#AyokoNangMagmahalLPU: Publication fees continue, but where’s The Sentinel?

Manila, Philippines - Publication fees are still being collected from Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) students, but where will it go to?

In 2017, the official student publication was disbanded after false allegations of misuse of funds and poor quality of writing. (TIMELINE: Campus press repression in LPU)

Also read: Debunking the administration's justifications for "changing" The Sentinel

At the time, the Student Affairs Office withheld LPU Independent Sentinel’s funds and stopped collecting publication fees from students.

Enrollment Assessment Forms (EAF) acquired by The Sentinel revealed students have been paying a P100 pub fee ever since the previous editorial board graduated. Other miscellaneous fees are reportedly left unused throughout a semester.

College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP) Deputy Secretary General Ryan Martinez confirmed there have been cases where pub fees were collected despite the absence of a student publication, but “fees were accumulated in their trust account and composed the bulk of their remaining funds.”

“(...) However... we can’t make a definite conclusion through hearsay [given the limited data]... Most of our sources come from student publications. Without them, we wouldn’t be aware of the existence of such issues,” he explained.

As of posting, The Sentinel has no capacity to procure financial records and track paper trail to verify whether or not the funds remain untouched.

SAO has yet to be reached for an official response, but they assured the money is reserved for The Sentinel if the publication will be revived.

Screenshot taken from LPU's official Twitter account

Meanwhile, efforts to jump-start the publication’s operations are on hold after LPU started to look for student writers who will contribute articles in the university website “on a weekly or monthly basis.”

A tuition fee increase consultation will take place on 27 February between the central student government and LPU officials.

Updates to follow

Patricia Samin and Timothy Gerard Palugod wrote this report.

LYCESGO accomplishes 72.72% of programs in strategic plan

by Patricia Samin

Lyceum Central Student Government (LYCESGO) President Patrick Sarsalejo’s leadership is about to end. With only inches away from the end of their term, Sarsalejo’s administration claimed 72.72% of the LYCESGO projects have already been implemented.

LYCESGO Secretary Chester Jan Singian has provided a report stating that out of the 22 target activities, the LYCESGO has fulfilled 16 of those projects.

Two of the 22 projects were not implemented by the council for various reasons. These include the EAF Revision, and the LYCESGO University-wide LED TVs which was originally the idea of the officers but is now adopted by the LPU administration.

Meanwhile, four of their projects such as Intramurals Closing, State of the University-wide Address, Research Forum, and the Calendar Rental, are yet to be implemented by the end of this term.

The incumbent LYCESGO is comprised of mixed representation from other parties. Sarsalejo was the representative of Partido Independiente and was elected as the head of the government while his council includes Vice President Karl Jerome Zapanta and Treasurer Eljohn Lagrada from Pamana; and Secretary Chester Jan Singian and Auditor Danielle Fontanilla from Kalayaan.

When asked about how the diverse LYCESGO today is different from the usual one-party rule before, Sarsalejo answered that it reformed the status quo in the student government.

“The structure I have created fosters teamwork, where everyone in the organization regardless of their degree programs/party affiliations works toward a common goal. It’s not a mere tool of delegating tasks and projects to subordinates so the council can meet project deadlines. It’s a mentorship program designed to students who shares the same endeavor with us, and that is to serve the Lyceans with [utmost] commitment,” he explained.

As student body president, Sarsalejo did not deny that he had struggles when it comes to serving the university.

“Being the 35th President of LYCESGO in post for a limited time frame, geared with audacious projects, aiming to make a mark and leave a legacy, puts me into huge challenge to make this dream possible,” he replied.

Furthermore, he elaborated his exasperation in the council caused by the strains of political partisanship.

“Frustrations are inevitable and probably my biggest frustration is when I think my efforts wasn’t enough to influence the behavior of self-interested student politicians in LPU to change for the better. They continue to be driven with greed, has the audacity to run for office lacking competency and advancing the interests of their respective political party,” he stated.

Now that his administration draws to a close, Sarsalejo hopes for the best in the next roster of officers from today’s elections for the next academic year. He advised them to “showcase the art of diplomacy in your leadership” and “evaluate and continue the major changes we wrought in the Lycean politics, be prudent, start young and have the courage, ambition, and passion for making a major social impact.”

LYCESGO: United in ImpUnity

by Timothy Gerard Palugod

The current LYCESGO administration prides diversity: two officers hail from Pamana (Partido ng mga Mag-aaral na Nagkakaisa), two officers are from Kalayaan (Kabataang Lakas ay Alay sa Bayan), and President Patrick Sarsalejo represents Partido Independiente, the political party exclusive to the College of International Relations (CIR).

There are two scenarios that may befall this structure: either conflicting opinions will affect their decision-making, or the officers will go beyond partisanship and serve the student body without outside influence.

But if there is one instance where they were united, it’s their indecision during the time when The Sentinel needed them most.

An argument for its subservience

In LYCESGO’s Constitution, it is clearly stated in Art. 2 Sec. 1 (a) that: “The protection and promotion of the rights and general welfare of the LPU Manila studentry and the Filipino people shall be its principal concern.”

By compelling them to make a stand against the administration, LYCESGO may point out Art. 2 Sec. 2 (f) which states that they should: “Establish and maintain a harmonious and peaceful relationship among the studentry, faculty and the administration, based on the mutual trust, respect and equality.”

The student government had a difficult time deciding whether to post an official statement supporting the campus press or not, with 3 of its 5 officers reportedly voting in favor of The Sentinel.

However, the problem is not LYCESGO. Their dilemma is strongly influenced by the fact that LPU is still a private university, and the student government can serve the students better if they have their funds to execute projects. Even the college student councils cannot bear to imagine if they are compromised just because of their support for The Sentinel.

Hence there is no other way to avoid blind allegiance. Student leaders reduced the issue to a mere allegation of irresponsible journalism, blamed The Sentinel for the miserable fate it faced, and escaped from the reality of censorship and loss of professional integrity.

In their eyes, it’s a win-win situation. They post official statements online, the admin can continue with their agenda, and The Sentinel must feel contented with whatever support they can muster.

This is what justice means.

Holding them accountable

If LYCESGO stood true to their own constitution, they would have used their analytical and critical thinking from the beginning.

The Sentinel remained transparent throughout the course of its predicament: a Timeline article, a report on the “revamping” of the student publication, and a series of Factcheck infographics that debunked the claims of the admin.

Regardless of who claimed that they stand with The Sentinel, the powerlessness of some and the hidden agendas of others converged into one: inaction.

Here is how the student government and its councils could have done better: pressure the admin, assist The Sentinel, pursue follow-ups, and oversee the whole process from start to finish.

The definition of “pressure” is limited in scope for student politicians, associating it with holding placards in front of the university and chanting in unison. “Pressure” can be a fight against bureaucracy, where offices would require several levels of paperwork before, for example, a dialogue may ensue. It can also be fast-tracking the recruitment of members for The Sentinel and encouraging students to apply not only online, but also room-to-room or putting posters around classrooms and designated council bulletin boards.

But no, the condescending student leaders choose the middle ground, explaining that they are mediators who see to it that The Sentinel and the LPU admin come to an agreement. It also meant that they are mere voyeurs who have little to no involvement. No plans to evaluate and adjudicate. No plans to announce who won a debate that already had a winner.

For the future student leaders of Lyceum of the Philippines University, a piece of advice: the “middle ground” is not an excuse for ineptitude and inaction.