against « CLEVE.ARGUELLES dotcom

25Aug/111

Firetrucks, Batuta at Bato: Argumentum Ad Baculum*

Firetruck, batuta, bato---pandarahas ang iniharap ng Kongreso ng mapayapang ini-rehistro ng nagkakaisang hanay ng mga kabataan, health workers, guro, kababaihan, migrante, maralitang taga-lungsod at iba pang mamamayan ang pagkondena at pagtutol sa maka-dayuhan at anti-mamamayan na pambansang badyet para sa 2012.

Bitin na Badyet Para sa Edukasyon at Kalusugan

Ang Batasan at Ang Pagtutol sa Budget Cut

Kagaya ng sa nakaraang taon at sa panunungkulan ng mga nakalipas na pangulo, kakaltasan ang badyet ng edukasyon, kalusugan at iba pang serbisyong sosyal sa panukalang pambasang badyet ni Aquino para sa taong 2012.

Kinaharap man ng mga State Universities and Colleges ang makasaysayang pagkaltas noong nakaraang taon, kakaharap pa rin ito sa pagkaltas sa badyet ngayong taon. Kulang man sa classrooms, textbooks, teachers at CRs, walang signipikaEnteng pagtaas sa badyet sa edukasyon para sa susunod na taon. Sa halip ay kaltas pa nga ang aabutin. Titindi lang ang krisis sa edukasyon dahil sa papalala pang pagtaas ng tuition fee at iba pang bayarin sa mga pamantasan, pagtaas ng drop-out rate sa high school at pagdami ng mga hindi nakakatapos ng kolehiyo.

Pagkilos ng Mamamayan Laban sa Health at Education Budget Cut

Kung bitin ang kabataan, bitin din ang mamamayan sa badyet na ilalaan ni Aquino para sa serbisyong pang-kalusugan. Humigit kumulang P44B lamang ang ilalaan sa pangkabuuan para sa pangangailangang medikal ng lahat ng Pilipino. Malayong-malayo ito sa P440B na rekomendasyon ng WHO bilang minimum na alokasyon na badyet para sa kalusugan. Kahit pa sa P90B na hiling ng mga health workers na badyet, hindi parin ito umobra. Halos limampung ospital ang makakadanas ng napakalaking pagkaltas sa badyet. Pero hindi na bago sa atin ang pagkaltas na ito. Sasalubong sa atin sa susunod na taon ang papalalang dami ng bilang ng mga pasyente na hindi nakakakita ng doktor o nars sa kanilang buong buhay o yung mga kahit kailanman ay hindi nakapasok ng mga ospital o kahit health center man lamang. Kulang na kulang na nga sa mga pasilidad, bitin na bitin na nga sa sahod ang mga kawani, kaltas pa sa badyet ang aabutin.

Malinaw ang dahilan kung bakit nagprotesta sa Kongreso. May kaltas na naman sa badyet para sa serbisyo at hindi na naman prayoridad ng gobyerno ang edukasyon at kalusugan ng mga Pilipino. Malinaw na kaya nagtungo ang mamamayan sa Batasan ay dahil si Aquino at ang kanyang pamahalaan ay muling ibinabasura ang mga karapatan ng mga mamamayan.

Sobra na Badyet Para sa Pork Barrel at Militar

At talaga namang kagaya ng dati ang pambansang badyet para sa taong 2012, business as usual at walang pagbabago.

Habang bitin ang mamamayan para sa badyet sa mga serbisyong kinakailangan, umaapaw ang pondo para sa mga ahensyang wala namang pakinabang ang mga mamamayan. Kagaya sa nakaraang taon, tumaas na naman ang badyet para sa militar at depensa na kung hindi naman pangunahing lumalabag sa karapatang pantao ay palagiang nasasangkot sa korapsyon at iba pang anomalya. Hindi pa nakuntento noong nakaraang taon, itinaas pang muli ang pork barrel ng mga kongresista't senador na siyang nagiging batis para sa korapsyon. Ganun din sa intelligence fund ng pangulo at badyet para sa pambayad sa utang sa mga dayuhang bangko at gobyerno na halos kakain sa napakalaking bahagi ng pambansang badyet.

