USPFSSGElection2023:MissingVoices andtheDwindlingInterestinStudentLeadership

“Paint me a picture….of a Ghost Town of Candidates and the Vanishing Student Engagement” –That was a vivid portrayal of how the USPF SSG Elections 2023 made a new mark in the University’s Supreme Student Government Election History.

Despite the efforts of the USPF Comelec, led by its appointed chairwoman Sarah Mae M. Abuhan; the election period has been scarred by a glaring absence of candidates and participants in the electoral activities. Even though the USPF Comelec communicated the details of the USPF SSG Election thru social media posts and communicative letters to the department heads and organization leaders, it is obvious that these strategies did not encourage the studentry to raise their hands and step up for leadership.

A shortfall of the COMELEC Officers? Maybe. An inadequacy of the preceding leaders? One cannot completely say so. Despite the now-established elected officers, the turnout and the lack of candidates for each position before it; sheds light on the underlying issue that there is a lack of student engagement and leadership development within the university.

The lack of interest in running for SSG positions per organization and department; raises concerns about the future of the USPF student leadership and the overall engagement of the USPF collegiate students in their governance. With the hint of the ending of the term of the 2022-2023 USPF SSG Officers, along with the social media posting of the election timeline; there were no courageous students who blatantly expressed their intent to serve the studentry from the start of the election period.

During the Campaign Period proper, campaign Materials were posted late in the Campaign Area and no further engagement was made by the running SSG Officers to the Student Organizations that will enable the student organizations to vouch for the upcoming SSG Officers. Indeed, the lackluster campaign period points to a larger issue that has contributed to the peaceful but not high-yielding USPF SSG Elections. It raises a questioning eye aiming to address where the faults may lay; did the USPF Collegiate Students have this apathy towards serving or did the preceding SSG officers fail to cultivate a culture of leadership and student engagement?

It was not long ago that the preceding 2022-2023 USPF SSG officers faced a backlash from the student body because of the canceled Sportsfest games, which resulted in the lack of participants and enthusiasm for the rest of the games. Collegiate students have eked out their dissatisfaction with the preceding set of the Supreme Student Government; citing a lack of student engagement activities during the previous academic year as a number one reason. Consequently, their waning interest in the USPF SSG Elections comes as no surprise as the presiding officer’s inability to establish a strong foundation for future leaders cast a shadow on the usefulness and effectiveness of the SSG administration in general.

The peaceful but not high-yielding turnout of the USPF SSG Elections 2023 should serve as a wake-up call for both the student body and the preceding and incoming SSG administration. The lack of voices and the dwindling interest in leadership portrayed by the student body reflect a need that it is crucial to reestablish the trust and enthusiasm of collegiate students by placing student engagement at the forefront.

As the incoming SSG Leaders become hands-on in leading the studentry for the upcoming school year 2023-2024; may it become imperative for them, the University officials, and students alike that there is a need to work hand in hand in revitalizing the Student Community life by prioritizing student voices and engagement within the campus as well as fostering camaraderie and leadership development.

As the incoming Academic Year 20232024 peeks around the corner, may the missing voices be found and heard by the right ears, and may the dwindling passion for leadership be ignited once again.

Sarah Mae Abuhan

The lack of interest in running for SSG positions per organization and department; raises concerns about the future of the USPF student leadership and the overall engagement of the USPF collegiate students in their governance.

May 9, 2022 – the day when Filipinos were on pins and needles as it was the National Election Day for the new slate of government officials including the Philippine President.

It was late in the evening during that day when I checked the presidential candidates’ tally of results for the last time before going to sleep, and it was evident that one candidate ruled the voting; it was Ferdinand Romualdez “BongBong” Marcos Jr. – the son of the late dictator, Ferdinand Marcos.

I was right, he did win. A Marcos, in the seat, again. The same Marcos bloodline who have been ousted for taking away the democracy of the Filipinos and being the world’s worst plundering government. Well, why not give the son a chance, right? He could be the same bitter Marcos or could be the better Marcos.

As Marcos assumed the mantle of the Philippine President, the nation held its breath, poised between nostalgia and skepticism. The mere mention of the Marcos name evokes a complex tapestry of emotions, reflecting a tumultuous history and a longing for progress and accountability, for the least.

Now, as his term officially marks its first year, it is time for us to look back into the path that has defined his presidency stamped with promises, controversies, and an ongoing quest for redemption.

Marcos' ascension to power came with a vision of a new dawn for the Philippines; an era of unity, economic prosperity, and social progress or so they campaigned as “The Golden Era”.

Certain promises were laid out by Marcos striking a chord with those yearning for change. The initial euphoria and high hopes were off the roof, as Filipinos dared to dream of a brighter future under Marcos' leadership, again.

Despite controversies, Marcos' administration managed to make some notable progress during its first year. From calamity response, cabinet movements, comprehensive economic agenda, peace-building efforts, and high-profile foreign trips.

Also, the nation witnessed an array of infrastructure projects, a new approach to unity such as forging foreign partnership such as the US, and also shifting the drug war into more on prevention rather than provocation.

He even continued Duterte’s flagship, the “Build, Build, Build” program but renamed it as “Build, Better, More”; a play on words of his famous moniker, BBM.

Yet, the shadow of the Marcos legacy remains constant, casting a long shadow over his first year in office. Skepticism and lingering doubts, stemming from allegations of human rights abuses and corruption during the martial law era, continue to haunt his administration.

Controversies around his policy decisions and cabinet appointments also grew larger. Just recently, the Maharlika Fund became a stir nationwide and even he, himself, could not explain it in front of the media.

I also find it ironic for him to rally behind the concept of unity when in the first place he could not even complete his cabinet, the people whom he would work closely with. Until now, Marcos has yet to appoint full-time heads for the Departments of Agriculture (DA), of Health (DOH) and of National Defense (DND).

Marcos is becoming way too wary; the confidential funds, lavish trips, and unreasonable program implementations. If he continues to stay this way, the nation will be doomed to get a deja vu of his father’s doings. The first year as Philippine President is always a film to watch. As for Marcos, it has been a riveting journey, full of highs and lows, hope and controversy, as the nation grapples with the complexities of the past and the promise of the future.

If he ought to achieve a golden era, he must navigate the stormy paths of inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, striving to unite a divided nation and ushering in an era of legitimate change.

As the chapters of his presidency unfold, let us continue to see if he remains bitter or become the better Marcos.