Movement Against Tyranny Cebu

From the Office of the Faculty Regent of the University of the Philippines and The Network in Defense of Historical Truth and Academic Freedom

Opinions against Cebu City ordinance Faculty Regent Carl Marc Ramota expressed concern over the proposed “Anti-Violence and School Safety Ordinance” in Cebu City, saying it is a violation of academic freedom and institutional autonomy of the University of the Philippines as enshrined in its Charter, R.A. 9500.

On the Proposed Ordinance to Require Institutions of Learning to Submit their Calendar of Activities to the City Police

The All UP Academic Employees Union strongly rejects the proposed Cebu City Ordinance which requires all schools, universities, and other institutions of learning to submit their calendar of activities to the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO). Such a proposal is yet another attempt to curtail the academic freedom of institutions of learning which is enshrined in the 1987 Constitution. The CCPO does not have any business storing academic calendars and checking on the academic activities of educational institutions which autonomously plan educational activities on their own through the provision of academic freedom. Academic calendars are even freely available online in some institutions not yet for the satisfaction of the surveilling eyes of the police and other members of the security sector but for public consumption. But requiring academic calendars to be submitted to the CCPO brazenly empowers an agency that does not have any business with academics in the first place.

This surveillance mechanism and police state localization demonstrate nothing but a conspicuous disconnect between the Big Brother monitoring of civilians in the academe and the anti-violence and school safety that they propose to install. It's an Orwellian license to implant 1984 in Cebu City. Granting arguendo that this proposal is acceptable, law enforcement and local government authorities have the prior onus of demonstrating that they have provided, and continue to be competent to provide "additional protection to schools and universities in Cebu City." Yet, the breaches of security and blatant violation of safety in Cebu City campuses, e.g. "rescue" of Lumad Bakwit students in USC, and the disrespect of UP Cebu grounds in many a peaceful protest, along with the habitual red-tagging and harassment of dissenters from academia are clear indications of incompetence and lack of commitment to actively protect schools and universities, including peaceful dissent.

If the City Government and the CCPO are indeed concerned with the safety and security of the academic community in Cebu City, they can start by giving a thorough and impartial investigation of the abduction of University of the Philippines Cebu lecturer Armand Jake Dayoha and alumna April Dyan Gumanao. We rather challenge Councilor Jose Lorenzo Abellanosa and CCPO to uphold and help ensure the exercise of constitutionally guaranteed rights such as the freedom of speech and assembly by the academic community of Cebu. In a seriously deteriorating human rights situation, what we need are ordinances that defend rather than further curtail constitutionally guaranteed rights.

BAYAN says Facebook is censoring free speech on behalf of state trolls

Bagong Alyansang Makabayan reported that an increasing number of statements and videos of its members have been removed on Facebook for containing references to the late Filipino revolutionary leader Jose Maria Sison.

BAYAN denounced the automated censorship and warned against tech companies policing the internet on behalf of state trolls and authoritarian regimes.

The repeated removal of posts honoring the legacy of Sison, whose life and works are featured in history classes and textbooks, reflects the systematic efforts of state-funded trolls to erase any trace of online dissent. It also exposes how the so-called community standards of Facebook are arbitrarily invoked to silence activists and revolutionaries.

Apparently, the takedown of our posts is linked to Facebook’s list of Dangerous Individuals and Organizations as reported by investigative news website The Intercept. The list uncritically accepts the government’s definition of ‘enemies of the state’ which includes revolutionaries and public intellectuals like Sison.

It is absurd to claim that censoring posts is aimed at promoting public safety when the platform allows the proliferation of posts that incite hate, bigotry, misogyny, and violence directed against activists, government critics, and Leftist groups.

Facebook’s algorithm is tweaked against groups targeted by the government’s red-tagging machinery. Meanwhile, it tolerates anti-Left disinformation and hate speech under the guise of upholding freedom of expression.

Facebook is not just guilty of being complicit in legitimizing censorship; it is enabling harm and state-sponsored violence directed against activists.

At the very least, Facebook should restore the posts it removed and the accounts it restricted. It should review its community standards and ensure the protection of individuals and groups who are at risk of facing state reprisals. And if it is sincere in enhancing the safety of its users, it should address the vicious troll operations that spread lies, hate, and violence against activists and human rights defenders.

