By Cassandra Luis J. De Leon and Julliane Nicole B. Labinghisa

Far Eastern University (FEU) Mathematics Society (MathSoc) released the candidate preferences of students as part of TAMStats analysis’ second wave, presenting the data gathered from its recently conducted survey for the upcoming FEU elections.

To forecast the students’ early preferences, the second wave of TAMStats includes the candidates across FEU Central Student Organization (FEUCSO), different Institutions Student Councils (SC), and Academic Organizations (AO), as well as how the campaigns affect the decision-making of the students.

Earlier in the first wave of analysis, the data highlighted the factors that can influence the students’ vote.

Population overview

The survey administered last April 16 to 20 initially gathered a total of 812 respondents, but only 741 of them were analyzed.

Based on the data, the majority of the respondents were third-year students, equivalent to 32.9 percent, followed by second-year students, who represent 30 percent of the participating population, while 24.3 percent of the participants were first-year students, and the remaining 12.8 percent of the total number were fourth-year students.

Moreover, 43.72 percent of the respondents were from the Institute of Arts and Sciences (IAS), 30.42 percent from Institute of Health Sciences and Nursing (IHSN), 17.86 percent from Institute of Accounts, Business and Finance (IABF), 5.67 percent from Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (ITHM), 1.11 percent from FEU Makati, 0.74 from Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts, and 0.49 percent from Institute of Education (IE).

FEU Central Student Organization

Results revealed a close margin between presidential candidates Raezon Gonzales of Isanliyab Servant Leaders’ Union (ISLU) and Goeffrey Lababo of Kadiwa Student Coalition (KSC), garnering 34 and 33 percent of the votes, respectively. 

Independent presidential runner Lawrence Aidan Cunanan received a total of 12 percent, while 21 percent of the population still remains undecided. 

Vice presidential candidate Monika Panganiban of ISLU received 41 percent of the votes, while Adrian Louis Diumano of KSC garnered 31 percent. Moreover, 28 percent of the population remains undecided. 

For secretary, 36 percent of the population is still uncertain about their vote. Secretary candidate Ivy Grace Bisnar of ISLU gained 33 percent of the votes, followed by Christian James Nambatac of KSC with 31 percent. 

Similarly, the majority of the respondents remain unsure about their vote for FEUCSO Treasurer, garnering 42 percent. Aspiring FEUCSO Treasurers Katherine Nicolas of ISLU and Reginalois Alessandra De Guzman of KSC tied, garnering 29 percent. 

Moreover, Margarette Antoinette Macatangay of KSC received 35 percent of the votes, garnering a tie with undecided voters. On the other hand, Kemuel Malachi Mabalot of ISLU gained 30 percent of the votes.

Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.) aspirant Sean Michael Paquita of ISLU garnered a tie with undecided voters with 35 percent, followed by KSC’s Krizzy Aldrienne Sotes with 30 percent. 

Institute Councils

The 96 respondents from IABF show their preference for the KSC slate over ISLU through the survey, where all SC candidates under KSC, led by its presidential candidate Elgar James Caharian, garnered a higher percentage in comparison to ISLU counterparts.

Meanwhile, with a total of 292 respondents, the analysis revealed that all the candidates of ISLU, headed by IAS SC presidentiable Kyte Daiter Percia, led the conducted survey.

Moreover, IHSN respondents favor the president of Tanglawtala, Davonn Ashley Asuncion, and the rest of its candidates running for the positions of vice president, treasurer, and auditor; yet the choices of the majority of survey participants for secretary and P.R.O. are still undecided.

Lastly, out of 38 respondents, the majority of those who responded from ITHM are firm with their choice of candidates from KSC.

The four respondents from IE prefer Lester Jay Cube of ISLU for the position of Vice President, but due to the low number of students who took part in the survey, the results were considered inconclusive. 

Academic Organizations 

FEU Psychology Society (PsychSoc) ISLU candidate Sam Angela Baticos secured 83 votes, followed by Alyssa Marie Castillo of Kadiwa with 40 votes, while 11 remain undecided for their PsychSoc Presidential bet.  

On the other hand, with the FEU Biological Science Society slate remaining unopposed, all aspiring officers garnered higher votes in comparison to those who are yet to decide. With 45 respondents, presidential candidate John Patrick Espinosa garnered 38 votes overall. 

Similarly, the majority of the FEU Political Science Society (PSS) positions remain unopposed, with only the Auditor position having two candidates. With a total of 73 respondents, PSS KSC candidates gained the majority of the votes, namely: president, vice president, auditor, and treasurer.  

However, the majority of the respondents remained undecided for the positions of PSS Secretary and Treasurer, with 38 and 37 votes, respectively. 

Despite the ISLU FEU Communications Society slate being unopposed, the majority of the students remained undecided about their vote in the positions of Vice President and Treasurer. 

Meanwhile, the eight International Studies Society candidates garnered a close margin of votes, where three out of four contested positions were led by ISLU candidates; while Elisha Kirzten Gonzales of KSC led with 13 votes for P.R.O. There are no runners for the position of president and vice president. 

Running unopposed, the ISLU Medical Technology Society (MTSoc) candidates’ main challengers are those who have yet to decide their vote. The survey revealed a one-point difference with the MTSoc President sole runner receiving 25 points, while 26 are still undecided. 

Moreover, the entire Tanglawtala slate runners in the Nursing Society convinced the majority of the 183 respondents for their vote, headed by presidential aspirant Erik Emmanuel Pamplona with 127 votes. 

Lastly, due to the low number of turnouts, data gathered from the Hospitality and Restaurant Management Society was found inconclusive and may be misleading. 

TAMStats, which aims to forecast the result of the 2025 FEU election, is spearheaded by the FEU MathSoc in collaboration with TAMang Boto and Tamaraw Volunteers.

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)