alsc constitution (for final comment)

8/19/2019 ALSC Constitution (for Final Comment)

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Constitution

of the Student Council

of the College of Law

of the Aquinas University of Legazpi

PREAMBLE

We, students of law of Aquinas University, imploring the aid of Almighty

God, through the intercession of St. Thomas Aquinas, and in the name of

everything that is just and humane, in order to establish a student council which

shall bind us under one government that shall promote our physical, intellectual

and moral progress, embody our ideals of legal scholarship and social

responsibility, conserve and develop our noble aspiration for a successful andexemplified professional life, express the best traditions of our college and develop

solidarity and goodwill among ourselves and improve our relations with the

faculty and administration, do ordain and promulgate this constitution.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND SEAT

SECTION 1. This organization shall be known as the Aquinas University of

Legazpi – College of Law Student Council (AUL – CLSC), or Aquinas Law

Student Council (ALSC) for brevity.


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Aquinas University of Legazpi – College of Law

CONSTITUTION OF THE STUDENT COUNCIL

SECTION 2. The seat of the ALSC shall be specifically located in the Aquinas

University of Legazpi Professional Schools Campus, Legazpi City.

ARTICLE II

DECLARATION OF OBJECTIVES AND POLICIES

Objectives

SECTION 1. To serve as the representative of the law students to the faculty

and University administration, as well as in external affairs and transactions.

SECTION 2. To act as the coordinating body in support of inter and intra school

activities of law students.

SECTION 3. To take up matters, directly or indirectly, affecting the educational,

social, moral and religious welfare of the law students and to the improvement

of the College’s standard and quality of education.

SECTION 4. To instill a sense of social awareness and moral responsibility among

the law students particularly in the advocacies of social justice and humanrights.

SECTION 5. To encourage law students to organize themselves in the

promotion and protection of their rights.

Policies

SECTION 6. The ALSC shall value academic freedom, student autonomy and

equality before the law.

SECTION 7. The ALSC shall adhere to the policy of cooperation and amity with

other sectors of the Aquinian community, and shall establish and maintain

linkages with cause oriented groups outside the University for resource-sharing

and student development.

SECTION 8. The ALSC shall value the dignity of every law student and the

members of the faculty and administration, and shall guarantee respect fortheir rights.


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SECTION 9. The ALSC shall renounce all forms of exploitation, oppression,

corruption, fraud, and injustice which are contrary to the rules and regulations

of the University as well as the laws of the land.

SECTION 10. The ALSC shall adopt and implement a policy of full public

disclosure regarding matters affecting the interest of its constituents.

SECTION 11. The ALSC shall be committed to the sustainable use of the earth,

and shall ensure that the preservation of the environment and the mitigation

of climate change are underlying priorities in all its actions.

SECTION 12. The ALSC shall, in view of disaster preparedness, adopt a policy

of automatic observance of prima facie declarations made by the localgovernment regarding class suspensions, unless a subsequent issuance of the

University declares non-suspension.

ARTICLE III

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. The ALSC shall be composed of all bona fide law students of

Aquinas University of Legazpi and their representatives.

SECTION 2. The council shall also be a member of the Association of Law

Students of the Philippines (ALSP), and its Bicol chapter, if so organized.

ARTICLE IV

BILL OF STUDENT RIGHTS

SECTION 1. No student shall be deprived his rights without due process of law,

nor shall he be denied the equal protection of laws.

SECTION 2. No student shall be subject to harassment, discrimination or abuse,

in any form and manner, whether based on religion, status, background or

sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any similar ground.

SECTION 3. Every student has the right to competent and responsive

professional services from the University.

SECTION 4. Every student has the right to legitimate and responsible use of

adequate, clean and efficient school facilities.


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SECTION 5. Every student has the right to be academically evaluated based

on objective criteria.

SECTION 6. Every student has the right to access their official records and other

pertinent documents, and enjoy privacy and confidentiality thereof.

