Disruptive Interruptions
If this crisis would be a lesson, it is that the global financial crisis is not just an isolated crisis of neoliberalism. IT is a crisis of the entire capitalist system that has long been failing. This analysis clearly separates us from those who see this crisis as a simple result of corruption, greediness and the lack of state regulation (anti-neoliberalism) instead of seeing the crisis as endemic and systemic. IT IS THE CAPITALIST SYSTEM's fault, not neoliberalism, not Keynesianism.
While it is clear that neoliberalism is a grave evil that should be eliminated, we should not forget that this is not the main problem. It is just in fact, just as Keynesianism had been in the past, is merely a short-term and patch response of its advocates to a historically specific crisis of itself --- a crisis that is definitely caused by the unsustainable internal contradictions of the capitalist system.
KABATAAN Partylist
We can't go in circles forever. The system of crisis then response then crisis is just too tiring for the people. At this point, yes, regulation may be necessary, but it is not long-term. We must call for a genuine change of system, from capitalism that is just concerned with the profits to a system that cares for the welfare of all and is governed by democratic principles. This what makes us different from other elitist and capitalist governments that puts forward solutions that are short-term, unsustainable and illogical.
*for a friend who sees state regulation as already enough. Back to work now. See you after this toxic month! :D
Popularity: 1% [?]
Pasasalamat at Pagpupugay!
04:30 PM. The START. Nanood kasama ang mga kaibigan ng Miss You Like Crazy. Kahit pinipilit kong maging masaya at kiligin sa mga silent and sweet moments ni John Lloyd at ni Bea, hindi ko pa rin kinaya. Gusto ko ng humingi ng oxygen tank dahil hindi na talaga ako maka-hinga. At the same time, kahit pilitin kong hindi mag-isip, 6 PM na, sarado na ang polling center and it's time to count the votes na.
07:30 PM. All CELLPHONES are BLOCKED. NO NEWS from the OUTSIDE WORLD. Candidates were not allowed to check their phones and to ask their friends for updates. Nag-dinner ang ASAP-Katipunan council members sa Dencio's in Robinson's Manila. Dedication writing at kulitan para makalimutan ang nakakakabang eleksyon.
09:00 PM. MARCH to Roxas Boulevard. The council people from AK stayed sa Roxas Blvd para sa fresh air and mabura ang mga pressure na nararamdaman ng bawat isa. STILL, no news from the outside world. Kanya-kanyang tawanan, kuwentuhan at kulitan habang nakatitig sa Manila Bay at nag-iintay ng resulta ng botohan. Nagkaroon ng mga dramahan dahil sa spin the bottle at na-ungkat ang mga love story ng mga candidates, nagkaroon rin ng pagplaplano sa mga gagawin at naglaro rin para mawala ang kaba. OXYGEN TANK PLEASE! Hindi na ako makahinga talaga.
*SELECTIVE POWER INTERRUPTIONS.
According to reports, ang mga kolehiyo kung saan nagblakcout ay CAS, CPharm, CDent at CNursing- mga kolehiyo kung saan leading ang ASAP-KATIPUNAN. Sa kabilang banda, hindi nawalan ng kuryente sa College of Allied and Medical Profession, College of Med at College of PubHealth. (Marikiris De Guzman)
Pero by this time, wala naman talaga kaming alam sa mga nangyayari, later on ko nalang nalaman na may nangyaring ganito.
01:30 AM. THE CALL. Tumawag na ang mga representatives na nasa botohan na panahon na para pumunta sa OUR building at malaman na ang resulta ng eleksyon. OXYGEN TANK! OXYGEN TANK! PGH! PRAMIS! Pumunta kami sa nearest fastfood outlet para kumain. Chowking Padre Faura! At doon na rin nangyari ang announcement of AK winners. Nag-iyakan, kinabahan, pero nabuhayan ng loob.
USC Chair: CES SANTOS!
USC Vice Chair: MAC PANGANIBAN!
USC Councilors:
MUDIR ESTRELLA!
FRANK ABRIS!
- The University Student Council, ASAP-Katipunan!
CAS Chair: ELLEN TAYAG!
CAS Vice Chair: CLEVE ARGUELLES!
