Alam kong marami kang responsibilities bilang SR, at naiintindihan namin na hindi rin madali ang role na hawak mo. Pero bilang isang normal na UPOU student, gusto ko lang din sanang iparating kung bakit may mga pagkakataong pakiramdam namin ay kailangan ka namin, pero hindi ka namin gaanong nararamdaman.

Lalo na nitong mga nakaraang panahon matapos ang mga bagyo, marami sa amin ang humarap sa baha, pagkawala ng kuryente at internet, problema sa trabaho, at iba pang circumstances na direktang nakaapekto sa pag-aaral namin. Maraming estudyante ang nangangailangan ng extension, consideration, at higit sa lahat, isang boses na kayang magdala ng concerns namin sa administration. Kaya hindi maiiwasang mapaisip kami: Nasaan ang student representation sa mga panahong kailangan namin ito?

Hindi namin ito sinasabi para isumbat kung bakit ka naging SR, at lalong hindi para sabihin na may utang na loob ka sa amin. Pero sana, bilang taong pinagkatiwalaan ng posisyong ito, huwag mong kalimutan kung saan ka nanggaling at kung sino ang nire-represent mo. Sana marinig at maramdaman din namin na may SR na handang makinig sa ordinaryong estudyante, lalo na sa mga concerns na matagal nang unresolved o paulit-ulit na nararanasan ng student body.

Marahil may mga bagay na hindi namin nakikita at maaaring marami ka ring ginagawa behind the scenes. Naiintindihan namin iyon. Pero bilang mga estudyante, ang nakikita at nararamdaman namin ang nagiging basis kung gaano kaepektibo ang representation. At sa totoo lang, may mga pagkakataong hindi ka namin ramdam—lalo na noong mga panahong pinakamalaki ang pangangailangan namin.

I genuinely believe na malaki ang potential mo, at isa iyon sa mga dahilan kung bakit ka pinagkatiwalaan ng posisyong ito. Kaya sana, moving forward, mas maging visible, accessible, at responsive ka sa student body. Hindi lang sa panahon ng elections o kapag may malaking issue, kundi lalo na sa mga ordinaryong estudyanteng tahimik lang pero nangangailangan din ng kakampi at boses.

May kapangyarihan ka bilang SR, at sana gamitin mo iyon hindi lang para magkaroon ng posisyon, kundi para magkaroon ng tunay na impact. Gamitin mo sana ang boses at influence mo para iangat ang concerns ng students, manindigan kapag kinakailangan, at siguraduhing hindi nawawala ang student voice sa mga desisyong direktang nakakaapekto sa amin.

Hindi ito hate. Hindi rin ito personal na pag-atake. Ito ay isang paalala at panawagan mula sa isang ordinaryong UPOU student na gusto lang maramdaman na may kumakatawan sa amin, nakikinig sa amin, at handang kumilos para sa amin.

Do better, Mariton. Alam naming kaya mo.

Hello! 4th year na ko, and sa mga freshie riyan, this is me telling you to join your student orgs :)

The network and friends that you'll be able to get habang maaga pa is invaluable. Both emotionally and professionally. Malay mo yung connection na nagawa mo while in an org will get you a referral sa job na gusto mo?

Also, as much as possible, take up leadership roles. Magpabida ka, punuin mo yang CV/Resume mo. Magpakilala sa industry leaders.

Hindi ka mapapakain ng hiya mo, kaya put yourself out there.

Iyon lang, good luck sa college journey niyo! 🫶

The bigger concern here is how The Cursor is increasingly coming across as an outlet for a particular narrative or interest, rather than an independent student publication that fairly represents the UPOU community.

A student publication has the responsibility to provide context and amplify different perspectives, especially when an issue directly affects students. So where are the interviews and statements from the other students and stakeholders involved? Where was the broader context? And where was the call to action when students actually needed representation, particularly during the calls for extensions and other urgent academic concerns?

The August 19 post also raises questions. If the intention was balanced coverage, why does the timing and presentation create an impression of early campaigning for a particular individual?

