THE CONSTITUTION

OF THE
STUDENTS OF THE COLLEGE OF MASS COMMUNICATION
OF THE UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES DILIMAN

PREAMBLE
We, the students of the College of Mass Communication of the University of the Philippines
Diliman, desirous of a Student Council that shall foster unity within the College, the University and
other sectors of society, promote students rights and welfare, ensure free exchange of ideas for a more
informed and united citizenry, and instill social commitment towards a free, just and humane Philippine
society, do ordain and promulgate this constitution.
ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 1 This Constitution shall be known as The Constitution of the Students of the College of Mass
Communication of the University of the Philippines Diliman.
Sec. 2 This Constitution shall safeguard and govern the students of the College of Mass Communication.
Sec. 3 For the purposes of this Constitution, unless otherwise indicated:
a. University signifies the University of the Philippines Diliman.
b. College signifies the College of Mass Communication of the University of the Philippines
Diliman.
c. Student Council or Council or CMC-SC signifies the College of Mass Communication
Student Council.
d. Officers or Council Officers refers to all members of the CMC-SC.
e. Program signifies any of the four departments of the College, namely the, Broadcast
Communication, Communication Research, and Journalism Departments, and the Film
Institute and Graduate Studies.
f. Permanent vacancy exists when the office of a Council officer has been vacated by reason
of resignation, impeachment, failure to qualify for office, illness, or death preventing
him/her from continuing the functions of his/her office.
g. Temporary vacancy exists when the office of a Council officer has been vacated by
reason of temporary physical, or mental incapacity, suspension or any other reason that
leaves the possibility of his/her duties before the expiration of the Councils term of office.
h. Council of Representatives or COR signifies the autonomous assembly of the various
college-based organizations and other units of the College of Mass Communication.
i. Organizations signify college-based organizations, recognized and unrecognized.
j. Other units signify the Freshmen Council and CMC-SC volunteer corps.
k. Online Ratification signifies a process by which the amended copy of this Constitution
shall be uploaded in PDF format on the internet and voted upon by students through
procedures prescribed by the chosen web host.
l. Graduate Students Association signifies the chosen representative body of graduate
students.

ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
Sec. 1 The Students of the College of Mass Communication believe that:
a. Mass Communication is an essential instrument to unify societys efforts for a free, just,
humane and independent Philippines.
b. Mass media shall be the bastion of truth, fairness, freedom and social commitment.
c. Mass media shall be, at all times, critical of the acts of the Philippine government and its
instrumentalities for the promotion of student and public welfare.
d. The power of the CMC-SC resides in the students and all Council authority emanates from
them.
e. The Student Council shall provide an open and proactive leadership, and should
be representative, autonomous and democratic.
f. The students of the College of Mass Communication shall assist in the realization of the
important role of mass communication in society as active and critical participants in
analyzing and communicating the state of the nation.
g. Right to education and freedom of speech and expression are inalienable.
h. The problems and interests of the University and of the people are the direct concern of the
Council and the students.
Sec. 2 The students of the College of Mass Communication shall at all times strive to:
a. Develop consciousness among and involvement of students on matters concerning the
College,
b. Provide venues for the development of human potentials,
c. Promote and protect the rights and welfare of the students and of the Filipino people,
d. Instill and strengthen students commitment to their chosen profession as a means of
serving the nation,
e. Articulate and realize students interests and confront issues within and beyond the College,
f. Develop and strengthen social awareness and national consciousness among students,
g. Encourage students to actively participate in various efforts towards nation-building.
ARTICLE III
BILL OF RIGHTS OF STUDENTS
Sec. 1 All students shall have the right to:
a. Enjoy freedom of speech, expression, practice of religious beliefs and to seek redress of
grievances;
b. Exercise academic freedom and conduct activities in line with this right;
c. Freely choose their field of specialization within the College, subject to the existing
curricula, and to continue and finish their course, subject to College and University rules;
d. Receive competent instruction and quality education regardless of sex, race, economic
status, political and religious beliefs;
e. Have access to academic facilities and equipment that will secure their right to quality
education;
f. Have their transcript of records and clearance speedily processed and the confidentiality
of their academic records maintained even after graduation;

