THE CONSTITUTION

OF THE

UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES

UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL
________________________________________________________

PREAMBLE

E, THE STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF EASTERN PHILIPPINES MAIN CAMPUS ,

imploring the aid of Almighty God,
Realizing the need to bind ourselves into an organization which shall serve as a vehicle to
express our ideals, hopes, and aspirations,
To promote the common good,
To enhance the involvement and enthusiasm of all the students in all the affairs of the
University,
To attain a high degree of academic consciousness and excellence,
To promote and strengthen common ties among students, student groups and
organizations, and other sectors of the University and of the society,
In order to instill in ourselves the spirit of patriotism and nationalism and the values of
intellectual, social, moral, and aesthetic responsibility,
Do ordain and promulgate this Constitution:

ARTICLE I
NAME AND NATURE OF THE ORGANIZATION
Section 1 The official union of the students of the University of Eastern Philippines
Main Campus shall be known as the University of Eastern Philippines University Student
Council or UEP USC.
Section 2 The official address of the University Student Council shall be at the Office of
Student Affairs Compound, University of Eastern Philippines, University Town, Catarman,
Northern Samar.
Section 3 The University Student Council is the highest governing student body of the
University of Eastern Philippines Main Campus.
ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
Section 1 The University Student Council shall have jurisdiction over all students of the
main campus and shall be autonomous, representative and democratic.
Section 2 The University Student Council stands for and advances the principle of
academic freedom under a socially accountable and morally responsible exercise of a
nationalistic, scientific, and mass oriented system of education.
Section 3 The University Student Council shall protect and promote the rights, interests,
welfare, and good of all the students.

Section 4 The University Student Council supports the struggle of the academic sector
for the rights, interests, welfare, and good of the people.
Section 5 The University Student Council, shall, at all times, represent all the students
of the UEP Main Campus in the UEP Federation of Student Councils and in the highest policymaking body of the University, the Board of Regents.
ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND SUFFRAGE
Section 1 All bona fide students of the University of Eastern Philippines Main
Campus are members of the University Student Council which shall formally commence upon
payment of semestral dues as provided in this Constitution and by-laws.
Section 2 Every member of the University Student Council shall have the right to vote
and be voted upon to any student position, in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution
and by-laws.
ARTICLE IV
BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 1 No student of the University shall be deprived of his or her right to education
without due process of law nor shall any student be denied the equal protection of the law.
Section 2 Every student of the University shall have the right to be informed and
consulted on matters which may directly or indirectly affect them before such matters are
adopted.
Section 3 Every student of the University shall have access to public official records of
the University; documents involving official transactions or decisions shall be freely afforded to
the students; provided, that confidential or private records between and involving students shall
be kept confidential as may be provided by law.
Section 4 Every member of the University Student Council shall have the right to be
heard of his or her opinion, ideas, reactions, or suggestions for and in consideration of any policy
or any future appropriate action by the Council.
Section 5 Every student of the University shall have the right to exercise and enjoy the
freedom of speech and of the press.
Section 6 Every student of the University shall have the right to the free exercise of his
or her religious beliefs, and the free exercise of conscience, political will, and social ideologies.
Section 7 No student shall be obliged to pay for tickets for raffle draws, arts and public
performances, stage shows and concerts donations, and sundries and miscellaneous
contributions, imposed by the faculty members, pursuant of the Republic Act 6713 of the Code
of Conduct and Ethical Standards of Public Employees
Section 8 All students of the University shall have the right to peaceably assemble for
redress of grievances and to seek speedy action thereof.
Section 9 Every student of the University shall have the right to enjoy the full use and
aid of all the adequate facilities, amenities, and services provided by the University, and to a
speedy assistance by any personnel of the University.

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Section 10 No student of the University shall be subjected to any exploitation,

harassment, extortion, intimidation, or cruel and unusual punishments.

