USAD Ateneo de Manila

READ | Primer for Diktador, Hindi Bayani

Get to know more about USAD Ateneo de Zamboanga's 𝗗𝗶𝗸𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿, 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗶 this coming November 15, 2020! Course through the photos below to view our primer — our rationale, objectives, and program flow for the event.

This event is OPEN TO ALL! The important ZOOM details will be sent to you through the e-mail you provided upon registration a day before the event.

REGISTER NOW through this link: cutt.ly/USAPANRegistrationForm.

Never Again. Never Forget.

Meet the Speakers for 𝗗𝗶𝗸𝘁𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿, 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝗮𝗻𝗶!

Join us this November 15, 2020, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM with our speakers, Mr. Arjan P. Aguirre from Ateneo de Manila University, Dean Ronald U. Mendoza from Ateneo School of Government, Hon. Amilbahar S. Mawalil from the Bangsamoro Transition Authority, and Sir Rovic John F. Eslao from Ateneo de Zamboanga University-SHS.

This event is OPEN TO ALL.
REGISTER NOW at cutt.ly/USAPANRegistrationForm!

Never Again. Never Forget.

NINOY AQUINO ON CHRISTIAN SOCIALISM

Ninoy did not envision just any kind of democracy, he went home steadfastly as a Christian Socialist. One who envisions a democratic society where there are equal opportunities “for advancement and the full development of the human being.” One that believes “the great equalizer of the government is the ballot not the bullet.” And finally, one that rejects “the exploitation of man by man” and “the unbridled capitalism where the rich will get richer and the poor, poorer” nor the monopoly of basic industries. Decades after his death, we affirm the ideas of “Christian socialism” which is “nothing more but democracy” are relevant to us more than ever.

Read the rest of the Party's stand on Ninoy Aquino Day here: https://www.facebook.com/notes/usad-ateneo-de-manila/on-giving-ones-life-ninoys-legacy/10221703693595005/

Image source
Ninoy Aquino Website. Accessed from: https://www.ninoyaquino.ph/the-death-of-a-hero.html

Text source
Aquino, Ninoy. 1981. “Aquino Speech in Los Angeles.” Video. Accessed from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QVGL5eTYWJk&list=PL929D1AFF81AAEB40&index=8

Pride is a celebration AND a protest. ✊🌈

Akbayan Youth - Loyola, the Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy Ateneo de Manila, and the LS Sanggunian: Commission on Gender Equality, present: , a Pride Twitter Rally! Show your true colors and share your thoughts with us as we make a safe (cyber!) space for all Ateneans. 💖

Catch us on June 23, 2020 at 8pm on the Akbayan Youth Loyola Twitter page at: twitter.com/AkbayanLoyola 🦅

Pride is a celebration AND a protest. ✊🌈

Akbayan! Youth Loyola, USAD Ateneo de Manila, and the Sanggunian: Commission on Gender Equality, present: , a Pride Twitter Rally! Show your true colors and share your thoughts with us as we make a safe (cyber!) space for all Ateneans. 💖

Catch us on June 23, 2020 at 8pm on the Akbayan Youth Loyola Twitter page at: twitter.com/AkbayanLoyola 🦅

ATTACK ON PRESS FREEDOM ALSO AN ATTACK ON CAMPUS JOURNALISM!

Youth Unity Statement on ABS-CBN Shutdown

Democracy dies in darkness.

Yesterday, ABS CBN was ordered to cease operations by the Duterte administration’s National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), effectively eliminating not only one of the public’s sources of entertainment and news, but livelihood as well. The order was issued despite the NTC announcement that the expiration of any franchise during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) would be lifted.

We, the allied student councils and youth organizations of the Philippines, condemn, in the strongest possible terms, this flagrant attack on press freedom at such a crucial time. Along with our medical professionals and other essential workers, credible news agencies have been one of the people’s few chances at being able to assuredly see and fight the invisible enemy that is the virus. A free press is thus essential in combating the absence of public assurance and overflow of false news, some of them even perpetuated by our very own government institutions. An attack on ABS CBN is therefore a defense lost against COVID-19 and a risk posed to many Filipinos.

