
no p
rom
ised
tha
t in
his
adm
inis
tra-
ti
on
, he
alth
care
wou
ld b
e ac
cess
ible
for a
ll. H
ow-
ever
, af
ter
a ye
ar, h
ealth
care
for
all
was
tra
nsfo
rmed
to
beco
me
“Phi
l-he
alth
for a
ll.” T
his
was
evi
dent
on
the
mov
es o
f the
adm
inis
-tr
atio
n of
incr
easi
ng b
enefi
ts a
nd m
embe
rshi
p fo
r Phi
lhea
lth
so t
hat
“fam
ilies
will
not
fal
l int
o th
e cr
acks
of
pove
rty
if a
mem
ber g
ot il
l.” T
he P
hilh
ealth
car
d, a
ccor
ding
to H
ealth
Al-
lianc
e fo
r Dem
ocra
cy, i
s no
t acc
epte
d in
mos
t priv
ate
hosp
i-ta
ls a
nd c
ould
not
be
used
in p
ublic
hos
pita
ls d
ue to
lack
of
med
icin
es a
nd s
ervi
ces
that
it c
ould
offe
r. Th
is is
a g
ross
con
-fu
sion
of
bein
g ab
le t
o pr
ovid
e th
e co
nstit
utio
nal m
anda
te
of e
xten
ding
hea
lth a
cces
sibi
lity
to a
ll se
ctor
s of
the
coun
try
and
to p
rovi
de a
mea
sly
fund
ing
for
cont
inui
ng a
n al
read
y-pr
oven
inef
fect
ive
mea
sure
.
Also
, as
a re
perc
ussi
on o
f the
cut
s th
at w
ere
impo
sed
on th
e he
alth
bud
get,
publ
ic h
ospi
tals
are
for
ced
to fi
nd m
eans
in
orde
r to
sus
tain
its
oper
atio
ns. T
he r
esul
ts a
re t
hat
the
hos-
pita
ls c
harg
e hi
gher
fee
s th
at a
re b
eing
sho
ulde
red
by t
he
impo
veris
hed
patie
nts
and
like
wha
t ha
s ha
ppen
ed t
o th
e
Phili
ppin
e G
ener
al H
ospi
tal,
the
heal
th i
nstit
utio
ns r
esul
t to
w
elco
min
g pr
ivat
izat
ion
and
com
mer
cial
izat
ion
in it
s m
idst
.
The
insi
nuat
ions
of
the
Aqui
no a
dmin
istr
atio
n’s
man
euve
rs
rega
rdin
g th
e he
alth
sec
tor
only
agg
rava
te t
he d
amne
d sc
e-na
rio in
whi
ch F
ilipi
nos
are
plac
ed. T
he st
ate,
whi
ch is
pur
port
-ed
ly th
e on
e to
aid
its
peop
le, i
s th
e on
e th
at in
duce
s th
em to
be
stu
ck in
the
quag
mire
of m
iser
y. D
efyi
ng t
he C
lam
or fo
r Re
form
Stifl
ed in
the
clen
ches
of t
he im
pass
ive
gove
rnm
ent,
the
wel
-fa
re o
f the
peo
ple
is re
nder
ed in
to th
e lo
wes
t of i
ts p
riorit
ies.
As t
he y
ear-
old
gove
rnm
ent
stay
s tr
ue t
o its
for
m o
f in
stitu
-tio
naliz
ing
stat
e ne
glec
t on
bas
ic s
ocia
l ser
vice
s, th
e pe
ople
w
hich
hav
e pu
t him
in p
ower
are
the
ones
that
suf
fer f
rom
his
un
just
ifiab
le
tac-
tics.
Such
is
evid
ent
on t
he r
ate
of F
ilipi
nos
that
ar
e st
ill s
uffe
ring
from
hun
-ge
r. Al
thou
gh
the
rece
nt
SWS
surv
ey
re
co
rd
ed
the
low
est
perc
enta
ge o
f pe
ople
w
ho
unde
rwen
t in
volu
n-ta
ry
hung
er
sinc
e Ju
ne 2
007,
the
Ka
lipu-
nan
ng
Dam
ayan
g M
ah
i-hi
rap
stat
es th
at ‘m
illio
ns
of F
ilipi
nos
still
go
hung
ry’
and
the
Aqui
no a
dmin
is-
trat
ion’
s no
n-im
plem
en-
tatio
n of
lan
d re
form
co
uld
be tr
aced
as
the
inci
dent
’s ca
use.
Th
e ca
ll of
hea
lth w
orke
rs
for
bett
er w
ages
is
also
bei
ng s
nubb
ed b
y th
e de
afen
ed
gove
rnm
ent.
Acco
rdin
g to
the
Nat
iona
l wag
e an
d Pr
oduc
tivity
Co
mm
issi
on la
st J
une
2010
, ‘th
e w
ages
and
sal
arie
s of
pub
lic
and
priv
ate
sect
or w
orke
rs in
clud
ing
heal
th w
orke
rs a
re b
elow
th
e m
inim
um c
ost o
f liv
ing
at th
e N
atio
nal C
apita
l Reg
ion
set
at P
957
($22
.29)
per
day
, or
P30,
000
($69
9) p
er m
onth
.’ Th
is
data
ser
ves
as a
gla
ring
trut
h th
at a
s th
e go
vern
men
t con
tinu-
ousl
y ab
ando
ns it
s re
spon
sibi
lity
to it
s pe
ople
, it
only
junk
s th
e id
eals
of c
hang
e th
at it
has
ban
nere
d fro
m th
e st
art—
the
very
sam
e pr
inci
ples
tha
t th
e Fi
lipin
o pe
ople
has
clu
ng s
o de
sper
atel
y an
d le
d to
the
ele
ctio
n of
a c
arbo
n co
py o
f th
e de
test
ed n
ine-
year
tyra
nt.
Aft
er a
yea
r in
the
pre
side
ncy,
Aqu
ino’
s de
cisi
ons
slow
ly
unve
il hi
s re
gim
e’s
true
inte
ntio
ns. T
hrou
gh s
lash
ing
the
heal
th b
udge
t an
d ig
nori
ng t
he c
alls
of
the
affl
icte
d, i
t ha
s br
azen
ly p
rove
n th
at t
he w
elfa
re o
f th
e pe
ople
—hi
s bo
sses
—co
uld
be p
lace
d in
the
leas
t of
his
gov
ernm
ent’s
pr
iori
ties
.
The
“yel
low
feve
r” le
ft J
uan
dela
Cru
z ga
spin
g fo
r hi
s la
st
livin
g br
eath
. For
in a
nat
ion
in w
hich
its
heal
thca
re is
on
the
verg
e of
ter
min
alit
y, d
eath
is b
ut a
wel
com
ing
frie
nd
for
the
ailin
g Fi
lipin
o.
So
win
g S
eed
s o
f D
ecep
tio
nJe
sse
Nic
ole
Ru
bio
San
tos
Dur
ing
his
cam
paig
n, A
quin
o bo
aste
d of
pur
suin
g ge
nuin
e ag
raria
n re
form
onc
e el
ecte
d, th
at s
ocia
l jus
tice
wou
ld p
enet
rate
the
haci
enda
s w
hich
bec
ame
bree
ding
gro
unds
of d
ecei
t and
infa
my.
Or s
o it
seem
ed.
For e
ven
as th
e is
sue
garn
ered
con
trov
ersy
wel
l int
o hi
s fir
st fe
w m
onth
s in
offi
ce, t
he P
resi
dent
rem
aine
d va
guel
y si
lent
abo
ut
the
mat
ter,
and
inst
ead,
pro
long
ed th
e ag
grav
atio
n of
the
farm
ers’
dire
situ
atio
n. L
aws
have
bee
n pa
ssed
. Pro
visi
ons
have
bee
n de
bate
d up
on. R
ulin
gs h
ave
been
mad
e. Y
et u
ntil
now
, the
str
uggl
e of
the
impo
veris
hed
farm
ers
cont
inue
s.
