CSSP SC Constitution

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE CSSP STUDENT COUNCIL

PREAMBLE
WE, the students of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy (CSSP) of the University of the Philippines in
Diliman, united in the desire to establish a Student Council representative of the democratic interests of the CSSP
studentry, determined to maximize all venues of student activity to promote and protect students rights and welfare, one
with the Filipino people in struggling for the realization of a truly just, sovereign and democratic society, do hereby ordain
and promulgate this Constitution.
ARTICLE I
NATURE AND SYMBOL
Sec. 1. This student council shall be called the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy Student Council.
Sec. 2. The CSSPSC shall adopt as its official logo the words Sangguniang Mag-aaral ng DAPP encircling a
yellow equilateral triangle inscribed with the letters DAPP in alibata alphabet. The triangle shall be imposed on top of a
circle with a red upper half and a black lower half. This logo shall symbolize the CSSP studentrys commitment to the
pursuit of academic excellence. This shall also symbolize the adherence of the CSSP studentry to the principles of justice,
nationalism and democracy.
Sec. 3. The official colors of the CSSPSC shall be yellow, red and black representing democracy, nationalism, and
justice, respectively.
Sec. 4. The official mediums of communication shall be Filipino and English, with the priority for the former in
order to assert the primacy of the national language.
ARTICLE II
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 1. This Constitution shall be known as the Constitution of the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy
Student Council.
Sec. 2. This constitution shall govern the CSSPSC.
Sec. 3. For purposes of this Constitution, unless otherwise indicated:
A.

College signifies the College of Social Sciences and Philosophy of the University of the Philippines (UP) in
Diliman.
B. College Student Council, Council or CSSPSC refers to the CSSP Student Council.
C. College/ University authorities signifies the duly constituted authorities or officials of the CSSP and the UP
System insofar as UP Diliman is concerned.
D. Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Councilors and Department Representatives refer, respectively, to
the officers and members of the CSSPSC. They may also be termed as Council members or members of
the Council.
E. Councilor refers to any of the College Councilors as distinguished from the Department Representatives.
F. Department Representative or Representative means a representative of the student constituents of an
academic department of the CSSP to the CSSPSC.

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G. Permanent vacancy exists when the office of a Council officer or member has been vacated for reason of
resignation, impeachment, and expulsion from UP, permanent illness preventing him or her from performing
the functions of his or her office or death.
H. Temporary vacancy exists when the office of a Council officer or a member has been vacated by reason
of temporary mental or physical incapacity, official temporary leave of absence or any reason that leaves the
possibility of the resumption of his or her duties before the expiration of his or her term of office in the
CSSPSC.
Sec. 4. To firmly establish a college identity, the college shall henceforth be called either as the Dalubhasaan ng
Agham Panlipunan at Pilosopiya (DAPP) or College of Social Sciences and philosophy.
ARTICLE III
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES
Sec. 1. The CSSPSC believes in the following:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

F.

That access to education should be extended to everyone.

That education should develop the students physical, mental, social, cultural and spiritual potential to the
full, in order to realize the vision of a just and humane way of life.
That education should enhance critical thinking.
That education should be free in order to advance the realization of a progressive Filipino society free from
the shackle of neo-colonialism.
That the CSSPSC is a community of different sectors- students, academic, non-academic and administrative
personnel and that College issues and problems are best addressed by the forging of multi-sectoral unity in
the College.
That the CSSP as a part of the University is an integral part of society. As much, the issues and problems of
the Filipino people are of direct concern to the CSSPSC and the CSSP studentry.

Sec. 2. The CSSPSC shall at all times strive to:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.

Advance and defend the rights and general welfare of the CSSP studentry and the Filipino people.
Serve as an effective forum for the expression of student ideas and sentiments.
Uphold the ideals of the CSSP and University geared towards ensuring a well-rounded academic and social
development of every CSSP student.
Develop social awareness and instill national consciousness among the students of the College.
Unite with the various sectors of the College and of society in the pursuit of common interests, particularly
in the establishment of a just, humane, sovereign and democratic society.
Develop the willingness and desire to serve among the College studentryfor the welfare of society.

Sec. 3. The CSSPSC shall promote and support the policies of the CSSP Administration if such, in the CSSPSCs
opinion based on democratic consultation with the students, are in the interests of the CSSP studentry and the
Filipino masses.
ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP IN THE CSSPSC
Sec. 1. The qualifications needed to be a member of the CSSPSC are the following:
A.
B.

C.

D.

