CSCs ‘abstain’ amendments to UPM Electoral Code, urge further consultations; UPM Elections may proceed this midyear semester
By Rochel M. Floron IV
Last June 15, 2023, in RONDA UPM, the UP Manila University Student Council (UPM USC) presented once more their planned amendments to the UP Manila Electoral Code which were met with contentions by the College Student Councils (CSCs) citing further need for student consultations.
RONDA UPM is part of UPM USC’s plan to consolidate local colleges in the former’s plan to amend the university electoral code, explicitly pushing for removing the ‘abstain’ vote and the simple majority rule.
It was also suggested that the next possible timeframe for the elections to be held could be in the midyear semester following that the regular semester for the academic year is drawing to a close.
‘Abstaining’ removal of abstain, majority vote
Although they recognize the threat of the waning number of student representatives in student councils, incumbent representatives from various CSCs raised their contentions about the electoral code amendments, specifically removing the abstention vote and the 50%+1 vote requirement.
According to UPM USC, the passing of the proposed amendments is crucial to ensure that students are well-represented, which may only be possible with a complete set of student council positions. They argued that the abstention vote and the majority rule of determining election winners have resulted in the lack of student representation in USC.
“Kaming mga college representatives, wala kaming nagawa kung hindi bitbitin ‘yung trabaho ng apat na councilor na wala during that term,” said Querobin Acsibar, former UPM USC Chairperson.
When asked how they could ensure the integrity of student leaders vying for a seat in the student council, UPM USC said that there are safety mechanisms in place such as a thorough screening process and post-electoral protests.
However, incumbent CSC members raised concerns about the dependability of these processes.
UP Pharmaceutical Association Student Council Representative to the USC France Tacderan said that there is a need to highlight the limitations of these processes since official records may fail “to fully reflect the principles and performance of the student candidate.”
“Ang nangyayari kasi, tatanggalin natin ang power of students to decide dahil sinasabi niyo na mayroon namang protest period. Pero most of these cases can be seen undermanned at hindi ma-fi-filter ito,” added UP College of Nursing Student Council Chairperson Rhadrian Raphael Resuello.
They also mentioned that the attempt to remove the abstention vote may “take away the power of students” in the elections.
Beatrice Namit, Chairperson of the College of Arts and Sciences Student Council, said their council believes in the importance of the abstain vote as it may serve as a challenge to student leaders in the university.
“Abstention is an informed, educated vote; to remove that means students don’t have the capacity to vote. ‘Yung abstention itself, ‘yun na ang protest nila,” she asserted.
However, UPM USC Councilor Rebecca Aira Baliton argued that abstention votes incapacitate councils to pursue genuine student interests.
More student consultations
Moving forward, most representatives from various CSCs shared the same sentiment that there is an immense need to address the lack of student representation in the university, thus the call to conduct more student consultations.
“Ang pinaka-common point sa lahat ay ‘yung steps na i-t-take para mas encouraged ang participation ng students. Hindi lang bigyan [ang students] ng platform to do so; i-maximize din ang pag-inform sa kanila lalo na’t we need new officers,” remarked UPM Dentistry Student Council Chairperson Hannah Ramos.
Jan Zarlyn A. Rosuello, Chairperson of the UP College of Public Health Student Council, echoed the same proposal, claiming that students may be blindsided by the happenings in the student council elections because of the abrupt changes.
Elections in midyear
While most student council elections have already been completed across the UP system, the situation in UPM differs as the governing rules for the elections remain open to possible updates to “address the evolving needs of student representation within the university.”
Since the academic year is drawing to a close, the midyear semester, covering the months of July to August 2023, is the next viable timeframe for UPM student council elections. However, there is a concern regarding student participation because of the limited enrollment rate among students every midyear semester.
In a separate interview, UPM USC Chairperson Mark Angelo Del Rosario said that they plan to adopt the same measures from the 43rd General Elections which happened within the similar timeframe.
“This would include alternative means of casting votes without having to go online. This year, after two elections, ay magbabalik na rin tayo sa pag coordinate with OSA for greater funding and coverage,” Del Rosario added.
They would also push for more campaigns to engage more students and convince them to participate in the electoral process.
The Manila Collegian also sent an inquiry to the University Electoral Board (UEB) regarding its possible plans should elections proceed this midyear semester, but they are still in the process of determining the delegation per member.
