Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Kartilya 2nd Issue
Kartilya 2nd Issue
Kartilya 2nd Issue
GARB’s Scope, Coverage, and Time-frame We have also enlarged the editorial board in Kartilya is published by La Liga Politica
our efforts to ensure a pluralist body representa- twice every semester. For criticisms and
The coverage of lands that are to be distributed tive of different political tendencies. Admittedly, suggestions please email us:
kartilya_llp@gmail.com
has radically been widened under Rep. though, we have not yet been successful in
Mariano’s bill. It shall include the A to K classifi- composing a board that is broad enough to fully Facts and figures that appear in some articles have
cation as stated in HB3059 from which I made a represent different political beliefs. However, been obtained from IBON Databank, College Edi-
summary and coined a phrase: “All agricultural Kartilya should not only serve as a spot for Poli- tors Guild of the Phils., Philippine Daily Inquirer,
lands of any Kind.” DepED, CHEd, NUSP, and Anakbayan-National
Kartilya 16 5 Kartilya
from page 15
The need for redirection
Such is the trend in the Philippine educational system. And as such, there is an undeni-
T HE STATE OF PHILIPPINE D EMOCRACY
able need to redirect it towards genuine national development in order to bring about social eman-
cipation. Although there have been nationalist stirrings and efforts made by patriotic members of On her way to guillotine on November
the intelligentsia long before (among them the nationalist Claro M. Recto), we have yet to hear a Perspectives 8, 1793, Madame Roland uttered what has
well-designed education policy that truly addresses this need. now become a classic line: “Oh liberty!
RONNIE C. CLARION What crimes are committed in thy name!”
The transformation and reorientation of the current rotten system of education in the coun- (Excerpt from Florentino H. Hornedo’s The Power to be)
try is not possible without the development of a critical consciousness that reflects and acts upon
the existing social (dis)order. Any meaningful change in our basic curriculum must be liberative of
The above passage reflects the dire conditions of the country Philippines. Indeed, her people
the docility that has long infringed our mentality, dissolving what little nationalist ideal there is left in
suffer from being deprived of freedom in almost all aspects or phases of their lives. Situations in
the heart of every Filipino youth.
our land portray the exact opposite of what we are supposed to enjoy as an independent country
considering that we practice a democratic system of government.
Philippine education, therefore, must produce Filipinos who are conscious of their coun-
try’s problems, who understand the basic necessities for a resolution, and who care enough to sac-
rifice for national emancipation. One observance in a democratic setting is the conduct of elections through popular will. It is
clearly emphasized that the people’s will is the sole decisive force by which elections could be
processed. And in the same way it is through elections that the masses find a venue for a better
The Character of the Philippine Educational System change. But there has never been an exemplary election.
BY ABRAHAM JAMBANGAN JR. The May 2004 election is just the same with that of past
elections where subversion of the people’s will is prevalent.
The Philippine educational system is colo- Election periods have become big-time jobfairs where there is
nial, commercialized, and repressive. It basically a nationwide employment for dirty jobs. Candidates hire peo-
serves the needs and interests of imperialism by ple to work and campaign for them to secure votes by what-
producing battalions of cheap and repressed ever means –– bribery, job offers, and other favors.
labor force. It also strengthens colonial culture
that has dominated the Philippine society since And since Philippine elections are characterized by mas-
the Spanish rule. sive cheating, the hegemony of money over honesty serves as
the basis for electing bogus government officials rather than
The privatization and deregulation policies honest public servants. Many of the candidates would not tell of the uncertainties faced by the Fili-
on education have further driven it into becoming pino people under their administration, or of the grim future that awaits the nation should they be
a commodity. State universities are being privat- elected to position. Nearly all of them would always set sugarcoated promises and visions.
