The College Students Electoral Board (CSEB) released yesterday the first official list of candidates for the College of Mass Communication Student Council Elections this year.

Mario Urrutia III of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP) is running for Chairperson against Farahnaz Ghodsinia of Interdependent Student-Centered Activism (ISA) and Joaquin Torres, an independent candidate. Urrutia is the incumbent Journalism representative while Ghodsinia is the current Broadcast Communication representative.

Carla Patrice Cucueco (ISA) and Charlotte France (STAND-UP) are gunning for vice-chairperson while Sara Isabelle Torres (STAND-UP) and Leor Jyle Sulit (ISA) are running for College Representative to the University Student Council.

First Official List of Candidates:

Chairperson:

1. Farahnaz Ghodsinia (ISA)
2. Joaquin Torres (Independent)
3. Mario Urrutia III (STAND-UP)

Vice-Chairperson:

1. Carla Patrice Cucueco (ISA)
2. Charlotte France (STAND-UP)

Secretary

1. Maria Fatima Gaw (ISA)
2. Ma. Zarina San Jose (STAND-UP)

Treasurer

1. Serafin Candido Gozon (STAND-UP)
2. Maria Angela Teresa Sebastian (ISA)

BC Representatives (2)

1. Claudine Aldana (STAND-UP)
2. Ella Jane Hermonio (STAND-UP)
3. Macario Manicad III (ISA)
4. Triciah Terada (ISA)

Communication Research Representative (2)

1. Mari Angelyn Arambulo (ISA)
2. Rouenne Camille de Castro (STAND-UP)
3. Angelo Lagman (Independent)
4. Maylene Manzano (ISA)
5. Patricia Ann Morata (STAND-UP)

Film Representative

1. Alberto Gianco Carlo Ante (ISA)
2. Alyssa Mariel Suico (STAND-UP)
3. Earl Joseph Usi (STAND-UP)
4. Marko Yambao (ISA)

Journalism Representative

1. Myra Cabujat (STAND-UP)
2. Ma. Angerica Emmanuelle Hainto (STAND-UP)
3. Chelsea Sullivan (ISA)

CMC Representative to the USC

1. Leor Jyle Sulit (ISA)
2. Sarah Isabelle Torres (STAND-UP)

ISA (L-R): B-an Catubay, Claire Labadlabad, Jake Rivera, Alisa Baleva, and Marji Manlunas.

Political parties clashed as they defended their respective brands of activism and student service in the miting de avance of the College of Mass Communication (CMC) on Thursday.

Candidates from the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP-CMC (STAND UP-CMC) championed militant activism, where rallying and other forms of mass demonstration is the “highest form of activism.”

“Isa lang po ang aktibismo at iyan ay militante. At sa ilalim ng aktibismong yan ay iba’t ibang uri ng protesta,” said Denise Yalung, the party’s candidate for vice chairperson.

Meanwhile, Interdependent Student-centered Activism (ISA) candidates believed in “alternative activism,” which says that other forms of dissent through social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook are forms just as valid as rallies.

“What we are contesting is that your side believes that militant activism is the highest form of activism,” said Farah Ghodsinia, ISA’s bet for Broadcast Communication representative. “Do not underestimate other forms of activism.”

Mubarak, Facebook

ISA chairperson candidate Ruby Ann Catubay said if everyone engaged in their own form of activism, the movement would effect change.

Alisa Baleva, who is running under ISA as secretary said the recent ouster of Egypt’s former president Hosni Mubarak began with campaigns on social networking sites.

STAND UP-CMC acknowledges the power of this kind of activism, since some of their members joined the “Join the Budget Cut campaign” on Facebook, said Baleva.

The campaign, initiated by ISA, had students changing their profile pictures to black and white shots with the black strip saying “I oppose the budget cut” across the photo.

In rebuttal, her STAND UP-CMC counterpart Maye Cristobal said they did engage in online campaigns, emphasizing that protests did not end on Facebook and Twitter, but continued in the streets.

