Written by Ella Isabel R. Abad, Zionel Regina T. Bayan, and Melody Jade E. Soriano
The San Beda Law Student Government (LSG) for Academic Year 2024-2025 launched numerous initiatives at the start of the year. Two months before the end of the school year, eighteen (18) projects have been completed, thirteen (13) have not been started, five (5) are in progress, and eight (8) new initiatives were added. Some activities were not achieved due to administrative constraints, shift of prioritization, and budget limitations. Despite setbacks, the LSG was able to accomplish a significant amount of their proposed activities.
Throughout their tenure, the LSG officers spearheaded different projects and initiatives, individually. As a collective, they believe that they were able to serve the students well and had effectively disseminated information, answered queries, and relayed concerns.
“The president and executive officers advocated for the students in terms of asking for suspensions with the Dean’s office,” said Majam in an exclusive interview with thebarrister. “I helped get data through the head beadles,” he added.
Several officers identified key areas for improvement such as time management, internal coordination, protocols, communication, and consistency. Some also emphasized the need to strengthen connections with the student body for better representation and feedback.
“We always want transparency,” said current Secretary-General Brian Abuyog. “No one [from LSG] shies away from making [the] controversial things public.”
Road Bumps
On April 5, 2025, former Chief-of-Staff Alexandra Reyes filed a letter of complaint against LSG President Nathan Nepomuceno. Following Article XII, Section 2 of the Student Constitution, the LSG and the Council of Leaders voted separately on whether the allegations warranted an impeachment trial.
On April 9, 2025, the LSG deliberated with Nepomuceno but without the complainant. The vote fell short of the required ⅔ of the LSG, with nine members finding no impeachable offense and three finding its existence.
On April 12, the Council of Leaders met with both parties present. During the meeting, the complainant testified while Nepomuceno invoked his right to remain silent. Of the 31 members present, 19 voted in the affirmative, believing that there is substantial ground to open an impeachment case, meeting the required ⅕ vote. However, since the Student Constitution requires the concurrence of both bodies, the impeachment case did not prosper.
The LSG also faced significant hurdles with the resignations of former Internal Vice President (IVP) Mary Pauline Reyes and Secretary-General Johnard Amante. “Resignations can be disheartening, but they remind us to support one another and be honest about our capacity,” Batalla told thebarrister. “I would encourage students to see the LSG not as a perfect body, but as a group of students doing their best.”
The Foreseeable Future
As the academic year comes to a close, Fourth Year Batch Representative Iya Dimaporo reminds students to vote wisely in the next elections, stating that, “‘Pag na-elect naman ‘yong tamang officers, everything will go smoothly.”
The LSG assured the COL community that they would maintain their commitment to working and serving efficiently. But as to their effectiveness and relevance? That is a verdict that only the student body can make. Salus populi est suprema lex.
THE BARRISTER 