USM Department of Political Science

07/03/2026

𝗨𝗦𝗠 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘆 𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗣𝗶𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗢𝗫 𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

On March 3, 2026, the University of Southern Mindanao (USM) Department of Political Science, together with the Political Science Society, paid a courtesy call to the University President, Dr. Jonald L. Pimentel, in preparation for the upcoming SOX Political Science Summit 2026.

Present during the courtesy call were Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Leorence C. Tandog, College of Arts and Social Sciences (CASS) Dean Dr. Marlyn A. Ressurreccion, Department of Political Science Chairperson Prof. Ernesto Buenaventura Jr., faculty members of the Department of Political Science, and officers of the Political Science Society.

During the meeting, the organizers formally presented the plans for the SOX Political Science Summit 2026, which aims to gather Political Science students from different institutions in the SOCCSKSARGEN Region for meaningful discussions on governance, leadership, and political engagement.

The university officials expressed their full support for the initiative and provided valuable guidance and advice to help ensure the success of the summit. Their encouragement further strengthens the commitment of the Department of Political Science and the Political Science Society to promote academic collaboration and political awareness among students.

The SOX Political Science Summit 2026 is expected to serve as a platform for dialogue, learning, and cooperation among future leaders in the field of political science.

💻/📸: Neilmar M. Cinco

05/03/2026

09/02/2026

𝐔𝐒𝐌 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐒𝐜𝐢 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝟑𝐫𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐧𝐝-𝐎𝐟𝐟 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐬

The USM Department of Political Science successfully conducted its 3rd Send-Off Program for fourth-year BA Political Science students who will undertake their on-the-job training (OJT). The program was held on February 6, 2026, at 8th Avenue, Poblacion, Kabacan, and was highlighted by an inspirational talk from the guest speaker, Atty. Noreen C. Maglunsod-Napoles, CPA, LLM.

The activity was supervised by the Department OJT Coordinator, Atty. Kevin Napoles, and was graced by the Department Chairperson, Prof. Ernesto Buenaventura, Jr., JD, MPA, together with the faculty members of the Department of Political Science. Parents and guardians of the student trainees were also present, showing their support as the students formally begin this important phase of their academic and professional journey.

24/01/2026

IN PHOTOS | The USM Department of Political Science successfully conducted a seminar for its fourth-year students who will undergo their on-the-job training (OJT) this semester. Titled “Ethics at Work: Building Professional Integrity,” the seminar was held on January 23, 2026, at the USMARC AVR. The event was spearheaded by Department Chairperson Prof. Ernesto A. Buenaventura, Jr., JD, MPA, together with CASS Dean Dr. Marlyn A. Resurreccion.

The seminar featured three key topics: the Safe Spaces Act, discussed by Prof. Roselyn M. Clemen, JD, MPA; Work Ethics, lectured by Dr. Rowell P. Nitafan; and the Data Privacy Act of 2012, presented by Atty. Kevin Napoles.

22/01/2026

IN PHOTOS | The USM Department of Political Science convened its department meeting on January 21, 2026, to discuss key matters including the upcoming ISO internal audit, updates on the department office renovation, accreditation progress, and plans for the second semester of the academic year. The meeting was presided over by Department Chairperson Prof. Ernesto A. Buenaventura, Jr., JD, MPA.

The Department expressed its appreciation to University President Dr. Jonald Pimentel and CASS Dean Dr. Marlyn A. Resurreccion for their continued support, especially their assistance in the renovation of the department office.

09/01/2026

| The USM Department of Political Science congratulates its two alumni, namely Atty. June Dianne Nadela (Batch 2014) and Atty. Jemuel Eramis Carlos (Batch 2015), for passing the 2025 Bar Examinations.

The whole USM PolSci community is proud of you! 💜💜💜

These are the alumni of the University of Southern Mindanao who successfully passed the 2025 Bar Examination. Congratulations, Attorneys! Your USM family is so proud of […]

15/12/2025

𝐀 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫 𝐨𝐧 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧’𝐬 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐉𝐚𝐩𝐚𝐧–𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬

We invite you to a webinar on Japan’s Foreign Policy and Japan–Philippines Relations, featuring His Excellency Ono Hirotaka, Consul General of Japan in Davao City. The webinar aims to provide an analytical discussion on the evolution of Japan’s foreign policy in Southeast Asia, with particular emphasis on diplomatic engagement, regional cooperation, and the strategic dimensions of Japan–Philippines relations within the broader Indo-Pacific context.

