RUNNING for different positions under  the BedAN Party: Margrethe Francisco  (II-BSE) for the position of 3rd Year Level Representative, Madie Maitim (I-BACMS)  for Public Relations Officer, Beatrice Talayaratne (I-BAIS-T) for Auditor, Archimedes Dingle (II-BSE) for Treasurer, Shane Talusan (I-BSP) for Secretary, Atassia Soliveres (III-BAIS) for Internal Vice President, and Justine Kyle Cruz (III-BSBA-MM) for the position of the Student Executive Council (SEC) President. 

        3rd Year Level Representative aspirant, Margrethe Francisco, discussed implementing a “Bedan Wall: your thoughts count” and “ELEA Batch day: Enjoy, Learn, and Earn All in one” as a part of her platform that aspires to share unity and inclusivity among the Bedan community. During the “Boses ng Bedista” portion, Francisco was asked if she was credible enough to represent the upcoming 3rd year students; she answered “I will always voice out their concerns and problems by standing for what is right and I will address first the problems before taking any actions” 

        Madie Maitim, running for Public Relations Officer, discussed inclusivity and making Bedans feel safe as part of her platform and finding other ways to contribute to the school community other than her position of being a student-athlete. Maitim said that despite her young age still, her involvement in other organizations makes her more than ready to serve the Bedan community. 

        Bea Talayaratne, candidate for the position of Auditor also voiced out her want to help the Bedan community both as a student leader and an athlete. Talayaratne discussed the need for improvement when it comes to communicating the concerns of the students and the demands for better benefits and support for the student-athletes. When asked, “How will you ensure transparency, accuracy, and responsible financial management of the student body?” Talayaratne answered  by saying, “I believe that it is important that we get to communicate with our students. Open communication means that we get to be transparent, we get to be honest with the students that we are leading.” 

        Archimedes Dingle, running for the position of Treasurer advocated for transparency and accountability during his speech. He stated the importance of utilizing the funds of the community down to each peso as a Treasurer of the SEC. During the “Boses ng Bedista” portion, the candidate was asked, “Is your failure to answer the Bedan Herald’s interview two weeks ago for an article, a reflection of your responsiveness?” Dingle answered by stating that his actions don't reflect his responsiveness to the student body necessarily., and he wasn’t able to answer the interview because of guidelines that he wanted to follow. 

        A question from the Tertiary Schools student body was also asked to Dingle. “To what degree are you familiar with the content of the student handbook? Specifically prohibited items in the campus." The candidate answered by stating his knowledge of the student handbook and declined to claim any accusations being thrown at him if there are any. “I really decline at all claims if there are no proofs,” says Dingle. With this a follow up question regarding his reputation for being known to wear piercings was asked in campus, “If I wear piercings at school, kase bagong butas siya, ang ginagawa ko sakin nilalagyan ko siya ng band aid,”  he answered. 

        Secretary candidate, Shane Talusan shared her passion for running in the elections and leading her community ever since she was in junior high school. Talusan  stated her top priority of addressing the needs of the student body and eradicating the issue of lack of involvement from the students in organizational events. Through her platform called “Voice Out Bedans” Talusan aims to have regular meetings with various programs and organizational leaders to fix these said problems. 

        Internal Vice President Candidate, Atassia Soliveres shared her concrete plans to ensure that the voice of every student is heard and their need is addressed through her platforms such as outreach programs for the PWDs and leaders empowerment and development program. When asked if ever she wasn’t fortunate enough to win the elections, will she still help the Bedan community, “Pwede kong sabihin sa mga mananalo kung ano yung concerns ko and in that way matutulungan din nila yung mga tao sa mga gusto kong mangyari at kung ano yung nakikita kong mali,” Soliveres answered. 

        The standard bearer of the BedAN Party,  Justine Kyle Cruz shared that after serving in the SEC under different positions, she realized that she could further have a broader impact in the Bedan community through advocating for growth and pushing boundaries. “In my 7 years in San Beda, I have witnessed different situations and different perspectives,” Cruz said as she talked about the importance of helping one another inside the Bedan institution. 

        When asked, “Do you think the SEC should take a stand on nationwide issues? Why? Or Why not?” The presidential candidate answered “yes” stating “Tayo ang pinakikinggan ng mga estudyante, it matters kung ano ang magiging reaksyon natin,” said Cruz. 

        As Cruz was also asked how she could compete with the two other presidential candidates who both have had experience being presidents in their respective organizations, she said that entering the Student Executive Council before without any experience made her realize that the position one candidate applies for doesn’t matter because once you are part of an organization you will get the chance to show what you can offer. “For me, stepping up is a big change for me kasi hindi naman mawawala na nakakatakot kase iba ang responsibilidad ng pagiging presidente, hindi lang yung mga ka-officer ko ang kailangan ko alagaan kung hindi ang buong community” she said. 

        The BedAN Party released their platforms for the student body, last April 26, through the Bedan Electoral Committee Facebook Page.