HARAPAN PRE-ELECTION FORUM 2014 GUIDELINES I.
The objectives of the forum are the following: 1. To instill political awareness in the upcoming Supreme Student Council (SSC) and College Student Council (CSC) elections; 2. To give fair opportunities to aspiring student leaders to present their platforms, plans and ideas for the next academic year; and 3. To convene all political parties, candidates and interested individuals and give them a channel for discussion and discourse of issues that affect the Pamantasan and other concerns of the students.
II.
The event will be held on February 27, 2014 from 3 PM to 6 PM.
III.
The format of the event is an informal forum which is patterned after the electoral forum organized by the local media outlet (e.g. Harapan: The ABS-CBN Election Forum, GMA 7’s Isang Tanong).
IV.
Participants of the event must be registered political parties, registered candidates for SSC positions and CSC positions and PLM bona fide students.
V.
Members of the Ang Pamantasan, PLM-COMELEC and PLM-Speech and Debate Society will serve as moderators of the event. Members of the Ang Pamantasan and PLM- SPADES will serve as emcees of the forum.
VI.
The pre-election forum will be composed of three segments: 1. CSC candidates per party in every college will be given three (3) minutes to introduce their slate and to give an overview of their platforms. Two (2) questions coming from the Question Inbox will be asked to each candidate. Answers should not exceed one (1) minute per candidate. On the first question, after the first candidate answered the query, the opposing candidate will be given 30 seconds to comment or rebut the answer of his/her opponent. In response, the first speaker will also be given 30 seconds to refute the rebuttal of his/her opponent. The same rule will apply for the second speaker.
In case that the candidate has no opponent/s, the audience will be given a chance to ask the candidate, provided that it has been screened by one of the organizers. The candidate will be given 30 seconds to answer it. 2. SSC candidates per party will be given five (5) minutes to introduce their slate
and to give an overview of their platforms. Two (2) questions coming from the Question Inbox will be asked to each candidate except for the presidentiables. Answers should not exceed one (1) minute per person. On the first question, after the first candidate answered the query, the opposing candidate will be given 30 seconds to comment or rebut the answer of his/her opponent. In response, the first speaker will also be given 30 seconds to refute the rebuttal of his/her opponent. The same rule will apply for the second speaker. 3. On the Presidents’ Face-Off, candidates will be asked three (3) questions from
the Question Inbox. Answers should not exceed two (2) minutes. In every question, the opposing candidate will be given 30 seconds to comment or rebut the answer of his/her opponent. In response, the first speaker will also be given 30 seconds to refute the rebuttal of his/her opponent. The same rule will apply for the second speaker. VII.
Proper behavior and decorum is expected from all the candidates. Vulgar and offensive language must not be used at the course of the event. All participant candidates must be responsible for the proper behavior and decorum of their identified supporters. All candidates and their identified supporters are required to maintain the cleanliness of their allocated area.
VIII.
All candidates must stay for the whole duration of the event.
IX.
Candidates for SSC presidents must proceed to the Ang Pamantasan office for post-event interview and evaluation.