Ther
e is
stil
l no
genu
ine
agra
rian
refo
rm.
Sett
ing
Trac
ks fo
r D
ecep
tion
For
the
long
est
time,
agr
aria
n re
form
has
bee
n an
iss
ue i
n th
e Ph
ilipp
ines
, fai
ling
to tr
uly
mat
eria
lize
in s
ocie
ty. I
n pa
rt, t
he fa
ult l
ies
in p
ast
Phili
ppin
e ad
min
istr
atio
ns w
hich
kee
p re
pudi
atin
g m
easu
res
to r
esol
ve t
he c
onfli
ct, i
n lig
ht o
f th
e pr
ivat
e in
tere
sts
at p
lay
in t
he
disp
ute.
Thi
s, in
tur
n, m
eant
a li
fetim
e of
tor
men
t an
d an
guis
h fo
r th
e fa
rmer
s.
For p
ast r
egim
es p
asse
d ag
raria
n re
form
law
s to
sile
nce
prot
ests
, but
no
t to
enf
orce
soc
ial
just
ice.
The
Com
preh
ensi
ve A
grar
ian
Refo
rm
Law
and
the
Com
preh
ensi
ve A
grar
ian
Refo
rm P
rogr
am E
xten
sion
w
ith R
efor
ms
stoo
d as
mer
e fr
audu
lent
ver
sion
s of
wha
t it
shou
ld
trul
y re
pres
ent.
Cert
ain
prov
isio
ns a
llow
ed p
rope
rtie
s to
be e
xem
pted
fro
m l
and
dist
ribut
ion
and
the
incl
usio
n of
the
Sto
ck D
istr
ibut
ion
Opt
ion
(SD
O) b
ecam
e a
high
ly in
adeq
uate
ver
sion
of a
grar
ian
refo
rm.
Fille
d w
ith g
aps
and
loop
hole
s, th
ese
law
s be
cam
e m
eans
to a
ppea
se
the
mou
ntin
g un
rest
of
the
agric
ultu
ral s
ecto
r, w
hile
sat
isfy
ing
the
inte
rest
s of
the
owne
rs. I
n its
ste
ad c
ame
the
prop
osal
of t
he G
enui
ne
Agra
rian
Refo
rm B
ill –
the
pas
sage
of w
hich
will
allo
w t
he e
xist
ence
of
gen
uine
agr
aria
n re
form
. But
as
even
ts m
ay f
oret
ell,
the
bill
may
re
mai
n sh
elve
d, a
s it
is n
ow.
The
mos
t re
cent
con
clus
ion
on t
his
mat
ter
is t
he d
ecis
ion
of t
he
Supr
eme
Cour
t to
affi
rm t
he m
ove
of t
he P
resi
dent
ial
Agra
rian
Refo
rm C
ounc
il to
inv
alid
ate
the
SDO
. Thi
s, ho
wev
er, c
ame
with
a
cond
ition
: tha
t th
e fa
rmer
s sh
ould
be
calle
d in
a r
efer
endu
m b
y th
e D
epar
tmen
t on
Agr
aria
n Re
form
, to
deci
de b
etw
een
the
SDO
and
la
nd d
istr
ibut
ion.
The
pred
icam
ent t
hat w
ould
aris
e fro
m th
is d
ecis
ion
is a
gra
ve in
sult
to t
he f
arm
ers.
The
SC fi
nally
hal
ted
the
dece
ptio
n in
duce
d by
the
SD
O, b
ut t
hen
impl
ante
d an
othe
r un
nece
ssar
y se
ries
of c
onte
ntio
n,
whe
n it
coul
d ha
ve g
rant
ed la
nd d
istr
ibut
ion
inst
ead.
Thi
s is
furt
her
defa
cem
ent o
f the
due
righ
ts o
f the
farm
ers,
who
hav
e en
dure
d an
d fo
ught
aga
inst
thi
s pr
epos
tero
us d
enia
l of
gen
uine
agr
aria
n re
form
long
eno
ugh.
W
ith t
he t
ime
spen
t en
forc
ing
this
ru
ling,
all
but
the
farm
ers
are
spar
ed f
rom
its
crip
plin
g im
pact
.
Dec
isio
ns m
ade
conc
erni
ng th
e m
atte
r see
m a
s if t
he
adm
inis
trat
ion
keep
s on
sho
ving
the
opt
ion
dow
n th
e fa
rmer
s’ t
hroa
ts, d
espi
te it
s ob
viou
s de
trim
ents
. O
nce
agai
n, la
nd d
istr
ibut
ion
has
been
avo
ided
. And
w
hat
may
hav
e be
en l
abel
ed a
s th
e an
swer
to
the
prob
lem
may
in fa
ct b
e an
othe
r bar
rier i
n th
e fig
ht fo
r jus
tice.
Enfo
rcin
g A
buse
Still
un
satis
fied
with
th
eir
supr
emac
ist
reig
n ov
er t
he l
and,
so
me
haci
ende
ros
expl
oit
the
pow
er t
hey
hold
and
the
far
mer
s th
ey e
nsla
ve. H
eino
us a
buse
s ar
e pr
eval
ent
in
othe
r ha
cien
das
asid
e fro
m
Hac
iend
a Lu
isita
, su
ch
as
Hac
iend
a Yu
lo
in
La
gu
na
. Pe
asan
ts a
re f
orce
d to
w
ork
unde
r ha
rsh
cond
ition
s, w
ith d
istu
rbin
gly
low
sal
arie
s an
d in
utt
er
depr
ivat
ion
of t
he r
ight
s an
d be
nefit
s th
ey a
re r
ight
fully
en
title
d to
, as
wor
kers
.
RE
SO
NA
NC
ES
ta
te
of
th
e N
at
ion
in
Aq
uin
o's
Fir
st
Ye
ar
in
Po
we
r
Not
on
e to
co
ndon
e re
belli
on,
owne
rs
allo
wed
m
ilita
rizat
ion
to
prev
ail
over
th
e ha
cien
das.
The
Hac
iend
a Lu
isita
Mas
sacr
e pa
ints
a p
ortr
ait o
f thi
s crim
e,
as N
ovem
ber 1
6, 2
004
saw
the
mur
der o
f 7 p
eopl
e, w
ith
121
inju
red.
Pea
sant
s ar
e m
ade
to li
ve in
fear
for t
he re
st
of t
heir
lives
as
land
owne
rs u
sed
phys
ical
ly r
epre
ssiv
e m
eans
to d
iver
t the
situ
atio
n in
thei
r fav
or.
The
appa
rent
abs
ence
of a
sol
utio
n to
the
land
ref
orm
is
sue
in t
he c
ount
ry p
ortr
ays
the
true
sta
nce
of t
he
adm
inis
trat
ion
in
the
mat
ter.
By
not
choo
sing
to
de
cide
whe
ther
to p
rovi
de s
uppo
rt fo
r the
SD
O o
r lan
d di
strib
utio
n, o
r any
oth
er o
ptio
n fo
r tha
t mat
ter,
Aqui
no
has,
in e
ffect
, cho
sen
to d
eser
t th
e pl
ea o
f jus
tice
from
th
e fa
rmer
s. As
he
took
the
rel
ativ
ely
safe
sta
nd o
f ha
ving
a “
hand
s-of
f” p
olic
y an
d di
smis
sing
the
mat
ter
as a
n “in
tra-
corp
orat
e” d
ispu
te, A
quin
o th
rew
aw
ay h
is
chan
ce o
f cre
atin
g ch
ange
in th
e liv
es o
f the
tille
rs, a
nd
yet a
gain
, prio
ritiz
ed h
is re
lativ
es’ b
usin
ess
effo
rts
over
th
e pl
ight
of h
is c
onst
ituen
cy.
