Tapat speaks for USG partisanship in pre-hearing

Jam Padilla clarifies particular points on the definition of partisanship. Beside her is RVR COB student Alphonse Valenzuela, partisanship lobbyist.

Last July 24, Alyansang Tapat sa Lasalista (Tapat) filed a complaint against Article VIII of the University Student Government (USG) Code of Conduct. Article VIII prohibits any form of partisanship from all members of the USG. Tapat representatives Jam Padilla and Alphonse Valenzuela asserted against the Article’s unconstitutionality.

The pre-hearing held on August 8, 6 pm at A708 aimed to clarify particular points of the petition, giving Padilla and Valenzuela a chance to elaborate and edify certain points where the magistrates needed further clarification. Several questions were asked by the magistrates, especially regarding particular terms that need clearer definitions.

Aside from qualifying definitions, the main point of the representatives of the party – Jam Padilla and Alphonse Valenzuela – relied on the fact that Article VIII disallows the elected member of a political party to implement the platforms promised to the candidates’ constituents during the election period. They asserted that platforms are chiefly representative of the party’s ideologies, which, according to them, is a manifestation of partisanship.

After the clarifications were made, the Chief Magistrate – and the magistrates – decided to address the case in the formal hearing, where the complainant and the government – as represented by the Ombudsman  of the Judiciary – will present each other’s sides and rebut in order for the magistrates to reach a verdict.

The formal hearing is scheduled to be held next week.