ized while capitalist-educators gain increasing tem is also perpetuated even by the so-called
power to extract bigger profits through tuition and sectarian or church-owned schools. They are in The present precarious Macapagal-Arroyo administration is the result of cunning and unlawful
miscellaneous hikes. chorus with the government and the rest of the election process of May 2004. If we are to portray the state of the nation under the ruling regime, it
capitalist-educators against the youth and stu- is characterized by a high record of human rights violations which seem to have become the
In the campuses, the students’ democratic dents, depriving them of their legitimate de- trademark of her rule. The spate of political killings and abductions of political activists have
rights such as the right to organize, right to an mands and interests.
autonomous student government and publication, alarmed both national and international human rights organizations. Mass leaders and supporters
and the right to peaceably assemble are grossly of partylist groups that are critical to the government’s inability to operate democratically have
The crisis of the Philippine educational
violated. Teachers and nonteaching staff are also been the prime targets of harassments, killings, and enforced disappearances.
system is an offshoot of the chronic economic
victims of unreasonable wages and salaries and and political crises of the Philippine society.
the lack of benefits that are due them. Democ- Deprivation could not only be observed at home but outside the country as well where dis-
There will never be an end to the crisis of the
ratic rights are being violated across the aca- placed OFWs are sent to war-torn countries. Forced by circumstances due to high unemployment
Philippine educational system unless the entire
demic community. rate in the Philippines, poor Filipinos take risks for opportunities abroad. Though temporarily resid-
social system that breeds it is transformed to
ing outside of the country, dollar remittances of these workers have not been spared of corruption.
that of a truly humane society with peace that is
This state of the Philippine educational sys- based on justice. continued on page 7
Kartilya 14 7 Kartilya
Public Opinion
Subjugating the System of Philippine Education:
The History of Curriculum Malformation ARE YOU IN FAVOR OF CHA-
CHA-CHA?
BY DINA DALAGAN
BY CHRISTIAN LLOYD ESPINOZA & RUSS YBAÑEZ No,no,no...Definitely no because I do not know how to Regarding Cha-Cha, yes I agree on this simply be-
dance to a joke. cause I think it’s about time to make changes, or shall
Once again there is no guarantee that our current we say, see a new face of government system and
condition will change if our Constitution will be political status in the country Philippines. I think this
The American conquest of the Filipino mind amended. There is definitely no problem with our Con- would bring hope to the people who are somewhat
stitution, the problem lies on the selfish and corrupt hopeless on our government and political situation.
The history of Philippine education entered a new paradigm upon the arrival of the people who implement the Constitution. Thank you. -Michael Pasco, AB Mass Communications
‘Thomasites’ (a shipload of American teachers composed mostly of ex-military personnel) in 1901, -Arthur Sales, AB Political Science
Yes, I think there is nothing wrong if we allow some
when the public school system was institutionalized, with a curriculum patterned after the US model
Definitely NO. Even if the present regime of Gloria changes in the Charter that might help develop our
of education (Viola, 2006). In his essay, “The Miseducation of the Filipino,” historian Renato Con- Macapagal-Arroyo and its allies keep on saying that country. For example, if we would allow foreign inves-
stantino writes: this Charter Change that they pursue has nothing to do tors to have more freedom to use our natural re-
with the extension of the president’s term, still we don’t sources, this can help us because we do not have
“Under the guise of preparing and teaching us in self-government, the Ameri- know their real intention in pursuing cha-cha. We al- enough capital to harness our resources.
can imposition of public education was designed for the Filipinos to be Ameri- ready have a good Constitution so why change it? -Myrna, BS Nursing
canized in their outlook; and this was greatly attained by the use of English as Hence, what we must change are those people in the
government who corrupts the entire country. In my opinion, I think we should allow our officials to
the only medium of instruction (all part of subtle but extremely effective “cul-
-Arnito S. Calio Jr., AB Political Science amend the Constitution but not this time. I think it is
tural” imperialism).” better if charter change will be done after President
I am not in favor of changing the charter. Why do we Arroyo’s term because it is very possible that the
So much emphasis and interest did the United States need to change the system of government anyway? administration will use this for their hidden agenda and
employ for the “education” of their “little brown brothers” that public Perhaps it’s the set of officials that needs replacement they can influence those who will be tasked to draft
education “…[sic] was run as part of the US Department of Defense and not what the administration is trying to insist. the amendments. It is also better if it will be done
to ensure compliance” (Constantino, 1970). American military -JT, BS Criminology through a Constitutional Commission.
authority knew well that military victory does not necessarily signify -Joseph John, BS Education
conquest. Education had to be consistent with the broad purposes of
American colonial policy and no measure could quickly promote the democracy...from page 5
pacification of the islands as education.
