Making the shot. A one-on-one debate between Reporma partylist Prince Jan Ronald Wacnang and the Rights partylist Darren Sanchez, the candidates of the 2014 Presidential Elections, addressing the concerns of the Louisians and photo by Lauren Alimondo several organizations.
THE OFFICIAL STUDENT PUBLICATION OF SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY
Volume 18 Issue 1 Bonifacio Street, Baguio City September 2014
We’re more than just a paper.
Presidentiables clash, aim for Louisian unity by
Sheena Mae Bangibang and Lyca Orfiano
The rivalry between two of the biggest schools will be seen not only in the sports ground but also in the political arena. RIGHTS Standard Bearer Focusing on the four core Jan Darren Sanchez, Fifth year BS values of SLU, Wacnang wanted Electronics and Communications to establish who Louisians are Engineering, and REPORMA- and involve them in the society ACS Presidentiable Prince Jan through community projects. Ronald Wacnang, Fifth year BS Through their platform Training Accountancy, faced each other for for Employability Enhancement, he the first time as candidates during planned to develop more skills of the Presidential Debate at the the students. He added that a twoPrince Bernhard Gymnasium last way communication between the August 31. students and the SSC is important Based from the CNN as well. Presidential Debate outline, the On the other hand, Sanchez debate was divided into three parts: emphasized that each individual The first part consisted of each is part of the KASAMA/SSC. He party’s presentation of platforms, planned to actualize this by holding which should be presented within open house meetings where five minutes each, and their everyone is invited. He envisioned discussion of their plans with being a family who has concerns respect to their relationship with for every member as a way to unite, the administration and student empower, and involve the students. organizations, which should also Social divides in SLU be presented within five minutes To bring down the barriers each. between the campuses, Sanchez The second part highlighted would push through the student the questions given by the panel of volunteerism where nonarbiters from The Buttress, White officer student volunteers will & Blue, Debate Society, Vinculum, participate in SSC meetings, Political Science Academic Society planning, making of solutions, and (POSAS), Louisian Legal Studies information dissemination to have Society (LLSS), COMELEC and a common goal. He also added SLU NSTP Coordinator Albert the empowerment of the school Guinguino Jr. The candidates have organizations and assemblies. to answer each question in three Wacnang stated that they minutes. must understand first that SLU is The third part, an open separated into three campuses in forum, provided students to accordance to the preparation for forward their concerns to be asked the K- 12 curriculum. To unite the by a screening committee. The campuses, he stressed on social presidentiables were given three involvement through community minutes to answer. projects where students can interact Louisian identity or Louisian and collaborate with one another family? regardless of which campus they Despite having different belong to. platforms, both candidates want to On the relationship between unite the Louisian community for the administration and the the welfare of students. studentry, Wacnang told that before
complaining, students should know their facts first. “Our grievances must be grounded,” he added. Meanwhile, Sanchez proposed the open house meeting and dialogue with the administration to have a common goal and solution to problems. In terms of narrowing the gaps between the would-be elected officers from both parties, Sanchez brought up the open house meeting where they would be involved to share and discuss their platforms and ideas. Wacnang agreed on the need of a conversation with the other officers to address the gap. He said that knowing their personalities first is vital to know how to work with them, and that he would also incorporate their ideas.
Working with Complexities In relation to the difficulty of processing papers, both standard bearers emphasized on information dissemination among organizations, students and other implementing bodies and that the proposals should benefit students. They also talked about communicating to the accounting office if their proposals are rejected. Wacnang added that the Executive Committee should first check on the proposals and ensure that these papers follow guidelines properly. Sanchez, on the other hand suggests that with better communication with the accounting office, students will know their side as to why they rejected the proposal.
