Billy Jee V. Belenson

Hello everyone! While campaigning in the classrooms, I was able to interview Students in Action for Values and Empowerment (SAVE) Party Presidential candidate Billy Jee V. Belenson.

He is a BSEE-5 student and the President of the Council of Leaders (COL), an organization created by the CIT-SSG in order to amalgamate the ideas and concerns of campus organizations. Let's take a glimpse of what's on Billy Jee V. Belenson's mind.

Belenson is running for CIT-SSG President "purely of service" to the Technologians and he wants to extend his passion of service to them. He chose not to run for and Electrical Engineering Representative because he sees "a better opportunity" and a "wider scope" of service by being a CIT-SSG President. It is his first time to be running for an elective position in the CIT-SSG as he was only elected by heads of campus organizations as COL President and not by the whole studentry.

As COL President, which also becomes an automatic member of the CIT-SSG and reports to the body every sessions about their activities, he is thankful that being a part of CIT-SSG has made him "more flexible, more strong, improved my public speaking and overcome my stage fright."

He also shrugged of accusations that the elections were of formality sake. He believes that with the CIT-SAVE Party only on the ballot, he "honestly" believe that it means that they see his "worthiness" and so as the CIT-SAVE Party to serve the Technologians.

On the thoughts that Technologians have not interest with the upcoming elections, Belenson admits it is a problem but he is optimistic in encouraging them "to be more pro-active" than be passive. He is also confident that the CIT-SAVE Party will be able to reach the 50% target to get seats in the CIT-SSG.

Belenson also praised his running-mate CIT-SAVE Party Vice Presidential Candidate Bryan P. Merino. He described Merino as "very cooperative and very outstanding" partner which can lead to a success in a Belenson administration.

He also expects a new party or a new person running as an independent will be on the ballot next year, "who want to do the same" as CIT-SAVE Party has been doing but may differ in some aspects or even not at all.

He promises to have a "more active CIT-SSG" and "more pro-students." He vehemently said that he is not the CIT Administration's bet and will never be as he has his "own decisions, own stand and own mind." He vowed to "fight for what is right" both for the Technologians and of the CIT Administration, thus seeking a common ground despite the differences of the two sides.

Be sure to vote for Billy Jee V. Belenson for President and Bryan P. Merino for Vice President and all the SAVE Party candidates this July 22, 2009 at the CIT Gym!

Bryan P. Merino

Hello everyone! While campaigning in the classrooms, I was able to interview Students in Action for Values and Empowerment (SAVE) Party Vice Presidential candidate Bryan P. Merino.

He is a BSCE-5 student, a member of the Grievances and Concerns Committee of the CIT-SSG 08-09 and a Civil Engineering Representative. Let's take a glimpse of what's on Bryan P. Merino's mind.

Asked on why he chose to run for the CIT-SSG Vice Presidency rather that for re-election as Civil Engineering Representative, Merino said that he "need another outlet and a set of people." He believes that he has already served well his fellow CE constituents and he wants to "serve more people" and "do more" for his fellow Technologians.

He has also been thankful of the CIT-SSG for opening "a lot of opportunities" and meeting "different students of different colleges and schools." He has realized that as a student, "studying alone is not enough", but you also need to serve your fellow students as well and CIT-SSG is one of those fields.

On the question about why there's only 1 party vying for the posts of the CIT-SSG, Merino said that "it might have been the CIT Comelec's fault", though "they're doing their job, the information dissimenation was still lacking." He also stressed that some Technologians are "not interested and don't want responsibilities" that's why they would rather be ordinary students that be in the CIT-SSG.

As Vice President, Merino said that he will "support the President's good ideas and initiate plans" to be an "effective and efficient leader." One of his plans as VP will be organizing a LAN Games Tournament in the school as suggested by his constituents.

Also, Merino is "75%" confident that next year, a new party or a new person will challenge the SAVE Party. But he cleared that it doesn't mean that SAVE Party has a poor performance as CIT-SSG Officers, but instead "students will be satisfied with the SAVE Party" and some differences in ideas might have them create a new party and join the elections.

He is also optimistic that the SAVE Party candidates will be able to muster the 50% target to avoid another election.

Be sure to vote Bryan P. Merino for Vice President and all the SAVE Party candidates this July 22, 2009 at the CIT Gym!