A new set of Federated Faculty Union (FFU) officers, dominated by the VOICE party led by College of Sciences faculty member Moreno D. Tabios, Jr., took their oath of office before Catanduanes State University (CatSU) President Dr. Gemma G. Acedo on Tuesday, September 2, 2025.

Assuming the top post as the representative of the faculty sector in the university’s highest governing body, Tabios succeeded outgoing three-term FFU President Danilo O. Murillo.

Tabios garnered 163 votes—twice Murillo’s 81—while the third contender, Engr. Ronnie B. Santelices of the Coalition of Academic Representatives for Empowerment (CARE) party, received 52 votes.

As suggested by their party name, VOICE (Vision Of Inclusive and Committed Empowerment), one of the administration’s top three priorities is to foster inclusivity by opening communication lines to every member of the union.

“We have established online communication channels and suggestion boxes to ensure that every voice is heard without fear of judgment, censorship, and retaliation,” Tabios said, noting that a Facebook page had already been launched on the first day of their term for updates and announcements.

“As what we have said during the campaign period, we should celebrate the individual unique voices of the faculty but as a union, we should speak one voice in order to advance the cause of empowerment and inclusivity,” Tabios added.

The new FFU officers also envision a vibrant faculty community where members can freely express themselves and exercise academic freedom without fear of political interference.

In addition to inclusivity, two other key priorities of the new administration are faculty empowerment and development.

“We will coordinate closely with the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the finance division, and other concerned units to ensure an equitable allocation for supplies, materials, and equipment,” Tabios explained.

“For faculty development, we will push for institutional policies that will encourage faculty (and even non-teaching personnel) to pursue advanced education, and propose to reduce to 1:1 the ratio of the term of scholarship enjoyed to the term of return service,” he added, also proposing a grace period for scholars to complete their degrees beyond the prescribed term.

Tabios also shared plans to propose revisions to the union’s Constitution and By-laws, including empowering college faculty associations by granting their presidents ex-officio membership on the union’s governing board.

“The concerns of faculty members may be raised in the regular meetings through the respective faculty association presidents,” he said.

Tabios expressed his appreciation for the election results, where his party secured the top six positions.

Under the VOICE party, the following officers were elected:

• Carlito T. Gelito – Vice President

• Glenda C. Tenerife – Secretary

• Ma. Sofia S. Llaguno – Treasurer

• Michelle F. Go – Auditor

• Ramona Michelle M. Magtangob – Mass Media Officer

Two officers from the FAIR (Faculty Alliance for Innovation and Reform) party were elected as Business Managers: Gregorio Jr. V. Angeles and Emmanuel B. Idanan.

“I am even more overwhelmed by the turnout of faculty who supported me. I feel the great responsibility the faculty has placed on me with that kind of election result, showing their trust in our plans and capabilities,” Tabios concluded.

Meanwhile, outgoing FFU President Danilo O. Murillo expressed his “deepest” gratitude via Facebook to the regular and temporary faculty members of both the Main and Panganiban campuses for their trust throughout his three terms as faculty regent (2011–2013, 2013–2015, and 2023–2025), as well as during his tenure as CASUNEA president from 2021–2024.

“I did my best and the members of the CatSU Board of Regents could attest to it,” he wrote.

This year’s election saw participation from three political parties: the CARE, the FAIR (Faculty Alliance for Innovation and Reform), and the VOICE.