2018 XU-ALS CONSTITUTION

PREAMBLE

We, the students of the Xavier University – College of Law, desirous of establishing a student
council that will unite the whole College of Law studentry, promote and protect students’ rights
and welfare, and foster a collaborative relationship among the students and the other sectors
of society, following the vision of the College of forming lawyers for others, do hereby ordain
and promulgate this constitution.

ARTICLE I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1 This Constitution shall be known as the “Constitution of the Xavier University –
Association of Law Students”.

Section 2 This Constitution shall govern the Law Student Council in Xavier University –
College of Law.

Section 3 For purposes of this Constitution, unless the context indicates otherwise:

3.1 “College” signifies the College of Law in Xavier University – Ateneo de

Cagayan.
3.2 “Xavier University – Association of Law Students” or “XU-ALS” refers to the
College of Law Student Council (as distinguished from any college student council) in
Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan.
3.3 “President”, “Vice-President”, and “Councilor” refer, respectively, to the
officers and members of the XU-ALS so designated.
3.4 “ALS members” or “members of the ALS” means the members of the XU-
ALS, including its officers.
3.5 “Bonafide student” is a student enrolled to the College of Law.
3.6 “Permanent vacancy” exists when the office or member has been vacated by
reason of death, resignation, impeachment, expulsion from the University, or a
permanent illness preventing him from performing the functions of his office.
3.7 “Temporary vacancy” exists when the office or member has been vacated by
reason of temporary mental or physical incapacity, detention or any other reason that
leaves the possibility of his resuming his duties before the expiration of his term.

ARTICLE II
CONSTITUENCY

Section 1 All bona fide students of Xavier University – College of Law are constituents of
the XU – ALS; the term constituency shall refer to all students of the College.
Section 2 The XU – ALS shall derive its powers from its constituents.

Section 3 Membership in the Association shall be mandatory for all bonafide students of
Xavier University – College of Law.
Section 4 No student shall be deemed admitted into the College, unless the required
membership due has been paid. Such due shall be collected upon enrolment.

Section 5 The membership due stated hereof shall be determined and approved by the
majority of all elected XU-ALS officers based on what is reasonable under the circumstances
obtaining.

Section 6 Special assessments may be levied on members, by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all
the members of the Chamber of Councilors ratified by a majority vote of all the regular members
of the Executive Cabinet.

Section 7 The Treasurer or any appointed officer as unanimously approved by the XU-ALS
shall collect the dues and assessments. The XU-ALS may further request the office of the Dean
of the College to make the payment of such membership dues a requisite for approval of
student’s application for enrolment.

ARTICLE III
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1 The XU-ALS believes in the following:

1.1 That education is a constitutional right and therefore equal opportunities and
access to education be afforded to everyone,
1.2 That education should enhance creative and critical thinking and the ability to
make informed judgment, free of dogma and myths,
1.3 That the Xavier University - College of Law is an institution that must equally
relate its activities to the need and aspirations of the Filipino people. As such,
XU College of Law, being a topnotch academic institution in the legal
profession, should produce future lawyers that are responsive to the needs
and aspirations of Filipino communities especially in Mindanao,
1.4 That XU-ALS, in order to be genuine, must be responsive to the needs of the
studentry, and to this end should be representative, autonomous and
democratic.

Section 2 The ALS shall at all times strive to:

2.1 Defend and promote the rights and general welfare of the College studentry,
2.2 Serve as an active forum for student ideas and sentiments;
2.3 Develop College spirit among the ranks of the students;
2.4 Uphold the ideals of the College geared towards ensuring a well-rounded
intellectual, social, cultural, and physical development for every student.
2.5 Develop social awareness and instill national consciousness among the
students;
2.6 Unite with the various sectors of society in the pursuit of common interests,
particularly in the establishment of a just and humane society;
2.7 Develop a sense of service and responsibility among the students for the
welfare of society;
2.8 Seek and engender educational changes for the full development of the
human potential, respond to social realities, and promote academic freedom.
 ARTICLE IV
COMPOSITION OF XU-ALS

Section 1. The XU-ALS shall be composed of the Executive Cabinet, Chamber of

Councilors, Supreme Court, and Electoral Commission.

