THE INAUGURAL ELECTION of the College of Accountancy and Business’ (CAB) Student Executive Council (SEC) is set to take place following its establishment, with the newly instituted San Beda – Electoral Commission (ELCOM) to oversee the electoral process.
The CAB will hold its first SEC General Elections under the supervision of the newly established ELCOM, which adopted the 2025 College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Omnibus Election Code (OEC) as its Interim Election Code (IEC) under Resolution No. 01-2627 to govern the electoral process while CAB establishes its own election framework following its separation from CAS.
This general election cycle marks CAB’s first independent SEC election following its founding, ushering in a new political landscape as candidates and voters navigate the college’s inaugural electoral process.
The establishment of a separate electoral process also places greater responsibility on ELCOM to implement election rules specific to CAB while relying on the 2025 CAS OEC as an interim framework.
In an interview with ELCOM Chairperson Alexa Salado, the newly established commission acknowledged the added responsibility of overseeing CAB’s first independent election. “It meant that we have bigger shoes to fill… It means that there are lots of new things and systems to adjust to,” Salado said.
The adoption of the interim code provides the commission with a set of rules to regulate the accreditation of political parties, filing of Certificates of Candidacy (CoC), campaigning, voting, and other electoral proceedings for CAB’s first independent election.
The decision came amid what Salado described as a “constitutional vacuum,” as CAB did not yet have an election code specifically designed in accordance with its own constitution and bylaws.
On August 7, ELCOM accredited the sole political party, the San Bigkis Party (SBP), through Resolution No. 06-2627 after the group submitted its constitution and bylaws, platform of government, list of officers, liquidation of expenses, and other requirements prescribed by the Commission.
The accreditation process was also intended to ensure that political participation remained organized and legitimate as CAB established its independent electoral system. “In terms of accrediting political parties, it is a way for students to exercise their right to organize in a secure and orderly manner… These processes help maintain the integrity of the electoral process,” Salado said.
The campaign manager for SBP, Geneve D. Villanueva, acknowledged that the accreditation process was important in preparing the party for CAB’s inaugural general election and ensuring that it was properly organized to meet the requirements set by ELCOM. “We try to accomplish whatever ‘yung requirements or preparations na needed namin for this coming elections,” Villanueva said.
Prior to the accreditation and filing of candidacies, typhoons the southwest monsoon battered the country, prompting San Beda University (SBU) to comply with the following announcements made by Manila City Mayor Francisco “Isko” Moreno Domagoso and the Office of the President ordering the suspension of classes.
In response to the disruptions caused by these weather disturbances, ELCOM issued Resolutions No. 05-2627 and Resolution No. 08-2627 to account for the resulting class suspensions and other unforeseen circumstances, allowing online submissions of the necessary documents for both the accreditation of political parties and CoC.
Under Resolution No. 09-2627, promulgated by ELCOM, the Commission recognized 10 candidates eligible to run for the election. Among the 10, seven are slated under SBP, and the remaining three are running as independent candidates.
Running under the banner of SBP, ELCOM recognized the following candidates: Shara Chrisly Esteba, vying for the position of Chairperson; Jayna Xzyha Tayag as Executive Vice-Chairperson (EVC); Gabrielle Bettina Garcia as Vice Chairperson for Secretariat (VCS); Jeremy Lanze Tomas as Vice Chairperson for Finance (VCF); Jeremiah Kiel Tenchavez as Program Representative for Human Resources; Mari Aldwindrei Ambayec as Program Representative for Legal Management; and Margaux Beatrice Napa as Program Representative for Operations Management.
The three independent candidates are Francis Gabriel Gaw, running for the position of Chairperson; Jamber Alexis Idulsa, for Vice Chairperson for Corporate Affairs and Linkages (VPCAL); and Paul Benedict Arante, as Program Representative for Operations Management.
The final slate introduces a new electoral landscape for CAB students, as candidates campaign under a separate college structure for the first time following the institutional separation from CAS.
The campaign period was initially set to run from August 10 to 13; However, due to the numerous class suspensions brought about by the southwest monsoon, the campaigns have been shifted online for August 10 to 12, with the campaign period to conclude at the Miting de Avance (MDA), where candidates are expected to present their platforms, outline their proposed programs, and engage with the CAB student body ahead of the elections, scheduled to be held on August 14.
On the day of the MDA, issues arose after a heated exchange transpired between a candidate and forum organizers, which led to the disruption of the live broadcast feed before the event proceeded. Shortly after the MDA concluded, its livestream was subsequently deleted from Facebook without due notice.
After the MDA, Resolution No. 11-2627 was published by ELCOM, extending the campaign period to August 18 and rescheduling the election to August 19, followed by the proclamation of the elected candidates on the same day that evening.
As of August 18, ELCOM released Resolution No. 12-2627, adjusting the election calendar, extending the campaign period until August 22, Saturday, and rescheduling the election to August 24, Monday.