The
pere
nnia
l pr
oble
m o
f th
e ab
senc
e of
gen
uine
ag
rari
an r
efor
m i
n th
e co
untr
y co
ntin
ues
to h
aunt
ev
ery
farm
er i
n it
s w
rath
-lad
en p
ath.
And
eve
n as
th
e ad
min
istr
atio
n is
exp
ecte
d to
cur
b th
e pr
oble
m,
it n
ever
thel
ess
advo
cate
s no
t on
ly t
he c
onfl
ict’s
pe
rpet
uati
on,
but
also
pr
olon
gs
the
alar
min
gly
dest
itut
e st
ate
of t
he fa
rmer
s.
Inju
stic
e ha
s be
en t
oler
ated
lon
g en
ough
. U
nles
s la
nd
dist
ribu
tion
is
en
forc
ed,
the
stru
ggle
w
ill
beco
me
mor
e fe
rven
t th
an e
ver
befo
re.
The
desi
red
chan
ge fr
om P
resi
dent
Ben
igno
Sim
eon
C. A
quin
o III
’s ru
le fa
iled
to m
ater
ializ
e, in
sofa
r as
the
four
mai
n se
ctor
s–ag
ricu
ltur
al r
efor
m, e
duca
tion
, hea
lth,
and
hum
an r
ight
s–ar
e co
ncer
ned.
Inst
ead,
in it
s pl
ace
cam
e a
perp
etua
tion
of w
hat t
he p
revi
ous
regi
me
stoo
d fo
r – a
n in
geni
ous
man
euve
ring
of t
he a
band
onm
ent o
f soc
ial r
espo
nsib
iliti
es to
fulfi
ll pr
ivat
e go
als.
And
as
the
adm
inis
trat
ion’
s fi
rst
year
in o
ffice
dra
ws
to a
clo
se, t
here
see
ms
to b
e in
adeq
uate
res
pons
es s
till,
to
the
area
s it
nee
ds t
o ad
dres
s th
e m
ost.
Whi
le S
tate
of
the
Nat
ion
Add
ress
(vS
ON
A)
spee
ches
may
be
deem
ed f
ull o
f de
cept
ivel
y co
nvin
cing
rhe
tori
c, m
ost
of t
hese
are
qui
te n
otor
ious
for
exa
gger
atin
g re
alit
y an
d m
aski
ng
the
pitf
alls
of
the
regi
me.
Sta
tist
ics
show
ing
the
supp
osed
dev
elop
men
t of
the
cou
ntry
are
thr
ust
into
the
spo
tlig
ht, i
n pl
ace
of t
he t
rue
plig
ht o
f th
e Fi
lipin
o. T
he t
ime
has
com
e fo
r th
e tr
uth
to b
e re
veal
ed.
St
at
e o
f t
he
Na
tio
n i
n A
qu
ino
's F
irs
t Y
ea
r i
n P
ow
er
Illu
stra
tion
s b
y R
ey D
anie
l Esp
inu
eva
and
Eh
cel H
urn
a
JU
ST
ICE
DE
NIE
d J
eo A
nge
lo C
hic
o E
lam
par
o “…
if th
ey m
ean
that
they
wou
ld li
ke u
s to
sim
ply
forg
et a
bout
the
wro
ngs
that
they
hav
e co
mm
itted
in th
e pa
st, w
e ha
ve
this
to
say:
the
re c
an b
e no
rec
onci
liatio
n w
ithou
t ju
stic
e. W
hen
we
allo
w c
rimes
to
go u
npun
ishe
d, w
e gi
ve c
onse
nt t
o th
eir
occu
rrin
g ov
er a
nd o
ver
agai
n. S
ecre
tary
de
Lim
a, y
ou h
ave
your
mar
chin
g or
ders
. Beg
in t
he p
roce
ss o
f pro
vidi
ng
true
and
com
plet
e ju
stic
e fo
r all.”
To t
he y
ello
w-c
lad
pres
iden
t, t
his
was
just
a p
rono
unce
men
t lik
e an
y ot
her,
a fr
agm
ent
of t
he p
ompo
us s
peec
h he
has
spo
ken
whe
n he
ros
e to
pow
er. B
ut t
o th
e vi
ctim
s of
hum
an r
ight
s vi
olat
ions
(H
RV)
and
thei
r fa
mili
es,
this
was
the
pre
side
nt’s
prom
ise
to e
nd t
heir
str
uggl
e an
d gi
ve t
hem
the
just
ice
they
uny
ield
ingl
y cl
amor
for.
Mor
e th
an a
yea
r af
ter,
how
ever
, not
hing
muc
h ha
s ch
ange
d. T
o th
e ye
llow
-cla
d pr
esid
ent,
the
pron
ounc
emen
t re
mai
ned
noth
ing
but a
frag
men
t of h
is p
revi
ous
pom
pous
spe
ech.
But
to m
ost o
f the
vic
tim
s an
d th
eir f
amili
es
the
prom
ise
is y
et t
o be
fulfi
lled.
Just
ice,
the
refo
re, i
s st
ill b
eing
den
ied.
Unr
esol
ved
Appa
rent
ly, c
ases
of H
RV w
ere
not a
larm
ing
enou
gh to
mer
it th
e fu
ll at
tent
ion
of th
e Aq
uino
adm
inis
trat
ion.
The
pers
iste
nce
of e
xtra
judi
cial
kill
ings
and
sta
te-e
nfor
ced
disa
ppea
ranc
es a
re g
larin
g pr
oofs
of
this
. Ac
cord
ing
to
Kara
pata
n Al
lianc
e fo
r th
e Ad
vanc
emen
t of
Peo
ple’
s Ri
ghts
, th
ere
had
been
a to
tal o
f 48
case
s of
ext
raju
dici
al k
illin
gs a
nd
5 ca
ses
of s
tate
-enf
orce
d di
sapp
eara
nces
dur
ing
Aqui
no’s
first
yea
r as
pre
side
nt.
Mos
t of
the
afo
rem
entio
ned
HRV
ar
e be
lieve
d to
be
exec
uted
by
the
Arm
ed F
orce
s of
the
Ph
ilipp
ines
as
part
of
thei
r co
unte
r-in
surg
ency
ope
ratio
n,
Opl
an
Baya
niha
n.
Thes
e op
erat
ions
, w
hose
vi
ctim
s ar
e th
ose
who
bel
ong
to t
he p
rogr
essi
ve g
roup
s th
at c
ontin
ue
to c
ritic
ize
the
med
iocr
ity o
f th
e Aq
uino
ad
min
istr
atio
n, a
re h
eavi
ly f
unde
d by
th
e pr
esid
ent
him
self
thro
ugh
the
allo
catio
n of
a
larg
e ch
unk
of t
he n
atio
nal
budg
et to
the
mili
tary
.
Thes
e ca
ses
have
und
enia
bly
aggr
avat
ed
the
alre
ady
exec
rabl
e cu
lture
of
impu
nity
in
th
e co
untr
y;
a cu
lture
th
at d
oes
not
only
tol
erat
es
crim
es
but
allo
ws
its
perp
etra
tors
get
aw
ay w
ith
it. Y
ears
ago
, thi
s cu
lture
has
pe
rmitt
ed t
he d
isap
pear
ance
s of
Sh
erly
n Ca
dapa
n,
Kare
n Em
peno
, Jo
nas
Burg
os
and
man
y ot
hers
. To
day,
th
is
cultu
re p
rodu
ces
even
mor
e de
sapa
raci
dos
– a
clea
r si
gn
that
sh
ows
Aqui
no’s
utte
r ad
here
nce
to
the
prev
ious
ad
min
istr
atio
n he
us
ed
to
deno
unce
.
Even
the
med
ia p
ract
ition
ers
wer
e no
t sp
ared
fro
m t
he h
eino
usne
ss.