Section 2. Elected officers

2.1 Only the President, Vice President, Executive Secretary, and Treasurer are elected
at large every academic year in accordance with the rules promulgated by the Electoral
Commission and the provisions of the Omnibus Election Code.
2.2 The Councilors shall be elected by their respective year levels. Two (2) councilors
shall be elected by each year level.
2.3 All other officer officers are appointed in accordance with Article V, VI, VII, and VIII
of this Constitution.

Section 3. Powers and duties of the ALS

The ALS shall:

3.1 Adopt its own internal rules of government;

3.2 Organize, coordinate, and direct student activities designed to improve their
general welfare as well as to prepare them for obstructive citizenship,
3.3 Represent the students in all major policy-making bodies of the College when
so provided by laws, rules and regulations promulgated by competent
authority;
 3.4 Advise and make recommendations to the College of Law Dean on student
matters, affairs and activities;
3.5 Represent the College in external student activities;
3.6 Have such additional powers and duties as the university authorities may,
from time to time, grant or delegate to it, consistent with its stated powers,
responsibilities and objectives.

ARTICLE V
EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section 1 The Executive Cabinet

1.1 The executive powers of the ALS shall be vested in the Executive Cabinet.
1.2 The Executive Cabinet shall be the highest policy making body of the council
and shall be composed of duly elected members of the XU-ALS.
2.3 It shall have at least two regular monthly sessions, the date and time to be
agreed by the Executive Cabinet sitting en banc. In case of extreme necessity; however,
the President upon the request of at least 1/3 of the entire membership, may convene
the Executive Cabinet in a special session.

Section 2 Composition

2.1 The Executive Cabinet shall be composed of the President, Vice-President,

Executive Secretary, Treasurer, Deputy Treasurers, Chairmen of the executive committees,
and Chairmen of ad hoc committees, as may be deemed necessary.

Section 3 The Executive Cabinet shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

3.1 Coordinate and operationalize the program of action set by the XU-ALS
3.2 Formulate a General Plan of Action before the start of the academic year,
3.3 Shall submit the semestral budget for the operations of the XU-ALS in
accordance with its General Plan of Action to be approved by a majority vote of the
members of the Chamber of Councilors.
3.4 Formulate, revise and approve policies and programs of action of the XU-
ALS.

Section 4 Office of the President

The President shall be the chief executive officer of the ALS. It shall be his/her duty to:

4.1 Act as the official representative of the XU-ALS in its relations with the administration,
the faculty, the public and with any other organization in and outside the campus,
4.2 Enforce the provisions of this Constitution,
4.3 Update the general membership of the status of the XU-ALS affairs periodically,
4.4 Act as the presiding officer of the Executive Cabinet during its regular and special
sessions,
 4.5 Act as the presiding officer of the ALS constituency during any form of formal gathering
it conducts,
4.6 Shall be a signatory to all transactions, agreements or contracts entered into by the XU-
ALS in behalf of its general membership,
4.7 Shall appoint, immediately at the start of his/her term, the Chairmen of the executive
committees upon the recommendation of the Chamber of Councilors,
4.8 Create ad hoc committees and appoint the coordinator and members thereof, whenever
the need arises,
4.9 Create executive policies to facilitate the enforcement of the General Plan of Activities,
4.10 Shall have the sole authority to approve or veto any enactment, on valid grounds,
no later than 10 days after it has been passed by the Chamber of Councilors. A veto
may be overridden within five days by a vote of 2/3 of the Chamber of Councilors sitting
en banc and,
4.11 Perform such duties and performance of the functions of his/her office.

Section 5 Office of the Vice President

The Vice-President shall have the second highest seat in the Executive Cabinet. It shall be
his/her duty to:

5.1 Convene the Chamber of Councilors in at least one (1) regular monthly session,
5.2 Act as the presiding officer of the Chamber of Councilors in all forms of formal
gathering it conducts,
5.3 Assist the President in all matters where his/her assistance is required and,
5.4 Take over the function of the President, whenever his/her office is vacant by reason
of his/her death, resignation, removal, suspension, illness, absence, or physical or
mental incapacity or his/her failure to qualify for office.

