The University of the Philippines will always remember 2007 as the nightmare that brought the

implementation of the tuition and other fees increase (TOFI). It was criticized for purportedly going against the tradition of UP being the University of the People – being the university which caters to all students without discrimination in terms of race, gender, religion, ethno-linguistic origin and economic class.

Three years after its implementation, scrutinizing its subtle effects to the UP community will only make us think that there is something on the decline – that UP is seemingly regressing from the turf where its ideals used to rest.

The tough time that started it allIn 1989, UP made a huge leap away

from being a state university that caters to the “less privileged” but intelligent Filipino students. The previous 17 pesos per unit tuition fee increased to 300 pesos per unit. This earlier TOFI paved the way for the generation of the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program (STFAP). The primary logic of STFAP is to give tuition subsidies to students depending on their ability to pay for their tuition.

This was also one of the reasons presented by the Board of Regents when a new TOFI was proposed and eventually approved last 2006. The BOR also rationalized TOFI by saying that UP needs to level with other private universities such as Ateneo and La Salle in terms of facilities and faculty. The BOR also emphasized that the inflation rate was in constant rise that the tuition fee must increase as well.

In spite of massive student protests, the

TOFI was approved on December 15, 2006. The next school year, the numeric STFAP was also revised. The nine brackets were reduced into five alphabetic brackets – A, B, C, D and E.

Left to chill: the UP Baguio situationIn our campus, TOFI is implying

something beyond that can be seen through the numbers. When TOFI was approved last 2007, there was a prominent assumption that this will lead to a decrease in the number of enrollees in the campus.

But in contrast to this assumption, the number of enrollees in UP Baguio before and after TOFI has not dropped. Enrollment turnouts have slightly increased since TOFI was implemented in June 2007.

According to the data from the University Registrar, on the second semester of academic year 2006-07, there were 2059 undergraduate enrollees in UP Baguio. Meanwhile, on the second semester of 2009-2010, the number of enrollees stood at 2229.

In addition to the rise in enrollment turnouts is the increase in the number of STFAP applicants. During the academic year 2006-07, 328 students have their STFAP brackets; 40% of them were in Bracket 9 – which gives no tuition subsidy to students. In that year, only 12 students received a full-tuition subsidy. The number of STFAP grantees rose to 483 in the next academic year 2007-2008, after TOFI and the new STFAP system was implemented.

Getting richer?With the advent of TOFI, there is a

growing notion that the students of UP Baguio are slowly becoming richer and richer every after academic year. A junior

Verging continued on page 3

Tomo 36Isyu 7

Enero-Pebrero 2010Mapagpalayang Kaisipan sa

Malayang PahayaganOpisyal na pahayagan ng mga

mag-aaral ngUnibersidad ng Pilipinas - Baguio on a Decline

TOFI and the Challenge of Student Mobilization

in UP BaguioIvan Emil Labayne

03UPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010 BalitaUPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010Balita02

UP Baguio Library Head Brenda Dogup clarified the issue about the “P7

Million library entrance”, saying that the cost was for the whole construction of the library annex including the entrance door.

According to Dogup was just hearsay. She added that the issue emerged when UP Baguio Outcrop, the official student publication, purportedly released an article about library updates in its August 2009 issue.

“It was [the article’s] error of facts, and it’s impossible to spend P7 Million for just an entrance hall,” Dogup stressed.

She said that the coverage of the P7 Million library annex includes the expansion of the reserve section, the multi-purpose room where the library and student organizations can hold discussions and activities, the new Internet room wherein the students can avail of printing services, the thesis room at the Filipiniana section and the multimedia room, which allows students to view audio-visual materials.

“We are for the improvement of the library, babalik din [sa mga estudyante] ang ibinabayad nila”(We are for the improvement of the library, what the students

UPB Lib head clears the P7M door issuePlarlene Juliane Valentos pay will be returned to them

[through facilities]), Dogup said.The article that Dogup was

referring to was actually the comment made by a student in Alingawngaw in the August 2009 issue of Outcrop.

The actual comment of a student with a student number 08-26374 was “ Bagong entrance kamo? P7 million worth entrance?”(Did you mean the new entrance? P7 Million worth entrance?) The comment answered the question from Alingawngaw: “Ano ang masasabi mo sa bagong lib ng UPB?(What can you say about the new library in UPB?)”.

On the other hand, the said construction of the library annex started on January 14, 2009. The library annex was then inaugurated on August 2009.

Meanwhile, the repair of the main library started on January 21, according to Dogup.

She said that the line-up of works to do for the repair are retiling of the Comfort Room in the circulations section and the library floor, repainting of the library, relocation of the photocopying booth at the former bindery section (at the corner of the Circulations bookshelves) and the continuous construction of the new serials section.

CAC lead Seminar-Workshop on Special

Education

Last January 28, the College of Arts and Communication through the Surian ng Wikang Filipino and the Department of Language and Literature organized a seminar-workshop entitled “On intervention strategies and material production for common language-related difficulties of school learners” held in the Bulwagang Juan Luna.

According to Ma. Rosario Y. Guzman, head of the Graduate Resource center of UP Baguio the main objective of the seminar-workshop was to “provide special education training to language teachers without SPED (special education) background.” She added that the seminar was supposed to address certain issues on special education, particularly to correct some misconceptions regarding this field of learning.

Dr. Priscilla Supnet Macansantos, chancellor of

UP Baguio, gave the welcome address during the opening program.

Meanwhile, in his keynote address, Dr. Edilberto Dizon, Chair of the Special Education Area in UP Diliman said that the three-day seminar-workshop must be seen as an “opportunity to serve and pursue further the advocacy for learners with special needs.”

Several resource speakers mostly coming from the special education area in College of Education UP Diliman were invited to give lectures and workshops to the participants. The participants were teachers of different levels who came from various parts of Northern Luzon. There was a total of 110 participants in the event.

The seminar-workshop was a joint project of the College of Arts and Communication-UP Baguio, College of Education-Special Education Area-UP Diliman and the ChildFind Therapy Center, Quezon City.

NEWSBRIEF

CROSS CAMPUS NEWS

The first two weeks of the im-plementation of Memoran-dum No. 001 encapsulating

the full implementation of large lecture class policy (LLCP), was greeted with a mobilization and noise barrage at-tended by 800 individuals.

Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco released Memo No. 001 last Jan 15, directing the conversion of all Revitalized General Education Program (RGEP) and foundation courses into large classes, beginning first semester, Academic Year 2010-2011. The memo claims that LLC will “spread UP education to more deserving Filipinos.”

In an interview, Professor Rolando Panopio, head of the Management Committee to Oversee the Implementation of Large Classes and Council Head of the RGEP, informed Perspective that LLC is a precursor to a supposed increase in the registration quota to accommodate more incoming

UPLB community eyes LLC as cost-cutting measureEstel Lenwij Estropia, Julienne Urrea UPLB Perspective, Vol. XXXVI Special Issue

freshmen, since it will decrease the number of class sections for RGEP and foundation courses.

Protests against LLCLeo ‘XL’ Fuentes, Chairperson

of Samahan ng Kabataan para sa Bayan (SAKBAYAN), which spear-headed the said noise barrage, tagged the Memo a ‘curtailment of academic freedom’.

“Sinasacri-fice niya ‘yung quality ng edu-cation over dun

sa pagtitipid ng administration,” he reasoned out. Fuentes furthered that the Memo also violates the democratic right of both the stu-dents and the faculty to consul-tation prior to the release of new policies.

He added that the LLC is not the solution to increase the number of students the university could accommodate, rather, the removal of TOFI, which is one of the factors that caused the decrease in the number of enrolees in UPLB for the last 3 years of its implementation.

USC Vice Chair and Youth Lead Student Coordinator Maria Elena Carlos criticizes LLC as another cost-cutting scheme of the UPLB administration to cope with the P12.7 billion UP budget deficit.

Budget CutGloria Macapagal-Arroyo

recently signed the 2010 General Appropriations Act which allocated P5.3 Billion of the national budget for the UP system despite the P18 Billion budget proposed by the Board of Regents (BOR).

Consequently, a P280 Million budget cut is imposed on Maintenance and other Operating Expenditure used for the general maintenance of university facilities and no allocation for Capital Outlays which is used for the procurement of new facilities as well as the construction of new buildings and classrooms.

Budget allocation for UP stayed within the P5 Billion mark since Arroyo assumed office in 2002 except for the 2009 appropriation that amounts to P7 Billion. WITH REPORTS FROM Lyka Manglal-lan

Nasaksihan na ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan ang mga ginawang pangangampanya ng mga

kandidato at ng kanilang mga tagasuporta sa halalan, at mula rito ay naging mahigpit ang labanan ng tatlong partido politikal; partikular na sa tatlong kumandidato para sa tagapangulo na sina Jose Romualdo Carpio III (UNITE-UP), Ross Anthony “Tonton” Eguia (Allisnce of Concerned Students), at Justice Rodriguez (Campus Alliance for Dedicated and Unified Action).

Pebrero 3 - Binuksan ng University Registrar ang kanilang opisina para sa mga gustong maghain ng kanilang kandidatura; may partido man o wala. Inilabas rin nila at ng COMELEC ang mga kwalipikasyon para sa mga pormal na magdedeklara ng kanilang pagtakbo.

Isinasaad sa Art III Sek 1 ng UPB Election Code na ang isang mag-aaral ng UP Baguio na candidate for graduation ay hindi maaaring tumakbo para sa Konseho. Bunsod nito, naging kontrobersyal ang paghahain ng pagkandidato nila Eguia at Rodriguez na parehong graduating ayon kay Jocelyn Rafanan, head ng University Registrar. Aniya, isang malaking sakripisyo para sa kanila kung uunahin nila ang pagtakbo para sa konseho kaysa unahin ang kanilang pag-aaral. Ngunit pinayagan pa rin ng COMELEC ang dalawang kandidato na tumakbo.

Pebrero 8 - Nagsimula ang campaign period. Nakilala ang mga pangalan ng mga partido at kandidato sa buong UP. Ilan sa ginawa ay ang bulletin board ng UNITE-UP kalakip ang sagisag na araw, ang mga lightning play ng ACS sa tapat ng lobby, ang tarpaulin ng CADUA na may temang Justice League, at ang bulletin board na ginawa para lamang kay Angelo Vangardia na tumakbong independent councilor. Nangampanya rin ang mga tagasuporta ng mga kandidato para sa kanila.

Pebrero 18 - Nagsimula ang meeting de avance sa Bulwagang Juan Luna pasado ala-una ng hapon. Dinaluhan ito ng karamihan sa mga estudyante, at mga guro na kinansela ang kani-kanilang mga klase para sa hapong iyon. Kasama na rito ang mga myembro ng tatlong partido, at mga tagasuporta ng bawat kandidato. Sa hapong iyon inihain ng mga kandidato ang kani-kanilang plataporma, prinsipyo, at ang mga hindi mawawalang gimmick.

Pebrero 19 - Araw ng halalan. Noong panahong ding iyon ay inanunsyo na ang mga nanalo. Ilan sa mga mag-aaral ay nasa tapat ng IBs para pakinggan ang resulta ng eleksyon. Nanalong Chairperson si Jose Carpio III ng Unite UP at Mark Leander ng ACS para sa Vice-chairperson. (sumangguni sa sidebar para sa buong listahan ng mga nanalo.

Umabot ng 53.17% ang voters’ turnout, 1199 mula sa 2255 na bilang ng mga estudyante ang nakilahok sa eleksyon. Ayon kay Maria Cecilia San Luis, COMELEC Chairperson, nasa normal rate lamang ang voters’ turn-out dito sa UP Baguio kumpara sa national elections na nasa 40% to 60%. At base sa nakaraang taon, hindi nalalayo ang nasabing bilang na nasa 57%.

Dagdag pa ni San Luis, ang naging basehan ng mga botante sa pagpili ng mga iboboto ay hindi na lamang political bias o affiliation kundi pati na ang mga personal na hangarin ng bawat botante na manalo ang mga kandidatong kaibigan nila o kaya naman ay orgmate.

Halalan 2010Balik-tanaw sa mga Tala ng Eleksyon para sa Konseho ng Mag-aaral

Jonathan Valdez

(student number 2007-43639) said that the 2009 batch in particular is “mukhang mayaman.” A senior (student number 2006-59707) stresses that this creates a perception among outsiders that UP no longer needs the support of government subsidy because its students can already pay for its tuition.

Among freshies, there is still an apparent inadequacy of knowledge

about TOFI. For instance, the aforementioned freshman student only knew TOFI because of the people who were rallying against it but does not know the specific details behind it. The same goes with another freshman student (student number 2009-58943) who does not know the reason behind its implementation. She even thought that TOFI affected only the 2009 batch. This rough surmise, which barely hit the point that was TOFI, only proves their lack of knowledge about the old issue.

The line among apathetic, aware and active

One of the observations point out that with the advent of TOFI and with the students entering UP becoming richer, the culture of apathy is only getting more prominent. A junior student (student number 2007-43639) said that she has been seeing a few from the 2009 batch who are engaging with student protests and mass actions. The seniors seem to echo a similar point: declining awareness leading to a decline in participation and action.

