‘Modelong Rehente’: A Reminiscence of PUP’s 18th Student Regency
- The Communicator
- 4 days ago
- 11 min read
On April 27, the iskolars of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) elected Michael Troy Cabangon as the 19th Student Regent who will serve as the sole representative to the university’s Board of Regents (BOR).
For the past two years, the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) has been marred with various anomalies, from admin intervention, negligence to duty, and contradictions to the office’s mandate—to be the genuine student representation in the BOR, the university’s highest governing body.
Miss Kim Modelo, the 18th PUP Student Regent, is the first SR in two years that is not admin-backed, and is elected by the studentry through a genuine electoral process.
Modelo assumed her post on December 10, 2023, after SR Wilhelm Provido got kicked out as the presider with 18 affirmatives out of 26 members of the 23rd Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Konseho (ANAK) PUP Congress. College of Education Student Council (COED SC) President Janssen Dela Peña at the time then took over as the President Pro Tempore.
Demands were made, and Modelo, who was also the Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral (SKM) President at the time, was nominated to be the next SR. Modelo took oath for her regency in March 2024, three months after Provido’s eviction. She made history as the first-ever trans woman student regent of the university.
Her term indeed swerved the PUP studentry into a turning point towards a militant, community-centered leadership. Albeit not perfect, the former SR left behind long-term institutional safeguards for the OSR and ANAK PUP as well as, inevitably, a trail of questions that remained unanswered.
Successes in struggle
Under Modelo, the OSR strived to materialize its campaign for a genuine, militant, and pro-community representation.
OSR, through its released accomplishment report on their official Facebook page, has attended a total of 30 national and local mobilizations, campaigns included, carried 27 student demands, released 37 various statements, spearheaded 17 projects, 19 consultations and public fora, 41 admin dialogues and other representations, and led 16 other initiatives.
The OSR also released a total of 39 Memorandum Orders, four Memorandum Circulars, and four Executive Orders. Additionally, the office had two Leaves of Absence (LOA) for its executive officers.
Before assuming post, Modelo laid a General and Specific Plan of Actions (GPOA) for her regency, embarking on a new chapter for the office to be student-centric.
Her GSPOA contained the campaign for a free, quality, and accessible education for all; democratic rights and welfare of the PUP community; youth and student-centric interests of PUP; and the progressive, consolidated, and genuine PUP OSR, to wit:
For a Free, Quality, and Accessible Education for all:
PUP Budget Increase Alliance: Pinakamalawak na alyansang nagsusulong upang itaas ang budget sa buong PUP.
Continuous Lobbying Efforts for Budget: [Pagbitbit] ng usapin [sa] pagtataas ng budget ng PUP sa iba’t ibang sangay ng gobyerno.
Rise for Education PUP System: Sistema upang ipaglaban ang karapatan sa edukasyon at tunay na malayang edukasyon ng bawat Iskolar ng Bayan
Defend PUP System: Upang ipaglaban ang kalayaang pang-akademiko at campus militarization
United PUP: Malawak na alyansa ng iba’t ibang sektor ng PUPians upang makabuo ng solido at nagkakaisang demand para sa buong komunidad ng PUP.
#BantayPrograma: Pagbabantay upang tutulan ang pagkalusaw ng iba’t ibang programa sa anumang porma
For the democratic rights and welfare of the PUP community:
#NotoMandatoryROTC Campaign: Pagbubuo ng kaisahan ng iba’t ibang rehente ng mga unibersidad at mga lider estudyante sa bansa upang tutulan ang MROTC.
NSTP Expansion: Pagbubuo ng malinaw na NSTP Modules
#NotoCampusMilitarization Campaign: Papailalim ito sa Defend PUP upang higit pang igiit ang ating kalayaang pang-akademiko laban sa pagpasok ng elemento ng estado sa pamantasan.
Human Rights Violation Grievance Desk: Bubuksan ito ng OSR at ANAK Federation laban sa atake sa loob ng pamatansan sa mga estudyante.
Library Empowerment: Paglaban sa historical distortion na niluluto ng administrasyong Marcos.
Guidance Counselor in Branches and Campuses: Sa paglala ng mental health crisis sa bansa, nangangailangan ng guidance counselors sa BNCs at hindi lamang ito tali sa Main Campus.
Org Spaces: Ipaglalaban ng OSR ang pagbibigay ng espasyo sa bawat konseho, publikasyon, at ng mga organisasyon.
Comprehensive SOGIE Policy at ASH Code: Igagaod ang mas kumprehensibong SOGIE policy at ASH Code.
Committee on Decorum and Investigate in BNC’s: Pag-igting ng Pagbabantay sa Sexual Harassment cases at ibang pang uri ng atake sa pamantasan.
PUP Student Handbook Amendment: Pagpapatuloy ng laban ukol sa anti-estudyanteng polisiya
For the youth and student-centric interests of PUP:
PUP Sanctuary: Pagbubukas ng PUP para sa mga nasalanta
Sectors Assembly: Pag-iisa ng mga sektor ng PUPians upang makabuo ng solido at nagkakaisang demand para sa buong komunidad ng PUP.