The party also called for students to express their dissent by wearing red or black shirts in protest, said Cristobal.

Cristobal said their party also held educational discussions (EDs) to explain issues to students.

“Ang pinupunterya ay ang aming pagrarally, pero marami pa naman kaming mga porma tulad ng mga ED, baka gusto niyong umattend,” said Cristobal.

ISA attendance at rallies questioned, STAND-UP imposes belief on others?

Ghodsinia said the party would join rallies if it were “the only way to attack an issue,” but would continue to use alternative means if they were possible.

Catubay said their party joined the November rallies calling for higher budget for the university and the November 23 march commemorating the massacre of the 58 civilians in Ampatuan, Maguindanao.

ISA Journalism representative candidate Loj Guinmapang said their party’s presence in the event was “not a matter of number but of representation.” She added that although she was not yet a member of the party, she saw members of ISA in the protest action.

Baleva said, “Bakit nirerequire umattend ang USC ng mga rally, e pano kung hindi naman ito ang paraan ng pagpapakita nila ng stand nila?”

One audience member recalled being required by former CMCSC chairperson Rupert Mangilit, who ran under STAND UP-CMC in 2009, to attend rallies and EDs when she was in the Freshie Council.

ISA vice chairperson bet Claire Labadlabad, who was the 2009 Freshie Council secretary, said they were “misled” into joining an ED when they were initially informed that it was only a regular meeting.

Many ISA candidates claimed that their party was open-minded, as opposed to STAND UP-CMC members who forced their beliefs on others, such as attending rallies.

In defense, Yalung said following one framework was justifiable, as long as it was a pro-human rights framework.

“Pinaglalaban lang naman namin yung karapatan. Kung alam mo na yung mga journalist ay pinapatay, bakit di mo ipaglaban yung mga mamamahayag? Hindi ko nakikita kung anong mali doon,” she added.

Cristobal quoted one audience member in saying that few ISA members were seen in CMC’s rally against the Ampatuan massacre.

Cristobal reiterated that they do not coerce anyone to join mobs or educational discussions, but it is the students who decide whether they should follow them or not.

“Kami po ay hindi namimilit. Kami po ay nagmumulat,” said Cristobal.

STAND-UP (L-R): Norman Riego and Den Yalung

Local vs. national issues

ISA’s “student-centric” perspective also clashed with STAND UP-CMC’s views.

ISA candidates said the CMCSC’s main focus should be on providing student services like printing services and free drinking water.

Jake Rivera, CMC representative the USC candidate, said that if STAND UP-CMC is to criticize the national government, it should be able to provide basic services for its constituency.

STAND UP-CMC chairperson bet Norman Riego said the root of the college’s problems is the UP’s low budget, adding that the council is mandated to forward this student issue.

“Kung basic services ay ang tubig, printing, ano pong pinagkaiba natin sa isang high school student council?” said Riego.

Vice chairperson candidate Yalung added that ISA was not able to maintain printing services throughout the year.

Angel Britanico (Independent)

The independent nominee

Meanwhile, Angel Britanico, independent candidate for journalism representative said she represented students who sided with neither party.

“I refuse to believe that ideology is a source of division. Hindi ako naniniwalang dahil iba-iba ang ating mga prinsipyo ay hindi na tayo magkakasundo sa ating mga pinaglalaban,” said Britanico.

Sarah Torres, journalism candidate running under STAND UP-CMC, said Britanico was too individualistic, noting that her party also aimed to represent all students.

In response, Britanico said “individual initiative should not be underestimated.”

