THE LONE candidate for Central Student Council (CSC) secretary has admitted to past academic dishonesty but assured Thomasians that she has since learned from her “mistakes.”
During the Tagisan 2024, the mandatory debate for CSC candidates, medical biology junior Meckia Villanueva was asked a direct yes-or-no question on whether she had committed academic dishonesty at the College of Science.
“Yes,” Villanueva responded. “I have taken accountability and learned from these mistakes and this experience. Simula pa lamang ng pag-file ko ng candidacy, hinarap ko na.”
“Hindi tayo nagmamalinis sa ating pagtakbo. We admit that as students we make these mistakes, but these mistakes will make us better individuals.”
Before her admission, Villanueva, a former executive coordinator to the CSC Office of the Secretary, was asked about her stance on academic dishonesty. She described academic integrity as “very important.”
“We acknowledge that there are certain allegations being made regarding this issue,” she said. “We continuously uphold academic integrity, and I am assuring everyone that I have held myself accountable to such circumstances.”
Villanueva said the controversy should not overshadow her credentials as a student leader, noting that she had reached out to college offices to clear her name.
“Such instances should not discredit me to be a student leader because I’ve long been in student leadership, and [with] my experience, I know that I can use them to make the position functional and to make the council progressive.”
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In an interview with the Varsitarian after the debate, Villanueva declined to disclose details of her case but said it had “long been settled” after it occurred last year.
She also denied accusations that her actions led to the reshuffling of the medical biology blocks, claiming that some criticisms were turning into “personal attacks.”
“Not everything that was stated by the student body is true about me, and that will never dictate the kind of person that I am because some of those are not criticisms anymore—those are personal attacks already,” she said.
“Although I admit na mayroong nangyaring gano’ng behavior—academic dishonesty—it did not harm anyone aside from me, [who faced] the consequences of such actions,” she added.
Shortly after Villanueva filed her candidacy on Sept. 9, an anonymous Reddit post in the popular Tomasino subreddit accused the CSC bet of having a history of cheating dating to junior high school.
The post further claimed that Villanueva’s academic achievements were attained through dishonest means.
“I hope na we’ll not easily rely on such posts we’ll see online,” Villanueva told the Varsitarian. “Despite my image being tainted throughout the campaign, I can still prove myself better, and I can prove these allegations wrong by showing them my capabilities as a leader.”
In late September, Villanueva posted a statement on her Facebook account indirectly addressing the controversy and apologizing for her “mistakes,” which she acknowledged might have caused harm and disappointment to others.
Villanueva is one of only two candidates in the upcoming CSC elections, alongside legal management sophomore Annie Agon, who is vying for the public relations officer position.
Since no presidential and vice presidential candidates are running, Villanueva could become acting president if elected, according to the Central Commission on Elections.
READ: Secretary bet likely to assume CSC presidency amid lack of candidates — Comelec
The canvassing of votes and proclamation of new CSC Executive Board officers will take place during the “Proklamasyon” on Saturday, Nov. 16. with reports from Marco Luis D. Beech, Janica Kate J. Buan, Fernando Pierre Marcel B. Dela Cruz, Amanda Luella A. Rivera, and Fernando Pierre Marcel B. Dela Cruz