We call on internet users to resist digital censorship by challenging the unjust and arbitrary actions of Facebook. We enjoin fellow Filipinos and digital rights advocates to defend and assert our freedom of expression amid the intensifying attacks of state forces.

Statement on the Red-Tagging of Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar and Chancellor Leo Malagar

As concerned academics and educators we join the judiciary and human rights groups in condemning the red-tagging and harassment of Judge Marlo Magdoza-Malagar and her husband University of the Philippines Cebu (UP Cebu) Chancellor Leo Malagar.

Judge Malagar, one of the outstanding judges of the Philippines, is subjected to red-tagging by former spokesperson of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF-ELCAC) Lorraine Badoy. After the release of her 135-page decision dismissing the government petition for proscription to declare the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army as terrorist groups, Badoy sent barrage of threats and harassments against the Judge. We commend Judge Marlo for her courageous decision upholding the r ule of law and human rights in the country. As UP alumna, we take pride in her independent judgement which has caused the ire of the rabid anti-communist group in the country.

Not contented with vilifying Judge Marlo, Badoy hit on the husband of the Judge, Chancellor Leo of UP Cebu. Badoy recklessly labeled Chancellor Leo as “cadre of the Communist Party”. We are alarmed and outraged at the simultaneous besmirching of the reputation of these dedicated public servants.
Both Judge Marlo and Chancellor Leo are distinguished alumni of the University of the Philippines Cebu and UP Diliman College of Law, respectively. As former student leaders they have shown commitment for academic freedom and the rights of the marginalized. Both were Chevening scholars in University of London where they pursued advanced studies in law. The couple have sterling records in public service. Judge Marlo served as RTC Judge in Manila Branch 19 since 2012. Chancellor Leo was instructor at UP Cebu, elected Student Regent of UP, former Vice President of Smart Communications, and Assistant Secretary of the Philippine Statistics Authority, before his appointment as Chancellor of UP Cebu this year.

We cannot remain complacent to the red-tagging and harassment of the couple. This is an affront on their fundamental rights and dignity as persons. The veiled threats endanger their lives as well as that of their children. Aside from the fact that red-tagging distorts the rule of law, it likewise is a threat against academic freedom. It has been used as a tool to harass and send a chilling effect among progressive academics. If attacks like this can be done fearlessly with professionals like them, how much more with ordinary folks.

We challenge the present Marcos Jr. administration to hold liable red-taggers and all the perpetrators of harassments and human rights violations. They should be dealt with to the fullest extent of the law.

Today's by Artemio V. Panganiban (Sept. 26, 2022).

READ: https://opinion.inquirer.net/157310/reviewing-the-marcos-estate-tax

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In celebration of the Rule of Law Month, Atty. Democrito C. Barcenas will launch his second book, Martial Law in Cebu
Stories of Life and Struggle During the Marcos Dictatorship, on Sept. 21, 2022 at the AS Lobby of UP Cebu.

Atty. Mocring, as he is popularly and fondly called, is the book's editor and publisher. There are 21 contributors/writers (including Atty. Mocring and his lovely wife and better half, Atty. Lourdes Barcenas) who shared their own personal stories during martial law.

Atty. Mocring, a past president of the IBP Cebu City Chapter, also wrote the book Never Forget which was published in January 2019.

Congratulations, Atty. Mocring!

SEN. LEGARDA’S CALL FOR PEACE SHOULD BE SUPPORTED, NOT RED TAGGED AND VILIFIED
September 2, 2022

After so many years, it was refreshing to hear a senator of the Republic make an earnest call for peace.

Reacting to Sen. Francis Tolentino’s ridiculous proposal to require government employees to disclose who among their relatives are members of so-called subversive groups or terrorist organizations, Sen. Loren Legarda correctly pointed out the danger of advocacy groups and NGOs becoming the target of such a draconian measure.

Going a step further, she said she found no fault nor shame in having leftist views or working with those in the Left, saying this did not make anyone a subversive or an enemy of the state.

Finally, Legarda called for a review of the Anti Terrorism Law and urged the government to revive the GRP-NDFP peace talks.