Pahayag ng Pakikiisa ng UP Student Regent

WengWang na Prayoridad ni Aquino

Sa badyet pa lang, malinaw na kung ano ang prayoridad ng pamahalaang Aquino. Walang matuwid na daan, walang tuwid na paggastos at walang tuwid na pamamahala. Nadagdagan na naman ang badyet para sa mga bulsa ng tao sa pamahalaan pero higit pang nabawasan ang badyet para sa pangangailangan ng mga mamamayan.

Matapang na Talumpati ng Former UP Student Regent Laban sa Dispersal

Lehitimo ang mga panawagan. Malinaw ang rason ng protesta. Mapayapa ang pagtungo sa Kongreso. Sana humarap ang mga dapat sana'y kinatawan ng mamamayan sa Kongreso. Tama lamang na harapin ng mga kinatawan ng mamamayan ang mga mamamayang may lehitimong panawagan at iginigiit ang kanilang mga karapatan. Dapat ay bukas ang kanilang mga tanggapan kung may mga hinaing at panawagan ang kanilang mga kinakatawan.

Pasismo ng Estado

Pero imbes na mga kinatawan ang humarap, ang iniharap sa atin ay mga firetrucks. Sa halip na usapan at pakikinig sa mga panawagan, hinarangan tayo ng mga kapulisan. Ang inaasahan natin ay batuhan ng argumento laban sa argumento pero ang ibinigay sa atin ay mga bato mula sa mga basag na paso. Hinarap ng mamamayan ang mga kinatawan upang magpayahag ng pagtutol. Ang iniharap sa atin ay dahas at pasismo habang pipi, bulag at bingi sa ating mga panawagan.

Hindi nakakapagtaka na may mga kabataang sumasapi sa hukbo ng bayan at pinipiling lumaban sa pamahalaan ng patas sa dahas sa dahas.

Kapag ipinanawagan mo ang mas mataas na badyet sa edukasyon, ang isasagot sa iyo ay tubig mula sa firetrucks. Sobra na lang sigurong makapagtaka ang mga mamamayang paulit-ulit na nasusunugan dahil sa kawalan ng mga firetrucks. Buti pala dito sa Kongreso, marami sila hindi lang para sa apoy kung hindi para sa tao.

Kapag iginiit na dapat dagdagan ang badyet ng mga ospital at pagamutan, papaluin ka ng paulit-ulit ng mga batuta ng mga ka-pulisan. Mapa-bata o matanda, hindi ka mapag-iiba sa mata ng mga pulis. Buti pa sa atin, matatapang ang mga pulis, sana ganun din noong Manila Hostage Crisis.

Kapag ginusto mo ng badyet para sa pahabay at iba pang batayang serbisyo, babatuhin ka lamang ng gobyerno. Mabuti pa ang mga kongresista at iba pang opisyales ng gobyerno, inuulan ng pera. Samantalang ang kanyang mga mamamayan ay inuulan ng bato.

Dahas ang isinagot ng estado ni Aquino. Walang maisagot sa ating mga katanungan, walang maihain sa ating mga panawagan. Para sa mga hindi tumututol, ang isasagot ay pananakot at pandadahas. Gusto ng pamahalaang tumahimik tayo.

Wala na. Kitang-kita na talo na talaga sa usaping ito ang gobyerno. Wala ng humaharap sa kanila at dahas na ang sumasalubong sa ating mga protesta. Hindi na nila alam ang isasagot nila at nababagabag na sila sa galit ng mamamayan. Talo na dahil nailantad na na walang maipakitang makatwirang rason ang pamahalaan sa pagkaltas sa badyet sa social services. Talo na dahil kinailangan nya ng mandahas upang sya ay paniwalaan.

Sa pamamagitan ng firetruck, bato at batuta, ipipilit sa atin ng pamahalaan na sila ay paniwalaan. Pero sa pamamagitan ng ating masusing pag-aaral, pagmumulat sa iba at nagkakaisang protesta, malabong magtagumpay ang pamahalaan.