SECTION 7. A student’s right to receive timely feedback and access his grades

during each semester shall be inviolable.

SECTION 8. The right of the students to information from the ALSC and the

University on matters affecting their interest shall be recognized.

SECTION 9. No student shall be deprived of his fundamental freedoms of

speech, expression and peaceful assembly, and the right to the redress of

grievances.

SECTION 10. The right of students to invite any person as a resource speaker

shall be protected.

SECTION 11. A student’s right of belief shall be protected.

SECTION 12. A student’s right to suffrage shall be secured.

SECTION 13. Every student has the right to initiate suspension or removal from

office of elected and appointed ALSC officers on the grounds provided in this

Constitution.

ARTICLE V

ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND GOVERNANCE

SECTION 1. There shall be three governing bodies namely the General

Assembly (GA), the Student Council (SC) and the Executive Committee

(EXECOM) following a parliamentary system of government.

General Assembly

SECTION 2. The GA shall be composed of all the bona fide law students.

SECTION 3. The GA shall be the highest decision--making body of the students.


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SECTION 4. The GA shall be convened at least once a semester, or as needed.

SECTION 5. The GA shall have the power to propose and ratify amendments

to the Constitution, as well as overturn any decision made by the SC and the

EXECOM.

SECTION 6. The GA, even when not convened, shall have the powers

prescribed in the immediately preceding section, as well as to elect the Block

Representatives.

Student Council

SECTION 7. The SC shall be composed of the Chair, Vice Chair and StudentCouncilors.

SECTION 8. The SC shall be the second-highest decision-making body of the

students.

SECTION 9. The SC shall also be the chief policy-making body of the students

and shall act as the legislature exercising all the necessary powers that are

legislative and plenary in power, including the power to approve the budget.

SECTION 10. As far as practicable, the SC shall convene at least once a month,

or as needed.

SECTION 11. When convened, the SC shall form the different standing

committees, namely the Finance, Logistics, Auditing, Secretariat, Marketing,

Public Information and Sectoral Committees, as well as other ad hoc

committees when necessary.

SECTION 12. The SC shall also have the power to elect amongst themselves

the Chair, Vice Chair and the Heads of the Committees who shall in turn form

the Executive Committee.

Executive Committee

SECTION 13. The EXECOM shall be composed of the Chair, Vice Chair and the

Heads of the Committees on Finance, Logistics, Audit, Secretariat, Marketing,

Public Information, and the Sectors.

SECTION 14. The EXECOM shall be the executive arm of the ALSC.


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SECTION 15. As the primary governance council, the EXECOM shall manage

the day to day affairs and needs of the students.

SECTION 16. As far as practicable, the EXECOM shall meet at least twice a

month, or as needed.

SECTION 17. The EXECOM, in the fulfillment of its duties, shall have the leverage

of exercising powers not expressly reserved to other bodies in this Constitution,

provided further that such exercise shall be subject to disapproval by the SC,

or the GA.

ARTICLE VI

QUALIFICATIONS

SECTION 1. All candidates must possess the following qualifications:

(a) They must be bona fide law students of the University taking up an

academic load of not less than nine (9) units;

(b) Must not have been convicted of any crime involving moral

turpitude, and;

(c)

Must be of good moral character, which shall be presumed, unless

protest is raised and duly certified by the College.

SECTION 2. Candidates for Chair and Vice Chair must possess the following

additional qualifications:

(a) They must be a full time professional law student;

(b)

Must not incur any failing grade in any bar subject previous to their

enrolment at present;

(c) Must not be a graduating student during the term they are to be

elected, and;

(d)

Must have a residence of at least two (2) semesters immediately

preceding their election to office.

SECTION 3. No law student shall be allowed to run for any position if they are

holding a managerial or supervisory position in the University. The same


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prohibition applies to any law student who is presently a member of the faculty

in any department of the University.

