The Compass

𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐂𝐘 | 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is extending the filing period for the Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for the Mapúa MCM SSC Special Re-Election, A.Y. 2026–2027!

NEW DEADLINE: September 6, 2026 — 11:59 AM

Haven't filed yet? This is your extended window to step up and take the opportunity to serve as a student leader in the Supreme Student Council of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao

Don't let this pass — submit your CoC today.

For Excellence and Relevance.
Lead Forward: Every Voice, Every Vote.

MMCM-COMELEC 2026–2027

𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐂𝐘 | 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐄𝐗𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐃

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) announces that the filing of Certificate of Candidacy (CoC) for the Mapúa MCM SSC Special Re-Election, A.Y. 2026–2027 has been extended until September 6, 2026, 11:59 AM.

Haven't filed yet? This is your extended window to step up and take the opportunity to serve as a student leader in the Supreme Student Council of Mapúa Malayan Colleges Mindanao.

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲: September 6, 2026, 11:59 AM

Don't let this pass — submit your CoC today.

For Excellence and Relevance.
Lead Forward: Every Voice, Every Vote.

MMCM-COMELEC 2026–2027

𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 𝐎𝐅 𝐂𝐄𝐆𝐏-𝐃𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐎 𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑 𝐏𝐔𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐂𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐌𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄 𝐒𝐔𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐍𝐒𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐈𝐁𝐄 𝐄𝐈𝐂 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐓𝐓𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐔𝐒 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐃𝐎𝐌 𝐈𝐍 𝐌𝐒𝐔-𝐌𝐀𝐆𝐔𝐈𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐍𝐀𝐎

We, the member publications of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines–Davao, condemn the “preventive suspension” imposed on Alyajier Midtimbang, the Editor-in-Chief of The Scribe, the official student publication of Mindanao State University–Maguindanao, and express grave concern over the administration’s intimidation and repression of critical student voices.

On September 1, 2026, the Office of the Chancellor of MSU-Maguindanao issued a memorandum directing university officials to “preventively suspend the writer from his post in the Scribe, effective immediately, pending the disciplinary proceedings against him,” to refer him for disciplinary action, and to “remove and revoke the writer’s access to all Scribe accounts.”

The directive followed the publication of a column that questioned the university’s non-participation in the Mindanao State University System Athletic Association (MSUSAA) Unity Games and raised concerns regarding the handling of public funds. The administration, in the same memorandum, took issue with what it described as “serious insinuations against the University’s handling and management of public funds” and invoked “fairness, responsible journalism, publishing ethics, and the right of reply.”

However, the administration’s invocation of journalistic ethics does not, by itself, justify measures that immediately restrict a student journalist’s participation in the campus press. Questions of accuracy, fairness, and the right of reply may be properly raised, but they must be addressed through processes that do not themselves undermine editorial independence or pre-empt the outcome of disciplinary proceedings.

CEGP-Davao maintains that campus publications are not extensions of university public relations offices. They are spaces for independent student journalism, scrutiny, dissent, and public accountability. Their role is not to insulate administrations from criticism, but to ensure that decisions affecting students can be questioned, examined, and debated.

CEGP-Davao calls for the immediate withdrawal and review of the punitive measures imposed against the concerned student journalist and the guarantee of a transparent and genuinely independent process consistent with due process and the rights of the campus press.

The MSU–Maguindanao administration cannot invoke “discipline” as a shield against scrutiny while leveraging its administrative authority over students and refusing to subject its own decisions to examination. We reject any attempt to weaponize disciplinary mechanisms as instruments of censorship.

We call on campus publications, student councils, student organizations, educators, alumni, journalists, and press freedom advocates across Mindanao and the country to stand with The Scribe.

We must be clear that campus journalists are not PR arms of school administrations. They are journalists. Their responsibility is to the truth, to the student body, and to the public interest—not to the comfort of those in positions of authority.

EARTHQUAKE ALERT | PHIVOLCS reports a 6.0 magnitude earthquake at 9:22 P.M. located east of Balut Island, Sarangani, Davao Occidental. The following instrumental intensities are reported:

Intensity III - Don Marcelino, Jose Abad Santos, Malita, Davao Occidental; Kiamba, Sarangani; Tupi, South Cotabato;
Intensity II - City of Digos, Davao del Sur; Maasim, Malapatan, Maitum, Sarangani; General Santos City; T'boli, South Cotabato;
Intensity I - Sarangani, Davao Occidental; City of Koronadal, South Cotabato

Tremors are also felt in Davao City. As aftershocks may still occur, please stay alert and prepared.

𝐒𝐏𝐄𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐑𝐄-𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 | 𝐂𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐃𝐀𝐂𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐈𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) is now accepting Certificates of Candidacy for the Mapúa MCM Supreme Student Council Special Re-Election, A.Y. 2026–2027.

