THE U.P.

LAW STUDENTS CONSTITUTION1

PREAMBLE We, the students of the University of the Philippines College of Law, desirous to establish an autonomous student government that shall embody the highest aims and ideals of a free studentry, and in order to unite the students of the College, to develop a responsible leadership and to promote the general welfare of the studentry, do hereby ordain and promulgate this Constitution. ARTICLE I THE LAW STUDENT GOVERNMENT Section 1. The Law Student Government. --- The Law Student Government shall be the sole official autonomous and highest representative organ of the student body of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines and shall consist of the constituted bodies under this Constitution and such other bodies duly created pursuant to the bounds and limitations of the same. Section 2. Source of Authority. --- The authority of the Law Student Government shall emanate solely from all the students of the College. Section 3. Duties and Functions. --- The Law Student Government shall promote the general welfare of the students and shall ensure the protection of their rights. It shall be the duty and function of the Law Student Government to develop a responsible empowered studentry and to foster in them a sense of service and responsibility for the welfare of their fellow students and the society. ARTICLE II THE CENTRAL BOARD Section 1. Powers and Functions of the Central Board. --- The Central Board shall have the following powers and duties: (1) (2) (3) To make policy decisions on matters affecting the students of the College; To formulate and implement a general program of action for the current academic year; To create committees, boards, and other bodies as are necessary to implement the Boards policies and programs: provided, that membership in committees created for the purpose of handling the external affairs of the Central Board shall be limited to the members of the Central Board; provided further, that unless otherwise expressly stated, such committees,

As submitted to the Electoral and Judicial Tribunal by the Law Student Government Central Board (AY 2011-2012), pursuant to Sec. 2, Art. VII of the 2009 University of the Philippines Law Students Constitution. This submission carries with it the certification that all provisions herein were duly concurred upon by a majority vote of all the members of the Central Board.
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(10) (11) (12)

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board, and other bodies created shall only exist during the term of the Central Board that created it; To fully orient all incoming classes regarding this Constitution, as well as the powers, duties and functions of the Law Student Government within the first month of every academic year and to provide to all incoming First Year students a copy of this Constitution before the start of the academic year; To represent the students in all matters affecting student rights and welfare; To advocate for extensive student consultation in Colleges formulation of academic rules and policies, to serve as the student bodys voice in the formulation and implementation of all such policies and regulations, and to advance full student participation in the Colleges formation of non-academic rules and policies affecting the rights, duties, and welfare of the studentry; To solely exercise the power to issue any statement on behalf of the entire student body; To promote social awareness and instill national consciousness among students; To collect a fee of One Hundred Pesos (P100.00) from each student every semester of enrollment, subject to adjustment by the Central Board at the end of every academic year when necessary, and after consultation. The Central Board shall provide a discount or exemption from payment of the fee to any student whose Socialized Tuition and Financial Assistance Program bracketing during the said enrollment is below bracket B; To open and maintain its own bank account, to solicit funding using the name of the Law Student Government, and to organize its own projects for the purposes of increasing revenue; To provide support for the programs of the constitutional commissions mentioned herein; To promulgate its own rules and procedure for the efficient and effective performance of its power and functions, including the imposition of disciplinary measures for members of the Central Board, provided, that the Central Board shall have the power to remove its own members only on grounds expressly provided by this Constitution; and To exercise such other powers and functions as may be necessary and incidental to the exercise of the powers and functions herein conferred.

Section 2. Composition and Membership. --- A President, Internal Vice-President, External VicePresident, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, two Senior Batch Representatives, two Third Year Batch Representatives, two Second Year Batch Representatives, two First Year Batch Representatives, and two Evening Program Representatives, shall constitute the elected members of the Central Board. The College Representative to the University Student Council shall be an ex-officio voting member of the Central Board. Section 3. Qualifications and Disqualifications. --- No student may file a certificate of candidacy and consequently be elected as an elective member of the Central Board unless he is currently enrolled as a student in the College. Furthermore, no student may file such certificate for any elective post, except for the positions of First Year Batch Representatives, unless he has obtained a general weighted average of at least 2.85 for the courses completed in the U.P. College of Law, and is not on probationary or delinquent status. Moreover, the following shall be requirements for the Batch and Evening Program Representatives during the regular elections: a. b. Both Senior Batch Representatives: at least a third year student who is part of the day program of the College at the time of his election; Both Third Year Batch Representatives: a second year student who is part of the day program of the College at the time of his election;

c. d.

Both Second Year Batch Representatives: a first year student who is part of the day program of the College at the time of his election; Both First Year Batch Representatives: a first year student who is part of the day program of the College at the time of his election;

No member of the Central Board shall hold office as a member of the University Student Council, or as Editor-in-Chief of the Philippine Collegian, or as Corps Commander of the U.P. R.O.T.C., or as Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of the Philippine Law Journal, or as member of the Jessup Moot Court Team of the U.P. College of Law, or as member of the Electoral and Judicial Tribunal, or as a Commissioner of the Bar Operations Commission without automatically forfeiting his seat in the Central Board. Furthermore, no Evening Program Representative may shift to the Day Program, nor a Senior, Third Year, Second Year, or First Year Batch Representative may shift to the Evening Program during his term without automatically forfeiting his seat in the Central Board. Finally, no Treasurer may be appointed as the Treasurer of the Bar Operations Commission. In case of automatic forfeiture, the member concerned shall be deemed resigned from his office without need of any further proceeding. No student who has been convicted of an impeachment charge under the provisions of this Constitution may file a certificate of candidacy and consequently be elected member of the Central Board. The position of College Representative shall not be affected by this provision. The qualifications and disqualifications for the position of College Representative shall be provided for by the Constitution of the University Student Council. Section 4. Manner and Date of Election. --- The President, Internal Vice-President, External VicePresident, Secretary, Treasurer, and Public Relations Officer shall be elected at large by the students included in the roll of students of the College, in an election held for that purpose. Each Batch Representative shall be elected by the members of his class enrolled in the Day Program, while each Evening Program Representative shall be elected by the students enrolled in the Evening program during the same election: provided, that the elections for the First Year Batch Representatives shall be held separately and within a period of forty-five (45) to ninety (90) days from the first day of classes of each academic year. The duly-certified candidate who has received the highest number of votes for each of the positions shall be proclaimed as the winner. If more than one duly-certified candidate received the same highest number of votes for a certain position, the Electoral Commission shall conduct a special election within fourteen days from the date of the elections, wherein the candidates for such special election shall be limited to those who received the same highest number of votes. If after the special elections there shall still be a tie, the tie shall be resolved either by a coin toss or by lot, as may be deemed best and appropriate by the Electoral Commission, but only those tied with the highest votes shall be entitled to be chosen by such coin toss or lot. Representatives of each candidate shall never be prohibited from observing the entire process of the elections, provided that the actual votes cast by each valid voter shall remain absolutely secret and confidential. The Electoral Commission may set, through their published electoral rules, the period for electoral protests against violations of the said rules. However, protests or actions questioning the validity of an election and votes cast shall not prescribe until the end of the term of office of the officer at issue. The regularity and validity of elections shall nonetheless be presumed until proven otherwise. The election of members of the Central Board, except that of the First Year Batch Representatives, shall be held simultaneously with the University Student Council elections, unless the latter is to be conducted within fifteen (15) days or less before the final examination period of the second semester of the academic