The
carn
age
that
ha
ppen
ed
in
Mag
uind
anao
in
2009
whi
ch b
ruta
lly c
laim
ed t
he l
ives
of
m
ore
than
32
jo
urna
lists
is
st
ill
left
un
reso
lved
. Aq
uino
’s pr
omis
e of
just
ice
rem
ains
vag
ue a
nd b
lurr
y as
th
e pe
rpet
rato
r of
the
mas
sacr
e is
yet
to b
e pi
nned
and
pu
nish
ed.
Cons
eque
ntly
, th
e pe
rsis
tenc
e of
su
ch
killi
ngs,
as
exem
plifi
ed b
y th
e re
cent
mur
ders
of
Rom
eo O
lea
and
Geo
rge
Ort
ega
amon
g ot
hers
, mer
ely
refle
cts
how
the
Aq
uino
ad
min
istr
atio
n ba
refa
cedl
y ig
nore
s th
e ur
genc
y to
ad
dres
s th
ese
appa
lling
in
cide
nces
. M
ore
so,
it re
veal
s th
at A
quin
o hi
mse
lf do
es
noth
ing
but
turn
hi
s ea
rs
deaf
to
the
perp
etua
l cl
amor
of
the
Filip
ino
peop
le, t
he s
ame
peop
le w
hom
he
prom
ised
cha
nge
and
serv
ice
to.
Th
e A
quin
o ad
min
istr
atio
n ha
s fa
iled
to
beco
me
the
adm
inis
trat
ion
it
said
it
w
ould
be.
Con
trar
y to
hi
s m
anda
te, A
quin
o hi
mse
lf h
as b
ecom
e a
rule
r lik
e an
y ot
her
– on
e th
at
reve
ls
and
dwel
ls
on t
he iv
ory
tow
er.
Aga
in,
the
yello
w-
clad
pr
esid
ent
is
set
to
deliv
er
anot
her
pom
pous
spe
ech
– a
spee
ch
who
se o
nly
purp
ose
is t
o m
ake
prom
ises
th
at w
ill n
ever
com
e tr
ue.
The
vict
ims
and
thei
r fa
mili
es h
ave
hear
d en
ough
. The
y w
ill li
sten
no
mor
e.
Impl
emen
tin
g Il
lit
erac
y J
ore-
An
nie
Ric
o
Educ
atio
n is
, and
has
alw
ays
been
, a r
ight
. But
wit
h th
e po
licie
s im
plem
ente
d by
the
Aqu
ino
adm
inis
trat
ion,
it m
ight
as
wel
l not
be.
Inst
ead
of b
oost
ing
the
subd
ivis
ions
und
er t
he e
duca
tion
sec
tor,
Aqu
ino
inst
ead
focu
sed
on o
ne a
nd t
reat
ed t
he
othe
rs a
s co
rpor
ate
ente
rpri
ses
wit
h no
ret
urn
of in
vest
men
t fo
r th
e go
vern
men
t. H
is b
ackw
ash
polic
y of
incr
easi
ng
the
budg
et o
f the
ele
men
tary
and
hig
h sc
hool
uni
ts o
f pub
lic s
choo
ls y
et c
ripp
ling
the
alre
ady
degr
aded
sta
te o
f te
rtia
ry e
duca
tion
wit
h bu
dget
cut
s w
ill a
vers
ely
affe
ct r
athe
r th
an s
tren
gthe
n th
e ed
ucat
ion
sect
or. M
oreo
ver,
wit
h th
e in
tent
ion
of c
urbi
ng t
he p
oor
qual
ity
of e
duca
tion
in t
he P
hilip
pine
s, A
quin
o im
plem
ente
d th
e K-
12 p
rogr
am,
addi
ng t
wo
year
s to
bas
ic e
duca
tion
, wit
hout
act
ually
att
empt
ing
to h
eigh
ten
the
qual
ity
itse
lf.
Past
adm
inis
trat
ions
in t
he P
hilip
pine
s un
deni
ably
had
dif
ficu
lty
in d
ealin
g w
ith
the
prob
lem
s in
edu
cati
on. H
owev
er,
mis
guid
ed p
olic
ies
wou
ld d
o lit
tle
to s
olve
the
cri
ses.
Qua
ntifi
ed Q
ualit
y
The
impl
emen
tatio
n of
the
K+
12 p
rogr
am,
as p
art
of t
he
Aqui
no
adm
inis
trat
ion’
s 10
-poi
nt
agen
da,
will
w
orse
n th
e al
read
y-pe
rsis
tent
setb
acks
of t
he e
duca
tion
sect
or. T
he e
xist
ing
educ
atio
nal
prob
lem
s, su
ch a
s cl
assr
oom
sho
rtag
e, d
erel
ict
scho
ol fa
cilit
ies
and
outd
ated
inst
ruct
iona
l mat
eria
ls, h
ave
been
br
ough
t int
o a
mor
e cr
itica
l lev
el a
s th
e K+
12 p
rogr
am is
all
set
for i
mpl
emen
tatio
n.
K+12
spe
arhe
ads
a re
vise
d 12
-yea
r ed
ucat
ion
cycl
e w
hich
co
mpr
ises
of
un
iver
sal
kind
erga
rten
, si
x ye
ars
elem
enta
ry,
four
yea
rs o
f ju
nior
hig
h sc
hool
and
an
addi
tiona
l tw
o ye
ars
of s
enio
r hi
gh s
choo
l. Th
e ad
ditio
n of
tw
o m
ore
year
s in
the
ed
ucat
ion
curr
icul
um,
alon
g w
ith t
he i
mpl
emen
tatio
n of
the
un
iver
sal
kind
erga
rten
pro
gram
, w
ould
ren
der
mor
e ou
t-of
-sc
hool
you
ths
due
to t
he f
act
that
it w
ould
be
cons
ider
ed a
s an
add
ition
al b
urde
n to
par
ents
who
are
alre
ady
inca
pabl
e of
se
ndin
g th
eir c
hild
ren
to u
nder
go te
n ye
ars
of e
duca
tion.
Serv
ing
as a
myo
pic
solu
tion
to th
e cr
itica
l edu
catio
nal s
cena
rio,
K+12
offe
rs t
echn
ical
-voc
atio
nal
(tech
-voc
) cu
rric
ulum
. Th
is
mov
e w
ill i
rrev
ocab
ly p
rom
ote
the
coun
try’
s pr
oduc
tion
of
sem
i-ski
lled
wor
kers
rea
dily
ava
ilabl
e fo
r in
tern
atio
nal
labo
r m
arke
ts.
As u
nem
ploy
men
t ra
te s
oars
hig
her
in t
he c
ount
ry,
the
prop
osed
tec
h-vo
c sy
stem
wou
ld j
ust
serv
e as
a s
hort
-te
rm re
solu
tion
that
will
, in
turn
, lea
ve m
ore
Filip
ino
grad
uate
s jo
bles
s in
the
futu
re.
Slas
hed
Sour
ces
The
Uni
vers
ity
of
the
Phili
ppin
es
(UP)
, al
ong
with
ot
her
Stat
e U
nive
rsiti
es a
nd C
olle
ges
(SU
Cs),
has
been
veh
emen
tly
oppo
sing
the
edu
catio
nal
budg
et c
ut t
hat
was
im
plem
ente
d w
hen
the
Aqui
no a
dmin
istr
atio
n ro
se t
o po
wer
. Pos
ed w
ith a
bu
dget
cut
am
ount
ing
to 1
.39
billi
on p
esos
, UP’
s ed
ucat
ion
is
unde
niab
ly b
eing
com
mer
cial
ized
.
As
SUCs
as
sert
fo
r hi
gher
st
ate
subs
idy,
th
e pr
omis
e of
re
form
ativ
e ag
enda
, ho
wev
er,
prov
es t
o be
not
hing
but
an
empt
y rh
etor
ic. I
nste
ad o
f foc
usin
g on
the
dete
riora
ting
qual
ity
of U
P an
d ot
her
SUCs
, th
e go
vern
men
t is
prio
ritiz
ing
debt
se
rvic
ing
and
mili
tary
fund
ing.
