The GUIDON

Driven by the Truth. The official student publication of the Ateneo de Manila University.

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

Now 54 years since the declaration of Martial Law, the Philippines stands at a crossroads between remembrance and distortion. As historical revisionism and propaganda fortify the Marcos family’s power to the present day, Filipinos remain plagued by the continued hold of the dictatorship.

The GUIDON stands thus firm in its pledge to critical, community-centered reportage—not losing sight of the regime’s atrocities, and staying cognizant of how its injustices permeate today.

Read The GUIDON’s Martial Law Special and Issue No. 1 for AY 2026–2027 here: https://t.co/tUJy1fZhGA

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

NEWS: Talakayang Alay sa Bayan (TALAB) 2026 introduced its first independent core team and launched an Advocacy Fair to reinforce the impact of civic engagement in “forging solidarity in diversity.”

https://t.co/OEjdBFXg1A

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

NEWS: Following two consecutive abstentions for the Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences Representative seat, the Ateneo COMELEC proclaimed Bella Naval as the winner for the position as a result of the Sanggunian Second Special Elections held last October 14 to 17.

https://t.co/Mjm5F1h7V7

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

Following the conclusion of the 2026 Sanggunian Second Special and Freshman Elections, newly declared Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences (RGLSOSS) Representative Bella Naval gave her winning speech during the proclamation of winners today, October 23, at the MVP lobby.

Naval advocated for collective governance of the Sanggunian and student body, highlighting students’ role in establishing solutions for University issues and in creating a safe and open space for the Ateneo community.

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

IN PHOTOS: The Sanggunian Commission on Gender Equality organized the One Big Pride’s Queer Mixer: The Rack and Roll today, October 23, in CTC 105.

The event brought together members and allies of the LGBTQIA+ community to connect with one another while celebrating Pinoy ukay-ukay culture, budget-friendly fashion, and creative self-expression.

Photos by Alexis Macapagal

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

LOOK: The Ateneo Multi-Purpose Cooperative (AMPC), in collaboration with the Sanggunian and the Ateneo Management Information Systems Association, spearheaded an outreach program for the outgoing guards of Megaforce Integrated Security Agency, today, October 23, in front of the Gonzaga Cafeteria.

According to AMPC General Manager Tim Gabuna, each of the security guards received two 5-kilogram sacks of rice.

The donation drive was done as a farewell initiative, following the shift in security agencies from Megaforce to Leopard Security and Investigation Agency.

Photos by Rosa Navarro

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

HAPPENING NOW: “The Right to Health: Biopolitics and the Operationalization of PhilHealth YAKAP” talk hosted by the Development Society of the Ateneo and Laan Ateneo will take place in SEC-C 201 today, October 23.

Read more via @Aaliyah_TheGDN.

#TALAB2026
#ForgingSolidarityinDiversity

[Aaliyah Llemos @Aaliyah_TheGDN]

HAPPENING NOW: “The Right to Health: Biopolitics and the Operationalization of PhilHealth YAKAP” talk hosted by the Development Society of the Ateneo and Laan Ateneo will take place in SEC-C 201 today, October 23 | @TheGUIDON

#TALAB2026
#ForgingSolidarityinDiversity

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

THREAD: This year’s Talakayang Alay sa Bayan (TALAB) will continue its events through interactive workshops and talks, aiming to foster dialogue, reflection, and solidarity within and beyond the University.

Follow this thread for live coverages on the activities for October 19 until October 24.

#TALAB2026
#ForgingSolidarityInDiversity

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

@Kath_TheGDN HAPPENING LATER: The TALAB talk “Cura Hominis: Walking With Others Against Human Trafficking” organized by Ateneo Office for Concern and Social Involvement at FH 101, 5:00 PM.

#TALAB2026
#ForgingSolidarityInDiversity

Read more via @Chesea_TheGDN.

https://t.co/tezCKRhEl2

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

LOOK: The Ateneo Commission on Elections (COMELEC) hosted the proclamation of winners for the 2026 Sanggunian Freshman and Second Special Elections at the MVP Lobby today, October 23.

Bella Naval (2 AB SOCIO) has been proclaimed as the newly elected Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences Representative after garnering a total of 160 votes (33.19%) out of the 466 valid votes.

