Proposed Amended

Constitution
of the
Federation of Student
Governments
of
Negros Oriental State
University
Negros Oriental, Philippines
SY 2017-2018

GENESIS O. DIMATULAC
Speaker
SY 2015-2016, 2016-2017, 2017-2018
FOREWORD
The Constitution is the basic foundation of the Student Government. This fact has been
recognized ages ago, and the founders of our institution has recognized this, thus the crafting of
the then Constitution and By-Laws for the then Student Government of Central Visayas
Polytechnic College.

The Constitution has undergone minor revisions, most notably during the conversion of CVPC to
Negros Oriental State University. Proposed amendments were presented to the House under each
administration,

This most recent amendments were started year 2016, upon the establishment of the House of
Representatives as a Constitutional Assembly. The body proceeded to open the discussions on
the proposed amendments, and left the discussions open by the end of March 2017.

The House of Representatives of 2017-2018 proceeded to continue the discussions

=============================

The House has deemed it necessary for an annotated version be written for the guidance of the
succeeding administrations. We hope you learn from this as much as we did from our
predecessors. Most importantly, we hope you treasure our most fundamental law as much as it
deserves, and that we all appreciate the relevance it makes in the existence of the Student
Government, for the benefit of the students we hope to mold as holistically developed
individuals.

PREAMBLE
We, the bonafide students of Negros Oriental State University, imploring the aid of
the Almighty, in order to establish a real student government that shall embody
our ideals, promote the general welfare of the students, conserve and develop the
dignity of the school, cultivate understanding, resourcefulness, unity and peace
among the students of NORSU, uphold true and genuine education in our beloved
institution, and develop true and honest student leaders do ordain and promulgate
this Constitution.
I. “We, the Bonafide students of Negros Oriental State University…”

The very introduction of the FSG Preamble emphasizes the role of the students of Negros
Oriental State University in the crafting of the Constitution and thus, in the establishment of the
student government. This is one of the most fundamental element of a democratic student
government.

The opening clause of the Preamble is an affirmation of the principles of the student government
on autonomous leadership where student leaders are trained to be responsible drivers of society,
and where students practice their rights and responsibilities as they shall do so upon leaving the
University when they graduate.

II. "...imploring the aid of the Almighty,…"

The Philippine Constitution of 1987 recognizes the predominant belief of the Filipino people in a
Higher Being as an integral part of their daily living. That same belief is embedded in the very
heart of the FSG Constitution. The autonomous leadership thus affirms the innate Filipino spirit
by acknoweldging

ARTICLE I
NAME, SEAL, MEMBERSHIP & TERRITORY
Section 1. The official name of the institution-wide student government organization of Negros
Oriental State University shall be Negros Oriental State University – Federation of Student
Governments (NORSU-FSG), hereinafter referred to as the Federation.

Section 2. The members of the Federation shall be the student governments of all the campuses
of Negros Oriental State University. The Federation shall establish a student government in each
and every campus of the University with at least two colleges, and this campus student
government shall adopt, follow and respect this Constitution. The student government
organization of any future NORSU campus shall automatically adopt and shall be covered by
this Constitution.

Section 3. The member student governments in each NORSU campus, hereinafter referred to as
the Campus Student Governments or NORSU-CSGs, shall officially be called the following
names:
a) Main Campus I, Dumaguete City
Name: Negros Oriental State University Student Government of Dumaguete City I or
NORSU-SGDCI
b) Bajumpandan Campus, Dumaguete City
Name: Negros Oriental State University Student Government of Dumaguete City II or
NORSU-SGDCII
c) Bais City Campus, Bais City
Name: Negros Oriental State University Student Government of Bais City or NORSU-SGBC
d) Guihulngan Campus, Guihulngan
Name: Negros Oriental State University Student Government of Guihuilngan or
NORSU-SGG
e) Bayawan – Sta. Catalina Campus, Bayawan – Sta. Catalina
Name: Negros Oriental State University Student Government of Bayawan-Sta. Catalina
or NORSU-SGBS
f) Siaton Campus, Siaton
Name: Negros Oriental State University Student Government of Siaton or NORSU-SGS.
g) Mabinay Campus
Name: Negros Oriental State University Student Government of Mabinay or NORSU-SGM.

Section 4. The official seal of the Negros Oriental State University Federation of Student
Governments shall be:

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Section 5. The names of student governments in the future NORSU campuses shall be based
mainly on the place where the campus is located provided that the name selected is not similar to
any of the existing names.

Section 6. NORSU campuses, whose campus student governments have not yet been formed,
shall automatically be under the jurisdiction of the Federation President and the NORSU- CSG
of the campus with the largest number of student population.
Section 7. All those officially enrolled in the University as bona fide students in any course
except those under the College of Law, Graduate School and Evening Vocational Opportunity
Classes (EVOC), are citizens of the NORSU-CSGs. Withdrawal of enrollment from the
university at any time shall mean the automatic loss of citizenship.

All preceding or succeeding declarations on student population shall refer to the net number of
students in a NORSU campus after considering the exclusion as provided by the immediately
preceding paragraph. ‘Student population’ or ‘population’ in this context shall refer to the
number of citizens in a certain NORSU-CSG.

Section 8. The Federation shall operate on all the campuses of the University, while each
NORSU-CSG shall operate in the area constituting the campus. The Federation and the
NORSU-CSGs shall treat these respective areas as their territory and shall take measures to
develop such.

ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

Section 1. The Federation is an autonomous body. Duly elected student government officers,
supported by appointed student government officials, shall govern it. The action of the
organization shall be free from any person not connected with the organization other than the
Negros Oriental State University Director for Student Affairs through the adviser/s selected by
each NORSU-CSG.

