2005 XU-CSG CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE
We, the bona fide College Students of Xavier University, with the guidance of the Almighty God,
upholding our inherent right to establish a government that shall embody and preserve our dignity,
common interests and aspirations, following the vision of the University of forming men and women
for others, do hereby ordain and promulgate this constitution.
ARTICLE I. NAME & SEAL
Section 1

The student government established under this constitution shall be known as the
Central Student Government of Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan. For
purposes of tradition and brevity, it shall be referred to as XU-CSG.

Section 2

The Central student Government

acknowledges its roots on three
leadership aspects of Academic
Excellence, Patriotism and Ignatian
Spirituality. The blue background
encircled with dots represents the
harmonious collaboration with the
College Students Councils, which is
the lifeblood of the CSG. The sun
against the blue shield is adopted
from the Philippine flag, which
embodies the nationalistic aim for
sustainable
development
and
peace. The eagle, plume and book
of St. John the Evangelist
characterize the Atenean value for
Academic Excellence. The wolves
and a pot (lobos y olla) on a red-gold-striped background represent the core values
of leadership grounded on the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Superimposed at the
center of the seal is the cross, denoting its regard towards a Christ-centered
governance and open to Inter-religious and cultural dialogue. These altogether are
the guiding principles of the CSG for good governance: Ignatian-based, grounded on
Atenean tenets, Christ-centered and responsive to the needs of the students.
ARTICLE II. CONSTITUENCY

Section 1

All bona fide college students of Xavier University Ateneo de Cagayan are
constituents of the XU CSG; the term constituency shall refer to all students of
Xavier University, both of the graduate and undergraduate colleges.
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Section 2

The XU CSG hall derive its powers from its constituents.

ARTICLE III. DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES & MISSION

Section 1

The XU - CSG shall be the highest seat of student governance of Xavier University. Its
officers shall represent its constituents in all university bodies and other
association, both within and outside of the campus, which directly affect the
students welfare and interests.

Section 2

The XU - CSG shall envision a government that is socially aware and involved,
rooted in a clear grasp of reality and vigilantly responding to the general interest of
its constituents in a dynamic, effective and united effort; a governance that is
founded on the principles of authentic Christian humanism, thereby it shall be a prostudent, pro-people, pro-country, Christ centered and gives due recognition to the
rights of those of other religious denomination. It upholds genuine student
participation and democratic representation in a dialogical, consultative and nonviolent manner.

Section 3

The XU CSG shall pursue for the implementation and enforcement of the Magna
Carta of Students Rights, Responsibilities and Welfare for undergraduate
students of Xavier University.

Section 4

The XU CSG shall initiate to contribute to the development and transformation of

the Philippine Educational System and responds to the needs and issues of society.

Section 5

The XU CSG, in exercise of its powers and jurisdiction, shall foster transparency in
all undertakings at all levels of governance and encourage participation among its
constituents.
ARTICLE IV. JURISDICTION AND COUNCIL AUTONOMY

Section 1

The XUCSG shall represent XU students on matters pertaining to their general

interest and welfare in the areas of:
1.1. Academics
1.2. Students Rights and Services
1.3. Spiritual Formation and Social Development
1.4. Physical Enhancement
1.5. Extra Curricular Affairs

Section 2

The XU-CSG shall formulate a General Plan of Action with which to oversee student
activities concerning the constituency; implementation of these activities shall be
directly handled by the respective CSG Departments and special committees with
the participation of the College Councils and Student Organization.

Section 3

Departments and special committees which shall compose the executive units
may be created to closely monitor and coordinate the activities of the XU-CSG,
College Councils and student organizations.

Section 4

The College Councils shall abide by the constitution of the CSG. They shall initiate
and implement activities in conformity with the needs and objectives of the CSG,
ensuring that the laws are faithfully followed.
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Section 5

The respective College Councils shall maintain their autonomy in areas

concerning:
5.1 Traditional college activities
5.2 Internal functions
5.3 Finances
5.4 Membership

Section 6

The officers and members of each College Council shall maintain powers vested
upon them by their respective charter and consistent with the provisions of this
constitution.

