ITULOY NATIN ANG NAPAGTAGUMPAYAN. PARA SA UP, PARA SA BAYAN!

AS ONE NATION, WE SHALL NEVER FORGET

As one nation, we have claimed on countless occasions that we could move forward as one body with one spirit, one Filipino people amidst the physical and cultural barriers that separate us. We have envisioned a society where the laws of the land apply to all, leaving no one exempt from necessary reprimands and penalties in times of posing considerable threat and causing damage to others.

Throughout the course of our history, however, we have seen long years of tedious battles in court that ended with implicated influential personalities walking away from heinous crimes as free men only because of some loophole they claim to have found. And yet we have seen how the victims and their families rallied the honest proofs of how their fundamental rights have been trampled on like mere pieces of trash. Is this how we want our own history textbooks to depict the Philippine justice system?Indeed, justice delayed is justice denied.

Three years ago, 58 civilians were brutally murdered in Maguindanao. This massacre of innocent Filipinos was set against a backdrop of political rivalry where those caught in between the crossfire unwillingly gave up what could have been longer and happier lives. Defenseless civilians were cruelly killed in a show of force that left the whole nation outraged and dejected. But beyond the mourning and the anger, the Filipino people did not fail to express their disappointment in the government because of its lack of immediate response to such a heinous crime. While there were already loud talks of whoever was behind the catastrophe, it took a while before these claims were examined and acted upon.

We, in UP Alyansa, understand and fully believe in the value of honoring the due process because it is fair and just – it is democratic and constitutional. However, we also believe in the timely delivery of answers to the public and the enactment of concrete courses of action in an appropriate timeframe.

Serving justice is not just about releasing a ruling and handing out penalties whenever the court finishes its examination, no matter if this takes decades. Serving justice means efficient examination so the court can hand out its ruling and corresponding penalties within an appropriate timeframe because those who have done wrong, no matter how popular, powerful, and influential they may be, must be punished in the shortest amount of time possible, given that due process was upheld. We are certainly not for merely railroading punishment on all those accused. We clamor for an efficient justice delivery system that acknowledges the value of a realistic and truly responsive timeframe.

We acknowledge that the judiciary also has other concerns outside the Maguindanao Massacre as this is not the only case left unresolved. Nevertheless, we call for justice for the 58 victims as this crime of extreme proportions manifest how the rich and powerful have, and perhaps always can, maneuver their way out of fair and suitable punishment.

We Filipinos still live in terror because we know that none of the influential, so-called masterminds who have been implicated were already proven guilty. We know that until they are placed permanently behind bars and made to stay there for the rest of their lives to make up for what they have done, they can still be exempt from punishment and therefore set free, once again able to seize control and forever reign in terror.

As one nation, let us push for a lasting respect for the dignity of the human being and fundamental freedoms, the foundation of a true democracy, through the immediate enactment of the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act and other measures. As one nation, let us clamor for the timely delivery of justice, and most of all, for the end of the culture of impunity that haunts the Philippine justice system.

Students march from Ateneo to UP, rally for Straw Bill

By Pamela P. Baluyot on November 21, 2012 in Beyond Loyola

STUDENTS FROM different universities and youth groups in Metro Manila came together to celebrate the International Students’ Day by marching from the Ateneo de Manila University to the University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman last Saturday, November 17. The participants of the parade expressed their support for the passage of House Bill No. 2190, otherwise known as the Students’ Rights and Welfare (Straw) Bill, in Congress.

Aside from students from UP and the Ateneo, students from De La Salle University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, the University of Santo Tomas and the University of the East also joined in the march. Members of Akbayan Youth, World Youth Alliance (WYA) and the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines were also present.

The celebration was a first in the Philippines. Mickey Eva, president of the Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare and currently Vice Chair of UP ALYANSA, said, “We organized the event to call for [participation in the fight] for students’ rights and welfare since it is international students’ day. The focus is, of course, students’ rights. We wanted to use this day to capture the attention or the imagination of the entire country to focus its laws and policies also on students’ rights.”

The 23-year-old bill pushes for the legislation of a magna carta for all students in all Philippine schools, colleges and universities.

Ateneo Sanggunian President Gio Alejo said, “We’re lucky as Ateneans because we’re able to participate in a process like this, but other schools do not have the same privileges.” He raised the concern of many students, such as tuition fee increase and the insufficient budget for student councils and other activities.