Having been long involved in the peace process, Sen. Legarda walks her talk. Her manifestation was not only incisive and spot on. It is exactly what the country needs to hear and do.

Hold fast, Sen. Legarda. We are with you on this one. #

Signatories:

Former DSWD Sec. Judy Taguiwalo
Former NAPC Chair Liza Maza
Former Rep. Ferdinand Gaite
Former Rep. Eufemia Cullamat
Sr. Mary John Mananzan, OSB
Bp. Emergencio D. Padillo, United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Bp. Francisco S. Aviso, Jr., United Church of Christ in the Philippines
Dr. Carol Araullo, Chairperson, Bagong Alyansang Makabayan
Atty. Sonny Matula, President, Federation of Free Workers
Elmer Labog, Chairperson, Kilusang Mayo Uno
Atty. Edre Olalia, President, National Union of People's Lawyers
Joey Papa, President, Bangoon Kalikasan Movement
Gert Ranjo-Libang, Chairperson, Gabriela
Jandeil Roperos, President, National Union of Students of the Philippines
Dr. Edelina P. De la Paz, Chairperson, Health Alliance for Democracy
Clark Anthony Trovela, President, Phil. Medical Students Association
Dean Tony La Viña, Assoc. Director, Manila Observatory
Direk Joel Lamangan
Bibeth Orteza
Soc Jose
Krix San
Vergel Santos
Chit Santos
Soc Reyes, Free Leila Committee
Magtanggol Abreu
Carlos Salvador, Panday Sining FQS
Fr. Benjamin Alforque, MSC
Sr. Rowena Pineda, MMS, Sisters Association in Mindanao (SAMIN)
Sr. Ma. Lisa Ruedaa, DC
Sr. Rebecca Pacete, MMS
Rev Irma Balaba, Promotion of Church People's Response
Sultan Abdul Hamidullah Atar, Sultan of Marawi
Dean Julkipli Wadi, Institute of Islamic Studies, UP Diliman
Prof. Aurora Javate de Dios, Miriam College
Prof. Temario Rivera
Prof. Rufa Cagoco-Guiam, Co-convener, Independent Working Group on Transitional Justice
Prof. Felipe Mendoza de Leon
Prof. Maria Fe Villamor-Mendoza
Prof. Mike Pante
Atty. Edre Olalia
Atty. Jamar Kulayan
Annie Geron, Public Sector LInk
Restituta C. Tan, College of Nursing, DLSMHSI
Eufemia Doringo, Secretary General, Kadamay
Amirah Ali Lidasan, MCPA Secretary General
Manuel Baclagon, COURAGE Secretary General
Royce Vincent M. Chua, PMSA-PLM President
Danzelle Macrine Collantes, PMSA-PLM Secretary General
Maureen Kay-an Belen Loste
Dayling Java

'IT IS OUTRAGEOUS!'

Professor Winnie Monsod expressed her disbelief over their denied request to visit detained former senator Leila de Lima, who is celebrating her 63rd birthday on Saturday.

In a Twitter post, Monsod said that their request, which was filed weeks ago, to visit the former senator was verbally disapproved. (Twitter/Winnie Monsod)

Constitution Framer Monsod: Don't blame Charter for country's ills Speaking during a Senate hearing on Charter change, lawyer Christian Monsod said the problems that the country faces were not borne out of the Constitution but because of the failure to implement its provisions.

Book-banning, red-tagging: Classic dick moves
Pop goes the world - Jenny Ortuoste
Manila Standard - August 17, 2022

Red-tagging has reared its ugly head again, with the latest instance that of a certain former government official and some media personalities taking up their hatchet to some books published by the Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino (KWF).

This latest incident of red-tagging and a subsequent memo by a couple of KWF commissioners pulling out the books are widely regarded by some cultural, education, and writers’ groups as a dick move.

The officious ex-official said on a media platform that five books, three of them published by the KWF, were “subversive” documents.

The former official, who is facing a number of red-tagging complaints, said on the media group’s platform that they would “demand that they recall it.” The media people on the same show eagerly agreed, and also red-tagged the KWF chairman and those involved with approving and releasing the books.