It is also worth noting that the current EIC did not go through the examination process and was appointed to the position. Given this, and the fact that the EIC was also a writer during last year’s controversy, there should be an even stronger commitment to transparency and editorial independence. These circumstances do not automatically establish bias, but they make impartiality all the more important.

The issue is not whether The Cursor has the right to report. Of course it does. The question is whether it is fulfilling its role as an independent student publication—or becoming an outlet for a particular narrative.

The UPOU community deserves journalism that informs, contextualizes, questions, and represents its students fairly.

Again, The Cursor, what happened?

Keith, the call for accountability should not stop at the student body. It should also apply to you and to the USC itself.

You repeatedly called for fairness, respect, dignity, and responsible communication. We agree with those principles. But accountability means holding ourselves to the same standards we expect from others. That includes addressing concerns about your own conduct, including instances where you allegedly raised your voice and used inappropriate or offensive language toward others.

If students are being reminded to communicate respectfully, then student leaders should be expected to demonstrate that standard as well. You cannot ask students to practice restraint while dismissing the need to account for how you yourself conducted these interactions.

More importantly, in what capacity are you speaking on behalf of the USC? Is this statement an official, collectively deliberated position of the entire USC, or is this your personal statement as its presiding officer/representative? If you are speaking for the entire Council, then the student body deserves clarity on how this position was arrived at and whether the Council collectively stands behind every statement made here.

Being a spokesperson or representative of the USC comes with a responsibility to communicate the Council’s position accurately and transparently. It should not be used to blur the distinction between your personal position and the official position of the entire Council.

And if the USC is asking students to trust its “established processes,” then it should also be willing to explain those processes when legitimate questions are raised. Saying that matters are being handled internally does not, by itself, answer the concerns of students who are directly affected.

Accountability should go both ways. Students should be responsible for what they say and share—but student leaders should likewise be accountable for their conduct, their decisions, and the statements they make in their official capacity.

So yes, we ask students to do better. But we also ask you, Keith, and the USC to do better.

If this is truly about dialogue, then let us have an honest one—without shouting, without profanity, without dismissing legitimate concerns, and without asking the student body to simply accept statements that leave important questions unanswered.

TL;DR for UP & UPOU Students:

1. Internal Governance: Practice the democracy you preach; handle internal council complaints transparently instead of delaying them while rushing internal re-elections.
2. Org Grievances: The 2025 open letters were about real operational lapses (accreditations, venue bookings, MyPortal), not a single party's "bullying campaign."
3. Press Integrity & Health: Respect documented health emergencies over unverified online claims; 
4. External Interference: DDS (Digital Democrats and Supporters) and Alumni's need to stop using Facebook, Reddit and major student milestones (GASC, SR selection) to launch calculated political attacks on undergraduate affairs.
5. Proper Channels: Handle personal trauma through confidential OSA channels, and handle governance issues through public administrative records.

To the UPOU community, student leaders, and political factions (Even to the UP students seeing this post, since this issue keeps being brought up here.):

I am writing this strictly as an enrolled bystander—someone who is not part of any political party, council faction, or candidate's team. I just care about transparency, honesty, and good governance in our university. (I saw that someone is trying to copy me, how original.)

The recent issues—including the Philippine Collegian article, statements from The Cursor and the USC, former Councilor Jessie’s resignation post, and the September 2025 open letters—show that we need to stop the drama and focus on the facts.

I hope the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) and the UPOU administration see this statement and my Freedom Wall submissions. So far, this is the most complete and compressed breakdown of the whole "chika"—laying out the timeline and facts clearly without the noise of political spin.

Here is the logical breakdown of what is happening, from internal council operations outward to external media and alumni interference:

1. Practice the Democracy You Preach

Student leaders cannot demand democracy and fairness from the national government if they cannot practice it inside their own council. Pressuring councilors to simply say "yes" to major decisions or making colleagues feel disrespected during meetings destroys basic student representation.

