WITH THE ELECTION for the first-year representative drawing near, the San Beda Electoral Board (ELBO) Chairperson, Darlene Pamiloza, and the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Student Council (SC) President, Mitziko Yema, familiarized the Bedan Community with the process of campus elections, from filing to proclamation.
Within the University’s dynamic student life, the campus elections stand as a vital exercise in leadership and representation. For first-year students, understanding how the process unfolds offers a glimpse into the mechanisms that shape student governance. It not only informs them of their voting rights but also introduces them to the values of accountability, fairness, and participation that define the Bedan community.
The heart of participation
Beyond its procedures, the election season captures the essence of active citizenship and leadership formation within the University. For CAS SC President Mitziko Yema, running for office is a test of passion and endurance.
“It starts with deciding if you’re really passionate and dedicated to work and serve the student body,” Yema shared, reflecting on her experiences as a student leader.
She described campaigning as both challenging and fulfilling, especially during room-to-room visits that required her to speak to countless students. Despite the difficulties, she sees these moments as opportunities to connect, inspire, and lead with purpose.
Yema also underscored the importance of participation among freshmen, stressing that campus elections serve as a steppingstone toward civic maturity. “Freshmen should be very diligent and dedicated as to how they’re going to vote, kasi it’s a practice for the nationals,” she said, encouraging students to take the process seriously.
A closer look at the election process
The campus election system serves as an introduction to how democracy operates within the university. Spearheaded by ELBO, the process mirrors the national polls, ensuring fairness and transparency through organized stages that reflect the core of participatory governance.
According to ELBO Chairperson Darlene G. Pamiloza, elections begin with the accreditation of political parties, which ensures only legitimate and organized student groups may endorse candidates. Once recognized, aspiring candidates, which may be under an independent banner or an accredited political party, file their Certificates of Candidacy (COC) along with the required documents.
After deliberations of the Electoral Commission (ELCOM), the Electoral Board releases the official list of qualified candidates, marking the start of the ten-day campaign period.
During this time, candidates present their platforms through social media, room-to-room visits, and campaign booths, all of which must be registered with the Election Commission.
The process culminates in the Miting de Avance (MDA), an event that allows candidates to present their advocacies and respond to student questions. Pamiloza described it as “an avenue for the students to engage with the candidates, to ask questions and learn about their platforms and advocacies.”
In the case of this electoral cycle’s election of the first-year representative, the sole candidate, Courtney Allaine Acuña, ran under an independent banner, while the Nationalist Youth and Progressive Democrats (NYPD) failed to extend their accreditation, and the San Bigkis Partylist (SBP) fell short in securing their candidate’s spot in the filing of the COC.
Collaboration behind the ballots
The success of the campus elections is the product of coordination among organizations and offices that share the same goal of maintaining credibility and transparency. Pamiloza shared that the San Beda Debate Society (SBDS) facilitates the Miting de Avance, embodying a balanced and respectful exchange of ideas.
Meanwhile, The Bedan and San Beda Red Lens (SBRL) handle documentation and media coverage, providing real-time updates that promote transparency throughout the election season. On the technical side, the Bedan Information Technology Society (BITS) oversees the election systems, such as Boto Bedista system and Microsoft Forms, offering technical assistance during the voting and canvassing process.
Institutional offices such as the Information and Communications Technology Center (ICTC), Registrar, Instructional Media (IMC), and Building Maintenance Services (BMS) also play essential roles in ensuring the elections run smoothly – providing equipment and resources, verifying student data, and maintaining operational support.
Pamiloza emphasized that the entire system thrives on teamwork, stating that “each of them is contributing to ensure a fair, transparent, and well-coordinated election.”
Securing transparency and trust
Behind every election is a system built on confidentiality and integrity. To ensure this, all authorized personnel in charge of canvassing are required to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) that prevents information leaks and protects the privacy of votes.
Only the top members of the Electoral Board and activity chairs are allowed inside the canvassing room, along with accredited poll watchers who represent candidates.
Pamiloza explained, “We crafted a strong or reliable non-disclosure agreement stating na ‘yung information of that is strictly confidential and only available for those authorized persons.”
Real-time announcements are also posted on the ELBO’s official social media platforms, allowing the student body to stay informed.
Democracy in action
Both Pamiloza and Yema agree that the campus election system embodies democracy at its core. Pamiloza emphasized that it “serves the democratic governance which highlights the values, the rights, and responsibility of being part of a democratic society.”
Through campus elections, students experience firsthand how representation and accountability function in leadership. They are encouraged to voice their opinions freely, engage in discourse, and support candidates whose platforms align with their values—while remaining respectful of rules set by the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
“The value of democracy starts with us people, as individuals,” Yema reflected. “We have to know, we have to do better within ourselves bago natin siya iexpect sa mga tao sa paligid natin,” she furthered.
While not everyone chooses to run for office, understanding how campus elections work is part of what makes the Bedan community thrive. It teaches students that leadership and democracy do not simply happen during election season—they are sustained through awareness, participation, and accountability.
In every vote cast, every debate held, and every leader elected; democracy becomes more than a concept—it becomes a shared experience that binds the Bedan community together in trust, integrity, and purpose.
The election period is expected to take place today, October 10, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., while the proclamation of winners is expected to follow an hour after the voting ends at the Office of the Prefect of Student Affairs (OPSA).
(with Bianca Ashley Bitanga)