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Opinion

For the students

This year’s University Student Government (USG) General Elections (GE) has seen over a hundred candidates declared ineligible, several complaints filed against the COMELEC, and an all-time low voter turnout of 35.90 percent. With all the commotion surrounding the GE and the rampant accusations of electioneering and voter harassment, it is a challenge to remember that all of this has stemmed from the simple but vital goal of finding suitable student leaders for the upcoming academic year.

For the students - Jan Villarosa

It has been 12 years since Saint Anthony Tiu envisioned the USG as a way to bring the Student Council closer to the student body and to better address the issues that students face, by focusing on long-term, sustainable programs and large-scale representation. In the last five years since the shift, it is difficult to realize the changes that the transition was aiming for. While the true purpose of the USG might be forgotten, there are no magic words like “student apathy” or “empowerment” to identify and solve these issues, no single person or entity to point fingers at. Students, political parties, the USG -we’re all accountable for this mess, and the answer isn’t straightforward.

It’s clear, however, that the solution won’t be found in shouting louder and practicing power poses. DLSU has to go back to what the USG and the GE are supposed to be for, and what all this is supposed to be about – leadership and service.

It is important that confidence in a system for the students, by the students, and of the students is rebuilt. These systems should be established for sustainable and student-centered governance that goes beyond academic years and an officer’s term in office. What matters most now is not to figure out who exactly is at fault or what particular rules were violated. What matters is that the USG goes back to the spirit of sustainable and consistent service that it was established on and not just the typical and commonplace short-term projects. It is a spirit of service that exists as a rent paid for existing, a spirit of service that puts student welfare above personal or party agenda.

After undoubtedly the worst election in recent history, we are at a tipping point in our politics. What happens next could shape our politics for years to come. Ultimately, no one else can shape the outcome more than students. Whatever happens will be decided by us. After all, a government for the students is one by the students.

The LaSallian

By The LaSallian

57 replies on “For the students”

At the beginning of the election campaign, the way TAPAT envisioned to instill social responsibility to Lasallians really impressed and inspired me, as these are waking issues that every Filipino should be concerned with, and are issues that we should act upon. On the other hand the advocacies of SANTUGON, sought for self-actualization in every Lasallian, where students are given opportunities to know themselves more, which is a key essential to a successful growth in personhood, the party has always underlined the growth in a Lasallian’s self. The student body’s apparent apathy was not due to the fact that they do not believe the USG anymore. In the past years, a strong 20-30% of the student population regularly do not involve themselves in elections at all.

Although I do not speak for all students and voice their opinions, I believe it’s just that the TAPAT candidates that were left to run or the entire party itself, apparently seemed like hypocrites, how? Kasi as ironic as they fought for “A JUST AND FREE SOCIETY”, they chose to settle the issue by DISQUALIFYING CANDIDATES instead of RESETTING THE ROSTER OF CANDIDATES. How is it a just and free society when they chose to disqualify fellow candidates when they fight for ideals alike; STUDENT REPRESENTATION and the protection of our RIGHTS? Isn’t it selfish that TAPAT did not think of us, the student body’s individual choices? If it is indeed our right to vote, doesn’t it follow that they should understand that not everyone falls on the same side of the POLITICAL COMPASS? Not everything can be and should be settled in a radical process, not everyone will believe you, that is why they need other choice, that is why there is an ELECTION. The entire purpose of the election was destroyed when they removed the student’s right of choice. To strip them off their choice to vote is borderline pathetic, it is equal to stripping them of their right to vote. How dumb do you think the student body is to not know who TO and NOT TO VOTE?

Now to certain people who belong to TAPAT that promotes the idea to pick on elected leaders and accuse them of actions indicative of deceit and greed of power, shame on you. Like the comment before this one, using their power to eye for a higher position? Is closing the doors for SANTUGON the only way for you to promote your advocacies and fight for A JUST AND FREE SOCIETY? Sige nga, look back to what you did, does ensuring 33 SEATS TO YOURSELVES EMPOWER STUDENTS, PROCURE, LEAD, AND DEVELOP A JUST AND FREE SOCIETY? I don’t, not a single bit, think so.

A pathetic attempt at a power monopoly, which sadly only 35.90% supported.

So you would rather make new rules because a party could not follow a simple rule? This is why the USG became what it is right now because the past leaders have decided to not follow the constitution (which was voted upon by the student body 5 years ago); hence, the purpose of the USG is not fulfilled. If Santugon believes in “Purpose-Driven Lasallians” in the USG, then I believe this should be leaders who will commit to fulfill the purpose of the USG. We really need the USG system, not the Santugon system.

Obviously you don’t know what really happened =))

First, TAPAT who you are accusing of DISQUALIFYING CANDIDATES has no power to do that since they are not COMELEC. COMELEC and the Judiciary is the only one capable of doing such.
Btw, they were not disqualified, more of “Deemed ineligible”.

AGAIN. TAPAT DID NOT CAUSE THIS. If there was anyone to blame for being disqualified is those who were disqualified, and also COMELEC for still accepting those who did not abide by the MOA. If the COMELEC did not accept them in the first place then this would have never happened.

Second, there was such a thing as a Memorandum of Agreement, where everything about the elections was stipulated there. Including the deadline of filing of COCs, the days for campaigning, the dates of seminar and who should attend and what is the excuse for absence, MDAs and everything. Which was violated by BOTH PARTIES. This was a contract, and there was a breach of contract. So BOTH PARTIES, again BOTH PARTIES paid for it.

