by Tony Reyes

A total of 15 candidates are running for positions in the College of Human Kinetics (CHK) Student Council, with Bukluran ng mga Iskolar Atleta Tungo sa Progresibong Aksyon (BATAK) fielding 11 candidates and Kabataang Inaalay ang Lakas at Suporta sa CHK with five candidates (KILOS CHK).

The CHK College Student Electoral Committee released on April 5 the official list of candidates for the local student council elections.

BATAK’s incumbent Bachelor of Sports Science Representative Dan Angelo Cabading stands unopposed for the position of chairperson. Meanwhile, KILOS CHK’S incumbent Certificate of Sports Studies Representative Patricia Marie Marcelo runs against incumbent Bachelor of Physical Education Representative April Rodra de Castro, who is under the banner of BATAK.

BATAK has five candidates running for councilor, while KILOS has a single bet for the position.

Both parties failed to field candidates for the position of CHK Representative to the University Student Council.

BATAK has been able to secure all positions in the local council in previous student elections.

The official list follows:

CHAIRPERSON

Dan Angelo F. Cabading (BATAK)

VICE CHAIRPERSON

April Rodra B. De Castro (BATAK)

Patricia Marie B. Marcelo (KILOS CHK)

COUNCILORS

Sigfried Salvador Mison (BATAK)

Maria Cristina Josefina H. Alvia (BATAK)

Ricardo C. Garcia Jr. (BATAK)

Jem Alyssa  S. Manalang (BATAK)

Camille  R. Peteza (BATAK)

Lea Andrei  B. San Juan (KILOS CHK)

BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVES (2)

Jeremiah Joseph J. Cinco (KILOS CHK)

BACHELOR OF SPORTS SCIENCE REPRESENTATIVES (2)

John Patrick LV. Ho (BATAK)

Miguel Alfonso C. Relampagos (BATAK)

Catherine Bernarde V. De Luna (KILOS CHK)

Jazreel An A. Movido (KILOS CHK)

CERTIFICATE OF SPORTS STUDIES REPRESENTATIVES (2)

Roy Spencer P. Sumpil (BATAK)

Queen Kquasophia P. Ambulo (BATAK)

by Megan Aglaua

Kasama ka sa Paglikha ng Arte at Literatura Para sa Bayan (KALikha) and the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP College of Arts and Letters (STAND UP CAL) will go head to head on the April 21 polls, as both parties field 14 candidates to fill next year’s CAL Student Council (SC).

Incumbent European Languages Representative Francesca Mitchel Ofilada of KALikha faces STAND UP CAL’s Jose Monfred Sy, who is also the current CAL representative to the University Student Council.

Only two candidates run unopposed, with Department of European Languages Representative hopeful Bernyce Mae Barcelon Quinto under KALikha and STAND UP CAL’S candidate for the Department of Filipino and Philippine Literature Representative Jamaica Jian Gacoscosim.

Seven slots are available for the position of councilor, as the college added another post after the final call for certificate of candidacy. Both parties were able to complete their slates for the position.

A total of 577 out of 1,260 students or 45.87 percent participated in the CAL SC elections in 2015, 8.1 percent increase from 2014’s voter turnout of 37.77 percent voter’s turnout. This year, there are around 1,400 students enrolled and expected to vote in CAL.

The official roster of candidates follows:

Chairperson

Francesca Mitchel Ofilada (KALikha)

Jose Monfred Canlas Sy (STAND UP)

Vice-Chairperson

Gian Carlo Delgado (STAND UP)

Marie Jasmine Tan (KALikha)

CAL Representative to the USC

Angela Mae Tullo (KALikha)

Viktor Elijah Austria (STAND UP)

Councilors

Marinella “Ella” Andres (STAND UP)

Kisha Marielle Beringuela (KALikha)

Ariel Dave Cadahing (KALikha)

Chris De Vera (KALikha)

Ma. Crisley Mae Espada (STAND UP)

Mary Beatriz Gutierrez (KALikha)

Pia Pollaine Magaoay (KALikha)

Daniel Lorenzo Zepeda Mariano (STAND UP)

Mary Grancis Grace Marzan (KALIKHA)

Meirille Jann Merlin (STAND UP)

La Verne Perucho (STAND UP)

John Isaac Punzalan (STAND UP)

Alexa Valaree Salugsugan (STAND UP)

Ryan Paulo Yurong (KALikha)

DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES

Art Studies

Alyssandra Raiza Del Valle (STAND UP)

Bea Agustin Guarin (KALikha)

English and Comparative Literature

Twinkle Anne Buot (KALikha)

Bridgette Nicole Diaz (STAND UP)

European Languages

Bernyce Mae Barcelon Quinto (KALikha)

Filipino and Philippine Literature

Jamaica Jian Gacoscosim (STAND UP)

Speech Communication and Theatre Arts

Patricia Nicdao (KALikha)

Diana Oblino (STAND UP)

Please be advised of the following new room assignments for classes held at the Faculty Center. For further inquiries, please communicate with your College of Arts and Letters department.

By Andrea Lucas

Five candidates under Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in the University of the Philippines (STAND UP) will go against Leaders for Action, Excellence and Development (LEAD)’s 15 bets to contend for 17 posts in the College of Home Economics (CHE) Student Council (SC).

LEAD’s Judith Adrienne Valdes and Pauline Mae Candelaria both run unopposed for CHE SC chair and vice chair, respectively. Pepito Sevilla, also running under LEAD, is also the sole candidate for the post of CHE representative to the University Student Council (USC).

Meanwhile, five candidates from LEAD and three candidates from STAND UP vie for seven councilor posts in the CHE SC.

LEAD’s candidates for CHE department representatives run unopposed except for the Department of Community Nutrition and Department of Clothing Technology.

A total of 604 out of 1,111 CHE students voted in last year’s elections, amounting to a voter’s turnout of 54.37 percent.

Below is the official list of candidates for CHE SC elections:

CHAIRPERSON

Judith Adrienne Valdes (LEAD-CHE)

VICE CHAIRPERSON

Pauline Mae Candelaria (LEAD-CHE)

CHE REPRESENTATIVE TO THE USC

Pepito Sevilla (LEAD-CHE)

COUNCILORS

Hannah Mae Vera Cruz (STAND-UP)

Raphael Dela Cruz (LEAD-CHE)

Ma. Norma Thea Madeline Conjares (LEAD-CHE)

Karl Lenin Danganan (LEAD-CHE)

Mary Nicole Grecia (STAND-UP)

Pauline Kae Indita (LEAD-CHE)

Maria Cristina Morabe (LEAD-CHE)

Ma. Cristina Bianca Rivilla (STAND-UP)

DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVES

Clothing Technology Representative

Patricia Aurelio (STAND UP)

Jindel Ventura (LEAD-CHE)

Community Nutrition Representative

Hannah Joy Morales (LEAD-CHE)

Kate Alexandra Villaflor (STAND-UP)

Family Life and Child Development Representative

Ana Rafaela Sarmiento (LEAD-CHE)

Food Technology Representative

Erickson Christian Lee (LEAD-CHE)

Home Economics Representative

Ann Justine Marzo (LEAD-CHE)

Hotel Restaurant and Institutional Management Representative

Klaudine Ann Elizondo (LEAD-CHE)

Interior Design Representative

Maria Celine Sandil (LEAD-CHE)

By Aldrin Villegas

Incumbent Business Administration (BA) Representative to the USC Benjie Aquino is the sole candidate for BA Council (BAC) Chairperson, according to the official list of candidates released by the BA Commission on Election (Comelec) on April 7.