In tu
rn, t
he Is
kola
rs n
g Ba
yan
is
depr
ived
of t
he s
ubsi
dize
d qu
ality
edu
catio
n th
at th
ey ri
ghtf
ully
de
serv
e.
Slas
hed
sour
ces
have
re
nder
ed
SUCs
to
be
ul
timat
ely
tran
sfor
med
int
o in
com
e-ge
nera
ting
inst
itutio
ns.
Inst
ead
of
acqu
iring
sta
te s
uppo
rt to
gua
rant
ee q
ualit
y te
rtia
ry e
duca
tion,
U
P ep
itom
izes
the
cont
inui
ng a
band
onm
ent o
f the
gov
ernm
ent
to p
rovi
ding
bas
ic s
ocia
l ser
vice
s to
its
peop
le.
The
Aqu
ino
re
gi
me
atte
mp
ted
to c
reat
e th
e n
ec
ess
ary
c
ha
ng
es
in
the
ed
uc
at
ion
sect
or,
wit
h w
ay
wa
rd
polic
ies
whi
ch
perp
etua
te t
he
prob
lem
s ev
en
mor
e.
Wha
t is
un
appa
rent
to
the
adm
inis
trat
ion
may
be
that
the
qu
alit
y of
edu
cati
on is
suf
feri
ng, a
s it
is
unn
eces
sary
to
burd
en p
aren
ts w
ith
two
mor
e ye
ars
of b
asic
edu
cati
on f
or
thei
r chi
ldre
n, ju
st s
o pa
ralle
lism
wit
h su
ppos
edly
ad
vanc
ed c
ount
ries
cou
ld b
e ac
hiev
ed. A
nd a
s bu
dget
cu
ts
run
deep
in
te
rtia
ry
publ
ic
educ
atio
n,
mor
e st
uden
ts a
re u
nabl
e to
ent
er t
hese
uni
vers
itie
s w
ith
enro
llmen
t fee
s ba
lloon
ing
each
yea
r. Th
e ex
peri
ence
in
UP
wou
ld a
ttes
t to
tha
t, n
otw
iths
tand
ing
the
fact
tha
t in
crea
sed
tuit
ion
fees
do
littl
e to
act
ually
impr
ove
the
stat
e of
edu
cati
on, w
ith
faci
litie
s st
ill ro
ttin
g at
the
very
co
re.
Such
pro
gram
s on
ly a
ttem
pt t
o to
uch
the
prob
lem
at
the
surf
ace,
cre
atin
g ri
pple
s of
eve
n m
ore
detr
imen
tal
effe
cts.
It
se
ems
that
ed
ucat
ion,
w
hich
ha
s be
en
man
date
d to
be
a ri
ght
for
ever
y Fi
lipin
o ci
tize
n, i
s be
ing
cons
ider
ed a
s a
com
mod
ity.
Ther
e is
onl
y on
e fu
ndam
enta
l ru
le t
o w
hich
all
this
sh
ould
adh
ere.
As
an u
nsha
keab
le a
nd p
erpe
tual
fac
t,
educ
atio
n is
a r
ight
and
not
a p
rivi
lege
.
A long time ago, Africa was very rich in natural resources, sheltering an entire habitat so perfect and en-
ticing to experience. But when Western colonizers stepped on the African land, the continent’s resources were started to be ex-ploited. Such discoveries led the colonizers to further satisfy their hunger for power and luxury. On the other hand, the natives who were once living in peace were sud-denly subjected to serve the foreigners who came to intrude and act like kings in their own land. They became slaves in a snap and were treated inferiorly because they were a lot less similar to the Caucasian race.
And like in any other colonies, the occu-pants proclaimed themselves as the superior race because they were far more advanced than any other civilizations. The Africans, tagged as inferior, would try to appear as “civilized” and “customary” as their “mas-ters” were to somehow feel superiority, even if it costs them to imitation. Thus, one way for Africans to fulfill this desire for so-cial transcendence is to create accessories made from fake gold, for they would not afford to have the authentic form of the same item. This, later on, was known to be the origin of the famous accessory, “bling”.
“Bling” is only one of the earliest examples of copying one’s original work, or what we call today as “piracy”. Piracy is con-sidered as a crime for it is a resemblance of stealing one’s creative output, and is very prevalent in the country. But beyond the preponderance of the illegality of pi-racy, there lies a deep basin of reason. And that reason would only lead us to a long term conflict in the Philippine setting.
The Surfaced Reality
Piracy is predominated by its definition as an “activity of manufacturing unauthorised cop-ies of protected material and dealing with such copies by way of distribution and sale.” This means that this form of crime subjugates the in-terest of the original makers of such authorized works by means of taking away their expected profit. This also sculptures piracy in such a way as if people were given equal opportunities.
For the longest time, the conflict that has arisen between piracy and different indus-tries affected therein seem to affect and even caused by the Philippine economy. Commer-cial districts, in and outside of Metro Manila, manifest the influence of piracy in comparison
to genuine works where it is sold and bought like no law prohibits the illegality of the practice.
This enticement brought by pirated items involves the factor of practicality. Having the cheapest price, complemented by almost the same appear-ance, an average-waged Filipino would not be hesitant to prefer these items no matter how ille-gal they may be. We, in general, would really “die” for something very economical, yet sometimes are not sure about its quality and authenticity. From these cases, it is palpable that piracy touched the hearts, and the pockets, of the Filipino people.
Given the fact that majority of the Filipinos came from the low to middle-class families, money is a very precious medium for living. We tend to prioritize what our family “needs”, and seldom give way for some of the “wants”. That is why when we budget our money, we tend to maxi-mize all of it for items that would suffice neces-sity. Piracy easily infiltrated the Philippine soci-ety, especially the industrial sector, because the wants of an average Filipino are given a chance, regardless of it being a counterfeit version.
Piracy, subliminally, is a form of expression for those who cannot afford to gain quality entertain-ment or fashion statement. Economically speak-ing, a pirated item is a very “wise” choice for a low- to average-waged Filipino individual. When it comes to the “wants” the budget is tightened, and buys what tends to be frugal. However, more than what the promise of low-costliness offers, pi-racy conceals a bifurcating fissure that has been stagnating for a long time in the Philippine society.
The Kaleidoscopic Impairments
The present Philippine economic system depicts that the acquirement of knowledge or experi-encing entertainment seem so inaccessible. If we want to guarantee quality with the things that we consume, we must prepare our pock-ets in the manner of costliness. This aforemen-tioned rationale of expensiveness, thus, gave way to the existence of piracy. It is an daunting manifestation that we have an economy that is requiring more than what its citizens can offer.
Many Filipinos are still fascinated by the expedi-ency that piracy would bring upon them. In a com-paratively cheaper price and almost the same form as to that of its genuine forms, attaining one’s petty wants can be shared by piracy. In the enter-tainment industry, for instance, you may even en-joy various movies which are combined in a single DVD without losing too much effort and money,
or downloadable applications, such as songs or videos, over the internet. Piracy also
bounds the intellectual fields, such as journals and other instructive
materials, which is preferred especially by students who
do not have enough time and effort in using catalogues.
Fascinating as it may seem, piracy hides the ill-rooted effects of patronizing them. The crime’s vehement lashes in the Philippine setting can be seen from different point of views. Take it as an account the case of entertainment pira-cy. Different modes of entertainment, such as television, movies, songs, and applications like games, among others, are illegally distributed to an ordinary individual mainly because the ven-dors of such items want to earn an instant profit.
