Appendix B3 - 2013 USG Constitution (Unratified With DLSU-STC Government Article)

De La Salle University
De La Salle University 1
De La Salle University Revised University Student Government Constitution CONTENT Preamble Article I Article II Article III Article IV Article V Article VI Article VII Article VIII Article IX Article X Article XI Article XII Article XIII Article XIV Article XV Article XVI Article XVII Article XVIII Article XIX Article XX Article XXI Article XXII Article XXIII Article XXIV Article XXV Article XXVI Article XXVII Article XXVIII Article XXIX Article XXX Name and Seat Membership Declaration of Principles, Purposes and Policies Bill of Rights Duties and Responsibilities of Students Accountability of USG Officers The Executive Board The Executive Committee Powers, Duties and Responsibilities of EB Members The Activities Assembly The College Student Government The Batch Student Government The Executive Departments The Legislative Assembly The LA Committees The LA Inner Circle The College Legislative Board The Judiciary Constitutional Commissions Articles of Impeachment The Council of Student Organizations Convention of Leaders DLSU-STC Science and Technology Government Elections Vacancies General Provisions Amendments Transitory Provisions Separability Clause Effectivity Preamble We, the undergraduate students of De La Salle University, imploring the aid of the Almighty God and invoking the patronage of St. John Baptist De La Salle, assert our inherent democratic right to pursue an autonomous and genuine student government that shall inspire us to become true Lasallian achievers for God and country, reinvigorate our formation as Lasallians who secure harmony, unity and cooperation among ourselves and with those who, together with us, make up the Lasallian community of persons, scholars, learners and citizens, commit to the advancement and defense of our rights and welfare, safeguard the academic freedom and integrity of the University, affirm the student-citizens dignity and worth, promote the common good, actualize our roles as propagandists and catalysts for social change and action, inculcate a social consciousness that will strike a balance between self and service to others, healthy competition and cooperation, privilege and responsibility and embody our libertarian ideals, nationalist aspirations and noble vision of a humane and sovereign society where truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace reign, do solemnly ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
Article I NAME AND SEAT Section 1. Section 2. The name of this student government, established under this Constitution, shall be known as the De La Salle University Student Government, which shall hereinafter be referred to as the USG. The seat of the USG shall be in the De La Salle University with campuses in 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila and Leandro V. Locsin Campus, Barrio Malamig, Bian Laguna, which shall both hereinafter be referred to as the University. Article II MEMBERSHIP The members of the USG shall be all undergraduate students of the University. Article III DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES, PURPOSES AND POLICIES PRINCIPLES Section 1. Section 2. The USG shall have the power of which emanates from the student body. It shall be the sole, unified, autonomous and democratic representative body of the students. The USG shall recognize the importance of the Universitys Mission Statement of being a leading learner-centered research university, bridging faith and scholarship in the service of society, especially for the poor.; 2.1. 2.2. Section 3. The Mission Statement shall serve as the guide of the USG in achieving the collective interest of the students. The USG believes that the true importance of the Mission Statement lies in putting these ideals into action.
The USG is founded on the principles of representation, participatory democracy, decentralization, collaboration, equitability, accountability, unity and cooperation and efficiency and efficacy in the delivery of services. The USG shall adhere to the policy of cooperation with other sectors of the Lasallian community.
Section 4. PURPOSES Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8.
The USG shall be at the forefront of the students struggle for their rights and welfare, as embodied in Article IV of this Constitution, the Universitys Student Charter and the laws of the land. The USG shall help foster the physical, intellectual, moral, cultural, civic, spiritual and political interests of the students, as long as these are not contrary to the Universitys vision and mission. The USG shall develop critical thinking among the studentry and encourage all students to unite themselves and utilize their knowledge, skills and resources to contribute to nation-building. The USG, recognizing the vital responsibility of the youth to society, shall promote social awareness and provide avenues for the students to be educated and active in meeting the universal needs of their time. The USG shall foster a progressive and innovative academic institution.
Section 9.
Section 10. POLICIES Section 11. Section 12. Section 13. Section 14. Section 15. Section 16.
The USG shall be in solidarity with the Filipino people by partaking in the efforts of strengthening the independence and democracy of the state towards a just and humane society.
The USG shall pursue an independent stand, not dictated by any other sector, other than the students. The USG shall value academic freedom, spirit of the law, and the equality of gender, religion, and race. The USG shall encourage student and sectoral organizations to promote the welfare of the students. The USG shall establish and maintain relevant linkages with various offices, sectoral and cause oriented groups within and outside the University to create venues for resource-sharing and development. The USG shall pursue a policy of dialogue with other student governments, movements and the marginalized sectors of society, consonant with its principles and purposes. The USG shall pursue a Lasallian education that is holistic, competitive and of high standards, ensuring that it develops Lasallian achievers for the nation. The USG shall also fight for a relevant, nationalistic, scientific, liberating and mass-oriented system of education. The USG shall maintain open lines of communication among its offices and with its constituents through effective and efficient means, recognizing English and Filipino as its official languages for oral and written exchanges. The USG shall struggle against all forms of exploitation, oppression and corruption. The USG shall renounce instruments of policy, activities and undertakings which are violent in nature, and/or are contrary to the rules and regulations of the University and/or the laws of the land. The USG shall adopt and implement a policy of public disclosure of all its transactions involving the interest of its members. Article IV BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 17.
Section 18. Section 19. Section 20.
Section 1. Section 2.
Every student has the right to be properly informed of the programs, rules and regulations and policies of the academic community. Every student has the right to have access to his/her official records and other pertinent documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions or decisions through the most effective and justified service and cost possible. Every student has the right to receive professional competence from faculty and administration according to the mission and vision of the University. Every student has the right to be academically evaluated based on objective criteria presented by the curriculum. Every student has the right to go through a standard process in cases where academic evaluation is to be justified. Every student has the right to conduct scholarly research freely and to publish, discuss and exchange findings and recommendations for the purpose of academic development. Every student has the right to suffrage.
7.1. 7.2. Section 8. Section 9. Section 10. Section 11. Section 12. Section 13. Section 14. Section 15. Section 16. Section 17. Section 18.
Every student has the right to vote for representatives and officers of the USG. Every student has the right to exercise other electoral practices.
Every student has the right to actively participate in the USG and the CSO. Every student has the right to recall their representatives from office. Every student has the right to proper representation and participation in all policy-making bodies that are within inside the University. Every student has the right to regular student-faculty and student-administration dialogue. Every student has the right to assemble and to freely and responsibly express their views, opinions and grievances. Every student has the right to objective presentation and independent operation of the student-controlled publications, subject to the cannons of responsible journalism. Every student has the right to establish, organize, join and actively participate in clubs, organizations, groups and other associations for purposes not contrary to existing policies. Every student has the right to due process. Every student has the right to utilize safe, clean and efficient school facilities that are adequately provided. Every student has the right to apply for a USG Unit and CSO Organization position. All other rights as specified in the Student Handbook and the Universitys Student Charter but are not specified herein are included as rights of the students. Article V DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS
Section 1. Section 2. Section 3. Section 4.
Every student shall observe and uphold the laws of the land, the rules and regulations of the University as stipulated in the Student Handbook and this Constitution. Every student shall exercise his/her rights responsibly and in good faith. Every student shall uphold the academic integrity of the University, endeavor to achieve academic excellence and abide by the rules and regulations governing his/her academic responsibilities. Every student shall promote and maintain the peace and tranquility of the University by observing the rules of discipline and by exerting efforts to attain harmonious relationships with fellow students, the administrators, the teaching academic staffs and other University personnel. Every student shall uphold, preserve and maintain the integrity of his/her Alma Mater. Every student shall participate actively in civic affairs and in the promotion of the general welfare, particularly in the social, economic and cultural development of his/her community and in the attainment of a just, compassionate and orderly society. Article VI ACCOUNTABILITY OF USG OFFFICERS
All USG officers shall at all times be accountable to the studentry who they must serve with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, efficiency and professionalism.
Article VII THE EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 1. Section 2. The Executive Board, which shall hereinafter be referred to as EB, shall be the highest governing body and representative authority of the USG. The EB shall be composed of the: 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. Section 3. President. Vice President for Internal Affairs. Vice President for External Affairs. Executive Secretary. Executive Treasurer.
The EB shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. To uphold and enforce the provisions stipulated in this Constitution and its bylaws. To outline and enforce basic policies that shall facilitate the performance of its duties and responsibilities. To discuss national, sectoral and university-wide issues and academic-related matters, projects, programs and campaigns to be presented to the College Presidents. To ensure fair, efficient and effective representation in all University committees whose services and decisions affect the welfare of the students. To create departments and ad hoc as may be necessary to discharge its functions.
Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7.
The members of the EB shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings. Any member of the EB may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The EB shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members. A final decision must be reached via a majority (50% + 1) of those present. Decisions made outside this provision are tentative and unofficial until majority of the EB members are informed and have agreed. Article VIII THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
The Executive Committee, which shall hereinafter be referred to as EXECOM, shall be vested with executive powers. The EXECOM shall be composed of the: 2.1. 2.2. All the members of the EB. All College Presidents.
Section 3.
The EXECOM shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. To discuss and decide on national, sectoral, university-wide issues and academic-related matters, projects, programs and campaigns for endorsement and final approval of the Legislative Assembly, whenever necessary. To implement all resolutions approved by the Legislative Assembly. To issue Executive Orders to the USG in case of a state of emergency in the presence of the Chief Legislator or the chairperson of the LA committee concerned on the issue. To appeal for reconsideration to the Legislative Assembly any approved motion or resolution upon two-thirds vote of the members of the EXECOM.
3.5. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7.
To determine the vision and mission of the USG and ensure that resources be made available towards their attainment.
The members of the EXECOM shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings. Any member of the EXECOM may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The EXECOM shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members. A final decision can only be reached via a majority vote (50% + 1) of those present. Decisions made outside this provision are binding and executory unless challenged by an EXECOM member. Article IX POWERS, DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF EB MEMBERS
Section 1.
The President shall: 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 1.4. Be the Chief Executive Officer of the USG. Be the official spokesperson of the USG at any function, meeting or assembly. Preside over the meetings of the EB, EXECOM, USG General Assemblies, Convention of Leaders and committees under his/her office. Have no voting powers but shall have the power to veto policies, resolutions, programs and projects approved by the EB, EXECOM, the Activities Assembly and the Legislative Assembly. 1.4.2. The presidential veto must be communicated to the Executive Secretary within three working days of the approval of the policy, resolution, program or project. Otherwise, the policy, resolution, program or project may be released or implemented. 1.4.3. A two-thirds vote of the remaining EB, EXECOM, the Activities Assembly and the Legislative Assembly, whichever is concerned, is required to override a presidential veto. Oversee the internal and external affairs of the USG. Initiate the implementation of all the decisions of the Legislative Assembly. Nominate and appoint the student representatives to external alliances, seminars, sector organizations, University-wide committees and other functions requiring such representation and appointment. The order for the nomination and appointment is as follows: 1.7.1. Member/s of the EB. 1.7.2. College President/s. 1.7.3. Legislative Assembly Representative/s. 1.7.4. Batch President/s. 1.7.5. Other USG officer/s. Be an ex-officio member of all the committees under the executive arm of the USG. Submit to the Legislative Assembly and the Judiciary trimestral reports that shall present and evaluate the state of the organizational affairs and recommend further actions. Monitor, directly or indirectly, the performance of all offices and committees with executive functions. Receive and review periodic reports from each of the EB members, all Executive units, the Legislative Assembly and the Judiciary. Ensure that national, sectoral and University-wide issues be adequately addressed by the USG. Represent the USG in sectoral activities within and outside the University. Convene the Council of University Representatives (CURE) which shall be composed of all student representatives to University policy-making bodies. Perform other functions to facilitate the discharge of his/her responsibilities or acts prescribed herein and be answerable to the Legislative Assembly for the consequences of such. Be vested with the power to grant presidential pardon to any USG officer found guilty of violation of this constitution and its bylaws by the Judiciary, provided that the pardon is with just cause.
1.5. 1.6. 1.7.
1.8. 1.9. 1.10. 1.11. 1.12. 1.13. 1.14. 1.15. 1.15.
Section 2.
The Vice President for Internal Affairs shall: 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. 2.6. 2.7. 2.8. 2.9. 2.10. 2.11. 2.12. 2.13. Report directly to the President. Be the supervisor and coordinator of the internal affairs of the USG under the direction of the President. Assume the responsibilities of the President in matters concerning internal affairs if the President is absent or incapacitated or if so directed by the EB. Assume automatically the Presidency in the event that such office is permanently vacated. Coordinate with the College and Batch Student Governments with regards to internal affairs of the USG. Monitor all internal activities and programs of the College and Batch Student Governments. Chair the Activities Assembly. Ensure that the USG University-wide activities are prioritized over other student activities. Create departments and ad hoc as may be necessary to discharge specific functions of the internal affairs. Supervise the planning and implementation of special projects during celebrations of USG University-wide weeks and other occasions warranting participation of the USG. Address student concerns regarding the operational efficiency and development of physical facilities in the University. Conduct research undertakings on University policies and structures and present results and recommendations to the EXECOM, Legislative Assembly and/or the University administration. Perform other functions as deemed necessary by the EXECOM.
Section 3.
The Vice President for External Affairs shall: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. 3.7. 3.8. 3.9. 3.10. 3.11. Report directly to the President. Be the supervisor and coordinator of the external affairs of the USG under the direction of the President. Assume the responsibilities of the President in matters concerning external affairs if the President is absent or incapacitated or if so directed by the EB. Assume automatically the Presidency in the event that both the Presidency and the Internal Affairs Vice Presidency are permanently vacated. Coordinate with the College and Batch Student Governments with regards to external affairs of the USG. Monitor all external activities and programs of the College and Batch Student Governments. Co-chair the Activities Assembly and assume chairmanship if the Vice President for Internal Affairs is absent or incapacitated or if so directed by the EB. Create departments and ad hoc as may be necessary to discharge specific functions of the external affairs Establish liaisons with other student governments and other relevant entities. Establish alliances with external entities on specific issues or campaigns as specified by the EB. Perform other functions as deemed necessary by the EXECOM.
Section 4.
The Executive Secretary shall: 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5. 4.6. 4.7. 4.8. Report directly to the President. Be the Chief Administrative Officer of the USG. Take charge of the daily and administrative affairs of the USG. Be the official custodian of all records and papers of USG. Record all meetings of the EB, EXECOM, USG General Assemblies, Convention of Leaders, Legislative Assembly and Inner Circle. Be responsible for efficient USG office management. Be responsible for the training and development and other concerns and needs of USG officers in the discharge of their duties. Handle all correspondences of the EB, both internally and externally.
4.9. 4.10. 4.11. 4.12. 4.13. 4.14. Section 5.
Coordinate with the other offices to facilitate the maintenance of a complete and effective filing system of the USG. Supervise the information dissemination of the University-wide activities, programs and campaigns of the USG through publicity, publications and the like. Establish programs or projects to obtain regular feedback from the student body. Prepare the agenda of meetings of the EB and EXECOM after due consultation with its members. Advise the President on matters of general administration. Perform other functions as deemed necessary by the EXECOM.
The Executive Treasurer shall: 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. 5.4. 5.5. 5.6. 5.7. 5.8. 5.9. 5.10. 5.11. 5.12. 5.13. 5.14. 5.15. Report directly to the President. Act as custodian of the USG funds and enforce standard operating procedures within the USG with regards to the financial system. Design and implement a plan for the management of funds under the jurisdiction of the USG. Be in charge of the preparation of the annual budget, of which allocation must be given to all the offices under the structure of the USG, to be approved by the Legislative Assembly. Formulate and implement policies and procedures governing the financial resources of the USG. Require financial documents necessary for the maintenance of an effective monitoring system. Collect and summarize needed data in the preparation of financial reports dealing with all phases of the financial, accounting and operating activities of the USG. Prepare trimestral financial reports dealing with all phases of the financial activities of the offices under the USG structure and present such reports to all offices concerned. Safeguard cash temporarily on hand and maintain banking connection for the regular deposit and savings accounts for the USG. Monitor fund-raising activities initiated by the offices under the USG. Make periodic reviews of the income and expenditure status of each budgetary unit for any needed remedial action. Review and monitor all receipts and disbursements of funds within the USG. Prepare an annual financial report of the USG for examination by the EXECOM and Legislative Assembly and also for audit by the Auditor duly appointed by the Judiciary. Perform other such duties and responsibilities related to and/or implied from the above enumeration of duties and responsibilities. Perform other such functions as deemed necessary by the EXECOM. Article X THE ACTIVITIES ASSEMBLY