Along with Aquino, 17 other hopefuls for BAC are running as independent. Only BA Rep candidate and incumbent Publicity Councilor Rianne Geronimo is running under university-wide party UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA).

“For single candidates, they must get two-thirds of casted votes each [to be elected],” BA Comelec Chairperson Therese Aseoche said. Meanwhile, the Vice Chair post remains vacant, along with one Seniors BAA Representative and two Councilor posts after Chloe Sy withdrew her candidacy as Councilor.

The BA Comelec will hold special elections for the vacant positions. Nominations will immediately begin the day after the election.

With a total of 767 votes cast, CBA’s voter turnout last year is 73.40 percent of the 1,045 eligible voters. This year,762 undergraduates are eligible to vote.

“We also include the number of students taking Masters in our college for the voter’s population,” Aseoche said. However, the BA Comelec is yet to receive the number of students enrolled in the program as enrolment has just finished last week.

The official list of BAC candidates follows:

CHAIRPERSON

Benjie Aquino

BA REPRESENTATIVE TO THE USC

Rianne Geronimo

COUNCILORS

Celine Calma

Evan Escalaw

Belle Ginez

Marvin Legaspi

Carissa Lim

JP Salvador

Clarissa Siy

Lorenzo Torres

Jake Villegas

BATCH REPRESENTATIVES

Dana Dee (Terminals BAA)

Joline Panopio (Terminals BAA)

Gia Garcia (Seniors BA)

Yam Alarde (Juniors BAA)

Jonty Aguila (Juniors BA)

Annika Bautista (Sophomores)

Patrick Gan (Sophomores)

Tobi Sales (Sophomores)

Photos by Kenneth Gutlay and Jiru Rada

by Victor Gregor Limon

The cause of the blaze that gutted the Faculty Center (FC) may still be undetermined, but for some student groups in the UP Diliman (UPD) College of Arts and Letters, there is no doubt as to what the culprit is: the government’s chronic neglect of providing ample funds for the national university.

“The FC not only burned down because of ineffable state abandonment but also because of the administration’s deliberate neglect for the arts and the humanities,” said mass organization Anakbayan CAL in a statement.

Known to most students and faculty as the FC, Rizal Hall was gutted by fire at around 1:15 AM on April 1. The blaze began on the third floor and quickly spread down to the lower floors, until the fire marshal raised the alarm to Task Force Alpha, one level higher than the fifth alarm. Around 55 fire trucks from all over Metro Manila responded to the alarm.

The Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) declared the fire under control at around 4:42 AM, but the second floor of the FC blazed anew at around 7AM. The fire marshal officially declared “fire out” at 11:25 AM. As of press time, the BFP is still investigating the circumstances of the fire. The official report may take several weeks to be completed, said UPD Chancellor Michael Tan.

In an April 7 update, Tan approved the requests for assistance by the All UP Academic Union and the All UP Workers Union, including an outright P5 million grant fund to assist in the purchase of new research equipment and the reconstruction of lost materials. Deadlines are also extended for the theses and dissertation defenses of affected faculty and staff.

Home to around 250 faculty members of CAL and the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, the FC housed valuable documents, rare books, maps, manuscripts, research papers, artifacts, and irreplaceable works by the country’s leading writers, critics, and scholars. The university library meanwhile will waive replacement of books lost or damaged in the fire.

CAL students were also hard-hit by the fire, said Anakbayan CAL Secretary General Miyuki Kawachi. “Hindi [namin] alam kung saan kukuha ng readings ang mga propesor para sa susunod na semester,” said Kawachi, who faces difficulties in finishing her thesis because her department’s library lost so many books in the fire.

Cultural organizations in CAL also face challenges. “Isa ang FC sa mga naging tanghalan at linangan [ng aming sining]…labis na nahirapan ang aming organisasyon na makapagtipon at makalikha ng panibago pang sining,” said John Paul Alfonso of Alay Sining.

Classes originally held at the FC are now temporarily assigned to rooms at the CAL building, Palma Hall, and the UP Integrated School building.

Besides students and faculty, employees and other members of the CAL community were also severely affected by the fire. “May mga manggagawang nagtatrabaho sa loob ng FC, [gaya ni] Kuya Enteng na nagbabantay ng CM Recto Hall, si Ate Jofel na nagpophotocopy ng mga readings, ‘yung mga gwardiya, at ‘yung mga nagtatrabaho sa Katag,” said Alay Sining Chair Daniel Lorenzo Mariano.

In 2016, UP will not be receiving any funds for capital outlay, the part of the budget used for the renovation of buildings, construction of new infrastructure, and procurement of new equipment.

“The [Aquino] administration is one that continues to deprive UP and other state universities and colleges [the] ample budget it needs, despite its duty to provide quality and accessible education,” according to the UPDCAL Student Council in a statement.

“It is the greatest irony that big corporate names, such as Ayala and Sy, are prioritized and permitted to thrive in UP’s own lands while we in fields like the arts and humanities spend our days in inadequate, dilapidated facilities,” the student council added.

By Aldrin Villegas

Independent candidate Chito Balindong will be next year’s School of Economics (SE) Representative to the USC after garnering 335 votes, ahead by 140 votes against Rio Dayao of UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA) with 195 votes.

Incumbent Education and Research Councilor Carlos Cabaero is the next SESC Chair with 501 votes. Meanwhile, incumbent Junior Batch Representative Patricia Morada earned 440 votes to become the next Vice Chair.

However, Secretariat Councilor hopeful Lemuel Teh failed in his bid for election with 382 votes, falling short by 2 votes to win the seat. In accordance with Article XV, Section 5 A of the SE Electoral Board (SEEB), unopposed candidates must attain at least 384 votes to reach the 2/3 rule.

Incumbent Freshmen Batch Representative Ian Serrano also failed to secure the Students’ Rights and Welfare position with 382 votes.

Unopposed Marketing and Alumni Relations Councilor Klarissa Sanchez topped the councilor race with 428 votes. Sole Batch Representative candidate Kevin Lobo clinched the Sophomore Batch Representative post.

