THE CONSTITUTION

OF THE LAW STUDENT GOVERNMENT

Preamble

We, the students of the Mindanao State University-College of Law, imploring the
aid of the Almighty God, recognizing the necessity of establishing a just, independent
and effective student Government for the protection of our rights, the promotion of
honesty, good faith and fairness, and the enforcement of the laws of the land as well as
the rules and regulations duly promulgated by the University, do ordain and promulgate
this Constitution and By-Laws.

Article I
NAME, OFFICE AND SEAL

Section 1. The Association of Law Students of the Mindanao State University Main
Campus College of Law shall be called the Law Student Government as herein
referred to as LSG.

Section 2. The body of officers of the Law Student Government shall be named the Law
Student Council, herein referred to as the Council.

Section 4. The Office of the Council shall be located at the College of Law building,
Mindanao State University, Marawi City.

Section 5. The Council shall adopt its own Official Seal reflective of its independence,
democratic process of choosing its officers, and responsiveness of the same to its
members.

Article II
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Section 1. For purposes of consistency and brevity, the term studentry or members
shall be understood as pertaining to all the law students officially enrolled in a semester
within an academic year of the University.
University shall mean the Mindanao State University Main Campus, Marawi City.

Article III
NATURE, PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The Council is a democratic, representative and independent entity of the

LSG acting for and in behalf of the studentry in all matters that are favorable to the
latter. The promotion of the welfare of the students shall be the primary objective of the
Council.

Section 2. The Council shall protect the rights of the studentry regardless of academic
status, religion, and affiliation. Provided, that the protection and enforcement of the
same are not contrary to law, public morals, public policy, and rules and regulations of
the College of Law as well as the University in general.

Section 3. In pursuance to the primary objective of the Council, it shall provide

assistance to the students in all dealings which are beneficial to the latter, and may
adopt measures that shall enhance the skills, knowledge and confidence of the
students.

Section 4. The Office of the Council shall be accessible to all members who may
conduct their transactions within the convenient hours to be determined by the officers.
The Council, through its Treasurer, shall be the custodian of the student funds duly
collected as LSG fees.

Section 5. The Council is reposed with the utmost accountability of its financial
transactions, and that transparency in the management of the LSG funds must be its
primary concern. Financial statement is thus required to be presented on interim periods
which shall be on 2nd Thursday of October and 2 nd Thursday of March for the first and
second semester respectively.

Article IV
MEMBERSHIP AND DUES

Section 1. Regardless of the number of units enrolled, students are ipso facto members
of the LSG upon official enrolment, and the Certificate of Registration (COR) shall serve
as evidence of membership to the same. In no case shall hazing and initiation rites of
any kind that will tend to degrade the dignity of the individual or discredit the good name
of the organization be a requirement of membership.

Section 2. No student shall refuse membership in the LSG. However, membership is

deemed terminated upon official dropping of all subjects.

Section 3. The Council through its Financing Officers and, in his/her default, any officer
it has duly authorized, shall collect LSG fees from the students before or during the
enrolment period in every semester.
The LSG fees to be collected shall be determined through a resolution, duly
approved by two-thirds (2/3) of the Council members. Such fees must not be excessive,
unreasonable or unconscionable. A breakdown of such fees is required to be posted.

Section 4. An official Receipt shall be issued by the collecting officer stating the name,
amount, date, and purpose of the payment.

Section 5. Dues and fees collected shall be duly appropriated and allotted to the
Committees and the Law Gazette. Any remaining funds may be deposited with any
bank within Marawi City, with the President or the designated Financing Officers of the
Council and the Faculty Adviser as signatories to all withdrawals.

Article V
OFFICERS, QUALIFICATIONS AND ELECTIONS

Section 1. There shall be an officers of the Council composed of the President, VicePresident, nine (9) Councilors and a Representative from each year level.
The Officers of the Council shall serve for a term of one (1) year which shall start
from April 1 following the date of election, unless otherwise provided by this
Constitution.

Section 2. No student shall qualify as President unless he/she possesses the following
qualifications:
(a) A member in good standing of the LSG.
(b) An incoming third year student who passed at least 45 units, or at least
85% of the total units for the past three semesters should there be a
change in the curriculum.
(c) Must have been enrolled at least 15 units during the period of election
and during the term of his/her office. This shall serve as a continuing
requirement. In case of noncompliance, he/she is deemed to have
renounced his/her position.
(d) A resident student for at least two semesters immediately proceeding
the day of election.
(e) Must not be enrolled in any review subjects during the period of
election and during the term of his/her office. This shall serve as a
continuing requirement. In case of noncompliance, he/she is deemed to
have renounced his/her position.

