Opening remarks and introduction to speakers

The public forum "This Is the Matrix" was organized in light of the recent exposés of an “Oust Duterte” matrix by The Manila Times, following verbal threats against journalists and other critics of the government by none other than President Rodrigo Duterte. The forum aimed to provide a platform for parties implicated in the said matrix, and addressed questions about critical positionalities possible under a government that will not tolerate democratic institutions.

"This Is the Matrix" was held last 7 May 2019 (Thursday) at the Second Floor Lobby of the Palma Hall in UP Diliman. It featured as speakers Ellen Tordesillas (VERA Files), Maria Ressa (Rappler), Ephraim Cortez (National Union of People’s Lawyers), Rene Saguisag (Senator (1987-1992)), Luis Teodoro (Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility), and Ramon Guillermo (Faculty Regent, University of the Philippines).

This public forum was organized by the UP Third World Studies Center and co-sponsored by the Office of the Dean of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy, the Department of History, the Department of Political Science, and the Department of Sociology.