Election Special 2014 by FEU Advocate

February 28, 2014

Vol. XVII No. 7

www.feuadvocate.org

Sampaloc, Manila

Irregularities erupt, changes imposed

Orange-Yellow battle flares up Anomalies and issues are still prevalent in the midst of this year’s battle for student organization posts between Lakas Tamaraw and Sandigan Party Alliance. In a tweet posted by former candidate for Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance Student Council (IABF-SC) Vice President Conrado Jose Gabriel of Sandigan, he revealed that Lakas Tamaraw filed a petition against Commission on Elections’ (COMELEC) leadership track requirement as qualification for candidacy. Incumbent Far Eastern University Central Student Organization (FEUCSO) Treasurer and Lakas candidate for FEUCSO Secretary Danica Cartagena confirmed the allegation but disclosed that they did it because of “integrity issues”. “Opo, nag-petition kami... because of integrity issues and falsification of documents (Yes, we filed a petition because of integrity issues and falsification of documents),” she shared. Sandigan Secretary General Muji Jaafar shared that they are still unsure why Lakas filed the petition. “I do not know exactly the reasons for that considering the fact that they are currently holding more positions than we do,” he said. Cartagena said that incumbency is a prerequisite in order to run for a position in FEUCSO. However, they found out that a candidate from Sandigan has not yet held any position before. Sandigan’s FEUCSO Presidential candidate Nathan Sison refuted the claim. “It is subjective to talk about leadership tracks... Thus, leadership varies in terms of style and execution as well. The allegation targets the culture in FEU that being a leader, one must have ample amount of experience in school and several organizations... There should be unbiased judgment and we should filter only the best,” Sison explained. Meanwhile, Sandigan member Miguel Lopez said on his Facebook account (https://www.facebook.com/ fluxe) last February 24 that a poster produced by Lakas’ Institute of Arts and Sciences Student Council (IASSC) copied its tagline from De La Salle University’s (DLSU) political party Santugon.

“Based on the FEU Omnibus Election Code under ARTICLE 25-A. Classification of Offenses I. ‘Plagiarism’ is a Major Offense. ‘Achievable Sustainable Progress that is Possible.’ Watch this video at 2:29 to 2:33. Coincidence? I think not. Nakakahiya sa DLSU (De La Salle University). Delete n’yo na po poster n’yo (Delete your posters now),” the post stated. A video showing the campaign presentation of the subject political party copied from DLSU was also posted along Lopez’ status update. When COMELEC Chair Amado Villegas was asked about the issue, he said, “Plagiarism is a major offense. It has to be filed in a form of a complaint. If there is no

complaint, we cannot act on the matter.” Lakas member and IAS-SC presidential bet Jan Lynard Castillo, on the other hand, said, “It was not our intention for that to happen. The said tagline was not copied directly. DLSU’s Santugon is aware of this matter and we have acknowledgment from them.” Snubbing ‘good looks’ Villegas said that the new election code highlights the changes in leadership and grade requirements. “The main thrust of Student Development (SDev) is to get competent, qualified, capable and efficient leaders. And to have those leaders, we decided to

improve all the qualifications. Primarily on the leadership requirement and increasing the GWA (general weighted average) requirement,” Villegas said. Candidates should have at least 1.75 cumulative GWA for the positions of president and treasurer, at least 1.90 for secretary and auditor and at least 2.00 for other positions. Meanwhile, Institute of Nursing and Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts candidates’ GWAs are to be prescribed by their respective deans, according to Article 9 of the election code. “If they cannot pass all their courses, the assumption is they do not know how to manage their time, which will have a negative impact on their public service,” SDev Director Joeven Castro said. The same article in the election code also states that candidates for president, secretary, and treasurer for FEUCSO, SCs and academic organizations should be incumbent officers or were previously elected officers occupying any other elected position from any of the student councils or academic and university-wide organizations at FEU. FEUCSO vice president, auditor, PRO and FEUCSO representatives should at least be active committee members based on the submitted list of the incumbent secretary and noted by the incumbent president of any FEU-based organization. “The goal behind this is to provide mentorship opportunities and avoid the ‘blind-leading-the-blind’ leadership phenomenon. Through this mentorship opportunity and the requirement of incumbency, a better succession plan can be designed,” Castro said. He added that political parties now cannot field a candidate based on “popularity” or “physical appearance,” and that the new requirements are “safety nets” because only those who have “leadership track record” for some key positions can run. “Meanwhile, neophytes have to invest more time and engagement by running for the other positions and once they are elected and they become incumbents, then they can run for the positions of president, secretary, and treasurer… A leader needs time to invest and learn the trade. To be at the top, a leader needs to learn how to be under,” Castro said. Continue to page 7...