Section 3. No student shall be elected as Vice-President unless he/she possesses the

same qualifications as that of the President.

Section 4. No student shall be elected as Councilor unless he/she possesses the

following qualifications:
(a) A member in good standing of the LSG.
(b) Must not be enrolled in any review subjects during the period of
election and during the term of his/her office. This shall serve as a
continuing requirement. In case of noncompliance, he/she is deemed to
have renounced his/her position.

Section 5. A regular election, through secret balloting, shall be held every first (1 st)
Thursday of February during the Academic Year, unless otherwise determined by the
Judicial & Electoral Committee when necessary, for the positions of President, VicePresident, and Councilors.
The Judicial & Electoral Committee shall be responsible for the conduct of said
elections and is the sole judge in every election contest. It may adopt measures and
guidelines relative to the holding of a clean, honest and orderly election.

Section 6. The Council shall, in consultation with or upon recommendation of each year
level concerned, appoint Year-level Representatives one month after opening of the
Academic Year.

A year-level Representative shall serve for two semesters, unless otherwise

provided by this Constitution.

Section 7. In case of disability, resignation or removal from office of the President, the
Vice-President shall fill such vacancy in the office; or in his/her default, by the Councilor
who has obtained the highest number of votes.
In case of disability, resignation or removal from office of the Councilor, an
appointment shall be made by the Council in order to fill such vacancy.
The term of service shall be for the unexpired portion only.

Article VI
Adviser

Section 1. There shall be an adviser of the Council who is a member of the faculty. The
faculty adviser shall serve as a consultant for the Council with respect to the
interpretation and implementation of the provisions of this Constitution. The adviser,
during his/her incumbency, shall supervise the Council in the conduct of its business
and may be present during the meetings of the Officers.

Section 2. The President shall, with the concurrence of the majority of all the officers,
request an adviser from among the faculty members. The adviser shall serve as such
for a period that is coterminous with the council.

Article VII
Rights, Duties and Functions

Section 1. All students/members shall be obliged to pay the LSG fee as determined by
the Council during the semester of which he/she is enrolled.

Section 2. Any student/member who fails or refuses to pay the LSG fees and dues as
provided in the preceding section shall be considered a delinquent member.
Delinquency shall suspend the exercise and enjoyment of the rights of any
student/member of the LSG including the right to vote and be voted for in any of the
elective positions nor shall be appointed to any of the Constitutional Committees.

Section 3. The students/members shall have the right to:

a. Vote and be voted for in any elective positions, unless otherwise disqualified
by this Constitution;
b. The free access to the Office of the Law Student Government regardless of
academic status, religion, and affiliation;
c. Request for the recent financial statement of the LSG involving the funds of
the same;
d. Participate and express his/her opinion as to activities, projects, and
measures for the attainment of the LSG objectives; and
e. Be present during meetings, when permitted by circumstances, as well as in
the General Assembly for consultation on a proposed measure involving their
rights.

Section 4. The powers and functions of the President are as follows:

a. Act as the Chief Executive Officer of the LSG;
b. Preside the conduct of all meetings, regular or special;
c. Recommend any member or Chairman of the Constitutional Committees; and
d. Represent the students/members in dealing with the College administration
and the University in general.
Section 5. The powers and functions of the Vice-President are the following:
a. Act as President during the temporary absence of the elected President;
b. In case of vacancy in the Office of the President resulting from disability,
resignation, or removal from office, assume the Presidency; and,
c. Except in Judicial & Electoral Committee, may be appointed as Chairman of
the other Constitutional Committee at the instance of the President, with the
concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) vote of all Council members.
Section 6. The Councilors shall convene and designate among them a Secretary, two
(2) Finance Officers, Auditing Officer, Communications Officer, two (2) Sports
Coordinating Officers, External Relations Officer, and a Property & Supplies Officer.
Their respective powers and functions are the following
a.) The Secretary shall maintain a record of the minutes of all the meetings of the
Council and of the General Assembly, the matters taken and the decisions
concluded. Such records, papers and documents of the Council shall be in
his/her custody during his/her incumbency and may be requested for by any
member.

