THE CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE

COLLEGE STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Cor Jesu College
Sacred Heart Avenue, Digos City
Province of Davao del Sur

PREAMBLE
We, the students of the College Department of Cor Jesu College,
imploring the aid of the Almighty God, in order to establish
a
government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the
common good, unite the studentry, protect and advance students rights
and build a harmonious, just, democratic and compassionate Cor Jesu
Community, do ordain and promulgate this constitution.
ARTICLE I
NAME OF THE ORGANIZATION AND COAT OF ARMS
Section 1. This student government shall be officially called as Cor
Jesu College College Student Government, hereinafter referred to
as CJC-CSG.
Section 2. The office of the College Student Government shall be
located at Cor Jesu College, Sacred Heart Avenue, Digos City,
Davao del Sur.
Section 3. The CJC-CSG shall have an official logo.

CIRCLE symbolizes unity and solidarity

LAUREL LEAVES symbolizes excellence in service
THE SACRED HEART CASTS ITS LIGHT TO THE BOOK implies
knowledge enlightened by the Sacred Heart of Jesus

GAVEL symbolizes authority

SCALE symbolizes justice, love and commitment.

ARTICLE II
MISSION STATEMENT
Section 1. The CJC-CSG, including all duly recognized clubs and
organizations, Constitutional Commissions are hereby
generally committed to:
a.)

Live-out the spirituality of the Sacred Heart of Jesus;

b.)

Be agents of unity within Cor Jesu College Community; and

c.)

Actively participate in all activities catering to the different

interests and skills of the students towards global and
professional competitiveness.

Section 2. The CJC-CSG is specifically committed to:

a.)

Serve as an active force in projecting the sentiments and

interests of the students in particular, to value their
uniqueness and dignity, and in general, to promote the
physical, moral, social and intellectual well-being of the
studentry.

b.)

Provide the studentry with opportunities for a healthy

interaction needed in building a harmonious society by
molding the students to become competent professionals in
the future.

c.)

Safeguard the students welfare in the formulation and

implementation of school policies and the formulation of
guidelines against redress of grievances.

d.)

Uplift the spirituality among students through promoting

spiritual programs.

e.)

Promote justice and love in order to protect students rights

and welfare.

f.)

Foster a true spirit of nationalism and patriotism.

g.)

Foster students love for the environment and fellowmen.

h.)

Promote a cordial working relationship between the studentry

and school administration for the attainment of a healthy
CJC community.

Section 3. The CJC-CSG will serve as a venue to practice good

democratic processes in molding the students to become good
and active leaders in the society.
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Section 4. The CJC-CSG may enter into any partnership, cooperation

or engagement with organizations, external and internal, for
the betterment of the studentry and the student government,
in accordance with the principles and values of the
Institution and the existing policies of this student
government.
Section 5. The CJC-CSG shall uphold its integrity by advocating a
responsible, transparent, just and efficient student
government.
ARTICLE III
ORGANIZATIONAL POWERS
Section 1. The CJC-CSG is an
representative government.

autonomous,

democratic

and

Section 2. The CJC-CSG renounces violence as an instrument for

redress of grievances and adheres to a policy of peace, love and
justice.
Section 3. The prime duty of the CJC-CSG is to protect and preserve
the rights, promote and uphold the common good of the students.
Section 4. The CJC-CSG should be responsive to the needs of the
studentry within its capability.
Section 5. The CJC-CSG is committed to the planning
implementing of a pro-student and pro-people program.

and

Section 6. The CJC-CSG instills a patriotic consciousness and foster

social responsibility among the studentry.
Section 7. The CJC-CSG shall promote student empowerment through
activities that enhance students skills and capabilities to become a
highly competitive individual.
Section 8. The CJC-CSG shall promote activities for the upliftment of
students spiritual life

ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP
Section 1. Membership of CJC-CSG shall be based from the following
grounds:
a. All bona fide college students of the existing divisions of Cor
Jesu College - College Department: Division of Business and
Accountancy (DBA), Teachers Education Division (TED),
Engineering and Technology Division (ETD), Computer Studies
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Division (CSD), Arts and Sciences Division (ASD), Health

Sciences Division
and other division that may be created or
formed by the Institution are members of the College Student
Government. Students shall automatically become members
upon enrollment.
b. The Executive Council is the primary coordinating body of the
studentry.
c. All bona fide students are identified as voting members.
Section 2.Students attendance in every activity spearheaded by the
CJC-CSG is required in the signing of clearance by the student
government or in the Student Services Center. Failure to attend
any activity shall be meted out with reasonable and fair sanctions
as may be provided by law.
Section 3. All elected and appointed officers of the CJC-CSG must at all
times be accountable to students with utmost responsibility,
integrity, transparency and efficiency.
ARTICLE V
BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 1. The students have the right to:
a.) Adequate support for quality education and welfare services and
facilities.
b.) Upholding academic excellence through curricular, cocurricular and extra-curricular activities within the bounds of
the mission, vision and goals of the Institution.
c.) Full expression of their individual and collective views on
institutional policies and matters of general interest.
d.) Invite and listen to persons of their own choice in convocations
and other assemblies organized relative to students and
community affairs.
e.) Accurate information of the purposes, compositions and
functions of the existing bodies of the institution and any other
body organized later that may directly or indirectly affect them.
f.) Accurate information of the college regulations and policies that
may directly or indirectly affect them, and any change of the
above which will be effective only after having been publicized.
g.) Be advised in writing of any change that may lead to any
disciplinary sanctions against them, and to have sufficient time
in preparing for their cases.

h.) Knowledge of the resolutions, decisions, and activities of the

CSG.
i.) Recall representatives from office for any gross violation of the
constitution and by-laws in accordance with Article XIV Section
2 of this Constitution and By-Laws.
j.) Form student organizations subject to the existing rules or
regulations of the school and its mission and vision.
Section 2. No student shall be subjected to exploitation, involuntary
servitude and cruel and unusual punishment.
Section 3. There shall be no ex-post facto rules or regulations.
Section 4. No student shall be subjected to disciplinary actions
without due process of law, nor shall any student be denied equal
protection of the law.
Section 5. Every member of the student government is endowed with
the right to suffrage and to participate in the affairs of the student
government.

