Thread by @tinigngplaridel

HAPPENING NOW: The six nominees for the highest position in the university gather for KILATIS, a student-led Presidential forum. Tune in to this thread for updates.

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Marianne De Jesus of @upsolidaridad gives her opening remarks, stressing pertinent issues faced by the university such as budget cuts.

“Sinasalamin ng kawalan ng budget ang kahirapan natin ng pag-eenroll [at] sa kakulangan ng mga gurong nagtuturo.”

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@upsolidaridad After the introduction of nominees, the program proceeds to the Question and Answer portion.

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@upsolidaridad Q: What can you do to expand student services such as scholarship, housing, transportation, and wellness and other student subsidies? How will you make the Student Learning Assistance System (SLAS) expeditiously and equitably distributed among grantees?

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Dr. Patrick Azanza says he will use his experience as President of Catanduanes State University in addressing the issues.

“Ang ating kaparaanan ay hindi umasa sa paghihintay ng suporta ng gobyerno dahil alam nating mnbagal ang dating ng suporta dahil may proseso.”

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Atty. Salvador Belaro Jr. says he will focus on student services to empower education.

“I am proposing [a] total package of services for our students. It's the duty of the state to provide them best support services pati mental health tutukan.”

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Dr. Fidel Nemenzo says long term plans include providing more dormitories and public transportation for the UP Community as well as expanding psychological services.

He also says SLAS should be reviewed.

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Dr. Benito Pacheco says the university could seek help from alumni for additional support in student services.

He also believes SLAS should be “rationally distributed” to students.

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Dr. Fernando Sanchez proposes to allocate budget to support student programs.

“In the long run, dapat pag-aralan on how to increase dormitories in the campus at malaki ang masosolusyunan [kung] may canteen, may pagkain, subsidy with alumni support pati ang transport.”

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Q: How can genuine student representation manifest in your term in crafting policies affecting their own welfare? How will you ensure that the insights, comments and recommendations of the largest stakeholder in the University - the students - will be considered?

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Dr. Azanza eyes establishment of a student affairs office that will focus on ensuring the student rights.

“Ito po ang plano nating gawin sa UP, i-share ang powers at magkaroon ng shared governance kaya nakakasiguro na ang bawat sektor ay bahagi ng pagdedesisyon.”

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Atty. Belaro calls for an “innovative solution” to hear the calls of the students on certain issues.

“Meron akong kakaibang istilo - yung closed box [na] lahat pwede maglagay ng comment ito ay napakaeffective dahil nasasabi kung ano ang nasa puso.”

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To answer the first question, Jimenez says there should be an overall systemic approach to “gain efficiencies” in ensuring that students have a share in decision making.

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For the present question, he said that the genuine representation in the student body is a “question of intensity and quantity of dialogue.”

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Nemenzo says student representation must be expanded.

“Kailangang palakasin ang role [ng mga estudyante] sa policy at decision-making.”

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Pacheco says he will support student publications to have “a more active voice.”

“Sana [din] gamitin natin ang crowdsourcing ano ba ang opinion [at] pakiramdam ng mga estudyante.”

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Sanchez says the creation of an Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs will ensure a “genuine mechanism of representation” in the student body.

“May mga concern that really affects the student, the students have to have representation.”

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Q: Do you think there is a need for PGH-Diliman while PGH-Manila remains underfunded? How will you ensure that a pro-poor and consultative community action plan for Pook Arboretum residents and for the environment will be crafted and implemented?

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Azanza: Bago pa simulan ang bagong problema sa PGH Diliman, dapat tutukan ang pagbabalangkas sa PGH Manila kasama ang mga empleyado na kailangan ng pag aaruga.

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Belaro says there is a need for “social re-engineering” of informal settlers.

“We have to look for the answer in our mandates. Kailangan ng leadership na marunong magbalanse [ng mga interest].”

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Jimenez enumerates advantages of constructing PGH-Diliman.

“I know there are problems with informal settlers, but this hospital is of national interest.”

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Nemenzo agrees with Jimenez regarding the need for hospitals to meet the health needs of the increasing student population.

“The construction of PGH-Diliman is in line with the mandate of UP as a research university that performs public services.”

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Pacheco says that cooperation of LGUs is needed to address the needs of informal settlers.

“Hindi dapat pag-away-awayin ang pangangailangan ng tirahan, kalusugan, kalikasan.”

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Sanchez supports the creation of the PGH in distributing a “UP quality of education and care” to all the country’s constituents. However, he says that the “social and environmental aspects” of the project should not be set aside.