Moreover, an unprecedented pandemic calls most importantly for job security and government support. A cease and desist order against the country’s largest media outlet is an attack not only on the larger principle of press freedom, but also on the security of 11,000+ workers who will be inexorably displaced, risking the workers’ and their families’ source of income. In fact, many fear that they will be laid off due to this order.

The recent harassment of ABS CBN’s affairs has dealt a consequential blow to not only the media industry but also the already weakened state of the country’s campus journalism. After all, campus press freedom has long been plagued by censorship, harassment, intimidation, repression, and resource shortage. Just last month, on April 5, editor-in-chief of UE Dawn Joshua Molo, after being threatened by his local government officials and high school teachers, was made to apologize publicly for his posts and comments which were critical of the administration. This cease and desist order has shown that if your views as a journalist, much less a student, are deemed subversive by the state, regardless of legitimate legal bearing, your rights too shall be curtailed - no one is safe from the government’s muzzle.

By resorting to the repressive quelling of ABS CBN’s public services, the current administration has shown that it is more than ever emboldened to dismantle our freedoms, eerily similar to the time of Martial Law. As an alliance, we thereby call on:
• NTC to explain its decision before Congress, given that it has no power to grant or revoke franchises;
• the government to expedite the hearings for the franchise of ABS CBN, instate a favorable ruling, and instead redirect its focus on providing cash and non-cash support for vulnerable communities like displaced workers;
• for ABS-CBN to be granted a pro-worker franchise which includes security of tenure, just compensation, and increased representation of employees in the management of the company upon renewal;
• the people, particularly the youth and student body, to collectively campaign against this abominable attack on freedom.

!
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Signed,

Student Council Alliance of the Philippines
Students’ Rights and Welfare Philippines
Active Vista Center
Akbayan! Youth
Aksyon Alyansa Letranista
Alliance for Progressive Labor Youth Philippines
Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista
Alternatibong Katipunan ng mga Mag-aaral sa UP
Angeles University Foundation University Student Council
Ateneo Debate Varsity
Barug Kabatan-onan Movement
Benilde Central Student Government
Binalbagan Integrated G**s and Le***an Society
Candoni LGBTQ+ Charities, Inc.
Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking, Inc.
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) Youth - Miriam College Chapter
DAKILA - Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism
Don Hermanas G**s Association, Talisay City, Negros Occidental
Empowerment for Students of LGBT Community - Bacolod, Hinoba-an, Handumanan NHS
Eugenio Debate Society
Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Media Arts Senior High School Student Council
Far Eastern University Film Society
Hiraya
Himamaylan United G**s Society
Human Rights Youth Action Network
Holy Angel University Student Council
Kadiwa Student Coalition
Kasangga - University of Asia & the Pacific
Kayabe Coalition - Holy Angel University
Lyceum of the Philippines University - Pamana
Mapua Central Student Council
Negros Occidental Federation of LGBTQ+ Organizations
Responsible and Intelligent Governance Highlighting Transparency and Studentry - Saint Louis University (RIGHTS SLU)
Sikhay Eduk
The Spectrum LGBT+ Himamaylan City
The Vanguard, Eugenio Lopez Jr. Center for Media Arts Senior High School
UP Alyansa ng Mga Mag-aaral Para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (UP ALYANSA)
UP Diliman College of Education Student Council
UPV Partido sang Mainuswagon nga Bumulutho
UST Hiraya
UST Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino - Architecture Unit
UST Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino - Engineering Unit
Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy - Ateneo de Manila
We The Future PH
YouthResist

We, the 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐨𝐜𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐥𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲, 𝐗𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲-𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐨 𝐝𝐞 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐚 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 believe that the government response in addressing the pandemic as institutionalized in the Bayanihan We Heal as One Law has been inadequate and in some areas, inappropriate. These efforts, while made with the public interest in mind, have been anti-poor and detached from the realities that the ordinary Filipino faces every day.

