4 Opinion
JULY 14, 2017
Editorial
Shadow plays in the CSC CERTAIN forces have been working behind the scenes in the past several weeks to overturn the results of the April Central Student Council (CSC) elections, in which only two candidates were proclaimed winners because of overwhelming abstentions. One of the appellants is Steven Grecia of Lakas Tomasino Coalition, the lone presidential candidate who lost to “abstain” votes. Grecia, a medical technology student, raised legal arguments, chiefly that abstain votes are essentially nonvotes or stray votes and should thus be discarded. In other words, because he ran unopposed, he needed only one vote to become president of the CSC Executive Board. Grecia, however, was well within his rights to question the results before the UST Central Commission on Elections (Comelec), and he is to be admired for his guts amid the flak he had received on social media. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the CSC Central Board, the council’s legislative branch composed of college-based student council presidents. In the first week of June, the Central Board called on the Central Comelec to hold another round of polls, and accused officials of the poll body of “gross negligence” and “miserably [failing] to fulfill their mandate to conduct a free, orderly, honest, peaceful, credible and democratic elections.” It “most respectfully prayed, after notice and hearing, that all the votes cast last April 18 to 21, 2017 be declared null and void.” It’s shocking in itself for students to learn that such complaint existed from leaks and murmurs, and that the Central Board, a co-equal branch of the CSC and thus an accountable body, practically had to be begged by the campus press for a confirmation, if not a copy of its petition. It’s shocking for many to find out that this complaint had advanced to the Central Judiciary Board for final judgment (and for some, to discover that such a body even exists). Who are the members of this judiciary board? Where are its rulings? Where are the notices of hearings? Does it have a bulletin board? It’s shocking, the lack of transparency. Do the people behind this complaint really think the outcome, any outcome, of this surreptitious process will be acceptable to Thomasian voters? Let us turn to the legal issues raised. First, that abstain votes are non-votes and should be set aside. Grecia himself pointed out that the student election code is silent on how abstentions are to be treated by the Central Comelec. It is precisely because the code is silent that the Central Comelec stuck to its established practices and Editorial PAGE 5
FOUNDED JAN. 16, 1928 KATHRYN JEDI V. BAYLON Editor in Chief BERNADETTE A. PAMINTUAN Managing Editor PAUL XAVIER JAEHWA C. BERNARDO Associate Editor ALHEX ADREA M. PERALTA News Editor DELFIN RAY M. DIOQUINO Sports Editor LEA MAT P. VICENCIO Special Reports Editor JOHN GABRIEL M. AGCAOILI Witness Editor AMIERIELLE ANNE A. BULAN Circle Editor KIRSTEN M. JAMILLA Art Director ALVIN JOSEPH KASIBAN Chief Photographer News Mia Arra C. Camacho, Hannah Rhocellhynnia H. Cruz, Christian de Lano M. Deiparine, Roy Abrahmn D.R. Narra, Theodore Jason Patrick K. Ortiz, Maria Crisanta M. Paloma Sports Jan Carlo Anolin, Carlo A. Casingcasing, Philip Martin L. Matel, Randell Angelo B. Ritumalta, Ivan Ruiz L. Suing, Ralph Edwin U. Villanueva Special Reports Ma. Angela Christa Coloma, John Paul P. Corpuz, Ma. Consuelo D.P. Marquez, Neil Jayson N. Servallos Features Daniella T. Cobarde, Ma. Czarina A. Fernandez, Daphne Yann P. Galvez, Alyssa Carmina A. Gonzales Literary Elmer B. Coldora, Nikko Miguel M. Garcia Filipino Jolau V. Ocampo, Winona S. Sadia Witness Joel Sebastian D. Cristobal, Sigrid B. Garcia, Kathleen Therese A. Palapar Science and Technology Karl Ben L. Arlegui, Dan Albert D. Besinal, Edris Dominic C. Pua, Julius Roman M. Tolop Circle Klimier Nicole B. Adriano, Audrie Julienne D. Bernas, Chelsey Mei Nadine B. Brazal Art Chinny Mae F. Basinang, Rocher Faye R. Dulatre, Shaina Mae L. Santander, Juan Miguel M. Soriano, Seldon May T. Tagao Photography Deejae S. Dumlao, Katrina Mae H. Marcos, Miah Terrenz Provido, Maria Charisse Ann G. Refuerzo, Ma. Alyssa Adrienne T. Samonte, Basilio H. Sepe, Jamillah N. Sta. Rosa
Failure isn’t losing AS WE grow up, we try to make a plan regarding where we are headed in life. We set goals, we make timelines and we visualize ourselves as professionals in our chosen fields. Despite all of the planning, there will always be a certain dream we wish we could have fulfilled. Mine was becoming a professional basketball player. Summer before my first year in the University, I tried out for the Growling Tigers. Yes, the Growling Tigers. Even though I had no prior varsity basketball experience in high school and barely joined any barangay leagues, I thought I should at least try. To no one’s surprise, I failed. I was too slow, too physically unfit and I was a hundred steps behind in terms of skill and talent. Why am I writing about a failed dream? Because failing is better than not trying at all. Before the tryout, I knew it was improbable that I
Angelicum FROM PAGE 1 provincial of the Dominican Province of the Philippines. “This is going to be supervised by the UST Board of Trustees so… most of the decisions will be made by the University of Santo Tomas representatives,” Sipalay told the Varsitarian. Former Angelicum Rector Fr. Ferdinand Bautista, O.P. will serve as chief operating officer of UST Angelicum. Founded in 1972 by Fr. Rogelio Alarcón, O.P., Angelicum is known for its “Non-Grade System of Education,” which does not
Crisis management
Letters/comments/suggestions/contributions are welcome in the Varsitarian. Only letters with signatures and corresponding contact details 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, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.
