UP Diliman Chancellor Cao sponsored a show in honor of outgoing UP President Emerlinda R. Roman in her last day in office. It was intended to be celebratory.
Outside the UP Theater, a celebration of sorts was held by UP Kilos Na - celebrating the end of the Roman Empire at the system level.
The students were there. Witness to the 300% tuition increase and the unending impositions of new or higher laboratory fees while the Roman administration leased lands to corporations, particularly the Ayalas, purportedly to help support the university.
The administrative staff were there. Decrying the discriminatory policies which gave premium to faculty as exemplified by the Roman administration's refusal to give them additional 10 day leave credits while easily giving 15 days additional sick leave benefits to the faculty for every year of service.
The members of the Rights of Untenured UP Faculty and Sarah Raymundo were there. Raymundo remains without a teaching position in UP, almost nine months after the May 27, 2010 BOR approval of her appeal for tenure.
PGH staff were represented; witness to the contract of the Administration with the Mercado corporation which has exclusive lease to the Mercado Faculty Medical Arts Building inside the UP PGH compound. The deal includes the setting up of a pharmacy, laboratory, radiology and x-ray facilities in competition with existing policies in PGH.
UP Kilos Na said good riddance to the Roman Administration and vowed to continue to assert for a democratic university in the service of the Filipino people.
UP Visayas Chancellor Minda Formacion presents President Roman with a token of appreciation during the testimonial event held at UPV.
“UP officials across the seven constituent universities organized several tributes to honor outgoing President Emerlinda R. Roman.”
“UP Diliman will hold its own tribute titled “Parangal sa Pangulo, An Invitational Gala Concert” on February 9 at 7: 30 p.m. at the University Theater.”
GOOD RIDDANCE ROMAN Pahayag sa Huling Araw ng Panunungkulan ni Emerlinda Roman UP KILOS NA Pebrero 9, 2011
GANAP NA TULDUKAN ANG IMPERYONG ROMAN; IPAGPATULOY ANG PAGGIGIIT SA DEMOKRATIKONG UNIBERSIDAD NG MAMAMAYAN:
Ang Administrasyong Roman ay lantarang tumahak sa landas ng neoliberalistang edukasyon at humamon sa kakayanan at tibay ng kolektibong pagpupunyagi. Sa pagwakas ng Administrasyong Roman, matutuldukan na ang paghahari-harian sa system level ng mga tauhan ng imperyo. Pero, nananatili ang mga patakaran at programang neo-liberal at anti-demokratiko at nanatili sa karamihan ng mga constituent universities ang mga opisyal na masugid na tagapagpatupad ng mga ganitong programa. Kung gayon, hindi sapat na magsabi tayo ng “Goodbye Roman” at “Good luck Pascual”. Kailangang panghawakan natin ang mga aral ng ating pakikibaka at ipagpatuloy ang mga pagsisikap na gawing demokratiko at makamamamayan ang Unibersidad ng Pilipinas sa susunod na anim na taon ng panunungkulan ng Administrasyong Pascual.
Paano ba nakapanghari ang Emperyong Roman?
Narito ang hanay ng walang patumanggang abusadong gawi ng ng sagad-sagarang neoliberalistang Administrasyong Roman sa loob ng anim (6) na taon: paglulubid ng mga kasinungalingan, pagbabawas at pambabaluktot sa mga impormasyon, tahasang di pagsunod kahit sa highest policy making body sa mga desisyong di pabor sa kanyang kampo, pagtanggal ng mga tunay na kinatawan ng mag-aaral paggamit ng iba’t ibang anyo ng panggigipit, pagmamaniobra sa likod ng mga legalistikong argumento laban sa mga kolektibong tagumpay, kaprityosong paglalagay sa pwesto ng mga kaalyado kahit lantarang sagasaan ang mga demokratikong proseso at pagsasadrama ng mga huwad na konsultasyon at mga proseso.
Paano nakipagtunggali ang ating Kolektibong Lakas?
Maaga nating nasuri at sustenidong hinarap ang dalawang mukha ng neoliberalistang katangian ng Administrasyong Roman: 1)ang pagsasapalengke ng Unibersidad at 2)ang paglikha ng malisyosong imahe sa kolektibong pagtuligsa at mapanghating pamumuno sa komunidad ng UP.