Section 6 Office of the Executive Secretary

The Executive Secretary shall:

6.1 Monitor the day to day operations of the XU-ALS,

6.2 Facilitate in the formulation of the General Plan of Activities of the XU-ALS,
6.3 Shall enforce all provisions of the Executive Policies,
6.4 Create administrative policies and protocols which will facilitate the smooth flow of
various office transactions,
6.5 May endorse certain executive policies as proposed by the Committee Chairman of
the executive or ad hoc committees,
6.6 Keep a journal of the proceedings of the meetings of the Executive Cabinet,
6.7 Keep all papers and correspondence of the Executive Cabinet,
6.8 Facilitate the formal turn-over of ALS documents from the outgoing administration
to the incoming administration and,
6.9 Perform such other duties as the council or President may assign to him/her.

Section 7 Office of the Treasurer

The Treasurer shall:

 7.1 Act as the custodian of and deposit the funds of the XU-ALS to the designated
financial institution or the Xavier University Community Credit Cooperative (XUCCCO),
7.2 Act as cosignatory with the President of any financial transactions entered by
the XU-ALS,
7.3 Keep an updated record of the cash inflow and outflow of the funds of the XU-
ALS,
7.4 Prepare and report to the President and Chamber of Councilors the availability
or non-availability of funds for general or special appropriations,
7.5. Disburse the same in accordance with an appropriation of the XU-ALS,
7.6 Take charge of the collection and accounting of the ALS fee every enrollment,
7.7 Submit a financial report at the end of each semester to the council which shall
be published by the XU-ALS publication and,
7.8 Supervise all business and fund-raising activities of the XU-ALS,
7.9 Efficiently and effectively take charge of the management of the funds and
financial resources of XU-ALS,
7.10 Monitor and analyze a XU-ALS financial history for the purpose of forecasting
and developing future cash management strategies,
7.11 Conduct post-audit of all financial transactions as often as necessary and
submits reports thereon,
7.12 Takes charge in the yearly submission of Income Tax Return to Bureau of
Internal Revenue,
7.13. Appoint two (2) Deputy Treasurers at the beginning of his/her term who shall
facilitate him/her in the performance of his/her official functions and,
7.14 Perform such other duties as the President may assign.

Section 8 Office of the Councilor

The Councilor shall:

8.1 Be an automatic member of the Chamber of Councilors.

8.2 Act as the official representatives of their respective year-levels and shall report to
their constituents the activities of the Association as well as the resolutions and
collective acts of the ALS.
8.3 Be the convener of the block officers of all blocks in his/her respective year-level. All
block officers in each respective year-level shall automatically become part of the
Office of the Councilor as duly recognized ALS officers. Whenever applicable, the
block officers shall, among themselves, elect the year level President, Vice-
President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Provided, however, that only the Councilors
may become the President and Vice-President of the year level.
8.3.1 Each block shall elect their President, Vice President, Secretary, and
Treasurer at the start of the academic year on a date to be determined by
the ELECOM.
8.3.2 A Councilor shall automatically be disqualified to become a candidate for
any position in the election of block officers.
8.4 Should a Councilor be appointed as Committee Chairman in the Executive Cabinet,
such councilor does not lose or relinquish his other powers and responsibilities. As
such, the councilor will have a seat in both the Executive Cabinet and the Chamber
of Councilors.
Section 9 There shall be a Councilor who will become the Chairman of the Committee on
Student Services and Welfare, Committee on Academic Affairs, Committee on
Communications, Committee on External Affairs, Committee on Sports and Physical
Development, and Committee on Social Involvement, respectively.

Section 10 Only the Councilors shall be eligible to become Chairman of the committees of
the Executive Cabinet to be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the
Chamber of Councilors. Within 15 days upon assumption into office, the Chamber of Councilors
shall submit to the President at least two candidates for Chairmanship of each Committee.