ARTICLE VI
STRUCTURE AND OPERATION
Section 1.
(1) The adviser/moderator of the CJC-CSG must have the following
qualifications:
a. A Faculty member/non-teaching staff of the Institution
b. Must have experience in student leadership
(2) The adviser is selected with the concurrence of the two-thirds
vote of all the Members of the Legislative Council during a special
or regular meeting called for such purpose with the approval of the
CSG President.
(3) Adviser of the CJC-CSG can be replaced on the following
grounds:
i. Upon death, resignation, retirement or insanity of the
aforementioned.
ii. Grave abuse of authority, destruction of school
property/facilities and commission criminal acts.
iii. Any other forms of misconduct, which undermine the
dignity and integrity of the CJC-CSG.
iv. Upon the endorsement of the CSG President with the
concurrence of the Legislative Council.
(4)Any council of the CJC-CSG can select or appoint its own
moderator/adviser with the same required qualifications, upon the
discretion of the Council.
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(5) The moderator, in cooperation with the Student Services Center,

is tasked with leading the CSG Management Council in which shall
ensure that the student officers are oriented, and follow protocols,
rules and procedures.
Section 2. The organizational structure of the CJC-CSG as presented
below:

THE COLLEGE STUDENTS

THE COLLEGE STUDENT

GOVERNMENT
LEGISLATIVE
COUNCIL

HOUSE
SPEAKER

ASSOCIATION
OF COLLEGE
CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS

CONSTITUTIONAL
COMMISSIONS

COMMISION
ON AUDIT

COMMISSION
ON
ELECTIONS

EXECUTIVE
COUNCIL

PRESIDENT
VICE PRESIDENT

CABINET
SECRETARIES

DIVISION
REPRESENTATIVES

DIVISION
CHAIRPERSON*

LOCAL
GOVERNMENT
UNITS

COMMISSION
ON
APPOINTMENTS

LOCAL
ASSEMBLY

DIVISION
GOVERNORS
VICE GOVERNORS

BOARD
MEMBERS

DIVISION
SECRETARIES

WORKING
COMMITTEES

CSG MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

CSG
MODERATOR/
ADVISER

DIRECTOR
OF STUDENT
SERVICES

AD HOC
COMMITTEES

SUPREME
COURT

CHIEF
JUSTICE

ASSOCIATE
JUSTICES

a. The students are placed on top, for it is the prime duty of the
CJC-CSG to serve, protect and preserve the rights and promote
and uphold the common good of the students, and the voice
and opinions of the studentry are the bases for the decisionmaking of the CJC-CSG.
b. The CJC-CSG body is composed of three major departments,
namely: the Executive and the Legislative Councils and the
Supreme Court.
Section 2. Members of the CJC-CSG are elected through secret
balloting by the college electorate. Each member shall then be
entitled to one vote provided that he/she is a bona fide student of
CJC-College Department.
Section 3. The selection process for positions is based on the positions
found in the organizational structure of the CJC-CSG.
Furthermore, the officers designated may either be elected or
appointed. As such, positions like the president, vice-president,
cabinet secretaries, governor, vice-governor, representatives and
board members are the ones elected; while the commissioners and
judicial officers are to be appointed by the President with the
express approval of the Commission on Appointments.
Section 4. The time frame for elections and appointments should be
within the academic year. In case of midterm vacancy, the person
holding the next position shall automatically fill in the vacancy.
Section 5. The adviser/moderator appointed by the CJC-CSG officers
shall supervise the activities of the organization. He/she is
expected to devote some of his time for the betterment of the
student government.
ARTICLE VII
EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
Section 1.The executive power shall be vested in the President of the
CJC-CSG.
Section 2. No person may be elected as President unless he /she is a
bona fide college student, a resident for at least four (4) consecutive
semesters in this Institution, have a load of at least 15 units
during the semester when he/she ran for office.
Section 3.There shall be a Vice-President who shall have the same
qualifications, term of office, and manner of election as the
President. He/She may be removed from office in the same
manner as the President. The Vice-President may be appointed as
member of the cabinet but such appointment requires no
confirmation.

Section 4.
a.)The President and Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote
of the students for a term of one school year which shall begin on
the morning of the first class day of the summer term next
following their election and shall end on the morning of the same
day, one year thereafter.
b.) The President and Vice-President are deemed elected by a
majority vote where more than fifty percent (50%) of the students
have cast their ballots.
c.)No President and Vice President-elect shall serve for more than
one term in the same position.
d.) Unless otherwise provided by a legislative resolution, the
regular election for the President and Vice-President shall be held
within the first two weeks of March.
e.) The candidate having the highest number of votes shall be
proclaimed elected, but in case two or more shall have an equal
and highest number of votes, the majority of all the Members of the
Legislative Council shall forthwith choose one of them.
Section 5.
a.) The President-elect and Vice President-elect shall assume office
at the beginning of their terms.
b.) If the President-elect fails to qualify, the Vice-President-elect
shall act as president until the President-elect shall have qualified.
If a President shall not have been chosen, the Vice-President elect
shall act as President until a President-elect shall have been
chosen and qualified.
c.) In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or
resignation by the President, the Vice-President shall become the
President to serve the unexpired term. In case of death, permanent
disability, removal from office, or resignation of both, the President
and the Vice-President, the Speaker of the Legislative Council shall
become the President to serve the unexpired term.
Section 6. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice-President
during the term for which he was elected, the House Speaker of the
Legislative Council shall become the Vice-President to serve the
unexpired term.
Section 7. The President, the Vice-President and the elected and
appointed Secretaries shall not, unless otherwise provided in this
Constitution, hold any other office of any club or organization
during their tenure. They shall strictly avoid conflict of interests in
the conduct of their office.
Section 8. The President shall, within twenty days after the opening of
the school year, nominate and, with the consent of the Commission
on Appointments, appoints the secretaries of the executive
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committees. He/she shall appoint all other officers of the student