could crack the Team B, much more the Team A. But how would I know if I didn’t give it a shot? We are always afraid to fail that we are already failing ourselves for eluding the opportunity of growth. After not getting a callback, I realized I was better off at the sidelines, writing about sports. My failure led me to an endeavor that has opened a lot of doors for me in my chosen profession and in life itself. Although I was not the one shooting the ball, defending the opponent’s best player or hitting the biggest shot, I
feel the same adrenaline even if I was just sitting in the bleachers, jotting down scores and taking notes of the important moments of the game. Our failures help us become the people we are today. There are a lot of opportunities that life offers but we try to avoid them, scared of being rejected or turned down. Just imagine if we only experience triumph and winning, what would become of us? After four years in the University, I learned that getting out of your comfort zone is a great way to progress as a person. I
learned that it is okay to make mistakes because all of us falter in our own ways. It is just a matter of perspective if we let our failures consume us or motivate us. To Mama and Papa, thank you for everything you have done for us. I still cannot understand how both of you make ends meet; I guess it is just a skill that every parent masters when they have a child to put through college. To Mommy Mila and Tita Delma, thank you for providing a caring home when I am far away from my original one. To Czarina, thank you for being my rock. Thank you for always pushing me to do better. To the Sports team, thank you all for letting me guide you this publication year. I learned a lot from all of you. To the V, I am forever grateful for the things I never thought I would learn or experience. Thank you for being my home for the past three years.
follow a comparative or competitive marking system and allows students to move through the curriculum in flexible arrangements. Sipalay said Angelicum would still keep its signature “non-graded” approach to education. “The direction is this will become UST, having a campus in Quezon City,” Sipalay said. The integration involves supervising UST Angelicum in terms of curriculum, traditions and program offerings after these are finalized by the new Board of Trustees, Sipalay added.
decided to integrate all its schools into two “educational traditions ”: the UST tradition and the Letran tradition. The Letran colleges have completed their integration with the Colegio de San Juan de Letran in Intramuros, founded 1620, as the flagship campus. For the UST tradition, Angelicum School in Iloilo City is next to be integrated with UST, Sipalay said. In December 2016, Dagohoy approved the renaming of Aquinas University of Legazpi to UST Legazpi after the decision was made by the UST Council of Regents. Aquinas’ change of name is expected to take effect in Academic
Year 2017 to 2018, after the Securities and Exchange Commission, the government agency that supervises corporations, approves it. The pharmacy and medical technology programs of Aquinas will be supervised by the University. Aquinas however will maintain its fiscal independence and administration. The UST integration plan will also include UST’s future satellite campuses in Santa Rosa, Laguna and in General Santos City. The integration of Dominican schools was discussed in the 11th Chapter of the Dominican Province of the Philippines in October 2016.
kasi ‘yong field of expertise ng stakeholders such as the Metro Manila Development Authority, Bureau of Fire Protection, Red Cross Central are gravely needed for safety inside the campus,” he said. Aside from insufficient disaster management trainings in dealing with fire and earthquakes, the University incident commanders also admitted to being unaware of protocols
on bombing and shooting incidents. UST Central Library incident commander Estrella Majuelo said trainings on such incidents were “not enough” for personnel and faculty members to undertake safety measures. Majuelo, who is also the chief librarian, said trainings were needed to help the crisis management personnel understand their functions.
One order, two systems In 2016, the Dominican Order in the Philippines
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in commercial [activities] and the safety of the college to occupy the building is at risk.”
“ F a s t - f o o d establishments and restaurants all use gas to cook. I have to be true and say that it is very scary,” Toribio said. “Students should be removed from this building because it is not safe. The building’s purpose was concentrated
Outsiders needed Toribio said government personnel should be included in the University’s incident command system to obtain more insights in emergency response. “Kailangan din [nating] humingi ng tulong sa labas
FELIPE F. SALVOSA II Assistant Publications Adviser JOSELITO B. ZULUETA Publications Adviser
It is just a matter of perspective if we let our failures consume us or motivate us.