USC activities for Local College Councils

USC Finance Committee holds marketing seminar; rummage sale

The University Student Council's (USC) Finance Committee and UP Junior Marketing Association (JMA) organized a finance and marketing seminar for local college councils "Go the extra M.I.L.E.S: Marketing in Leadership Excellence Seminar" last June 27 in SE 111. The School of Economics Student Council participated and also assisted the USC and JMA by providing the venue and equipment for the event.

Speakers which include JMA alumni, officers, and USC Councilor Aisa King, shared tips on branding your council, project management, and efficient handling of resources.

Another finance and marketing seminar to be spearheaded by USC Councilor and UPSE student Jo Latuja will be conducted for UP organizations in July.

The Finance Committee also held a rummage sale in Balara last June 31. Although the Finance Committee's primary responsibility is to monitor and account for USC's money, the rummage sale was held to assist the Ways and Means Committee in generating funds for the USC.

The Finance Committee is headed by councilor-elect Aisa King with members councilors-elect Nina Acasio, Jo Latuja, and college-representatives Dindin Grey, Jordan Ursua, Oliver Co, and Mae Mangaong.


Four teams vie for the first LCC-USC cup

The University Student Council's Sports and Fitness Committee organized the first Local College Councils (LCC)- University Student Council (USC) Tournament last June 20 held at the Sunken Garden.

The School of Economics Student Council (SESC) was part of the BLUE team together with College of Home Economics Student Council, College of Mass Communications Student Council, and the University Student Council. Games include Tug-of-War, Egg Relay Contest, and Catch the Dragon's Tail. The BLUE team placed third among the teams who participated in the event.

The tournament was organized by the Sports and Fitness Committee spearheaded by College of Human Kinetics Representative Mec Fajardo with councilors-elect Nina Acasio, Noel Reyes and college representatives Dindin Grey, Paula Mendoza, and Leni Papa as members .

USC on the Human Security Act, Gay Pride, and New Dormitory Admission Policy

USC holds forum on the Human Security Act

The University Student Council (USC) Students' Legal Aid and Action Center (SLAAC) headed by Law Representative Leni Papa together with the Law Student Government (LSG) National Affairs Committee, the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council, and the USC Education and Research Committee held "Terorista ka ba?: A forum on the Human Security Act." Two hundred students attended the forum held at PH 400 last June 29, 2007. The law will take effect on July 14, 2007.

Speakers for the event were Professor Harry Roque and Professor Theodore Te from the UP College of Law, Congresswoman Etta Rosales from Akbayan, and Ms. Ronalyn Olea from Bayan. Professor Harry Roque provided the the international context in which the Anti-Terrorism law was legislated and will be implemented. Congresswoman Etta Rosales on the other hand talked about the Anti-Terror law's history before it was passed in Congress. Professor Theodore Te then explained the many legal issues that plague the said bill while Ms. Ronalyn Olea discussed the said law in line with President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's repressive policies. All speakers pointed out how the bill's vagueness, combined with its broad definition of what constitutes an act of terrorism, and the presence of other laws and court decisions that protect the country from acts of terrorism should render the law void. According to Professor Thedore Te, the Human Security Act "allows State agents to exercise discretion without clear standards." Ms. Eleanor Abellar of the LSG National Affairs Committee hosted the event.

The forum was spearheaded by USC Councilor Third Bagro and LSG National Affairs Committee member Emma Manlague. Yours truly is part of SLAAC and the organizing team of the said event together with college representative Oliver Co .


To view the event's pictures click here. To view the powerpoints of the speakers, right click on their underlined names above and click Save As. You can read the full text of the Human Security Act by clicking here.

***
In response, the UP School of Economics Student Council's Office of the Economics Representative and Education and Research Committee will spearhead an information drive in UPSE regarding the said law.

***

USC celebrates Pride Week

The University Student Council (USC) Gender Committee headed by College of Education Representative Paula Mendoza held a series of activities in its week-long celebration of Gay Pride Week. The week started off with the launch of a pride exhibit displayed for the whole week at the College of Education lobby. The roving exhibit will next be displayed at the Palma Hall lobby from July 16 to July 20. Mr. Marcel Punongbayan of Pro-Gay served as one of the reactors in Terorista Ka Ba: A Forum on the Human Security Act held last July 29, tackling the issue from the perspective of LGBTs (Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, Trangenders). The week culminated in a night of poetry and music for LGBTs entitled 13 YEARS OF PHILIPPINE PRIDE: Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals, and Transgenders in the Emergence of Human Security ACT of 2007 held at Likha Diwa Coffee Shop, Krus na Ligas last July 30. The night featured performances from Karatula, Kontra-Gapi, Alay-Sining, UP Writers Club, UP Repertory Company.