Chairperson

Catubay, Ruby Ann Pauline (ISA)

Riego, Norman Lee Benjamin (STAND-UP)

Vice Chairperson

Labadlabad, Clariz (ISA)

Yalung, Denise Michelle (STAND-UP)

Secretary

Baleva, Alisa (ISA)

Cristobal, Mely Anne Emerie (STAND-UP)

Treasurer

Acielo, Johanna Marie Astrid (STAND-UP)

Manlunas, Margie Marie (ISA)

Broadcast Communication Representatives

Acaylar, EA Geiska (STAND-UP)

Ghodsinia, Farahnaz  (ISA)

Manoguid, Emmanuel (ISA)

Roca, Thomas Benjamin (STAND-UP)

Communication Research Representatives

Abrillo, Sheryll Bebien (STAND-UP)

Carabeo, Diana Marie (ISA)

Cucueco, Carla Patrice (ISA)

Escalona, Nadine Anne (STAND-UP)

Film Representatives

Filio, Chanelle (STAND-UP)

Quesada, Isabel Maria Luz (STAND-UP)

Journalism Representatives

Britanico, Lysa Marie Angeli (Independent)

Dela Torre, Katrine Daiane (ISA)

Guinmapang, Lois Joy (ISA)

Torres, Sarah Isabelle (STAND-UP)

Urrutia, Mario III (STAND-UP)

CMC Representative to the USC

Orduña, Gail (STAND-UP)

Rivera, Jan Kevin (ISA)

Source: College Student Electoral Board

The College Student Electoral Board (CSEB) warned the Interdependent Student-Centered Activism (ISA) party regarding the use of T-shirts during campaigns at a meeting held 1 p.m. today.

Students Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP) filed a complaint with the CSEB about ISA candidates wearing yellow T-shirts with candidates’ names printed on the back early this week.

“We listened to both parties and we deliberated on it. There was a violation committed but the rules aren’t clear on the penalty, so we’re giving them a first warning,” said Prof. Lourdes Portus, CSEB head and college secretary.

Article 8 Section 1 of the Revised UP Diliman Election Code says: “The giving, distribution and use of buttons, badges, matches, T-shirts, food, multimedia promotional materials, gifts and other forms of political gimmickry shall be prohibited.”

The code also allows up to three warnings after which the entire slate will be disqualified.

“Basically it’s the same every year for [three] years now. It’s a politically motivated act,” said Karol Yee, ISA founder and former CMC chairperson, referring to STAND-UP’s complaint coinciding with the college’s miting de avance today dubbed “Hot Off The Grill.”

This is not the first time ISA has been reprimanded on the use of T-shirts.

Last election, ISA committed the same violation when the candidates wore shirts with the party’s name and logo on miting de avance day. The candidates, recognizing the violation, changed shirts minutes before the annual “Hot Off the Grill” started.

CMC Student Council, AY 2009-2010

The two competing parties at the College of Mass Communication will share seats in the next academic year’s student council, seven to six, in favor of the college chapter of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (Stand-UP).

While rival party Interdependent Student-centered Activism (ISA) got the CMC representative to the USC post, top seats at the council went to Stand-UP.

CMC students elected incumbent council vice chair Rupert Francis Mangilit of Stand-UP as the new chair and his running mate Paula Bianca Lim as vice chair. Candidate Jihad Karlo Mariano won as council secretary.

ISA’s Jo Javan Cerda won as CMC representative to the USC, and Michelle Miranda as the new council treasurer.

The eight seats for department representatives were equally shared by the two parties. Representative bets of Stand-UP both won in the Journalism department, while ISA bagged both seats for Film Institute representatives.

The parties shared one representative each for the Broadcast Communication and Communication Research departments.

Stand-UP held the majority last year with eight seats, including the top posts from college representative to treasurer. Outgoing council chair Marian Kris Santos ran this year for USC councilor under Stand-UP but eventually lost.

The last time the CMC-SC had a similar party division was in 2007, when ISA first ran in the elections. ISA then held the top posts in the council with college representative Anne Kathleen Malolos and chair Karol Mark Yee.

Voter turnout this year was 57.22 percent, which edged last year’s 56.88 percent and 2007′s 55.96 percent. Data from the College Student Electoral Board showed 655 students voted out of the 1,144 population, with more than half of the voters coming from the Journalism and Broadcast Communication departments.