The Activities Assembly, which shall hereinafter be referred to as AA, shall be the policy-making arm concerning activities, projects and programs of the USG. The AA shall be composed of the: 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. Vice President for Internal Affairs. Vice President for External Affairs. All College Presidents. All Batch Presidents.
Section 3.
The AA shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 3.1. To outline and enforce basic policies and procedures for the efficient and effective implementation of student activities, projects and programs and enforce these upon the approval of the EXECOM.
3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7.
To plan University-wide student activities, projects and programs and assign departments or ad hoc for the implementation of such upon the approval of the EXECOM. To create departments and ad hoc as may be necessary to discharge specific functions of the AA. To discuss and deliberate matters pertaining to activities, projects and programs of the departments and ad hoc. To perform such other functions as deemed necessary by the EXECOM.
The members of the AA shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings. Any member of the AA may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The AA shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members. A final decision must be reached via a majority (50% + 1) of those present, subject to the decision of the EXECOM and the Legislative Assembly. Decisions made outside this provision are tentative and unofficial until majority of the AA members are informed and have agreed. Article XI THE COLLEGE STUDENT GOVERNMENT
The College Student Government, which shall hereinafter be referred to as CSG, shall be composed of all undergraduate students of each respective college. The CSG Executive Board, which shall hereinafter be referred to as CSG-EB, shall be the highest governing body and representative authority of each respective college. The CSG-EB shall be composed of the: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. College President. All Batch Presidents from the college. All Batch Vice Presidents from the college. All Legislative Assembly Representatives from the college.
Section 4.
The CSG-EB shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5. 4.6. 4.7. 4.8. To discuss and decide on matters which are pertinent to their respective college. To determine the vision and mission of the CSG and ensure that resources be made available towards their attainment. To outline and enforce basic policies that shall facilitate the performance of their duties and responsibilities. To execute all policies and directives issued by the Legislative Assembly which are pertinent to each respective college. To handle college affairs and the needs of the different majors and batches. To organize and implement programs for their particular college. To create departments and ad hoc as may be necessary to discharge its functions. Prepare a Rules of Internal Governance of the CSG within the framework of this Constitution.
Section 5.
The College Presidents shall: 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. 5.4. 5.5. Report directly to the President Discuss and update the EXECOM on college-wide programs and concerns. Enforce programs of the EB, upon the approval of the EXECOM, to the college and its batches. Spearhead the execution of all policies and directives issued by the Legislative Assembly which are pertinent to their respective colleges. Coordinate with the EXECOM regarding University-wide issues and activities.
5.6. 5.7. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8. Section 9.
Chair the CSG-EB and appoint from its members a replacement in case of their incapacity or absence. Perform other functions as deemed necessary by the EXECOM and the Legislative Assembly.
The members of the CSG-EB shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings. Any member of the CSG-EB may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The CSG-EB shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members. A final decision must be reached via a majority (50% + 1) of those present. Decisions made outside this provision are tentative and unofficial until majority of the CSG-EB members are informed and have agreed. Article XII THE BATCH STUDENT GOVERNMENT
The Batch Student Government, which shall hereinafter be referred to as BSG, shall be composed of all undergraduate students of each respective batch of each respective college. The BSG Executive Board, which shall hereinafter be referred to as BSG-EB, shall be the highest governing body and representative authority of each respective batch of each respective college. The BSG-EB shall be composed of the: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3 Batch President. Batch Vice-President. Legislative Assembly Representative.
Section 4.
The BSG-EB shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5. 4.6. 4.7. Create committees for the operations of the batch. Execute all policies and directives issued by the Legislative Assembly which are pertinent to the batch. Organize and implement programs for the enhancement and development of the batch. Participate in the execution of college and University-wide programs as directed by the College President and AA. Encourage batch mates to participate in batch, college and University-wide programs. Prepare a Rules of Internal Governance of the BSG within the framework of this Constitution. Perform other functions as deemed necessary by the EB and the College President.
Section 5.
The Batch Presidents shall: 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. 5.4. 5.5. 5.6. 5.7. 5.8. Report directly to the College President and President as deemed necessary. Represent the BSG in the CSG, AA and other such entities as necessary. Discuss and update the CSG on batch-wide programs and concerns. Enforce programs of the EB, upon the approval of the EXECOM, to the batch. Spearhead the execution of all policies and directives issued by the Legislative Assembly which are pertinent to their respective batches. Coordinate with the College President and EB regarding college and University-wide issues and activities, respectively. Chair the BSG-EB. Perform other functions as defined in the Rules of Internal Governance of the BSG and as deemed necessary by the EB, College President and the Legislative Assembly.
Section 6.
The Batch Vice-Presidents shall: 6.1. Report directly to the Batch President and College President and President as deemed necessary.
6.2. 6.3. 6.4. 6.5. 6.6. 6.7. 6.8. 6.9. Section 7. Section 8. Section 9. Section 10.
Represent the Batch President in other programs and activities and other such entities. Discuss and update the CSG on batch-wide programs and concerns in the absence of the Batch President. Assume powers and responsibilities of the Batch President in his/her incapacity or absence. Enforce programs of the EB, upon approval of the EXECOM, for the batch. Assist the Batch President in the execution of all policies and directives issued by the Legislative Assembly which are pertinent to their respective batches. Handle the internal human resource of their respective BSG. Chair the BSG-EB in the absence of the Batch President. Perform other functions as defined in the Rules of Internal Governance of the BSG and as deemed necessary by the EB, College President and the Legislative Assembly.
The members of the BSG-EB shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings. Any member of the BSG-EB may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The BSG-EB shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members. A final decision must be reached via a majority (50% + 1) of those present. Decisions made outside this provision are tentative and unofficial until majority of the BSG-EB members are informed and have agreed. Article XIII THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS
GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. The Executive Departments, which shall hereinafter be referred to as EXEDEP, shall be the standing committees to aid the USG in addressing specific concerns, issues, projects and programs consonant with its principles and purposes. The Batch Presidents shall be appointed to EXEDEP, except for the Department of Activity Approval and Monitoring, and shall be limited to membership to only one EXEDEP. The EB shall assign the Batch Presidents to the EXEDEP in reference to, but not entirely based upon, the top three choices of each Batch President and in a manner that the EB deems necessary. Each EXEDEP shall have a Chairperson and a Vice Chairperson, all of whom shall be elected from among and by the members of the EXEDEP. The members shall determine the manner of election thereof. The EXEDEP Chairpersons shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5. 4.6. 4.7. Section 5. Report directly to the EB. Preside over the meetings of their respective EXEDEP. Administer the overall operations of their respective EXEDEP. Report to the AA actions on programs and projects referred to their EXEDEP. Appoint EXEDEP members to sub-committees as well as delegate EXEDEP tasks to members, whenever necessary. Consolidate the EXEDEP members on matters pertinent to the AA and in their attendance to AA sessions. Perform other functions as deemed necessary by the EB and AA.
Section 2.
Section 3.
Section 4.
The EXEDEP Vice Chairpersons shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. 5.4. 5.5. Report directly to the EXEDEP Chairperson. Assume the powers and responsibilities of the EXEDEP Chairperson in his/her incapacity or absence. Supervise the EXEDEP programs and projects. Assist the EXEDEP Chairperson in supervising the operation of the EXEDEP. Perform other functions deemed necessary by the EXEDEP Chairperson or as prescribed within
the rules of their respective EXEDEP. Section 6. The members of the EXEDEP shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities, other than those stated in Article XII Section 5 of this Constitution: 6.1. 6.2. 6.3. 6.4. Section 7. Section 8. Section 9. Section 10. Report directly to the EXEDEP Chairperson. Be present and participate actively in all EXEDEP meetings. Aid the EXEDEP Vice Chairperson in all programs and projects. Perform other functions deemed necessary by the EXEDEP Chairperson or as prescribed within the rules of their respective EXEDEP.
The members of the EXEDEP shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings. Any member of the EXEDEP may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The EXEDEP shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members. A final decision must be reached via a majority (50% + 1) of those present. Decisions made outside this provision are tentative and unofficial until majority of the EXEDEP members are informed and have agreed.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS Section 11. The EXEDEP prescribed by this Constitution shall be the following: 11.1 11.2. 11.3. 11.4. Department of Activity Approval and Monitoring. Department on Community Development. Department on Student Services. Department on Advocacy.
DEPARTMENT ON ACTIVITY APPROVAL AND MONITORING Section 13. Section 14. The Department of Activity Approval and Monitoring, which shall hereinafter be referred to as DAAM, shall be the coordinating body of the USG in approving and monitoring student activities. The DAAM shall be chaired by a staff duly appointed by the EXECOM upon recommendation of the Vice President for Internal Affairs. Article XIV THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY Section 1. The Legislative Assembly, which shall hereinafter be referred to as LA, shall be the highest policymaking body of the USG. The legislative power shall be vested in the LA, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provisions on initiative and referendum. The LA shall be composed of the: 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. Section 3. Chief Legislator. All LA Representatives. Legislative Secretariat.
Section 2.
The LA shall concern itself with discussing and deciding on the following matters: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. 3.7. Integral policies, existing operations, projects and programs. Resolutions of University-wide, curricular and extra-curricular matters. Resolutions on national and sectoral issues. Representation of administrative and non-administrative units and committees requiring such inside the campus. Budget allocation of the USG as presented by the Executive Treasurer. Creation of standing and ad hoc committees whose functions shall be determined by the body. Approval of the Election Code to be adopted by the Commission on Elections.
3.8. Section 4.
Approval of appointed USG officers for elected positions.
The Chief Legislator shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5. 4.6. 4.7. 4.8. 4.9. 4.10. 4.11. 4.12. 4.13. Call and preside over the sessions of the LA and appoint from its members, except the Majority and Minority Floor Leaders and the Legislative Secretariat, a replacement upon his/her incapacity or absence. Call and preside over the meetings of the LA Inner Circle and appoint from its members, except the Legislative Secretariat, a replacement upon his/her incapacity or absence. Call special LA sessions. Preserve order and decorum during sessions, and, in case of disturbance or disorderly conduct within the premises where the session is being held, take such measures as he/she may deem advisable or as the LA may direct. Rule on all questions of order, subject to appeal by any member of the LA, which appeal shall not be debatable, but the member appealing may explain his/her appeal for not more than five minutes. Sign and affix the seal of the USG in all resolutions, memorials, writs, warrants and subpoenas issued by the order of the LA. Enforce all rules, policies and procedures governing the LA. Receive periodic reports from all units and members of the LA whose frequency of submission shall be at his/her discretion. Appoint LA Representatives to LA Committees. Be an ex-officio member of all LA Committees. Have administrative supervision over the LA and all its units. Be the official representative of the LA in functions that require its presence. Ensure that the LA follows properly the parliamentary procedure during sessions.
Section 5.
The LA Representatives shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. 5.4. 5.5. 5.6. 5.7. 5.8. 5.9. 5.10. 5.11. 5.12. 5.13. Report directly to the Batch President, College President, Chief Legislator and President as deemed necessary. Participate actively in LA sessions. Conduct regular consultations with his/her constituents regarding academic and non-academic matters. Hold position in other USG units and University-wide committees as appointed. Shall be assigned to a Council of University Representatives Committee Shall be assigned to a Council of University Representatives Committee and shall conduct researches and recommendations where he/she is part of. Handle the College Advisory Board together with the other LA Representatives of each respective college. Handle the Batch Advisory Board. Create the Rules of Internal Governance of his/her batch student government that will be approved by the BSG-EB. Review existing policies and resolutions. Pass resolutions and legislations that are of relevance to the studentry. Be entitled to a copy of all minutes, resolutions and the like that concerns the legislative proceedings. Perform other functions as deemed necessary by the EB, College President, Batch President, Chief Legislator and the LA.
Section 6.
The Legislative Secretariat shall be chaired by the Executive Secretary and composed of at least two staffs from the Office of the Executive Secretary.
Section 7.
The Legislative Secretariat shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 7.1. 7.2. 7.3. 7.4. 7.5. 7.6. 7.7. 7.8. 7.9. Report directly to the Chief Legislator. Enforce orders of the LA when such duty devolves upon them. Record the minutes of each session of the LA and all meetings of the LA Inner Circle. Call the roll of the members of the LA before the opening of the session. Note all questions in order with the decisions thereon. Complete, within five days after the close of the session, the printing and distribution of the minutes for the said session to the members of the LA. Provide each LA Committee a copy of the outline of the minutes for filing and reference. Take charge in counting and recounting the votes or ballots. Perform other functions as deemed necessary by the Chief Legislator or the LA.
Section 8.
The LA Representatives shall, during the first session, elect among themselves a Majority Floor Leader and a Minority Floor Leader. 8.1. The Majority Floor Leader shall consolidate the arguments and positions in a specific issue or resolution of the majority of the body. He/She shall serve as the spokesperson of the majority side. In case of conflict of interest, he/she may appoint anyone from the majority side to assume the position but may not vacate his/her position as part of the majority, except for meritorious cases to be decided by the Chief Legislator. He/She may call separate meetings outside the LA sessions to convene the majority side. The Minority Floor Leader shall consolidate the arguments and positions in a specific issue or resolution of the minority of the body. He/She shall serve as the spokesperson of the minority side. In case of conflict of interest, he/she may appoint anyone from the minority side to assume the position but may not vacate his/her position as part of the minority, except for meritorious cases to be decided by the Chief Legislator. He/She may call separate meetings outside the LA sessions to convene the minority side.
8.2.
The members of the LA shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings. The LA shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members.
Section 11.
Decisions made in the absence of the quorum shall not be binding, unless such are made in the context of an implied quorum. 11.1. 11.2. 11.3. Implied quorum shall only be decided through a 100% vote of the members present, which is composed of at least majority (50%+1) of the members of the LA, including at least one representative per floor. Decision made during an implied quorum can be reached through a majority vote and shall remain final unless no member of the body challenges the decision in the succeeding sessions or meetings. Decisions made during an implied quorum, which were reached through a 100% vote, shall be considered final.
Section 12.
Resolutions shall be passed by a majority vote (50% + 1) of the LA Representatives present in the session, with the exception of resolutions which seek to amend this Constitution which requires a twothirds vote of the members of the LA. Resolutions passed by the LA shall be final and binding. However, if the EXECOM does not concur though a two-thirds vote of its members, the EXECOM may ask for reconsideration and return the same with objections to the LA immediately on its next session. In the event that the LA retains the original decision by a majority vote of LA Representatives present, the resolution is executory. All rulings announced by the Chief Legislator shall be final unless reversed through a motion to appeal to the Chief Legislators rulings by any member of the LA. Such reversal shall require a two-thirds vote of the members of the LA to be carried.
Section 13.
Section 14.
Article XV THE LA COMMITTEES Section 1. Section 2. The LA Committees shall be formed to address specific tasks and functions and ensure that specialized issues and concerns are adequately addressed by the LA. The LA Representatives shall be appointed to LA Committees and shall be limited to membership to only one LA Committee. The Chief Legislator shall assign the LA Representatives to the LA Committees in reference to, but not entirely based upon, the top three choices of each LA Representative and in a manner that he/she deems necessary. Each LA Committee shall have a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson and a Secretary, all of whom shall be elected from among and by the members of the committee. The members shall determine the manner of election thereof. The LA Committee Chairpersons shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. 4.4. 4.5. 4.6. 4.7. 4.8. Section 5. Report directly to the Chief Legislator. Preside over the meetings of their respective LA Committees. Participate in the meetings of the LA Inner Circle. Administer the overall operations of their respective committees. Report to the LA Inner Circle actions on resolutions referred to their committees. Appoint committee members to sub-committees as well as delegate committee tasks to committee members, whenever necessary. Consolidate the committee members on matters pertinent to the LA and in their attendance to LA sessions. Perform other functions as deemed necessary by the Chief Legislator and the LA.
Section 3.
Section 4.
The LA Committee Vice Chairpersons shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 5.1. 5.2. 5.3. 5.4. 5.5. Report directly to the LA Committee Chairperson. Assume the powers and responsibilities of the LA Committee Chairperson in his/her incapacity or absence. Supervise the LA Committee researches. Assist the LA Committee Chairperson in supervising the operation of the LA Committee. Perform other functions deemed necessary by the LA Chairperson or as prescribed within the rules of their respective committees.
Section 6.
