IN A CLASH between trademark political parties of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), the San Bigkis Party (SBP) and Nationalist Youth and Progressive Democrats (NYPD) championed their respective candidates during the Miting de Avance (MDA) and election debates organized by the San Beda – Electoral Board (ELBO) at the ground floor of the Jonathan Sy Auditorium last September 20, two days prior to the #BotoBedista2024 First-Year Representative Elections.
Citing the campaign period and training of their respective candidates, Alvin Sebastian Mangaliag, chairperson of NYPD said, “We trained our candidate not only to answer questions but also kung paano siya makisama.”
On the side of SBP, Mitziko Yema, the party’s chairperson, states “We really focused our campaign on immersing ourselves with the people by talking to them and building a connection.”
However, the campaign was not without difficulties as it was, for one, marred by “inevitable suspensions” that Mangaliag deemed as one of the reasons “why the plans for their campaign could not be fully realized.”
Yema, on the other hand, cites the campaign as a “tough ride” because of the “hateful remarks” party members received on anonymous sites, stressing the implications of these backlashes to influence the student body’s perception of the individuals or party.
Nonetheless came the scheduled MDA where the competing parties put forth their respective slates. Inaugurating the event, NYPD began with an opening remark from their candidate, Akiah Agbanlog, followed by a monologue from SBP’s Bianca Carreon.
Both candidates were offered the chance to present and detail their respective platforms in the question-and-answer segment, along with a panel discussion that followed wherein representatives from the different organizations pressed the candidates on their stances regarding issues concerning the student body.
The proceeding election debates then followed which sought to present the candidates’ views on both internal and external issues, taking in the likes of the freedom wall as a platform for expressing grievances, political parties as an avenue for growth, and whether or not shiftees and irregular students should be eligible for Latin honors.
However, as the debate progressed, technical problems with the two candidates’ timer ensued, prompting a delay that was addressed by members of ELBO. After this, the audience was presented with an opportunity to ask the candidates about their respective platforms and their stand on particular issues.
Lex Delson, the activity chairperson of the MDA, found the event to be a “success” as it “set out to do its purpose which was to give a platform to the candidates and, of course, the parties that they meant to represent.”
However, Delson also acknowledged the shortcomings in its delivery, in terms of the “tech [and] sa dissemination ng guidelines which has definitely affected the experience of the parties involved lalo na ‘yung mga questions nila and general confusions that were going on as the program was commencing.”
Nonetheless, Delson asserts that “We are hoping for our voters to understand how powerful our role here is and use their best judgment and discernment. For most people in San Beda, this is their first exposure to San Beda’s political landscape, so please take this seriously, go out there and vote. Don’t just vote, you must also vote wisely.”
Finally, Darlene Pamiloza, activity co-chairperson, echoed the same sentiments to “vote wisely” in the coming First-Year Representative Elections, stressing the MDA as an avenue to “assess the candidates based on their performance” while maintaining a successful elections.