Their remittances keep the indebted Philippine economy afloat yet the government has always
The enactment of the Jones bill acquiesces to Constantino’s been lukewarm in providing total assistance to our overseas workers who pay billions of pesos for
statement that the Department of Education was never entrusted to their supposed welfare and protection.
any Filipino until the establishment of the Commonwealth
government. Article 23 of the Jones Act provided: “…that there shall Though presented with piles of proofs, the Batasan, the Office of the Ombudsman, and even
be appointed by the President, by and with the consent of the the Supreme Court have not done any decisive action regarding these matters. This only demon-
Senate of the United States, a vice-governor of the Philippine strates the supremacy of the Executive branch over the other two branches of the government, a
islands…[who] shall be the head of the executive department blatant abuse of power. One can form a judgment of the complicity among officials in different
known as the Department of Public Instructions, which shall agencies and departments. With all her cronies and underlings, Arroyo has been able to wash her-
include the Bureau of Education…” self clean of all the responsibilities on the matters at bar. These make it easy for the ruling clique to
crush dissents from below.
Malformation of Educational Curriculum:
So long as we are headed by a bogus government and not by honest public officials, we can
Betraying the role of education
never fully enjoy our freedom to which we are entitled and we are bound to live in an autocracy-
obsessed society. Hence, we are restricted to act according to there own rules and not on how
UP Journalism Prof. Danilo Arao contends that education is an
they ought to rule in accordance with the Constitution. Military-instigated killings under the present
important foundation for national development (2002). Yet, more than
administration which dispenses Marcosian authoritarianism will continue as long as the bureau-
six decades after the so-called independence from the American colo-
crats who serve as puppets to American and foreign dictates stay in power. Democracy can never
nialists, the Philippine educational policy has done so little to develop
grow on such a toxic soil.
the nation and remains subservient to foreign dictates.
Kartilya 12 9 Kartilya
Campus Issue Where have all our fees gone? OF Ca$H BY DESIREE VILLANUEVA
Editor’s note: We have observed that the statement of accounts has not been in-
cluded in our Form-1 upon enrollment. A P10.00 charge is required should a stu-
& DRUGS...
T he M e d i a C i rc u s o ve r A lab a n g b oy s
dent wish to obtain a printout of the breakdown of fees. We managed to obtain a
sample of the breakdown of fees for a regular 26-unit account and asked some The Philippines ranks first on the list of countries whose population (aged 15-64) uses
students if they have enjoyed what they paid for. Here are what they had to say: methamphetamine. A 2004 Dangerous Drugs Board survey found 6.7 million users of illegal
drugs in the country. In its efforts to curb the rising toll of criminality, the government
stepped up the campaign against illegal drugs.
University of Mindanao The Cast amusing part. Gonzales, a topnotch lawyer and
famous prosecutor of the Aquino-Galman double
8000 DAVAO CITY, PHILIPPINES They are the Alabang boys; rich, powerful, murder case, has maintained his position when
influential, and alleged big-time drug syndicate all other cabinet members have been shuffled
STUDENT’S ACCOUNTS OFFICE caught by agents of the Philippine Drug En- and reshuffled many times. Santiago has a 37-
forcement Agency during an entrapment opera- year military career and is the former chief of
tion on September 20, 2008. Richard Santos staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. Both
To Whom It May Concern:
Brodett, Jorge Jordana Joseph, and Joseph men can be very stubborn which is often how
Ramirez Tecson were among those that have they get their jobs done.
