Vox Populi - CHMSU BPA

02/10/2025

The Bachelor of Public Administration Faculty, Dr. Jose Lizael Lampinez, President of PSPA Negros Island Region, together with Dr. Arjay Y. Alvarado, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences; Ms. Precious Jane Cañal, BPA Program Chair; Dr. Mary Leanne Laganhon, University Secretary; and CAS AEP Professor Dr. Vermont Khan Juvahib—are participating in the 2025 PSPA-EROPA Joint International Conference with the theme "𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗔𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗺, 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝘆𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗗𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗺𝗮𝘀, 𝗗𝘆𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗰𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀." The event is being held from October 1 to 3, 2025, at the Summit Hotel, Tacloban City, Leyte.

The first day commenced with engaging presentations on governance-related research findings and discussions on managing public resources, accountability, transparency, and ethical leadership. These sessions contributed to scholarly dialogues on the evolution of public administration. Attendees shared their expertise, experiences, and individual perspectives, leading to the generation of innovative and creative insights.

The conference serves as an avenue for experts, researchers, and practitioners to present valuable knowledge and develop new approaches that contribute to the advancement of governance and public administration in the country.

𝗕𝘆 𝗚𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗲 𝗡. 𝗘𝗽𝗶𝘇𝘁𝗼𝗹𝗮
𝗣𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿. 𝗝𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘇𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝗕. 𝗟𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘇

21/09/2025

𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬𝐚 𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐚𝐤𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐚𝐧, 𝐆𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐲 𝐬𝐚 𝐊𝐚𝐬𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐤𝐮𝐲𝐚𝐧: 𝐏𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐚 𝐏𝐚𝐠𝐛𝐚𝐛𝐚𝐠𝐨, 𝐓𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐨 𝐬𝐚 𝐌𝐚𝐮𝐧𝐥𝐚𝐝 𝐧𝐚 𝐁𝐚𝐲𝐚𝐧

Limampu't tatlong taon na ang lumipas mula nang ipataw ang Batas Militar, kung saan ang pangako ng pagbabago, disiplina, at pagpuksa sa korapsyon ay nauwi sa isang bangungot ng takot, karahasan at pang-aabuso. Sa panahong iyon, ang katahimikan ay hindi lamang isa sa mga pinagpipilian, kundi isang kautusan. Ilang sigaw ang pilit na sinupil upang hindi marinig ng sambayanan ang katotohanan. Lumipas man ang mga taon, patuloy pa ring uukit sa bayan ang mantsa ng dugo ng nakaraan. Isinasalamin nito ang panganib ng labis na kapangyarihan at kawalan ng pananagutan, mga banta na nananatiling totoo sa ating lipunan hanggang ngayon.

Ang mga pangyayari sa nakaraan ay isang paggising—ipinamulat nito sa atin na ang pananahimik ay hindi solusyon sa pag-unlad ng bayan. Ang pagnanakaw ng pondo, ang pagkitil sa karapatan ng mga mamamayan, at ang pagpapatahimik sa mga kritiko—ito ang mga pagkakamaling hindi na dapat maulit.

Hindi ba't sukdulan na ang paghihirap ng mga Pilipino sa kamay ng mga tiwaling politiko na walang habas na winawaldas ang pera ng bansa para sa kanilang sariling luho, habang ang mga ordinaryong Pilipino ay nagkakakanda kuba para lang maipambayad sa buwis—buwis na sa mga bulsa ng kurakot rin naman napupunta?

Kaya naman, sa panahon ngayon na mayroon na tayong sapat na kaalaman at may boses na kayang sumigaw para sa isang maunlad na sistema, hindi tayo dapat magbulag-bulagan sa mga maduming laro ng gobyerno. Hindi tayo dapat maging tahimik. Ang katahimikan ay pagsang-ayon. Dapat nating bantayan ang mga opisyal ng gobyerno, tuligsain ang korapsyon, at ipaglaban ang isang lipunang may integridad at pananagutan. Sa paggawa nito, hindi lamang natin ginugunita ang nakaraan, kundi tinitiyak din natin na ang mga pagkakamali nito ay hindi na mauulit pa.