Nevertheless, one of the students asked (student number 2006-57907) stressed, “They may be socially aware pero ‘di manifested sa mobilizations at protests.” That should not mean that joining mobilizations and protests are the only ways by which one can manifest her participation. She expressed the need to find other ways to

persuade the younger batches to manifest and translate into actions their social awareness and that this must serve as a challenge among the older batches.

What now?With the continued existence

of TOFI, among the things that we must confront is its ill effects, not to mention the continued call to scrap the tuition increase. The additional 300% we had to pay every enrollment seem nowhere to be seen and felt by the studentry. In short, they are not being obviously translated into tangible things where the students are the primary benefactors.

At the same time, the for-rich-only (or: for-those-who-can-afford) implication is negative in itself. And it is worsened by the fact that this seems to lead to a decline in the student actions within the university – something that has been associated to the university in its more than a century of existence. If that is really the case, UP is only going further away from its traditions, hammering out the idea of betraying the people whose blood and sweat serve as the lifeline of every classroom and corridor of the university.

This scenario promises no life to the institution and the people it is supposed to be in favor of. If not arrested immediately, UP and its students may totally fall into the dump that is resignation or having filled with theories that are rather left unpracticed.

Verging on a Decline...continued from page 1

Pas

asal

amat

Sa Pi Sigma Delta Sorority; Alpha Phi Omega Fraternity and Sorority; Sining, Eksena, Tinig sa UP (SET-UP); at, sa mga indibidwal na nagpaabot ng kanilang tulong (sa pamamagitan ng aming makasaysayang “patak box”) para sa technical/material support (TMS) na ipinadala ng OutcroP sa mga komunidad sa Abra at La Union. Muli, isang toneladang pasasalamat para sa inyo! :-)

Co

ng

rats!Kay Xavier Cortes para

sa pagkakapapanalo ng unang gantimpala at kay Kate Romero ng

ikalawang gantimpala, para sa kanilang short story;

at kay Ayesah Tecson ng unang gantimpala at kay Gloria Katrina Bea ng ikalawang gantimpala,

para sa kanilang maikling kwento. Maaari mo nang kunin

ang iyong premyo sa aming opisina. Ipakita lamang ang

iyong student ID.

TABLE 1. LIST OF INCOMING USC OFFICIALS FOR AY 2010-11

CHAIRPERSON Jose Carpio III, UNITE-UP

VICE CHAIRPERSON

Mark Baylon Leander, ACS

COUNCILORS

Angelo Vanguardia, INDEPENDENT

Francis Lopez, ACS

Isaac Galang, ACS

Francis Neil Maranan, ACS

Herlyn Balares, CADUA

Kristie Dela Peña, ACS

Daphne Fae Delgado, CADUA

Maica Elaine Quitain, ACS

Aprille Erika Ginne Mangubat, ACS

Lean Carlo Luis Ipac, ACS

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE REPRESENTATIVES

John Perry Morales, UNITE-UP

Kenneth Kim, CADUA

Patricia San Jose, CADUA

COLLEGE OF ARTS AND COMMUNICATIONS REPRESENTATIVESFortunato Galang, ACS

Jan Girard Ancheta, ACS

Gracel Anne Castillo, CADUA

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES REPRESENTATIVES

Nykita Urcia, ACS

Krizia Marie Redondo, CADUA

Kristine Obispo, CADUA

The Board of Regents (BOR) remained indecisive with regards to the status of the

current Student Regent Charisse Bañez after four of the regents walked out during their meeting last January 29 after UP President Emerlinda Roman and three other regents appointed by Malacañang voted to unseat Ms. Bañez.

The meeting did not reach a quorum when Bañez, Faculty Regent Judy Taguiwalo, Staff Regent Clodualdo Cabrera, and Alumni Regent Alfredo Pascual walked out of the meeting. The BOR meeting was adjourned thereafter.

On the January 29 official statement of the UPLB administration regarding Ms. Bañez’ status, “a lawyer, purportedly on her behalf, wrote last January 12 to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences declaring Ms. Banez’s intent to file a leave of absence (LOA) and asking that the application of Ms. Bañez for LOA be processed immediately. “

The Dean of the CAS replied that the College does not process applications but simply approves them, and that it is the responsibility of the student concerned to process a leave of absence.

On January 28, Bañez already filed for residency but UPLB Chancellor Luis Rey Velasco is yet to decide on her application.

Moreover, a letter dated 16 December 2009, but received by the Chancellor only on 11 January 2010, was sent by Ms. Bañez requesting for permission to register or file for residency for the second semester, AY 2009-2010.

SR status still in question

Ruel Caricativo

In a letter dated 15 December, Chancellor Velasco informed the UP President that Ms. Bañez was not enrolled for the second semester of this academic year. The letter was received a day before the last scheduled BOR meeting on December 18 so President Roman requested the Vice President for Legal Affairs to provide a legal opinion on Ms. Bañez’ status as the present Student Regent.

The Vice President for Legal Affairs said thereafter that according to the Codified Rules for Student Regent Selection (CRSRS), failure to enroll, even for residency, or file for leave of

absence (LOA) meant that the BOR may declare the position vacant under the exercise of its internal powers of government.

Article I, section 6 of the CRSRS defines a bona fide student as one who is “taking up academic units for bachelor’s degree, masters’ degree, doctorate degree, non-degree (sic), or certificate courses in the university, including those who are on residency status or on leave of absence (LOA).” Article III, section 1 provides, as part of the qualifications to be nominated, current enrollment at the time of his/her nomination. Article IX,

continued on page 7

Four regents walked out during the January 29 BOR meeting

BANTA NG PAGKAANTALA. Matapos bayuhin ng malalakas na buhos ng ulan, halos tatlong buwan na hanggang ngayong nakararanas ng tagtuyot ang kalakhan ng mga lalawigan sa Hilagang Luzon, katulad ng La Union. Sa kasalukuyan, isang malaking banta sa mga pananim ang dinaranas na El Niño ng bansa. Ikinatatakot ng mga magsasaka sa La Union ang posibilidad ng pagkaantala ng kanilang ani.Alexandrea Dioso

buildings and classrooms.

within the P5 Billion mark since Arroyo assumed office in 2002 except for the 2009 appropriation that amounts to P7 Billion. WITH REPORTS FROM

KALIWANG SULOK

PANAKOT. Makatawag-pansin ang mga panindang “panakot” ni Manong. Subalit hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon. Ruel Caricativo

,l,l

05UPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010 LathalainUPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010Kultura04

Eye of the

StormThe damages brought

by Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng gave

an opportunity for foreign investors to

help rehabilitating the scarred regions. They

also tried to sneak trade agreements and partnerships that could rather put the country in a more calamitous

condition than those left by the two

typhoons.

Ruel Caricativo

Iba-iba ang konsepto ng tao sa langit. Sa paglalakbay, maraming bagay ang nalalaman natin, mga kuwentong nililikha ng mga tao

at lugar na nakikilala natin. Ito ang langit sa pagbibiyahe,

bagong pagtuklas sa isang bagong mundo.

Abra. Sa pagtalunton sa mga komunidad, nasaksihan ang

mga kalagayang ikinubli ng kabundukan, patuloy na

ginalugad ang mga karanasang dati’y hindi mabigyan ng espasyo sa mga pahina ng ating ulirat, at muling nakiisa sa mamamayang

patuloy na nakikibaka sa tagpuan ng langit at impyerno.

August 31, 9 am NIKKI

Maaga kaming nagising para makalibot sa lugar. Nakapunta kami sa bahay ng isang kagawad doon. Nagtaka ako matapos niyang ihingi ng tawad ang maliit at magulo raw nilang tirahan na kung susumahin ay mas malaki pa kaysa sa ilang bahay sa siyudad. Matapos makipagkwentuhan ay bumalik na kami kina Manang Ellen kung saan may naghihintay ng almusal. Nahiya ako sa sobrang pag-aasikaso nila sa amin. Pati sa pagkumbinsi sa kanila sa paghuhugas namin ng pinagkainang pinggan ay naging mahirap dahil ayaw talaga nila kaming pagtrabahuhin.

Naghanda na kaming lahat para sa pagpunta sa Binangsalan Mines pagkatapos. Bago umalis ay pinahiram pa ako ni Manang Ellen ng tsinelas para raw hindi ako mahirapang maglakad sa mga daraanan namin.

Pagkarating doon ay naglibot agad kami para makita ang mismong lugar kung saan minimina ang ginto. Hindi talaga madali ang trabaho ng mga minero matapos maipaliwanag at maipakita sa amin ang ilang proseso sa pagmimina. Nabanggit pa ng nakausap naming minero na mahirap man ang kanilang gawain, ang halagang kinikita nila mula sa mga nakuhang ginto ay nagkukulang pa rin dahil marami silang naghahati-hati rito. Hindi rin sila pabor sa large scale mining companies na nagnanais na pasukin ang kanilang lugar dahil na rin sa mga maaaring maging epekto nito sa mga tao at kalikasan.

Kakaiba ang hirap na nararanasan ni manong at ng iba pang minero roon. Bagaman maaari silang mapahamak, upang mapunan ang mga pangangailangan ng kanilang pamilya ay kinakaya nila ang pambihirang buhay ng pagmimina. Bago kami umalis ay nagkaroon kami ng pagkakataong makakita ng kakaminang ginto. Dahil sa mga kapirasong dilaw na buhanging iyon ay mayroong nabibigyan ng kabuhayan sa kanilang lugar. Ngunit hindi pa rin maikukubli ang pangambang dulot ng pagpasok ng mga malalaking pribadong kumpanya sa kanilang industriya ng pagmimina – isang

posibilidad na dapat lagi nilang pagbantayan.

August 31, 3 pm PAUL

Pabagsak na ang malakas na ulan nang kami ay makabalik ng bahay mula sa minahan. Ipinaalam sa amin ni Manang Ellen na bago kami dumating ay kinompronta siya ng mga militar tungkol sa amin at ipinaalam na nais daw nila kaming makausap tungkol sa ilang bagay. Kinakitaan namin siya ng takot at pag-aalala. Tila may tensyong naganap sa pagitan nila ng mga militar bago pa man kami dumating. Kaya naman, pinayuhan niya kaming wag nang magtagal pa roon. Minabuti naming patilain lang nang kaunti ang ulan at kami’y nagpaalam na.

Noong mga oras na iyon, tila kami’y mga bilanggong tumatakas – tahimik, dahan-dahan at mapagmatyag. Bakas ang kaba sa aming mga kilos. Panay ang sulyap sa likuran dahil animo may mga matang sumusunod sa amin. Papalakas man ang ulan, tuloy-tuloy pa rin kami sa aming paglalakad.

Dapit-hapon na nang marating namin ang bahay ng isang kakilala nila Kuya Marci. Doon na lang kami nagpalipas ng gabi. Bukas, babalik na kaming Abubutok.

September 1, 10 am PAM

Sira ang dyip na sana’y babyahe patungong Abubutok. Sa pagbabaka-sakaling maabutan namin ang dyip na babyahe mula Abubutok patungong Bangued ay minabuti naming lakarin na lamang ang shortcut sa bundok na dinadaanan ng mga taga-rito. Ngunit hindi namin inaasahan ang mga mangyayari pagkatapos ng unang stop-over sa kubo kung saan kumain kami ng buko at palaka.

Nakakagitla ang mga nangyari sa mahigit anim na oras naming paglalakad – makatapak ng tae ng baka, mapigtasan ng tsinelas, maglakad nang nakayapak, lumubog hanggang tuhod sa putik, madulas at halos mapahiga sa lupa,

masugatan ng mga bato at kahoy sa daan, makagat ng kung anu-anong insekto, uminom ng sariwang tubig-sapa, makita ang Abra River at ang tila walang katapusang kabundukan na nakapaligid sa amin nang malayuan, maghanap ng mahinang signal sa cellphone upang itext ang mga kamag-anak, kumain ng bayabas sa daan bilang pantawid-gutom, tumakbo pababa ng bundok kahit masakit sa paa, at magkwentuhan nang walang humpay kahit basang-basa na sa ulan.

Sa kabila ng hirap at pagod ay natuwa pa rin ako. Tingin ko hindi na ako kailanman magrereklamo sa pag-akyat ng abortion stairs matapos ang mga ito. Marahil ay hindi na rin ako kailanman makatatakbo pa nang malaya at makasisigaw nang malakas tulad ng aking nagawa rito.

Kahit bugbog na ang aming katawan sa halos buong araw na paglalakad, tila nagnanais pa ako ng mas mahabang panahon na makawala sa paulit-ulit kong buhay. Pasado alas-sais na kami nakarating sa Sitio Libsung at sa aming malalalim na bunting-hininga ay kalakip ang galak na nakarating din kami sa aming tutuluyan.

September 1, 6:40 pm NIKKI

Pagkarating namin sa Sitio Libsung ay hinati kami sa dalawang grupong magkahiwalay ang tutuluyang bahay. Dahil galing sa maghapong paglalakad, pare-pareho kaming amoy-pawis kaya’t ang una naming hinanap ay ang banyo. Nakakagulat dahil wala silang banyong pwedeng pagliguan kaya naisipan naming maligo na lang sa nadaanan naming ilog.