Ninian Sumadia, a member of Akbayan Youth, also mentioned security and safety on campus as among the problems that need to be addressed. She cited the alarming violations of students’ rights and welfare, such as rape cases and frat-related violence in many schools across the country.

Meanwhile, WYA Regional Director Christine Violago brought up issues concerning the poor quality of facilities and education in many schools. “For WYA, the human person is the greatest resource of the country, [which] is why we need to invest on education,” she said.

When asked what the ordinary student can do to help this campaign for students’ rights and welfare, Eva said, “You could simply share for the education of students’ rights in your university; you can report cases of Straw violations with the NYC [National Youth Coalition] and you can also be as educated as other advocates when it comes to students’ rights.”

Once implemented, the Straw Bill is geared to address the concerns many students across the country are currently facing. Heart Diño, chairperson of the UP Diliman student council, said, “We want to continually spark the change as students… What we want now is to really mobilize and capacitate the students [to fight] for their rights.” ###

Click for the original THE GUIDON article HERE.

In numbers, voice, and vision, youth power reigns at Int’l Students Day fete

By Tricia Aquino, Photos by Analy Labor · Monday, November 19, 2012 · 12:01 pm

Jensen Gomez, a band from College of Saint Benilde, rocks out at the UP Diliman Palma Hall. Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

Some 200 students paraded from Ateneo de Manila University to the University of the Philippines Diliman to mark International Students’ Day on Saturday, culminating at UP’s Palma Hall to celebrate students’ rights and welfare with a cause concert.

School colors didn’t matter as students from Ateneo, College of Saint Benilde, De La Salle University, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila, Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Muntinlupa, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of Santo Tomas, University of the East, UP Diliman, UP Manila, and UP Los Baños gathered not only to have a good time, but to call for the passage of the STRAW (Students’ Rights and Welfare) bill, as well.

Students from different schools come together on International Students' Day, November 17, 2012. Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

Essentially, House Bill No. 2190 recognizes the rights of students to education and as such entitles them to learning in an environment that promotes and honors their rights and welfare; it asserts their political and civil rights in decision-making policies inside and outside their school, especially in matters affecting the rights and welfare of students.

Akbayan Representative Walden Bello spoke to congratulate the students for throwing their support for a piece of legislation that he and fellow members of the House of Representatives had been advocating for years.

“The purpose of the Students’ Rights and Welfare Bill is really to institutionalize the participation of students in educational governance,” said Bello, the bill’s principal author, to the crowd. He noted that hrough the “key piece of legislation,” all students will be able to attain “quality education” for their “better good.”

Akbayan Representative Walden Bello speaks about the Students' Rights and Welfare Bill, of which he is principal author. Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

Noel Cabangon, who gave his rendition of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Get Up, Stand Up,” called on the youth to always do so for their rights. He said, “The youth are instrumental to change in our country. We saw that during the Martial Law years. Who took the lead to topple down the dictatorship? The students. Change started from the students. Even if you look at the history of other countries, where do revolutions begin? Where does change begin? From the students.”

This was the reason why he lent his voice to the event.

Akbayan Representative Walden Bello sings Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Get Up, Stand Up” with musician and activist Noel Cabangon. Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

“I’m here because there is a need to protect the rights of students inside the schools. There should still be room where they can express their sentiments without fear from being suspended or expelled, etcetera.” Respect, he added, should also be given to “the right for students to be heard not only in the issues (at) school but also the issues outside of it, because they are also first and foremost citizens of this country.”

Four other musical acts made heads bob during the celebration: Kaleidoscope Eyes, Jensen Gomez, She’s Only Sixteen, and Miko Pepito.

These students marched along Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City, calling for a piece of legislation that will protect their rights and welfare. Photo by Analy Labor, InterAksyon.com.

“It was fun for everyone,” said Mickey Eva, leader of the event’s organizing team and president of the Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare. The group is made up of student organizations all over the country. “It was the first time that the celebration for students’ rights and welfare, and for International Students’ Day, was this big. I’m very fulfilled that these organizations came together, worked with each other, for the promotion of students’ rights and welfare.”

With lawmakers and civil society organizations supporting them, he said, “It gives us optimism and hope.”

InterAksyon.com is a proud media partner of the event. ###

Click for the original InterAksyon.com article HERE.