year, in which case the Electoral and Judicial Tribunal may set it at an earlier date. To accommodate the evening students of the College, the Electoral Commission may conduct the elections for the positions of the Central Board until eight oclock in the evening of the Election Day, provided that extension may be given until ten oclock in the evening when the need arises. The election of members of the Central Board, though held simultaneously with the University Student Council elections, and though may be conducted using the same system, shall be deemed a separate activity and shall not be governed by the same rules and regulations. It shall remain within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Law Student Government through the Electoral Commission. Only currently enrolled students in the U.P. College of Law shall be allowed to participate and vote in the election. Expulsion, dismissal, withdrawal, leave or graduation from the College of Law shall automatically result to the loss of all rights and privileges incidental to being a student of the College as granted by this Constitution. Voting is a personal right and privilege, and no other person shall be allowed to physically vote on behalf of the voter-student. Section 5. The President. --- The President shall have the following powers and duties: (1) (2) (3) (4) To convene and preside over meetings of the Central Board; To direct the implementation of the programs and policies of the Central Board; To supervise the performance of the other officers of the functions given to them by this Constitution and the Central Board; To appoint, with the concurrence of the Central Board, any Member of the Central Board as head of committees, boards, and other bodies created by the Central Board, student representative to College and University bodies, unless otherwise provided, as well as to outside institutions; To approve or confirm all official communications of the Central Board; To represent the Law Student Government, except with respect to the University Student Council; and To perform such other functions assigned to him by this Constitution or as may be necessary for the effective and efficient performance of the powers and functions of the Central Board.

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Section 6. The Internal Vice-President. --- The Internal Vice-President shall have the following powers and duties: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) To act as the chairperson of the Students Rights and Welfare Committee; To act as the coordinator of the Central Board with the College Registration Committee; To succeed the President in case of permanent vacancy; To discharge the functions of the President in case the latter is absent or temporarily incapacitated; To assist the President in supervising the other officers; To act as chairpersons, upon appointment by the President, in the committees as may be constituted by the Central Board; and To perform such other functions assigned to him by this Constitution or as may be assigned to him by the President or the Central Board.

Section 7. The External Vice-President. --- The External Vice-President shall have the following powers and duties: (1) To act as the chairperson of the Public Affairs Committee;

(2) (3)

(4)

(5) (6)

To act as the ex-officio convenor of the Association of College of Law Organizations (ACLO) and preside over meetings thereof; To represent the Central Board in all meetings, bodies, associations, federations and the like external to the College, except with respect to: matters or meetings taken up or attended exclusively by the President as delineated by the Board, the meetings of the University Student Council, and such meetings otherwise delegated by the Central Board to another one of its members on a case-to-case basis; To maintain constantly open channels of communication with other student councils, especially with that of the other colleges in the university, that of other colleges of law in the Philippines, and, in case of the removal of the College Representative as a member of the Central Board in accordance with this Constitution, the University Student Council; To act as chairpersons, upon appointment by the President, in the committees as may be constituted by the Central Board; and To perform such other functions assigned to him by this Constitution or as may be assigned to him by the President or the Central Board.

Section 8. Secretary. --- The Secretary shall have the following functions and duties: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9) (10) To certify all acts of the Central Board, duly approved or confirmed by the President; To call all members of the Central Board to the regular meetings and to such special meetings called upon by the President or at least one-third (1/3) of the members of the Central Board. To prepare the agenda of the meetings of the Central Board and distribute it to the members of the Board; To keep a record of the proceedings of the meetings of the Central Board and post it in the Law Student Government Bulletin Board; To receive all correspondence to the Central Board and to keep a systematic and orderly file of all official records of the Central Board; To keep an inventory and take charge of all non-monetary properties of the Central Board, ascertain the maintenance and orderliness of the Law Student Government office, and ensure that the said office always has adequate office materials; To prepare and submit to the Central Board for its approval the annual Law Student Government report at the end of the academic year and to post the same on the Law Student Government Bulletin Board for the information of the studentry; To head the Student Lounge and Utilities Committee To act as chairperson, upon appointment by the President, in the committees as may be constituted by the Central Board; and To perform such other functions assigned to him by this Constitution or as may be assigned to him by the President or the Central Board.

Section 9. Treasurer. --- The Treasurer shall have the following functions and duties: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) To collect all monies and fees accruing to the Law Student Government; To effect custody of the Law Student Government funds by depositing them in a duly established banking institution in the name of the Law Student Government; To sign, together with the President, any disbursement of funds authorized by the Central Board; To prepare a budget proposal at the beginning of the academic year and to submit the same to the Central Board; To propose, for the approval of the Central Board, and implement viable projects and undertakings to generate funds for the use of the Board;

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To prepare and submit to the Central Board, for its approval, a monthly financial report, and to post a copy of the financial report on the Law Student Government Bulletin Board within a reasonable time; To act as chairperson, upon appointment by the President, in the committees as may be constituted by the Central Board; and To perform such other functions assigned to him by this Constitution or as may be assigned to him by the President or the Central Board.

Section 10. The Public Relations Officer. --- The Public Relations Officer shall have the following functions and duties: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) To afford publicity due within and without the College of all statements, projects, and activities of the Law Student Government by utilizing, among others, the public mass media and the internet; To centralize the information dissemination activities of the Batch and Evening Program Representatives with respect to their duties to afford publicity due within the College of all projects and activities of the Law Student Government; To maintain the Law Student Government Bulletin Board and Website, and to be the administrator of the UP_Law e-group; To act as chairperson of the Sports Committee; To assist the Treasurer in implementing viable projects and undertakings to generate funds for the use of the Central Board; To act as chairperson, upon appointment by the President, in the committees as may be constituted by the Central Board; and To perform such other functions assigned to him by this Constitution or as may be assigned to him by the President or the Central Board.