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ARTICLE V
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Section 1 Every student of the University shall dutifully observe and uphold at all times
the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines, the laws of the land, the Charter and the rules
and regulations of the University of Eastern Philippines, and this Constitution and the by-laws
from it proceeding.
Section 2 Every student of the University shall help engender an academic atmosphere
conducive to intellectual excellence and physical advancement, and to the peace and harmony
among various sectors of the University.
Section 3 Every student of the University shall exercise his or her rights and
responsibilities with due regard and respect for the rights of his or her fellow students and other
members of the University community.
Section 4 Every student has the obligation to cast his or her vote or be voted upon
during the annual University Student Council elections subject to limitations provided by this
Constitution and the Rules and Regulations on Student Organizations and Activities of the
University Code.
Section 5 Every student has the responsibility to attend and actively participate in
regular and special assembly meetings and other activities of the Council and of the University
whenever required.
Section 6 Every student shall exercise all other rights and perform such other duties and
functions as provided by law, executive orders and memorandum circulars.
ARTICLE VI
THE COLLEGE STUDENT COUNCIL
Section 1 All component Colleges of the University, regardless of population, shall have
their own College Student Councils (CSCs).
Section 2 Regardless of population, all College Student Councils shall have a President,
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Business Manager, and Public Information Officer
all of whom shall be elected at large.
Section 3 Any College Student Council of the University may, for the purpose of
effectivity and efficiency, have other officers in addition to the officers in the preceding section,
such as department, course, or year level representatives.
Section 4 Every College Student Council of the University shall:
a. plan, approve and implement programs and projects within the area of
jurisdiction;
b. enforce rules and policies formulated by the University Student
Council and the Student Council Assembly;
c. appropriate student funds for its college and administer them for the
implementation of the projects relevant to the needs of its constituents;
and
d. submit a financial statement every end of the semester to the College
Student Affairs Coordinator for review, approval and safekeeping, and
post copies of which in conspicuous places within their jurisdiction.
Section 5 The College Student Council President shall be an ex-officio College
Representative to the University Student Council.
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Section 6 All elected and appointed officials of the College Student Councils shall hold
office for one (1) academic year or until another set of officers shall have been elected.
Section 7 All College Student Councils shall collect their own fund from their
respective constituents after a resolution shall have been approved by the majority of their
officers, voting and present, in a meeting called for such purpose. Provided, further, that a
consultation with the students shall be conducted before such resolution shall be made.
Section 8 The College Student Affairs Coordinator shall be an ex-officio adviser to the
College Student Council. Additional advisers, who must be members of the faculty of the
college, may be appointed by the CSC through a resolution approved by a majority of the
officers, voting and present.
ARTICLE VII
THE COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE
Section 1 There shall be College Representatives to the University Student Council
(USC) of the University of Eastern Philippines Main Campus for every 500 student population
of a college or a major fraction thereof.
Section 2 As provided in Section 5 of Article VI of this Constitution, the College
Student Council Presidents shall be ex-officio College Representatives to the University Student
Council and shall be part of the required number of representatives from their respective
colleges, the remainder thereof shall be elected in accordance with the provisions of this
Constitution and the Rules and Regulations on Student Organizations and Activities.
Section 3 In case a College shall be entitled to only one (1) College Representative, the
College Student Council President will automatically be the College Representative. As such,
there shall be no election of college representatives for that particular College.
Section 4 The College Representative/s shall be voting ex-officio member/s of their
respective College Student Councils, entitled to all rights, duties and responsibilities attached
thereof and thus shall also be bound by their respective CSC rules and regulations.
Section 5 The College Representative/s shall serve as the official liaison officer/s of the
College Student Councils to the University Student Council.
Section 6 The election of the College Representative/s shall be conducted together with
the elections for the other members of the University Student Council.
Section 7 The College Representative/s shall be subjected to and bound by the decisions
of their respective College Student Councils in so far as the CSC matters are concerned.
Section 8 For purposes of effective and efficient management of the College Student
Councils, CSC Presidents may revoke their right to be College Representatives and appoint
another member of their Council as his or her replacement provided that such appointment shall
be permanent and will last until the end of their unexpired term.
ARTICLE VIII
THE UNIVERSITY STUDENT COUNCIL
Section 1 The University Student Council shall be composed of the President, Vice
President for Internal Affairs, Vice President for External Affairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor,
Business Manager, Public Information Officer, and the College Representatives.
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Section 2 The University Student Council President shall be the Chief Executive Officer
and shall exercise authority over the Council. He/She shall:
a. sign all resolutions, communications and papers of the Council unless he/she
deems otherwise in specific cases;
b. preside over all meetings of the Council, unless he/she designates another
Council member to be the presiding officer;
c. head the Student Council Assembly;
d. have the power to nominate, twice the required number of members of the
Constitutional Commissions and of the Student Tribunal. The Student Council
Assembly (SCA) shall elect the members from among the nominees.
e. be responsible for the effective implementation of the policies duly approved
by the Student Council Assembly;
f. be authorized to enter into, sign and execute contracts and agreements
beneficial to the University Student Council upon consultation with the
Student Council Assembly, with the concurrence of two thirds (2/3) vote of
the SCA voting and present;
g. consult the Student Council Assembly on matters of consideration of the UEP
Federation of Student Councils that may affect the welfare of the students and
to adopt the position of the SCA on said matters;
h. approve vouchers covering the application of expenditures of the University
Student Council funds before payments or disbursements are made by the
Treasurer;
i. represent the University Student Council and the UEP Main Campus in his/her
official capacity as the USC President on occasions and events as needed; and
j. perform such other duties as may be necessary or incidental to the discharge
of the functions of the office.
Section 3 The Vice President for Internal Affairs shall assist the President in the
discharge of his/her duties in matters pertaining to the internal affairs of the University Student
Council and shall perform the duties and functions of the President in case of the latters absence,
death, disability or resignation. He/She shall perform other functions that maybe assigned to him
by the Student Council Assembly.
Section 4 The Vice President for External Affairs shall assist the president on matters
pertaining to the external affairs of the University Student Council. He/She shall perform the
duties and functions of the President in case of the latters absence, disability, death or
resignation and when the VP for Internal Affairs cannot perform the said duties and functions for
valid reason/s. He/she shall perform other functions that may be assigned to him/her by the
Student Council Assembly.
Section 5 It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:
a.
prepare the agenda of the meeting as approved by the President;
b.
take down minutes of the meetings together with the list of participants
and tally the votes cast;
c.
certify all acts of the University Student Council;
d.
act as custodian on all records, documents, minutes of meetings, list of
general membership, election returns as well as written policies, projects and
activities of the University Student Council;
e.
certify the existence of a quorum, call the roll and read the minutes of the
previous meeting;
f.
serve as the Secretary of the Student Council Assembly; and
g.
perform such other functions as may be assigned to him/her by the SCA
and the USC President.
Section 6 It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:

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a.
b.
c.
d.
e.

f.
g.

collect, receive, and issue receipts for all monies, funds and
contributions to the University Student Council;
make sure that all disbursements and payments made by him/her
are covered by vouchers and accompanied by necessary receipts;
take custody of all funds and assets of the University Student
Council and keep the financial records in accordance with auditing rules and
regulations;
withdraw money in accordance with duly approved resolutions
of the University Student Council;
prepare such financial reports as may be required of him/her by
the Student Council Assembly and/or the University Student Council, which
shall include all money received and paid by him/her since he/she assumed
office and the balance remaining in his/her hands at a time of rendering such
accounts and other properties of the organization entrusted to his/her custody
under his/her control. The rendering of such accounts shall be made :

at least once a year, within thirty days after the close of the
University Student Council fiscal year; and

at such other times as may be required by a resolution of

the majority of the members of the University Student Council.
prepare financial reports, balance sheets and
statements of receipts and disbursements; and
perform other duties assigned to him by the Student
Council Assembly and the USC President.

Section 7 The Auditor shall;

a.
verify, examine and audit all financial
accounts and expenditures of the University Student Council;
b.
supervise the entries in the book of
accounts of the University Student Council and shall render a report of his/her
audit as maybe required by the Student Council Assembly and the University
Student Council; and
c.
perform other duties inherent to his/her
position.
Section 8 The Business Manager shall:
a.
be responsible for the supervision of all projects, business ventures and
fund raising activities of the University Student Council;
b.
establish linkages with other organizations related to investments and
productive activities which are beneficial to the University Student Council;
and
c.
perform other functions as the Student Council Assembly and the USC
President may assign.
Section 9 The Public Information Officer shall:
a. be in-charge on matters involving public relations, preparing press releases
and other information relative to the activities of the University Student
Council;
b. serve as the Editor in Chief of The Crier, the official publication of the
University Student Council; and
c. perform other duties assigned to him/her by the Student Council Assembly
and the USC President.
Section 10 The University Student Council shall serve as the highest executive and
implementing student body of the University of Eastern Philippines Main Campus. It shall also
be the highest policy-making body when the Student Council Assembly is not in session.

