The Varsitarian P.Y. 2014-2015 Issue 08

Head-to-head

Compare the presidential and vice presidential candidates PAGE 4-5

Where do they stand?

Get to know their platforms

PAGE 3

Review CSC’s projects PAGE 3

Apathy and low voter turnout Thomasians speak mind on CSC PAGE 7

For breaking news and real-time updates visit: www.varsitarian.net

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2 Botomasino The

Varsitarian APRIL 10, 2015

Editor's note

Helping the Thomasian to vote wisely WITH the social media, the youth have become even more vocal and critical. This is underscored in the coming Central Student Council (CSC) election which should present a new opportunity for Thomasians to articulate their concerns about the quality of student government leadership.

The Central Comelec has come up with the hashtag #USTHalalan2015 to encourage students to take to Twitter and voice their concerns and pose questions to the candidates.

Arguably the most common concern based on the posts is that the CSC election is becoming more like a “beauty pageant,” with voters apparently casting their ballot based on physical appearance, so that many elected officers become “events organizers” or “emcees.” It appears this is the case even in American student elections, but it would be amiss for students in the Philippines to make physical appearance the yardstick. Especially in UST, issues such as tuition hike and the more than 10-year delay in the passage of a student rights’ charter cannot be resolved by student-voters making their decision on student government based on physical looks, not on vision, platform, and political will.

To aid in voter education and help the electorate vote credible and qualified candidates and uplift University affairs in relevant aspects, the Varsitarian is again releasing Botomasino, its special supplement on the CSC election.

This is in partnership with the UST Central Commission on Elections.

Botomasino will likewise release a series of videos on YouTube that will feature interviews with candidates, including a segment called “fast talk.”

In fast talk, candidates are presented with current issues and must answer with a categorical yes or no, depicting their support or disapproval.

It is hoped that with Botomasino, the Thomasian voter would be properly formed and informed about the issues at stake in the elections and cast their ballot wisely. *** Witness the brightest brains from the Pontifical University’s key colleges and faculties duke it out for intellectual supremacy during the 38th Pautakan on April 13 at the Medicine Auditorium.

Organized and sponsored by the Varsitarian, Pautakan is the longest running intercollegiate quiz contest in the Philippines.

MYX video jock Robi Domingo and Pautakan mainstay Claude Despabiladeras will be the hosts this year.

The Varsitarian FOUNDED JAN. 16, 1928

RALPH JOSHUA D.R. HERNANDEZ Editor in Chief GRACELYN A. SIMON Managing Editor GENA MYRTLE P. TERRE Acting Associate Editor LORD BIEN G. LELAY News Editor PAUL KENNEDY A. LINTAG Sports Editor ANDRE ARNOLD T. SANTIAGO Special Reports Editor JUAN CARLOS D. MORENO Features Editor JONELLE V. MARCOS Patnugot ng Filipino APRIL JOY E. DY Witness Editor HEDRIX AR-AR C. CABALLE Sci-Tech Editor KRISTELLE-ANN A. BATCHELOR Circle Editor MICHAEL CARLO C RODOLFO Online Editor KENO CARLO C. ENRIQUEZ Art Director JOHN PAUL R. AUTOR Photography Editor News Dayanara T. Cudal, Arianne F. Merez, Bianca Kristin A. Taray, Jerome P. Villanueva, Roberto A. Vergara, Jr. Sports Angelica P. Abello, Karl Cedrick G. Basco, Delfin Ray M. Dioquino, Josiah Darren G. Saynes Special Reports Mary Grace C. Esmaya, Mary Gillan Frances G. Ropero Features Jelina Anne S. Bunagan, Mone Virma Ginry P. Gumapac Literary Josef Brian M. Ramil, Alpine Christopher P. Moldez Filipino Erika Mariz S. Cunanan, Maria Koreena M. Eslava, Kimberly Joy V. Naparan Witness Angeli Mae S. Cantillana, Danielle Ann F. Gabriel, Marie Danielle M. Macalino Science and Technology Maritz L. Lubo, Rhenn Anthony S. Taguiam Circle Elyssa Christine A. Lopez, Ethan James M. Siat, Aliliana Margarette T. Uyao Art Jean Helene C. Estella, Ma. Aurora A. Gonzalez, Kirsten M. Jamilla, Ava Mariangela C. Victoria Photography Nazzi M. Castro, Alvin Joseph Kasiban, Basilio H. Sepe Editorial Assistant Julius Roman M. Tolop

FELIPE F. SALVOSA II Assistant Publications Adviser JOSELITO B. ZULUETA Publications Adviser Letters/comments/suggestions/contributions are welcome in the Varsitarian. Only letters with signatures will be entertained. Original manuscript contributions must be typewritten, double-spaced, on regular bond paper, and should include a signed certification bearing the author’s name, address, year, and college. The identity of a writer may be withheld upon request. The editors will not be responsible for the loss of materials. Contributions must be sent to THE VARSITARIAN office, Rm. 105, Tan Yan Kee Student Center Bldg., University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

APRIL 10, 2015

Central Student Council Election 2015

Lakasdiwa versus independent candidates

Several candidates file their respective certificates of candidacies last March 19.

By BIANCA KRISTIN A. TARAY and JEROME P. VILLANUEVA THE LONE accredited political party Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino (Lakasdiwa) will go against independent candidates in this year’s campus polls.

Eyeing the presidency are incumbent Central Student Council (CSC) secretary and fourth-year Clinical Pharmacy student Rosevielentine Rosales and third-year Management Accounting student Anna Mariz Mangalili. Rosales runs under the banner of Lakasdiwa while Mangalili, the incumbent assistant secretary of Accountancy Student Council, is an independent.

Incumbent CSC auditor Patricia Alexis Canoza (independent), a second-year Tourism student, and incumbent Architecture Student Council Vice President John Louis Tingzon (Lakasdiwa), a fourthyear Architecture student, are running for vice president.

Two third-year Faculty of Arts and Letters students— Communication Arts major Nazka Alecksia Tantay (Lakasdiwa) and Political Science major Maria Yvonne Erica Yap (independent)—vie for the position of secretary.