***

USC holds consultation, camp-out protest for dormers

The University Student Council Dormitories, Organizations, Fraternities, and Sororities (DOFS) Committee convened representatives from different dormitories within UP in order to address the many problems and issues arising from the implementation of the new dormitory policy last June 16.

The convened body then spearheaded a camp-out protest last June 17, 5-9pm, at the Yakal Open Grounds to call on the administration expedite the allocation of the remaining dorm slots to deserving students; release the list of accepted dorm applicants—with the corresponding point equivalents; review, revise, and reform the rules for dorm application.

The DOFS committee is headed by Patrick Joseph Daep. Councilor Third Bagro, a member of the DOFS committee, convened the said assembly.

Here is the USC Press Release and the UPSE's E-React Board on the said issue.

TERORISTA KA BA? A forum on the Human Security Act of 2007

The University Student Council Students' Legal Aid and Action Committe (SLAAC)

with the
UP LSG National Affairs Committee
UP CSSP Student Council and
USC Education and Research Committee

invites you to

To read the PDF version of the Human Security Act of 2007, click here.

********************************************

Greetings!

The University of the Philippines Student Council (USC), in its thrust of offering a wide array of services for the holistic development of the iskolar ng bayan, has instituted the Students’ Legal Aid and Action Committee (SLAAC). It is a paralegal support center that champions the legal rights of the students and the UP Community through a three-fold strategy:


1. Education – awareness campaigns, information dissemination
2. Mediation – conflict resolution
3. Collaboration – initial assessment of cases, advocacy of causes

In acting as the guardian of student legal rights, the SLAAC, in cooperation with the UP Law Student Government National Affairs Committee (LSG-NAC), the UP College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council (CSSP SC), and the USC Education and Research Committee (USC-EDRES), will kick-off the start of the academic year with a roundtable discussion on one of the most urgent issues facing the country today – the Human Security Act of 2007 (Anti-Terror Bill). This statute has been the subject of fierce debates in its enactment early this year, and has gained notoriety even in the international community for its constitutionally problematic implications affecting each and every Filipino. The United Nations Special Rapporteur recognized the danger of this legislation when he commented that such legislation “could have a negative impact on human rights in the country and undermines the rule of law”.

The main points of controversy are found in, but not limited to, the following:

1. Acts Punished – vague definitions of terrorism and terrorist acts
2. Rights Undermined
Privacy – authority granted to Government to examine bank records of certain groups and/or individuals
Liberty – new rules on pre-charge detention and post-bail restrictions on movement
Association – capacity granted to Government to name certain groups as terrorists

In a socio-political environment made tense by election controversies, ceaseless corruption charges, vigilante killings, and manifest poverty, the Human Security Act of 2007 is a chilling legislative answer to terrorism in the country.

And this statute is set to take effect in July, 2007.

It is high time that the iskolar ng bayan be informed of the ramifications of this law on his person, and be aware of the remedies available to protect his rights. The SLAAC, with the LSG-NAC, the CSSP-SC and the USC-EDRES, invite your organization to participate in the forum on the Human Security Act of 2007, entitled Terorista Ka Ba?, on June 29, 4:00 -5:30 PM at the Palma Hall Room 400. Atty. Theodore Te, a respected professor from the UP College of Law, will provide an in-depth discussion of the law in relation to our status both as students of the university and as seeds of hope of the country.

We look forward to your attendance and input in this event.

Cheers!



Yours truly,


THIRD BAGRO
Project Co-Head
09279125258

EMMA MAGLAQUE
Project Co-Head
09178358206

LENI PAPA
Head, SLAAC
09179774147

GET READY TO ENTER THE KALEIDOSCOPE!

Together with the Media and Publicity Councilor, we spearheaded the School of Economics' Student Council's event as we usher in the new academic year. Here are some highlights of the activities and drives we pursued:

The SESC Freshmen Welcome Assembly
Click here to access the SESC's FRESHE(co)N UP! PRIMER.

College briefing for Freshmen: A preview on UPSE's registration process, scholastic delinquency rules, academic requirements with a dose of fun and games last May 8, 2007.

Click here to access SESC's College Briefing Primer.

WELCOME BACK PACK: An information drive for Econ students, especially for Econ freshmen, as we welcomed them for the new academic year. If you wish to access again the School of Economics' WELCOME BACK PACK, click on the following links:

LIBRE: Listed Informational Brochure on Free Electives
REG IT UP! Things you need to remember about UPSE's Registration Process.

