ECONOMICS major students from the University of San Carlos were adjudged first runner-up in the Junior Philippine Economics Society “Motions in Motion 2024” debate tournament recently.

They were Kenneth Vincent Aballe, Euseff Yap, Kaye Abellanosa, and Lavinia Baricuatro.

During the elimination round, the USC team argued the motion on the postponement of implementing the Mandanas-Garcia ruling that significantly increased the tax base on which the local government units share is computed and, thus, strengthened fiscal decentralization.

In the semi-final round, the USC team argued against the motion for an independent foreign policy in the Philippines.

They emerged victorious both in the elimination and semi-final rounds against Mindanao State University and the University of the Philippines Los Baños, respectively.

Meanwhile, the USC students went against the De La Salle University Economics Organization during the finals where they ended up as the 1st runner-up.

They argued on the motion of decongesting the K to 12 Program into the MATATAG K to 10 Curriculum.

The “Motions in Motion” is an annual event that aims to promote a culture of debate among economics undergraduate students on relevant issues.

Meanwhile, JPES is a national confederation of undergraduate Economics organizations in the Philippines and is recognized as the junior arm of the Philippine Economics Society.

This year’s theme, “Promoting Intellectual Welfare for Sustainable Economic Growth” was aimed to foster intellectual camaraderie and sharpen the wits of Kabataang Ekonomista