Section 7

The Executive President of the Central Student Government shall exercise general
supervision over local governments, which shall be composed of the College
Councils and Student Organizations.

Section 8

Local government units shall have a just share, as determined by the University
Administration, in the appropriation of funds which shall be automatically
released to them.

Section 9

Legislative bodies for the local governments shall be represented in the Central
Student Government respectively as may be provided by law.

Section 10

No College council, Co-Curricular Organizations may be created, divided,

merged, abolished, or its jurisdiction and autonomy substantially altered,
except with the knowledge and approval of respective College Deans, Chairpersons,
and the Office of Student Affairs, as stipulated in the University Policy.

Section 11

All powers, functions and responsibilities not granted by this Constitution and
its by laws to the autonomous units shall be vested in the Central Student
Government.
ARTICLE V. STRUCTURE

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ARTICLE VI. EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

Executive Level
Section 1

The executive power of the Central Student Government shall be vested in the
Executive Level.

Section 2

The Executive Level shall be composed of the Executive President, Executive Vice
President, and the heads of the Executive Units and Committee Chairpersons.

Section 3

Shall be the highest policy making body of the organization.

Section 4

The Chief Executive of the XU-CSG is the President.

4.1. He/She shall be elected to office at large, provided he/she meets the
requirements mandated by this Constitution.
4.2. As power, the President:
4.2.1. shall act as the official representative of the XU-CSG in its relations
with the administration, the faculty, the public and with any other
organization in and outside the campus.
4.2.2. shall enforce the provisions of this constitution.
4.2.3. shall update the general membership of the status of the XU-CSG
affairs periodically.
4.2.4. shall have the sole authority to approve or veto any enactment, on
valid grounds, no later than 10 days after it has been passed by the
Directorate. A veto may be overridden within five days by a vote of
2/3 of the directorate sitting en banc.
4.2.5. shall be responsible for the implementation, monitoring, and
evaluation of any enactments he/she approves.
4.2.6. shall exercise special powers that are conferred to him/her by the
Directorate, for emergency situations requiring immediate
intervention outside the normal exercise of the presidential powers.
4.2.7. shall appoint, immediately at the start of his/her term, the heads of
the executive units and the Student Rights and Welfare Chief
Commissioner, to be confirmed by the Directorate. The executive
heads and the commissioners shall co-terminate with the President.
Should there be vacancies in the executive departments and the
Students Rights and Welfare Commission the President shall appoint
officers to hold the positions, provided that there is no direct
successor to the said commission or department seats.
4.2.8. shall act as the presiding officer of the executive units and the
constituency during any form of formal gathering it conducts.
4.2.9. shall be a signatory to all transactions, agreements or contracts
entered into by the XU-CSG in behalf of its general membership,
upon the concurrence of at least a simple majority of the members of
the Directorate sitting en banc.
4.2.10. may create Departments at the start of his term which will monitor
and coordinate all plans and policies enacted by the Directorate and
approved by the President.
4.2.11. the President shall appoint an Executive Secretary who:
4.2.11.1. shall derive his/her power solely from the President
4.2.11.2. shall monitor the day to day operations of the CSG
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4.2.11.3. shall facilitate in the formulation of the GPOA of the

Executive Level, composed of the Executive
Department Heads
4.2.11.4. shall enforce all provisions of the Executive Policies
4.2.11.5. may create administrative policies and protocols which
will facilitate the smooth flow of various office
transactions
4.2.11.6. may endorse certain Executive Policies as proposed by
the Department Secretaries and Committee Heads
4.2.12. may appoint a Press Relations Officer, whom shall be responsible
for all the council press releases and/or communications, and shall
be the head of the Information Heads College Councils. He/She may
also represent the council on inside or outside campus activities, as
may be requested, on behalf of the President.
4.2.13. shall appoint a Secretary of the Department of Budget and
Finance or an equivalent in the Executive Units thereof, whom shall
be the custodian of funds of the XU CSG, and shall be the
cosignatory with the President of any financial transactions entered
into by the XU-CSG.
4.3. As responsibility, the President:
4.3.1. shall first submit the guidelines defining the function of the
departments for the directorate to confirm.
4.3.2. shall submit the names of the persons he/she wishes to appoint as
Department Secretaries to the Directorate for confirmation no later
than 15 days after assuming office.
4.3.3. may create committees to respond to certain pressing concerns
that need to be addressed immediately.
Section 5

