ORGANIZED by the Bedan Electoral Committee (BELCOM) and brought to you by The Bedan Herald and Tatak Bedista TV, “Boto Beda 2024: Tapatang Halalan, Diskursong Tapatan” was held last Apr. 25 in Fr. Roberto De Jesus Hall and was live-streamed via the official Facebook page of Tatak Bedista TV. 

        For the upcoming elections, two independent candidates are competing for the presidency — Jules Mykel Reyes (III-BSBA-MM), and Joanna Del Rosario (III-BACMS) — and a roster of candidates from the Bedistang Aktibong Naglilingkod (BedAN) Party, all vying for seats in the Student Executive Council (SEC). The BedAN Party consists of Kyle Justine Cruz (III-BSBA-MM) as the President, Atassia Soliveres (III-BAIS) as Internal Vice President (IVP), Shane Talusan (I-BSP) as Secretary, Archimedes Dingle (II-BSE) as the Treasurer, Beatrice Talayaratne (I-BAIS-T) as the Auditor, Madie Maitim (I-BACMS) for Public Relations Officer (PRO), and Margrethe Francisco (II-BSE) as the Third-year level Representative.   

        The candidates were given two minutes to explain their platforms and agenda during the Miting de Avance segment. Francisco wanted to promote inclusivity, collaboration, and respect within the Bedan community. “As a candidate under the BedAN party, we assure you that our visions would make a change in your journey as a college student because we instill values and principles that are in line with our goals,” she said. The BedAN party aims to have an inclusive and productive community that will assure the students of the right leaders. Breaking free from the remarks of other people around them, Maitim and Talayaratne believe that running for a position is not about the year or age of the person, but the experience, skills, and dedication, and therefore, not limiting their success. 

        In a closely contested presidential race, Reyes, Del Rosario, and Cruz tried to win over the Bedans with their dedication, plans, and advocacies. Del Rosario is a new face vying for the position in SEC — running against the incumbent president and secretary. She aims to change the old and accustomed system from the repeated complaints of the students. “Umiikot lamang ang kapangyarihan sa iilang paulit-ulit na mga tao. Nasa kamay nyo ang desisyon. We cannot expect effective change if we do not change the people seated in power,” she reminded the Bedan community. Seeking re-election, Reyes wants to continue the “kultura na Bedista ang inuuna.” With her advocacy of prioritizing excellence, inclusivity, and wellness of the students, she claimed to be a leader who inspires and makes a change. The former SEC Secretary, Cruz, assures the Bedan community to have a leader who is true, empathetic, and one with the students. As a candidate under the BedAN party, she shared their vision “to provide the community opportunities that never end.”

        In the segment, Boses ng mga Bedista, they are given a platform to ask a series of questions and the candidates only have 60 seconds to answer. A question repeated six times having the same theme was given to Dingle from the Tertiary students. They questioned Dingle’s familiarity with the student handbook, specifically the dress code and bringing prohibited items on campus, to which he answered, “I am very familiar with the student handbook and what is not to bring sa school.” He also stated that he did not know what they meant by the prohibited items as mentioned and said, “I really decline all the claims.” 

        With all three presidential candidates on stage, the Q&A began with Del Rosario examining her competency in academics, being an effective leader, and her stand on student publications criticizing the student council. She claimed, “Taking accountability will allow you to grow and listen kung ano ba talaga ang concerns ng student body and it will showcase gaano ka kabilis rumesponde sa mga pangangailangan nila.” Is one term not enough to provide change to the student body?—a question asked for Reyes after once again running as the president, to which she responded, “May gusto din akong ituloy na kultura, and yung kultura na yun ay ang inuuna ang Bedista.” Cruz proved her passion and dedication by stepping up despite the big responsibilities of being a president. Having no experience in leadership when she entered the SEC, she shared, “For me, hindi nagma-matter yung position kasi kapag nasa loob ka na ng organization, doon mo maipapakita kung ano ang ma-offer mo.”

        Stand on the Grandstand was the final segment for Boto Beda, and the candidates freely voiced their stances on different national and societal issues by raising colored papers where green stands for in favor, red for not in favor, and yellow for abstain. A series of issues have been asked such as the mandatory ROTC, Charter Change, Usage of AI in the Academe, and more.

        As the program came to an end, a QR code was provided to get the answers of the Tertiary students on who among the presidential candidates they prefer after the Boto Beda 2024. With a total of 195 answers from the Bedans: 4.1% are in favor of Cruz, 37.4% for Del Rosario, 43.1% for Reyes, and 15.4% abstain.