Madilim ang gabi at ang tanging buwan lang ang nagsisilbing liwanag namin. Tila tinatangay ng bawat agos ng tubig ang nararamdaman kong sakit ng katawan at pagod. Doon ay

Kung Paano Nagdugtong ang Langit at Impyerno sa AbraIkalawa sa Dalawang Bahagi

BakasyonsaBundok:

kuntento na ako sa pagsandal sa mga malulumot na bato ng ilog habang inaalala ang mga nangyari. Sa wakas ay mapapalitan at malalabahan na rin namin doon ang mga damit na pakiramdam ko ay naabuso na sa kapal ng putik dala ng madalas na pagkakadulas.

Sa bahay ay kumain na kami ng kakahuling igat at sardinas. Matapos nito, nabigyan na ang aming mga katawan ng isang pahingang kailangang-kailangan nito. Opisyal na kaming babalik ng Baguio bukas, kaya kailangan ng sapat na lakas para sa huling yugto ng lakaran at biyahe.

September 2, 8:30 am IVAN

Maaga kaming umalis sa Sitio papuntang Abubutok upang maabutan ang dyip papuntang Bangued. Halos tatlong oras kaming naglakad na minarkahan ng higit limang pagtigil para mahabol namin ang aming mga hininga. Mag-aalas-dose na nang makabalik kami sa Abubutok. Dumating ang jeep na maghahatid sa amin sa Bangued at unti-unti ko nang naramdaman ang paglayo sa lahat ng aming karanasan sa Poblacion, Talampac at Libsung.

Naging mas magaan ang biyahe – o marahil, nasanay na lang kami sa umaalog na jeep. Alas-kwatro kami dumating sa Kastan at matapos ang pag-aayos at pagpapaalam, sumakay na kami ng bus pa-Baguio.

Hindi ako magaling bumasa ng kilos ng iba pero nakita ko ang tuwa sa mga kilos ng kasama ko. Maluwag ang bus pero pinili naming sa pinakalikod umupo. Namayani ang tawanan at biruan. Nang umandar na ang bus, napakamot ako sa braso ko na pinapak ng mga insekto sa Abra. Umumbok ang mga kagat at mukhang mag-iiwan sila ng mga malulupit na marka. Inisip ko na lang na lagi nitong ipaaalala sa akin ang lahat ng nangyari sa Abra.

May pasok na kinabukasan at hatinggabi na kami makakarating ng Baguio pero wala akong anumang pag-aalala. Sa kabila ng hirap sa pag-akyat ng bundok, sa mga mapagmatyag na tingin ng mga militar, sa putik at pagod, nanatiling matamis ang alaala ng Abra para isipin pa ang pagpasok kinabukasan.

Narating namin ang Baguio. At ang Abra ay naging isang karanasang nakakintal sa aming lahat – malayo sa liwanag ng

Session o sa karangyaan ng lungsod ngunit naging malapit sa aming mga alaala. Batid naming sa mga susunod na pagkakataon babalik kami para sa ibang karanasang papanday sa tinutungo ng Abra at ng iba pang lugar – ang tagpuan ng langit at impyerno.

Akda nina Alexandrea Dioso, Ivan Emil Labayne,

Nikki Camille Malabad, at Pamela Peralta

Grapiks Santiago Tiongco III

Looking through the car window, my thoughts start to wander when unexpectedly,

Manong Taxi lamented that if Metro Manila should have undergone proper urban planning, nothing as grave as what had transpired after that series of typhoons could have happened. But I told him that the government would not do it because, according to Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman, “only a crisis could bring real change.”

The United States announced last October 26 that it was giving $ 8.5 million worth (Php 399 million) of food aid to the Philippines to help it recover from the storms that left almost 900 bodies dead. However, Tom Vilsack, Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, added during a trade and investment conference in Makati City that the “US businessmen were looking for partnerships in biofuel research to lessen dependence on petroleum products which are being blamed for global warming and climate change.” This paved the way for the implementation of the Biofuels Act, signed by the President last 2007. As calamities reduced most of the developing countries into “mere rubbles and carnages,” corporations saw opportunities beyond the disasters – they try to salvage an opportunity for profits.

Shock Doctrine and Disaster Capitalism

After Hurricane Katrina hit the United States last 2005, the floodwaters of New Orleans became an opportune moment for Friedman to realize the privatization of its public school system. Before the hurricane Katrina, a calamity also hit areas off the coast of Indian Ocean leaving thousands in cold blood and clearing the shorelines of countries like Sri Lanka. Hotel owners in the said country immediately grabbed this profitable opportunity through “buffer zones” – safety measure for the citizens according to their government leaving them off from the shores where they get their livelihood while hoteliers are given the opportunity to expand

their hotels and resorts. For almost three decades,

Friedman and his followers had perfected this strategy: after a major crisis, like calamities, pieces of state properties are sold to private players interested considering this scheme as “reforms,” while the citizens are still reeling of from the shock. Then, they make these “reforms” permanent. Thus, the birth of disaster capitalism and what Naomi Klein coined as the “shock doctrine.”

The Shock LandfallsThe damages brought by

Typhoon Ondoy and Pepeng gave an opportunity for foreign investors to help rehabilitating the scarred regions. They also tried to sneak trade agreements and partnerships that could rather put the country in a more calamitous condition than those left by the two typhoons.

Last 2007, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed the Biofuels Act allowing for the commercialization of biofuels production. Biofuel entails mixing diesel with jatropha extract to reduce carbon emissions. Nevertheless, it was only after the two typhoons that this act was executed. According to Clemente Bautista, national Coordinator of KALIKASAN People’s Network, the current policies and program of the government in dealing with the heated issue of climate change will only strengthen the conversion of agricultural l a n d s

to commercial use for jatropha production.

Based on the data from the PNOC Alternative Fuels Corp., to meet the 2-percent blend for biodiesel, some 97,022 hectares planted to jatropha are required in 2009 and 120,808 in 2015. At the 5-percent blend, the jatropha area will have to utilize 242,556 hectares in 2009 and 302,021 hectares in 2015, while the 20-percent blend requires an area of 970,224 hectares and 1.208 million hectares on the same respective years.

Moreover, there is no guarantee that CARP-able lands and lands of CARP beneficiaries would not

be included for biofuels production because the promise of high returns from such agribusiness venture is seemingly enticing. For instance, using the base price of $46 per barrel for petroleum, PhilForest estimates an investor in this industry could reap a 20% return on investment notwithstanding that global oil prices could still go up.

A case in point is the contract-growing scheme of San Miguel Corporation (SMC) in Isabela. This enticed the farmers holding not only stewardship contracts but also those who owned land certificates to venture into such investment.

Conversely, there is a high probability that the farmers will incur huge

debts instead of profits for they are still the ones shouldering the production risks of jatropha production. Worse, their control

and ownership of their lands are threatened – the contract

they signed with the SMC stipulates that

the cooperative commissioned by the said

corporation supplying its cassava needs can take over the lands of farmers who incur debts for two consecutive harvest seasons.

(Tropical) DepressionNeoliberalism in general and

its version of environmental economics in particular characterized the dominant perspectives in “sustainable development” within the international landscape. Self-inflicted remedies of multinational corporations they baptized as corporate social responsibility have become obsolete in the face of the continued exploitation of developing countries whenever a major disaster is turned into an opportunity.

As the country staggers from the effects of the two devastating typhoons ever to hit the Philippines so far, foreign aids came pouring in. These aids came with them packages to realize certain objectives driven by profits – just like the commercialization of biofuels production. This, apparently, is nothing but an excuse for the landlord dominated Congress to do what they always wanted to do: extract more from the lands they never bothered to till, subject the country to an increasingly “globalized” economy, and give less to their farmer-laborers.

Manong should have known all these – that the Philippines is the eye of another storm that is disaster capitalism – but the time is not enough to explain such things. After all, I have to get out of that cab.

Reference:

Klein, Naomi. (2007). The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism. Canada: Knopf.

Leff, Enrique. (2000). “The Scientific-Technological Revolution, the Forces of Nature, and Marx’s Theory of Value.” Capitalism, Nature and Socialism, December 2000. Academic Research Library. p. 109-128.

Republic Act No. 9367, otherwise known as the Biofuels Act of

2007.

07UPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010 KulturaUPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu Enero-Pebrero 2010Grapiks06 UPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu Enero-Pebrero 2010Grapiks06PamumulotWalang pinipiling oras ang pamumulot nila ng mga bato. Kasabay ng paglakas ng mga alon, makikitang nakikipagpatintero sa mga ito ang mga stone-picker nang sa gayo’y makaipon ng mga batong ibebenta.

Mano-mano.Pagkatapos ng patintero sa mga alon, kanilang hinahakot ang mga batong napulot patungo sa dalampasigan. Dati ay baka’t kariton ang kanilang ginagamit nang sa gayo’y hindi sila mahirapan subalit dahil sa pagbabawal ng kanilang lokal na gobyerno, naging mano-mano ang gawaing ito.

Pagpapatuloy.Matapos pagbawalan na gumamit ng baka’t kariton sa paghahakot ng mga bato mula sa tabing-dagat, halos ilang buwan din silang hindi nakapamulot ng mga bato bunsod na rin ng utos ng lokal na gobyerno ng Luna, La Union. Ngunit dahil sa pagtutulungan ng mga residente ng nasabing bayan na tanging stone-picking ang nagsisilbing hanapbuhay, pinayagan ulit silang makapamulot sa tabing-dagat.

Salandra.Matapos ipunin ang mga bato, pinaghihiwalay ang mga ito ayon sa laki gamit ang “salandra.” Halos maghapon ay ito lang ang kanilang ginagawa. Minsan pa nga kahit sa kalaliman ng gabi, sa ilalim ng liwanag ng buwan ay tuloy pa rin sila sa pagsasalandra para lang makarami ng mga batong maibebenta.

Buntung-hininga.Nasa Php 16.00 ang presyo ng isang lata ng mga batong nakukuha nila. Sa isang araw, swerte na ang makatatlong lata. Binibili ng malalaking kompanya mula Taiwan at South Korea ang nasabing mga bato at kalimitan ay ilang buwan ang binibilang bago sila mabayaran. Kuwento nila, sa isang buwan ay mahigit limanlibong piso ang kanilang kita. Bago pa man nila makuha ang kitang iyon, nagkautang na sila ng mahigit tatlonglibong piso para lang mabuhay sa pang-araw-araw. Wala na silang ibang pwedeng pagkakakitaan.

Luna, La Union.Itinatago ng naglalakihang

mga alon at malamig na simoy ng hangin ang mga taong katangi-tangi

ang mga kwento ng pakikipagsapalaran. Sa mga

larawang ito ipakikilala ang pang-araw-araw

na pakikibaka ng mga binansagang stone-picker ng

bayang ito.

Sulyap sa Buhay ng mga Stone-picker ng La Union

HampasAlonBawat Sa

ng

Mga Kuha ni Ruel Caricativo

This year, school administrators have once again failed to serve just

education to students with the new round of tuition and other fees increases in Baguio universities and colleges. Hence, they proved that education is a favor that comes with a high price.

 Schools are in race with each other with their proposed increases in tuition and other fees. The University of the Cordilleras (UC) will again experience 10% increase in tuition and other fees, not to mention the 556.81% increase in a newly-acquired miscellaneous. Saint Louis University (SLU) will welcome freshmen as they impose 5% tuition increase while other students will have 6% increase in miscellaneous. University of Baguio (UB) is also in race with 15% tuition increase, which apparently, is the highest proposal among the universities.  Baguio Central University (BCU) joins in the with 5% tuition increase, while Baguio College of Technology (BCU) made an announcement, but did not provide figures.

In this race, they leave behind the primary thing: students’ interests.

Each year, school administrators fall short in providing education as a service. Instead, they proudly inculcate to our young minds that such service means a culture of profit, and a privilege to a few. Each year, they displease us by taking away one thing closest to our heart – education. However, we will not make it easy for them this time.

NUSP calls for tuition moratorium now!Student leaders oppose unjustified tuition and other fees increases

With all these increases, we, students stand firm with our claim that quality education should not be directly proportional to higher cost of education.  In the same way, we assert our right to education inasmuch as we believe that it is not our sole responsibility to provide a quality and accessible education.

We then salute our fellow students, especially student leaders who are courageous in facing school administrators in opposing unjustified tuition and other fees increases. We encourage the majority of students to take the same stand, support and be one with their student leaders and do

all possible means to show their opposition.

Likewise, we urge our local officials and educational institutions to equal and complement students’ efforts. It is high time you show your concern

and value to education. We ask you to do necessary actions available in your fields to immediately address this dilemma. During this unsurpassed time, we, students need your utmost support.

To our local officials, we challenge you to intervene and demand school administrators to be just in collecting fees by asking them to withdraw their proposed increase. Particularly, we call the attention of Mayor Reinaldo Bautista.  As a father of Baguio and guardian to thousands of students, he should genuinely lead in addressing this concern and impose a no increase at University of Baguio .

To the Commission on Higher Education, we urge you to make investigations regarding the long problem in collecting redundant and exorbitant fees. Also, we strongly demand for the implementation of a genuine tuition moratorium in order to put end to all these unwelcome increases.

Again, we reiterate our claim that education is a service and not a privilege. ###

Finela MejiaChairperson, NUSP Baguio-Benguet 09239758641

PAHAYAGAng Outcrop ay tumatanggap ng pahayag mula sa mga organisasyon at indibidwal.

section 7 provides for grounds to consider the position of SR-elect or the incumbent SR vacant, to wit: permanent disqualification from the university; incapacity to enroll or file an LOA the following semester; or, death, illness or any other cause which prevents him/her from discharging functions.