The LA Committee Secretary shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 6.1. 6.2. 6.3. 6.4. 6.5. 6.6. 6.7. Report directly to the LA Committee Chairperson. Record the minutes of the LA Committee meetings and provide copies to committee members. Organize and compile all documents pertinent to the LA Committee. Be in charge of all logistical work of the LA Committee. Be responsible for drafting and submission of periodic reports to the Chief Legislator. Inform members of the LA Committee meetings two days prior to the scheduled date of the meeting. Perform other functions deemed necessary by the LA Committee Chairperson or as prescribed within the rules of their respective committees.
Section 7.
The members of the LA Committees shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities, other than those stated in Article XIV Section 5 of this Constitution: 7.1. 7.2. 7.3. 7.4. Report directly to the LA Committee Chairperson. Be present and participate actively in all LA Committee meetings. Aid the LA Committee Vice Chairperson in committee researches. Perform other functions deemed necessary by the LA Committee Chairperson or as prescribed within the rules of their respective committees.
Section 8.
The members of the LA Committees shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings.
Any member of the LA Committees may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The LA Committees shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members. A final decision must be reached via a majority (50% + 1) of those present. Decisions made outside this provision are tentative and unofficial until majority of the LA Committee members are informed and have agreed. Article XVI THE LA INNER CIRCLE
The LA Inner Circle, which shall hereinafter be referred to as LA-IC, shall be vested with the administrative power of the LA. The LA-IC shall be composed of the: 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. Chief Legislator. Majority Floor Leader. Minority Floor Leader. All LA Committee Chairpersons. Legislative Secretariat.
Section 3.
The LA-IC shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. Discuss and decide on matters relating to the administration of the LA. Receive reports from LA Committees on resolutions referred to it and on the performance of the committee and its members. Discuss and decide on matters relating to the rules and procedures to be used in the consideration on the floor of resolutions reported to it, such as time limit for the debates, rules on germaneness and amendments, etc. Calendar resolutions reported by the LA Committees for consideration. Outline the agenda of all LA sessions.
Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8.
All rulings by the LA-IC on matters pertaining to the administration of the LA may be overturned by a two-thirds vote of the total membership of the LA. The members of the LA-IC shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings. Any member of the LA-IC may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The LA-IC shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members. A final decision must be reached via a majority (50% + 1) of those present. Decisions made outside this provision are tentative and unofficial until majority of the LA-IC members are informed and have agreed. Article XVII THE COLLEGE LEGISLATIVE BOARD
The College Legislative Board, which shall hereinafter be referred to as the CLB, shall be an aid to the CSG and shall act as the highest policy-making body of the CSG. The CLB shall be composed of: 2.1. All LA Representatives of the college.
Section 3.
The CLB shall concern itself with discussing and deciding on the following matters: 3.1. Integral policies, existing operations, projects and programs of the college.
3.2. 3.3. 3.4. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8.
Resolutions of curricular and extra-curricular matters which are college-wide or batch-wide, as may be necessary, in scope. Representation of administrative and non-administrative units and committees requiring such within the college. Creation of standing and ad hoc committees for the college whose functions shall be determined by the body.
Resolutions shall be approved by the CLB in quorum during regular and/or emergency LA Sessions in the presence of other LA representatives that together with the CLB, also constitute a quorum in the LA. Resolutions approved by the CLB may be subject to the approval of the LA as deemed necessary through a two-thirds vote of the LA representatives present. The members of the CLB shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings. Any member of the CLB may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The CLB shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members.
Section 9.
A final decision must be reached via a two-thirds vote of the total number of LA representatives that constitute the CLB. Decisions made outside this provision are tentative and unofficial until two-thirds of the CLB members are informed and have agreed in accordance with Section 4 of this article. Article XVIII THE JUDICIARY
Section 1.
The Judiciary shall be the sole body to be vested with judicial power. Judicial power includes the duty of the Judiciary to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable and to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the USG. The Judiciary shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. The Judiciary shall be composed of the: 2.1. 2.2. Chief Magistrate. Six Magistrates.
Section 2.
Section 3.
The Judiciary shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. 3.7. 3.8. 3.9. 3.10. To sit en banc, hear, try and resolve, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, within three weeks any complaint involving the constitutionality, legality or jurisdiction of the acts, policies and resolutions of USG officers. To summon, order the investigation of suspension and impeach or recall USG officers. To reprimand or cite in contempt any USG officer or unit. To review and assess appointments by the officers of the USG. To review and approve the budget allocation of the USG, as presented by the Executive Treasurer. To confirm all Commissioners of the Commission on Elections and Commission on Audit approved by the Legislative Assembly. To appoint its Counsel Officers and Student Consultants number shall be determined by the Judiciary. To draft and adopt a Complaint and Impeachment Code. To draft and adopt its own Rules of Internal Governance including its own Rules of Court. To conduct impeachment trials for any USG officer who is subject of an impeachment complaint.
Section 4.
The LA shall prescribe the qualifications of the Magistrates
Section 5.
The Magistrates shall be duly appointed by a group of representatives from both the outgoing members of the EXECOM and the Judiciary where in both groups should constitute a quorum. The number of appointed Magistrates shall be the number of undergraduate colleges, such that each college is represented. The completion of appointment of all Magistrates shall be at most a month after the General Elections. The term of the Magistrates shall commence right the completion of appointment. A magistrate may hold office for more than one school year given that he/she will undergo reapplication provided that he/she has at least three terms remaining. A quorum of elected University Student Government officers, to be chaired by the President, shall be devoted to elect a Chief Magistrate. Such election shall be done at most one week after the completion of appointment of the Magistrates.
Section 9.
The Chief Magistrate shall preside over all proceedings and shall be the spokesperson of the Judiciary. In his/her absence or incapacity, he/she may appoint a replacement among the members of the Judiciary. Any Magistrate who has committed his/her third unexcused absence from its sessions shall automatically be investigated for impeachment. The Magistrates shall determine the frequency and the time of their meetings.
Any Magistrate may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. The Judiciary shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members, except on impeachment proceedings which require complete attendance. Cases concerning violations of any USG officer of this constitution and its bylaws shall be heard and decided upon by a magistrate from the college to which the accused belongs. Decisions made by a sole magistrate can be subject to appeal provided that new evidences and/or points supporting the case of the accused are found. Such appeal process shall be provided for in the Rules of Court. Article XIX CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
COMMON PROVISIONS Section 1. There shall be three independent Constitutional Commissions that shall report directly to the Judiciary: 1.1. 1.2. 1.3. Section 2. Section 3. Section 4. Commission on Elections. Commission on Audit. Student Advisors
The LA shall prescribe the qualifications of the Commissioners of the Commission on Elections and the Commission on Audit. The Commissioners shall be appointed and approved by their respective College Legislative Board and shall be presented to the Judiciary for confirmation. The completion of appointment, approval and confirmation of all Commissioners shall be at most a month after the General Elections. The term of the Commissioners shall commence right the confirmation of all the Commissioners of each Constitutional Commission. The Commissioners shall hold office for one complete school year, beginning in the first trimester and ending in the third trimester.
Section 5.
All Commissioners shall be prohibited from appointed position/s in any USG unit. The Commissioners of each Constitutional Commission shall elect among themselves a Chairperson, a Vice Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. They shall also be given the prerogative to recruit members who shall help them in discharging their functions. The Chairperson of each Constitutional Commission shall preside over all proceedings and shall be the spokesperson of his/her respective Constitutional Commission. The Commissioners of each Constitutional Commission shall determine the frequency and the ti me of their meetings. Any Commissioner of each Constitutional Commission may call special meetings if he/she deemed it necessary. Each Constitutional Commission shall constitute a quorum of no less than two-thirds of its members. A final decision must be reached via a majority (50% + 1) of those present. Decisions made outside this provision are tentative and unofficial until majority of the members of each Constitutional Commission are informed and have agreed.
COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS Section 13. Section 14. Section 15. The Commission on Elections, which shall hereinafter be referred to as COMELEC, shall decide on all electoral exercises within the University. The COMELEC shall be composed of (14) fourteen commissioners, no more than (2) two from each of the (6) six colleges and no more than (2) two from the School of Economics. The COMELEC shall have the following powers, duties and responsibilities: 15.1. 15.2. 15.3. 15.4. 15.5. 15.6. 15.7. Section 16. To adopt and uphold the Election Code passed by the LA. To serve as the steering committee for the USG elections. To certify qualifications of candidates. To penalize or disqualify candidates and/or political parties who violate the Election Code. To educate voters on the voting process to be used in the USG elections. To encourage students to vote. To enforce and administer all rules and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum and recall.
The decision of the COMELEC on all electoral practices shall be considered final unless appealed in the Judicial department.
COMMISSION ON AUDIT Section 20 The Commission on Audit, which shall hereinafter be referred to as COA, shall be composed of a chairman and two commissioners, who shall be legitimate students of DLSU, and at the time of their appointment, has at least one year of tenure in DLSU, and must not have been candidates for any position in the election preceding their appointment. The Chairman and the Commissioners shall be appointed by the President with consent of the EXECOM, Chief Legislator and Chief Magistrate, for three consecutive terms without reappointment. In cases of early vacancy, the President with consent of the EXECOM, Chief Legislator and Chief Magistrate must appoint a new commissioner who will serve the unexpired term of the commissioner preceding his appointment. The Commission on audit shall have the power, authority, and duty to examine and audit all accounts
Section 21 Section 22
Section 23
pertaining to the revenue and receipts of, and to the expenses and disbursements of every USG unit Section 24 Section 25 Section 26 Section 27 Section 28 The Commission on Audit shall create a COA Manual to be approved by the Legislative Assembly The COA Chairman shall have 1 year experience of being an auditor in the Office of the Treasurer. The Commission on audit has the responsibility of filing a complaint to the USG-SC or to lower courts, whichever is deemed necessary, against any USG official accused to be misappropriating fund. The COA shall create their own structure relevant to their operations. The Commission on Audit shall submit trimestral COA reports to the President, Chief Legislator and Chief Magistrate.
STUDENT ADVISORS
Section 29 Section 30 Section 31
The Student Advisors are students, who shall be bona fide students of DLSU qualified to assists students who are subject to disciplinary cases and students who are filing grievance cases. The Student Advisors shall be headed by the Chief Magistrates.
The potential applicants of Student Advisors shall be referred by the Student Discipline Formation Office (SDFO) to the Judiciary where they will be intensively trained to handle discipline and grievance cases.
Section 32
The recruitment for Student Advisors shall be done every first trimester and third trimester of the academic year.
Article XX ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT
All USG elected officers may be removed from office, on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violations of this Constitution and betrayal of public trust. The following may be grounds for impeachment: 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. Any willful violation of this Constitution and its bylaws. Gross negligence of duty. Illegal disbursement of funds. Any behavior which undermines the integrity of the USG. Any other forms of gross misconduct as provided by the USG policies.
Any student or officer of the USG may file a resolution of impeachment against any USG officer. The resolution must be addressed to the Chief Magistrate. The policies on impeachment shall be as follows: 4.1. The Judiciary shall order investigations of cases of impeachment and recall at its own discretion or on the basis of written complaints from any student or officer of the USG within seven regular school days (not including Sundays and holidays). The Judiciary shall then decide whether to initiate impeachment or recall proceedings or not. Should the Judiciary fail to meet this deadline, complaints shall automatically be dismissed. The Judiciary shall serve notice of impeachment or recall to the official/s concerned at least four days before the set hearing date. Any USG officer must take a leave of absence once notice of impeachment or recall is served to him/her. All matters of impeachment and recall shall be heard and tried with all the Magistrates in attendance. Decisions on impeachment shall be made upon two-thirds vote of the Judiciary. The Judiciary shall impose the necessary sanctions. All decisions of the Judiciary on matters of
4.2.
4.3.
4.4.
impeachment and recall are final and executory, except for meritorious cases. 4.5. Should any Magistrate be the subjected to an impeachment complaint, he/she must take a leave of absence before any investigation on the complaint is conducted. He/She shall be temporarily replaced within twenty-four hours by a prosecuting officer of his/her choice. A special body, chaired by the President, with five unconfirmed impartial appointees from the students, shall initiate impeachment proceedings on the Magistrate/s concerned. It shall resolve the matter unanimously within three weeks. Article XXI THE COUNCIL OF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS Section 1. The Council of Student Organizations, which shall hereinafter be referred to as CSO, shall be the union of all the duly accredited organizations in the University. The CSO shall create and maintain conditions and opportunities for the full realization of the organizations goals. It shall deliver quality servi ces and activities and develop proactive and dynamic leaders. The CSO shall be an autonomous body that may work closely in coordination, in the principle of synergy, with the Vice President for Internal Affairs. The CSO shall: 3.1. 3.2. Section 4. Adhere to the policies of cooperation and harmonious relations with all the units of the USG. Be responsible for its member organizations and be answerable to the student body, subject to agreements entered into by the CSO and its member organizations.
The CSO shall have the right to: 4.1. 4.2. 4.3. Operate on its own with regards to CSO-related matters. Implement full decision-making capability on matters concerning its member organizations. Draft its own by-laws to guide its operations and policies subject to the consultation and approval of the Council Body and in reference to the policies of the USG.
The policy-making body of the CSO shall be the Council Body composed of all the existing organizations. A student organization shall be recognized for membership in CSO subject to the policies of the Aspiring Organizations Accreditation Committee (AOAC). The CSO as a body shall not be empowered to make stands on national and University issues but individual organizations may do so. CSO as a body, however, upon a unanimous decision, may take stands on University issues affecting the interests of the member organizations upon the discretion of the CSO Executive Board. The CSO and its member organizations are prohibited from endorsing any political party or candidate for the USG Elections. Article XXII CONVENTION OF LEADERS
Section 8.
Section 1.
The Convention of Leaders, which shall hereinafter be referred to as COLE, shall serve as an advisory body to the President and shall serve as the avenue between the University Student Government (USG) and the organizations, without any executive or legislative functions. The COLE shall be composed of the: 2.1. 2.2. 2.3. 2.4. 2.5. All members of the EXECOM. Chief Legislator. Chief Magistrate. All Batch Presidents All Batch Vice Presidents
Section 2.
2.6. 2.7. 2.8. 2.9. 2.10. 2.11. 2.12. 2.13. 2.14. Section 3.
All Legislative Assembly Representatives One representative from each recognized student organization. One representative from each unrecognized student organization. One representative from each major student publication. One representative from each support group of administrative unit. One representative from each cultural arts group. One representative from each athletic and varsity team. One representative from each other student organization or unit not listed. Immediate past members of the USG EB.
The COLE shall serve as a venue where: 3.1. 3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. 3.6. The student leaders can suggest projects, programs and actions to the USG regarding national, sectoral and University-wide and academic-related issues. The USG leaders can gather feedback on the projects, programs and actions being undertaken by the USG and other organizations. The student leaders can assess the performance of the USG and recommend necessary steps to further attain its objectives Information regarding the USG affairs can be updated, discussed and disseminated directly from the respective representatives from the three branches of the USG to the student leaders. Propose necessary solutions and activities to issues that may be best discussed by the COLE. Other functions as deemed necessary by the President.
Section 4.
The COLE shall convene at least once a term, during the time that the President finds most convenient for most of the members. The President may have the prerogative to call emergency meetings at times which warrant the immediate advice of the COLE. Article XXIII DLSU SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX GOVERNMENT
Section 1. Preamble. With the need to integrate the Student Council of De La Salle Canlubang (now De La Salle University Science and Technology Complex) and the University Student Government of De La Salle University, we do hereby establish a pro tempore Student Government in De La Salle University Science and Technology Complex following the principles of our own constitution. Section 2. Title and Jurisdiction. The DLSU Science and Technology Complex (DLSU-STC) Student Government, which shall take the place of the former De La Salle Canlubang College Student Council, shall be established pro tempore under this Constitution, and shall be known as the Science and Technology Complex Government, which shall hereinafter be referred to as the STCG. 2.1. The principal seat of the STCG shall be in De La Salle Canlubang, Leandro V. Locsin Campus, Barrio Malamig, Bian Laguna, and shall also be represented in the University Student Government (USG) of De La Salle University (DLSU), 2401 Taft Avenue, Manila. 2.2. The STCG shall be the representative body of all undergraduate college students enrolled in De La Salle University Science and Technology Complex. Section 3. Structure, Duties and Responsibilities. The STCG shall have the same powers, duties, functions and responsibilities as that of a College Government stated in Article XI of the USG Constitution. 3.1. The STCG Executive Board which shall hereinafter be referred to as the STCG-EB shall be composed of the following: 3.1.1. STCG Campus President 3.1.2. All STCG Collegiate Representatives 3.1.3. STCG Legislative Assembly Representative 3.2. The STCG Campus President shall be elected into office by popular vote and shall have the same