His Excellency Ono Hirotaka joined Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1988 and has since accumulated extensive experience in diplomacy, multilateral cooperation, and regional affairs. His distinguished career includes postings in Southeast Asia, New York, and the Philippines, as well as senior leadership roles in cultural diplomacy, climate change cooperation, and international relations within Japan’s executive and legislative institutions. Prior to his appointment as Consul General of Japan in Davao City in April 2025, he served as Senior Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia, bringing a depth of policy-oriented and practitioner insight to this academic discourse.

14/12/2025

𝐔𝐒𝐌 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝐨𝐧 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐲

The Department of Political Science conducted a Research Colloquium for its 3rd Year Political Science students under the courses International Relations, handled by Prof. John Ryan Fernandez, and Philippine Foreign Policy, handled by Dr. Rowell P. Nitafan. The activity was held last December 12, 2025, at the Extension Services Office (ESO) Conference Room.

During the colloquium, students presented their case study papers and research posters, showcasing their analytical skills and understanding of contemporary international and foreign policy issues. The presentations served as a venue for academic exchange and critical discussion.

The activity marked an important milestone in strengthening the department’s research culture, providing students with an avenue to present their scholarly work, develop confidence in academic presentation, and apply theoretical concepts to real-world policy issues.

12/12/2025

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐒𝐌 𝐃𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞! 💙💜

In this season of joy and gratitude, the USM Department of Political Science extends warm holiday greetings to all our students, faculty, partners, and communities. May this festive time inspire peace, reflection, and renewed hope as we look forward to another year of learning, service, and meaningful engagement. Wishing everyone a joyful Christmas and a bright, fulfilling New Year ahead. 💜💙

09/11/2025

𝐈𝐍 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎𝐒 | The USM Department of Political Science faculty joined the TRI-People Summit Year 3 organized by the USM Political Science Society, in partnership with the Department of Political Science and the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). Held on November 7, 2025, the event carried the theme “One USM: Embracing Diversity, Celebrating Cultures, and Advancing Sustainability Toward Shared Goals” The first session was conducted at Café Martina, followed by the second session at the Kundo E. Pahm Learning Resource Center AVR, both highlighting the spirit of inclusivity and cultural understanding among Mindanao’s tri-people communities—Christians, Muslims, and Indigenous Peoples.

One of the keynote speakers, Atty. Adolf Ryan Lantion, Regional Director of the National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP) Region XII, underscored the significance of protecting Indigenous Peoples’ rights and the implementation of the Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Act (Republic Act No. 8371). He reminded participants that “Our unity is not about sameness, but about embracing diversity as our greatest strength.” Meanwhile, NCIP Commissioner Nancy Catamco extended her message through an audio-visual presentation, emphasizing that Mindanao’s strength lies in its diversity: “To celebrate culture is to celebrate identity. When we honor identity, we build peace.”

Adding depth to the discussions, Sister Francis Mary Quinto highlighted that unity cannot exist without respect, while Mrs. Sarrah Jane Guerrero, MPA, emphasized that diversity is a blessing and that true unity springs from love and acceptance of one another’s differences. The TRI-People Summit Year 3 reaffirmed the university's commitment to fostering peace, mutual respect, and cultural harmony among its students and the broader community.

06/11/2025

As the Tri-People Summit Year 3 unfolds with the theme “One USM: Embracing Diversity, Celebrating Cultures, and Advancing Sustainability Toward Shared Goals,” the University of Southern Mindanao - Political Science Society (USM-PSS) in partnership with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA) proudly presents four esteemed speakers whose commitment to inclusivity, culture, and peace reflects the very heart of the Tri-People spirit.

06/11/2025

[𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗦] 𝗨𝗦𝗠 𝗔𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗼𝗽 𝗔𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗤𝗦 𝗥𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲; 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗨𝗻𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗫𝗜𝗜

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) proudly secured its place in the QS World University Rankings 2026, landing 242nd in Southeast Asia and within the 1501+ bracket in Asia. Standing tall as the only university from Region XII to make it to the list, USM joins 35 other top institutions from the Philippines, marking another milestone in its growing reputation for academic excellence and innovation.

The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) proudly secured its place in the QS World University Rankings 2026, landing 242nd in Southeast Asia and within the 1501+ bracket in Asia. Standing […]