SUSG Miting de Avance ‘25
By Lysander Tiu
Platforms promoting student accessibility, participation, and initiative mobilization are some of the main goals that this year’s Silliman University Student Government (SUSG) standard bearer candidates would push if elected.
Presidential aspirants Grylle Adrian Malala of the Concerted Action for the Upliftment of Students’ Endeavors (CAUSE) Party and Franz Clement Selwyne Tero, an independent candidate, presented their respective platforms during the 2025 SUSG Miting de Avance last April 30.
In their opening speech, Tero and Malala shared their personal backgrounds and inspirations on running for the top student leadership post.
“I want to make a government that we can trust. A government that we can go through at any time. A government that loves you,” Tero said.
Malala reflected on how his upbringing with parents who “have no established names” inspired him as a student leader.
“In my parents, I saw what it truly meant to preserve in life, not to quit working for your dreams and carry resiliency despite the hurdles along the way,” he stated.
Meanwhile, CAUSE Party vice-presidential aspirant Antonio Jose Delicana mentioned his humble beginnings before becoming the president of Ang Sandigan, SU’s socio-civic organization.
“I didn’t [become] a student leader diri sa [here at] school. It all started at home and in church with my lola [grandmother],” he said. “My lola showed me that even if you don’t have much, you can still give.”
According to Delicana, this learning “lives on in [him] up until today” and in the platforms that they are pushing.
Candidates’ platforms
Banking on his platform titled “LAMBO”, Tero explained that he aims to put “leadership on the ground” by ensuring a transparent and accountable service to the students.
“I will make sure, if I get elected, I will go to the different colleges or even departments to ask questions, ‘What are your problems?’ If I can, I will do everything in my power to remedy the situation,” Tero said.
His platforms are centered on accessibility and accountability, mobilizing proactive engagement, making bold and decisive action, and opening advocacy for the students.
Under the CAUSE Party, Malala and Delicana revealed four platforms namely the “ATIMAN” or Access to Information Mediation, Accountability Network, “USA” or Unified Student Access, “TUKOD” or Together Unlocking Knowledge and Opening Doors, and “TAPOK” or Talks Aimed at Progress, Openness, and Knowledge.
According to Delicana, they aim to “revamp the current grievance system” in the SUSG for conducive student accessibility, while holding semestral talks and consultations with academic departments through TAPOK.
Addressing student apathy
Malala highlighted that with USA and TUKOD, students would know the available projects and programs offered in the SUSG by establishing a website.
“Simply knowing what happens in the SUSG might resolve our problem sa [of] student apathy. It does not promise anything, but we hope,” Malala said.
When asked which platform he plans on prioritizing, Tero stressed the importance of “mobilizing proactive engagement” to address student apathy.
“If we bring the government back to the people, then the people will also go back to the government,” he said.
Following this question, however, Tero waived his right to ask the candidates of the CAUSE Party.
“We are here presenting ourselves and either if any of us are elected, we must make do with what our platforms are,” Tero told SUSG Justice Hon. Franz Jullian Sevilla, who served as the moderator.
Senatorial bets
The CAUSE Party candidates commonly chose Kiko Pangilinan, Bam Aquino, and Heidi Mendoza as their senatorial picks because of their “credibility and advocacies.”
“Ton and I believe that there should be, again, transparency in the SUSG and so that one, we want to uphold, as previous commissioner of COA,” Malala stated, referring to Mendoza.
Tero also endorsed Pangilinan, alongside Bong Go for his “Malasakit Center” to which he received an assistance once.
“In private institutions, Malasakit Center really helped the people who are underprivileged and those who cannot pay for their bills,” he furthered.
The candidates also responded to students’ questions on the SUSG’s stance on students’ rights and political neutrality.
In line with the campaign season, the Election Forum will be held on May 2 at the SU College of Business and Administration grounds.
