STEP Leads 2-in-1 Seminar on Election Awareness and Student Participatio

Report by Lexter Kian Pamintuan | Photos by Leanna Kayle Manuel

The socio-political organization, Striving Towards Empowerment and Progress (STEP-TSU) conducted a 2-in-1 seminar on March 29, 2025 (Tuesday), at the TSU Main Campus – Audio Visual Room (AVR).

The back-to-back sessions, titled “Daluyong ng Pagbabago: Ang Kabataan Bilang Alon ng Kinabukasan” and “Project Pagmulat: Ang Kahalagahan ng Pakikialam,” featured two guest speakers with legal and academic backgrounds to educate attendees from various colleges.

The Daluyong ng Pagbabago Seminar was led by Atty. Charles Kevin T. Salonga, a Juris Doctor graduate from Arellano University School of Law and a long-time lecturer at Tarlac State University. Atty. Salonga underscored the critical role of student participation in elections at all levels — national, local, and within the university.

“Hindi lang tayo nag vote tuwing election lang. May mga pagkakataon na maari tayong tawagin para ma exercise ang ating Voting rights,” Atty. Charles stated.

Moreover, the Project Pagbabago: Ang kahalagahan ng Pakikialam Seminar featured Angelika G. Alingog, RCrim, a Juris Doctor student. — Enlightening the audience with the technicalities of laws related to red tagging, and exercising rights as a student activist or concerned student in general.

“If you express yourself with accordance to the law, then you are protected by the constitution,” She quoted as she contrasted the difference between freedom of speech and freedom of expression.

Meanwhile, in an interview, STEP President, Benedict John Aviles talked about the importance and relevance of these eye-opening seminars in this term's election season.

“Pinaka-aim po ng seminar namin is national, local, and student elections, alam naman po natin na upcoming na po yung elections sa Pilipinas, and this will serve po as a way for the students to be informed—kung ano po yung mga characteristics at qualities na kailangang iboto," He stated.

Pres. Aviles promises that STEP will not stop conducting seminars that represent the values of the organization—that step is still present even if there are no elections.