government whose appointments are either authorized by law or by
this Constitution and By-Laws to appoint.
The President shall have the power to make appointments
voluntarily if Commission on Appointments has not yet convened.
But such appointments shall remain effective only unless
disapproved by the Commission on Appointments.
Section 9. The President shall ensure that every local government unit
is well-represented in different Cabinet positions, given that each
cabinet committee has at least two representatives from each
division recommended by their respective governors.
Section 10. The President shall have control of the Executive Council.
He/She shall ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.
Section 11.The Executive Council shall be composed of the President as
chairman, Vice-President as vice-chairman and the elected
secretaries as members. They shall plan, organize, and execute
student activities. They shall coordinate any planned activities of
the different local government units, clubs, and organizations,
which involve the whole studentry.
The Elected Secretaries are:
i.Executive Secretary shall keep and take charge of all
records and documentation and communications of the
CSG.
ii. Sports Secretary shall administer sports activities of the
CSG.
iii. SocioCultural Secretary shall administer socio cultural
activities of the CSG.
iv. Finance
Secretary
Shall
handle
documentation and budget consolidation.

the

financial

v.External and Internal Affairs Secretary shall manage the

intergovernmental relations of the council and its relation
to the school.
vi.Academic Affairs Secretary shall carry out academic
activities of the CSG.
The Appointed Secretaries are:
i. Logistics Officer shall take charge of all and purchases,
and logistical matters of the CSG.
ii. Press Secretary shall be the spokesperson
documenter of the CSG President Executive Council.
iii. Defense Secretary shall handle security matters.
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and

Section 12. All appointed secretaries are expected to possess relevant

prior knowledge and experience on their respective positions. They shall
serve the students with the utmost responsibility.
Section 13. The Executive Council shall prepare before the opening of
the school year and submit to the Legislative Council within fifteen
days from the opening of the School year the General
Appropriations Bill.
Section 14. The President may, if the Legislative Council has not yet
convened, disburse money for public purposes, in accordance with
existing and duly approved procedures and subject to some
restrictions as may be provided by law, but shall not exceed five (5)
per centum of the total Student Activity Fund of the semester of
which such disbursement will occur.
Section 15. The President shall have the power to create any
committee or realign existing powers and functions delegated to a
committee when students interests may require subject to
legislative approval.
Section 16. The President may establish or conduct significant linkages,
partnerships or cooperation to other student councils, nongovernment organizations and to the Government to advance the
development agenda of the CJC-CSG, with paramount
consideration on the interest, integrity and welfare of the studentry
and of the Institution.
Section 17.
The President shall submit to the Legislative Council a
copy of the semestral and annual report that pertains to the
operations, activities and achievements of the Executive Council,
within fifteen days from the end of every semester.
He/she shall also appear and address the studentry at the
beginning of every semester to give them information as to the
programs of government to be implemented. He shall also appear
to them at the end of every semester a State of the School Address
(SOSA) to provide them information of the operations and
achievements of the entire CJC-CSG.

ARTICLE VIII
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
Section 1.
The legislative power shall be vested in the Legislative
Council except to the extent reserved to the studentry by the
provision on initiative and referendum.

Section 2.

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(1)
The Legislative Council shall be composed of three
representatives in each existing Division: one each for the
Freshman/Sophomore, Junior and Senior. not more than eighteen,
who shall be elected at large by their respective divisions by
majority of the students where more than fifty per centum have
cast their ballots.
(2) No person may be elected as a representative unless he/she is
a bona fide college student, no failing grades in the preceding
semesters, enrolled in this Institution for at least two consecutive
semesters with a subject load of at least fifteen (15) units per
semester and a representative in accordance with his/her year
level.
Section 3. In case of vacancy, the Division Governor shall nominate a
representative from the level of which such vacancy occurs, with
the consent of the majority of all the Members of the Legislative
Council, to serve the unexpired term. In no case shall any Member
be served in temporary or acting capacity.
Section 4. The members of the Legislative Council shall be elected for a
term of one school year, which shall begin, unless otherwise
provided by a resolution, on the morning of the first class day of
summer next following their election.
No Member of the Legislative Council shall serve for more
than two consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office
for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in
the continuity of his/her service for the full term for which he/she
was elected.
Section 5. Members of the Legislative Council shall enjoy responsible
freedom of speech and of expression for any speech or debate
during their session.
Section 6.
(1)
A majority of the Legislative Council shall constitute a
quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from
time to time and may compel the attendance of the absent
Members in such manner and under such penalties, as the
Council may provide.
(2)
The Legislative Council shall elect its House Speaker by a
majority vote of all its members. The Body shall choose such other
officers, as it may deem necessary.
(3)
The Legislative Council shall promulgate its rules of
proceedings, shall keep the records of its proceedings and shall
provide guidelines on all matters that are within its duties and
responsibilities.

