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LASALLIANS SPEAK
Who did you vote for the President? Why?
THE SPECTRUM
“Since I am “I voted for “I did not
one of the Mark Bais vote last
KAUSAP because I Friday
members, find him because I
I voted for responsible was afraid
Ledesma for I truly believe that he and I think he fits in the that our next president might be
can lead well the students of this position. That’s it.” involved in graft and corruption.”
- Frances Dawn Montoya, BEEN3A - James Desnacido CO2E
University.”
- Andrew Lagtapon, BN1
“I voted “I voted for
“I voted for for Joven Bais because
Bais because Ledesma. I feel that
I believe that First of all, I he is a good
he is a good believe in the leader.”
- Isabel de Leon
leader.” leadership of KAUSAP and how
- Ghia Pamela Potestad, BE2
they mold the students. I know
that he’s responsible enough of “I was not
“I voted for leading Lasallians.” able to vote
Ledesma - Althea Gay COHM2A last Friday
because I because we
believe in his “I never had our
leadership voted hospital exposure.”
- Kathryn Anne Talon BN2D
skills. I can confidently say that because I
he can manage our University have so many
Student Government well this research “Mark!
S.Y. 2008-2009.” papers to tackle and I don’t even Why?
- Juan Paolo Serame, BN4K Because he
care about the election.”
- Andrew Matulac BN1F deserves it.
“As Klasmeyt ko
KAUSAP “I voted for siya sang una mo…”
- Nadrev Jereza ENEC5
supporter, Mark Bais
I voted because I
for Joven think he has Voters’ turn out
Ledesma for I believe in the potential TOTAL POPULATION: 8963
KAUSAP in molding students for to rule the student government.” NUMBER OF VOTERS: 2958
- Kim Jarloc CO2
leadership.”
- Cristy A. Somo, BSMT3B
“I was not
“I voted for able to vote 33%
Bais Because last election LASALLIANS DECIDE 2008:
of his good because
platforms I was not 67% The Spectrum General Elections Special
and I feeling well. But I know that all
believe in his leadership towards of them are good leaders and Controversies storm General Elections * COMELEC admits mistake, says sorry
I won the election – Bais, Ledesma * University Student Government Official Results
Lasallian students.” really has potentials.” Lasallians Speak: Who did you vote for President? Why?
- Paolo Castandiello, CO2E - Jeanie Marie Pampliega, COHM2A
NEWS
2 THE SPECTRUM MARCH 18, 2008
Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Philippines 6100 * Volume 51 Number 15
FORUM
MARCH 18, 2008 THE SPECTRUM 5 3
Rule of law must prevail - SAGES Stand by the truth - KAUSAP
On March 9, 2008, the Board of Election Inspectors changed the duly signed Election Return Last March 9, 2008, during the counting, one of our watchers learned that the Election Return from the
containing the votes for the College of Arts and Sciences based solely on the undue and unlawful CAS Precinct is erroneous—the votes of Ledesma and Bird were interchanged. This was brought to the
pressure, influence, and insistence of KAUSAP. This alteration was done in violation of duly attention of the COMELEC commissioners and they too attested that it was erroneous; they consulted
established rules and procedures as provided for by the Omnibus Election Code and without the the COMELEC chairman, who also attested that the tally was not correct and so requested one of them
notice to SAGES. The alteration, had it been granted, would gravely affect the results of the Election to correct the ER. They explained to us that having been awake for nearly 24 hours they very tired and
in favor of KAUSAP. sleepy while writing the tally in the ER and committed the error by mistake. Unfortunately, at that time,
Mr. Jojo Bayona, OSA Representative, noticed the alteration and informed the BEI that such our watchers signed the ER before the tally was erroneously put in. When the correction was being done,
change was contrary to the Omnibus Election Code, as that law provides that any student party could watchers from the other party claimed that altering the ER was against the Omnibus Election code.
contest an ER but only within 48 hours after the conduct of an election and only through a formal Joven Ledesma won the presidential election. That is the truth and even COMELEC attests to
written petition (Section 88). that. But if the erroneous CAS ER will not be corrected, then Joven Ledesma loses by around 10
The ACT of KAUSAP in UNDULY INFLUENCING THE ALTERATION / CHANGE in votes.
the election returns is QUESTIONABLE ACT. The ACT of the BEI in following KAUSAP and We point out that there was fault on the part of the COMELEC and the watchers of both parties
changing the election return BEHIND OUR BACK is a GRAVE BETRAYAL of the students’ trust for signing the ER before the tally was reflected therein. We understand that some people contend
and MAKES A MOCKERY of our Election Law. that correcting the erroneous ER would be denying the candidates procedural due process. These are
THESE ACTS OF DISHONESTY AND DECEIT ARE HEINOUS AND CONDEMNABLE. just mere technicalities. A greater injustice would result if we were NOT to correct the ER, as this
IT SHOULD NEVER BE TOLERATED BY THE LA SALLIAN COMMUNITY AT LARGE. would lead to impeding the voice of the students and their right to suffrage. If we do NOT allow the
We, the members of SAGES, faithfully stand true to our ideals in promoting students rights and correction of this error, we would be putting into office the candidate who did not get the plurality
upholding the rule of law. In our service to the students and to the La Sallian community in defending votes. “Vox populi vox dei”, it means the voice of the people is the voice of God.
and seeking for truth and justice, we have been maligned, pressured, ridiculed, and harassed. Despite We have come across a blog on the internet and heard from friends about accusations that
these condemnations, we strive and persevere to defend the rights of the students to peaceful and KAUSAP cheated the elections, that we tampered votes, and that we paid the COMELEC. We have
honest elections. We stand firmly on righteousness and the rule of law. done no such things. We also have reports that there are faculty members who announce in their class
We have filed a petition in COMELEC for the immediate proclamation of Mr. Bais as the winner that Mark Bais won as president, when in fact no election results were yet announced regarding the
of the last presidential race based on the duly signed authentic untampered official election returns last presidential race. We feel that these are all tactics of some students and teachers to plant malice in
Friday, March 14, 2008. the minds of students. We feel that it is sad that some people would resort to dishonesty in order to
We challenge the Lasallian Community to ask itself: Should we allow the disregard of our laws? protect their political interests.
