Following an incomplete officer lineup in the first appointment process, De La Salle Lipa (DLSL) Student Government (SG) concluded its second batch of appointments to address vacancies, Aug. 29.
Out of 17 positions opened, nine were filled including Executive Auditor and Secretary for Sports, Culture, and Arts for the Executive Council, Governor for College of Business, Economics, Accountancy and Management (CBEAM), Vice Governor and Finance Manager for College of Information Technology and Engineering (CITE), and Program Coordinator seats for AB Communication, BS Accountancy, BS Hospitality Management, and BS Psychology.
In an interview with DLSL Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairperson Alexandra Janyre Aydalla, applicants were evaluated through psychological assessments and interviews alongside their academic and disciplinary records to ensure that only qualified students will be appointed.
“Before interview, pinapasagot muna ng psychological assessment na handle ng guidance ng school. Then after non […] ay nagco-compute ng results […] and then ‘yung records sa Registrar at sa DO naman dapat ay no failing grades at ang average ay [at least] 2.75 […] and walang major offenses,” Aydalla said.
Moreover, Aydalla stated that official announcements and memorandums are released after each round to keep the student body informed regarding the appointment proceedings.
“For transparency, kada tapos ng appointment process [ay] nagpo-post [kami] ng memo para sa lahat ng na-appoint, pati ‘yung naging schedule ng appointment process ay naka-indicate sa posted memorandum,” said Aydalla.
In addition, she noted that the appointment has been effective in filling vacant posts. However, concerns are still raised as the student body remains unaware of the appointed officers’ platforms.
“Compared sa election, mas maraming nag-a-apply for the appointment. […] Effective siya in a way na nafi-fill ‘yung spot ng applicant, pero hindi siya effective sa part ng students dahil hindi nila kilala or hindi sila aware sa platforms,” Aydalla explained.
The process also faced several challenges such as scheduling conflicts and lack of applicants in the Executive Council and CITE department, which negatively affected the SG operations.
“So far, ‘yung sa Executive Council ay hindi gaano karami [ang] nag-apply […] and same goes sa CITE. And ‘yun din siguro ‘yung pinaka-nakita kong problem, […] dahil sa kakulangan [ng] applicants,” Aydalla expressed.
The practice of appointing officers was initially limited to cabinet positions but it later expanded when vacancies increased in 2023.
“‘Yun ‘yung year na maraming vacancies pagdating do’n sa executive positions, na parang walang tumakbo as Executive President, so walang nanalo […] so medyo nakaka-alarm siya sa students, and doon mas nakilala ‘yung pag-a-appoint ng officers […] dahil hindi nag-re-elections noon,” Aydalla said.
For the new school year, Comelec is set on improving SG elections through increased online engagements and various activities, such as miting de avance and candidacy workshops, with the help of class representatives.
Comelec opened the third batch of screenings last Sept. 1 to 13 for the eight remaining vacant positions, however, the results have not been announced as of press time.