The SE Electoral Board (SEEB) opened the polls as scheduled at exactly 9:00 am and ended at 7:00 pm. With a total of 575 out of 863 votes, SE’s voter turnout this year is 66.63 percent, which is 5.25 percent lower than last year’s 71.88 percent.

The SEEB will hold special elections to fill the seven councilors and five batch representative posts. Nominations will immediately begin tomorrow, said SEEB Chair Sam Cinco.

Breakdown of votes for the SE polls is as follows:

CHAIR

Carlos Cabaero – 501

Abstain – 74

VICE CHAIR

Patricia Morada – 440

Abstain – 135

ECON REP TO THE USC

Chito Balindong – 335

Rio Dayao – 195

Abstain – 45

SECRETARIAT COUNCILOR

*Lemuel Teh – 382

Abstain – 193

MARKETING AND ALUMNI RELATIONS

Klarissa Sanchez – 428

Abstain – 147

STUDENTS’ RIGHTS & WELFARE COUNCILOR

*Ian Serrano – 382

Abstain – 193

SOPHOMORE BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

**Kevin Lobo – 97

Abstain – 24

 NOTES:

*Did not meet 2/3 or 66.6667% rule. There were a total of 575 votes. 2/3 or 66.6667% is 383.33. Therefore, the candidates must have attained at least 384 votes (as 383 is still below 2/3). This is in accordance with Article XV, Sec. 5 A of the SEEB Code.

**Two Juniors were mistakenly assigned to the Freshmen block at the Halalan UPD System. Their votes were voided for Sophomore Batch Representative. Further, two Freshmen were mistakenly assigned to the Juniors block at the Halalan UPD System. They were asked to vote manually for the Sophomore Batch Representative.

By Sanny Boy Afable

The UP School of Statistics (SS) student council elections ended a close fight between two independent chair aspirants, with 64.04 percent or 438 out of 684 students casting their ballots on April 21.

Former finance councilor Patrick Reyes emerged as the new chair, after garnering 48.9 percent or 214 votes of the total votes, a lead of 23 votes over former vice chair Krizelle Fowler who got 43.6 percent or 191 votes. Meanwhile, independent former councilor Patricia Alarios was declared the next vice chair after running unopposed and garnering 82 percent or 360 of the total votes.

Alyansa bet James Alister Pangilinan, who ran unrivalled, is the college’s next representative to the University Student Council (USC) after sweeping 81.5 percent or 357 of the total votes cast.

However, four posts are still unfilled as one candidate earlier withdrew her candidacy for senior batch representative, while no one filed candidacies for third year batch rep and the remaining two councilor positions. According to the UP SS Electoral Board (UPSSEB), special elections will be held on May 5.

This year’s voters turnout surpassed last year’s 61.92 percent.

The complete and official SS SC 2012 election results are as follows:

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE
James Alister Pangilinan – 357
Abstain – 81

CHAIRPERSON
Krizelle Cleo Fowler – 191
Patrick Wincy Reyes – 214
Abstain – 33

VICE CHAIRPERSON
Patricia Anne Alarios – 316
Abstain – 78

COUNCILORS

FINANCE
Tierone James Santos – 308
Abstain – 130

MARKETING
Rheymund Jimenez – 262
Abstain – 176

PUBLIC RELATIONS
Keanu Roland Alfred Ramos – 296
Abstain – 142

MEDIA AND PUBLICITY
Michael Joshua Ricaforte – 309
Abstain – 129

SECRETARY
Spencer Espartero – 281
Abstain – 157

SOCIAL CONSCIOUSNESS
Kate Malda – 271
Abstain – 167

EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
No candidates

SPORTS, ART AND CULTURE
No candidates

BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

2^ND YEAR
Jerico Timan – 106
Abstain – 17

3^RD YEAR
No candidates

4^th YEAR
No candidates

by Karen Ann Macalalad

The Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP) will lead next year’s UP Diliman (UPD) University Student Council (USC), with standard bearers Bryle Leaño and Beata Carolino taking the top two positions.

Leaño garnered 5,840 votes for the chair position against indie candidate Raymond Rodis with 3,603 votes and AJ Montesa of UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA) with 2,079 votes. A total of 1,261 students abstained from voting for a USC chair this year.

Carolino nailed the vice chair position with 8,409 votes, over opponent Vince Liban with 2,798 votes. A total of 1,576 students chose to vote abstain for the position.

STAND UP also secured a majority of the USC seats taking 19 out of 34 USC posts, namely the positions of chair and vice chair, seven councilors, and 10 college representatives.

UP ALYANSA won five posts, with one councilor and four college representatives. Two councilors will represent KAISA UP in the council.

STAND UP bet Ben Te garnered the most votes in the councilor race with 5,383 votes, followed by Donn Bernal with 4,606 votes and Micah Tolosa with 4,541 votes. Two independent candidates also made it to the list of winning councilors, including Patrick Sicat with 4,259 votes and RJ Belen with 3,633 votes.

This year’s UPD USC elections registered a 49.126 percent voter turnout, lower than the 51.24 percent recorded in 2015.

The UPD University Student Council AY 2016-2017

CHAIR

Bryle Leaño (STAND UP)- 5,840 votes

AJ Montesa (UP ALYANSA)- 2,079 votes

Raymond Rodis (INDEPENDENT)- 3,603 votes

Abstain- 1,261 votes

VICE CHAIR

Beata Carolino (STAND UP)- 8,409 votes

Vince Liban (UP ALYANSA)- 2,798 votes

Abstain- 1,576 votes

COUNCILORS

Arvin Alba (STAND UP)- 3,656 votes

Reinald Jay Belen (INDEPENDENT)- 3,633 votes

Donn Bernal (STAND UP)- 4,606 votes

LA Castro (KAISA UP)- 4,049 votes

Magnolia Del Rosario (UP ALYANSA)- 3,605 votes

Niki Esguerra (STAND UP)- 3,973 votes

Marie Navea-Huff (STAND UP)- 3,613 votes

Shari Oliquino (STAND UP)- 4,530 votes

Patrick John Sicat (INDEPENDENT)- 4,259 votes

Ben Te (STAND UP)- 5,383 votes

Yael Toribio (KAISA UP)- 3,659 votes

Micah Tolosa (STAND UP)- 4,541 votes

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

Asian Institute of Tourism

Jayson Jude Ramirez (STAND UP)- 144 votes

College of Architecture

Princess Diane Villegas (STAND UP)-  289 votes

College of Arts and Letters

Viktor Elijah Austria (STAND UP)- 343 votes

College of Business Administration

Rianne Geronimo (UP ALYANSA)-  593 votes

College of Education

Joe Marie Yapcengco (UP ALYANSA)- 281 votes

College of Engineering

Mariel Belga (STAND UP)- 1,181 votes

Kim Franza (INDEPENDENT)- 1,147 votes

Alfrey Oria (STAND UP)-  1,332 votes

College of Fine Arts

Kevin Angel Barrameda (STAND UP FA)- 192 votes

College of Home Economics

Pepito Sevilla (LEAD-CHE)- 527 votes

College of Human Kinetics

Rica Robeniol (UP ALYANSA)-  248 votes

College of Law

Juan Paolo Artiaga (INDEPENDENT)- 174 votes

Abstain- 340

College of Mass Communication

Hazel Joy Lobres (STAND UP)- 434 votes

College of Music

Jason Verzola (STAND UP)-  142 votes

College of Science

Juan Antonio Magalang (MATTER)- 578 votes

College of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Lakan Umali (STAND UP)- 592 votes