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Section 7. With the concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members,

suspend or expel a Member for disorderly behavior. Imposition of
the penalty of suspension shall not exceed forty days.
Section 8. The Legislative Council shall at any time convene twice every
Friday of the month for its regular session, or unless a different
day is fixed by a resolution. The House Speaker or by the majority
of all its Members may call a special session at any time.
Section 9.
(1)
The Legislative Council shall determine and enact measures
embodied in the General Appropriations Bill submitted by the
President, within fifteen days from the submission thereof.
(2)
The Legislative Council shall not increase the appropriations
recommended by the President for the operation of the College
Student Government as specified in the budget.
(3)
Government funds shall be appropriated and disbursed only
for public purposes to be supported by appropriate documents and
subject to such guidelines as may be provided by law.
(4)
No money shall be withdrawn or disbursed except by the
approval of the Legislative Council unless provided by law.
Section 10. No money shall be forcibly collected from the studentry,
unless provided by a legislative resolution and particularly
specifying the purpose for which it is intended.
Section 11.
No increase of the Student Activity Fund shall be
allowed without conducting a public hearing and other
requirements as the law may provide.
Section 12.
Every bill passed by the Legislative Council shall,
before it becomes a law, be presented to the President and to the
Adviser for their consideration. If one of them vetoes it, it shall be
returned to the Council to reconsider it. If, after such
reconsideration, all of the Members shall agree to pass the bill, it
shall become a law. The President or the Adviser shall
communicate their veto of any bill within five days after the date of
receipt thereof; otherwise, it shall become a law as if they had
signed it.
Section 13.
The Legislative Council has the power to scrutinize any
budget expenditures and look for sources of financing for the
general appropriations proposed by the President.
Section 14. The Legislative Council or any of its committees may
conduct inquiries and investigation in aid of legislation in
accordance with its rules of proceeding. The right of students or
persons appearing therein shall be respected at all times.
Committee Secretaries, Division Officers and other
government officers under the jurisdiction of the CSG with the
consent of the President or the Members of the Constitutional
13

Commissions with the consent of its respective Chairmen, upon

the written request of the Council, as the rules of proceedings shall
provide, appear before and be heard by the Council on any matter
pertaining to their office. Written questions and the purpose of
such request to appear shall be included in the written request
four days before their scheduled date of appearance. Upon the
request of the President, the appearance shall be conducted in a
closed-door session.
Section 15.
The Legislative Council shall provide for a system of
initiative and referendum whereby the studentry can directly
propose and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law or part
thereof passed by the Legislative Council after the registration of
any petition therefore signed by at least twenty (20) percent of the
total number of students from every division.
Section 16.
There shall be a Commission on Appointment
consisting of the House Speaker of the Legislative Council, as ex
officio Chairman and two representatives from every existing
division. The Commission shall be constituted after the Legislative
Council shall have been organized. The Chairman shall not vote,
except in case of a tie. The Commission shall act on all
appointments submitted to it within ten days from the submission
thereof. The Commission shall promulgate its rules of proceedings,
shall meet at the call of its Chairman or upon the request by
majority of all its Members, shall rule by a majority vote of all the
Members and shall discharge such powers and functions as herein
conferred upon them.
Section 17.
No person shall be consented by the Commission on
Appointments without properly reading this Constitution and ByLaws. It may conduct reasonable evaluation or test to this effect.
Section 18.
It shall submit to the President a semestral report on
its operations, activities and achievements, within fifteen days from
the end of every semester.
Section 19.The Legislative Council, if unsatisfied with the performance
of a sitting appointed secretary or elected secretary, with the
concurrence of three fourths (3/4) vote of all its members, is
granted the power to remove from office a sitting appointee.

ARTICLE IX
SUPREME COURT
Section 1. The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court
composed of a Chief Justice and one Associate Justice representing
each existing division.
Judicial power includes the duty to settle actual controversies
involving rights, which are legally demandable and enforceable,

14

and to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of

discretion on the part of the Government.
Section 2.
The Chief Justice and Associate Justices shall be
appointed by the President, within twenty days from the opening of
the School year, with the consent of the Commission on
Appointments for a term of one school year. Appointment to any
vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor. In
no case shall any member be appointed or designated in a
temporary or acting capacity.
Section 3.
No person shall be appointed Member of the Supreme
Court unless he/she possesses with the same qualifications as
that of the President plus he/she should have no failing grades
from the previous semester. Members of the Supreme Court must
be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity and
independence.
Section 4.
The Supreme Court shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Its
proposed appropriations may not be reduced by the Legislative
Council without its consent and, after approval, shall be
automatically and regularly released.
Section 5.
All cases involving the constitutionality and
application of a law, resolution, executive order, proclamation,
decrees and other regulations which shall be heard by the
Supreme Court en banc, in accordance with its rules of
proceedings, and shall be decided with the concurrence of a
majority of the Members. Provided, that no judicial decision shall
be reversed or modified except with the concurrence of all its
Members.
Section 6. The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:
(1)
Cases involving the legality or constitutionality of any law,
executive orders, proclamation, decrees and other regulations.
(2)
Review, revise, reverse, modify or affirm on appeal or
certiorari, as its rules of proceedings may require, judgments of the
Constitutional Commissions.
(3)

The Official Interpreter of this Constitution and By-Laws

(4)
Promulgate its rules of proceedings, concerning the
protection and enforcement of constitutional rights of the studentry
and shall provide mechanism for the speedy disposition of cases or
matters brought before it for decision or adjudication.
(5)
Jurisdiction over cases involving graft and corrupt practices
and such other offenses committed by a CJC-CSG Officer, whether
elected or appointed, in relation to their offices, but shall not
include cases affecting officers removable only through
impeachment process.
(6)

Appoint its officers or staffs.

