By: Almira Jane Villegas & Kirsten Ilajas

SAMAHAN Central Board Officers 2013.

Ralph Robin Tongcua, was elected as the new SAMAHAN Central Board President, garnering 2,161 votes against Jemimah Pearl D’Lonsod with 2,037 votes.

“Naga-sink in na that there is a calling. It was unexpected, but I have to take it. I’m happy that finally tapos na ang lahat, a bit sad that my other runningmates were not elected,” said Tongcua as he shared his victory to Atenews.

Tongcua is also up for the challenge of having a better and more dynamic SAMAHAN. According to him, SAMAHAN is about the students and everyone is expected to play a role.

For the record, Tongcua is the first candidate from Bahaghari who was elected as the SCB President.

AdDU Comelec Chairperson, Jason Occidental, hopes for the best of SAMAHAN next academic year, considering the fact that the 2013 SCB Elections was one of the most controversial elections in the history of Ateneo de Davao.

“Despite all the issues and complaints, we hope that all the conflicts will be resolved. And us Ateneans, let us all work together for the betterment of the whole studentry,” said Occidental.

2013 marked the second wave of E-Votenista, the first automated student council elections in Mindanao. The overall voters’ turnout this year is 53.74%, which is 13.55% less than the turnout on 2012.