The Vice-President shall have the second highest seat in the Executive Department.
5.1. He/She shall be elected to office at large, provided he/she meet the
requirements mandated in this Constitution.
5.2. As Power, the Vice President shall:
5.2.1. shall exercise the powers and duties of the President during his
absence, removal, resignation, incapacity or death.
5.2.2. shall begin to convene the Directorate no later than fifteen (15)
days upon assuming office.
5.2.3. shall be the presiding officer of the Directorate in all forms of
formal gathering it conducts.
5.2.4. shall act as the official liaison of the Directorate to the President,
Supreme Constitutional Court and the executive units.

Section 6

The Executive Level shall serve for a term of one year, which shall begin on the
noon of the 31st day of March and shall end at the same date the year after. The
formal turn-over ceremony shall take place within 10 days after the new President
assumes office.
ARTICLE VII. LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
The Directorate

Section 1

The Legislative powers of the Central Student Government shall be vested in the
Directorate.
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Section 2

The Directorate shall be composed of the College Council Presidents, and the
authorized representative of the extra-curricular organizations. Any member
of the Directorate may appoint a proxy to attend any of its proceedings in his/her
absence. Appointment procedures shall be defined further in the charters of each
college councils.

Section 3

Powers and Responsibilities

3.1. shall recognize and respect crucial college Council interests in the
formulation of policies, programs, and strategies that may have bearing on
their constituents or the welfare of the general membership within their
respective councils.
3.2. shall formulate with the CSG President a general plan of action before the
start of the academic year.
3.3. shall pass all Directorate Bills to be enacted and resolved through a simple
majority vote of the members sitting en banc.
3.4. shall be responsible for the appropriation and adjustments of funds to
the executive departments.
3.5. shall be responsible for the direct implementation and monitoring of
provisions in the policy or programs affecting their respective college
councils, in close coordination with the executive units.
3.6. shall exercise special powers individually or as a cluster, delegated to it
by the CSG President for emergency situations requiring intervention
outside the normal exercise of their powers in the Directorate.
3.7. shall be responsible for the confirmation of the appointments of the
heads of the executive units.
3.8. shall appoint an audit commissioner for the incoming CSG administration.
3.9. shall be responsible in conducting all investigations necessary for the
cases of the Directorate.
Investigations shall take place immediately thereafter the receipt of the
complaint and shall present its findings and recommendations in a
written report to the Supreme Constitutional Court no later than fifteen
(15) school days upon the start of the investigation.
The House may conduct a public investigation as it may deem necessary.

Section 4

A legislative secretary shall be appointed by the Convener, subject to the

concurrence of the majority of the Directorate. The Legislative Secretary shall be
responsible in documenting in the journal all the proceedings and other records in
the Directorate and shall also work with the Secretary of Budget and Finance on
Fiscal matters.

Section 5

All Financial records and liquidation reports of the Directorate shall be

preserved and be open to the public in accordance with the law, and such books
shall be audited by the Commission on Audit.

Section 6

Enactments and Directorate Bills

6.1. Every enactment shall be an extension to the law.
6.2. Every bill, to be enacted or resolved, passed by the Directorate shall
embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.

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6.3. Resolutions shall be made to serve purposes of single academic year

tenure while enactments, unless amended, shall be permanent provisions
of the law.
6.4. Every Bill shall be signed by the CSG President for approval. Otherwise,
he/she shall veto it and may be overridden within five (5) days after the
veto by a vote of at least 2/3 of the Directorate, sitting en banc.
If the President fails to sign or communicate his veto within 30 days, the
enactment shall become a law as if it had been signed.
6.5. No bill shall become a enacted unless it passes three readings on
separate days, and printed copies thereof must be distributed to all the
members of the Directorate a day before its passage, except when the
Executive President certifies that it is necessary to expedite the immediate
enactment to meet an emergency.
6.6. A printed copy of the second reading of any bill shall be given to the
Supreme Constitutional Court for review of its constitutionality.
6.7. No bill shall be permitted to be in the third reading unless validated by
the Supreme Constitutional Court.
6.8. Upon the third and final reading of any bill, no amendment thereto shall
be allowed. And the vote, thru yeas and nays and the affixation of
signatures thereon, shall be logged in the journal immediately thereafter.
Enactment and Resolution policies and guidelines shall be determined
further by the Directorate.
Section 7

