#UPLBElections2015 | Tetangco cites personal matters for party shift

Says he wants to ‘introduce students to the new Migs’

By GUIEN GARMA

It is for personal reasons that Jon Elijah Miguel Tetangco jumped ship from Samahan ng Kabataan Para sa Bayan (SAKBAYAN) to Buklod-UPLB.

This is what the USC vice-chairmanship candidate of Buklod told the Perspective in an interview after the USC miting de avance held at the Oblation grounds Tuesday night.

“Meron po akong personal na dahilan, pero hindi po ito isang form ng paninira sa aking dating partido,” Tetangco said.

“I respect SAKBAYAN. I respect what they are fighting for. Actually, I am very grateful to them,” he said.

Tetangco added that SAKBAYAN has also become part of his life. His former party has also molded him as a leader, he added.

He also said that it was during his term as USC councilor that he knew more about Buklod and its principles.

“Dito ko po nakita kung ano po ba ang mga prinsipyo na ipinagtatangan ng Buklod,” he said.

“I saw something in Buklod, that brand of leadership that I saw in Buklod. Ito po talaga ang nais kong ipakita sa mga estudyante,” he added.

Tetangco said that Buklod’s virtue of integrity that he saw has shown that they work without any expected reward. He also cited the party’s initiative and involvement.

He assured that all the principles he learned from both parties will be given justice once he gains a seat in the University Student Council.

Sakbayan, meanwhile, respects his decision to transfer parties.

“[I]ginagalang din namin ang desisyon niya na tumakbo kasama ang kabilang partido ngayong taon,” Mark Angelo Bucay, OIC chairperson of the party, told the Perspective via text message.

Loss of political capital?

The Perspective asked Tetangco the possible implications of his transfer when it comes to his political clout or influence to the students.

“Wala naman pong masyadong nagbago mula sa paglipat ko… I’m still the same person,” he said. He added that Buklod’s three core principles are just added to his brand of leadership.

“I would always remain vigilant… that I would guarantee that regardless of political parties, regardless of political ideologies and principles, nais ko po talaga na ma-unite, magkaroon ng unified course of action,” he said.

When asked for comment, Bucay said: “Nais din lang naming matupad ang sinabi niyang pahayag na kahit ano pa man ang partidong kinabibilangan niya ay patuloy siyang magbibigay serbisyo.”

‘New’ Migs Tetangco

Buklod’s USC vice-chairmanship bet also said that he wanted students to get to know a new Tetangco.

“I just want to introduce them to the new Migs Tetangco, na meron pa rin pong hint [o] bakas ng aking lumang partidong kinabibilangan dati,” he said.

“Regardless kung maluklok ako o hindi, I will not stop to address these certain issues,” he said. [P]