He/she must be a bona-fide student of the CSSP with at least one year of residence therein.
He/she must not, on academic grounds, have been delinquent, put on probation or given a grade of 5 in
the last semester he/she was enrolled before the elections for the CSSPSC. Grades of 4 or INC must
have been removed or completed by the time he/she assumes office in the event of his/her election.
Otherwise, his/her inductions a member of the CSSPSC shall be postponed until the above condition has
been satisfied.
He/she must not have committed any act against College or University rules and regulation whose penalty
exceeds a five-day suspension or graver to be eligible for induction in the event of his/her election, subject
to appeal to the College Electoral Board.
He/she must have also conformed with the qualifications for candidacy in the CSSPSC elections specified
by the College Electoral Board provided the qualifications specified in this Constitution shall take
precedence in cases of conflict with the College Electoral Code. Any conflict regarding the eligibility of a

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candidate to take office upon his/her election shall be brought to the College Electoral Board whose
decision shall be final.
ARTICLE V
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CSSPSC
Sec. 1. The CSSPSC shall have the power to:
A.

Adopt its own internal rules of government and organizational structure subject to the provisions of this
Constitution.
B. Organize and coordinate student activities designed to promote and protect their rights and general welfare
in line with the provisions of this Constitution.
C. Represent the CSSP studentry in all major policy-making bodies of the College when so provided by laws,
rules and regulations of the CSSP Administration subject to Article III, Section 2, Paragraph J.
D. Advise and make recommendations to the College Dean and the appropriate College officials regarding
student matters, affairs, projects and activities.
E. Represent the College in external student activities.
F. Draft the College Student Electoral Code, in coordination with the College Electoral Board, that shall specify
the rules and regulations of the general elections of the CSSPSC.
G. Have such other powers and duties as the College authorities may, from time to time, grant or delegate to
it, consistent with the provisions of this Constitution.
ARTICLE VI
BILL OF RIGHTS OF CSSP STUDENTS
Every CSSP students shall have the following rights:
Sec. 1. The right to enroll in the College regardless of his/her physical appearance or handicap, socio-economic
status, political or religious beliefs or membership in student organization subject to CSSP and UP academic requirements.
Sec. 2. The right to freely choose his/her field of study within the College subject to existing curricula and to
continue his/her course until graduation to College and University academic disciplinary rules and regulations which do
not infringe upon the exercise of student rights.
Sec. 3. The right to have his/her transcript of records and clearances speedily processed.
Sec. 4. The right to have access to and confidentiality of his/her academic records.
Sec. 5. The right to have competent instruction and quality education relevant to his/her personal, academic and
social development and that of the nation.
Sec. 6. The right to have adequate academic facilities.
Sec. 7. The right to form, assist or join student organizations, alliances or federations for his/her academic,
spiritual, cultural, physical, civic, or political interests. This right can not be impaired without due process of law. The
signing of waivers or documents that he/she is not a member of or will not join a specified organization before being
allowed to enroll into the College is prohibited.
Sec. 8. The right to have no unreasonable requirements imposed upon his/her student organization/s seeking
recognition from the College. This right shall be consistently monitored by the CSSPSC.
Sec. 9. The right to have no discrimination in the assignment of CSSP facilities granting of other privileges to
his/her organization/s.
Sec 10. The right to be free from the use of force in his/her initiation to a CSSP organization and from the
payment of excessive fees to his/her organization. The CSSPC shall, in coordination with the Deans Assistant for the
Students Affairs (ODASA) and the CSSP Faculty-Student Relations Committee (FSRC) draft the appropriate guidelines to
enforce these rights against the use of force and the payment of excessive fees to CSSP student organizations.
Sec. 11. The right to be represented, through the CSSPSC, in the College Assembly and in other policy-making
bodies of the College which directly affect the CSSP students welfare especially in curriculum review, student discipline
and academic standards.

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Sec. 12. The right to establish student newspapers and other publications, whether the CSSP student paper,
SINAG, or of the CSSP student organizations in the pursuit of academic freedom and the freedom of expression without
any outside censorship or interference.
Sec. 13. The right to have academic freedom and conduct activities in line with this right.
Sec. 14. The right to due process in disciplinary cases against him/her subject to the following
rights.
Sec. 15. The right to have his/her grievances heard and speedily redressed.
Sec. 16. The right to be considered innocent until proven guilty.
Sec. 17. The right to be informed, in writing, of the disciplinary charges against him/her.
Sec. 18. The right to confront witnesses against him/her and to full access to the evidence in the case.
Sec. 19. The right to defend him/her and be defended by a counsel of his/her choice with adequate time being
given for the preparation of his/her defense.
Sec. 20. The right to a hearing before an impartial body which shall include student members.
Sec. 21. The right not to bear witness against him/himself.
Sec. 22. The right to appeal to clearly designated College and University authorities the decision of the
disciplinary proceeding.
Sec. 23. The right to be informed of the decision and the facts and reasons for the decision of the disciplinary
proceeding.
Sec. 24. The right to be free from involuntary contributions imposed by College authorities or by his/her
organization unless approved by the CSSPSC in the former and the mass membership of his/her organization in the latter.
Sec. 25. The right to have no military or police detachments or units stationed in the College campus.
Sec. 26. The right to non-interference by military, police or school security elements of legitimate student
activities within the College campus, in particular, peaceful mass actions.
Sec. 27. The right for his/her CSSP-based organization/s to have a tambayan at a location within the College
grounds provided by the CSSP Administration and agreed to by the organization concerned.
A.

