Seven candidates denied of reconsideration by USEB majority; petitions raised to USET

By Kezia Shane Reyes & Summer Jan Forrest Untalan

Photo by Karen Nicole Ala

Ruled by the majority vote of the University Student Electoral Board (USEB) members, the motions for reconsideration of seven candidates who were initially disqualified in the 2024 Bicol University (BU) - University Student Council (USC) Elections were denied for not having viable reasons for their motions.

One independent candidate and six candidates from the Bicol University (BU) Leaders: League of Democrats filed for motions of reconsideration to the USEB on April 10, 2024, after receiving a resolution rejecting their candidacy in the student elections due to not complying with some requirements in the election guidelines.

This decision is according to USEB Resolution No. 5, series of 2024 stating that it “strictly stands on the requirements as stipulated in the USC/CSC Election Guidelines 2024 as well as its ruling on the incomplete submissions.”

Raising the cases to USET

Beyond USEB, the University Student Electoral Tribunal (USET) is the higher deciding body for the BU Student Elections, which shall hear and decide on the protests and cases of violations brought before the tribunal and impose appropriate actions about it.

According to USEB, they are raising the cases to USET as they are the more appropriate body to make decisions on the cases.

“The jurisdiction of whether or not they are really accepted is now up to the USET,” Prof. Daves Tonga, Chairperson of USEB said.

Lone independent candidate disqualified

Incumbent USC External Vice-Chairperson Stacy Daniel Alamares vying to be the next chairperson of the council filed a motion of reconsideration on her disqualification due to non-submission of digital copies of requirements.

Alamares said that she was under the impression that she could submit said documents either through physical or online means as per election guidelines.

In addition, she was also not informed of the orientation for political parties as she was the sole independent candidate.

“I can accept any sanction, but I will not accept disqualification. After all, this fight is not for me – it is for the BUeños,” Alamares said.

She furthered that despite her frustrations with the recent decision of the USEB with regards to her appeal, she confirmed that she is already coordinating with her core team in continuing their fight.

“Ilalaban namin, kung hindi po ma-approve, sige. At least nag-try tayo. Pinaglaban natin ‘yung mga BUeño, ‘yun naman ang nagmamatter,” she added.

BU Leaders calls for ‘peaceful petition’

Meanwhile, the standard bearer of the BU Leaders: League of Democrats, Reinnard Balonzo filed an appeal for a motion for reconsideration regarding his said disqualification.

This is in response to him still being required to submit a leave of absence as a former associate editor of The Bicol Universitarian despite resigning from the publication prior to filing of candidacy.

However, Balonzo's appeal was denied by the USEB and is yet to be deliberated by the USET.

“… Liable din dito ang USEB kaya ito ang imomotion ng partido namin, lahat ng mga nadisqualified at pending [cases]… Kung kritikal na lente ang pagbabasehan, hindi Unibê lang ang [dapat] nasisisi, ang gross negligence dito ay sa USEB kaya i-pe-petition namin siya sa USET,” Balonzo said.

Moreover, vying candidates under the BU Leaders banner who were also disqualified either because of lacking digital or physical copies of the requirements were also one with Balonzo’s call for students to join them in their petition.

“Ine-enjoin namin lahat ng supporters namin, ang lahat ng [BU] students na makiisa sa peaceful petition sa USEB para pakinggan talaga ang mga estudyante,” Balonzo said.

BUKLOD, LLR show support

In a statement, BUKLOD BU Public Information Officer aspirant Allen Basilla expressed their party’s “firm stance” in fighting for BUeños to uphold a democratic process over the USEB’s decision to disqualify some candidates.

"At this point actually, BUKLOD is fighting for the BUeños to act and ka-isa rin ako doon. Dapat talaga as BUeños, and as a student leader, we should act as one na magkaroon ang bawat student ng choices,” Basilla said.

Meanwhile, the League of Liberal Reformists (LLR) - Reporma Coalition’s Chairperson candidate Dylan Zinead Xiv D. Tanji shared her sentiments regarding the supposed signing of the covenant earlier this afternoon, stating that proceeding with the signing would be “unfair” if USEB disregarded the disqualified candidates’ appeal.

“I really disagree with the signing of covenant happening today, kasi ‘yun nga po, we're with them in this fight… So kahit anong mangyari, ipaglalaban namin na hindi matuloy ang signing of covenant para may chance pa rin yung iba,” Tanji said.

The party sought fairness regarding the allotted campaign period, emphasizing that they will not push through with the campaign without the disqualified candidates.

The LLR standard bearer believes that many of the disqualified candidates were not previously heard during the USEB’s deliberation.

“I think we will not push through with the campaign without them, we will not leave them behind. We want them to feel and we want them to know that we are really with them in this fight,” she further explained.

As of writing, a decision from USET is yet to be announced.