College of Mass Communication Student Council winners

CMC Representative to the USC:
Jo Javan Cerda, BA Journalism (ISA)
Chairperson:
Rupert Francis Mangilit, BA Journalism (Stand-UP)
Vice Chairperson:
Paula Bianca Lim, BA Broadcast Communication (Stand-UP)
Secretary:
Jihad Karlo Mariano, BA Communication Research (Stand-UP)
Treasurer:
Michelle Miranda, BA Communication Research (ISA)
Broadcast Communication Representatives:
Micaela Faeska Salonga (ISA)
Athena Keziah Chavez (Stand-UP)
Communication Research Representatives:
Claire Pantoja (ISA)
Michelin San Diego (Stand-UP)
Film Institute Representatives:
Grace Simbulan (ISA)
Thesa Tang (ISA)
Journalism Representatives:
Kelvin Paulino (Stand-UP)
Judy Ann Espiritu (Stand-UP)

Updated Feb 27 to correct last year’s turnout to 56.88%, not 55.96% -Ed

The Interdependent Student-Centered Activism (ISA) and Student Alliance for Democratic Rights in UP (Stand-UP) have released their General Program of Actions (GPOA) for the upcoming elections. Find the similarities and differences in terms of their proposed projects.

Legend:
(check) = Party mentions item in their GPOA/SPOA
(blank) = GPOA/SPOA does not include it

Project idea	ISA	STAND-UP
Consultation with students and administration regarding college issues	“push for transparency, compromise, and dialogue for issues regarding laboratory fees, open consultation with administration and regularize talks between administration and CMC-SC”	“No To XOXO: a campaign to push for a moratorium on pending laboratory and rental fees hike and the scrapping of imposed exorbitant fees”
Empowerment of Council of Representatives (COR)	organizations will host COR meetings regularize dialogues between organizations and student council open COR meetings	EnCORe: “energize the council of representatives. Letting organizations to host meetings and set agenda”
Strengthening / empowerment of department teams by including them in CMC-SC constitution	(check)
Strengthening ties with alliances such as KASAMA SA UP, SHOUT NOW!, UMAKSYON, Youth Act Now, etc.	(check)
Suggestions for improvement of DZUP	DZUP Nandito Ako “coordinate with other colleges to widen the reach and increase listeners of DZUP” Push for repair of speakers under skywalk	Tapping other colleges and students to work for DZUP Expanding of coverage within the university
Coordination with / Empowerment of Graduate Students Association	Push for inclusion of GSA representative to SC under the SC constitution Coordinate and collaborate with graduate students for college activities	FGD (Forge Ties, Get Together, Disseminate)”a set of programs that aims to give graduate students a sense of belongingness in the college”
Student council website	post regular announcements on COR decisions and activities CMC Interactive: posting of student works on a section of the site	Go maskom.com: uploaded minutes of the SC meetings are, posted statements and directories Creation of web helpdesk and forums board
Store that sell items that students need (tapes, medicine, pens)		(Check)
Printing services	(free)	(low-cost)
Electricity for SC office		(check)
College drinking fountain	(check)
Space utilization	(idle spaces for organization activities)	(free use of SC office for meetings)
Push for open use of computer labs	(check)
Conversion of readings to PDF format	(check)
Boost wireless signal in college	(check)
Utilization of existing means of communication	Utilize mailing lists such as masocista yahoo group, verycmc.multiply.com	CMCentral: “threading existing communication platforms with new to effectively inform and serve the students”
Text hotline for feedback		(check)
Empowerment of student-interest groups such as Wildcats, Himig Maskom, Mass Commotion	(check)	(check)
Lobbying for organization representative in Faculty-Student Relations Committee		(check)
Basic masses integration		(check)
Tie-up with professors for photo visits, docu making, news writing and participative research		(check)
Tie-up with NGOs, mainstream companies and foundations	(check)
Video exhibit during Mass Media Awareness month		(check)
Freshmen orientation		Project Headstart: Plaridel 101 (orientation assembly), FreSHTr directory (database of contact details), La Solodarity Night (acquaintance party)
Awareness campaign on 2010 election	Best Ad and PSA, SWS surveys and reports, awareness SAA, bills passed online Bring registration to CMC
Fund raising	Selling CMC shirt and CMC planner Christmas tree dedication
Workshops	CMC Learn (resume writing, video editing, audio editing, marketing workshop, experimental photography, software workshops)	(integrated in department SPOAs)

