By Lana Laurel

Far Eastern University (FEU) Kadiwa Student Coalition (KSC) Jasper Calara was proclaimed as the sole Central Student Organization presidential candidate among the low qualified candidate turnout for the upcoming FEU Elections 2026 at Pavilion 1 today, April 15. 

FEU Commission on Elections (COMELEC) pronounced 64 eligible candidates in contrast to the previous year’s 133, 2024’s 129, and 2023’s 148, posing a 56.76-percent decline in candidate trends post-COVID 19 pandemic.

Prior to the proclamation, Isanliyab Student Leaders’ Union (ISLU) requested for a petition to consider the late submission of presidential candidate Katherine Nicolas’s certificate of candidacy after an already extended deadline from April 6 to April 10 to until 12 p.m. on April 13, but was denied as per COMELEC’s final decision released earlier today. 

COMELEC held an emergency electoral tribunal yesterday, and stood firm in upholding the 2026 Omnibus Election Code (OEC) under Article IV Section 1 that states only applicants who filed for candidacy during the prescribed period will be accepted.

Similarly, ISLU’s Maria Eliza Lasala emerged as the sole candidate for FEUCSO vice presidency.

Meanwhile, Tanglawtala opposes ISLU in the Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing Student Council (SC) and Nursing Society, but single-slates for Medical Technology Society.

Moreover, Institute of Arts and Sciences SC, Institute of Accounts, Business, and Finance SC, and Psychology Society also show a harmonized campaign from ISLU.

KSC presented a solidified official front in running for the Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management SC and Political Science Society.

On the other hand, Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts SC, Biological Science Society, and International Studies Society only have independent candidates running for office. 

Furthermore, Institute of Education SC only has two running candidates for vice president and P.R.O., who are under ISLU and an independent applicant, respectively.  

Additionally, four candidates from KSC are gunning for FEU Makati Student Council. 

From the official announcement of COMELEC, there is also an absence of running officers for Communication Society and Hotel and Restaurant Management Society. 

This year’s campaign period will start tomorrow until May 5 before the officialized University-wide elections on May 5 until May 7. 

As per the COMELEC Resolution No. 8, disqualified candidates due to issues with requirements shall not be allowed to participate during the campaigning period and polls unless appealed otherwise, released earlier today, April 15.

- With reports from Shayne Elizabeth T. Flores

(Photo by Ma. Louela Luna/FEU Advocate)