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#1: What is your candidate's stance on political protests? Cite the specific laws or provisions that will support this opinion.

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#1: What is your candidate's stance on political protests? Cite the specific laws or provisions that will support this opinion.

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The online Oxford dictionary defines protest as a statement of action expressing disapproval of or objection to something. From this definition its clear that protests are a form of making your opinion, views preferences known to the people for whom the protest is staged against. We believe that Political Protests should be allowed for they are a democratic right of the people. Democracy emphasizes the value of every human being. Examples of human rights include freedom of expression which is rightly exemplified in various political protests, democracy also entails freedom of association, freedom of assembly, equality, education among others. Disallowing political protests is a sure step towards a tyrannical state of government where basic human rights are not a priority.

An excerpt from the 1987 constitution of the republic of the Philippines – article iii section 4 clearly states that, “No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances. Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-article-iii/

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2#: What do your candidates have to say about red-tagging and social media? Cite specific laws or provisions that will support this opinion.

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2#: What do your candidates have to say about red-tagging and social media? Cite specific laws or provisions that will support this opinion.

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Over the years, there is an increased number of red-tagging in the country. Taken from the website Voa News, “Human rights activists say red-tagging is a tactic whereby individuals are labelled as communists or terrorists – often without substantial proof…”

With the heightened culture of red-tagging, this has stepped on the rights of activists, journalists, and any one assumed to be plotting against the government, as it even breaks privacy of a certain person and it’s given that it’s not ethically right to keep track of someone individually but it just doesn’t seem right for the government to not give the people peace but instead make a violation out of the rights of their people. It goes against our freedom of speech and destroys the essence of democracy. While the role of social media, being a game changer, allowed for easy dissemination of information and a platform for expressing dissent or dissatisfaction has been used as a tool to track down and easily red-tag users.

The legal briefing highlights how the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020, which may be used to further extend the practice of red-tagging, is incompatible with international human rights law and standards. For instance, the Act contains an overbroad definition of terrorism, permits potentially unwarranted government surveillance and requests for data, and allows the arrest and detention of any person suspected of committing terrorist acts for up to 24 days without a judicial warrant, among other problematic provisions. Despite these flawed provisions, in December 2021, the Supreme Court of the Philippines upheld the constitutionality of most of the Act, only striking down two provisions of the Act.

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PLATFORM # 1
What issue: Students social anxiety and having little chance to talk about personal life

Explanation: In our online setup and the fact that we are college freshmen, it’s quite hard for some or most students to be open, make friends and not completely center their life and talk about school related topics. In which case, this tends to students shutting themselves to other classmates and teachers. Some students tend to be restricting themselves to be more comfortable with others because they are worried about criticisms, judgements. This also leads to some students not being able to give their own opinions when it comes to group works etc. That is why our group proposes activities that would encourage and improve interaction.

Why is there a need to support this cause or platform?

We support the first cause as our President would like to adhere the small voices of our students and turn it into a bigger one. From our sight, many students seem to have trouble and suffer from social anxiety or a close form of it. Addressing this could be a huge factor for students to be more engaged in class and be more open when it comes to work in which can shape the future of the youth.

Provide any additional information that supports the need for this platform.

More problematic than ever
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/social-anxiety-disorder-more-than-just-shyness

Helping students engage and overcome
https://www.nu.edu/resources/helping-students-overcome-social-anxiety-in-school/

Students having to deal with this
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-16703-9_7

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PLATFORM # 2
What issue: Maximizing 3 hours of online classes

Explanation: 3 hours of online classes can be draining for both students and teachers. Some teachers would use up all 3 hours for lectures and keep the students in call for activities. We proposed that if it permits, at least 2 hours of synchronous classes while the remaining time will be given to the student to do their individual works offline.

Why is there a need to support this cause or platform?
This is to use both student’s and teacher’s time more efficiently. Students and teachers will be able to fulfill their individual tasks without having to feel fatigue about staying on call for 3+ hours.

Provide any additional information that supports the need for this platform.
1.) https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/effects-of-online-education-on-mental-and-physical-health-1854320-2021-09-18
This link provides the effects of online classes on both mental and physical health

2.) https://www.teachthought.com/technology/screen-breaks/#:~:text=The%20longer%20a%20student%20sits,focus%20and%20continue%20to%20work.
This link explains the importance of screen time breaks and how it affects us.

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PLATFORM # 1
What issue: Reduction of tution fee
Explanation: Since the pandemic and the initiation of lockdowns classes have been held in an online setup, we are proposing that the tuition fee should be reduced considering that we are not at the moment using school facilities like air conditioners, internet, gym equipments, computer labs among others.

Why is there a need to support this cause or platform?
This is in an effort to reduce the financial burden on the sponsors and hence facilitating for the creation of a friendly learning environment. With the current setup students are obliged to spend extra money for some of those things which otherwise should be included in the tuition fee.

Provide any additional information that supports the need for this platform.

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1317396/senators-ched-ask-why-same-school-fees-despite-online-shift

https://www.cnnphilippines.com/news/2020/6/23/DepEd-reasonable-tuition-miscellaneous-fees-private-schools.html

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PLATFORM # 2
What issue: slow internet connection
Explanation: Contribute to students falling behind academically, can't connect with teachers or classmates, do independent research, or get online homework help. For families, not having internet access can mean missing out on information or losing out on a direct line of communication with schools and teachers, if you have slow internet connection you can just take modules.

Why is there a need to support this cause or platform?
This is to make sure no one gets left behind in classes and activities, and that student won't have to feel pressured about always having the need to be active online, for the sake of getting a grade.

Provide any additional information that supports the need for this platform.
https://childmind.org/article/5-reasons-students-arent-engaging-in-distance-learning/

https://mb.com.ph/2020/10/06/internet-connection-problems-beyond-our-control-deped/