There shall be no eviction from or demolition of such tamvayan unless concurred in by the organization
concerned.

B.

In the event of an inevitable eviction and demolition of an organization/s tambayan, the CSSP
Administration must ensure that a new location for a tambyan shall have been located and provided for and
agreed to by the organization concerned.

C.

The rules and regulations concerning the tambayan of the organizations within the College grounds shall be
drafted by the CSSPSC and the FSRC and the ODASA subject to final ratification by the student
organization concerned.
ARTICLE VII
DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF CSSP STUDENTS

Every CSSP student has the following duties and obligations:

Sec. 1. To develop his/her potential to the utmost so as to be of service to his/her family and society.
Sec. 2. To strive for academic and extra-curricular excellence in UP tradition.

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Sec. 3. To observe, at all times, the laws of the Republic of the Philippines and the rules and regulations of the
university and College regarding disciplinary and academic responsibilities.
Sec. 4. To forge a close and harmonious relationship with the other sectors of the College.
Sec. 5. to participate actively in College and University activities and be involved in civic and socially relevant
activities geared towards the development of his/her community and the nation.
Sec. 6. To work for the betterment of the Filipino masses in any capacity and way he/she is capable of.
Sec. 7. To exercise the rights enumerated in Article VI above responsibility.
ARTICLE VIII
COMPOSITION AND ELECTION OF CSSPSC
Sec. 1. The CSSPSC shall be composed of a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson and one (1) Councilor elected at
large for every 300 CSSP students. The number of Councilors to be elected shall be based on the total CSSP student
population of the semester during which the election takes place as determined by the College Electoral Board. There
shall also be a Department Representative foe every CSSP academic department provided that each Department shall
have an additional Representative for every 250 students over the first three hundred.
Sec. 2. Elections for the CSSPSC shall take place not later than one (1) month before the official end of classes of
the second semester of every academic year.
Sec. 3. Should there be unfilled positions after the regular elections have been conducted, the College Electoral
Board shall, upon the request of the newly-elected Council members, conduct special elections only for the unfilled
Council seats within one (1) month after its receipt of the request.all provisions and qualifications for candidacies applied
for the regular elections shall be applicable in the special elections.
Sec. 4. Induction of the newly elected CSSPSC shall take place after the third week after their election and
proclamation by the College Electoral Board. The CSSPSC Dean or his/her authorized representative shall administer the
oath of office to the new CSSPSC.
Sec. 5. Every Council member shall hold office for one year, provided that the members of the College who will
fill vacant seats during the course of the term shall be in office only for the remainder of the unexpired term of his/her
predecessor.
ARTICLE IX
CSSP STRUCTURE
Sec. 1. The different units of the CSSPSC shall be as follows:
A.

The General Assembly (GA) shall be the highest policy-making body of the CSSPSC.

B.

The Executive Coordinating Council (ECC) shall be the highest executive and implementing arm of the
CSSPSC and shall serve as the highest policy-making body of the CSSPSC in between sessions of the GA. It
shall be composed of the officers of the CSSPSC, including the chairperson and the heads of the CSSPSC
standing committees.

C.

The various CSSPSC standing committees shall serve as the implementing arms of the various programs and
policies laid down by the GA. These standing committees, in order of the precedence are as follows:
1. Students Rights and Welfare (STRAW) under which are two sub-committees:
a. Registration
b. Yearbook
2. Secretariat and Logistics
3. Finance and Special Projects
4. Education, Training and Popular Struggles
5. Publication

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D. The CSSP Volunteer Corps (CSSPVC) shall be an autonomous unit of the CSSPSC with its own
set of officers and activities and shall serve as the support arm of the CSSPSC. Its members shall be composed of the mass
membership of the Councils committees.

Sec. 3. The CSSP Chairperson may also, on his/her own authority and with the majority concurrence of the ECC,
create other or merge these standing committees as he/she may deem fit provided that the functions of these specified
committees will still be carried out. Provided however that such creation and merger of standing committees shall be
submitted for approval to the GA immediately following such action.
The various committee chairperson may also subdivide their committees into sub-committees as they see fit
subject to availability of personnel to man sub-committees and provided that the main functions of the committee are not
neglected.
ARTICLE X
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
Sec. 1. The General Assembly (GA) shall be the highest policy-making of the CSSPSC.
Sec. 2. It shall be composed of all the members of the CSPPSC and one (1) CSSPVC representative chosen from
among themselves for every 25 CSSPVC members. The CSSPVC shall be entitled to one (1) vote for every fifty (50)
members to be exercised by the CSSPVC representative/s.
Sec. 3. Unless otherwise declared by the CSSPSC for specific occasions, all GAs shall be open to all CSSP
students.
Sec. 4. The GA shall have the following powers and functions:
A.
B.
C.
D.

