Editorial

The air inside the hall during the Miting de Avance was thick, not just with the heat of the afternoon, butwith the weight of promises. As the PECIT student body prepares to head to the polls, we find ourselvesat a unique and somewhat unsettling crossroads. With the “Light Partylist” running as the sole ticket,this election is no longer a battle of choices, but a trial of character. It is no longer about choosing whocan lead, but about whether this singular group possesses the proper decorum and substance to assumeoffice.The candidates, presenting themselves in polished attire under the banner of “Serving with Integrity,Leading with Heart,” have a clear path to victory—but a rocky path to credibility. As the panel andaudience began to peel back the layers of their platforms, the “heart” seemed heavy, and the “integrity”felt remarkably thin. Presidential candidate Princess Cadez banked heavily on a “Premium Canva for Dean’s Listers” initiative.On the surface, it’s a shiny reward for academic excellence—a digital carrot dangled in front of thestudious. While Cadez assured the crowd that the SSG coffers would bear the brunt of the cost, theproposal feels more like a niche luxury than a systemic solution for the entire student body. Is the SSG areward dispensary for the few, or a governing body for the many?Perhaps more concerning was the vague call for “intervention” to create a harmonious PECITcommunity. When pressed for concrete programs to bridge the gap between uncooperative studentsand school spirit, the response was hollow. To claim that intervention is necessary without providing aroadmap is like a doctor prescribing “health” without a treatment plan. Intervention without action issimply hopeless.The tension broke into unintentional comedy when Vice Presidential candidate Princess Faith Blancodefended the “Youth Jam.” What started as a claim of a non-affiliated “praise and worship” sessionquickly unraveled. When asked how this program benefits the diverse student body, Blanco retreatedinto a shield of personal “purpose,” essentially telling the voters that the why was no longer herresponsibility to explain. Even more alarming was the offer to have her own church facilitate the event for free. While it soundslike a bargain, it reeks of partisanship. The SSG is a secular, student-led institution, not a satellite officefor a specific religious organization. Using a position of power to usher in private interests is a dangerousprecedent. While the President stood her ground, the rest of the slate seemed to crumble under the slightest heat.The Independent candidates reacted with visible anger when questioned about their “CR Monitoring”slogan—a basic administrative task being touted as a revolutionary platform. If a candidate reacts to aquestion as if it were an assault, how will they handle the actual pressures of office? Make no mistake: this writing piece will be etched into the history of PECIT. As the Light Partylistprepares to take their seats by default, the student body will be watching with a ledger in hand. We aremoving from the season of campaigning into the era of accountability.We look forward with healthy skepticism to the feasibility of their cause. In an unopposed election, the“win” is easy, but the “trust” must be earned. PECIT, do not let the lack of competition lull you intosilence. Hold them to the decorum they claim to possess, and hold their promises to the fire. History iswatching, and so are we.The win may be guaranteed, but the legacy is yet to be written. Writer: Manuelitojake Manaya