Moreover, Aian Ang (1 BS ITE), Annika Cruz (1 BFA ID), and Shii Yau (1 BFA TA) won as their respective course representatives.

The Ateneo COMELEC also announced the vacancy of the Gokongwei Brothers School of Education and Learning Design Representative seat.

The Ateneo Student Judicial Court is set to hold an inauguration and oathtaking program on October 25 for the elected Sanggunian officials.

Photos by Aidyn Grey Monteras

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

SCITECH x INQUIRY: The Metro Manila Development Authority is transforming the Katipunan understory with a linear park and new green spaces, reshaping a decades-old terminal that has long been part of the daily lives and livelihoods of those who use it.

https://t.co/yu0TGaxhTV

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: Independent candidate Bella Naval (2 AB SOCIO) has been proclaimed as the Dr. Rosita G. Leong School of Social Sciences (RGLSOSS) Representative, according to the final results of the 2026 Sanggunian Second Special and Freshman Elections released today, October 23.

Naval garnered 160 votes (33.19%) out of 466 valid votes cast for the RGLSOSS Representative seat. Abstain came in second with 154 votes (31.95%), followed by Lorenzo De Borja (3 AB POS), who received 152 votes (31.53%).

Freshman course representatives have also been elected for BS ITE, BFA ID, and BFA TA.

The inauguration of the newly proclaimed Sanggunian officers will be held on October 25 at the Church of the Gesù, spearheaded by the Ateneo Student Judicial Court.

See the full results here: https://t.co/Em7d1ikUj6

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: Undergraduate student activities will be halted from November 24 to December 5 for the moratorium period of AY 2026–2027 first semester, the Office of Student Activities announced today, October 23.

The period aims to allow students to prioritize academic requirements and prepare for final examinations.

Read the full memo here: https://t.co/sJp836InfZ

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

JUST IN: The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has placed a Php 50-million bounty on Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, according to DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla today, October 23. This comes as the search for the senator continues, in line with an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

The National Bureau of Investigation earlier stated that Dela Rosa is presumed “armed and dangerous” under standard protocol. Remulla has also issued a one-week ultimatum for efforts to locate Dela Rosa.

Dela Rosa has been in hiding since November 2025. He appeared briefly at the Senate on May 11 this year during the chamber’s leadership coup, but slipped out again on May 14.

This is a developing story.

#BeyondLoyola

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

JUST IN: Davao City 1st District Rep. Paolo Duterte filed libel and cyberlibel complaints today, October 23, against GMA Network executives and journalists, National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) Director Melvin Matibag, dismissed police officer Rodulfo M. Gracioso Jr., and other individuals.

The complaints stem from reports on Gracioso’s allegations that he delivered cash to members of the Duterte family, including an alleged Php 100-million delivery to Paolo Duterte. The NBI is still verifying Gracioso’s affidavits, as well as other information submitted for the investigation.

GMA Network executives, Matibag, and Gracioso have yet to issue statements regarding the filing of the complaint.

As the claims remain under investigation, the filing raises alarm over the use of legal action against journalists covering allegations surrounding the Duterte family.

#BeyondLoyola

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

INTERNATIONAL UPDATE: An Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) was killed in a drone attack targeting Saudi Arabia’s Shaybah oil field on October 21.

The Saudi Ministry of Energy said air defenses intercepted a drone targeting the Aramco Shaybah oil field in the Kingdom’s Eastern Province, near its border with the United Arab Emirates. Falling debris from the intercepted drone killed two expatriates, the mentioned OFW and a Nepali, and injured two others, a Pakistani and an Indian national. Reports have yet to identify who was behind the attack.

Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) Administrator Patricia Yvonne Caunan said the agency had been notified of the incident and is awaiting a formal report from Saudi authorities. OWWA, the Department of Migrant Workers, and the Philippine Embassy in Riyadh are currently handling the situation and are prepared to provide support to the bereaved family.

#BeyondLoyola

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

NATIONAL UPDATE: The Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) acquitted labor organizer Juan Alexander “Bob” Reyes on Tuesday, October 20, in his illegal possession of explosives case after more than eight years of detention.

Reyes is the convenor of Defend Job Philippines and coordinator of Sandigan ng Manggagawa sa Quezon City.

The Quezon City RTC found that the prosecution was unable to establish the existence of the alleged evidence against him.

