Bicol University League of Democrats: "Legislate the STRAW Bill!"

An Appeal to the Congress of the Philippines to
Legislate the Students' Rights and Welfare Bill

The Bicol University League of Democrats (BU-Leaders), a pro-student electoral party in Bicol University which has been existing for years, in its determined efforts to uphold quality education in the University, is here to give our full support to the Students' Rights and Welfare Bill, to be under deliberated on in the 15th Congress, based on the following rational grounds:

We, in BU-Leaders, as advocates of democracy, who respect the rule of law and believe in the fundamental rights and freedoms of a person enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, as a right that belongs to all citizens of this nation without discrimination, support the idea that all students from all educational institutions must enjoy freedom of expression, freedom of the press, freedom to a peaceable assembly and freedom for redress of grievance to proper authorities, whether they are in secondary or college, subject only to limitations set by the law and by reasonable and just policies of the school;

We, in BU-Leaders, who are firm believers in the dogma of majority rule, recognizes the fact the students are the main stakeholders and the lifeblood of every academic institution, propose that their voices should be heard at all times and be given premium importance and they be afforded with mechanisms for their meaningful participation in the policy-making and implementation processes;

We, in BU-Leaders, believe that the primary movers of change within the academe are the students themselves, not teachers, not school administrators, so that we hold all educational institutions responsible in providing for a healthy and free environment for the students in order for them to unleash their flairs and share their knowledge for the improvement of the system of education;

We, in BU-Leaders, always aspire for representation of all stakeholders in school governing bodies so we believe that schools should remain as collegiate bodies where teachers, school and students alike are always represented in major decision-making;

BU-Leaders as a pro-student electoral party, condemns all overt actions of unfair repression of student’s rights and freedoms on irrational or arbitrary grounds;

BU-Leaders, is deeply concerned with the passivity of some students and youth on matters that concern them, which we have observed is partly or mainly attributable to repression of students' rights and freedoms;

BU-Leaders, is seriously troubled by the palpable asymmetry in terms of rights, freedoms, privileges, discretion, power and authority between the school, teachers and the students which makes the latter capability weaker and school administrators and teachers more overwhelmingly powerful and imposing, so that we want a law to be passed in Congress that will guard their rights and freedoms as enshrined in the Constitution and the law which they can use against the violators of those rights;

BU-Leaders reiterate the need for a system of education that is relevant to the needs of the people and the society (Sec.2 Art. XIV of Constitution); thus, we find the need for the Congress, through an enabling legislation and investigation, to put an end to various acts of suppression of student’s rights and freedoms in order to ensure that education will cater to the needs of its main stakeholders—the students;

BU-Leaders see the perils of the abuse or misapplication of the academic freedoms of schools and teachers, particularly as to the exercise of their right to select whom to admit to study which may have given them the brazenness to discriminate some students and the abused exercise of teacher’s right to the method of teaching to be used which may given them opportunities to require things irrelevant to the course but are only personally beneficial to them; thus, we see the need to draw a clearer demarcation line between the academic freedom of the school, the students and the teachers by legislating a law that will define the permissible behaviour of the students and a law that will neutralize powers of school and teachers with the students and we recognize the urgency of this matter based on overt and rampant infringements on students’ rights and freedoms as free individuals of this country.

BU-Leaders, together with thousands of students of Bicol University, as concerned citizens of the Philippines and believers in genuine democracy, push for the enactment of Students’ Rights and Welfare Bill in the 15th Congress deliberation this coming June 2011. We believe that academic freedom of the school should not mean to step on the fundamental rights of a free individual in a free country. We further believe that this is the fundamental step to democratize educational institutions by liberating its main stakeholders–- students first.

Uphold academic freedom in UST!