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(7)
Decide on disputes involving but not limited to events and
activities organized by the Executive Council, the Constitutional
Commissions, recognized clubs and organizations and divisions.
Section 7. The decision of the Supreme Court, in all cases, shall be
based on the laws and generally-accepted rules and procedures
and expressing therein clearly the facts on which it is based.
Section 8.
(1)
There shall be a Commission on Grievances, which shall
ensure and enforce that all laws and regulations governing the
College Intramural Activities are faithfully executed.
(2)
It shall be composed of eleven members which consist of the
Supreme Court and seven (7) members from the Legislative
Council chosen on the basis of proportional representation. The
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be its ex-officio
Chairman and the House Speaker of the Legislative Body shall
be the ex-officio Vice-Chairman.
(3)
The Commission shall provide rules and guidelines in the
conduct of its proceedings, unless provided by law. The
Commission shall be called and organized twenty-four days from
the date of the Intramural Activities by the House Speaker of the
Legislative Body.
(4)
The Commission may sit en banc or in two divisions to
expedite disposition of cases or matters brought before it for
decision. Provided, that such decision shall be decided en banc
and must be concurred with the majority off all its Members.
(5)
The decision of the Commission on all cases and matters
brought before it for decision and adjudication shall be final,
irrevocable and non-appealable.
Section 9. The Supreme Court shall submit to the Legislative Body
and to the President a semestral and annual report on its
operations and activities within fifteen, days from the end of every
semester.
ARTICLE X
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
A. COMMON PROVISIONS
Section 1. The Constitutional Commissions, which shall be independent
and distinct, are the Commission on Elections and the
Commission on Audit.
Section 2. No Member of a Constitutional Commission shall, during his
tenure, hold any other major office (President, Vice-President and
Secretary) and of different clubs and organizations nor a member

16

of any political party or organization in the campus. He should not

be a candidate for any elective position in the preceding election.
Section 3. The Members of the Constitutional Commissions shall be
appointed by the President and shall assume office upon approval
of the Committee on Appointments.
Section 4. The Commission shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Respective
proposed appropriations may not be reduced without its consent
and, after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.
Section 5. Each Commission may promulgate each own rules in the
discharge of its duties and functions. Such rules, however, shall
not diminish, increase, or modify its substantive rights.
Section 6. Each Commission shall decide by a majority vote of all its
Members any case or matter brought before it for decision or
consideration, within fifteen days from the date of its submission.
Unless otherwise provided by this Constitution or by law, any
decision, order or ruling of each Commission may be brought to
the Supreme Court on certiorari by the aggrieved party within ten
days from receipt a copy thereof.
Section 7.
Each Commission shall perform such other functions as
may be provided by law.
Section 8. Each Commission shall submit to the Legislative Council
and to the President a semestral or annual report on its operation
and activities, within fifteen days from the end of every semester..
B.

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

Section 1.
a.) There shall be a Commission on Elections composed of a
Chairman and two Commissioners representing each existing
division.
However, all members thereof, including the Chairman shall not be
a relative up to the second degree of consanguinity of affinity, of
any CJC-CSG officer, Party Leader or Candidate.
b.) At the time of appointment, he/she is a bona fide college
student, no failing grade in the preceding semesters, must not have
been a candidate for any elective position in the immediate
preceding election and enrolled in this Institution for at least two
consecutive semesters with a load at least fifteen (15) units per
semester.
Section 2.
The Chairman and the Commissioners shall be
appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on
Appointments for a term of one School Year. Appointment to any
vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor. In
no case shall any member be appointed or designated in a
temporary or acting capacity.
Section 3. The Commission on Elections shall exercise the following
powers and functions:

17

a.)
Enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to
the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum and
recall.
b.)
Exercise exclusive jurisdiction overall contests relating to the
elections, returns, and qualifications of all elective positions such
as President, Vice-President, Representatives, Governors, ViceGovernors and Board Members.
c.)
Decide, except those involving the right to vote, all questions
affecting elections, including determination of the number and
location of polling places, appointment of election officials and
inspectors, and registration of voters.
d.)
Register, after sufficient publication, political parties and
organizations, or coalitions, which, in addition to other
requirements, must present their platform or program of
Government. Campus clubs and organizations shall not be
registered. Those which seek to achieve their goals through
violence, or unlawful means, or refuse to uphold and adhere to this
constitution shall likewise be refused registration.
e.)
File, upon a verified complaint, on its own initiative, petitions
in the Supreme Court for cases of violations of election laws,
including acts or omissions constituting election frauds, offenses,
and malpractices.
f.)
Recommend to the Legislative Council effective measures to
minimize election spending, including limitation of places where
election materials shall be posted, and to prevent all forms of
election frauds, offenses, malpractices and nuisance candidacies.
g.)
Promulgate its rules of procedure in disposing cases or
matters brought before it for decision.
h.)
Submit to the President and the Legislative Council a
comprehensive report on the conduct of each election, plebiscite,
initiative, referendum and recall.
Section 5. A free and open party system shall be allowed to evolve
according to the free choice of the studentry, subject to the
provisions of this Constitution.
Bona fide candidates for any elective position shall be free from
any form of harassment and discrimination.
Section 6. Funds certified by the Commission as necessary to defray
the expenses for holding elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda
and recalls shall be provided in the regular or special
appropriations and once approved, shall be released automatically
upon the certification by the Chairman of the Commission.
Section 7. No persons, vying for any elected positions including the
political parties they represent, shall be duly recognized, approved
or allowed to run for an office without properly reading this
Constitution and By-Laws.
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The Commission on Election shall give a certificate of such

compliance. It shall provide rules for the implementation thereof. It
may conduct, upon its own initiative, conduct a comprehensive
evaluation or test to candidates to this effect.
Section 8. Unless otherwise fixed by law, the election period shall
commence fifteen (15) days before the day of the election and shall
end five(5) days thereafter.
C.

