Halalan
The Official Newsletter for University Student Council Elections March 2016 | Volume 13
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Magistrate dismisses SENTRO’s appeal SENTRO slate remains incomplete due to unproclaimed candidates by Jazmine Estorninos On March 28, the magistrate dismissed SENTRO La Salle’s appeal on the decision of the Student Commission on Elections (SCE)’s second division regarding the SCE memorandum on the certificate of candidacy (COC) giving, filing of candidacy, and campaign period’s schedule, since the political party failed to meet the grounds for an appeal, as per the 2016 Amended Student Election Code (E-code) of DLSU-D. As stated in Article IV, Section 2 of the E-code, the appeal submitted to the magistrate must be based on the grounds of grave abuse of discretion on the part of the commission en banc and the absence of due process. “Before the magistrate actually sits down and argues the merits of the case, they have to decide whether there are sufficient grounds for the appeal of this case. The appeal was dismissed outright given that the magistrate determined that there was insufficient grounds to even listen to the merits of the appellant,” Office of Student Services (OSS) Dean Don Malabanan said. The magistrate, which is composed of the OSS Dean, University Student Council President, Student Development and Activities Office Director, Legislative Board Senior Member, and SCE Chairperson, ruled unanimously that the second ground, which is the absence of due process, was not met. Malabanan said, “The SCE exercised due process in handling the different motions that have been filed by SENTRO.” Meanwhile, majority of the magistrate’s members ruled that there was no grave abuse of discretion on the SCE’s en banc.
SENTRO’s protests On March 11, SENTRO La Salle submitted a motion for reconsideration, which seeks to reconsider the decision made by the SCE’s second division regarding the political party’s initial motion to repeal the SCE memorandum. According to SENTRO Secretary-General Meriel Faye Acaba, the schedule declared in the SCE memorandum failed to comply with Article VII, Section 4 of the E-code, which states that the week after the distribution of COCs shall be considered as a grace period for all candidates. After that week, the period for the filing of candidacy shall commence for five working days. The memorandum, which was given to all accredited political parties in the University on February 16, stated that the release of COCs was scheduled on February 22, followed by the filing of COCs from February 29 to March 4. Acaba said, “Clearly, there is a substantial difference between the timeline set by the SCE on the memorandum and Article VII, Section 4 of the 2016 Amendment Student E-code. Instead na ginamit ‘yung February 29 to March 5 as grace period, nag-proceed agad sila sa filing, which violates the E-code.” However, the SCE’s second division denied SENTRO La Salle’s motion to repeal the memorandum since Lopez said they considered February 23 to February 27 as the grace period for the candidates to process all the required documents. In respect to the parliamentary procedures book titled Robert’s Rule of Order, the SCE added that they cannot nullify the memorandum because the motion to repeal is only applicable to promulgations that have not yet happened. see SENTRO MOTION/ page 2
LONE BATTLE. Due to SENTRO La Salle’s incomplete slate, only the SINAG political party was able to conduct their rally during the campaign period. SINAG standard bearer Christian Dave Castro led the march around the campus on March 14. | Photo by Kathelyn Ann Bravo
SCE revamps electoral debate to dialogue by Yna Marisse Sodoy The Student Commission on Election (SCE) conducted the first electoral dialogue, wherein University Student Council (USC) and College Student Council (CSC) candidates discussed various University issues with their co-candidates and students, at the Lake Park on March 30. According to SCE commissioner Jasmin Soliven, they changed the annual electoral debate to an electoral dialogue to prevent personal disagreements among the candidates. She added that the time provided for each candidate to answer questions during the electoral debate limits their chance to defend themselves. Soliven said the electoral dialogue included a three-minute introduction of the USC and CSC candidates under SINAG, SENTRO-La Salle, and Red Alliance political parties, followed by a panel discussion. The last 20 minutes of the dialogue was allotted to an open forum between the candidates and the students. Since Office of Student Ser vices (OSS) Dean Don