Brokenshirians press SC candidates as parties present platform
By Stephanie Anne Rabe and Andrea Mariallese Villafuerte, The Spark
Candidates from Remorse, Integrity, Service, and Encouragement (RISE) Party and SPEAK Party faced heated questions from Brokenshirians during the Miting de Avance for the High School Student Council (SC) Elections 2024 last Friday, August 2, at Brokenshire College Toril (BCT) Gymnasium.
RISE and SPEAK were “pressed by the press” and students twice, answering questions in the morning and afternoon about the implementation and funding of their proposed projects, and their stance on some issues present in the campus this school year.
Following the presentation of candidates and their platforms, a Grade 11 Humility student asked the candidates about where they would source the funds necessary to realize their plans.
SPEAK Party named methods such as merchandizing, fundraising, solicitations, donations, and support from ‘higher ups’ referring to the school administration.
“Mamaligya or mag-buy and sell kami ng mga products and yung mga pera na makuha namin is mapunta sa aming project(s),” said SPEAK vice president candidate Mary Angelie Panim.
Running for Presidency, Dexeena Rose Maratas of SPEAK also said that they may partner with student organizations for any possible income generating project they may jointly undertake.
RISE categorically claimed that they will not resort to money collection or any fundraising as their proposed initiatives may be made possible through ‘requested’ money from the school and government support.
RISE vice president candidate, Joseph Ryan Bula, highlighted that Barkada Kontra Droga (BKD) will be supported by the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) citing a specific regulation from the agency.
DDB is a Philippine government agency leading the country’s anti-illegal drug strategy.
“We can request a fund [from the government] for our projects na atung i-implement (like) our program, the Barkada Kontra Droga,” said Bula.
“Kahit isang centavo wala tay magawas kay supported na siya sa government,” public relations officer candidate Mikan Fabiolas added.
However, RISE candidate for secretary Troy Santinoh Vinedict Camangeg admitted that they will be needing funds for ‘tangible’ projects to be requested from the school.
Another audience member asked the candidates on how they plan to implement their proposed activities despite the earlier pronouncement made by a school official that BCT will be extra focused on academics this school year suggesting that there will be reduced time spent on extracurricular programs.
RISE claimed that their programs would not be a distraction and instead would supplement the school’s academic program as it involves educational activities such as ‘peer tutoring’ and symposia.
“May projects kami for education talaga like peer tutoring and study buddies,” RISE standard bearer Xee-Yan Zheña Mohamad said.
RISE Grade 12 STEM representative candidate also stressed that their party’s banner project BKD is first and foremost educational in nature.
SPEAK argued that their projects would not distract students from their academic obligations as their proposed programs do not pose heavy demands.
“We don’t need to gather here. Pwede naman sa classroom lang po–like volunteers lang, magpili lang ng mag punta didto. It’s not that heavy po,” said SPEAK Grade 12 STEM representative candidate Shayne Feliciano.
One student commented that their responses to the questions were confusing and did not really hit a mark.
In a separate interview, a Grade 11 Perseverance student, who wished to remain anonymous expressed their dissatisfaction with both of the parties’ remarks.
“May one question po dun na ‘how’yung first start ng question tapos di po nasagot nang maayos. So, bale hanggang ngayon pala-isipan pa (r)in po sa amin especially yung response nila. I think yung question is how will you implement the event na sinasabe nila if ever party list nila yung mananalo. Which is yung answer po nila is kinda malayo po sa question na ‘how’ binabalik balik lang po nila yung platform nila. Although okay naman po yung sagot nila dun, pero it didn’t give us any satisfaction,” commented the student they hoped the candidates would realize all their plans should they win.
Grade 12 Contentment students Reinejane Pontillas also commented that the parties’ platforms were just ‘name embellishment.’
“I noticed na daghan kaayo silag promise na kanang I promise to do this chu chu. Pero tinuod ba na na promise or pa char char lang for pahumot sa ilang pangalan,” said Pontillas calling out the solar panel plan of SPEAK ‘unnecessary’ and referring to RISE’s projects as ‘not enough.’
The Student Council Elections 2024 will take place Monday, August 5, 2024 at Brokenshire College Toril.
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