Photos by Marione Paul G. Infantado; Google Images; Layout by Christine Joy Lopez and Alexis James Tud

2 Election Special February 28, 2014

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that?

One major problem that I would like to address is the collaborative involvement of IABF students in the creation of student-centered projects. As a Sandigan, I always believe that the student council should serve well everybody’s rights. We were taught that a student council must be a student government that is always ready to listen to what every student of IABF has to say - a council that embodies the opinion of the majority in creating these student-centered projects. I, together with my slate, will engage the students in the creation, in the planning, in the decision-making. It’s having the same vision. For me, everyone matters. Everyone is part of this endeavor. Our SiyeteKalibre can serve the purpose of the student council in creating a gengenuine student-centered projects for the students.”

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that? “The problem that we are facing right now is the pre-regenrollment process. However pre-regenrollment process has more positive points than its negative points and pre-reg is less hassle compared to its manual enrollment. Personally and honestly, I don’t have the … the directly or I don’t have directly the power to fix the problem but being an IABF student council officer it is my duty to voice out the grievances and suggestions of every student and being an officer of IABF student council it is my duty to give suggestions to the administration what is the proper process that they should do. “

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that? “I would like to address the issue about the student policies of the Student Discipline office well I’m not… against the policies of the University because I knew that it is for the betterment of the students, but my concern is that they should… should disseminate the information properly to the students and not just for just a certain group of students because each student must really know what are the policies stated at the handbook so that they would know what to do and they can get rid of doing violations so that they won’t get CS or community services that is a hindrance let’s say for example in pre-registering for the enrollment and right now for the elections.”

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that? “One of the issues na kinakaharap ng institute namin is vandalism and for me isa yung problem kasi makalat, oo, makalat ang institute namin, vandalism is not a form of art. And if I would address that to our dean, sana magkaroon kami ng mga classrooms wherein we can make it as a study room kung saan pwede kaming magkalat doon. Not in a way na makakasira kami sa reputasyon ng IARFA but for the good na magiging creative kami lalo. And also yun nga, sa school policies ng FEU. We want to voice it out kasi most of us in IARFA hindi kami kasi simple lang na mga studyante. I must say hindi naman lahat ng mga studyante dito is ordinary or as usual na ganun yung itsura kasi namin may mga kulay ang buhok, may mga tattoo. Looks are not reasons para majudge ang isang tao kung ano ang makakaya niyang gawin.”

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that? “If there’s one problem that I need to address in this University, that would be the student policy passed by the Student Discipline because first, it is evident that there is a lack of consultation to the students; and second, it resulted for the students to have rants on the social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter. I think students should be judged not by the way they look but the way they perform. I think the hair color wouldn’t really affect they perform eh. How am I going to address it? If I would be able to win in this student election, then I will be given the power to represent the student in the Student Congress or the House of Congress... then given much power I would probably pass a resolution to address this problem in the House of Congress.”

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that? “First and foremost, the first issue that...am...the University’s currently facing is the discrimination between the local students and international students with regard to proper wearing of school uniform. Amm... Actually we address this as the acting vice president together with the FEUCSO representative amm...– reproduce a resolution that will be passed on university tuition fee consultation on February 28. So, amm... we reproduce a resolution that will protect the rest of the students especially in IAS. Their concerns are their voices are being heard through this resolution that is made.”