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Section 11 The Executive Officers of and College Representatives to the University

Student Council officers shall have the following powers and functions:
a. be responsible for the administrative and day-to-day functions of the USC;
b. ensure, monitor, direct and coordinate the plans, decisions and programs of
the USC;
c. make recommendations to the SCA on matters concerning the USC and the
students in general;
d. ensure the integration of the USC with the students of the University;
e. formulate, approve, and enforce decisions, policies, resolutions, stands on
issues and programs of action for the USC;
f. manage all the funds and properties of the USC; and
g. perform other functions and duties as may be delegated by the SCA.
Section 12 The Executive Officers of and College Representatives to the University
Student Council shall be exempt from paying their semestral tuition fees during their term of
office as provided in the UEP Board of Regents Resolution No. 26, Series of 2001.
Section 13 The University Student Council shall appoint advisers for administration,
sports, cultural affairs, and other advisers, if deemed necessary, through a resolution duly
approved by the majority of its officers, voting and present. The advisers must be faculty
members of the UEP Main Campus.
Section 14 The USC shall, for the purpose of coordination, exercise overall supervision
over all College Student Councils.
ARTICLE IX
THE STUDENT COUNCIL ASSEMBLY
Section 1 The Student Council Assembly shall be the highest policy-making body of the
University Student Council.
Section 2 The Executive Officers of and College Representatives to the University
Student Council along with the President of the Association of Recognized Campus
Organizations, Sororities and Fraternities (ARCOSAF), the President of the University Junior
and Senior Classes Organization (UJSCO), the President of the University Performing Arts
Organization (UPAO), the Editor in Chief of The Pillar, and the Head of the Campus Ministry
Organization (CMO), shall compose the Student Council Assembly.
Section 3 The University Student Council President shall be the head of the Student
Council Assembly.
Section 4 The Student Council Assembly shall have the following powers and functions:
a. study and suggest amendments and revisions to the USC constitution subject
to final ratification by the students in a constitutional plebiscite for the
purpose;
b. formulate, approve and enforce decisions, policies, resolutions, stands on
issues and programs of action of the USC;
c. act and decide upon all cases of suspension of and impeachment/removal from
the office of Council members subject to the provisions concerning expulsion
and impeachment in this Constitution; and
d. do such other duties and functions as it may deem necessary.
Section 5 The regular Student Council Assembly shall meet once a month during the
term of the Council, excluding semestral breaks and Christmas holidays. The Council may,
however, convene a regular SCA on the excluded dates.

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Page 9 of 14

ARTICLE X
STUDENT TRIBUNAL
Section 1 There shall be an autonomous Student Tribunal who shall be responsible for
instituting arbitration procedures or disputes referred to it.
Section 2 Arbitration shall be to the extent possible a means of arriving at an amicable
and conciliatory resolution of conflicts.
Section 3 Settlement of disputes between and among students shall be decided upon by
the Student Tribunal. A simple majority (50% plus 1) decision by the members voting and
present shall be final. Such decision shall be submitted for validation to the Dean of the Office of
Student Affairs in order for the sentence to take effect.
Section 4 The Student Tribunal, in addition to instituting arbitration, shall officially
interpret, upon request by parties concerned, pertinent provisions of this Constitution.
Section 5 The Student Tribunal shall have the power to promulgate rules and make its
decisions and functions consistent with this Constitution.
Section 6 Suspension and impeachment of officers of the University Student Council
and members of the Student Tribunal and Constitutional Commissions shall be dealt with in
accordance to Article XVIII of this Constitution.
Section 7 The Student Tribunal shall be composed of a Chief Magistrate and four (4)
Associate Magistrates.
Section 8 The President of the UEP Association of Law Students shall be the ex-officio
Chief Magistrate of the Student Tribunal. The Chief Magistrate shall be the head of the Student
Tribunal.
Section 9 The President of the ARCOSAF shall be an ex-officio Associate Magistrate.
The three (3) other Associate Magistrates shall be elected by the SCA in the manner provided by
Article VIII, Section 2d thereof.
Section 10 The Student Tribunal shall appoint a Legal Adviser who shall be an
Attorney-at-Law and at the same time a faculty member of the UEP College of Law. Such
adviser shall be appointed by a majority of vote of its members.
ARTICLE XI
COMMISSION ON STUDENT ELECTIONS
Section 1 The Commission on Student Elections (COSEL) is an autonomous
Constitutional Commission which shall be composed of a Chairman and one representative from
each college who will act as Commissioners who shall be elected by the SCA in the manner
provided by Article VIII, Section 2d.
Section 2 The Head of the Campus Ministry Organization shall be the ex-officio
Chairman of the COSEL.
Section 3 Except for the Chairman, the Commissioners shall not hold any other office
during his or her tenure.
Section 4 The COSEL shall provide services such as:
a. to recommend to the Student Council Assembly effective measures to
minimize all forms of election fraud and malpractice;
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b. to register and accredit political parties in accordance with the law;

