Public Letter of Thanks
posted by Lester Yupingkun | May 4, 2008
On behalf of the University Student Council and the College of Human Kinetics, I would like to thank:
Ms. Samantha De Guzman
3rd Year Visual Communications Major
College of Fine Arts, UP Diliman
samie.dg@gmail.com
for lending us her talents in designing our VERY NICE letterheads!
CHK Student Council Letterhead
University Student Council Letterhead
Once again, thank you Sam! 
Lester C. Yupingkun
CHK Rep to the USC
First Semester Registration Schedule
posted by Sherry Tismal | May 4, 2008
USC Gender Committee Support Statement for the Victim of Cebu Canister Scandal
posted by Acee Abulencia | May 4, 2008
The University Student Council (USC) believes that each and every human must be treated equally despite of our differences in gender and sexuality. It is a right of every individual to receive proper and humane services just like anybody else should receive, that is why we, the USC condemn the individuals involved in violating the human rights of the victim in the recent “CEBU CANISTER SCANDAL” that was first seen in YouTube (a program on the net that shows a wide variety of video and movie presentations).
We call for the revocation of the licenses of the professionals involved in the scandal
The USC recognizes the fact that the country nowadays is experiencing many crises ranging from food crisis to manpower crisis, and such includes a crisis in professionals such as medical practitioners and nurses. In spite of this crisis, however, we should firmly abide by the rules and regulations specifically the code of ethics that medical practitioners are following. The medical practitioners working in Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) involved in the said scandal –head surgeon Philips Leo Arias and assistant surgeons Angelo Linawagan and Max Joseph Montecillo–clearly violated what is stipulated on the Code of Ethics of the Medical Profession in the Philippines.
ARTICLE II: Duties of the Physicians to their Patients
Section 6. The medical practitioner should guard as a sacred trust anything that is confidential or private in nature that he may discover or that may be communicated to him in his professional relation with his patients, even after their death. He should never divulge this confidential information, or anything that may reflect upon the moral character of the person involved, except when it is required in the interest of justice, public health, or public safety.
And the registered nurses–nursing attendant Rosemarie Villareal and circulating nurse Carmina Sapio –also violated what is written on the Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses.
ARTICLE II: Registered Nurses and People
Section 4 Ethical Principles
3. Personal information acquired in the process of giving nursing care shall be held in strict confidence
Therefore, we call the attention of the Philippine Regulation Commission (PRC), Department of Health (DoH), Philippine Medical Association (PMA), Philippine Nurses Association (PNA), the office of the Ombudsman, and the administration of the VICENTE SOTTO MEMORIAL MEDICAL CENTER to be very strict in monitoring our medical professionals. These offices and organizations should also censure such practitioners who do acts of violation specifically violating the rights to privacy of their patients. At the maximum, we recommend that the licenses of these professionals involved be taken from them for this misbehavior.
The USC also considers this scandal as a GENDER-BASED issue
Though we strongly disapprove of the statement of Msgr. Archilles Dacay (speaker of the Archdiocese of Cebu) that it is the victim’s homosexual act that led him to be involved in the scandal, we recognize the fact that gender took part in this issue.
Let us manipulate the scenario. What if instead of a gay man, a woman became the victim? Or a straight man perhaps? How would the society react? Will it be the same way as what they reacted with Danilo’s case? This is a clear manifestation of a homophobic society that we have today. It is not true that the Filipinos are now fully accepting the fact that there are homosexuals and that our society today is what we can consider as a tolerant society. In line with this and the upcoming INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA or IDAHO (May 17, 2008), we would like the government to consider including the Philippines as one of the signatory countries in the IDAHO movement together with other 35 countries around the world (2007).
To end, the USC would like to stress that this Cebu surgery scandal or Cebu canister scandal is clearly an issue that concerns violation of human rights and discrimination. It is also a matter of concern in ethical practices of our home-grown medical practitioners. It is therefore a must for the offices and organizations concerned to make sure that appropriate disciplinary actions for these acts be equally punished by what is stipulated in our law and constitution.
Defend our Human Rights.
Uphold our Medical Profession.