Photos by Marione Paul G. Infantado, Kevin Victor J. Torres, Darlene S. Padilla, Angelica C. Fernandez, Caroline B. Castro, Lyka R. Cabungcay, and Anjanette T. Dee; Google Images; Layout by Christine Joy V. Lopez, Alexis James L. Tud, Aicel Marie V. De Guzman, Arlnie T. Singca, Michaela Y. Constantino and Rose Jasmin M. Gayeta

Election Special February 28, 2014

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that? “The issue on the academic uniform policies. There are inconsistencies regarding the policies that the current administration are implementing and these are all based from the students. To address this problem, I must listen to both sides first. We must hear what the administration, what the administration are going to implement, what are their basis and then we will echo it to the students then let us first hear what the students would say. We, student leaders should be the bridge between the students and the administration. With that I can say that we must hear with both sides first before we give our comments or reactions.”

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that?

“Uhm, I think here in our University, we have a problem when it comes to proper grooming. I have observed that regards to the grooming of a student just like in Nursing Institute we have a proper grooming policy. Same with other institute they have another grooming policy. So being a student leader, uhm I should be an example in wear uniform with grace and dignity. So, if I will have a chance to influence or give a project I before I implement that project I should first assess what a student need. Our University has been strict with the grooming policy so I understand that many student are not on the side of that decision. So as a leader, I’ll be their voice to the higher authority so that they will be given a chance to be heard.”

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that? “Uhm, ‘yung mga problems dito sa FEU... Uhmm... First of all, ‘yung sa mga corporate attires, kasi ‘di ba yung SDev ngayon parang naghihigpit sila sa uniforms? Then, all institutes here in Far Eastern University require, requires an... external uniform for all students. Uhm, gusto ko pong i-... parang i-... i-require sa SDev na payagan lahat at hindi na po mag-keyin so that ‘yung CS ay mababaan para hindi lahat sila may community service. Then, kung meron pa mang ibang problem dito sa FEU, I would like to help the Far Eastern University to maintain... and to empower all the students, and help them to be... to be... uh, more productive.”

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that? “Within the university? About po sa… ‘yung sa student uniforms po and then the scholarships because the new rules were very affect… were very affective sa institute namin because many of us were not able to have our scholarships when we were expecting them and ‘yung school uniforms na we were… their CS or community services were added because of the new… the new rules that were. Actually that was a rule na nasa student handbook na, but hindi pa siya before nabibigyan ng strict… strict… guidance kaya ngayon nagulat sila for the leather shoes, for the hair color, tapos… we would like, I would like, first for that I would like to know the clarification for that… penalties t’saka ‘yung sa penalties we would like to know what penalty… how… how many hours would include the equivalent to one specific penalty or what type.”

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that?

“Well, the… the problem that we would like to address is the discipline... especially we are nursing students, we would like to advocate and to involve the students in… in promoting the… the discipline in our institute, such as this one, we are… we are implementing the discipline... ahh … discipline committee in our council and that… that’s what we want to promote first and we want… we also want to achieve a holistic student development and I believe that… ah... with the… with the discipline…it will make us a globally competitive nurses. Thank you!”

What particular issue/problem in our University would you like to address and how are you going to do that? “For me apathy, apathy to students because the lack of information or the lack of the involvement of the students in the University. As their president I would like to provide projects that would give the students their interest but with a substance; projects that they would look forward on and projects that will uh,projects that they need as a student and to become as a leader as well.”

