DISCREPANCIES OVER the disbursement of Sanggunian funds to the political parties of the Ateneo dominated the discussion during the 2016 Sanggunian Elections Debate on September 29 at the Leong Hall Roofdeck.

Candidates participating in the debate included the lone presidential candidate Carmela Vinzon, and vice presidential candidates Miguel Hamoy, Camille Joy Leong, and Koko Quilatan.

In response to a query from the panel, Vinzon mentioned that the IgnITE Movement received funds for its campaign from the Transition Government (TransGov). Vinzon is Coordinator for the TransGov.

When asked for clarification, Vinzon said that the subsidy was offered to both parties. “One party decided to send an email stating that they will not be availing of the subsidy, while the other party decided that they would avail of it. That’s why the subsidy was given to the other party,” she said.

According to Leong, the USAD was not informed that the subsidy was continued. “Hindi namin tinanggap dahil pakiramdam namin na misuse siya ng public funds, especially since this is a transitory government, pakiramdam namin hindi ito yung tamang paggamit ng pera. At nasabihan kami na kapag hindi naman kami gagamit ng pondo, ay hindi din magagamit ng kabilang partido,” Leong said.

(We did not accept it because we felt like it was a misuse of public funds, especially since this is a transitory government, we felt like this was not the right use for the money. Also, we were informed that if we were not going to use the funds, the other party would also not be able to use them.)

On August 24, USAD Premier Lanz Espacio submitted a position paper rejecting the proposal for funding, calling it “a misallocation of funds.”

“For the Party, the only acceptable reason for government-funded political parties is if there are clear vested interest groups or individuals whose funding have directly influenced student governance and political party work,” read the paper.

“I think it was a clear indication that when they gave the letter, it was them saying that they do not have any plans to avail of the subsidy. That is why it was no longer discussed with them,” charged Vinzon.

Moreover, vice presidential candidate Quilatan said that the fund was open to both parties. “IgnITE decided that we would use this opportunity, we did not believe that it was a misuse of public funds. We saw an opportunity and we took it,” he said.

“It is important to realize that running a campaign is very expensive. And it is very difficult for us to have students who won’t be able to run just because they won’t be able to afford the campaign paraphernalia that they will need,” Vinzon said.

Presidential platform

Vinzon answered questions on the different social realities in the Philippines, and how the Sanggunian under her administration can cater to these issues.

“The Sanggunian under my term will fight for human rights, it will hold the administration to due process and increase the strength of the security within the Ateneo,” Vinzon stated.

Vinzon stated that the Sanggunian will be heavily involved in policy making in the national government, while at the same time forming relationships with the different political figures.

Sevidal then asked her about how her administration plans to improve the current state of student political parties in the Ateneo.

She responded that the transitory government plans to reach out to political parties, and to maximize understanding of the ideologies of both the Ignatian Initiative for Transformative Empowerment (IgnITE) and the Union of Students for the Advancement of Democracy (USAD).

VP candidates discuss plans

The vice presidential debate mostly focused on questions aimed at the candidates’ platforms, and the concrete steps they plan to take in order to achieve the vision they have for the Sanggunian.

Hamoy was asked for his opinion regarding members of the transitory government being allowed to run in the elections, given his previous position as the Constitutional Convention (ConCon) Research Head.

Hamoy responded by saying experience should not be undervalued, as these people were qualified in the past, and should know what they’re doing.

When asked about the contractualization issue inside the Ateneo, Leong stated that she plans to integrate the structure of USAD into the Sanggunian.

“Pwedeng i-facilitate ang dialogue ng mga workers at administrasyon, at kasama na rin ang mga estudyanteng ito sa dialogue nito (We can facilitate a dialogue for the workers and the administration, and the students will also become a part of this dialogue),” she added.

Leong was also asked about her Student Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Committee and how it can distinguish itself from the students’ home departments and the Department of Student Welfare and Services, which are also responsible for addressing student concerns.

She responded by saying STRAW has a uniform system in forwarding concerns, and that it will promote anti-discrimination and the different rights of the students.

Quilatan was asked about his plans for engaging scholarship opportunities and expanding academic subsidies, given that his platform revolves around “education for all”.

He mentioned his plans for a comprehensive curriculum review for the individual courses, and to promote financial transparency in the administration in order for the Sanggunian to know how the students’ money is being allocated, and how much money can be set aside for the scholars.

“The vision for establishing transparency is safety nets for the students, especially scholars,” Quilatan added.

Hamoy was later asked about the issue of apathy among Ateneans, and stated that the Sanggunian “failed to meet the students halfway in raising awareness”, and that the Sanggunian should “raise student consciousness”.

He added that the Tanggapan ng Bise Presidente provides a physical space to hear out the concerns of the students, and for the Central Assembly to address the specific issues on legislation.