Fight Discrimination.
GA Report: May 3, 2008
posted by Bikoy Villanueva | May 4, 2008
Thirty of the thirty-four members of the University Student Council (USC) were present in its third formal General Assembly (GA) last May 3 at the USC Office in Vinzons Hall. The agenda listed committee deliberations, the reports of the committee heads, college representatives, among others as the matters to be discussed for the GA. Much of the time, however, was eventually alloted for deliberations for the Committee on Culture and Arts (CCA).
The attendance during the GA is as follows:
| Chairperson Third Bagro Vice-Chairperson Airah Cadiogan Councilors * excused |
College Representatives Acee Abulencia Anna Achacoso Jay Bagcal Issa Baguisi Rashell Cabrera * Rinno Camilit Ace Castillo Chorva David Norby Geraldez Dyan Hatague Carmela Lagang Eshei Mesina Ruth Miguel Jeyson Ocay Raquel Perez Pierre Reyes * Hazel Rodelas Sophia San Luis Marc Virtucio Lester Yupingkun |
Right after the roll call, CL Rep. San Luis raised a point of order with regards to the conduct of some members of the USC especially during the last GA. She raised the issue of the tardiness of CFA Rep. Manuel Mesina that caused the postponement of the committee deliberations for the Committee on the Culture and Arts (CCA) and moved that he be disqualified from proposing.
Members of the USC debated whether to allow Rep. Mesina to present his committee proposal or not. According to Rep. Mesina, he was late because he was caught in traffic. Those who supported that motion of Rep. San Luis said that his excuse is not valid, and that he should be disqualified to avoid future instances where such tardiness resulting to postponement of committee deliberations would be allowed. Allowing Rep. Mesina to present his proposal, according to her, will set a dangerous precedent and will result to it happening “over and over again,” and that “it is okay to be late.” She claimed, “My constituents are law students. I’m not prepared to face them and tell we don’t have a CCA chairperson because one of the proponents was late — he was practically absent.” Rep. Mesina arrived at the April 26 GA more than an hour after it had started. Rep. San Luis added that Rep. Mesina’s tardiness can also be a manifestation of how much or how little his dedication and passion are to his work and to the committee he wishes to serve as head.
Those who wanted Rep. Mesina to continue his proposal said that the other proponent, CM Rep. Anna Achacoso, and other members of the USC, were guilty of similar tardiness. Such tardiness, according to them, must not be solely counted on Rep. Mesina, and if such, disciplinary action must be applied on everyone, and not just to prevent someone from presenting a committee proposal. It was also raised that such motions must have been raised immediately at the last GA or at least before the GA if it is of such importance, and not in a manner that is sudden where the accused wasn’t given prior notice of disqualification. As to why he left early ahead of everyone, Rep. Mesina explained that the situation of the College of Fine Arts (CFA) Student Council at present demands his presence especially last weekend because it was the college’s graduation that afternoon. Apparently, many positions in the CFA Student Council are still vacant after the student council elections. Some members of the USC claim that isn’t the issue, rather it is that “he did not formally communicate to the body that he will be exiting and the reason behind it.”
A motion was raised by Councilor Jaque Eroles to divide the house, because there is an absence of guidelines for disqualification. CL Rep. San Luis objected to the motion because, according to her, there is sufficient precedence in what Chairperson Herminio Bagro apparently said a few GA’s before that tardiness resulting to the postponement of deliberations must not happen again, as what happened to the Sports & Fitness Committee, when CHK Rep. Lester Yupingkun was absent but was allowed to present his proposal the next week.
Some members of the USC proposed that the proponents must be allowed to present, and the debate on the tardiness be moved to the deliberations before the vote for chairpersonship, because according to them, whatever issues some USC members have against Rep. Mesina may be used at the chairpersonship deliberations together with the merits of their proposals.
After an hour of heated deliberations, a motion to terminate the debate was raised. The result of the voting was 18 – 11 in favor of terminating the debate, but such wasn’t equivalent to 2/3’s of the body required to terminate the deliberations. Because the debate had been going on for hours, CL Rep. San Luis was asked how she wanted the issue resolved. She insisted that the GA keep debating until it reaches a consensus.