Students parade for their rights on Int’l Student’s Day, November 17

By Elyse Go, InterAksyon.com · Friday, November 16, 2012 · 5:48 pm

“#SARAPMAGINGESTUDYANTE lalo pag napasa ang STRAW Bill” is probably what these college students would want to shout out as 1,000 participants  are expected to march along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City on November 17 (Saturday) in observance of International Students’ Day.

The parade is inspired by the annual event commemorated in Europe that began with political origins but later on evolved with the intention of celebrating the diversity of cultures thriving in its universities.

Mickey Eva VIII, president of the Student’s Rights and Welfare group, an alliance of 60 organizations and 40 universities nationwide, said in a media conference that for the first time, the Philippines will be celebrating International Students Day with the rest of the world through its lineup of activities.

In the same media conference, Eva said that the mission of the national commemoration is to show the important voice of the youth in shaping the country’s future. Thus, the coalition, she adds, is also pushing for the legislations of the Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill or House Bill No. 2190.

Former Congresswoman Risa Hontiveros, champion of the Bill, describes the significance of the event: “It is the worldwide event that honors the push for the rights and capabilities of the students, as in the Philippines, through the call for passage of the Students Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill.”

The parade starts outside Ateneo’s Blue Eagle gym at 3 pm and to sent off by Ateneo’s Sanggunian President Gio Alejo. It will end at the steps of UP Diliman’s Palma Hall at 5 pm, where a concert will take off.

Part of the concert program are messages by Akbyan Party List Rep. Walden Bello, author of the Bill; Asec. Gio Tingson, Commissioner at Large of NYC; Hon. Cecilia Quisumbing, Commission on Human Rights; Mr. Harvey Keh of Kaya Natin; Noel Cabangon, Vice President of Dakila; and Ms. Christine Violago, World Youth Alliance Regional Director; and Mr. Lance Katigbak, Executive board member of Philippine Model Congress.

In partnership with the STRAW coalition are other organizations: the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, National Youth Parliament, Akbayan Youth, Young Progressives Southeast Asia, and Dakila.

Hontiveros and Eva will lead a pledge of commitment and signing of manifesto in support of of the Bill, to be witnessed by other invited political leaders and government officials.

The concert program of activities shall be hosted by UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunalaran.

With the theme #Sarapmagingestudyante, college bands will be performing alongside special guests such as Noel Cabangon, Crazy as Pinoy, Baihana, Jensen Gomez, Anton and the Salvadors, MIko Pepito, She’s Only Sixteen, and Kaleidoscope.

Click for the original InterAksyon.com article HERE.

Abusing the Right to Free Speech: A Response to the Death Threats Directed to USC Chair Heart Diño

UP ALYANSA strongly condemns the death threats directed to USC Chairperson Heart Diño.

Heart Diño, being the Chairperson of the University Student Council, is a public figure to the student body. She has the right to act and voice her opinions in her personal capacity, yet her actions will always be subjected to public scrutiny. Recently, her actions and opinions have received such criticisms and contentions. We respect this circumstance but for several cases it has gone too far: certain people have threatened to hurt or even kill her. These cases exceed what is warranted as free speech or opinionated criticism. These threats of violence must not be tolerated.

The first few death threats came immediately after Heart’s election as USC Chair. Although these threats were made online, they must not be taken lightly. For one, a certain Rey Refran is calling for others to participate in her assassination. The violent tone is evident as he threatened to “plant a bullet in her” and even offered to personally “be the hitman”. Aside from these, several comments also attack Heart on the aspect of her gender, referring to her derogatorily. Such violent and despicable statements cannot be accepted. Although we exercise the right to free speech, this right must be exercised responsibly; criticism can be reasonably presented without violence or prejudice towards any person's gender, race, beliefs, etc.

As Iskolars para sa Bayan, we cannot condone such threats of violence. We must be careful to ensure that the criticisms we present are sensible and sensitive, not promoting violence or hate.

UP ALYANSA on the Cybercrime Prevention Act

FREEDOMS ARE VIOLATED,
INTEGRITY IS UNDERMINED

UP ALYANSA calls for the repeal of the unjust and repressive provisions Cybercrime Prevention Act
(Republic Act 10175).

The internet and cyberspace has become a powerful human innovation; it is an avenue of empowerment. It has become a medium for social interaction and for individual & collective expression. It is here that we are free to disseminate information, voice our grievances, and campaign for our advocacies. This basic freedom centres on several liberties such as conditions of anonymity, privacy, and unrestricted speech but also on safeguards such as protection from false information, responsible communication, and legal security. It is government’s responsibility to uphold this freedom by maintaining liberties and ensuring adequate safeguards. As simply put in our Bill of Rights, “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.”