g. Have access to official records, documents and papers pertaining to official acts,
transactions or decisions, on matters concerning their welfare;
h. Be represented in policy-making bodies of the College on issues affecting the welfare of the
studentry;
i. Assist, form, or join any organization, group, alliance or federation they choose;
j. Organize or assemble for purposes not contrary to law;
k. Be protected from exploitation, all forms of harassment and inhuman punishment;
l. Due process in disciplinary cases against them in the form of proper representation, fair trial
and freedom from any form of intimidation ;
m. Propose any amendment or revision to this Constitution subject to Article XIII Section 1 and
2;
n. Elect their representative(s) to the CMC-SC, the University Student Council and Board of
Regents and other student institutions as provided by the University; and
o. Have a designated place in the College to house their organizations, provided by the
CMC administration and agreed upon by the organizations;
o.1. Any reason for displacement shall undergo adequate consultations and merit the
consent of the majority of organizations concerned,
o.2. Should the reason be deemed valid by the concerned organizations, the CMC
administration is compelled to provide proper and immediate relocation.
ARTICLE IV
DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF STUDENTS
Sec. 1 It is the duty and obligation of students to:
a. Observe at all times the rules and regulations of the College and the University and the
laws of the Republic of the Philippines;
b. Uphold this Constitution;
c. Participate actively in College and University activities they choose;
d. Help promote the harmonious relationship within the College; and
e. Exercise their rights with due regard for others.
Sec. 2 It is the duty and obligation of students who are members of a college-based organization to:
a. Safeguard the physical, mental and emotional well-being of their applicants and comembers;
b. Reserve the right to conduct their application process upon their discretion and in
accordance with Section 2a.
ARTICLE V
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL
Sec. 1 The Council shall have the following powers and duties:
a. Adopt its own internal rule of governance not contrary to this Constitution;
b. Plan, organize, coordinate and direct student activities designed to protect and promote
students rights and welfare;
c. Facilitate student representation after proper consultation in policy-making bodies of the
College that directly concern students rights and welfare;
d. Represent the College in external student activities;

e. Make and assert recommendations to the College authorities regarding student matters,
affairs and activities;
f. Assist the incoming Council and provide for a smooth transition of administration; and
g. Such other powers and duties as the College authorities may, from time to time, grant or
delegate, consistent with its stated principles and objectives.
ARTICLE VI
COMPOSITION AND ELECTION OF THE CMC-SC
Sec. 1 The CMC-SC shall be composed of the College Representative, the Chairperson, the Vice
Chairperson, the Secretary, the Treasurer, and two (2) Representatives from each program.
Sec. 2 Elections shall be held within a month before the official end of classes for the second semester
of every academic year, in accordance with the rules set by the College Electoral Board.
Sec. 3 Every candidate for the CMC-SC must:
a. Be enrolled in the College with a regular load of at least 15 units in the semester of
his/her candidacy;
b. Not have a grade of 5.0 or incomplete in the semester immediately preceding the election;
c. Have at least one academic year residency in the College upon assumption into office; and
d. Not have been found guilty of any disciplinary action in the College or University.
Sec. 4 Induction of the elected Council members shall take place within a month after the start of classes
in the first semester of every academic year, and shall be administered by the Dean of the College or
his/her duly authorized representative.
Sec. 5 Every Council member shall hold office for one academic year or until his/her successor shall have
been duly-elected and inducted into office; provided, that any Council member who fills up a vacant seat
in the course of the term shall only hold office for the remainder of the term of his/her predecessor.
Sec. 6 A College Electoral Board shall be formed in accordance with Article IX of this Constitution.
Sec. 7 No duly-elected Council member shall hold office as President or Vice President of any other
student organization in the College or the University during his/her term without forfeiting his/her seat
in the Council.
Sec. 8 The College Representative, Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer shall be voted
upon by the whole population of CMC students. The Department positions shall be voted upon by the
students of the respective department.
Sec. 9 Secret balloting shall be observed.
ARTICLE VII
POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Sec. 1 The Chairperson shall be the executive officer of the Council. He/She shall:
a. Supervise all activities of the Council;
b. Ensure that all Council policies and guidelines are properly implemented;

c. Call and preside over Council meetings, unless another officer is designated to preside
over a specific meeting;
d. Vote only in the occurrence of a deadlock in Council votations;
e. Call students for a general assembly whenever necessary;
f. Sign all resolutions, communications and official papers of the Council; and
g. Represent the Council and the studentry in his/her capacity as Chairperson.
Sec. 2 The Chairperson shall create ad hoc committees upon consultation with the Council. The ad
hoc committee shall:
a. Be composed of not more than five (5) Council officers. The head of which shall be
elected by the members of that committee,
b. Be created to take charge of special activities upon the discretion of the Chairperson
and consultation with the Council officers,
c. Be formed to act as an investigating body which will hear of cases of suspension and
impeachment and to resolve the same with the concurrence of the whole Council,
and
d. Be formed to study proposed amendments in this Constitution for the approval of the
whole Council for such to be subjected to a plebiscite.
Sec. 3 The Vice Chairperson shall:
a. Take over the position of the Chairperson and perform the latters duties, and
responsibilities in case of absence, illness, resignation, removal from office, physical
or mental incapacity, or death;
b. Assist the Chairperson in all matters where his/her assistance is required;
c. Coordinate with the different student organizations within the College;
d. Perform such other duties as the Council or Chairperson may from time to time
assign him/her; and
e. Head the Council of Representatives.
Sec. 4 The Secretary shall:
a. Keep a record of all proceedings of the Council;
b. Keep a file of all pertinent documents and papers of the Council and make them
accessible to the studentry;
c. Take charge of all written correspondence of the Council;
d. Ensure the adequacy of all Council supplies;
e. Remind Council members of meetings and other activities; and
f. Perform such other duties as the Council or Chairperson may from time to time
assign him/her.
Sec. 5 The Treasurer shall:
a. Be responsible for the collection of Council fees subject to Article XII of this Constitution;
b. Act as the Custodian of Council funds;
c. Keep a record of all financial transactions and submit a financial report to the Council at
the end of each semester for publication;
d. Supervise all business and financial transactions of the Council;
e. Recommend and initiate fund-raising projects;
f. Perform such other duties as the Council or Chairperson may from time to time
assign him/her; and