Statement of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines on the case of academic repression in the University of Santo Tomas:

We, members of the Student Council Alliance of Philippines (SCAP), the broadest and largest alliance of student councils and governments, student political parties and student leaders in the country pushing for reforms in education, strongly condemn the violation on academic freedom committed by University of Santo Tomas Theology professor Aguedo Florence A. Jalin Jr.*

Recently, Akbayan Partylist Facebook page was barraged by troll anti-Reproductive Health posts by students from Jalin’s class as an “optional assignment”.  Although we welcome healthy exchange of ideas through a debate, maybe it be online or otherwise, SCAP is against all forms of coercion especially by teachers who pawn their students not for genuine learning but for advancing personal agenda.

Mr. Jalin Jr. stated in his admission that the students’ stances were “designed to show consistency of thoughts.” The students were “designed” to think alike with their professor, limiting their capability to pursue the truth and express their own opinions bereft of the coercion from their mentor.

SCAP condemns Jalin’s act of peddling incentives for the purpose of advancing agenda compromising the real value for education.  Jalin grossly violated the right of the student to quality education grounded on critical and independent thinking.

SCAP recognizes the role of our nation’s teachers towards molding a generation of active citizens for the country’s development.  At the same time, SCAP fervently salutes all the teachers, including the many in UST who have been true to their profession, who continue to mold young minds to be independent and do not debase the profession into mere incentives.

This case in UST is an indicator that the long overdue Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill or House Bill No. 2190 should be legislated in order to protect the students’ right to dissenting opinion.  We urge our lawmakers to help prevent future cases of academic repression through the passage of the said bill that upholds students’ right to academic freedom necessary for the conduct of citizenship. ●

* Mr. Aguedo Florence A. Jalin Jr.'s admission (at the comments section below the Akbayan Youth statement): http://bit.ly/pz5gCN

Rights group tags PLPasay as anti-student

A rights group hit Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Pasay (PLPasay) yesterday as “anti-student”.

Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW Coalition), a nationwide coalition of progressive youth groups that documents abuses on students’ rights, held a picket-rally in front of the said local college to denounce the “unjust removal” of student council president Regina Mae Alog.

Alog was reportedly removed from office by the Dean for Student Affairs Marcos Geronga.  Alog filed a complaint against the board of the said school at the Regional Trial Court of Pasay City.  In addition, she also filed an appeal for a temporary restraining order (TRO) to reinstate her as member of the Board of Regents.

The STRAW Coalition backed Alog in calling for a TRO.  Gibby Gorres, co-convenor of the said Coalition, urged the importance of “protecting Alog’s right as an elected student-official”.

Gorres also denounced Geronga’s “fascist decision to relieve Alog of her position without due process”.

“It is within any one’s right to be accorded due process and Geronga violated this right,” quipped Gorres.

Gio Tingson, law student from Ateneo de Manila University and National Chairperson of the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines, called for CHED to intervene in the issue.

“CHED is mandated to intervene in this issue and to take a more proactive stance in upholding students’ rights and welfare,” Tingson said.

Tingson also called for the passage of the Students’ Rights and Welfare Bill now pending in Congress.  “The passage of the bill that protects students’ rights and welfare is long overdue”, he concluded.  ●

Central Echo (Central Philippine University): 'Hontiveros-Baraquel lectures on STRAW Bill'

by Reyshimar C. Arguelles 

[From Central Echo, the official publication of the Central Philippine University, Iloilo.]

Photo courtesy of Central Echo, CPU, Iloilo.

Former Akbayan representative Ana Theresia “Risa” Hontiveros-Baraquel gave a lecture about the Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill last July 30 at the Alumni Promenade Concert Park.

The lecture-forum, organized by the Central Philippine University Republic (CPUR) in partnership with Akbayan Youth, the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), Task Force Pride Philippines, Alpha Sigma Rho-University of Iloilo Chapter and the Cultural Affairs Office, was aimed at informing students of the importance of the said bill in assuring and protecting their rights and welfare.

A former congresswoman of Akbayan Citizen’s Action Party who ran as senator under the slate of the Liberal Party during the 2010 National Elections, Hontiveros-Baraquel discussed the bill, its origins and components.