Election Special February 28, 2014

Nathan Sison

By FEU Advocate

FEUCSO Sandigan Presidential Candidate What do you consider as your most significant contribution as a student leader? Well, my most significant contribution as a student leader and also as a Mass Com major, I think, is to become an effective voice to the students because you can have a student leader who has a good voice but a student leader should be willing to be the students’ voice. To effectively communicate what the student’s concerns are, for the benefit of our University, as a Mass Com major I’m trained to do that and I can be an effective mediator between the representation of the students’ body and the administration as well – to make us a better FEU community. What made you run for presidency? What made me run for presidency, well I believe I am prepared. I was prepared by time, I was a student leader way back in high school and during my first year that I entered FEU, I was already elected as the FEU Mass Communication Society first year representative and then I was also elected as the secretary and now I’m the incumbent vice president of our society. Now, I believe that I am ready to take the lead to be FEU’s best FEUCSO president ever. What specific issue or problem in the incumbent administration have you noticed and would like to address? Okay, well we have a lot of issues that are popping out especially with the current administration. But what we can do is that, oh one specific issue is that first, the missing funds of the different organizations. Well, what we can do with that is of course to elect responsible student leaders, who knows how to properly allocate their money and their funds. Who would put budgets into consideration of who are really intended to be needing them. And I think to address that, we should have good governance, that is why my advice to all the students, come election time, we should elect those deserving, student-leader especially with the key positions of auditor, secretary and treasurer, and of course, president. How are you going to do that? How am I going to do that? Well, first, in my administration transparency is number one. I’ll make sure that we will implement the i-report. It means the institutional report of fundings of all institutes. It concerns the six institutes including your academic organization. In that way we will create this solution by having transparency in our University. So it’s more on transparency because it is the number

one concern that we should have now. If we are all responsible student leaders here, we should not start the corruption inside our University. What will you do to make your term be felt by the students? What I will do to make my term felt by the students is first to connect with them, personally. I want FEUCSO to be a student council that will cater students in a sense that we aren’t elite people or elite students in our University. I want them to feel that we are here for the students, that is why my main goal and advocacy is to be a better representation of the student body for a better FEU. So for us to be felt, I will tell my fellow students, ‘hey you belong to our community’ let’s make it one community and hopefully students will join me in my advocacy for one FEU. What is your edge against your rival? I just met my rival just now when he was announced, but honestly I do not know him personally. But for me as like I said, being a Mass Com major will be my edge. I have been an experienced, tried and tested student leader and at the same time as a Mass Comm major, it means that I am train to be a student leader who effectively communicates and will be the voice of the students. I was trained to do this, to become the next president, because I have been honed by my experiences and also because of time. What are you going to do if you lose? What I am going to do if I will lose which hopefully will not happen, is to help the elected officers, because if ever I lose and since I have plans for my University, we, FEUCSO Sandigan, we want to still continue no matter who wins. I mean, I want to be a symbol of hope to the students that regardless of whoever wins, politics should stop there. What we should do to achieve a green and gold FEU is to help one another. And we can only do that with unity.

FEU Advocate Reportorial Team: Lensey N. Ectubañas, Carlo P. Gulapa, Christelle Ann Jimenez, Katrina C. Surla, Robert Jon L. Garcia, Eryl Justine L. Bacnis, Daniel V. Miaga, Marra Yoshabel B. Mien, Angelica R. Porciuncula, Bea Kirstein T. Manalaysay, Gabriel T. Mendoza, Lance Adrian DR. Agcaoili, Ryniel Berlanga, Karl Lois R. Malabanan, Joy Q. Batang, Frances Marie Tenerife, Sarah Christine H. Barbado, Riza Camille F. Talan, Kristine Marie T. Caluag and Charmaine A. Tadala

5 Karl Steven Maghirang

Reportorial Team

FEUCSO LAKAS Presidential Candidate What do you consider as your most significant contribution as a student leader?

On a personal background, I do believe a student leader must always have projects, seminars, gatherings, competitions and, that is expected, but my most significant contribution to the FEU community is being reliable and concerned. I, a student leader have commit students to do good, commit students to change the bad things that they have done, and, for me, that is the most significant contribution that I can do.

What made you run for presidency?

FEUCSO presidency is not about the position; it is about the passion to serve the students, passion to commit for the things that you want to perform. I may not be an eloquent speaker, but I know, I can speak my thoughts and ideas. I may not be the greatest student here in FEU, but I do believe, that when I become the FEUCSO president, I will be unbiased and I will serve the community of FEU, service that is fair and service that is impartial. What specific issue/problem in the incumbent administration have you noticed and you would like to address?

How are you going to do that?

I, together with my co-officers will work on three things: Redefine, Refocus and, Reinvent. First is redefine, we should know the current stature, problems, issues within the university. Second is Refocus, Refocus the culture and traditions here in FEU and lastly, Reinvent, wherein we will Reinvent the social conditions and programs. What will you do to make your term be felt by the students?

