... Review of our campus politics

Title

extracted text

Isn't it electioneering? The university of san carLOS has fulfilled its mission in providing the students with the opportunity to learn good politics. The first semester of this year mark ed the establishment ol the USC Supreme Student Council. The theories on government in a de mocracy that are taught in the classrooms can now be applied through this student government. It all began with an election of its officers. It is significant to note that the election was very eventful. It left stories to tell and experiences to recall. During the election, this interesting experience happened: A young lady politely approach ed a gentleman and said: "Mister, will you kindly vote for my candidate. Miss so-and-so?" The gentleman slowly turned his back and inquired: "Who is she, is she ... beautiful?" "Certainly, she is," the lady answered. "Where is she? I'll see her first," he said further. "It is I, Mister," she seriously countered. The gentleman smiled and said: "I beg to differ with your descrip tion, Madame." Really, nowadays good appear ance gives more weight than intel lectual ability. Had the lady been beautiful she could have received his vote. The best candidate for an elec tive post in national or campus po litics is the glamour boy or the glamour girl. Hence, Mr. Jose Yulo took the movie actor, Rogelio de la Rosa, as one of his candidates for Senator. Differences could be traced bet ween campus politics and national Were candidates sold according to personalities? longs to a party that has an estab lished name and has won the con fidence of the people. In campus politics the candidate who prints the most number of sample ballots and propaganda materials is as sured of winning the election. Good qualifications seem to be immaterial and will not count much, for the one who is most efficient in distri buting handbills for himself gets elected. In the recent USC Student Coun cil election, this tendency was noted to be true. Wrong choice of can didates resulted. To be honest about it, there were those who were elected with nothing to qualify them for the position in the Council. There were candidates who were elected merely because of their being handsome or beautiful. This is besides those who won because they were bold enough to distri bute cards and posters for them selves. Party affiliation was dis counted. The election was a con test on self-preservation procedure. . . Review Of course, this is not to underesti mate those who were elected by their own merits. As a matter of For more photos, See PICTORIAL SECTION politics. In real politics, it's the party affiliation that assures a can didate of victory. An unknown candidate may still win if he befact, the important posts of the coun cil were filled up with highly de serving men. Everybody got equal chances of Page 6 THE CAROLINIAN showing his worth. Nobody was branded as a Racuyal, Aninao or a Malapino. If he was officially en rolled he was perfectly qualified to run for any post in the Council. Academic record, sex and conduct were not considered. CAMPUS POLITICS • • • ••••••• by samuel b. fabroz • Was the election properly con ducted? One cannot be perfect. But what more do we expect? Ir regularity is part of the game. And that's democracy. The 1949 national elections went down in the history of Philippine politics as the most shocking election ever had by us. Yet, we look at it as only an edge mark for future improvement. When Carolinians went to the polls during the last Student Coun cil, they were demonstrating and applying the principles and proce dures they learned from the class rooms. They were rehearsing a norm of conduct which they may later on apply in real life. The Carolinians gave their man date in favor of Vicente Balbuena for the Presidency. He deserves the verdict. He got a big majority. His election was not a surprise to any body. He was expected to win; there was no issue against him. The issues against his opponents were terrible. The vice-presidency went to Jose Deen. Voters did not hesitate to go with him. Further, he put on an effective strategy. He promised to give a "good holiday" to all his co-engineering students if the en tire department would go solid for him. And nobody in his depart ment dared to vote against him. They might miss the sizzling steak at the downtown restaurant. President-elect Vicente Balbuena, giving his address during the Induction of the officers of the USC Supreme Student Council. There were 74 official candidates for Senator. Yet, only eleven sena torial posts were to be filled up. Mr. Teresito Escario garnered the most number of votes followed by Mr. Antonio Dakay. The following were elected senators: Teresito Es cario, Antonio Dakay, Marietta Alonso, Manuel Villarosa, Alex Vil lacastin, Manuel Valenzuela, Vicen te Bendanillo, Eduardo Rosello, Ra mon Roska, Betty Antonio and An thony Sian. For Secretary, Miss Maria Celsa Briones garnered a considerable majority over her rival. Mr. Simeon Ancheta was elected Treasurer and Miss Annie Ratcliffe, Auditor. For Press Relations Officer, Mr. Sixto Abao, Jr. won. Meanwhile, the newly-formed Supreme Student Council has pledged to frame its constitution and by-laws. Mr. Erasmo Diola of the College of Law was officially designated Chairman to prepare and draft the provisions of said constitution. The Supreme Student Council was established only very shortly before the close of the first semester. Inspite of that, however, it did some thing beneficial to all the student populace prior to the closure of classes. Discounts on transportation fares were extended to the students then going home to spend their semestral vacation. It is hard to guess what the Council will accom plish during this semester. Never theless, with the spirit shown by the officers, much can still be ex pected. For the meantime, let us just wait and see. fl Page 7

Date

1957

Rights

In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted

Media