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

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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.

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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!###

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Press Release

June 16, 2009

CHED toxic and deadly than any virus, slowly killing an accessible,
relevant, mass-oriented education - Anakbayan

Militant youth strikes on first day of classes wearing masks in front
of CHED

Davao City—Militant youth and students stormed [yesterday, June 15]
the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) Regional Office-XI and
placed a warning sign to the public while wearing face masks with
calls to end the commercialization of the educational system in the
first day of classes.

Led by Anakbayan, the students condemned the actions of CHED and
called the agency as the commission for 'highly expensive' education
and the number one supporter of capitalist educators.

“We urge the youth and students to take part in the call to end the
existence of this 'toxic' commission which only served the interests
of capitalist educators in keeping the educational system highly
commercialized, colonial and repressive,” said Anakbayan southern
Mindanao regional spokerperson Sheena Duazo.

The group said CHED’s appeal for a tuition hike freeze last February
did not even give any clear solutions to the problem of the students
with regards to the unnecessary fees in both state and private
colleges and universities.

“There may be colleges and universities that did not increase tuition
this school year, the burden of the students rests in the exorbitant
miscellaneous and other fees that pushes the youth to stop pursuing
education in the tertiary level,” Duazo said.

The group stated that majority among all the colleges and universities
in Davao City have not increased this year but there are still some
which opted to increase. Prominent schools such as Ateneo de Davao
University and the Rizal Memorial Coleges are just some of the
colleges and universities that had increased its tuition fee.

It was reported last February that at least 258 higher educational
institutions (HEIs), including four state colleges and universities
(SUCs), are seeking the nod of the Commission on Higher Education
(Ched) to be able to hike their tuition fees the coming school year.

“We cannot help but take a stand against this pressing issue specially
now that the impending threat is evident in the House Resolution
Number 1109 otherwise known as the Constituent Assembly which would
pursue Charter Change and if it does, it would only lead to the full
privatization and commercialization of all colleges and universities,
leaving a bleak future for the Filipino youth,” Duazo said.

The group said that this first day protest will only become the start
of the series of mass actions of the youth and students against the
commercialization of education as well as confronting the issues of
charter change.

For Reference:

Sheena Duazo – Anakbayan Southern Mindanao Regional Spokesperson

0929-886-9631

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Press Release

June 12, 2009

ANAKBAYAN cry for independence from cha-cha; says Bonifacio, heroes
support anti con-ass campaign

DAVAO CITY—Members of Anakbayan here waged a symbolic tearing of the
House Resolution No. 1109 at the Bonifacio Rotonda this morning to
signify that in the commemoration of the 111th Philippine Independence
Day heroes, Andres Bonifacio for one, would rally behind the people’s
condemnation of the said house resolution convening congress into a
constituent assembly to amend the country’s charter.

The group said that with the resounding calls of the people against
con-ass and cha-cha heroes would probably rise today, and perhaps in
the days to come, from their graves, to face and tell those who sit
in power now: “What you are doing now, will not change the fruits of
the Revolutions of the past, but will definitely lead to your downfall
and the people and their history will look down on you… as the people
continue to rise for another revolution .”

“Our congressmen are a disappointment to our history, our heroes and
our future – the youth,” Sheena Duazo of Anakabayan said.

The group in said Independence Day protest ripped into pieces a mock
illustration of the House Resolution No. 1109 and their cedulas (small-
sized HR 1109) – a reenactment to what the Katipuneros did in 1898
Sigaw ng Pugad Lawin which sparked the Philippine revolution.

“We condemn the acts of Gloria-Macapagal Arroyo with Prospero Nograles
and his cohorts in wielding their power for own selfish interests and
at the expense of the Filipino’s welfare,” Duzao said.

“Our indignation to Nograles’ and the congressmen’s act in behalf of
Mrs. Arroyo highlights the youth’s opposition not only to term
extensions but more importantly to proposal to amend or lift economic
restrictions to foreign investments and capital affecting not only
local business and commerce but the education sector as well. Our
education is already commercialized; this will even be aggravated with
charter change,” Duazo said.

“As long as the fake president is around, the youth and students will
never stop chasing the demons that haunt our present condition and we
will continue to struggle,”

For reference:

SHEENA DUAZO

Spokesperson, Anakbayan Southern Mindanao

0929-886-9631

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MILITANT YOUTH STORMS NOGIE´S OFFICE, CONDEMS HOUSE SPEAKER FOR
RAILROADING CHACHA

Davao City – Anakbayan and other youth organizations here stormed the
office of House Speaker Prospero Nograles today in condemnation of his
leadership in railroading of House Resolution 1109 in the Lower
Chamber of Congress to push for Charter Change.