Insolence and Indolence of Louisians Concerning the vandalism and bullying occurrences happening inside the campus, Wacnang advocates that the most effective way to resolve these issues is to forward complaints to the KASAMA-SSC in order to make proper actions. He also said that as for prevention, they can do information dissemination and advocacy to the student body. As for Sanchez, he relates vandalism and bullying to Louisian volunteerism wherein they will conduct General Cleaning Day in order for students to have self realization; for bullying, concerned students should forward their
2014 Kasama / SSC
Presidential Debate photo by
Lauren Alimondo
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
W&B
EDITORIAL
2014 KASAMA/SSC
ELECTIONS WALL NEWS ISSUE
Ready?
It’s coming nearer. Are you ready? We have seen a lot of things these past years. Good things, and bad. We have observed everything, as we have been a part of it. We have seen the best and worst, in fact. We’ll never be as ready as we should be. There will always be complications, mistakes, and things to hold us back. But we just need to be as ready as we could be. The COMELECs of the past encountered as many complications as you could imagine, and they came through. We salute them for that. We might have seen the best years of the COMELEC fly by our eyes. We could only imagine the challenge posted in front of this year’s COMELEC. The success of the past becomes a burden of expectations to the present. It’s inevitable. Especially when what you have followed have succeeded immensely. And so, when you fail, it is amplified immensely too. But for the moment, the biggest question is “Are you ready?” The elections are already coming nearer, and the tasks are piling up. Are the COMELEC ready for it? The days would be so fast from now. And it all comes up to the fourth. The students will decide if it’s blue or yellow, and the COMELEC will be between it, instrumental on every non-apathetic students decision. Every move by them will be highlighted on that very day. All eyes are on you. There are so many issues, so many rumors, that the COMELEC has been facing. We have heard something from both parties, as well as anonymous comments, but we refuse to believe until there’s proof, or it is proven otherwise. We wait until we could either praise you, or condemn you. It’s coming nearer. Are you ready?
W&B editorial
Castro reports P1.5M projects, activities by
Lyca Orfiano
Presenting the accomplishments of KASAMA/SSC during the past academic year, President Allan Castro delivered his State of the Studentry Address last August 31. According to Castro, Php 1.5 Million from the SSC fund was spent for school projects and activities. The fund was audited by the KASAMA/SSC Commission on Audit that was reinstated during his term. Castro enumerated major projects of the Executive Committee (ExeCom) including Project Yolanda, Brgy. Mamuyod Rehabilitation Drive, Operation Tuli, and Anti-smoke Belching Campaign which were in cooperation with the National Service Training Program (NSTP) Office. In terms of competence, Castro highlighted the first Northern Luzon Intervarsity and the third Louisian Got Talent. The former was a competition showcasing the public speaking skills of student participants
from all over Luzon. Also, to immerse Louisians in the culture of Cordillera, the KASAMA/SSC, with CCPG and BIBAK, organized the Grand Cañao last summer term. Last March 6, the ExeCom conducted the first CHED-endorsed event of the SSC, the Neoliberalism Conference and 21st Century Pedagogues Summit. Concerning the issues of students, the Grievance Desk was opened. “Unexpectedly, a lot of cases were reported,” noted Castro. His office dealt with cases of bullying, sexual harassment, and conflict between students and faculty and between organizations. He cited the concerns which had been resolved successfully by the student council especially the appeal against the implementation of the Anti-momma Bill. Castro also stated issues on which they lost, such as the appeal for transitory summer and transfer of the School of Humanities to the
Navy Base campus. “The reason of the administration holds better than our collective complaint,” he explained. Regarding their plan of Trusteeship which was not realized, Castro said that a CHED Memorandum requires a member of the Board of Trustees (BOT) for private institutions to be a graduate of a baccalaureate degree. According to Castro, the KASAMA/SSC still pursued its goal of having a student representative as a member of the BOT and found the Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Bill campaign. He wanted the next elected officers to continue the STRAW Bill campaign. “This is most necessary thing that needs to be implemented not only in SLU but in the entire Philippines, so that students’ concern can be effectively represented and effectively attended to by the KASAMA/SSC of our university.”