Section 11 Nomination of Chairmanship shall not be closed until there have been at least two
candidates named, except by an affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Chamber
of Councilors present at the meeting. The President, however, may override the
recommendation of the Chamber of Councilors should there be justifiable reasons.

Section 12 The Chairman of each executive committee shall serve for one academic year
and until their successors have been duly appointed, except in the case of the chairmen of ad
hoc committees whose membership shall be coterminous with their term as chairman.

Section 13 Standing Committees other than those specified in this Constitution may be
created from time to time by the Executive Cabinet. Ad Hoc committees may be created by the
President.

Section 14 The Chairman of executive committees shall have the power to choose their
respective committee members.

Section 15 Vacancy

15.1 Any permanent vacancy in the office of the President shall be filled by the
Vice-President, provided that if the permanent vacancy occurs in the office of the Vice-
President for any cause or by reason of his/her assumption to the office as President,
the Chamber of Councilors shall elect among the councilors a new Vice-President.

15.2 Should both the President and Vice-President be temporarily incapacitated,

the remaining members of the Chamber of Councilors shall elect from among the
councilors an acting President and Vice-President both of whom shall relinquish their
positions upon return of the permanent officers. In no case shall the XU-ALS be
dissolved or rendered inoperative.

15.3 If a permanent or temporary vacancy occurs in the office of a Councilor, the

year-level officer next in line to the position held by such Councilor shall succeed to
his/her office.

Section 16 Qualifications of the President, Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer,

Deputy Treasurers, and Councilors
16.1 The President, Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and Deputy
Treasurers must be a currently enrolled student of the College of Law with a residency of at
least one (1) semester in the College on the day immediately preceding the day of the election.
 16.2 The Councilor must be a currently enrolled student of the College of Law whose
year-level status must be duly certified by the Dean of the College.
16.3 The above-mentioned officers shall not have been previously suspended for an
offense involving moral turpitude.

Section 17 Term of office

The officers shall serve for a term of one year, which shall begin on the noon of the 31st day of
March and shall end at the same date the year after. The formal turn-over ceremony shall take
place within 15 days after the new President assumes office.

ARTICLE VI
LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

Section 1 The Chamber of Councilors

1.1 The Legislative powers of the ALS shall be vested in the Chamber of
Councilors.

Section 2 The Chamber of Councilors shall have the following powers and responsibilities:

2.1 Shall formulate a legislative agenda before the start of the academic year,
2.2 Shall formulate with the Executive Cabinet a General Plan of Activities before
the start of the academic year,
2.3 Shall submit to the President its recommendations for Chairmanship of the
different executive committees,
2.4 Shall pass all Chamber of Councilors bills to be enacted and resolved through
a simple majority vote of the members sitting en banc,
2.5 Shall be responsible for the appropriation and adjustments of funds of the
Executive Cabinet,
2.6 Shall be responsible for the direct implementation and monitoring of
provisions in the policy or programs affecting their respective year-levels, in close
coordination with the Executive Cabinet,
2.7 Shall exercise special powers individually or as a cluster, delegated to it by
the President for emergency situations requiring intervention outside the normal exercise
of their powers in the Chamber of Councilors and,
2.8 Shall certify that the law-based, cultural, religious, or any other recognized
student organization by the College of Law, or fraternity or sorority, meets the eligibility
requirements to be entitled to a seat in the Chamber of Councilors.

Section 3 The Chamber of Councilors shall be composed of the Vice President, eight (8)
Councilors, Legislative Secretary, and Sectoral Representatives.

Section 4 The Sectoral Representatives come from the law-based, cultural, religious, or any
other duly recognized organizations in the College, and from the fraternities and sororities in
the College. Each organization shall be entitled to one seat in the Chamber with voting rights.
Provided, however, that for the fraternities and sororities, they may only be entitled to a seat in
the Chamber when they have been in existence in the College for at least four (4) years having
at least twenty (20) members. The Chamber of Councilor shall certify any organization applying
for a seat in the Chamber of Councilors to be entitled to a seat thereof.

Section 5 A Legislative Secretary shall be appointed by the Vice-President, subject to the

concurrence of the majority of the Chamber of Councilors. He shall be a Councilor not holding
any other position in the Executive Cabinet. The Legislative Secretary shall be responsible in
documenting in the journal all the proceedings and other records in the Chamber of Councilors
and shall also work with the Treasurer on fiscal matters.