For us to be felt by the students, we need to cooperate with the acad organizations and student councils. We will do steadfast dissemination of information through creative connections and do projects, wherein the mass of the FEU community will gather, because that’s what they want. What is your edge against your rival?

My edge towards my opponent is “Experience.” Why? Because for the past two years, I’ve been serving FEU, and in these two years, I have three different organizations: one for the Tourism Management Society and two Uniwide orgs. My edge is I can balance and simultaneously organize my organizations and I have met people from other institutes and by that, I have served the FEU community. What are you going to do if you lose?

It is not about the position, it is about the passion to serve and determination. All you can do is to prove that you belong to that position. Just take a step forward and do better for the whole FEU community.

The administration of Andrea ‘Recto’ Sarile is competent because one of their platform is “Active Social Awareness and Involvement,” wherein they want students to interact with another courses, but the main problem here is, the students are apathetic, they don’t socialize, they don’t have social involvement and awareness through other institutes, that is why, we would plan programs, seminars, gatherings wherein the interest of the FEU body will be suitable for them to attend the events and projects that we will propose.

Photos by Marione Paul G. Infantado, Kevin Victor J. Torres and Darlene S. Padilla; Google Images; Layout by John Armen T. Bongao, Christine Joy V. Lopez, Alexis James L. Tud, and Aicel Marie V. De Guzman

6 Election Special February 28, 2014

OPINION

E D ITO R I A L Unusual

This year’s campaign period is arguably the most quiet in FEU history; indeed peaceful that we cannot help but think about the proverbial ‘calm before the storm’. Departing from the familiar blaring that the past polls had, the annual student election is greeted with overwhelming changes. The Administration, at long last, has realized that the election in the campus is only an inch away from that of the outside, and that they have, for the longest time, the means to mitigate the growing disaster. The solution was made clear: dispatch the traditional FEU student election—that is to say, the flamboyant celebration of amateur politicking. Consequently, actions were taken. No more distastefully-colored jackets, ill-tuned chants, visually-curseful banners and highly-loathed mudslinging. The newly amended Omnibus Election Code also brings to fore the importance of having a fully functional mental faculty to a student leader. From the infamous miting de avance where lambasting fellow candidate’s credibility usually earns cheers from the crowd, COMELEC opted to elevate the game to a mind-brawling discourse that is meant to discuss and clarify views regarding national and University-related issues. True to its sense, this is the type of election that the FEU students rightfully deserve. However, it is only prudent to note that there are still some policies that we think should be carefully reviewed and considered. For example, the higher qualifications for certain positions have left the student voters with almost no choice. Numerous positions have only one candidate running unopposed, while some have none at all. While stated in the code that such candidates “has to get more votes than the votes for abstain” in order to win, the power given to the Administration to appoint if the said requirement is not met is deeply appalling. It mars the whole point of having a student election. Maybe a little loosening in the qualifications without sacrificing its primary considerations will not harm as much. There should also be a voter’s turn-over threshold that will gauge if the polls have truly served its purpose or is a failure of election. It is helpful to understand that sometimes, choosing not to vote is already as good as voting. Such instance, however, shall ultimately be decided by the student body, not by the Administration. Lastly, SDev and COMELEC should look into the reality that a five-day campaign period is not enough for students to scrutinize the candidates well. Perhaps more group discussions, debates and meetings are needed to achieve substantial awareness. FEU Advocate, together with other university-wide organizations, will surely not hesitate to lend a hand. To sum it up, these measures taken by the two offices were made to ensure a clean and respectable poll process. But without the latter appreciating and utilizing it, all efforts will just whirl down into the sink. The road to a meaningful election has been paved; the Administration has done its part, it’s now time for the students to do theirs.