Section 2. The power of the Federation resides in the students and all Student Government
authority emanates from them. The Federation shall continually recognize such and shall
promote and implement measures in ensuring the full participation of all students in all its
endeavors.

Section 3. The primary duty of the Federation is to serve the students. The Federation shall
continually involve and concern itself with the welfare and interest of the students.

Section 4. The Federation shall ensure and promote the autonomy of the NORSU-CSGs. The
NORSU-CSGs shall similarly ensure and promote the autonomy of the local government
officials of their respective campuses and strengthen the course organizations as the basic unit of
this government.

Section 5. The Federation shall maintain a mechanism where all students may avail of its
services effectively and efficiently.

Section 6. The Federation shall be over and above any other recognized student organization in
the University. The NORSU-CSGSs shall be above and over any other recognized student
organization in their respective campuses. In the exercise of this power, the Federation or the
NORSU-CSGs shall call upon the students and student organizations for assistance in the
implementation of its policies, activities and programs.
Section 7. The Federation, as well as the NORSU-CSGs, shall promote the mental, physical,
social, moral, and spiritual well-being of the students, and shall initiate relevant programs and
policies in pursuit of these goals.

Section 8. The Federation, as well as the NORSU-CSGs, shall serve as the training ground for
future leaders and shall involve itself in off-campus student training activities, which directly
affect the interest of the students. There shall be at least one leadership seminar per school year
sponsored by the Federation.

ARTICLE III
BILL OF RIGHTS

Section 1. Subject to the limitations prescribed by law and school policies and regulation, the
rights of every students of the University should be the following:

The right to receive free and relevant quality education in line with national goals, educational
objectives and standards of the University.

The right to receive guidance and counseling services to enable him/her to know him/herself, to
take decisions and to select from the alternatives his/her field of work offers in line with
his/her capabilities.

The right to express and pursue his/her opinion on any subject, which is an exercises of his/her
constitutional freedom of speech and press, provided that the expression and
dissemination of such views do not disrupt the work discipline of the school.

The right to participate in the formulation and development of policies affecting the school in
relation to the locality/region and nation through representation in the appropriate
body/bodies of the school.

The right to establish, join and participate in organization and societies not contrary to law and
school policies and regulations.

Then right to receive reasonable protection within the school premises.

The right to be informed of the rules and regulations affecting him/her.

The right to participate in curricular and co-curricular activities.

The right to be respected as a person with human dignity, to full physical, moral and intellectual,
and to human healthful conditions of learning. No student shall be subject to exploitation,
involuntary servitude or unusual punishment.

The right to enjoy academic freedom.

The right to redress of grievances against any wrong or injustices committed against him or other
students by any member of the faculty or service personnel in accordance with the
defined channels of authority in the school.

The right to undergo due process before being subjected to disciplinary action.

The right to access his/her class and other records for the purpose of determining his/her class
standing, and the University shall maintain and preserve such records.

The right to continue and pursue his/her course in the University up to graduation, except in
cases of academic delinquency and violation of disciplinary regulations.

The right to the expeditious issuance of certificates, diplomas, transcript of records, grades and
transfer credentials.

The right to enjoy free medical and dental services.

The right to be free from involuntary contributions of any nature, except those properly
approved by the Board of Regents after being presented in a student assembly.

Section 2. The responsibilities, duties and obligations of every student in the University shall be
the following:

The responsibility to abide by the rules and regulations of the University.

The duty to seek peaceful redress of his/her grievances and to strive to promote and maintain
peace and tranquility in the University by observing the rules of discipline and by exerting
efforts to attain a harmonious relationship with fellow students, teaching personnel, academic
staff, and non-teaching personnel.

The duty to give due respect to the faculty and staff, the administration and the rest of the
studentry.

The duty to protect and respect University properties and facilities.

The duty to render respect to the national flag, school seal, student government logo, insignia,
and other symbols representing the same.

The responsibility to actively support the projects and programs initiated by the student
government or by the University for the common welfare.

The duty to know how to sing the NORSU Hymn.

The duty to acquaint himself/herself with the Constitution of the Federation.

The obligation to cast his/her votes during any student government election, referendum, or
plebiscite.

The duty to exercise his/her rights responsibly, with regard for the rights of others.

ARTICLE IV
SUFFRAGE

Section 1. Suffrage shall be exercised by all those officially recognized citizens of the concerned
Campus Student Government.

Section 2. The House of Representatives of all the NORSU-CSGs, in a Federated Assembly,

shall jointly provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot.

ARTICLE V
THE FEDERATION

Section 1. There shall be established a Federation of Student Governments, hereinafter known as

the Federation, composed of all the Campus Student Governments of Negros Oriental State
University. The Federation shall have the power over all CSGs and shall take actions to fully
implement the provisions of this Constitution.

Section 2. The Legislative power in the Federation shall be vested in the Federated Assembly of
Houses of Representatives headed by the Federation Speaker of the House. The NORSU-CSG
Speaker of the House from the campus with the largest population, shall be the Federation
Speaker of the House.

The Federation Speaker of the House shall preside over all the NORSU-CSG Speakers of
the House, Speakers Pro-Tempore, and Representatives and will only address concerns that will
affect all the students of Negros Oriental State University. The Federation Speaker of the House,
NORSU-CSGs Speaker of the House, Speaker Pro- Tempore and Representatives shall form a
Federated Legislative assembly at least once every two (2) months, at a day and time that they
shall jointly set to discuss about legislative matters concerning the NORSU-FSG Constitution
and other laws as it may deem necessary for the benefit of the Federation.