College of Social Work and Community Development

Daniel Renz Roc (STAND UP)-  118 votes

National College of Public Administration and Governance

Ivan Evangelista (IGNITE)-133  votes

School of Library Information Studies

Rovir Jefferson Agner (INDEPENDENT)- 130 votes

School of Economics

Ali Balindog III (INDEPENDENT)- 335 votes

School of Statistics

James Alister Pangilinan (ALYANSA)- 357 votes

By Arjay Ivan R. Gorospe

Unopposed chair candidate and incumbent Engineering Student Council (ESC) councilor Jon Michael Mendoza of the UP Progressive Responsive Innovative Movement in Engineering (PRIME) will lead next year’s ESC, amid a close battle against abstain votes in the April 21 polls.

Mendoza garnered 1652 votes, only 116 votes higher the number of students who abstained from voting for the chair post. UP Alliance for Responsive Involvement and a Student Empowerment’s (ARISE) vice chair candidate Darlene Centina defeated UP PRIME’s Jayvee Allen Malolos by 649 votes. Three out of five councilors were clinched by candidates from UP ARISE, and two from UP PRIME.

Two STAND UP bets will represent the college to the University Student Council, leaving one spot for independent candidate Kim Franza.

For this year’s elections, 50.79 percent of the total 6273 students participated, higher than the previous year’s turnout of 50.71 percent.

The complete list of election results follows:

Chairperson

Jon Michael Mendoza (PRIME) – 1652

Vice Chairperson

Darlene Centina (ARISE) – 1544

ENGG Rep to the USC
Alfrey Oria (STAND UP) – 1332
Mariel Anne Belga (STAND UP) – 1181
Kim Franza (Ind) – 1147

Councilors (5)

Gerard Lorenz Maandal (ARISE) – 1318

Emmanuel Rodriguez (ARISE) – 1209

Rae Cecille Palma (ARISE) – 1135

Karla Marie Ebol (PRIME) – 1129

Ivan Lance Leon (PRIME) – 1099

Representatives Chemical Engineering (5)

Francis Gillian Leyson (ARISE) – 355

Ralph Justine Baguinon (PRIME) – 286

Rainer Mendoza (ARISE) – 259

Jon Marco Francisco (ARISE) – 253

Mark Joseph Pasciolo (PRIME) – 243

Civil Engineering (6)

Maria Nicole Marcelino (ARISE) – 295

Danielle Erika Torres (PRIME) – 292

Rea Ann Defensor (ARISE) 289

Christine Cadcad (ARISE) – 265

Genesis Manio (ARISE) 235

Kristine Ivy Madula (PRIME) – 230

Computer Science (3)

Mark Daniel Asiddao (ARISE) – 163

Marc Almond Valleza (ARISE) – 142

Leo Niel Jasper Sese (ARISE) – 131

Electrical and Electronics Engineering (9)

Katrina Beatriz Nieva (PRIME) – 320

Jerome Christian Phi (PRIME) – 319

Jasper Jamir (ARISE) – 315

Alyssa Nicole Cruz (ARISE) – 309

Joenard Matanguihan (PRIME) – 301

Carl Adrian Patco (PRIME) – 297

Paolo Daniel Bito (PRIME) – 290

Genrev Kiel Hizon (PRIME) – 290

Cyril Paolo Quitevis (ARISE) – 222

Geodetic Engineering (4)

Panju Ezekiel Pascual (ARISE) – 166

Efren James Alcantara Jr. (ARISE) – 165

Jason Gile (ARISE) – 156

Marc Laurence Manalo (ARISE) – 150

Industrial Engineering (3)

Paolo Raphael Piedad (ARISE) – 281

Althea Maria Socorro Parayno (ARISE) – 265

Jason Joseph Fernandez (ARISE) – 219

Mechanical Engineering (3)

Dana Angelu Pongan (ARISE) – 201

Anthony Ivan Geronimo (ARISE) – 178

Justin Dohn Zamora (ARISE) – 150

Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering (4)

Glenn Adrian Ongpin (ARISE) – 236

Nicolette Malferrari (PRIME) – 232

Reynaldo Carubio Jr. (PRIME) – 192

Kyle Christian Uy (PRIME) – 171

By Jona Claire Turalde

It’s a split for next year’s College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) Student Council (SC), after BUKLOD CSSP (BUKLOD) and SALiGAN sa CSSP (SALiGAN) garnered almost an equal share of the 19 available posts in the April 21 SC polls.

CSSP students elected ten candidates from BUKLOD, eight from SALiGAN, one independent candidate for a department representative position.

Unopposed BUKLOD candidate and incumbent CSSP councilor Clarisse Peralta is the new CSSP SC chairperson, garnering 666 votes, while SALiGAN bet and incumbent Sociology Representative Jamievee Bautista, won as vice chair against BUKLOD’s Gabriela Zenia Sayon with 466 votes.

Meanwhile, SALiGAN candidate and incumbent Anthropology representative Lakan Ma. Mg. Umali is the next CSSP SC representative to the University Student Council (USC) with 565 votes.

SALiGAN secured four councilor seats and two of nine department representative seats, while BUKLOD won three councilor seats and six department representatives this year.

BUKLOD is affiliated with university-wide party UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA). Rival SALiGAN is a member organization of Students’ Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP).

A total of 57.64% or 1212 out of 2118 cast votes for this year’s CSSP elections.

Polling precincts opened at exactly 9AM in both Palma Hall and Alfredo Lagmay Hall.  No glitches were reported. Lagmay Hall polling precinct closed at 5PM, while AS polling precincts closed at 7:00PM to accommodate late voters.