He/she shall also be responsible for notifying the Officers of meetings and
the matters to be taken up.
b.) The Finance Officer shall be the Collecting Officer and the custodian of the
Funds of the LSG and all disbursements must be approved by him/her. He/she
shall maintain a book of accounts of the Council and exercise such other
functions inherent in the Office, or incidental thereto.
c.) The Auditing Officer shall conduct an audit at the end of every semester of all
the books of accounts of the Council and examine all the disbursements and
financial transactions made during the semester.
d.) The Communications Officer shall be the spokesperson of the Council. It shall
be his/her duty to adopt any measure that will tend to uplift the good image of the
Council through Public Relations. He/she shall be responsible for the
dissemination of any information affecting the entire membership of the LSG.
e.) The Sports Coordinating Officer shall be responsible for the proper
coordination and the realization of College sports activities.
f.) The External Relations Officer shall serve as a liaison between the LSG and
other existing associations in the college.
g.) The Property & Supplies Officer shall be responsible for the custody of
nonmonetary assets of the LSG.

Section 7. The Year-level Representatives shall promote and advance the interest of
their respective constituents.

Article VIII
Assembly, Meetings and Other Activities

Section 1. General Assembly shall be held at least once a year preferably at the
College of Law, in coordination with the Office of the dean. The attendance of LSG
members in the General Assembly is strictly required for purposes of constitution and
discussion of pertinent matters.

Section 2. There shall be a regular meeting of the Officers at least twice a month
preferably at the Councils Office. Such regular meeting shall be held at a convenient
time to be determined by the Council. Special meetings may also be called anytime by
the President or any officer on grounds of necessity or urgency in any place other than
the Councils Office.
Section 3. The President, who shall be the presiding officer in the regular and special
meetings, may adopt any procedure for the convenience of the officers in the conduct of

such meetings: Provided, that a quorum of simple majority of all the Officers shall be
required in any meeting to transact business, and any matter brought to the meeting
shall be decided by majority of the officers present.
An officer who cannot attend a meeting must give prior notice to the Council. His
absence and inability to participate in any deliberation made in such meeting shall not
prevent the implementation or enforcement of any conclusion reached therein.

Section 4. The Council, in coordination with the Deans Office, shall conduct an Annual
Mock Bar for the fourth year students as part of the celebration of the College
Foundation Day. It shall adopt measures and procedures pertaining to the conduct of
the same.
It may also initiate a Yearly Moot Court Competition or other related activities.

Section 5. The Council, in coordination with the Deans Office, shall conduct a Special
Lecture Series every after two (2) weeks.

Article IX
Constitutional Committees

Section 1. There shall be Constitutional Committees, namely; the Judicial and

Electoral Committee and the Bar Operations Committee which are independent by
nature from the Council. The Constitutional Committees shall exercise the powers and
functions herein defined and those incidental thereto without interference by the
Council.

Section 2. The Judicial & Electoral Committee shall be composed of six (6) nonpartisan members and a Chairman. No person shall be appointed as Chairman unless
he/she is a non-partisan student/member; a fourth year student at the time of his/her
appointment; and of proven probity, integrity and independence.
It shall be responsible for the proper interpretation of this Constitution, the
conduct of the annual elections of the Council and shall hear and decide any
impeachment proceedings.
The Director of the Division of Student Affairs or his duly authorized
representative shall be entitled to a non-voting membership in the Committee.

Section 3. The Judicial & Electoral Committee shall serve for an indefinite term without
the need of issuance of a resolution by the incumbent Officers. The first set of members

shall be selected by the Council. Thereafter, upon vacancy, the incumbent members
shall submit recommendations for the approval of the Council.

Section 4. Bar Operations Committee is hereby created which shall exercise the
powers and functions relative to the Bar Examinations including providing assistance to
the Bar Candidates from Mindanao State University. It may adopt programs and
measures for the development and enhancement of the students knowledge and skills
in preparation for the Bar Examinations.
It may also initiate or take steps to establish coordination with the existing
fraternities and/or sororities in the college.

Section 5. The Bar Operations Committee shall be composed of five (5) non-partisan
members and a Chairman and shall be constituted by the issuance of a resolution by
the incumbent Officers at least two (2) months before the first Sunday of the Bar
Examination.
No person shall be appointed as Chairman unless he/she is a non-partisan fourth
year student at the time of his/her appointment and of proven probity, integrity and
independence.
The members shall be at least a third year student.

Section 6. The Judicial and Electoral Committee and the Bar Operations Committee is
required to submit to the Council their respective Implementing Rules and Regulations
(IRR).
The Bar Operations Committee is also required to present its financial
statements to the Council.

Article X
The Law Gazette
Section 1. The Law Gazette is hereby recognized as the official student publication of
the LSG.

Section 2. The Law Gazette shall submit before enrolment its financial budget to the
Council for collection and appropriation purposes.

Section 3. The financial statements of the Law Gazette shall be subject to audit by the
designated Auditing Officer of the Council.