Section 11. Batch and Evening Program Representatives. --- The Batch and Evening Program Representatives shall have the following functions and duties: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) To create and administer programs and activities beneficial to students who they represent; To bring to the attention of the Central Board the problems affecting their respective constituents and to recommend appropriate courses of action; To assist the Public Relations Officer in affording publicity due within the College of all projects and activities of the Law Student Government; To act as ex officio members of the Students Rights and Welfare Committee; To act as chairpersons, upon appointment by the President, in the committees as may be constituted by the Central Board; and To perform such other functions as may be assigned to them by the President or the Central Board.

Section 12. College Representative. --- The College Representative shall exercise such functions and duties in addition to those prescribed by the University Student Council Constitution: (1) (2) (3) To serve as the official liaison officer of the Law Student Government to the University Student Council; To bring to the attention of the Central Board all matters being taken up by the University Student Council; To act as chairperson, upon appointment by the President, in the committees as may be constituted by the Central Board; and

(4)

To perform such other functions assigned to him by this Constitution or as may be assigned to him by the President or the Central Board.

Section 13. Standing Committees. --- Without prejudice to the right of the Central Board to create, for the duration of its term, ad hoc Committees, the Central Board shall have four standing committees, namely: the Students Rights and Welfare Committee, the Public Affairs Committee, the Sports Committee, and the Student Lounge and Utilities Committee. The Standing Committees of the Central Board shall have the following functions and responsibilities: a. Students Rights and Welfare Committee: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) b. To consolidate student concerns, and channel these concerns to the Central Board, to the student body in general, and to the College faculty and administration; To formulate methods for safeguarding, increasing, and promoting the rights and welfare of the students of the College of Law; To propose campaigns and activities towards an active and progressive promotion of the well-being, welfare, and rights of the students; To advocate for further empowerment of the students of the College; To advocate academic excellence on the part of the students of the College; and To plan, promote, and coordinate actual actions of the students regarding the abovementioned issues.

Public Affairs Committee: (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) To research and study issues affecting the nation and the Filipino society, especially those that have legal impacts; To promote discussion and/or scholarly debate among Law students on the said issues to ensure a multi-perspective and progressive Law Student Government and studentry; To advocate for social justice and the protection of human rights through the responsible use and interpretation of the law for the benefit of the Filipino society; To help foster the social, political, and cultural awareness of the students; and To plan, promote, and coordinate actual actions of the students regarding the abovementioned issues.

c.

Sports Committee: (1) (2) (3) To organize athletic competitions between and among the students of the College; To coordinate with other associations, organizations, and federations outside the College in organizing athletic competition where the students of the College can participate in; and To provide support to student varsity teams of the College.

d.

Student Lounge and Utilities Committee: (1) (2) To propose policies to the Central Board for the proper use of the Student Lounge and other utilities and effectively implement such policies; To promote the use of the Student Lounge by the students; and

(3)

To ensure the cleanliness and maintenance of the Student Lounge as well as the responsible use of the utilities provided the Central Board.

The Standing Committees of the Central Board shall be headed by the following officers of the Central Board: a. b. c. d. Students Rights and Welfare Committee: the Internal Vice-President; Public Affairs Committee: the External Vice-President; Sports Committee: the Public Relations Officer; and Student Lounge and Utilities Committee: the Secretary.

Section 14. Association of College of Law Organizations (ACLO). --- The ACLO is composed all college organizations convened and presided by the External Vice President for the purpose of information dissemination, consultation, and the efficient coordination of activities. The ACLO shall create and promulgate the rules and regulations that will govern the itself. Section 15. Meetings, Quorum, Voting and Attendance. --- The Central Board shall meet in regular sessions at least twice a month on a day and hour to be fixed by the Board. It may also meet in special sessions called by the President or by one-third (1/3) of its members upon due notice. Upon due notice to all members of the Board, a majority of all the said members shall constitute a quorum to transact business and the affirmative votes of a majority of the members present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient to pass any motion, affirm a resolution and effectuate any business; provided that, a validly called meeting, with due notice to all members, but which lacks quorum may pass resolutions, by an affirmative votes of a majority of the members present, solely on matters recognizing the absence of the absent members and imposing such penalties, as the Boards internal rules shall provide, to compel their attendance. The Board shall provide in its internal rules for the procedure to be taken in case of a tie. The President may call the Central Board in an emergency meeting, but only in exigent circumstances. The Central Board, convened in an emergency meeting, may transact business pertinent to the emergency even without a quorum, insofar as due notice is made to all members of the Board and that at least one-fourth (1/4) of all the members of the Central Board are in attendance: provided that, in case there is no quorum, no motion may be passed nor resolution be affirmed unless it is affirmed unanimously by all the members present therein. A member of the Central Board who incurred four consecutive unexcused absences of the regular sessions, or such a number of absences equivalent to a majority of the Boards regular sessions and mandatory, may be removed by the Central Board, by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all its Members. Such removal shall not affect the said members right to run again for any future election in the Central Board. The College Representative may also be dismissed under the procedure in the preceding paragraph, although its effect shall be limited to the removal of his status as a member of the Central Board, his entitlement to seat in its meeting, his chairpersonship over any committee of the Central Board, and to represent himself as a member of the Law Student Government. It shall be the duty of the Central Board to inform, by writing, the University Student Council of the said dismissal within seven (7) days from the promulgation of their decision. Absences caused by overlapping schedules between meetings of the Central Board and General Assemblies of the University Student Council shall not be counted in determining the liability of the College Representative for removal under this provision.