The complete list of election results follows:

Chairperson

Clarisse Anne Peralta (BUKLOD)- 666

Vice Chairperson

Jamievee Bautista (SALiGAN)- 466

CSSP Representative to the USC

Lakan Ma. Mg. Umali (SALIGAN)- 565

Councilors

Allyson Michael Jude Maraon (SALiGAN)- 561

Mariel Louise Cunanan (BUKLOD )- 544

Philippe Jefferson Galban (BUKLOD )- 530

Lorenzo Miguel Relente (BUKLOD )-

Maryam Hisham Casimiro (SALiGAN )- 515

Christine Faye Dumagan (SALiGAN )- 482

Hanceely Marxell Villa (SALiGAN )- 438

Department Representatives

Anthropology

Ileana Ysabel Cabochan (SALiGAN )- 78

Geography

Kimberly Go- Tian (BUKLOD )- 76

History

Alexandra Mojica (BUKLOD )- 64

Linguistics

Jan Irminelle Silvallana (BUKLOD )- 60

Philosophy

John Carlo Katigbak (Independent )- 91

Political Science

Ma. Regina Angelica Bagaforo (BUKLOD )- 141

Psychology

Patricia Kimberly Chua (BUKLOD )- 337

Jon Alec Eclipse (BUKLOD )- 296

Sociology

Jenica Jae De Vera (SALIGAN )- 125

By Aldrin Villegas

Only five of nine hopefuls for the 11-councilor positions clinched seats in the Business Administration Council (BAC) after four hopefuls failed to meet the minimum number of votes required to win a post.

Under the BA Commission on Election (Comelec) rule, candidates for councilors need at least 50 percent plus one of the total votes cast to be elected into office. With a total of 728 votes cast, councilors must obtain at least 365 votes to be elected.

The BAC will hold special elections to fill the six remaining councilor seats, along with the vice chair post, one Seniors BAA Representative and one Sophomore Batch Representative. Nominations are now open for these positions.

Meanwhile, incumbent BA Rep to the University Student Council Benjie Aquino won unopposed as the BAC Chairperson with 646 votes. Incumbent Publicity Councilor Rianne Geronimo running under the banner of UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA) also secured the college representative to the USC position with 593 votes.

The BAC opened the polls as scheduled at exactly 9 AM and ended at 7 PM. With a total of 728 out of 1,291 votes, CBA’s voter turnout this year is 56.39 percent.

Breakdown of votes for the CBA polls is as follows:

CHAIRPERSON

Benjie Allen “BENJIE” Aquino – 646

Abstain – 82

CBA REP TO THE USC

Rianne Mae “RIANNE” Geronimo (ALYANSA) – 593

Abstain – 135

COUNCILORS

Required votes: 365

Carissa Andrea “ISSA” Lim – 614

Celine Paula “CEL” Calma – 523

Clarissa “CLAR” Siy – 454

Isabelle Beatriz “BELLE” Ginez – 429

Juan Paolo “JP” Salvador – 365

Jan Marvin “MARVIN” Legaspi – 343

Jan Karl “JAKE” Villegas – 336

Lorenzo Miguel “RENZO” Torres – 260

Evan Merel “EVAN” Escalaw – 248

Abstain – 52

SOPHOMORES BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Required votes: 68

Patrick Angelo “PAT” Gan – 98

Anna Eldricka “ANNIKA” Bautista – 74

Gabriel Teodoro “TOBI” Sales – 66

Abstain – 3

JUNIORS BA BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Jonathan “JONTY” Aguila – 131

Abstain – 51

JUNIORS BAA BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Joel James “YAM” Alarde – 169

Abstain – 13

SENIORS BA BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Regina Jay “GIA” Garcia – 160

Abstain – 13

TERMINALS BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Dana Clarisse “DANA” Dee – 145

Joline Kate “JOJO” Panopio – 137

Abstain – 10

By Camillle Joyce M. Lisay

Initiative for Genuine Involvement, Transparency and Empowerment (IGNITE) continues its four-year dominance in the National College of Public Administration and Governance (NCPAG) Student Council (SC), after clinching nine out of 16 seats including the top two posts.

Tiffany-Anne Uy of IGNITE was declared the new chair garnering 176 votes over Jameson Austria of PALS-NCPAG with a 70-vote margin, while Nathalie Gabrielle Tatualla defeated rianne Rose Agustin for the vice chair post with 153 votes. Ivan Francis Evangelista, also under IGNITE, will represent the NCPAG in the University Student Council.

IGNITE also clinched three out of five administrator seats with PALS getting the remaining seats. Both parties get an equal share for the four councilor positions, with Czarlo Demetrio getting the highest number of votes with 162.

Meanwhile, Jacob Fajardo of PALS failed to secure the Juniors Batch Rep seat after losing from abstain votes by a 12-point margin.

Since 2012, IGNITE has secured majority of the seats in the council, garnering 13 out of 16 posts in the  2015 NCPAG SC polls.

Voting at CPAGE officially closed at 7:05PM, with 10 votes manually counted due to late payment. The turnout for this year is 47.41%, with 302 overall votes cast out of 637 students qualified to vote.

The complete list of new officers is as follows:

CHAIRPERSON

Tiffany-Anne A. Uy (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 176

Jameson D. Austria (PALS-NCPAG) – 106

VICE CHAIRPERSON

Nathalie Gabrielle A. Tatualla (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 153

Arianne Rose S. Agustin (PALS-NCPAG) – 119

EXTERNAL AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATOR

Kathleen Mai J. Cardoz (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 125

Mary Gwyneth Ann A. Paredes (PALS-NCPAG) – 141

FINANCE ADMINISTRATOR

Robert V. Velarde (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 142

Ric Arvin B. Agapay (PALS-NCPAG) – 125

INTERNAL AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATOR

Anne Clarice L. Ng (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 134

Celina Eunice Cheyenne DR. Abueg (PALS-NCPAG) – 133

SOCIO-ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ADMINISTRATOR

Maria Danica O. Soriano (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 145

Ronna Shane M. Belaro (PALS-NCPAG) – 131

WAYS AND MEANS ADMINISTRATOR

Merry Kristie M. Francia (PALS-NCPAG) – 189

Abstain – 113

COUNCILORS

Eleangel Dawn S. Cortel (PALS-NCPAG) – 111

Czarlo T. Demetrio (PALS-NCPAG) – 162

Mark Cedrick Jorell T. Lustado (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 134

Alvin Ace A. Melano (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 154

Zaianne D. Moraga (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 145

Bernice Joyce V. Oliberos (PALS-NCPAG) – 139

Alexis Caesar E. Sanchez (PALS-NCPAG) – 131

SOPHOMORES BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Elijah Isabella P. Ednalino (IGNITE-NCPAG) – 21

Christen Diana P. Gallinera (PALS-NCPAG) – 35

JUNIORS BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Jacob S. Fajardo Jr. (PALS-NCPAG) – 26

Abstain – 38

SENIORS BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Cyril Katherine S. Manongdo (PALS-NCPAG) – 38

Abstain – 30

NCPAG REPRESENTATIVE TO THE USC

Ivan Paolo D. Evangelista (IGNITE-NCPAG)

Nicole Anne Kahn P. Parreño (PALS-NCPAG)

By Tony Reyes

Bukluran ng mga Iskolar Atleta Tungo sa Progresibong Aksyon (BATAK) claimed eight out of twelve seats in the College of Human Kinetics Student Council, leaving only four slots to Kabataang Inaalay ang Lakas at Suporta sa CHK (KILOS CHK).