CAS REP: CHRISTINE BANGUG!
REPs@LARGE:
NIKKI GREGORIO!
NIKKOS MONROY!
REGINA DECANGCHON!
BATCH REP:
KENNETH MORE! :D
- The College of Arts and Sciences Student Council, ASAP-Katipunan!
Nanalo po sa tulong ninyo ang isang konsehong ASAP-Katipunan, isang konsehong tunay, palaban at makabayan!
01:45 AM. MARCH TO OUR! Isang proclamation rally ang isinagawa sa OUR building. Walang kamatayang tunay, palaban, at makabayan chant, hiyawan at nagkaroon rin ng isang maikling programa ng pasasalamat, pagpupugay at paghamon sa lahat.
PASASALAMAT at PAGPUPUGAY po sa lahat ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan na TUMAYO para sa PAGBABAGO. Taos-pusong pasasalamat na nagkaroon tayo ng isang 95 percent voters turnout sa CAS na makasaysayan in terms of percentage. Nagtiwala po tayong mga estudyante sa linya, prinsipyo at paninindigan ng ASAP-Katipunan na ang edukasyon ay isang karapatan at ang mga Iskolar ng Bayan ay hindi nahihiwalay sa bayan. Ang pagpili niyo po sa inyong tunay, palaban at makabayang konseho ay hamon sa lahat na maki-isa at maki-tulong sa pagkilos para sa tunay na pagbabago!
MARAMING SALAMAT. Umpisa na nga ng trabaho! Umpisa na ng serbisyo! Umpisa ng paglilingkod! ITO NA TO. Ito na ang pagtayo ng lahat para sa tunay na PAGBABAGO! Hindi ito tagumpay ng ASAP-Katipunan, ito ay tagumpay ng bawat isang ISKOLAR NG BAYAN at ang mas nakakaraming mga mamamayan. Ang tiwala niyo, hindi mababalewala.
You chose the best! I'm now here to serve.
PAGPUPUGAY at PASASALAMAT mula sa inyong CAS Vice Chairperson, Cleve Arguelles! :D
Pro-student, pro-environment and pro-people. TUNAY. PALABAN. MAKABAYAN. ASAP-Katipunan! :D
Popularity: 3% [?]
ASAP-Katipunan
AK Logo
Ang Tunay, Palaban at Makabayan.
The red, yellow and green in the logo represents the core values of AK. Red for being pro-people, yellow for being pro-student and green for being pro-environment. For its 11 years of existence, this has always been the framework of ASAP-Katipunan.
Alternative Student's Alliance for Progress-Katipunan ng Mga Progresibong Mag-aaral ng Bayan (A-K).
WHY A-K?
Dahil ito ay TUNAY. (Genuine alliance for the Students that genuinely represents their interests)
- A-K (the only alliance to) stood against the imposition of TOFI which implemented a 300 percent increase in tuition and other fee. There were mobilizations, protest actions and room-to-room campaigns to mobilize students against this anti-student tuition hike. WE ARE AGAINST TUITION HIKE.
- A-K is also (the only alliance that is) standing up against the PAASCU/PACUCUOA accreditation which will probably end up in tuition and other fee increases (historical).
- A-K lobbied for the inclusion of pro-student and democratic provisions in the 2008 UP Charter.
- A-K (the only alliance that) has been lobbying for a HIGHER state subsidy because we believe that EDUCATION is a RIGHT. It is just logical that the government should provide higher subsidy to allow more deserving students to study in UP.
- A-K (the only alliance that) defended our one and only student representation in the Board of Regents by being part of the DEFEND THE OSR ALLIANCE. A-K is the only alliance that campaigned for YES to the CRSRS referendum ensuring that we will have a Student Regent. We fought for our right to be represented in the BOR.
- A-K lobbied and joined the mobilization to ensure that the current Student Regent, Charisse Banez, be recognized by the BOR and be seated. WE ARE FOR THE STUDENTS.
Dahil ito ay PALABAN. (Militant struggle for the advancement of student's democratic rights, interests and welfare)
- A-K consistently called for the rejection and scrapping of TOFI. Others again use their defeatist logic and asked for the revision of TOFI. A-K lobbied in the BOR meeting for the scrapping of the TOFI via TOFI Policy Review. WE WILL NOT BEND TO ANYONE, ONLY TO THE WELFARE OF THE STUDENTS.