For treasurer, Management Accounting junior Lene Benette Gabriel of Lakasdiwa will compete against independent candidate Marketing

Management freshman Roi Sergio Rey. Vying for the position of auditor are CSC Chief of Staff Zeth Renae Raquedan (independent), a third-year Medical Technology student, and Financial Management freshman Veronica Raye Jalandoni (Lakasdiwa).

Lakasdiwa’s bet for public relations officer (PRO) Interior Design sophomore Justin Miguel Co, who is the incumbent College of Fine Arts and Design PRO, will go head-to-head with independent candidate and first-year Chemical Engineering student Ranel Simon Rey. In the 2014 elections, the 10-year-old LTC, which failed to obtain its accreditation for this year’s campus polls, won four out of the six CSC executive board positions, including the presidency. The two-decadeold Lakasdiwa won the posts of vice president and secretary.

Disqualification cases On March 23, the Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) withheld the candidacies of six independent bets for CSC posts, following disqualification cases filed against them by Lakasdiwa on grounds that they are “not really independent candidates in the strictest sense of the phrase.”

“We are advised to hold [the official announcement of the independent] candidacies while the En Banc is still deciding on

the matter,” Central Comelec Chairperson Julia Unarce said in a press conference.

According to the complaint, independent candidates should be “free from control, influence, and support of any political party in the University.”

“We believe that it is high time for the Comelec to rule on the matter of political parties masquerading as independent candidates,” read the complaint signed by Lakasdiwa legal officer Ronn Robby Rosales and Lakasdiwa Chairperson Eula Andre San Juan.

Yap, the independent candidate running for the position of CSC Secretary, does not deny that she is a member of the Student’s Democratic Party (SDP) but said it was only a local political party.

“We are talking about my candidacy in a larger scope.

This is a University-wide candidacy,” she said. “We all know that SDP is a collegebased political party and I cannot run under its banner.”

A separate plea was filed by Lakasdiwa to bar independent candidate Rey from running as CSC treasurer, claiming that Rey is listed as one of the party’s members.

“He failed to execute and serve us a copy of any resignation or disaffiliation prerequisite to his endeavor to run as an independent candidate,” the complaint read.

A day after the complaints were filed, the Central

Comelec to update Election Code

By DAYANARA T. CUDAL THE UST Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) is set to revise the UST Students’ Election Code (USEC) 2011, which would pattern the organization after the country's election body.

Central Comelec Vice Chairperson Raymond Naguit said the Central Comelec has already started drafting the new students’ election code, which shall be called the Thomasian Election’s Code of 2015.

“Probably, next school year, we will be presenting the draft to the Central Board and once it is already approved by the Central Board, then that is the time that it will be implemented,” Naguit told the Varsitarian.

Specific changes Central Comelec chairperson Julia Unarce said the new code would have two books. Book one will focus on the internal operations of the Comelec while book two will cover the University’s elections.

Naguit said the Central Comelec would be restructured and pattered after the National Comelec. He said this

JOHN PAUL R. AUTOR

Comelec rejected the petition of Lakasdiwa to disqualify all independent candidates in this year’s CSC elections.

“We find no merit in the petition of Lakasdiwa to disqualify the contested independent candidates,” according to a resolution released March 24. “Lakasdiwa failed to provide clear and convincing evidence that would support [its] contention relative to the intent of the respondents running as independent candidates.”

The Central Comelec also dismissed Lakasdiwa's separate plea seeking Rey’s declaration of ineligibility to run for office.

“There is nothing [in] the records of the Central Comelec and the Commerce Comelec that would support [Lakasdiwa’s] contention that the respondent is a member of Lakasdiwa,” the Comelec said.

Mangalili said she and other independent candidates had informed the Central Comelec that they were planning to file a petition for a one-day extension to campaign since they were unable to start campaigning on the first day of the campaign period due to the disqualification complaints.

The mandatory debate is on April 15, which is also the last day of the campaign period.

The CSC elections will be from April 14 to 17. Winners of local and University-wide elections will be announced on April 17 at the Plaza Mayor.

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would mean "additional positions in the organization to spell the differences of the operation side and legal side of Comelec."

Due to the recent shift in the academic calendar, the Central Comelec also included a clearer timetable of the election calendar in the newest election’s code.

Instead of the specific dates scheduled per month as stated in the USEC 2011, the new election calendar will now use general administrative calendars.

“We don’t want the code to be too esoteric that might discriminate ordinary Thomasians from understanding the law," Naguit said. "We have specific articles for calendars, and all the details regarding complaints, sanctions. It’s our way of engaging the people."

The 2011 USEC was promulgated by batch 2011-2012 under then Central Comelec chairperson Glen Camille Buendia, Central Student Council president Randolph Ian Clet, Central Board speaker Joel Vergara Jr. and Secretary General Ethan Bautista.

Once approved by the Central Board, the Central Comelec plans to implement the new code in the next academic year.

Sergio Rey said he would seek to foster transparency through the “Centralized Complete Treasury Budget Report,” which would publicly display the list of local council and CSC projects and their expenditures.

Rey added he would put up “Thomasian Project 4” to aid fourth-year high school students from the public schools to enter the University. It would hold tests for students in which top scorers would be facilitated in taking the UST Entrance Test. Those who would pass would be given scholarships Rey added he would like to set up an annual “Auditors and Treasurers Forum” so that treasurers and auditors of local student councils could listen to speakers from the UST Treasurer’s Office and former CSC treasurers and auditors to learn policies regarding fund requisition and how to foster transparency.

AUDITOR Lakasdiwa's Veronica Raye Jalandoni said she would seek to create awareness of the importance of the 2016 elections

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The Varsitarian Botomasino

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Where do the candidates stand?

A

C A N D I D AT E is only as good as his platform.

Here’s a rundown of what candidates propose to do in office.

PRESIDENT Independent candidate Anna Mariz Mangalili is proposing three projects to address the “true problem” of Thomasians: “pro-active grievance process,” in which each college would be provided with “free spaces” such as bulletin boards where students could write their problems and concerns; “promotion of socio-political awareness and active intellectual discourse,” which she said would use infographics on recycled paper; and “protection of students’ rights and welfare and support for Thomasian diversity,” which would allow students to freely voice their opinions on different campus issues by submitting “respectful opinions” to CSC. Lakasdiwa standard bearer Rosevielintine Rosales said she would set up “U-Speak: Speak Out, Speak Up” that would organize public forums so as to enable Thomasians to participate in "addressing pressing issues in our society.” She added she would fight for the passage of the proposed code of student rights.