Malabanan did not allow the electoral dialogue to be an alternative class for the students, Soliven said the SCE sought assistance from the incumbent student councils and submitted a letter requesting the college deans to support the electoral dialogue by providing at least 40 participants from each college. Meanwhile, after consulting with representatives from each CSCs regarding the schedule of the electoral dialogue, Soliven said the SCE agreed to move the event from March 14 to March 30. “Dahil sa time constraint, tingin namin ‘di kakayanin kung March 14, tapos last week of Februar y hindi pa [kami ] nakakapagpasa ng proposal. Dapat kasi two weeks before [the event], maipasa na ‘yung proposal,” she stated. Incomplete slate Soliven said the electoral dialogue was held despite the SENTRO-La Salle political party’s incomplete slate, with only 13 candidates running for the USC and CSC see ELECTORAL DIALOGUE/ page 2
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Halalan SENTRO MOTION from page 1 On the other hand, SENTRO La Salle said the SCE cannot use Robert’s Rule of Order as it is used as a guide for conducting meetings and making decisions as a group. The SENTRO La Salle political party explained, “SENTRO La Salle and its members do not sit in the meetings and participate in the SCE’s deliberation. Thus, they are not signatories to any of the SCE’s memoranda, letters, promulgations, and decisions.” SCE’s decisions On March 16, the SCE en banc dismissed SENTRO La Salle motion for reconsideration to repeal the SCE memorandum since they failed to meet the deadline for filing a protest, as per the E-code. In the decision released by the SCE, they considered SENTRO La Salle’s motion as a protest as ‘it conforms to Merriam-Webster Dictionary’s definition of protest,’ which is something said or done that shows disagreement or disapproval. The SCE pointed out that the SENTRO La Salle political party should have submitted their protest before February 18 instead of filing it on March 11. As stated in Article XI, Section 1 of the E-code, any form of protest shall be filed within two working days after committing the said offense. The SCE furthered that some of the candidates under the SENTRO La Salle political party submitted their COCs according to the schedule set by the SCE memorandum, which indicates their conformity to the memorandum. “The SENTRO candidates already conformed with the memorandum and passed their COCs, which resulted to the candidates’ proclamation on March 5, before they even decided to file a motion to repeal the SCE memorandum,” SCE Chairperson Aaron Lopez said. The SCE also argued that the motion to repeal the SCE memorandum blocks the students’ right to suffrage, as mandated by the 2013 Amended University Student Council (USC) Constitution. “We (SCE) would have to postpone the University Student Elections this academic year (AY) 2015-2016 if the SCE will null and void the memorandum, which is definitely against the best interest of the students,” Lopez said.
DECLINE IN PARTICIPATION. The total voter turnout rate decreased from 46.22 percent during the University Student Elections in 2014 to 40.88 percent in 2015. In last year’s elections, the College of Education has the highest number of students who participated in the official poll days with 53.27 percent, while the College of Science and Computer Studies has the lowest voter turnout rate with only 30.33 percent. | Infographic by Camille Joy Gallardo Nonpartisan behavior The SCE deemed the consultation of the SENTRO La Salle political party with the Language and Literature Department (LLD) regarding the interpretation of Article VII, Section 4 of the 2016 Amended Student E-code of DLSU-D as unlawful. As per Article VIII, Section 5 of the E-code, it is prohibited for any faculty, staff, and incumbent officers of student organizations and councils to be practicing partisan behavior. On March 11, SENTRO La Salle consulted with LLD professor Dr. Jonathan Gochuico to clarify the difference between the meaning of “The week after”
and “A week after” since the SCE argued that the phrase “The week after” in Article VII, Section 4 means that February 23 to February 27 can be considered as grace period. The SCE stated in their decision that “the usage of the word ‘The’ in the provision ‘The week after … ’ and not the word ‘A’ means that the counting of that week shall immediately proceed and not wait until another week has started.” However, SENTRO La Salle said the SCE failed to interpret Article VII, Section 4 of the E-code as there is no substantial difference between the meaning of “The week after” and “A week after.”