powers, duties and responsibilities as that of a College President as defined in Article XI Section 5 of the USG Constitution. 3.3. The STCG Campus President shall be a member of the USG EXECOM and shall enjoy the same privilege and voting powers as that of any member of the said committee. 3.4. The STCG Campus President shall also be a member of the USG Activities Assembly (AA) and shall be required to submit weekly reports in exchange for attendance in AA meetings. 3.5. The STCG Campus President is required to attend AA and EXECOM meetings at least once a month and when deemed necessary by the chair of AA and in the case of EXECOM meetings by the USG President. 3.6. The STCG Collegiate Representatives shall be an elected position voted upon by constituents of his/her respective college in DLSU-STC. 3.7. The STCG Collegiate Representatives shall have the same powers, duties and responsibilities as that of a Batch President stated in Article XII Sections 5 and 6 of the USG Constitution. 3.8. The STCG Collegiate Representatives shall also be a member of the USG AA and shall function similarly as stated in Section 3.2 of this article. 3.9. The STCG Collegiate Representatives shall be an ex officio member of their respective College Governments in De La Salle University Taft Campus and shall have the same privilege as any other member of the said college. 3.10. The STCG Collegiate Representatives shall also be required to attend AA at least once a month and when deemed necessary by the chair of AA. 3.11. The STCG shall have two (2) elected Legislative Assembly Representatives which shall hereinafter be referred to as STCG-LA, and shall have the same powers, duties and responsibilities of a Legislative Assembly Representative as stated in Article XIV, Section 5 of the USG Constitution. 3.11.1. The STCG-LA shall submit all of its approved resolutions and term-end performance report to the Chief Legislator. 3.11.2. The Chief Legislator shall have the power to convene an en banc LA session as deemed necessary to discuss resolutions approved by the STCG-LA. 3.11.3. The STCG-LA shall have the special power of amending this document and propose resolutions. 3.11.4. The STCG-LA shall serve seats as members of the USG Legislative Assembly but whose attendance is not required but may be called upon by the Chief Legislator as deemed necessary. They shall also have voting powers on resolutions submitted in the Legislative Assembly provided that they are present at the LA session discussing the resolutions. 3.11.5. The STCG-LA shall be required to attend en banc LA sessions once a month as declared by the Chief Legislator and must be notified at least (3) days before the session. 3.11.6. During en banc sessions, STCG-LA approved resolutions chosen by the Chief Legislator shall be included in the agenda and may be re-approved by the entire Legislative Assembly as deemed necessary. 3.12. The STCG shall also have one appointed Magistrate which shall hereinafter be referred to as STCGMagistrate and shall be part of the Judiciary with the same powers, duties and responsibilities as stated in Article XVIII, Section 3 of the USG Constitution. He/she shall report directly to the Chief Magistrate. His/Her attendance in Judiciary en banc sessions shall be required as deemed necessary by the Chief Magistrate.
Section 4. General Provisions. The STCG and all its governing members shall have the equal rights to serve seats in all University-wide, college-wide and batch-wide assemblies and may be appointed positions on the said committees as deemed necessary by the USG-EXECOM, AA and/or the USG President. 4.1. The STCG shall be required to follow all other provisions stated in the USG Constitution, its supplementary guidelines, USG Code of Conduct and any other laws and policies that are of relevance to the body. 4.2. The STCG shall have and exercise similar rights as stated in the USG Bill of Rights, Students Charter and other laws of the land. 4.3. All elected positions of the STCG shall be voted upon by their respective constituents during the USG General Elections conducted on the third term of each academic year. 4.4. Impeachment cases submitted against STCG elected officers shall be tried and heard by the STCG-Magistrate and/or the Magistrates en banc as deemed necessary by the Chief Magistrate. Section 5. Amendments. Any amendments made to this document may be proposed by any Legislative Assembly Representative, STCGLA or the STCG-EB through a resolution that shall be subject to the approval of the Legislative Assembly. 5.1. Amendments made by the STCG-EB must be sponsored and authored by an LA Representative and/or by the STCG-LA. 5.2. Amendments proposed to this document will be voted upon by a majority vote of the Legislative Assembly through an en banc session with the STCG-LA. Section 6. Separability Clause. If any provision of this document is declared invalid, the remainder thereof not affected thereby shall continue in full force and effect. Section 7. Effectivity. Established as a pro tempore government, the STCG shall take effect on the first term of the academic year and elections shall be conducted Third Term of Academic Year 2012-2013 following the approval of the Legislative Assembly and shall be subject to changes as deemed fit through resolutions as stated in Article IV of this document. The effectivity of the STCG shall run for two years and shall be subject to amendments on the end of two years following the growth of the population of the campus even before the opening for revisions of the USG Constitution. Article XXIV ELECTIONS Section 1. The elections of the USG officers shall be held every third trimester of the preceding school year, with the exception of the election of incoming freshmen officers, which shall be held during the first trimester of the school year. USG officers shall be elected by the plurality of all votes cast. Protest of a majority (50% + 1) against any officer by his/her constituent population shall render the election of such an officer invalid. The qualifications to be a candidate for the USG elections shall be provided by the Election Code. The members of the EB shall be voted into office by the members of the entire student body. The College Presidents shall be voted into office by the members of their respective colleges. The Batch Presidents, Batch Vice Presidents, and the LA Representatives shall be voted into office by the members of their respective batches in their respective colleges.
The COMELEC shall call a special election within the first four weeks of the first trimester of the school year for vacancies arising from the disqualification of candidates. The term of the USG officers shall begin on the last day of the preceding school year and end on the last day of the same school year. Article XXV VACANCIES
The LA shall decide on actions required for vacancies in the USG following a special session. In case of incapacity in the discharge of duties, removal from office or resignation of the President, the Vice President for Internal Affairs shall take the position of the President while maintaining his/her functions and powers as Vice President for Internal Affairs until the necessary appointment is made. In case of incapacity in the discharge of duties, removal from office or resignation of the President and the Vice President for Internal Affairs, the Vice President for External Affairs shall take the position of the President while maintaining his/her functions and powers as Vice President for External Affairs until the necessary appointment is made. In case of incapacity in the discharge of duties, removal from office or resignation of any Executive Committee member excluding the USG President, the USG President shall endorse a USG officer excluding the Judiciary department, and the LA shall decide on the endorsement of the USG officer into position. In case of incapacity in the discharge of duties, removal from office or resignation of the Batch President, the Batch Vice President shall take the position of the Batch President while maintaining his/her functions and powers as Batch Vice President until the necessary appointment is made. In case of incapacity in the discharge of duties, removal from office or resignation of a Batch VicePresident or LA Representative, the College President shall decide on what action/s to take in such circumstance, upon confirmation of the LA. Resignation shall only be valid if it concerns health, academics, among others, subject to the approval of the LA. There shall be no leave of absence from the USG duties, except for the case of incumbent USG officers seeking to run for office in the next general elections. Such officers are, however, required to resume their original posts and complete the term of their original office after election. Article XXVI GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 3.
Section 4.
Section 5.
Section 6.
Section 7.
The results of all referenda and plebiscites not provided herein shall be valid upon a majority turnout of voters. All incumbent COMELEC Commissioners shall remain in office until after the newly appointed Magistrates assume their office. Article XXVII AMENDMENTS Any amendment or revision of this Constitution may be proposed by the students or representative through an initiative upon a vote of at least two-thirds of the members of the LA and after complying with the prescribed period indicated in Section 3 of this article; unless such amendment shall be made on Article XXIII wherein it shall follow the provisions set forth on section 5 of that article. Any amendment or revision of this Constitution under Section 1 hereof shall be valid only when ratified by a majority of all votes cast in a plebiscite. No amendment or revision of this Constitution shall be authorized within three years following the ratification of this Constitution.
Section 1.
Article XXVIII TRANSITORY PROVISIONS Section 1. Section 2. All existing resolutions, codes, Rules of Internal Governance and policies consistent with this Constitution shall remain operative until amended, repealed or revoked. The term of incumbent officers shall be extended until such time that matters pertaining to their term of office require representation of the studentry. Article XXIX SEPARABILITY CLAUSE If any provision of this Constitution is declared invalid, the remainder thereof not affected thereby shall continue in full force and effect. Article XXX EFFECTIVITY This Constitution shall take effect the school year following the ratification by a majority of fifty percent plus one votes cast by the members of the USG at a plebiscite called for by this purpose and shall supersede all previous constitutions.
SUPPLEMENTARY GUIDELINES1
Resignation Guideline (Resolution 2012-20) Presidential Pardon Guideline (Resolution 2009-12) Magistrate Jurisdiction Guidelines (Resolution 2009-15) Judiciary Impeachment Guidelines ( Resolution 2009-24) Qualification and Application Process of Magistrate (Resolution 2009-29) Qualifications for COMELEC and COA commissioners (Resolution 2009-31) Qualifications for Prosecuting and Investigating Officers (As amended by Resolution 2012-57)
The Supplementary Guidelines section are those approved and passed by the Legislative Assembly through a resolution in order to guide the current USG and any other people in interpreting certain provisions of the constitution as it may be vague or confusing on the part of the reader. Therefore those provisions included in the Supplementary Guidelines are not part of the USG Constitution and can be amended any time as the current Legislative Assembly deemed necessary, however they should follow the amendment clause, if any, indicated therein by the Legislative Assembly who created and approved such guideline. If there is none then it could be amended, modified, repealed or abolished by majority vote of the Legislative Assembly in one of its session (Au, 2012).
1
RESIGNATION GUIDELINES Section 1. Definition of Terms 1.1 Resignation shall be defined as the formal and permanent withdrawal from a given position. 1.2 Vacating Officer shall be defined as the elected officer filing for resignation. 1.3 Replacement Officer shall be defined as one who is appointed to succeed the vacating officer in his or her previous position/s in the University Student Government. 1.4 Public Announcement is defined as a statement, both in softcopy and hardcopy, posted and disseminated to the members of the USG and the entire studentry through the Executive Secretary. 1.4.1 Softcopies of public announcements are in the form of online publicity materials uploaded, disseminated and shared in social networking sites. 1.4.2 Hardcopies of public announcements are in the form of printed publicity materials posted in the appropriate bulletin boards and published in the newspapers of the official publications within the premises of the University. 1.5 Reasonable Cause is defined as a reason within the bounds of those stipulated in Article XXIV, Section 5 of the USG Constitution. Section 2. Filing for Resignation 2.1 Communing of Resignation 2.1.1 The vacating officer shall commune his formal intention to resign through written communication. 2.1.1.1 A letter should be addressed to the University Student Government President, Executive Secretary, Chief Legislator and Chief Magistrate, and should contain: 2.1.1.1.1 Reasonable cause of resignation 2.1.1.1.2 Position/s to be vacated (both as elected and as appointed in LA Committees, AA Committees, CURE Committees, etc.) 2.1.1.1.3 Officer-in-charge while replacement officer is not yet appointed 2.1.1.1.4 Date when resignation must take effect (for cases where in the vacating officer is leaving the University) 2.1.1.2 Oral communication of intended resignation shall be considered neither formal nor valid for further processing. 2.1.2 Upon receiving the letter of resignation, the Chief Legislator should include the resignation in the agenda of the next LA session. 2.1.3 Once the resignation is approved, the vacating officer shall make his formal act and cause of resignation public by issuing an official statement from his office to be sent out to all USG units and student publications. 2.1.4 The Executive Secretary is then mandated to release a public announcement based on the official statement, identifying the vacating officer, his former position, his cause, his act of resignation, and the status of the replacement within. 2.2 Restrictions of Resignation 2.2.1 It shall be granted upon the sole decision of the Legislative Assembly, unless vetoed by the President. 2.2.2 The replacement officer may or may not accept the position granted by the Legislative Assembly. 2.2.3 The replacement officer, upon acceptance of the vacated position of the elected, automatically assumes
a seat in committees in which the vacating officer was appointed, but is not entitled to the previous position held by the vacating officer within the committee, if any. 2.2.4 The resignation may no longer be revoked once granted. Section 3. The Replacement Officer 3.1 The Replacement Officer should be a bona fide student of De La Salle University. 3.1.1 For a batch level resignation, the Replacement Officer should be from the same college and year level of the Vacating Officer, currently enrolled in any undergraduate degree in the college, and should have completed at least two (2) full terms in the same college with the exception of Replacement Officers for the freshmen level. 3.1.2 For a college level resignation, the Replacement Officer should be from the same college of the Vacating Officer, currently enrolled in any undergraduate degree in the college, and should have completed at least three (3) full terms in the same college and five (5) full terms in the University. 3.1.3 For an executive level resignation, the Replacement Officer should have completed at least five (5) full terms in the University. 3.2 The Replacement Officer should have a CGPA of at least 1.75 upon being appointed the position of the Vacating Officer. 3.3 The Replacement Officer shall not have been placed under any academic probation for the past three (3) terms prior to being appointed the position of the Vacating Officer. 3.4 The Replacement Officer shall not be an Executive Board member or its equivalent in any DLSU duly recognized student organization upon being appointed the position of the Vacating Officer. 3.5 The Replacement Officer should have no more than 15 units of failure for single degree holders and 18 units of failure for double degree holders. 3.6 The Replacement Officer who has committed any major offense may be appointed upon the approval of the Director of the Student Discipline and Formation Office. 3.7 The Replacement Officer shall have at least 12 academic units for the remaining term/s of the academic year unless stated otherwise in the flowchart, not counting audit courses. 3.8 A University Student Government Officer who has been removed from office through the impeachment process shall not be allowed to replace any vacating officer during his/her entire stay in the university. 3.9 A replacement officer should be endorsed to the LA at most two (2) weeks after the filing of resignation of the vacating officer. Section 4. Provisions on Replacement 4.1 The Legislative Assembly is the sole body that shall approve the Replacement Officer in cases of vacancies in the University Student Government. 4.1.1 For the resignation of the President, the Vice President for Internal Affairs shall automatically be the Replacement Officer. He/she will maintain his/her functions and powers as the Vice President for Internal Affairs until the endorsed Replacement Officer for the Office of the Vice President for Internal Affairs has been approved by the LA. 4.1.2 If both President and Vice President for Internal Affairs are vacated, the Vice President for External Affairs shall automatically be the Replacement Officer. He/she will maintain his/her functions and powers as the Vice President for External Affairs until the endorsed Replacement Officer for the Office of the Vice President for External Affairs has been approved by the LA. 4.1.3 For the resignation of any EB member excluding the USG President, the USG President shall endorse a USG officer excluding the Judiciary department, and the LA shall decide on the endorsement of the USG officer into position.
4.1.4 For the resignation of a College President, the USG President will endorse a Replacement Officer whose appointment is subject to the approval of the LA. 4.1.5 For the resignation of a Batch President, the Batch Vice-President will automatically be the Replacement Officer. He/she will maintain his/her functions and powers as the Batch Vice-President until the endorsed Replacement Officer for the Batch Vice-Presidency has been approved by the Legislative Assembly. 4.1.6 For the resignation of a Batch Vice-President or LA Representative, the College President shall decide on what action/s to take in such circumstance, upon confirmation of the LA. 4.2 Once the approval of the Replacement Officer is final, the LA shall make their decision public by issuing an official statement to be sent out to all USG units. 4.3 The Executive Secretary is then mandated to release a public announcement from this official statement, stating the decision of the LA and identifying the Replacement Officer. Section 5. Other Provisions 5.1 The vacating officer is given the option to express his sentiments regarding the resignation publicly through a press conference, but is not granted an exemption from the processes and guidelines stated above should he opt to do so. 5.2 The Officers Monitoring Board (OMB) reserves the option to require the replacement officer to report regularly to OMB so as to closely monitor his performance for the remainder of his term in office. Section 6. Amendments 6.1 Any amendments made to the Resignation Guidelines shall be subject to a two-third vote in the Legislative Assembly. PRESIDENTIAL PARDON GUIDELINES I. Definition of Terms A. Pardon is an action which mitigates or sets aside the punishment for a crime; B. A just cause is a reason deemed rationale by the discretion of the officer granting the pardon; C. Commutation is the replacement of a greater amount by a lesser amount; II. The Presidential Pardon A. Description of the Presidential Pardon i. A presidential pardon shall render the offender free from the sanction/s imposed by the Judiciary; ii. A presidential pardon shall be granted upon the sole decision of the President; iii.A presidential pardon may either be conditional or unconditional: 1. A conditional pardon imposes a condition which can be fulfilled at the moment of imposition on the offender before the pardon takes effect (i.e. commutation of a sanction); 2. An unconditional pardon restores the state of innocence of the offender as though he/she had never committed the crime upon declaration of the pardon; B. Requirements for a Presidential Pardon i. A presidential pardon can only be granted upon the Judiciarys declaration of the offender guilty; ii. A presidential pardon shall be of just cause; C. Restrictions on the Presidential Pardon i. A presidential pardon, upon being granted, may or may not be accepted by the offender; ii. A presidential pardon can no longer be revoked once granted; III. The President A. The President shall make his/her formal intention, act, and cause of pardon public to all USG units, student publications, and the studentry by issuing an official statement from his/her office;
B. Upon granting an unconditional pardon, the President shall be responsible for answering to any legal repercussions caused by the pardoned act of the offender; C. Upon granting a conditional pardon, the President shall make his/her condition for pardon public to all USG units and student publications; IV. Other Provisions A. All parties directly concerned by the violation and pardon reserve the option to consult with the President and express his/her opinion publicly regarding the pardon; B. The Officers Monitoring Board reserves the option to monitor the performance of the pardoned USG officer for the remainder of his/her term of office by requiring him/her to report to the Officers Monitoring Board or any USG unit as stated by the Officers Monitoring Board whenever deemed necessary; C. The Office of the President shall be responsible for properly documenting all presidential pardons granted within the term of office of the President.
MAGISTRATE JURISDICTION GUIDELINES