Karapatan Secretary General Cristina Palabay said the ruling further exposed the Philippine National Police’s practice of planting evidence to justify trumped-up charges against activists. Palabay added that justice remains incomplete while those responsible for fabricating evidence and filing baseless charges remain unaccountable, and hundreds of political prisoners continue to languish in jail.

#BeyondLoyola

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

UNIVERSITY UPDATE: The Office of the Vice President for Administration (OVPA) and the Central Facilities Management Office (CFMO) shared their proposal for a Php 33-million renovation of the Upper East Carpark beginning December. As an alternative, the University Residence Halls parking area is set to temporarily accommodate vehicles during construction when students return for the second semester in January 2027.

These plans were presented by VPA Rodolfo Ang and CFMO representatives to student leaders during a flock meeting today, October 21.

According to Ang, the proposed renovation seeks to address safety and accessibility concerns in the existing carpark through road repaving, drainage improvements, better lighting, and covered pedestrian walkways. He added that the project will also introduce a new access road connecting the Seminary Road to the Loyola Drive to improve traffic flow within the campus.

The redevelopment aims to provide 155 parking slots, including five designated for persons with disabilities. Ang also noted that existing trees in the renovation site will be retained except for mahogany trees, which were already slated for removal under the University’s campus sustainability plan due to their invasiveness.

Guidelines for the temporary parking arrangements will be issued before the transition.

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

NATIONAL UPDATE: Residents of Kasibu and Dupax del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya, filed administrative and criminal complaints to the Office of the Ombudsman on October 19 over police actions linked to anti-mining protests in the province.

The complaints cited bribery and corruption against Barangay Pao officials and North Luzon Mineral Resources Corporation. Also included was a perjury complaint challenging the police account of the arrest of the Kasibu 11. Environmental defenders from Dupax del Norte also filed separate countercharges against police over the enforcement of a writ of preliminary injunction.

The 11 Kasibu residents were arrested on August 28 after police cleared a barricade in Barangay Paquet that blocked vehicles carrying fuel and supplies to a mining exploration site. They were later released after posting bail.

#BeyondLoyola

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

IN PHOTOS: Hundreds of agricultural workers, alongside multisectoral organizations, held a rally near the Mendiola Peace Arch to protest against rural displacements today, October 21, in line with the National Protest Day for Peasant Month. This mobilization concludes the week-long camp out protest which began last October 15.

Led by the Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas, groups gathered along España Boulevard and marched toward the Mendiola Peace Arch. Performances and speeches took place throughout the program—uniting their calls for a genuine land reform, and condemning large-scale land use for energy farms and the Pax Silica. Moreover, protesters demanded accountability from the Marcos regime for the Toboso-19 killings.

Photos by RJ Hernandez

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

NATIONAL UPDATE: The Supreme Court (SC) En Banc ruled yesterday, October 20, that the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Acts (GAAs) made by Congress are unconstitutional, citing increases in appropriations beyond the amounts recommended by the President. It also struck down Special Provisions 1(a) and (b), Chapter XLIII of the 2026 GAA, which authorize unprogrammed appropriations.

In a decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the SC voided Republic Act (RA) No. 11975, or the 2024 GAA, over Congress’ Php 449.5-billion increase in unprogrammed appropriations. It also voided RA No. 12116, or the 2025 GAA, over a Php 17.99-billion increase in the Department of Public Works and Highways’ Special Road Fund.

The SC permanently barred the Senate, the House of Representatives, the Office of the Executive Secretary, and the acting secretary of the Department of Budget and Management from implementing the challenged provisions of the 2026 GAA.

The Court clarified that unprogrammed appropriations are not inherently unconstitutional but must exclude lump-sum allocations, follow clear prioritization standards, and remain narrowly contingent within the national fiscal program. Newly available revenues should also presumptively fund programmed expenditures unless clear and convincing reasons justify otherwise, such as foreign-assisted projects.

#BeyondLoyola

[The GUIDON @TheGUIDON]

WATCH: In solidarity with the agricultural, fisherfolk, labor sectors, several organizations and youth groups gathered today, October 21, for the culminating mobilization of Peasant Month. The march began at España Boulevard in the City of Manila, and continues to move along Mendiola.

Video by RJ Hernandez