No law shall be made to increase the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme

Constitutional Court as provided in this charter without the concurrence or its
advice.

Section 8

The heads of the departments may initiate, with the consent of the Executive
President, or upon the request of the Directorate, to appear before and be heard
by the body on any matter pertaining to their departments. Should there be
imminent queries, written questions must be submitted to the Convener at least a
day before the scheduled appearance. The questioning is not limited to the written
questions; interpellations shall be honored as long as it covers matters related
thereto.

Section 9

The members of the Directorate shall serve for a term of one academic year, which
shall begin on the noon of the 31st day of March and shall end at the same date
the year after.
ARTICLE VIII. JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Supreme Constitutional Court

Section 1

The Judicial powers of the Central Student Government shall be vested in one
Supreme Constitutional Court.
Judicial power denotes also the obligation of the court to settle actual controversies
involving student rights which are demandable and enforceable, and to ascertain
whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch of this Student Government as
mandated by the Constitution.
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Section 2

The Supreme Constitutional Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and the
seven (7) Justices of the different College Councils.
2.1. The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the XU-CSG President of the
outgoing administration and subject to the approval of the Directorate.
2.2. The Justices shall be appointed by their respective College Council
Presidents to be approved by their respective Central Committee or its
equivalent.
2.3. The Supreme Constitutional Court shall have a secretary, appointed by
the Chief Justice, and shall keep a record of its proceedings.
2.4. The Supreme Constitutional Court shall have a treasurer, appointed by
the Chief Justice, and shall be responsible over financial records and
liquidation reports.

Section 3

Qualifications
3.1. No person shall be appointed to the Court unless he/she is a bona fide
student of Xavier University for at least two (2) semesters, not a
candidate in any elective position prior to his appointment, and must not be
on academic or disciplinary probation.
3.2. The Chief Justice and the Justices must be of proven capacity, integrity,
probity and independence.

Section 4

Prior to the confirmation of the appointment of the Chief Justice and Justices, they
must be able to pass an exam conducted by the outgoing members of the court
or any member of court of the previous administrations.

Section 5

Powers and Responsibilities

5.1. The Supreme Constitutional Court shall be responsible for the strict
observance of this Constitution in all levels of governance.
5.2. The Court shall enhance, support, and sustain the consciousness and
involvement of the XU students in the promotion and preservation of this
constitution.
5.3. The Court may conduct an independent inquiry on any petition
questioning the validity or constitutionality of any enactment passed by
the Directorate and approved by the President.
The Court must conduct the inquiry within a period of fifteen (15) days,
after which it must furnish a written copy of its findings to the President.
In cases where the Court finds the petition result valid, it shall declare
that the enactment is invalid or unconstitutional and shall require the
Directorate to convene in order to review the enactment in question.
5.4. In cases of appeals, new evidence supporting such must be presented to
the Supreme Constitutional Court before another inquiry may transpire.
All petitions for reconsideration shall be decided within 48 hours from
the receipt of the copy thereof.
5.5. All issues involving the Constitutionality of an enactment, resolution, or
decision shall be required to be heard en banc, and be decided with the
concurrence of a majority of the Justices who took part in the
deliberation on the issue and voted thereon.
5.6. The Chief Justice shall have no voting powers except when there is a tie in
the votes of the members.

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5.7. The Assistant to the Chief Justice, if any, also shall have no voting powers.
He/she shall act and assume the responsibilities of the Chief Justice only
during his or her absence.
Section 6

All Financial Records and Liquidation Reports of the Supreme Constitutional

Court shall be preserved and be open to the public in accordance with the law, and
such books shall be audited by the Commission on Audit.

