The UST Student Central Board (CB) appointed 21 officers-in-charge (OIC) in the seven executive board offices after no candidates had been elected in the Central Student Council (CSC) March polls.

During the meeting of Speaker John Clarence Bautista, Deputy Speaker Desiree Rivera, Secretary-General Karyll Macalincag, Deputy Secretary-General Mark Alfred Alpas, and Public Information Officer Kevin Escosar on June 24, they appointed the following officers in the Executive Board to represent the Central Student Council:

Office of the President:

• John Clarence Bautista (College of Architecture Student Council President)
• Jose Carlo Domingo (Medicine Student Council President)
• Desiree Louise Rivera (Engineering Student Council President)

Office of the Vice President:

• Kevin Christian Crisolo (Artlets Student Council Internal Vice President)
• Kirsten Juliana Hiwatig (Senior High School Student Council President)
• John Ralph Tubon (Institute of Physical Education and Athletics Student Council President)

Office of the Secretary:

• Mark Alfred Alpas (Commerce and Business Administration Student Council President)
• Leah Katherine Reyes (College of Education Student Council Secretary)
• Jhon Carlos Sioson (Theological Society President)
• Gavinwill Vicente Uy (Faculty of Pharmacy Student Council President)

Office of the Treasurer:

• Jerlhynne Andres (College of Fine Arts and Design Student Council President)
• Michelle Lauren Cudo (Conservatory of Music Student Council Interim Treasurer)
• Juan Lorenzo Dimatulac (Junior High School Student Council President)

Office of the Auditor:

• Manuel Marcon IV (AMV College of Accountancy Student Council President)
• Kristahn Zoleta (Nursing Central Board of Students President)

Office for Public Relations:

• Earl Tristan Isidro (College of Information and Computing Sciences Student Council President)
• Karyll Amielle Macalincag (College of Tourism and Hospitality Management Student Council President)
• Sean Patrick Nagar (Faculty of Philosophy Students’ Forum President)
• Ehrine Jodi Santos (Education High School Student Council President)

Office of the Chief of Staff:

• Kevin Karl Escosar (College of Science Student Council President)
• Maria Cathleen Rose Pecson (College of Rehabilitation Sciences Student Council President)

The OICs will take the responsibility of the Central Student Council in formulating policies and regulations, fulfilling duties, and spearheading student activities during the Academic Year 2024-2025.

UST CB officers attempted to conduct an election on June 19. However, they formed a Credentials Directory, in which they collected and reviewed the credentials of the appointees due to limited interactions and dialogue among the officers.

They also cited in the resolution that the appointment was “in the interest of proceeding with necessary preparations and transitions for the upcoming term.”

According to the 2003 Central Student Council Constitution Article XI, Section 6 and 7, the Central Board will take over the functions of the executive and central board until members of the executive board are elected and qualified.

During the March 2024 elections, six CSC candidates retracted their candidacies amid alleged student rights violations at the University.

Former CSC candidates Timothy John Santiago, John Matthew Enriquez, Hannah Patricia Calara, Hanah Lauren de Leon, Josh Kenn Viray, and Francine Tuazon cited the University has a “repressive system.”

Stephen Aseron, an auditor candidate, also withdrew from the election and echoed the sentiments of his other former candidates.

The CB, composed of top officials from local student councils, formerly assumed office on April 27, to represent the CSC.