Students from the Far Eastern University (FEU) launched a silent protest on Thursday, February 21, as a response to the looming tuition fee increase proposed by the university.
The protest happened while the university conducted its annual tuition consultation on the same day.
Meanwhile, the Far Eastern University Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) showed its dissent through its #WalangPipirma campaign during the consultation.
In a joint statement by 41 student organizations, they said they chose not to attend the tuition fee increase consultation as a stand against the tuition increase.
According to the #AyokongMagmahalFEU Network, the tuition fee is set to increase by 5% for the incoming school year 2019-2020.
Hike matrix
Data released by the University highlighted that the increase for the enrollment fee for the average 21.5 number of units ranges from 02.69% up to 04.88%, with the highest increase adapted to new freshmen students.
Currently, the enrollment fee is ranging from 45, 600 to 47, 000 pesos. An average of 03.50% up to 05.00% increase is set to be adapted to the current tuition scheme.
Meanwhile, miscellaneous fees are set to increase by an average of 04.56% from its current scheme.
This is the second consecutive year that the FEU will increase its tuition fee by 05.00% as it also adapted the same increase for school year 2018-2019.
Varied protests
#AyokongMagmahalFEU Network, a network for students against the fees increase, launched a black ribbon tying protest to assail the recent move of the administration. Aside from the black ribbon tying, the group also staged a silent protest in front of the University’s facade near Gate 4 to show its dissent.
The network reiterated its firm stand regarding the tuition fee increase. “We are against this proposed increase. We strongly believe that the consultation happening today is merely a stamp pad of the hike to come. Most of the students of FEU are not even aware that there is an impending increase,” said the group.
#AyokongMagmahalFEU network maintained that it will continue to conduct activities to raise awareness and forge unities with the students to act against the increase.
Tyranny will not last. There is no forever with a fascist dictator. The February 1986 People Power is the proof of an end to evildoers. The righteous people will prevail for God is in their side.
The letter of St. Paul to the Romans, Chapter 8, verses 31 to 39 must continue to remind the peace-loving Christians, which say:
What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written:
“For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The clergy and lay people of the Iglesia Filipina Independiente (IFI) of the Dioceses of Cagayan de Oro and Malaybalay, the human rights defenders and peace advocates including their organizations are continually harassed and intimidated.
According to a statement by Karapatan, “At around 10:30am today, February 22, 2019, in the middle of the Hustisya-Northern Mindanao assembly and launching at the Philtown Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City, a suspected military agent approached the security guard of the said hotel and handed him two brown envelopes. Each envelope contained 13 copies of flyers listing organisations of youth and teachers, and tagging names of church workers, lawyers, rights advocates and that of a journalist, as ‘terrorist members of the New People’s Army and Communist Party of the Philippines.’”
“Among the names listed in the flyers were Iglesia Filipino Independiente Bp. Felixberto Calang, Fr. Rolando Abejo of Movement Against Tyranny-Northern Mindanao, Karapatan Northern Mindanao spokesperson Fr. Khen Apus, human rights lawyers Beverly Musni, Czarina Musni and Beverly Ann Musni, and journalist Cong Corrales and his family,” the statement further said.
Branding them as “terrorists” violated their basic human rights. The false accusations were intentionally shown to the participants of Husitisya-Nothern Mindanao who are not cowed of the series of attacks perpetrated by the state forces of the Duterte regime in the midst of continuing implementation of Martial Law in Mindanao.
On January 25, 2019, the IFI’s Church walls in Cagayan de Oro City and Bulua, Cagayan de Oro City were vandalized with baseless accusations like: “IFI CHURCH TAGUAN SA NPA.” This is to stop the IFI clergy and lay people in supporting the struggle of the poor in the region.
Photo from Ramento Project for Rights Defenders Facebook page
As a response to this “terrorist-tagging”, IFI Bishop Felixberto Calang declared that “these acts of labelling the IFI and its clergy as terrorists and sheltering of NPAs are part of well-planned and deliberate efforts to malign and discredit our ministry and meant to intimidate us into silence from our advocacies for peace and social justice.”
On January 28, 2019, lumad leader Datu Jomorito Goaynon, Chairperson of Kalumbay Regional Lumad Organization, and Ireneo Udarbe, Chairperson of Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Cagayan de Oro City), after being reported missing, turned out to be illegally arrested and detained.