New SSC Consti for plebiscite by
Editorial Board 2014-2015 WORKING STAFF FOR THIS ISSUE
Editor-in-Chief Internal Associate Editor External Associate Editor Managing Editor Exchange Editor News Editor Features Editor Entertainment Editor Sports Editor Literary Editor Chief Layout Artist Chief Design Artist Chief Photojournalist Editorial Cartoonist
Ivan Ramil Ferrer June Carlo Pabaira Yna Darla Olarte Lyca Orfiano Renante Andres Jr. Sherwin Nico Emiliano Marian Dominique Aurora Kyle Gio Gayao Miguel Martinez Jermaund Ivan Junio Orlando Angelo Santos Jr. Carlo Gatdula Levin Ace Danganan Adrian Nicolas
Senior Photojournalist Lauren Alimondo Senior Staff Writer Patricia Landa Rosete, Sheena Mae Bangibang Advisers Engr. Jeffrey Des Binwag, Mr. Miel Albert Laoyan White & Blue is a member of the College Editors Guild of the Philippines and the National Council of Campus Journalists of the Philippines Editorial Office: Rm. 06 Student Center, Saint Louis University, Assumption Rd., Baguio City 2600
Patricia Landa Rosete and Sherwin Nico Emiliano
This year’s election decides not only a change of KASAMA/ SSC officers but also a change of constitution. After being approved by the Congress of Louisians and the SLU Administration, the 2014 KASAMA/ SSC Constitution’s approval depends on the student plebiscite which will be held with the elections this year. “We will have the vote of yes or no to go, either to replace or not the old constitution of 2000 and replace it with a more improved and better constitution, the 2014 Constitution and By- Laws,” Congress of Louisians member and Ecolodians Officer- in- Charge Frank Almora stated during the presentation of the proposed CBL last August 31. The congress identified the 2000 constitution to be inefficient, outdated, vague and deficient; thereby, prompting a need for constitutional change. “There are really a lot of changes that we did. We basically almost rewrote the entire constitution, and we had changes, small and big in every part of it,” Almora said in an interview with White & Blue. As discussed in the presentation, the amendments were classified into four major provisions: Restructuring the
school assemblies, empowering the student bodies, providing financial stability and proposing a new electoral system. School Assemblies Restructured Almora explained on his speech that based on studies conducted by the congress, it has been determined that the year level vice- mayor position is needed to be replaced with the assembly secretary and treasurer positions. The proposed constitution provides that the school assembly shall be composed of the school governor, vice- governor, secretary, treasurer, year- level mayors and heads of duly recognized organization, eliminating the assemblies’ vice mayor position. The said provision also grants autonomy to the School of Medicine and School of Law. The proposed constitution states that the SOM and SOL shall be given an autonomous administrative status, making them the final- decision authority of their appropriated funds and of their activities related to the functions of the school assemblies. “The initiative to give them autonomy stems from the fact that they are graduate schools. There are times when the KASAMA/ SSC finds great difficulty in understanding their requests on instigating projects. The same goes
with policy, if we come up with policies, we don’t know how it will impact them, or what policies would do them good,” Almora said. Empowering Student Bodies “The new constitution delineates the duties and responsibilities of the KASAMA/ SSC officers so as to avoid overlapping functions,” he explained. Three independent constitutional commissions namely the Commission on Appointments, Commission on Elections and Commission on Audit will exist as stipulated. The Commission shall be in charge to fill out vacancies within the Executive Committee, School Assemblies, Elected representatives within the Congress of Louisians, and Student Court. In the past constitution, the Commission on Appointments used to be a standing committee of the Congress of Louisians. According to Almora, the Congress decided to make it an independent body for a more effective, efficient and objective appointment process. The new constitution also validates the fiscal autonomy of student bodies. “It gives the student organization a power on deciding how to appropriate their funds”, said Maribel Bulayo, President of Cordillera Cultural CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Jan Darren Sanchez by