VICE PRESIDENT Independent candidate Patricia Alexis Canoza said she would like to raise Thomasians voter awareness and involvement in national elections through her projects, “Botong Tomasino” and “Sino’ng Presidente Ko,” which she explained would be in partnership with the UST Office for Public Affairs, Commission on Elections, and Parish Pastoral Council for Responsible Voting.

John Louis Tingzon of Lakasdiwa meanwhile said he would try to develop the leadership ability of Thomasians by encouraging them to organize outcome-based events. He added he would promote disaster preparedness

through “Alertomasino.”

SECRETARY Lakasdiwa candidate Nazka Alecksia Tantay said she would organize campus debates of national candidates in the 2016 elections.

Although she couldn’t put a name to her proposed project, she said she would hold what sounded like tutorials so that students could learn from students “with mastery of subjects.”

The Communication Arts major said she would also work to have a “house of secretaries” so as to gather local council secretaries for seminars that would train them to be more organized in processing papers, proposing projects and hearing

students' concerns.

Tantay added she would hold an “environmental development projectmaking contest.”

Independent secretary candidate Maria Yvonne Erica Yap said she would like “Thomasian talent and expertise” to be exposed abroad so she would institute a program to have students participate in international conferences.

She added her “Intensive Leadership Delegation Training” project would aid students in processing papers for international conferences, as well as source funding and sponsorships for student travel.

Yap added she would set up the “Thomasian Open Dialogue,”

which would invite personalities involved in current issues in the Philippines to a dialogue with the students. She added the forum could be a venue for voicing out student concerns on tuition increase and student rights.

Yap said she would seek that the use of recycled paper be institutionalized.

She added she would set up “Scrap at Libro Ko, Kinabukasan Mo,” in which scrap paper and used bottles would be sold to raise money and help send 15 street children to school.

TREASURER Lene Benette Gabriel of Lakasdiwa said she would foster the health security of the Thomasian community by sanitation checks on food establishments in and around UST. Gabriel would also set up “Tipid Tomasino” to help Thomasians in money management, and the Hope Fund, an emergency fund for the relief of victims of calamities.

Independent candidate Roi

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Looking back: CSC projects reviewed

By DANIELLE ANN F. GABRIEL and MARY GILLAN FRANCES G. ROPERO OUTGOING officials of Central Student Council (CSC) are confident they would leave behind accomplishments consistent with their mission to uphold the rights and interests of students.

CSC president Ina Vergara said the council managed to achieve their seven-point agenda this academic year but admitted their performance could have been better.

“There’s no perfect administration and we gave our utter best. I still want to do a lot, but I think the next batch would hopefully sustain what we have started this year. There’s always room for improvement,” she said.

Despite the promises and various efforts of the council, the Students’ Code still remains ten years overdue since the initial draft in 2004.

Vergara said the council was still editing the Students’ Code after a meeting with deans. She said the revised code would be submitted to the regents and the Rector this month and upload it online.

“The Students’ Code also encompasses our duties as students. We have our rights and we have our responsibilities,” Vergara said. “This is what differentiates [Thomasians] from others.”

Fulfilled promises The CSC’s seven-point agenda--R.O.A.R. for U.S.T.---was intended to uphold the rights and interests of the Thomasian community, Vergara said.

The seven-point agenda involved the following: “Recognition of Thomasian identity; Optimal financial stability and transparency; Advocacy on health and wellness; Responsive

governance on nation building; Unified information dissemination; Sustainable environmental campaigns; and Thomasian students' rights.”

Among the several projects of the CSC this academic year, only the “Roar App” has not yet been fulfilled but the application is now on its trial and budget approval period.

Vergara said the council would try to have it released before the change in administration.

The Roar App, proposed by CSC public relations officer Jacob See, aims to send announcements from the CSC to students through smartphones.

Another project was the “Tomasino Para sa Bayan Nation Watch," which allowed the CSC’s official media accounts to inform students weekly about national issues with the hashtag, #CSCNationWatch.

The council worked on its environmental agenda with the “Clean As You Go” campaign, wherein signs were put up in different rest rooms on campus. There was also the “Think Green Environmental Summit,” in partnership with the College of Science.

The “Piso Paaral Program,” in coordination with local student councils, gathered one peso per student in a faculty or college of the University to support fellow Thomasians financially. The program already has scholars in the College of Rehabilitation Sciences and the College of Science. A recognition night was attended by 13 scholars last Mar. 30.

CSC secretary Rosvielentine Rosales, who is now running for president, spearheaded the CSC’s official publication R.A.W.R. (Reporting Actions with Resiliency), which was released last Jan. 30.

It is the first installment of a yearly report that covered the council's

activities as well as student feedback. Another report, this time on financial matters, is set to be released by May and is set to be displayed in the Benavides Library for the students to browse, backing the council's pledge of full transparency.

CSC vice president Ian Bautista has conducted wellness programs that he promised in his campaign last year. He organized this year’s “Wellness Fair,” spearheaded the “Letters to Thomas,” which is a charity project for children, along with Rosales, and co-chaired “Think Green Environmental Summit,” with CSC auditor Patsy Canoza.

Community development and civic engagements were also given attention by the CSC in partnership with Simbahayan and other local student councils as they went not only for students' welfare but also paid attention to personnel working inside and outside the university.

The Sampaloc-UST Neighborhood Watch or SUN Watch, a long-time project of the Office of Student Affairs, was modified by Vergara to have a financial literacy seminar for tricycle drivers as well as basic art workshops for their children with the help of the College of Fine Arts and Design student council. Drug test and accreditation of tricycle drivers who operate near Light Rail Train stations around the University— Tayuman, Bambang, and Legarda—were also conducted for security of Thomasians who use both as transportation.

Under Vergara, the CSC also organized the “Welcome Fest” in the first few weeks of July so the activity would not be disrupted by class suspensions due to typhoons. It had been previously held in August or September. Rosales chaired the “Welcome Fest,” while CSC public relations officer Jacob See and Canoza organized the freshman tour.

