UP elections conclude with low voter turnout

MANILA, Philippines – (UPDATED) The University of the Philippines – Diliman University Student Council (USC) held its elections last Thursday, February 27, with a voter turnout of 48.07% (or 11,626) of the Diliman voting population, a slight decrease from last year’s 48.4% voter turnout. 

Three political parties dominate the state university: Student Alliance for the Advancement of Democratic Rights (STAND-UP), Nagkakaisang Iskolar para sa Pamantasan at Sambayanan (KAISA), and UP Alyansa ng mga Mag-aaral para sa Panlipunang Katwiran at Kaunlaran (ALYANSA).  

UP Alyansa’s standard bearers Arjay Mercado and JP Delas Nievas led the elections. Mercado won the position of chairperson, with 5,145 votes, beating STAND UP’s Erra Zabat, who got 3,034 votes, and KAISA’s Carla Gonzalez who got 1,416.  

Delas Nieves got 5,175 votes to clinch the vice chairperson position, beating STAND UP’s Neefa Macapado (3,894) and KAISA’s Ram Tomaneng (766). 

UP Alyansa’s advocacies include the passage of the Freedom of Information and Sin tax reform law. The party also opposes the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport Authority (APECO) and college frat-related violence. 

The party is also associated with Akbayan, which represents the moderate Left. STAND UP, on the other hand, is affiliated with militant and grassroots groups such as Anakbayan, Gabriela and the Kilusang Mayo Uno.  Meanwhile, UP KAISA operates on the principles of “academic excellence with social relevance” and “inclusive activism”.

There was a high number of declared ‘abstain’ votes for the two top positions with 2,032 abstain votes for chairman, and 1,791 for vice chairman.

Independent candidates Jethro David and Raymond Rodis topped the list of councilors, based on the number of votes. 

The members of the UP Diliman student council 2014-15 are the following: 

USC Chairperson: Arjay Mercado (ALYANSA)

 

USC Vice Chairperson: JP delas Nieves (ALYANSA)  

 

Councilors:

1. Jethro David (Independent) 

2. Raymond Rodis (Independent)

3. V Manalo (ALYANSA)

4. Mico Pangalangan (STAND UP)

5. Reg Rodriguez (ALYANSA) 

6. Tolits Tanaka (ALYANSA)

7. Walter Tamayo (ALYANSA) 

8. Carl Santos (STAND UP)

9. Pola Lamarca (ALYANSA) 

10. AJ Montesa (ALYANSA)

11. Jamie Bawalan (ALYANSA)

12. Mench Tilendo (STAND UP)

 

College Representatives to the USC:

Asian Insitute of Tourism: Ma. Cristine Bactol, START-AIT

College of Architecture: Raphaello Alba, Independent

College of Arts and Letters: Leslie Anne Marie Corpuz, STAND UP

College of Business Administration: Raphael Aaron Letaba,ALYANSA

College of Education: Tricia Roxas, TUGON

College of Engineering: Leo Lobigan, ALYANSA and Cheryl Siy, KAISA

College of Fine Arts: Ana Patricia Non, STAND UP

College of Home Economics: Sarah Esguerra, LEAD-CHE

College of Human Kinetics: Roi Kevin Marcial, ALYANSA

College of Law: Hannah Keila Garcia, Independent

College of Mass Communication: John Benedict Opinion, STAND UP

College of Music: Gabby Tinio, CAMERATA

College of Science: Ryan Lintao, KAISA

College of Social Sciences and Philosophy: Allan Pangilinan, BUKLOD CSSP

College of Social Work and Community Development: Audrey Antoniano, STAND UP

National College of Public Administration and Governance: Mikhail Solitario, Independent

School of Economics: Franzine Foronda, ALYANSA

School of Library and Information Studies: Ann Tan, STANDUP

School of Statistics: Cris Ian Mendoza, ALYANSA 

– Rappler.com / with reports from Tinig ng Plaridel and Raisa Serafica 

Editor’s note: In a previous version of this story Arjay Mercado was identified as a member of UP KAISA in the list of incoming student council members. He is a member of UP ALYANSA. We have made the necessary correction. Also, a counting error was made on the votes of ALYANSA candidate Reg Rodriguez and KAISA candidate Reg Punzalan, placing the latter at the sixth councilor seat. STAND UP candidate Mench Tilendo will be taking up the twelfth councilor seat.