Benilde Commission on Elections (COMELEC), in collaboration with Benilde Debate Varsity (BDV), spearheaded Decode, the first online Miting De Avance, for Benildeans to know who to cast their votes as they watch, listen, and support what the candidates can offer for the Benildean community, via FB Live last October 24, Saturday.

Qualified Central Student Government (CSG) and School Student Government (SSG) candidates vying in the respective positions presented their projects, stands, and advocacies to address the issues around the College for Academic Year 2020-2021. Independent candidates and candidates from ADLAW political party discussed their plans and platforms in the mentioned annual event.

Center for Student Life’s Student Engagement Coordinator Keane Cyril Gadia formally commenced the program with the opening remarks message of hope and gratitude to the aspiring candidates. “It really takes a lot of courage and determination to choose to lead and seeing you here means so much to us, most especially to the student body,” Gadia stated.

Moreover, Gadia emphasized that true servant leadership is not only should be written but also felt by the Benildean student body. He further invited the Benildeans to be a part of the journey by exercising their right to vote on October 27. 

“In that vote, you are too, will be a part of a great exciting Benildean experience,” he concluded.

CSG and SSG candidates were introduced by hosts Benilde COMELEC Commissioner for Internals Samantha Aguirre and former Chairperson Deanne Mendoza respectively. The following is the categorized list of the official candidates, position vyed, and their plan of actions:

Central Student Government:

• PRESIDENT: 
• Presley Estacio: Improving CSG’s Enhancement through projects with partner organizations and Advancement on organizations through surveys and assessment of the students’ needs
• Vice President for Academics (VPAC):
• Arianna Elisha Garchitorena: Providing quality education for online term and distance learning by increasing student rights awareness and enhancing student policies, and improving offices’ services through Office Evaluation, Assessment Forms, and Institutionalized Alternative Classroom Program where constituency checks will take place
• Vice President for Internal Affairs (VPIN):
• Darren Cabarrubias: Providing better student services, student involvement and transparency, and research-driven sustainable projects for a better CSG.
• Vice President for External Affairs (VPEX):
• Darrel Cabarrubias: Reinforcement of national engagements via regular consultation and town hall meetings, increasing career opportunities through collaborations, and implementing climate action by reducing plastic usage.

School Student Government:

• School of Diplomacy and Governance (SDG)
• PRESIDENT:
• Jean Madeleine Avila: Technical working team for Model ASEAN and Model Congress to enhance SDG competency via simulation, SDG-SSG Reconstruction, and enhance transparency and engagement through transparency portal and additional mobile communication base through SDG-SSG mobile number
• SECRETARY:
• Loise Fae Lomeda: Career seminars, mock job interviews, outreach programs, programs focusing on Sustainable Development Goals to challenge SDG students to collaborate, negotiate and advocate amidst pandemic, and Freedom of Information platform to empower students and encourage them to participate and be engaged
• FROSH REPRESENTATIVE:
• Eri Endo: Prioritization of students’ mental health, unification, security, and comfortability, and equity and CLAYGO promotion through community service as penalty for bullying and harassment
• Manuel Francis Llado: CITI Initiative, a four-fold program that tackles connectivity to SDG events through BENNY, a Benilde’s automated text messenger; inclusivity, and improved transparency and involvement to bridge gap between programs in SDG
• Ian Vince Romulus Guina: Service, mental health, and inclusivity-driven programs, such as FSL usage for simple greetings and remarks
• Lady Francesca Nicole Maniago: Digital weekly calendar a one-stop accessible platform which consists of a compilation of events for SDG, Student Mock Test Assistance, a reviewer and session to aid students for confusing parts of the lessons, online movie nights and Discord chats for games and interaction between students, and enhancement of student-faculty dialogue through monthly forum exchange between needs of student and professor.

• School of Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management (SHRIM)

• PRESIDENT:
• Kyla Kirsten Amor: Better career opportunities and connections through online career fairs, seminars, programs, and office partnerships
• SECRETARY:
• Jay Angelo Paz: Providing opportunities by TESDA partnership, career-building through seminars, and improving engagement and assistance for SHRIM Frosh requirements such as a directory for hospitals, etc.
• FROSH REPRESENTATIVE:
• Frances Mechael Mendoza: SHRIM students unification amidst differences, and promotion of mental health and tourism

• School of Management and Information Technology (SMIT)

• PRESIDENT:
• Michael Johnzen Tan: Integrity and communication improvement by asking for feedback via surveys, sustainable career online workshops launch, and commencement of an online interactive Benildean community through full use of BigSky and other platforms
• SECRETARY:
• Madessa Geroso: Promote students in voicing out their concerns through Google Forms, business partnership automation using technology and connections, databases to access files, and cater students by providing online assistance
• FROSH REPRESENTATIVE:
• Maria Luisa Tambunting: Providing healthy online environment through a virtual safe space, and Happy T Benildeans, a mobile game tournament as a breather for students 
• Annika Zoe Quezon: Enhanced Facebook page activity to understand the scope of the batch and to keep students informed for updates, and a customized Google calendar accessible to aid time management.

• School of Design and Arts (SDA)

• PRESIDENT:
• Phoebe Gail Pineda: Click SDA to provide online assistance, enhance collaboration with other organizations, and talks and seminars
• FROSH REPRESENTATIVE:
• Antoinette Nicolle Matutina: Highlighting transparency, inclusivity, and efficiency for uniting batch as one 
• Nicole Anne Lazaro: Mental Health and Overall Well-Being promotion through communication, unity, and awareness
• Manuel Alexi Naldo: Opportunity to serve and make CSG and students unite as a community to establish a safer and inclusive environment
• School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies (SDEAS)
• PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER:
• Ian Paulo Lincallo: Provide Filipino Sign Language (FSL) basic lessons, launching online seminar for the Deaf, and address social issues

Questions raised by selected BDV officers and members tackled the broad platforms candidates laid in their speeches and campaigns. Each candidate was allotted at most four minutes to provide a response to the debate and their responses were assessed. 

An open forum was opened after the debate for students to voice out their queries using the comments and questions gathered, highlighting topics on how they will ensure that specific actions will take place and seen in action for achieving their goals.

Benilde COMELEC Chairperson Christine Jillian Aspra formally closed the Miting De Avance with her closing remarks, congratulating the candidates, organizers, and persons involved in making the event possible.

“During these trying times, we are challenged to adapt, acclimate and reassess our priorities and endeavors. Courage is something that is integral and pivotal in our present situation. I applaud the candidates for being courageous enough to brave the new approach to be of service to the Benildean Community. [...] Be bold. Be brave. Be limitless,” Aspra stated. 

She also encouraged the whole Benildean community to cast their votes on the election period and make use of their right to suffrage.

The schedules for the succeeding events are as follows:

• The campaign period is extended until October 26, 6:00 p.m. 

Note: After the said campaign period, all candidates are not allowed to post campaign materials, such as videos, posters and pictures on all social media platforms. 

• October 27 to 30: Election proper  

Note: Election is CSBLIFE accredited.

• November 4, 10:00 a.m.: Announcement of new CSG and SSG officers 

Further updates regarding the upcoming Frosh and General Elections will be posted in  Benilde COMELEC’s official Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram under the hashtags #BenildeOnlineElections2020 and #BeyondLimits.