UP Manila Strike Against Budget Cuts

Sa mga ganitong laban, mas malakas na armas ang paninindigan kaysa sa kung ano pa man. At sa usapin ng paninindigan, hindi bitin dito ang mamamayan. ###

*Argumentum Ad Baculum- Argument from stick (Latin); Fallacious argument

------------------------------------------------------

Komprehensibong pagsusuri ng Anakbayan sa panukalang pambansang badyet ni Aquino para sa taong 2012. Basahin, suriin at ipaalam sa iba.

Natipon na mga larawan, pahayag at iba pang bahagi ng protesta laban sa budget cut sa Batasan mula sa Arkibong Bayan.

Selective, over-sensationalized and misreported coverage ng protesta sa Batasan ng GMA Channel 7.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Tagged as: against, budget cut, Congress, Philippines, protest, strike, Students 1 Comment

21Oct/101

A Long Sem-Ender Entry for A Long Semester

A Drama Mix

This semester has been the most productive semester of my entire college life. I never imagined that I could do all these (as in all of the first semester shizz that I got into) in just one semester. This semester is amazingly wild. Juggling stuff, pursuing deadlines, extending limits, multi-tasking hundreds and thousands of tasks and managing the limited twenty four hours of everyday life--- I wouldn't be learning all these things if not for this semester. Despite all the associated toxicity of this semester, I met new friends, rediscovered old friendships, deepened and strengthened existing relationships. But mind you, this semester was not an easy ride. I also lost some friends, missed some important events, lose in a game, and frustratingly experienced a one-way romantic affection. This semester is a complete season 1 of a drama television series. Seriously, I had a lot of drama for the first six months of my college junior year. And when I talk about drama, I mean real drama. But this semester ended with a cool and awesome mixture of sweetness, bitterness, happiness and calmness hoping that it would not be something like calm before the storm (hello impending November storm).

So Much For An Octopus-type Multi-Tasking

On Academics

No worries, except for those professors with grading systems guided by the favorite Irish Pub game (hello darts!). This semester’s coursework is quite stressful but I’ve learned many things. Aside from the fact that my courses this semester are inherently interesting, I’m fortunate enough that the professors who handled these courses are excellent in their fields (there are exceptions—emphasis on exceptions). My Political Science courses for this semester are five percent short of being perfect. I took up Comparative Governments of Selected European States (mainly comparative aspects of European politics and governments and European Union) under Prof. Carl Marc Ramota, Political Dynamics (lectures and readings on the State and Civil Society plus analytical approaches) under Prof. Risa Jopson, and Human Rights (all-encompassing discussions on human rights, theories and realizations) also under Prof. Risa Jopson. Then I had three non-Political Science courses for this semester. I took up Microeconomics (all that Gregory Mankiw shizz) under Prof. Allan Mesina, Science, Technology and Society (disappointing because of its bias to the capitalist school of thought) under Prof. Del Rosario and Life and Works of Dr. Jose Rizal (what? I thought this was a creative writing course?) under Prof. Benjamin Mangubat. I have to admit that I enjoyed all my Political Science coursework for this semester especially the lecture about United Kingdom, European Union, social movements and almost all the lectures regarding human rights. However, I also have to admit that I was disappointed with two of my non-Political Science courses (that of STS and PI 100).

Now I Know What The Hell This Flag Is

On Student Council

This is my first year in the college student council, well, my first year in a student council. I was elected as the college Vice-Chairperson and I’m tasked with a lot of things contrary to the customary definition of what a Vice-Chairperson is (the one who just relax until he/she can assume the position of the Chairperson). Well, I’m the head of the Organizations and Community Welfare Committee of the council which is basically the coordinating arm between college organizations and the student council. I tried to introduce new stuff regarding organizations and council integration and governance stuff (Council of Student Organizations) but there are still lots of things to do-emphasis on a lot. I’m also the head of the Oblation Corps which is the volunteer arm of the council. I recruit, train and assign tasks to volunteers. We now have a lot of volunteers; I just have to find ways to maximize their talents and potentials. Also, under the new Constitution, I was also assigned as the Executive Council Secretary which is the most stressful administrative job inside the council. I have to monitor attendance, encode minutes, document things, file council shizz, regulate incoming and outgoing correspondence, schedule assemblies and all other secretary shizz. (I was thinking if I could apply as the University Secretary or the Secretary of the UP Board of Regents. Well, apparently, I can.) Aside from those tasks, I'm determined to assert my usefulness as the next officer in line, and I can safely say that this has been the most productive CAS student council since my first year in the college. We've been successful in our plan in reviving the student council and transforming it into a campaign, activities, and service-oriented institution. Good job for the first semester! Agree? :)