The militant group said they were outraged over the selfish move of
Nogie favouring the greedy interest of the Arroyo administration. The
group said that the desperation of Arroyo and her allies is said to
have been manifested in the rushed voting to convene a constitutional
assembly for the purpose of amending the constitution since 2010 is
drawing near.

The protest began with a noise barrage at 10 o’clock in the morning in
front of the office of House Speaker Cong. Prospero Nograles located
at Quirino Street, Davao City.

¨It is very obvious that this move only permits the extension of Arroyo
´s term. They are now rushing and busying themselves to get a grip of
their political power. It is such a shame how greedy they are
neglecting the majority left unattended¨, says Rose Gonzales of the
Anakbayan.

The group included in their protest a gimmick projecting President
Arroyo and House Speaker Prospero Nograles as pet pigs to the
imperialist America in which their push for Cha-Cha paves the way for
the economic interest of foreign capitalists in the Philippines.

¨This is to show that our very own Cong. Nograles is a traitor among
Davaoenos and Filipino people. He betrayed us for serving as a puppet
of the Arroyo regime.¨ Kim Siega said, a member of the Gabriela Youth.

“It is as if that Philippines is being sold out in exchange for the
benefit of the few. If this happens, life among us especially the
youth will even be harder. Education will get more expensive. So,
there seems to be an impossible chance among us to go to school,¨
Gonzales added.

The group refers to the 100% foreign ownership of our lands,
utilities, education and natural resources if Cha-Cha be implemented.

“We´ve cried for prioritization of education. Yet, it seems that the
administration puts this at the least of their concerns. We don’t need
Cha-Cha. We need affordable and quality education¨, says Vicente Penas
of the Kahugpungan sa Kabatan-onang Kabus sa Dabaw (KABAKA).

¨We are not blind for being not able to see the foolishness this
government is doing to us. Arroyo and its allies have no hearts for
the Filipinos. We must then act in full force against this anti-masses
move perpetrated by a few a selfish puppets of money and greed¨, says
Calexto Mandy of the League of the Filipino Students.

Anakbayan and other youth organizations will participate in the next
actions with other sectors to strengthen the call against Cha-Cha.

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Press Release

08 June 2009

Students light candles, blow whistles against con ass, charter change

Davao City – Members of the Student Christian Movement of the
Philippines (SCMP) here light candles and blow whistles today as a
protest against recent railroading of House Resolution 1109 in the
Lower Chamber of Congress to push for charter amendments.

The religious student group express condemnation over an “obvious”
desperate move of the current administration to push for Charter
Change. The group is refering to the the majority block of the
congressmen who allies of Mrs. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

The group call the recent stint headed by House Speaker Prospero
Nograles very un-Christian, “putting the interests of the few over
welfare of the people” via the insistence of amending the Philippine
constitution.

The protest begins with whiste-blowing and a short liturgical ceremony
at Freedom Park in Roxas Avenue at 5 o’clock in the afternoon and
culminates with the lighting of candles.

¨Let the candles be torches of fire to spread awareness and courage
among the Filipinos to stand and defend our constituion from hawks and
selfish scavengers. Perhaps, may it serve also to enlighten our
government leaders in leading the Filipino people to genuine and
sincere change in which Charter Change is not an answer. Let the
whistles be horns to unite the toiling masses in opposing the
desperate move of the corrupt government for Chacha.” Jun Catalan,
secretary-general of SCMP says.

The group express that the railroading of House Resolution 1109 only
favours to the economic interest of foreign capitalists and political
agenda of the Arroyo administration similar to the previous attempts
of changing the fundamental law of the land.

¨The global financial crisis at hand worsens the commercialized
Filipino education. This will come to its worst if the Charter be
changed since foreign ownership of education will be allowed which
would give way to a heightened business of education in the country.¨
Myrna Imperial, chairperson of the Lihok Estudyante ug Kabataan batok
Krisis ug Komersyalisasyon (LEKSYON).

¨This will even be harder among the out-of-school youth. Education
will then remain as a far-fetched dream for most of us.¨, Rosalie
Gonzales of Anakbayan says.

The group stresses that education, as their primary concern, should be
attended by the government especially now that classes are about to
open instead of busying themselves for a self-interested move at the
expense of the majority especially the youth.

¨It is out of selfishness that drove for the few in power upon pushing
Chacha. Justice seems to have no space in this political catastrophe
we are in. It is high time again the Filipinos must forge unity in
opposing such anti-masses action of the government. We are blatantly
fooled by our very own government. We must fight against it.¨ Catalan
adds.