This criticism must have been what prompted two commissioners of the 11-member KWF Board to release, on Aug. 9, a list of so-called “subversive” and “anti-government” books that it wants banned from books and libraries, referring to the Anti-Terrorism Act (Republic Act 11479) and its provision against inciting to commit terrorism.

The decision to release this memorandum is also going down in history as an equally contemptible and ill-conceived action.

KWF Chairman Arthur Casanova said the works in question passed the proper review process.

“All the books underwent the usual scrutiny that all publications of the KWF must pass, including receiving the imprimatur of the other two full-time commissioners [the ones who released the memo]. I did not railroad nor force any publication,” he said.

He added that calling books “subversive” is “dangerous” as this impinges on academic freedom and freedom of expression.

Various cultural, academic, and book groups – said by one news source to number around 30 – released statements denouncing the KWF memo for promoting censorship.

Among them was the Manila Critics Circle (MCC) that gives out the annual National Book Awards, which decried the “false accusation of subversion and anti-government action” against the five books mentioned in the KWF memo.

The MCC, a group of writers and academics, also condemned the “red-tagging insinuations against the late National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and the esteemed scholar Alice Guillermo. Such vicious branding curtails the free expression of the Filipino writer, disgraces the professional work of the Filipino scholar, and denies the Filipino people’s right to information.”

The Book Development Association of the Philippines (BDAP) said it “condemns all forms of red-tagging, banning of books, and censorship.”

It added “branding books as subversive violates our freedoms to think and express, first as human beings, and second as citizens of this democratic country protected by its Constitution.”

BDAP called the action “highly disturbing” as it “stems from a government body tasked to develop our national language and other Philippine languages,” and took a poke at the disharmony within the agency, saying, “The KWF should be a stalwart of the very freedoms that allow language and critical thinking to flourish. We expect level-headed thought and deliberation and not internal petty power struggles.”

Meanwhile 12 of the winners of the Makata ng Taon award handed out by the KWF also expressed their dismay over the agency’s internal problems and the branding of the KWF books as “subversive” by a couple of commissioners.

The poets also stated their concern that the Anti-Terror Law was used to censor the books, because this puts the authors in danger. They also called for the resignation of all the agency’s commissioners “upang ibangon ang natitirang dangal ng Komisyon.”

Censoring and banning books is a move always associated with fascism and authoritarianism, based on the desire to control and monitor the thoughts and behavior of others.

N**i Germany and Italy instituted book-burning. The Vatican has its Index Librorum Prohibitorum. Conservative America is currently going after books on gender and race that are interpreted as going against fundamentalist Christian standards.

There are no benefits to banning books, least of all to any government.

It only makes any administration that promotes it look extremely stupid, ignorant, and cruel.

And with human nature being what it is, anything suppressed will be all the more attractive and arouse curiosity, which causes censorship to ultimately backfire.

It’s a classic shoot-themselves-in-the-foot tactic that history has shown never works. The same goes for red-tagging, which National Security Adviser Clarita Carlos has advised against, calling it “just mere labeling, which is a lazy way of thinking.”

I’ll give the last word to lawyer Ted Te, former Supreme Court spokesperson, who wrote on social media: “When your first resort is to censor thought, you already know how weak your counter-argument is. When you are so afraid of ideas that your first instinct is to ban books, then you really have a lot to be afraid of.”

Article Source Link: https://manilastandard.net/opinion/columns/pop-goes-the-world-by-jenny-ortuoste/314252170/book-banning-red-tagging-classic-dick-moves.html

Pati ba naman gobierno, NHCP, i-red-tag nyo?
The National Historical Commission of the Philippines is the government agency responsible for history, it is neither a communist nor a terrorist organization. Hoy! Wag shunga!

Ang-See said that the distribution of the tickets was “tantamount to asking these educational institutions to promote outright lies, falsehoods and historical distortion.”

Read: https://inq.news/AngSeeMIM

The Sandiganbayan affirmed its decision to dismiss a government lawsuit seeking to recover the Currimao Beach House and several other properties from the Marcos family.