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Q: How will you optimize the budget resources of UP for the next fiscal year to cater to the academic, research and extension and community needs?

Azanza says that there are other ways to gain “financial independence” and to further maximize the available resources.

“Ipaglalaban natin ang para sa UP [pero] habang ginagawa ito, dapat mag-isip ng maraming solusyon.”

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Belaro ensures “specific representation” in lobbying efforts in the Congress should he become the President.

He also plans to maximize funds from the government and engage the alumni in “future collaborations”.

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Jimenez emphasizes the need to improve engagement with the government and public diplomacy because “the university’s primary source of funds is still the General Appropriations Act (GAA).”

He says public diplomacy could also ensure protection from red-tagging.

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Nemenzo says optimizing the budget means “spending on what is necessary.” He also stresses the need for UP to communicate to the public its importance to nation-building.

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Pacheco says the support of alumni and the private sector is needed “for the meantime” to help address budget cuts affecting research and capital outlay.

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Sanchez says that there should be plans and ideas on managing the budget from the Congress, highlighting the importance of “private partnerships” with the alumni.

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Q: How will you address the delays and scarcity in support services grant of the SHS units? How can the new UP President support the development of the SHS units?

If selected President, Azanza plans to conduct systematic processes in addressing delays evident in the support services system.

“Ang dapat gawain ng pangulo ng UP ay tingnan ang mga bagay na ito upang maging efficient at effective sa loob ng unibersidad.”

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Belaro stressed the need for a kind of leadership with systematic plans not only for collaboration, but also for innovation.

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Jimenez: We have to take it seriously. We really have to improve not just our systems and processes but we have to make our partners commit to the same level of commitment that we want them.

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Nemenzo stressed the need for “digital transformation” to gather data and make efficient solutions.

In terms of scarcity, he says that the university should communicate the importance of programs such as health sciences in addressing the needs of the nation.

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Pacheco says the School of Health Sciences with its contributions should be made known to many in order to gather more support, especially with funding.

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Sanchez proposes collaborative partnerships between the LGUs and UP to address delays and scarcity problems in the service systems.

“Makipag-usap sa LGU, baka may spare pa sila, and be given the mandate that they can find the important programs in their locality.”

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Q to Sanchez: How can the community be assured that you will not corroborate with these armed elements of the state, especially at the time of the abrogated UP-DND Accord?

Sanchez explained a 2019 incident where military personnel red-tagged students during an ROTC lecture, saying he immediately called the attention of the commandant regarding the incident and that we will not tolerate any sort of red-tagging in the university.

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Q to Jimenez: How will you expedite the construction of the Martial Law Museum and support/assist the Human Rights Violation Victims’ Memorial Commission's education programs, especially at a time of another Marcos presidency?

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Jimenez: We simply have to improve our systems if we are to really implement our project. These kinds of problems of administration cannot be separated from all the other problems plaguing Diliman.

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Q to Nemenzo: As a Chancellor of the unit vying to be the UP President, how will you break the notions of “Diliman imperialism” and decentralize resources and opportunities among units and campuses?

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Nemenzo proposes to review the budget for the development of the units in order to know the needs of each constituent university.

“We need to explore new arrangements on exploration where units won’t compete with each other.”

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Q to Azanza: Aside from revisiting the current contracts, would you endorse the demolition of those mall areas given your staunch criticism about its operation? How would you exactly envision your proposed economic zones in the university?

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Azanza: Kailangan maging malinaw ang economic zone na itatayo ay hindi commercial kundi [for] academic purposes…Hindi lamang kritisismo ang ating gagawin, hindi basta pag-demolish, kundi pag-aaralan natin.

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Question to Belaro: Given the inaccessibility issues surrounding UPCA/T, how can your Ten-UP-Student-per-barangay program solve problems of equitable admissions to UP?

Belaro says the principles of inclusivity and equity principle will be applied to ensure representation of every barangay in the country.

“Hindi ito perpektong formula, pero yung ten students preferably from public high schools sana.”

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Q to Sanchez: Do you think that the mere fact of an employee filing a case against you has any bearing on your character?

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Sanchez says that the case was dismissed more than 2 years ago by the municipal trial court of Los Banos, thus it will have no effect on him running as UP President.

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CONTEXT: In February 2017, a UPLB official accused then Chancellor Sanchez of grave oral defamation. The Municipal Trial Court of Los Baños deferred the arraignment of his case the following month.