The Magna Carta of Students Rights Bill, authored by Hontiveros-Baraquel and Representatives Edcel Lagman and Rufus Rodriguez, was a consolidated bill filed in the 14th Congress. Since the 14th Congress ended its term last May it will be refiled in its original form, the STRAW Bill, through Akbayan Partylist Representatives Walden Bello and Arlene Bag-ao in the 15th Congress.

The bill, as the Grand Charter for the fundamental freedoms of students, if passed into law in the 15th Congress will guarantee and protect the rights of students from further exploitation and discrimination by their schools, provide them with relevant quality education and penalize actions that violate these rights.

After the lecture, an open forum was held.

With her entourage, she then proceeded to the Administration Building Conference Room to meet with CPUR officials and to answer final questions with the campus press before leaving.

Hontiveros-Baraquel, a staunch oppositionist during the Arroyo administration, visited Iloilo to give lectures about the bill and ask support for its enactment.

A single mother to four children, Hontiveros-Baraquel is a former journalist who was awarded the Kapisanan ng mga Broadkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) Golden Dove Award as best female newscaster in 1994 and received an award as one of the Most Outstanding Young Men for peace advocacy in 2001.

The author of more than 80 bills and resolutions, Hontiveros-Baraquel is currently working as a full-time member of Akbayan after not making it to the top 12 in the senatorial race and will continue to advocate peace and human rights.

"Uphold STRAW!" - UP ALYANSA, BUKLOD CSSP, and Akbayan Youth

UP ALYANSA, with BUKLOD CSSP and Akbayan Youth, successfully concluded the UPHOLD STRAW Forum at Palma Hall Room 207 on September 3, 2010. Former Rep. Risa Hontiveros of AKBAYAN Partylist was the event's main speaker. Cheanne Matriz, member of the Akbayan Youth NCR National Council, delivered a national situationer on the state of students' rights and welfare. 

This well-attended forum discussed the advocacy for a Students' Rights and Welfare Bill to be passed in Congress. House Bill 2190 (An Act Providing for a National Policy on Students' Rights and Welfare) is authored by Rep. Walden Bello and co-authored by Rep. Kaka Bag-ao of Akbayan.

In line with this advocacy, UP ALYANSA is part of the Coalition for Students' Rights and Welfare, a broad alliance which includes the Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) and the Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP).

Group hits UI PEN’s anti-atudent policy; Calls for dialogue

Nearing enrollment for the second semester of the academic year, a youth group denounces what they deem as unfair practice of the University of Iloilo management.

The private university recently released a memo which gave an automatic incomplete grade to all students who have failed to settle their accounts.  The memo was released by the school administration managed by the Phinma Education Network, a private business firm.

Taken into effect, the memo adds extra fees for students in paying 150 pesos per subject for the reprocessing of their grades.  An average student takes 7 subjects per semester.

The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP) criticized UI management for its capitalist approach towards education.

“This policy is clearly anti-student borne out of a capitalist venture within a welfare service”, remarks Joey Limson, Iloilo coordinator of SCAP.  “Education is a welfare service and business interests should be relegated under the public interest”.

SCAP’s sister organization within UI, the Political Science Society, called for a dialogue between the students and the school management.

The UI-based organization is launching a signature campaign calling for a suspension of the memo.  The organization also calls for CHED to intervene in order to protect students’ rights.

Kaiser Cordero, a member of the Political Science Society, reported that the memo was never circulated well among the studentry and thus caught the students by surprise.

“Our teachers can’t encode our grades because they had the system blocked”, added Cordero.

The organization’s president Karl Smith dela Peña in a Facebook post said, “the teaching pedagogy has changed drastically! It’s very obvious that the UI PEN is no longer observing the philosophy of student-teacher relation”.

“The inconvenient truth is that it’s already capitalist-clientele relation”, added dela Peña. ●

MASP: "To say no to the STRAW Bill is to say no to upholding students' rights and welfare!"

The Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP) strongly condemns the campaign against the Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) of different youth and student groups. This deceptively express their opposition to the Students’ Rights and Welfare Bill (STRAW Bill) proposed by Akbayan Party-list Rep. Risa Hontiveros.