This is to certify that Mr./Ms. Umyong Nadenggoy of the Col- been arrested by PDEA after a season in which
lege of Arts and Sciences is officially enrolled in the University a number of drug lords got away scot-free. The Next Picture
of Mindanao, Davao City for Second Semester 2008-2009 with the Alabang boys are now subjects of a tug-of-war
following assessment, to wit: between the PDEA and prosecutors, and the At the height of this issue, DepEd has pro-
Defective na, may
may virus pa; Department of Justice under Sec. Raul Gonza- posed that a random drug test on students be
STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS ‘di talaga ako nakagamit les. A parent of one of the Alabang boys is said conducted. They are more than willing to spend
what “FIXED” charges? to be behind a lucrative government contract their already meager budget for a high-cost,
ng PC sa Lab!
having to do with (drug) running. ineffective, and discriminatory measure instead
Tuition Fee (302.50 x 26) P 7,865.00 of acquiring books and classrooms or the inclu-
daghan lagi og Now showing sion of drug-awareness in the curricula. But what
Fixed Charges 2,332.00
mga fees for can an ordinary student do?
DynEd Facilities and Improvement 550.00 With the resurgence of the issue of narco-
DynEd 150.00 laboratory tapos
every year? politics, bribery, and money laundering, DOJ The fight against illegal drugs is an old mu-
Laboratory (1) 700.00 naga-
naga-amot pa mi Sec. Raul Gonzales has made a major come- sic we’ve all heard of over and over again. It has
Computer Laboratory Fee 710.00 for activitites... back on primetime television. The secretary has yet again suddenly become a media attraction.
Special Laboratory committed himself to go hands-on over the issue Gone were the fertilizer scams, the ZTE broad-
Development Fee 150.00 once and for all. When reports about a P50 mil- band deal, the plot to impeach SC Chief Justice
E-Learning Fee 1,500.00 E-Learning what? lion bribe offer to prosecutors and the DOJ Puno, et cetera. We people easily forget.
Testing Material Fee 240.00 came out, Sec. Gonzales sneered at it and re-
CHEd: 20% of torted that if it were true “that means they are If the Alabang boys were not the main dish,
Grades Mailing Fee 10.75
the tuition fee richer than Meralco.” On the other hand, PDEA will the campaign against illegal drugs remain an
----------
shall go to the Total Assessment 14,207.75 boss retired Gen. Dionisio Santiago commented appetizer? What else is on the menu? It stirs up
improvement of asa nga test materials?
materials? that “P50 million is a small amount than having one’s mind though whether the government is
Less: to spend a lifetime in jail.” Santiago also hinted serious about this campaign or is it just a conven-
facilities. So why 1. 10/29/2008 DP 1,000.00 we buy our own test
of a possible links of the boys to international ient stage play to divert the public’s attention over
do we have to ---------- booklet at
drug syndicates. the scams that involve the President. What I see
pay more for it? Balance: wala man lagi mi 13,207.75 P2.50 each! P3.00 pa is that this case will be forgotten by the forgetful
nadawat nga mail? jud kung intrams The face-off between the two competent public soon enough. What’s next? Charter
men, Sec. Gonzales and Gen. Santiago, is the Change?
Kartilya 10 11 Kartilya
Policy Analysis These, however, have all but remained rhetoric. The National Union of Students of the
Philippines reports that many of their complaints and petitions on violations of school admin-
Still to the advantage of business interests, CHEd released its Memorandum No.14 se-
BY CHRISTIAN LLOYD M. ESPINOZA ries of 2005 which gave further leeway for schools to impose tuition fee increases without
having to consult the students, provided that the increases would not exceed the prevailing
“The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens national inflation rate as determined by the National Economic and Development Authority.
to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate This covered fee increases for incoming freshmen. Under this clause, schools can raise their
steps to make such education accessible to all.” fees virtually every year! Instead of making an allowance for the consumers who directly take
[Art. XIV Sec.1, 1987 Philippine Constitution] the impacts of inflation and are already suffering from low wages and salaries, the program
evidently serves to the interest of school owners, insulating them from inflation setbacks.