COMMISSION ON AUDIT

Section 1. There shall be a Commission on Audit composed of a

Chairman, which shall preferably come from any Accountancyrelated course, and one Commissioner representing each existing
division.
At the time of their appointment, he /she is a bona fide
college student, no failing grade in the preceding semesters, must
not have been a candidate for any elective position in the
immediate preceding election and enrolled in this Institution for at
least two consecutive semesters with a load at least fifteen (15)
units per semester. However, all members thereof, including the
Chairman shall not be a relative within two degree of consanguinity
of any CSG officer, Party Leader or Candidate.
Section 2. The Chairman and the Commissioners shall be appointed by
the President with the consent and approval of the Commission on
Appointments. Appointment to any vacancy shall only be for the
unexpired term of the predecessor. In no case shall any member
be appointed in a temporary or acting capacity.
Section 3.
(1) The Commission on Audit shall have the power,
authority, and duty to examine, audit, settle all accounts,
expenditures or use of funds and property, owned or held in trust
by, or pertaining to the student government and other entities
receiving subsidy, directly or indirectly, from the public funds or
those authorized by law to such audit.
(2). The Commission shall have exclusive authority, subject to the
limitations in this Article, to define the scope of its audit and
examination, establish techniques and methods required therefor
and promulgate accounting and auditing rules and regulations,
including those for the prevention and disallowance of irregular,
unnecessary,
excessive,
extravagant,
or
unconscionable
expenditures, or uses of government funds and properties. It shall
keep the general accounts of the CJC-CSG of the entire School year
and, for such period as may be provided by law, preserve the
vouchers and other supporting papers and documents pertaining
thereto.
(3)
Direct the officers concerned to furnish copies of documents
relating to any of its financial transaction and report any
irregularity to the Supreme Court for appropriate action.
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(4)
Each division shall be under the jurisdiction of the
Commission for audit. They are required to submit liquidation
reports every end of the semester or upon the request thereof.
Section 4. The Commission shall submit to the President and to the
Legislative Council a semestral report regarding the financial
conditions and operations of the CSG and shall publish or cause it
to publish the same in the student publication for the purpose of
informing the studentry or post it the most conspicuous place in
the Institution.

ARTICLE XI
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNIT
(LGU)
Section1. The local government unit as hereunder provides shall be
also referred as division.
Unless otherwise as may be created, recognized or
established by this Institution, the existing and recognized local
government units are the Division of Business and Accountancy
(DBA), the Teachers Education Division (TED), Engineering and
Technology (ETD) the Computer Studies Division (CSD), the Arts
and Sciences Division (ASD) and Health Sciences Division (HSD).
The names of these local government units are subject for
modification by the Institution or by an express will of its
respective Members.
Section 2. The local government units shall enjoy local autonomy. They
shall have the authority to collect reasonable fees to its respective
Members for funding.
Section 3.
The President of the CJC-CSG shall exercise general
supervision over the local government units and ensure that the
acts of their component units are within the scope of their
prescribe powers and functions.
Section 4. The Governor and the Vice-Governor must be a bona fide
college student, certified member of the division where he/she
intends to be elected, duly enrolled in that division for at least
three consecutive semesters following his/her candidacy, with no
failing grades in the preceding semesters and with good moral
character.
Section 5. The term of office of elective division officials which shall be
determined by law, shall be one school year and no such officials
shall serve for more than two consecutive terms of the same
position. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time
shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his
service for the full term for which he/she was elected.
Section 6. Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Governor
during the term for which he was elected, the Vice-Governor, or in

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his/her absence or incapacity, the Majority Leader shall become

the Governor to serve the unexpired term.
Section 7.
The local government unit shall take charge of all
division affairs. The officers elected at large are as follows:
a.)
Governor
b.)
Vice Governor
c.)
Seven Board Members, acting as the Local Legislative
Assembly
Section 8. (1) The legislative power, which include but not limited to
enact rules, regulations and ordinances of the division, shall be
exercised by the Local Legislative Assembly composed of seven
Board Members.
(2)
Legislative power of the Assembly shall be exercised
upon the majority votes of all its Members. The Vice-Governor shall
preside the Assembly but shall not vote.
(3)
The Assembly shall choose among them its Majority
Leader. The Assembly may choose other officers as it may deem
necessary.
(4)
Members of the Assembly shall enjoy responsible
freedom of speech and of expression for any speech or debate
during their session.
(5)
A majority of the Assembly shall constitute a quorum
to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from time to
time and may compel the attendance of the absent Members in
such manner and under such penalties, as the Council may
provide.
(6)
The Assembly shall meet every once in a month. It
shall also be convened upon the call of the Vice-Governor or by the
majority of its Members.
(7)
The Assembly shall promulgate its rules of
proceedings, shall keep the records of its proceedings and shall
provide guidelines on all matters that are within its duties and
responsibilities.
(8)With the concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members, suspend
or expel a Member for disorderly behavior. Imposition of the
penalty of suspension shall not exceed thirty days.
Section 9.The Division Governor, with the confirmation of the Local
Legislative Assembly, shall appoint the following officers, three (3)
weeks from the opening of the school year:
a.) Executive Officer
b.) Sports Officer
c.) Socio-Cultural Officer
d.) Academic Officer
e.) Logistics Officer

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f.) Finance Officer

g.) Other officers as it may deem necessary for the proper function
of the Division.
Section 10.Each Division Governor shall submit to its respective local
legislative assembly within twenty days from the opening of every
semester, a budget, as the basis for the general appropriations bill.
Each local legislative assembly shall
appropriations bill fifteen days thereafter.

enact

the

general

Section 11. No division money shall be appropriated or disbursed

without the approval of the Local Legislative Assembly.
Section 12. No money shall be collected from the students of their
respective divisions unless provided by a council resolution and
particularly specifying the purpose for which it is intended.
Section 13. The Division Standing Fund shall not be increased without
conducting a public hearing and approval from the Local
Legislative Council.
Section 14. Financial transactions incurred must be well documented,
supported by vouchers or receipts for the purpose of transparency
and accountability. Its records are public documents and must be
opened to the Commission on Audit for auditing, subject to such
guidelines and limitations as may be provided by law.
Section 15.All powers, functions, and responsibilities not granted in this
Constitution or by the Local Government Code shall be vested in
the central government.
Section 16.Newly-created divisions after the ratification of this
Constitution and By-Laws shall be recognized only by the College
Student Government if :
1.)
2.)
3.)
4.)

