Central Student Council (CSC) Interim President Robert Gonzales filed his leave of absence starting December until January 2021 due to personal reasons.

In his announcement on Tuesday, Dec. 1, Gonzales cited physical and mental health concerns, as well as academic commitments as a graduating medical student for his special leave.

"[E]ven though we are serving this noble duty of being student-leaders, we are but human beings too," he expressed in a letter. "We get tired and we feel emotions."

According to Gonzales, this is the first time that he appealed for a leave to address his "deteriorating" health throughout his two and a half years of stay in the council.

"[D]on't forget to tend to your personal needs as well. Take care of "you" too," he said.

Gonzales assured the Thomasian community that proper transitioning and endorsement of tasks are in place during his leave of absence.

Interim Secretary Krizia Milleny Bricio will take over his position as mandated in the UST-CSC constitution. Meanwhile, Executive Coordinator to the President Reynald Marco Arcilla will take charge of the committees under his office.

Gonzales will resume office in February 2021.

'Minor change'

While there is leadership turnover, Bricio said that the priority of the council still remains the same, and that is for the benefit of the Thomasian community.

"[H]owever, this priority is larger and heavier since I am now in charge of the council while he (Gonzales) is on leave," she told TomasinoWeb. "I think there will only be a minor change — only the extent of the area that I'll first-handedly manage and be involved in."

Bricio also assured that the transition will be "smooth" and "easy" due to the inclusive leadership, involvement, and transparency that Gonzales set for the whole Central and Executive Board.

"Kuya Rob has always involved us in his decisions, it's just that this time, I'll be the one to make decisions for and on behalf of CSC and for the Thomasian community as well," she said.