𝑾𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒚 | 𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒂 𝑹𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝑳. 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒔
𝑷𝒖𝒃𝒎𝒂𝒕 𝒃𝒚 | 𝑫𝒆𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒆 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒏𝒆 𝑭𝒆𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒓

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the collective stance of the publication on the subject matter.

21/09/2025

𝐁𝐔𝐌𝐀𝐇𝐀 𝐒𝐀 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐃! 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐢 𝐧𝐠 𝐓𝐔𝐁𝐈𝐆 𝐤𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢 𝐧𝐠 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄

"𝗧𝗥𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗣𝗘𝗦𝗢 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗖𝗛": Thousands Demand Accountability Over Flood-Control Corruption.

BACOLOD CITY, Negros Occidental – Thousands of Negrenses participated in the nationwide protest against government corruption and alleged misuse of public funds. The demonstration coincided with the 53rd anniversary of the Declaration of Martial Law, drawing historical parallels that added to its symbolic power.
From Bacolod Capitol Lagoon to Bacolod Public Plaza, thousands of people, including students from various Universities, churches, and Local Civil society, marched through the streets shouting for transparency and accountability against government corruption and the alleged misuse of public funds, demanding change in our country.

"𝗖𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿, 𝗮 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲𝗻'𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘆, 𝗱𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆" by Joe Biden

𝑾𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒚 | 𝑴𝒂𝒓𝒚 𝑱𝒂𝒏𝒆 𝑻𝒖𝒍𝒃𝒐
𝑷𝒉𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒔 𝒃𝒚 | 𝑴𝒊𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒆𝒍𝒂 𝑨𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆

21/09/2025

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐅𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐮𝐝: 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐫𝐫𝐮𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐞𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐅𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐏𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞

The Philippines is once more gripped in a devastating corruption scandal, an issue so prevalent that it seems to have become an endless storm cloud. People are demanding accountability for the alleged misuse of government funds intended for flood control projects as public outrage erupts. This systematic fraud, currently under scrutiny in 2025, exposes a government that appears to be controlled by “crocodiles in power” who put their own interests ahead of the welfare of the public.

As always, the average Filipino who bears the consequences. It is evident that corruption has a chilling effect on society, especially in areas where people desperately require assistance. This includes not only the lack of adequate funding for hospitals and essential medicines but also the underfunding of state universities that are supposed to provide quality education to the next generation. These resources, instead of reaching the people who need them most, disappear into the pockets of crooked officials. The recent corruption in flood control projects has been outrageous, with billions of pesos siphoned off through substandard or completely fabricated projects. It is a brutal irony that while the country suffers under record-breaking floods, the funds that could have saved lives and ensure long-term resilience have been stolen by the very people meant to protect us.

Taxes paid by Filipinos are supposed to create a better future, but instead, they are used to support extravagant lifestyles and benefit the corrupt elite. Public outrage and a sense of betrayal are driven by this obscene display of wealth in the face of widespread hunger. With each stolen peso, the disparity between the rich and the poor widens.

However, the people of the Philippines are not keeping quiet. Mass protests, both online and in the streets, are being organized. The "Trillion Peso March" is one such demonstration calling for accountability. These protests, coupled with online outrage against corrupt officials and their well-connected children—“nepo babies,“ prove that the public is not powerless. They are intense and hungry for change.

The time for empty promises is over. Filipinos are demanding justice and a dismantling of the mechanisms that enable such widespread corruption. They are insisting that those responsible be held accountable and that public office once again be seen as a public trust. The Filipino people are determined in their fight against corruption because it is a fight for the future of our nation.


&AccountabilityMatters

𝑾𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒃𝒚 | 𝑹𝒊𝒛𝒆𝒍 𝑨𝒏𝒏 𝑻𝒂𝒈𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒏𝒈

𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗿: The views and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the collective stance of the publication on the subject matter.

