Campaign period to continue amid motion to repeal
The campaign period for the 2016 University Student Elections will continue despite SENTRO La Salle political party’s motion to repeal the memorandum of the Student Commission on Election (SCE), says SCE Chairperson Aaron Bryan Lopez.
“Dahil wala namang nakasaad sa 2016 Amended Student Election Code (E-Code) of DLSU-D na dapat ma-postpone ang campaign period kapag mayroong nag-file ng motion, the campaign period that is currently happening would still continue,” Lopez said.
As stated on the memorandum of the SCE, proclaimed candidates are allowed to campaign on all class days from March 7 to 30.
Lopez furthered that the SCE would have to postpone the University Student Elections this academic year (AY) 2015-2016 if they suspend the campaign period this week. “According to the E-code, kung isu-suspend namin [‘yung campaign period], we would have to add another [week]. Kaya kapag nagdagdag pa ng araw, hindi na matutuloy [‘yung student elections this AY].”
He said that the University Student Elections should be held before April 30 since all the student council (SC) officers’ term of office shall commence on May 1, as mandated by the 2013 Amended University Student Council (USC) Constitution.
“If SENTRO is wishing to null and void the memorandum, we will have to nullify all documents [on the COC giving, filing of candidacy, and the campaign period], which could really stir the election,” Lopez said.
On the other hand, SENTRO Secretary General Meriel Faye Acaba said the SCE should suspend the campaign period since they filed a motion to repeal the memorandum of the SCE.
Acaba added, “Kami po ay umaasa na kung mayroong motion to repeal ay pansamantalang ititigil ang campaign ng political parties dahil alinsunod sa E-code, ngayon (March 7 to 11) pa lang dapat ang filing of certificate of candidacies (COCs).”