Why you should not vote

Apathetic students cannot read this column. Doesn’t make sense? Let me walk you through it at jeromes.deguzman@gmail.com. People go on about how we should be socially aware and exercise our right to suffrage but what are we supposed to do when amid all the vetting and beyond the flowery words and pretty faces, nobody is qualified for the post? If I were into politics instead of journalism, I’d be a campaign manager because, quoting the greatest campaign manager in American TV series history, “I’m tired of it. Year after year, after year, after year of having to choose between the lesser of who cares. I’m trying to get myself excited about a candidate who can speak in complete sentences, of setting the bar so low, I can hardly look at it. They say a good man can’t get elected president. I don’t believe that; do you?” So, if given the chance, I would run a life-altering campaign. I would conjure up a political party built on the maxim that we cannot be anything less than excellent and honest for voters are

The Tama-right leader

insightful, intelligent individuals who can see past pretenses, coached speeches, and merely memorized platforms. A party that recognizes that nobody is stupid in an election year, just that people get treated stupid during an election year. I would choose candidates who are smart, witty, and brave enough to recognize that to govern is to choose and the choices are never easy; who knows that being tough won’t get you the right choice for doing so takes experience and mature judgment; who value leading more than winning – those who can graciously accept defeat for they know that the only thing worse than a loser is a sore loser. I would tell them, as motivation, what I learned from the American series, West Wing:

“If our job teaches us anything, it’s that we don’t know what the next president’s going to face. If we choose someone with vision, someone with guts, someone with gravitas, who’s connected to other people’s lives and cares about making them better, if we choose someone to inspire us, then we’ll be able to face what comes our way and achieve things we can’t imagine. Instead of telling people who’s the most qualified, instead of telling people who’s got the better ideas, let’s make it obvious. It’s going to be hard.” And the Tama-right leader who possesses all the qualities I have just enumerated will only say five words: “Then we’ll do what’s hard.” And that will be enough. I bet you my tuition, you don’t even know what gravitas means. Take the first step to being the right kind of leader and find out at kcamillef.cue@gmail.com.

Election Special February 28, 2014

Yellow-Orange... page 1

Because of the new election code, some candidates were disqualified due to failure of obtaining a certificate of good moral character because of violations. “They should be of good moral character as exemplars or role models. That is why Student Discipline’s certificate of good moral character is required. We trust law-abiding leaders and exhibit FEU core values,” Castro stated. However, if one candidate from another party is disqualified, it does not mean the only candidate for that position will be the winner by default. If the candidate’s vote would be lesser than the 60 percent of total votes, the candidate would not assume the position. In case of no qualified candidate to run for a post, the dean and the program head will be the one to appoint. Jade Dela Cruz, incumbent FEUCSO PRO and now running for the vice president post under Lakas, expressed that he views the new rules positively. “It was a good move by the Student Development office and COMELEC to really secure that those who will be seated in the positions are worthy of the student’s votes,” he stated. Meanwhile, FEUCSO Sandigan has failed to field a candidate for treasurer because of the failure of requirements. “We have a [candidate for] treasurer but the thing is he was not approved by the COMELEC to take part in this year’s election because of the new policy that a treasurer must not be an incoming fourth year student,” Sandigan presidential bet Sison said. Two-day voting, election debate Unlike the last two years, this year’s election will have two-day voting. Information Technology Services Director Cesar Pacis disclosed that only one-third of the student population were able to vote for the last couple of years because of the one-day election. For both parties, the move will pave the way to more students, increased participation in this year’s election. “The shift of election days from one to two is very crucial because candidates can gain more votes from those students who do not really have classes on the first day of voting and we must admit [that] a single vote can make a difference to a candidate and to the entire FEU Community,” FEUCSO Treasurer candidate of Lakas Adam Alcantara commented.

Photos by Marione Paul G. Infantado and Caroline B. Castro

“It is better because personally, I think it will accelerate the effective participation of the students when it comes to voting the right candidate and the voters will in fact be empowered. They will all be equally given a chance to vote during their class days because for the past few years, the candidates do not prioritize to lay down their platforms and plans for the FEU community to the students that doesn’t have a class during the Election Day,” Sandigan’s FEUCSO secretarial candidate Aubrey Feria said. This year’s election will also feature a release of partial of results. “Actually, the reason we allowed the release of partial results is to entice the students to vote. We have provided the mechanics for its security. We will not be mentioning any name in the partial results. Secondly, the result will be featured in such a way that what is provided on the top is the leading candidate without mentioning any name or any political party and at the bottom is the person with the lower number of votes. No name will be mentioned, no political party,” Villegas explained. However, Pacis said that they are

