Senatorial Aspirant Woos KASAMA ILB in Candidate’s Forum

✒️ by Simonette Intong

📸 by Farhana Borowa

Looking to fill in a vacant seat in the organization, the Kataastaasang Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA) summons candidates vying for the Senatorial position and chairpersonship of Facilities Committee in the Candidate's Forum on February 7, at the College of Engineering Executive Council (COE-EC) office. 

The said forum is part of the Legislative Summit 2024 organized by the KASAMA Institute Legislative Body (ILB), ensued by the forced resignation of an unnamed Senator due to possible negligence, abandonment of duties, and malversation of funds as described in the Student Ombudsman report. Hence, Senatorial aspirants are called to talk about merits and convince current officers that they can keep up with the demands of being KASAMA, albeit the late entry—deliberations and discussion of exclusive matters follow shortly.

Holy Faith Opog, the lone aspirant who is presently the Associate Secretary of the KASAMA Training and Development Committee and a pillar head of their course’s society, branded herself as an excellent communicator and a passionate student leader with a drive for volunteerism, banking on her skills as a 4th-year Hospitality Management student and experience as a former Associate Secretary of the KASAMA Culture and Arts Committee (CUA) on the previous academic year.

With only three months of term remaining as soon as the official proclamation transpires, Opog pivots on the improvement of facilities and the beautification of the KASAMA office and the assistance she can provide with handling food in the upcoming PALAKASAN 2024 if granted the position, “I-improve ang KASAMA office, which is mag-tap ko ug mga concerned offices para ma-beautify ang atoang office…”—specifying the office’s WiFi, air conditioning, curtains, and water dispenser.

Opog also expressed that she was not able to not run during the first semester elections due to the hindrance of her on-the-job training, although she decided to heed the call this time since a position is vacant and it’s ‘bothering’ for her to not run albeit the capacity and skills she possesses—further elaborating that she would still choose CUA if given the chance.

In terms of catching up with her peers, Opog enthused that her measures would include asking fellow senators and assessing the needs of the organization. Additionally, when questioned if she is acquainted with the duties and responsibilities of a Facilities Committee chairperson, specifically on acquiring venues for meetings in case KASAMA undergoes another renovation and the proper communication channels to follow, she stated, “...pwede ra ta makahangyo.”

According to Senate President Hannah Polangi, results will be announced once due process is followed. KASAMA also disclosed that prior to the forum, they had two applications but the other applicant withdrew last minute from the candidacy.