Tulong Kabataan PUP: Pinakamalawak ng volunteer group na tutugon sa iba’t ibang pangangailangan ng komunidad ng PUP.
For a progressive, consolidated, and genuine PUP OSR:
Maximization of PUP OSR and ANAK PUP: Imamaksima ang PUP OSR at ANAK PUP sa pagbuo ng iba’t ibang departamentong [magsisilbi] sa interes ng bawat PUPians.
Democratization of ANAK PUP: Idedemokritisa ang proseso ng pag-eelect ng mga miyembro ng executive committee ng ANAK PUP at pati na rin ang pag-eelect ng Student Regent ng PUP
Student Council and Publication Funds
Partnership and Sponsorship Database
ANAK PUP and AKM PUP F2F G.A.
*Highlighted are the projects listed in Modelo's GSPOA that are either accomplished or ongoing based upon existing data The Communicator has collated in its research.
In the entirety of the 18th OSR, 14 out of the 26 laid plans were achieved according to available data. Five for education rights, four for democratic rights, two for youth and student-centric interests, and three for OSR and ANAK PUP operational reforms.
The national campaign and fight for education rights is supported by the OSR, reflecting it to the local campaigns that the university directly experiences.
Multisectoral alliances such as the Budget Increase Network (BIN), Rise for Education (R4E), Defend PUP, and United PUP chapters are those that fight for a higher budget, right to education, and academic freedom, spearheaded by various formations and organizations, including the OSR.
Modelo, in the heightened National Polytechnic University (NPU) Bill discussion, took the lobbying efforts of a higher university budget to the House of Representatives (HOR) to consult various congress members.
In addition, Modelo consulted the alliances concerned of the university regarding the NPU Bill for which she amplified student demands to the BOR, and later, HOR.
#BantayPrograma, included in Modelo’s GSPOA however, has no available data to date.
Modelo’s regency included the push for demilitarization of the campus, including the denouncement of the government-led #MandatoryROTC campaign. Only four of these plans were materialized among the ten laid, as supposed by the availability of data to date.
The OSR conducted various system-wide consultations concerning different student concerns.
When Modelo assumed the post, extensive efforts for the expansion of the Committee on Decorum and Investigation (CODI) across branches and campuses were also included in her GSPOA.
It was one of the first consultations held during her term, discussing with the committee the revision of the CODI Manual that aims to introduce platforms on which students could seek help regarding sexual harassment cases. However, up to this date, the office has yet to update the held consultations in February of 2024.
The CODI, however, is open to cater to all types of legal cases including sexual harassment cases.
Moreover, OSR also reviewed the 2019 Student Handbook, which underwent system-wide consultations via local student councils (LSCs). However, amendments are underway through the 19th Student Regent according to the analysis of the consultations.
Furthermore, the office, through Tulong Kabataan (TK) PUP, and system-wide formations (LSCs, organizations, publications, and blocks) spearheaded two emergency relief operations for the victims of Typhoon Carina in July 2024, and Typhoon Kristine in November 2024, which brought catastrophic damages across the country.
Modelo, alongside the 24th ANAK PUP and PUP SC Comelec, also passed the first-ever PUP Student Regent Selection Code (SR SC) aiming to democratize the selection process of the regency position.
On top of all this, Modelo’s term showed various support for local and national campaigns, using the OSR as a platform to amplify—not only the education sector—but also multisectoral campaigns.
These mass campaigns are also supported by the OSR, to wit:
#CCISDeptals: Call to cancel the departmental examinations of the College of Computer and Information Science (CCIS) in 2023
#NoToJeepneyPhaseout: Opposal to Public Transportation Modernization Program (PTMP), previously known as Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP)
#EARISTBlackFridayProtest: Opposal to the anti-student and discriminatory haircut policy of the Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST)
#LingkodBayanFightBack: Protests to the College of Political Science and Public Administration (CPSPA) administration regarding a student repression case
#FreePalestine: Opposal to the genocidal commitments of Israel to Palestine
#PUPBlackFridayProtest, #PUP3: Call for the immediate release of the three detained PUPians
One notable movement is the recent EDSA People Power Uprising 39th anniversary that mobilized 1,000+ Iskolars who walked out of their classes to denounce the university administration’s decision not to suspend classes and work.
The OSR and the PUP community gained traction for that and reached mainstream media outlets including ABS-CBN News, GMA News, Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Rappler.
Mountain of Issues
Alleged overstaying as Student Regent
Over the duration of SR Modelo’s term, her leadership has faced several backlash and issues from students of the university, some relating to her alleged overstaying as the 18th SR, talks regarding the ANAK PUP, and comments on the upcoming selection of the next student regent.
Complaints about her term are seen on different social media platforms, including Facebook and Reddit, platforms where students freely air criticisms targeted towards the university community.
A handler from Reddit shared their dismay at the similarity of the previous and current student regents on the case of overstaying, recalling the past administration of former SR Wilhelm Provido, wherein students staged a rally to oust him from his position and take charge of the council.
Modelo’s term began on December 10, 2023, until May 11, 2025, where she remains the current representative of over 95,000 scholars, which means that her position has been occupied for a cumulative one year and five months.