These primers can also be accessed at your batch e-group or at www.econ.upd.edu.ph/~sesc

USC Committees and Heads

After two separate meetings on April 20 and May 24 and two days of sem planning from April 21-22, the following University Student Council members were elected as committee heads:

Standing Committees:
as stated in the USC Constitution
Finance – Aisa King (USC Councilor)
Secretariat – Sarah Cabrera (USC Councilor)
Mass Media – Mars Veloso (USC Councilor)
Ways and Means – Paolo Mapula (USC Councilor)
*only councilors may head standing committees

Special Standing Committees:
The following committees are considered special standing since they are established as proposed. The USC first decides if there is a need for that committee and then votes from the proponents the committee head.

Academic Concerns – Kiko Serina (College of Eng’g Rep)
Committee on the Culture and Arts – Jeff Crisostomo (USC Councilor)
Community Rights and Welfare (CRAW) – Anton Dulce (CSWCD Rep)
Dorms, Orgs, Frats and Soros(DOFS) – Pajo Daep (USC Councilor)
Education and Research – Bang Dizon (CAL Rep)
Freshmen Committee – Pastor Dimaano (USC Councilor)
Graduate Committee – Kamar ibn-Alawi Muhammad (Institute of Islamic Studies Rep)
Gender Committee – Paula Mendoza (Educ Rep)
Lobbying Committee – Miko Nacino (NCPAG Rep)
Management of Environment, Security, and Health – Ralph Penafiel (Arki Rep)
People’s Struggle – Angel Clemente (Stat Rep)
Sports and Fitness – Mec Fajardo (CHK Rep)
Students’ Legal Aid and Action Committee (SLAAC) – Leni Papa (Law Rep)
Student Rights and Welfare (STRAW)- Ipay Bolibol (USC Councilor)

University Student Council 2007-2008 Members

The first article came from the April 2007 issue of UPSE’s SIDHI, while the second article came from the March 12, 2007 news of the Philippine Collegian.

Abdulwahid leads USC ‘07-‘08
by Adrian Sadongdong

Shahana Abdulwahid of the Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP) was declared the next chairperson of the UP Diliman University Student Council (USC) last March 7, a day after the elections. Abdulwahid garnered 4,365 votes, way above 3,225 votes obtained by Chesa Baltazar of Alyansa and 1,609 votes received by Hernan Barce of Kaisa. The vice-chairperson post was even more interesting with a close fight between Viktor Fontanilla of Alyansa and Ma. Isabel Artajo of STAND-UP. Fontanilla won by just 134 votes over Artajo.

Aside from filling the two highest positions in the council, Alyansa and STAND-UP equally shared the twelve slots for councilors with Alyansa candidate Herminio Bagro III ranking first in the list. UP School of Economics (UPSE) students Noel Reyes and Jo-ann Latuja, both from Alyansa as well, got the third and sixth spots for councilors, respectively.

Seven college representative seats were filled by STAND-UP candidates from Architecture, Arts and Letters, Education, Fine Arts, Social Welfare and Community Development, Statistics, as well as Library and Information Science. Representatives from Social Sciences and Philosophy, Business Administration, Science, Law, and Economics came from Alyansa. Alyansa also won the seat in the College of Engineering along with Kaisa which won three more seats in Home Economics, Tourism, and Public Administration. Two independent candidates from Mass Communication and Human Kinetics also got into the list of college representatives.

Of the 33 USC positions, STAND-UP won 14 seats, only one seat higher than Alyansa. Kaisa and independent candidates managed to get the six remaining posts. Below is the roster of USC officers for A.Y. 2007-2008:

Chairperson: Shahana Abdulwahid
Vice-chairperson: Viktor Fontanilla
Councilors (ranked according to number of votes):
1. Herminio Bagro III
2. Ma. Dalisay King
3. Noel Ricardo Reyes
4. Marcelino Veloso III
5. Paolo Marco Mapula
6. Jo-Ann Latuja
7. Nina Marie Angela Acasio
8. Patrick Joseph Daep
9. Vanessa Faye Bolibol
10. Jeffrey Crisostomo
11. Pastor Dimaano
12. Sarah Cabrera

Economics Representative to the USC: Marian Angelica Panganiban

***

STAND-UP seals most of USC posts
ALYANSA on a close second
By Jerrie M. Abella

Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights in UP (STAND-UP) secured the highest number of posts in the University Student Council (USC) elections on March 6.

STAND-UP bet Shahana Abdulwahid was elected chair, with 4,365 votes. STAND-UP also clinched six councilors and seven college representatives. (see sidebar)

Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA), meanwhile, came on a close second, with ALYANSA candidate Viktor Fontanilla elected as vice chair. Six councilors and six college representatives also came from the said party.