Section 3. The Federation Speaker Pro-Tempore shall be the NORSU-CSG Speaker of the
House from the campus with the second largest student population. The Federation Speaker Pro-
Tempore shall assume the post of the Federation Speaker of the House in the event that he/she is
absent or temporarily or permanently incapacitated. He/she shall also perform such other
functions as the Federation Speaker of the House may assign. The Federation Speaker Pro-
Tempore will retain his/her post as NORSU-CSG Speaker of the House of his/her campus.

Section 4. The executive power of the Federation shall be vested in the Federation President.
The NORSU-CSG President from the campus with the largest population shall be the Federation
President and shall represent the Federation in the school’s Board of Regents, as mandated by the
Republic Act #9299 of the Republic of the Philippines. The Federation President will retain
his/her post as NORSU-CSG President of his/her campus. The population figures will be based
on the records of the School Registrar.

The Federation President shall preside over all the NORSU-CSG Presidents and will only
address concerns that will affect all the students of Negros Oriental State University. The
Federation President and other NORSU-CSG President shall meet once every month, at a date
and time that they shall jointly set, to discuss institution-wide student concerns and formulate
plans of action to address them.

The Federation President shall have the power to order the organization of the campus student
government or NORSU-CSG of the future NORSU campuses and shall select the NORSU-CSG
COMELEC of a particular campus, which will conduct the first student government elections of
the said campus. The said campus shall be recognized by the Federation without the need for a
Constitutional amendment.

Section 5. The Federation Vice-President shall be the NORSU-CSG President from the campus
with the second largest student population. The Federation Vice-President shall assume the post
of the Federation President in the event that he/she absent or permanently and temporarily
incapacitated. He/She shall also perform such other functions as the Federation President may
assign. The Federation Vice-President will retain his/her post as NORSU-CSG President of
his/her campus.

Section 6. The Judicial Power of the Federation shall be vested on the Supreme Court Chief
Justices of all the campuses, where a Justice from the campus with the largest student population
shall be appointed as the Federation Chief Justice presiding among their ranks. Judicial Power
in the Federation includes the power to rule over cases involving the conduct of CSG Officials
forwarded unto it by the CSG Supreme Court, and the power to determine whether or not
there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the
part of any branch or instrumentality of the student government.

Section 7. The Federation shall primarily uphold the autonomy of the CSGs. The Federation
shall solely act as an oversight body providing an avenue for joint discussions of legislative and
judicial matters, and for the enactment and execution of programs and activities beneficial to the
entirety of the University student body. The Federation shall also cater to discussions of matters
as it may deem inclusive of the whole student body, and shall thereon present such resolutions to
the FSG President for his/her appropriate actions to the Board of Regents.

Section 8. The operation of the Federation shall essentially and substantially be similar to that of
the CSGs.

Section 9. The Federation shall source its funds from all of the members CSGs. The Federated
House of Representatives shall provide for measures for this allocation through its annual Project
of Receipts and Expenditures. Federation activities shall be funded by all the Campus SGs
whenever practicable.

Section 10. No resolution, act or law pertaining to the institution-wide student concerns shall be
passed without the approval of the Legislative Department of all the NORSU- CSGs.

ARTICLE VI
THE CAMPUS STUDENT GOVERNMENTS

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. There shall be established a Campus Student Government, herein known as the CSG,
in all campuses of Negros Oriental State University, which shall be the highest autonomous
functioning unit of the Student Government. All CSGs hereby established shall form among
themselves a Federation.

PART II
LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

Section 1. The Legislative power shall be vested in the House of Representatives of each
NORSU-CSG, except to the extent reserved to the students by provision of initiative and
referendum. The Legislative power shall be exercised by the Legislative Branches of the
NORSU-CSGs. No resolution, act or law pertaining to the campus-wide student concerns shall
be passed without the approval of the House of Representatives of the concerned NORSU- CSG.

The Legislative Branch of all the NORSU-CSGs shall have the power to make, alter, modify or
repel laws and other powers mandated in this Constitution.

Section 2. The House of Representatives of all the NORSU-CSGs shall be composed of elected
representatives of the different colleges of the campus.

Section 3. The elected representatives of the legislative branch of each NORSU-CSG shall be
apportioned among the different colleges, which shall have the initial of one (1) representative
for each college and an additional representative on a uniform ration 1:500 in excess of 500
students. The population figures shall be based on the records of the University Registrar at the
date of the election. Additional Representatives shall thereafter be elected should the actual
number of students exceed the projections during the election.

Section 4. In case of vacancy in the House of Representatives of the NORSU-CSG, it shall be

filled by the qualified candidate who garnered the highest number of votes following the last
available slot of the respective college of the campus concerned the last election. The Speaker
shall designate the said candidate as member of the House of Representatives within fifteen (15)
days after the occurrence of the vacancy. In case of disqualification or refusal to accept office,
the issue of vacancy shall be resolved by the respective NORSU- CSG Legislative Department.
Section 5. The Legislative Branch of the NORSU-CSG on its first meeting shall temporarily be
presided over by the respective NORSU-CSG President. The members of the said branch shall,
during its first regular meeting upon vote of a quorum, elect among themselves the Speaker of
the House and the Speaker Pro-Tempore. The members shall also elect the members of the
Constitutional Committees and other officers, as they deem necessary.

Section 6. The members of the House of Representatives of all NORSU-CSGs shall convene
once every week, for its regular session, the specific day and time of which shall be decided by
the members during their first session. However, special meetings shall be called for by the
Speaker of the House or by written request of one-third (1/3) of the total members of the House
of Representatives. The NORSU-CSG president may call a special session at any time for a
particular cause.

Section 7. The NORSU-CSG Houses of Representatives shall observe quorum during sessions
and one-half plus one (1/2 + 1) of the total number of elected representatives in a NORSU- CSG
shall be present every session where resolutions and bills are scheduled to be discussed. A
quorum of one-third plus one (1/3 + 1) shall be required for regular sessions where the agenda
exclusively concerns the House of Representatives or the Federated Congress administratively.

