Pledged to serve and represent the entire College just to end up bickering from within the organization itself evokes nothing but mockery from the sector they embody—a clear manifestation of poor link and farcical claim that they are for the students when they, themselves, cannot uphold the oath they proudly vowed to do.
It did not go unnoticed when the Polytechnic University of the Philippines-College of Accountancy and Finance Student Council published the resolution concerning the recent mass resignation. The same leaders who were elected, proclaimed, and recognized in the highest governing body in PUP CAF were subjected to different forms of criticism and taunted for the reason that they failed to continuously perform the duties they committed, or for not being united and letting prejudice taint the almighty Council.
When those who govern us are in conflict, who will suffer from such a dispute?
Indeed, being involved in controversy is a pain in the ass. People are trying to get to know every little detail of what really occurred. Some cannot contain their curiosity and resort to publishing their views regarding the matter.
From the resolution released by the PUP CAF SC last March 10, 2022, in their Facebook page, students under the College of Accountancy and Finance were informed of what had happened—the recognition and acceptance of resignation of the Council’s Vice President, 4 Councilors, and 36 other officers. With so much of a number, the natural reaction was to guess why it happened and what caused the mass resignation.
One of the given statements was from former Vice President Maria Cecilia Arce. She stated that her resigning from her post was due to political conflict, and mental and physical exhaustion to an unprofessional environment. Aside from that, there had been personal displeasure as from her letter, it is said that she received rude comments and read offensive languages from her fellow officers through a group chat which was immediately removed by the senders.
What is expected from the council is far from the real scene. Political conflict is very evident that resulting in resigning from the post when what you desire is already on your reach is the only thing you would consider. One could argue that what happened was unnecessary, they could have resolved the issues internally, but it turned out the hole is big enough for them to just plaster.
Another statement was the collective sentiment of the 4 Councilors who resigned— Ms. Alessandra Bengco, Mr. Bryan Christian Bucud, Ms. Christine Louie Igna, and Mr. Niño Van Jireh Mendoza, together with 36 council officers. It is disclosed that there had been conflicts of interest among members, pushing of political and personal agendas, cherry-picking of jobs, and lack of responsibility inside the council.
Considering that they are the ones who entered such obligations expecting to work in an environment that would promote a safe place while doing the job and being eager to perform their duties and put ideas into reality, realizing that not everybody is on the same page as you would definitely be tiring. There are no specifics of what happened, but rumors have it that the Council is really enmeshed—it could be justified by the event itself.
“We were witnesses to the lack of initiative, orderliness, professionalism, effective communication, sense of urgency, and responsibility from our co-Executive Officers…”, “Some of our councilors were subjected to a series of public humiliations and politicking online…”, “We were always left hanging in meetings and our group chats, thus reaching out became tiring,” these are some of the reasons stated to substantiate the resignation.
The blame game should not be brought up but this is actually comical. This matter is more than just about power, but it seemed like some heads forgot why they were in that position in the first place. Such a disappointment it is that outing the affairs which are exceptionally rooted in unprofessionalism makes the people think of how incompetent and unfit they are for the job.
There was also one canceled event due to the inactivity and lack of contribution of some executives which felt like a major insult to those officers who offered their time and sacrificed their academic ad personal commitments just to perform their jobs. This is downright unjust. One that is unexpected especially that every student under their umbrella is rooting for them.
With all these issues spreading like a wildfire, some are of no mercy. There had been a post from the university’s freedom wall that insinuated something about the event—dragging the names of the involved parties which was not taken lightly by the respondents. It is said that there was a haul that occurred and that some officers do not want to resign but was forced to do so—a claim that is said to be based on a friend who is one of the officers who signed the resignation.
It was commented by the involved parties stating their side of the story—dropping another bomb that revealed clarifications and through the lens of how it is inside. A clear display of a toxic environment but regardless, some still opt to stay.
Alex Bengco said, “I take offense to that. these SCOS/JCOS/YCLS are capable of making their own decisions. 'Wag mo silang i-reduce into someone who will do as their comms heads say lang kasi ‘di sila pushovers, at 'wag mong iinvalidate 'yung reasons nila for resigning.” (Do not reduce them into someone who will do as their comms heads say as they are not merely pushovers, and do not invalidate their reasons for resigning.)
While Niño Mendoza stressed, “...these people are already consenting adults—capable of deciding for themselves at hindi na kailangan ng anumang pangungumbinsi para kumilos (and do not need convincing for them to take action). They are responsible for their own decisions already.”
“Alam mo ba na some of them already have a desire to leave the SC long before the mass resignation dahil sa gulo ng sistema at bulok na pamumuno ng Presidente at Biseng hindi na nagpakita kailanman? Napipigilan lang ng panghihinayang dahil may commitment sila maglingkod at magtrabaho para sa CAF,” he added. (Do you know that some of them already have a desire to leave the Student Council long before the mass resignation because of the disordered system and bad leadership of the President and Vice President who did not even show themselves ever? It was just fended off because they commit to serve and work for CAF.)
From this, it is apparent that there is a problem in the system because the supposed leaders who have to guide them are the ones clashing as the President and Vice President are deemed to have ill relationships resulting in the exploitation of their co-executives and other Council officers. The narrative that they are for the students is questionable when they cannot even guide the members of the Council.
According to Christine Louie Igna, “This is so low and illogical. Kung wala ka sa tamang headspace, wag mo kaming idamay (If you are not in the right headspace, do not drag us). If only you'd read and understood the resignation letter, our official statement, I don't think you'd be here spouting nonsense like this. So please, save us both the time and worry by reading up.”
There is even a statement that says if something is unclear, they should go message them directly. Quite absurd when they did not entertain some of those who asked.
Carl Calderon, one of the officers who chose to stay even reached and said, “I hope that you would realize na walang nangyaring 'bitbitan' (that there’s no haul that had occurred). I fully respect their decisions and I still have a huge respect for them.”
Debunking the assumption that peer-pressuring was the case is the reason why lots of officers decided to leave their posts, statements from another resolution were made just this March 23, 2022. Quoting, “We also recognize that this was a mutual decision between all the parties and that no one was forced or influenced to come up with such a decision, contrary to what other people say.”
The council even assured that they are moving forward and remains united and steadfast in this unprecedented situation. Truth cannot be wrung from both parties as they all have their version of the story. But one thing is for sure if faced with a situation where your efforts are neglected despite what you had forsaken, leaving might be the best option.
Being an officer comes with a price–it requires you to sacrifice something as you have to perform your duties which mandates you to embody how a true leader should act in accordance with accepted norms and proper conduct. Not only did it occupies your time, but also exhausts your whole well-being. One thing that could have been the source of motivation is the shared understanding of your co-officers as it will lessen the pressure despite the amount of work you are expected to do. If this is threatened and when the ones you look up to cannot perform their duties well, also, when squabbling is present, it is no hope that it would soon be better. This should serve as the wake-up call to those who let it happen–when given a chance to prove yourself, do it without hesitation and consider those who will suffer from such selfishness and lack of sense of responsibility. This is not just a game but when there is a call of duty, turning your back at it and leaving those under you is certainly not the smartest thing to do.
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