More than just an unwelcome centennial gift, the pro-commercialization Charter bill that the Senate passed last Dec. 19 serves to undermine the history and fundamental character of the University of the Philippines as a democratic institution catering to all socio-economic classes. What is perceived to be a new Charter actually fortifies the colonial leanings of the old charter it tries to replace, plus the license to profiteer inserted.

Senate Bill No. 1964, which is basically the Pangilinan bill, conceives our university as a milking cow of multinational corporations by granting long-term leases, joint ventures and even sale of UP's vast lands. And with the basic composition of the Board of Regents retained, the commercialization schemes can be expedited as the majority of the stakeholders of the university (the students, staff and faculty) remained underrepresented.

The underlying principle of SB 1964 further raises an alarm as far as the right to education is concerned: Shifting the orientation of the university from state funding to commercialization and financial independence poses a bleak future to the intellectual capital of this nation. During these times of worsening living conditions, our university stands to lose the brightest from the poor majority of the population. After the imposition of tuition hike last year, we now face outright sale of the right to education.

The gloomy prospect of UP should not be taken in isolation. With the pronouncements of the Arroyo regime of making state universities and colleges income-generating institutions, democratic access to education is severely injured, if not cancelled out altogether. As education is being peddled in this country to the privileged few, different sectors in the society continue to suffer under the harsh economic conditions engendered by the fascist Arroyo regime that has a neoliberal agenda.

After 100 years under the colonial and repressive charter, we persistently yearn for a new Charter that will strengthen the democratic character of UP as the national state university that will be the standard bearer of a pro-masses education.

Junk Pangilinan Bill!
Oppose the Commercialization of UP and Education!
Push for a Pro-masses and Democratic UP Charter!

--------------------------------------------------------------------Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP - College of Mass Communication (STAND-UP CMC)
Maalam. May Pakialam. Naninindigan.