Francis Biong, whose name was also mentioned in the leaked information sent by Star Century, explains his side via Facebook post, Saturday, September 18.
According to the leaked information sent to the publication by Star Century, Biong seems to have left the independent slate after knowing its connection with Elijah San Fernando. The former, however, cleared off this part of the narrative calling out for the illegal use of his name. He also defended that the current CPSPA independent slate running in the college student council wasn’t part of any coalition or political party.
He explains, “First point, yes it is true that I left their group, not slate, hindi po ako running candidate for this year’s SCE. In fact, I am one of the co-founder of TINDIG back when it was just a small group sa loob ng aming Kolehiyo ng CPSPA. And my particular goal is to create an avenue for alternative politics. Lumago ito hanggang sa University wide level na hindi vivid sa akin dahil simula pa lang ay mahirap na ang mode of communication namin ng mga co-founder ng growing coalition na ito. And by that point, hindi na po ako Councilor ng CPSPA, I resigned to the SC due to my mental health, and weeks before ako umagree na buuin ang TINDIG.”
He then narrates how the said party progresses and its network becomes wider. Biong however, by this point have cleared to them that he will be focusing in CPSPA. He said that “My mental health is not worth risking for chaotic politics in the central student council.” His co-founders in TINDIG then grant him their independence which led to him being the Convenor of TINDIG CPSPA. This independence grants them autonomy to do whatever they want.
He also added, “Bilang paggalang na rin dahil sa kolehiyo namin nanggaling ang isang pangarap na makabuo ng grupo mga lider-estudyante na popokus sa pagtugon sa pinakaproblema ng mga Iskolar ng Bayan at hindi sa pagbabatuhan ng politika at pag-abante ng sariling interes.”
Biong clarified that he left the coalition not just because of presence of Elijah San Fernando, as argued in the leak the publication has previously posted. “Hindi pa ako mulat sa mga isyung nagyayari sa dati naming partidong SPEAK at sa pagkakawatak-watak nito, hindi po ako miyembro ng partido ngunit ako ay tumakbo sa ilalim ng banner nila noong 2019.” He said. After gaining knowledge on internal conflicts within the party, he himself had ask several members first which where he gain much information about what really is happening.
“Being in this realm for 2 years, alam ko na hindi ako dapat mag-conclude on just hearing one side, kaya nag-obserba ako sa parehong panig—sa loob ng coalition at sa mga dating kasama sa partido,” Biong writes. He also said that he will not disclose those pieces of information because it might serve as some sort of propaganda against peoples and parties involved. He highlighted that he is against black propaganda and “batuhan ng putik.”
But after seeing the dynamics of what is taking place within the Coalition which contradicts their previous agreements with his co-founders, Biong messaged them accordingly. He said that he left the coalition, “Because I do not want to make it [a] hard politics dahil ang programa at inaaral ko po sa Sintang Paaralan ay patungkol sa diplomasya at ako ay lider-estudyanteng hindi barbaric pagdating sa pormal na mga transaction.”
He also exclaimed no ties with TINDIG afterwards which the latter had changed its name. He also defended former SR Bartolome, which was also her co-officer in CPSPA SC, regarding the issue on Ignite liquidation.
“The SR was working with us back then and hindi ko maatim na maiugnay sa mga nangyayaring hindi malinaw na hakbang ng OSR ng kasalukuyan at ng nakaraang administrasyon. I raised to the commission on election regarding the involvement of the current Student Regent to the coalition because as a paralegal, it can be seen as Admin Intervention; he is part of the Board of Regents and he is not part of the population of Iskolar ng Bayan sa PUP Mabini Campus. At that point, I knew that there were certain reservations that needed to be made in order to preserve the CPSPA Slate away from the tirades going to be thrown against the Coalition,” he said.
In his leave, he had also removed the identity of TINDIG CPSPA and brings back all their efforts to start for an honest and responsible student leadership. He also clarified that the current Independent slate in CPSPA vying for position in the local student council had no ties with any coalitions or groups. He explains that even even though TINDIG came from them, he had long removed affiliations with the coalition.
Calling to promote a fair and clean student council elections, he had also called out The Freehand who had previously posted the leaked information from an anonymous informant.
However, the publication still stands that the process to verify the validity/reliability of an anonymous entity is by knowing the informant themselves and confirming their connection with the involved parties. Furthermore, respecting the request for confidentiality of the informant, the publication will remain their identity undisclosed. “We understand that the released information contains truth and allegations, therefore, as a non-partisan and press, we are also communicating with involved individuals and parties to ask for their statements regarding this issue,” The Freehand said.
See Biong’s full response statement here.
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