Republic Act 10175 is the Cybercrime Prevention Act of 2012. It seeks to protect the integrity of cyberspace from all forms of misuse, abuse, and illegal practice. In this act, the State recognizes the importance of cyberspace and of those who exercise their freedoms and responsibilities here. It criminalizes acts and offenses that are harmful to individuals who participate in cyberspace. However, the State has made errors in several provisions of the Act that may cause more harm to the cyber-community than any harm that it seeks to prevent.

The Enforcement and Implementation Provisions in the Act allow for collection, seizure, destruction and even restriction or blocking of computer data. These give additional police powers to the government and present potential opportunities for abuse. This legislation imposes prior restraint in expressing and voicing their sentiments and allows the state to censor certain information. This abridges our Freedom of Speech and limits us from practicing our rights in what should be a democratized space. Aside from these, such provisions infringe on our privacy by allowing the state to access, block, and destroy sensitive and personal information. This inhibition of our rights and freedom is unacceptable.

The Penalties and Liable Offenses are also quite severe and imposing. For most offenses that are already criminalized, the punishments are upgraded. The Constitutional protection against double jeopardy prohibits prosecution on the same charge following a conviction or trial. Clearly, when there are two laws, the Act and the RPC, punishing the same act, the "offender" being subjected to double jeopardy is not remote. This possibility of double jeopardy is unconstitutional and grossly unjust.

The inclusion of libel as an offense is an especially problematic provision. Our laws on libel were enforced during the American Period as a means for suppression. They are unclear and controversial and present more opportunities for abuse. This libel provision greatly reduces our ability to voice our grievances and dissenting opinions regarding persons and entities alike. In these aspects, the Cybercrime Prevention Act can be repressive and strip us of the freedoms and justice that we now enjoy.

In spite of these problems, we recognize the State’s responsibility and attempts to maintain certain safeguards and protections. The further criminalization of fraud, identity theft, and misinformation in this Act must be retained; the government must also continue to strengthen provisions that penalize cybersex, child pornography, and other cyber- or computer-related offenses that will undermine the integrity of cyberspace in general. As these measures are provided in the Act, they must be given greater focus over provisions that undermine our Freedom of Expression. There must also be call for responsibility among netizens when it comes to behaviour in the cyberspace. The State must facilitate and empower its citizens while being cautious not to impede on our freedom and liberty.

We call for our legislators to review this act and revise its unjust provisions. We must take necessary measures, such as amendatory laws to correct the existing injustices and unconstitutionalities present. We must support the laws and provisions that dispense true justice and ensure the security of cyberspace. We also ask our fellow Iskolars Para sa Bayan to keep a vigilant watch over matters such as this, especially when our freedoms are violated and when integrity is undermined.

Repeal the unjust and repressive provisions of the Cybercrime Act!

Ipasa na ang Freedom of Information Bill!

Isa ang UP ALYANSA sa mga pangunahing pormasyon ng mga kabataan na tumutulak sa agarang pagpasa ng Freedom of Information Billl at ngayong International Right to Know Day, nakikibuklod ang UP ALYANSA sa panawagang mas palakasin ang ating kampanya para sa bukas at malinis na pamahalaan.

Karapatan natin magkaroon ng gobyernong responsable sa pamamahala, sa pamamagitan ng pagsasaalang alang sa ating karapatan sa mahahalgang impormasyon. Ipasa ang ang FREEDOM OF INFORMATION BILL!

A Policy for the Health of the Nation: UP ALYANSA on the Sin Tax Bill

The Sin Tax Bill* is very progressive, focusing on the needs and benefit of the poor. It also empowers the youth by safeguarding a healthy and productive future for them. It creates an opportunity for tobacco farmers by encouraging them to pursue alternative livelihoods.

The Sin Tax is a policy for the health of the nation! Approve Sin Tax now!

* The University Student Councils of UP Diliman and UP Manila support the approval of the Sin Tax Bill.

UP Pep Squad is the 2012 UAAP Cheerdance Champions!

They brought our fight for FREEDOM on the dance floor. We salute The University of the Philippines Varsity Pep Squad in their show of athleticism at the 2012 UAAP Cheerdance Competition.

Mabuhay ang UP Pep Squad, this year's UAAP Cheerdance Champions!

Mabuhay ang mga Iskolar para sa Bayan!