Section 8. The Speaker of the House shall have the following powers:
a. To preside over the NORSU-CSG House of Representatives;
b. To preserve order and decorum;
c. To lead all the Representatives of his/her campus;
d. To appoint personnel of the House;
e. To recognize members seeking the floor;
f. To rule on pending motions;
g. To sign and authenticate papers, documents of the House of Representatives.

Section 9. The Speaker Pro-Tempore shall assume the functions of the Speaker of the House, if
he/she is absent or incapacitated. He/she shall also perform such other functions as may be
designated by the Speaker of the House.

Section 10. In case of death, permanent disability, removal of office, or resignation of the
Speaker of the House, the Speaker Pro-Tempore shall become the Speaker of the House to serve
the remaining term. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of
both the Speaker of the House and the Speaker Pro-Tempore, the members of the NORSU-CSG
Legislative Branch shall again elect among themselves the Speaker of the House and the Speaker
Pro-Tempore.

Section 11. The members of the Legislative Branch of a NORSU-CSG, shall determine the
House Rules and Regulations and by a two-third (2/3) vote, discipline, suspend or expel member
violating these rules depending on the gravity of the offense.

Section 12. The Legislative Department of a NORSU-CSG shall record all its proceedings for
future reference in the Legislative Journal. The records shall be open for observation to any
student subject to its practicability and provided that proper arrangement with the House
Secretary-General and the Speaker of the House must first be sought.

Section 13. The Legislative Department of a NORSU-CSG or any of its respective committees
may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation. The rights of persons appearing in or affected by such
inquiries shall be respected.

Section 14. Every bill passed by a NORSU-CSG Legislative Department shall embraced only
one subject, which shall be expressed in the title thereof.
No bill passed shall become a law unless it has passed three reading on separate session days,
and printed copies thereof in its final form have been distributed to its members three (3) days
before its passage, except when the NORSU-CSG President certifies to the necessity of its
immediate enactment. Upon the last reading of a bill, no amendment thereto shall be allowed and
the veto thereon shall be taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays entered in the
journal.

Section 15. Every bill passed by the Congress shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the
NORSU-CSG President. If he/she approves the same, he/she shall sign it; otherwise, he/she shall
veto it and return the same with his/her objections to the House of Representatives, these
objections, at large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-
thirds (2/3) of all of the members of the House of Representatives shall agree to pass the bill, it
becomes a law. The NORSU-CSG President shall communicate his/her veto of any bill to the
House of Representatives within ten (10) working days after the date of receipt thereof;
otherwise, it shall become a law as if he/she had signed it. Laws passed shall be called Student
Government Acts or SGAs. Student Government Acts passed by the Legislative Department of
one campus will not apply to the other campuses, except when the same is also adopted by the
NORSU-CSGs Legislative Department.

The President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in a bill, but the veto shall
not affect the item or items to which he/she does not object.

Section 16. No money shall be paid out of the NORSU Student Government Fund of NORSU-
CSG, except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law pursuant to the immediately
preceding provisions and manifested by a NORSU- CSG resolution. All money collected on any
collection levied for a special purpose shall be treated as a special fund and paid out of such
purpose only. If the purpose for which a special fund was created has been fulfilled or abundant,
the balance, if any, shall be transferred to the general funds of the Student Government,
particularly the NORSU Student Government fund.

Section 17. No Law shall be passed by the Legislative Branch that will affect the powers of the
Supreme Court as provided in this Constitution without its advice or concurrence.

Section 18. The Legislative Departments of the NORSU-CSGs shall jointly provide for a system
of initiative and referendum and the exceptions there from, whereby the students can directly
propose an enact laws or approve or reject any act or law or part thereof passed by the Congress
or local Legislative body.
 PART III
EXECUTIVE DEPARMENT

Section 1. The executive power of every NORSU-Campus Student Government shall be vested
in the NORSU-CSG President. The NORSU-CSG Presidents shall have the power to administer
the laws, which denotes carrying them into practical operation and enforcing their due
observance.
The Executive Branch of the NORSU-CSG, composed of the President, Vice- President, and the
Executive Committee Chairpersons shall be responsible for the planning and implementation of
NORSU-CSG programs and activities, as mandated by laws passed by the House of
Representatives.

Section 2. There shall be a vice-president who shall have the same qualifications and be elected
with and in the same manner as the NORSU-CSG President. He may be removed from office in
the same manner as the president.

The Vice-President may be appointed as a Chairperson of an Executive Committee. Such

appointment requires no confirmation.

Section 3. The President shall not be eligible for any re-election. No person who has succeeded
the President shall be qualified for election to the presidency at any time.

No Vice-President shall serve for more than two successive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the
office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of the
service for full term for which he/she was elected.

Section 4. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the
President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired term. In case of
death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of both the President and
Vice-President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall then act as President until the
President or Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified.

Section 5. Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the NORSU-CSG Vice-President during
the term for which he was elected, the President shall nominate a Vice-President from Members
of the Legislative Department or National Executive Officials, who shall assume office upon
confirmation by a majority of the members of the Legislative Branch voting.

Section 6. The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Committee on
Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive committees, member of his/her staff and other
student government officers, which he/she deems necessary.

Section 7. The President shall have the control over all the executive committees.
Section 8. There shall be a dialogue between the students and the Executive Department of the
NORSU-CSG at least once every semester. The President and the Vice-President shall also have
a dialogue with the legislative Department at least once every semester.

Section 9. The number of members of each of the Executive Committees that the President may
form shall be limited to ten (10) members only.