Section 7

The members of the Judiciary shall serve for a term of one academic year, which
shall begin on the noon of the 31st day of March and shall end at the same date
the year after.
ARTICLE IX. THE COMMISSIONS

Section 1

To perform specific functions as defined by this constitution, the three autonomous

Constitutional Commissions: Electoral Commission, Commission on Audit and
Students Rights and Welfare Commission, are hereby created.

Section 2

Electoral Commission
2.1. Structure and Responsibilities
2.1.1. The Electoral Commission shall enforce and administer all laws and
regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite,
referendum and recall.
2.1.2. The Electoral Commission shall be composed of the Chief
Commissioner, and the seven (7) Deputy Commissioners which are
the ELECOM heads of the different College Councils.
2.1.3. The Electoral Commissioners must not have been a candidate for an
elective position preceding academic year and shall be non-partisan.
2.1.4. The Chief Commissioner shall be appointed by the outgoing
Executive President of the preceding year.
2.1.5. Secretary to the Commission, if any, shall be appointed by the Chief
Commissioner with the concurrence of the members of the
commission.
He/She may act as the official bookkeeper on both financial and
other records of the commission.
2.1.6. The Commission shall exercise exclusive jurisdiction over all
contests relating to the election and qualifications of all elective
officials. The decisions, rulings, or orders of the commission shall be
final. Appeals shall be addressed to the Supreme Constitutional
Court only on the grounds of unconstitutionality and grave abuse
of discretion.
2.1.7. Decide all questions affecting elections, including the determination
of the number and location of polling places, and appointment of
election officials and inspectors as defined by the XU-CSG Election
Code.
2.1.8. Register, after sufficient publication, political parties and
organizations. These parties and/or organizations must present
their platform of governance. No Religious organization, parties
seeking achievement of goals through violence or unlawful means, or
refuse to uphold and adhere to this Constitution, shall be registered.
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Section 3

Commission on Students Rights and Welfare

3.1. Structure and Responsibilities
3.1.1. The Commission on Students Rights and Welfare shall be composed
of the Chief Commissioner, Associate Commissioner(s), and College
Deputy Commissioners.
3.1.2. The Chief Commissioner shall be appointed by the XU-CSG President
with the consent of the Directorate.
3.1.3. The College Deputy Commissioners shall be appointed by their
respective Council Presidents.
3.1.4. The Associate Commissioner(s), if any, shall be appointed by the
Chief Commissioner with the consent of the Directorate
3.1.5. The commission on Students Rights and Welfare shall be
responsible for the pursuance and strict observance of the XU
Magna Carta of Students Rights, Responsibilities, and Welfare
by all parties concerned.
3.1.6. The commission shall enhance, support, and sustain the
consciousness of the XU students of the provisions embraced in the
Magna Carta.
3.1.7. The commission may conduct an independent inquiry on any
complaint on any violation of the Magna Carta. The commission must
conduct the inquiry in a period of fifteen (15) days, after which it
must submit its findings to the president.
In cases where the commission finds the complaint valid, it shall
have the power to declare that such a violation was done and shall
require the CSG President to consult with and seek redress from the
proper university body in addressing the complaint. The reports,
complaints and findings must always be confidential.
In cases of appeals, new evidences supporting such claim must be
presented to the commission before another inquiry may transpire.
3.1.8. The Chief Commissioner shall act as the official liaison officer of the
XU-CSG, with the consent of the XU-CSG President, to any
disciplinary board which affect student rights and welfare.