SECTION 4. No law student shall be allowed to hold the position of a Head or

Deputy Head of any of the recognized Student Commissions, as well as the

position of Block Representative, Vice Chair or Chair at the same time.

ARTICLE VII

ELECTION AND TENURE OF OFFICE

SECTION 1. The electoral system shall be administered by a Committee on

Elections (COMELEC) which shall be formed by the Heads of the recognizedStudent Commissions.

SECTION 2. The elections shall be commenced on the third week and shall be

concluded not later than the sixth week after the start of the first semester of

the current academic year.

SECTION 3. The process shall be commenced by the election of the Block

Representatives of each block.

a. Every nine (9) students shall entitle a block one (1) Block Representative.

b.

For blocks with less than nine (9) students, they shall have one (1)

automatic Block Representative.

c.

All recognized Student Commissions shall be entitled to one (1) SectoralRepresentative.

SECTION 4. Upon the election of the Block and Sectoral Representatives, they

shall convene to form the SC, and they shall now be called as Student

Councilors.

SECTION 5. Once convened, the SC shall elect from among themselves, the

candidates for Chair and Vice Chair.

a. Student Councilors may nominate themselves.

b.

Sectoral Representatives shall, however, be barred from participating in

this process other than to serve as the COMELEC.

SECTION 6. If there are more than two (2) nominees for Chair or Vice Chair, the

vote shall be made through a run-off elections.


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a.

The first round of voting involving all the nominees shall be made to

determine the top two (2) nominees.

b. The second round of voting involving only the top two (2) nominees shall

be made to determine the winning candidate.

SECTION 7. After final tallying, the COMELEC shall declare the winning Chair

and Vice Chair.

SECTION 8. The SC shall then proceed to elect from among themselves the

different Heads of the Standing Committees, except the Sectoral Committee.

Only after shall the blocks whose representatives were elected as Chair

and Vice Chair shall elect new Block Representatives to fill up the vacancy.

SECTION 9. The other Student Councilors who were not elected as Heads of

the Standing Committees shall be distributed as members of these

committees.

SECTION 10. The Sectoral Committee shall be composed of the Sectoral

Representatives, and their Head shall be chosen by them among themselves.

SECTION 11. An Electoral Code duly promulgated by the SC may allow for thecreation of student political parties, and the provision for a period tocampaign.

SECTION 12. In the interest of efficiency, the COMELEC may promulgate

additional guidelines as to the manner of balloting, or they may synchronize

the election with the convening of the GA, without prejudicing the

parliamentary nature of student elections.

SECTION 13. The officers of the ALSC shall commence their duties immediately

after taking their oath of office and shall terminate a year later or until their

successors have been elected or qualified.

SECTION 14. No student who has served as Chair shall be qualified for

reelection as Chair.

SECTION 15. No student who has served as Vice Chair shall be qualified for

reelection as Vice Chair.


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SECTION 16. No student who has served as a Block Representative shall be

qualified for reelection more than once as a Block Representative, unless the

person concerned consents to the reelection.

ARTICLE VIII

POWERS AND DUTIES

SECTION 1. The Chair shall:

(a)

call for and preside over all meetings of the EXECOM, regular or

special;

The Chair may recommend from time to time, such measures as the

Chair may deem expedient, necessary and proper for consideration;

(b) authorize the disbursement of funds pertaining to the projects as

approved and appropriated by the SC;

(c)

supervise all affairs of the ALSC and ensure that the SC and

EXECOM, and all other committees or bodies that may be created

are performing their duties;

To this effect, the Chair may hold any officer in contempt and

impose disciplinary action to such erring or recalcitrant officer after

due process; provided that in case of suspension from the SC, the

same must not be more than two (2) weeks and with the concurrence

of the majority of the SC;

The Chair may appoint such other officers and delegates as theChair may deem necessary to effectively discharge the duties of the

office;