Sections 5 and 6 of this Article are complied;

Duly recognized by the Institution;
With Division Standing Fund; and
Other requirements as may be provided by law.

Failure for such recognition, shall bar them from

participating from the activities and programs organized by the
College Student Government.
Section 17.Aside from the Institutional action, a division may be
abolished, merged or created upon the proposal of at least sixty
(60) per centum of the populations affected by such and with the
approval of the Legislative Council. The Legislative Council shall
pass a law for the proper implementation of this section.

22

Section 18.
The Legislative Council shall, within thirty days
following the opening of the school year, enact a Local Government
Code which shall provide for a more responsive, transparent and
accountable structure through a system of decentralization with
effective mechanisms of recall, initiative and referendum, provide
among the divisions their powers, responsibilities and source of
funds and provide for the qualifications, election, appointment and
removal, term of office, powers and duties of the officers and other
matters relating to the organization and operation of the Local
Government Units.

ARTICLE XII
ASSOCIATION OF COLLEGE CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
(ACCO)
Section1. The Association of College Clubs and Organizations (ACCO)
shall be composed of the different recognized college clubs,
organizations and societies of the Institution.
Section 2. The officers of ACCO shall be elected among the Presidents of
different clubs, organizations and societies.
The officers are the following:
a.)
b.)
c.)
d.)
e.)
f.)
g.)

President
Vice-President for Academic
Vice-President for Non-Academic
Secretary
Treasurer
Auditor
P.I.O.

Section 3. The President exercises general supervision over the ACCO.

He/she shall call all its members on or before last week of June of
every school year to elect its officers.
Section 4. The ACCO shall coordinate all activities, programs, plans
and projects made by any club, organization and society to the
CSG and vice-versa.
Section 5. The ACCO shall promulgate their own rules and regulations
subject for approval by the President and shall not transgress this
Constitution.
Section 6. General accounts of the ACCO, not fully disbursed or
allocated, shall be returned automatically to its general accounts.
Section 7. The College Student Government shall provide technical,
financial and other means of assistance to the different recognized
college clubs and organizations to pursue their empowerment and
development.

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ARTICLE XIII
ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS
Section 1. Public office is a public trust. All CJC-CSG officers must at
all times be accountable to the studentry, serve them with utmost
responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency act with nationalism
and justice.
Section 2. All officers, both elected and appointed,
Constitution and By-Laws allegiance at all times.

owe

this

Before entering on the execution of office, unless otherwise

moved to another date as may be provided by an executive
resolution, they shall take an oath or affirmation to fulfill their
duties as officers of such, preserve and defend this Constitution
and By-Laws and consecrate themselves to the service of the
studentry.
Section 3.The CJC-CSG shall uphold the policy that impeachment shall
be considered only as the final resort the removal of impeachable
officers as provided for in this Constitution. No impeachment
proceeding shall be initiated unless all efforts for the mediation had
been taken.
Section 3. The President, Vice-President, Cabinet Secretaries, and the
Members of the Constitutional Commissions may be removed from
office, on impeachment for, and conviction of the following
grounds.
a.)

Gross negligence of duty

b.)

Abuse of power

c.)
Any willful and gross violation of the Constitution and Bylaws
d.)

Betrayal of Public Trust

e.)
Malversation of funds (the Legislative Body shall provide
guidelines for the purpose)
f.)
Three consecutive unexcused absences from regular
meetings of the CJC-CSG. However, excused absences may be
given due course by the following:
1.
A formal letter must be submitted twenty four hours
before or after the regular meeting.
2.
The letter must be submitted and be duly approved by
the presiding officer of the body. In case of emergency, the
presiding officer shall, in his discretion, consider the validity
of such absence.
g.)
Any officers found guilty of drug abuse, destruction of
property, illegal possession of firearms and other criminal cases.

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h.) Any forms of misconduct, which undermine and destroy the

integrity of the Student Government and the good image of the
Institution.

Section 4.The following are the procedures of impeachment:

1.) The Legislative Council shall have the exclusive power to
initiate, try and decide all cases of impeachment.
When sitting for that purpose, the representatives
shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President is on trial, the
Adviser shall preside, but shall not vote. In case the other officers
are tried, either of the Adviser or the Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court shall preside, upon the approval of the Legislative Body,
preside, but shall not vote.
2.) A verified complaint for impeachment may be filed by any
Member of Legislative Council or by any college student upon a
resolution of endorsement by any of its Members, which shall be
included in the Order of Business within five session days, and
referred to the proper Committee within three session days. The
Committee, after hearing, and by a majority vote of all its Members,
shall submit its report to Council within ten (10) session days from
such referral, together with the corresponding resolution. The
resolution shall be calendared for consideration by Legislative
Council within five session days from its receipt.
3.) A majority vote of all the Members of the Legislative Council
shall be necessary either to affirm a favorable resolution with the
Articles of Impeachment or override its contrary resolution. The
votes of each Member shall be recorded.
4.) In case the verified complaint, charges, or resolution of
impeachment is filed by at least the majority of all the Members of
the Legislative Body, the same shall constitute the Articles of
Impeachment and the trial shall forthwith proceed accordingly.
5.) No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of twothirds of all the Members of the Legislative Council. Such
conviction is final and irrevocable.
6.) Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further
than removal from office and disqualification to hold any office
under the College Student Government.
7.) The Legislative Council shall promulgate its rules on
impeachment to effectively carry out the purpose of this section.
8.) No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the
same officer more than once within a period of one year.
Section 5. In case the President is tried for impeachment, the Vice
President will automatically act as the President.

