OSDS, COMELEC Proclaim 2024 KASAMA Officers-Elect; STEPS Party succeeds CASS-EC

By Andrea Alexa Barga and Andrea Ross Sedero


The newly elected officers of the Kataastaasang Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral (KASAMA) as well as the College of Arts and Social Sciences Executive Council (CASS-EC) were formally inaugurated on September 4 at the Institute Mini Theatre, following the online announcement of election results for both the institute and college levels by the Office of Student Development Services (OSDS) on the evening of September 3.


With the conclusion of the 2024 KASAMA General Elections, CASS’ STEPS Party, led by newly elected CASS Governor Irah Shiene Guiang, Vice Governor Hizam Tomawis, and their eight board members, secured all seats in the college’s student council and were subsequently proclaimed as the new CASS-EC officers of this academic year.


CASS’ official line-up of proclaimed board members included: Jewella Nicole Omlero for Culture and Arts (CuA), Julia Barrera for Budget and Finance (BuFi), Freed Carl Turtosa for Training and Development (TAD), Aura Rose Ito for Sports, Development, and Athletics (SPODA), Shierlmahal Sahibul Ways and Means (WAM), Luisa Fe Meneses for Press and Publication (PubCom), Clariza Jane Obillo for Environment and Community (EnviComm), and Joevan Emmanuel Encabo for Ethics and Grievance (E&G).


Meanwhile, in the institute level KASAMA Elections, President Arjie Castillon was elected with 4,206 votes and Vice President Xander Paman secured his position with 2,533 votes against Nin̈o Balaba who received 1,639 votes. Among the 13 aspiring senators, Irene Can̈ete topped the senatorial race with 3,005 votes while Hielvin Ermac fell short of a seat with 2,023 votes.


Prof. Phyllis Marie Teanco, OSDS Director, along with outgoing KASAMA President Chester Laurie Tagacay and the COMELEC, led the proclamation of these winners, officially placing them into office and marking the commencement of their term as they assume the responsibility of representing and advocating for the student body.


Furthermore, following the first administrative meeting of the newly elected KASAMA officers, they also announced the new leadership of the Institute Legislative Body, with Sen. James Cadiz elected as KASAMA Senate President and Sen. Irene Cañete serving as Senate Pro Tempore.


The KASAMA committee chairpersons were appointed and elected as follows: Catherine Badilla for Students’ Rights and Welfare (STRAW), Cosain Ampaso Jr. for Environment (Envi), William Joseph Otero for Facilities (FaciCom), Irene Narcisa Cañete for Community Extensions and Services (CES), Alsadjaik Sabdul for Training and Development (TAD), Maria Vianell Tadoy for Sports and Development Affairs (SPODA), Dave Andrei Garbanzos for Culture and Arts (CuA), Ken Michael Medalla for Ways and Means (WAM), Christian Angelou Embalsado for Ethics and Grievance (E&G), Wenn Nicole Daroy for Press and Publication (PubCom), and Hansel Mae Jampit for Budget and Finance (BuFi).