Section 16. Term of Office. --- Every member of the Central Board shall hold office for one academic year beginning on the last day of class of the second semester of the academic year of their election and ending on the last day of class of the second semester of the following academic year: provided, that the First Year Batch Representatives shall hold office from the date of their proclamation to the last day of classes of the second semester of the same academic year; provided further, that the term of office of the College Representative shall be determined by the Constitution of the University Student Council. By mutual agreement of the outgoing and incoming Central Board, the beginning of the term of the incoming Central Board, and concurrently the end of the term of the outgoing Central Board, may be moved at an earlier date, provided that it shall be set no earlier than seven (7) days before the last day of class of the second semester of the academic year of the election of the outgoing Central Board. Each incoming member of the Central Board shall take the following oath to the President of the outgoing Central Board, except the First Year Batch Representatives whose oath will be administered by the sitting President, on the date he begins to hold office: I, (herein declare your name), do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as (herein declare your position), preserve and defend the Constitution of the University of the Philippines Law Student Government, and consecrate myself to the service of my fellow students. An oath-taking ceremony shall be held for this purpose on such date that the incoming Central Board begins its term. The details of such ceremony shall be disseminated to the students at least one (1) week prior to the event. The actual taking of the oath is a requisite for the validity of the term of all members, with incoming members except the College Representative, although any member who fails to attend the ceremony may take his oath at a later date and in the presence of the sitting members of the Central Board. Section 17. Vacancies. --- A position shall be deemed vacant upon a failure of election on such position, resignation, dismissal, removal, conviction from impeachment, permanent incapacity or disqualification of any member of the Central Board, or when such member otherwise ceases to be a student of the College. A member shall be disqualified upon dismissal, leave or suspension for more than thirty (30) days from the college. It shall be the duty of the President to notify the Electoral Commission of any vacancy within three (3) days from the happening thereof. Vacancies shall be filled in the following manner: a. If the office vacated is that of the President, the Internal Vice-President shall automatically assume office as the President, or, in case such position is vacant, the Central Board shall select from among its members, as its internal rules shall provide, an Acting President who shall serve only until an Internal Vice-President has been chosen: provided that, the succeeding President shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the term of the Presidency. If the office vacated is that of the Internal Vice-President, either because of his assumption as the President or by such circumstances mentioned in the preceding paragraph, or that of the External Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Public Relations Officer, or that of the Batch or Evening Program Representatives, it shall be filled by special election called by the Electoral Commission for that purpose, which in no case shall be beyond thirty (30) days from its receipt of the notice of vacancy, except that no special elections shall be held if the unexpired portion of the term is only thirty (30) days or less; provided that, the student elected to fill the vacancy shall hold office only for the unexpired portion of the term of the position at issue; provided further that, in case of the Batch and Evening Program

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Representatives, no student shall be allowed to run for such vacant position unless they are currently of the same year level and shift-program as that of their constituents of the Batch Representatives, or same shift-program of the Evening Program Representatives; provided finally that, no member of the Student Tribunal may run on such special election when the vacancy is caused, whether directly or indirectly, by a conviction from impeachment. Vacancy with respect to the College Representative, and the filling of such vacancy, shall be governed by the Constitution of the University Student Council. ARTICLE III THE STUDENT TRIBUNAL Section 1: The Student Tribunal. --- There is hereby created a Student Tribunal in which the following powers are vested: (1) (2) (3) To exercise original jurisdiction over impeachment cases filed against the members of the Central Board, the Electoral Commission, and the Commissioner of the Bar Operations Commission; To exercise appellate jurisdiction over cases filed in and decided by the Electoral Commission; To hear and decide cases regarding interpretation of the provisions of this Constitution.

All complaints or grievances against any member of the Central Board, the Electoral Commission, and the Commissioner of the Bar Operations Commission, on grounds not contemplated upon by the provisions pertaining to the impeachment of such member, such as those pertaining to minor lapses, shall be filed to the concerned body, subject to the latters disciplinary powers. Such complaint shall be acted upon immediately by the concerned body. Section 2: Composition of the Student Tribunal. --- The Student Tribunal is a collegiate body composed of five (5) Student Magistrates, four (4) Magistrates will represent students in each year level in the day class, and one (1) Magistrate to represent the students of the evening class. From the promulgation of this Constitution, the first members of the Tribunal shall be appointed with the following terms of office: the first year Student Magistrate, four (4) years; the second year Magistrate, three (3) years; the third year Magistrate, two (2) years; and fourth year Magistrate, one (1) year. The Evening Magistrate, depending on his year level, shall serve as Student Magistrate for his entire stay in the College. The Student Tribunal Appointments Council shall appoint, in all cases and with due consideration to length of service in the Student Tribunal, the First Magistrate, who shall be responsible for administration of the Tribunal and presiding over the hearing of cases. Section 3: Selection of Magistrates. --- There shall be a Student Tribunal Appointments Council, composed of the First Magistrate as its ex-officio chairperson, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, the President and Internal Vice President of the Central Board and the Bar Operations Commissioner. Provided that, for the first creation of the Tribunal after the ratification of the Constitution, the President of the Central Board shall be its chairperson and the External Vice President of the Central Board shall take the place of the President as member of the Council. The Council shall be responsible for appointing members of the Student Tribunal when vacancies occur due to end of term of office, to resignation, conviction on impeachment, and any other such incapacity of the Magistrate that prevents him permanently from performing his duties. The Council shall annually

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convene every third Monday of the first semester for the purposes of new appointments and review of the qualifications of incumbent Magistrates, provided that, the council may be convened to fill in vacancies of the Tribunal when necessary. The selection of the Magistrates shall be through the application of interested applicants, which will be evaluated and adjudged by the Council. The application shall be in writing, stating therein that the applicant has all the qualifications and none of the disqualifications. Such application shall be submitted to and filed with the First Magistrate, or the President with respect to the first creation of the Tribunal, who shall thereafter inform the Council by giving them a copy of the application and calling a meeting for the discussion thereof. The Council shall promulgate its internal rules and regulations in the application and evaluation of the applicants, guided by the principle of transparency, and the standards of proven competency, integrity, probity, and independence. Section 4. Term of Office. --- The Student Magistrates shall hold office in the Tribunal for four (4) years, except the Magistrate from the Evening Program who shall hold office for (5) years, provided that, those who were appointed to fill in a vacancy shall assume the office for the unexpired term of the replaced magistrate. Section 5: Qualifications and Disqualifications. --- No student may file an application for appointment as Magistrate unless he is currently enrolled as a student in the College. The Magistrate should maintain a cumulative General Weighted Average (GWA) of at least 2.85, and must not be on a probationary or delinquent status. Failure to maintain the said requirements shall be a ground for forfeiture of his membership to the tribunal. The Appointments Council shall assess compliance by the incumbent Magistrates with the said requirements during their annual convention. No member of the Student Tribunal shall hold office as a member of the University Student Council, or as member of the Central Board, or as officer of any of the other constitutional bodies laid down by this constitution. No student may become a member of the Tribunal unless he submits a certification from the Student Disciplinary Tribunal (or any disciplinary body in the College) that there is no pending administrative case against him and that such body has never rendered judgment finding him guilty of any violation of the Universitys student rules and regulations. No two magistrates shall be members of the same organization. Should a member of the Commission at any time during his term join a student organization, fraternity or sorority so as to produce the effect that two (2) members of the Tribunal belong to such organization, fraternity or sorority, the member who so joins shall automatically forfeit his seat in the Tribunal. Section 6. Forfeiture of Membership and Removal. --- The following are grounds for automatic forfeiture of membership in the Tribunal: (1) (2) (3) Filing a certificate of candidacy for any position in the Central Board and the University Student Council; Membership in other Constitutional bodies; Dismissal, leave or suspension for more than thirty (30) days from the College, or otherwise ceasing to be a student thereof;

A member may also be removed by impeachment, which impeachment may be initiated through a written complaint filed with the Central Board by any student enrolled in the College, upon the following grounds:

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(1) (2) (3)

Willful violation of the Constitution or any major policy of the Law Student Government; Gross neglect or dereliction of the Constitution or any major policy of the Law Student Government; Any grave offense or misconduct which constitutes a violation of University and/or College rules punishable by suspension or expulsion from the University or College.