E ducation as an important, all-encompassing element for the progress of any given
society, is guaranteed as one of our basic birth rights in the Universal Declaration of Human In 2006, CHEd memo 14 was withdrawn, resurrecting the memorandum no.13 which all
Rights to which the Philippines is a signatory. Our very own Constitution emphasizes this, the more gives school owners the legal right to raise the fees as high as they want although
as well, in recognizance of the youth’s indispensable role in nation-building. they are still required to “consult” the students––a process that is most often violated. This
was reinforced by CHEd memorandum no.21 which gives freedom to the Office of Student
But in a country where the economy is encumbered with foreign monopoly, education Affairs to impose jurisdiction over student governments and student publications. The
has become an extension for further political-economic domination and cultural aggression. school administration may and can also establish a student council and/or publication,
Not only has education in our country been tailored to fit to foreign labor demands, it has hence, jeopardizing the autonomy and independence of these two major student institutions,
also become highly commercialized as a commodity, market-driven, and profit-oriented in ut- and depriving genuine student representation in the school’s highest policy-making body.
ter contempt of the Constitutional provisions. Fee increases can then practically be imposed hassle-free.
In the last two years there has been an average of 15% tuition fee increase nationwide During the last five years, Higher Education Institutions have continued to grow in num-
excluding increases on miscellaneous and other fees. With this rate, it is not surprising that ber parallel to the growing rate of increases on tuition and other fees. Miscellaneous fee in-
many schools are among the top-listed corporations in terms of income generation. The crease and other unexplained “fixed charges” have also added to this perennial burden. Stu-
government claims to be moving mountains to regulate this widespread trend and has com- dents, therefore, have been shouldering the capitalization, expansion, and financing of new
projects! Education commercialization is undoubtedly profiteering at its best.
missioned its agencies to address the issue. Yet just as in the case of the phony CARP, the
government’s sincerity to address this problem is seemingly dubious.
Beyond declarations to provide accessible and quality education, we have yet to see a
program that truly advances the protection of this basic right. Although there have been ef-
The Commission on Higher Education, in accordance with the Higher Education Act of forts in this regard, policies such as the Higher Education Modernization Act ironically un-
1994, promulgated and adopted several measures to “regulate” the rampant fees increases dermine the very essence of this principle. Token actions and government intervention such
in the tertiary level. In its Memorandum Order No.13 series of 1998 concerning the guidelines as the student tuition moratorium does not also provide real and long-term solutions.
and procedures to be followed by Higher Education Institutions (HEI) intending to increase
their tuition fees, CHEd mandates: We thus call on our educators and the government to review their educational policies
“…to conduct consultations with the student councils/government, faculty, alumni, and and sincerely address this issue. Concrete and serious actions must also be taken to ad-
non-teaching personnel associations...” dress other issues concerning the education sector such as state subsidy and budget alloca-
It also provided for the creation of a Multi-Sectoral Committee on Tuition Fee tion, lack of classrooms and instruction materials, and teachers’ salaries among
(composed of CHEd, DepEd, DSWD, SRC-Youth Sectoral Representative, COCOPEA, others.
PASUC, National Faculty Associations, and National Student Organizations), and
outlined the consultation requirements, consultation process, and its procedures. Unless the government adopts an educational program and policy that is pro-
Consultations as defined in the memorandum are “actual meetings and/or students and nationalist-oriented, the Filipino youth will remain a reserved army of
discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of the proposed tuition fee docile labor force, waiting in line to serve under foreign lordship.
increase wherein the participants will have an opportunity to air their objections,
sentiments and the like, without fear, and under a free and candid atmosphere.”
Kartilya 8 13 Kartilya
Dr. Edberto Villegas affirms that “the sole interest of the State in Philippine education is to
ensure a curriculum that would serve to further raise the profits of imperialist Transnational Corpo-
CHA-CHA:
rations and their local accomplices” (2005). He adds that DepEd’s Millennium Curriculum (Curricu-
lum 2002) was a “streamlining” of Philippine education, collapsing subjects which imbibe social
awareness, patriotic ideals and critical thinking, and abolishing subjects (and courses) not required
One-
One-way ticket to the blue by the imperial businesses. The Alliance of Concerned Teachers (ACT) also concluded that Millen-
nium Curriculum not only streamlines the school curriculum but sacrifices other aspects that would
comprise wholistic education for students. Similar streamlining schemes are also observed in
BY ANGELO RUSS YBAÑEZ
Higher Education Institutions, private or state-owned.
