HAU Student Government (HAUSG) Senate held its first regular plenary session, setting its agenda on the election of officers, formation of committees, ratification of rules and procedures, and drafting of proposed resolutions on June 12.

In the invitation sent to attendees, including members of the press, the Senate described the session as the “formal commencement” of its legislative work for the academic year.

Topping the agenda was the election of the senate president. Following a unanimous vote, fourth-year BS Accountancy student Malthine Valiente was elected to the position. In addition to the Senate President election, Angel Joy Subalisid was named majority floor leader, while Franco Torno was appointed minority floor leader.

Committees were also established during the session, including the Committee on Institutional Effectiveness chaired by John Peterwin Roque, the Committee on Rules led by Franco Luiz Torno, and the Committee on Academic Affairs headed by Lyanna Cunanan.

With legislative operations now overseen by designated committees, the Senate proceeded to present and deliberate on its initial slate of priority bills, which included the following:

• Office of the Solicitor General Act
• SOGIE Bill and Usage of Preferred Pronouns Act
• Transition, Training, and Turnover Act
• Academic Equity and Exam Preparedness Act

A resolution was also proposed to “expand and improve” the university’s existing grievance desks, aiming to provide students with more accessible and responsive platforms for raising concerns and getting their issues addressed by various HAUSG bodies.

In an interview, Valiente emphasized the urgency of passing these bills within the first half of the semester to open the floor for additional legislation in the months ahead.

“We actually have our own schedule for that particular legislative agenda that we mentioned today,” said Valiente. “We still have a lot of different agenda or other different advocacies that we would like to further advance in the whole academic year.”

He also reaffirmed his commitment to fulfilling his Senate duties despite his status as a graduating student and his concurrent role as vice president of the newly formed uniwide organization, 21st Century Calligraphers — an art community focused on calligraphy and design.

“What I can assure you is that I will always be prioritizing the Senate, because at the end of the day we have different executive positions in different organizations but it is different when you are the head of an organization or the Senate in particular,” stated the Accountancy senior.

All elected senators were present during the session, including Roque, who assumed the role after Francisco Olpindo IV’s withdrawal from office, and newly sworn-in Senator Hanna Tugab from the School of Education (SED).

Meanwhile, one senator-at-large position remains vacant as Rhod Railey de Vera declined the offer to fill the seat left by Andrea Briones, who resigned after transferring to another institution.

USC backs Senate efforts, eyes collaboration to reestablish STRAW desk

HAU – University Student Council (HAU-USC) President Adonis Cayanan expressed support for the Senate’s legislative agenda and proposed resolutions, commending the groundwork laid during the session.

“As what I have observed, napag-aralan naman talaga nila ‘yung mga resolutions na prinopose nila for today especially the committees that they have formed and also with the agendas that they have created,” Cayanan said.

In relation to the Senate’s proposed legislation, Cayanan shared that the USC is also working to reestablish the Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW) Desk as an official platform for addressing student concerns.

“April pa lang, we are really planning to have that STRAW desk for us because we really want to have that platform where the students can voice out their concerns,” he explained.

Cayanan also urged the Senate to prioritize pressing and actionable legislation that directly responds to the needs of Angelites.

“I hope na mapakinggan talaga namin kung ano ‘yung mga hinaing ng mga students, kung ano ba ‘yung gusto nilang pagbabago sa university, especially in the USG,” the USC president shared.

The deadline for the HAU-USC and college student councils (CSCs) to submit their proposed bills for Senate review is set for June 16. The next plenary session is scheduled for July 5.