UP Diliman student council to remain vacant after elections

The University of the Philippines (UP) Diliman’s University Student Council (USC) will continue to have 14 of its posts vacant after students voted to abstain.

According to a report by UP's school paper, Philippine Collegian, none of the unopposed candidates for the university-wide positions won due to the overwhelming abstentions.

It said that independent chairperson candidate Erwin Medina only garnered 3,010 votes against the 4,668 abstention votes. Independent vice-chairperson bet Charles Justin Shi, meanwhile, received 3,019 votes against 4,659 abstentions. 

The Philippine Collegian added that this is the first time it happened since the student council’s restoration in 1980. 

UP Diliman’s USC will be composed of six elected representatives for now. 

“Only the six duly elected college representatives from the Colleges of Law, Mass Communication, Social Sciences and Philosophy, Business Administration, Social Work and Community Development, and the National College of Public Administration and Governance, so far, compose the incoming USC,” the report read. 

There is no announcement yet whether a special elections would be held.

UP Student Regent Iya Trinidad, however, is pushing for it amid what she described as "worsening political, economic, and social crisis" in the country.

"Di po pwedeng kulang kulang o bakante ang University Student Council! Nasa punto tayo na kailangan nating magpalakas at magpatibay ng kilusang kabataan, at mahalaga ang gampanin ng USC dito," Trinidad said.

"UPD needs to hold special elections and we also need to ensure students will participate." —Vince Angelo Ferreras/VAL, GMA Integrated News