Number of student and youth groups simultaneously launched several campaigns against the STRAW Bill. For an instance, The Torch Publications, the Official Student Publication of the Philippine Normal University, published an article entitled “Beauty in Disguise: Paglalantad sa Mapanlinlang na Kagandahan ng STRAW Bill”. The article alleged that the bill is anti-student and that it endorses bureaucracy, instead of denouncing it. However, the article did not cite specific provisions to significantly validate their arguments.

The Alliance of Concerned Teachers Party-list (ACT Party-list) and other allied organizations also slammed the passage of the STRAW Bill.

Series of Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings were conducted before the recess of the Congress. The main purpose of these TWG meetings is to consolidate and consider necessary and essential amendments for the Magna Carta of the Students’ Bill (Consolidated version of Rep. Rodriguez’s and Rep. Lagman’s Students’ Magna Carta Bill and Rep. Hontiveros’ Students’ Rights and Welfare Bill). MASP actively participated in the TWG meetings to propose some amendments. However, representatives from different youth organizations and different sectors did not even see the presence of these Anti-STRAW Bill youth groups in the TWG meetings to propose their own amendments.

The first point is that if these Anti-STRAW Bill groups really wanted to propose such amendments specified by The Torch Publications, they should have attended these TWG meetings. The National Union of Students in the Philippines (NUSP) was one of the Anti-STRAW Bill organizations. NUSP President Alvin Peters was present in the TWG meetings; however, he never said that NUSP is against the STRAW Bill. In fact, he even raised more cases that even validate the fact that the legislation of this students’ Magna Carta is really necessary.

The anti-STRAW Bill stand of NUSP is very contradicting to what they showed in the TWG meetings.

Second, the STRAW Bill was written by the students themselves. It is not true that it did not undergo consultations because before it was filed to the Committee on Higher and Technical Education (CHTE) in the House of Representatives, it has already undergone series of consultation processes.

Third, Kabataan Party-list did not attend the majority of these TWG meetings. If it is true that they actively participated in proposing their own amendments, they should have attended said TWG meetings.

Finally, the ‘loopholes’ as said by these Anti-STRAW Bill youth groups were already clarified and modified in the TWG meetings and these modifications are already subject for committee deliberation.

The STRAW Bill’s sole intention is to provide protection for the student sector against any form of discrimination and unfair treatment within the universities. It is the bill of the students, for the students and by the students. A students’ bill promoting their own rights and welfare being opposed by students’ group themselves is a mere manifestation of being an ‘anti-student’ group.

If these youth groups have their other agenda, they should take those agenda in the proper venues wherein they can talk about these matters. The immediate legislation of the STRAW Bill should not be compromised because of the delaying tactics of these self-serving groups.

The movement reaffirms that there is a need to legislate a piece of bill that will guarantee the sector’s right and welfare. There is a need to break the chain of campus repression. There is a need to democratize every campus and the education system as a whole. Education democratization is a requisite to radically reform our education system that is envisioned to be accessible, to be of quality and to be empowering to all.

MASP wants to reiterate that saying no to Students’ Rights and Welfare Bill (also known as the Magna Carta of the Students) is tantamount to saying no to upholding students’ rights and welfare and to education reform.

Therefore, MASP, along with the Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Coalition, will constantly campaign for the passage of the Magna Carta of the Students Bill and will strongly call to break the chain of campus repression and oppression. ●

Passage of Magna Carta of Students: “Over my dead body!” - Rep. Piamonte

“Over my dead body!” was the response of A-Teacher Rep. Mariano Piamonte, Jr. to student leaders and fellow legislators at the House of Representatives for the passage of Magna Carta of Students in the technical working group meeting for the said bill last May 27.

Akbayan Youth, co-convenor of the Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare, condemns Rep. Piamonte’s brazen statement and attitude given the continuing violation of students’ rights. “The Magna Carta of Students is meritous and long overdue. Rep. Piamonte should justify his opposition otherwise it is a huge insult to students and their families who continue to struggle for the right to education,” Cheanne Matriz, Akbayan Youth Spokesperson for Students’ Rights says.