c. to enforce and administer all laws relative to the conduct of elections and
plebiscites;
d. to pass judgment on election protests concerning election returns and
qualifications of candidates for elective positions;
e. to report the results of election to the students and the entire University right
after the proclamation; and
f. to organize and manage the Bantay Campus Volunteers.
Section 5 The COSEL may sit en banc or in two divisions, and shall promulgate its rules
and procedures in order to expedite disposition for election cases, including pre-proclamation
controversies. All such election cases shall be heard and decided in the division by the
commission en banc.
Section 6 The Commission may recommend to the SCA the removal of any officer of
the UEP Student Council for violations or disregard of and disobedience to its decision, order or
directive.
Section 7 No suspension of sentence for violation of the law or rules and regulations
concerning elections shall be meted out without the recommendation of the Commission.
Section 8 The Dean of the Office of Student Affairs shall be the ex-officio adviser of the
Commission.
ARTICLE XII
COMMISSION ON AUDIT
Section 1 The Commission on Audit (COA) is an autonomous Constitutional
Commission which shall be composed of a Chairman and four (4) Commissioners who shall be
elected in manner provided by Article VIII, Section 2d.
Section 2 The President of the UEP Junior Philippine Institute of Accountants shall be
the ex-officio Chairman of the Commission.
Section 3 Except for the Chairman, the Commissioners shall not hold any other office
during his or her tenure.
Section 4 The COA shall have the following functions:
a. To audit all financial transactions affecting the various subdivisions of the
USC including but not limited to CSCs;
b. To submit to the SCA an audited semestral financial report of the USC and its
subdivisions not later than thirty (30) days after the last semestral session of
the SCA; and
c. To recommend measures deemed necessary for improving the efficiency and
effectiveness of the Student Councils financial management.
Section 5 The Commission shall appoint, through a majority vote of its members, an
Adviser who shall be a faculty member of the UEP College of Business Administrations
Accountancy Department

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ARTICLE XIII
RESIGNATIONS AND VACANCIES
Section 1 In case of vacancy in the office of the President arising from death, permanent
incapacity, removal from office, or resignation, the Vice President for Internal Affairs shall
become the President and serve the unexpired term of the President. In any event, the VPIA shall
be the acting President until the regular election is conducted.
Section 2 In case of vacancy in the Office of the VPIA, the Vice President for External
Affairs succeeds him/her.
Section 3 Other vacancies concerning Executive Officers shall be filled by the SCA by
appointing any bona fide officer of the USC and who shall serve the unexpired term of his/her
immediate predecessor.
Section 4 Vacancies in the College Representatives shall be filled by the College
Student Council concerned by appointing any bona fide officer of the CSC and who shall serve
the unexpired term of his/her immediate predecessor.
ARTICLE XIV
SYSTEM OF ELECTIONS
Section 1 The election will be handled by the Commission on Student Elections
(COSEL) under the supervision of the Committee on University Student Organizations and
Activities (CUSOA). In addition to Section 4 of Article XI, the COSEL and CUSOA shall:
a. adopt and promulgate rules and regulations that will ensure a free, clean,
honest and orderly elections whether regular or special;
b. act upon the applications of candidacy of the candidates;
c. rule on any question or protest regarding the conduct of the elections; and
d. proclaim the elected officers;
Section 2 The regular election of the College Student Councils and the University
Student Council shall be simultaneous not later than forty-five (45) days before the last day of
the Final Examinations for non-graduating students during the Second Semester.
Section 3 Voting shall be by secret ballot and the election shall be decided by the
plurality of votes.
Section 4 In case of tie, a special election shall be held within seven days after such
elections.
Section 5 The duly elected officers shall assume into office within thirty (30) days after
the Commencement Exercises has been held for that academic year at which time the outgoing
administration shall turn over all records and properties of the USC to the new set of officers.
ARTICLE XV
STUDENT FUNDS
Section 1 There shall be a semestral membership fee collected from all students of the
University to be determined and approved by two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the SCA,
voting and present, in a meeting called for such purpose.
Section 2 All fees shall be deposited in a reputable bank with the USC President and
Treasurer as the official signatories.

