DLSU student government endorses opposition bets
Senatorial candidates and party-list representatives endorsed by the De La Salle University (DLSU) University Student Government (USG) engaged with interested Lasallian voters at the USG’s “Pulso ng Lasalyano” press conference at the Pardo Hall, Henry Sy Sr. Hall in DLSU last May 2.
DLSU president Br. Bernard Oca FSC opened the conference by expressing his support for the initiative: “‘Pulso ng Lasalyano’ is one of the many modern-day testaments to the Lasallian mission, that is, to instill in our students a sense of social responsibility and an active interest and involvement in nation building.”
Ken Cayanan, deputy minority leader of the USG Legislative Assembly (LA), then outlined the principles and overall procedure that guided the student government in its endorsements. Cayanan stated in Filipino that the LA chose those who believe in universal access to quality education, genuine land reforms for farmers, a secure West Philippine Sea for fisherfolk, a living wage for all workers, and the importance of the voice of the youth.
The selection, however, was not exclusively made by the LA; it stands as a reflection of the voice of the general Lasallian population. All party-list and most of the senatorial endorsements were selected from the top results in the USG’s “Boto Lasalyano 2025” mock elections last March 29, where a list of recommendations was drafted last April 12 for submission.
The USG officially endorsed those same nine Senate runners and three party lists last April 28.
More than just a vote
USG president Ashley Francisco introduced each candidate, and reminded fellow students, “Ito ay higit pa sa isang boto. Ang boto mo ay hindi lamang para sa iyo; ito rin ay para sa kabataan at sa buong sambayanang Pilipino. (This is more than just one vote. Your vote is not only for yourself, but for the youth and the Filipino nation as a whole.)”
In attendance were Labor leaders Ka Leody de Guzman and Atty. Luke Espiritu, as well as Anna Leah Colina, representing Atty. Sonny Matula. Mamamayang Liberal Party list was represented by its eighth nominee, Juliana Riparip; Akbayan Partylist (Akbayan) by fourth nominee Justine Balane; and Kabataan Party list by National Party President Julius Cantiga.
Heidi Mendoza, Bam Aquino, Kiko Pangilinan, Rep. Arlene Brosas, Ronnel Arambulo, and Akbayan were not present, but Mendoza, Aquino, and Atty. Chel Diokno for Akbayan provided videos in their stead.
Each candidate and party list representative began their statements by thanking the University for its endorsement of progressive and opposition voices and for providing them a platform to share their individual advocacies. Espiritu emphasized the importance of an institution’s student government to advocate for progressive stances rather than being nonpartisan.
De Guzman echoed Espiritu’s sentiment, remarking, “Natuwa ako dahil hindi lang pala ako, kung ‘di halos lahat ng mga kandidatong progresibo ay sinama [in the list of endorsed candidates]. (I was pleased because almost all of the progressive candidates were endorsed.)”
United
After their introductions, the candidates further clarified their positions by answering a number of questions from the audience. Notably, the candidates completely united against the privatization of public services, shared objectives to aid marginalized groups, and acknowledged the vital role of the youth in the national and local elections.
Cantiga elaborated the latest point: “[Mahalaga rin] ‘yung voice natin (the youth) sa social media. Ang rampant ngayon sa social media ay hindi ‘yung platforms ng progressive candidates kundi ‘yung misinformation and disinformation against progressive candidates. (Our voice on social media is also important. What is rampant in social media now is not the platforms of the progressive candidates, but misinformation and disinformation against progressive candidates.)”
More than simply casting their votes and refraining from being impartial, young people were urged to take a proactive role in the electoral process. The endorsees present urged the audience to take a stand and actively campaign for their chosen candidates, from house-to-house efforts to leveraging social media.
“‘Yang nonpolitical, nonpartisan, neutral sa panahon na talagang lumalakas ang dinastiya, ang kademonyohan, ang kasamaan, at ang kadiliman, ‘yan ay isang political stand in favor of the status quo. Therefore, I don’t only say thank you to the USG—ako’y saludong-saludo sa inyo (Being nonpolitical, nonpartisan, or neutral in times of dynasties, evil, and darkness is a political stand in favor of the status quo. Therefore, I don’t only say thank you to the USG—I salute you),” Espiritu said.