In line with the CSC’s promise to help with the passage of the Student's Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill, which was proposed over 20 years ago and is still pending at the House Committee on Higher and Technical Education, the CSC conducted a series of activities in support of the STRAW Bill.

The STRAW Bill aims to promote the rights and freedom of students, mainly the right 1) to admission with undue discrimination, 2) to competent instruction and quality of education, 3) to adequate welfare services and academic facilities, 4) to organize student organizations, 5) to organize a student council, 6) to form student commission on elections, 7) to have freedom of expression and academic freedom, 8) to form student publications, 9) to due process in disciplinary proceedings, 10) against unreasonable searches and seizures, and 11) to have access to school records and issuance of officials certificates, among others.

“For us, the CSC is a liaison between the administrators and the students. We don’t burn bridges but we connect them,” Vergara said.

Meanwhile, receiving flak after denouncing their role in the “Unity Walk” against the proposed tuition hike, the CSC remained firm in their stance that better avenues for voicing out the students' dismay over the fee increase could have been sought.

“We are of course against the tuition fee increase but we are not against the development of the University. We are co-developers of the University,” Vergara said.

“We also have to consider other factors like the economic growth of the Philippines and the internationalization of UST. So if ever there is an increase, it would be the lowest.”

The CSC announced last March 26 that after several consultations the University administration, the tuition increase would be limited to 2.5 percent, the same as last year's and one of the lowest increase since 2005.

On tuition increase:

Mangalili: Yes. The University, considering the needs of its stakeholders and the inflation rate, provided us with valid and convincing explanations why the need for such reasonable increase.

4

Rosales: No. It lacks justification.

Nahihirapan din ang mga magulang natin sa pagbabayad ng matrikula, but if the increase is justifiable, okay siya.

CSC secretary ready for bigger responsibility IS CENTRAL Student Council (CSC) secretary Rosvielentine Rosales ready for the presidency?

A fourth-year Clinical Pharmacy student, Rosales insists she is ready to take

on a bigger responsibility as she vies for the top post of the highest governing student body in the University.

“Being part of the CSC made me realize a lot of things and molded me not only to be a great leader but [also] a great person,” the standard bearer of Lakas ng D i w a n g To m a s i n o said in an

ROSALES

interview.

Seeing herself as a “motivator,” Rosales believes that a great leader should produce other future great leaders.

“As a leader, I would describe myself as a motivator. It is not being [a] leader on your own but it is generating leaders na magiging kagaya mo to be great as well,” she said.

She said her determination and willingness to learn would be her advantage in the CSC’s presidential race.

"Alam ko na ‘yung patakaran sa pamamalakad sa CSC, but that would not be the sole basis. I believe na I have the values na pursigido, willing to learn, and I would not stop,” she said.

In 2014, Rosales was one of the country’s delegates in the World Youth Alliance, a leadership training program that focused on the dignity of the person and human rights, and the Association of Southeast and East Asian Catholic Colleges and Universities, a regional organization that promotes Catholic higher education and support for local Churches.

As CSC secretary, she spearheaded the annual UST Welcome Fest and cochaired CSC Wellness Expo.

ISSUES

On Students' Code: Mangalili:Yes. It's crucial that students themselves show and manifest the need for it.

Rosales: Yes. It serves as a concrete basis of our rights as students.

Fostering Thomasian participation Rosales said the next CSC should give priority to student involvement in all the council’s actions and projects.

“Without the Thomasian community, we could not function. So, ‘yun ‘yung priority—to make the students involved sa kung ano ‘yung mga projects na ihahain namin for the [next] academic year,” she said.

Should she win the election, Rosales said she would do her best to pass the Students’ Code.

“Gagawin [ko] ang lahat para ma-push talaga ang Students’ Code kasi it’s about us, the students. It’s about the administration hearing our voice,” she said.

With the looming K to 12 transition and Association of South East Asian Nations integration this year, Rosales said she would organize

seminars a n d alternative classes to educate and help the Thomasians adjust with the changes in the educational landscape.

Rosales calls for social awareness and students’ rights and welfare in her platforms. Events such as Uspeak and STRAW Week will be conducted, where students can voice out their opinions on national and University-wide issues, saying that she believes everyone can express their opinions without forgetting the Thomasian values.

“Being Thomasians, may we not set aside the values that we have when expressing our sentiments.

We could conduct ways wherein we can give our sentiments without neglecting our values that were taught to us,” she said.

Acording to Rosales, a loss would not stop her from serving Thomasians.

“I know that every [elected] officer would plan to address the needs of the students. Being a Thomasian as well, I would be actively participating sa programs to help implement [their] projects,” she said. MARY GILLAN FRANCES G. ROPERO and ROBERT A. VERGARA, JR.

Keeping Thomasians on track Like Lakasdiwa standard bearer Rosvielentine Rosales, Tingzon wishes to inform the Thomasian community about the changing educational landscape brought about by K to 12 and Association of Southeast Asian Nations integration by conducting seminars, forums and information campaign strategies.

“Siguro mas magandang gawin natin na i-inform natin kung ano ba talaga ang

Mangalili: Yes. Ang init kasi.

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Rosales: Yes. It is every student's choice.

On student protests inside UST: Mangalili: No. We can organize a more formal way of addressing our concerns to the University.

Rosales: No. Because there is a due process na pwede namang mangyari na hindi naman na kailangang magprotesta para mai-voceout mo ang sentiments mo.

Though partyless, ex-student volunteer is confident of winning LOCAL student council officer Anna Mariz Mangalili is determined to prove that she can take over the Central Student Council’s (CSC) presidency even without the backing of a political party.

Mangalili, a third year Management Accounting student, is the incumbent assistant secretary of the AMVCollege of Accountancy Student Council.

She said her candidacy would give Thomasians a choice, considering that Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino was the only political party accredited by the Central Commission on Elections this year.

“As an independent candidate, [I am] not [here] to ask for sympathy but rather to give [students] an opportunity to elect someone who will not just promise and do what was promised, but to elect someone who will give and help provide solutions to problems,” she said in an interview.

Mangalili said her experiences in the local student council already serves as sufficient background for her candidacy.

“I can’t say that my experiences are enough but I can say that [the] experiences that I have reflected on and I have learned from [will be] enough para tumakbo ako and maging credible to run for CSC presidency,” she said.