1. Any violation incurred by a non-Executive Board USG officer and non-Executive Board USG appointee except the magistrates shall first be heard, tried and resolved by his or her respective College Magistrate as stated in Article XVIII, Sec. 14 and the Rules of Court. 2. An allotment of three weeks shall be given to the College Magistrate to investigate, decide and resolve the case of the accused USG officer who falls under Guideline 1. 3. The College Magistrate, through the help of the Investigating and Prosecuting Officers appointed by the Judiciary, shall head and supervise the investigation as well as decide the case of the accused within three weeks. 4. Any decision made by the College Magistrate shall be final unless an appeal is made to the whole Judiciary within three (3) school days (a school day is defined as a day that falls from Monday to Friday) after the decision. 5. In line with Article XVIII Section 14, decisions regarding cases under Guideline 1 made by a sole magistrate (College Magistrate) can be subject to appeal provided that new evidences and/or points supporting the case of the accused are found. 6. When a reopening of a case occurs due to Guideline 4, such case shall be heard, tried and resolved by the whole Judiciary in line with its roles and responsibilities as stated in Article XVIII Section 3.1 and the Rules of Court. 7. Should an Executive Board member or Executive Board appointee of the USG violate any part of the constitution or a case which does not fall under Guideline 1 be filed, the whole Judiciary shall immediately hear, try and resolve such case. 8. Any decision made by the Judiciary by a two-thirds vote of the members present shall be final and binding at this point. JUDICIARY IMPEACHMENT GUIDELINE Section 1. Impeachment of any USG Officer 1.1. All USG elected officers may be removed from office, on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violations of this Constitution and betrayal of public trust. (Article XX, Section 1) 1.2. The following may be grounds for impeachment: (Article XX, Section 2) 1.2.1. Any willful violation of this Constitution and its bylaws. 1.2.2. Gross negligence of duty. 1.2.3. Illegal disbursement of funds. 1.2.4. Any behavior which undermines the integrity of the USG. 1.2.5. Any other forms of gross misconduct as provided by the USG policies. Section 2. Procedures in filing an Impeachment Complaint for a non-Judiciary USG officer 2.1. Any student or officer of the USG may file a resolution of impeachment against any USG officer. (Article XX, Section 3) 2.2. The resolution must be addressed to the Chief Magistrate. (Article XX, Section 3) 2.3. Before an investigation can be initiated, all impeachment complaints submitted to the Chief Magistrate shall be subjected to a screening process. All members of the Judiciary will handle the screening process. During the screening process, the Judiciary shall validate the claim in order to determine if an investigation is necessary. (Article XX, Section 4.1) 2.4. The Judiciary shall notify the defendant at least four (4) days before the set hearing date of the
impeachment complaint. Any USG officer must take a leave of absence once the impeachment complaint has been validated and deemed that an investigation is necessary. (Article XX, Section 4.2) 2.5. In the hearing of the impeachment complaint, a two-thirds vote of the magistrates present will serve as the final decision of the Judiciary. (Article XX, Section 4.3) 2.6. The judiciary is the one in charge to impose certain sanctions on the USG officer concerned in which these decisions are final and executory, except for meritorious cases. (Article XX, Section 4.4) Section 3. Impeachment Complaint Guidelines for a Judiciary USG officer: 3.1. In cases where the complaint is filed against a member of the judiciary, the defendant will not participate in the screening process. A prosecuting officer of the defendants choice will temporarily participate in judicial activities in place of the defendant. (Article XX, Section 4.5) 3.2. The prosecuting officer who temporarily replaces the magistrate who filed a leave of absence will have all the powers borne by a magistrate, except voting from the screening process until the impeachment case of the said magistrate has been resolved. 3.3. A two-thirds vote of the members present during the screening process will serve as the final decision of determining whether an investigation is necessary or otherwise. 3.4. A special body, chaired by the President with five unconfirmed impartial appointees from the students, shall initiate impeachment proceeding on the Magistrate/s concerned. It shall resolve the matter unanimously within three weeks. (Article XX, Section 4.5) 3.4.1. The president will select the appointed members of the special body. The Legislative Assembly shall screen selected members before they are admitted to the special body. A two-third vote is required in order to approve the member of the special body. 3.4.2. If the Legislative Assembly disapproved a candidate for the special body, the president shall search for another candidate to be approved by the Legislative Assembly. Section 4. Procedures in the appointment of impartial officers handling the impeachment proceedings of a magistrate 4.1. A special body chaired by the president with five (5) unconfirmed impartial appointees from the students, shall initiate impeachment proceedings on the magistrate/s concerned. (USG Constitution; Article XX, Section4.5) 4.1.1. The President will appoint at least five (5) officers of his/her own choice from the student body. 4.1.2. The Legislative Assembly will handle the screening process and the approval of the five (5) appointed officers by the President. 4.1.3. The Legislative Assembly shall approve the five (5) appointed officers chosen by the President and provided that these individuals satisfactorily undergoes the screening process and interviews prescribed in its qualifications and has passed an examination prepared by the Legislative body. Section 5. Qualifications for an unconfirmed impartial appointee 5.1. He/She is not currently under any academic probation. 5.2. He/She shall not have been a member of any political party as certified by the political party presidents for the duration of his/her stay as a student in the University. 5.3. He/She should be able to work during the hours deemed necessary by the Position. 5.4. He/She must score a grade of at least 65% in the USG constitution exam that was prepared by the Judiciary. 5.5. He/She must undergo the complete USG training handled by the Judiciary right after the approval of the Legislative body. Section 6. Excusing of an impartial appointee in handling an impeachment complaint 6.1. Upon appointment by the Legislative Assembly, an impartial appointee must initiate the impeachment proceeding until a decision is reached 6.2. An impartial appointee may be excused from his/her duties due to the following reasons: 6.2.1. Conflict with academic schedule. 6.2.2. Health reasons that may deter a person from attending any normal human activity. 6.2.3. Other reasons as deemed necessary by the Executive Secretary of the De La Salle University Student Government. 6.3. An impartial appointee who must be excused from his/her duties shall submit a letter to the Judiciary and the Legislative Assembly, which will undergo a deliberation by the Legislative Assembly. 6.4. In case an impartial appointee cannot assume his/her duties during the impeachment proper, the impeachment proceedings will continue without replacing the appointee who is unable to assume his/her role in the impeachment proceedings.
QUALIFICATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS OF MAGISTRATES