Prince Jan Ronald Wacnang
Patricia Landa Rosete
by
“Hand in hand, together as one family, as RIGHTS family, together we will build a better university because in RIGHTS we just don’t push and fight. We talk, we listen and we act.” Striving for unity, student empowerment and student involvement, Responsible and Intelligent Governance, Highlighting Transparency and Studentry (RIGHTS) Fifth year BS Electronics and Communications Engineering Student and standard-bearer Jan Darren D. Sanchez, integrates the concept of family to his platform B.L.U.E. Better Leadership. Under this concept, Sanchez indicates that the university is the students’ second home; thereby, he encourages everyone to be a part of this family. Aiming to build a connection between the administration and students, Sanchez regards the administration as the students’ second parents.”Parang kasing ang admin ang nagiging magulang natin dito sa school at tayong mga students ay yung magkakapatid.” Being so, he said that in RIGHTS, they listen to the students’ concerns. “Ang gusto po ng RIGHTS, we feel each other as a family, magtutulungan tayo, hindi lang po SSC, kundi tayo pong lahat,” he added. Louisians. Being the core of his platform, Sanchez addresses students’ empowerment and involvement in this concept. So as to encourage the participation of students, the RIGHTS’ standard- bearer plans to have Louisian Volunteers. “Lahat po tayo part ng KASAMA/SSC. Wala pong kayo, wala pong kami, kundi tayong lahat,” he added. In an interview with White & Blue, he stated that there will be two ways to get the Louisian Volunteers: one for those who are willing to join the KASAMA/ SSC and the other is through the Special Committees that will be formed by the school assemblies.
If elected, he plans to launch open house meetings so as to provide an avenue where school organizations, assemblies, Louisian volunteers, and every students can raise their concerns and help plan activities for the whole school year. To give proper recognition to students exemplifying outstanding performance, Gawad per school will be commenced under his platform. For transparency purposes, social media will also be utilized so as to facilitate in information dissemination. University. Regarding any concerns involving the administration, Sanchez said that he will adhere to the standard process of resolving grievances and will conduct university dialogue with the concerned office. “As SSC, tayo pong lahat mag tutulungan at kakausapin nating yung administration,” he said. Earth, Empowerment and Community Service. To maintain and beautify the school, a General Cleaning Day would be launched every semester. This would involve the NSTP students, the organizations, the assemblies, the student volunteers and every student who wants to join. “Tayo as a part of the family, tulong-tulong po tayo sa pagpapaganda ng ating school,” Sanchez said. Projects that will help the earth and environment such as the anti- smoke belching act and garbage segregation will still be continued under Sanchez’ platform. He also plans to reinforce the Clean as You Go or CAYGO practice to the students. Sanchez said that his past experiences as a first- second year representative and then a governor of SEA had showed him the importance of unity in a community or the school. “Gusto ko talaga na hindi lang yung officers ang may maiwang legacy sa school, gusto ko lahat tayo may maiwang legacy”, he answered when asked about his motivation for running as president.