In the same statement, the UPLB administration claimed that “as of 29 January 2010, Ms. Banez has not enrolled for residency and is not on leave of absence. She is not a bona fide student of the University, as defined by the CRSRC, and thus not qualified to sit as Student Regent, an Office whose occupant, under the UP Charter, must come from the ranks of the students.”

Bañez was not able to sit as the official SR until two months after her proclamation because of alleged charges filed in the UPLB Student Disciplinary Tribunal (SDT). In November 2009, the UPLB SDT released another order suspending Bañez and eight other former members of the UPLB USC during her term last AY 2008-2009, due to the alleged failure of the USC to release its annual financial statement. The UPLB USC released the financial statement last June 18, 2009.

In an interview by the Philippine Collegian, Bañez claimed that the Office of the SR is “vital in representing student interests in a body that decides on issues such as tuition increases and appointment of university officials.

“Ngayong kaliwa’t kanan ang mga isyung kinakaharap ng mga estudyante, tulad ng large lecture class scheme, higit na kailangang ipaglaban ang representation sa BOR (Now that the students are confronted by issues from both sides, like the large class scheme, it is imperative to struggle for representation in the BOR),” she added.

BOR, yet to decide...continued from page 2

At dahil alam ko namang gusto mo talaga, wag ka nang magpapigil kung gusto mong magpasa ng mga makabagbag-damdaming mga tula sa OutcroP para sa aming literary folio, ang Balintuna 2010. Ipasa lamang sa aming opisina sa tabi ng McKleene Utility Services o kaya sa upboutcrop@yahoo.com.ph.

P.S.: maaari ka ring magpasa ng sanaysay o kaya’y maikling kwento. <wink>P.S. ulit: Belated Happy Birthday Chico P. Riva! :)

Kung gusto mo siya,

wag kang papigil.

Guhit ni Alexandrea Dioso

09UPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010 EditoryalUPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010Opinyon08

AmazedFrom the

speeches we have been hearing

from you or any national official for that matter, it seems like the

government professes a deep love for its youth.

Punong Patnugot Ruel Caricativo | Kawaksing Patnugot Ivan Emil Labayne, Santiago Tiongco III | Patnugot sa Lathalain Alejo Marco Galano | Patnugot sa Kultura John Levi Masuli | Patnugot sa Guhit at Lapat Santiago Tiongco III | Tagapamahala sa Pinansya Nikki Camille Malabad Kawani Alexandrea Dioso Panghaliling Kawani Pauline Gaña, Erika Lizzette Nakawili, Bethany Pascua, Pamela Peralta, Cristienne Monique Torralba,

Plarlene Juliane Valentos, Jonathan Valdez, Stela Marie Vicher

Miyembro ng College Editors Guild of the Philippines at Solidaridad - Alyansa ng mga Pahayagang Pang-kampus sa UPMapagpalayang Kaisipan sa Malayang Pahayagan

upboutcrop@yahoo.com.ph

Hapon. Mainit. Nakakabato. Wala ang mga kasama ko, wala akong mahihingan ng second-hand smoke. Nagmamasid mula sa gilid habang nakaupo, iniisip mabuti kung ano ang bibilhing meryenda. May bananacue, sorbetes at iba pang pagkain. Meron ding iskrambol.

Yun ang akala ko.May mga dumating na pulis.

Hinuli at isinakay sa trak ang lalagyan ng sorbetes ni Manong Icecream at ang lalagyan ng iskrambol ni Manong Iskrambol. Isang malaking “BAKIT?” ang namuo sa isipan ko. Unang sumagi sa isip ko na ilegal ang pagtitinda ng dalawang manong. Pero dagli ko rin naisip na kung ilegal, bakit yung mga ibang manininda ay hindi hinuhuli? Wala akong makitang sagot. Passive-aggressive ang dalawang manong – namumuo ang mga butil ng pawis sa kanilang noo sa kada minutong lumilipas. Ramdam ko ang hirap nila bilang isang manininda, pero ‘di ko kailanman maiintindihan ang kanilang sitwasyon. Basta ang alam ko, mahirap maging manininda.

Kung ating papansinin, madami sa mga tao sa Pilipinas ay may maliit na pinagkakakitaan kagaya nila Manong Iskrambol. Madami sa mga Pilipino ang nakaranas ng kaparehong sitwasyon. Samakatuwid, marami ang hindi protektado ng batas lalo na kung ganun ang pinagkakakitaan. Alam naman natin na ang mga ganung trabaho, bilang alternatibong kabuhayan, ang siyang bumubuo

at nagpapalakas sa maliliit na sektor ng lipunan na hindi kayang makapagbayad ng matataas na buwis sa negosyo. Kahit paano, nakakapagpaaral din ng mga anak ang mga nagtitinda ng iskrambol – may kita kahit maliit. Ang mga kasama sa ganitong sektor ay madalas nakakalimutan sa mga popular na diskurso ng ekonomiya. Itinuturing lang silang blips sa datos na tungkol sa lipunan. Bihira silang maisama sa mga plano na kadikit ng mga salitang nation building o development plans. Samakatuwid, hindi nakakatulong ang gobyerno sa mga ganitong marginalisadong sektor. Bagkus ay sinusubukan pa silang “linisin” paalis sa mga lugar na pinupuntahan nila. Sila ay kalat – iyan ang turing ng mga pulis at ng gobyerno sa kalakhan. “Hijo, pakalat-kalat kasi sila kaya namin kailangang hulihin”, sabi nga ng isa sa mga pulis.

Maraming mga uri ng diskurso ang maaaring lumabas sa ganung senaryo. Bilang mga estudyante, kaya nating magbigay ng mga paliwanag at solusyon sa mga ganung pangyayari. Samu’t-saring teorya ang mahuhugot natin mula sa magkakaibang disiplina sa akademya. Lahat tayo kayang

mag-analisa at magbigay ng sagot hinggil sa pangyayaring iyon. May magsasabi na tama lang na hulihin sila, may magsasabi na mali, may magsasabi na may iba pang paraan. Lahat kayang may masabi pero hindi lahat ay may gustong gawin – hindi lahat ay kayang ibaba ang diskurso sa lebel ng masa at ng realidad. Isa ito sa mga hamon ni Oble, ang ibaba ang diskurso sa lebel ng realidad upang magkaroon ng konkretong solusyon. Sana kahit ito man lang ay hindi natin makalimutan.

Natapos ang hulihan, back to business si Manang Yosi, inaalam ni Manong Load kung ano ang nangyari, tila nakikiramay ang mga Magbabalot. Tuloy pa rin ang takbo ng mundo. Walang nagbago.

Ligtas si Manong Mais. Buti na lang. Makakapagmeryenda pa ako.

Para sa mga ka-batch ko na aalis na. Mauunahan nyo ako sa totoong mundo. Mauuna kayong makakakita ng mga kaparehas na problema sa labas ng Unibersidad. Sana walang makalimot na may magagawa tayo kahit gaano kaliit ukol sa mga ganitong problema dahil kaya nating ibaba ang diskurso sa lebel ng realidad. Sana.

Kung nakakapagsalita ang mga lalagyan ng iskrambol

Alejo Marco Galano

“Ang mga kasama sa ganitong sektor ay madalas

nakakalimu-tan sa mga popular na

diskurso ng ekonomiya.”

I.

You know he’s looking for ‘something real not fake’ when … he posts it

on Craigslist. He’s looking for somebody that will appreciate his sweetness and caring nature. A few lines down the web page, there is Katrina from the South who wants nothing less than to live her life to the fullest with Mr. Right who she knows is somewhere out there – just like Sunshine, a 20 year old shemale from Manila who is looking for a serious relationship between the random and anonymous pages of the web.

A few clicks away on the same site, there is a guy who met another at a mall in Ortigas. They sat at Starbucks, and this guy he thinks that there were sparks flying. The sparks flew and fell on the floor – but never mind because this guy is willing to stoop and scoop vaingloriously hopeful sparks that will only burn him. Which is why he posts on the site under the label of missed connections. Missed connections too are what happen to the guy who encountered this crew cut guy with a silver earring who rode the same tricycle that the poster rode on. Now, the poster is thinking, maybe there was something there. But the tricycle passes by his house each day but the crew cut boy is nowhere to be seen.

A few clicks away on the same site, there is a middle aged guy from the United States looking for an LTR – long term relationship. Just below the link which you press to read the entire post, there is another link for another boy in the Philippines who is looking for ‘friends…or something more.’ And

below that link is another link of a guy who is organizing a SEB – sex eye ball – somewhere in Makati.

II.Between wondering how Adele

can actually chase pavements and smoking the third pack of cigarettes, there is the realization that chasing pavements and looking for something real not fake is the same thing. You don’t chase the pavement because it is where you do the chasing – it is where you run. Another spurt from the many holes in a broken heart is the text message about geometric love stories – tangent lines that meet once and never again, parallel lines that are destined never to meet while sitting side by side, and asymptotes that get closer and closer without ever making contact. And if you see the whole impossibility-of-contact premise in these geometric tales, take the view and transpose it on pavements and runners – there is no contact, no connection, no way to breach logic.

To be more precise, this is the logic lurking somewhere between Adele and geometry. You do not ask what purpose life has precisely because life is the context where purpose exists. You do not ask why the knight in the chessboard moves in L’s, or why king totters in single steps, or why the pawns

can only move ahead – because the arbitrariness of these rules implies that these rules are beyond question – must be taken for granted. And this is the tragedy for people who chase pavements – the pavement is the arbitrary rule, the context, the whole plane where all the chasing is done. The tragedy for runners after pavements is that running after the pavement is the same as asking the chess board to let the pawn fly over the castles and queens and into the king. Which is to say, to ask reality to stop for a moment, to let go of the rules and the context.

III.Does the world stop for true

love? I guess I was searching for

something real not fake as well, thinking I was smart enough to have removed the Prince from the fairy tales, but naively subscribing to the stories in the first place. Which is to say, falling into the same trap of chasing pavements – trying to breach logic. Tautologies are logical enough. But in the end, they refer to nothing precisely because they refer to each other. And my something real is the same as the something not fake. And what I have is you, the pavement, the way logic screws us all – whether you are posting on Craigslist, or laughing at it.

“Looking for something real not fake”

Santiago Tiongco

“Sunshine, a 20 year

old shemale from Manila

looking for a serious

and loving relationship.”

As the end of the school year is slowly approaching its end, it is definitely

inevitable to sum things up. We have received things

from you that are worth-mentioning. This academic year, as a consolation for its 1OOth year of existence, you awarded our university the title ‘national university’—a title so prestigious but only on the surface. You also gave a 150-million grant to boost the construction of infrastructures, which of course the UP administration gladly accepted. A ‘first world-ish’ techno hub was constructed in the premises of UP

Diliman in which many call center agents/ UP students

were hired. Many commercial establishments sprouted in the different campuses of UP. In our campus, a library extension was constructed and an ATM machine was placed in our lobby, much to the gladness of students who no longer need to scamper to SM whenever they need money impromptu.

These things we have gained, however, cannot suffice to the things we have lost.

UP Diliman is now under a new student code where students organizations will now exert extra effort to keep being recognized. Moreover, this student code has other very suspicious provisions that are apparently made to repress the academic freedom

of students which is one of the most sacred possessions of the university. UP Visayas has recently surrendered their administration of the UP

Visayas High School mainly

because of financial difficulties. UP Los Banos’ Perspective is hit with a mortal blow by the Office of Students Affairs’ action to hinder collection of its funds, thereby leading to the instability of their publication. Red-tagging also became very prominent – pointed student leaders and activists as well as progressive organizations are branded as fronts of communist elements and recruiting grounds of the New People’s Army. Moreover, the presence of military elements inside the campus is very disturbing, especially because their very presence is against the rules of the university. A large-class policy is also being railroaded still in UPLB. Once this policy takes effect, all GE classes must accommodate 150 to 200 students. The stubborn administration of UPLB even seems hesitant to act regarding these issues. Philippine General Hospital, one of the leading and mass-friendly hospitals in the country is also on the verge of being privatized because of financial difficulty experienced by UP Manila who holds it. Finally, another budget cut was again done by you and your cohorts to reduce its expenses on giving quality education and give this chunk to more ‘pertinent’ matters. This budget cut is also part of the government’s scheme to make state universities and colleges become more ‘financially independent’ from the government. Notice the ‘truthfulness’ of the 150 million budget consolation given in our centennial only months before the said budget cut.

These are only some of the manifestations of the lack of

budget that your administration had inflicted not only to UP but also to other public educational institutions. Under the logic of giving priority to other more important things (such as paying out foreign debt which comprises a big chunk of our budget and a suspiciously big military budget), we are ceaselessly hit with unforgiving budget cuts, forcing us to do with the mere crumbs that is left for us. The fascist policies within the school in turn acts as salts in these wounds.

From the speeches we have been hearing from you or any national official for that matter, it seems like the government professes a deep love for its youth. You usually proclaim about how the education sector gets a large chunk in the national budget, how scholarships change the lives of thousands out-of-school youth and how the call center jobs are most welcomed to cater to the fresh graduates and ensure that they will not idle after graduation.