P resident Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will be This treachery was further brandished by no less than President Gloria Macapagal-
making her biggest miscalculation. Cha-Cha is Arroyo. Addressing a crowd of state universities and college officials, the president recognized the
now laying the ground for a decisive confronta- trument to ensure economic, intellectual, and role of Philippine education in preparing Filipinos to become overseas contract workers. She went
tion between the US-backed Arroyo regime and actual physical control of the entire country. The on with her speech encouraging the school officials to train their sights on strengthening the over-
the Filipino people who see it as Arroyo’s one- neo-liberal policies of deregulation and privatiza- seas workers base beginning with “tweaking” the school curriculum to make Filipinos the best
way ticket to prolong her rule. tion have brought about faster pace of dena- workers in the world.
tionalizing major sectors of our economy. Rein-
As early as the public debut of the Hello forced with the bias for comprador-type of busi- The conspiracy
Garci scandal, President Gloria Arroyo and her nesses, this scheme opens up vital areas such
minions have been brokering to change the as logging and mining concessions, public utili- The government policy of labor export which banks on international migration does not
charter. Desperate to hammer down her agenda ties, and government mega-projects, lubricated resolve the prevalent joblessness in the country (Palatino, 2004) and has contributed in the coun-
unnoticed by the public and the media, the ad- by ‘development aids’ of multilateral financial try’s chronic brain drain. By constantly slashing the budget for education, access to quality learning
ministration dubiously initiated a “people’s initia- institutions. now becomes an even more far-cry to the Filipino youth. What then is the prime objective of the
tive,” soliciting signatures to amend the Constitu- recent revisions in the educational curriculum? Who benefits from what and who plays the game?
tion––a process that is supposed to be initiated The use of political supremacy to coax the
by the people themselves. The project was pur- small factions of the Opposition to submit to her Back in the Marcos era, prior to the enactment of The Education Act of 1982 (EA 1982), a
sued despite the earlier ruling of the Supreme tutelage is also an integral part of GMA’s survey called the Presidential Commission to Survey Philippine Education (PCSPE) was conducted
Court that it was baseless and illegal. schemes. President Arroyo controls two of the in 1969 funded by the Ford Foundation. This was to evaluate the performance of the Philippine
biggest political parties in the bureaucracy, education system and explore “initiatives on the part of the Department of Education to interest the
The Arroyo administration has also at- LAKAS and KAMPI, and uses it as a machinery World Bank in the Philippine educational improvement” (Foundation for Nationalist Studies, 1982).
tempted to bait the MILF to surrender by capital- to materialize her political ambitions.
izing on the ill-fated MOA-AD and riding on the The report found that the Philippine labor force was “underutilized” and the prescription
movements for federalism. Arroyo however Employing militarist tactics, GMA has also
was to “enhance” it by linking export-oriented economic strategies with education. Thus, upon the
failed to get the support of the federalists in both stepped up her campaign against critical groups
issuance of EA 1982, the curriculum of the first six grades was altered to serve as the “basis for the
chambers of the Congress. and individuals. The Arroyo government has
continuously trampled the Constitutional provi- formation of trained manpower” (Ibid).