“We practice professionalism na kung trabaho, trabaho lang, walang personalan,” she said. “Isa lang naman ‘yung goal ng mga tumatakbo, that is to serve, so kailangan magstick ka sa goal mo, that is to serve.”

In case of a defeat, Mangalili said she would still be keen on serving the Thomasian community in other ways.

She noted that she began as a student volunteer in Sto. Domingo Church before becoming a CSC staff.

“Kung gusto mo talagang mag-serve, there are other ways, you can be a staff and you can volunteer for community development works,” she said. DELFIN RAY M. DIOQUINO and ARIANNE F. MEREZ

A leader who listens If there is one thing Mangalili can assure Thomasians, it is her willingness to listen before anything else.

“I am a leader who listens and produces actions,” she said. “Hindi ako laging magpo-provide ng solutions but I will help you provide solutions to your problems kasi as president, I can only do as much. Kailangan may gagawin din kayo as students.”

She believes that the present CSC did well in establishing a good relationship between local student councils and the CSC. However, she is not content with some of the council’s projects that are “not beneficial to everyone.”

“Para sa akin, not everyone is given a voice loud enough to be heard,” she said. “Hindi talaga natin naa-address kung ano ba talaga ‘yung problema nila (students) kasi hindi naman natin naririnig. We always come up with projects pero kailangan ba talaga nila ‘yun?”

In her campaign for presidency, Mangalili eyes students’ rights-centered platforms, such as: Pro-Active Grievance Process, Promotion of Sociopolitical Awareness and Active Intellectual Discourse, Protection of Students’ Rights and Welfare, and Support for Thomasian Diversity.

She also seeks to promote professionalism in the student council, saying it would lead to better governance.

MANGALILI

CSC auditor gunning for higher office this election

Tingzon seeks to break out of VP stereotypes FOCUSING on the core of “Thomasian leadership,” Lakas ng Diwa Tomasino (Lakasdiwa) bet John Louis Tingzon believes his experience as the College of Architecture Student Council's vice president has prepared him well for the bigger task ahead.

Tingzon, a fourth-year Architecture student, is running for Central Student Council (CSC) vice president. For him, his experiences in his local student council will be his advantage.

“Since dati na akong vice president from local [student council], ginawa [ko] tinaas ko ‘yung sarili ko [to] Central Student Council.

Dinala ko lang ‘yung principle ko, same pa din,” Tingzon said. “Naging bigger picture lang siya, naging mas malaki ‘yung gusto kong hawakan and ‘yung service naman ‘yun talaga ‘yung nasa puso ko.”

Tingzon said he was looking forward to expanding CSC’s internal and external affairs, deviating from the stereotypical notion of being a proxy for the president. “[Ang vice president] siya ‘yung magiging external affairs for the CSC and nagiging coordinator ng mga committees.

Syempre hindi naman tumatakbo ‘yung CSC na kami-kami lang. May committees kami na tumutulong sa‘min para gumana ‘yung isang student council,” he said. “Dahil ako ‘yung magiging coordinator, i-inform ko sila kung ano yung nangyayari, kung ano yung dapat gawin at kung ano pa ‘yung pwedeng maimprove sa mga gagawin namin.”

Tingzon said a vice president should always be ready to take over in case the elected president vacates the position.

On Type B uniforms:

mangyayari sa pagbabago ng academic calendar tapos lalo natin silang ipu-push na ito ang mga pagbabago, ito ‘yung mga mangyayari,” he said.

According to Tingzon, he is satisfied with the performance of the present CSC because they are visible and active in student involvement. He said he wanted to improve the quality of annual university-wide events like Welcome Walk and Paskuhan.

Tingzon also vowed to serve the Thomasian community even if he loses in this year’s campus polls by volunteering to be a committee head in the CSC or in his local student council.

“Ako naman, kaya ako [tumakbo] kasi gusto ko talagang mag-serve. Kung ano mang mangyari sa resulta ng eleksyon, tatanggapin ko,” Tingzon said. “Handa pa rin akong tumulong sa Central Student Council. Handa pa rin akong tumulong sa local student council kasi ito na ‘yung passion ko. Mag-serve sa student body.” JEROME P. VILLANUEVA

‘[K]aya ako [tumakbo] kasi gusto ko talagang magserve. Kung ano mang mangyari sa resulta ng eleksyon, tatanggapin ko. Handa pa rin akong tumulong sa Central Student Council. Handa pa rin akong tumulong sa local student council kasi ito na ‘yung passion ko.’

TINGZON

CANOZA

SHE COULD have gone for a higher post, but independent candidate Patricia Alexis Canoza chose to run for a position that would hone her into a leader with “maximum potential.”

Canoza, a sophomore Travel Management student, is running for vice president in the Central Student Council (CSC) elections.

Considering her credentials and experiences as a student leader, Canoza, the incumbent CSC auditor, could have run for president. But she admitted she still had a lot of room for improvement.

“May mga nagtatanong why I didn’t run as president, credible naman daw ako?

Pwede, pero alam ko na may kulang pa sa sarili [ko]. Kapag [running for] president, dapat [may] maximum potential na,” she said in an interview.

Canoza recognizes the leadership abilities of opponent Louis Tingzon, but she points out that her experience in the CSC as an edge over the Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino bet.

“I’ve known him (Tingzon) since he was the vice president of the Architecture Student Council. Pero hindi ko alam kung paano siya magtrabaho, o kung ano ‘yung work ethic niya,” Canoza said. “Siguro ‘yung mabibigay ko na lang, ‘yung [kung] anong meron ako na naipagmamalaki ko, [which is] alam ko na ang pasikot-sikot [sa CSC].”

Canoza also served as the executive staff of the CSC External Affairs Committee from 2013 to 2014.

Under her stint in the council, Canoza headed various projects such as the Thomasian Project 4, CLAYGO: Clean As You Go Campaign, Think Green, Service, and the Tiger Week.

“Naniniwala ako na [ang pagiging student leader ay] hindi sa credentials lang. It is the drive that should let you continue what you are doing,” she said.

Most of Canoza’s proposed projects will focus on empowering the Thomasians to be involved in various projects of CSC and campaigning against apathy, especially on national issues and elections.