PART IV
JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

Section 1. The Judicial power of the Federation shall be vested in the Federation Chief Justice
and all courts of justice of the Student Government.

Section 2. The Judiciary shall be composed of the Campus Chief Justice and six other Associate
Justices who shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Committee on
Appointments.

Section 3. The Provincial Courts of Justice shall be composed of a Provincial Chief Justice and
two Provincial Justices who shall be appointed by the College Governor and confirmed by a
majority of the college representatives.

Section 4. The Judicial power in a NORSU-CSG shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in
lower courts, which shall be called Provincial Courts of Justice. These institutions shall therefore
hear and decide cases brought to its attention on all forms of student misconduct.

Judicial Power includes the power to rule over cases involving the conduct of students in the
campus and the power to authenticate papers, to determine whether or not there has been a grave
abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or
instrumentality of the student government.

Section 5. The decision of the Judiciary shall be final and executory.

Section 6. The Judiciary shall have the power to summon concerned parties on cases brought
before it.

Section 7. The Judiciary shall be independent from the Executive and Legislative branches of the
NORSU-CSG.

Section 8. The Judiciary shall be composed of the Supreme Court Chief Justice and six other
Justices who shall be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Committee on
Appointments, and who shall not be members of the Executive and Legislative
Department. The Provincial Courts of Justice shall be composed of as Provincial Court Chief
Justice and two Provincial Justices, who shall be appointed by the Governor and confirmed by a
majority of the representatives of the college/province, and who shall also not be members of the
Executive and Legislative Branches of the Student Government.
Section 9. The Judiciary Department of the NORSU-CSG shall, based upon its finding
recommend to the College Disciplinary Tribunal for or against the suspension, expulsion or
imposition of other disciplinary measures meted upon the students concerned.

Section 10. The Supreme Court Chief Justice of the campus where the offense was committed
shall serve as the representative of the NORSU-CSG to the College Disciplinary Tribunal.

Section 11. The Supreme Court shall have the exclusive jurisdiction of revision, repealing, or
reaffirming decisions of the Provincial Courts of Justice, upon appeal.

Section 12. A member of the Judiciary Departments of the Federation/NORSU-CSG must be a

bona fide undergraduate student of the campus he/she shall serve. He/She must also have a
residency of at least one semester in the college/province of the campus, immediately preceding
his/her appointment. He/She must be an undergraduate student and have a minimum Grade Point
Average (GPA) of 80% during the previous semester, which must be maintained during his/her
term of office. He/She must not be under strict disciplinary probation and must not have been
convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.

Section 13. In case the Supreme Court Chief Justice of the Judicial Department dies, becomes
permanently incapacitated, resigns or is removed from office, the six other justices shall elect
among themselves a Chief Justice to fill the said vacancy.

ARTICLE VII
STUDENT GOVERNMENT FUNDS

Section 1. The Student Government Fund shall be collected from the students every enrollment,
the amount of which shall be determined by the House of Representatives in a Federated
Assembly, and shall thereafter be approved by the SG President. Immediately after the
enactment of a Free Higher Education Act by the Philippine Congress, where the miscellaneous
fess shall be subsidized by the Government, the Student Government Fund shall be sourced out
from the subsidy provided by the Philippine Government, the amount of which shall be
determined by the Student Government in talks with the proper University offices, subject to
Government rules, guidelines, and policies.

Section 2. An administration of the Student Government, upon oath-taking during the University
Charter Day Celebration until the end of the same year, shall operate on a budget as passed by
the immediately preceding administration, and may set to realign, supplement, or cancel funding
subject to University policies and guidelines. At the opening of the next calendar year, the House
of Representatives of a Campus SG shall immediately convene on the Second Saturday of
January in a session to pass an appropriation for the whole calendar year. The House shall reflect
the same on a Program of Receipts and Expenditures which shall thereafter be passed by the
House as an Act and subsequently presented to the President for approval.

Section 3. The House of Representatives of a NORSU-CSG may not increase the appropriations
recommended by the NORSU-CSG President for the operation of the Student Government for
the school year, as specified in the budget. The form, content, manner of preparation of the
budget shall be prescribed by law. A Program of Receipts and Expenditures (PREs) shall be
based on the budget recommended by the NORSU-CSG President. The President must pass the
budget of the whole calendar year to the Legislative Department two (2) weeks after he/she took
office and one week after the opening of classes in January. The House of Representatives of
each NORSU-CSG shall immediately thereafter convene independently and must pass thereon
the bill three (3) weeks after the President’s submittal, otherwise the PRE of the previous
semester shall be deemed re-enacted and shall remain in force and effect until the new PRE is
passed and approved by the proper authorities.

Section 4. The Constitutional Committees and the Supreme Court, including therein the College
Courts, shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. The funds of each Constitutional Committee and of the
Supreme Court shall be released to them without further question from the House of from the
President after such has been thoroughly deliberated in a session where the SG Budget shall have
been discussed.

ARTICLE VIII
STUDENT ASSEMBLY

Section 1.
Section 2.
Section 3.

ARTICLE IX
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. No student shall be elected an officer of the NORSU-CSG unless he/she is officially
enrolled in the college/province of the campus he/she is representing as a bona fide student in
any course, except those under the College of Law, College of Medicine, Graduate School (GS)
and Evening Vocational Opportunity Classes (EVOC). He/She must also have a residency of at
least one semester in the college/province of the campus he is representing, immediately
preceding his/her election. He/She must be an undergraduate student and have a minimum Grade
Point Average (GPA) of at least 80% during the semester, which must be maintained during
his/her term of office. He/She must not be under strict disciplinary probation and must not have
been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.