Running unopposed for positions in the CHK SC elections are BATAK’s Dan Angelo Cabading for chair, Rica Angelica Robeniol of UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA) for the position of CHK Representative to the USC, and three other candidates for department representatives.

April Rodra De Castro of BATAK clinched the position of vice chair with a vote of 149 against KILOS CHK’s Patricia Marie Marcelo’s 137 votes.

BATAK’s Maria Cristina Alvia led the councilor polls with 187 votes, together with two other bets from BATAK and two candidates from KILOS.

For this year’s elections, 39.92 percent or 317 out of the total 794 students participated in this year’s local elections.

A technical glitch was reported early in the voting process when the sole candidate for the CHK Representative to the USC was listed under BATAK instead of UP ALYANSA. Technical volunteers claimed they could have Robeniol’s party fixed to ALYANSA, but would risk losing all of her votes. The CHK College Student Electoral Board (CSEB) opted not to fix the problem as it was too risky, according to CSEB member JP Jalandoni.

The complete list of election results follows:

CHAIRPERSON

Dan Angelo F. Cabading (BATAK) – 206

Abstain – 111

VICE CHAIRPERSON

April Rodra B. De Castro (BATAK) – 149

Patricia Marie B. Marcelo (KILOS CHK) – 137

CHK Representative to the USC:

Rica Angelica Robeniol- UP ALYANSA- 248

Abstain – 69

COUNCILORS

Maria Cristina Josefina H. Alvia (BATAK) – 187

Lea Andrei  B. San Juan (KILOS CHK) – 161

Camille  R. Peteza (BATAK) – 149

Sigfried Salvador Mison (BATAK) – 148

Julie Pearl Borja (KILOS) – 146

Ricardo C. Garcia Jr. (BATAK) – 143

Jem Alyssa  S. Manalang (BATAK) – 142

BACHELOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION REPRESENTATIVES (2)

Jeremiah Joseph J. Cinco (KILOS CHK) – 52

Abstain – 24

BACHELOR OF SPORTS SCIENCE REPRESENTATIVES (2)

Catherine Bernarde V. De Luna (KILOS CHK) – 92

Miguel Alfonso C. Relampagos (BATAK) – 73

John Patrick LV. Ho (BATAK) – 64

Jazreel An A. Movido (KILOS CHK) – 38

CERTIFICATE OF SPORTS STUDIES REPRESENTATIVES (2)

Roy Spencer P. Sumpil (BATAK) – 48

Queen Kquasophia P. Ambulo (BATAK) – 48

Abstain – 9

By John Reczon Calay

The UP Law Student Government (LSG) Central Board will file an electoral protest to question the proclamation of Juan Paolo Artiaga as law representative to the University Student Council (USC) post before the University Student Electoral Tribunal (USET) on April 28.

The University Student Electoral Board (USEB) declared sole independent candidate Artiaga the winner despite more abstain votes were cast for the position on April 21. Artiaga garnered 174 votes, almost half of the number of abstain votes at 340.

UP Law Electoral Commission (LEC) Chair Michael Trance Nuñez considered the law rep post as a USC position and resolved not to declare Artiaga in the college proclamation of winners. The commission forwarded the matter to the USEB, which then later declared Artiaga as winner.

The LEC carried out the university rulings in electing their representative to the USC. In their statement, the law representative to the USC is not an elective position of the Central Board citing the Law Students’ Constitution. The law representative to the USC is a University Student Council position as provided in the Revised UP Diliman Student Election Code.

Sole candidate Pao Macariola was elected president of the Law Student Government after getting 434 votes. Auds Ng obtained 351 votes for the internal vice president position. Raffy Ricalde earned 345 votes for the external vice president post.

The LEC will administer a special election for the position of treasurer, senior batch representative, and second year batch representative this May 6. Filing of certificate of candidacy will be from April 26-27.

The College of Law registered an 80.21% voter turnout, lower than last year’s 84%.

PRESIDENT

Paolo Dominic “PAO” Macariola (IND) – 434

Abstain – 93

LAW REPRESENTATIVE TO THE USC

Juan Paolo “JUPA” Artiaga (IND) – 174

Abstain – 340

INTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT

Audrey Nicole “AUDS” Ng (IND) – 351

Abstain – 175

EXTERNAL VICE PRESIDENT

Rafael Romualdo “RAFFY” Ricalde (IND) – 345

Abstain – 179

SECRETARY

Josemario Carlo “CARLO” Magsino (IND) – 296

Abstain – 231

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER

Bounteous “BOUNCE” Servito (IND) – 322

Abstain – 205

BATCH REPRESENTATIVES

SECOND YEAR BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Jermaine “JERMAINE” Garcia (IND) – 72

Abstain – 52

THIRD YEAR BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Jameela Joy “JOY” Reyes (IND) – 90

Julia Patricia “JULES” Herrera-Lim (IND) – 85

Abstain – 7

SENIOR YEAR BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Leor Jyle “JYLE” Sulit (IND) – 105

Carlo Angelo “CARLO” Cruz – 51

Abstain – 4

EVENING BATCH REPRESENTATIVE

Franzetta Faye “FRAN” Sanglay (IND) – 82

Michael “MIKE” Guevarra (IND) – 62

Abstain – 13

By Chester Higuit

Matatag, Aktibo Tunay, Tumutugon, Epektibo, Responsable (MATTER) dominates the College of Science (CS) Student Council (SC) elections for the sixth straight year, clinching all 14 council posts on April 21.

Third year BS Applied Physics student Joshua Jethro Jedidiah Malimata won unopposed for the CS SC chair position with 1021 votes, while incumbent Assistant Institute of Mathematics Representative Micaela Ticman is the incoming CS SC Vice Chairperson with 944 votes.

MATTER bet Juan Anotonio Magalang is the new CS Representative to the University Student Council (USC) with 578 votes, after edging out Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND UP)’s Adrian Villareal who obtained 437 votes and Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA) bet Mikaela Pia Cadiz who obtained 281 votes.

This year’s turnout, 50.36 percent or 1455 out of 2889 students, is slightly lower than last year’s 50.59 percent.