(d)

veto all acts, measures and appropriations passed and adopted

by the SC and sign all official communications;

The SC may, however, override the veto by a two-thirds (2/3) vote

of all members present;

(e) represent the council in all meetings, conferences and other social

functions where presence is necessary, inside and outside the

University;


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The Chair, as far as practicable, shall head the ALSC’s delegation

as chief delegate in any provincial, regional, national or international

assemblies and conferences of law students within or outside of the

country;

(f)

convene any of the governing bodies where the need arises;

The EXECOM shall be specially convened at the call of the Chair,

or if without the call of the Chair, by a majority of the members of the

EXECOM;

The SC shall be specially convened at the call of the Chair with theconcurrence of majority of the members of the EXECOM, or if without

the call of the Chair, by a majority of the members of the SC;

The GA shall be specially convened at the call of the Chair with the

unanimous concurrence of all the members of the EXECOM, or at the

call of the Chair with the concurrence of majority of the members of

the SC, or if without the call of the Chair, by a 2/3 majority of the

members of the SC;

(g)

prepare and submit to the ALSC and to the students in general a

“State of the Council Report” during assemblies or at every end of the

year through publication in the College Journal or Bulletin Board, and;

(h)

ensure that the Constitution and By-Laws and other adopted

measures are faithfully executed.

SECTION 2. The Vice Chair shall:

(a)

coordinate and guide the members of the EXECOM and ensure the

harmony of working relations of the officers;

(b)

recommend appointees to any committee or body that the ALSC

may have created;

(c)

act as the Chair in case of the latter’s temporary incapacity or

absence;


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In case of permanent vacancy in the Office of the Chair by reason

of removal from office, death, resignation, cessation of studies and

other causes of inability to perform office, the Vice Chair shall assume

the Office of the Chair, and;

(d)

perform such other functions and duties as may be assigned to the

Vice Chair by the Chair.

SECTION 3. The Secretariat and Communications Committee shall:

(a)

be headed by the Secretary General assisted by the Deputy

Secretary General;

(b)

keep the records of the ALSC, take the minutes of every meeting

and compile them in one complete record;

(c)

write official correspondence of the ALSC and ensure that the

same be distributed to proper persons;

(d) call the roll of the officers of the ALSC and read the minutes of the

previous meeting;

(e)

certify as to the correctness of copies of all acts, measures and

resolutions or appropriation duly approved by the GA, SC, EXECOM

or by the Chair, and;

(f) perform such other functions and duties as may be assigned by the

Chair.

SECTION 4. The Finance and Budgeting Committee shall:

(a) be headed by the Finance Head assisted by the Deputy Finance

Head;

(b)

act as custodian of all funds and properties of the ALSC;

(c) take charge and sign all records of the accounts and disbursement

of funds appropriated by the SC;

(d)

submit a duly audited financial statement to the EXECOM within a

week after every activity where expenditures are incurred;


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Likewise, they shall prepare and publish a Summary of all Financial

Statements made before the start of the final examination for every

semester, or as may be further provided by the EXECOM.

(e)

prepare requisitions and vouchers with the approval of the Chair

for materials and such other needs for the ALSC, and;


Chair.

SECTION 5. The Auditing and Evaluation Committee shall:

(a) be headed by the Auditor General assisted by the Deputy Auditor

General;

(b) facilitate the evaluation of all activities and programs, as well as

coordinate the evaluation needs of student commissions;

(c) pass in audit, from time to time, all the Financial Statements

prepared by the Finance Committee;

(d)

coordinate with the Finance Committee in the preparation and

auditing of the summary of the Financial Statements;

(e)

by order of the Chair or motu proprio, audit the funds and

expenditures disbursed by the Finance Committee without notice, but

not more than twice every semester, and;

(f)

perform such other functions and duties as assigned by the Chair,provided however, that such other directive does not in any way

contravene the duties of the Auditing Committee.