On January 30, 2019, MOFA Chairperson Jerry Basahon, together with Gerald Basahon, Marivic Colita (along with her one-year old child), Mylene Colita (along with her 2-year old relative) and a new member identified only as Janine (Villanueva, Misamis Oriental) were likewise illegally arrested and detained.
On same date, two members of the Manobo lumads were strafed to death in Lianga, Surigao del Sur, in the midst of the recent evacuation of the lumads from their communities in Lianga, Surigao del Sur due to heavy militarization in their areas.
On February 11, 2019, two women human rights defenders from Cagayan de Oro City have been forcibly brought to the 4th IDPA camp in Patag, Cagayan de Oro City.
The threats to the lives and security of IFI clergy and progressives in Northern Mindanao happen also in Iloilo, Bulacan, Metro Manila and Ilocos. This situation prompted the IFI leader to issue statements of condemnation and encouragement.
On February 1, 2019, IFI Obispo Maximo Rhee Timbang issued a statement, condemning continuing harassment of IFI clergy and lay people.
His statement also encouraged the IFI faithful to continue the IFI tradition:
“As a Church steeped with the nationalist and revolutionary tradition of the Filipino people and shaped and formed by its faith unto the Lord Jesus, the Iglesia Filipina Independiente – its clergy and people – will continue its prophetic witness and social advocacy for and in the interest of justice and peace and transformation of the unjust structures of Filipino society. The IFI finds it as the greatest good it can do for the Filipino people. And no amount of harassment, intimidation and threat can dissuade the Church away from its faithful witness. As a community of faith, it only fears its Lord Jesus who commanded ‘to proclaim good news to the poor, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, to work for recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.’ The IFI pursues its mission because like the Lord Jesus who was anointed by God’s Spirit, it is also anointed by the Spirit, its agenda of mission is Christ’s, its charism is for service, and its faithful witness is fired up by the Holy Spirit.”
“We live in a society that is characterized by repression, death and poverty. There is no stopping because President Duterte himself always mouthed killing and killing almost every day. There is no genuine change coming because the president opted to follow the neo-liberalist economic policies that his predecessors rabidly implemented. There is no peace in the land because the president cannot rein in his cabinet and generals to give the peace talks a chance. The militarist approach to solve the insurgency problem cannot and will not work because the socio-economic conditions of our country had spawned the birth of the movement and are the prevailing situation; the option for the peace talks is the most viable since the basic problems of the country are being addressed to and both the contending forces, the GRP and NDFP, will come to agreements regarding the much-needed socio economic and constitutional and political reforms. The militarist approach is expected to destroy instead this nation as bloodshed will only continue, and repression and harassment will remain unabated because those who are working for genuine peace and substantial change in the land will always be the targets of the government,” the statement said.
The Biblical and historical mandate of the IFI and its allies shall strengthen their common resolve to fight for the righteous because “red-tagging, harassment, intimidation and vilification” are psychological warfare mechanisms of the Duterte regime to quell the growing resistance of the people against tyranny and dictatorship. It is a whole of the nation approach of the counter-insurgency government program Oplan Kapayapaan.
This is a battle between the righteous and evil. But eventually, the evil will end along with the downfall of the system that perpetuates evil doings.
On February 23, 2019, Church leaders will gather at Razon Activity Center, De LaSalle-Greenhills campus to commemorate the EDSA People Power in 1986. They are urging the Christian faithful to continue the struggle for truth, justice and peace.
Ironically, after 33 years, the bloodless people’s uprising has yet to realize a genuine transformation of a semi-feudal and semi-colonial Philippine society.
There are many reasons behind this state of the nation at present. But many people will agree that the century-old land problem, pre-industrialized, assembly and repacking-oriented economic production and dependency have not been transformed by that EDSA revolution because the regimes after Marcos and the present regime refused to change the social order. The EDSA revolution had only changed the fascist dictator with a “democratic” dictator.
The system of the Philippine society must be changed or transformed.
The National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) has offered a 12-point programs to change the system but the revolutionary movement is still in the developing stage to gain a nation-wide victory. Some of the NDFP programs, like genuine land reform, rural developments, national industrialization, political and constitutional reforms, were offered in the Peace Talks between the Government (GRP) and NDFP from Corazon Aquino government up to the present regime but the resistance of Oligarchs, Capitalists, Bureaucrats and State Forces dominate over the progressive sectors of the GRP and the Filipino people.
