By Grace Roque and Magel De Castro
Photo by Zhenia Flores
Third year student Peter Wald Saguirel II was elected as president in the 2025 San Beda University Law Student Government (LSG) Elections on November 8, making it the second straight year an independent party has won the top position.
The independent candidate, whose successful campaign focused on making campus life more efficient and student-friendly, secured 453 of 675 votes, prevailing over HUKUMAN candidate Mariah Clare Bukuhan, who received 195 votes, with 27 abstaining.
“I am honored that my status as an independent candidate did not prevent the student-voters from seeing my potential, as well as the platforms that me and my team meticulously created. It also gives me hope that moving forward, people will start scrutinizing candidates more and not just decide based on the slate that they represent,” Saguirel said in a message to thebarrister.
At the forefront of his platform is streamlining the enrollment process through coordination with the Student Affairs Society (SAS), digitizing attendance, and enhancing access to academic resources. He also advocated for extended library hours, health support during exams, career development opportunities, well-planned extracurriculars, and regular updates on all activities and budgets.
“My main thrust will be based on the eight platforms I have promised (…) In fact, two of them, which are the “Regular transparency reports,” and “Equal access to academic materials,” are slowly being implemented as early as now,” he said.
“They can expect a satisfactory accomplishment report, which will be independently made by no less than thebarrister itself, at the end of the administrative year.”
Along with Saguirel, three more independent candidates secured a seat in the LSG: Anna Veronica Gabata for Secretary (329 votes), Joanne Catherine Marasigan as 4th year Batch Representative (70 votes), and Paulina Sofia Marie Fernandez as 1st Year Batch Representative (198 votes).
Meanwhile, the HUKUMAN party garnered seven out of the 11 council seats, with sweeping victories from Karl Angelo De Ocampo for External Vice President (387 votes), Allyana Denise Pasiliao for Internal Vice President (487 votes), Christine Yvonne Balinas for Treasurer (497 votes), and Odyssey Mhel Abo-ol for Auditor (463 votes).
HUKUMAN candidates, Karl Zeus Ebdane, Cedric John Parungao, and Mary Philline Rodriguez, also won as the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year batch representatives, respectively.
“So far, I am happy that all of my co-officers are easy to work with. I will lead them by focusing on unity and collaboration, ensuring that each of us works together toward our shared goals for the student body,” he said.
The 2025 LSG election also marks the first ever digital election in the department’s history, administered through the Bedista Portal. The shift to digitalized voting resulted in a turnout of 675 out of 1,330 registered voters (50.75%).
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