by Chloie Angela Marie Isler
A healthy political life, both in campus and national sphere, requires the element of at least two opposing factions with different principles and ideologies fighting for distinct causes. But, as what can be seen in the national politics, political parties inside the campus seem to have no delineation with regards to their principles and their respective purpose.
Campus politics has been a venue for “theatric actors and actresses”, under the guise of being candidates, to showcase their talents on enthralling the hearts and minds of the students. They bring with them words that have been said countless times by their predecessors and rehashed projects and platforms with new names.
That is probably the reason why most students are no longer entranced by these fresh faces. What exactly has not been said/promised before?
This is evident during the Miting De Avance, face-offs and LR debate, wherein most of the attendees were affiliated with the three parties.
Student Social Responsibility and Duties of Elected Officials
Whichever party dominates a college student government, there is always the accusation of them being mere talk shops, full of promises, but without actions presented. However, this allegation is arguable because students have their social responsibility of electing who they believe is the most deserving of a seat within the council. Yet, their task do not end with voting; the students must continuously observe and contribute to further the improvement of their respective colleges and the whole university.
It is a situation that can also be seen in our country, wherein most people would rather put all the blame and responsibility to the government officials without doing their own duty of participating in public functions. Before clamoring for the alleged incompetence of officials, there should be self-check on how they are performing as students or as citizens of the country.
Nonetheless, it is the vowed responsibility of elected officials to act on behalf and for the people who put their trust on them. The candidates’ promises and good persona should not end when they get elected; rather, it should be the beginning of the more rigorous effort of proving to the people that they are deserving of their seats.
Political Partisanship and the Division It Creates
In the Lyceum of the Philippines University (LPU), political partisanship has always been one of the root causes of division among the students. But, it is neither their ideologies nor their stance on issues that differ; rather, the colors of their respective parties separate them into pinks, reds and yellows.
Whenever an issue in the university arises, all the political parties echo the same position under different colors. There is yet an issue where they stood on opposing sides. Given that, what could be the rationale behind the divide? If all these student leaders are fighting for the same thing, why do they stand beneath separate banners?
It’s as if they are insulting the intellectual capacity of the students who are not affiliated with any political party by mudslinging one another personally and on social media. Supporters of any party would engage themselves in social media banters that do not aim to either promote the credibility of their candidates or their platforms, but would undermine the personal integrity of those from the rival party.
If this is the kind of culture that political partisanship creates, then what would happen to the future of our nation? The kind of people that these parties breed is not for a healthy political life, but a toxic culture that is extended to the national politics.
Instead of simply saying that the parties “condemn any acts of mudslinging”, they should really act against it by providing sanctions to members who would undermine the honorable reputation of their parties. Contrary to that, it seems that the students enjoy these kinds of acts as if they’re entertainments to ease the dullness of their lives.
Political parties should distinguish themselves from the other party, not just through colors, but also through their principles and visions for the student body. Candidates should stop mirroring the political dramas that can be watched in national televisions.
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