Mula rito ay naging dalawang hugis din ang ating sama-samang paglaban:1)pakikibakang anti-komersyalisasyon at pribatisasyon ng edukasyon/sa mga serbisyo sosyal at 2)pagsalag laban sa pagtatangkang pagsawata sa kilusang naggigiit na ang UP ay serbisyo, hindi negosyo at kilusan sa pamantasan na isinasabuhay ang paglilingkod sa sambayanan sa pakikiisa sa mga isyu ng bayan: -Pagbubuo ng malawak na pormasyon sa pagitan ng mga sektor at CUs para harapin ang mga isyu ng UP at ng bayan gaya ng pagsasabuhay ng UP Wide Democratization Movement II para sa kampanya sa UP Charter, UP centennial multisectoral committee para sa pagkilala sa tradisyon ng pakikibaka at serbisyo sa bayan ng UP, UP KILOS NA na hinarap sa isyung mababang subsidyo sa edukasyon hanggang sa mga katiwalian sa pambansang pamahalaan.
-Pagbubuo ng mga sustenidong kampanya laban sa 2006 TOFI, kalat-kalat na kaso ng fee increases, UP 2008 Charter, mataas na subsidyo para sa edukasyon at laban sa budget cut,diskriminasyon sa mga kawani, End The Roman Empire, tenure issues, Cebu high school closure, UPS LB at UP Printing closure, kampanya sa dagdag na benepisyo at napapanahon at makatwirang promosyon para sa lahat ng sektor, ibalik ang tama sa PGH directorship, S & T Parks, maanomalyang mga kontrata;
-Aktibong pakikilahok sa mga isyu ng sektor edukasyon at ng mamamayan gaya ng kampanya sa mataas na badyet sa edukasyon at mga serbisyo sosyal, P125 dagdag sweldo sa mga manggagawa at 3000 ATB at kagyat na pagpapatupad ng SSL3,pakikipagkaisa sa hanay ng magsasaka sa isyu ng hacienda luisita at kampanya sa tunay na repormang agraryo, pag-usig sa bawat taon ng SONA ni GLORIA, pagtuligsa at pagkilos laban sa pagtaas ng presyo ng bilihin/VAT/oil price increase / fare hike ng MRT/LRT;
-Ating naipagwagi ang pagtatangka na pigilan ang ALL UP Academic Employees Union bilang sole and exclusive negotiating unit ng rank-and-file at makabuo ng kauna-unahang Collective Negotiating Agreement (CNA) sa hanay ng akademikong sektor. At muling nakapanaig sa certification election ang militante, progresibo at makabayang unyonismo (MPMU) sa hanay ng administratibong kawani na nakapaggiit ng ikalawang relatibong progresibong CNA na nagbigay ng 3 sakong bigas sa halagang P4500, centennial bonus, cash incentive mula P10,000-15,000, groceries allowance na P1000, dagdag na 6-8 araw na leaves, pagpapalakas ng mga karapatan at benepisyo sa paggawa;
-Pagpapahigpit ng pagkakaisa sa mga sektor sa komunidad ng UP gaya ng mga pagkilos sa pagsasaayos ng kalagayan ng mga vendors, pakikiisa sa 11 buwang pakikibaka ng RIPADA laban sa C5 at due process sa informal settlers na karamiha’y retirees, (ALISIN NA ITO DAHIL TIPONG NAKIKIALAM TAYO SA MGA STUDENT ACTIVITIES)
PAGHARAP SA MGA LABI NG IMPERYONG ROMAN
Direktang naalisan ng basbas ang Imperyong Roman sa pagkatalo ng kanyang manok, Sergio Cao sa pagka Presidente at sa pagsuporta ng mga sectoralregents kay President Pascual batay sa kaisahang prinsipyado, nakatuntong sa pagharap sa mga isyu. Ito ang malaking hakbang sa pagtuldok sa Imperyong Roman sa system level (bukod sa naunang napigilang pagtatangkang ikalawang termino sa balangkas ng 2008 UP Charter).