For a more responsive, student-centered and pro-people student council next semester! Cheers!

Campus Strike by the University of California, Los Angeles (After a 50 percent cut in the budget)

Still in UCLA

On Activism

There are notable changes in my productiveness as an activist but there are also few problems that I've encountered this semester. First, this semester is a difficult time for any activist. What we have to do for the whole semester is to expose to the majority of the people that the new government of Aquino III is not different from the past governments. It takes courage and ability to do that. Talk about persuasive ninja skills. Well, people are still disillusioned and/or are somewhat hopeful that Aquino III will deliver some changes in the way that this country is being run. But, guys, no radical change will happen. Do I really have to tell people that corruption is not the root cause of poverty and underdevelopment in the Philippines? Do I really have to? This is a challenging task and I'm willing to take the challenge. Secondly, UP, which happens to be my school, is receiving its highest budget cut in its history. This is a serious problem for a university that is striving to be accessible and yet having limited financial capabilities. You don't have to study the budget statistics to know that UP has limited budget every year, and it is getting smaller year after year. And the university has no other choice but to compromise the public character of the university. Opposing the railroading of the WB and IMF-led commercialization of education in the Philippines will not be an easy fight. It will be a tough fight! But we'll not let this budget cut slide, right? Not without a fight! Prepare for a strike! Lastly, I've noticed that I was not able to attend any educational discussions for this semester. And I will change that next semester. FYI, activists spend most of the time not in the streets but studying in groups. We have a lot of materials to study covering historical, economic, political, social and cultural aspects of the Philippine society. Do you want to join? Let me know. :) But seriously, there's still room for improvements for the activist me.

Walkout Against Budget Cut in University of Califonia, Berkeley

Our September 24 Walkout Against SUC Budget Cut

On Relationships

By relationships, I mean all types of mortal (a relationship with a Supreme Being assuming it exists or with an imaginary ghost friend does not count) relationships. Friends, family, foes and even that special someone falls under this catch-all category.

I can say that this particular sphere of my life has been the most unpredictable, challenging and stressful (emphasis on stressful) part of my first semester. The relationship problems I've encountered for this semester are those that cannot be solved merely through an emergency meeting ala student council or a plan ahead of time. Problems in relationships are more complex than how-can-I-get-a-perfect-score-in-this-examination-problem or how-can-I-convince-student-organizations-to-attend-meetings-problem. It takes a lot of creativity, effort, courage, thinking and a whole lot of feeling.

I became closer to my friends, especially to my barkada. Our barkada faced many challenges this semester but we all got through it---but not easily though. The scars that we got through these challenges will always make us remember how stupid we are for letting some thing or some issues get in the way of our friendship. Ewww, cheesy.

In the case of my family, they are still the static, non-dynamic and passive aspect of my life. A pushy mom is not a problem, right? Or not. But I have to say that I'm getting used to it. But I'm still experiencing wavelength issues with my siblings.

I have a special someone, (ayiee)---though I'm sure that I'm not special to that person. I've developed something new this semester in terms of having romantic affairs. It was my first time to try to reach to another person and ask for affection. Well, it feels different to be at the other side of relationship. I have to admit that this has been the most stressful, major major challenge that I've encountered this semester. But almost all of my friends believe that this problem made me change for the better. I agree. And that's more important. Lessons from mistakes. Check! Perfect.

Relevant

Next Semester

Hey, Mr. Next Semester! Be cooler and more awesome, kay? More challenges and more lessons! I want another season of TV drama with lots of twists and unexpected changes. Promise me, you’ll never make me bored. Challenge me! :)

Popularity: 5% [?]