E.
F.

Study and suggest amendments and revisions to the CSSPSC constitution subject to final ratification by the
CSSP studentry in a constitutional plebiscite for the purpose.
Receive the reports of the various committee heads and the CSSPSC Chairperson and act upon the
recommendations of the same.
Formulate, approve and enforce decisions, policies, resolutions, stands on issues and programs of action of
the CSSPSC.
Act and decide upon all cases of expulsion of and impeachment/removal from the office of Council
members subject to the provisions concerning expulsion and impeachment in this Constitution.
Approve the creation or merger of standing committees a proposed by the CSSPSC Chairperson and
concurred in by the ECC.

Do such other duties and functions as it may deem necessary.

Sec. 4. Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, a majority or fifty percent plus one (50%+1) of
all the Council members shall be deemed as constituting a quorum. A regular GA must attain this quorum to
be deemed in session.
Sec. 5. The regular GA shall convene once a week during the term of the Council, excluding
semestral breaks and Christmas holidays. The Council may, however, convene a regular GA on the excluded
dates on reasonable grounds.
Sec. 6. Special or emergency sessions of the GA can be called as the Chairperson may deem fit, or by
three-fourths of the total number of committee chairperson, or through a simple request by five or more
Councilors or Department Representatives that an emergency or special GA be convened.
Sec. 7. A special or emergency GA does not require that a quorum be reached for it to be deemed in
session.
Sec. 8. Regular GA sessions that do not reach the required quorum, upon the decision of the CSSPSC
Chairperson with the concurrence of a majority of the Council members voting and present, may be
adjourned and automatically converted into an emergency or special GA.

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Sec. 9. Every decision of at least a majority of the members voting and present at regular, special or
emergency GA shall be valid as an act of the Council.
ARTICLE XI
THE EXECUTIVE COORDINATING COUNCIL
Sec. 1. The Executive Coordinating Council(ECC) of the CSSPSC shall serve as the highest executive
and implementing arm of the CSSPSC. It shall also be the highest policy-making body when the GA is not in
session.
Sec. 2. It shall exercise general supervision and responsibility over the standing committees of the
CSSPSC.
Sec. 3. It shall be composed of the CSSPSC Chairperson and the chairpersons of the various standing
committees of the CSSPSC. The CSSPSC Chairperson shall be the head of the ECC.
Sec. 4. The ECC shall have the following powers and functions:
A. Be responsible for the administrative and day-to-day functions of the CSSPSC.
B. Ensure, monitor, direct and coordinate the plans, decisions and programs of the CSSPSC.
C. Make recommendations to the GA on matters concerning the CSSPSC and the CSSP studentry in
general.
D. Concur in or disapprove the suggestion of the CSSPSC Chairperson to create other or merge the
standing committees of the CSSPSC subject to the final approval of the GA.
E. Coordinate the plans, programs and actions of the standing committees with each other.
F. Ensure the integration of the CSSPSC with the mass studentry of the CSSP.
G. Formulate, approve, and enforce decisions, policies, resolutions, stands on issues and programs
of action for the CSSPSC subject to the final approval of the GA.
H. Perform other functions and duties as may be delegated by the GA.
Sec. 5. The ECC shall meet twice a week and in special or emergency sessions. No quorum is
required. Absence of an ECC member shall be deemed as forfeiture of his/her vote for that particular ECC
session.
ARTICLE XII
THE STANDING CSSPSC COMMITTEES
Sec. 1. The Vice-Chairperson and the College Councilors shall as much as possible
head the standing committees or the CSSPSC. The Department Representatives may be heads of any subcommittees created by the standing committees. Should this provision be impracticable, the Chairperson may
designate Department Representatives as standing committee heads. The CSSPSC Chairperson shall not
handle a standing committee or sub-committee unless deemed by the GA.
Sec. 2. Standing committees are those specified in article XI, Section 1, paragraph C of this
Constitution. Sub-committees are those specified in the above provision and other sub-committees that may
be created by the standing committees or the Chairperson for temporary or permanent purposes provided
that these sub-committees shall be automatically dissolved with the expiration of the term of office of the
concerned standing committee head.
Sec. 3. The chairperson of the standing committees shall have the power to choose or recruit their
members provided however that each standing committee shall have at least two (2) other Council members
aside from the committee head. These shall automatically have the posts of committee vice-chairperson and
committee secretariat officer. Members of the committees may come from the CSSPVC or from personnel
recruited by the officers of the concerned committee.