SPOA for Broadcast Communication Department

Project idea	ISA	STAND-UP
Orientation and special projects for BC freshies, shiftees and transferees		(check)
Information dissemination on curriculum matters	“in preparation for pre-advising week”	“constructing a concrete schedule of the professor’s consultation hours:
Dialogue with alumni	Focusing on “success stories”	“give inspiring talks and provide students with information and insights into field”
Production workshops	Focuses on make-up and dress
Probing of exorbitant and questionable BD fees		(check)
Asserting of transparent student-faculty consultations		Open dialogues on new curriculum and individual thesis-making policy
Fund raising		Creation of “recycling bin” where students could donate their productions (proceeds will go to ScripTOfolio
Creation of portfolios		ScripTOfolio: automatic portfolios of production at end of semesters
Community immersions		(documentaries and PSA as outputs)
College-wide airings and evaluations of productions		(check)
Media tours		(check)
Intersection of college department		“exchange of knowledge and equipments among students of different departments”

SPOA for Communication Research Department

Projects	ISA	STAND-UP
Promotion of Communication Research as a course	(to high school students)
Forums on job opportunities	(check)
Solicitation of funds from alumni and donors	(check)
Semestral pay for electric socket usage	(check)
Compilation of research works	(online; password protected)
Online database of sources for literature	(check)
Push for more democratic departmental decision-making system on DERP topic, etc.		(check)
Promotion of grassroots research as alternative		(grassroots community paper presentation, connecting to institutions, organization and publication)
Dissemination of studies to high school campuses, colleges, universities, etc.		(check)
Solidarity night of Comm Res students		(where participation against commercialization will be encouraged)

SPOA for Film Department

Projects	ISA	STAND-UP
Film festival	(revival of UP film festival)	(each film organization will produce films, it will be open to the university
Casting fair	(check)
Film workshops	(check)
Donation of films to AV library	(check)
Creation of online database on film matters		(list of available films in AV library, inventory of equipment available, schedule of borrowing of equipment, films featured at Cine Adarna, database of contacts for location, cast, equipment rentals, etc)
Start tradition of featuring a filmmaker per semester		(check)
Gallery of film-related materials during Mass Media Awareness Month		(check)
Consultations between film students and faculty, student council, and among the students		(check)
Community immersion		(docus and PSA to be shown at Cine Adarna as trailers and will be featured at MMAM)

SPOA for Journalism Department

Projects	ISA	STAND-UP
Journalism Workshops	Called The Pen dialogues	Called Coffee Write Up
Empowering freshies, shiftees and transferees	Called Journalism Primer: an orientation about the basics of journalism profession, its perks, challenges and career opportunities	Called Kalayaan Express: include a series of activities including a talent night
Creation of beat directory	(check)
Assisting Tinig ng Plaridel and UPJourn.net		(increase the popularity, aid in recruitment
Community immersion		(teaching of basic journalism to community)
Regularize department assemblies		(check)
Solidarity night	Called Journ us	(check)

]]> http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/news/2009/02/25/look-closely-cmc-parties-gpoas/feed/ 1 http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/news/2009/02/25/local-cmc-party-violates-election-code/ http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/news/2009/02/25/local-cmc-party-violates-election-code/#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2009 16:34:11 +0000 TNP http://www.tinigngplaridel.net/?p=208 By Ernica de Guzman
Tinig ng Plaridel / UPJourn.net

College of Mass Communication party Interdependent Student-Centered Activism (ISA) breached a provision of a memorandum released by the University Student Electoral Board by wearing shirts that show their party’s name and logo during the campaign period.