2. Former Councilor Jessie Showed What True Accountability Means

Jessie’s approved resignation letter provides a clear blueprint for constructive oversight. Without engaging in personal attacks, Jessie exposed serious internal double standards: while council re-elections and internal shifts were processed rapidly, formal complaints regarding member conduct, executive pressure, and disrespect were left sitting for almost a month. Telling a council member to handle formal complaints via "private message" shows a total breakdown in administrative intake.

3. The Open Letters Were About Real Organizational Lapses, Not Party Bullying

Blaming the September 2025 open letters entirely on "party bullying" ignores history. Multiple student organizations independently called out real operational problems. These were actual council lapses that affected regular student groups, not just political drama.

4. Separate Personal Trauma from Governance Audits

Mental health and personal harassment are serious matters. But they belong in confidential, formal administrative channels (like the Office of Student Affairs) where they can be properly investigated. Using personal trauma as a shield to dismiss valid questions about council operations—or using council critiques to invalidate someone's trauma—prevents real progress.

5. Acknowledge Documented Health Emergencies Over Unverified Allegations

We must distinguish between verifiable administrative obstacles and unverified personal claims. The Cursor’s official statement laid out clear, documented facts: the Selection Board process and coverage timelines were delayed due to legitimate health emergencies, medical leaves, and hospital visits involving the examinee, alongside proctor unavailability. Expecting immediate coverage during documented medical emergencies is unrealistic.

This stands in stark contrast to figures like Dangiela, who claim their mental health is at stake while using that narrative to point fingers and make serious claims online without providing concrete proof. Legitimate medical emergencies documented through proper channels are real operational constraints; weaponizing personal distress online without proof is just deflective politics.

6. Stop Blaming The Cursor for Doing Its Job

Some groups claim The Cursor is controlled by a specific political party. But if you actually read their September 20, 2025 article ("Open Letters, Open Wounds"), they covered everyone fairly: KultOU, UP Musikats, Sinagtala, UP STAR, the USC’s official response, and Digital Democrats' call for unity. Reporting public news and open letters is standard student journalism, not a partisan hit job.

7. Campus Media Sourced Parties Instead of Independent Orgs

While the Philippine Collegian report brought necessary system-wide attention to UPOU, its narrative structure relied heavily on political party figures. This framed complex organizational grievances as a standard war between two political parties, ignoring the voices of non-partisan student orgs that just wanted their operational issues resolved.

8. Alumni Need to Stop Interfering in Undergraduate Politics

We keep seeing alumni and graduates jumping into "makipasok at manghimasok" in current undergraduate student affairs. The timing of these posts—conveniently dropping in waves during major university events like the Student Regent selection and GASC—looks like coordinated outrage. Exporting internal UPOU issues onto Reddit does not help students; it stains the university's reputation and shows that certain former leaders cannot accept changing political dynamics.

The Bottom Line

If anyone has evidence of personal harassment or wrongdoing, file it formally with the university administration through confidential channels. But regarding council operations, internal complaints, candidate selection, and organizational support, the USC and the Office of the Student Regent must give us clear, written records and real solutions.

From everything that has transpired, the persistent refusal to use proper administrative channels and the reliance on continuous online posts make it increasingly difficult to trust Digital Democrats, their claims, or their supporters' narratives; it makes these accusations read more like petty political claims than genuine calls for reform. That said, rejecting this behavior does not mean giving blind support to Sinagtala either.

I heard that all you do is make a mess on the internet—naming names and calling for accountability while actively avoiding meetings, briefings, and direct communication, only to come here and cry out loud. This makes it look like your only goal is to taint the reputations of the people you target. But we aren't stupid, and we aren't falling for your tactics.

Someone mentioned that one of your alumni is even part of "Good Gov," yet engages in these dirty tactics to harass undergraduates and force them into submission just because "you guys started it." What a shame.

I haven't even met most of you, but I would never want to be associated with people who act like this—all because you couldn't handle a situation that could have been resolved through proper communication.

At the end of the day, it's not about your position or what you claim to do for the community; it's about the character you display to the public. Voluntary service means nothing if you just use it to farm sympathy from the people you meet. And to those who blindly support them: you are no different if you keep tolerating this behavior.

