By Jan Andrei Elizalde & Paul Ray Donaire
In response to recent allegations made by sender “Anonymous Expose”, Silliman University Senior High School (SUSHS) Student Council clarified that the ₱650 is their council fee and is not exclusively for the Senior’s Ball.
“The ₱650 is for our council fee in general [and is] not required. [However,] should they wish to pay for the council fee, they will also be paying for the Senior’s Ball,” SUSHS Council Governor Althea Gwyneth Ysabelle Picardal said.
The breakdown of said fee includes contributions per student for various events: Intramurals (₱218.93), Senior’s Ball (₱321.96), Core Council Events (₱44.11), Grade 12 Strand Events (₱25.89), Grade 11 Strand Events (₱15.68), Miss Senior High (₱38.63), and Contingency Fee (₱35.72) totaling ₱700.92 yet reduced to ₱650 due to the estimated existing funds of ₱50.92
However, the concern initially raised by the sender was on Grade 11 students’ requirement to pay for the Senior’s Ball when they are not included in the event.
SUSHS Council Treasurer Cheska Alycane Sarming explained that the payment is based on a downpayment system established by the council from the previous year.
“The reason ngano murag half-half ang sa Grade 11 and Grade 12 is because, last year, ang ilang gi-buhat is that mu-pay ang Grade 11 [students] now para di na madak-an for Grade 12,” she added.
(The reason why it is split into half among Grade 11 and Grade 12 is because last year, what they did is the Grade 11 students would pay now so that their payment would not be too big when they reach Grade 12.)
This arrangement allows them to gradually pay the full amount for the Senior’s Ball, according to SUSHS Council Secretary Angela Aseñas.
Picardal also clarified that the council fee amount is the same for both Grade 11 and 12 students, noting that its decision process included a consultation with the parent representatives.
“We presented to them options for the council fee. There was one option which is the current implemented council fee system and then the second option which was the exclusion of the Senior’s Ball [in the] breakdown for Grade 11 [students]. But then the parent representatives found [the former] more favorable,” she said.
Moreover, Picardal shared that the council would have “gladly and eagerly” addressed the anonymous sender’s concern if it had been raised directly to them.
“Other than us being eagerly available anytime to respond to queries relating to the council fee or any council matters… the mode of transparency as well with our funds [have] been posted and made available to the public through our page,” she added.
The allegations were sent through a mass email to various university stakeholders. Although the SUSHS office received this concern, the student council did not.