Tagged as: Academics, against, allan, arguelles, break, budget, Campus, carl, civil, council, cut, ender, entry, european, human, jopson, mass, mesina, microeconomics, movements, personal, political science, ramota, rights, risa, semester, Society, strike, STS, Student, union, walkout 1 Comment

13Mar/100

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: 2% [?]

Tagged as: against, alternative, capitalism, crisis, financial, global, keynesianism, neoliberalism, US No Comments

16Jan/104

Hindi Ako Magnanakaw

I have just seen the "Hindi Ako Magnanakaw" advertisement of Noynoy Aquino in the TV. Few words. It's a clear proof of how hollow his candidacy is. The lack of substance and competence.

The Mother and the Son

If you haven't watch the advertisement yet, here's a link of his video on Youtube: Hindi Ako Magnanakaw. Or if you're too lazy to watch, you can just read the content of his speech/Ad.

Minamahal kong kababayan,

Tadhana ang nagbuklod sa atin dahil naghihingalo na ang ating bayan, Nais kong pumasok sa isang kasunduan sa inyo. Lalaban tayo para sa wastong edukasyon ng bawat batang Pilipino. Lalaban tayo para sa abot-kayang serbisyong pangkalusugan. Lalabanan natin ang kahirapan. Lalabanan natin ang mga kawatan. Lalabanan natin ang sino mang wawasak sa kalikasan. Lalabanan natin ang sino mang manggugulo sa ating kapayapaan at katahimikan.

Ang laban natin ay laban ng bayan.

Sa ngalan ng aking mga magulang at sa gabay ng diyos, gagawin ko ang lahat ng aking makakaya na pagsilbihan ang mahal nating Inang Bayan. Bilang tunay na sagot sa kahirapan at tunay na daan sa kaunlaran, ang inyong lingkod Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino the Third, isang mamamayang Pilipino, nangangako sa Diyos at sa Bayan — Hindi ako mag-nanakaw.

His advertisement maybe Oscars worthy when it comes to acting and delivery (first time that he was able to decently deliver a speech) but it is as I've said hollow and does not provide an insight to what his platform really is. But I think the team or the person who did this Ad for Noynoy deserves a commendation. Making Noynoy appears to be normal (while speaking) is a serious feat for anyone plus the fact that you can be affected by the Ad (like how Maalaala Mo Kaya does it). I can't believe that a politician in the Philippines did really produced an advertisement that does not include any dancers, singers, celebrities (with torches) or any dramatic scenes with the poor and other people. It's as if the director borrowed the idea from the phenomenal simple music video of Beyonce's Single Ladies.

But how about his promises? I've heard some people that Noynoy is the only candidate that is against corruption, Arroyo and any other problems of the current government. But how true it is, really? Telling people that you will fight corruption does not tell anything. Everyone says so, even Arroyo or Estrada. It's a promise. A hollow promise. Noynoy does not have any monopoly of being the anti-Arroyo or the anti-corruption thing. Every politician in the Philippines claims that they are anti-corruption. But no one practices it.

Anyone can say, "Hindi Ako Magnanakaw."

What? Do you expect to be distinguished from other presidentiables because you said this line? Do you expect Villar or Teodoro to not answer the same thing? For God's sake. What are you trying to do?

Lalaban tayo para sa wastong edukasyon ng bawat batang Pilipino?

Lalaban tayo para sa abot-kayang serbisyong pangkalusugan

Lalabanan natin ang kahirapan

Lalabanan natin ang mga kawatan

Lalabanan natin ang sino mang wawasak sa kalikasan

Lalabanan natin ang sino mang manggugulo sa ating kapayapaan at katahimikan

How exactly will you do these things? We need the hows. All presidentiables claim that they will be doing these same things that you've said. The difference lies in how will you be able to do it. And what do you exactly mean by"Laban?" Here's an interview with NoynoyAquino conducted by UtakngTilapia:

It's either he will answer our how questions with Laban or like how my mom did it. Put on your thinking cap voters. This is not the president that we need.

Popularity: 6% [?]