SECTION 6. The Promotions and Public Information Committee shall:

(a) be headed by the Public Information Head assisted by the Deputy

Public Information Head;

(b)

take charge of the publicity of all measures and such other

activities or programs that the ALSC may have or have yet to be

conducted;


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(c) regularly update the bulletin board, as well as the social media

accounts of ALSC;

(d)

manage the efficient flow of announcements;

(e) coordinate with the Marketing Committee in spearheading the

fostering of school pride and culture, and;


Chair.

SECTION 7. The Logistics and Reservation Committee shall:

(a) be headed by the Logistics Head assisted by the Deputy Logistics

Head;

(b)

facilitate the reservation of vehicles, facilities and equipment that

may be required by the ALSC;

(c)

organize and manage the human resource needs in the conduct

of activities;

(d)

oversee the security needs of all activities of the ALSC;

(e)

facilitate the acquisition of materials, equipment and other needs

of the different activities of the ALSC, and;

(f) perform such other functions and duties as assigned by the Chair.

SECTION 8. The Marketing and Sponsorships Committee shall:

(a)

be headed by the Marketing Head assisted by the Deputy

Marketing Head;

(b)

in coordination with other relevant committees, draw up and

execute a general marketing plan of the ASLC for an academic year;

(c)

in coordination with other relevant committees, draw up andexecute a specific marketing plan, whenever necessary, for the

different activities and projects of the ALSC;


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(d)

spearhead and develop other modes of resource generation and

resource mobilization;

(e) serve as primary liaison committee of the ALSC to sponsors and

corporate partners, and;

(f)

perform such other functions and duties as assigned by the Chair.

SECTIION 9. The Sectoral Committee shall:

(a) be headed by the Sectoral Head;

(b)

coordinate with the different recognized student commissionsregarding their needs;

(c) represent the different recognized student commissions in relevant

sessions of the governing bodies of the ALSC;

(d) during elections, act as the COMELEC;

(e) recommend actions necessary for the welfare of the student

commissions, and;

(f) perform such other functions and duties as assigned by the Chair.

SECTION 10. The Student Council Adviser shall be a member of the faculty of

the College, preferably an officer of the Faculty Club. They shall note all

records of the Student Council and, as far as practicable, act as the legal

counsel of the same body.

ARTICLE IX

FUNDS

SECTION 1. There shall be enacted, in the earliest possible time upon

ratification and approval of this Constitution, a Financial Code that shall detail

the financial policies and protocol based on the financial principles laid down

in this Constitution.

SECTION 2. The Financial Code enacted under this article shall be regularly

updated to reflect the financial policies and protocol governing the times.


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SECTION 3. The Financial Code enacted under this article shall not however

be able to contradict the financial principles laid down in this Constitution.

SECTION 4. There shall be a Student Council Fee collected at the start of every

semester or term, the amount of which shall be provided in the Financial

Code, provided further that absent the promulgation of a Financial Code, the

collection of the Student Council Fee shall be suspended.

SECTION 5. The Student Development Fund, Student Activity Fund, Athletics

Fund, Extension Fund, Publication Fund, and related funds collected from the

law students shall be accessible to the ALSC, subject to the approval of the

College.

SECTION 6. Unless otherwise provided in the Financial Code, the funds of the

ALSC shall be held by the University in a depositary capacity.

SECTION 7. There shall be created a Petty Cash Fund, provided further that its

amount and the protocol of its use are provided for in the Financial Code.

SECTION 8. All disbursements by the ALSC, unless hereinafter provided, shall be

duly approved by the Finance Head and the Chair.

SECTION 9. All disbursements shall be promptly liquidated following generally

accepted accounting principles.

ARTICLE X

EXPULSION SUSPENSION AND VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE

SECTION 1. Any member of the EXECOM, other than the Chair and the Vice

Chair, may be removed from the EXECOM through a vote of no confidence

by a majority vote of all members of the SC, which shall not result in the

person’s expulsion from the SC.

