AFTER A DELAY caused by pending electoral cases, the San Beda Electoral Board (ELBO), together with the Office of the Prefect and Student Activities (OPSA), officially proclaimed the newly-elected Student Council (SC) officers last April 21 ahead of the academic year 2025-2026.
Initially scheduled to occur immediately following the voting period, the official declaration was postponed due to several “unresolved electoral concerns” and to “observe due process,” as announced by the Electoral Board.
Despite the late pronouncement, student participation remained notable, garnering an overall voter turnout of 56.34%—a total of 1,435 out of 2,547 students. The elections then concluded with a clean sweep victory for the San Bigkis Party (SBP), with the Nationalist Youth and Progressive Democrats (NYPD) only garnering the Auditor seat.
As stipulated under ELBO’s Resolution No. 27-2425, promulgated last April 21, the results showed that, for Presidential candidates, Mitziko Clare Yema won with 740 votes (51.57%), while Alvin Sebastian Mangaliag got 443 votes (29.48%). For the Internal Vice President, Ramon Gabriel Ledesma got 661 votes (46.06%) against Alizea Bernadine Sison having 461 votes (32.13%). For the External Vice President candidates, Rinoa Somel Sanchez acquired 732 votes (51.01%), while Angela Correa got 403 votes (28.08%).
For Secretary-General, Shara Chrisly Esteba got 682 votes (47.53%), while Kurstein Gabrielle Bacalzo attained 444 votes (30.94%). For Treasurer, Beige Benedict Campbell acquired 830 votes (57.84%) against Alexandria Gwen Fernandez who got 412 votes (28.71%). For the Auditor position, the lone candidate, Angela Nicole Martin, got 823 votes (57.35%).
For the year-level representatives, seniors’ Cheska Yzabel Alagon got 170 votes (47.35%) while Harry Grant Platero got 142 votes (39.35%). For third-year representatives, Andrea Miranda acquired 187 votes (44.84%) while Jamber Alexis Idulsa got 171 votes (41.01%). Finally, for the second-year representatives, Andrea Nicole Janda got 196 votes (44.85%) against Xyruz Jae Serrano having 141 votes (32.27%).
However, the same resolution also stated that the Office of the Prefect of Student Activities (OPSA) would impose a fifteen (15) day suspension before the newly elected officers assume office. This was done in conjunction with the OPSA’s reversal of the ELBO’s decision to disqualify the entire slate of SBP last April 13 due to filed cases by NYPD on excessive violations warranted by the Omnibus Election Code.
In an exclusive interview with The Bedan, newly-elected SC President Mitziko Yema shared her sentiments upon learning of her victory.
“Actually po, for those who don’t know, it’s my fourth time running and hindi pa rin ako nagsasawang ma-experience ‘yung mga ganung bagay… it’s a full circle moment for me,” she shared.
Yema affirmed that the top priority of her administration will be the revision of the SC constitution, with ‘unity’ among their members as the foundational step towards their goal.
On the other hand, Vice President for Internal Affairs-elect Ramon Ledesma described his campaign journey as both demanding and fulfilling. “Hindi ko rin talaga inexpect na tatakbo ako… Overall, my experience in campaigning was hard, however, it was so fulfilling in a way na we were able to talk to so many people,” he shared. He also cited self-doubt and online scrutiny as one of the obstacles he faced.
Looking ahead, Ledesma reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing his platform, “One stance, One San Beda,” which seeks to unify a collaborative environment among the various colleges within San Beda in addressing institutional issues and concerns.
Similarly, External Vice President elect Rinoa Sanchez described the overall election journey as a culmination of a year-long effort, while carrying the hope that the support they received “does not end with the elections.”
One of her top priorities is to focus on commuter support by the installment of Beep Loading Stations inside the campus, as she herself is a commuter.
“I really hope to help and aid with the commuters here in San Beda, and we already started researching and talking with AF payments,” she stated.
The top-three officers also acknowledged and expressed their frustration brought by the delay in proclaiming the results, but emphasized their “understanding” of the necessity for due process.
“Of course, we were shocked,” Yema said. “But we had to respect due process… Whether there are obstacles or struggles during our time sa Council, we will address it as soon as possible.”
Ledesma also admitted that he felt a “sense of relief” because of the delay happening during the Holy Week break as a way for them to reflect. “We were able to reflect na parang if ako ba ‘yung nasa position, if hindi ako napunta sa position, ano pa bang pwede kong magawa?… I’m glad it still happened cause there was a silver lining,” he quipped.
Additionally, Sanchez expressed a mix of emotions but stood firm in support of upholding the procedures followed. “We’re emotional about the result… but at the end of the day, we are student leaders, so we should still follow the due process,” she stated.
In talking of the complaints and their corresponding resolutions that were not disclosed during the course of the election season, ELBO’s Chairperson, Rochelle Soriano, explained that such was done for “data privacy reasons” and for the sake of “protecting all those people who are involved in those cases.” She guaranteed, however, that OPSA and both parties are aware of the complaints being filed during the course of the election season.
When asked on whether the knowledge of these alleged complaints and Resolutions would extend towards the Bedan community, Soriano expressed that “We can’t really say anything right now pero after we confirmed it sa mga kataas-taasan kanila and…after the deliberations of the [commissioners], then I guess what the [student] body can do is sumubaybay nalang talaga on [ELBO’s] page for updates regarding this.”
However, when asked about the current status of the complaints, the legitimacy of the postponement, and the future prospects between ELBO and the SC moving forward, ELBO has yet to respond