QUALIFICATIONS FOR MAGISTRATES 1. The applicant for Magistrates must have gone under the Magistrate Training Program (MTP) provided by the outgoing Judiciary during the application period in order to have sufficient background and knowledge regarding the USG Constitution and specifically his/her role as a Magistrate. 2. The applicant for Magistrates must not have been actively involved in any political party during his/her stay in the university to ensure an unbiased approach in doing his/her duties as a Magistrate. 3. The applicant must be able to serve and perform the duties of a Magistrate of his/her college for one full year. 4. The applicant must have at least 3 terms left during the time of application. 5. The applicant must not hold any EB position in any other organization. 6. The applicant must come from the college he/she wishes to represent. APPLICATION PROCESS 1. The College Assembly Presidents, in coordination with the outgoing Judiciary, shall spearhead the recruitment for Magistrates in their respective colleges during the third term of each academic year. Applicants must submit a standard application form (to be issued by the outgoing Judiciary). The CAPs shall review their application forms (and may also choose to screen these applicants personally) in order to come up with a shortlist of 3 to 5 applicants who shall be selected to undergo the Magistrate Training Program. 2. Shortlisted applicants shall undergo the Magistrate Training Program conducted by the outgoing judiciary. Upon completion of the said course, a test that will be prepared by the outgoing Judiciary shall be taken by the applicants. He/she needs a 70% passing grade in order to get to the final stage of the application process. 3. The applicants must undergo an interview (or any other means of screening deemed necessary by the outgoing EXECOM and Judiciary) with the outgoing EXECOM and Judiciary to ensure the competency of the applicant. After all applicants have been interviewed, the outgoing EXECOM and Judiciary shall, through a majority vote, appoint the 6 college magistrates. 4. Exactly one magistrate per college must be appointed by the end of the application period. A joint EXECOM, AA and LA session, chaired by the President, shall be devoted to elect a Chief Magistrate. Such election shall be done at most one week after the completion of appointment of the Magistrate. (University Student Government Constitution, Art. XVIII, Section 8); 5. In cases where there are no qualified applicants for the position of magistrate for a certain college, or there is a vacancy in the position, the elected Chief Magistrate shall act and handle all cases of that college until the newly-appointed Judiciary is able to appoint one. QUALIFICATIONS FOR COMELEC COMMISSIONERS 1. The applicant for COMELEC Commissioner must not have been actively involved in any political party during his/her stay in the university to ensure an unbiased approach in doing his/her duties as a Constitutional Commissioner. This is certified by a joint written statement/certification from both political party presidents, who in turn, have the option to refuse signing the document in cases where complications arise regarding the applicants affiliation to both parties. 2. The applicant must have served as a COMELEC volunteer for at least one term of election prior to being a commissioner. 3. The applicant must be able to serve and perform the duties of a COMELEC Commissioner of his/her college for one complete year, beginning in the first trimester and ending in the third trimester. 4. The applicant must not hold any appointed and/or elected position/s in any USG unit. 5. The applicant must have at least 3 terms left during the time of application. 6. The applicant must come from the college he/she wishes to represent.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR COA COMMISSIONERS 1. The applicant must be able to serve and perform the duties of a COA Commissioner for one complete year, beginning in the first trimester and ending in the third trimester. 2. The applicant must not hold any appointed and/or elected position/s in any USG unit. 3. The applicant must not have been a candidate for any position in the election preceding his/her appointment. 4. The applicant must have at least 3 terms left during the time of application. 5. The applicant must have basic auditing knowledge to be determined by a screening process to be conducted by the appointing officers in coordination with the outgoing COA commissioner. 6. The COA Chairman shall have 1 year experience of being an auditor in the Office of the Treasurer.
QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROSECUTING AND INVESTIGATING OFFICERS