Your kind of love encourages us to be financially independent (the lack of government subsidy?). Your kind of love lets us socialize with more people (hence the large-class policy). Your kind of love claims to uphold equality in paying tuition fees (hence the STFAP). Your kind of love secures us in the arms of the military people while we are studying (hence the disappearance of many student leaders). We are really amazed.

To those in the plush seats of the government: Don’t ration your compassion.

We’reby the way

LoveUsYou1. Naniniwala ka pa ba sa CRS (Computerized Registraion System)? Bakit? Bakit hindi? Eh sa love?Uu. Kasi nakuha yung mga subject na linista ko. 09-57250Hindi na! Kasi 6 units lang nakuha ko. Puro alternatives pa. 08-00001Pag late ka nag-reg, sure lahat ng subjects mo. Kaya ‘wag maging bibo! 06-64948Medyo sa CRS, sa love malapit na…09-36692Hindi na..kasi gagraduate na ‘ko!haha 06-21610Oo. Mas madali sa buhay, hindi na kelangan ng pila. 07-55527Di na aa, wala ng chance ung mga incoming second year. 0X-04820Hindi, wala ako nakuha sa gusto ko. 09-63723

2. May kakilala ka bang gagraduate? Anong ireregalo mo sa kanya?Wala. Wala nga. 09-48XXXOo. Ate ko. Kiss sabay hug. XX-XXXXXOo. Trabahong malupit at hindi isang call center. XX-XXXXXDSLR! 06-XXXXXPag-ibig at pagmamahal 08-15074Oo, meron, Filing of Extension ^_^ XX-XXXXXIsang bonggang gabi! 09-47698

3. Anong ginawa mo nung Valentines Day?Nakatulala sa kawalan habang ginugunita ang mapapait na ala-ala ng aming lumipas. 08-6625XSoc An field work! XX-XXXXXWahaha..naghintay ng ka-date sa Red Ribbon. MiaNamasyal sa Burnham (single eh). XX-XXXXXKumain ng hotdog! Haha solb. 09-XXXXXNagpamiscall — kaso unattended siya. 06-21610

4. Sa tingin mo, ano ang mangyayari sa Pilipinas pagkatapos ng eleksiyon?Lulubog sa dagat ng basura! LOL! 08-16849Protests for recount, accusations. 07- 52757

5. Excited ka ba sa automated elections? Bakit/ Bakit hindi?Slight! Para kasi yang UPCAT eh, shade the circle completely or else..tapos kailangan walang erasure typo or else..hindi mababasa ng scanner 08-16849Hindi, kasi pati yung resulta, automated na din! (lutong macau) XX-XXXXXExcited ako sa bagong strategy ng dayaan. XX-11813Hindi, hindi pa kasi ako pwedeng bumoto. Pero hindi pa hanga ang bansa sa automated election. 09-36692Hindi, ikaw excited na? Ysa

Editoryal 07(Hindi ito)

ang sagot sa krisis sa edukasyon

Sa paglapit ng eleksyon, mul-ing tumataas ang optimismo at pag-asa ng maraming Pili-

pino, partikular na ang mga ka-bataang estudyante. Sa dami ng mga tuition free increase lalo na sa lebel ng kolehiyo at mabababa pa ring sweldo ng mga guro, marami ang umaasang sa pagbabago ng mukha ng nasa gobyerno ay uun-lad ang kalidad ng edukasyon sa bansa. Ang bawat kandidato sa pagkapresidente, halimbawa, ay may kanya-kanyang nakahandang pangako sa kanilang mga bulsa.

Ngayong eleksyon ay mayroong inaasahang 34 milyong Pilipino na nasa 18-34 taong gulang ang bobo-to. Ang kabataan ay nananatili sa isang magandang posisyon upang isulong ang kanilang mga interes at pumili ng lider na magsusulong ng pagbabago sa sistema ng edu-kasyon.

Ang Liberal Party na kinabibi-langan ni Noynoy Aquino ay may prinsipyong nakasentro sa de-mokrasyang ipinaglaban ng dating pangulong Cory Aquino. Tutukan ang edukasyon upang bumuo ng mga competitive na indibidwal—isang istratehiya upang diumano’y bumuo ng “global Filipinos” na ilalarga sa internasyunal na kala-karan. Ang ganitong pagtingin sa mga Pilipino bilang mga tauhang ipadadala sa internasyunal na ka-lakaran ay mistualng sinasabi na hindi sila dapat maging empleya-do sa kaniyang bansa at amghing aprte ng pagpapaunlad nito.

Ang plataporma ni Manny Villar ay

Walang katapusan at masarap pakinggan ang mga

pangakong pinagsisigawan ng mga kandidato. Ngunit tulad ng mga pangako pagdating sa ekonomiya o pulitika, ang mga mababangong salitang

ito pagdating sa edukasyon ay mahirap paniwalaan.

nagsasabing may pangunahing tungkulin itong tugunan ang isyu ng kahirapan at social injustice. Bagamat hindi nabanggit sa kan-yang plataporma ang kanyang plano sa edukasyon, binabanggit sa kanyang mga pahayag ang pag-papa-aral sa mga walang oportuni-dad na makapag-aral. Ang kanyang C5 Road extension project na du-madaan sa kanyang lupa sa Para-ñaque at Las Piñas ay overpriced, isang isyu na hanggang ngayo’y hindi pa rin nalilinaw. Dahil dito ay kinukwestyon ng ilan ang kan-yang kredibilidad.

Bilang kapartido ng kasalu-kuyang pangulo, nangunguna sa plataporma ni Gibo Teodoro ang pagsulong ng Cha-cha na hanggang ngayo’y tinututulan ng nakara-rami. Sa mga economic provisions ng Chacha, maisasapribado ang mga paaralan at unibersidad—magsisilbing banta ito sa mga ka-bataang nag-aaral nang libre sa mga pampublikong paaralan. Sa pagsasapribadong ito ay maaar-ing tuluyan nang maubos ang mga pampublikong paaralan.

Si Joseph Estrada ng Pwersa ng Masang Pilipino ay muling tatakbo upang diumano’y ipagpatuloy ang kanyang nga nasimulan sa kan-yang termino. Layunin niyang ipagpatuloy ang ERAP Para sa Ma-hirap Foundation na nagpapaaral ng mga mahihirap na kabataan, at nakapagpaaral na ng libo-libong kabataan. Ganunpaman, nanana-tiling kwestyunable ang kanyang tunay na layunin sa pagtakbo. Ang kanyang impeachment noong kan-yang termino ay isa na rin sa mga bagay na nagpakita na hindi nais ng mga mamamayan ang mga gi-

nawa niya sa kanyang pag-upo.Mula sa partidong Ban-

gon Pilipinas ay tatakbo sa ikalawang pagkakataon si

Bro.Eddie Villanueva sa pagkapangulo.

Kasama sa kanyang

plataporma sa edukasyon ang mga gift-giving, medical missions, book-giving at nourishment pro-gram na lahat ay nakatutok sa ma-hihirap. Ayon sa kanya ay maram-ing Pilipino ang hindi nabibigyan ng pagkakataon na mag-aral at magbasa kaya sagot niya rito ang book-giving missions kung saan mabibigyan ng libro ang mas na-kararaming Pilipino. Bagamat maaari nitong mapaunlad ang lit-eracy ng mga makakatanggap nito, hindi pa rin nito masosolusyunan ang pangunahing problemang pang-edukasyon ng bansa—ang patuloy na pagtaas ng matrikula at mababang kalidad ng edukasyon.

Si Dick Gordon na mula sa partidong Bagumbayan ay nagla-layon ding gawing prioridad ang edukasyon upang makamit ang pag-unlad at manguna sa pandaig-digang ekonomiya. Isa sa kanyang mga plano ang pagpopondo ng P85 bilyon para sa paggamit ng Kindle (electronic textbooks) ng 17 mi-lyon na estudyante. Maisasagawa niya ito diumano sa pamamagitan ng pagputol sa korapsyon na lum-alamon sa mahigit P300 bilyon ng pondo, kung hindi naman ay sa pamamagitan ng pagpapaunlad ng industriya ng pagmimina upang matugunan ang pagpopondo sa li-breng e-book reader project. Kung ito ay papalya ay magsasagawa ng “text for education” campaign kung saan ang P0.50 sa bawat 2 bi-lyong text message ay mapupunta sa Kindle Project. Ayon sa Tech-nograph (Technology in the Phil-ippines) ay mabuti ang ganitong proyekto upang hindi na magbuhat ang mga mag-aaral ng mabibigat na libro, ngunit hindi tiyak kung saan kukunin ang mismong pambili ng electronic textbooks na ilalagay sa bawat eReader. Ang proyektong ito ay nangangailangan ng napakal-aking pondo, at marami pang dapat mas pagtuunang-pan-sin sa edukasyon, tulad ng pagpapasweldo nang

sapat sa mga guro, o di kaya’y pagbi-

gay ng sapat

na pasilidad sa mga paaralan. Ang Kapatiran Party na kinabib-

ilangan ni JC delos Reyes ay nagla-layong pagtibayin ang moralidad ng bawat Pilipino. A Philippines for Filipinos naman ang isinusu-long ni Jamby na mula sa parti-dong Genuine Opposition kung saan nilalayong iangat ang edu-cational democracy. Maisasagawa ito sa pamamagitan ng pagputol sa pagdidikta ng International Mon-etary Fund-World Bank (IMF-WB) sa sistema ng edukasyon sa bansa, pagdodoble ng education budget, pagtanggal ng matrikula sa state universities and colleges, gayun-din ang pagtaas ng DOST budget sa mahigit PHP 75 bilyon upang mapalakas ang high-productivity at mabawasan ang low-productiv-ity call centers jobs. Hindi niya binanggit kung saan kukunin ang ganito kalaking pondo upang ma-sagawa ang kanyang mga plano.

Walang katapusan at masarap pakinggan ang mga pangakong pinagsisigawan ng mga kandidato. Ngunit tulad ng mga pangako pag-dating sa ekonomiya o pulitika, ang mga mababangong salitang ito pagdating sa edukasyon ay mahi-rap paniwalaan. At sa huli, sina-sabi nito sa atin na hindi maaaring ipagkatiwala natin ang buong ka-palaran ng sistema ng ating edu-kasyon sa isang boto. At hindi lang ang mga taong binoboto natin ang may kakayahang gumawa ng pag-babago.

Kung gayon, ang eleksyon ay hindi panahon ng pagdiriwang. Bagkus, ang eleksyon ay isang ma-sidhing paalala na hindi ito sapat upang makapagbigay ng sistema-tikong pagbabago hindi lang sa lagay ng edukasyon kung hindi na rin sa buong kaayusan ng lipu-

nan. At hinding-hindi eleksyon ang sagot

sa kahirapan na matagal nang pinoproblema ng bayan.

06 Opinyon

continuously being criticized because it authorizes PNP to tap barangay tanods as force multipliers, thereby transferring the authority to mobilize the Citizens Armed Force (CAF) from the central government to local chief executives and police forces.

According to Bayan Muna Rep. Satur Ocampo, the first step to dismantle private armed groups in the country is to abolish E.O. 546.

E.O. 546 is a repealed version of Former President Corazon Aquino’s E.O. 246, claimed to be the root cause of warlordism in the country. It states that the CAFs may be mobilized to complement the regular Armed Forces in times of military necessity for state security, upon the recommendation of the Secretary of National Defense and approval of the President. They however are not vested with law enforcement and police functions.

The fact that the executive order legitimizes the existence of private armies can already be considered as a threat. Some local government officials may even use them in ensuring victory over their political rivals.

Moreover, the executive order which is a part of the government’s counter-insurgency program, Oplan Bantay Laya, also lead to the disappearance, death and torture of numerous civilians and activists who are branded “terrorists.”

The power of warlords in the country was enhanced by the interior department’s approval of the arming with rifles of Civilian Volunteer Organizations, subsidized by public funds and operating as supporting paramilitary units of the Philippine National Police (PNP) against dissenters.

Various people’s organizations and Filipinos, in general, are now urging the government to disarm all the political warlords in the country including the Ampatuan clan who are reported to be still in possession of high-powered guns and more sophisticated and powerful weapons.

A Call for CeasefireThe people’s clamors in

response to the Maguindanao massacre may serve as a wake-up call for the government to put an end to warlordism in the country. If this remains unstopped, the culture of terrorism can only persist and violence can only multiply.

What is worse is that the political warlords responsible for this terrorizing can still get away from their horrendous actions.

Political warlordism is a bold display of impunity that is already engraved in Philippine politics. More than disarming private armies, the government needs to refine law enforcements and manifest a political will for the eradication of warlordism in the country.

Bullet’s Tail...continued from page 2 Para kay Aquino, Villar, Estrada, Gibo, at iba

pang tingin ko ay trapo: A game of deceit and how we’ll beat all of you

Ivan Emil Labayne

“Game over. Maximum amount of hypocrisy,

untruthfulness, deception and

falsity has been transgressed.

Winner: with their

advertisements pervading all

over the place, in the TV, internet, the streets and public vehicles

-- the traditional politicians.”

Dahil parang nag-aalok kang makipaglaro, hala sige, game. Laro tayo.

Game? Ikaw nagsimula ng larong ‘to ah. Sumasakay lang kami.