In the same post, the sender recalls the recent resignation of one of the board members of the OSR. Last March 4, 2025, James Rembrandt M. Dizon, the executive secretary of OSR, filed his resignation letter expressing his reasons for lack of professionalism, micromanagement, late designation of tasks, and decision-making inside the office.
On the other hand, a post from the same platform calls the attention of the OSR after noticing that the Sandigan ng Mag-aaral para sa Sambayanan PUP (SAMASA PUP) members are frequently seen inside the office provided for OSR.
ANAK PUP
While the selection for the 19th student regent is ongoing, complaints and objections are also rising for the ANAK PUP, which is also under the leadership of SR Modelo.
A Facebook post questioned the responsibility and duty of the newly established ANAK PUP Commission on Elections (Comelec) when there is already an existing “Search Committee” within the federation.
However, to ensure a fair and transparent election, ANAK PUP formalized the independence of the Comelec, which is composed of Student Council Comelec chairpersons from each unit of PUP. Meanwhile, the Search Committee of ANAK, which is led by Modelo, instead has the responsibility to oversee the entire selection process from nominations to election for the next student regent.
On the same thread, the poster also questioned the exclusive voting power of Student Council (SC) Presidents over the next SR, especially when the regency is an affair of the whole student body.
However, this exclusivity is set forth by the ANAK PUP 2019 Constitution’s Article VI, Section 5, stating that “each Student Council is entitled to vote in all decisions that may be passed in the General Assembly, either through its president or any elected co-officer with an authorization letter signed by the president.”
Lastly, the criteria and qualifications for SR nominations were also criticized, relating it to the local and national elections, highlighting the three minimum requirements to be nominated for the position.
As enumerated by the ANAK PUP Constitution, Article VIII, Section 1, a qualified student for the SR nomination must be a Filipino citizen, a bona fide student of the University who has accumulated at least a year of residency, and currently serving as a student council or government president in any unit of the University.
Until the ANAK PUP Constitution is amended, only SC presidents are allowed to partake in the said selection.
Facing allegations
After all the denunciation and scrutiny from the student body, Modelo posted her answers and responses to criticisms.
She acknowledged every comment circulating online, mentioning how it affected her mental and psychological health. Still, she reassured the public that she is doing everything accordingly in honor of her sworn duties and responsibilities.
“I am already in close coordination with all the concerned individuals to resolve these and/or map out our actions—not to save face but to recall the real definition of responsibility,” the post read.
In addition, she answered some of the issues thrown, including the alleged corruption during her term as Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral (SKM) president, and the issue regarding the resignation of some executive members of the OSR.
In her March 13 post, Modelo stated that she was in the process of writing a letter to be submitted to the University Legal Counsel Office to look at and investigate the issue regarding the alleged corruption on SKM during her term from the previous academic year.
Meanwhile, her Ethics and Legal Unit already conducted a clarification meeting with the people who resigned from their positions on the OSR.
At the end of her post, she mentioned the entire student body of the university, stressing that she is accountable for them, and thanked those scholars who have been critical not only to local leaders but also to student leaders like her.
Outlooking #PUPSR19
As PUP continues to face numerous internal challenges, the presence of a strong and dependable student representative on the board is more crucial than ever.
One of the most pressing issues of every Isko and Iska is the ongoing struggle for a higher budget allocation.
Despite the university’s rapidly growing student population, government funding remains insufficient, significantly hindering its ability to meet the academic and infrastructural needs of its students.
A clear example of this is the university's response to the continuously rising heat index.
Due to the lack of proper facilities and ventilation, many students are forced to stay away from on-site classes, prompting the institution to shift some sessions to online platforms as a band-aid solution.
Beyond budget constraints, students are also increasingly alarmed by signs of militarization within the campus. The presence of armed forces and surveillance creates fear and threatens PUP’s long-standing culture of activism, critical thinking, and academic freedom.
Such concerns make every student wonder whether they can still freely express themselves without fear of repression.
This context highlights why selecting the next Student Regent is far more than a political process but a matter of advocacy, accountability, and genuine representation.
The SR must not only echo the voices of the student body but also actively push for policies that prioritize student welfare, and uphold the students’ stand on urgent issues. In times like these, the need for a capable and courageous SR becomes not only relevant but vital.
To fulfill this role, the newly elected Student Regent, Troy Cabangon, is expected to uphold the “Genuine, Militant, Pro-community” principles of the Office of the Student Regent (OSR) through his Rise, Advance, Unite agenda.
Throughout his term, he is tasked with addressing various pressing issues while staying true to the OSR's core advocacy of representing and protecting the rights and welfare of the students.
As he begins his service to the PUP community, Cabangon is also expected to take a firm stance in calling on the administration to implement a clear and effective contingency plan in response to heat-related concerns.
Alongside this, Cabangon faces other critical issues, including the university’s budget deficiency and the lack of adequate spaces for student organizations—problems that has prevailed beyond several terms of previous student regents and demand proactive leadership, empathy, and a deep commitment to the needs of the student body.
Article: Charmie Cepe, Tim Lozano, and Elijah Pineda
Graphics: Katherine Cielo
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