- A-K ensured that democratic provisions be included in the UP Charter.
- A-K advances the idea that EDUCATION is a RIGHT and not just a PRIVILEGE of the few. We are militantly struggling for this by attending protest actions, mobilizations and organizing walk-outs for higher state subsidy.
- A-K continuously opposes all forms of campus repression and commercialization of UP education.
- WE WILL COLLECTIVELY ADVANCE OUR RIGHTS.
Dahil ito ay MAKABAYAN. (Service not just to the student, but to the People. The True Iskolars ng Bayan.)
- A-K recognizes that the problems of the Iskolars ng Bayan are not different from the problems of the people. WE ARE ONE with the PEOPLE.
- A-K stood against PGH budget cut as we believe that is the prime duty of the state to provide free and quality health care services to the poor.
- A-K joined the mobilization against UP President Emerlinda Roman's memorandum to unseat the duly-elected new PGH director Dr. Gonzales. It was a success. WE ARE ONE with the UP-PGH Community.
- A-K is continuously supporting our peasant brothers and sisters by advocating and lobbying for the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill and by conducting Basic Masses Integration wherein students will be immersed in a community of peasants, workers or indigenous people.
- A-K is continuously supporting workers by supporting across the board wage hike, by joining them in their picket lines, creating multi-sectoral alliance, and by lobbying for measures that will help the poor like the scrapping of EVAT and the OIL deregulation law.
- A-K is continuously supporting the sector of the women by supporting GABRIELLA with its policies and advocacies.
- A-K created a multi-sectoral alliance dubbed as REV-UP Manila that is composed of All UP Workers Union, All UP Academic Employees Union, Health Alliance for Democracy, ASAP-KATIPUNAN, GABRIELA and NNARA-Youth. WE ARE ONE with the Health workers, with the Professors, with the Students, with the Women, with the Peasants, with the Workers---with the FILIPINO PEOPLE.
- WE CONDEMN THE ILLEGAL ARREST AND TORTURE of the 43 HEALTH WORKERS. We are one with the various sectors of the society that calls for the immediate release of the health workers. SERVICE to the PEOPLE.
Tayo Isko, Para sa Pagbabago! Tumayo Isko Para sa Pagbabago!
Leadership guided by the three principles of being pro-student, pro-people and pro-environment through collective action, consultation with the students and service to the people. THIS IS ASAP-Katipunan.
Now, you can quit asking me in my Formspring why I'm with AK and not with the other party. Because I chose to be one with the students and one with the people. You can't choose a party based on winnability dahil ang party hindi lang pang eleksyon, it must be active all-year round serving the students and the people.
Dahil ang Pagbabago, Dapat MAKABAYAN! Tumayo ka Isko Para sa Pagbabago!
*adopted from redstudentswill
Popularity: 4% [?]
Walden Bello, AKBAYAN and Noynoy Aquino
Happy DSS Week!
As part of the celebration of the UP Manila's Department of Social Sciences (DSS) week, the department invited AKBAYAN Partylist Representative and UP Professor Walden Bello. He delivered a lecture in behalf of the parylist and the Freedom from Debt Coalition (FDC). His lecture was about food sovereignty or how can a nation prevent food crisis. He cited several causes of a food crisis. These includes land conversion for commercial or industrial use (IT Parks, Subdivisions, Malls and many others), land conversion for export mono-cropping and the exploitation of transnational and multi-national companies of our agricultural resources. And being a country that is capitalist agriculture, we plant crops and other things based on the demand of the global elite market (export demand) and not based on our domestic needs. This means that the landlords only allow farmers to plant crops based on what is more profitable in the global elite market than what is needed here. Many of our lands are converted to unsustainable mono-cropping. There is no consideration of what we need domestically thus, the food crisis and the import of crops and other agricultural products.