ELECTORAL DIALOGUE from page 1
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Daniella Shaira T. Cortez, Editor in Chief Krizza Mae M. Bautista, Associate Editor Cerisse C. Madlangbayan, Copy Editor Erika B. Uy, Office and Circulations Manager Katherine Anne C. Aboy, News Coordinator Anri Ichimura, Features Editor Danielle Vince D. Capuno, In charge, Literary Fernan Patrick R. Flores, Sports Editor Lynoelle Kyle E. Arayata, Art Director Jerome S. Quinto, Photo Coordinator Ricardo Martin O. Cabale, Graphics and Layout Coordinator Alphonse Leonard G. Topacio, Web Manager Dr. Lakandupil C. Garcia Adviser Jazmine Estorninos, Yna Sodoy, Highly Undag Halalan writers
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positions. “K asi hindi naman purely para lang sa political party [‘yung electoral dialogue], para [siya] sa estudyante,” she added. The SENTRO-La Salle incomplete slate gave advantage to SI NAG candidates since they led most of the panel discussion, Soliven said. However, it also caused a disadvantage for SI NAG candidates as most of the candidates came from their own political party. “K asi kung sa isang college, isang political party lang [ang tatakbo]. ‘Yung idea na iikot ay purely doon lang sa party na ‘yun. Pero hindi nila maipapakita ‘yung competence nila in terms of [having competitors],” she mentioned. Student elections schedule Due to the long amendment process of the 2008 Revised Student Election Code (E-code), now called the 2016 A mended Student E-code of DLSU-D, the SCE decided to hold the elections on a later date compared to the schedule of the University Student Elections in academic year (AY) 2014-2015 that was held on March 5 and 6.
The election period this AY is scheduled on March 31 to April 2. “Although medyo late [‘yung elections], in-assure namin na in-line pa rin sa E-code ‘yung schedule namin. Ang nakalagay kasi sa E-code is two weeks before the final exam dapat ang election,” Soliven said. She furthered that the SCE re-amended the E-code to make it more flexible for future student elections. The amendments include the decreased number of days in the distribution and filing of certificate of candidacy (COC), clarification of vague provisions on the manner of determining winners, vote of confidence, and undue influence of incumbent student council (SC) officers. SCE Chairperson Aaron Lopez said that they amended the E-code upon the recommendation of the Student Development and Activities Office (SDAO), OSS, and SCE adviser. Soliven mentioned, “Sabi sa amin na ayusin na ‘yung E-code na kung [ puwede], wala ng butas kasi kung amend nang amend ang batas, parang hindi maganda dahil laging nagpapalit-palit.”
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Halalan CCJESC candidates shift political parties by Jazmine Estorninos College of Criminal Justice Education Student Council (CCJESC) presidential candidate Liezl Llapitan, vice presidential candidate Jonathan Mojares, and secretarial candidate Jamaica Vergara, have transferred from SI NAG to SENTRO La Salle political party for the student elections this academic year (AY) 2015-2016. “On February, we decided to run under SENTRO La Salle political party kasi sa tingin namin, mas mag-e-excel kami dito kaysa sa dati naming partido (SI NAG political party),” Llapitan said. Mojares added that they initially planned to run independently during this year’s University Student Elections as they prefer to be nonpartisan student politicians. Meanwhile, SENTRO Secretary-General Meriel Faye Acaba said they have been inviting the CCJESC candidates to transfer to their political party since the f irst semester of AY 2015-2016. “Sa nakausap kong isang member, wala na raw silang natanggap na follow-up from the SI NAG political party after nilang sabihin na mag-iindependent na sila,” Acaba said.