It is seemingly obvious that Mrs. Arroyo ma- sion that guarantees equal protection of the law
liciously intends to stay in power beyond year with her draconian Human Security Act and Further loans have thenceforth been granted by the World Bank to “support” the agricul-
2010, or at least set an escape route to get away several presidential proclamations that curtail tural sector in teaching the farmers “the modern secrets of mechanized farming.” We have since
from the piles of complaints and accountabilities civil liberties. been reliant on United States technology and other tools for agricultural production. Technical train-
that await her once she steps down from power. ing centers and experimental agricultural schools (installed near export processing zones) were
With this alone, she has all the reasons to se- But this is destined to fail as the people can established.
cure the backing of all government machineries never be silenced. The Arroyo regime’s legal
and the political support of the United States. maneuvers and militaristic rule may have Viola articulates that “the connection between educational curriculum and the needs of an
gagged many critics but it can never suppress export economy ensured that multinational corporations would have an abundant supply of semi-
Such is why Arroyo is committed to grant the social volcano waiting to erupt. The people’s skilled labor.” The kind of educational system World Bank wants to shape is to meet the manpower
100% ownership of our natural resources to for- verdict shall continue to haunt her even if she needs of transnationals…[and] insure the internationalization by the entire student population of
eign businesses, using Cha-Cha as a prime ins- succeeds to stay in power beyond 2010. values and outlooks supportive of the global capitalist system.
continued on next page
Kartilya 4 17 Kartilya
AC
A CALL
ALL Innie, Minnie, Mining Mo…
BY CHE SUDARIO
RA 7942
Mining Act
TO ARMS
TO A RMS Have you been to a quarry? An excavation site? Mining site? Never?
Well if you are just an average person minding your own business in your own lit-
tle world, or perhaps a typical rich kid born with a golden spoon in your mouth and
The Pillar a silver platter on your table, then you definitely do not have any reason to venture
Abraham Jambangan Jr. in places like that. Let me just tell you then of the goings-on in those places.
Supreme Chancellor, LLP
Juan de la Cruz owns 7,107 islands with a made to pay high taxes while Uncle Sam is
magnificent bounty of resources. One of the not.
T he great foundations of sprung. Yet we have come out of is now confronted with insurmoun-
most valued treasures the islands keep which
has become a high-earning business is his
You might be wondering what’s in it with
mining that drives Uncle Sam to encroach
our organization do not rest only it firmer just as what our hand- table socio-political tribulations.
mining industry. It earns a lot that it can even Juan’s possessions. Simple: gold, copper,
upon its members. Its pillars are shake symbolizes:
As we embark into a new pay all the debts of his great, great ancestors. nickel, and other sorts of minerals––things
foremost grounded on the “our principles may conflict, our
phase of fulfilling our commit- But would you believe it that Juan cannot even that would certainly beget lots and lots of
masses of students and the friendship may be shaken, but we
ment to serve, we must gear afford to buy himself the necessary things in life money…and power, of course.
people. Upon its establishment, shall remain brothers.”
ourselves to battle. The line has like undergarments? Well, believe it or not, he Right now, it’s not just the inequality to-
the foreparents of La Liga Politica wards local miners or the sufferings brought
just simply can’t.
have made it clear that the or- All through the years we been clearly drawn and we have about by man-made disasters and natural
He is just so trusting to give his Uncle Sam
ganization must not only exist for have never allowed differences to vowed to take the side of the a special power of attorney. Now, his wicked calamities that poor Juan is faced with. Will
oppressed, the voiceless, and
itself. divide and weaken our ranks. uncle, so wicked, was able to convince Juan’s Juan be able to survive his drama in life?
the dispossessed.
Instead, we have been able to business partners and consultants to push for We wanna hear from you. Don’t just sit
This fundamental principle seize these opportunities and the Republic Act 7942, the Mining Act of 1995. there, do something. Let’s give a little bit more
We thus call on each of our
has bound us to continuously live made them serve as sandstone members to sharpen their What happens is that Uncle Sam will have a of what we can. (A tip: write your sentiments
the tradition of elevating our to sharpen our minds as we solve blades by integrating with our total access to his lands without giving any due on a piece of paper and send it to Malacañang
political consciousness not as a the puzzle of attaining genuine constituents. We must polish percentage of income to the owner. Worse, local if you’re hopeful that the president responds,
matter of sheer idealism but of democracy in our society. our armors by upholding our miners are not given the needed financial assis- or post it on your not-so-famous blog and
undying commitment. Constitutional rights yet critically tance and insurance, and are instead being made make it famous).