After half an hour of deliberations and a five-minute recess, the body eventually agreed to a secret-ballot type of deciding on the motion of disqualifying Rep. Mesina from presenting his proposal. In a vote of 16 – 12, Rep. Mesina was disqualified from presenting his proposal for the Committee on Culture & Arts.
Rep. San Luis also pointed out that Councilor Bikoy Villanueva, the one who was taking the minutes of the assembly last April 26, left early without endorsing the task of minute-taking to anyone. She also raised the point that SLIS Rep. Hazel Rodelas did not present her proposal for the Graduate & International Students Committee because she left her flashdrive somewhere and was not prepared to present.
At 12 PM, CM Rep. Anna Achacoso presented her proposal based on a L.I.F.E. program (Lead the students into appreciating the diversity of our culture and history; Incorporate creativity in various USC campaigns and activities; Foster development of Filipino arts and culture as a means for social awareness and participation; and Engage the UP students in activities that will develop their skills and talents).
After Rep. Achacoso’s presentation, the USC unanimously voted to establish the CCA. The body eventually began grilling Rep. Achacoso before deciding to elect her as the committee chairperson.
Some members of the USC pointed out that the proposal of Rep. Achacoso on CCA seemed grounded on the framework of high art and art for arts’ sake, and suggested that she more projects that reach out more to and engage the students and the basic masses. According to one member of the USC, the presence of an art program that apparently aims to raise political consciousness is inconsistent with the other projects that focus on promoting abstract art. One member of the USC also raised the issue of the definition of Filipino culture. Councilor Bang Dizon also suggested that the CCA create a project that would promote the arts-related courses in light of declining enrollment, and relentless increases in laboratory fees in such departments.
Councilor Fudge Tajar poised the question, “Lahat naman ng bagay, art. Ang tanong what kind of art are we aiming to foster? Para saan ang art na ifofoster natin? Traditional art lang ba that exists for its own sake? Malabo ang pagpu-push ng art na wala namang perspective.”
Councilor Joseph Gutierrez, claims that he liked the projects because they are “high-impact” and would actually reach out to CBA students like him and other students in non-arts courses.
Soon after, SS Rep. Jeyson Ocay motioned for a consensus to elect Rep. Achacoso as chairperson of the CCA. Vice-Chairperson Airah Cadiogan disagreed, and expressed her disappointment that Rep. Achacoso was unaware of the issue that the UP Administration disallowed a performing arts organization from performing at UP’s freshmen assembly because of their political inclination. She said, she also found it utterly disappointing that some members of the USC seemed to have subscribed to the mechanism of prior restraint and seemed to be “duplicating the kind of mechanism [that the UP Administraion] is employing by silencing one proponent [Rep. Mesina] and not deliberating on his proposal’s merit.”
The body eventually moved to vote by viva voce. With 15 votes, Rep. Achacoso was elected chairperson of the CCA, against 13 abstain votes.
Those who voted abstain cited various reasons, most of which were with regards to the proposal’s absence of programs for cultural and social struggles. Aside from that, Councilor Bikoy Villanueva added, “Being from Mass Comm, I feel strongly about prior restraint, and I refuse to vote in support of Rep. Achacoso without having heard the proposal of Rep. Mesina because we refused to allow him to present.” This line of thought was echoed by USC members like CAL Rep. Issa Baguisi. SLIS Rep. Hazel Rodelas also said that, “Hindi ito ang panahon na ang CCA ay magiging art for art’s sake lang, dahil sa dami ng issues na kinakaharap natin ngayon.” CSWCD Rep. Carmela Lagang added, “Ang kultura at sining ay gumuguhit dapat ng paninindigan sa konsteksto ng malawak na tunggalian sa lipunan.” Rep. Mesina further added, “Hindi p’wedeng neutral ang art, and Achasoso’s proposal will not lead to a mass-oriented culture.”