Ang pagpapalakas ng katangiang UNIBERSIDAD NG MAMAMAYAN ang lundo ng sama-samang pagkilos at sustenidong kampanya, ng kaisahang prinsipyado: maibabalik ang pagkakaisa sa loob ng komunidad ng UP at matitiyak ang paglilingkod ng Unibersidad sa mamamayan na siyang nagpopondo sa kanya:
-Maipatupad ang mga desisyon at usaping isinantabi ng nakaraang administrasyon gaya ng pagbibigay ng load kay Prof. Raymundo, pagsasaayos ng kaso ni Prof. Basadre, paghabol sa accountability ng Chancellor ng UP Mindanao, pagbantay sa isyu ng FMAB ng PGH, pagpapatuloy ng usapan sa UMMC at UMCB bilang mga istruktura ng negosasyon sa pagitan ng UP Admin at ng 2 unyon, pagrepaso sa pagtataas ng bayarin (tuition at other fees), pagrepaso at pagtiyak ng transparency ng mga kontrata; paglabas ng detalyadong financial accounts ng UP kabilang na ang mga sagot sa mga questions ng COA sa pinansya ng UP.
-Pagpapalakas ng konsultasyon at representasyon ng mga sektor gaya ng pagrepaso ng Student Code, re-negosasyon ng higit na progresibo at makaempleyado CNA ng 2 unyon mula sa pagdaragdag benepisyo hanggang sa pag-upo sa mga komite ng Unibersidad, pagrepaso ng mga proseso at patakaran sa pagpili ng Faculty Regent at ibang opisyal ng Unibersidad at pagbubuo ng multisektoral na pormasyon sa lahat ng kampus at antas system para sa mga isyu ng UP community;
-Paglikha ng kapaligirang mapagkaisa sa mga sektor at progresibong diskursong gaya ng pagbubukas ng kampus sa pagbisita ng mga magsasaka at partner sectors ng mga akdemikong programa, pagkilala sa mga karapatan at paninindigan ng mga organisasyon, pagbibigay ng mga puwang para sa karapatang makapag-asembliya at ekspresyon gaya ng pag-alis sa 12 oclock habit na rali at with permit na protesta at sagadsagaring administrador, itakwil ang diskriminasyon sa pagitan ng mga sektor (faculty, kawani, REPS) mula sa representasyon hanggang sa mga benepisyo, payabungin at isabuhay ang research agenda na magsisilbi sa lipunang Pilipino at maisabuhay ang mga tunay na konsultasyon sa mga isyu ng UP community at ng bayan.
Nasa atin ang panimulang tagumpay at matwid na pagsusuri.
Pahigpitin ang kabig-bisig laban sa labi ng Emperyong Roman na hambalos ng neoliberalistang tunguhin.
UP KILOS NA: GANAP NA TULDUKAN ANG IMPERYONG ROMAN; IPAGPATULOY ANG PAGGIGIIT SA DEMOKRATIKONG UNIBERSIDAD NG MAMAMAYAN:
Official Statement on the Roman Testimonial Ceremony Protest
UP Mindanao University Student Council
February 8, 2011
The 4th of February shall be another mark in our history. That day was not a testimony for outgoing UP President Emerlinda Roman. Rather, it was a testimony to the militant struggle of all Iskolars ng Bayan, faculty and staff, who together, continuously fought to defend the University of the Philippines against all forms of commercialization and privatization. A testimony to our enduring struggle to defend the university’s public character.
In her six years as UP president, Roman acted as an emissary of the reactionary government in pushing for neoliberal policies to make quality education inaccessible to the Filipino youth. To commend someone who pushed for the approval of such policies is insulting not only to the UP community, but to the Filipino youth and masses, who expects the university to perform its obligation to society: to provide quality and accessible education to the youth. The 300% tuition and other fee increases and the land use schemes have proven that Roman betrayed not only the Iskolars ng Bayan but also the democratic interest of the entire nation. It was not a solution to the continually decreasing state subsidy, rather, these neoliberal policies served as catalysts for the privatization of UP and total state abandonment. Instead of fighting for greater state subsidy, it has tolerated the negligence of the state to perform its constitutional mandate of making quality education accessible at all levels. Indeed, it has performed well in serving the interest of the reactionary government and the capitalists, and has neglected the true interests of the UP community.
But because of the strong opposition of the students, faculty and staff on these policies, the administration used systematic forms of repression in an attempt to silence the progressives. Many leaders, among the students, faculty and staff have bravely fought for our democratic rights and have faced different forms of political repression, from removing a regent in the BOR to delaying a professor’s tenure. The administration’s fascist character is revealed in a desperate attempt to preserve the neoliberal character and the feudal status quo. Our militant struggle has proven to be a powerful instrument in protecting people’s rights and interest. It has always overpowered the schemes of the fascist administration.
