want to commit to you — leadership that feels close, leadership that feels human,” Limson said.
Currently, the Supreme Student Government Senate Pro Tempore, Gaviola will then move two steps ahead to the second highest position in the student government for the academic year 2025-2026.
Louis Gaviola of The BUILDERS Party proclaimed as the newly elected Executive President with 1,209 votes and Vice President with a total of 1,596 votes, respectively.
STARTING A MOVEMENT
As an incumbent Student Government Senate Minority Floor Leader, Limson looked back on her core and reflected on a campaign that stood as her rally cry throughout her preparation to run for office, showcasing her readiness to lead the student body.
“Our mission is not to lead from a pedestal, but to walk with you because that is what we
“One key project will continue is the College Beacon. As a member of the committee, have seen firsthand its immense potential. It has all the elements of a transformative initiative—strong advocacy, a clear platform, and relevance to the student body,” Gaviola answered.
UPHOLDING THE PROMISE For 39 long years, Team CAUSA has cemented its name under the belt of the student government, and with Limson’s name on the slate, its mission to push forth a studentcentric UNO-R continues with its LEVEL UP program, especially in rebuilding trust within the core of UNO-Rians.
“From concerns of transparency, academic stress, weather, mental health, to organization
JOINT GOVERNANCE
support, and representation - your [students] voices shape every line, every program, and every platform of LEVEL UP,” Limson said.
“All of these programs, all of these platforms — to establish a feasible, sustainable, and grounded community life for every single UNORian,” Limson said.
One of Gaviola’s advocacies, which he classified as a top priority, is the 5-point flagship program Project BULAK which stands for: Building bridges, Uplift, Lead forward, Act green, and Know your roots.
For more than 23 years, the BUILDERS Party transcended a yellow legacy of service, and now with their roster Gaviola, a campaign rooted with his signature statement ‘Bloom’ is on the watch.
“This comprehensive platform focuses on amplifying student voice, supporting academic and mental wellness, empowering youth leadership, promoting environmental responsibility, and encouraging meaningful student engagement from Day Zero. It’s a vision rooted in compassion, inclusivity, and action,” Gaviola added.
THE BEGINNING OF AN ERA
True to their campaign slogan “Serbisyong LEVEL UP, UNO-Rian LEVEL UP,” Limson will now take the role of a standard bearer as she embodies the spirit of leadership and service in the upcoming months, underlining that her administration will be consultative and open to criticism.
“I made sure that the seeds planted were sown in good, fertile soil—nurtured with care, vision, and hope. [...] That is the UNO-R envision, each and every one of us is a unique flower in that ever-growing meadow. We were carried here by different winds—our own stories, struggles, and dreams—and we planted ourselves in this space to grow, to rise, and to bloom,” Gaviola said.
Both leaders have already outlined their programs, and with the convergence of the blue and gold legacies, a movement is ignited to empower a student-centered community.
It’s easy to label students as apathetic. It’s easier to criticize them for not voting. But what if the system failed first? From the 9,148 voting population, only 25.05% of it participated in the 2025 University General Elections. However, before blaming the silent majority, we need to ask—what caused them to be quiet?
The voting turnout dropped significantly from the 2024 General Elections, with 35%. But with the turnout in last year’s election, this year was no different—if anything, it got worse. This year, the positions were uncontested, winners won by default—most students were not interested in voting.
Failure is inevitable when a defective system fosters inaction and mismanagement to thrive. This year the timeline of the election was cramped, deadlines were tight, and the election was rushed, leaving little time for proper planning, and voting was limited to online platforms. Some students encounter problems with their UIS accounts, have unreliable internet connections, or do not have access to essential resources. Students deserve alternative, accessible ways to participate. These circumstances undermine the democratic process.
Take, for instance, when the campaign season overlaps with the University Cup. U-Cup starts from May 5-11, while the campaign runs from May 2-14. Although candidates are permitted to run room-to-room campaigns, doing so becomes difficult because most students are preoccupied with sports events and other campus activities. The recurring lapses point to a larger issue: elections are viewed as a checklist rather than a vital part of student democracy.
However, the underlying problem goes back further. The current student government is under fire for alleged corruption and misuse of funds, highlighting unresolved issues from prior administrations. Despite these recurring issues, accountability remains lacking, with little to no visible action. As a result, students no longer understand the purpose of voting. With no trust in the system, students are uncertain whether things will change.
Yes, students must participate. However, engagement takes root in accountability and flourishes when the system is transparent, responsive, and built on trust. If we want students to vote, we must first address the way elections are planned and carried out. That means incorporating the election timelines into
the academic calendar—not cramming it into the tail end of the semester where attention is split and deadlines are tight.
The Commission on Elections should be established early in the academic year rather than just before the elections.
Voting must be made more accessible by reintroducing physical voting precincts or providing both online and on-site options.
The system is not solely to blame but carries the larger weight. Students have a part to play, too. Not voting may appear to be a form of protest, but it merely allows the same problems to persist. Taking part is important because silence only preserves the status quo.
Let’s be clear, students are not the root of the problem; they are reacting. They are demanding change and holding the system accountable.
In the end, the UNO-Rian community deserves a fair and logical election process for both student leaders and the entire student body. We do not want to hide behind the failures of the system; we must persist and strive for a better UNO-Rian community. This is a wake-up call. In the end, we will only face the consequences we once wished we had the courage to fix.
by JOHN RENZ DELIM and THERESA MAE DULMAN
