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Meckia Villanueva, the unopposed Central Student Council (CSC) secretary candidate, vowed to continue the previous council programs, according to an interview with TomasinoWeb about her leadership and platforms.

Villanueva’s platform consists of strengthening connections for student expression and a solid document-processing system in the Central Student Council.

As the CSC garnered sponsorship in events such as Paskuhan and other community development projects, she plans to extend the connections from the Manila campus to other UST campuses.

“It is a way na we are widening our connections – the greater possibilities for us to have like sponsors sa particular projects [...] and since maraming mga bagong campuses yung UST, we can lend them or give them our help na mas ma-establish sila,” medical biology student Villanueva said. “Ang common goal talaga n’on (Abot Tomasino) is to make progressive councils and organizations.”

She reiterated that Abot Tomasino aims to “produce faster and more sponsorships” and “envision a vis-a-vis program adaptation between partner schools,” a tangible product of the platform.

Villanueva, in her second and last platform, Hakbang Tomasino, plans to simplify paper processing between organizations and administration offices in the University.

“We will coordinate with the UST Simbahayan to have a contact, set a meeting with community development leaders, and ask them ‘yung certain areas and certain points na nagiis-struggle sila sa pagpa-process ng papers, so we can focus on those areas to improve and make it more efficient para ma-fulfill ‘yung mga proposals,” she said.

When asked more about her platform, she only planned to ensure the continuity of previous projects and constitutional revision.

“So aside from those platforms, and na-mention ko na we’re leaning towards continuity, ‘yung mao-offer ko pa for the Thomasian community is to continue our battle towards the constitution revision and also the policies that were drafted ng mga previous administrations but hindi pa nafu-fullfill,” the CSC aspirant said.

Constitutional revision

Villanueva was not the lone CSC aspirant to attempt a revision of the CSC constitution since former CSC President Nathan Agustin proposed a four-point amendment plan in 2023 but has yet to change and implement it.

As she sought the secretary seat, her priority to update the 2003 constitution was due to its “obsolescence” and the current needs of the students.

“Marami ng situations na nag-a-arise sa present generation na hindi na rin maresolve ng current constitution natin ngayon,” Villanueva said. “We really need to prioritize revising it nang mas updated and mas responding to the needs, the current needs of the students.”

On student participation

Villanueva promised to create progress in creating dialogues with the administration despite her claim of low student participation in the CSC and its events since the pandemic and the “intimidating engagement” in student councils.

“Intimidating for students din to join the council kasi, ‘yung napo-portray na image ng pag-join ng student council is something na nakakatakot na kasi baka hindi naman namin mapatupad yung mga plano namin for the student body, mga advocacies kumbaga,” Villanueva claimed.

Villanueva suggested that students may perceive the council as progressive if the leaders could fulfill their visions.

On combating student repression

When asked about the repressive system of the University, she said that she would continue to voice out opinions beyond her personal accounts if the administration declined projects and dialogue, if elected.

“Aside from the general platform na kunwari, ‘yung postings through the designated social media ng council, we still have our own platforms, we can still voice out our personal opinions through our personal accounts,” she said. “Kung i-decline man ng administration, that will not restrict me from still, from standing still with my stance as a student leader na maipaglaban pa rin ‘yung mga paniniwala ko, ‘yung prinsipiyo ko, as a student leader.”

She also highlighted that the administration “should have ears to listen, and the eyes to see the real problem of the student to have a better communication between the student body and the admin.”

Reason for secretary bid

The former Executive Coordinator to the Office of the Secretary in 2023-2024 ran for CSC to have a “focused duty and responsibility in the CSC” due to the Central Board’s divided attention in running the council.

Executive board officials of local student councils took charge of the CSC Central Board to fulfill the duties of the CSC after no candidates had been elected in the March polls. The officials were managing their local offices alongside the central student council duties.

“The vacancy of the positions prohibits the voices of the students to be heard at the central level. Kasi, oo, it was a good protest, pero kung panatilihin natin bakante ang mga position sa sentral na konseho,” the candidate shared.

Meanwhile, Villanueva said her candidacy “will bridge the gap between the student body and the University.”

“We are making the gap bigger and that is why I stepped out and took the courage to run despite the situation, to be the bridge and to bridge the gap between the student body and the administration,” she added.