Author: Jessy Go

In less than a month, De La Salle University will again be doused with the colors of yellow and orange. The University Student Government (USG) General Elections (GE) season is just around the corner and the anticipation of knowing who the standard bearers of Santugon sa Tawag ng Panahon (Santugon) and Alyansang Tapat sa Lasalista (Tapat) has become a familiar feeling among Lasallians.

However, a trend has recently emerged as more room has been made for candidates who neither from Santugon or Tapat. The winning streak of independent candidates over the past two years has stunned the once partisan student body. Miguel Moreno won the USG presidency two years ago, while Pram Menghrajani is the incumbent vice president for internal affairs. Both were independent candidates when they ran for office.

In the eyes of the popular

Independent candidates are commonly regarded as those who run to divide the electorate. Their plight often leads to the diminution of votes for the popular.

On the contrary, Santugon President Pam Ramos remarks that independent candidates run for office because they believe in their own capabilities and that they have their own values and principles that do not align with those of Santugon’s or Tapat’s. Tapat President Robbie Arcadio also views independent candidates as “mature people with a political leaning that doesn’t coincide with either of the political parties in the University”.

Moreover, both recognize that all who run for office in the student government, whether as an independent candidate or backed by Santugon or Tapat, have a desire to serve the students of La Salle. Ramos adds that anyone who wants to become an elected USG officer has the right and equal opportunity to run for office. Arcadio also reveals that his political party looks at independent candidates as those who give a different perspective on student issues and politics.

For each their own

“The growing negative sentiments of the students in how the USG makes its presence felt inside the University, my advocacy for political maturity, and the lack of focus of the USG in terms of its primary functions as the representative body of the students are what motivated me to run (for the USG presidency),” Moreno shares.

What’s unique to Moreno’s experience was that he won against seasoned, popular elected officers. He won against Santugon’s Robert Hechanova, who was the incumbent vice president for internal affairs when he ran against Moreno, while Tapat’s Kaila Astorga was the college president of the School of Economics.

“My independent bid was geared towards making relevant changes in the culture of student politics in the University, which is very much related to the kind of changes needed in the culture of politics in the Philippine society. For these reasons, I firmly believe that it was high time for the USG to go back to its founding identity and purpose, to be reminded of how it is to be a student government, and to refocus on its roles and responsibilities,” Moreno reminds.

On the other hand, Menghrajani has always been just a volunteer for different USG units before getting elected as the incumbent vice president for internal affairs. She shares that she was never a member of any political party and adds, “Parties do not determine your success in a certain organization. It will help you, but then only to an extent. What will help you along the way and what will take you further is your quality of work, and also the integrity of your intent.”

No official announcement has been made yet, but there will supposedly be more Lasallians who will run as independent candidates in the upcoming GE. They have the same cause as that of Moreno’s and Menghrajani, and they would want to experience the same success story that happened to the two.

Not an easy task

Winning a seat in the USG as an independent candidate is a remarkable feat. “It’s very inspiring how these individuals are running without the support of an organization. It shows how passionate they are to serve their fellow students and their belief in themselves of showing their capabilities to others,” remarks Pauline Tomelden (II, BSFIN).

Similarly, Daniel Baylon (I, BSAEC) says, “I think it takes guts for them to run alone in the elections. People who usually do this are those with high confidence and those who have huge faith in themselves. For me, that is a good quality because in order for someone else to believe in you, you must believe in yourself first.”

On the contrary, Robert Jimenez (II, BSCHE) comments, “If I know that person (USG candidate) has a good background and history, I’ll vote for him. Generally speaking, I wouldn’t vote for an independent candidate because it gives me an impression that he or she is not capable to cooperate with a team and teamwork is vital in politics.”

Moreno echoes part of Jimenez’ impression, but he defends that it’s the other way around. Independent candidates are willing to work with other USG officers once elected, but because of partisanship, those who come from Santugon or Tapat make it difficult for them to ease into their functions.

“It was very difficult to effect change in the USG given a culture that is deeply rooted with its conventions and traditions dictated by a partisan kind of leadership,” Moreno quips. He adds that it was both frustrating and affirming that the only way to effect change in the USG is for it to live by its vision of a ONE USG, where elected officers work together regardless of whether they have a Santugon, a Tapat, or an independent kind of leadership.

Menghrajani relates that her main selling point when she was still in the election trail for her incumbent position was her experience as an internal affairs volunteer. “Back when I was running, I kept on telling people (USG elected and appointed officers) [that] I won’t have a difficult time if I get elected as their vice president because I’ve already worked with them in the past. During my term, I’ve proven that I can work with anyone, regardless of their [political party affiliation].”

Moment of truth

“The students were looking for a new brand of leadership that they believe can inspire and effect change in the culture of student politics especially in the USG,” Moreno answers when what he thought made him win against Hechanova and Astorga. He thinks that his platform had more bearing on his win rather than Lasallian’s growing indifference towards voting for either Santugon or Tapat candidates. His platform when he ran for USG president was leading all USG units to work together towards the direction of refocusing on its role as representatives of the students.