Pakinggan mo kami, ito ang larong master na master mo. Pero tatry pa rin namin.

Game!0-0

Hindi naman, ho sir. Maayos ang pamumuhay namin ngayon. Kakapaayos lang ng bubong ng bahay namin. May unting butas lang. Maliit lang po. Nakuha nung Ondoy, pambihra talaga yung bagyo nun. Pero mga sir kahit matagal na yun, lagi ko kayo nakikita sa TV Patrol nun eh – nakakapote lang kayo habang nagbibigay ng mga de-lata sa mahihirap tsaka dun sa mga nasalanta.

Wag nyo pansinin butas ng bubong namin. Kaunting sira lang ‘to.

Laro lang tayo. Pakinggan mo naman ang mga kakampi ko.

0-0Ay si Junior ko, proud na proud

ako sa anak kong ito. Biruin nyo mga sir, valedictorian yata yang panganay kong yan nung natapos siyang elementary tsaka high school. Laking tuwa at pasasalamat ko talaga na masipag at matalinong bata ‘tong anak ko. Masakit nga lang sa loob ko ngayon kasi ‘di muna makakapagenroll sa college si Junior. Eh, ganun talaga.

Alam nyo naman sa panahon ngayon, tinatamad minsan ang batang mag-aral. Hindi ko na rin kasi kaya eh. Hindi na rin namin kayang pilitin pa siyang mag-

aral. Kaya ayan, tigil muna sya. Wala naman kaming problema sa bayarin eh. Marami namang mauutangan. Sanay na rin naman akong mangutang, sa di mabilang ba namang pagkakataong ginawa ko ‘yun eh. Pero umaasa pa rin kaming sa June eh makakapag-aral na uli sya.

0-0Ako po si Marvic Capistrano.

Labindalawang taong gulang na po ako. Ang ganda-ganda po talaga sa Disneyland. Ang dami-daming rides. Tapos ang cute nila Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck at Goofy. Parang totoong tao talaga sila kung umasta. Nung sinabi dati ni Mama na ‘di ako makakapuntang Disneyland eh nagkamali lang pala siya. Buti na lang magaling magkwento si Joan – yung anak ni Mr. dela Fuente na boss ni Tatay.

0-0Pleasant greetings to you, Sir!I am Edna from UP Baguio. I

am writing this epistle in behalf of my co-Scholars ng bayan (ahem, I feel so proud to have that label). We would like to express our most heartfelt gratitude to you for giving our university twice the budget our administration asked for. We were pleasantly appalled when we learned that our tuition fee has

been reduced to 15 pesos per unit. Not to mention the bill you have approved enabling us to be loosely expressive of our inquiries and critics to you.

Alas, thank you Sir and Maam for this invaluable bestowals.

I am hoping that this will stay for good na po.

0-0And now, it’s the turn of the

opposition in this game – the traditional politicians.

0-0Pauunlarin namin ang bansa.

Magkakaroon ng pagbabago. Titigil ang korapsyon. Paglilingkuran namin nang tapat ang bayan.

0-0Game over. Maximum amount

of hypocrisy, untruthfulness, deception and falsity has been transgressed. Winner: with their advertisements pervading all over the place, in the TV, internet, the streets and public vehicles -- the traditional politicians.

-0-And now, outside the game:Unless we rethink about the

elections and the extent of change it can provide, and the candidates strewing phrases convertible to perfumes, you won’t have chances of winning.

Medyo mabigat pa ang tiyan ko. Kagagaling lang naming kumain sa isang

restaurant sa may Magsaysay. Pipinid na ang gabi pero pinili ko na lang na lakarin ang mahigit singkuwenta pesos na biyahe sa taxi pauwi sa tinitirhan ko. Tamang-tama na rin ito para matunaw naman ang kinain kong higit isangdaan ang naging presyo.

Umiilaw pa rin ang paru-paro sa loob ng city hall nang mapadaan ako. Pero hindi pa ako nakakalayo, hindi halimuyak ng “magandang Baguio” ang sumalubong sa akin kundi umaalisangaw na amoy ng pinaghalu-halong tira ng pagkain, papel, plastic, at diaper ng bata.

Halos masuka-suka na ako pero sa may di kalayuan tambak ulit ng basura ang aking nadaanan. Bawat sampung metro yata dito sa Baguio ay pinupuno ng tambak ng mga itim na plastic bag na nag-uumapaw sa mga tourist distraction. Ang maiitim na tambak ng mga plastic bag ay mistulang kanser na unti-unting umuuk-ok sa bawat bahagi ng lungsod.

Sa harap ng kalagayang ito, kailangang iwasan ng lungsod na may mahawa pa sa ganitong epidemya sapagkat lalo lang magiging malala ang kalunos-lunos nang kalagayan. Kumalat na sa iba pang mga lugar sa labas ng Baguio ang suliraning ito sapagkat maging ang mga kalsada palabas ng lungsod ay ginagawa na ring tapunan ng mga basura, ayon sa alkalde ng Itogon.

Ilang taon nang tinitiis ng lungsod ang problema sa basura. Noong nakaraang Oktubre, pinigilan ng mga lokal na mambabatas ng lungsod ang panukalang pagdadagdag ng

Bawal (itambak) ang basura ritoRuel Caricativo

“Bawat sampung

metro yata dito sa Baguio

ay pinupuno ng tambak ng

mga itim na plastic bag na

nag-uumapaw sa mga tourist

distraction.”

mahigit P 26 milyon mula kay Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. nang sa gayo’y magpatuloy pa rin ang pagtatapon ng basura sa Capas, Tarlac.

Maraming opisyal ng lokal na gobyerno ang tumutol sa mga panukalang solusyon sa nasabing problema sa basura kabilang na ang nabanggit na P26 milyong pondo noong nakaraang taon. Subalit kapuna-puna na karamihan sa mga konsehal na tumututol ay nagpahayag na ng kanya-kanyang interes sa pagtakbo ngayong darating na Mayo.

Malinaw kung para saan ang mas ninanais nilang tunguhin ng nasabing pondo. Sa ganitong kalakaran, walang ibang malalagay sa alanganin kundi ang mamamayan ng Baguio na nakasadlak pa rin sa masangsang na kalagayang bunsod ng pagbubulag-bulagan ng mga nasabing opisyal.

Ayon kay Rep. Mauricio Domogan, nais niya diumanong bigyan ng maayos na plano at permanenteng solusyon ang problemang sumisira sa imahe ng Baguio nitong mga nagdaang taon dahil ito raw ang nararapat. Kataka-takang ngayon lang hayagang nagpakita ng interes si Rep. Domogan hinggil sa pagsasa-ayos ng nasabing problema sa basura. Ilang buwan mula ngayon, plano rin niyang muling maging

alkalde ng lungsod sa ilalim ng partidong Lakas-KAMPI, kahit pa nakumpleto na niya ang kanyang tatlong termino noon bago siya naging congressman.

Kasabay ng pagpapahayag ni Domogan ng interes sa pagtakbo bilang alkalde ng lungsod, tila ang mga binitiwang kataga ng nasabing kongresista gamit ang isyu ng basura sa lungsod ay mga pahaging nang sa gayo’y makaungos sa sa mga posible niyang makatunggali sa darating na halalan. Susubukang linisin ang lungsod subalit tila malayo pang linisin ang sariling pangalan. Itinuturo ni dating Konsehal Jose Molintas ng Partido Liberal na sanhi ng paglobo ng populasyon ng lungsod ang ilang polisiya sa ilalim ng pamunuan ni Domogan nung ito ang alkalde. Kabilang pa sa mga nakikitang tatakbo bilang alkalde ay sina Konsehal Elaine Sembrano, na nanatiling tahimik hinggil sa usaping ito; Antonio Tabora Jr. ng Partido Nacionalista, dating alkalde ng lungsod na si Bernardo Vergara, at si Mark Go, kilalang kaibigan ni dating Pangulong Joseph Estrada.

Patuloy ang pangangamoy ng mga kalsada. Papalapit na nga pala ang halalan, tiyak na madadagdagan na naman ang tambak ng mga basura sa lungsod.

UPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010UPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010

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ar p

ubl

ic o

ffici

al w

ho

beca

me

both

S

pea

ker

of t

he

Hou

se a

nd

Sen

ate

Pre

sid

ent.

H

owev

er,

he

resi

gned

fro

m t

he

pos

itio

n o

n

Nov

embe

r 20

08 a

fter

bei

ng

hou

nd

ed b

y th

e C

-5 c

ontr

over

sy.

Man

ny

Vil

lar’

s d

ream

of

h

elp

ing

and

in

spir

ing

Fil

ipin

os

to

fulfi

ll

thei

r d

ream

s th

rou

gh h

ard

wor

k an

d d

eter

min

atio

n (S

ipag

at

Tiy

aga)

– t

he

sam

e va

lues

th

at le

t h

im s

uc-

ceed

in

lif

e –

may

be

his

big

gest

wh

en e

lec-

tion

tim

e co

mes

.

“GA

LIN

G A

T T

AL

INO

— S

UL

ON

G G

IBO

!”N

ext

in l

ine

is t

he

can

did

ate

sup

por

ted

by

the

pre

sen

t ad

min

istr

atio

n, G

ilbe

rt “

Gib

o”

Teod

oro,

a c

ousi

n o

f N

oyn

oy A

quin

o.

Gro

win

g u

p,

he

had

an

ea

rly

tast

e of

p

olit

ics

and

sh

owed

gre

at i

nte

rest

in

pu

blic

se

rvic

e. H

e be

cam

e th

e K

abat

aan

g B

aran

gay

Pre

sid

ent

in h

is h

omet

own

, Ta

rlac

, in

198

0 an

d e

ven

tual

ly b

ecam

e th

e C

entr

al L

uzo

n

Kab

ataa

ng

Bar

anga

y P

resi

den

t fo

r fi

ve y

ears

.H

e h

ad h

is e

du

cati

on a

t D

e L

a S

alle

Un

i-ve

rsit

y M

anil

a, g

rad

uat

ing

wit

h a

deg

ree

in

Bac

hel

or o

f S

cien

ce i

n C

omm

erce

, M

ajor

in

F

inan

cial

In

stit

uti

on i

n 1

984.

A s

tron

g se

nse

of

ju

stic

e in

spir

ed h

im t

o p

urs

ue

a la

w d

e-gr

ee a

t th

e U

niv

ersi

ty o

f th

e P

hil

ipp

ines

, w

her

e h

e re

ceiv

ed t

he

Dea

n’s

Med

al o

f E

x-ce

llen

ce i

n 1

989.

Th

e sa

me

year

, h

e to

pp

ed

the

Ph

ilip

pin

e B

ar e

xam

s. S

ubs

equ

entl

y, h

e p

asse

d t

he

New

Yor

k S

tate

Bar

exa

min

atio

n

in 1

997.

He

fin

ish

ed h

is M

aste

rs D

egre

e in

H

arva

rd L

aw S

choo

l in

Mas

sach

use

tts.

Gib

o p

ract

iced

his

pro

fess

ion

for

sev

en

(7)

year

s be

fore

his

con

gres

sion

al c

and

idac

y in

199

8. H

e w

on a

nd

bec

ame

the

Tarl

ac’s

F

irst

Dis

tric

t R

epre

sen

tati

ve f

or t

hre

e co

n-

secu

tive

ter

ms.

Asi

de

from

bei

ng

a li

cen

sed

pil

ot, h

e al

so

hol

ds

the

ran

k as

col

onel

of

the

Ph

ilip

pin

e A

ir

For

ce

Res

erve

F

orce

. H

e be

cam

e th

e yo

un

gest

sec

reta

ry t

o h

old

th

e D

efen

se P

ort-

foli

o at

th

e ag

e of

for

ty.

Bei

ng

the

rep

rese

nta

tive

of

the

curr

ent

adm

inis

trat

ion

tai

nte

d w

ith

cou

ntl

ess

con

-tr

over

sies

an

d

gett

ing

hig

h

dis

sati

sfac

tion

ra

tin

gs,

he

now

fac

es t

he

dou

bt o

f th

e F

ili-

pin

os i

n t

erm

s of

his

in

dep

end

ence

fro

m t

he

brai

n t

hru

sts

of t

he

pre

sen

t ad

min

istr

atio

n.

Th

is i

s th

e ch

alle

nge

he

mu

st h

urd

le i

f h

e w

ant

to w

in i

n t

he

up

com

ing

elec

tion

s.

“ER

AP

PA

RA

SA

MA

HIR

AP

”F

orm

er P

resi

den

t Jo

se M

arce

lo E

jerc

ito,

al

so k

now

n a

s Jo

sep

h “

Era

p”

Est

rad

a, w

ill

try

to r

egai

n h

is p

ost

in M

alac

añan

g af

ter

his

im

pea

chm

ent

in 2

001.

