By Lynette Joy A. Pasajol

Far Eastern University (FEU) Commission on Elections officially proclaimed the newly elected student-leaders from the Institute of Arts and Sciences (IAS) Student Council (SC) and its Academic Organizations (AO).

Spearheading the new IAS Student Council is the complete slate of Isanliyab Servant Leaders Union (ISLU), marking an all-seat victory that consolidated their presence within the Institute’s central leadership. 

Kyte Percia was proclaimed as the incoming president with 973 votes, joined by Irish Alarilla as vice president with 1,083 votes. The rest of the lineup includes Lee Justine Bautista as secretary with 1,012 votes, Abigail Pamintuan as treasurer with 907 votes, Gersom Catapang as auditor with 945 votes, and Dara Ecleo as public relations officer with 691.

They went up against a full-slated KSC ran by Arlene Jean Marie Teodoro, Rovic Mendoza, Lendl Hammond, Charlotte Ostan, Sarah Mae Vasquez, Krista Belle Fernandez, respectively.

While ISLU achieved a clean sweep in the council, the AOs under IAS revealed a more varied electoral outcome, suggesting shifting tides in voter preferences and emerging cross-party collaboration within student societies.

As the second largest institute in FEU Manila, 1,582 out of 5,376 students voted, constituting a 29.43-percent voter turnout.

Split representation was also observed in FEU International Studies (IS) Society, which elected officers from both ISLU and Kadiwa Student Coalition (KSC), although no president or vice president was elected for the organization due to non-candidacy from both parties. 

ISLU Standard bearer Zelline Jayne Ingalla won as secretary with 52 votes, joined by fellow blue candidates for treasurer Hailey Seloterio with 64 votes and auditor Gabriel Eivhan Rabino with 56 votes. Sole KSC winner Elisha Kirzten Ganzales was elected P.R.O. with 58 votes.

Additionally, the IS Department constitutes 315 students in the broad IAS community.

An unopposed FEU Political Science Society secured a full slate of KSC representatives in this year’s elections, with Jared Mallillin (176 votes) as the newly elected president alongside a roster of officers assuming the remaining executive roles.

Vice President Roi Daniel Lorena garnered 141 votes, Secretary Precious Julliane Ng with 137 votes, Treasurer Mei Lyn Kuo with 127 votes, Charles Benedick Bejosano with 157 votes, and P.R.O. Juan MIguel Lacandola with 151 votes.

A total of 585 students are currently enrolled under the Political Science Department.

Further, FEU Psychology Society (PsychSoc) reflected a mixed political landscape, with Sam Angelica Baticos garnering 519 votes to claim the presidency for ISLU, and KSC’s Nestle Gonzales who ran unopposed securing the vice presidency with 244 votes.

ISLU PsychSoc candidates Maria Caren Bartido received 366 votes as secretary, Maria Angelynne Dasigan with 503 votes as treasurer, Alwin Chester Deocareza with 515 votes as auditor, and Angelo Gabriel Chinlee  with 460 votes as P.R.O.

The Psychology Department is the largest department in IAS with 2,458 students in total.

FEU Communication Society mirrored the outcome of the IAS SC election result, with all unopposed positions secured by candidates from ISLU, led by Mary Raze Franchezca Navarro with 136 votes.

Rafael De Ramos followed by 94 votes as vice president, Johanna Cien Rivera with 128 votes as secretary, Al Vincent Liban with 79 votes as treasurer, Latifah Leigh Real with 115 votes as auditor, and Gillian Hana Fastino with 127 votes as P.R.O.

Currently, 676 students are enrolled in the Department of Communication.

In contrast, the FEU Biological Science Society elected a full-independent slate who ran unopposed, marking a departure from party-affiliated leadership within the organization, headed by John Patrick Espinosa with 233 votes.

Independent candidates Daniella Grace Maqueda secured the vice presidency with 177 votes, Raphael Frutas for secretary with 190 votes, Radha Chloe Bolo for treasurer with 76 votes, Ashlee Nicole Maraño with 170 votes, and John Harvey Concepcion with 193 votes.

There are currently 842 students under the Biological Sciences Department.