Now that more students are willing to challenge the status quo of electing officers fielded by Santugon or Tapat, the political parties are faced with the challenge of ensuring that they will still be able to field competitively in the coming elections. Tapat intends to stay true to their roots, according to Arcadio. “We believe that our principles and our brand of leadership has always been our strength,” he ends.

“Although the means may change every year and we show the students different campaign innovations, our strategy has always been about the kind of leaders we have. Santugon will always champion its leaders who have the values, principles and brand of leadership that we believe can best represent the students,” Ramos retorts.

The outcome of Moreno and Menghrajani’s bid in the executive board of the USG has become a wake-up call for both independent candidate hopefuls and the electorate. For candidates vying for a seat in the USG, their intentions must not be self-serving. Win or lose, they should still be motivated to serve Lasallians in whatever way they can – may it be through an elected or appointed USG position.

Lasallian voters should see to it that they vote responsibly as well. They have the duty to assess the platforms of the candidates critically. Their votes should not be motivated by what the majority has chosen or by the appeal to emotions underdog candidates usually establish.

*Bea saw two exchange students smoking on the steps of the Br. Andrew Gonzalez Hall on her way out of the building. The sophomore was sure that no student or faculty member could smoke within five meters from the campus, according to the student handbook, but no one in sight was calling the attention of the two international students.

She decided to forget what she saw, realizing that her next class was still in St. La Salle Hall. Bea rushed to the Agno entrance, hoping that she would be able to beat the 15-minute classroom transfer rush. Upon entering the gate, she again noticed that a different exchange student was allowed entry to the campus despite not complying with the University dress code.

Hesitant to indulge in the thought that the University treats its international students differently – granting them preferential treatment – Bea just thought that Filipinos are naturally hospitable and pleasant to foreigners, Lasallians and other University stakeholders included.

External Relations and Internationalization Executive Director, Dr. Alvin Culaba, addresses Bea’s concern by clarifying that the University doesn’t grant preferential treatment to exchange students or visiting professors. He highlights that the student handbook and the faculty manual govern all Lasallian students and professors, respectively, regardless of the length of their stay in the University or their nationality.

As a matter of fact

Culaba explains that international students and visiting professors are required to undergo a more stringent application process compared to their local counterparts. For an international student to be able to study at De La Salle University (DLSU), the institution he or she is affiliated with must have an existing agreement with the University. On the other hand, international faculty could either become a visiting professor or regular instructor. A visiting professor is usually invited to teach certain courses for a term or two, while an academic department must endorse the international faculty to its college’s dean.

The Vice Chancellor for Academics must approve of the engagement of the regular international faculty before he or she could teach at DLSU. In addition to the aforementioned, exchange students and foreign professors must comply with the other policies such as submitting a copy of their visas, immigration papers, and other requirements attached to staying in foreign soil temporarily.

Grant Nelson, an international faculty member from the Psychology Department, verifies the more stringent application process for foreign faculty members. “I believe the hiring process is more difficult for a foreign professor. The collection and amount of documents needed was more than I’ve ever experienced and while I understand the need, the process delayed my on boarding by two semesters,” narrates Nelson.

The Psychology Department professor furthers that the delay brought by completing the hefty paperwork requirements only cost him his fulltime teaching status. “While my department has been great at keeping me busy, I’m still fighting for load shift, from part-time to fulltime,” Nelson quips.

Nicolas Honvault is one of the three students sent by L’Institut Polytechnique La Salle Beauvais to study English at DLSU. His university has a program where it sends its students to different countries as exposure to the usage of the English language. Honvault also clarifies that he hasn’t experienced any special treatment from anyone at La Salle. More so, he expresses that the closest to preferential treatment he has experienced was receiving unsolicited advice and warnings on how to survive Manila commute.

On a lighter note, Culaba shares that having the opportunity to study abroad without paying additional tuition and fees from what they regularly pay in their university of origin could be one of the few advantages an exchange student has over other Lasallians. Nelson also imparts that the orientations and lectures made available to foreign students and professors greatly helped him in making transitions into the University. “The security guards, vendors, librarians, human resources, cooks, and ground keepers have all made my transition and sense of being welcomed a successful one,” he ends, mentioning the unwarranted attention that comes with being a foreigner residing in the Philippines.

Word of caution

Culaba reminds that all international students and professors must follow University policies such as observing the proper dress code, having their IDs with them at all times, among others. He adds that other University stakeholders such as security guards, secretaries, and faculty members must also take responsibility in apprehending students whenever they violate a school policy. Some foreign students and faculty scholars don’t have the time to master the handbook guidelines because of the short length of their stay in the University.

He also points out that members of the Lasallian community shouldn’t have a difficult time communicating with foreign students and professors, since all international members have ample knowledge on the use of the English language. There’s no reason of letting violations slip, since guards, secretaries, and faculty members could provide feedback through speaking in English.