In a 12-page resolution dated July 22, 2022, the Sandiganbayan 4th Division denied the motion for reconsideration filed by the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG) to reverse its December 16, 2019 ruling that dismisses its bid for reversion, reconveyance, restitution, accounting of supposed ill-gotten wealth of the Marcoses allegedly amounting to P200 billion, as well as damages. | Inquirer.net

UP Film Institute to start offering courses on martial law The University of the Philippines Film Institute will start offering film education on martial law this coming school year.

We have replenished this title!

THE CONJUGAL DICTATORSHIP OF FERDINAND AND IMELDA MARCOS by Primitivo Mijares

About the book:
This book reports on the best-laid plans that paved the way to the Philippines' dark history: the imposition of martial law in 1972 and the schemes that built and held its infrastructure. Drawing data from his work as Marcos's media adviser before his defection in 1975, Primitivo Mijares exposes the massive corruption and military abuses under the regime, which has left the nation in ruins. Forty-five years after its first publication, the book, in this revised and annotated edition, reminds Filipinos of their past that remains a present threat.

"To the remaining democracies all over the world, this book is offered us a case study on how a democratically-elected president could operate within the legal system and yet succeed in subverting that democracy in order to perpetuate himself and his wife as conjugal dictators."
—from the Introduction originally written in 1976

Get your copy
Shopee: bit.ly/Conjugal-s
Lazada: bit.ly/Conjugal-Laz

Lawyer Ted Te has this to say after the driver who ran over a security guard in Mandaluyong City was allowed to walk free from the police camp after holding a press conference.

Related story: https://inq.news/driver-apologize

Phoebe Sanchez

“FREE FOR EVERY KAKAMPINK…”

An artist paid tribute to “Kakampinks” by drawing them, saying it’s a celebration for what they stand for the country.

READ: https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/on-the-radar/2022/05/30/2184788/brought-back-sense-mutual-trust-friendliness-artist-pays-tribute-kakampinks

Phoebe Sanchez

S c a m m y D o o 🤡

GoldmanSachs said an administration run by Vice President Leni Robredo might mean a significant shift, considering her comprehensive plan to free the Philippines from the clutches of the COVID-19 pandemic.

READ: https://inq.news/bigshift

BAKIT HINDI NAKAKULONG SI IMELDA MARCOS? Dahil wala pang Plunder Law noon at dahil lang nakapiyansa siya ngayon sa Criminal Conviction niya.

Uulitin ko po: Mayroon nang at least 5 court decisions at 13 confessions ng mga cronies o kasabwat na may nakakalulang mga nakaw na yaman ang mga Marcoses. Ang hindi pagkakakulong ni Imelda ay hindi pruweba na ang pamilya Marcos ay inosente. Wala ni isang court decision na nagsabing abswelto sila sa lahat ng charge ng pagnanakaw. Ang artikulo pong ito ay upang sagutin ang tanong na bakit hindi pa nga nakakulong si Imelda.

Nahatulan si Imelda Marcos ng Sandiganbayan noong 2018 na GUILTY OF 7 COUNTS OF GRAFT na may parusang 6 years each, or total of 42 years. Agad-agad siyang nagpiyansa kaya hindi na naituloy ang pagkakakulong sa kaniya. Mananatili siyang malaya hangga't hindi pa naaaksyunan ng Korte Suprema ang kaniyang appeal. Ito ay kalayaang mula sa mga karapatan niya sa ilalim ng demokrasya na pinasinayaan ni Pangulong Corazon Aquino.

Bakit naman hindi nakasuhan si Imelda for plunder gaya ng Pangulong Erap Estrada at Gloria Arroyo? Under the Plunder Law kasi, dapat hindi bailable ang pagnanakaw ng mag-asawang Marcos. Ngunit hindi po sila maaaring kasuhan under the Plunder Law dahil 1991 lang po naging effective ang Plunder Law o RA 7080, at bawal sa ating sistema ng batas na bigyan ng retroactive effect ang mga criminal laws.

Eh, bakit hindi pinakulong si Imelda sa ilalim ng mga desisyon na nagsabing may nakaw na yaman ang mga Marcos sa ilalim ng 1955 Anti-Ill Gotten Wealth Act (Republic Act 1379)? Wala po kasing penalty of imprisonment para sa mga public officials na nagkamkam ng yaman na “manifestly out of proportion” sa kanilang lehitimong yaman. Ang penalty lamang po para sa pagkamkam ng ill-gotten wealth ay pag-forfeit sa pamahalaan ng mga assets na nakitang sobra-sobra sa kanilang lehitimong yaman.