Those who voted in favor of Rep. Achacoso’s proposal said that they believed in her programs. They added that the programs of Rep. Achacoso are open enough to accommodate suggestions amidst its apparent shortcomings. According to CBA Rep. Norby Geraldez, “As Rep. Achacoso said, she is not very well-versed about politics in the university and the nation. Help her, and not sour-grape!” “Give her a chance,” added CEng’g Rep. Ace Castillo. “Kung gusto niyo naman, you’re more than welcome to join CCA and help her.”
Rep. San Luis also said that she doesn’t think that what happened in the disqualification of Rep. Mesina should have had a bearing in the decisions of the members of the USC who abstained. She added that the word “censorship” was used loosely, which shouldn’t, because it has “a lot of legal implications ramifications.”
After the CCA deliberation was done, Chairperson Bagro moved that the committee reports expedite their presentations.
The USC held a pictorial right after the GA. #
POST-SCRIPT: The report has been revised several times as requested by some USC members
GA Report: April 26, 2008
posted by Bikoy Villanueva | May 2, 2008
Twenty-four out of thirty-four members of the University Student Council (USC) were present in its second formal General Assembly (GA) last April 26 at the USC Office. Quorum wasn’t reached on time, so the members present had to wait for half an hour to be able to start the GA. First in the agenda of the meeting was the committee deliberation of Sports & Fitness Committee. The establishment and leadership of the Committee on Culture & Arts was supposed to be deliberated but was postponed. The rest of the GA was spent to update the members on the progress of the various committee’s projects and upcoming activities.
The attendance during the GA is as follows:
| Chairperson Third Bagro Vice-Chairperson Airah Cadiogan * Councilors * excused |
College Representatives Acee Abulencia Anna Achacoso Jay Bagcal *** Issa Baguisi *** Rashell Cabrera **/*** Rinno Camilit Ace Castillo Chorva David Norby Geraldez Dyan Hatague Carmela Lagang Eshei Mesina **/*** Ruth Miguel * Jeyson Ocay Raquel Perez Pierre Reyes Hazel Rodelas Sophia San Luis Marc Virtucio Lester Yupingkun |
- After the two proponents presented their proposals, the USC unanimously voted to establish the Sports & Fitness Committee. In further deliberations, NCPAG Rep. Raquel Perez, in a vote of 13-6 was chosen as the chairperson of the said committee over CHK Rep. Lester Yupingkun. One member of the USC abstained.
- After the deliberation of the Sports & Fitness Committee, the USC proceeded to discuss the manifesto presented by the Community Rights & Welfare Committee under CSWCD Rep. Carmela Lagang with regards to the implementation of the “One-Way Academic Oval” policy of the UP Administration. The manifesto was ratified with minimal revisions. It can be seen here. Rep. Lagang also talked about the various issues that the transport groups in UP are facing.
- Councilor Fahima Tajar discussed the progress of the preparations for the Rice Against the Crisis forum to be held on April 30, 2008. She also asked the GA to stick to the procedures in drafting urgent statements, as there had been minor problems and delays in the drafting due to numerous objections from some members of the USC.
- Councilor Mico Maestro updated the GA of the Education & Research Committee and the Community Rights & Welfare Committee’s progress on their planned community fair to be held on May 17, 2008.
- CEduc. Rep. Acee Abulencia updated the GA of the various activities that the Gender Committee would undertake for the rest of the summer. Rep. Abulencia said that the Gender Committee shall release a statement on the Cebu Canister Scandal issue in a few days.
- Councilor Bikoy Villanueva updated the GA of the progress and development of the USC website. He also answered questions form among the members of the USC who were having problems logging in to the website. He asked his co-members to actively take advantage of the medium and publish their own committee and college updates.
- Councilor Sherry Tismal reported to the GA the progress of the projects of the Ways & Means Committee. She updated the USC of the progress of the centennial merchandise that her committee is planning to sell in order to raise funds for the council.
- Councilor Fahima Tajar reported to the GA, in behalf of Councilor Nem Canete who was absent, the updates of the Finance Committee.
- Chairperson Third Bagro reported to the GA the news about the signing into law of the new UP Charter. He also told the GA of an invitation for some members of the USC to attend a forum in Ortigas about local government units. He also relayed to the assembly the progress of the Vinzons Renovation project.
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