Section 4

Commission on Audit
4.1. Structure and Responsibilities
4.1.1. The Commission on Audit shall be composed of the XU-CSG Audit
Commissioner and Audit Secretary.
4.1.2. The Commissioner shall be appointed by the outgoing Directorate.
4.1.3. The Audit Secretary, if any, shall be appointed by the XU-CSG Audit
Commissioner with the consent of the Directorate.
4.1.4. The Audit Commissioner and Audit Secretary must not have been a
candidate of or an elective position receding academic year and
shall be non-partisan.
4.1.5. The Commission on Audit shall be responsible for auditing or
validating all financial transactions entered into by the XU-CSG on
a mid-year basis.
4.1.6. The commission shall also coordinate with all student organizations
for a consolidated audit report for the CSG President to act upon.
4.1.7. The commission shall adopt the policies and guidelines promulgated
by the Directorate in the conduct of any audit.
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4.1.8. The Commission on Audit shall have authority to promulgate its own
rules and regulations, create its own techniques or methods for a
transparent accounting and auditing process, and must at all times
adopt the generally accepted accounting principles.
4.1.9. For transparency, the Commission on Audit shall submit a copy of its
financial report to the XU-CSG President, Directorate Convener, and
the Chief Justice. A copy must also be given to the Press Relations
Officer, or its equivalent, to be posted mid-yearly in all the University
information boards for the guidance of its Constituents.
Section 5

The preceding commissions shall maintain & exercise autonomy from the
Executive President and the other offices of the XU-CSG.

Section 6

The Electoral Commission and the Commission on Students Rights and Welfare
shall decide by a simple majority vote of all its members in any case or matter
brought before it within five (5) days from the date of its submission for decision or
resolution.

Section 7

Each Commission en banc may promulgate its own rules concerning pleadings and
practice before it or before any of its offices. However, such rules shall not diminish,
increase, or modify substantive rights.

Section 8

Each Commission shall perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

Section 9

No member of the Commission shall act in a temporary capacity.

ARTICLE X. ELECTORAL PROCESS

Section 1

The conduct of any election, plebiscite, or referendum shall be done in strict

observance of the XU-CSG Election Code.

Section 2

Qualifications
2.1. No person shall be elected to office unless he/she:
2.1.1. is a bona fide regular undergraduate college student of Xavier
University;
2.1.2. is of good moral character and has not been penalized by suspension
in this University or in any other school previously attended;
2.1.3. has established a residency in the university of at least one semester
immediately preceding the semester of the election;
2.1.4. upon assumption of office, he/she must not hold any position in
other student councils or organizations; and
2.1.5. No person shall be elected to office if he/she is on academic
probation on the day of the filing for candidacy.

Section 3

The election for the positions of President and Vice-president must be held no
earlier than two months and no later than one month prior to the end of the regular
school year.
The elections of the college councils and students organization officers must also be
held within this period.

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ARTICLE XI. FISCAL AUTONOMY

Section 1
Section 2

Fiscal Autonomy from the Executive Department shall be granted to the Legislative,
Judicial Departments as well as to the Electoral Commission and the Students
Rights and Welfare Commission.
The Legislative and the Judicial Departments, as co-equal branches of the council,
shall each enjoy two (2) percent allocation of funds from the total CSG budget of
the two semesters respectively or as may be provided by law.

Section 3

The Commission on Students Rights and Welfare, being an independent body, shall
observe fiscal autonomy and enjoy two (2) percent allocation of funds from the
total CSG budget of the two semesters of the whole academic year or as may be
provided by law.

Section 4

The Electoral Commission, being an independent body, shall observe fiscal

autonomy and enjoy five (5) percent allocation of funds from the total CSG budget
of the two semesters of the whole academic year or as may be provided by law.
The appropriation and provision of funds may be adjusted thru an enactment or
resolution, provided that the proposed budget revision shall be not lower than the
allocation of the preceding year.

Section 5

In accordance with the law, the Commission on Audit shall inspect and examine all
financial records and financial reports, as it shall be preserved and be opened to the
public.
ARTICLE XII. ACCOUNTABILITY OF THE OFFICERS

Section 1

XU-CSG officers including its College Council officers must at all times be
accountable to the members, serve them with paramount dependability, honesty,
loyalty, and competency, and do all with justice.

Section 2

The Executive President, the Executive Vice-President, the members of the Supreme
Constitutional Court, the members of the Commissions, the members of the
Directorate, and all the Elected Council officers, may be removed or suspended from
office on the following grounds:
2.1. culpable or willful violation of this constitution;
2.2. gross incompetence
2.3. gross misconduct
2.4. neglect of duty
2.5. malversation of funds
2.6. conduct unbecoming of a student leader
2.7. misrepresentation of duties and responsibilities in any organization or
gathering within and outside the campus
2.8. academic deficiencies acquired in the duration of his/her term
2.9. grave abuse of authority

Section 3

The Directorate shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of
impeachments.

