The current Master of the Order of Preachers is the ex officio chancellor of the university and the Prior Provincial of the Dominican Province in the Philippines serves as his de facto vice.

The ternia shall be then conveyed to the Master General in Rome for his approval once the provincial chapter has generated the list of nominees.

[1] The pontification of the rector magnificus during the eighteenth century was coded by the statute similar to that being used at the University of Mexico during that time.

The outset of the election is the selection of three candidates for rectorship through a secret balloting among the members of Saint Thomas Aquinas Priory in UST.

Also the prior of the Dominicans in the Philippines, the Vice-Grand Chancellor will pass the list to the Academic Senate and to the board of trustees.

[1][3] The Board of Trustees will then present decision and recommendations to the Vice-Grand Chancellor for dissemination to the Roman Curia, headed by the Master General.

A candidate will be designated by the Master General, who requests the Congregation for Catholic Education in the Vatican City for the required confirmatio and, eventually, for the final approval of the nomination.

[1][3] Once nothing impedes the nomination (after conducting the usual procedures of inquiry regarding the candidate's merits and suitability), a pertinent rescript is issued by the Congregation for Catholic Education.

This document is sent to the Master General of the Order of Preachers, who communicates the act to the competent authorities of the Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas.

This custom of electing rectors, which usually takes three to four months,[3] was observed when UST was bestowed the title of "Pontifical University".

[4] The collar of the rector signifies the joint powers of the Holy See and the Philippine Government, which collaborate to sustain this historic University.

Made of pure silver and measuring 95 x 15 centimetres in diameter, the maces have existed since the 17th century and has been used in academic processions ever since.