Section 6 Enactments and Chamber of Councilors Bills

6.1 Every enactment shall be an extension to the law.

6.2 Every bill, to be enacted or resolved, passed by the Chamber of Councilors
shall embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.
6.3 Resolutions shall be made to serve purposes of single academic year tenure
while enactments, unless amended, shall be permanent provisions of the law.
6.4 Every bill shall be signed by the President for approval. Otherwise, he/she
shall veto it and may be overridden within five (5) days after the veto by a vote of at least
2/3 of the Chamber of Councilors, sitting en banc.
6.5 If the President fails to sign or communicate his veto within 30 days, the
enactment shall become a law as if it had been signed.
6.6 No bill shall become enacted unless it passes three readings on separate
days, and printed copies thereof must be distributed to all the members of the Chamber
of Councilors a day before its passage, except when the President certifies that it is
necessary to expedite the immediate enactment to meet an emergency.

Section 7 All Financial records and liquidation reports of the Chamber of Councilors shall
be preserved and be open to the public in accordance with the law and be audited by the Office
of the Treasurer.

Section 8 Term of office

The officers shall serve for a term of one year, which shall begin on the noon of the 31st day of
March and shall end at the same date the year after. The formal turn-over ceremony shall take
place within 15 days after the new President assumes office.

ARTICLE VII
JUDICIAL BRANCH

Section 1 The Supreme Court

The Judicial powers of the Central Student Government shall be vested in the
Supreme Court. Judicial power denotes also the obligation of the court to settle actual
controversies involving student rights which are demandable and enforceable, and to
ascertain whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack
or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch of the XU-ALS as mandated by the
Constitution.
Section 2 Composition

The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and the four (4) Justices of the
different year-levels. Each year level shall have one (1) justice.

Section 3 Appointment

3.1. The Chief Justice shall be appointed by the XU-ALS President of the outgoing
administration and subject to the approval of the outgoing Chamber of Councilors by a
majority vote.
3.2. The Justices shall be nominated by the respective incoming Councilors of each
year level to be approved by the incoming President.

Section 4 Powers and Responsibilities

4.1. The Supreme Court shall be responsible for the strict observance of this
Constitution in all levels of governance.
4.2 The Court shall enhance, support, and sustain the consciousness and
involvement of the College of Law studentry in the promotion and preservation of this
constitution.
4.3 The Court may conduct an independent inquiry on any petition questioning the
validity or constitutionality of any enactment passed by the Chamber of Councilors and
approved by the President.
4.4 The Court must conduct the inquiry within a period of fifteen (15) days, after which
it must furnish a written copy of its findings to the President. In cases where the Court finds the
petition result valid, it shall declare that the enactment is invalid or unconstitutional and shall
require the Chamber of Councilors to convene in order to review the enactment in question.
4.5 In cases of appeals, new evidence supporting such must be presented to the
Supreme Court before another inquiry may transpire. All petitions for reconsideration shall be
decided within 48 hours from the receipt of the copy thereof.
4.6 All issues involving the Constitutionality of an enactment, resolution, or decision
shall be required to be heard en banc, and be decided with the concurrence of a majority of the
Justices who took part in the deliberation on the issue and voted thereon.
4.7 The Chief Justice shall have no voting powers except when there is a tie in the
votes of the members.

Section 4 Qualifications of the Chief Justice and Justices.

4.1 The Chief Justice shall not be a member of any fraternity, sorority, or the like
within the College to combat partiality in court proceedings.
4.2 The Chief Justice must be a currently enrolled student of the College of Law
with a residency of at least two (2) years in the College.
4.3 The Justices must have the year-level status of the year-level that he/she
represents, as certified by the Dean of the College of Law.
4.3. The Chief Justice and the Justices must be of proven capacity, integrity,
probity and independence.
Section 5 The Supreme Court shall have a Secretary, appointed by the Chief Justice, and
shall keep a record of its proceedings.