Since one of CCJE’s problems is the availability of larger venues due to the college’s small student population, Acaba said they suggested possible tie-ups with other colleges if the CCJESC candidates win the elections, which convinced them to transfer to SENTRO La Salle political party. Acaba furthered that SI NAG political party did not give any support to the CCJESC during their events after they were elected student council off icers in AY 2014 -2015. On the other hand, SI NAG political party Vice President for Legal John Joseph Lantin said they passed their list of members on February 22 to the Student Commission on Elections (SCE) without including Llapitan, Mojares, and Vergara’s names since the CCJESC candidates already informed them that they will run independently. “Currently, we are in good terms with the CCJESC and wala pa namang nakakarating sa amin na major problem,” Lantin said. However, CCJESC candidates failed to qualify as off icial candidates for this AY’s student elections due to conf licts between the candidates’ schedule, deadline of certif icate of candidacies (COCs), and lack of required documents in f iling their COCs.
“Mayroong event ‘yung isa sa candidates namin kaya hindi rin siya nakapag-f ile ng candidacy kahit nandoon na mismo ‘yung papers niya sa SCE dahil ayon sa kanila (SCE), dapat daw personal mag-f ile ng candidacy,” Llapitan said. As stated in Article I X, Section 14 of the 2016 A mended Student Election Code (E-code) of DLSU-D, the college dean, associate dean, outgoing college student council (CSC) off icers, and legislative board will meet after the elections to appoint the next SC off icers as there are no proclaimed candidates running for the CCJESC positions. “Ngayon lang din kasi nangyari ‘yung ganitong situation kung saan walang tumakbo o walang qualif ied na candidate sa isang college kaya malalaman natin ‘yung f inal decision kapag nakapag-meeting na sila (college dean, associate dean, outgoing CSC off icers, and legislative board) after the University Student Elections,” SCE Co-chairperson Jessica Maestrecampo said. In an article on Halalan Volume 11, the CCJESC’s entire slate had already transferred political parties before, from SENTRO La Salle to SI NAG, as they vied for AY 2013-2014’s University Student Elections due to an internal conf lict.
REACT The 2016 University Student Elections, scheduled on March 31 to April 2, will determine the next set of University Student Council (USC) officers for academic year (AY) 2016-2017. We asked several DLSU-D students which issues or concerns in the University the elected USC officers should prioritize and give more focus on. Students who are having problems in their academics, and provide tutorial classes or meetings for their improvement. Arriel Nina Santos Second Year Tourism Management
‘Yung tubig sa mga comfort room. They should do something kapag dumating ‘yung oras na mawalan ng water dito sa University. Ann Christine Mapalad Third Year Hotel and Restaurant Management
Activities or events should focus more on [the] holistic development of students by catering to their needs. They (USC) should provide seminars and conferences that will tackle the students’ respective fields or what is happening today in our society. Donnell Dimaano Fourth Year Secondary Education
[The provision of] more parking spaces. Sana mabalik ‘yung dati na hindi dinadaanan ng kotse ‘yung street ng CBAA and administration (Gregorio Montoya Hall). Reina Mae Resos Second Year Human Resource Development Management
Some announcements na nade-delay minsan sa pag-announce lalo na ‘yung activities na dapat lahat ng colleges kasama. Erikha Aira Bernardo Third Year Human Biology
The students’ involvement in the University. Sana maipakilala nila ‘yung USC sa students kasi kilala lang sila dahil sa event at ‘di para sa goal ng council. Sana maibalik din ‘yung student desk para ma-address nila ‘yung concerns ng students. Angelo Fajardo Fourth Year Secondary Education
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Q Halalan
The Heraldo Filipino asked USC presidential candidate Christian Dave “Chan-Chan” G. Castro from SINAG political party questions on administrative issues, student welfare, and leadership skills. Here’s what he has to say: Why did you decide to run for the USC presidential seat?
Ang nag-push sa akin para tumakbo ulit sa mas mabigat pang responsibility ay ‘yung passion sa pag-serve. Dahil sa mga experience na ibinigay sa akin, na-realize ko na hindi ako masaya kung hindi ako magse-serve sa tao. Gusto ko mapakita na I can lead and develop people ... na kaya kong tumulong sa kanila.
What do you think should be the University’s top priority over the next five years given the effects brought by the full implementation of the K to 12 program?
