Three political students from the School of Teacher Education and Liberal Arts (STELA) at the University of Baguio are pursuing academic excellence that supports public service through legal and judicial work in legislative navigation and selections. They are gaining practical experience by seeing all sides of legislative operations and are expected to train in the legislative, media/public relations, and administrative offices in the halls of the Senate of the Philippines.
Mr. Trent Justin C. Casiquin, Ms. Stephanie Ethel E. Magarde, and Ms. Lyn D. Amour C. Purisima from the Bachelor of Political Science program underwent a rigorous and competitive selection process, where the selected participants were viewed and deliberated upon for their capabilities and credentials among other prospects from the top universities across the country before walking around the halls of the upper chamber on January 26, 2026.
A Day in The Philippine Senate
Stepping into the world of legislative reforms is described as a notable transition from the classroom to the halls of the Senate, marking a significant shift into a more challenging environment. The first weeks of their practicum provided an intensive masterclass in governance. As they were accepted and provided access to the Office of Senator Camille Villar (OSCV), their first day quickly overturned any expectations of a slow start, with work immediately piling onto their shoulders and a sparse adjustment period.
Alt text: Highlights and photos from the three (3) UB BAPS student delegates in the Philippine Senate setting
The students had to apply their theoretical academic knowledge to high-stakes, real-world situations as part of a demanding and varied workload in the senate. Magarde, Purisima, and Casiquin were assigned to the legislative, media/public relations, and administrative offices for the initial cycle. The student delegates went on to tackle general paperwork, such as minute-taking in high-level meetings and proposal briefers for review, all while attending plenary sessions as aids to the chief legislative staff. Other tasks include interpersonal and intrapersonal communication and media navigation and handling, along with necessary public relations (PR) work for a positive reputation and tenure.
As they dived further, the students showcased their ability in handling financial matters, which require bookkeeping skills and utmost confidentiality, crucial for managing the vital “back-end” work, including auditing expenditures and processing medical assistance requests. Although assigned to different offices, they have been instrumental in drafting bills and resolutions, creating briefs, and analyzing policies as per request from the chief legislative staff of the OSCV.
The depth of the assignments given to the students and practicing professionals reflects the office’s trust in their academic training. These interns are helping to make governance more effective, accountable, and open by looking at important issues. Over the past weeks in the Senate, the interns have produced critical briefs on some of the most pressing domestic and international concerns, such as
- Environmental & Local Crises: The Dupax del Norte mining dispute, the Cebu, Porac and Rizal landfill crises, and the suspension of local officials in Minglanilla
- Economic Policy: A comprehensive research project on the decline of the Philippines’ GDP, culminating in a drafted Senate resolution
- Public Utilities: Performance analyses of major water concessionaires, including Prime Water, Maynilad, and Manila Water
- High-Stakes Politics: Briefers on the impeachment discussions regarding Vice President Duterte, the International Criminal Court (ICC) proceedings involving former President Duterte, and the ongoing conflict in the Middle East
Beyond the office work, the student delegates also attended several events to build their skills and knowledge attainment through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Recognition Program in Makati. The students were also able to participate in a specialized briefing by the British Embassy on foreign information manipulation and media strategy in Taguig and the Villar Cup in Las Piñas.
Alt text: Highlights and photos from the three (3) UB BAPS student delegates in the Philippine Senate setting
“I am now seriously considering a career path within the legislative branch—not as an elected official, but as a legal professional working behind the scenes.” – Lyn D. Amour C. Purisima, UB BAPS
“In school, you only learn the theories and ideas. But here, I am learning how things actually get done and it’s the complete opposite of how I imagined.” – Stephanie Ethel E. Magarde, UB BAPS
For Purisima and Casiquin as aspiring legal professionals, the experience has been transformative. Noting that as they aspire to be professional practitioners and lawyers in the succeeding timeframe, the experience refined and expanded her career outlook toward the “silent” influencers of policy.
As the first rotation drew to a close, the students expressed their commitment to making meaningful contributions to personal and professional development, which align with the Sustainable Development Goals 4, 8, 10, 16, and 17, marking the beginning of the real test of endurance. The students have quickly learned that in the Senate, the only constant is change, and the workload only intensifies as the session heats up. The experience has refined and expanded the students’ initial journey as the “silent influencers” of policy, while their professional aspirations to become practitioners in the judicial and legislative branches of the Philippines remain unchanged.
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Written by: Rebekah A. Delgado
Article Enhancement by: Gabriel Madriaga