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐢𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡 𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲. We must continue to promote the ability to participate in public decision-making processes without undue constraints and the 𝐟𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 to always choose the common good despite our government blatantly violating the fundamental rights that they have sworn to protect. This crisis also demands the call to bring forth 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐣𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞 and 𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 where we strongly promote the welfare of the marginalized, and vulnerable sectors and groups.

STATEMENT ON THE NON-COMPENSATION OF THE JSEC WORKERS AND CALL FOR DONATIONS

Amidst the looming threat of a public health crisis posed by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), the university announced that on-site classes would be suspended from March 12th to 18th in lieu of a ‘dry-run of the prepared contingency plans’. Consequently resulting in the suspension of classes for more than a week. However, while students, faculty, and university administrators keep to themselves in the comforts and safety of their homes, a concealed and disturbing reality is the fact that workers are forced to maintain the university’s grounds at the risk of infection from exposure while the contractual employees working for the JGSOM Student Enterprise Center (JSEC) do not receive wages for the coming days due to the prevailing status of the ‘no work, no pay policy’ of the John Gokongwei School of Management (JGSOM) which manages the enterprise. Because the dry-run is not a legal holiday, the JSEC workers are left to fend for themselves.

It is nothing but ironic and contradictory to the Jesuit principles of the Ateneo and its supposed advocacies that JSEC operates under a contractualized labor scheme. It now becomes apparent that at the onset of a crisis, these workers are the most vulnerable. Under the ‘no work, no pay policy’ the lack of job security for the people that serve our food everyday. The Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy (USAD - AdMU), along with the JGSOM Sanggunian has initiated conversations and consultations with the workers of JSEC stalls and it was prevalent that the lack of wages for the coming days is a hindrance to their daily life. This should be money they would use for: Daily food and water, Transportation to the province for their children, Milk for an infant. Hospital & Laboratory check-ups for post-pregnancy, among others.

As such, along with SOSS Sanggunian, JGSOM Sanggunian, and Akbayan Youth, we are now calling for monetary donations for these JSEC Workers to help compensate for the days that they will not be given wages. Donations can be made through the following bank accounts seen below. Donations will be accepted until 18 March 2020.

USAD attempted to contact the JGSOM and their management but to no avail. With this in mind, the USAD publicly demands compensation for the JSEC workers for the days of suspension where they will not have work and the abolishment of this practice. We believe that the JSEC workers must be paid daily, whether or not there is a suspension. While the other workers continue their duty to their institutions during CLASS SUSPENSIONS, the JSEC workers are left wageless because the JSEC stalls are closed.

Lumalaban ang taumbayang hinding-hindi pa nakakalimot!

Tatlumpu't tatlong taon na ang nakalipas subalit hindi pa rin natatamasa ng mga pamilya ng 13 magsasakang napaslang ang hustisya sa nangyaring Mendiola Massacre noong 22 Enero 1987.

Noon pa man, tunay na reporma sa lupa at disenteng pasahod ang panawagan ng ating mga kababayang magsasaka. Para sa isang bansang binubuo ng malaking populasyon ng mga agrikultural na manggagawa, proteksyon sa kanilang mga karapatan at pagdinig sa sa kanilang mga suliranin ang nararapat na tugon ng pamahalaan—hindi dahas at panggigipit.

Kaisa ang CHR sa pagtataguyod ng laban ng mga magsasaka at handang tumulong sa pakikipag-ugnayan sa ibang ahensya ng pamahalaan upang maiparating at maaksyunan ang kanilang mga hinaing.

In case you missed it, read SY 2018-2019 Sanggunian President Hya Bendaña op-ed on the struggle of the nation's jeepney drivers:

"If only the government listens to its people, then a strike would not be necessary.

The root of the protest is simple: our drivers need a more reasonable plan for transition, a plan that will not remove their livelihood, a plan that can still feed their families."

[OPINION] Jeepney strikes as justified resistance

The workers of Ateneo make our campus what it is today: safe, clean, and orderly for the entire Ateneo community to enjoy.

It is time that the university gives back. When benefits have been declining, and wages have not grown proportionate to the University’s profits... can we call this a just University?

Stand with us, stand with the workers — stand with AEWU! 🌹