Expressing their “dissatisfaction” with the alleged premature campaigning of the League of Liberal Reformist (LLR) slate, the Bicol University (BU) Leaders: League of Democrats camp submitted a letter of complaint to the University Student Electoral Board (USEB) last April 09, 2024.
“I am enthusiastic that even their side [LLR] will find merit in our submitted complaint which would also prompt them to be accountable. Above all else, they should be the most aware of their actions, thus, I expect and urge them to be personally responsible for their actions, as well as, support truly fair and democratic student elections,” Reinnard Balonzo, the vying chairperson candidate of BU Leaders, said.
He added that their slate is open to hear the side of the other party which is provided and guaranteed by the democratic due process.
This complaint is based from the public postings of the LLR -Reporma Coalition social media pages, featuring students who were termed as “stellars”.
Dylan Zinead Tanji, current standard bearer of LLR’s USC slate, revealed that they were surprised by the move made by the prior party and defended that their posted materials were only an appreciation to their leaders and members.
“The actions made by our organization are to appreciate our excellent student leaders and not to pre-campaign them in running for any office. Additionally, the postings on our page do not clearly state the position of any candidate nor did any image or statement present any intention to run for a specific organizational position,” Tanji said.
She added that the postings showcasing the "stellars" of their organization is an annual practice that has been conducted for already three years to show the party's appreciation and acknowledgment on the efforts of their exceptional student leaders.
Meanwhile, Balonzo said that he believes that this is an issue of honoring the electoral process, regardless of party affiliation and that their move was not only for their party’s interest, but also of the students who will be affected by the procedure and results of the election.
“I urge every Bicol University student not to accept and glorify the already atrocious hallmarks of shady elections marked by political machinations and assassinations. The complaint was submitted not to attack them, but to really ensure that students get the elections that they deserve,”
He added that each member of their slate agreed to address the problem, and sought dissenting perspectives to humanize the case before they decided to pursue its submission.
“If the USEB is truly fair and follows the rules, how can it overlook such violations when they have all the energy to prosecute specific candidates for the lack of a single document or a mismatched attachment that may be caused by a system glitch?” Balonzo said.
Meanwhile, Tanji stated that they put their trust in USEB to have a fair jurisdiction on the said matter.
“We trust that the USEB will investigate this thoroughly and impartially to ensure that fairness will prevail. We assure everyone that our dedication to justice and transparency remains steadfast,” she said.
Balonzo clarified that their party’s intention was not to demand for disqualification, but a fair ruling to the action of LLR.
“I am not demanding that they disqualify the alleged candidates who engaged in early campaigning, as claimed and demonstrated in the [submitted] document, but I do expect them to act and rule fairly. If USEB really has no irregularities in its decision-making process and maintains impartiality, this is the greatest time to prove and show it,” he emphasized.
After more than 10 days upon submission of the complaint letter, both parties are yet to know the decision of the USEB on the matter. Moreover, since this case is still on the board, official documents such as the actual complaint letter and the response to it are not to be made public.
Daves Tonga, Chairperson of USEB, says that the appreciation of the case is still ongoing and is yet to be deliberated by the board.
“The USEB is waiting for the comments of BU Leaders to the response of LLR-Reporma,” Tonga said.
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