Aspiring stud-leader's candidacy crumbles over 'alleged' changes in CBS SC's CBL

“There were some technicalities daw po sa paghabol ko and the grounds were because I am an incoming 4th year student. I thought ina-allow pa nila ang mga graduating student to serve the studentry.”

These were the words that Marjolette Pangilinan, a current third-year Bachelor of Public Administration student from the College of Business Studies (CBS), shared in an interview with The Industrialist, expressing her sentiment over unannounced changes in the CBS Student Council's constitution-and-by-laws (CBL).

According to Pangilinan, she was supposed to run for the position of Governor under their college this upcoming election, but she found out only recently that despite the qualifications and eligibility posted by the DHVSU-Student Commission on Election (SCOM) she still cannot vie for the said position based on the council’s revised CBL.

Meanwhile, the current CBSSC governor, Kryshall Torres, explained that this basis was written under the CBL of the council and was introduced to her as soon as she entered the council.

“Nakapaloob po ito sa Article 7, Section 3 ng CBL natin na bawal pong humabol ang 4th year at irreg students sa kadahilanang ang CBS po ang may mahabang oras ng OJT at nawawala po tayo ng 2nd sem para mabuo po ‘yung oras na required sa OJT,” she explained.

In light of the said matter, a current officer of the council who wished to be unnamed expressed their dismay as they were not informed regarding the contents of their college CBL.

“Unfortunately po, wala kaming nakukuhang update sa CBL, kaya when we are asked regarding this matter we opt to say na we know nothing. Nagtataka rin po kami kasi signatories kami doon, and we were not informed on such changes—kung meron man.”

When the publication requested for a copy of the CBL being pertained, the governor said that a letter signed by the Office of the Student Affairs (OSA), Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC), and the University Student Council (USC) is required before they can do so.

On the other hand, the OSA Director, Dr. Gloria B. Gigante affirmed that college CBLs are considered public documents, thus even without a signatory from their office, a formal letter would suffice to request one.

Notably, the Article XV of their CBL states that “No revisions and amendments to this constitution shall be made within a year from the approval of this constitution. Amendments to this constitution shall require the approval of two-thirds of all members of the Executive Board and shall take effect immediately after a year it was amended.”

As of writing, the governor has not yet provided a copy of their CBL, even though the publication has already sent a formal request letter since April 24.

This is a developing story.