But aside from what the “pirates” intend to do, it is more of the consumers’ behavior which must be observed. The average consumers, to be able to satisfy their appetite for wants, must maximize their budget with more goods, and one of their resorts to utilize their money is for their leisure time. Such also happens in the fashion industry, where counterfeit bags, acces-sories, clothing, among others, are patronized because people tend to follow the latest fash-ion trends in a comparably cheaper amount. Thus, it can be said that consumers buy these forms of entertainment for the sake of enter-tainment, or fashion for the sake of fashion.
The Price of Knowledge
Such implications do not actually apply for intel-lectual forms of piracy, where a concrete example of which is the case of plagiarism. Take it for in-stance the use of same words an author used for his or her novel, or by copying another’s works of art which was intentionally done. The use of one’s “exact” ideas without further citations can denote that it was, indeed, the plagiarist’s origi-nal creative output. In that case, the efforts that the real author exerted would be ignored, and all the fame and credit would be for the plagiarist.
This would be one angle to see intellectual piracy. There is, however, a larger view to fo-cus on. We, as scholars, found the necessity to engage ourselves on matters that will in-volve much intellectual stimulation. We, as underprivileged scholars, found an alternative to engage ourselves on matters that will in-volve much intellectual stimulation through il-legal access in the form of torrents, and such. In short, intellectual piracy might lead to the furtherance of knowledge. Intellectual pi-racy might lead to a betterment of the society.
Unlike other forms of piracy, the issue of intellec-tual infringement actually delves into a deeper aspect of educating the people of what is really the better, if not the right, form of knowledge. Our era has robbed us the right to education. Certain aspects, financially in particular, do pi-racy gain advantage over the people. However, we as consumers must also put an emphasis as to how the people behind the authentic items would react upon piracy. It is not impracti-cal if we also look on the light of their efforts and labours just to put up such works. We must also know that piracy, although is con-sidered as a crime, is also a wake-up call for the government to have an overview on what is happening and as to why the people would prefer pirated items over the branded ones.
The Hidden Implications
We may also say that piracy surfaced due to the foreign influences in our culture, given that we were colonized by different nations for the past centuries. We always equate “in-ternational standards” with perfection, beau-ty, class, and the like, and it was because the colonizers implanted to us, Filipinos, that they are the “superior” ones and that they portray the norms in the society. This gave way for us to follow their every habit and trend, so that we may be in level with them, the superior class. This perception was brought up to now.
In this present time, there still exist the new form of colonizers, in the persona of the elite, and even the media. They dictate as to what must be called as “customary”, or “acceptable”, and this dictation encompasses the preference of an indi-vidual on what to use, or wear, or patronize. The extravagant lifestyle of the elite, combined with the power of media, sets the standards for the society. In turn, the people would easily believe, and ought to follow what is to be known as “ac-ceptable”. And with that, piracy enters the scene to help in “maximizing” the people’s budget.
The issue of piracy, thus, was also embarked by the influence of the institutions in power. The elite and the media had set on what must be followed and must be embraced by everyone to be accepted. Given also the implanted percep-tion upon us, and the present economic situa-tion among the majority of the populace, piracy had been powerful enough for the people to patronize. And this is because we are to comply with the norms of those in power. Otherwise, we would not fit in and belong in the society.
A practical buyer these days would not both-er to spend a hefty sum of money for branded items if he or she can get the same look from pirated items. But aside from its power to entice the people because of its cheap price, it is also alarming to notice that piracy grad-ually surpasses certain aspects of the society which, though it may help in some terms, it may still pose a threat in our over-all culture.
Piracy has the ability to lacerate not only some components of the society but even the Philippines as a sole institution. However, we cannot detach piracy among us due to the present economic situation of the country. This patronage of pirated items, admittedly, is due to the desire of the deprived class in the society to somehow feel that they can afford to have the quality life, a privilege that is still unfortunately chained by the su-premacy of the elite class in the Philippines.
In the end, the influence of piracy implies that the people are stuck in their pres-ent economic situation. They would do anything, including buying fake items, to get even a tinge of feeling that they be-long in a society ran by the standards of those who gain fame and influence.
A feeling and desire that, until now, remains genuine.
*A pun intended for All Rights Reserved.
Dichotomizing the Issue of Piracy Scheme John Vherlin Canlas Magday Illustration by Bernardo Cielo III
All Rights Reversed*08 CULTURE
MONDAY, JULY 25, 2011
Dichotomizing the Issue of Piracy Scheme
09CULTUREMONDAY, JULY 25, 2011
Aubrey Nicole Leones Arboleda and Ruth Genevieve Austria Lumibao
Hacienda Luisita
Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino’s decision to run for office sparked controversies that had been dormant specifically the Hacienda Luisita. As a relative to the owners of the estate, his name is dragged into the issue and is called to take action since it resurfaced. During his campaign, he vowed to distribute Hacienda Luisita to the farmers by 2014 — the deadline for the agricultural lands to be transferred to the beneficiaries under the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform with Extensions and Revisions (CARPER). Although it is quite obvious that he is not willing to give up the estate, he still won and became president. Perhaps, it was because he appealed to the emotions of the masses through the jaw-dropping statement that he was able to raise the support of the people.
Unmistakably, the masses was blinded by the false hopes and promises that were given by Aquino that they did not see the necessity of the issue. They disregarded the gravity of the situation and was swayed by the legacy that Aquino’s parents left him. It might also be because of the fact that most of us live in constant poverty that people focus on the present. What were offered to them might be their only chance of survival so they were swayed to accept these bittersweet promises.
It is no doubt that the picturesque scenery of a large estate that is filled with crops and trees is the epitome of a perfect life. Yet, there is nothing peaceful about the conflict between the landlords and the farmers. Nevertheless, President Benigno Aquino III remains tight-lipped and distant in handling the issue regarding the vast land owned by the Cojuangcos. It becomes a question of political will and responsibility that he must possesses as a President of the whole nation.
It seems that he lacks a motivating force that enables him to perform his duties to the fullest. He cannot keep saying that he does not want to talk about it or keep answering questions with ‘no comment’. It is the president’s responsibility to be involved on issues that concern the nation. He must be opinionated and not give statements that are irrelevant. He must realize that it is not about his family being owners of the hacienda but the issue of the people claiming their rights. It is an issue of the lack of social justice. He cannot stand idly while the pursuit of justice remains hazy and far-fetched. The priority should always be the good of the people for, eventually, they wield the power to make or break an administration.
Porsche
Seeing President Aquino with a Porsche is a backlash to his advocacy of intolerance toward corruption. At a time when prices of commodities such as oil and food are increasing to the point citizens can no longer afford, there floats an issue that your current president just bought a Porsche. He did reject the use of sirens and counter-flow, but never did he say he is not going to buy a luxury car. And although some people may see this as an unnecessary controversy, others may see it as a sign of elite domination, and in a while, possible corruption.
Our perception has already been distorted by so many years of being exposed to corruption that we cannot help but fear and suspect that it might happen again. To President Aquino, it might have appeared as more of a fruit of labor rather than an insensitive move that induces a thought of condescension.
With the exposure of the Filipino people toward corruption, it is inevitable to yearn for a president who would represent the masses and not the elite. A mere possession of something luxurious can already awaken our prejudicial thoughts that we find it hard to draw distinctions among elitism, corruption and fruits of labor. After all, to own a Porsche in such a time of economic crisis is more of a question of prudence rather than of corruption. The ‘daang matuwid’ is much more than a straight path where the president can drive his expensive German sports car.
Family
The Philippine electoral system has gained a reputation for putting in position those who are renowned because of their family reputation. This is one of the traditional prejudices we face: we always judge a person based on his or her family, we predict
his or her success by family, and we equivocate odious misdemeanor for the sake of the family. What we are missing is the reality that family reputation
does not always guarantee the greatness of one member – more so the ability of a member to govern a country. It is a challenge for us to restrain ourselves from judging a person this way, especially in selecting their leaders. Because for what we know, we might be the ones maintaining the prevalence of political dynasties while being antagonistic about it.