still deciding when and how they are going to release it. “Pinag-uusapan pa namin kung paano t’saka tuwing kailan... kung every hour ba or at the end of the day. Kasi baka gumulo, magkaroon ng iba’t ibang version, ‘di ba? (We are still discussing how and when… if it is hourly or at the end of the day. It might create a mess to have different versions, right?),” he explained. Another change in this year’s election is the replacement of miting de avance with the Grand Election Debate. Villegas said that the change was Castro’s initiative. “The thrust of SDev is to have discursive leaders. Not only competent [and] qualified but also discursive leaders… During the debate, you will know if the candidates can think... how they think and react on certain issues...,” he said. “Remember, one of the assets of being a good leader is that of being a good communicator also. So the debate, for that matter is a parameter to determine if the candidate is qualified or not,” Villegas furthered. Both parties expressed their

Ralph Michael R. Nochete

approval of the said move. “Grand Debate is way better for intelligence and leadership skills will be tested than just practiced speech for miting de avance,” FEUCSO candidate for PRO of Lakas Pauline So commented. “It will be a fun and exciting activity for the whole FEU community as it showcases the intelligence and competence of our student leaders. At the same time, it will provide students a better insight about the running candidates- who they are as a person, what their visions are for the university and what their platforms are to solve our existing problems,” Sison concurred. -Norelyn M. Villaruel, Leonard I. Agustin, Jesserene D. Miranda, Mike Raymond F. Halili, Janice C. Rodriguez, and Lovely Joy Calisterio -With reports from Emalhyne Grace A. Makinano

Dearest candidates,

tired after a I assume that as you first grab a copy of this election primer, you are already gestures. hand and nts moveme with complete speech ous monoton same the of weeklong delivery scripted platforms Perhaps you are already sick of doing the rehearsed actions and reciting your numb, every day. Perhaps your voice is already hoarse and your jaws are already getting ns. campaig e repetitiv your for d disturbe have you classes of number the ing consider and So please allow me to compliment you first, for you all have been very poised mean not do I No, ns. campaig room room-toyour beautiful in your posters, IDs and during Your pearlyany sarcasm here. Really, you guys looked like heartthrobs and babes on campus. look at so, yes, I am to pleasing very g somethin were make-up thick and hair curly teeth, white n commending you for your efforts you have put on your face during the campaig Ms. and Mr. like look to and poised and calm remain to easy week. I know it is not Congeniality every time you would face the students just to secure their votes.type This letter, though, is not intended to criticize the seemingly artista-search of of election culture that we have on campus, nor will it be about the number s that problem and issues real the about and past the in broken promises made and you may tend to overlook. I will not waste this space for such tiraddidles because, really, what is the point of discussing such never-ceasing phenomenon on campus? have Countless opinion articles and open letters and even status updates and tweets anyway. already discussed them, So instead of treating this piece as a letter of criticism, let us treat this as a letter of questions. n I question the amount of pressure and hype you put on yourself every campaig in claim You party? political rival your bash always to y period. Why is it necessar the national Facebook and Twitter that such culture of lambasting is happening even in government so it is just fine for such culture to also exist on campus. to lead the But I say such claim is very disappointing, considering that you are expected that the think we If ns. campaig your in g promisin on keep you change and progress that culture in national government is a grim joke then why would you claim that the election school is just fine to be as that of the former? ously I question your platforms. I mean, aside from the platforms you monoton er last year rememb I ? students the for want really you do deliver in your campaigns, what and that when I asked a question to a candidate during his party’s campaign in our class,ng aming mga candidate said, “Kapag ako po ay naluklok na sa posisyon, tiyak na hahaba ang listahan plataporma.” ns. I was Seriously, were you high? I was not asking you to add words in your campaig think you: you asking about your personal agenda for the school! I think that is a thing about experience that that the longer the lists of platforms are, the better. I have already learned fromI can settle for a such overwhelming lists of platforms are mostly just fillers in posters. I guess shorter list as long as they are realistic and doable. your I question your willingness to not attend your classes for a week just to deliver you would campaigns—with fake smiles and handshakes you give to people whose names hurt your barely remember tomorrow. Not attending classes for one day might already under the always was I week! a for that do can you how grades terribly so I cannot imagine classes have impression that being a student comes before being a leader. But why do your to be compromised in favor of your candidacy? I know And above anything else, I question why you really would want to be elected.ang mga tulungan akong puso may “Dahil as such answers that you will give me your practiced pagbabago,” among kapwa ko estudyante” or “Dahil may kakayahan ako at ang partido kong simulan ang elections. But I have many other answers that have already been promised to us in the previous already proven that such answers are nothing but empty words. to the I have already covered election-related events—from the miting de avance sorts of promises proclamation of winners—in the past two years and I have already heard all you get catapulted and campaigns. And I have seen how such just pop out like a bubble in time to the holy seats. These are just among the many questions that I have. The students of the University are one of a kind. I will always believe that the y, you Tamaraws are the best breed of students so I hope that before gunning for candidac and your really put into consideration what the University needs and not just what you political party need. Because the Tamaraws deserve nothing but the best. Good luck in the elections. -Justin Royce Z. Baluyot