Ang top priority dapat ng DLSU-D is to promote the University itself dahil sa K-12, sobrang apektado tayo kasi magkakaubusan ng estudyante. [The University] should maximize external engagement and establish networks outside the University para mas ma-promote pa natin ‘yung DLSU-D.
Since the scholarship fund is expected to decrease due to the full implementation of the K to 12 program, how will you advocate the development of financial aid scholarships as the USC president?
Sa pag-establish ng networks or connections outside the University, we can gather more sponsorships para mas matugunan ang pangangailangan ng mga estudyanteng scholar. Kailangan mas maraming collaborations sa labas para matugunan ‘yung budget.
What is your general platform for the students?
We want to develop the students holistically and gusto namin na ma-empower pang lalo ‘yung mga estudyante. [Gusto namin] maging more involved sila hindi lang sa labas na mga kaganapan, pero dito rin sa loob [ng University].
Are you aware of the increasing incidents involving the students’ safety inside the campus? How can you ensure the students’ security as the USC president?
Puwede akong maging advocate para matulungan ‘yung school na mas pagtibayin ‘yung rules and policies natin sa school. Isa sa mga plan of action is to encourage the students to be more engaged in different activities.
Do you think student passivity is a critical issue in our University today? How do you plan to address this?
Oo, kasi iyon ang nagiging dahilan para hindi maa-appreciate ng mga estudyante ‘yung tunay na goals ng isang event. Ang hirap na nag-aaral ka rito na hindi ka man lang na-involve sa kahit anong activity. Ang kailangan natin ay alamin kung ano ba ‘yung mga napapanahon para updated tayo sa mga nangyayari tapos through that, puwede tayo makaisip ng mga activity na make-cater [‘yung interest] ng students pero dapat in-line sa mission [and] vision ng school.
What qualities in the previous USCs do you think needs improvement? How do you plan to improve these qualities?
Ang nakita kong kailangan i-improve sa amin ay ‘yung communication [kasi] may mga nagsasabi na hindi kami masyadong maramdaman. Mahirap din ‘yung nagsasabay-sabay ‘yung projects sa isang linggo kaya sinabi ko sa slate ko na kung mauupo man kami, masaya na ako sa isa or dalawang activity per month. Hindi man ganoon kalaki ‘yung mga event o hindi man kami madalas mag-activity (continuing the Lasallian Youth Camp and proposing a Squad Appreciation Month or Week), magkakaroon [pa rin] ng malaking impact sa estudyante.
How will you handle the unsatisfactory comments from the students regarding the USC’s performance?
Sa mga unnecessary comment and unsatisfactory feedback, never close your mind sa mga naririnig mo. Kailangan papakinggan mo ‘yung estudyante at pag-isipan kung bakit nila nasabi ‘yun kasi tumakbo ka para sa estudyante. Kailangan pakinggan mo ‘yung mga negative feedback or comment nila at alamin kung paano i-improve ‘yun kasi hindi naman sila magsasabi ng masasamang comment kung hindi nila nakita ‘yun … Ang mahalaga kapag tinanggap mo ‘yun, take it positively and learn from your mistakes.
Why should the students choose you as the next USC president?
Dapat ako iboto dahil may alam na ako at karanasan sa mga pasikot-sikot sa loob ng konseho na tinatakbuhan ko. Pangalawa [ay] ‘yung dedication at commitment na mayroon ako at gusto kong ibigay sa USC kapag nanalo ako. Pangatlo ‘yung passion for service.
What is your message for the students?
Mapapagod ako sa lahat ng bagay. Mapapagod akong mag-serve, mapapagod ako sa academics. Mapapagod ako sa lahat. Pero ‘yung pagmamahal ko sa serbisyo at ‘yung pagmamahal ko para sa estudyante, hinding-hindi ko ‘yun kakapaguran kasi hangga’t may puso ako [at] hangga’t kaya ko, magse-serve ako sa estudyante. Kaya kahit anong mangyari, nandito lang ako.
Interview by Yna Marisse Sodoy | Photos by Kathelyn Ann Bravo and Richnel Tupaz