g. Head the Finance and Marketing Committee.

Sec. 6 The Department Representatives shall:
a. Represent and work for the welfare and interest of their constituents (students in their
respective departments) in meetings, assemblies, dialogues, etc.;
b. Act as a link between the Council and their respective programs;
c. Perform such other duties as the Council or Chairperson may from time to time assign
him/her; and
d. Head a committee as deliberated upon by the Council.
Sec. 7 The College Representative shall:
a. Be an ex-officio member of the CMC-SC; and
b. Head a committee as deliberated upon by the Council.
ARTICLE VIII
COUNCIL OF REPRESENTATIVES
Sec. 1 The Council of Representatives (COR) shall be composed of:
a. The Vice Chairperson of the CMC-SC,
b. The COR representative of each of the college-based organization,
c. The Freshmen Council Chairperson,
d. The CMC-SC Volunteer Corps head,
e. The Graduate Students Association Representative
Sec. 2 The COR shall:
a. Serve as coordinating and consultative body of the CMC-SC;
b. Serve as the liaison between the Council , organizations and other units of the College;
c. Assist the Council in campaigns and activities of the College and the University;
d. Perform such other duties as may be delegated and consulted upon by the Council.
Sec. 3 The COR shall have two votes in decision-makings in the CMC-SC. Those votes shall be delivered
by the Vice Chairperson of the Council, whereas the decision-making process shall be as follows:
a. The majority vote of all representatives present during the voting process shall be
recognized as official.
b. Organizations whose representative was not present during the decision-making and who
are not in favor of the vote shall present a position paper explaining their dissent, which
shall merit approval upon a 2/3 vote of the body.
Sec. 4 The COR shall be convened at least once a month by the Vice Chairperson or any Council member
authorized by the Vice Chairperson.
Sec. 5 The chairperson of the Council shall be an ex-officio member of the COR.
ARTICLE IX
COLLEGE ELECTORAL BOARD
Sec. 1 a. There shall be an Electoral Board created a month before elections to be composed of six (6)
members who shall hold office for one academic year;

b. The Electoral Board shall consist of:

1. One (1) student from each department to be nominated by the incumbent Council,
and shall be subsequently appointed by the College Secretary;
2. One (1) faculty adviser to be appointed by the Dean;
3. The College Secretary or his/her duly authorized representative.
Sec. 2 The Chairperson of the Electoral Board shall be elected by the members of the Board.
Sec. 3 The College Electoral Board (CEB) shall be an independent body with the following functions:
a. Enforce and administer all laws and regulations related to the conduct of all elections,
plebiscite and referendums;
b. Hear and decide election protests and controversies not later than two (2) weeks after the
CMC-SC elections;
c. Promulgate its own rules or procedure in the discharge of its function;
d. Proclaim the winners of the CMC-SC elections; and
e. Submit to the incumbent Council and present to the student body, within three days
following each election, a comprehensive report on the manner in which the election was
conducted and its results.
Sec. 4 Any vacancy in the CEB shall be replaced in the same manner stated in Sec 1b of this Article. Any
CEB member who fills a vacancy in the course of the term shall only hold office for the remainder of the
term of his/her predecessor.
ARTICLE X
VACANCIES
Sec. 1 Any permanent vacancy in the office of the Chairperson shall be filled by the Vice Chairperson.
Permanent vacancy in any other office, except that of the Department Representatives, shall be filled by
the Council members through an election among the Council.
Sec. 2 Should the Chairperson and the Vice Chairperson become temporarily incapacitated, an
Acting Chairperson and Acting Vice Chairperson shall be elected among the council members. Both
shall relinquish their positions upon the return of the permanent officers. In no case shall the Council
be dissolved or rendered inoperative.
Sec. 3 Special elections, which shall be governed by the same rules pertaining to regular CMC-SC
elections, will be called by the College Electoral Board when:
a. There is a vacancy in the position of the Department Representatives. The position shall be
filled by means of a special election within the program involved,
b. Majority of the Council officers shall have permanently vacated their offices for more than
a month, and
c. A Council position was not filled during the regular election.
Sec. 4 The new set of elected officers shall hold office at the start of the next academic year.
Sec. 5 Should an incumbent Council member decide to seek another term, he/she should tender his/her
resignation to the College Electoral Board before the start of campaign period.