For this purpose, no motion for a vote of no confidence may be raised

more than twice (2) a semester regarding the same person.

SECTION 2. Any member of the SC, other than the Chair and the Vice Chair,

may be removed from the SC through a vote of no confidence by a two-thirds


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(2/3) majority vote of all members of the SC, which shall result in the person’s

expulsion from the SC.


more than once (1) a semester regarding the same person.

SECTION 3. In case when the person sought to be removed is either the Chair

or Vice Chair, a three-fourth (3/4) vote of all members of the SC is required,

which shall result in the removal of the person from office.


more than once (1) a semester regarding the same person.

SECTION 4. All expulsion and suspension proceedings upon any grounds herein

provided shall be initiated by a motion of any member of the SC or upon a

written complaint under oath by any law student to the Chair who after due

notice to the party charged shall forward the complaint to SC for its

determination. In case the officer charged is the Chair, such complaint shall

be filed with the Vice Chair.

The SC shall convene, and within ten (10) days issue judgment, provided

further that the officer complained of shall not participate in the deliberations.

SECTION 5. Grounds for expulsion:

(a) willful violation of the Constitution and By-Laws or any rules,

regulations, resolutions or measure duly passed by the SC;

(b)

gross dishonesty, disloyalty and abuse of authority or office;

(c)

scandalous and immoral conduct or any act unworthy and

unwarranted by the position and status as officer of the ALSC;

(d)

non-attendance of three (3) consecutive meetings, whether

regular or special, without any justifiable reason, provided that in case

of a special meeting, the officers are duly notified twelve (12) hours

before the said meeting;

(e)

failure to submit receipts and statement of liquidation and expensewhen entrusted with Official Funds after repeated notice from the

Finance Head as noted by the Chair within ten (10) days from the

receipt of the last notice, provided that such period shall not be later


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than three (3) days before the final examination as scheduled by the

College; and,

(f) suspension from office, as sanctioned by the Chair, or by the SC thrice

or twice, respectively.

SECTION 6. Any officer found guilty shall not only be removed from the office

but shall also be disqualified to hold any office of honor and trust under the

ALSC, whether temporary or otherwise.

SECTION 7. All decisions of the SC expelling or suspending an officer shall be

final and executory.

SECTION 8. The concurrence of a simple majority of the members of the SC

present constituting a quorum shall suspend any officer of the ALSC. However,

where the period of suspension shall be more than ninety (90) days, a two-

third (2/3) vote of all present members constituting a quorum shall be required.

SECTION 9. Grounds for suspension:

(a)

failure to act on complaints filed by any student against any officer

or by any officer against another within five (5) days from the receiptof the complaint;

(b) failure to account all expenditures that they may have incurred

from the funds disbursed to them;

(c)

failure to justify two (2) consecutive absences in any meeting or

sessions;

(d) commission of acts or omissions inimical to the affairs or activities ofthe ALSC or that affect the goodwill among officers;

(e) uncalled for behaviour or utterances that may have degraded the

person of any student or officer, except when such utterances were

made during the regular session of any of the governing bodies andwhile delivering their privileged speech.

The SC, however, through the recommendation of the Chair, may hold

such officer in contempt; and,


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(f)

refusal to perform the duties as assigned by the Chair.

SECTION 10. Any officer who shall be held in contempt shall be fined the

amount of which shall be at the discretion of the Chair.

No fine, however, may be imposed where the same exceeds five

hundred pesos (P500.00).

SECTION 11. Any permanent vacancy in the EXECOM, other than that of the

Office of the Chair, shall be filled by a special vote called for this purpose,

provided further that the procedure in Article VII shall be followed.

ARTICLE XI

THE STUDENT COMMISSIONS

SECTION 1. There is hereby created autonomous bodies that shall be known

as the Student Commissions.

SECTION 2. The Student Commissions shall be the primary student organizations

of the ASLC for co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and studentdevelopment.