Students’ rights violations

The Coalition for STRAW cites some examples on students’ rights violation. In St. Joseph’s College in Quezon City unmarried pregnant students are not allowed to continue their studies in the institution unless they “take a leave of absence until after they deliver their babies.” It’s either that or they’re asked to drop out. San Beda College on the other hand is in fact conducting “masculinity tests” on its alleged gay students. Aside from these, a gay student from Philippine Normal University was reportedly prevented to run for Student Council Office unless he cuts his hair accordingly, to look manly enough for a university official.

All over the country, many colleges and universities still do not have student governments and publications; while those who have have their student leaders picked and publications run by the school administration. Students are wary of expressing their opinions for the fear of being kicked out of school.

CHED “lukewarm”

Akbayan Youth also expresses concern over the apparent “lukewarm” treatment of CHED on the substitute Magna Carta bills of Reps. Risa Hontiveros, Edcel Lagman, Rufus Rodriguez and Crispin Remulla in the House of Representatives.

“Instead of being more assertive to pass the bill, CHED has not become helpful in getting the bill a priority concern among policy makers. The CHED has not been consistent in its positions and have sent silent representatives in meetings in Congress,”says Matriz.

Best deal

The consolidated and substitute bill in the Lower House took into consideration the valid concerns of school administrators without necessarily compromising basic students’ rights, according to the Coalition.

“The Magna Carta is not in any way a one way and one shot effort to reform the whole education system but it is a first big step to at least mitigate the worsening students’ rights violations,” says Jamie Pring, Coalition Spokesperson.

The Congresspersons will be voting on June 2 on the substitute bill for it to be taken or not to the plenary after the Congress’s recess.

“We look forward to the legislators’ attendance and support on Tuesday. That will be very important to pave way for another battle to get this bill passed once and for all,” added Pring.

Broad support for Magna Carta

The Magna Carta of Students has been consulted with student councils all over the country. Currently, the Coalition for STRAW includes: Akbayan Youth, Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP), Center for Youth Advocacy and Networking (CYAN); the National Anti-Poverty Commission Youth and Students’ Sector (NAPC YSS), the National Youth Parliament (NYP), Student Councils and organizations from Ateneo De Manila University, University of the Philippines- Diliman and Manila, De La Salle University and College of St. Benilde, Rizal Technological University and  Philippine Normal University. Also part of the Coalition are university and college student councils from Zamboanga City, General Santos City, Davao City, Marawi and Davao Del Norte.

Members of the Coalition have written petition letters and done rounds of personally approaching their Congressman to support the said bill. On June 2, the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education will vote on the bill. ●

UP ALYANSA at the Magna Carta of Students technical working group meeting in Congress

UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA) participated in the final technical working group (TWG) meeting on the proposed Magna Carta of Students filed by Akbayan Rep. Risa Hontiveros in the House of Repesentatives. The meeting aimed to discuss contentions on provisions of the said bill before being voted upon in the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education and, hopefully and eventually, in the House of Representatives plenary. UP ALYANSA, since its inception and in its struggle for students' rights and welfare, has been active in lobbying for the Magna Carta of Students. The formation is currently part of the Coalition for Students' Rights and Welfare (STRAW) together with the Student Council Alliance of the Philppines (SCAP), the Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP), Akbayan Youth, BIGKIS UP Manila, and other student groups from various schools. 

In the TWG meeting, the formation was represented by UP ALYANSA Chairperson Viktor Fontanilla and former UP ALYANSA Vice Chairperson for Students' Rights and Welfare Jeff Crisostomo. Also present was USC Councilor Luis Geronimo, head of the newly-formed USC Committee on Policy Reforms, Constitutional Amendments and Revision of Codes and Rules. In the previous TWG meetings, UP ALYANSA's resource speakers were Fontanilla, Crisostomo, and former CSSP Student Council Chairperson Jamie Pring.

