Presidential candidate Abigail Hapal and vice presidential candidate Ullysis Valle of Liwanag Lasalyano held a press conference, under the supervision of the University Student Elections Commission (USEC), wherein they addressed questions from the student body at the Cabezas Viewing Room last April 24. The attendees gave questions concerning their current platforms that each candidate should answer within the given time of 45 seconds.
On student allowances
Hapal was asked regarding how they will implement the medical and transportation allowances, which is one of her platforms. She explained, “First and foremost, importante na nasu-survey natin… like what is the number currently and what is the population of who are commuting, and at the same time, is there budget, or [are they] taking allowances from their parents? Nasasagot ba n’un ang commuting expenses nila? And if hindi, d’un papasok ‘yung University Student Government (USG) because the reason why that’s one of the platforms is to fill those gaps na kinakailangan ng mga estudyante.”
With regards to medical allowances for the persons with disability (PWD), Hapal emphasized the importance of considering the underlying conditions that make someone a PWD. She explained that if these conditions become a hindrance to their academic lives and learning capacity, then that is when they become qualified for a medical allowance from USG.
Regarding the budget allocation for this program, Hapal expressed her plans to derive funds for proposed platforms by cutting costs from big-budgeted events with minimal impact. She used the State of the University Student Government Address (SUSGA) as an example for this. She explained that since the past USG administrations allocated a huge amount of budget for SUSGA, they could allocate the amount instead to all their proposed financial aid grants, not limited to the PWDs and commuting allowances, but also to the assistance program for menstruating students, which is also one of her platforms.
In classifying commuting students, she clarified one of the criteria to get this commuting allowance. She shared, “Kumbaga wala silang pang-gas, para sa mga sasakyan nila… these are usually the people na nakakaranas ng kainitan when they ride jeeps, bus. And alam naman po natin, tumataas na po ang inflation [rate].”
On student mobilization trainings
Valle elaborated his platform regarding student mobilization trainings, which included placard making. Last February 26, the University organized its 38th People Power Commemoration, where a group of student activists was constrained from participating in the activity.
Valle explained, “Gusto namin na bukas ang opisina ng USG para sa platapormang ‘yan and para sa movement na ‘yan, dahil naniniwala kami na ang estudyante ay dapat merong boses at meron silang academic freedom and freedom of speech. So, paano namin ngayon im-make sure na ang ating mga estudyante ay free? First is, dapat meron silang avenue, and dapat meron silang free na materials for that, and secondly is we back them up.”
He further added that protecting them is not only voicing for the students but also a form of lobbying the admins, explaining that one of the things that arose at the time was the clashing importance between students’ rights and school policy. Valle emphasized that student policies should be based on students’ rights and ensuring that each process goes through due process.
On commenting on Tarra’s case
Recently, Paolo Tarra, coordinator of Coalition of Concerned Lasallians (CCL) faces possible expulsion due to his alleged violation of Memorandum of Agreement Non-Fraternity/Sorority and Organizations (MOANFSO) related to the EDSA commemoration that took place in the University last February 26. The candidates were asked to comment on this as this also concerns the student body.
“I need more information about. But right now, looking from the overview, una sa lahat, may karapatan pa rin po kasi ang grupong ito to association. But at the same time, kailangan nagsu-subscribe din sila sa rules and regulations. But, again, dito papasok ‘yung… ano ba yung specificities nung mismong case? Because we don’t want any rights being abridged, right?” Hapal responded. She also emphasized that fundamental rights are superior to anything else and that policies should be centered and built upon the students’ rights.
Meanwhile, Valle added, “Kailangan ng due process. Kailangan alam natin ‘yung detalye. Hindi tayo pwedeng magpataw ng isang verdict kung hindi natin alam ‘yung buong detalye. And as USG, hindi naman kailangan na we lean towards a specific case or magsabi agad kami ng mga pangako namin sa inyo na walang kasiguraduhan. So, as USG, we also have to hold ourselves accountable and transparent to all.”
When the candidates were asked if they believe that MOANSFO is against the students or if it abridges the fundamental rights of the students, Hapal said that it is important to see its pros and cons. She further stated that if these “fraternities or sororities” are giving students a platform to express more of themselves or if they see it as an opportunity to do initiatives that are aligned with their advocacies, then the USG should be open to hearing such proposals.
Valle also said that he is open to that suggestion, saying that students have rights and that they should not be tied to the policies of the University in order to have the freedom outside the institution.
