LA holds last session for the year, approves manifestos on nat’l elections, ROTC suspension

The Legislative Assembly convened for a final time this academic year (AY) on their last regular session, held last May 8 at the European Documentation Center Conference Room. The legislative body passed two resolutions on the release of two manifestos during the session. The first manifesto approved by the body calls for the youth’s participation in the upcoming 2016 national elections, while the other calls for the administration’s reconsideration on the suspension of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program.

The first manifesto that was passed called for an active youth participation in the upcoming national elections. The proponents asserted that there is a need to stress to the youth the importance of exercising their right to vote because they will be the most affected in the elections. As evidence, they cite that majority of the country’s voting population falls within the 18-35 age demographic, which, they argued, only further highlights the youth’s impact on the elections.

The legislative body also covered in their discussion a manifesto addressed to the administration on the latter’s decision to have the ROTC program suspended September last year. Just last March, the student body was made aware of the situation when cadets of the said program disseminated a petition asking the administration to retain the course. However, as of press time, the administration confirms that the ROTC program will not be offered in the upcoming academic year because it will be put under evaluation by August this year.

However, as the LA pointed out, the administration has yet to come up with the guidelines on the evaluation as well as the ad hoc committee to be in charge of carrying out the evaluation. EDGE2013 Representative Reigner Sanchez shared that they have been clamoring for the administrators to release the said guidelines in order for the people involved, particularly the ROTC, to be aware of what improvements must be made within the program.

The LA also discussed whether or not the suspension is necessary while the evaluation is being done. While some of the representatives presume that it will be more effective to evaluate the program while it is ongoing, Soriano shared that according to Dean of Student Affairs Fritzie De Vera, there is a need to suspend ROTC because “there is something wrong with the program” as it is currently.

Meanwhile, incoming ROTC Corps Commander John Villamiel suggested that it would be preferable to have the evaluation take place during the special term so that the program can still be allowed to push through next AY.

The discussion on the manifesto regarding ROTC ended with the LA voting 14 for, two against, and two abstain. On the other hand, the manifesto for the 2016 national elections ended with 16 voting for and two abstain.

The last session also marked the final appearances of representatives Bianca Soriano (FAST2012) and Jeffrey Dy (CATCH2T15) from the LA, as both have finished their studies as of the third term. New appointments were made during the meeting as the chairperson position for the LA’s National Affairs Committee was left vacant after Soriano’s departure. In her place, the LA elected EDGE2013 Representative Reigner Sanchez as the new chairperson, while 69th ENG Representative Carlos Peñas will serve as his vice chairperson.

Despite the meeting being the last regular session for this year, Chief Legislator Patrick Kahn clarified that special sessions may be called during the special term should the need for a deliberation in the legislative body arise.