“our principles may scraping the rusts that brittle it
Never before has the entire Filipino nation been driven into the farthest depths of crisis in his-
tory any more than the Arroyo administration did in seven years of clinging to power. The record-
breaking performance of the Arroyo regime in being the staunchest disciple of imperialist powers has
far surpassed any of its predecessors. Covering up for her bankrupt economic alleviation programs,
the president constantly boasts of increases in the country’s total GDP.
However, a closer look of the picture would reveal as to whose development have Arroyo’s
from page 1 program served. The same old social conditions exist where the few ruling elite amass more than half
of the nation’s wealth while the people who sweat to bring the economy on its feet are left with bread-
with Php110 a day while the top 20% right down to its grave.
crumbs to share among themselves.
takes 52.8% share of the country’s total Macapagal-Arroyo’s subscription to
family income –– a grave disparity in the this scheme being pressed by interna- But in the face of all political and economic impediments, the bold and daring spirit of the youth
distribution of the nation’s wealth. tional monopolists under neo-liberal glob- can never be suppressed. Never in this country’s history has the youth remained silent on crucial
alization is a total degradation of Article issues that affront them. The students sector has relentlessly been pursuing the fight against the
The worst is underway now that Ma- XII of the Philippine Constitution. commercialization and commoditization of education, gaining momentum as the worsening social
lacañang is pulling all strings in ramming conditions gradually expose the bankruptcy of the exploitative system being imposed by the ruling
its agenda to change the charter. Hell- If the president and her cohorts in Ma- elite and their foreign masters.
bent to stay in power beyond 2010, the lacañang and the Congress succeed in
The students must, however, transcend to a higher level of political consciousness. While we
president subscribes to the advice of maneuvering to dismantle all Constitu-
advance in upholding and protecting our democratic rights and welfare within the confines of the uni-
IMF/WB and the US government to grant tional protection on economy and national
versity, we find many of our fellow youth forced to drop out of school and engage in jobs subjected
100% land ownership to foreign busi- patrimony, the entire country will un- under inhuman working conditions. Others have been lured to antisocial activities––illegal drugs and
nesses to “save” the country’s ailing doubtedly plunge into a deep crisis far petty crimes––and worse, young women are driven into prostitution.
economy, in exchange for financial aid worse than any it had in history.
and political support. It is distressing that parents are barely able to extend comfort and support as household income
With various issues being churned on continues to drop. They are helpless, burdened by having to find and keep even the most exploitative
This will consequently hasten the pri- all sides to divert the public’s attention and oddest jobs. And while we have been used not to expect too much from our bureaucracy, none is
vatization of the remaining government- from this matter, there is a need for all more dismaying than the current state of the Filipino youth under Arroyo’s stay in power.
owned and controlled corporations nationalists to be ever more vigilant in
(GOCC), and open the economy totally exposing and opposing the vile attempts Under the present regime, 36% of the estimated 44 million youth have been deprived of their
naked to foreign plunder and pillage. At to desecrate the very vanguard of our basic right to education. It is utterly preposterous for the president to lend economic and political ad-
this rate alone, the entire country is going democracy, our Constitution. vice to international leaders when she could not even attend to her own problems at home.
In the midst of such dismal situation that grips the entire Philippine society, the youth cannot af-
ford to stand on the sidelines and remain unmoved. History teaches us that the youth is a potent
force in determining the course of this nation. It also taught us not to bank on the illusion of the pri-
macy of student power. We must, therefore, realize that our predicament is just but a part of the sys-
temic problem of a neocolonial society––that of being dominated by the parasitic imperialists.
It is thus imperative for the Filipino youth to take the road beyond the borders of their confine-
ment and set forth into the slums and ghettos, the factories and workshops, the plantations and coun-
tryside; for in these places can we find the basic sectors of our society––they who carry the burden of
sustaining this nation and upon whose arms lay the wheel of history. Only from them can the Filipino
youth learn the intricacies of building a just and humane society. Only with them can the Filipino
Source: IBON Databank youth gain strength to claim the future.