BulSU SG Pres, SR posts to be separated; open-party system set for 2025 elex
Sheila Mae Natividad & John Josua Jusi
The separation of the Student Government (SG) President and the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) positions at Bulacan State University (BulSU) has been announced to take effect in 2025 student elections during the second general assembly of the student council members held at Carpio Hall on November 9, 2024.
In a three-page resolution authored by SG Senator Elijah Canlas on September 16 last year, it was stated that the university has adopted the Revised BulSU Charter, or Republic Act 11980, declaring the academic year 2024–2025 as a Transition Term of Office to prepare for and facilitate the full implementation of the new SG Constitution and By-Laws (CBL).
“Ang usapin tungkol sa kapasidad ng pagboto [sa Student Regent] na nakalaan lamang para sa mga elected Student Government officials mula sa LSC [Local Student Council] at SSC [Supreme Student Council] ay batay sa alituntunin ng ‘federation system’ na sinusunod ng konseho,” Canlas explained.
“Sa sistemang ito, ang mga opisyal na halal mula sa bawat kolehiyo at campus ang may mandato na pumili ng susunod na Student Regent, bilang kinatawan ng kanilang mga estudyante,” the senator added.
During the assembly, the current SG President and Student Regent, Queenie Quintero, pointed out that the structural shift in the political landscape of BulSU will make her the last leader to serve as both SG President and Student Regent.
This change follows the turnout of the revised SG CBL plebiscite during the last student elections, which garnered 14,901 “yes” votes against 3,983 “no” votes.
“I think this is a step na magiging mataas ang political participation ng BulSUan pero siyempre, hindi lang dapat matapos sa multi-party [system] ang pagpapataas no’n [political participation], pero mas magkakaroon sila ng laya at ‘di na makukulong sa dalawang partido,” Quintero noted in an interview.
Electoral transitions
On the other hand, newly appointed Chairman of the University Commission on Student Elections (UCSE) Gelo Lopez stated that the 2024 trial for student elections using the online-hybrid setup achieved the highest election turnout in BulSU’s history.
“Katunayan, higit na mas naging epektibo ang setup sa pagpapataas ng election turnout or participation ng bawat BulSUan. Kaya naman iminumungkahi ng komisyon ang pagpapatuloy ng ganitong proseso ng pagboto,” Lopez stated.
However, when asked about the electoral processes during the transition, including the separation of the SG Presidency and Student Regency, Chairperson Lopez emphasized that they could not provide answers yet, as it remains under the discretion of the current student council.
“Since nabanggit naman po na ang separation na ito ay under nila [SG], mas mainam po siguro na hintayin natin kung ano po ‘yung mapagdedesisyunan nila sa kanilang resolution,” the chairman concluded.
In line with this, SG President and SR Quintero further explained that holding another election to choose the next Student Regent is not possible due to budget constraints.
According to Quintero, the previous student elections cost over P300,000, which led to the adoption of a federation system under the revised SG CBL. In this system, LSC and SSC officials will vote on behalf of their fellow students.
Open-party system
Meanwhile, the views of BulSUans on the changes in the political landscape appeared divided.
Micailla Isidro, a first-year journalism student from the College of Arts and Letters (CAL), expressed that the changes in the selection process of governing posts could have advantages.
“I think it will be beneficial, considering na mas malawak ‘yung magiging landscape niya, mas magiging inclusive siya, and mas may possibility na mas diverse siya,” Isidro said.
Apart from the two dominant political parties in BulSU, BulSUOne (B1) and Katipunan Student Movement (KSM), other political groups, including independent candidates, will be allowed to vie for seats in the upcoming elections.
“Sa ganitong paraan, mas magkakaroon ng labanang nakabatay sa plataporma at kakayahan, hindi lamang sa nakasanayan o popular na partido,” Senator Canlas affirmed.
As written in the resolution, UCSE will promulgate a new election code consistent with the provisions of the 2024 SG CBL.
Nadine Tagarino, a second-year student from the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP), noted that while an open-party system promotes inclusivity, it requires further assessment.
“Ang paghihiwalay ng mga posisyon ng SG President at Student Regent ay isang hakbang patungo sa mas malalim na representasyon at specialization. Ang ganitong setup ay maaaring magpabuti ng transparency at accountability, ngunit kailangan nito ng maayos na koordinasyon,” she mentioned.
In contrast, fourth-year journalism student Regine Dayao opposed the separation of the voting processes for SG President and Student Regent.
“Kung sino ang mananalong president-elect sa SG, it’s the best na siya din sa SR para aligned na din ‘yung plans ng SG at SR. May possibility na kapag nagbukod sila e hindi magkakapareho ang plano ng bawat department,” Dayao stated.
During the general assembly, SG President Quintero stressed the urgency of selecting the next Student Regent (SR) before her term ends in May 2025 to ensure BulSUans remain represented in the Board of Regents (BOR).
Quintero-led student government and regency
In her remaining months as SG President and SR, Queenie Quintero said she would continue lobbying for the needs of students, fulfilling her campaign promise of a “safe space for all.”
“Nagkaroon din tayo ng consultation sa bawat kolehiyo at external [campuses] kada buwan kung saan nakikita natin ‘yung mga [problemang] dapat tugunan,” the incumbent president said.
“Hindi pa rin accessible ang edukasyon para sa lahat. Kinakampanya pa rin natin ang paglaban sa mga mandatory fees kagaya ng thesis fees at iba pang mga binabayaran sa unibersidad,” she added.
When asked about raising awareness on the changes brought by the SG CBL and BulSU system, Quintero highlighted the need for a caravan to disseminate information to every college and satellite campus.
“Magkakaroon tayo ng campaign on this one. Bawat representante sa mga classroom o mga mayors [ay] dapat na mapagana natin sila at maipaliwanag ang mga pagbabagong kailangan sundin na naaayon sa batas,” Quintero declared.
Moreover, the SG and UCSE assured that their offices would exert necessary efforts to address concerns and ensure that the changes in BulSU’s political landscape are well-communicated to the student body.
“Hinggil naman sa pagboto, ang system po kasi na ginamit po natin last election ay designed para sa open-party [online-hybrid setup] which means kaunting changes na lang ang kailangan nating i-apply to adopt ‘yung open-party system,” UCSE Chairman Lopez told.
Sheila Mae Natividad is the Editor-in-Chief of Pacesetter for A.Y. 2024–2025. She is a fourth-year journalism student from the College of Arts and Letters.
John Josua Jusi is the Associate Editor of Pacesetter for A.Y. 2024–2025. He is a second-year broadcasting student from the College of Arts and Letters.