Section 6 All financial records and liquidation reports of the Supreme Court shall be
preserved and be open to the public in accordance with the law, and such books
shall be audited by the Office of the Treasurer.

Section 7. Vacancy
7.1 Should there be a vacancy by reason of his/her death, resignation, removal,
suspension, illness, absence, or physical or mental incapacity or his/her failure to qualify for
office, the Chief Justice shall be succeeded by the most senior Justice. The latter’s position
shall then be filled by an appointee of the new Chief Justice within 15 days from the latter’s
assumption of office. The vacancy in the position of Justice shall be filled by an appointee of
the current Chief Justice.

Section 8 Term of office

The officers shall serve for a term of one year, which shall begin on the noon of the 31st day of
March and shall end at the same date the year after. The formal turn-over ceremony shall take
place within 15 days after the new President assumes office.

ARTICLE VIII
ELECTORAL COMMISSION
Section 1. The Electoral Commission.
There shall be an Electoral Commission (ELECOM) composed of a Chairman as appointed by
the President, and four (4) Members as appointed by the former.

Section 2. Appointment of the Chairman and Members.

2.1 The ELECOM Chairman must be appointed by the President within 30 days from the
President’s date of assumption of office.
2.2 The members of the Commission shall then be appointed by the ELECOM Chairman
within 15 days from the latter’s appointment as Chairman.

Section 3. Qualifications of the Chairman and Members.

3.1 The ELECOM Chairman shall not be a member of any fraternity, sorority, or the like
within the College to combat partiality in electoral proceedings.
3.2 The ELECOM Chairman must be a currently enrolled student of the College of Law
with a residency of at least two (2) years in the College.
 3.3 Each ELECOM Member must be a currently enrolled student of the College of Law
with a residency of at least one (1) year in the College.

Section 4. Vacancy
4.1 Should there be a vacancy by reason of his/her death, resignation, removal,
suspension, illness, absence, or physical or mental incapacity or his/her failure to qualify for
office, the Chairman shall be succeeded by the most senior ELECOM Member. The latter’s
position shall then be filled by an appointee of the new Chairman within 15 days from the latter’s
assumption of office. The vacancy in the position of the Member shall be filled by an appointee
of the current Chairman.
4.2 To determine the most senior ELECOM Member, the following are considered:
4.2.1 The most senior ELECOM Member is one who has the longest residency
among the four (4) Members;
4.2.2 If all Members have the same residency lengths, the one with the most
number of units in the current semester shall be the most senior;
4.2.3 If all Members currently have the same number of units in the current
semester, the one with the most units completed during his or her entire residency thus
far shall be the most senior;
4.2.4 If the same number of units has been completed by all the Members, the
one who is relatively the eldest among the Members shall be the most senior.

Section 5. Duties and Responsibilities.

The ELECOM is an independent body and shall exercise the following duties:
5.1. Conduct regular and/or special elections, plebiscite, referenda and recall proceedings
which may be called or petitioned for in a free, honest, clean, and orderly conduct;
5.2 Conduct the election of block officers at the start of the academic year,
5.3. Promulgate internal rules and regulations for the student body which are reasonably
necessary for a free, honest, clean, and orderly conduct of all elections, plebiscite, referenda,
and recall proceedings,
5.4. Decide all questions and contests pertaining to elections, plebiscite, referenda and recall
proceedings, including the qualifications of nominees and candidates in accordance with this
Constitution and other existing legislation and,
5.5. Conduct meetings which are necessary to strategize in attaining the mandate of the
Commission, and/or to delegate tasks in the facilitation of an impending election, plebiscite, or
referendum proceeding. The ELECOM Chairman shall be the convener of such meetings and
he or she may promulgate rules and regulations which are essential for productivity.

Section 6. Funding.
The funds declared by the ELECOM as necessary to defray the expenses for the holding of
regular and special elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda, and recalls, shall be provided
in the semestral appropriations. Once approved by the Chamber of Councilors, the funds shall
be released automatically upon certification by the Chairman of the Commission.
Section 7 Term of office

The officers shall serve for a term of one year, which shall begin on the noon of the 31st day of
March and shall end at the same date the year after. The formal turn-over ceremony shall take
place within 15 days after the new President assumes office.