UP Professor and AKBAYAN Representative Walden Bello
I agree with Prof. Bello in this part. I share the same findings. The problem of the food crisis lies within the framework of our government and society. We based all our policies for foreign benefits. Our government officials allows these kind of policies that benefits the imperialist countries and the local elites (them and landlords and big companies). National policies does not include the needs and the demands of the poor, the basic mass, the peasants, the fishermen and other marginalized sector of the society. The supposed to be democratic society becomes a society for the elites and the domination of the elites. A capitalist society to be specific.
But Prof. Bello and AKBAYAN is contradicting itself when it comes to the policies they support in the Congress and this society's problems that they've identified. They supported and even lobbied for the immediate passage of the extension of the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP or CARPER). This program exempts farm lands that will be converted to commercial complex (what happened in Hacienda Luisita), to poultry and livestock industry and many other things. This allows landowners to not redistribute their lands to the peasants.. It's a loophole intentionally designed by the people in the Congress. To make it short, landowners will convert their farmlands to be able to maintain its ownership. In this situation, agricultural yields decreases. There's a policy indirectly encouraging landlords to abandon farming and instead use their lands for other purposes. This decrease in agricultural yields will result into a food shortage that can lead into a food crisis. This food crisis will make us dependent on the importing of agricultural products. Thus, losing our food sovereignty.
When?
Lands must be redistributed. We should go back to community-based farming where farmers consider the immediate needs of the community. This answers the problem of food crisis because domestic needs are being prioritized rather than the demands of the elite market. And only the Genuine Agrarian Reform Bill (GARB) allows genuine redistribution of land. This GARB answers the problem of the fake agrarian reform bill CARP or CARPER. AKBAYAN and Prof. Bello failed to recognize that it is the and the only key. But they continue to blind people that CARP or CARPER will actually answer our problems in land distribution and food security. It actually worsens the situation.
During the lecture, i asked him if there are any presidentiables that is prioritizing food security and sovereignty. If there can be one of these people running for presidency that includes a national policy that will prevent a food crisis and dependence on imports. He answered on the negative and recommended that we should bring this issue as a central problem of the Philippines in presidential debates and other key fora.
But AKBAYAN is supporting the candidacy of Noynoy Aquino, right?
AKBAYAN Representative Risa Hontiveros with Liberal Party's Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas
Noynoy Aquino is planning for a more open and more neo-liberalize economy. This means more foreign exploitation and domination of our resources. Once this happens, the agricultural market will disregard the domestic needs or demand. The country will be again producing for the market of the global elites. When this happens, food crisis is likely to happen. Prof. Bello and AKBAYAN again missed the point. Why would they support a Noynoy government if they don't want food crises to happen? Contradicting.
Even though Prof. Bello and AKBAYAN recognizes the problems of this country, they failed to give the right solutions. Is this the change that their party list and their president is talking about? If it is, I don't want any part of it.
Popularity: 8% [?]
Martial Law on Maguindanao
Here is a collection of different articles regarding the declaration of placing Maguidanao under the rule of the military. Links are provided for these articles. I believe in the Constitution. Study it, please.
The rule of the Constitution in case of Martial Law.
"ART. VI, SECTION 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President. Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.
The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hours following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without any need of a call.
The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing.
A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ.
The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only to persons judicially charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in or directly connected with the invasion.
During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise he shall be released."
(Emphasis mine)
Full text of Proclamation 1959 of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Statement of Kabataan Partylist
Proclamation 1959 is a dangerous precedent to the impending 2010 elections. Unless it is immediately revoked, its implications to the national elections hover over the Filipino people like a menacing cloud poised to unleash the worst of tragedies in Philippine democracy.
Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) Statement
The declaration of a state of Martial Law in Maguindanao sets a most dangerous precedent for the nation. Not since September 21, 1972 has there been any declaration of Martial Law, not even during the years of tumult under the Aquino, Estrada and, prior to this, the Arroyo regime. For the first time since 1972, the writ of habeas corpus has been suspended in an area in the Philippines
Statement of UP Law Dean and Professor Marivic Leonen
Abuse of executive privilege will only tarnish the memories of those who have been martyred by the violent excesses of misguided public officials. I call for vigilance for competent, transparent, accountable government as well as for the protection of human rights of peoples in Mindanao.