Read this report from the UPLB Perspective: tinyurl.com/2f5ej44z

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Q to Pacheco: In such a time that right-wing movement and government forces are attacking the progressives, would there be a change of mind? How would you ensure that this balancing would not be at the expense of security and lives of people?

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Pacheco says that UP must be open-minded in addressing both movements.

“Maka-right ka man o left man, we have to listen to both… Pero hindi tayo bulag sa maaaring threat o risk sa buhay at seguridad.”

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Q to Jimenez: With your history of bypassing a democratic process in the university, how can you establish respect and integrity on the autonomy of student institutions under your term as UP president?

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Jimenez denied said history of bypassing. He claims that the constitution stated that the President must be nominated and it was his duty to accept it.

He adds that he is willing to abide by the processes and respect the provisions of the constitution.

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Q to Nemenzo: How would you ensure that when you are surrounded by Malacañang appointees and other legislators, you would be decisive and assertive to convince the board, most especially on the pressing demands the sectors are calling?

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Nemenzo stressed the need to identify more alliances to strengthen advocacies.

“What we are dealing with here is managing our huge university. It is important to prepare, to do our homework and groundwork before you argue.”

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Q to Belaro: With the ongoing UP Anti-Sexual Harassment (ASH) Code review and other gender-related efforts in the university, what commitment can the community expect of you for a more gender-sensitive UP in terms of work, academics and administration?

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Belaro says he trusts that the UP community would look at the “specific junctures” of his personal history “with a critical mind.”

“Ito po ay separate incidents sa buhay ng isang tao.”

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CONTEXT: In a House investigation into Ronnie Dayan, former Senator Leila De Lima’s aide, Belaro asked Dayan when the latter’s relationship with the senator “climaxed.”

Gabriela Party-list earlier slammed the question as “sexist.”

Read: tinyurl.com/yuxzbbs6

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Q to Azanza: Do you think that your plans resonating achievements in CatSU will be applicable in the situation of UP?

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Azanza: Ang mga programa at sourcing ng budget [sa CatSU] ay galing din sa GAA. Ang ginagawa ko para sa pag-source ng funds ay very much applicable sa UP.

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Q to Pacheco: What will you do with the unfilled plantilla items and position in the university?

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Pacheco: Malungkot man pero may mismatch at mayroong old items na hindi dapat doon ilagay. Kailangan pa talaga na humingi tayo ng items.

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Q to Jimenez: As a former Alagad ng Midya, how will you ensure appropriate and expedited release of fundings for publication operations, equipment and spaces as well as the safety and security of student publications in the performance of their press duties?

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Jimenez ensures to allocate funds for student publications in providing enough resources to fulfill their functions.

“I will make sure that there’s enough expertise and assistance to give to our publications.”

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Q to Belaro: How would you ensure that you would not carry the interests of your company and party in leading the university? What assurance can you give to your constituents that the university would not be used for your commercial and political agenda?

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Belaro: It is an evidence of track record, quality of legislation, and what I can possibly do for UP. Ito naman po ay hindi magagamit sa commercial and political agenda. Kasi ang para po sa UP sa tingin ko, ay para rin sa bayan.

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Q to Azanza: Given your proposals, how would you ensure that the university would not lose its identity and would not stray from its mandated core values and principles?

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Azanza says that his metaversity proposal will strengthen the UP core values and enhance the production of research.

“Makakasabay tayo sa ikot ng mundo at kung saan papunta ang academic institutions.”

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Q to Pacheco: What do you possess now since the last UP President selection that would convince the board to select you despite your initial loss?

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Pacheco: Nanggaling ako sa reenergizing sabbatical. Bilang isang karaniwang guro, naramdaman ko rin kung paano on-ground. Ang perspektibo ko ay lumawak, ang karanasan ko ay nagbalanse.

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Q to Sanchez: How will you ensure that UP under your leadership will be one that is fair, constituent-driven and without nepotism?

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Sanchez ensures that he will choose the “best” people to be part of his team, without looking at their “political affiliation, loyalty, fraternal relationship” to get them to do the job they are tasked to do.

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Q to Nemenzo: What is your interpretation of these values and principles? To whom will it serve primarily? Would your implementation of this be different from your predecessors should you be the next UP President?

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Nemenzo stressed that UP lands should serve the mandate of the university and must “comply with safeguards provided by the existing laws.”

He also insists that there must be long-term planning and solutions.

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The program proceeds with the fast talk portion. The presidential nominees shall utilize the “Yes” and “No” features in Zoom to answer the issues presented to them.

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Q: Are you in favor of the reimposition of mandatory ROTC?

All nominees answered “No”.

