FOR the second year in a row, the Student Executive Council (SEC) needs another special election to put officers into position. A shocking turnout of candidates, Atassia Soliveres (IV-BAIS-T), the previously elected Internal Vice President (IVP), vying for the presidency with a new set of faces for the various positions. The three previous presidential candidates, Joanna Marie Del Rosario (IV-BACMS) and Jules Mykel Reyes (IV-BSBA-MM), who were in a close match last election, rescinded their pursuit of office. 

     Bedan Electoral Committee (BELCOM) Chairperson Daniela Cronico (IV-BSA) explains the specifics of Soliveres’ disposition: “We were informed only minutes before the official closure of the candidacy filing.” Running alongside Soliveres from the BEDAN Party are the following students: Niño Nicole Biscocho (III-BSE) for External Vice President, Akio Nino Paule (III-BSA) for Treasurer, and Kylie Zeeman Wong (II-BSP) for Second-year level representative. Among last year’s election candidates, only Shane Talusan (II-BSP), running for Secretary under the BEDAN Party, continued her calling. 

     For the first-year level representatives, the candidates are Felicity Oliveros (I-BSLM) under the BEDAN Party and Yzabela Cruz (I-BSAIS), who is running independently. This leaves vacancies for the Internal Vice President, Public Relations Officer, Fourth- and Third-year level representative.

     Due to time constraints, BELCOM could not announce a vacancy for the IVP. Cronico further clarifies that if Soliveres fails to be elected, she will hold no position in the SEC. 

     Cronico also highlighted the quota for candidates, each having to reach 20% of the total population of the students. The BELCOM Chairperson emphasizes that this will remain the same in the upcoming elections. If the candidates still fail to reach the quota for the election, BELCOM states that the course of action shall be that the position will remain vacant.