Third, TAPAT was actually petitioning to nullify the MOA, meaning reset the elections or roster of candidates like what you were saying because some of TAPAT’s candidates were not allowed to run because they were not able to abide by some provisions in the MOA. If the MOA was nullified then everybody will be able to run. BUT, the Judiciary did not let this happened and thus decided to make all candidates who did not follow the MOA ineligible to run for this year’s GE.

Fourth, Can you please cite an instance when TAPAT accused the elected officers of the USG of something?

Fifth, I believe TAPAT never stripped the student body from their “CHOICE TO VOTE”. In order to do that is for TAPAT to stop election and force themselves inside the USG without the students having a choice. THE STUDENTS HAD A CHOICE. They had choice to vote or not to vote. Every student was given a choice to abstain if they do not wish anyone of those who are running under a certain position to be their representative. WHICH HAS BEEN PRACTICED IN EVERY ELECTIONS.

AGAIN. Removing the right to vote means that TAPAT never gave you a chance to say “NO, I don’t like you for this position. I’d rather have no one in this position”.
If TAPAT removed your right to vote it would be like “Hey I’d rather have no one in that position than you.” And TAPAT would reply “Sorry, you cannot do anything about it, I’m automatically the USG President, with or without the consent of the student body.”

Lastly, READ THE GOD DAMN CONSTITUTION SO YOUR EYES WILL BE OPENED. Please, do not believe rumors. Ask non-partisan people inside the USG, and people who were not caught in the crossfire to KNOW WHAT IS REALLY HAPPENING IN THE USG. PLEASE

PLEASE

Non-partisan huh? Puro ba talaga kayo hypocrite haha! Using correctional affects and legal terms to make your statements strong? Hanginnnnnnn lel. As far as I am knowledgeable, alam ko naman that TAPAT has no power to disqualify, ganun ka na kaalam na feeling mo di alam ng lahat yon, is that information only disclosed to you, wow empowered much? I know that only judiciary and COMELEC can open such cases. Again, sorry, super smart mo kasi, sobrang logical nung grammatical degradation mo through the context of the constitution and your knowledge on the legal terms I feel so ashamed of myself, I’m deeply embarassed. LOL “Deemed ineligible” so iba yun sa disqualification which due to my poor sense of English and constitutional knowledge, unlike you, I searched in the dictionary, and it was defined being “Ineligible to run for an office”. So put the word “Deemed”, ang sense na hindi na sila pwedeng tumakbo, magkaiba??

Second and third points are given facts, disseminated information in social media, lahat ng tao na nakabasa na ng issue alam na yan.

Fourth point, check your 112 core’s facebook posts and shares, I won’t disclose the name of the person as I have no intent for him/her to be indicted with an issue.

Fifth point the CLA’s slate, Oli Amatorio, (none verbatim from an RTR in one of my classes) reiterated THAT TAPAT COULD NOT ALLOW THE RESET OF ELECTIONS AS THIS kind of system where faults/complacencies are allowed are something they are fighting against. I merely came with this understanding and outlook towards these statements and issues.

There’s no point in bashing my POLITICAL INDOLENCE. BECAUSE THE TURNOUT OF THE VOTES SPEAKS FOR ITSELF. Puro technical terms pasikat lang naman.

*Again I put it out there that my opinions do not embody the entire student body’s opinion.* 🙂

It seems you’re still having a hard time to comprehend the whole thing. Well, at least you acknowledged that you’re ashamed of yourself which is perfectly understandable 🙂

What happened was they were not able to be candidates for the elections at all. Being disqualified means that they run and made offenses.

Alam mo naman pala kung anong nangyari. Edi di naman siguro mahirap intindihin na kasalanan ng santugon ang nangyari sakanila haha

Yeah, I think I heard tapat’s statement after what happened to santugon’s slate. Pero what happened first was they were petitioning for nullification of moa, then when they talked it out with comelec and jud, they decided to uphold instead.

I hope you understand what really came down haha

Edi alam mo naman pala yung issue, so ano pang pinagsasabi mo? HAHAHAHAHAHA =))

It’s not really hard to understand the technical terms I used… Why can’t you just accept the fact that what happened to santugon is their own doing??? Paki explain please

Also yup, at the end Tapat just abide by the moa, because they decided it is the right thing to do, and so did the independent candidates, comelec and the judiciary hahaha.
But let us not forgot that in the beginning they(Tapat) were petitioning for its nullification.

No one is bashing you for anything. We were just merely suggesting you to read more about what happened and learn more about what’s going on inside the USG before you make comments.

actually yung Independent yung nag push na ma-disqualify yung ineligible parties..not Tapat…just saying and i’m not a partisan:)

Actually, yung INDEPENDENT CANDIDATES and nag push na disqaulify nalng yung candidates since they are not following the MOA…just saying…not a partisan btw:)

We all know the people who join Tapat are either bitter towards Santugon members kasi hindi sila accepted or feel nila hindi sila maacept nung mga taga Santugon. They join Tapat kasi less kalaban within the samahan to run for potential candidates.
People naman who join Santugon naman are joining because gusto nila maka close yung mga taga zobel or Gh na sumasali.
Sobra sobra nga na sipsip sobra yung mga members ng Santugon at Tapat sa mga candidates nila as in butt kisser talaga. Hindi naman sila naniniwala gusto lang pumarty at makigulo sa USG.
MGA BOBO!!!1

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