It becomes what we call ‘familial politics’. We no longer see a person based on his own characteristics and qualifications – we see a politician and his family as one. They cannot be mentioned without making a reference to his relatives who might be equally as famous or controversial. It seems the boundary between an individual and politics is blurring.
As a descendant of two well-known people in the political arena, P-Noy holds moral ascendancy that may pressure him to weigh his decisions both on the
side of the masses and on how his parents would have handled it. His mother’s affiliations to the Church may have induced him to say that he did not consider the RH Bill to be his top priority. While the death of his father was spawned
because of opposing the dictator may compromise his decisions in allowing Ferdinand Marcos’ burial at the Libingan ng mga Bayani. It is
inevitable that carrying such a reputation would not put any pressure on his decisions. It is now, however, in
his own hands whether to part from that branch or to remain there and be confused by the divergent variables of his parents’ reputation while putting into consideration the current demands of the people.
The Cabinet
It seems that President Aquino’s succeeding terms in office will be no different from the
previous administration unless he realizes that there is a need to change society. The culture of impunity in our country further aggravates the situation of the masses. Anomalies continue to exist since cronyism and favouritism hinders the people from achieving the true change in society.
Kaibigan, Kaklase and Kabaliran – these are the labels of Aquino’s alleged cronies. It does not seem to matter whether or not they are qualified as long as the ties between him and these people are not severed. This easily corrupts decisions and practices
that obstruct tackling problems of our country such as poverty, graft and
corruption. If this continues, the masses will be forced to bear the incompetency of high ranking officials that earned their titles and positions merely because they have personal ties with the president.
It appears that in the Philippines, politics is a playground where a few families pass the torch of command to one another.
Dismantling the Facades
There are no special people, only people who are products of their time, their history.
As the president of the Republic of the Philippines, Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino, is no different from any of us. He is thrust into a position that is both a burden and a responsibility. The country and the people depend on him to uphold the law for the people and not for any reasons. Equality and justice must be upheld.
While we are the ones who put them in the power, we are also the ones who can estimate their worth. It is the choice of the people to stand and take action or remain unmoving. As the jury that will decide the country’s fate, how will we weigh the worth of our current president? It becomes a question of the extent of his accountability on the problems in society that he alone did not cause. It is up to us to decide how we will quantify his misgivings and his achievements– is it for himself or for the people?
After all, a “change” that does not leave anyone better off, by any justification, should be considered laggard.
Ladies and gentlemen! Tonight Benigno ‘Noynoy’ Aquino will bare it all. Hailing from a wealthy and famous family, with democratic icons as his parents, he has graced us with his sought-after presence. He will now be confront-ing the controversies that made him famous and infamous. It is up to the people to decide his fate. Is he really who we have been waiting for?
10 freestyleMONDAY, JULY 25, 2011
M I N S A N D ' YA N S A TA B I . . .ni Jason Flores
Sawa ka na ba sa PLANKING?
Oras na para TUMAYO at TUMINDIG para sa iyong mga KARAPATAN!
SUMAMA NA SA
PEOPLE’S SONAJULY 25
KITAAN SA RH LOBBY
Isang taong puno ng mga pangako. Mga pangakong napako. Dahil walang pagbabago sa ilalim ni Aquino, ‘eto bago! I-download ang PDF version ng kule sa www.themanilacollegian.deviantart.com
11OPINIONMONDAY, JULY 25, 2011
What is right must transcend culture.
Our society is dramatic nowadays. People are stunned and infuriated by acts of greed and sheer insensitivity. Quite recently, a number of Catholic bishops were accused of receiving public funds from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office (PCSO) for service vehicles and projects. Since the Catholic Church has been opposing various bills of the senate, it is not surprising that their credibility is fleeting. Their act was a display of the crumbling mask of in-nocence and humility. It is apparent that charity (or salvation) is more expensive than it was before. The act for charity is no longer for the poor, ill or helpless. It is now for men wearing clerical clothing with more money that they can count. A standard practice set by the previous government, it is aimed at gaining the support of the bishops and their silence. Generous actions and donations are really bribes hid-den and veiled in the act of charity created to fool the masses.
This goes against our constitution which declares that no public money or property shall be appropriated to any religion. More-over, it is a display of corruption since the appropriation of public funds is for private purposes. It is not just the law, however, that is being violated but also our unyielding trust to Church and its men. We were thrust as a pawn in their game scathed and shaken by what we have experi-enced. They are hypocrites who do not practice what they preach.
Eventually, after the inquiry made by the Senate, the bishops issued a statement claiming and apologizing that they will return the said vehicles even if it was not against the law. They act as if they are clueless why it is such a big deal. They had this spite notion that returning the cars is enough to allay the severity of their indecency. Yet, this does not end nor solve the issue at hand. What they should regain is their unquestionable integrity, pertinent service, and respect that the people expect them to have. It seems absurd to even consider that crimes can be absolved or disregarded by showing
humility. It does not make the situation any better. The damage has been done. They cannot act as if they were mere victims of a ploy orchestrated by the government. They cannot keep their facade of incapability by adhering to the procedures of a crime they should have not committed.
The pursuit of a just society will continue to be farfetched unless the people realized their stake in society. Those who are in power should use their authority for the welfare of the masses. Since the current president claimed that the people are his ‘bosses, it is the obligation the current adminis-tration to reveal the truth and solve it once and for all. Until then, we might be stuck with leaders who uphold the law only for those who are in power and not for the masses.
The Church is continuing to immerse itself in politics. I do not believe that this includes profiteer-ing from the people and then helping them in return using the perforated money of the people.
It is ironic that the institution standing for the morality in our country is not being moral, or even right at all. What-ever happened to the “When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets to win the praise of
others?“ It is apparent that those who give the rules are above the law – they cannot be judged nor opposed.
Yes, they are humans prone to making mistakes. If that was the case, how credible are their as-sumptions on the RH Bill and the Divorce Bill? Are they once again committing an error? When is the Catholic Church ever right anyway? The people would just have to decide.
There is no excuse for immoral behaviour even for those who set the moral standards of the society.
After all, God sees all – and so does the people.
*A la folie means to insanity
“The pursuit of a just society will continue to be farfetched unless the people realized their stake in society.”
A la folie* The Worth of Charity Aubrey Nicole Leones Arboleda
Blue Cheese Sangang DaanJohn Vherlin Canlas Magday
Ang hirap magsimula ng isang kuwento o artikulo nang hindi mo alam sa kung saan ka magsisimula. Masyadong maraming ugat ang maaaring paghugutan ng simula, ngunit kailangang piliin kung alin ang papatulan mo. At kung mayroon na nga, ang susunod na hakbang ay hanapin at sundan, o kung minsan ay bumalikwas, sa daang napili mo. At sa bandang huli, ang katapusan ang siyang maaaring iyong hinangad na anyo, o isang ka-maliang magbabalik sa iyo patungo sa pinakasimula upang hanapin ang pagkukulang.
At bakit nga ba ganito ang naging simula? Bakit ba masalimuot ang pagsasalaysay ng buhay na para bang nasa gitna ka ng sanga-sangang daan na puno ng mga sasakyang humaharang sa iyong ruta? Kahit nga yata sa mismong ruta na tatahakin ay wala rin namang kasiguradu-han sa patutunguhan. Pero sabi nga, wala sa pagtatapos ng isang paglalakbay ang tunay na kaligayahan, kundi sa buong pa-nahon na ginugol at sa mga ka-ranasan sa paglalakbay. Kaya ka-hit papaano ay hindi sayang ang pagkakataong tuklasin ang sa kung ano ang maaaring matag-puan sa “dulo ng bahaghari”.
