In the dormitory building I live in, I've noticed a lot of vandalism on the posters put up by the independent presidential candidate Rob Roque who apparently is running against another independent candidate Howie Uyking. This got me searching social networking sites for more information and I stumbled upon the latter candidate's Formspring page. I've gone over some of the questions and would like to add my own take on two of the most pressing issues with this rivalry.
1. Experience and Credentials
- One can boast three full years of service and experience in the Sanggunian system while the other optimistically looks at his lack of experience as a call to revolutionalize the system with his inspired ideas. While I believe that inspiration can lead to amazing efforts and projects, without the guidance of years of experience in a complex body such as the Sanggunian and the knowledge of their inner workings, one may find oneself spending more time learning the ropes rather than acting on the said inspiration. And the Ateneo student body cannot afford to have this.
- Now this I have no personal information about regarding the latter candidate. The bulk of my insight into this particular area is based solely on what I've read from his Formspring. From what I understand, the latter has had some problems coping with academic responsibilities in the past and people are holding this against him. One cannot judge a person completely based on one single instance in the past. People can change. This, of course, is going to make running against a person with a clean track record that much more difficult though as I'm sure people will not let this go easy. What's more, this statement can work both ways. I noticed the candidate keeps bringing up on Formspring his QPI last semester. That's but one particular instance. What about your 7 other semesters as an Atenean? Their average would be a far better and impartial thing to bring up, would it not?
Qualification
- You tell us repeatedly that everyone who meets the grade requirement is eligible to run. Assuming you are correct (as I myself have no idea what the requirements are), I'd like to point out that while everyone is eligible, not everyone is capable of handling the number of responsibilties and of controlling the powers vested upon the president of the student body. Do you not agree this is exactly why a majority of students do not even consider running for presidency, even ones with experience? Without prior leadership positions, how can you claim to be able to implement things when a newbie of the system such as you will have to learn to handle the two things mentioned above... all in just one year?