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Section 3 All amounts collected pursuant to the preceding section shall constitute the
general fund of the University Student Council to defray all legitimate expenses of the USCs
operations and any other purpose incidental to the attainment of the USC objectives.
Section 4 The books of accounts and the other records of the financial activities of the
University Student Council shall be open for inspection by any student any time during office
hours.
Section 5 Collection of semestral membership fees and other assessments shall be made
during enrolment period.
Section 6 The semestral financial reports of the University Student Council shall be
submitted to the Office of Student Affairs for review, approval and safekeeping.
Section 7 Copies of the semestral financial reports of the USC shall be posted in
conspicuous places within the University and shall be published in the official student
publication of the University, The Pillar, and in the official publication of the USC, The Crier.
Section 8 The balance of the USC general funds for a specific term shall be forwarded
to its successor.
ARTICLE XVI
MEETINGS
Section 1 The University Student Council shall have regular weekly meetings. Notice
shall be given by the Secretary at least two (2) days before the meeting.
Section 2 Special meetings of the University Student Council or that of the Student
Council Assembly may be called at any time by the USC President or upon the majority of the
SCA or upon petition of at least ten percent (10%) of all bona fide members of the USC.
Section 3 The notice for any meetings, whether it is of the USC or the SCA, regular or
special, shall contain the items to be discussed and shall constitute the agenda of the meeting.
Any item not included in the agenda may be taken up upon recommendation of the majority of
the members present and voting.
Section 4 Any member who absents him/herself from any regular or special meetings
shall within five (5) days from the date of said meeting submit a written explanation to the
Secretary as to the reason/s for his/her failure to attend the meeting. The Secretary shall evaluate
the explanation and render a report thereof to the USC and/or SCA.
Section 5 Members who are on travel or who want to be excused to attend meetings
with valid reason must submit notice of absence to the USC and/or SCA a day before the
meeting.
Section 6 Any member who absents him/herself from any regular or special meetings
without justifiable grounds shall be dealt with in accordance with Article XVIII of this
Constitution.
ARTICLE XVII
QUORUMS AND RULES OF ORDER
Section 1 The presence of simple majority (50% plus 1) of all the officers of the USC or
SCA shall be sufficient in any of their meetings.

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Section 2 A special or emergency meeting does not require that a quorum be reached for
it to be deemed in session.
Section 3 Regular meetings that do not reach the required quorum, upon the decision of
the President with the concurrence of a majority of the USC or SCA members voting and
present, may be adjourned and automatically converted into an emergency or special meeting.
Section 4 Every decision of simple majority (50% plus 1) voting and present at regular,
special or emergency meetings shall be valid as an act of the USC or SCA.
Section 5 Whenever practicable and for a speedy disposal of the agenda, meetings of the
USC and SCA shall be conducted according to the generally accepted parliamentary rules and
procedures.
ARTICLE XVIII
SUSPENSION AND IMPEACHMENT OF OFFICERS
Section 1 Suspension shall mean temporary loss of membership. The following shall be
the grounds for suspension:
a. three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from the regular and/or special
meetings;
b. six (6) accumulated unexcused absences from the meetings;
c. dereliction of duty; and
d. other grounds as may be determined by the SCA.
Section 2 The Student Council Assembly shall decide on all cases involving suspension
of its officers including those of the Student Tribunal and Constitutional Commissions. The
President may also, on his/her authority, impose a suspension order on an erring USC officer,
subject to the simple majority (50% plus 1) approval of the USC officers voting and present
within seven (7) days after the imposition of the suspension.
Section 3 The period of suspension shall not be less than three (3) but not more than five
(5) calendar days after which the suspension shall be automatically lifted and may not be
reinstated under the old charges.
Section 4 Suspension may be lifted anytime after three (3) days after the concerned
party reaffirms the pledge to abide by and respect this Constitution and to perform his/her duties
to the best of his/her ability and the acceptance of such pledge by a majority vote of the officers
voting and present.
Section 5 Impeachment from the University Student Council, Student Tribunal,
Commission on Student Elections, and Commission on Audit may be done with a two-thirds
(2/3) affirmative vote of the Student Council Assembly voting and present in a meeting called for
the purpose.
Section 6
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.
g.
h.