Spending a large amount of taxpayers’ money on that ceremony despite the P1.1B decrease in the university’s Maintenance and Other Operating Expenses (MOOE) for 2011 is just adding more insult to the injury. This display of extravagance is appalling. How can these university officials be so insensitive while students, faculty and staff have to make do with the slashed budget for the university? Indeed, UP is a microcosm of the Philippine society. This picture shows us the widening disparity between the rich and the poor. This is a picture of the leadership of the bourgeois class, insensitive to the plight of the masses and a futile attempt of bringing true change in society.
On that day, we stormed the testimonial ceremony to express our rage against Roman or what we refer to as Roman Empire. On that day, we sent a message that the UP community shall never forget the deep scars of political repression left by her administration. On that day, we have shown the strength of the masses and its ability to shake up a leadership that is unwilling to serve its true interests. We may have encountered violent reactions and threats, but it did not stop us and will never stop us. The cronies of the Roman Empire have failed to calm down the agitated students and were also exposed of their true reactionary nature conveniently camouflaged as former progressives. It also exposed them of their willingness to tolerate the Roman Empire’s leadership amidst its six year track record.
The act of pelting President Roman with eggs was symbolic, done out of accumulated rage and frustration. It symbolized how we cannot tolerate the bastardization of what our university stands for. Some may even regard it as a disrespectful act. But how can one respect someone from a corrupt institution? As one UP professor puts it, the ones who insist upon respect for an official of a corrupt institution are the ones who are actually, disrespectful. Disrespect towards members of the UP community, who have been deprived of and are struggling to protect their democratic rights. Disrespect directed against the youth and its families who have been deprived of a UP education, brought about by commercialization and privatization. With these said, it would then be more disrespectful to the majority if we did not do anything that day. It would then be more disrespectful to have not fought for our democratic rights. It would then be a disservice to our constituents.
A few days from now, the UP system will bid its final farewell to the Roman Empire, and another one will be taking its place. Let this be a testimony to UP’s militant struggle and go onwards with it. This is the only way that we can champion people’s rights and welfare. It is only through mass action that we can create history. Let us not be deceived by mere promises and plans. We must remain vigilant and active to ensure that our interests will be upheld. Together, let us stand and go onward with our militant struggle!
OPPOSE NEOLIBERAL POLICIES IN EDUCATION!
SERBISYO, TRABAHO, HUWAG GAWING NEGOSYO!
FIGHT FOR GREATER STATE SUBSIDY!
UP KILOS NA PARA SA DEMOKRATIKONG UNIBERSIDAD NG PILIPINAS NA NAGLILINGKOD SA BAYAN!
Editor's note: The following is a scan of the top half of the front page of the November 22, 2008 edition of the Manila Times showing a picture of the November 21, 2008 inauguration of the UP-AyalaLand Technohub along Commonwealth Avenue in Diliman, Quezon City. In the picture are former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Ayala Land Chairman Fernando Zobel de Ayala and Outgoing U.P. President Emerlinda R. Roman. We have uploaded this scan for its historical interest, as R.A. 9500 or the 2008 University of the Philippine Charter was signed by then-President Arroyo into law on April 29, 2008 which required transparent and public consultations among U.P.'s stakeholders which were not properly carried out.
And history could have repeated itself again in what could constitute an even broader pattern of a lack of transparency in U.P., as more land deals were approved on January 27, 2011 by the U.P. Board of Regents (see: http://diliman-diary.blogspot.com/2011/01/last-minute-orgy-of-approved-land-deals.html), which Student Regent Jaque Eroles and Staff Regent Clodualdo "Buboy" Cabrera have opposed, as lacking the necessary requirement of having to undergo public consultation as required under R.A. 9500.
If these land deals were approved but were not in accordance with the law, then they are -- especially in these more interactive times -- open to legal challenge from various interest groups, civic organizations, general members of the public or even the myriad numbers of bloggers populating the Diliman area.
"The highlight of the ceremony will be the turnover of the University Mace, the symbol of authority of the UP presidency, by outgoing president, Emerlinda R. Roman, to the incoming president, Alfredo E. Pascual,"
"Pascual was elected by the UP Board of Regents last December. His term begins on February 10 and ends on February 9, 2017."