Section 7. Quorum and Proceedings. --- Quorum, which is comprised of 4 magistrates, is necessary for hearing and deciding cases. All complaints, petitions, and appeals filed with the Tribunal shall be in writing and must be published in the bulletin board of the Central Board. Supporting documents must also be attached to such complaint, petition or appeal. The Tribunal shall study the complaint and convene to deliberate and decide, which complaint, petition or appeal shall be decided by three (3) concurring votes, provided there is a quorum. The decision, which is in writing and posted in the board of the Central Board, shall be final. The Tribunal shall decide all cases and controversies within thirty (30) days from the filing thereof. The Student Tribunal shall create and promulgate their own internal rules and regulations of their proceedings and administration. Section 8 . Allocation in Law Student Government Funds. --- The Student Tribunal shall be entitled to an amount equivalent to two per cent (2%) of the student fees collected, which amount shall be released by the Central Board to the Commission not later than thirty (30) days from the end of enrollment of each semester. ARTICLE IV CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS A. Common Provisions Section 1. The Constitutional Commissions, which shall be independent, are the Electoral Commission and the Bar Operations Commission. Section 2. No Member of a Constitutional Commission shall, during his tenure, hold any other office in the Law Student Government. Section 3. The Constitutional Commissions shall appoint their officers and recruit their volunteers in accordance with this Constitution and the rules and regulations duly promulgated by them. Section 4. The Commissions shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Their approved annual appropriations, if any, shall be automatically released, provided that, all amounts not expended shall be returned to the funds of the Law Student Government. B. The Electoral Commission Section 1. Powers and Functions. --- The Electoral Commission shall have the following powers and functions:

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(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6)

To prepare and conduct any and all kinds of elections, plebiscites and referenda provided in this Constitution; To exert all efforts to ensure a speedy, accurate and secure method for protecting the sanctity of the ballot, preferably through automated elections, among others; To promulgate, enforce, and administer all rules and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite or referendum; To have original and exclusive jurisdiction over election protests and controversies; To promulgate its own rules of procedure in the discharge of its powers and functions. To publish the results of the elections and to proclaim the winners thereof.

Section 2. Composition and Membership. --- The Electoral Commission shall be an impartial body composed of fifteen (15) permanent members: provided, that in the first academic year immediately following the effectivity of this Constitution, the Commission shall be composed of the incumbent permanent members as provided in the transitory provision. No new member of the Commission shall be elected until they have reached the prescribed number of permanent members. In no case shall one-third (1/3) of the members belong to the same student organization, fraternity or sorority. Should a member of the Commission at any time during his/her term join a student organization, fraternity or sorority so as to produce the effect that one-third (1/3) of the Commissioners belong to such organization, fraternity or sorority, the member who so joins shall automatically forfeit his/her seat in the Commission. Only members of the Administrative Group, as provided hereunder, having the qualifications and none of the disqualifications prescribed in this Constitution, may be candidates for membership in the Commission. The sitting Commissioners shall nominate candidates for membership in the Commission. Each vacant position shall be filled by a majority vote of the sitting Commissioners; provided, that a separate votation shall be held for each vacant position; provided further, that there can be multiple votations in a single meeting called for that purpose. The newly selected Commissioner shall automatically be a voting member of the Commission. Any vacancy in the Commission by reason of resignation, disqualification, impeachment or permanent incapacity during the academic year shall be filled by its members in the same manner prescribed in the next preceding paragraph. Such vacancy must be filled within fifteen (15) days from the occurrence thereof, except during the thirty (30) day period immediately preceding the regular elections, in which case the vacancy shall only be filled after five (5) days from the proclamation of the winners. Section 3. Administrative Group. -- For the purposes of carrying out its functions, the Commission shall create an Administrative Group, which shall be composed of one representative from all blocks in the College. Section 4. Qualifications and Disqualifications. --- No student may become a member of the Commission unless s/he has obtained a general weighted average of at least 2.85 for the courses completed in the U.P. College of Law during the semester immediately preceding his, and he is not on probationary or delinquent status. Furthermore, no student shall be eligible for membership in the Commission unless he has been a member of the Electoral Commission Administrative Group for an uninterrupted period of at least one (1) year immediately preceding his selection. Finally, no student may become a member of the Commission unless he submits a certification from the College Secretary that there is no pending administrative case against him and that no body has ever rendered judgment finding him/her guilty of any violation of the Universitys student rules and regulations.

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No member of the Electoral Commission shall hold office as Chairman, Vice-Chairman or Councilor of the University Student Council, or as Editor-in-Chief of the Philippine Collegian, or as Corps Commander of the UP R.O.T.C., or as Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Philippine Law Journal, or as member of the Central Board, or as a Constitutional Commissioner without automatically forfeiting his/her seat in the Commission. Section 5. Forfeiture of Membership and Removal. --- The following are grounds for automatic forfeiture of membership in the Commission: (1) (2) (3) (4) Filing a certificate of candidacy for any position in the Central Board; Membership in any Constitutional Commission; Dismissal, leave or suspension for more than thirty (30) days from the College, or otherwise ceasing to be a student thereof; or Other grounds provided in the preceding section.

In cases of automatic forfeiture, the member concerned shall be deemed resigned from his/her office without need of any further proceeding. A member may also be removed by impeachment, which impeachment may be initiated through a written complaint filed with the Student Tribunal by any student enrolled in the College, upon the following grounds: (1) (2) (3) Willful violation of the Constitution, any major policy of the Law Student Government, or the elections rules set forth by the Commission; Gross neglect or dereliction of the Constitution or any major policy of the Law Student Government; Any grave offense or misconduct which constitutes a violation of University and/or College rules punishable by suspension or expulsion from the University or College.

Section 6. Term of Office. --- Each Commissioner shall hold office from the time he assumes the same until such member resigns, or is disqualified, removed by impeachment or permanently incapacitated. Section 7. Meetings. --- The incumbent Chairperson of the Commission shall, not later than the first month of the first semester of every academic year, convene a meeting for the purpose of electing new officers. The Commission shall thereafter meet in regular sessions at least once a month on a day and hour to be fixed by its officers. Every political party duly recognized by the Electoral Commission and every independent candidate shall have the right to appoint one representative to sit in all meetings and deliberations of the Commission on all election matters. However, they shall have no voting rights. A political party fielding a set of candidates shall be automatically recognized by the Commission for purposes of this section. Section 8. Quorum. --- A majority of all Commissioners present shall constitute a quorum to transact business and the affirmative vote of a majority of the members present and constituting a quorum shall be sufficient to pass any motion, affirm any resolution, or effectuate any other business. Section 9. Officers. --- The Commission shall elect from among its members a Chairperson, a ViceChairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer. Each duly elected officer of the Commission shall serve as such from the time of his election until the Commissions first meeting of the following academic year. Section 10. Powers and Functions of Officers. --- The officers of the Electoral Commission shall have the following powers and functions:

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a.