04/09/2025

https://forms.gle/Bu3UY77qfj7VTB8v7

Vox Populi has yet again opened its doors to all aspiring writers from the Bachelor of Public Administration!

If you are someone who has a passion for creating evocative stories and factual articles, or if you have an eye for producing realistic pub mats or photojournalism is where your heart belongs, then Vox Populi has a perfect spot for you!

Contribute your talent and skills to further amplify the voices of the students through responsible and creative journalism.

https://forms.gle/Bu3UY77qfj7VTB8v7
https://forms.gle/Bu3UY77qfj7VTB8v7
https://forms.gle/Bu3UY77qfj7VTB8v7

30/08/2025

Vox Populi has yet again opened its doors to all aspiring writers from the Bachelor of Public Administration!

If you are someone who has a passion for creating evocative stories and factual articles, or if you have an eye for producing realistic pub mats or photojournalism is where your heart belongs, then Vox Populi has a perfect spot for you!

Contribute your talent and skills to further amplify the voices of the students through responsible and creative journalism.

https://forms.gle/Bu3UY77qfj7VTB8v7
https://forms.gle/Bu3UY77qfj7VTB8v7
https://forms.gle/Bu3UY77qfj7VTB8v7

25/08/2025

Today, we commemorate the people behind this freedom. The brave and courageous heroes who took the risk with nothing but determination and hope to alter the history. It reminds us that true heroism lives not only in history, but in the everyday choices of honesty, service, and compassion for our nation.

25/06/2025

Happy Birthday to the amazing adviser of Vox Populi! Ser Josel Osal
May your birthday be filled with joy and well-deserved appreciation. Thank you for your constant support and mentorship!

19/06/2025

Celebrating your achievements, dedication, and the bright future that awaits you beyond graduation

18/06/2025

A heartfelt congratulations to the pioneering batch of the Bachelor of Public Administration!

The hardships that you have endured and dedication that you have shown all throughout the four-year-long journey finally have yielded results. The challenges you’ve faced and overcome are a testament to your strength, passion, and resilience. We are incredibly proud of how far you’ve come—and even more excited for where you’re headed.

May your compassion, commitment to service, and love for leadership and volunteerism continue to guide your path. The world needs leaders like you—bold, visionary, and driven by purpose.

Go forth and be the great leaders you were born to be. Your ideas and actions have the power to shape communities and inspire change.

Padayon, Lingkod Bayan! May the odds be forever in your favor.

12/06/2025

This year marks the 127th anniversary of Philippine independence, first proclaimed on June 12, 1898. A day to honor our heroes and celebrate the battles we have fought, the passion burried deep in our hearts, and the freedom that defines us.

19/05/2025

The university recently marked a significant milestone with the successful celebration of its 3rd Foundation Week, with a theme, “Celebrating Sustainable Gains and Forging Pathways to Sustainability,” from May 13-16, engaging students, faculty, alumni, and staff in a series of activities that highlighted the institution’s values and spirit.

Student talents and creativity took center stage in an impressive display of skills, with innovatively designed booths and performances that showcased the best of their abilities. Behind the scenes, unity and collaboration proved to be the backbone of the celebration, bringing together departments and organizations in shared success.

The long-week celebration brought the campus to life, offering students a dynamic opportunity to shine. With various activities open to everyone, the celebration became a joyous spectacle of talent, creativity, and camaraderie. As participants immersed themselves in the various events, they discovered new passions, strengthened bonds, and created unforgettable memories.

Excelsior Night, which wrapped up University Week, was a night to remember. With its live band performance and foam party extravaganza, the event brought the school community together in a joyous celebration.

As the celebration concludes, it left unforgettable memories, unbreakable bonds, and a renewed school spirit that will continue to inspire and unite the university community.

Feature | Rizel Tagulabong
Photos | Gabriel Cañete, Jessa Mae Brito