After a week of voting period held in the LRC Main lobby, Backgate lobby, and the SDA Student Lounge, winners of the frosh elections were finally announced last August 27.

Even though both parties were revoked last year, Bagong Benilde Party continued to be in service to the community as they formed the SINAG Coalition with Maiko Tanei (SDA), RS Dahilan (SMIT), Rachel Jimenez (SHRIM), and Alex Panaguiton (SMS) affiliating as candidates; and Ka Isa (K1) with candidates Celina Golloso (SHRIM), Guillian De Gala (SMIT), and Matti Kawpeng (SDA) and supposed SMS frosh rep Micah Llavore who backed out a week before campaign period.

All candidates of the SINAG Coalition except for Dahilan came out victorious as they occupy their designated positions in the Student Council while De Gala of the SIGAO Coalition was elected as SMIT frosh representative.

“Kayo ang namili. Asahan ninyong dire-diretsong serbisyo ang ihahandog namin hanggang sa huli,” shared newly elected SMS frosh representative Panaguiton.

A total of 1,560 votes were casted in, with 36 votes used for abstain. “52.8% of the frosh community voted which was actually enough because more than half participated in the elections and used their right to vote,” says Charlene Lim, COMELEC election officer.

There were a total of 21 candidates—independent and those with coalitions. Two coalitions namely the SIGAO Coalition and SINAG Coalition are this year’s highlights as they actively campaign around the campuses, wearing their coalition colors and doing gimmicks that caught the attention of the frosh community. Other coalitions were reportedly built as well but dissolved as candidates backed out one by one.

A number of independent candidates backed out as well saying they have personal reasons more important than running for candidacy.