Got what it takes to lead? This is your moment to step up, be heard, and serve your fellow Malayans.

𝗙𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗮𝗰𝘆 — September 1 – September 4, 2026

While filing is underway, don't forget: Voter Registration has also been extended to give more Mapuans the chance to be part of this election.

𝗩𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱) — New deadline: September 12, 2026

Be the voice. Be the change. Be the next SSC officer.

Filling of Candidacy: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/FXx1vDiE4c
Voter's Registration: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ps6iHkfgJ4

For Excellence and Relevance.
Lead Forward: Every Voice, Every Vote.
MMCM-COMELEC 2026–2027

𝐂𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐎𝐎𝐍 | 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐞𝐩

One week has passed since the conclusion of the Solaris Sports Fest 2026. Several concerns have since been raised, many of which remain unresolved, particularly regarding the inclusion of mainstream sports in the Sports Fest.

Are we simply going with the flow, or were there constraints that led to these decisions? No one really knows. Perhaps everyone has been too occupied with academics, organizational responsibilities, and even playing e-sports to stop and ask the necessary questions.

𝐁𝐎𝐒𝐄𝐒 𝐍𝐆 𝐊𝐀𝐁𝐀𝐓𝐀𝐀𝐍
Davao student journos convene for Nat’l Press Freedom Day

IN PHOTOS | Ahead of the National Press Freedom Day (NPFD), several secondary and tertiary student publications across Davao City convened for the NPFD Commemoration at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Mini Theatre, University of the Philippines (UP) - Mindanao on August 29, 2026, to honor the work of student journalists and effectively deliver the compelling work of journalism.

Himati, the official student publication of UP Mindanao, takes the helm in hosting the event. In the first session of the program, Lucell F. Bonzo, the Executive Director of Davao Today, delivered her lecture on Data Journalism and discussed how data is derived from samples collected from the real life experiences of the people, which are used to tell and analyze news stories. Bonzo stated that one of the responsibilities of a journalist, in terms of handling data, is the challenge to interpret it and write a good narrative to its readers.

Himati also hosted a screening of the short film ‘Mga Balod Batok Sa Semento (2026)’ directed by OZ De Castro, following the stories of fisherfolks living along the newly constructed Coastal Road and how their everyday lives drastically changed brought by the effects of the development of the bridges and road constructed on their lands.

Moreover, seasoned and new student journalists collaborated in the journalism workshop session to further strengthen and enhance their skills to write factual and powerful stories for the masses.

On NPFD, student journalists strive to uphold the united purpose of journalism, where people’s experiences equally hold the same importance alongside statistics to report factual data and the stories of the people.






IN THE RADIUS | Justin Dayot, Leizenzi Buagas

𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐚𝐲

Promulgated through the Republic Act No. 11659, August 30 was declared National Press Freedom Day in honor of Marcelo H. del Pilar, whose pen became a weapon for the people to fight back against oppression.

Long before then, journalists have endured censorship, red-tagging, harassment, arrests, and threats for pursuing stories that challenge those in power. Even with the enactment of the law, the struggle to protect the people’s right to be informed and to ensure that the truth will be delivered, remains the same.

May we continue to honor every journalist who continues to stand their ground and report despite threats and repression, and by remembering those who paid the highest price for their commitment to truth.

Patuloy tayong magsulat at manindigan. Mabuhay ang mga mamamahayag at mapagpalayang pamamahayag!

NOW HAPPENING | In commemoration of the National Press Freedom Day (NPFD), secondary and tertiary student publications across Davao City gather today at the College of Humanities and Social Sciences (CHSS) Mini Theater, University of the Philippines-Mindanao in participation of various journalistic skills training and forums.

The program, organized by Himati, the official student publication of UP Mindanao, opened with the data journalism skills training led by the event's guest speaker, Lucelle F. Bonzo, Executive Director of Davao Today.

The NPFD commemoration will have a series of open forums and training, including a documentary screening of the "Mga Balod Batok Sa Semento" (2026) directed by OZ De Castro.

The program is said to conclude at 4:00 P.M.

𝐀𝐍𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 | Please be informed of the SSC Special Election dates and activities, as provided by the Mapúa MCM-SSC COMELEC.

IN PHOTOS | The competition reached its peak on the second day of Solaris Sports Fest 2026 as teams battled for the championship titles across the different sporting events. After a day of hard-fought matchups, determination, and teamwork, the finalists stepped onto the court and field for the final push toward victory. With every point carrying greater weight, the championship games brought the two-day sports fest to a successful close.





IN THE RADIUS | Kirby Coquilla, Ian Saromines