No student shall be elected as NORSU-CSG President or Vice-President, unless he/she has

served as an elected official in the student government of the campus he is enrolled in for school
year immediately preceding his/her election. If no NORSU-CSG official elected in the previous
election will run for the top two positions of the NORSU- CSG, then even those who do not hold
elective positions in the student government can vie for the said positions.

Section 2. The elected members of the Federation and/or NORSU-CSGs shall serve a term of
one (1) school year starting from the first day of the school year they are supposed to assume
office to the last day thereof. The outgoing NORSU-CSG officials, shall stay in office until the
incoming NORSU-CSG President, as well as the other incoming elected and appointed officials
of the NORSU-CSG, shall have taken their oath of office.

Section 3. Unless otherwise rescheduled for reason of expediency, the elected of officers of the
Federation and/or NORSU-CSGs shall be on the third Wednesday of February, but the officials
thus elected shall not hold office until their oath taking and induction which shall be held on the
third Wednesday of June of the same year they were elected, unless rescheduled by reason of
expediency

ARTICLE X
RULES OF SUCCESSION IN THE FEDERATION

Section 1. For the purposes of administrative efficiency and effectiveness, there hereby shall be a
policy on the rules of succession for the Federation and its constituent CSGs.

Section 2. In case of temporary or permanent vacancy in the Office of the Federation President,
at the time that the Federation President, Vice-President, Speaker, and Speaker Pro-tempore have
taken their oath of office as Federation Officials, the Federation Vice-President shall temporarily
or permanently, as the case may be, take over the Office of the Federation President.

Section 3. In case of temporary or permanent vacancy in the Office of the Federation Vice-
President, at the time that the Federation President, Vice-President, Speaker, and Speaker Pro-
tempore have taken their oath of office as Federation Officials, the Federation President shall
nominate from among the CSG Presidents a Vice-President, and thereafter, have it approved in a
Federated Assembly of CSG Presidents. If in case the Assembly disagrees on the nomination,
any member thereof may nominate another candidate until such time that a Federation Vice-
President shall have been elected.

Section 4. In case of temporary and/or permanent vacancy in both the Offices of the Federation
President and the Federation Vice-President, at the time that the Federation President, Vice-
President, Speaker, and Speaker Pro-tempore have taken their oath of office as Federation
Officials, the Federation Speaker and the Federation Chief Justice shall temporarily or
permanently, as the case may be, take over the offices of the Federation President and Vice-
President, respectively.

Section 5. In case of temporary or permanent vacancy in the Office of the Federation Speaker, at
the time that the Federation Speaker and Speaker Pro-tempore have taken their oath of office as
Federation Officials, the Federation Speaker Pro-Tempore shall temporarily or permanently take
over the Office of the Speaker, as the case may be.

Section 6. In case of temporary or permanent vacancy in the Office of the Federation Speaker
Pro-Tempore, the Federation House of Representatives shall elect from among the CSG
Speakers a temporary or permanent Speaker Pro-Tempore, as the case may be.
Section 7. In case of temporary or permanent vacancy in the office of the Federation Chief
Justice, the Associate Justices of the Federation Supreme Court shall elect from among
themselves a temporary or permanent Federation Chief Justice, as the case may be.

Section 8. In case of permanent vacancy in the offices of the Associate Justices, the CSG/s
where such Associate Justice/s of the vacant office came from shall resolve such vacancy under
the provisions on the vacancy in the office of CSG Chief Justices.

Section 9. In case of permanent vacancy in the Office of the Federation President, at the time
that the Federation President, Vice-President, Speaker, and Speaker Pro-tempore have not taken
their oath of office as Federation Officials, the Vice-President of the CSG with the largest
campus population shall take oath as the Federation President. The CSG concerned shall
thereafter resolve the vacancy on the Office of the Vice-President under the relevant provisions
hereon.

Section 10. In case of permanent vacancy in the office of the Federation Vice-President, at the
time that the Federation President, Vice-President, Speaker, and Speaker Pro-tempore have not
taken their oath of office as Federation Officials, the CSG Presidents shall elect from among
themselves a new Federation Vice President.

Section 11. In case of permanent vacancy in the Office of the Federation Speaker, at the time
that the Federation Speaker and Speaker Pro-tempore have not taken their oath of office as
Federation Officials, the CSG Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Campus with the largest student
population, thereon performing the duties and responsibilities of the CSG Speaker, shall
permanently take over the Office of the Federation Speaker.

Section 12. In case of permanent vacancy in the Office of the Federation Speaker Pro-Tempore,
at the time that the Federation Speaker and Speaker Pro-tempore have not taken their oath of
office as Federation Officials, the CSG Speaker Pro-Tempore of the Campus with the second
largest student population, thereon performing the duties and responsibilities of the CSG
Speaker, shall permanently take over the Office of the Federation Speaker Pro-Tempore.

Section 13. In case of permanent vacancy in the Office of the Federation Chief Justice, at the
time that the Federation Officials have not taken their oath of office, the Associate Justices of the
CSG with the largest student population shall elect from among themselves a new CSG Chief
Justice who shall thereon perform the powers, duties, and responsibilities of the Federation Chief
Justice.

ARTICLE XI
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMITTEES

A. COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS

Section 1. There shall be a Committee on Elections for every NORSU-CSG, composed of a

Chairperson and six Vice-Chairmen, who shall be bona fide undergraduate students of the
campus where they shall serve. They must also have a residency of at least one semester in the
college/province of the campus, immediately preceding their appointment. They must be
undergraduate students and have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPAs) of 80% during the
previous semester, which must be maintained during their term of office. They must not be under
strict disciplinary probation and must not have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude.

Section 2. The Chairperson and the Vice-Chairmen shall be appointed by the NORSU-CSG
President with the consent of the majority of all the members of the Committee on Appointments
of the respective NORSU-CSG.

