This year’s General Elections (GE) will be one that won’t easily be forgotten. Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon boasts of a complete slate entering election season while Alyansang Tapat sa Lasallista will not be fielding any candidates.
For the past years, the student body has witnessed how the two parties storm in room to room campaigns one after another—laying down their respective platforms, convincing the students to take a vote. For this year, however, we will only be seeing blue and yellow.
The LaSallian caught up with this year’s GE candidates to discuss their views on issues that tackle national awareness and the problems they see in their respective colleges.
President – Gabbie Perez (IV, AB-DSM)
Involvement of the youth in nation building has been more evident, and their means of lobbying for their causes have been met with criticism from the public. Where do you stand, if elected as USG President, on the matter that is student activism?
Student activism is not an issue that needs to be addressed, but rather a strength that we should be supporting and improving. The USG should be able to represent students well in terms of manifestos, student stands and such. As USG President, providing more opportunities to be critical student activists would be of high priority- this would be done through participation in our external alliances’ rallies and activities, and providing more educational activities that promote critical thinking.
Is DLSU doing enough in terms of youth involvement in nation building?
I believe DLSU is doing enough in terms of all our national engagements this year. As one community we stood for the following: first, Press Freedom in the Silent Rally and Kapihan ng Malalayang Lasalyano. Second, it’s been a school advocacy to assist and recover families left behind because of extra-judicial killings through Kids at Work DLSU, and just recently pushing for a more inclusive society through the PWD Entre-ployment Fair.
How would you rate these issues according to importance? Why in this order?
Distrust of the public in the [government]. Quo Warranto against Sereno. Same-sex marriage and gender inequality. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Duterte versus the “tambays”.
If I were to rate all these issues according to importance, it would be: First, Distrust of the Public in the government, Second would be Quo Warranto against Sereno, Third would be Same-Sex Marriage and Gender Inquality, Fourth would be territorial disputesi the south China sea and last would be Duterte versus the “tambays”.
Vice-President for Internal Affairs – Adrian Mendoza (II, CS-ST)
There is still a need to address the gap between the student body and the administration in terms of University policies and services. How do you plan to address these issues, being a representative of the student body once elected?
This year, I plan on addressing these issues by working closely with the different sectors of the University, not only the administration, but also student sectors. Working with the admin sectors would not only bring the students closer to what they want but also working with different student sectors will make me be able to represent the student body to a bigger extent. With these plans, I see the student body being closer to the administration working towards one goal, which is collaborations for the students for a Unified University for You.
How would you rate these issues according to importance? Why in this order?
Quo Warranto against Sereno. Same-sex marriage and gender inequality. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Duterte versus the “tambays”. Distrust of the public in the government.
I would rate these events as such because the Quo Warranto issue for me really changed the political landscape in the Philippines because of how the administration now has control of all three branches of the Philippines. The same-sex marriage and gender inequality issue being the second because we really need to make equality and human rights for the LGBT community real and accessible. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea as the third because of the resources that we lost and aren’t keeping because of the dispute and that is a huge role. Fourth, Duterte versus the “tambays” because the issue is a try hard issue against people and this wouldn’t be as feasible. Lastly the distrust of the public in the government because, sadly the Philippines have never trusted the government and there is a reason why this is so.
Vice-President for External Affairs – Angeli Andan (III, ISE-LGL)
The University saw in the past academic year DLSU compete and represent the country abroad. Such opportunities are grasped by Lasallians, but not everyone has the opportunity to participate as these are costly. How do you plan to resolve this issue?
Being the founding President of the DLSU- Model United Nations Society, I have seen and experienced firsthand how external opportunities such as the Model UN (MUN) tend to become exclusive to students who are financially capable and competent. Considering that we don’t get finnancial assistance for it, Lasallians tend to get discouraged from joining opportunities like this because of how costly it is. As the Vice-President for External Affairs, I plan to resolve this by personally collaborating with the administration and offices such as the Academic Office, Dean’s Office, Alumni Office, and many others. Proper consultation will be done to effectively lobby for financial assistance, external affairs policies, and other benefits deemed possible for students who represent the university in competitions.
How would you rate these issues according to importance? Why in this order?
Distrust of the public in the government. Duterte versus the “tambays”. Quo Warranto against Sereno. Same-sex marriage and gender inequality. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
Following up a bottom-top approach, I rated these events in this order because I wanted to start fixing problems concerning the local and national government first, before proceeding with more serious issues involving the international community. Although these events are of equal importance, I believe that we can’t solve things all at once. Hence, it needs to be given time, and proper course of action.
