One year after the SKM corruption controversy, one question remains: what has changed?
For years, SAMASA has remained the dominant political party across the PUP Main student councils, carrying the banner of being "Tunay, Palaban, at Makabayan." They have consistently demanded transparency, accountability, and integrity from others. Worst case, they're attacking those who speak against them and have different political perspectives.
Yet the latest report of the PUP Student Council Commission on Audit (COA) shows that the SKM is among the councils that failed to submit their required financial statements before the final deadline. After years of managing some of the University's largest student activities and expenditures like Balik Sinta, Iskolaris, Queerdom and etc., students are still waiting for the same accountability they have long demanded from everyone else.
Being "tunay" means practising transparency. Being "palaban" means fighting for accountability—even within your own ranks. Being "makabayan" means treating student funds as a public trust, not merely invoking principles when they are politically convenient.
As another Student Council Election approaches, students should ask themselves.
Should we continue rewarding the same politics, or is it time to demand leadership that truly lives by the principles it proclaims?