Today, the political and economic crises have worsened. The revolutionary situation in this country cannot be prevented with tyrannical laws and fascist policies and actions by the Duterte regime. Another People Power is ripe but a broad united front has to be strengthened. Like, the People Power in 1986, the Philippine Churches should take a major role to mobilize the people and pour the streets as concrete mass movement. The People Power at present is still the challenge to the Philippine Churches.
The call to continue the struggle for truth, justice and peace is relevant, but still to be understood in the light of the present context of the Philippine society.
This call must be translated into a concrete action after the celebration of the EDSA People Power with a firm commitment to continue the task of consciousness raising, organizing a broadest number of people for genuine change and mobilizing them to complete the EDSA People Power of 1986.
In this regard, the statement of Christians for National Liberation in commemoration of the 1986 People Power Revolution may be a big help and relevant. Church leaders and church people shall consider these points which are lifted from the statement. These are, among others:
Impart a “national consciousness and collective pursuit for genuine democracy, social justice and freedom” among churches and people.
Refuse “to be cowed into silence, defend human rights and respond to the needs of the least of their brethren.”
Set aside “fear and biases…join the broadest united front in putting a stop to a dictatorship.”
Overcome “church conservatism and counter-revisionist tendencies and petty-bourgeoisie tendencies.”
The “reactionary character of the Church” must not be taken for granted in urging church people to ‘follow Christ and serve the people.’
Help “advanced the journey of the peasants and workers for genuine land reform and better labor conditions.”
Participate in “mass mobilizations” complemented with a firm grasp of a “correct revolutionary principles” and concrete analysis of a fascist character of a regime.
Bear in mind that “social emancipation” cannot be “achieved through peaceful means just because a ‘democratic space” has been restored.
A “correct understanding of the nature and characteristics of a semi – colonial, semi-feudal society” must not be disregarded.
The “leadership of the Communist Party of the Philippines” of all revolutionary forces, including the Christians for National Liberation, should be recognized and followed.
After 33 years, the EDSA People Power still demands painstaking struggle and more sacrifices.
The People Power in 1986 was not realized without the martyrdom and heroism of the people, including church people, who took up arms and carried the national democratic revolution that started in the 1960s.
The EDSA People Power revolution was not a picnic.
It was a struggle between democracy and dictatorship, between good and evil, between light and darkness and between revolution and reformism. The EDSA people Power was an emotional and physical confrontation only against the evil forces but a hope for the realization of genuine and lasting peace. It can be re-done but it cannot be stopped after toppling a dictator. Dismantling the prevailing social order of a semi-feudal and semi-colonial society must be the ultimate objective.
Until now, the steadfast struggle and unconditional sacrifices challenge church leaders and church people to do their role. Like, Jesus Christ, church leaders, church people and Christians as a whole must carry their cross to eventually win a victory over the darkness and death. The dawn of the resurrection should give light for the reign of God on earth as it is in heaven.
MANILA — “To serve the people selflessly is glorious.”
These were the words of slain peace consultant Felix Randy Malayao that will forever be etched in the hearts and minds of human rights defenders and peace advocates who recently gathered to pay tribute to him on Feb. 19 at the Institute of Biology in the University of the Philippines..
Malayao, the youngest peace consultant of the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) in its peace negotiation with the Philippine government, was killed in the wee hours of Jan. 30 while sleeping on a bus en route to his hometown.
In their speeches, they shared narratives on how they met Malayao, offered songs and poems on how he lived his life, more than 30 years of which he offered to the Filipino people’s movement for genuine and lasting peace.
Malayao, who was supposedly covered by a peace agreement that provides immunity to arrests, surveillance, and attacks such as this, is the second peace consultant killed. NDFP peace consultant Sotero Llamas was killed back in 2006.
Leader and peace maker
His colleagues from the Taripnong-Cagayan Valley described Malayao as a person who was molded by the oppressed people he has chosen to serve. Jeffrey Mancera of Taripnong stressed that it would have been easy for Malayao to choose a more simple life. But it was impossible to not to heed the calls of the people.
“He sees everyone equally. Perhaps, this is why he became a peace and human rights advocate,” said a fellow UP Diliman Beta Sigma Fraternity member.
Malayao, a hands-on leader, was known for his tireless service and positive outlook, even during difficult times as pointed out by a fellow alumnus of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines, Teddy Casiño. He also noted that the slain peace consultant was “great in alliance building with people regardless of political party affiliation, even the rival parties.”
