Student Voices Demand Transparency, Accountability, and Reform at College of Commerce and Business Administration’s Miting de Avance

by: Nica Ella Aliado

(Photo by Maria Elizabeth Ramos, UST - Commerce Journal)

The buzz of anticipation filled the College of Commerce and Business Administration as SILAB 2025 officially kicked off, signaling the start of Komersyos' search for the next student leaders.

Ms. Castro officially opened SILAB 2025 with her remarks, "In Philippine politics, miting de avance refers to a final campaign rally done by candidates of one political party; usually it is done the night before the election," setting the tone for the event.

The event was followed by the announcement of guidelines and penalties to ensure a fair and organized campaign. Concluding the opening segment, candidates were introduced, starting from the Public Relations Office (P.R.O.) and ending with the candidates for President.

Jonathan Ignacio, the sole candidate for Auditor, focused his campaign on strengthening the value of transparency, a principle evident in his proposed platforms: (1) COMPASS, (2) COMMERCE NETWORK, and (3) TRANSPARENC: TRANSPARENT COMMERCE. His campaign stressed the need for openness and clarity in all council operations.

Sharing a similar sentiment, James Forrest Espino, also a candidate for President, voiced his motivation for running by expressing frustration with unmet promises and a lack of accountability within the current organization and council. He proposed the following platforms to address these issues: (1) OFFICIAL COMMERCE WEBSITE, (2) FREEDOM OF INFORMATION SYSTEM, (3) COMMERCE STUDY HUB, (4) BUDGET BALITA, (5) COMMERCE MARKET FAIR, (6) PANGAKO MO GAWIN MO!, and (7) PER OFFICE PROCESS FLOWCHART. Espino's campaign focuses on re-establishing trust and responsibility in leadership.

For the position of Vice President, Julia Laurice Lagman began her campaign by emphasizing her dedication to student leadership, expressing that her passion drives her to serve a proactive student council. This commitment was reflected in her platforms: (1) LEGCON, (2) STAO, and (3) LEGISLIT, all of which aim to promote organization and accountability within the council. Her focus strengthens the shared call for transparent governance.

Following the strong emphasis on transparency, several candidates centered their campaigns on communication, empowerment, and inclusivity.

The sole candidate for P.R.O., Cristian Laurenz Araojo, starts with a powerful statement: "I will serve as the voice, as I will listen and shape the future of the College." Backing his commitment, Araojo presented three key platforms: (1) UGNAYANG KOMERSYO, (2) LIKHAANG PROGRESIBO, and (3) KOMERKADO. He emphasized creating a safe space where every student's voice matters, ensuring no one is left behind.

Echoing the call for empowerment, presidential candidate Angel Navor opened her campaign with a strong commitment to initiating change through her platforms: (1) COMMERCE LEVEL UP, (2) COMMERCE VERDICT, (3) MR&MS COMMERCE ICON, and (4) COMMERCE TRIBUNAL. She concluded her speech with the motto, "Basta kay Navor, Pabor." Her platforms reflected a vision of uplifting student voices and promoting participation across the college.

Cyril Casihan, also running for Vice President, advocates for a "New CYcle of Change and a New CYstem that works." His vision is reflected in his proposed platforms: (1) KOMERSYOCODE, (2) CONSTITUTIONAL LITERACY PROGRAM, and (3) COMMERCE TORCH. Casihan's campaign adds to the call for empowerment by promoting student awareness and involvement through education and reform.

Tied closely with their goals for inclusion and accountability, several candidates proposed structural reforms.

Espino's campaign presented the most extensive reform plans, focusing on student access and process transparency through his seven platforms. His initiatives aim to create a council that is both efficient and action-oriented.

Similarly, Casihan's advocacy for a new cycle and system includes structural components such as digital modernization and constitutional literacy, encouraging students to be informed and involved in every process.

Navor's proposal of a Commerce Tribunal serves as her answer to reform, ensuring fairness and institutional accountability within the student body. Her structural initiative complements her broader theme of leadership rooted in accountability and inclusivity.

Following the platform presentations, each candidate faced thought-provoking questions from the student body, followed by a panel of faculty members: Inst. Antonio E. Etrata Jr., PhD, Inst. Romualdo A. Romualdo, MBA, RME, Asst. Prof. Franklin U. Prieto, MBA, CPA, and Inst. Michelle Ivanna Avila, MA, RPsy. 

Araojo's unwavering commitment to his proposed platforms, always using the word “must” when discussing his plans, demonstrates his dedication to carrying out his initiatives without hesitation. He also states the importance of building connections and valuing “Kapwa Tao,” seeing others as fellow human beings, which he believes is essential to being a good leader and communicator.

Ignacio focused on the essential skills required for the role. He emphasized three key qualities of a good auditor: Transparency, Accountability, and Integrity. He confidently stated that he embodies all these qualities, with a particular focus on transparency, which he believes is essential in promoting loyalty and serving the common good of the students.

In line with this, Lagman also emphasized the importance of transparency, highlighting that her proposed platforms demonstrate concrete actions to ensure openness and accountability when addressing the concerns and issues of the college and its students.

Meanwhile, Casihan emphasized that ability should be the top priority and highlighted the importance of balance. He believes that finding a balance between academic responsibilities and student leadership is essential, as it enables one to effectively manage both areas and fulfill the duties of a student leader without compromising academic performance. 

Navor emphasized her student-centered approach, aiming to develop student interest and implement concrete action plans to address student concerns. She also highlighted her commitment to strengthening the judicial board, ensuring fairness and accountability within the student body. As a testament to her impact, she proudly stated her contributions to initiatives like the Commerce Drumline and the Thomasian Goodwill, which have left a lasting impact on the college community.

Lastly, Espino addressed key issues within the current system, emphasizing inefficiency due to overstaffing. He pointed out that too many members diminish productivity, as not all talents and resources are fully utilized. To resolve this, he proposed streamlining the team to ensure every member plays an active and meaningful role. Espino also criticized the “bulok” system, highlighting the absence of a centralized tracker, which results in disorganization.

The debate segment started with the candidates presenting their platforms and answering questions to clarify their visions for the student body. Araojo focused on clear and effective communication through his proposed "Dropbox Method" and emphasized his experience in handling student concerns efficiently.

Ignacio advocated for financial transparency and accountability, presenting himself as a bridge between the Auditor and Treasurer to ensure proper financial monitoring.

Casihan promoted sustainable leadership through his KomersyoCode platform and expressed concerns about overloading the Legislative Board. His opponent, Lagman, highlighted the importance of student engagement by proposing structured communication through group chats and polls while emphasizing the role of class presidents in gathering feedback.

Espino pointed out the need for transparency and operational efficiency, proposing a unified tracker to oversee council activities and addressing misconceptions about micromanagement. Meanwhile, Navor, also running for President, focused on boosting student involvement through her Commerce Level Up platform, drawing from her two years of experience to ensure effective leadership and incentive-based participation.

With the platforms laid out and promises made for a more efficient and transparent College of Commerce and Business Administration, the decision now rests in the hands of the students. Their votes will determine not only the direction of the council but also the kind of leaders who will shape their future.