The Chairperson shall: (1) (2) (3) (4) Preside over all meetings of the Commission; Supervise the performance of the other officers of the functions given to them by this Constitution and the Commission; Create committees necessary for the effective performance of the Commission; and Exercise such other powers inherent in his/her office and those necessary for the efficient and effective discharge of the functions of the Commission.

b.

The Vice-Chairperson shall: (1) (2) (3) (4) Assist the Chairperson in the performance of his/her duties; Preside over meetings of the Commission in the absence of the Chairperson; Succeed to the position of Chairperson in case of the latters permanent incapacity, resignation, disqualification or removal; and Perform such other functions prescribed herein and those that be assigned to him/her by the Chairperson.

c.

The Secretary shall: (1) (2) (3) (4) Keep a record of the proceedings of the Commission, and all petitions, documents, and papers submitted thereto; Certify all official acts of the Commission, together with the Chairperson; Post notices, including those regarding rules or decisions of the Commission on the Law Student Government and Electoral Commission Bulletin Boards, and otherwise disseminate information to the studentry, when necessary; and Perform such other functions as may be assigned to him/her by the Chairperson.

d.

The Treasurer shall: (1) (2) (3) Have custody of the funds of the Commission; Authorize, together with the Chairperson, any disbursement of funds duly authorized by the Commission; and Perform such other functions as may be assigned to him/her by the Chairperson.

Section 11. Rules and Decisions. --- No rule or decision of the Commission shall be valid and effective unless in writing, duly certified that it was adopted with the requisite number of votes, posted on the Law Student Government and Electoral Commission Bulletin Boards, and duly served upon all the parties concerned. The Commission shall decide all cases and controversies regarding disqualification and electoral protests brought before it within thirty (30) days from filing thereof. Any decision of the Commission may be appealed to the Student Tribunal within fifteen (15) days from receipt of decision. Within fifteen (15) days from the lapse of the thirty (30) day period without any action by the Commission, the controversy may be elevated to the Student Tribunal for resolution. The Commission sitting en banc and by majority vote of all its members shall decide cases and controversies regarding disqualification, and electoral protests, brought before it, appealable in all instances to the Student Tribunal.

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Section 12. Allocation in Law Student Government Funds. --- The Electoral Commission shall be entitled to an amount equivalent to 7% of the student fees collected, which amount shall be released by the Central Board to the Commission not later than thirty (30) days from the end of enrollment of each semester; provided, that the Electoral Commission may request for additional funds from the Central Board whenever necessary. Section 13. Conduct of Elections. --- All votes cast in any election shall constitute at least a majority of all the enrolled students in the semester during which the election is to be conducted. Otherwise, the Commission shall declare a failure of elections and conduct another election not later than fifteen (15) days after the declaration. In cases when only one candidate runs for any elective position in the Central Board, the candidate shall need a majority of all the votes cast in order to be declared the winner. When there are two or more candidates, the candidate with the highest number of votes shall be declared the winner. This shall likewise govern the elections for evening program representatives. For the position of Batch Representatives, if there are only two (2) candidates, each candidate must obtain a majority vote in order to be declared the winner. If there are more than two (2) candidates, the two (2) candidates with the highest number of votes shall be declared the winner. C. The Bar Operations Commission Section 1. Powers and Duties. --- The Bar Operations Commission shall serve as the student bodys centralized operations for providing holistic support to the Colleges alumni-bar candidates. The Commission shall employ all necessary means and exercise such powers necessary for formulating and implementing policies desirable for the convenience and benefit of such bar candidates. It shall have the duty of creating revenue, organizing lectures, preparing materials and conducting necessary operations during the month of the bar examinations including but not limited to: hotel operations, transportation operations, day and night operations, food operations and attending to other reasonable requirements with the aim of ensuring a successful examination for every candidate. Its work shall be continuous and shall not be interrupted at any time during the calendar year. The Commission shall enact its rules and regulations governing membership selection, internal organization and other matters necessary and incidental to the implementation of its powers and duties. The Commission shall function independently of the Central Board, shall not be under its control or supervision, but shall regularly apprise and coordinate with the latter in respect of the performance of its duties. Section 2. Officers and Term of Office. --- The Bar Operations Commission shall be headed by a Commissioner, who shall be appointed by the President of the Central Board not earlier than the fifteenth, nor later than the thirtieth, day of the month subsequent to the month of the bar examinations for the year. Such Commissioner shall be selected from a list of at least two (2), but not more than three (3), nominees submitted by the Officers of the Commission through the incumbent Commissioner not later than the first day of the month subsequent the month of the bar examination for the year. No student may be nominated without his consent.

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Upon receipt of the list of nominees, the President shall immediately inform the graduating class of such list, through the Senior Batch Representatives. One-fifth (1/5) of the entire graduating class may veto the list within fifteen (15) days after notice of the nominations, through a letter addressed to the President, duly signed by the students from the graduating class vetoing, and specifically mentioning therein the nominee/s thus vetoed. Such veto power shall only be exercised once. Upon ascertaining the validity of the signatures, the President shall return the list to the Commissioner, who in turn must submit a new written list of three (3) member-nominees within seven (7) days from official notice from the President of the veto. Such list shall exclude the name/s of the nominee/s vetoed. The President, upon receipt of the list of nominees, or in case of veto, the new written list, shall obtain the concurrence of the graduating class, through the Senior Batch Representatives and the Evening Program Representatives, of the nominee to be appointed. Concurrence may be obtained by a General Assembly specially called for such purpose, with a majority of the graduating class members present. The term of the Commissioner shall begin on the last day of the first semester of the academic year he was appointed and shall end on the last day of the first semester of the following academic year. The Commissioner shall immediately appoint, upon beginning his term, from among the currently enrolled students of the College not otherwise members of any of the bodies of the Law Student Government, two (2) Deputy Commissioners, a Secretary, a Treasurer, and Auditor and a Linkages Officer, Provided that the Treasurer of the Central Board and the Treasurer of the Electoral Commission may not be appointed as the Treasurer or Auditor of the Bar Operations Commission. The terms of office of the Deputy Commissioners, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Auditor and the Linkages Officer shall be co-terminus with that of the Bar Operations Commissioner. Section 3. Members. --- The Commission shall provide in its internal rules for the requirements and procedures for acquiring membership. It shall be the duty of the Commissioner and the Deputy Commissioners to ensure adequate and competent membership throughout each academic year by implementing effective recruitment programs as may be necessary. The Commissioner may create any other positions incidental to the purpose of the Commission, and appoint therewith any other student without any restriction except that such person must be a currently enrolled student of the College. The terms of such offices and officers shall be co-terminus with that of the Bar Operations Commissioner. Section 4. Automatic Forfeiture of Office. --- The Commissioner shall automatically forfeit his post upon his filing of a certificate of candidacy for any position in the University Student Council during his term, or upon his graduation, dismissal, leave or suspension for more than thirty (30) days from the College, or otherwise ceasing to be a student thereof. Section 5. Ban from Membership in Other Bodies of the Law Student Government. --- No Commissioner of the Bar Operations Commission shall be allowed to file their certificate of candidacy or be allowed to be a candidate for any position in the Central Board, or to be appointed as a member of the Electoral Commission or Student Tribunal during his term, regardless of the voluntary cessation of his tenure as such. Furthermore, no Treasurer or Auditor of the Bar Operations Commission shall be allowed to file their certificate of candidacy or be allowed to be a candidate for the position of Treasurer of the Central Board, or to be appointed as the Treasurer of the Electoral Commission during his term, regardless of the voluntary cessation of his tenure as such.