Should we allow ourselves to be led by a leader whose claim to victory is not through the voice of the We urge the Student Court, the COMELEC, and all the students to stand by the TRUTH! For
students but through fraud as engineered by a political party? Should we do nothing despite what we 25 years, we have consistently provided the students with servant leaders. Today we continue to
know? serve with a purpose and lead with a vision. We stand for an HONEST and responsive leadership, to
NO! WE CAN DO SOMETHING. protect the students’ rights, promote their voice, and preserve their power.
WE CAN DO THE RIGHT THING.
In Unity and Service,
- Sectoral Action Group for Empowered Students KAUSAP
THE SPECTRUM
KAUSAP’s Ledesma ready on day one,
FOUNDED 1956
expresses willingness to appoint Bais
Lasallians Decide 2008
www.thespectrum.ph VOL. 51 NO. 15 MARCH 18, 2008
By Manuel Jeffrey O. Sistoso
With Reports from Neslie Faith V.
Sianson
readiness to accept responsibility
on day one of his presidency, if
ever proclaimed.
fight for his votes and win the
Presidential Seat.
He also said if Mark Bais,
I will start my presidency with “I have already prepared presidential candidate of SAGES,
a convention of the new set of myself to whatever outcome and permits to be under his cabinet then
Editor-in-Chief Manuel Jeffrey O. Sistoso
SG leaders to know one another I am expecting the worst thing he would be willing to include him.
Managing Editor Arjay D. Solitario
deeper so that it will be easy to to happen. With that, it gives me “I believe Mark has the
Reports Chief Neslie Faith V. Sianson
Layout Editor Timothy A. Escopete work for the next school year and the confidence to win. I know I potential in leading the SG and
Asst. Graphics Editor Jumpee P. Tipon the planning will soon follow. prepared well for the Elections if he’s willing to serve the SG,
This was the response of with the help of the Almighty positions will not matter but the
Newspaper Writers Photojournalists Presidential Candidate Joven God,” Ledesma added. desire to be a servant leader,”
Arthur Jason I. Javellana Hector Gregory A. Benedicto Ledesma when asked about his Ledesma commits himself to Ledesma concluded.
Kathreen Joyce I. Tubid Krazelle M. Escarrilla
John Alexander M. Cuyoca Paolo Trio
Epi Ma. Kassandra A. Dajao
Editorial Assistants
Regi Joseph B. Arguelles
Layout Artist Mervin G. Vera
Mark Romulo C. Tumbagahan Charmae Labao
Moderator
Ms. Hannah Papasin-Mariveles
The Spectrum is the Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle. Its editorial office is located at the USLS
Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Negros Occidental 6100; it can be reached through the telephone number,
(034) 432-1187 local 172 and e-mail address, spectrum_usls@yahoo.com.
All rights reserved. No part of The Spectrum may be reproduced in any form without the written consent of the publication. All
contributions become The Spectrum property and the Editor-in-Chief reserves the right to edit all articles for publication.
Member: National Alliance of Lasallian Campus Journalists.
Official Student Publication of the University of St. La Salle * USLS Coliseum Ground Floor, La Salle Ave., Bacolod City, Philippines 6100 * Volume 51 Number 15
MARCH 18, 2008
Lasallians Decide ‘08 THE SPECTRUM MARCH 18, 2008
Results for President
Unofficial as of March 14, 2008
University Student Government
1400
General Elections 2008 Official Results
as of March 14, 2008 GOVERNOR: SECRETARY: 2nd YEAR BATCH REP:
Maravilla 369 Fernandez 271 Felix 92
1283
AND ACCOUNTANCY
1206
TREASURER:
VICE GOVERNOR: Fulgencio 236 COLLEGE
SENATORS: Formilleza 301 OF EDUCATION
Arcamo 236 Parohinog 163 2ND YEAR BATCH REP:
1000 Canong 139 Eudela 106 SENATORS:
Chua 447 TREASURER: Abelarde 157
Montelibano 370 Villanueva 212 3RD YEAR BATCH REP: Arellano 189
Vinson 447 Nabor 214 Garcia 69 Antolo 183
800 Morancil 179
GOVERNOR: SECRETARY: COLLEGE Tayo 172
Cervantes 485 Libo-on 217 OF NURSING Gallena 139
Frias 186 Vega 214 Planas 133
600 SENATORS:
VICE GOVERNOR: 2ND YEAR BATCH REP: Allegato 387 GOVERNOR:
Cunanan 399 Delgado 81 Bilbao 296 Decinal 161
Villa 264 Nietes 59 Cannonizado 122 Guilaran 58
400 Jaro 308 Lipa 137
SECRETARY: 3RD YEAR BATCH REP: Martinez 202
NUMBER OF VOTES