CREATING A “TEMPORARY” void in representation for seniors, former Student Council (SC) fourth-year level representative Zhamira Padol had stepped down from her position last December 12 citing “health reasons.” 

Padol was officially elected as the SC fourth-year representative on May 10, amassing 343 votes (48.52%) against San Bigkis Party’s (SBP) Carlos Gabriel Cruz who garnered 149 votes (21.07%) according to Resolution No. 28-2324 by the San Beda Electoral Board (ELBO).

According to SC President Mari Ernestine Okol, since stepping into the position “[Zhamira] was active and coordinating with the council. She even initiated one of her projects which was to prepare the bulletin boards to welcome the first semester.” However, as time progressed, the council noticed her “gradual inactivity,” which prompted Okol to “meet with her (Padol), and out of genuine concern, inquire what had happened.” 

Through this, upon conversing with the former fourth year rep, the council was then informed of Padol’s circumstances and “allowed her to rest.” Nonetheless, during the process of her recuperation, Okol noted that “all the SC officers in the fourth-year level (including me, my IVP, and EVP) closely guided and monitored batch 2025 as we did not wish for any student to be left behind.” 

This has been the council’s temporary system. However, as weeks passed by, the SC President observed that “[Zhamira] was gradually becoming even more unresponsive, and no improvements were happening with her condition. It was difficult to keep in touch with her, and communication was getting even more difficult to maintain. We did not want to jeopardize the representation and service to batch 2025, so I personally met with her and gave her the option to resign.”

As such, on December 12, during the night of #PaskongBedista2024, Padol returned—not as an SC member, but as a resigning official, formally submitting her withdrawal before the Office of the Prefect of Student Activities (OPSA). 

The Prefect of Student Activities and the organizational moderator of SC, Professor Marvin Reyes, PhD, told The Bedan that, prior to her resignation, “my plan was to email her this Monday (December 16) and ask her everything about ‘bakit ka wala?, are you open for resignation?’ or baka ma-impeach ka or something,” due to her inactivity. However, before this could happen, Padol preemptively submitted her resignation on December 12. 

“Ang main focus of her reason, may inispecify siyang reason doon pero I cannot disclose it because wala akong approval from her. But generally, it’s health reasons,” added Prof. Reyes in consonance with Okol’s statements . 

Following this resignation, considering how the the fourth-year level representative position was left vacant after the general elections last May 10, then in accordance with Article XII, Section 5 of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) SC Constitution, the Executive Council (EC) has appointed the head of the SCEC Athletics Committee, Alessandra May Gamuya, as the interim fourth-year level representative until the conduct of special elections has been executed—which is scheduled on January 21 according to Resolution No. 10-24-25 by ELBO.  

Okol shared that the council decided to appoint Gamuya due to their “good working relationship with her—being one of the students who helped organize the Pep Rally and volunteering for numerous SC activities.” 

Resolution No. 10-24-25 has specified ELBO’S calendar of activities for the 2025 CAS Special Election for the said position. Until then, speaking as the OPSA and as the SC moderator, Prof. Reyes has reminded prospective candidates to “be ready and fit in all aspects,” while assuring that, despite how events have unfolded, “the training will remain the same.” 

Sharing the same sentiments, Okol is also looking forward “to the election of the new fourth-year level representative, and looking ahead to future projects and services we can do for batch 2025.” Ultimately, for the next semester of Academic Year (A.Y.) 2024-2025, the SC President is hoping for a “complete council” considering how “the last semester of the graduating batch is the busiest and most crucial. We would need extra help in assisting the fourth-year level until their graduation day. “

Editor’s Note: The Bedan is currently reaching out to Padol for her comments regarding her resignation.