28/05/2026
Advisory on the Constitutional Filling of Vacancies in the TUA University Student Council - USC
The Student Affairs Center assures the university community that all actions relative to the existing vacancies in the University Student Council (USC) strictly adhered to the procedures and democratic mechanisms prescribed under the University Student Council Constitution. No appointments were initiated by the Office of the Dean of Students or by the university administration.
Under the USC Constitution, special elections are ordinarily conducted in cases of failure of elections, particularly when the required voter turnout threshold is not met. However, the recently concluded elections were officially declared successful by the Student Commission on Elections (SCOMEL) upon exceeding the constitutional voter turnout requirement of 35%. As such, the vacancies were addressed through the constitutional mechanisms prescribed for vacancies within a duly constituted council.
Moreover, considering that the regular election cycle is conducted toward the end of the academic year for officers who will serve in the succeeding school year, the conduct of a separate special election at this stage would not only require substantial logistical and financial resources, but may likewise prove impractical within the present academic calendar. Preparations, endorsements, leadership transition, and turnover activities are ordinarily undertaken during the conclusion of the semester and the midyear term in preparation for the succeeding academic year.
As the only initial vacancy pertained to the SLCN representation, the Student Nurses Association (SNA), being the duly recognized student governing body of St. Lukeโs College of Nursing, formally deliberated and endorsed a representative to fill the vacant USC Councilor post, subject to the applicable constitutional and institutional processes. The recommendation was thereafter transmitted through the Office of the Dean of St. Lukeโs College of Nursing for institutional acknowledgment and verification of eligibility prior to formal recognition.
The process undertaken was anchored on the vacancy mechanisms provided under the USC Constitution and existing student governance structures. Since this did not constitute a regular electoral exercise, but rather a vacancy-filling process within a duly constituted council, the recognized student governing body of the college, together with its duly elected officers and representatives, undertook the deliberation and recommendation process on behalf of the student constituency. The officers involved were themselves elected by their respective batches and organizations to serve as representatives of the student body, forming part of the representative and consultative mechanisms recognized within student governance.
Upon the completion of the USC composition, the duly constituted University Student Council proceeded with the internal election of officers in accordance with the constitutional provisions governing vacancies in the Council. Through this process, the representative from the College of Medical Technology, Ms. Desiree Keisha V. Busog, was elected USC Governor, while the representative from St. Lukeโs College of Nursing, Mr. Ahlen Cedrik Dela Cruz, was elected USC Vice Governor.
Consequently, the succeeding vacancies in the USC councilor representations of the respective colleges were likewise addressed through the same representative and endorsement mechanism prescribed under the Constitution. The Student Nurses Association subsequently endorsed Ms. Rein Shandris U. Sillano to serve as USC Councilor for St. Lukeโs College of Nursing, subject to institutional acknowledgment and verification through the Office of the College Dean.
Meanwhile, the Philippine Society of Medical Technology Students (PHISMETS) TUA Chapter, despite initial deliberations, was unable to formally endorse a representative for the USC Councilor position for the College of Medical Technology at this time due to internal organizational considerations presently being addressed within the organization. The Student Affairs Center respects the organizationโs internal processes and autonomy and remains open to facilitating the appropriate constitutional process should an endorsement subsequently be completed.
The Student Affairs Center likewise recognizes and respects the sentiments of students who may have desired broader consultation in the process. Such feedback is valuable and may help inform future policy discussions and constitutional reviews on how similar situations may be approached moving forward. Ultimately, the intent of the present mechanism is to ensure continuity of student representation while remaining faithful to the constitutional framework and democratic principles of the university.
This process underscores the principle that student representation and leadership remain primarily determined by student leaders and elected representatives themselves. The role of the Dean of Students and the Student Affairs Center is limited to facilitation and institutional processing in accordance with existing policies, constitutional provisions, and democratic principles.
The Student Affairs Center likewise appeals for the continued cooperation, understanding, and active engagement of the university community as these processes are undertaken. As the highest student governing body of the university, the University Student Council carries a vital responsibility in advancing student representation, participatory governance, and the promotion of student welfare. Its strength lies not only in its structure, but also in the trust, integrity, and collective commitment of the student body it serves.
In this light, all members of the university community are encouraged to sustain a culture of principled participation, one that upholds democratic processes, respects differing views, and fosters constructive dialogue across all platforms of engagement, including student-led online spaces. In doing so, we collectively safeguard not only the credibility of our student institutions, but also the spirit of unity, fairness, responsibility, and respect that defines our academic community.
HOMER C. BALMES
Dean of Students
May 28, 2026