“We are happy to serve you.” With their new set of STARS and new ideologies which focuses on strengthening the Louisian identity and rationalizing the response to student issues, Fifth year BS Accountancy Student Prince Jan Ronald Wacnang stands for REPORMA- ACS as their new standard bearer in this year’s election. Strengthening Louisian Identity. One of the two main principles of their platform is strengthening the Louisian identity that concentrates on the implementation of their welfare projects. Wacnang said that Creativity, competence and Christian spirit are nothing without actually involving yourself and doing something. He emphasized that the core value which is involvement is one way to strengthen the Louisian identity. Training for Employability and Enhancement. Training employability and enhancement manifests strengthening Louisian identity that centers on bringing the opportunities for social involvement closer to the studentry. There are two programs under this platform: the National Certifications Program and community projects. In the National Certifications Program, REPORMA- ACS plans on coordinating with offices like TESDA to enable students to exhibit their skills and have an experience. Concerning the community projects, they would look on the competency of the students. They will look into the needs of the society. With that, they can practice their skills and at the same time, they can help the society. Attracting and Supporting Talents. Another expression of strengthening Louisian identity is more on supporting
the efforts of students by the help of the alumni through soliciting funds. REPORMA- ACS will study on how they can solicit funds from the alumni. They also plan on the importation of experts to provide students the proper training. Regarding the achievements of the students, they will coordinate with the media to publish these achievements. Rationalized Response to Student Issues. Being the second main principle in their platform, this focuses on addressing student issues inside the campus. To issues forwarded to the KASAMA/ SSC which do not have evidence, Wacnang said that complaints should be evidence based before forwarding these complaints. Shortening Enrolment Lines. REPORMA- ACS plans to provide computerized enrolment system in order for the students to have a choice whether or not to wait in the lines. “I want us to look at our ID’s, we look haggard. Now we don’t want our Louisian identity to be labelled as the line of the north. We want our identity to be closer to our core values and for identity to show a stronger manifestation through involvement”. Wacnang stated that this platform will not be implemented automatically because they thought of it as a long term fight. REPORMA- ACS wants to engage first on the short term plans which are to conduct feasibility study about this and then they will gather resources and hopefully implement it. “I am asking for your help, in order for us to continue the progress we have started towards a better future, we should vote this coming election. Get your pen, your ID, go to your respective precincts and make the right choice,” Wacnang said.
New SSC Consti...
Presidentiables clash...
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Performing Group. “Since in the new constitution, it would be an enshrined concept. It is something that is enforceable and is needed to be observed at all times,” Almora added. Propose new electoral system In the proposed constitution, elections of new set of officers will be shifted during the second to last month of the second semester prior to the incoming academic year. With the officers being elected early, Almora emphasized that they will get to be trained by the outgoing officers. First year mayors, however, shall be appointed by the Committee on Appointments. Provide financial stability The new SSC constitution included the adjustment of the
KASAMA/SSC fee paid by enrolees. From 20 PHP per semester in the previous constitution, collection of 50 PHP for regular semester and 20 PHP for summer term will be implemented. The increase was proposed to appropriate enough funds for student organizations. “The inflation rate is going high, mas maraming projects ang kailangang i- implement, and the basic issues that kaunting- kaunti ang pera na na-aappropriate sa mga organizations and offices. It is not really enough,” Almora said. However, the proposed constitution states that the adjustment is subjected to Commission on Higher Education (CHED) approval. “In the event that CHED disapproves this increase,
the amount of KASAMA/SSC fees to be collected shall be twenty pesos (PHP20.00) per semester and summer term.” Almora also stated that the fee increase would ensure stability of funds in 2016, where decrease of student population is expected due to the K- 12 program. Furthermore, the empowerment of Commission on Audit ensures the effective control of finances. He explained that with COA’s empowerment, funds would be used properly to provide services and programs for the students. “These are all remunerated in the form of services and programs for the students,” he said. As of press time, the proposed constitution is still being updated and revised for minor changes.
Sheena Mae Bangibang
complaints in order for the student concerned to have a voice and with the help of KASAMA SSC the problem will be resolved. Reviving Student Activism Even though their party was known as an activist, Wacnang identified their stand in the political spectrum as neutral. “A good ideology does not exclusively belong to one party,” Wacnang said. “With regards to student activism, we would only respond smartly. We would not repeat the mistakes in the times passed, wherein our bases are not grounded. The thing is that we should establish our principles so that we know the right way in order for us to become more active in fighting for our rights and fighting for our welfare,” Wacnang said.
“As for our political party, we listen, we talk and we act.” RIGHTS, on the other hand, want to have a better communication for both parties to not have conflict of interest in order for them to have a common goal. Sanchez stressed on having good and proper communication and a good relationship within the family in order to hear both sides of the problem and have a solution from the students and from the administration. “We want to push RIGHTS as a family of Louisians,” he added. The said event ended up with the signing of the covenant by the presidentiables.