SECTION 3. The Student Commissions hereby specifically created are the Bar

Operations Commission (BarOps), Aquinas Law Journal and Bulletin

Commission (ALJB), Moot Court Commission (Moot), and the Jail Outreach

Program Commission (JOP), which shall continue to exist unless this section is

specifically amended to abolish any of them.

SECTION 4. The SC may create other Ad Hoc Student Commissions as may be

necessary, which shall only have temporary existence for the purposes they

have been constituted.

SECTION 5. Ad Hoc Student Commissions may be recognized as Permanent

Student Commissions, upon application and approval of the SC.

SECTION 6. A Student Activities Code shall be duly promulgated by the SC to

determine the process for the creation of Ad Hoc Student Commissions, theirapplication for permanency, and the general protocol and necessary forms

for student activities.


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SECTION 7. All Student Commissions shall enjoy autonomy over their affairs

including the promulgation of their own internal by-laws, subject to the

general supervision of the ASLC, provided further that upon just terms, the

Chair may intervene in any of the affairs of the Student Commissions.

SECTION 8. No Student Commission shall enjoy financial autonomy, except the

BarOps and the ALJB Commissions.

SECTION 9. The BarOps Commission shall source its funds from the fee collected

for that purpose.

SECTION 10. The ALJB Commission shall source its funds from the publication

fee.

ARTICLE XII

THE STUDENT OMBUDSMAN AND GRIEVANCE COMMISSION

SECTION 1. There is hereby created the Grievance Commission which shall

have the power to investigate and inspect any governing body and officer,

motu proprio or upon a verified complaint filed by any bona fide law student.

The report, under this section, on the findings and recommendations of

the Grievance Commission which shall have persuasive value, shall be

forwarded to the SC for action, provided further that when the findings point

to the guilt of an officer, such report shall be considered as a formal complaint

against the officer.

SECTION 2. The Grievance Commission shall also have the power to investigate

and hear any complaint regarding the violation of student rights by fellow

students, by members of the faculty or any other employee of the University.

The report, under this section, on the findings and recommendations of

the Grievance Commission which shall have recommendatory value, shall be

forwarded to the College for action.

SECTION 3. The Grievance Commission shall be headed by the Student

Ombudsman, to be elected by the SC from a list of three (3) nominees

submitted by the College, provided further that the Student Ombudsman shallhave the same qualifications as the Chair and Vice Chair, except Article VI,

Section 2(c).


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SECTION 4. The Grievance Commission shall have five (5) members, including

the Student Ombudsman.

The Head of the Moot Commission shall have a seat as the Deputy Head

of the Grievance Commission.

The SC shall select from among themselves two (2) Block Representatives

who shall be third and fourth members of the Grievance Commission.

The Student Ombudsman shall appoint any bona fide student who shall

be the fifth member of the Grievance Commission, provided further that such

appointee must not be of the same year-block section as the Student

Ombudsman.

SECTION 5. The Grievance Commission shall promulgate its own rules and by-

laws, which shall be valid upon approval of the SC.

SECTION 6. The Grievance Commission, when not convened, may be

activated at any time upon the filing of a complaint before the Student

Ombudsman.

ARTICLE XIII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. The College shall be the ex-officio custodian of all permanent

records of the ALSC including those materials produced by the different

Student Commissions.

For this purpose, a separate bookshelf or cabinet where such records

and documents shall be kept shall be produced by the ALSC. All persons who

may be interested to the same records and documents must ask for a written

permission from the Chair, or the Secretary General in the absence of the

former, without prejudice to the powers of the Grievance Commission.

SECTION 2. The ALSC Bulletin Board and other similar bulletin boards may be

used by any law student or any Student Commission, provided that permission

has been given by the Chair, or the Public Information Head.


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ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS

SECTION 1. The SC, in a special or regular session, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of

all members may propose the revision of or amendments to the Constitution.