The external relations executive director ends by clearing that what Bea witnessed in Andrew Hall and in the Agno entrance were isolated cases. Culaba remains firm in guaranteeing that no international student or professor receives preferential treatment from the school.

DLSU is in the process of actualizing its goal of becoming a world-class university by opening itself up to the world through maintaining international linkages. Even though this is a priority, the University should still ensure the equity and equality of student and faculty life in campus, regardless of race or nationality.

*Names were changed to protect the identity of the subject

Student groups, from professional organizations to University Student Government (USG) units are allowed to conduct fund raising activities (FRA) to generate funds for day-to-day operations, ad hoc activities, and future projects. These organizations most commonly utilize selling of merchandise, such as shirts, as their FRA. Before the merchandise can be released to the public, however, the hosting organization must seek approval from the University’s Office for Strategic Communications (STRATCOM).

It has been an established practice that all FRA merchandise designs that bear any trademark or form of branding associated with the University are submitted to the STRATCOM for approval. The office requires all student organizations to follow this, so they could regulate whether the designs that will printed on the merchandise follow the correct style and features of all De La Salle University (DLSU) trademarks.

Early this academic year, though, some USG units have expressed concerns that the STRATCOM will eventually mandate all student organizations that use any form of DLSU trademark in their FRAs to pay P1000 for every week of selling. Several student organizations find this amount hefty, more so, they were confused on how such policy was implemented without any USG unit’s knowledge.

Step by step

Officers from different student organizations have expressed general discontent over the supposedly new rule that will be imposed by the STRATCOM. The said rule is an extension of the conditions already established by the office that must be followed by student organizations who wish to sell merchandise as their FRA.

The original process begins with student organizations sending their merchandise design proposals to STRATCOM for approval before the pre-selling period. “[STRATCOM] requires [organizations] to submit a filled up form and the shirt design,” Carlos John Barrera, Executive Vice President of the Lasallian Scholars Society, shares. The additional fee to be collected is still foreign among student organizations and USG units.

“What I know is that for as long as it’s considered an FRA, the [STRATCOM] will get some portion of the earnings,” an org representative who wishes to remain anonymous explains. “But they’d only do that for products that bear any connection to La Salle, like our chant, star, etc.”

By the third term, the STRATCOM will already collect the weekly fee of P1,000 from student organizations that use the DLSU logo and trademarks in their merchandise designs. Director for Operations Johannes Badillo clarifies that the fee is not any form of royalty collection legally required when an entity uses a trademark, patent, or copyright. In addition, Badillo says that STRATCOM only wishes to breed a culture of giving among student organizations through the imposed fee.

He also informs that the precedent of the new rule is the student consignors of DLSU’s The Store. Badillo shares that 30 percent of the profit earned by student consigners at The Store automatically goes to the DLSU Scholarship Fund. He furthers that the P1,000 fee only copies the nature of the student consignor setup.

Jill Legaspi, a STRATCOM officer in charge of the approval of FRA designs, and Badillo also mention that the identification of the amount to be collected underwent a consultation process, with the Office of Dean for Student Affairs and Council for Student Organizations (CSO) spearheading the effort. It was agreed upon by all parties that P1000 is the most viable amount.

The operations head quips that the student organizations usually conduct FRAs for operations expenses, but the additional P1000 to be collected will guarantee that the FRAs will serve its truest purpose which is to raise funds for those who are in need. “All proceeds will go to the DLSU Scholarship Fund,” according to Badillo.

No support garnered

Since fees have never been collected from organizations conducting FRA before, most organization officers have grown apprehensive of the new rule. Some have expressed their disapproval of the rule, reasoning that a cut on sales would mean lesser funds that can be used for the organization’s expenditures. “We look for alternatives,” Hans Yu, Vice President for Finance of the Chemical Engineering Society, says, adding that they would rather not use any form of DLSU branding in their future designs. For other organizations, the same alternative is being considered.

Hale Berry de Vera, Vice President for Marketing of the Economics Organization, shares that student organizations from the University should not be charged. She finds the fee unnecessary and adds that the groups not affiliated with DLSU that sell DLSU merchandise should be charged instead, or at least, STRATCOM should go after them.

Although it was speculated that the new rule was already imposed during the start of the year, student organizations that used DLSU trademarks in their shirt designs have not been charged any additional fees. According to Karl Ong, Batch Vice President of the USG unit 68th ENG, “Rumors are spreading that we have to pay a fee now, but [when we sold shirts], we were not asked to pay.” The batch government recently concluded their FRA last week, where they sold shirts bearing the University’s name.

Badillo and Legaspi confirm that the new policy is just waiting for clearance from other University offices, but reiterates that it is already approved and agreed upon by all relevant stakeholders, including the student groups. The two reassure that the culture of giving is what the office is trying to uphold at DLSU.