by Jillian Shayne L. Dancel
“If the people cannot trust their government to do the job for which it exists - to protect them and to promote their common welfare - all else is lost,” said the former US President, Barrack Obama.
It is a sworn duty of every elected student government leader to prioritize each concern of college and protect the students they govern. But do our leaders embody this duty? Do they really prioritize and protect their jurisdiction? Or are they aware of what’s happening around them in the first place to be able to accomplish this?
The major issues that took place this academic year might answer the question. These include the issues regarding the LPU Independent Sentinel and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS).
The Independent Sentinel, the official publication of the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU) Manila, have ceased its operations during the first semester of this academic year due to the administration’s decision to ‘reorganize’ the newspaper. They have presented reasons for the move through Student Affairs Office (SAO) Dean Jayson Barlan. However, it was not enough to justify the action, tagging it as a “repression” of press freedom by many.
A lot of Lyceans were left confused because of the sudden actions of the administration. Meanwhile, the concerned staff informed the student body on what’s happening and, at the same time, sought for a clearer explanation from the school on its decision.
Various groups from in and out of the campus expressed solidarity with the Sentinel against the decision such as the Collegiate Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), the Lyceum Debate Society (LDS), the College of International Relations (CIR) student council, and many others. Yet at the height of the issue, the majority of the student councils have refused to make a stand for the very reason that they want the administration to clarify first the issue.
It is a commendable move as they wanted to hear first the two sides of the story but the fact that they failed to make the first move to protect the watchdog for the whole student body is a problem. Regardless of our involvement with the university's publication as staffers, are we not under the jurisdiction of the student government as well? Are they that afraid of the Sentinel as it reveals the truth that makes them look weak? Or are they happy that there will be no one to monitor or criticize the moves they make? Let’s hope this is not the case. If so, this would only justify what kind of politicians we train and will have in the future: a coward, someone who only wants the position but no heart to serve its people.
In the case of CAS, there were major changes in the college that students were not aware of, changes that had gravely affected the students, especially those who are graduating.
Of course, internal issues in the college itself shouldn’t be revealed to the public and must be addressed. But the fact that it has an effect to the students makes it reasonable to be out in the open.
Some might argue that it is the newspaper’s responsibility to deliver the news to the students; but there was no “Sentinel” during those moments. Likewise, “information dissemination,” the most cliché platform being said in the elections, is also their job.
Indeed, the council made a move to find a solution to the issue. They communicated with the concerned parties; but the move wasn’t enough to make the necessary change.
In cases like these, the student government, both per college and for the whole university, should stand up and represent the Lyceans to voice out its concerns to the higher ups and not just to concede and give in the decisions they throw as if we don’t have the right to go against it. Actions should be done for the betterment of all; both the students and the administration.
It’s sad to know how much student politicians keep themselves silent concerning the major issues around them but be eager and futuristic to find a solution about many things whenever the elections come. They should also embody their duties in the midst of chaos, serving the people with a heart for their welfare.
If the press is silenced, who will the people rely on for news and other information? Their refusal to comment is akin to a crime witness refusing to stand. As Elie Wiesel once said, "Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented."
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