Ang buhay, gaya nga ng aking nabanggit, ay parang isang ruta, may destinasyong kailangang marating. Maaaring may alam na shortcut upang mapabilis ang paglalakbay, at maaari rin namang maligaw kung hindi alam ang pupuntahan. Minsan ay uunahin ang pride at hindi na magtatanong sa nakaaalam ng daan. Ngunit darating din sa punto na mapapagod sa pagma-matigas, at aalamin na ang tamang daan.
Sa iyong paglalakbay ay marami rin namang daan na tatahakin. Kung minsan ay aakyat ka sa tuwa at ligaya na para bang nasa tuktok ka ng fly-over. O di kaya’y maaapura’t maiinis na para
bang nasa gitna ng traffic jam, ngunit ito pala ay dahil sa road maintenance, para lang mas gumaan ang paglalakbay. Minsan nama’y nasa madilim na bahagi ng underpass ang lungkot na nadarama, o sa intersection ng pagkabagot at kaaliwan.
Pwede ring ma-stress sa masikip at lubak-lubak na daan, o ma-relax sa napakaluwang at maay-os na highway. Marami pang pagdadaan ang iyong sasakyan, na lulan ang mga pangarap at kaalaman mo sa buhay. Samantalang ikaw naman ang siyang nagmamaneho, at hawak ang mapa ng destinasyon mo.
At malamang sa malamang, mauubusan ka ng gas, o magugutom. Kailangan mo naman, at hindi maiiwasan, ang magpunta sa stop-overs: bibili sa convenience store ng Kamangmangan,
kakain sa karinderya ng Kalituhan, o mag-oovernight sa hotel ni Alinlangan. Walang masama, natural iyon. Ang dapat lang pakatandaan ay magpatuloy sa paglalak-bay kapag natapos na ang pakay.
At sa pagdating ng panahong mararating mo na ang pakay mo, gaano man ito katagal, sigu-raduhin mong ito ang ninais mo mula nang lumabas ka sa bahay mo, ang araw ng iyong ka-panganakan. Namnamin ang bawat sandaling naroon ka, ang tagumpay ng pagkamit ng iyong hinangad, at ang lahat ng maaari mong magawa habang naroroon ka pa. Dahil hindi din na-man permanente ang pamamalagi doon sa perpeksyong iyon. Darating din ang pagkakataon na kailangan nang magpaalam, at bumalik sa iyong pinanggalingan. At sa paglisan mo, baunin mo ang lahat ng ala-ala ng iyong pamamalagi roon, maganda man o hindi. Dahil tiyak na sa pag-uwi mo, alam mo na ang tamang daraanan, at hindi ka na maliligaw pa.
Uy! Nasiraan ako ng sasakyan, traffic pa. Pwede ba kong makisabay sa iyo?
“At sa paglisan mo, baunin mo ang lahat ng ala-ala ng iyong pamamalagi roon, maganda man o hindi.”
False Dilemma
And injustice yet again, prevails.
A recent installment has been added to the endless saga of deceit and denial which spelled centuries of oppression for the Filipino farmers who tilled the land owned by a different master. The harsh reality itself connotes that anomalies abound in the situation, and various mechanisms were used, and are being used to ensure that ownership of the land remains in the hands of the hacienderos. This issue in the Philippines remains a hotbed of controversy, as past administrations failed to enforce the necessary solution to the problem. Land distribution is, and has always been, the only solution.
Even the two Aquino administrations either tolerated or aggravated the crisis. The first one, former President Corazon C. Aquino, attempted to create an agrarian reform law, the infamous Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Law, but all it effected was a mockery of the already desolate state of the farmers. Reforms were not imposed, and if they were as in some cases, these were either fraudulent in nature or largely ineffective. The law stood as a mere propaganda that would satisfy the increasing sentiment of the tillers for justice and the pressures to keep the family business. The years that followed saw an escalation of the very abuses the law amusingly tried to get rid of, with all semblance of a humane atmosphere inside the hacienda ceasing.
But then the public seemingly forgot about these facts, as the optimism boasted of by the yellow movement bolstered peoples’ hopes and consequently paved the way for another Aquino regime. But hopes deflated at the onset of the term of President Benigno S. Aquino III, when the materialization of the engaging rhetoric all became too good to be true.
The most recent conclusion on land reform clearly defines the stand of the administration. The Supreme Court (SC) reaffirmed the decision of the Presidential Agrarian Reform Council to revoke the Stock Distribution Option (SDO); however, it is to be used still as an alternative to land distrbution for the farmers, who are to decide in a referendum between the two choices. If
the court invalidated the SDO in the first place, it would be unnecessary, illogical, and utterly absurd of it to require a referendum wherein the farmers would choose between land distribution and stock shares. But even as due credit can be given to the highest court in the land, such rulings make a mockery out of the nobility of the duty it has been sworn to protect.
The SC, in an endless bout of wayward decision-making trances, functioned as a mere extension of the President’s indecision in the agrarian reform controversy. The case in point is his own land; that a part of his familial heritage is on the line. And apparently, as history would indeniably profess, the Cojuanco-Aquino owners of the land would not surrender to the demands for social justice that easily, especially considering the utter loss of excess fortunes and power the political clan would incur. The abuses and maltreatment endured by the farmers may be sufficient proof of that.
But even as the SC deserves to undergo the fire of wrath for its heinous and quite ridiculous decisions, the true bearer of the word, and even the heat, is Aquino himself. As long as Aquino denies any obligation to take a stand on the matter, the SC would be ready to conjure rulings out of the thin air of irrationality to retain the current unjust system. As long as he purports silence in the whole controversy, the issue would not garner its rightful closure. As long as his true stance with regards to genuine agrarian reform remains but a vague memory of a pre-election campaign propaganda, the impoverished farmers remain vulnerable to the abuses of the
prolongation of social injustice.
Countless excuses were made on his part, which comprise the justification provided for his silence in the matter. But given that he is the president, there can be no valid excuse for the stand he took and continuously takes. Nevermind that he does not hold enough shares to be appropriately called an owner of the land, that he is not the decision maker in the family business, or that he declares this controversy as requiring non-interference from the government. In the end, the fact remains that his choice matters.
In effect, by choosing not to choose, Aquino did choose. He decided to allow the landowners to possess the upperhand, which would only mean even worse conditions for the farmers, who may never gain the land they deserve.
The fundamental principle of all this chaos is as clear as ever: the farmers must own the land they till. Social justice rests on this principle, in as much as land reform is concerned.
There is no safe option, as every choice creates a heavy impact. Aquino must choose between two sides: the demands of the farmers and the pressures from his familial heritage. His indecision proves all the more that his main priorities are somewhat unclear, though as events reveal, the agricultural sector may weigh in somewhere at the bottom.
Social justice is equivalent to land. In this case, there can be no other definition, or option for that matter.
“In effect, by choosing not to choose,
Aquino did choose.”
T H E M A N I L A C O L L E G I A Nm a g n a e s t v e r i t a s e t p r e v a e l e b i t
Aubrey Nicole Leones Arboleda · Angela Mariz Ulep Caudal · YodHim GudEl Dela Rosa · Mon Gabriel Posadas Distor · Jeo Angelo Chico Elamparo · Criselli Langonoy Endaya · Marie Kristel Antonio
Gabawa · Kathleen Trinidad Guiang · Alyssa Nicole Cacho Gratil · Aries Joseph Armendi Hegina · Ehcel Sañga Hurna · Deonah Abigail Lugo Miole · Ace Vincent Ponseca Molo · Jore- Annie Rico · Jesse Nicole Rubio Santos · Joanna Marie Icasas Udarbe ·
Websites:www.themanilacollegian.deviantart.comwww.facebook.com/themanilacollegianwww.twitter.com/mkule
Email:[email protected]
Member:College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), UP Solidaridad
Office:4Flr Student Center Building, Padre Faura St.,cor. Maria Orosa St., UP Manila
12 EDITORIALMONDAY, JULY 25, 2011