25

Section 6. A notice of hearing shall be addressed to all parties

concerned and shall specify the time and date of hearing. Notice to
the impeachable officer shall be served in such a manner as to
ensure receipt by him/her for at least seven (7) days before the
hearing. Impeachment trial shall commence within thirty (30) days
after the complaint is filed, otherwise the same is considered
dropped. Any impeachable officer shall be accorded an opportunity
to be heard during the impeachment proceeding.
Section 7.
The Adviser, in case the President is under
impeachment, shall act as the presiding officer. He may also
preside, or the House Speaker, when other Officers, are tried but
subject for recommendation and approval from the Legislative
Council.
Section 8.
Any officer/member shall be given fair and just trial
and impartial investigation of the charges filed against him.

ARTICLE XIV
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1.
The Legislative Council may, by law, adopt a new
name for the student council or a council logo, which shall be truly
symbolic and reflective to the ideals and aspirations of the
Studentry. Such law shall take effect upon its ratification by the
Studentry in a referendum called for such purpose.
Section 2.
The Legislative Council may establish an independent
coordinating, planning and evaluating agency headed by the
President which shall, after consultations with various sectors in
the Institution, recommend development programs or activities to
the Executive and Legislative Council and implement continuing
integrated and coordinated programs for student development.
Section 3.
As much as possible, financial deficit at the end of
every school year, must be avoided. It is mandatory that the
incumbent College Student Government shall maintain five (5)
percent of the final semester funds to be turned over to the next set
of officers. When a deficit occurs, such amount shall be equally
divided as may be provided by a resolution and as far as
practicable, to all officers who caused such deficit.
Section 4. The CJC-CSG shall provide a practicable, appropriate and
systematic policy or scheme during the signing of clearances, upon
compliance to a given requirement, to lessen the difficulty on the
part of the studentry.
Section 5. The CJC-CSG shall provide leadership and technical
trainings, seminars and conferences to the student leaders to help
them develop their innate skills of leadership and expertise.
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ARTICLE XV
AMENDMENTSOR REVISION
Section 1. Any amendments to, or revision of, this constitution may be
proposed by:
a.) The Legislative Council, upon a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all
its members.
b.) A Constitutional Convention
c.) Through students initiative
Section 2. The Legislative Council may, by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of
all its members, call a Constitutional Convention.
Section 3. Amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws may likewise
be directly proposed by the students through initiative upon a
petition of at least fifteen percent of the studentry of which every
division must be represented by at least three percent of its
population.
Section 4. Any amendment to, or revisions of this constitution shall be
valid when ratified by a majority votes cast in a plebiscite, provided
that sixty percent of the total population cast their votes.
Section 5. No amendments under this section shall be authorized
within two years following the ratification of this constitution nor
more than once every two years thereafter.

ARTICLE XVI
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Section 1. There shall be a Transitory Commission to be composed of
all of the Executive and Legislative Councils and Supreme Court to
be chaired by the President and co-chaired by the House Speaker
and the Chief Justice.
The Commission shall start to operate after all of the
concerned officers herein are already constituted but its operation
shall not be later than the first week of July 2014. It shall adopt a
systematic, reasonable and speedy mechanism to ensure that all
government departments of the CJC-CSG comply to the given
mandate of this Constitution and By-Laws.
It may hold any of them in contempt for conformity of this
Constitution and By-Laws or may rule, in an appropriate
proceeding, that such non-conformity constitutes a culpable
violation of the Constitution and By-Laws an impeachable and
removable offense.

27

Section 2. The CSG President shall call the presidents of all recognized
college clubs, organizations and societies not later than the last
week of June 2014. He shall preside for the election of the ACCO
Officers as stipulated in Article XII of this Constitution and ByLaws.
Section 4.
The Council shall conduct public hearings and consultations
as to the revision of such policies with due consideration of Article
IV Section 2 of this Constitution. Such public hearing and
consultation shall be held not later than the second week of July
2014 and shall end not later than the last week of July of the same
year. The new policies shall be fully implemented not later than the
second week of August 2014.
Section 3. All existing laws, executive orders, memoranda,
proclamations and other executive issuances not inconsistent with
this Constitution and By-Laws shall remain operative until
amended, repealed, or revoked.

ARTICLE XVII
REVIEW AND RATIFICATIONS
Section 1. This constitution shall take effect immediately upon its
ratification by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite held for
the purpose and shall supersede all previous Constitutions.
Section 2. The ratified constitution must be submitted to the Director of
Student Services within ten (10) days for final approval. The
foregoing proposed Constitution and By-Laws of the Cor Jesu
College College Student College was approved by the
Constitutional Convention of the school- year 2013 2014 on the
7th day of March 2014 at Cor Jesu College, Digos City, by the
Constitutional Convention by whose signatures are hereunder
affixed.

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Concurred in behalf of the Convention:

ARDEEN ROY DIAMANTE

Convention President
CLARICE LOPEZ
Secretary
Affirmed:

Noted:

LORY ANN C. JARIOL

VINA DEL M. DEL CAMPO

House Speaker

CSG President

Consultant:

DARYL IVAN E. HISOLA

CSG Adviser

Approved:
ROGELIO P. BAYOD, Ph.D.
Director of Student Services

29