SCMP, together with the different youth in Mindanao, will join with
other sectors in the upcoming anti-chacha actions. The group also
encourages all the youth to join them in their call and action against
Chacha.#

For Reference: contact Jun Catalan, 09125353487.

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Press Statement
June 5, 2009

KABATAAN PARTYLIST CONDEMS CHARTER CHANGE

Together with the launching of the Lihok Kabataan Batok Krisis ug
Komersyalisasyon and its campaign banner Pakigbisugan ang TSEK
(Trabaho, Serbisyo-Sosyal, Edukasyon ug Katungod), KABATAAN expresses
its strong condemnation towards the desperate move of the Arroyo
regime in pushing for Charter Change.

The group condemns this desperate move which only shows how selfish
the current regime via its intention to preserve and extend the hold
for political power beyond 2010.

The Filipino people, particularly the youth, will not benefit from a
change in the fundamental law of the land. The push for Charter Change
is untimely since it does not respond to the majority burdened by the
worsening economic crisis.

As for the youth, one of the marginalized sectors in the society,
education remains to be the primary concern which has been last in the
priority list of the government. It remains to be expensive despite
the current regime’s brag for free and quality education. Many youths
who cannot afford to go to school force and prefer themselves to work
for survival.

Even though the government offers a free basic education, the quality
stays low. The shortage of teachers, classrooms, textbooks, school
facilities is a manifestation that Philippine education has been,
somehow, neglected by the present administration.

While the government is busy wasting time and money in pushing for
Charter Change, the worst situation of the youth awaits to be
attended.

Youth Condemns Chacha!
No to Charter Change!
OUST Gloria!
Youth calls for quality and affordable EDUCATION!
Youth calls for Trabaho, Serbisyo-Sosyal, Edukasyon ug Katungod (TSEK)
Free Education, Not Corruption! Education, Not Corruption! Education,
Not Militarization!
Fight against crisis and corruption!

KABATAAN PARTYLIST Southern Mindanao

For reference: contact Myrna at 0908-6710-485

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Press Statement
June 5, 2009

YOUTH LAUNCHES ALLIANCE AGAINST CRISIS AND COMMERCIALIZATION

Davao City – Different youth organizations formally launched today an
alliance against the current global financial crisis and
commercialization of education with their campaign banner.

The alliance is named LEKSYON which stands for Lihok Kabataan Batok
Krisis ug Komersyalisasyon, a growing broad movement of the youth from
communities, schools and universities and young professionals in Davao
City and in Southern Mindanao formed for the mobilization of the
sector in actively facing the various crises of the society and
standing up against policies and authorities that continue to neglect
the youth’s rights and welfare.

The alliance is formed by organizations such as College Editors Guild
of the Philippines (CEGP), National Union of Students of the
Philippines (NUSP), AnakBayan, Student Christian Movement of the
Philippines (SCMP), Kahugpungan sa Kabatan-onang KAbus sa Dabaw
(KABAKA), and League of Filipino Students (LFS).

The alliance also launched its campaign banner which is Pakigbisugan
ang TSEK where TSEK stands for Trabaho, Serbisyo-Sosyal, Edukasyon ug
Katungod. The campaign aims to address the primary demand of the
Filipino youth, students and out-of –school youth, amidst the
worsening economic crisis.

The group also presented the bad situation of the youth towards
education.

¨The global financial crisis at hand even worsens the commercialized
Filipino education. Despite the declaration of some academic
institutions of No Tuition Fee Increase this year, still, majority of
our youth can´ t go to school because education remains to be
expensive. It is manifested in the redundant miscellaneous fees,¨
Myrna Imperial, chairperson of LEKSYON.

¨There are many drop-outs due to economic restraints. Even though
basic education is free, poor families will not be able to sustain
other fees in schools which would actually amount to around 15,000Php
to 20,000Php per student.,” Vicente Penas, chairperson of KABAKA, an
out-of-school-youth organization.

Harry P. Mercurio, member of the CEGP, said that the government should
do something about this situation since education is very important
more than any other matters the government is eyeing now just like the
desperate move in pushing for Charter Change.

The group expressed that they have come to unite in defying the crisis
and will never stop to conduct activities in showcasing their call for
an affordable and quality education.

¨It is only via the united movement of the youth and other
marginalized sectors we can highly express our determined objective to
push for our basic and democratic rights.¨ added Imperial.

The group encouraged other youths to join the alliance so as to
strengthen the campaign for genuine TRABAHO, SERBISYO-SOSYAL,
EDUKASYON ug KATUNGOD.

For reference: Jun Catalan (0912-5353-487)

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