Section 3. The NORSU-CSG COMELEC shall exercise the following powers and functions.

a. Enforce and administer all laws and resolutions relative to the conduct of an election,
plebiscite, initiative, referendum and recall.

b. Exercise the exclusive original jurisdiction over all contests relating to the election, returns
and qualifications of all candidates. Upon appeal, the NORSU-CSG Electoral Tribunal shall
exercise its power to decide on the issue.

c. Decide, except those involving the right to vote, all questions affecting elections,
including determination of the number and location of polling places, appointment of election
officials and inspectors and preparation of the official list of student voters.

d. Register political parties, organizations, or coalitions, which, in addition to other requirements,

must present their platform or program of government.

e. File, upon verified complaint, or on its own initiative, petitions in court for inclusion or
exclusion of voters; investigate and where appropriate recommendation to the NORSU-
CSG Judicial Department, and subsequently to the University Disciplinary Tribunal, measures
to be taken against students violating election laws, including acts or omissions constituting
election frauds, offenses and malpractice.

f. Recommend to the NORSU-CSG Legislative Department effective measures to minimize

election spending, including limitation of places where propaganda materials shall be posted, and
to prevent and penalize all forms of election fraud, malpractice and nuisance candidates. No law
affecting the conduct of NORSU-FSG/NORSU-CSG elections shall become valid until the
Legislative Department of all the NORSU-CSGs has approved it. All NORSU-CSGs shall follow
a similar set of election rules and guidelines.

g. Recommend to the President the removal of any officer or member of the staff it has
deputized, or the imposition of any other disciplinary measure, for violation or disregard
of, or disobedience to its directive, order or decision.

h. Submit to the NORSU-CSG President and the Legislative Department, a

comprehensive report on the conduct of election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum and recall.
Section 4. The COMELEC shall appoint other students who shall be called the NORSU-CSG
COMELEC Staff to assist in the conduct of elections.

Section 5. No member of the COMELEC shall come from the Executive, Legislative, and
Judicial Department, as well as from other Constitutional Committees of a NORSU-CSG.

Section 6. The COMELEC shall maintain impartiality at all times.

Section 7. In case of resignation of the Chairperson, the six Vice-Chairmen shall elect among
themselves who shall replace the Chairperson.

Section 8. The COMELEC shall enact annually an Election Code that must be presented and
submitted to the Legislative Department, which shall be the basis for the conduct of an election.

Section 9. The Election Code shall be sponsored by a member of the Legislative Branch.

Section 10. If the COMELEC cannot present a new Election Code, the last Election Code
enacted shall be used.

B. ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL

Section 1. Every NORSU-CSG shall have an Electoral Tribunal, which shall be the sole judge of
all contests relating to the election, returns and qualifications of their respective members.

Section 2. The Tribunal shall be composed of nine members, three of whom shall be Justices of
the NORSU-CSG Supreme Court to be designated by the Chief Justice of the NORSU-CSG, and
the remaining six shall be members of the Legislative Department of the NORSU-CSG, elected
by the members of the said department; one of whom shall be elected as Chairman among them.

C. COMMITTEE ON APPOINTMENTS

Section 1. There shall be a Committee on Appointments consisting of the Speaker of the House,
as ex officio Chairman, and six representatives, elected by the members of the Legislative
Department. The Chairman of the Committee shall not vote, except in case of a tie.

Section 2. The Committee shall have the power to confirm or to reject the appointees of the
President for national executive positions, as well as for other positions as may be provided by
this Constitution.

Section 3. The Committee shall act upon all appointments submitted to it within fourteen (14)
days from their submission.

D. COMMITTEE ON AUDIT

Section 1. There shall be a Committee on Audit for every NORSU-CSG, composed of 7

members who are chosen and nominated by the CSG President immediately after his/her oath of
office and confirmed by the Legislative Department, one of whom shall be elected as
Chairperson among themselves. The members of the Committee on Audit shall have the same
qualifications as with the members of COMELEC, and they must not be a member of the
executive, legislative, or judicial departments.

Section 2. The Committee shall have the power to review and examine all financial records of
the Student Government within three (3) days upon receipt.

Section 3. The Committee shall certify and confirm all financial reports of the Student
Government through its different branches.

Section 4. The liquidations of the Student Government shall be submitted to the Committee On
Audit, before submitting to the Administration Auditor.

Section 5. The committee shall have the power to inspect at any time all financial transactions of
the Student Government.

If a Student Government branch concerned is found out to have insufficient financial documents,
he/she shall be given (72) hours to comply with the said requirements otherwise, the concerned
department shall be subject for disciplinary actions.

E. COMMITTEE ON IMPEACHMENT AND DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Section 1. There shall be a Committee on Impeachment for every NORSU-CSG, composed of

five members from the Legislative Department and five Associate Justices of the concerned
NORSU-CSG, who shall be elected by the members of the said departments; one of whom shall
be elected as Chairperson among themselves.

Section 2. The Committee shall have the exclusive right to conduct impeachment proceedings on
the President, Vice-President, Chairman and members of the Constitutional Committees, and
members of the Judicial and Legislative Departments of the NORSU-CSG, upon a written
compliant by at least one fourth (1/4) of the total members of the Legislative Branch or twelve
(12%) percent of the total citizens of the NORSU-CSG.

Section 3. In cases where members of the Committee are subject to impeachment, he/she shall
temporarily be suspended from his/her position until the matter of his/her impeachment is
decided. The Legislative or Judicial Department shall elect among themselves a member to
temporarily replace the concerned, as the case may be.

Section 4. No impeachment proceedings can be initiated unless on the basis of gross misconduct
and culpable violation of the Constitution, abuse of power, neglect of responsibilities, anomalous
deeds or mal administration.