Notification of the proposed revision or amendments must be given to

the members at least three (3) days before the said session.

SECTION 2. A specific amendment may also be proposed through a petition

made for this purpose signed by at least 20% of the law students of Aquinas

University of Legazpi.

SECTION 3. All amendments shall be valid only when ratified by three-fourth

(3/4) votes of all members of the SC.

If an amendment is proposed through a petition, however, such

proposed amendment may also be ratified by a majority of the law students

in a plebiscite called for such purpose, provided further that an earlier vote by

the SC on the question was made and the requisite number of votes was not

reached.

SECTION 4. The proposed revised Constitution approved by the SC shall be

valid only when ratified by a majority of the law students in a plebiscite called

for such purpose.

The Constitution may also be revised through a petition made for this

purpose signed by at least 40% of the law students which shall mandate the

SC to convene and study the proposed changes forwarded in the petition.

The SC shall ultimately approve the proposed revision of the Constitution as

provided for in Section 1, Article XIV, provided further that such revision shall

be valid only when ratified by a majority of the law students in a plebiscite

called for such purpose.

SECTION 5. All amendments to this Constitution, or when it is revised, shall be

submitted immediately to the Rector and President of Aquinas University ofLegazpi for approval.

In case of amendments, if, however, no action has been taken by theRector and President after seven (7) days from the receipt thereof, such

amendments shall be deemed approved and made.


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In case of revision, if, however, no action has been taken by the Rector

and President after twenty – one (21) days from the receipt thereof, such

revision shall be deemed approved and made.

SECTION 6. The Constitution may not be revised more than once every two (2)

academic years.

ARTICLE XV

TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. Upon ratification and approval of this Constitution, all officers

elected and appointed for this school year shall continue to hold office, untilofficers duly elected under Article VII of this Constitution have been qualified.

SECTION 2. Upon ratification and approval of this Constitution, all officers

serving under the conditions provided in the immediately preceding section,

and all governing bodies shall only have the powers provided in this

Constitution.

ARTICLE XVIEFFECTIVITY

SECTION 1. Within ten (10) days after the ratification of the Constitution by the

majority of all law students of Aquinas University of Legazpi who took part in

the plebiscite called for the purpose, a copy shall be forwarded to the Rector

and President of Aquinas University of Legazpi for his approval. This Constitution

shall take effect immediately upon the ratification and approval.

Approved:

Aaron Marc M. DimaanoChair

Glenn Ian P. Barcebal Vice Chair

Dorothy C. ArevaloCouncilor, 3E

Mary Grace P. ArevaloCouncilor, 1E

Mae Diane M. AzoresCouncilor, 1E

Sarah Mae C. BaylonCouncilor, 3E


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Ralph Erik B. Bermas

Councilor,1D

Dominic M. Cerbito

Councilor, 3E

Joemaica P. Combo

Councilor, 1E

Jessalyn EchanoCouncilor, 4D

Devy M. LaadCouncilor, 3D

Leslie LansanganCouncilor, 4E

Ramiro M. Madelar, Jr.

Councilor, 2E

Joy C. Malagueño

Councilor, 2E

Marielle Manzanilla

Councilor, 4E

Victoria Denise M. MonteCouncilor, 1E

Ronwald NazCouncilor, 4E

Lilia-Mari M. NievaCouncilor, 2D

Jose Paolo OjanoCouncilor, 1E

Ludigario OlavarioCouncilor, 2E

Marion Rico M. OpedaCouncilor, 1D

Raymond ParanCouncilor, 3D

Shermyn Sta. AnaCouncilor, 4D

Jorell Kent N. Sto.Domingo

Councilor, 2D

Atty. Mary Ailyne L. Zamora Assistant to the Dean

Judge Arnulfo B. Cabredo (Ret.)Dean

Rev. Fr. Ernesto M. Arceo, O.P.Rector and President

alsc constitution (for final comment)

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