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Section 4

The President, the Vice-President, the members of the Supreme Constitutional

Court, the members of the Commissions and other elected officials shall be
automatically removed from office when suspended twice.

Section 5

The Councils elected officers, the members of its Commissions, Legislative Body,
and Judiciary, shall be under the jurisdiction of their respective Councils
Legislative Body.
Except for the heads of the CSGs Judiciary, Legislative and Constitutional
Commissions, the term member on this section shall refer to the other officers that
belong to the said bodies.

Section 6.

Impeachment/Suspension Process in the CSG and College Council

6.1. Impeachment of any official stated above may be proposed by any individual
or group of individuals to the Directorate.
6.2. The Directorate shall initiate and conduct, within fourteen (14) school
days, any related inquiries for the impeachment case of the said official.
6.3. The Directorate shall submit its findings and recommendations of
dismissal, suspension, or impeachment to the Supreme Constitutional Court.
6.4. Impeachment recommendation of the official shall take effect after the
concurrence of a simple majority of the members of the Supreme
Constitutional Court.
6.5. Impeachment cases shall be decided no more than five (5) days from the
receipt of the findings and recommendations by the Directorate. Failure of
which, the Supreme Constitutional Court must take cognizance of the case
and a proceeding must be conducted within seventy-two (72) hours to
hand out its decision.
6.6. All parties involved shall be given a chance to be heard; evidence shall be
presented for the Court to decide on the merits of the case.
ARTICLE XIII.VACANCIES AND SUCCESSION OF POWERS

Section 1

The term of office of all XU-CSG officials elected and appointed, after the ratification
of this Constitution, shall be one (1) year, starting from the noon of the 31st of
March and shall end at the same date the year after.

Section 2

For purposes of transparency during the turnover of office, the outgoing

administration shall give a copy of its audited financial statement and a record of
office inventory to the incoming administration.

Section 3

In cases of vacancies in the Executive Presidency, the Executive Vice-President

shall assume the position of the Executive President without prejudice to his
responsibilities as Executive Vice-President and presiding officer of the Legislative
Body. The members of the Directorate shall elect among themselves a new convener
whom shall be referred to as Directorate Chairperson.

Section 4

In cases of vacancies in both the Presidency and Vice-presidency, the members

of the Directorate shall assume the functions of the two positions as an Ad Hoc
body, without prejudice to their responsibilities as members of the Directorate and
heads of their respective College Councils. The Ad Hoc Body shall be responsible for
calling a special election for the two positions left vacant.
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Section 5

In cases of vacancies in other elective position(s), unless there are direct

successor(s) in accordance to the hierarchy, the president shall appoint officer(s)
to fill the vacant seat(s). The Directorate may also call for special elections, however
with the approval of the President and the Judiciary.
ARTICLE XIV. AMENDMENTS

Section 1

Any amendments to, or revision of, this constitution may be proposed by the
Directorate or a Constituent Assembly, supported by at least ten percent of the
total student population of Xavier University.
A Constituent Assembly shall compose of representatives from all the College
Councils, who are special delegates to specifically and solely address the
amendment in congress.

Section 2

Any amendments to, or revision of, this constitution shall be valid when ratified in a
plebiscite by a simple majority of the members of the XU - CSG as defined in Section
1 of article III of this Charter; provided, however that at least fifty (50) percent of
its members cast their votes in the plebiscite.
ARTICLE XV. TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

Section 1

This constitution shall become effective upon ratification in a plebiscite by a

simple majority of the votes cast by the members of the CSG as defined in
Section 1 of Article II of this constitution.

Section 2

Upon ratification and approval, this constitution shall supersede any previous
existing constitution of the CSG.

Section 3

Upon ratification and approval, the College Councils shall seek the assistance of the
CSG in reformulating their respective charters with their defined functions, powers
and responsibilities to align with this constitution.

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