“Useless kahit gaano kaganda ang isang project if ‘yung mga tao walang interest. [We] should empower the students. One thing I could promise [the Thomasians] is student involvement, na magiging involved [sila] sa bawat projects ng CSC [at maging] kasama

sila sa pagpaplano, paggawa, at pag-execute,” Canoza said.

‘Not a spare tire’ Canoza expressed her satisfaction with the performance of the incumbent CSC, but admitted that she could always do more.

“I am satisfied with the overall performance of CSC. But with my performance, I could do more, that’s why I am running for another position,” Canoza said. “Bilang nandoon ako sa present administration, alam ko na hindi naman maipagkakaila na merong mga negative [sides] sa performance [namin]—nagkulang kami sa external links with other universities or with other colleges [and] sa partnerships.”

As a vice presidential candidate, Canoza said that she is fully aware of what to expect and fulfill if she wins.

“According sa constitution ng CSC, ang role ng vice president, unang-una, gawin lahat ng order[s] ng president. Second is, if absent ang president, he or she should fill the position of the president. Third, he or she should oversee all the staff, or what is going on in the council,” she said.

Canoza said she is ready to take over as president if ever the elected president vacates the position. But she noted that vice presidents are not just “spare tires” who should serve as proxies and replacements.

“I believe that [a vice president] should not just serve as a spare tire because I know that once I get the position, I should be ‘presidentiable’ already. In any way, ready naman dapat tayo sa lahat ng pwedeng mangyari,” she said. ANGELI MAE S. CANTILLANA

‘Naniniwala ako na [ang pagiging student leader ay] hindi sa credentials lang.

It is the drive that should let you continue what you are doing.’

6 Botomasino

The Varsitarian APRIL 10, 2015

APRIL 10, 2015

The Varsitarian Botomasino

7

Apathy blamed for low voter turnout

(Left to right) Tantay, Yap, Gabriel, Roi Rey, Jalandoni, Raquedan, Co and Ranel Rey

From Secretary down to PRO: Get to know your candidates SECRETARY Nazka Alecksia Tantay (Lakasdiwa) Lakasdiwa's bet for CSC secretary Nazka Alecksia Tantay, a third-year Communication Arts student, believes the Thomasian community needs a leader who listens.

“It doesn't matter what your course is or what your political background is. What is important is that you have the ability to listen to and acknowledge the students’ needs,and I think I possess those qualities,” Tantay said.

She said running alongside incumbent CSC secretary and Lakasdiwa’s standard bearer Rosvielentine Rosales, is an advantage because she could get pointers on the job.

“Time management and listening intently to the students’ needs are some of Ms. Rosvie's advice. There is always room for improvement and that is what [I] and Lakasdiwa will do, strengthen and improve whatever has been started,” she said.

Maria Yvonne Erica Yap (Independent) Political Science junior Maria Yvonne Erica Yap, who is running for secretary as an independent, knows that there are always new opportunities for a student leader.

“When I ran for the position of secretary in my college, I lost.

In that loss, new opportunities, not to prove myself but to really help the Thomasian community, came.

Different organizations tapped me to organize their events and that inspired me that I can still do something,” she said.

Yap served as the CSC executive coordinator to the treasurer and is the vice president of the UST WushuFlaming Tigers this academic year. Recently, she represented the University along with three other Thomasians in a conference in Harvard University on international relations.

“Last year, I told Artlets that I want to be more than just their secretary. This year, that is also my line of thinking. I want to be their friend

Comelec warns vs election failure FOLLOWING a series of low voter turnout in the previous years, the UST Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) utilized social media to reportedly increase students’ participation in this year’s Central Student Council (CSC) election.

According to chairperson Julia Antoinette Unarce, the Central Comelec launched this year’s elections with the theme, “Eleksiyong Tomasino Para sa Mas Pinatibay na Konseho.”

“Comelec is for voter education,” Unarce said.

“We have to go out of our way and think out of the box to reach out to the Thomasians [para] bumoto nang tama.”

Unarce explained the social media campaign involved statement photos and the Twitter hashtag #USTHalalan2015.

The Central Comelec urged students to vote.

“If we want to have a leader who is not apathetic to our concerns, we, too, [should] not be apathetic with the elections,” College of Education Comelec chair Johanna Liwanagan said.

Comelec officials also urged to vote based on issues, not the physical appearance of candidates.

Pauline Mercado from the Education unit of the Central Comelec warned against failure of election due to low turnout or high number of abstentions.

According to data from the Central Comelec and the Registrar’s Office, voter turnout for the past eight years averaged 61 percent or barely two-thirds of the total student population in UST. MARY GRACE C. ESMAYA and BIANCA KRISTIN A. TARAY

and companion,” Yap said. “I want to open the CSC not just to the local council leaders but to the students that really need them the most.”

TREASURER Lene Benette Gabriel (Lakasdiwa) Management Accounting junior Lene Benette Gabriel is running for CSC treasurer under the Lakas ng DiwangTomasino (Lakasdiwa) banner.

Gabriel is the president of her class, a member of the Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants debate team, and one of the directors for Sports and Recreation in Scarlet Accountancy Unit Executive Board and Directors.

In high school, Gabriel was a member of the debate society and participated in debate competitions. “‘Wag tayong boboto [para] basta lang makaboto. Dapat‘yung [ibo]boto natin alam nating magaling mamuno,” she said.

Roi Sergio Rey (Independent) Marketing Management freshman Roi Sergio Rey is an independent candidate running for CSC treasurer.

“Being an independent does not mean you are alone. Being an independent simply means that you can stand on your own,” he said.

Rey is a class president and a member of the Legislative Board of the College of Commerce and Business Administration. He was a delegate in the Marketing Confluence, a seminar conducted by the UST Junior Marketing Association and the Mad World 2015, an assembly held

by the Philippine Junior Marketing Association.

Rey has been a student leader since high school, during which he served as class president and fourthyear representative of the Colegio de San Lorenzo Student Council.

AUDITOR Veronica Jalandoni (Lakasdiwa) Financial Management freshman Veronica Jalandoni is Lakas ng Diwang Tomasino’s bet for CSC auditor.