The following may be grounds for impeachment:

two suspensions in one semester;
gross violation of this Constitution;
gross negligence of duty;
commission of acts deemed by the SCA to be highly detrimental to the
integrity, credibility, or unity of the SCA, USC, Student Tribunal, COSEL,
and COA;
dishonesty and misconduct while in Office;
habitual tardiness and absenteeism;
abuse of authority; and
any other grounds deemed sufficient by the SCA.
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Section 7 Petitions for impeachment, which shall also be deemed as a motion to institute
impeachment proceedings, of any officer shall be investigated by the SCA or its authorized
representatives.
a. Officers of the SCA and USC may do so through a formal written petition
submitted to the President or next higher officer in the event the former is the
defendant in the petition
b. Petitions for impeachment from individuals who are not officers of the USC
must be signed by at least five percent (5%) of the total student population at
the time of the petition and must include the signature of the Dean of the
Office of Student Affairs. Such petitions shall be addressed to the President or
the next higher officer as the case may be.
c. Petitions for impeachment must specify the officer/s concerned, the charges,
supporting evidences and other relevant information to the case.
Section 8 The officer/s concerned shall be duly informed of the case and the charges
leveled not later than seven (7) days after the official receipt of the petition. Upon the
defendant/s receipt of the formal notification of charges against him/her, he/she shall be
automatically excused from the exercise of his her duties and responsibilities as an officer of the
USC.
Section 9 Impeachment cases shall pass through due process. The concerned parties
shall have full and unrestricted access to the files and records of the SCA, USC, Student
Tribunal, COSEL, and COA deemed to be relevant in preparing their cases.
Section 10 Impeachment cases shall be tried by a meeting convened for the purpose
which must take place not later than two (2) weeks after the official receipt of the petition for
impeachment. The highest ranking SCA officer, as the case may be, shall preside over the trial.
The officer/s concerned shall have no voting rights in the trial.
Section 11 The Dean of the Office of Student Affairs shall be an ex-officio member in
an assembly convened for the impeachment case. A certification from him/her validating the trial
and the sentence imposed shall be necessary for the sentence to take effect.
Section 12 The decision of the SCA shall be final.
Section 13 The President, with the majority concurrence of the officers, may institute
such other disciplinary measures and procedures as may be fit, provided that such measures and
procedures shall be null and void for his/her successor.
ARTICLE XIX
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1 The USC may adopt a flag, seal and hymn which shall be truly reflective and
symbolic of the ideas, principles and aspirations of the students. Any revision of the flag, seal
and hymn may be proposed to the SCA for its approval.
Section 2 The name of the USC shall not be used for immoral or unlawful purposes.
Section 3 All college-based student organization shall be affiliated to their respective
College Student Council.
Section 4 All student organizations shall extend support to the USC in the
implementation and realization of its objectives.

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ARTICLE XX
AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS
Section 1 Amendment to, or revision of this Constitution, may be proposed by the SCA
upon the approval of two-thirds (2/3) of all its members, provided that the proposed amendments
or revisions are presented in writing at the session at least ten (10) days prior to this
consideration.
Section 2 The SCA may, by a majority vote of all its members, call for a Constitutional
Convention to propose amendments or revisions to this Constitution.
Section 3 Any amendment to, or revision of this Constitution shall be valid when
ratified by the majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite, which will be held not later than (1)
month after the approval of such amendments and revisions by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all SCA
members.
ARTICLE XXI
EFFECTIVITY
Section 1 This Constitution shall take effect on the day following its ratification in a
University-wide plebiscite called for the purpose, by a simple majority (50% plus 1) vote of all
the votes cast by bona fide UEP students.
ARTICLE XXII
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Section 1 The interim officers elected when this Constitution is proposed and adopted
shall form a constitutional body to draft, review, amend or revise the same. Such constitution
when ratified shall be the fundamental law of the Council.
Section 2 The elected officers will be considered as the transitory officers who will
work for the formation of the ARCOSAF.
Section 3 This Constitution shall have to be approved by a two-thirds (2/3) majority
vote of the UEP USC 2008-2009, voting and present, in a meeting called for the purpose, in
order for it to be submitted for ratification.
Section 4 No amendments of this Constitution may be done until after the expiration of
the term of office of UEP USC 2009-2010 in April 2010.
Section 5 This Constitution shall be submitted to the UEP Federation of Student
Councils and the Student Regent shall present this Constitution to the UEP Board of Regents and
cause the inclusion of the same as part of the University Code.

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