Amid waning party participation in UP Diliman, the Laban Kabataan coalition fronts a new approach—a “short-term alliance” of 18 progressive organizations and nine independent candidates, anchored on a four-point agenda forwarding a collective brand of leadership. 

The coalition’s agenda revolves around increasing funding for education, promoting alternative politics, advancing mass-oriented policies, and strengthening student representation. They also carry the Kabataan party-list and Makabayan bloc in their room-to-room visits, as university elections coincide with the national one.

Incorporating creativity in the presentation of their four-point agenda, their campaign is focused on gaining back the student council’s relevance and encouraging student participation—despite lingering questions about their true independence.

Genuine Independence?

Questions about the coalition’s organizational autonomy are evident both on social media and on the ground, as Iskolars were quick to point out how most of the organizations included in Laban Kabataan are currently or previously part of the now-dormant political party STAND UP.

STAND UP is currently undergoing a rebuilding process after dropping out of the 2023 regular elections due to mishandled sexual harassment cases.

Joaquin Buenaflor, University Student Council (USC) chairperson candidate, did not deny ties with STAND UP, but rather reiterated that the formation of the coalition was largely rooted in the urgent need to address certain issues in the university.

“Bitbit ng mga mass organizations na bahagi ng STAND UP ang mga pangunahing pinagkakasunduan ng nasabing party alliance. ... Hindi binibitawan ng mga mass organizations na ito ang [mga adhikain ng STAND UP],” Buenaflor said.

Though some organizations signatory to the coalition have disaffiliated from STAND UP, the coalition will not be forming a new political party since others are still member formations of the red party. The coalition’s Nimra Gonzales, running for councilor, is also currently a member of the party’s executive board, and Darlene Cerico, running for vice chairperson, was an officer-in-charge in 2022–2023.

Laban Kabataan coalition, as a “short-term alliance,” per Buenaflor, varies greatly from long-term UP Diliman parties, which often have more structured vetting processes for who to field as candidates and existing political training programs.

Campaign Challenges

Despite terrible weather conditions Friday, Laban Kabataan’s candidates struggled through the academic oval, trying to find classes in various buildings where they could campaign during the final stretch before elections. But finals season meant that rooms remained hollow as requirements piled up—a challenge for the candidates facing a short nine-day campaign window.

“Nakakapagod din talaga. Ayun, nakikita mo, we are walking around the campus, wala tayong sasakyan, ganoon. Tapos, ang init pa,” Buenaflor said.

The coalition also reported certain colleges barring them from conducting room-to-room campaigns. Despite an official pronouncement by the Office of Student Projects and Activities, certain math, engineering, business administration, and fine arts professors asked for memos and administration approvals before allowing them to campaign.

But in general, the studentry’s dwindling participation in student politics sets a precedent for this year’s campaigns. The coalition, however, acknowledges that this is a challenge imposed upon them as student leaders: that they need to prove to students the necessity of filling student council positions.

Buenaflor pointed to his term as incumbent basic student services councilor as the reason why they were able to discern problems in the student body and also form respective solutions. But despite forming an image of organizational unity, recent meetings de avance showed notable cracks. 

During the meeting de avance in Eng’g, incumbent Eng’g Chair Vherwyn Nuñez was the lone supporter, with reservations, of the ILO Cafe opening. Similarly, in the CS meeting de avance, councilor candidate Janina Alfonso also stood out by backing UP IKOT jeepney modernization with reservations, despite her coalition's opposing stance.

The Laban Kabataan’s stern disapproval of the existence of abstention also raised alarms. But during an interview with the Collegian, Buenaflor reaffirmed their willingness to discuss this further.

Still, this is not to say that the coalition’s internal campaign matters are not haunted by absent candidates. Cerico has been pretty much absent this whole campaign season, citing personal and health problems. 

Fielding a Political Prisoner

“Hindi hadlang ang mahinang wifi, dahil mayroon akong pocket wifi,” USC councilor candidate Amanda Echanis said, after an internet connection mishap in a room-to-room campaign at the Institute of Biology.

Unlike her contemporaries, Echanis is campaigning through different screens, from old televisions to smart ones. Despite being a political prisoner for nearly four years on trumped-up charges, Echanis continues to attend online classes synchronously, refusing to settle for recorded messages.

Her campaign, centered on academic freedom, nationalist culture, social justice, and organizational unity, is branded by the coalition as historic, since it’s the first time that a political prisoner is running for councilorship. 

Still, questions arise about her ability to potentially lead a university already struggling to rally a disillusioned student body remains to be seen, given her status as a political prisoner who cannot be physically present on campus.

But the coalition says its structure still provides proper representation through aligning advocacies with roles and offering a mass-oriented lens on student concerns. In this year’s campaign, it frames its organizational makeup as a strength, not a hindrance.

“We are here—pinagsusulong namin ang four-point Kabataan Agenda—and hindi po kami natatakot humarap sa mga estudyante. Nagkakampanya kami, humaharap kami sa different questions, ready kami mag-scrutinize, ready kaming mapuna once ma-elect kami,” Buenaflor said. ●

The campaign period will end at 5 p.m on May 14, the same day as the miting de avance. Voting will run from May 15-16 at halalan.upd.edu.ph.

Read our report on UP ALYANSA's campaign for the 2025 USC regular elections here.