1. The applicant must not be affiliated or acquainted with anyone involved in the particular case they wish to work on to avoid any biases in executing their roles. 1.1 This will be ensured through a written certification from both defendant and complainant. 1.2. The complainant has the option to refuse signing the document if the officer is proven affiliated with the defendant. 1.3. Neither the defendant nor the complainant is allowed to request any officer to be the prosecuting and investigating officer of a said case. 2. The applicant must have sufficient background and knowledge on the University Student Government and the case he or she is handling which are to be determined by the current Judiciary. 3. The applicant must be able to serve for the entire duration of the case they wish to work on. 3.1. In unavoidable cases where the applicant backs out during the case, the chief magistrate will serve as the replacement officer. 3.2. In cases where the defendant is the chief magistrate, the replacement officer will be determined by the majority vote of the judiciary. 4. The applicant must be willing to temporarily stand as a replacement Magistrate, should he or she be accepted as a prosecuting officer, in cases where any Magistrate is subjected to an impeachment complaint. 5. The applicant for the Prosecuting and Investigating Officers must have stayed in DLSU for at least two terms. 6. The applicant must have served in any branch of the University Student Government for at least a term. 7. The applicant must not be affiliated to any Political Party to avoid biases in the investigation. 7.1. A signed memorandum of agreement between the officer, complainant and defendant must be signed stating that the officer is neutral. 7.2. The applicant must pursue an independent stand and must avoid communicating with any member of any political party during the case. 8. The applicant for the Prosecuting and Investigating Officers must not have any major disciplinary case.

