FOLLOWING THE CONCLUSION of the College of Accountancy and Business (CAB) inaugural Student Executive Council (SEC) Elections on August 24, the newly elected officers were officially proclaimed on August 25 by the San Beda Electoral Commission (ELCOM), along with the CAB Office of the Prefect of Student Affairs (OPSA).
After continuous downpour brought about by the southwest monsoon resulting in a series of class suspensions that extended the duration of the elections, the CAB inaugural elections concluded with 662 votes cast, meeting the required threshold by ELCOM of at least 50% plus one. The incoming SEC will assume their respective positions as representatives of the CAB student body.
Under ELCOM Resolution No. 14-2627, the results of the election detailed the following results: Chairperson, Shara Chrisly C. Esteba won as she garnered 407 votes (61.48%), while Francis Gabriel Gaw got 203 votes (30.66%). For the Executive Vice-Chairperson (EVC), Jayna Xzyha G. Tayag amassed the highest total votes with 525 (79.30%) as the Vice Chairperson for Corporate Affairs and Linkages (VPCAL), Jamber Alexis J. Idulsa, gathered 459 votes (69.34%). For the position of Vice Chairperson for Secretariat (VCS), Gabrielle Bettina P. Garcia got 510 votes (77.04%). Vice Chairperson for Finance (VCF), Jeremy Lanze A. Tomas got 415 votes (62.69%). For the Human Resource Management Representative, Jeremiah Kiel D. Tenchavez received 37 votes (86.05%). For the Legal Management Representative, Mari Aldwindrei E. Ambayec collected 211 votes (80.53%). Lastly, for Operations Management Representative, Paul Benedict N. Arante won with 17 votes (50.00%), while Margaux Beatrice M. Napa received 14 votes (41.18%).
The proclamation took place at the OPSA office with CAB OPSA prefect, Dr. Maybelle A. Gallardo, LPT, officially welcoming the newly-elected SEC officers.
The election was marred by numerous setbacks throughout its period—controversies surrounding the Miting de Avance (MDA), election rescheduling due to class suspensions, and technical difficulties during election day were some of the challenges faced by the commission.
In an interview with ELCOM Head Commissioner Angelo T. Lobo, he described the entire election period as “relatively successful”, acknowledging the challenges and mishaps due to the expedited nature of the elections, as well as technical difficulties in the voting platform, but also noted that the commission was able to overcome them, citing the voter turnout: “We had more than 50% of the student body electing their student leaders,” Lobo stated.
Lobo expounded further on the expedited nature of the elections, emphasizing “the necessity of having student leaders right now for CAB,” as the college prepares for various activities and initiatives.
As CAB’s first SEC Chairperson, Shara Chrisly C. Esteba viewed the election as the beginning of the council’s work beyond the electoral process. “This victory is just the beginning… we will make sure that our promises will not remain as promises,” Esteba stated, emphasizing the council’s responsibility to represent the CAB student body as the college continues to transition toward independent student governance.
She also underscored the importance of establishing a community and foundation that succeeding CAB student leaders can build upon.
EVC Jayna Xzyha G. Tayag stated that the council aims to leave a legacy that will extend to the students and leaders who will follow them. “We want to be remembered not as the first Student Executive Council, but as the Student Executive Council who will make it easier for those who will follow after us,” Tayag said.
Tayag further explained that part of this work will involve developing CAB’s identity and strengthening its coordination, particularly within the Committee on Student Organizations (CSO), the CAB cluster of student organizations.
For VPCAL Jamber Alexis J. Idulsa, the formation of the SEC marks a significant step in CAB’s transition toward having its own elected student representation. “We cannot fully transition unless we have an elected representation,” he stated.
Idulsa further pointed out his plans to work alongside the external vice presidents of CAB’s professional and non-professional organizations to develop policies and mechanisms that can streamline coordination among student organizations.
With the election of its inaugural SEC, marking their first step after the proclamation, the newly elected officers solidified their independence as the pioneering officers through the promulgation of their official Facebook page on August 27.
As CAB begins its first-year of full-implementation as an independent college, the SEC is set to begin their term for academic year 2026-2027. The council is expected to assume their respective responsibilities as the college begins its first full-term rollout, representing the CAB student body.