Section 5. The Committee shall act upon intensive investigation and trial, endorse
official/officials recommended for impeachment to the Legislative Department of the NORSU-
CSG for removal or retention whereupon a two-third (2/3) vote decides the matter.
Section 6. The penalty to be imposed on an officer found guilty of an impeachment charge or any
disciplinary actions are limited to removal from office and disqualification any office of honor,
trust, or profit under the Federation of Student Government in Negros Oriental State University
with the consent of the Student Affairs Director (SAO) and the University President.

F. COMMON PROVISIONS

Section 1. The integrity of the Constitutional Committees shall always be maintained.

Section 2. The members of the Constitutional Committees shall have a term of one school year.

Section 3. No one shall serve in more than one (1) Constitutional Committee, except when the
number of members of the Legislative Department of a NORSU-CSG shall not exceed the
minimum numbers needed to fulfill this provision.

Section 4. The Constitutional Committees and the Electoral Tribunal shall rule by a majority
vote of all the members.

ARTICLE XII
LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Section 1. The political subdivisions of the students of Negros Oriental State University System
are the campuses, colleges and courses.

Section 2. Each college shall compose a province and each course shall operate as a
municipality.

Section 3. A college is governed by governors, duly elected by all the citizens of the
college/province, and a course governed by mayors, who shall be the organization President duly
elected by the students taking up the course.

Section 4. The Legislative Department shall enact a Local Government Code which shall provide
for a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a system of
decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative and referendum and allocate
among the local government units their powers, duties, and responsibilities, and provide for the
qualifications, appointment and removal, term, budget, powers and functions and duties of
local officials, and all other matters relating to the organization and operation of local units.

Section 5. The NORSU-CSG President shall exercise general supervision over his/her respective
NORSU-CSG local governments.

ARTICLE XIII
ACCOUNTABILITY OF STUDENT GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS
Section 1. Student Government office is a public trust. Student Government officers and staff
shall serve with the highest responsibility, integrity, loyalty and efficiency, and shall remain
accountable to the students.

Section 2. The President, Vice-President, Members of the House of Representatives, Members of

the Supreme Court and, the Members and Chairmen of the Constitutional Committees shall be
remove from the office on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the
Constitution, gross misconduct, abuse of power, neglect of responsibilities, anomalous deeds,
maladministration, and graft and corruption.

Section 3. Only members of the House of Representatives, members of the Supreme Court and,
the members of the Constitutional Committees and Local Government officials and staff shall be
removed from the office upon disciplinary action and conviction of culpable violation of the
Constitution, gross misconduct, abuse of power, neglect of responsibilities, anomalous deeds,
maladministration and graft and corruption.

Section 4. The Impeachment Committee of Legislative Branch of the respective CSGs shall have
the exclusive right to conduct impeachment proceedings against any Student Government
Official excluding the Local Government Officials. Upon written complaint by at least one-
fourth (1/4) of the total members of the Legislative Branch or twelve per cent (12%) of the total
students of the NORSU-CSG.

ARTICLE XIV
SPECIAL PROVISION

Section 1. This Constitution shall be binding upon all the students of the Negros Oriental State
University System, except those taking up subjects in the College of Law, College of Medicine,
Graduate School and Evening Vocational Opportunity Classes of the institution.

Section 2. The standing fund of the NORSU-CSGs shall be raised from the Student Government
Fee, which shall be collected from each student every semester upon Enrollment. The amount for
the Student Government Fee shall be set by the Federation of NORSU-CSGs President of Negros
Oriental State University, with the consent of majority of the members of the respective
Legislative Departments of the Federation NORSU-CSGs on an annual basis.

ARTICLE XV AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS

Section 1. Any amendment to or revision of this Constitution shall be proposed to and by the
Legislative Departments of all the NORSU-CSGs.

Section 2. At least two-thirds (2/3) of the total local number of the Legislative Department shall
submit into writing the proposed amendment to the Constitution for deliberation and approval by
the Legislative Departments of all NORSU-CSGs.
Proposed Amendment for Sec. 2:
At least one-half plus (1/2 + 1) of the total local number of the Legislative Department
shall submit into writing the proposed amendment/s to the Constitution for deliberation and
approval by the Legislative Departments of all NORSU-CSGs.

Section 3. Any amendment to the Constitution shall be valid and shall take effect upon
ratification of three-fourth (3/4) vote of all the Legislative Departments of each NORSU-CSG.

Section 4. Any revision of this Constitution shall effect upon ratification of majority of the votes
cast in a plebiscite call for the purpose.

ARTICLE XIV RATIFICATION

Section 1. This Constitution shall take full effect upon the ratification by majority of the votes
cast by the members of the Legislative Department of all NORSU-CSGs and the approval of the
University President through the joint recommendation of the Student Government Adviser and
the Director for Student Affairs.

Proposed Amendment for Sec. 1:

This Constitution shall take full effect upon the ratification by majority of the votes
cast by the students of NORSU and the approval of the University President through the joint
recommendation of the Student Government Adviser and the Director for Student Affairs.

ARTICLE XVI
TRANSITORY PROVISION

The Pamplona Campus shall be under the jurisdiction of SGDCII.

Section 1. The President of the NORSU-CSG shall issue executive orders and the letters of
implementation during the period of transition.

Section 2. Provisions in the Constitutions and By-Laws of all student organizations of Negros
Oriental State University, which are inconsistent herewith, are deemed repealed or impliedly
amended.

Section 3. The incumbent President shall continue to exercise legislative powers before the
election of the Speaker of the House during session is convened.

Section 4. Until a law is passed, the President may fill by appointment from a list of nominees if
there is vacancy.