T.S.E.K.!

Press Release
June 25, 2009

Hundreds of youth and students join Mindanao-wide coordinated action against charter change



DAVAO CITY—More than a thousand (1,374) youth and students from schools and communities joined a Mindanao-wide coordinated action (Mindanao Day of Youth Action) against the commercialization of education and Charter Change last Tuesday (June 23).

The said protest action was led by Lihok Estudyante ug Kabataan Batok Krisis ug Komersyalisyon (LEKSYON), an alliance of various student and youth organizations, Kahugpunga sa Kabatan-onang Kabus sa Dabaw (KABAKA) and Kabataan Partylis.

“As youth and students, we are taking our part in registering our opposition to charter change and the commercialization of education,” Myrna Imperial, LEKSYON chairperson said.

Participating students from major colleges and universities in the city such as Assumption College of Davao (ACD), Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU), University of Mindanao (UM), University of Southeastern Philippines (USeP), Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC), Brokenshire College and Davao City National High School (DCNHS). There were also participants from progressive youth and students organizations under LEKSYON such as KABAKA, Anakbayan, League of Filipino Students – Davao (LFS), Student Christian Movement of the Philippines – Davao (SCMP), Kabataan Partylist and College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP)

“We are against the Constituent Assembly spearheaded by Congressman Prospero Nograles in the House of Representatives to push for Arroyo’s Charter Change because it is a clear manifestation of the governments’ non-prioritization of the basic needs of the people, including education. The government is instead putting at stake our national patrimony via charter change,” Imperial said.

The group also protested against House Bill 737 passed by House Speaker Prospero Nograles which gives one hundred percent foreign control on industries and institutions including the sector of education.

The protest culminated with a street concert featuring local bands and with guest performer Musikang Bayan, a Manila-based progressive band.

This Mindanao-wide protest was held simultaneously along with other key cities and provinces in the island including Cagayan de Oro City, Cotabato City, Marawi, Iligan and Zamboanga City.

“The youth and students have proven, through this mass action, that we have the power to change history and demand for a scientific, nationalistic, and mass-oriented education which needs no charter change,” Imperial said.


For Reference:
Vicente Catalan Jr. | LEKSYON Media Relations Officer | 0912-535-3487

Press Release
June 22, 2009

Youth leads Mindanao-wide protest against Con-Ass, Cha-Cha

Davao City–Convenor organizations of Leksyon announces over the press conference today that all are set for June 23´s Mindanao Day of Youth Action for Trabaho, Serbisyo-Sosyal, Edukasyon ug Katungod (TSEK) and against Charter Change or the ¨TSEK! DILI CHA-CHA!¨

The press conference is held at the Roof top of the Barangay Hall of Brgy. 7 A.M., Mt. Apo Street 10 o´clock in the morning.

¨Everything is set for the big protest on the Mindanao Day of Youth Action tomorrow to show the full unity of the youth in calling for Trabaho, Serbisyo-Sosyal, Edukasyon ug Katungod and opposing the desperate move of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to push for Chacha,”, said Myrna Imperial, LEKSYON Chairperson.

¨LEKSYON affiliates and support organizations in other regions including Youth Act Now! (YAN), Kilos Kabataan, College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), National Union of Students of the Philippines (NUSP) are already geared for tomorrow’s big condemnation day against Chacha¨, added Imperial.

LEKSYON sited Ibon Foundation recent statement that “the United States (US) government and US corporations have been at the forefront of repeated efforts to remove nationalist and other progressive economic provisions of the 1987 Constitution, now more so with the US economy under recession.”

IBON Foundation, Inc. is an independent development institution established in 1978 that provides research, education, publications, information work and advocacy support on socioeconomic issues.

“Changing the Charter’s economic provisions to further open the country to foreign investment and capital will further weaken the Philippine economy. According to Ibon it will worsen joblessness, undermine long-term growth, and strip the country of our natural resources as foreign corporations and local counterparts continue plundering the country’s mineral, forestry and marine resources. Opening up land to foreign ownership will drive land prices up and displace our small peasant farmers. Land inequities, land monopolies and rural unemployment will worsen,” Imperial said.

Different youth expressed their sentiments regarding education and how the current regime neglects this.

¨Cha-cha is, indeed, condemnable as it would affect not only our economy but most importantly, the future of the youth pertaining to our education. Education is getting more expensive. Our school increased its tuition neglecting the financial crisis that burdens our family currently despite its being Jesuit. How much more if Chacha be implemented which would pave the way for a more commercialized education,” said Bulldog Lagon of the League of Filipino Students in Ateneo de Davao University.

¨The government is not concerned with the education demanded by the youth. It is manifested in the continuous slash in national budget appropriation to state colleges.¨ said Donna Grasya Dayanan, president of the student council in the University of Southern Philippines (USEP-Obrero).

¨Those who have enrolled themselves to school this semester are lucky. It gets harder for us who are out-of-school-youth. We have no choice but to work for us to survive.¨, Edileto Sironon said, Kahugpungan sa Kabatan-onang Kabus sa Dabaw (KABAKA).

The group calls all the youth to come together in protesting against anti-people and anti-youth actions made by the government.

¨The youth’s future is in grave danger. The youth calls for a genuine Trabaho, Serbisyo-Sosyal, Edukasyon ug Katungod. Yet, the Arroyo government answers us with Charter Change. To show our condemnation against the desperate regime of Arroyo, we are inviting different organizations, especially the youth, to join us in our big mobilization which would assemble at the Freedom Park tomorrow, 1 o´clock in the afternoon. March rally follows after which would end at Rizal Park with a program and a short concert later. Youth unite! Oppose Chacha!, said Sheena Duazo, Anakbayan Spokesperson.

Opinion

June 16, 2009

If Heroes could speak now

By Spokesperson, Anakbayan Southern Mindanao

0929-886-9631

Our members from Anakbayan, a progressive youth organization advancing
struggles for national democracy, commemorated the 11th Philippine
Independence Day via a reenactment of the "Sigaw ng Pugad Lawin's"
tearing of cedula's. This time though, we tore into pieces House
Resolution No. 1109 at the monument of Andres Bonifacio in Davao City.

The act did not only reminded us of the historic struggles and
victories of so many heroes, famous or faceless, had fought so that in
years or centuries to come Filipinos would enjoy whatever less of
democracy we have right now.

Yet, the act had more than a "remembering" effect in me. It gave me
that feeling that heroes, like Bonifacio, if given the chance would
speak and condemn those who are in power right now.

They would call, like in their time, for the people to revolt against
Filipino traitors who sit in government positions and are subservient
to foreign dictates and policies.

Yes, if only they could speak. But, they not speak anymore.

In every Filipinos blood runs the blood of patriotism and democracy.
No tyrant or oppressor in this country will ever succeed in defeating
the people’s aspirations for genuine freedom, national patrimony and
economic progess.

But if heroes could speak now, they’d not only condemn the government,
they’d also call people to rise up to fight for our rights!###