Sec. 6 Should an incumbent Council member decide to support or campaign for a candidate or a
political party, he/she shall tender his/her resignation to the CEB.
ARTICLE XI
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Sec. 1 Disciplinary action may take the form of warning, suspension or impeachment depending
upon the gravity of the offense.
Sec. 2 Any Council officer shall be issued a warning prior to suspension or impeachment.
Sec. 3 Any Council member may be suspended on the following grounds:
a. 3 consecutive unexcused absences in the General Assembly;
b. 6 accumulated unexcused absences in the General Assembly;
c. Negligence of duty;
d. Dishonesty in office, misconduct, indecency, or failure to cooperate in Council activities; or
e. Any willful violation of the provisions of this Constitution and its by-laws.
Sec. 4 The period of suspension, as may be determined by the Council, shall not be less than 7 days
nor more than 28 days after which the suspension is automatically lifted and may not be reinstated
under the old charges.
Sec. 5 Any Council officer may be impeached on the following grounds:
a. 2 suspensions;
b. Gross negligence of duty;
c. Incompetence;
d. Abuse of authority; or
e. Commission of any act that undermines the integrity of the Council.
Sec. 6 Any Council member or student of the College may initiate grounds for disciplinary action
provided that the Chairperson be notified in writing. In turn, the Chairperson shall create an ad hoc
investigating body for this purpose. In cases when the Chairperson is in question, the Vice
Chairperson shall perform the duties stated in this section.
Sec. 7 Due process shall be observed. The Council member concerned shall be notified of the
charges against him/her not later than three (3) days before the first session of the ad hoc
investigating body. After the investigating body has submitted its report, the Council shall then
deliberate on the case.
Disciplinary proceedings must be resolved not later than to weeks after the receipt of the complaint.
Sec. 8 The Council member concerned shall automatically be excused from the exercise of his/her
duties and responsibilities as an officer of the Council upon receipt of the formal notification of the
charge/s against him/her.
Sec. 9 An affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Council shall be required to issue a warning
or suspension, or to confirm impeachment of any Council member.
Sec. 10 the disciplinary action shall immediately take effect upon issuance of the decision of the

Council. The decision shall be final.

ARTICLE XII
FUNDS
Sec. 1 The general funds of the Council shall consist of student fees collected by the Council every
registration period.
Sec.2 The Council shall allocate forty percent (40%) of the total collected student fees to the account of
Tinig ng Plaridel, the official student publication of the College of Mass Communication, 10% to Himig
Maskom, and 10% to CMC Wildcats. Said funds shall be released within the first month of each
semester.
Sec. 3 Student fee shall be subject to the approval of the Council. Any increase in the student fee must
be justified through a written report presented to the students in a College Assembly during the
semester preceding the increase.
Sec. 4 All Council funds shall be used for Council purposes only.
Sec. 5 All Council funds shall be deposited in a bank chosen by the Council, under the Councils name,
with the Treasurer and Chairperson as primary signatories, subject to the banks rules and regulations,
or as agreed upon by the body.
Sec. 6 All Council funds shall be accounted for in a financial report which shall be released to the public
at the end of each semester.
Sec. 7 All unused Mass Communication students deposit shall become part of the CMCSC funds.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS
Sec. 1 Any Council member may propose amendments to the Constitution. Amendments may
likewise be directly proposed by the students through initiative upon a petition at least 1/3 of the
student population
Sec. 2 Any amendment proposed by a council member or directly proposed by the students shall be
consulted with the Council of Representatives
Sec. 3 This Constitution is recommended for amendment after five years
ARTICLE XIV
RATIFICATION
Sec. 1 An affirmative vote of 50% +1 of the whole student population in a formal college assembly
will be enough to ratify this constitution
Sec. 2 Online Ratification may be done in the event that a college assembly for ratification is held,
and attending population hasnt reached at least 50% + 1 of the whole student population
Sec. 3 This Constitution will render effective immediately after the notification of Board Of Regents
ARTICLE XV
EFFECTIVITY

Section 1.This Constitution was ratified on November 26, 2014.

Section 2. This Constitution will render effective immediately after the notification of Board Of Regents.