Executive Secretary – Justeen Sy (III, MGT)
Provided that communication between the USG and the student body has always been a problem, how will your o ce become the bridge between the two, when members of the community fail to see the relevance of an established system of communication and rapport?
Though the Office of the Executive Secretary (OSEC) has always been mandated to establish and manage the communication systems inside the University, one aspect that is sometimes overlooked is our function to be the USG’s training and development arm. I will establish programs that will ensure the sustenance of the USG’s competence, wherein each elected officer will be able to properly communicate important details related to student life to their respective constituents. Moreover, my office will expand communication platforms in order to tap each and every student in the University. In line with our vision, we want to have a unified University for you, and we will be able to do this with competent and trained officers, collaborating and enhancing partnerships with the different sectors, and lastly, with sincere and smart representation to place the students at the heart of what we do.
How would you rate these issues according to importance? Why in this order?
Quo Warranto against Sereno. Distrust of the public in the government. Same-sex marriage and gender inequality. Duterte versus the “tambays”. Territorial disputes in the South China Sea
All of the given events are of equal importance as they cater to different aspects of life. However, given that I have to rate them, I rated it accordingly to my values and beliefs on leadership and service. My top choice would be the Quo Warranto, because I firmly believe that we should respect the constitution. No one is above the constitution, and everyone should understand and respect the law. Second would be the issue on distrust of public in the government.
Executive Treasurer – Adrian Briones (IV, AE-,FIN)
One of the many issues of student organizations this academic year is the abolition of reimbursements and cash advances in relation to project funding. If elected, what will your office develop so that efficient and transparent financial transactions be practiced?
One of the measures that has been implemented this year to safeguard organizations’ finances was the abolition of reimbursements and cash advances in relation to project funding. This year, we will be working closely with the Accounting Office to review these existing financial policies in the University. Moreover, to ensure efficiency and transparency in financial transactions, we shall revamp our transparency reports to be inclusive of the USG’s termly expenses, fundraising reports, and the like. Finally, we will work together with the Commission on Audit to ensure that all USG units are held accountable for their financial transactions.
How would you rate these issues according to importance? Why in this order?
Distrust of the public in the government. Quo Warranto against Sereno. Same-sex marriage and gender inequality.
I believe that distrust of the public in the government is the most alarming issue because it is the main responsibility of the government to represent the Filipino people. Distrust of the public means that the Filipino people do not have the assurance that the government serves them at the best interests at heart.
The deeper issue on the Quo Warranto against CJ Sereno is that the proper procedure to question the legitimacy of a government official based on the Constitution was not followed. If we are not able to build a government that respects the Constitution, how can we assure ourselves of the direction the Philippines is heading?
Third, in a time where the rest of the world is open to broader perspectives and more liberal views, it is time for the Philippines to embrace the belief that we should be more inclusive of our brothers and sisters regardless of gender and identity. Same sex marriage protects the most basic rights of the LGBT community to love and live as a family.
College Presidents
What problems do you see in your college and how do you plan to solve them?
CCS – Sophia Rivera (III, BS CS-IT)
The disconnect between the students and the Computer Studies Government (CSG) is the biggest problem I can see in the College of Computer Studies (CCS). This may be because people see that there is a lack of alignment, and that they cannot relate to the initiatives of the CSG. We think that this miscommunication and misalignment within the CSG, and between the students and the CSG is the root problem. Therefore, to solve this problem, we want to make CCS more centralized, especially in student services. This will be done to help students focus on their own self-growth, since information will be streamlined. With streamlined information, better communication between the students and the CSG will be attained. Through better communication, a productive environment will form from better collaboration and proper representation.
BAGCED – Edu Nioko (II, BSE-ENG)
Our college is definitely full of potential, that is why we have to make each student within our college feel that there is more to what we can do. We have to make them realize that everyone is capable of making an impact not just inside the University, but also when we go out and fulfill our identities.
GCOE – Nates Martin (IV, BS CPE)
Our college is currently academically focused, as seen through our recent board results. Although the students are academically focused, they see extra curricular activities only as a second or third priority, or not a priority at all. We believe that the Engineering Job Expo will be able to assist them in terms of their overall growth, and making them ready for their future jobs. We will also be pushing to innovate student services even more for the college, and push for a more convenient student life experience. We will be pushing for a chatbot which will integrate artificial intelligence in the Facebook chats for us to easily communicate and get inquiries from the students.