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Q: Do you agree that DepEd and other education agencies should have confidential funds?

All nominees answered “No”.

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Q: If you will be the next UP President, are you going to elevate AVPSA into a standing Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (OVPSA)?

All nominees, except Nemenzo, answered "Yes."

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Q: Are you in favor of lifting academic ease policies, especially now at the transition phase?

All nominees, except Sanchez, answered "No."

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Q: Are you in favor of the resumption of UPCAT in 2023?

All nominees, except Pacheco, answered "Yes."

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Q: Do you think the UP budget for FY 2021 is justified?

All nominees answered "No."

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Q: Is NTF-ELCAC welcome in the campuses of UP?

All nominees answered "No."

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Q: Are you going to stop and review Return Services Agreement (RSA) if you become UP President?

All nominees answered "Yes."

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Q: Are you in favor of decriminalizing libel?

All nominees, except Pacheco, answered "Yes."

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Q: Will you junk the freshie recruitment ban under your term?

All nominees answered "Yes."

Q: Can the Student Council have your support for the ownership or co-management of student centers under your term, similar to UPLB’s SU building and ongoing efforts in UPD?

All nominees, except Jimenez, answered "Yes."

Q: Do you think UP is a PWD-friendly institution?

All nominees answered "No."

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Q: Are you in favor of expanding the coverage of Free Tuition Law?

All answered “Yes.”

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Q: Are you in favor of junking SAIS in Manila, Baguio and Mindanao too and developing a better registration system?

All answered “Yes.”

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Q: As the next UP President, are you willing to grant alternative lands to transfer RCDG?

YES: Jimenez, Pacheco, Sanchez
NO: Azanza, Belaro, Nemenzo

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Q: Will you make Wika, Panitikan, at Kultura sa Ilalim ng Batas Militar (PS 21) available as a GE course across the UP system to combat historical whitewashing?

All nominees, except Jimenez, answered "Yes."

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Nominees will now answer questions from the audience. They can voluntarily express their answers using the “Raise Hand” feature in Zoom.

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Q: Where do you stand on the current P2.5-B budget cut to UP and lack of funding for safe school reopening vis-a-vis millions in confidential “intelligence” funds and the ballooning budget of NTF-ELCAC?

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Azanza says that the confidential “intelligence” funds must be “diverted” to the educational sector.

“Dapat ilagak ang pondo ng gobyerno upang ang ating pagpapayabong ng yamang pantao ay higit na maisulong.”

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Belaro stressed that the duty of the next president is to have “storytelling skills” to convince the country and assert the rightful budget for UP.

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Pacheco says that there must be a detailed discussion for the matter.

“Mahirap ‘yan dahil ang intelligence funds, iba ang auditing procedure. Sana ipaglaban natin ang worthiness ng maka-cut sa atin. Balansehin natin ang opinyon ng publiko.”

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Jimenez: I would be in favor in increasing the budget but we should explain what we are really doing.

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Q: Given that most of you are part of fraternities like Upsilon, how do you plan on addressing Frat-Related Violence in the university to ensure safe spaces and frat men are held accountable?

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Despite not being part of any frat organization, Pacheco claims that he respects the fraternities and supports them as part of the campus organizations.

“Naniniwala nga ako na alisin na ang ban sa pagsali sa mga organisasyon.”

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Jimenez says that he had always been against the FRV, proposing to educate the frat and socialize them into proper values.

“We have to mix stern discipline with incentives and education.”

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Nemenzo calls to recognize and acknowledge the fraternities as part of “tradition.”

“We need to implement laws, anti-hazing laws…Kailangang buhayin ang inter-frat council. Makakatulong ito sa pagpapalaganap ng cooperation and collaboration.”

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Q: At the previous forum, all candidates expressed support for PUV modernization, what do they have in plan for the livelihood of drivers of UP and improving the transportation system in UP?

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Pacheco: Kooperatiba ang sagot.. tutal ang kooperatiba naman ay buhay na buhay naman sa community na ito.

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Azanza agrees that cooperatives would provide assistance to UP drivers and their families and says he will help them organize one.

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Jimenez says that the matter should be left to the experts like Dr. Pacheco but reiterates that he supports the PUV modernization to ensure the protection of the environment.

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Nemenzo acknowledges that PUV drivers do not have enough capacity and resources for the modernization, so the government must ensure a “just transition.”

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Belaro reiterates one of the UP mandates as a research university.

“The way I approach issues is that you need to have a broad perspective of the issue at hand. Gawin po natin yan sa ating public university mandate which is research.”