Dearest voters,

We have arrived at the time of year when logging-in to our Facebook account becomes extra irritating for it is flooded with plus-sized campaign posters framed in either orange or yellow watermarks complete with “witty” catch phrases and flattering photographs of besuited, smiling candidates hopeful of catching the attention and votes of their fellow students. This type of showmanship is to be expected as a component of the race for any position that is decided by popular opinion. We see how the politicians present, and position themselves and then we take in all that information and we decide who we feel is best suited to represent us inside and outside the campus. It is an age-old tradition and being a part of the process of voting is our duty as concerned students. In essence, voting means the right to elect who we feel will best serve the University in their time in office. It’s not just a right but also a big responsibility and one that is entrusted to every citizen of the Green and Gold community. Indeed, it is something we all have to participate in, especially when it comes to the student government, we people never lacked in complaints. We want to see real changes happen. However, how can we expect to achieve real change if we don’t take part in the process that can help us bring that change about? I often feel that things have remained the same in our University because we allowed them to for so many years. We’ve become complacent and even lazy when it comes to electing our leaders, and therefore, we allow them to continue doing a mediocre job. If we really want to see real change, we have to be a part of the process. Along with this, social media has also been playing a big part in the elections every year. Each year it seems this medium is becoming effective to relaying a candidate’s message. However, although quite popular in the masses, the social media sites do not seem to deliver the information we need. Some of us are blinded by how the candidate’s smiles and glittering starry-eyes; we assume they are the one suited for the position. Others, too, are more prone to vote for candidates who woo them in person with political promises, hidden campaign tokens, or impressive catch phrases. I would advance that promotions in social media sites are not enough and it would still be possible for candidates to run without voters being able to gain a clear idea of what they represent. Manifestos could remain indistinct. It just proves that while these sites are a great way to disseminate information, they may not necessarily be counted on to enact social conscience and change; at least not yet. My wish for every young voter is to listen to how candidates speak in the debate and see how inexperience is revealed with almost embarrassing clarity. The inability of candidates to stand up to tough questioning in the said debate casted grave doubts over the leadership and integrity they will show in negotiations on behalf of students. Also, we must look at them eye-to-eye to feel their sincerity and see if they have vague notions about institutional structures, and will only be possibly harming the students they purport to serve. Let us all prevent ‘dumb’ or loyalist voting. Until candidates with experience, vision and clarity step up to the fore, the student body cannot be blamed for abstaining from voting. But then again, it is my hope that the incumbent student councillors would not interfere and encourage students to exercise their right to suffrage. The time for promises is over and the die has been cast, so to speak. Tomorrow, we will have our newly elected officials. My hat goes off to the students who will dedicate their time to the election process. However jaded we may be, there still remains the hope of something better and that alone makes it worth it to spend few minutes in voting just to be able to participate. Even if your choice does not make it after the official count, you did your part and let your voice heard. That is enough reason to be proud. -Shereen Nicole B. Rivera

Photos from Google Images; Layout by Christine Joy Lopez and Alexis James Tud