Malayao served as Regional Coordinator of Bayan Muna in Cagayan Valley in 2013, vice president for Luzon of Makabayan Coalition and regional coordinator of Bayan Muna in Cagayan Valley this year.
On continuing the fight
Malayao’s childhood friend and journalist Raymond Villanueva said tributes such as this will only glorify the memories of the departed if those who are present will continue the fight that they have started.
“His death is a reminder that we should fight for what is right,” Malayao’s Beta Sigma frat member added.
Meanwhile, Renato Reyes of Bayan emphasized that the first step for justice is to identify who is behind Malayao’s killing. He also assailed the present stance of the Duterte administration that those behind his killing are revolutionary forces seeking retribution.
He challenged those present to ensure that the incident, the killing of Malayao, will be known not just in the Philippines but also internationally.
Editor-in-chief of student publication The Catalyst, Guia Sanchez calls for press freedom and the fight of student publications against campus press violations (Photo by A. Clarin / Bulatlat.com)
“If we recall, during the Marcos dictatorship, the first thing he did was to suppress the media.
MANILA — Youth groups and students from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines marched out of their classes to join a Unity March calling for press freedom, democracy, justice and human rights on February 21 at the Freedom Park, PUP Mabini Campus.
“It is the duty of the media to report and become the voice of the people, the minority, the workers who are being forced to be blinded, and forced to be silenced by the Duterte administration,” said Guia Sanchez, the current editor-in-chief of the progressive student publication The Catalyst.
Recently, the issue of press freedom in the country has been brought to the fore, following the cyberlibel charges filed against Rappler’s chief Maria Ressa and the the cyber-attacks being launched against independent and alternative news websites such as Bulatlat, Pinoy Weekly, Kodao Productions, and AlterMidya People’s Media Network.
Along with fellow progressive groups, Alyansa ng Kabataang Mamamahayag, the broadest and only alliance of student publications in the whole PUP system, joined the Unity March to call for a stop to the political persecutions against the media.
“It is very reminiscent,” Sanchez said on why the fight for press freedom is important, adding that “if we recall, during the Marcos dictatorship, the first thing he did was to suppress the media. As we can see, there’s no difference from then and now.”
The student journalist also pointed out the red-tagging of journalists late last year and the killings among the ranks of news media practitioners.
Campus journalism also under attack
The attempts to curtail press freedom in the country, Sanchez said, do not spare student journalists.
“Every year, there’s a growing number of publications dying under the university because of the loss of funding and facilities,” said Sanchez.
The Catalyst, as well as other student publications in PUP, are experiencing mass defunding causing student publications to be ejected from their offices and their papers to stop publishing.
Youth’s contribution
Sanchez pointed out that the youth played a significant part in ousting the Marcos dictatorship, as seen during the First Quarter Storm. The youth of today, she added, could do the same and spark change.
“As they say, history repeats itself. It is possible for the youth of today to replicate what had happened during the First Quarter Storm,” she said, adding that the youth has a voice that helps shape public opinion and enlighten those who are in need.
Contrary to the infamous proposal of National Youth Commission chair Ronald Cardema to remove the scholarships of so-called “rebellious students,” Sanchez pointed out that the rights we enjoy today are “fruits of student activists’ collective actions.”
She added, “Us, the youth, should always be hopeful. Hope that with out collective actions, we would inspire change.”
By offering too much favor to retired officers of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP), President Rodrigo Duterte will soon turn his cabinet and other key positions in the government into full military control, a group warned.
MANILA – Gabriela Women’s Party lauded various women’s groups and their allies for their relentless lobbying to see the expanded maternity leave bill, now a newly-signed law, through. All efforts, the group added, has finally paid off.
“This is a product of the tireless campaigns and lobbying of various groups to acknowledge the women’s role and contribution in the economy. This is a significant advance in ensuring women’s right to maternal health and in upholding the security of tenure of pregnant women workers,” said Gabriela Rep. Emmi de Jesus.
Gabriela Women’s Party first filed the bill more than a decade ago.
Under the newly-signed law, paid maternity leave has been increased from 60 to 105 days, with an option of extending 30 days more without pay. It also stipulates another 15 paid days are given to solo parents.
De Jesus said, “Today, women won over the combined forces of corporate lobby and misogynist mongering against the measure.”