Since high school, Jalandoni has always been active in student leadership, graduating as the student council president of her alma mater, Sta. Isabel College, in 2014.

Jalandoni’s biggest advocacies as an auditor are honesty and transparency, saying: “As an auditor, dapat honest and transparent ako and ia-apply ko yun with my other members and I’ll make sure they’re always honest and they’ll do their jobs.”

Zeth Renae Raquedan (Independent) Medical Technology junior Zeth Renae Raquedan prides himself in knowing the ins and outs of the council as the incumbent CSC chief of staff.

Being the project head for several events in the University, Raquedan believes he has solidified his pursuit to be one of the members of the next CSC Executive Board.

“I hope you see my determination in serving the student council. I believe this is what I was born to do and that every experience in my life has led to this.”

PRO Justin Miguel Co (Lakasdiwa) Laskasdiwa's bet for CSC Public Relations Officer (PRO) is Justin Miguel Co, an Interior Design sophomore and incumbent PRO of the College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) Student Council.

Prior to his stint in his college’s student council, he served as PRO of the Interior Design Innovators and executive assistant of the CFAD Student Council Vice President for Internal Affairs.

Removing student apathy will be his main goal if elected, saying, “May ibang students kasi na hindi nila alam kung anong nagyayari around the University so ang goal kotalaga is to keep them informed and to keep them involved.”

Ranel Simon Rey (Independent) Civil Engineering freshman Ranel Simon Rey, who prides himself in being an independent candidate, said he is “flexible” and can easily work with other people.

Although satisfied with the performance of the current CSC PRO, Rey said there is always a room for improvement, noting that he wants to enhance the information dissemination—by informing every Thomasian and not just local student council PROs. Rey wants to extend his focus not only on the constitutional duties of a PRO but also on the “holistic formation of the Thomasian community” as well.

Computer Studies to hold first polls

By ARIANNE F. MEREZ A YEAR after its separation from the Faculty of Engineering, the Institute of Information and Computing Sciences (IICS) is preparing its own constitution and student council.

A draft of the IICS constitution, which was adopted from the 2006 Engineering Constitution, is now under plebiscite to determine if the institute could hold its first-ever student council elections.

According to Engineering Student Council President Nielsen Ignacio, the Central Board of Student Auxiliary (CBSA), which consists of all Engineering and Information and Computing Sciences class presidents, advocated the drafting of a new constitution for the IICS last academic year.

“Last academic year, na-open na ‘yung idea na by this academic year bubuuin na ‘yung constitution nila, so

transition year talaga ito,” he said in an interview.

The proposed constitution will govern the actions of the IICS Student Council and stipulate the rights of its students.

Engineering Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson Hanna Eunice de Leon said there was a need for a separate student council for IICS since it was now a separate institute.

“IICS being an institute now has its separate director and faculty. The need to have [a] separate student council is to give prior justice to the separation of the faculty,” de Leon said in an email.

A majority vote of 51 percent of the entire IICS population is required to ratify the constitution.

The plebiscite, a process by which students can approve or reject the proposed constitution, began last March 16 through an online voting system, and will end on March 30. The Engineering Comelec is yet to release the results of

said plebiscite on April 7.

If the proposed constitution is approved, the Engineering Comelec will recommend persons to fill the positions for the IICS Comelec, who will then temporarily recognize political parties for the local student council elections.

“The IICS Commission on Elections will be spearheading the elections if and only if, the Constitution was accepted by the students,” de Leon said.

In a previous interview, IICS Director Alex Santos said the Institute was planning to “organize and build a team team of students that will represent the IICS student council intended for next school year.”

The Faculty of Engineering has scheduled its local student elections on April 14 to 17. IICS students can still vote for the Central Student Council elections but will only have their special local elections once the proposed constitution is approved.

Stand FROM PAGE 2 through “Tiger Vote.”

Meanwhile, “Tiger Watch” will evaluate the performance of the CSC, particularly its expense reports, she added.

Independent candidate Zeth Renae Raquedan said he would set up the “College Expo” project in which students could be exposed to the life of students of other colleges through “switching.”

PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER Justin Miguel Co of Lakasdiwa aims to strengthen information dissemination by creating an omnibus info website where all important announcements on UST could be posted. He said “alumni newsletters” would seek support for and recognition of varsity athletes.

Independent candidate Ranel Simon Rey said he would seek “holistic formation” of the Thomasian community by improving the R.O.A.R. App, a project of incumbent CSC PRO John Jacob See, and the CSC Info Blast.

THE INDIFFERENCE and general lack of interest of many Thomasians limited the voter turnout in the Central Student Council (CSC) election to just barely two-thirds of the student population for the past eight years.

According to data from the Central Commission on Elections (Comelec) and the Registrar’s Office, voter turnout last year was only 64.21 percent, a little higher than the 61.93 percent in 2013.

In 2012, voter turnout stood at 64.27 percent, slightly lower than in 2011, when there was a 64.5 percent turnout.

The years 2008, 2009, and 2010 had the lowest voter turnout in the past eight years, recording 58.86 percent, 54.71 percent and 59.21 percent, respectively.

It was in 2008 when CSC polls were first automated. In the previous year, 61.26 percent participated in the Universitywide polls.

The 61 percent average voter turnout in the CSC election since 2007 is proof that Thomasians do not value their right to vote, Central Comelec Chairperson Julia Unarce said in an interview with the Varsitarian. “’Yung 27,000 out of 40,000 [number of votes], that’s big pero paano yung iba? Nagiging issue ‘yung not all Thomasians have the initiative, the encouragement to vote,” Unarce said. “For some Thomasians, elections are just an event that we need to hold.”

Education Comelec chair Joanna Liwanagan said Thomasians should not be “apathetic” during elections to have leaders who are not indifferent to their concerns.

“Apathy is the main reason why there is a low voter turnout as some students choose to do other things than to vote responsibly,” she said.

Unarce said the affinity of colleges to politics where a student is enrolled in plays a major part in determining if there will be a high or low voter turnout.

For liberal arts students of the Faculty of Arts and Letters (Artlets), who “have a natural inclination to politics,” recording a 70 percent turnout last year was

“still low.”

“Compared to other colleges, 70 percent is quite high already.

