Anonymous post exposes alleged bullying within PLM-SSC

TRIGGER WARNING: BULLYING

Last Sept. 24, a thread (now deleted) from an anonymous account (also deleted) posted on X (Twitter) circulated online which exposed the alleged bullying of some members of the PLM Supreme Student Council (SSC) Executive and Core Committee towards their co-officers in the council. 

The thread compiled screenshots of a group conversation named “Mga backstabbers,” showing the exchange of poorly-worded remarks from SSC President Vince Edrick De Guzman, Vice President Jam Iris Paglicawan, Treasurer Sophia Rhyzel Pitero, Junior Officer Archer Pasardosa, College Representatives Jhon Christian Rebortera (CED), Rey Lagoc (PLMBS), Jastine De Guzman (COE), Deo Benavidez (PLMBS), Krystle Cabagay (CAUP), Jomarie Soriano (CED), and Redrick Kyle Gregorio (COE).

PLMBS College Representative Jancel Louise Natividad, SSC Acting Auditor Jannel Letrero, and COESC President Joaqi Pangindian were some of the names mentioned, attacked through harsh comments, and victimized by the horrendous behavior from the members of the said group chat.

Thereafter, various college student councils and organizations inside the Pamantasan expressed their major disappointment on the issue, condemning the grave misconduct exhibited by the aforementioned individuals.

AP reached out to the victims last Sept. 27 to ask for their statement on the incident. However, as of this writing, some of them have not yet responded while others are not yet ready to give their statement as the issue just recently came to light.

On the same day, AP, through its Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Frianela, sent a message in a group chat composed of the SSC Executive Committee and Key Editors of the student publication to ask for their statement on the incident. Thereafter, Vince De Guzman and Paglicawan reached out to Frianela privately, stating that they cannot give any statement as of the moment as the issue is still under deliberation within the council.

Last Sept. 29, PLM SSC released its official statement regarding the issue at hand, stating that the council is diligently working to address such with emphasis to due process in its conflict resolution approach.

“Rest assured, however, that the council's officers are diligently working to address the issue, upholding their sworn oath of office, and taking the necessary steps to rectify any instances of misconduct and unethical behavior,” the PLM SSC said in its statement.

Subsequently, the council expressed its condemnation of such malbehavior exhibited by the members involved. While resolving the issue internally, the council will take on actions in compliance with Article 15 (Accountability) of the PLM SSC Constitution.

Moving forward, PLM SSC expressed that its priorities as of the time being is to restore the trust of the studentry to the council, as well as rebuilding the council’s credibility.

Meanwhile, AP also reached out to selected SSC officers who were not involved in the issue namely Janine Ysabelle Nacuna, SSC Secretary; and Edwin Joseph Espinas, College of Nursing Representative to ask for their thoughts and sentiments on the issue.

Nacuna shared that after the incident came to light, she personally did not have security in terms of her relationship with the council members. The secretary also asked the involved officers through the SSC Core Committee on their plans to address the issue, however, she did not receive any response.

“Definitely, it will impact the behavior of the officers, as well as the attitudes of the student towards us. It is undeniable that this turmoil will greatly affect our connection with the students, sadly. And we cannot just proceed without having the entire council accountable. As elected officials, we bear the weightiest duty to prove that the council is still worthy of being regarded as the highest duly-constituted governing body of the students,” Nacuna said.

On the other hand, Espinas expressed that such behavior was unacceptable for him, emphasizing that one’s thoughts and opinions can never be used as an excuse to speak ill of someone like that. He also said that he hopes justice for the victims of the incident, and that he is with them in whatever decision they make.

“As an individual, student, and leader, I am someone who strongly condemns such acts and behavior, for I consider it unbecoming for a student leader. The impact it has caused on the image that holds the trust of the students to the PLM SSC affected not only the involved individuals but even those who are not even part of it,” Espinas said.

The student publication, true to its mandate of keeping the students informed and socially conscious, is still waiting for the involved parties to give their narratives and responses in order to publish a full story on the bullying incident.

This is a developing story.