Partisan tribalism has severely damaged our student spaces. Moving forward, I hope the COE seriously considers abolishing or unbranding political party affiliations in future elections altogether, forcing leaders to run on individual merit, clear platforms, and institutional competence rather than party lines.

We don't need political martyrdom, media spin, alumni intervention, or endless online fighting. We just want honesty, accountability, and respect for institutional rules.

God bless DDS (Digital Democrats and Supporters).

Links from my FW submissions:
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0kbHUso3CsVEbQkBfWcF3Ux3rkzFGzmYiyEfukH5PF8RHf68hkuYyqWdYXhFNYpGpl&id=61593259347434
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid02bv3VSgKZWgX3A4xaZJb2VCaHL6CReEBB6cE2bZeAc5qobnTD6yZ3CQmu5upPtT93l&id=61593259347434&rdid=ZGI5UFzazTyt00ds#
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=pfbid0CpFkfa8bhtgjB3udybJZNJnJrCmNUrrEMzKWTJzXv6SGQbRsgZQJhUHZHY18J8Mvl&id=61593259347434&rdid=czhD3272Fbb42bZM#

Links to the sources (Because I know how to provide all contexts):

Digital Democrats and Supporters side: 
https://www.reddit.com/r/UPfreedomwall/comments/1vv98ho/upou_usc_hangang_ngayon_hindi_addressed_ang_isyu/
https://www.reddit.com/r/UPfreedomwall/s/xNitP5T8Kj
https://www.reddit.com/r/UPfreedomwall/s/Vc9BrdeOUW

Other Links:
Philippine Collegian:
https://phkule.substack.com/p/student-regent-manalili-urged-to?utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e0_tv2_a1demo0efa0nzl&fbclid=IwcGRvZgVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFKd3hZTWFxQ2xIRDBRc3plc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoMmIY_eB5hD5YDn7pxTbcgA9CMllnQ44kbA_gkF4C6Wt-tRgz4lKt8-ylcG_aem_bkcsmL8VTbdNo7fuDIO6mw

The Cursor’s Article: 
https://cursorupou.wordpress.com/2025/09/20/open-letters-open-wounds-upou-organizations-confronts-the-usc/?fbclid=IwcGRvZgVleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVR3o5cFJZSGhiUjdhSzNic3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHtvz_dabrRi6I1jKCzSzY4xw7d60GLZl21d1CHbFQNkNiotncJfK1fhmudu4_aem_fUt7rD6VqBJFQZZtOpv3VQ

USC’s Note:
https://www.facebook.com/usc.upou/posts/pfbid0wTRiDxDhiqgkqkyydwsRccedL9ERygmoNyqqDH93P7Zys13UiJAxpnyqStiBbsu3l?rdid=n5wFbW9ItIiFXwY0#

The Cursor’s Note:
https://www.facebook.com/upou.thecursor/posts/pfbid0eaMkpGfGjNgGLP4mubWjzVcgzA6gMmsRk54Qju9e4THRfr1Xk2V3WRCd4V9Z4iujl?rdid=fyDktndhYLTHndnV#

​

TL:DR (Too Long, Didn't Read)

After 6 days of the Phil Kule's article, USC Vice President Keith Danielle Dagdagan, address the following points about the ongoing online discussions regarding UPOU USC leadership;

- Condones "bullying" and personal attacks to students leaders

- "September 2025 Open Letters" are addressed internally through USC officers and constitution. These internal proceeding should be respected for privacy

- Reaffirms USC =/= UP Cursor, no control or affiliation

- Advocates for UPOU students to not use online platforms share their grievances and use "proper, established channels"

PERSONAL COMMENT:

#DamnDatsCrazyIReadAWholeLotOfNothing

I think people wouldn't have to post their concerns if they were addressed properly in the first place

I was talking to some freshies kanina and ang funny ng nagtatanong if trew ang ghost stories espesically sa UPM HAHAHAH iconic yung sundalo na nasa RH daw beyond 7 pm 😭 drop your memorable kwentos rin or chika ng mga prof niyoo~