ARTICLE IX
QUORUM

Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, a simple majority of the voting members shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business by the general members present and voting
at a meeting at which there lies a quorum shall be valid as an act of the entire body.

ARTICLE X
ACCOUNTABILITY OF OFFICERS

Section 1 XU-ALS officers must at all times be accountable to the members, serve them
with paramount dependability, honesty, loyalty, and competency, and do all with
justice.

Section 2 If an Executive Cabinet or Chamber of Councilors member fails to attend four

consecutive regular sessions without informing the body of his or her status or
the reasons why he or she has not been attending or working, he or she shall
automatically be dropped from the roll. He or she shall henceforth cease to be a
member of the XU-ALS.

Section 3 If the dropped member wishes to return, he or she should explain and justify his
or her side. With the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all the members of both the
Executive Cabinet and Chamber of Councilors, he or she can be reinstated into
the XU-ALS.

Section 4 Any member of the XU-ALS may be expelled or suspended, for any of the
following causes:

4.1 Any willful violation of this Constitution,

4.2 Gross misconduct,
4.3 Gross neglect of duties,
4.4 Malversation of funds,
4.5 Any disorderly behavior during any council sessions, and
4.6 Any other form of misconduct which undermines the integrity of the ALS.
Section 5 For purposes of expulsion, an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of all the
members of the Chamber of Councilors shall be required. The Chamber of Councilors shall
have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of expulsion.

Section 6 For purposes of suspension, an affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of those

present, there being a quorum, at the disciplinary proceedings at which the penalty is being
determined, shall be required; provided that:

6.1 The members in attendance shall constitute a quorum, and

6.2 The period of suspension shall not exceed 60 days.

Section 7 The President, Vice-President, Executive Secretary, Treasurer, and Councilor

shall be automatically removed from office when suspended twice.

Section 8 Expulsion/Suspension Process in the ALS

8.1. Expulsion of any official stated above may be proposed by any bona fide
student or group of students to the Chamber of Councilors.
8.2. The Chamber of Councilors shall initiate and conduct, within fifteen (15)
school days, any related inquiries for the expulsion case of the said
official.

8.3 Expulsion recommendation of the officer shall take effect after the
concurrence of a 2/3 vote of the members of the Chamber of Councilors.

Section 9 All parties involved shall be given a chance to be heard; evidence shall be
presented for the Court to decide on the merits of the case.

ARTICLE XI
BUDGET

Section 1 The general funds of the XU-ALS shall consist of student fees collected by the
administration during every regular registration period and shall be deposited in a special fund
in accordance with the university guidelines on budget and auditing rules and procedures.

Section 2 All money collected by authority of the XU-ALS for a special purpose shall be
treated as a special fund and shall be paid out for such purposes only. If the purpose of the
special fund created has been fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall be transferred
to the general funds of the ALS.

Section 3 The Executive Cabinet shall formulate and adopt a budget, which shall embody
a work plan of programs and projects together with estimated expenditures for the incoming
year.
3.1 A copy of the budget shall be sent to the Chamber of Councilors for review
and approval who shall endorse the same with respect to the legality of projects and the
sufficiency of funds from student council fees.
 3.2 No money shall be paid out of the funds of the ALS except in pursuance of an
appropriation authorized by the same.

Section 4 The balance of the ALS for a specific term shall be returned as the funds for the
net or succeeding term.

ARTICLE XII
AMENDMENTS

Section 1 Any amendments to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by the
Chamber of Councilors or a Constituent Assembly, supported by at least ten
percent of the total student population of the College of Law.

Section 2 Any amendments to, or revision of, this Constitution shall be valid when ratified in
a plebiscite by a simple majority of the members of the College of Law studentry.

ARTICLE XIII
EFECTIVITY

Section 1 This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its ratification in a College-
wide plebiscite called for this purpose, by a majority vote of all the votes cast by students
qualified to vote under the Omnibus Election Code. It shall take precedence over all XU-ALS
constitution in the College of Law.