UP ALYANSA's campaign for the passage of this bill is in line with its Break the Code local campaign which aims to include a bill of students' rights within the proposed UP Diliman Code of Student Conduct. ●

Students' rights are human rights! Support the Magna Carta of Students Bill!

“The ratification of a “Magna Carta” for Students is long overdue, Congress has obviously neglected this issue over the years and this has resulted to several students’ rights violations and abuses in a number of universities across the country,” says Tina Langit, UP Manila Medicine Student Council President and Student Council Alliance of the Philippines Vice Chairperson for the National Capital Region.

The Student Council Alliance of the Philippines (SCAP), a broad network of student councils and governments, together with Akbayan Youth and the Movement for the Advancement of Student Power (MASP), has filed the latest version of the bill September 17 last year. However, since two more versions already exist in the House of Representatives, the Committee on Higher and Technical Education (HoR-CHTE) has decided to create a substitute bill which will consolidate the three house versions.

“It’s actually quite disappointing that it has taken this long before the advocacy has taken another leap. We are hoping that the 14th Congress will take this seriously this time around,” adds Langit.

SCAP is currently a part of HoR-CHTE’s technical working group (TWG) for Magna Carta of Students. At present, the TWG was able to tackle several provisions of the substitute bill (i.e. Right to Admission, Non-Discrimination and Quality Education, Right to Organize, etc.) in its first TWO meetings but has not reconvened ever since. SCAP is growing wary of the very slow developments in the lower house and is at the same time appalled to learn that fellow youth groups have expressed their lack of support for the bill.

“Magna Carta is not in any way a one shot effort to reform the whole education system but it is a first step to at least mitigate the worsening predicament,” says Third Bagro, UP Diliman University Student Council President.

Basic issues, such as the students’ right to be admitted in schools without prior discrimination to their civil status, gender/political preference has been violated in the past by several academic institutions.

In St. Joseph’s College in Quezon City, for example, unmarried pregnant students are not allowed to continue their studies in the institution unless they “take a leave of absence until after they deliver their babies.” It’s either that or they’re asked to drop out. Saint Pedro Poveda College also discourages pregnancies outside of wedlock. San Beda College on the other hand is in fact conducting “masculinity tests” on its alleged gay students. (Bagas, 2008; Philippine Daily Inquirer)

Aside from these, a gay student from Philippine Normal University was reportedly prevented to run for Student Council Office unless he cuts his hair accordingly, to look manly enough for a university official.

Some violations go as far as detaining/prosecuting student leaders and activists who express dissent over certain school and State policies.

Furthermore, Student Councils/Governments, in a lot of schools nationwide, are merely allowed to act as “event’s organizers or program implementers” of school administrations. More often than not, SC’s, are not consulted on crucial matters such as tuition increase. Venues for student participation remain very limited to this date.

SCAP believes that Student Councils, just like the Youth Councils in communities, are potent arenas for political reforms. This is where good governance starts and this opportunity should not be wasted. Therefore, it is the inherent responsibility of this society to empower and strengthen this institution such that it can become a training ground for future leaders.

“Education knows no sex, religion, physical status or gender. On the contrary, it should encourage free and critical thinking which should help in molding and crafting new ideas and means that could later contribute to genuine national development.” says SCAP Secretary General Paula Bianca Lapuz.

Violating students’ rights is a poor sign of democracy. SCAP believes that a national policy on students’ rights and welfare is imperative in actually democratizing and liberating academic institutions.

SCAP has helped to form the Coalition for Students’ Rights and Welfare, to consolidate the efforts of all the Students’ Rights advocates. The coalition is comprised of different student councils and organizations mostly based in the NCR area. These youth leaders actively engage policy debates inside schools and inside the Congress. The coalition likewise, is actively lobbying for the bill’s immediate passage.

SCAP remains steadfast in its pursuit and encourages fellow youth groups to join the advocacy.

“The only way for us to move forward is for us to join hands and give this bill a fighting chance,” Lapuz concludes. ●