This issue was raised in CMC’s miting de avance dubbed “Hot off the grill” on Feb. 20 when a member of the audience asked if any party violated an election code.

Minutes before the mudslinging started, ISA candidates changed attire from party’s campaign shirts to plain shirts in order to comply with the said memorandum. Jovan Cerda, running for CMC representative, said they also consulted Dr. Lourdes Portus regarding the shirts on the same day.

“Ang importante lang po dito ay tinanong po namin at nakita niyo naman po kahit last minute ay gumawa po kami ng paraan para wala kaming ma-violate,” said Cerda.

Cerda also explained that they consider their shirts as “org shirts” and that they didn’t wear it “dahil gusto lang namin s’yang isuot. Dahil ito ung pagpapakita ng brand namin as an organization.”

“A week prior to this day, mineet po kami ni Dr. Portus, ang head ng CSEB (College Student Electoral Board),” said Rupert Mangilit, standard bearer for local council of Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP.

“There is no excuse for both parties na meron tayong na-overlook na mga rules,” added Mangilit.

This memorandum released on Jan. 30 and received by the CMC administration on Feb. 2 “reiterated and clarified” provisions in the university election code.

The memorandum stated that “T-shirts containing party names and logos and campaign slogans are deemed as political gimmickry and therefore prohibited,” as reference to the campaign guideline which states that “pins, buttons, badges, bookmarks, matches, T-shirts and other forms of political gimmickry including the giving/distribution of any form of material gift shall be prohibited.”

(Jo Javan Cerda, ISA candidate for CMC representative, is the editor in chief of Tinig ng Plaridel and has taken a leave of absence from editorial duties in light of his candidacy.)

The two parties vying for positions during this year’s College of Mass Communication (CMC) Student Council elections are both claiming that their platforms best represent students’ needs and issues.

According to standard-bearer Jali Fernando, Interdependent Student-Centered Activism (ISA) party will release its expanded general plan of action (GPOA) on Tuesday to ensure that the needs of the students are addressed.

“There have been very good suggestions that we will be including in our expanded GPOA this coming week. You’ll just have to look out for that,” she said.

ISA’s platform was earlier presented on the first week of the campaign period. It included plans of organizing an internship and job fair and media workshops. It also suggested empowering CMC interest groups such as Himig Maskom, Wild Cats and Mass Commotion and holding a dialogue with students before drafting a college statement on an issue.

She added, “From the very beginning, ISA made it clear that its platform is centered on the students. Although we acknowledge that we cannot separate ourselves from national and university issues, ISA believes that the duty of the Student Council of Mass Communication (as the name suggests) is first and foremost to serve the students in Mass Comm.”

Stand-UP GPOA released today

Rupert Mangilit, candidate for chairperson from rival party Student Alliance for Democratic Rights in UP (Stand-UP), said his party not only offers more specific and long-term projects, but that its plans also reflect what the students asked for during its efforts to consult them.

“Orgs are asking what we can temporarily provide while there aren’t any tambayans yet and what space we can give to unrecognized orgs. Film students asked what we can do to address the inefficiencies of the process of borrowing equipment and archives. BC department asked how we can go about the individual thesis policy. Students generally clamored for more efficient means of information dissemination,” Mangilit said.

Released today, Stand-UP’s GPOA and specific plans of action (SPOA) were formed during the party’s consultation with students during its room-to-room and organization-to-organization campaigns over the past week.

Mangilit said, “We encourage students to offer their skills and talents to the community and the basic masses.”

Stand-UP is also pushing for CMC to link with alliances within the university to push forward student concerns, as “(Stand-UP’s) projects have always been based on college issues but we can’t do them alone as a college.”