He

ente

red

pol

itic

s in

196

7 w

hen

he

was

el

ecte

d,

and

re-

elec

ted

may

or o

f th

e M

u-

nic

ipal

ity

(now

Cit

y) o

f S

an J

uan

, w

hic

h h

e se

rved

for

mor

e th

an 1

6 co

nti

nu

ous

year

s.H

e is

th

e F

oun

der

an

d P

resi

den

t of

th

e E

RA

P P

ara

sa M

ahir

ap F

oun

dat

ion

, a

fou

n-

dat

ion

th

at o

ffer

s sc

hol

arsh

ip a

ssis

tan

ce t

o p

oor

but d

eser

vin

g co

lleg

e st

ud

ents

. Th

rou

gh

the

fou

nd

atio

n’s

ed

uca

tion

al

gran

ts,

mor

e th

an a

th

ousa

nd

stu

den

ts h

ave

sin

ce e

arn

ed

a co

lleg

e d

egre

e.

In 1

987,

he

run

an

d e

arn

ed a

sea

t in

th

e S

enat

e. In

the

Sen

ate,

Era

p w

as c

red

ited

wit

h

the

pas

sage

of m

ajor

pie

ces

of le

gisl

atio

n li

ke

the

bill

s on

irr

igat

ion

pro

ject

an

d t

he

pro

tec-

tion

an

d p

rop

agat

ion

of

cara

baos

.H

e w

as a

lso

one

of t

he

so-c

alle

d “

Mag

-n

ifice

nt

12”

wh

o vo

ted

to

term

inat

e th

e R

P-

US

Mil

itar

y B

ases

Agr

eem

ent

lead

ing

to t

he

wit

hd

raw

al o

f A

mer

ican

ser

vice

men

fro

m

the

Cla

rk A

ir B

ase

in P

amp

anga

an

d t

he

Su

bic

Nav

al B

ase

in Z

amba

les.

He

reac

hed

th

e p

eak

of h

is p

olit

ical

ca-

reer

wh

en h

e w

as e

lect

ed P

resi

den

t of

th

e R

epu

blic

in

th

e 19

98 e

lect

ion

s. W

ith

alm

ost

11-m

illi

on F

ilip

inos

wri

tin

g h

is n

ame

on t

he

ball

ot,

his

mar

gin

of

vict

ory

was

th

e bi

gges

t ev

er r

egis

tere

d i

n P

hil

ipp

ine

elec

tora

l h

is-

tory

. Dre

adfu

lly

on h

is p

art,

a g

rou

p o

f u

n-

con

vin

ced

bu

sin

essm

en

dis

sati

sfied

w

ith

h

is p

ro-p

oor

stan

ce j

oin

ed f

orce

s w

ith

eli

t-is

t m

embe

rs o

f ci

vil

soci

ety

and

a n

um

ber

of

hig

h-r

anki

ng

Cat

hol

ic p

ries

ts t

o p

ut

in m

o-ti

on a

mov

emen

t to

lif

t h

is p

resi

den

cy.

Fol

low

ing

the

Su

pre

me

Cou

rt’s

dec

isio

n

up

hol

din

g th

e le

gali

ty

of

the

Mac

apag

al-

Arr

oyo

pre

sid

ency

, h

e w

as a

rres

ted

of

plu

n-

der

at

his

San

Ju

an h

ome

in t

he

afte

rnoo

n o

f A

pri

l 25,

200

1 on

the

stre

ngt

h o

f a w

arra

nt o

f ar

rest

iss

ued

by

the

San

dig

anba

yan

. H

e be

-ca

me

the

firs

t ex

-lea

der

in

Sou

thea

st A

sia

to

be c

har

ged

wit

h g

raft

an

d b

e d

etai

ned

. H

is e

ligi

bili

ty f

or c

and

idac

y on

th

e co

m-

ing

elec

tion

has

lon

g be

en t

he

subj

ect

of

mu

ch d

ebat

e. A

rtic

le 7

, Sec

tion

4 o

f th

e C

on-

stit

uti

on s

tate

s th

at “

Th

e P

resi

den

t an

d t

he

Vic

e-P

resi

den

t sh

all b

e el

ecte

d b

y d

irec

t vot

e of

th

e p

eop

le f

or a

ter

m o

f si

x ye

ars

wh

ich

sh

all

begi

n a

t n

oon

on

th

e th

irti

eth

day

of

Jun

e n

ext

foll

owin

g th

e d

ay o

f th

e el

ecti

on

and

sh

all

end

at

noo

n o

f th

e sa

me

dat

e, s

ix

year

s th

erea

fter

. T

he

Pre

sid

ent

shal

l n

ot b

e el

igib

le f

or a

ny

re-e

lect

ion

. N

o p

erso

n w

ho

has

su

ccee

ded

as

Pre

sid

ent

and

has

ser

ved

as

su

ch f

or m

ore

than

fou

r ye

ars

shal

l be

qual

ified

for

ele

ctio

n t

o th

e sa

me

offi

ce a

t an

y ti

me.

”A

not

her

leg

al o

bsta

cle

bein

g th

rust

in

to

Est

rad

a’s

can

did

acy

is

his

co

nvi

ctio

n

for

plu

nd

er w

hic

h c

arri

ed t

he

acce

ssor

y p

enal

ty

of d

isqu

alifi

cati

on. I

t wou

ld a

pp

ear

how

ever

, th

at t

he

abso

lute

nat

ure

of

the

par

don

gra

nt-

ed t

o h

im b

y P

resi

den

t M

acap

agal

-Arr

oyo

has

eli

min

ated

th

is l

egal

ch

alle

nge

.

“H

IND

I N

AT

UT

UL

OG

PA

RA

SA

BA

YA

N”

Cal

lin

g h

imse

lf t

ran

sfor

mat

ion

al l

ead

er,

clai

min

g to

mak

e th

e se

emin

gly

un

atta

inab

le

pos

sibl

e, S

enat

or R

ich

ard

“D

ick”

Gor

don

is

one

of t

he

can

did

ates

wh

o w

ill

try

to b

e th

e n

ew P

resi

den

t of

th

e co

un

try.

Sin

ce 1

987,

Gor

don

act

ed a

s th

e go

vern

or

of t

he

Ph

ilip

pin

e N

atio

nal

Red

Cro

ss, t

akin

g ac

tive

rol

es i

n r

escu

e, r

elie

f an

d r

ehab

ilit

a-ti

on i

n v

ario

us

dis

aste

rs.

Cu

rren

tly

he

is t

he

Ch

airp

erso

n a

s w

ell

as a

Mem

ber

of t

he

Gov

-er

nin

g B

oard

of

the

Inte

rnat

ion

al F

eder

atio

n

of t

he

Red

Cro

ss.

Ap

poi

nte

d a

s th

e S

ecre

tary

of

the

De-

par

tmen

t of

To

uri

sm,

he

tran

sfor

med

th

e m

orib

un

d P

hil

ipp

ine

Tou

rism

Ind

ust

ry, t

hen

p

lagu

ed b

y th

e n

egat

ive

imag

e of

kid

nap

pin

g an

d

Sev

ere

Acu

te

Res

pir

ator

y S

ynd

rom

e (S

AR

S)

and

wor

sen

ed b

y th

e p

reva

len

ce o

f te

rror

ism

, w

ith

his

cam

pai

gn “

WO

W P

HIL

-IP

PIN

ES

! M

OR

E T

HA

N T

HE

US

UA

L!”

Th

e ca

mp

aign

res

ult

ed t

o th

e in

crea

se o

f to

uri

st

arri

vals

.In

th

e 20

04 e

lect

ion

s, h

e ga

rner

ed a

po-

siti

on i

n t

he

Sen

ate.

He

pas

sed

a c

oup

le o

f la

ws

incl

ud

ing

the

Rep

ubl

ic A

ct 9

369,

th

e N

ew A

uto

mat

ed E

lect

ion

law

; an

d R

A 9

367,

th

e B

iofu

els

Act

of

2007

.H

is c

laim

to

fam

e w

as h

is w

ork

to t

urn

-ar

oun

d S

ubi

c B

ase

afte

r M

oun

t P

inat

ubo

’s

eru

pti

on a

nd

his

tir

eles

s w

orks

of

hel

pin

g h

is f

ello

w c

itiz

ens

in t

imes

of

dis

aste

rs.

It i

s n

ow u

p t

o th

e F

ilip

inos

to

dec

ide

if t

hey

fee

l li

ke G

ord

on c

an s

ave

them

fro

m t

he

dis

as-

ter

that

is

the

curr

ent

stat

e of

th

e co

un

try

as

wel

l. “E

DD

IE A

KO

, ED

DIE

TA

YO

”B

roth

er

Ed

uar

do

“Ed

die

V

illa

nu

eva,

a

rad

ical

st

ud

ent

refo

rmis

t d

uri

ng

the

70’s

, p

rofe

ssor

of

Eco

nom

ics,

Fin

ance

, an

d P

olit

i-ca

l E

con

omy

in P

UP

an

d a

Ch

rist

ian

Eva

n-

geli

st i

nfl

uen

cin

g li

ves

of m

any

Fil

ipin

os i

s an

oth

er c

and

idat

e.H

e gr

adu

ated

B

S

Com

mer

ce

Maj

or

in

Eco

nom

ics,

Min

or i

n F

inan

ce f

rom

th

e P

hil

-ip

pin

e C

olle

ge

of

Com

mer

ce,

Pol

ytec

hn

ic

Un

iver

sity

of

the

Ph

ilip

pin

es (

PU

P).

He

also

to

ok l

aw a

t th

e U

niv

ersi

ty o

f th

e P

hil

ipp

ines

an

d a

Doc

tora

te i

n D

ivin

ity

at t

he

Pro

mis

e C

hri

stia

n U

niv

ersi

ty i

n L

os A

nge

les

Cal

ifor

-n

ia. B

roth

er E

dd

ie i

s al

so k

now

n f

or

bein

g th

e P

resi

den

t an

d

Ch

air-

man

of

th

e Z

OE

B

road

cast

-in

g N

etw

ork,

C

hai

r-m

an

of

the

Bag

ong

Pil

ipin

as,

Bag

ong

Pil

ipin

o M

ovem

ent

and

N

atio

nal

C

ha

irm

an

of

th

e P

hi

li

p-

pi

ne

s fo

r Je

sus

Mo

ve

me

nt

(PJM

).

It

wo

uld

b

e h

is

seco

nd

tim

e to

try

his

lu

ck i

n t

he

pre

si-

den

tial

slo

t. H

e fa

iled

to

win

in

th

e 20

04

pre

sid

enti

al r

ace.

Th

is t

ime,

th

ough

sti

ll a

n

un

der

dog

, h

is

fate

w

ill

dep

end

u

pon

th

e co

un

try’

s d

ecis

ion

.

“TH

E O

NLY

FE

MA

LE

CO

NT

EN

DE

R”

Mar

ia A

nn

a C

onsu

elo

Aba

d-S

anto

s M

ad-

riga

l, m

ore

pop

ula

rly

know

n a

s Ja

mby

, is

on

e of

the

curr

ent s

enat

ors

of th

e R

epu

blic

of

the

Ph

ilip

pin

es. S

he

is t

he

gran

dd

augh

ter

of

the

form

er S

up

rem

e C

ourt

Ch

ief

Just

ice

Jose

A

bad

San

tos.

Her

gra

nd

un

cle

Ped

ro A

bad

S

anto

s fo

un

ded

th

e S

ocia

list

Par

ty o

f th

e P

hil

ipp

ines

. H

er p

ater

nal

gra

nd

fath

er w

as f

orm

er S

en-

ator

Vic

ente

Mad

riga

l.

Jam

by, b

ein

g th

e on

ly fe

mal

e ca

nd

idat

e in

th

e ra

ce i

s se

emin

gly

faci

ng

an i

mp

roba

ble

task

: win

th

e el

ecti

on w

ith

out

the

sup

por

t of

a

pol

itic

al p

arty

.

“YO

UN

G B

EA

RE

R F

RO

M O

LO

NG

AP

O

CIT

Y”

Jose

Car

lo “

JC”

Del

os R

eyes

—it

had

bee

n

said

th

at h

is m

issi

on i

s to

un

ceas

ingl

y w

ork

to fi

ght

and

def

eat

imm

ense

pov

erty

, a

mis

-si

on t

o be

acc

omp

lish

ed n

ot o

nly

in

Olo

n-

gap

o bu

t in

th

e w

hol

e co

un

try.

In

1985

, h

e ra

n

and

w

as

elec

ted

C

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BE

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rom

pte

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ever

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mis

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ers

to a

sk A

cost

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d h

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aw-

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ails

abo

ut

it.

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uis

ance

or

the

hop

e of

ou

r co

un

try

—

this

new

fac

e in

th

e p

resi

den

tial

figh

t w

ould

n

eed

to

wor

k on

th

e ex

tra

mil

e in

ord

er t

o ca

tch

th

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le’s

att

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com

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tion

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cam

pai

gn

per

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star

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d

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can

did

ates

hav

e al

read

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arte

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ryin

g to

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grav

e th

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best

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age

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ron

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th

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at n

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thos

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rot

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s. T

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rath

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ay w

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ote

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rim

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, Ju

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UPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 201002 Balita

“3 Out of 10 Filipinos Unaware of Party-List System”-Pulse Asia

187 of 256 Party List Groups Accredited

Few months before the coming 2010 elections, the Commission on Elections

(Comelec) accredited 187 party list groups to take part in the election. It would be the the fifth time, the local sectors would have to participate in the race.

However, on the survey leaded by Pulse Asia last January 22-26 this year showed that only three out of ten Filipinos (31 percent) are aware of the party-list system.