Reaction of Former President Fidel V Ramos
Former President Fidel Ramos said on Saturday that President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo's Proclamation 1959 declaring martial law in Maguindanao province was an overreaction and indication of the government's incompetence.
Popularity: 1% [?]
Statement of the UP Manila Political Science Committee on the massacre in Maguindanao
26 November 2009
The UP Manila Political Science Committee condemns in the strongest possible terms the latest case of election violence in Maguindanao.
November 23 will go down in history as a day of unparalleled evil and barbarity. More than 50 unarmed individuals, mostly women, media workers, lawyers and members of the Mangudadatu clan, were butchered in an attempt to preserve what appears to be a monolithic kingdom ruled by the Ampatuans in Maguindanao.
The massacre in Maguindanao comes as a shock to Filipinos and the rest of the world and happened in a time that has long forgone Stone Age barbarism and arbitrariness for rule of law and due process.
The brutal killings did not only reveal the extent of lawless violence in several areas in the country but bare the bigger tragedy in Philippine politics – the continuing supremacy of established political clans who act as impervious and invincible gods. It’s further proof that nothing has essentially changed and that the country remains a confederacy of fiefs ‘owned’ by a few affluent families.
The overconcentration of power in the hands of political dynasties has been sustained and reinforced by brokerage-style politics that has come to characterize the current regime.
Political patronage allowed warlordism and a culture of impunity to thrive in Maguindanao and other parts of the country in exchange for political support from the Ampatuans and other influential political clans for the vulnerable Arroyo presidency. Since 2001, the Ampatuans intermittently ruled the province and were largely credited for delivering the votes for Mrs. Arroyo in the 2004 presidential elections and giving the administration ticket a 12-0 win in the 2007 senatorial race.
As we grieve with the victims’ families and call for immediate justice, we also denounce the evident attempts of Malacanang to shield the Ampatuans from accountability. The failure of the Arroyo administration to act swiftly displays the government’s duplicity in bringing the perpetrators to justice. The mere fact that the government chose to send emissaries to the Ampatuans and not arresting officers despite clear evidence that indicate the involvement of specific persons shows its double standard and preferential treatment for its political ally.
We call on all Filipinos to remain vigilant. The gruesome massacre presages the possible escalation of cases of election violence and echoes circumstances that led to the fraudulent elections in 2004 and 2007. It poses a huge threat on the conduct and credibility of the upcoming automated elections and opens an opportunity for individuals and groups who want and stand to benefit in a no-election scenario.
We also call on Congress to pass pending measures prohibiting all forms of political dynasties and laying the foundations for genuine participatory democracy that provides equal opportunity for public service. ###
Popularity: 2% [?]
Pages
Zoom!
Categories
- Advertisements (1)
- Books (11)
- Conversations (4)
- Events (12)
- Food (2)
- Manila Science (10)
- Movies (3)
- Music (3)
- Personal (43)
- Philippine Politics (28)
- Politics (20)
- Shop, Buy! (9)
- Sports (4)
- Surveys (6)
- TV Shows (6)
- Uncategorized (21)
- University of the Philippines (51)
- Works (5)
Reader
Top Blogs
Top Posts
Recent Comments
- laurenz
on Kabataan : Isang Pagtatanong
- mich
on The Truth Behind Animal Extinction
- Della
on Kabataan : Isang Pagtatanong
- Paula
on About
- clevearguelles
on About
Recent Posts
- CARRY ON AND INTENSIFY THE FIGHT!
- On Corona and Avila: Our Quest for Accountability and Justice
- Few points on Impeachment of CJ Corona (Coronavela)
- Why should you (not) join the strike?
The Vault
Recent Trackbacks
- UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL UP MANILA: SEARCH FOR THE NEXT UP MANILA CHANCELLOR UPDATE
- Tweets that mention Inquirer’s Costly, Senseless War « CleveArguelles dotcom -- Topsy.com: This post was mentioned on...
- On Facebook (online) Activism -- Topsy.com: Tweets that mention CleveArguelles dotcom
- Poverty Porn -- Topsy.com: Tweets that mention CleveArguelles dotcom
- Sa Kambas ng Lipunan -- Topsy.com: Tweets that mention CleveArguelles dotcom
All Rights Reserved
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 3.0 Philippines License.