UST AB BOM Takes a Stand on the ABSC Halalan 2023
A recent statement released by the UST AB Board of Majors (BOM) through their social media accounts expressed severe disappointment with the ongoing ABSC elections. Pointing out a few issues regarding candidates’ platforms, campaign ethics, and alleged coaching during the Miting de Avance (MDA).
“BOM expresses great disappointment, and concern toward the general and overall lack of timeliness, sustainability, and substance of the platforms put forward by the candidates.”
With the ongoing difficulties of the student body in transitioning due to the pandemic, the BOM has expected more sustainable and long-term platforms from the candidates focusing on the students’ welfare and well-being. Likewise, as the BOM stressed, platforms are vital for the students to measure all candidates’ capabilities and competence. However, these platforms were publicized late due to delays in the approval process, which defeated their ultimate purpose.
The BOM also raised issues of non-compliance with AB Comelec’s campaign procedures,
“Several candidates also attempted to reach out to specific groups and individuals they are prohibited to contact for the purposes of campaign and election.”
Which the Board viewed as unbecoming and disavowed.
However, the recently published Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) No. 8, Sub-clause a of AB Comelec states that:
“To seek directly, or indirectly, the aid of any person or group of persons not enrolled in the university, except Thomasian Alumni and/or of any organization not duly recognized by the university.”
Seeking help from people within the Thomasian community excluding faculty members, administrators, and non-academic employees (Sub-clause j), is allowed by the AB Comelec. However, as raised by the Board, the legality of reaching out to people using official Society emails was not explicitly stipulated in IRR No. 8.
The BOM also strongly condemned the unlawful coaching during the MDA held last March 25 and was live-streamed on AB Comelec’s official Facebook page.
The Board ended its statement by encouraging the Artlets community to carefully scrutinize and critically contemplate before casting their votes.
The Board has received various sentiments regarding its statement from multiple platforms, mainly Twitter. The student body is criticizing how the message was delivered, wherein it comes out more of a rant than an official statement from a reputable organization.
Link to BOM’s Statement: https://www.facebook.com/100057586234360/posts/pfbid02es1dkma4pS1ivoH4aL2htV4cHos4XaEKs6GFYYBDnMXurHVexJ8K9en5F4CT8v9nl/?mibextid=cr9u03
Link to AB Comelec’s IRR No. 8: https://www.facebook.com/100057401869954/posts/pfbid0ZMgZLdGKY7ufK1atZ2yAwVmVUTNhU29vfCeNJ98whXeTQrfARRoPNdDrGdWoh2xCl/?mibextid=cr9u03
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