On gender inclusivity
Within the University, the members of the trans community are currently fighting for inclusivity, even in the University’s Yearbook, wherein there is a tedious process before they can secure approvals to express themselves.
Hapal admitted that achieving gender inclusivity is “somewhat a sectoral approach” and that it transcends a number of issues, wherein she mentioned cross-dressing. Hapal explained, “There is no overnight solution when it comes to this. Ang kailangan po natin is mass campaign and mass education. So basically, there is a long way to go, but it doesn’t mean that you won’t stop campaigning from the very beginning.”
She revealed that there was a lack of votes for the abolition of dress code during the yet ongoing Student Handbook revision.
Valle then added, “First is kailangan nating i-identify and kailangan nating paghati-hatiin sila, kasi I believe na iba-iba ang pangangailangan ng kada parte ng community ng LGBT.”
He also explained that they need to resolve such issues as early as possible. “One of the things na sinabi namin ni Abi, kailangan una pa lang, plakado na simula unang araw ng pag-termino namin hanggang matapos, and isa sa mga nakalagay sa timeline namin is to lobby that agad-agad,” he furthered.
On enacting laws
When asked how they will make sure that the enacting laws will be implemented properly, Hapal explained, “That is one of the criticisms against the current administration. Ang dami-daming Acts of Congress na naipasa… pero ‘di siya nae-enforce and so, how do we ensure that this time around, all of these will be enforced? Simple. Dapat may estudyanteng nagpe-petition, or ibig sabihin, there should be sanctions for non-enforcement of these laws.”
The presidential aspirant emphasized her message by reminding the student body to hold them accountable if they see things not getting done. She encouraged them to file cases against them in the USG High Court so they can answer to it. “Student governance is not just about the USG. We need the students as well,” she added.
Valle then stated, “I would like to clarify that governance–student governance–is not merely the USG, but the whole student body. Hindi kami nandito kung wala kayo. Wala kami dito kung wala kayo… Kailangan natin ng cooperation, and for us, we need to back it up, kasi marami kaming nakukuha na criticism[s] na… magkaroon ng freedom of information… Isa rin sa mga platform namin na we do want the students to know, collectively ‘yung mga batas.”
If elected, Valle revealed that he will lobby for three things: the General Appropriations Act (GAA), the Expanded Anti-Sexual Harassment Act, and strengthening Consultative Committee for Constitutional Amendments of the USG Constitution (CCCAUSGC).
The GAA is the semestral allocation of the USG using the money coming from the students’ tuition fees, which will only be published for public viewing after funds are already allocated. Hapal said that this time around, it’s what they want to change, wherein before the funds are allocated, they will consult the student body. She said that it is one of the changes that they are going for.
On student involvement
To further involve the students in policy-making, despite the complexities of the legislation, Hapal mentioned the existence of the USG Participatory Governance Act of 2022, and shared that the biggest challenge is making this policy “clear”.
In the first weeks of their term, if elected, she revealed that one of their initiatives is to launch mass information campaigns about students’ rights and about the USG as a whole, saying that this is necessary because they want more people to participate in focus group discussions that the USG conducts, as well as in budget hearings and discussions about Tuition and Other Fees Increase (TOFI).
On fulfilling their duties
When asked how they will respond to students who only aim for fame and how they will ensure that Liwanag Lasalyano will fulfill their duties without “clout”, Hapal said that there is a difference between clout and transparency. “It’s our responsibility to report to the student body what we’ve been doing, and this is through whatever means, like for example, social media. So, when we post a specific report of what we did: our achievements, our milestones, that is not clout, for me. Because that’s us, reporting to the students who gave us the political power in the very first place.”
In ensuring that all of their platforms will get posted, she shared that they will post a list of activities at the beginning of their term that comes with a timeline. “When they see there, na sa December kailangan nangyayari na ‘to, and then they see na ang USG, hindi ‘yon ini-implement, then the student body can call us for accountability,” she added.
USG’s stance on student repression
For the last question, both candidates expressed their stance on the aforementioned form of student repression within the University.
Hapal responded, “As a student activist myself, I really stand with every student who is holding their placards very high… I stand with every person, with every student who is out there—we are always with the students and ipaglalaban namin sila hanggang sa dulo. Whether that may be through conversations with the admins, or tingnan natin [kung] meron ba tayong legal process na pwedeng sundin.”
Valle also stressed that their administration will answer to the students, not to the University administration.
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For further inquiries, the candidates are open to receiving and answering questions through their website.
The USEC shall administer thorough details in regards to the upcoming miting de avance.