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Section 6. Vacancy. Automatic forfeiture, voluntary cessation of office, or any such other circumstance resulting in a permanent vacancy in the position of Commissioner shall be filled by either of the Deputy Commissioners, as Acting Commissioner for the remainder of the term, upon majority vote of all the Officers of the Commission. The Acting Commissioner shall perform and discharge all the functions of the Commissioner. Section 7. Finances. --- The Bar Operations Commission shall have the right, power and duty to create, maintain and improve its finances separately from the Central Board and for this purpose, to open and maintain its own bank account, to solicit funding using the name of the Law Student Government, and to organize its own projects for the purposes of increasing revenue. The Bar Operations Commission and the Central Board shall, as far as practicable, agree on such terms and conditions so as to prevent competition between their respective revenue-generating projects and activities. The two bodies may enter into joint ventures with each other. In no case may either or both the Bar Operations Commission and the Central Board be prevented from using the name of the Law Student Government in soliciting funds, provided that funds thus solicited shall specifically pertain to the body to which it was intended for. A financial statement must be produced by the Treasurer, as certified by the Commissioner, no later than two (2) weeks after the end of their term. The Treasurer or Commissioner must respond, within one (1) month from the date of notice, to a demand for accounting of funds made by any member of the Commission or any alumni-bar-candidate. ARTICLE V REMOVAL BY CONVICTION FROM IMPEACHMENT Section 1. Impeachable Officers and Grounds for Impeachment. --- The members of the Central Board, the magistrates of the Student Tribunal, the members of the Electoral Commission, and the Commissioner of the Bar Operations Commission may only be removed from office through a conviction of impeachment charges, although the members of the Central Board may also be removed via section 16, paragraph 4 of Article II of this Constitution. Other Officers in this Constitution, unless otherwise provided by this Constitution, may be removed by their respective appointing authority. Any impeachable officer may be impeached for, and be convicted of, any of the following grounds: (1) (2) (3) Willful violation of the Constitution; Gross neglect or dereliction of their duties; Any grave offense or misconduct which constitutes a violation of University and/or College rules punishable by suspension or expulsion from the University or College.

Moreover, the Student Tribunal and the Electoral Commission may provide in their rules and regulations additional grounds for the discipline, of their own members, such as, but not limited to, any violation of its election rules in the case of the Electoral Commission. Section 2. Impeachment of an Impeachable Officer. --- Any currently enrolled student of the College of Law may file a written impeachment complaint with the proper impeachment court. The said court shall then, within three days, post the complaint on conspicuous places with the College and open it for signatures for thirty days. An impeachable officer is impeached once the impeachment complaint has been signed by at least one-sixth (1/6) of all students of the College: provided that, with respect to the class and program

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representatives, they shall be deemed impeached only when the impeachment complaint has been signed by at least three-fifth (3/5) of all their constituencies. A complaint not sufficiently signed within thirty (30) days shall be dismissed. The proper impeachment court shall ascertain the number and validity of the signature within seven days after it has been signed by the proper number of students. No member of the Student Tribunal may initiate or sign any impeachment complaint except with respect to its own members. Section 3. Trial of an Impeached Officer. --- A trial shall commence as soon as an impeachable officer has been impeached. The trial shall be prosecuted by a currently-enrolled student of the College or group of currently-enrolled students of the College selected by the signatories of the impeachment complaint. The trial shall be heard either by the Student Tribunal, with respect to the members of the Central Board, the Electoral Commission and the Commissioner of the Bar Operations Commission, or the Central board, with respect to members of the Student Tribunal. No impeached officer shall be convicted of impeachment charges except upon a vote of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all the members of the respective impeachment court en banc. The right of the impeached officer to be heard by the impeachment court shall be accorded and respected. The trial must begin within fifteen days after the officer has been impeached. The trial shall, as far as practicable, run for only forty-five days. Section 4. Effects of Conviction. --- Any impeached officer who has been convicted by the proper impeachment court shall automatically be removed from his office. Furthermore, no such convicted officer may be allowed to file a certificate of candidacy for any position in the Central Board nor may he be appointed as a member of the Student Tribunal and of the Constitutional Commissions: Provided that such officer shall still be allowed to run as College Representative. Section 5. Effects on the College Representative. --- The College Representative may also be impeached and be convicted thereof under the provisions herein, although its effect shall be limited to the removal of his status as an ex-officio member of the Central Board, his entitlement to seat in its meetings, his chairpersonship over any committee of the Central Board, his right to represent himself as a member of the Law Student Government, and to be qualified to run in any position in the Central Board or to be appointed as a Member of the Student Tribunal and the Constitutional Commissions. In no case shall such conviction remove him as College Representative to the University Student Council, unless otherwise stated by the University Student Council Constitution. It shall be the duty of the Student Tribunal and of the Electoral Commission, jointly, to inform, by writing, the University Student Council of the said conviction, and the effects thereof, within seven days from the promulgation of the decision. Section 6. Effects of Acquittal. --- Any impeached officer acquitted by the proper impeachment court may not be impeached for more than once for the same act. Section 7. Prohibition from Resignation. --- No impeachable officer who has been impeached may resign from his office until he has been acquitted from the impeachment charges against him. He may, however, take a voluntary leave of absence during the period of his trial. The impeachment court may also order that the impeached officer be placed in preventive suspension from his office during the period of his trial. ARTICLE VI AMENDMENTS OR REVISION

