AFTER MONTHS of discernment, the Executive Board of the Ignatian Initiative for Transformative Empowerment (IgnITE) Movement has decided to dissolve the party due to its failure to be sustainable as a “reaction party” to campus politics.

IgnITE President Ele Gealogo, announced the decision on February 15 in a Facebook post addressed to its members. The party has also declined to submit documents for reaccreditation.

Subsequently, the Ateneo Commission on Elections (COMELEC) released a memorandum stating that IgnITE is no longer an accredited political party, which leaves the Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy as the only accredited political party in campus.

“All incumbent Sanggunian representatives and officials who initially ran under IgnITE are now considered independent and unaffiliated,” the Ateneo COMELEC said.

Different mindsets

In an interview with the GUIDON, Gealogo mentioned how IgnITE was set up “to react to campus politics and give an alternative to the traditional/alientating politics that came before it” and that the nature of this foundation became problematic as it was not “sustainable.”

Nevertheless, he stated that the party accomplished what they initially set out to do and in turn, they found themselves asking what more they can do.

“Being founded off of a reaction would not be sustainable and affected how we tried to evolve and explore the possibilities as a party. We were no longer content with being just centered around [the Sanggunian],” he said.

Gealogo explained that the final call was made by the executive board, but the members and the alumni were encouraged to take part in the discernment process.

2017 marks the fifth year of IgnITE and the problems they had due to their foundations of being a reaction to campus politics manifested over the years. The party recently had a relaunch at the start of the school year.

“We were a completely new generation so different mindsets and a totally new environment to campus politics made us rethink almost everything about the party,” he said.

Sentiments

Arielle Locsin, Vice President for Branding and member throughout her college years, said that it was hard to come to terms with the decision.

“It was difficult to make that final decision as part of the EB. But after engaging in multiple discussions within the EB and having consultations with our alumni and members, we believe that the final decision is what’s best after everything the party has accomplished,” she said.

She said that some of the members were shocked by the decision, “especially those who weren’t part of the process.” She added that a lot of the members and alumni were saddened by the dissolution of the party.

“Those who were involved with the discernment process and who were generally aware about the decision making understood why it had to be done,” she said.

Gealogo and Locsin expressed their hope that the people who were part of IgnITE will continue to carry the party’s values and vision in their endeavors.

As his parting message, Gealogo told former members to “keep their fire burning for the greater glory of God.”