09/05/2026
READ | Official Statement of the FEU Central Student Organization and Institute Councils on the 2026 FEU Student Elections
The FEU Central Student Organization, together with the Institute Student Councils, stands in solidarity with the student body in expressing concerns over the recent developments surrounding the student elections and proclamation of candidates.
The FEU CSO and Institute Student Councils call for a genuine structural change in the FEU electoral system.
The prevalence of abstention over the years reflects striking student dissatisfaction, a lack of confidence in the overall electoral process, and a disempowering culture that needs to be acknowledged and addressed. It serves as a call for accountability among us, as student leaders, and especially to the institution to critically examine the cumulative factors that have contributed to this reality, including perceived gaps in transparency, representation, accessibility, responsiveness, and genuine student engagement.
However, we assert that this distrust is a symptom of systemic negligence and failure in creating a conducive environment for active civic engagement and student agency. Abstention is not merely an absence of choice but often a manifestation of disillusionment that has developed over time. Recognizing and addressing why this continues to happen is essential in rebuilding trust, strengthening democratic participation, and ensuring that student governance truly reflects and serves the interests of the student body.
At present, proper appeals and concerns are being raised through the appropriate institutional channels in accordance with due process. In this regard, we call on the FEU Student Involvement Office (OSI) and the FEU Commission on Elections (COMELEC) to ensure that all concerns raised by the student body are addressed with transparency, clarity, and accountability, and that due process is consistently upheld as these matters progress.
Beyond immediate resolutions, we emphasize that low voter turnout and growing student disengagement are systemic concerns that require long-term and student-centered solutions. Thus, we must move towards sustained, year-long collaboration and active engagement among administration and the student body, maintaining rigor in strengthening democratic participation, institutional accountability, and trust within the university.
The concerns and frustrations raised by students reflect broader issues of representation, accountability, institutional trust, and democratic participation within the university. We remain committed to upholding a student democracy grounded in meaningful participation, transparency, and accountability.