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Sec. 4. The vice-Chairpersons shall automatically head the Students Rights and Welfare (STRAW)
standing committee, the Councilor with the highest number of votes in the last elections shall head the
Secretariat. The rest of the chairpersons of other standing committees shall be filled through any of the
following methods as the GA maydeem fit:
a) appointment by the CSSPSC Chairperson
b) the expressed desire from a Councilor to head a particular standing committee or subcommittee and concurred by the Chairperson; or
c) an election within the CSSPSC to determine the chairpersons of the other standing
committees in a GA called for a purpose
Sec. 5. The standing committees shall decide on their internal rules and procedures. They shall submit
monthly performance and planning reports to the Chairperson. Within one (1) week from the end of each
committee activity or project, the committees shall submit an activity assessment report. The standing
committees are required to meet at least twice a month.
Sec. 6. The duties, functions and scope of responsibilities of each standing committee shall be defined
by each incoming CSSPSC based on the following guidelines:
A.1. The CSSPSC Students Rights and Welfare (STRAW) standing committee shall be responsible
forundertaking projects and activities geared towards advancing and protecting the rights and welfare of the
CSSP studentry and UP students within the territory of the College.
2. It shall also be the parent committee of the Registration and Yearbook sub-committees
3. It shall also be the spearhead initiating and sustaining CSSPSC campaigns and actions regarding
student rights and welfare issues.
4. It shall also be the principal arm of the CSSPSC in organizing the participation of the College in the
annual Lantern Parade and College intramurals.
5. It may create ad hoc committees to pursue its objectives.
B.1. The CSSPSC Secretariat and Logistics standing committees shall be responsible for keeping all
records, documents, files and equipments of the Council.
2. It shall also ensure in coordination with the Finance standing committee that the Council shall at all
times have adequate office and publicity-making equipments and materials in stock.
3. It shall also be responsible for the general order and discipline of the council members and the
CSSPVC
4. It shall also check on the general performance of the Council members and when needed, institute
or initiate, in coordination with the Vice-Chairperson, the appropriate disciplinary procedures.
5. It shall devise and implement a system to ensure orderliness and cleanliness in the CSSPSC office.
6. It may coordinate with the Deans office, the office of Student Affairs or the Register in pursuing its
projects and activities.
C.1. The CSSPSC Finance and Special Projects standing committee shall be the financial arm of the
CSSPSC. It shall be responsible for initiating committee-level revenue generating projects to augment the
CSSPSC general fund.
2. It shall also recommend to the GA and Council-level incoming generating projects and present
the appropriate data needed for consideration.
3. It shall also serve as the coordinating committee, unless the ECC or the Chairperson deems
otherwise for any committee or Council-level income-generating project.
4. It shall act as the representative of the CSSPSC to the UP Fair and other university fund raising
activities.
5. It shall keep its book of accounts and other records of the financial activities of the CSSPSC
available for the inspection to any bonafide CSSP student.
D.1. The CSSPSC Educational, Training and Popular Struggles standing committees shall serve as the
educational and training arm of the CSSPSC.

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2. It shall create, at the start of each term, an educational and training curriculum geared towards
providing the CSSPSC and CSSPVC and any other student an in-depth knowledge on social and national
issues and realities and equip them with skills that will enhance their capacities to act as students for the
masses.
3. It shall also be responsible for the creation, upkeep and maintenance of the CSSPSC Library. Based
on CSSPSC resolutions and on stands on issues, this standing committee shall also spearhead CSSPSC
campaigns and actions regarding social and national issues.
4. It shall organize and direct an Academic Circle geared towards the achievement of academic
excellence of CSSP students.
E.1. The CSSPSC Publications standing committee shall serve as the public information and
propaganda arm of the CSSPSC.
2. It shall, in the coordination with the Educational, Training and Popular Struggles Committee, ensure
the adequate publication and dissemination of statements and other information made by the latter.
3. It shall also coordinate with the different Department Representatives in notifying their respective
departments of any project or activity involving their discipline.
4. It shall also be responsible for the availability of the Audio-Visual room and other audio-visual
materials and equipment which may be used in any CSSPSC project or activity.
Sec. 7. The CSSP Volunteer Corps (CSSPVC), as an autonomous unit within the CSSPSC, shall have its
own set of officers and activities. The CSSPSC Secretariat Officer shall be tasked with ensuring the CSSPSC
and CSSPVC activities are coordinated.
A. The CSSPSC Secretariat Officer shall be an ex-officio of the CSSPVC.
B. Its members shall also be members of the various committees of the CSSPSC and as such shall be
bound by the CSSPSC rules and regulations.
C. Members of the CSSPVC may carry and use the name of the CSSPSC in any of their dealing
provided such use shall not be inconsistent with the rules and policies of the CSSPSC and
provisions of this Constitution.
D. For every twenty-five (25) CSSPVC members there shall be one (1) VC representative who shall
be entitled to all the rights, duties and privileges accorded to a regular Council member except
the right to vote. For the duration of his/her designation by the CSSPVC as VC representative to
the Council, he/she shall work full-time in the Council.
E. The CSSPVC shall be entitled to one (1) vote for every fifty (50) members in Council
deliberations and votations to be exercised through their representative/s.
Sec. 8. The CSSPSC shall undertake a recruitment drive or any other measures to ensure that the
CSSPVC for each specific term is formed and organized within two (2) months immediately following the
assumption of office of the new CSSPSC.
ARTICLE XIII
POWERS AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS
Sec. 1. The Chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of the Council. He/she has the duty to:
A. Sign all resolutions, communications and papers of the Council unless he/she deems otherwise in
specific cases.
B. Preside over all meetings and GAs of the Council, unless he/she designates another Council
member to be the presiding officer for a specific GA.
C. Create sub-committees or standing committees with the concurrence of the ECC in the latter
case, and if the Council so decides, appoint the chairpersons and members thereof subject to the
provisions of Article XII, Section1 to 6 of this Constitution.
D. Represent the CSSPSC and the College in his/her official capacity as the CSSPSC Chairperson on
occasions and event as needed.