Pero sa AB, maliit since we are exposed politically,” Kathleen Ong, chair of Artlets Comelec said. “That’s why our goal for this year is increase it to at least 90 percent of the total population in AB.” Scheduling the elections when majority of the students are available was also crucial to have a high turnout, according to College of Fine Arts and Design Comelec chair Danielle Zuniga.

In 2012, there was a low voter turnout in CFAD because the elections were scheduled during the “thesis week” of the seniors when classes for students in the lower years are suspended, Zuniga said.

“So what the Comelec did [in the succeeding years] was adjust it to when the students from the lower years can vote,” he said.

TomSpeak Compiled by DELFIN RAY M. DIOQUINO and ROBERTO A. VERGARA, JR. WHAT DO Thomasians really expect from candidates vying for positions in the Central Student Council? Do the elections matter to them and do they care at all? Here are some of their thoughts.

“Naniniwala pa naman ako sa kanila, pero it depends kung sino ang magiging president, sinong maghahawak ng CSC. Kung kaya niyang i-lead ang mga students, mas maniniwala ako sa CSC. Madaming problema ngayon sa UST katulad ng mga sirang facilities. [Sana makakatulong sila na] maayos yun.” –Dexh Tan (second year, Faculty of Arts and Letters)

“For the past [years], students from the lower years made up the majority of the number of votes.”

Graduating students have the tendency to skip voting “because they think [the elections] would no longer affect them,” Zuniga added.

Patricia Cagamapan, Faculty of Pharmacy Comelec chairperson, echoed Zuniga, noting that only 25 percent of senior Pharmacy students voted last year.

The Central Comelec plans to decrease the apathy among Thomasians by using social media and different gimmicks such as Twitter hashtags, statement photos and signboards that highlight the importance of practising the right to suffrage.

Failure of elections Despite a mediocre voter turnout in the past years, the Central Comelec has not proclaimed a failure of elections

in the CSC. However, there were cases of some faculties and colleges in the University where there was a failure of elections.

According to the UST Student Election Code (USEC) of 2011, a college or faculty must tally at least a 25 percent voter turnout to validate an election, otherwise a failure of election will be declared.

Should a college or faculty declare a failure of election, a special election must be held within 30 school days after the proclamation of the failure of elections.

The Conservatory of Music had failure of elections in 2011 and 2012 for not meeting the voter turnout quota.

In the 2011 polls of the Conservatory, only 157 students out of 671, or 23 percent of students, voted during the elections, while in 2012, Music had a turnout of 22.15 percent or

total number of 144 voters from 650 students.

Meanwhile, a special presidential election was held at the College of Education last year after the lone bet, Juan Carlo Dela Paz, failed to win the presidency after obtaining more abstentions than votes.

The Education Comelec failed to declare a winner yet again after the majority of class presidents who joined in the second special elections abstained. On the third poll, Dela Paz finally won.

The Faculty of Engineering also held a special election after presidential bets Nielsen Ignacio and Kyra Porciuncula both tallied 1,790 votes.

Engineering Comelec chairperson Hannah De Leon said the stalemate was resolved through manual elections won

by Ignacio. ANGELI MAE S. CANTILLANA and MARY GRACE C. ESMAYA

Thomasians weigh in: Is CSC credible?

“Naniniwala pa rin ako [sa CSC], pero sana mas maramdaman sila kasi iyong nakaraang CSC, parang hindi sila masyadong naramdaman, so ang ine-expect ko ngayon mas makipag-connect sila sa amin.” –Pamela Makalintal (second year, College of Commerce and Business Administration)

“Naniniwala ako sa kakayahan ng Central Student Council kasi naniniwala ako na kaya sila tumakbo kasi may will sila, may gusto silang reforms sa school na for the betterment of the student society. Sana more community development programs.” –Nikka Cuenca (Faculty of Pharmacy)

“Hindi ako naniniwala sa kakayahan ng CSC. Kung hindi nila mari-reach lahat ng Thomasians, paano ko naman maa-assure na kaya nilang i-represent ang buong Thomasian community. Mahirap magbigay ng expectations kasi hindi ko naman sila kilala. Siguro hindi expectations, baka hope na ma-improve nila ang communication sa lahat ng Thomasians.” –Maria Monica Esquivel (second year, College of Fine Arts and Design)

“Naniniwala pa rin ako sa CSC. Sana lang mas mabilisan ang pagpapakalat ng information para sa mga students.” –Patricia Marollano (second year, AMVCollege of Accountancy)

“Naniniwala pa po ako sa ginagawa ng CSC kasi sila ang nagiging bridge ng students sa administration, sila ang nagiging boses at nagsasabi ng hindi namin direktang masabi sa admin. Kung ano yung sinabi nilang platforms, sana magawa nila talaga.” –Jeremy Masil (Faculty of Engineering) “I hope na magiging organized ang activities and mas maging pabor sa students ang mga gagawin [nilang] decisions. Sana i-raise ng student council lahat ng concerns ng mga student sa administration”. –Jose Mari Tagumpay (third year, Faculty of Engineering) “Hindi ako naniniwala sa kakayahan ng Central Student Council since iyong nakaraang CSC parang wala namang nagawa. Kahit sarili naming student council, nilaglag kami, 50,000 pesos nawala. Sana magawa nila lahat ng platforms nila.” –Aurora Catindig (second year, Faculty of Arts and Letters)

“Kung magre-represent sila ng student body, kailangang ma-prove nila na their projects are sustainable at dapat worth it 'yung mga i-implement nilang projects. Sana more projects pa at mas i-approach nila ang students, mas maging in touch.” –Jule de Guia (third year, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management) “Naniniwala pa rin ako na kaya nilang i-represent ang student body kasi kung wala sila, ano ang voice ng mga students? Ine-expect ko [na] organized and mas maraming activities na masaya.” –Pau Viray (first year, College of Science) “Naniniwala ako kasi sila ang nagha-handle ng student body at sila rin ang nago-organize ng activities at events.

Ine-expect ko from them is more activities at maramdaman namin ang presence nila.” –Maro Gestiada (first year, College of Science) “Ang gusto ko lang, mag-create pa sila ng projects na magiging beneficial sa mga students at sa lahat ng classes.”

–Clarissa Basiloy (third year, College of Tourism and Hospitality Management)