THE COLLEGE OF Arts and Sciences (CAS) witnessed the accreditation of political parties and the filing of Certificates of Candidacy (CoC) for the 2026 Student Council (SC) General Elections, marking the first CAS-specific elections since the establishment of a separate College of Accountancy and Business (CAB).
Under the San Beda Electoral Board’s (ELBO) Resolution No. 25-2526, 10 candidates were qualified to run for the polls. Only two positions had more than one candidate, with the auditor position remaining vacant for this year’s cycle.
Under the San Bigkis Party (SBP), ELBO announced the following candidates: Beige Benedict Campbell as Presidential Candidate, Angel Raheema Edding as Internal Vice President (IVP), Mikaela Isabelle Quicho as External Vice President (EVP), Katrina Bianca Carreon as Secretary-General, Job Daniel Almocera as Treasurer, Ma. Clarisse Delos Santos as 4th Year Level Representative, Michael Ian Salvador as 3rd Year Level Representative, and Ira Gabriel Mantes as 2nd Year Level Representative.
The two independent candidates vying for key positions are Enzo Xenon Ochoa for President and Rafael Fernando De Castro for IVP.
Party accreditation
On March 21, ELBO accredited two political parties, Ang Pagbabagong Mithi (MITHI) and SBP, through Resolution No. 21-2526 following the submission of constitutions, platforms, officer lists, and other required documents.
Highlighting the essence of the accreditation process, ELBO Commissioner Amanda Claudia Cruz said the accreditation encourages students to evaluate candidates based on merit.
“The importance of personal credibility, platforms, and conduct as a leader increases,” she said, adding that voters are expected to “assess candidates individually rather than rely solely on party affiliation.”
SBP campaign manager Scott Eraña shared that accreditation helped their party organize their slate with student concerns as the focal point of consideration, saying, “We gather issues from each course and aim to make student life simpler and better.”
Filing of candidacy
Resolution No. 23-2526 allocated a filing period from March 23 to 26, during which potential candidates were allowed to submit their CoC in accordance with the ELBO guidelines, seeking to meet the eligibility requirements to qualify as candidates.
Cruz explained that preparations for the elections began months in advance to ensure a structured and orderly process.
“The electoral process is not just the election day itself… there is pre-election and the election itself,” Cruz said, noting that pre-election activities such as accreditation of political parties and candidacy filing were carefully scheduled to prevent disruptions.
Stacey Angelie Co, Ochoa’s campaign manager, stated that, “The filing gave us the chance to officially register and ensure all documents were in order, so the campaign could proceed smoothly,” showcasing how the filing period served as a crucial step in organizing their campaign.
SBP fielded candidates for several positions, underscoring their commitment to sustain engagement on student representation. Eraña noted that the slate filed by the party was established through thorough screening and processes. “We wanted to make sure every candidate we chose can genuinely represent their peers and bring meaningful change.”
SBP primarily filed for a full slate, with the auditor position being filled. However, issues on qualifications barred the auditor candidate from participating in the elections, prompting SBP to petition.
ELBO addressed and dismissed SBP’s petition under Judgement No. 08-2526, stating that SBP merely sought interpretation.
“In the petition of the auditor, they filed to just [seek] for an interpretation,” Cruz stated.
She furthered that the “actual controversy” is non-attendant, making it “[fall] outside” of their authority. The Board also emphasized that the newly ratified SC Constitution takes precedence over conflicting provisions in the Omnibus Election Code (OEC).
New political era
This general election cycle marks the first CAS SC election with CAS and CAB conducting separate races for SC, creating a new political landscape for candidates and voters alike.
Reflecting its perceived upside, Cruz shared how, “With the separation, it’s clearer which issues belong to each college, allowing candidates to focus on what really matters to their students.”
ELBO also emphasized that the separation required careful preparation to avoid disruptions.
“Our focus was on preparing months in advance to establish a feasible timeline beneficial to all stakeholders, including aspiring candidates and the student body,” the commissioner added.
Eraña’s party sees the split as a “chance to target their campaign more effectively,”
“It helps us address issues specific to CAS without overlapping with other colleges, making our campaigns more relevant to the students we represent.”
Meanwhile, Co welcomed the new structure as an opportunity to stand out.
“The separation opens space for independent voices and encourages voters to evaluate candidates individually rather than just by party.”
De Castro’s campaign manager acknowledged the request for an interview. However, it relayed that it could not be arranged due to scheduling constraints.
The campaign period will run from April 6 to April 15, with the Miting de Avance (MDA) scheduled on April 15, during which candidates are expected to present their platforms and engage with the student body.
The elections will be held on April 17, followed by the proclamation of elected candidates.
(with Eunice Karen Buccat)