COS – Ella Morales (II, PHY-PMD)
One of the problems I see in the college is the COS Practicum System. I acknowledge that each department is diverse from each other, and so I believe that what works for one department may not work for another. However, majority of the departments do not have a systematic process which result to confusion within the students. This year, I plan to institutionalize the practicum process through a standardized checklist for the necessary documents, and an orientation seminar to make it convenient for all departments.
CLA – Zeanne Garcia (III, AB-OCM)
One of the problems that I see in the college is the lack of avenues for students to be engaged in the issues outside the University. This is one of the reasons why partnership within the USG, the different student organizations, especially CAP12, and the sectors under the college and the University is very helpful not just for providing the quality and relevant projects, but also ensuring that the voice of the CLA community will be heard even outside the University.
SOE – Betty Won (II, BS-AEL)
It hasn’t been long since School of Economics had a separate identity, which explains its relatively smaller size. Because of this, the concerns across batches are very much related and similar. With this, the School of Economics Government (SEG) aims to pursue a centralized governance, along with the EXCEL batches, to provide more efficient and direct help to the students. The centralized system will also help us gather concerns faster, and relay it to the concerned offices, especially applicable to double majors who would have concerns for the College of Business (COB) admin.
RVR-COB – Jess Magaoay (III, BS-LGL)
One of the most prominent problems in the College of Business is its lack of social engagement. We are known to be driven by business excellence however, we tend to overlook our responsibilities as concerned members of the community. Through the creation of avenues wherein students will be able to use their business expertise as a means for creating projects beneficial to everyone, we would not only gain the necessary skills and experiences, but also do our humble part in being of greater influence to society.
How will you ensure proper information dissemination throughout your college to answer to their needs?
BAGCED – Edu Nioko (II, BSE-ENG)
When it comes to information dissemination, our college works a system in a way that every student’s concerns will be catered to not just through social media sites, but also through first hand experience in spreading word. There will also be annual meetings to guarantee that the whole College Government of Education (CGE) will be aligned in doing what is best for the college.
CLA – Zeanne Garcia (III, AB-OCM)
I want to improve the efficiency of each officer through training programs that we will be offering them. Aside from improving information dissemination, which should be automatic, I will take the extra mile and personally reach out to different offices so we can effectively address CLA students’ needs.
SOE – Betty Won (II, BS-AEL)
SEG plans to have a centralized system by training all Student Services officers from SEG and the EXCEL batches. In these termly sessions, officers will align in understanding the various processes, and fully inform themselves to tackle any problem. The main goal is to establish one student concern-receiving platform, with officers handling clearly defined roles.
RVR-COB – Jess Magaoay (III, BS-LGL)
I plan to continue the Student Services Training Program, which aims to train appointed officers on the different processes and offices to be contacted in times of consultation and clarifications.
What is your visions for your college? How do you plan to execute your platforms?
COS – Ella Morales (II, PHY-PMD)
A Unified University for You: Empowered Lasallian Scientists towards an integrated and collaborative COS. This year, we want a COS that would serve as an avenue for the Lasallian Scientists to apply their competencies and acquired abilities. A dynamic and collaborative environment within the college will be heightened through platforms that address societal development and social understanding thus, empowering COS students to apply their innate talents.
CCS – Sophia Rivera (III, BS CS-IT)
We envision CCS to be a place of development where you can drive your own growth. In order to achieve our vision, we aim to provide a CSG with better alignment by pushing for an internally integrated CSG and in order to create the two-way communication between the students and the CSG, to collaborate with other sectors within the university, and to create programs that cater to each and every CCS student.
GCOE – Nates Martin (IV, BS CPE)
Our vision is A United University: Bringing an ENGAGED ECG to you. We believe that we should work hand in hand with ENGAGE and the engineering department to bring the ECG to the future Lasallian engineers. We will have an Engineering Job Expo to target the specific courses of our college. We will coordinate with the CSO organizations of engineering to push for this activity. Another focus of our college is our student services. We will be having a vending machine with pens, quiz booklets, and other engineering essentials. Aside from this, we will also be making a mobile printing booth which students can insert a flash drive and cash for them to instantly print their papers.