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E.

Be the candidate of the CSSP studentry in the selection of the UP Diliman nominee for the
Student Regent of the UP Board of Regents.
F. Had the Executive Coordinating Council.
G. Perform such other duties as may be necessary or incidental to the discharge of the functions of
the office.
Sec. 2. The Chairperson may not vote in CSSPSC votations unless there is a dead-lock or a tie in the
votes cast in which case, the Chairperson shall cast the deciding vote.
Sec. 3. The Vice-Chairperson shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
A. Assist the Chairperson in all matters when and where required.
B. Take over the functions of the Chairperson whenever the latter office is temporarily or
permanently vacant subject to the provisions stipulated in Article XIV of this Constitution.
C. Serve as the head of the Students Rights and Welfare (STRAW) standing committee of the
CSSPSC.
D. Perform the duties as the GA or the Chairperson may from time to time assign to him/her.
Sec. 4. The CSSPSC Secretariat Officer shall:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Keep arecord of all the proceedings of the Council.

Keep all records and documents of the Council.
Certify all acts of the Council.
Serve as the head of the Secretariat standing committee.
Be the disciplinary officer of the Council under the directorship of the Chairperson and the ViceChairperson.
F. Keep an inventory, in coordination with the Finance Officer, and take charge of all CSSPSC
properties.
G. Perform such other tasks as the GA or the Chairperson may from time to time assign to him/her.
Sec. 5. The Finance officer shall:
A.
B.
C.
D.

Act as the keeper of the funds of the Council.

Keep a record of the same.
Disburse the same subject to the provisions of Article XVI of this Constitution.
Submit a financial report to the Council at the end of each semester and summer during the term
of office which shall be made public through the SINAG and other means.
E. Head the CSSPSC Finance and Special Projects standing committee.
F. Supervise all business and financial transactions of the Council-subject to the provisions of Article
XII, Section 6, Paragraph C.
G. Initiate and recommend income-generating projects.
H. Perform such other duties and functions as the GA or the Chairperson may from time to time
assign to him/her.
Sec. 6. The CSSPSC Education and Training Officer shall:
A. Establish and enforce an educational and training curriculum to be accomplished by all members
of the CSSPSC and CSSPVC.
B. Establish and maintain the CSSPSC Library.
C. Upon the direction of the Chairperson, draft CSSPSC resolutions and stands regarding issues of
local and national significance.
D. Head the CSSPSC Education, Training and Popular Struggles standing committee.
E. Perform such other functions as the GA or the Chairperson may from time to time assign to
him/her.

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Sec. 7. The CSSPSC Publication Officer shall:

A.
B.
C.
D.
E.

Release news items regarding Council activities to the public.

Promote good relations with the public and the press.
Answer inquiries about and be the official spokesperson of the Council.
Head the CSSPSC Publication standing committee.
Perform suvch other functions as the GA or the chairperson may from time to time assign
him/her.

Sec. 8. The Department Representative shall:

A. Be elected by the members of their own Departments.
B. Serve as the liaison officers between the CSSPSC and their Departmental constituents.
C. Do other duties as may be provided for in this Constitution or by the CSSPSC.
ARTICLE XIV
RESIGNATIONS AND VACANCIES
Sec. 1. In case of vacamcy in any positions of the CSSPSC during the term of office, the following
guidelines shall be followed:
A. Any permanent vacancy in the Office of the Chairperson shall be filled by the Vice-Chairperson.
In case the vacancy occurs in the Office of the Vice-Chairperson, the Secretariat officer shall fill
the vacancy.
B. Should either or both the Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson temporarily vacate their seats in the
CSSPSC, the Secretariat shall serve as the acting Chairperson and the Finance Officer as the
acting Vice-Chairperson of the CSSPSC. The Vice-Chairpersons of the Secretariat and Finance
committees shall be the acting Chairpersons of their respective committees. Upon return of the
CSSPSC Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson to active status in the CSSPSC, the designated officerin-charge shall revert to their original positions. In no case shall the CSSPSC be dissolved or
rendered inactive.
C. 1. If a permanent vacancy occurs in the Office of the Councilor at any point in the term of office
of the CSSPSC, the candidate who obtained the next highest number of votes after the lowest
ranked, in terms of votes, elected Councilor shall take the office.
2. He/she may be duly qualified, proclaim and inducted into office according to the provisions of this
Constitution and the College Electoral Code.
3. In the case of a temporary vacancy in the Councillorships, the posts shall not be filled up save only
if the number of vacancies exceed the number of active Councilors in which case the Chairperson
may use his/her authority subject to the final approval of the GA, to choose a replacement from
among the CSSPVC until the absent council member/s return to duty.
4. Otherwise, the Chairperson and the Vice-Chairperson of the CSSPSC may, if they see fit, take any
measures to ensure and effectuate the return to active duty of majority if not all of the absent Councilors.
D. 1. A permanent vacancy in the positions of the Department Representatives, as much as is
practicable, be filled in the manner provided above. Should this not be possible, then the CSSPSC
shall conduct a straw poll among the students of the concerned Department within two (2)
weeks after the permanent vacancy has been confirmed by the Secretariat.
2. Results of the straw poll shall be the basis for the selection of the replacement by the CSPSC. The
straw poll shall be conducted according to the rules and provisions governing College student
elections provided however that the counting of the ballots shall be conducted by a Straw Polls
Committee composed of one council member, two students from the concerned Department chosen
among themselves or from an organization/s of that Department, a faculty member from that
Department chosen by the CSSPSC and CSSP Deans Assistant for Student Affairs who shall be the
ex-officio head of the Straw Polls Committee.

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3. The winner of the straw poll shall automatically be selected by the CSSPSC to be the replacement
Department Representative and shall be inducted into office three (3) weeks after the results of the straw polls
have been released.
ARTICLE XV
DISCIPLINARY MEASURES FOR COUNCIL MEMBERS
Sec. 1. Suspension shall mean temporary loss of membership. The following shall grounds for
suspension:
A.
B.
C.
D.

Three (3) consecutive unexcused absences from GAs.

Six (6) accumulated absences from GAs.
Dereliction of duty.
Other grounds as may be determined by the GA.

Sec. 2. The ECC shall decide on all cases involving suspension of Council members. The Chairperson
may also, on his/her authority, impose a suspension order on an erring Council member subject to the
majority approval of the ECC voting and present within three (3) days after the imposition of the suspension.
Sec. 3. The period of suspension shall not be less than fifteen (15) but not more than forty-five (45)
calendar days after which the suspension shall be automatically lifted and may not be reinstated under the old
charges.
Sec. 4. Suspension may be lifted anytime after one (1) week 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 GA, voting and present.
Sec. 5. Expulsion from the Council may be done with a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of all Council
members voting and present in a GA called for the purpose.
Sec. 6. The following may be grounds for expulsion:
A.
B.
C.
D.

Two suspension in one semester.

Gross violation of this Constitution.
Gross negligence of duty.
Commission of acts deemed by the GA to be highly detrimental to the integrity, credibility or
unity of the council.
E. Dishonesty and misconduct while in office.
F. Habitual tardiness and absenteeism.
G. Abuse of authority.
H. Any other grounds deemed sufficient by the GA.
Sec. 7. Petitions for expulsion, which shall also be deemed as a motion to institute impeachment
proceedings, of any Council member shall be investigated by the ECC or its authorized representatives.
A. Council member petitioners may do so through a formal written petition submitted to the
Chairperson or next higher Council officer in the event the former is the defendant in the petition.
B. Petitions for expulsion from CSSP students who are not members of the Council must be signed by
at least ten percent (10%) of the total CSSP student population at the time of the petition and must
include signatories from all CSSP academic Departments. Such petitions shall be addressed to the
Chairperson or the next higher officer as the case may be.
C. Petitions for expulsion must specify the Council member/s concerned, the charges, supporting
evidences and other relevant information to the case.

