LAST April 6, the Bedan Electoral Committee (BELCOM) announced the list of candidates running for both the Student Executive Council (SEC) and select co-curricular organizations with the new unified electoral process in place.

The Bedista-wide elections will include not only the SEC but also co-curricular organizations such as the Bedan Psychological Society (BPS), the Bedan Information Technology Society, the Junior Bedan Law Circle (JBLC), the Bedan International Studies Association, the Junior People Management Association of the Philippines (JPMAP), the Junior Financial Executives (JFINEX), and the Junior Bedan Marketing Association (JBMA). 

Filing for candidacy began on March 16 and ended on the 21st. All the official candidates for SEC, BPS, and JBLC have been announced after undergoing the screening process. The rest of the participating co-curricular organizations are all appointment-based.

The SEC General Elections

The two parties vying for seats in the SEC are the Alyansa and Taratena party. This is the first SEC elections since 2023 with a candidate running for all positions in the SEC.

The Taratena party consists of Jholhaimen Dimaporo (III-BSBA HRM) for President, Diana Gale Bucoy (II-BSLM) for Internal Vice President (IVP), Charlz Danielle Sison (I-BAP) for External Vice President (EVP),  Jose Antonio Gallardo (II-BES) for Auditor,  Mary Shanna Smith (II-BSBA MM) for Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mary Bernadette Villaluz (III-BSBA MM) for fourth-year level representative, and Ruth Sofia De Asas (I-BACMS) for second-year level representative.

The opposing party, the Alyansa party, includes the following candidates: Juliana Suzanne Garcia (II-BSBA MM) for President, Diego Jaradiniano (II-BSP) for IVP, Marian Rose Amo (I-BAIS) for Secretary, Mondrade Ethaniel Castañeda (II-BSBA FM) for Treasurer, Aldrin Dave Ballon (I-BACMS) for PRO, Jeramelle Agatha Fernandez (III-BSLM) for fourth-year level representative, Ysabela Cruz (II-BAIS) for third-year level representative, and Zea Gabrielle Musico (I-BSP) for second-year level representative.

BELCOM released an updated list of official candidates today, April 18,  following the withdrawal of Alyssa Love Alisangco (II-BSIE), who was previously running for EVP under Alyansa.

Moreover, one independent candidate is vying for the SEC presidential seat, Vianca Mia (III-BSE).

Of these candidates, most of the faces are no longer new to the SEC and the Council of Student Leaders (CSL). Dimaporo is the current IVP of SEC, Garcia is the current Secretary of SEC, Gallardo is the current Auditor of SEC, and Fernandez is the current third-year level representative of SEC. 

While Mia is the current EVP of BES, Alisangco is the current Secretary of JBES, Villaluz is the current President of JBMA, and Castañeda is the current second-year level representative of JFINEX.

Dimaporo and Taratena

“True advocacy is not a solo act; it is a collaborative symphony. Serving as your Internal Vice President allowed me to be a "conveyor"—a bridge between the administration and the student body,” Dimaporo said about vying for another year in the Council. 

He further spoke about Taratena’s alignments, “Our goal is to foster the 'True Bedan' identity—one that excels both within and beyond the classroom. We offer a leadership that listens first and acts decisively second.”

This goes with further sentiments regarding the party, emphasizing that progress results from working as a whole with the student body. Dimaporo also stressed the importance of dialogue in leadership, as he believes that open communication and active listening go hand in hand with building a better community. Taratena stands for student-driven initiatives towards a more sustainable future for the Bedan community.

“Let’s stop standing still and start creating the change we deserve. Under the banner of Taratena: Together, we move forward,” Dimaporo added.

Garcia and Alyansa

Meanwhile, Garcia said on vying for another term, “My responsibility is not yet finished. There is still more to improve, more voices to amplify, more gaps to bridge, and more trust to build within the community we serve.”

She then spoke of Alyansa’s platforms, “Formulating data-driven policies that reflect the genuine needs of our community, bridging the gap between students and administration through constant dialogue, and mobilizing Bedans toward the vital task of sustainable nation-building.”

Garcia mentions further that Alyansa is inspired by the Benedictine Hallmark of Ora et Labora, aiming to bridge spirituality with industry, while also being inclusive and empathetic. She believes that leadership is principled and responsive, that their work as leaders is selfless and for the student body. Alyansa stands to build institutional empowerment and active engagement among students, as these serve as catalysts for innovation.

“We aim to lead a student body that is not only well-represented but truly empowered to shape our collective legacy,” she added.

The Independent Candidate

“I want to focus on what the students actually need, not what a party expects me to prioritize. Running independently also shows that I’m willing to stand on my own principles and be fully accountable for my decisions—no blaming a party, just pure responsibility,” Mia said on running independently.

As the only presidential candidate without SEC experience, she saw this as a strength rather than a weakness, citing her experience as an entrepreneurship major and in handling businesses, which have shaped her grit and adaptability. Mia added that the SEC may benefit from a fresh perspective like hers, offering new ideas uninfluenced by past ones. Finally, she emphasized a student-centred approach to leadership by improving communication, focusing on feedback, and not making assumptions.

Co-Curricular Student Organization Candidates

Moreover, BELCOM has announced the candidates for both BPS and JBLC for the 2026 elections. The current candidates running in BPS are the following: Alynn Reign Rafiñan (III-BSP) for President, Liana Yesha Natividad (II-BSP) for IVP, Abrams Daniel Kaj Taban (III-BSP) for EVP, Kareema De Guzman (II-BSP) for Secretary A, Mariah Marou Silva (I-BSP) for Secretary B, Alfonso Ferdinand Dela Cruz (I-BSP) for VP of Finance, Sophia Mikaela Barredo (III-BSP) for VP for Audit, Miguel Tomas De Guzman (II-BSP) for VP for Logistics, Haniel Andrea Mizukami (II-BAP) for VP for Communications, Katelyn Esmeralda Palma (II-BAP) for Vice President (VP) for Marketing, Grace Angelee Caasi (II-BAP) for Head of Graphics and Design, and Jenina Louise Battung (I-BSP) for Assistant Head of Graphics Design. 

Running for the year-level representatives are Jean Vincent Octavo (II-BAP) for third-year and Nikolo Migel Medina (I-BSP) for second-year.

Vying to continue their service to their community, Rafiñan is the current EVP, Taban is the current VP for Communication, Barredo is the current VP for Marketing, and Natividad is the current second-year level representative. 

On the other hand, the current candidates for JBLC are: Gabriel Raines Calañgi (III-BSLM) for President, Lady Francis Chloe Ochoa (III-BSLM) for EVP, Melizza Angela Magno (II-BSLM) for Secretary, Kirsten Rhian Antonette Benedicto (II-BSLM) for Auditor, John Gabriel Villanueva (II-BSLM) for Treasurer, and Felicity Oliveros (II-BSLM) for PRO.

The candidates running for representatives for their respective year are Janelle Joy Balane (III-BSLM) for fourth-year, Anjelo De Guzman (II-BSLM) for third-year, and Natasha Eva Clarke for second-year.

Among the candidates, Calañgi is the current SEC EVP, Ochoa is the current JBLC Auditor, and Magno is the current second-year level representative.

The candidates for JBLC were later amended on April 7, removing the candidate for IVP, Francisco Dacuycuy (I-BSLM). In their amendment post, BELCOM cited that the rectification was made to uphold the standards of electoral integrity and ensure equal application of the law for all.

The campaigning period for the candidates will last from April 13 to 14, with the elections following from April 27 to May 5. The oath-taking for participating in co-curricular organizations will be held on May 20.