14 Pebrero 2009/ 1:30 pm

Upang mawala ang mga kontensyon hinggil sa kanyang pagtakbo bilang kinatawan ng mga mag-aaral ng College of Mass Communication (CMC) sa University Student Council, naghain ang bagong patnugot ng Tinig ng Plaridel (TNP) ng pansamantalang pagliban sa pahayagan.

Kandidato si Jovan Cerda ng partidong Interdependent Student-centered Activism (Isa), at kalaban niya sa posisyon si Angela Nolasco mula sa Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (Stand-UP).

Itinanghal si Cerda, third year na journalism major, bilang bagong patnugot ng opisyal na pahayagan ng mga mag-aaral ng CMC noong Enero, at wala pang nailalabas na isyu ng pahayagan mula noon.

Saad ni Cerda sa Collegian, minabuting niyang iwanan muna ang kanyang posisyon sa kabuuang panahon ng kampanya. Pansamantalan namang humalili si Sophia Balod bilang patnugot ng pahayagan.

Samantala, handa naman umano si Cerda na iwan ang kanyang posisyon sa TNP kung mananalo siya sa kanyang kandidatura.

Teknekalidad?
Ani Cerda, kung teknalidad ang pagbabatayan, hindi ipinagbabawal ang maaaring pagkakaroon niya ng posisyon sa TNP at sa USC. “What I have to worry about are people who might accuse me of putting TNP and CMC student council in conflict,” dagdag ni Cerda.

Ngunit ani Absolom Eligio, kasalukuyang kinatawan ng mga mag-aaral ng Department of Journalism, higit pa sa usapin ng kakayahan ang pagkakaroon ng tungkulin sa konseho at sa pahayagan ng kolehiyo. “It’s a matter of [Journalism] ethics,” saad ni Eligio.

Dagdag niya, nangangailangan ang TNP ng sapat na kawani upang maipagpatuloy ang pahayagan. “TNP has just recently been revived. It can’t afford to lose its staff,” aniya

By Andrew Jonathan Bagaoisan and Roehl Nino Bautista

Tinig ng Plaridel / UPJourn.Net

Candidates contending for council seats at the College of Mass Communication (CMC) this week began their two-and-a-half-week trek to the election by introducing their party slates and plans to the classes here.

The local unit of the university-wide Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP(STAND-UP) which holds the majority of seats in the incumbent CMC council, started their room-to-room lines picking up on the “Yes” turnout in last month’s student regent selection rules referendum.

STAND-UP candidates focused on their advocacies such as removing laboratory fees and resuming talks on the CMC organizations’ tambayans.

The candidates started campaigning Monday afternoon, said STAND-UP CMC chairperson candidate Rupert Mangilit. He said they would first carry their party’s university-wide lineup before stepping up their local campaign.

Rival party Interdependent Student-centered Activism (ISA) meanwhile promised to present all sides in consultation with the students before an ISA-led council released statements on issues.

They also laid out planned projects such as creating a student council website and starting a voter education campaign for the 2010 national elections.

ISA chairperson bet Jali Fernando said the campaign has been a “learning experience” for their candidates, most of whom had not run for council posts before.

The parties come to the classrooms in groups of five or more and ask the professor for time to campaign. For around ten to fifteen minutes they introduce their candidates, give the focus of their campaign,and answer any questions before they introduce their slate again and leave. University candidates also joined STAND-UP’s room-to-room rounds.

The parties have also set up their campaign booths on opposite ends of the CMC Skywalk, which connects the college’s two main buildings.

ISA has distributed its yellow-leafed general plans of action and put up posters for its candidates in two boards in the two CMC buildings only designated for posting campaign materials.

STAND-UP CMC has only posted materials for its university-wide standard bearers Airah Cadiogan and Jaqueline Joy Eroles. Mangilit said the party hopes to release its plans of action and campaign materials by Friday. They will have to consult their plans with CMC students before releasing them, he said.

With a report from Cherrie Ongteco