Summary of a most unusual week

Hello all. I have not abandoned this blog---I've just been lacking the time to write. In between academics and a recent illness, I've had few opportunities to really find out what's the story with the FIRST University Student Government Elections.

It is a most unusual election, truth be told. Apart from the implementation of the new government, there is the fact that the election appears to be unilateral. Yes, the rumor is true: TAPAT is not fielding any candidates at this point in time. This means that SANTUGON has to capture a majority vote of 50% + 1 in order to assure that their bets will hold office this upcoming academic year.

It's a double whammy, truth be told. There is no telling how prepared the SANTUGON bets are for the possibility of implementing the USG all by themselves---the fact is that last academic year, the USG was being pushed by TAPAT.

With regard to the SPOAs (specific plans of action)...all I can say is that I believe that some of these programs can aim higher and to do much more. La Sallians are more than capable of handling programs that are basically expansions or maintenance of initiatives that have happened in the past administrations. In this day and age, we need to innovate, not just to ensure the mandate and support of ALL the batches, but to address the needs of the student body.

The question of abstaining
This is tricky. Some quarters say that abstaining is the better way to go if one does not believe in the programs, platforms or profiles being raised this election. Basically this entails writing one's name on the ballot and dropping it in, blank. Others believe in outright boycotting of the election. I think that this latter step is not just foolhardy, but it can be construed as a violation. Boycotting WILL lead to a dreaded scenario known as "failure of elections". This is what happens when majority of the student body does not turn up at the polls. And surely La Sallians cannot leave their student government unmanned, can they?

Now what about abstaining? This is a two edged sword: a statement and a roadblock as well. It can very well lead to some people getting elected, and some posts being left without a properly elected person to fill them in. But at the very least, there would be some governance.

My stand: vote who you want to, and leave the space blank if you believe that another person is better suited for the job. You do not have to go derecho or nothing.

This weird situation has raised a few philosophical questions in my mind about student governance and its role. Which I may have to discuss elsewhere. For now, I'd better head back to work, and if I am lucky, to the miting de avance.