Completing the list of college representatives are three candidates from Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan and two independent contenders.

Higher voter turnout
The recent USC elections also saw an increase in the voter turnout from 41.68 percent last year to 45.21 percent. Out of 21,788 enrolled students, only 9,850 voted.

The colleges with the highest turnouts are the Asian Institute of Tourism (70.40 percent), the College of Law (70), the College of Architecture (65.47), the School of Economics (65.16), and the College of Business Administration (61.98).

The schools of Urban and Regional Planning, and Labor and Industrial Relations, meanwhile, posted the lowest turnouts at 5.43 and 10.88, respectively.

Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Elizabeth Enriquez points to the computerization of elections in the College of Engineering (CE) and the School of Statistics, which posted turnout of 50.26 and 46.20 percent respectively, as a possible reason behind the increase. A total of 1,853 students from CE voted.

Enriquez said she will propose a gradual computerization of the USC elections starting from the college level next year.

Opposing groups
Abdulwahid’s and Fontanilla’s political parties hold opposing views with regard to the recently approved 300 percent tuition and other fee increases (TFI) in UP.

STAND-UP, one of the staunchest critics of the TFI, believes that the tuition hike is a form of commercialization of education and calls for the withdrawal of the TFI.

On the other hand, ALYANSA, is in favor of the TFI while pushing for the review of the Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program brackets.

Abdulwahid said her immediate plan is to meet with UP President Emerlinda Roman and UP Diliman Chancellor Sergio Cao, where UP’s plans for its centennial next year and student issues like TFI will be discussed.

Fontanilla, meanwhile, said he will lead the League of College Councils in drafting a “unified stand” on the TFI.

Election winners will be proclaimed during the freshmen orientation program in June. # With reports from Cheska Montes

USC election results

CHAIRPERSON
Shahana Abdulwahid, STAND-UP

VICE CHAIRPERSON
Viktor Samuel Fontanilla, ALYANSA

COUNCILORS
Herminio Bagro III, ALYANSA
Ma. Dalisay King, ALYANSA
Noel Ricardo Reyes, ALYANSA
Marcelino Veloso III, STAND-UP
Paolo Marco Mapula, STAND-UP
Jo-Ann Latuja, ALYANSA
Niña Marie Angela Acasio, ALYANSA
Patrick Joseph Daep, STAND-UP
Vanessa Faye Bolibol, STAND-UP
Jeffrey Crisostomo, ALYANSA
Pastor Dimaano, STAND-UP
Sarah Cabrera, STAND-UP

COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVES

ARCHITECTURE
Ralph Peñafiel, STAND-UP

ASIAN INSTITUTE OF TOURISM
Mae-Ann Mangaoang, KAISA

ARTS & LETTERS
Rose Angelique Dizon, STAND-UP

FINE ARTS
Angela Rae Sombillo, STAND-UP

MASS COMMUNICATION
Anne Kathleen Malolos, INDEPENDENT

BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
Oliver Allan Co, ALYANSA

ENGINEERING
Francis Seriña, KAISA
Jordan Ursua, ALYANSA

SOCIAL SCIENCES & PHILOSOPHY
Mae Emmeline Palgan, ALYANSA

SCIENCE
Gianina Kasandra Grey, ALYANSA

SOCIAL WORK & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Rafael Anton Dulce, STAND-UP

EDUCATION
Paula Mae Mendoza, STAND-UP

INSTITUTE OF LIBRARY & INFORMATION SCIENCE
Gerald Peña, STAND-UP

SCHOOL OF STATISTICS
Mary Angelica Clemente, STAND-UP

HOME ECONOMICS
Juan Miguel Eslava, KAISA

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION & GOVERNANCE
J Mikhail Nacino, KAISA

HUMAN KINETICS
Jemima Katrina Fajardo, INDEPENDENT

SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
Marian Angelica Panganiban, ALYANSA

LAW
Maria Leonila Papa, ALYANSA

***

Institute of Islamic Studies Representative Appointed

Kamarrudin bin-Alawi Muhammad was appointed by the Institute of Islamic Studies local council as their representative to the University Student Council.

Since the current University Student Council (USC) constitution and the Student Code does not contain sufficient provisions regarding the election or appointment of student representatives from colleges offering only graduate degree programs (e.g. School of Urban and Regional Planning, School of Labor and Industrial Relations) , the USC 2007-2008 deliberated and discussed the procedure through which they become official members of the USC last April 15-16.

Muhammad assumes the functions of a college representative.