Kaya nga’t si Congressman Alfred Vargas at si dating Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo ay parehong nagpanukala na amyendahan ang RA 1379 para isama ang penalty ng pagkakakulong sa sinumang mahahatulan na nagkamkam ng nakaw na yaman. Nasa link sa baba ang panukalang-batas ni Congressman Vargas at ang kampanya ni Ombudsman Marcelo na dapat nang amyendahan ang Anti-Ill-Gotten Wealth Law upang magkaroon ng penalty of imprisonment para sa public official na nagkamal ng ill-gotten wealth.

Kaya't buong-lakas nating tulungang maluklok ang mga mambabatas na hindi na papayagang nakakalaya pa ang mga nagnakaw sa bayan. Buong tapang nating ipaglaban ang mga makatarungang batas at ang pag-iimplement nito na hindi pinapaboran ang mayayaman at makapangyarihan. Kailangang gawin natin na election issue ang paglaban sa corruption kung nais nating mapabuti ang kinabukasan ng mga kabataan.

Kaya’t hindi rin natin dapat tigilang tanungin ang PCGG, OSG at Ombudsman kung ano ang ginagawa nila upang huwag na muling maulit ang malawakang nakawan na nangyari sa panahon ng mga Marcos.

Ito po ang mga links:

🔍 Imelda filing bail and Sandiganbayan accepting the same.
https://cnnphilippines.com/news/2018/11/16/Imelda-Marcos-Sandiganbayan-motion-graft-conviction-bail.html

🔍 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 1379
AN ACT DECLARING FORFEITURE IN FAVOR OF THE STATE ANY
PROPERTY FOUND TO HAVE BEEN UNLAWFULLY ACQUIRED BY ANY
PUBLIC OFFICER OR EMPLOYEE AND PROVIDING FOR THE
PROCEEDINGS THEREFOR, June 18, 1955https://www.ombudsman.gov.ph/docs/republicacts/Republic_Act_No_1379.pdf

🔍 REPUBLIC ACT NO. 7080
AN ACT DEFINING AND PENALIZING THE CRIME OF PLUNDER, July 12, 1991
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xb1--eSlGnFQOWJzKoIPz8Mmr2v4nIkQ/view?usp=sharing

🔍 Congressman Alfred Vargas’ proposal to put in imprisonment as penalty in RA 1379:
HOUSE BILL NO. 7402 - PENALIZING THE ILLICIT ENRICHMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS QND EMPLOYEES FOR THE ACQUISITION OF PROPERTIES THROUGH UNLAWFUL MEANS. https://www.congress.gov.ph/legisdocs/basic_18/HB07402.pdf

🔍 Ombudsman Simeon Marcelo’s proposal to penalize by imprisonment the mere acquisition of ill-gotten wealth in RA 1379, wherein the length of the penalty of imprisonment should depend on the amount/value of ill-gotten wealth amassed; thus, the higher the amount/value of ill-gotten wealth, the longer the term of imprisonment.
https://news.abs-cbn.com/views-and-analysis/08/06/08/acquiring-ill-gotten-wealth-criminal-act%E2%80%94simeon-marcelo

🖋 Labintatlong kasabwat ni Marcos na ang nangumpisal at limang Court Decisons na ang naghatol na galing sa criminality o nakaw ang malaking bahagi ng yaman ng mga Marcos.
https://www.facebook.com/100057821720820/posts/324490282821693/

🖋 Kung walang ninakaw, walang isasauling assets ang mga kasabwat.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=319891649948223&id=100057821720820

🔍QUICK GUIDE PARA ITAMA ANG FAKE NEWS NA WALA DAW NAKAW NA YAMAN ANG MGA MARCOS:
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=329178912352830&id=100057821720820

[ANALYSIS] Why Cebu is historically renowned as anti-Marcos country 'The embers of anti-Marcos sentiments continue to run deep in this vote-rich province'