An official update from the PUP Sentral na Konseho ng Mag-aaral (PUP SKM) disclosed an alleged conversation with the incumbent Student Regent (SR) Wilhelm Provido, Jr., clarifying the recent controversies of the 23rd Alyansa ng Nagkakaisang Konseho ng PUP (ANAK PUP) Elections, December 3.
Student Council (SC) presidents Danniel Jiro Fernandez from the College of Political Science and Public Administration (CPSPA); Aem Kimberly Ignacio from the College of Communication (COC); Chris Mendoza Jr. of the Open University System (OUS); and Miss Kim Modelo from the SKM coincidentally met Provido in a Manila restaurant, sparking discussions about the long overdue assembly on December 1st.
Some of the major contentions discussed include reports from various SC presidents that they did not receive a formal invitation for the 24th ANAK PUP General Assembly; a suspicious consultation event in Quezon City that was only attended by selected presidents; and the forging of SR signature which cast doubt on the validity of the ongoing ANAK PUP Elections.
“This inconsistent student leader is not the 85,000 PUPians needed. This is not what we expect from a student regent. And this is not the type of leadership that we deserve,” an excerpt from the SKM update post read.
Internal Troubles
Earlier last week, several SC presidents reported that they failed to receive any official invitation for the upcoming 24th ANAK Federation General Assembly, to which the federation reasoned their ‘incomplete database.’
According to SKM’s post, Provido was busy with his thesis and could not tend to the aforementioned blunder.
Not only was the email used to send the said invitations unauthorized, but he also claimed that his signature was included in the letter without his notice.
He allegedly also gave similar claims for the controversial budget and senior high voucher consultation meeting in Quezon City, stating that he was unaware of the event, and that ‘someone bypassed his authority’ to send the emails.
However, he later retracted this statement, clarifying that someone did notify him of the event and that it took place in another setting. It was later revealed that two unnamed Office of the Student Regent (OSR) staff members led the meeting in Quezon City.
Provido then cited the current PUP Lopez Central Student Council (CSC) President, Rizzalyn De Torres for further details of the meeting.
The SR attributed these problems to the ongoing internal issues of the federation, mentioning that the 23rd ANAK PUP executive committee is currently divided, with the current ANAK PUP Executive Vice President Rodelle Lavarias taking the helm.
Furthermore, Bukluran ng Progresibong Mag-aaral, of which the majority of their cabinet members are politically affiliated, is reportedly splitting, which resulted in his and other members of the College of Information and Computer Sciences (CICS) disassociation from the organization.
Questionable Legalities
According to Provido, the 23rd executive committee was already planning the upcoming elections but he was unable to fully commit due to his college thesis, until their term ended last November 26.
However, he asserted that he already finished drafting an official statement regarding the matter and would be posting it before December 7.
He also allegedly promised to respond to the concerns on December 2 but to no avail.
The SR further indicated that the incumbent Central Luzon and Cavite-Mindoro Cluster representatives John Lester Aquino and Charme Black are assigned to the Commission of Elections (COMELEC), with Aquino presiding over the electoral period on December 7.
The release of the Internal Rules and Regulations (IRR) is still unknown, as it would depend on Aquino and Black, as per Provido.
On the other hand, the SR also allegedly relegated the legalities of Resolution No. 11-01, Series of 2023 to EVP Lavarias, a law student.
As such, Provido also said that he was unfit to check the resolution, and his e-signature was forged without his approval.
Before their discussion ended, Fernando and Modelo reconfirmed the validity of the recent activities of ANAK PUP, which the SR refuted—raising the question of whether the 24th ANAK PUP General Assembly can continue amid insubordination and fidelity issues.
“As we fast approach the elections of the next executive committee of ANAK PUP, the alliance-federation of all student councils in the PUP System, and the selection of the next PUP Student Regent, we urge all Iskolars ng Bayan to reclaim their power, speak up, and demand accountability from Hon. Wilhelm Provido, Jr., and all the members of the 23rd ANAK PUP ExeComm who failed the student body,” SKM echoed.
As of writing, the OSR maintains silence despite the allegations.
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