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Sanchez: We need to balance social and public health issue…We need to have programs to help drivers from UP transition to this new modern jeepneys.

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Q: How will you prioritize the needs of regional units (UP DEPPO) in terms of accessibility of campus, student subsidies, lack of student spaces for rising population and understaffed administration?

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Jimenez says that he will focus more on the “accessibility” of campuses. He proposed a more modern “commuter train system” for the convenience of the students.

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Azanza says that the next UP President should ensure equity in allocating resources for all, including the regional units.

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Belaro highlights that there should be innovative solutions, such as making the campus “attractive”, to meaningfully engage stakeholders and organizations to address the problems of accessibility in campus.

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Pacheco says he envisions constituent universities to have respecting extension campuses.

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Sanchez acknowledges the importance of accessibility, encouraging conversations with the transport companies and inter-CU collaboration.

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Q: What is your stance on the current housing policies of UP and demolitions in communities leading to loss of livelihood and homes?

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Pacheco: Susi ang makipag-ugnayan sa mga LGUs. Ang mga polisiya [ngayon] ay on-site resettlement, kailangan nating mapag-aralan ang off-site housing na may transportation.

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Jimenez: We really have to improve housing policies. The key is to make sure that UP land prioritizes the UP community.

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Azanza acknowledges the informal settlers as an “integral” part of the UP community.

“Ako po ay HDRO director ng buong UP system - off campus housing ng UP employees. Itutuloy ko ang programang ito.”

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Belaro: Ako po ay naniniwala na we have to do social engineering. What we need to do is to have a vision. We have to examine our core.

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Nemenzo plans to properly implement the Land Use Development plan through cooperation with the LGUs in policy making.

“The reality is we have informal settlers communities in UP land. My position is no to demolitions, yes to relocations.”

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Sanchez cites current housing policies in UPLB.

“We need to revisit the housing policy of UP in relatively more time. Demolition of communities has to ensure social protection in order to protect [their] livelihood.”

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Q: How can you ensure that the institutionalization of the OVPSA would not be redundant in relation to the functions of the OVCSA per CU, given the specific contexts of the student communities of each CU?

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Belaro claims that the institutionalization of the OVPSA will go “hand-in-hand” with the “maximization of the public service mandate” of the university.

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Azanza says institutionalization of OVPSA would make way for centralized responses to issues raised by CUs through their respective OVCSAs.

“Hindi ito magkakaroon ng conflict o magiging redundant.”

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Jimenez justifies that the OVPSA will be in charge of “policy coordination.”.

“It can also be an aid in oversee functions to make sure that the policies are consistent everywhere.”

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Nemenzo stressed that more attention should be given to student affairs, not "another bureaucratic layer” in the delivery of services, but to strengthen the existing student offices.

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Pacheco: Hindi ko wine-welcome ang layers of bureaucracy pero wine-welcome ko ang top representation ng boses ng mga estudyante.

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Sanchez highlights the need for an institution that will represent the students to have a “direct policy” that the local OVCSA can follow.

“Based on our experience in COVID-19 pandemic, we saw the need for coordination.”

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The Q and A portion ends here. Nominees are now given two minutes each for their closing messages.

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Azanza reiterates the importance of track records in leading the university, citing his experiences as CatSU president.

“Ang ating metaversity vision para sa unibersidad para makahabol the rest of the world dahil napag iiwanan na tayo.”

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Belaro says that there must be a kind of leadership that can keep up in all government discourses.

“Kailangan natin ng espesyalista. Hindi natin kailangan ng santo sa pamamalakad ng unibersidad. Kailangan po natin ay mga leaders.”

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Jimenez stressed the importance of “internationalization” and “engaging the world.”

“In order to solve national problems, it has to be in the context of a global culture.”

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Pacheco says that he wishes to strengthen communication with the students regarding their concerns. He also encouraged the students to continue expressing their ideas and grievances with “no holds barred.”

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Nemenzo cites his grassroot experiences in the university and with the UP community.

“What I offer is a leadership that understands the university as a community…[affirming] the role of UP as a partner of government and civil society in building the nation.”

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Sanchez proposes an “inclusive national university” that provides an “enabling environment” where the concerns of every student shall be heard.

He also called on the community to “harness the power of synergy” and strengthen inter-UP collaborations.

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Student Regent Siegfred Severino gives the closing remarks.

“Sana going forward, kung sino man ang mapili, inaasahan na ibahagi sa programang ito ang mga programang sinabi sa mga estudyante.”

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The student-led Presidential forum ends with the singing of UP Naming Mahal.

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