Article XI
Suspension and Removal From Office

Section 1. The impeachable officers are; (a) the President; (b) Vice-President; and (c)
the Treasurer.

Section 2. The following are grounds for impeachment:

a. Gross negligence or dereliction of duties and responsibilities;
b. Willful or culpable violation of this Constitution and By-Laws;
c. Illegal use of LSG funds;
d. Failure or refusal to pay LSG fees and dues; and,
e. Conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude.
Section 3. A member of the Council may be suspended from office for a period not
exceeding thirty (30) days by majority vote of all the officers on any of the following
grounds:
a. Unjustifiable absence for three (3) consecutive times in the regular meetings
of the Council;
b. Disorderly behavior;
c. Unjustifiable continuous absence in classes duly enrolled in for two (2) weeks;
d. Violation of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act; and,
e. Other analogous and similar causes.

Section 4. Impeachment proceedings may be initiated by two-thirds (2/3) vote of all the
Officers upon verified petition by any student/member supported by at least majority of
all the students/members of the LSG. An absolute majority vote of the Council,
excluding the officer involved, shall be required to impeach said officer.
No verified petition shall be filed against the same officer more than once within a
semester.
Section 5. The Judicial & Electoral Committee shall convene and meet for purpose of
the impeachment proceedings to hear and decide any petition for impeachment and
may adopt such measures for the speedy resolution of the said petition. The officers
involved shall be afforded the right to due process including the right to be present and

defend oneself in all stages be ipso facto the presiding officer in the impeachment
proceedings.

Section 6. Any officer who has been previously impeached or any officer who has been
suspended for three (3) times or often within a term in accordance with the preceding
sections shall be perpetually disqualified from running as candidate in any elections.

Article XII
Amendments and Revision

Section 1. Any amendment to this Constitution may be proposed at any time by any
student/member with the concurrence of at least majority of all the students/members of
the LSG. In no case shall an amendment may be had within sixty (60) days before the
immediately following election.

Section 2. The proposed amendment shall be indorsed by any officer to the Council
which shall include it in the agenda for the next regular meeting. The officers shall
deliberate on the proposed amendment during the meeting called for that purpose and
the decision of the majority of all the officers shall be effective.

Section 3. In case of revision of this Constitution and By-Laws, it shall be proposed by

any student/member with the concurrence of at least two thirds (2/3) of all the
students/members of the LSG or upon reasonable determination of necessity or
urgency for revision. The Council shall, upon verification on the authenticity of the
signatures of the concurring students/members, call for a Constitutional Convention for
the purpose of revising this Constitution and By-Laws. Any proposed revision cannot be
had within one hundred twenty (120) days before the elections.

Sections 4. The amendments or revision of this Constitution shall be effective upon

ratification by majority or two-thirds (2/3) vote respectively cast in a plebiscite called for
the purpose.

Section 5. In no case shall an amendment or revision may be had for the purpose of
extending the term of office of the elective officers provided in this Constitution.
Provisions which are contrary to law, public policy and good customs shall not be
effective even though ratified by the members in a plebiscite called for the purpose.

Section 6. No amendment or revision of this Constitution shall be authorized within a

period of three (3) years following its ratification.

Article XIII
Transitory Provisions
Section 1. All provisions of the previous Constitution and By-Laws, rules and
regulations, and similar pronouncements inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed.

Section 2. Unless otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Constitution shall
take effect upon ratification by at least majority vote casts in a plebiscite duly called for
the purpose.

Section 3. The first regular election of officers of the LSG in accordance with this
Constitution shall be held on the 1st Thursday of February 2015, unless otherwise
determined by the Judicial & Electoral Committee when necessary. The election shall be
conducted by the duly constituted Judicial & Electoral Committee in accordance with the
provisions of Article V herein provided.

Section 4. The newly elected officers shall exercise the powers and functions provided
herewith and shall adopt measures for the strict compliance of the provisions of this
Constitution.

Section 5. A copy of this Constitution, as revised, shall be published and distributed to

each year level during the year it will be ratified and every year thereafter for the
incoming first years.
Section 6. A special election shall be held on 4 th Monday of June 2014, unless another
date is determined by the Judicial & Electoral Committee in accordance with Article V
after the ratification of this Constitution. Any third (3 rd) year student possessing the same
qualifications provided for in Section 2 of Article V, except Paragraph B, may run for the
office of the President or Vice-President. Such candidates must have passed at least
sixty (60) units for the past four semesters.
This provision (Section 6 of Article XIII) is automatically ineffective after the first
election following the ratification of this Constitution.