Member defections, ideological differences cited as cause
THE ATENEO’S oldest accredited political party, Partido IsaBuhay IsaGawa – Agila (IBIG-Agila), has disbanded over the semestral break.
Citing differences between the party’s ideology and the current needs of the Ateneo community, Sanggunian Vice President and former IBIG-Agila Chairperson Gio Alejo said that a number of members were not willing to commit to the party anymore, adding that some have already left IBIG-Agila. Mass resignations early this month preceded the disbandment of the party.
Toni Potenciano, junior executive officer of the School of Social Sciences (SOSS) and one of the recent IBIG-Agila defectors, said that she resigned from the party together with SOSS School Chair Ana Raymundo, SOSS Secretary-Treasurer Bryan Chua and fellow SOSS Executive Officers Kyla Javellana, Jerome Zapata and Guio Martinez last November 4. “That would make the entire [SOSS] school board, save for Polo Martinez, [who is a member of Crusada],” she said.
She also said that SOSS sophomore Central Board (CB) Representative Dan Remo resigned from the party the next day, together with “the [School of Humanities] (SOH) school board.”
The defectors from SOH included junior CB Representative AJ Elicaño and Project Grant Head Adrian Corpuz. The GUIDON was unable to confirm the identities of the other defectors as of press time. IBIG-Agila formerly held all of the SOH school board seats.
Explaining the party’s disbandment, former IBIG-Agila President Drex Oarde said that the party had simply served as a stepping stone for candidates who had political ambitions in the Sanggunian.
Alejo and Oarde, together with Sanggunian Secretary-General Ian Agatep and junior Communication Course Representative Mark Alcantara, are now currently working on the formation of a new party.
Alejo said, however, that the new party will not be formed in time for participation in the upcoming Sanggunian general elections.
Meanwhile, Potenciano affirmed reports that Elicaño and some other IBIG-Agila defectors are also forming a new party.
Elicaño declined to comment on the recent developments.
With reports from Luther B. Aquino