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Sec. 8. The Council member/s concerned shall be duly informed of the case and the charges leveled
not later than three (3) 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 a member of the Council.
Sec. 9. Expulsion cases shall pass through due process. The concerned parties shall have full and
unrestricted access to the CSSPSC files and records deemed by the ECC be relevant in preparing their cases.
Sec. 10. A. Expulsion cases shall be tried by a GA convened for the purpose which must take place
not later than two (2) weeks after the official receipt of the petition for expulsion. The highest ranking Council
officer, as the case may be, shall preside over the trial. The Council member/s concerned shall have no voting
rights in the trial.
B. The CSSP Deans Assistant for Student Affairs shall be an ex-officio non-voting member in the GA
convened for the expulsion case. A certification from him/her validating the trial and the
sentence imposed shall be necessary for the sentence to take effect.
C. The decision of the GA shall be final.
Sec. 11. The Chairperson, with the majority concurrence of the ECC, may institute such other
disciplinary measures and procedures as may be fit provided that such measures and procedures shall be null
and void for the successor Council.
ARTICLE XVI
FUNDS OF THE COUNCIL
Sec. 1. A. The general funds of the CSSPSC shall consist of the student fees collected every
registration period, summer and semestral alike, and deposited in the CSSP Student Fund in accordance with
existing University guidelines on budgets and auditing rules and regulations.
B. The student fees to be collected by the CSSP Student Council from every CSSP student shall be
equivalent to five percent (5%) of the maximum tuition fee per unit provided that in no case shall the student
council fee be lower than five pesos (P 5.00) per CSSP student.
Sec. 2. All moneys earned by the CSSPSC during the course of a specific term shall be placed in a
special fund and used for such purposes only. If the purposes of the special fund has been fulfilled or
otherwise deemed finished, the balance, if any, shall be transferred to the general funds of the CSSPSC.
Sec. 3. All appropriations of the Council from the general funds shall be in line with the established
rules and regulations of the College and University governing such transactions. Appropriations from the
special fund shall be subject to review by the ECC. Only the Chairperson and the Finance Officer of the
CSSPSC are authorized to appropriate moneys from the general funds.
Sec. 4. The CSSPSC, for each specific term, shall institute its own budgetary rules and procedures to
maximize the funds available.
Sec. 5. The balance of the CSSPSC general funds for a specific term shall be added to the funds of the
successor CSSPSC.
Sec. 6. As an institution, debts incurred and unpaid for by the outgoing CSSPSC for its projects and
activities shall be assumed by the incoming CSSPSC.
ARTICLE XVII
THE COLLEGE REPRESENTATIVE
Sec. 1. The CSSP Representative/s to the University Student Council (USC) of the University of the
Philippines in Diliman shall be voting ex-officio member/s of the CSSPSC, entitled to all rights and duties and
responsibilities attached thereof and thus shall also be bound by the CSSPSC rules and regulations.

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Sec. 2. The CSSP Representative/s shall serve as the official liaison officer/s of the CSSPSC to the
USC.
Sec. 3. The election of the College Representative/s shall be conducted together with the elections
for the other members of the USC.
Sec. 4. The CSSPSC shall have the option to withdraw its recognition of the College Representative/s
as the CSSPSC liaison officer/s and appoint a new one, in which case the USC shall have the options of
accepting or rejecting the appointment without prejudice to the status of the elected College of
Representative/s as decided upon by the USC.
Sec. 5. The College of Representative/s shall be subject to and bound by the decisions of the CSSPSC
in so far as the CSSP matters are concerned.
ARTICLE XVIII
ADVISER
Sec. 1. The CSSP Deans Assistant for the Student Affairs shall be the ex-officio adviser of the CSSP
Student Council.
ARTICLE XIX
AMENDMENTS
Sec. 1 This Constitution may be amended only by a two-thirds (2/3) affirmative vote of all the Council
members, provided that the proposed amendments shall have been submitted in writing with copies of this
Constitution to the members of the Council at least two (2) weeks prior to its consideration in a GA called for
the purpose.
Sec. 2. Any amendment, revision, changes or alteration of this Constitution shall be valid only when
the above provision has been satisfied and such changes have been ratified in the same manner as the
adoption of this Constitution as stated in Article XX, Section 1.
ARTICLE XX
EFFECTIVITY
Sec. 1. This Constitution shall take effect upon its ratification in a College-wide plebiscite called for
the purpose, by a majority vote of all the votes cast by the CSSP students qualified to vote under the College
Electoral Code and approval of the UP Board of Regents.
Sec. 2. A. This Constitution, with its Filipino translation shall be stored in the Secretariat files.
B. A reading of this Constitution shall be conducted by the outgoing CSSPSC for ten newly-elected
CSSPSC immediately after the latter has been duly proclaimed and elected.
C. This Constitution, together with the CSSPSC flag, shall be turned over to the succeeding CSSPSC
during the induction and turn-over rites to the latter by the outgoing CSSPSC.
ARTICLE XXI
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Sec. 1. The first election of the CSSPSC under this Constitution (CSSPSC 1991-1992) shall be
conducted simultaneous with the USC 1991-1992 elections. Their induction shall take place by the second
week of September 1991.

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Sec. 2. Due t its being a transitory term, the term of office of the CSSPSC 1991-1992 shall run from
September 1991 to March 1991. The elections for CSSPSC 1992-1993 shall be held in February 1992 in
accordance with Article VIII, Section 2 of this Constitution.
Sec. 3. No amendments of this Constitution may be done until after the expiration of the term of
office CSSPSC 1992-1993 in March 1993.
Sec. 4. This Constitution shall have to be approved by a two-thirds majority vote of the CSSPSC 19901992, voting and present, in a GA called for the purpose, in order for it to be submitted for ratification.

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