The list of winning candidates follows:

CHAIRPERSON
Joshua Jethro Jedidiah Malimata (MATTER)- 1021

VICE CHAIRPERSON
Micaela Ticman (MATTER)- 944

CS Rep to the USC

Juan Antonio Magalang (MATTER)- 578

COUNCILORS

Christian Benedict Guevarra (MATTER)- 815
Angelica Mae Camille Dizon (MATTER)- 773
Jelaine Gan (MATTER)- 773

Jasper Dumalaog (MATTER)- 754
Katrina Isabel Elicano (MATTER)- 735

Institute of Biology Rep
Nicole Mae R. Picart (MATTER)- 196

Institute of Chemistry Rep
Hannah Joyce P. Amoncio (MATTER)- 201

NIGS Rep
Janica Mae Nablo (MATTER)- 142

Institute of Mathematics  Rep
Lean Dominic Labalan (MATTER)- 196

NIMBB Rep
Joelle Noriko G. Galang (MATTER)- 160

NIP Rep
Michael Nicholas R. Go (MATTER)- 188

Photo by Jiru Rada

by Arjay Ivan Gorospe

UP Mindanao (UPMin) students will soon be allowed to train under military personnel, after the Board of Regents approved the reactivation of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) in the campus during its 1316th meeting on March 31.

The university’s highest policy-making body discussed the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Armed Forces of the Philippines’ 11th Regional Community Defense Group (RCDG), permitting members of the 11th Infantry Battalion to conduct the classes.

The MOA approval brings back the ROTC program in UPMin despite the absence of an implementing academic unit, effectively relegating control to the AFP.

Amid the policy revival, various student groups condemned the administration’s railroading of the approval. Together with the Sagip GE Alliance, the UPMin University Student Council (USC) marched to oppose ROTC on the same day of the BOR meeting.

“Like all of the other policies implemented in Mindanao, the ROTC manifests the continued rejection of our admin to the students’ plea for representation and participation. We have been calling out the presence of the military camp beside our campus, we dare to ask, why can’t the UP admin railroad the abolishment or retreat this camp instead,” said UP Mindanao USC Chairperson Leah Aying.

Military presence

ROTC is a component under the National Service Training Program, designed to train, organize, and mobilize citizen soldiers for national defense preparedness under Republic Act (RA) 9163. Freshmen and scontinuing students may opt to take the ROTC to satisfy the NSTP requirement.

The mandatory requirement for the program was repealed in 2001, after cases of hazing allegedly occurred under supervision of the ROTC program. The corpse of Mark Chua, a student from the University of Santo Tomas, was found floating in Pasig River in the same year after a supposed security training in Fort Bonifacio under ROTC.

Within the UP System, ROTC has been maintained as an option for students in compliance with the NSTP requirement in all constituent units expect for UPMin.

“To avoid repeating history, we should look back at the case of Chua, whose story has become the motivation to abolish the ROTC before,” said Aying.

Even before the reimplementation of ROTC, the Army Reserve Command (ARESCOM) headquarters has been squatting within UP Mindanao for years, but previous chancellors remained powerless or unwilling to present relocation proposals.

“Right now, they just put up a wooden fence, and during these summer months, they are accommodating training exercises on their ample grounds (which should be UP grounds). We often see uniformed men on the University Avenue,” said Aya Ragragio, UP Min Social Sciences professor.

The presence of the ARESCOM violates a special agreement called the League of Filipino Students- Department of National Defense Accord with the university and the national government, which prohibits the presence of military agents within any UP campus.

Currently, 60 percent from the total of military forces in the country are based in Mindanao as part of the Oplan Bayanihan, the Aquino administration’s counter-insurgency program.

“Over 60 percent of the AFP is located here, and what have they done so far? Aided and abetted Lumad killings. Encamped and attacked community schools. I cannot believe that the people behind the MOA can be so naïve as to think that this is a purely neutral occurrence,” said Ragragio.

No academic unit

While the MOA has already been confirmed within the BOR, the UP Min USC has yet to get a copy of the document. The council also slammed the board for approving the program without prior student consultations.

“Lacking any form of consultation, it has become a tradition that policies are railroaded to promulgate repression among the students,” according to an official statement released by the UP Min USC.

The UP admin’s entrustment of the students’ education to the 11th Infantry Battalion is reckless as they cannot prove if they even have a dignified mechanism to train the students, said Aying.

The ROTC program is supposedly placed under the Department of Military and Science Tactics, which reports to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, according to the Implementing Guidelines on NSTP-ROTC Component No such department currently exists in UPMin.

With the absence of the DMST, ROTC as an academic program is questionable if it is to be carried out by the Philippine Army through the MOA, said Ragragio.

“We know that the ROTC before has been used to collect intelligence about progressive groups and individuals in the University. This is the nature of the armed forces: they are deployed not against real enemies, but against ordinary Filipinos, who happen to be courageous enough to speak up or act about social issues,” he added.

by Jona Claire Turalde

UP Diliman students joined together in solidarity to raise funds for the bail money of Film student Maricon Montajes, whose bail petition was granted on March 2 after five years of detainment at the Batangas Provincial Jail.

The College of Mass Communication relaunched Task Force Freedom (TFF), a campaign initially intended for calls to free Maricon and other political prisoners. The council aims to raise funds for Maricon’s bail money worth P400,000, as well as the bail for farmer Romiel Canete and Anakbayan member Ronildo Baes.

Together with Maricon, Canete and Baes form the Taysan 3. The three were arrested by elements of the 743rd Squadron of the Philippine Air Forces while inside a peasant community in Mabayabas, Taysan, Batangas. Maricon was conducting research for her thesis at the time.

In a court decision presided by Judge Rose Marie J. Manalang-Austria dated February 12 granted P400, 000 bail each for Montajes and Baes, while P500, 000 was set for Canete.

Under the TFF, various online campaigns and calls for donation have been made to add to both legal and bail expenses of the Taysan 3. Shirts labeled with “Free all political prisoners” are currently being sold by the group at P200 each.

As of press time, a total of P85,900 was collected in solidarity for Maricon still far from the P2.1 M which includes the overall bail for the non-bailable charges needed to be raised to accommodate all legal expenses, Jumai Herrera of TFF said.

Meanwhile, CMC professors will be organizing a benefit auction for the Taysan 3. Details will be announced soon, Herrera added.

Several Mass Communication organizations held #FreedomFriday at the College of Fine Arts on April 1, a benefit concert for the legal expenses of the Taysan 3. With tickets sold at P100 each, the event was able to raise P13,394.

Padayon, a night on solidarity for the Taysan 3 was also held on April 14. The event was blank- ticketed which means that the participants can donate as much as they can.

TFF calls for the support of the UP Community to free Maricon and all other political prisoners.

“Halimbawa [si Maricon] ng estudyanteng nakita at mas piniling makiisa sa mas malawak na hanay ng mga di naririnig. Siya ay [pinagkaitan] ng karapatan, at [ang estadong] patuloy na nagpapatahimik sa lahat ng nakikiisa sa mga api at lumalaban.,” Herrera said.

by Arjay Ivan Gorospe

Apat na taon mula nang ilabas ng Korte Suprema ang kautusan hinggil sa pamamahagi ng lupa sa Hacienda Luisita, Tarlac, nananatiling nasa kamay ng mga Aquino-Cojuangco ang humigit-kumulang anim na libong ektaryang sakahan.