“This low level of awareness is registered just about four months before the electorate opts for a party-list group for the fifth instance since 1998, when this mode of proportional representation was introduced in our elections,” Pulse Asia said.

Unexpected Results

The current level of awareness of the party-list system is just about half of the awareness level posted in the last survey, which was conducted in April 2007, where a 59 percent awareness was recorded.

It noted that it is only in the

Pauline Gaña National Capital Region (Metro Manila) where a majority of 51 percent of the voters is aware of the party-list system.

In the rest of Luzon, awareness is 29      percent; in the Visayas, 30 percent; and in Mindanao, 28 percent.

In that survey, Pulse Asia said nearly three out of five Filipinos knew about the system. Moreover, the current dismal level of awareness is the lowest that had been recorded across the surveys conducted by Pulse Asia from early 2004.

In the latest survey, nine party-list groups garnered support above the two-percent threshold.

Of 150 party-list groups listed on the ballot, nine party-list groups managed to get support from more than 2 percent of voters, just enough to gain one House seat.

Based on the Supreme Court’s formula, as cited in an April 21, 2009 decree, 43 party-list groups would gain representation if the elections were held at the time of the survey in January.

During the time the survey was conducted, COMELEC reviewed the list of qualified presidential

and senatorial candidates, bringing the total number of candidates to 10 for the presidency, eight for the vice-presidency, and 62 for the Senate, also revising the number of qualified party-list groups by a including 37 more, bringing the total number of groups to 187.

Perched to have three representatives if the May 10 elections were held immediately, according to the Pulse Asia survey, are BayanMuna (8.03 percent), 1-Aangat Pilipino (6.34 percent), Anakpawis (5.88 percent), Gabriela (5.55 percent) and Akbayan (5.07 percent).

In the systemThe Party List System in the

Philippines constitutes one of the major political innovations that were introduced by social and political reformers after the 1986 EDSA Revolution. During the framing of the 1987 Constitution, civil society organizations intensely campaigned for the inclusion of the party list system that would give chances to “marginalized” sectors to participate in the country’s political processes.

In her nine years of administration, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has

vowed to end the age-old problem of political warlordism in the country.

Ironically, during her regime, political warlordism has intensified especially in the provinces. Traditional politicians and political dynasties fueled this scenario with private armies by their side to enforce control.

Several issues concerning this problem were again put into the fore after the massacre of at least 57 people in Maguindanao allegedly led by Datu Unsay Mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr..

Culture of TerrorismWarlords thrive in many of the

country’s provinces, particularly in Ilocos, Abra, Isabela, Cagayan, Nueva Ecija, Cavite, Masbate, Samar, Cebu, Tarlac, Negros and and in many Mindanao areas.

THE BULLET’S TAILA struggle to end warlordism in the PhilippinesNikki Camille Malabad

Defense Secretary Norberto Gonzales said that there are about 130 private groups armed with close to 1 million loose firearms which are led by political clans in various parts of the country.

The incident in Maguindanao, according to some analysts can be considered as a product of political rivalry and not a simple clan feuding or rido, since it involved the killing of journalists and people who are not members of the opposing clans.

Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI) columnist, Edmundo Enderez wrote in his article last December 27 that warlordism remains in poor and weak states, where “...it has become an opportunity for “employment” for people who, coming from towns which are the most poverty-stricken and with the lowest level of education, have been brainwashed to follow their benefactors with blind obedience and loyalty.” He added that high poverty incidence and low literacy rate in Maguindanao accord with the fact that the province appears to be the center of the violent conflict created by the Muslim separatist religion and political warlordism. Enderez said.

This is seen in cases where

some illiterates from provinces are taught how to write certain names during election. Not knowing what those characters meant, they mindlessly write it in their ballots when the election day comes — a single disobedience may mean death.

Political warlordism is now considered to have great influence over Philippine politics, causing bloody elections especially in the classic electoral contest: “dynasties vs. dynasties.”

Quelling the ForceA statement by the Malacañang

said that the key to end and prevent the conflicts in Mindanao is through comprehensive peace compact.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Special Concerns Rafael Seguis stated that he was satisfied with the negotiations between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), and believed that we are inching towards the goal of achieving lasting peace and development in Mindanao.

The peace compact mainly aims to create a better structural relationship between the Philippines and the Bangsamoro

The system is supposed to be one way to remedy the gaps of representational democracy in the country by breaking the monopoly of the big traditional parties and tempering the propensity for personality politics. Under this system, citizens vote for parties rather than for candidates, and parties are given electoral seats based on the proportion of votes they get. This way, citizens are given a bigger voice as more parties may be voted into office. And because parties are elected rather than individuals, parties have bigger space to concentrate on platforms and programs rather than on packaging their individual candidates.

A voter is allowed to use two votes for congressional representatives. One for a representative of a certain district and another for a party-list representative. They are allotted three seats maximum per party (2% of the congress). Twenty percent of the seats in the House of Representatives are for the sectoral representatives.

people who are currently within its own republic through revolutionary justice.

Presidential Economic Spokesperson Professor Gary Olivar also emphasized the importance of the renewal of peace talks between the government and the MILF concerning their action in resolving peace and security situation not only in Maguindanao but also in the rest of Mindanao.

“Unrest in Mindanao gives rise

to warlords and private armies. It is hoped that a comprehensive peace agreement will end it. We really want to avert the possibility of similar massacres in the future. Peace is the only long-term solution to the problem,” Olivar said.

Meanwhile, Arroyo’s Executive Order 546 (E.O. 546) is also being pointed as one of the factors which cause warlordism. It is

continued on page 6

TALLYING 2010Election by the

Numbers

Election is almost here – Comelec is on the rush; the Filipinos are excited, albeit

anxious, of the poll automation; and, the world is watching what will happen next. However, the knick-knacks of the election are often overlooked and so below are some trivia of this coming spectacle that is the May 2010 Presidential Elections.

Php 20: this was the amount of the paper bills handed-out by Manny Villar to children while campaigning at a market in Batangas City last February 26. He said that he was not buying votes because kids cannot vote.50,086,054: the number of registered voters according to Commission on Elections spokesperson James Jimenez as of January 2010.64, 620: the number of Precinct Count Optical Scan-Optical Mark Reader (PCOS-OMR) units or poll machines delivered to COMELEC on January. On February 21, 4000 machines were added. And as of last week of February, there were 13,580 units of the said machines delivered, according to the reports from Inquirer.net.36 inches in length and 20 inches in width: the size of the new ballot box to be used in automated election according to Comelec Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal. The former size of ballot boxes was 12 x 12 x 12 inches.P2 Billion: total advertising value for TV, radio, print by six of the ten presidential candidates as of November 01 to January 31.January 10: start of gun ban7am to 6pm: voting hours on May 10, 2010. This was after the voting hours was stretched from 7am to 3pm. 245,000: the number of teachers that will be trained in preparations for the election.80,000 precincts: the number of precincts that are expected to be used in May. This is way below the 340,000 precincts used during the manual elections. 1000 voters: this is the number of voters that one precinct can accommodate in the automated elections. During the manual elections, only 200 voters can be accommodated per precinct.

PANIBAGONG KONSEHO. Ilang oras matapos ang halalan, inihayag ng COMELEC ang resulta ng naganap na eleksyon para sa Konseho ng Mag-aaral noong Pebrero 19. Nakuha ng ACS ang kalakhan ng mga posisyon habang itinanghal na bagong Tagapangulo si Jose Carpio III ng UNITE-UP. Jonathan Valdez

there. As the PDI reported, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines placed Mindanao under red alert last Feb. 17, warning that the region, home to about a fourth of the country’s 50 million voters, faced a critical power shortage that could disrupt the conduct of automated elections on the island. Half of Mindanao’s power is generated through hydroelectric plants, which is now incapacitated by the drought.

“Fears of the unknown”Still, the COMELEC, allaying anxieties

over AES, suggests that these concerns are just “fears of the unknown” since AES is a new system in the country. “I guess the best way is just to inform them of what’s happening, the updates, keep people abreast of the developments so people will be aware. I guess the fear of not knowing is what’s prevalent now. It’s a fear of not knowing what will happen and we’re doing our best to address it,” said Election Commissioner Gregorio Larrazabal.

However, the Comelec failed to see (or chose not to see) that the anxiety gripping the public roots from what they read in the

papers and see in the TV, that is, news attesting to the Comelec’s disorganized

and rushed preparations for the May 2010 elections. The people are wise enough to deduce from what they know and thus be skeptical about the implementation of AES here in our country.

Doomsayers have good enough reasons to be so.

According to PDI, Senate President Juan Ponce Enrile raised,

days ahead of the Edsa I anniversary, the specter of military intervention in

the event of a power vacuum stemming from a failed election. Moreover, the policy study mentioned above stated there is “a possible failure of elections due to a system breakdown, widespread election protests, or other reasons that will legitimize the declaration of an emergency rule and the extension of Arroyo power.”

What we can doNothing is wrong with the automation of

the elections itself. What is troubling is how the poll body responsible for this prepares for the nearing automated elections. Automating our elections without sufficient preparations is like having a pit dug for us to fall. It could eventually lead to filling the greed of the abusive.

Now that it is too late for us to turn back for we have invested so much already, all that we could do is to equip ourselves with as much information as we can. As another policy study by CenPEG puts it, we can advocate for the implementation of safeguards in the AES and help in publicizing the issue and educating the public about the AES, its vulnerabilities, and the safeguards. Critical thinking is a need now for when they say things will get better, it may not.

UPB Outcrop Tomo 36 Isyu 7 Enero-Pebrero 2010

There was a plan to put the National Printing Office markings but due to the problems encountered by the machines at the start of the printing and lack of time, the plan was not followed. Consequently, ballots in the ARMM lack the NPO markings while ballots in the rest of the country have.

However, the Comelec downplayed the absence of the said mark on the ballots, saying that the said mark was a “redundancy.”

“The NPO security marks are simply an additional safeguard. They are not critical to the security or the veracity of the ballots,” Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez said.

He said five security features were incorporated in all ballots: The unique paper, the unique precinct-based numbers, the ultraviolet ink from Comelec, the bar code and the Comelec markings.

However, a source, a printing expert, said it would be easy to duplicate the ballots, noting that the markings were “weak.”

Had there been enough planning and preparations, the plan would

have been followed—no matter how “redundant” it is. There should be no stones left unturned. After all, the integrity of the elections is at stake.

Delayed machines and moreThe delay of delivery of the machines

caused unpreparedness among people especially the teachers who will serve as election inspectors. Not only there is a lack of the actual PCOS machine for COMELEC officials to demonstrate the mechanism to the teachers, there is also the lack of time before the actual election for voters’ education. The “unfamiliarity” of the teachers and the voters to the technology possibly could lead to errors that may affect and slow down the flow of the election, thus making it vulnerable to cheats.

Moreover, the two biggest telecommunications firms in the country, Globe and PLDT, which will host the main data center and the back-up, respectively, have expressed their apprehensions over possible physical or technical attacks.

The long list of glitches does not end

Automated Election System

The Brilliance that is Turning Dull...

Automating our elections

without sufficient preparations is like having a pit dug for

us to fall. It could eventually lead to filling the greed of

the abusive.

History could repeat itself and this time, electronically. The specter of an “electronic Garci” was raised

in a forum, Feb. 15, in which six of seven presidential candidates present feared there would be glitches in the automated elections in May, according to the Philippine Daily Inquirer (PDI).

Even the administration’s Gilbert Teodoro Jr. decried “big logistical difficulties” in the Commission on Election’s (Comelec) implementation of the country’s first automated elections.

“The integrity of the elections is vital ... automation is fine but the way it is implemented, I would have my doubts,” Teodoro said.

Compressed and SimplifiedAmending the Republic Act 8436, RA

9369 defined Automated Election System (AES) as “A system using appropriate technology which has been demonstrated in the voting, counting, consolidating, canvassing, and transmission of election result, and other electoral process.”

A policy study done by Center for People Empowerment in Governance (CenPEG) in April 2009 stated the AES aims to shorten the election process from the Election Day itself up to the canvassing. Voters shade the ovals on the modified ballots corresponding to their choices and feed their ballots to the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machine, which will read and record their votes. Election results are transmitted electronically to the computers of respective offices and the machines will produce copies of the records. After the canvassing, COMELEC will announce the winners.

In this framework, the whole election process will be 2–3 days, shorter as compared to 25–40 days using the manual election system. Aside from the convenience this employment of technology will bring, it also aims for the accuracy and credibility of the elections by hastening the canvassing process wherein most of the infamous dagdag-bawas (vote padding and shaving) incidences take place.

However, the brilliance of these promises of AES has been constantly inundated and buried by the series of events testifying to the “big logistical difficulties” in the Comelec’s implementation of the country’s first AES.

System Glitches

According to the PDI, the discovery of lack of ultraviolet security marks on ballots for Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (ARMM) stirred commotion for it has been speculated that the security of nearly two million ballots for voters in the ARMM may have been compromised.

Stela Marie VicherJonathan Valdez

03Balita

Photos taken during the pilot testing of PCOS machines held at Baguio Conven-tion Center last January 29. Photos by Marc Mendiola, SLU White and Blue.

and Frightening

Volume 36Election Special

January-February 2010Mapagpalayang Kaisipan sa Malayang Pahayagan

Official Student Publication of the University of the Philippines - Baguio