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Section 1. Proposal. --- Amendments to or a revision of this Constitution may only be proposed by the Central Board, upon a two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the voting members of the Central Board, or by a petition of at least one-third (1/3) of all the currently enrolled students of the College. A petition to amend or revise the Constitution by the students shall be submitted to the Electoral Commission who shall have the duty of ascertaining the validity of the signatures in the petition and determining whether the required number of signatures have been attained. The petition shall be deemed valid if the Commission does not find any defect therein within two consecutive weeks immediately after the petition has been tendered to it. Once the validity of the petition has been ascertained, the Commission shall subject the proposal to a plebiscite. Section 2. Ratification. --- The proposed amendment or revision shall take effect upon its ratification by a majority of the votes cast, provided that a majority of all the currently-enrolled students voted in favor of ratification, provided further that at least one-fifth (1/5) of all the students of the Evening Program and onefourth (1/4) of all the students of each batch of the Day Program voted in favor of ratification, in a plebiscite held for that purpose by the Electoral Commission. Plebiscites for such proposals shall take place no earlier than fifteen days nor later than thirty days after the Central Board submits it to the Electoral Commission or the petition by initiative has been ascertained to be valid. It shall be the duty of the Central Board to inform all students of the College about the proposed amendments or revision before the plebiscite. No plebiscite to approve a proposed amendment or revision shall run for more than three days, excluding holidays or suspension of classes. Section 3. Certification and Proof. --- In case this Constitution is amended, a certification of the true text of the ratified amendment shall be attached to all the original copies of this Constitution within thirty days after such ratification. The fact and date of any ratified amendment to this Constitution shall also be noted at the bottom of the first page of subsequent copies of this Constitution produced after its ratification. Section 4. Limitations. --- No proposed amendment or revision of this Constitution shall be made by the Central Board or by petition at any time within forty days before the last day of any semester. Furthermore, no proposed amendment or revision of this Constitution shall be made by the Central Board within a period of three years immediately starting from the approval of this Constitution, nor may subsequent proposals for amendments or a revision of this Constitution be proposed by the Central Board within three years after every approval of a proposed amendment of this Constitution. During such period, however, an amendment or revision of this Constitution may still be proposed through a petition, provided that such petition is not initiated by the Central Board or any of its members. ARTICLE VII TRANSITORY PROVISIONS Section 1. Effectivity. --- This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its ratification by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite held for that purpose. Section 2. Creation of the Magna Carta. --- Until finished, approved by the students, and recognized by the College administration, it may be included as a primary function and duty of the Central Board to exert all efforts in the codification of a Magna Carta for Students Rights.

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Section 3. Amount of the Students Fee. --- Until otherwise adjusted by the Central Board in accordance with Article I, Section 6 of this Constitution, the amount the Law Student Government shall collect as fee from each student every semester of enrollment shall be One Hundred Pesos (P100.00). Section 4. Incumbent members of the Central Board. --- The incumbent members of the Central Board shall continue serving in their capacities until the last day of the second semester of this academic year. The College Representative shall remain an ex officio member of the Central Board until his or her term ends in accordance with the University Student Council Constitution. Section 5. Existing Committees of the Central Board. --- The existing committees of the Central Board shall continue to exist only until the end of the term of the incumbent Central Board except for the Students Rights and Welfare and Academic Reforms Committee, the Public Affairs Committee, the Sports Committee, the Registration Committee, and the Students Lounge Committee, which shall continue to exist even after the last day of the second semester of this academic year. Section 6. Chairpersons of the Students Rights and Welfare Committee, the Public Affairs Committee, the Sports Committee, and the Organizational Affairs Committee. --- The incumbent VicePresident of the Central Board shall continue to serve as chairperson of the Students Rights and Welfare Committee and the Public Affairs Committee, while the Public Relations Officer shall continue to serve as chairperson of the Sports Committee and the Organizational Affairs Committee until the end of their term. Section 7. Incumbent members of the Electoral and Judicial Tribunal. --- The incumbent Electoral and Judicial Tribunal shall continue serving in its capacity until the last day of classes of the academic year during which this Constitution takes effect. The outgoing Chairperson of the Tribunal shall, with or without the aid of a transitory committee, at her election, be charged with the responsibility of selecting fifteen (15) of its present members to sits as the permanent members of the Electoral Commission subject to the limitations imposed by this Constitution on membership and affiliation, and with due consideration on the tenure of the existing members. Such selection shall be declared on the day on which the outgoing Tribunal ceases to function. The fifteen (15) members so selected shall begin to serve as such on the same date. Section 8. Bar Operations Commission Members and Structure. --- The effectivity of this Constitution shall not affect the tenure of the incumbent officers and members of the Bar Operations Commission nor the Commissions existing structure. Section 9. Impeachment Procedure. --- The incumbent members of the Central Board and the incumbent Academic Reforms Commissioner may only be removed through the impeachment procedure provided by the 2009 University of the Philippines Law Students Constitution. The incumbent members of the Electoral and Judicial Tribunal and the incumbent Bar Operations Commissioner may only be removed through the impeachment procedure provided by the 2009 University of the Philippines Law Students Constitution until the last day of the second semester after which the procedure delineated by this Constitution shall become operative. Section 10. Elections of the first members of the Central Board. --- The Electoral Commissionl shall conduct elections for the first members of the Central Board under this Constitution, in accordance with the said Constitution, not necessarily simultaneously with the University Student Council elections, Provided that it shall not be held beyond the first week of March, 2012. It shall be the duty of the Commission to organize a forum wherein the Central Board may inform the candidates the duties and functions of the Central Board, and its individual members and committees under this Constitution, especially with respect to the position they are running for.

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Section 11. Duty of the Electoral Commissionl to amend and publish its Internal Rules of Procedures and Conduct. --- The incumbent members of the Electoral Commission must immediately adjust their Rules of Procedure in accordance with the changes in the Constitution and publish the same on the Tribunals Bulletin Board. Section 14. Repeal of the 2009 University of the Philippines Law Students Constitution. --- The 2009 University of the Philippines Law Students Constitution shall automatically be repealed once this Constitution takes effect. However, provisions of the 2009 University of the Philippines Law Students Constitution referred to by the provisions of this Article of this Constitution, whether expressly or impliedly, shall remain operative until the last day of the second semester of this academic year. Section 15. Repository of this Constitution. --- Original copies of this Constitution shall be deposited with the Library of the College of Law of the University of the Philippines and the Central Board within thirty days after this Constitution takes effect. -oOo-