Naging sunod-sunod ang banta ng demolisyon ng mga sakahan na utos umano ng mga Aquino-Cojuangco. Tinangkang itulak ang demolisyon sa Barangay Mapalacsiao, Hacienda Luisita, bandang 10:00 ng gabi noong ika-18 ng Abril gamit ang tatlong bulldozer upang magbigay daan sa itatayong gusali ng Iglesia ni Cristo.

Tinatayang aabot ng 75 mula sa 6,453 hektaryang kabuuang sukat ng hacienda ang maaapektuhan ng tangkang demolisyon, na sinasaka ng humigit-kumulang 35 na magsasaka.

Natigil ang demolisyon dahil sa agarang pagkilos ng mga magsasaka na pigilan ang pag-araro ng kanilang mga pananim.

“Ang napagkasunduan po kasi namin, kahit na patuloy ang pagbu-bulldoze nila, [ay] magtatanim pa rin kami. Dahil wala naman kaming maaasahang iba pang [maaaring] gawin. Ang mga bata nga rito, wala nang pang-aral. Kawawa ang mga magsasaka,” ayon kay Florida Sibayan, pangulo ng Alyansa ng mga Manggagawang Bukid sa Asyenda Luisita (AMBALA).

Una nang sinimulan ang pag-araro ng mga taniman at paninira ng mga kubo ng mga magsasaka noong ika-21 ng Marso.

“Ilang beses nang nagkaroon ng probisyon patungkol sa pamimigay ng lupa, pero wala pa rin namang nangyayari. Hanggang ngayon, pagmamay-ari pa rin ng mga Aquino-Cojuangco,” ani Sibayan. Anumang oras, maaaring itulak ang pag-bulldoze ng mga pananim, mabuti at napigilan, dagdag pa niya.

Sa kabila ng nakaambang demolisyon, patuloy na ang pagtanim ng mga magsasaka ng bagong punla upang isaayos ang lupa, ani Sibayan.

Dagdag pa rito, patuloy ang pag-aangkat ng graba at buhangin sa tinutuluyan ng mga kontraktor para sa itatayong gusali sa nasabing sakahan, aniya.

Taong 2012 nang ibinaba ng Korte Suprema ang desisyon na suspendihin ang stock distributing option (SDO) ng Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP). Sa ilalim ng SDO, pinapayagan ang mga panginoong maylupa na bigyan na lamang ng bahagi sa stocks ang mga magsasaka sa halip na tuluyan itong ipamahagi.

Nakasaad sa CARP ang pamamahagi ng kabuuang 9.12 milyong ektarya ng pribado at pampublikong sakahan sa mga magsasakang walang sariling lupa, kabilang na ang Hacienda Luisita. Bagaman nakasaad sa batas ang pamamahagi ng mga sakahan, maaaring pagtayuan ng komersyal na gusali ang lupa upang matigil ang pamimigay nito.

Kasama sa desisyon ng korte ang kautusang ipamahagi na ang lupa sa mga magsasaka. Ngunit hanggang sa kasalukuyan, patuloy ang panggigipit upang makasiguro ang mga Aquino-Cojuangco na ang lupa ay hindi maipamahagi, ani Sibayan.

Patuloy pa rin ang paghihirap ng mga magsasaka dagdag pa ang paglansag sa mga lupang pangunahing pinagkukunan ng kabuhayan ng mga magsasaka, dagdag nito.

Sa kabila ng sunod-sunod na mga banta at aktwal na demolisyon, patuloy na nagkakaisa ang AMBALA sa pagkundena sa administrasyong Aquino sa patuloy na pagkakait ng lupang kanilang sinasaka.

“Talagang hindi na namin malaman kung ang gobyerno ba eh kalaban namin o hindi. Tapos ipaboboto nila sa amin mga bata ni Aquino, samantalang sa sarili niyang bakuran, dito, walang daang matuwid,” ani Sibayan.

The post Banta ng demolisyon sa HLI, kinundena ng mga magsasaka appeared first on Philippine Collegian.

by Camille Joyce M. Lisay and Arra B. Francia

At most 400,000 Grade 10 students will be dropping out from school because of the Senior High School curriculum included in the K-12 program, according to youth group Kabataan Partylist.

The record-high drop-out rate is an estimate based on the 1.5 million students who finished Grade 10 in March 2016. Of this number, only 1.1 million were expected to pursue senior high, or the additional two years mandated by the implementation of the K-12 program.

“[The Department of Education] is intent in downplaying the dire ramifications of the K-12 program. The stubborn implementation of K to 12 has resulted to up to 400,000 drop outs,” said Kabataan Partylist Representative Sarah Elago in a statement.

More than 1.04 million students have already enrolled in SHS as of June 18, according to DepEd’s database called Learner Information System (LIS). A total of 1409 out of the 10,934 senior high schools have yet to transmit their enrolment records to the LIS.

Despite the wide gap in the number of students enrolled and the actual number of Grade 10 students, DepEd Secretary called June 13 as the “best school opening thus far,” drawing flak from student groups.

“It is despicable that our government is trying to hide the fact that K-12 has worsened the decade-old woes of our education system. They insist that this is the best school opening when in reality, around a million students were forced to drop out,” JP Rosos of League of Filipino Students said.

The SHS program has four tracks: academic, technical-vocational livelihood (TVL), sports, and arts and design. So far, 628,000 students have taken the academic track, 402,000 for TVL, 2,800 have enrolled in arts and design, and 1,600 have chosen the sports track. The old four-year high school program will now be called junior high to accommodate changes in the curriculum.

Out of the existing 8,000 public junior high schools in the country, only 5,700 will be offering SHS. Students who cannot be accommodated by the public school system have been encouraged to enter private schools through the DepEd’s SHS voucher program.

The P12 billion voucher program grants students checks ranging from P8750 to P22500. This figure is a far cry from Kabataan Partylist’s estimate of the additional expenses for SHS, pegged at P100, 000 to P200, 000 for every student.

“The low enrollment in SHS only shows how great a burden K-12 is for students and their families. Imagine a minimum wage earner suddenly facing the problem of enrolling his or her child to a private school because of the way K-12 was set up,” said Elago.

The pilot implementation of the K12 curriculum overlaps with President-elect Rodrigo Duterte’s first year in office. While recognizing the challenges in implementing the program, Duterte has announced that he will continue its program.

Reiterating their call to suspend the implementation of K12, youth groups staged nationwide protests on June 13, including in front of the DepEd Office in Pasig City, UP Diliman, Polytechnic University of the Philippines and other universities during the opening of classes.

“We intend to summon DepEd to Congress to assess the situation, with the end view of discontinuing this program that has proven to be nothing but a burden for many Filipino families,” added Elago.

The post ‘K12 prompts 27 percent dropout rate’ appeared first on Philippine Collegian.