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.
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.