Appendix B3 - 2013 USG Constitution (Unratified With DLSU-STC Government Article)

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Appendix B3 - 2013 USG Constitution (Unratified With DLSU-STC Government Article)

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De La Salle University

Section 4. PURPOSES Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8.

Section 18. Section 19. Section 20.

Section 5. Section 6. Section 7.

Section 1. Section 2. Section 3. Section 4.

Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7.

3.5. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7.

1.5. 1.6. 1.7.

1.8. 1.9. 1.10. 1.11. 1.12. 1.13. 1.14. 1.15. 1.15.

4.9. 4.10. 4.11. 4.12. 4.13. 4.14. Section 5.

3.2. 3.3. 3.4. 3.5. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7.

Section 1. Section 2. Section 3.

5.6. 5.7. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8. Section 9.

Section 1. Section 2. Section 3.

Approval of appointed USG officers for elected positions.

Section 9. Section 10.

Section 9. Section 10. Section 11.

Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8.

3.2. 3.3. 3.4. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6. Section 7. Section 8.

The LA shall prescribe the qualifications of the Magistrates

Section 6. Section 7. Section 8.

Section 10. Section 11.

Section 12. Section 13. Section 14.

Section 8. Section 9. Section 10. Section 11. Section 12.

Section 5. Section 6. Section 7.

Section 2. Section 3. Section 4. Section 5. Section 6.

MAGISTRATE JURISDICTION GUIDELINES

QUALIFICATION AND APPLICATION PROCESS OF MAGISTRATES

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PROSECUTING AND INVESTIGATING OFFICERS

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