The Constitution of the College of Public Health Student Council

Preamble
We, the students of the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines Manila
realizing the need to establish a student council that will represent and unite the whole College of
Public Health student body, protect and promote students rights and welfare, and foster a
stronger solidarity among students and other sectors of society in order to instill national
consciousness and attain national unity for the advancement of a society based on justice,
freedom and democracy, do hereby ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

Article I. Definition of Terms
Section 1. This document shall be known as the Constitution of the College of Public
Health Student Council. This Constitution shall govern the CPH SC and its members.
Section 2. The following terms shall have the meaning set forth below for purposes of
this constitution.
A. College refers to the College of Public Health, University of the Philippines
Manila.
B. University refers to the University of the Philippines Manila.
C. University system refers to all units, both autonomous and non-
autonomous, of the University of the Philippines.
D. Student refers to any person registered in the College of Public Health,
University of the Philippines Manila.

Article II. Declaration of Policies and Objectives
Section 1. The CPH SC shall promote the thrust of the University and shall seek the
educational changes that are geared towards the integral development of every individual.
Section 2. The CPH SC shall uphold and ensure democratic participation and
representation in all decision- and policy-making bodies affecting the students.
Section 3. The CPH SC shall strive to unify all students and shall coordinate with the
College Administration, as well as the other units of the University system.
Section 4. The CPH SC shall defend and promote the rights and general welfare of the
CPH student body.
Section 5. The CPH SC shall promote the students awareness and active involvement in
the concerns of society so as to encourage them to seek reform towards its advancement.
Section 6. The CPH SC shall uphold the role of the College in the continuous
advancement of the Philippine Health System.

Article III. Students Bill of Rights
Section 1. Every student has the right to form, assist, or join any organization, alliance or
association, as well as to organize and participate in activities for purposes not contrary to
the Universitys laws.
Section 2. Every student has the right to be presented in all policy-making bodies
handling issues that affects his/her stay in the University.
Section 3. Every student has the right to:
A. Express his/her opinions and suggestions through proper channels of
communication to the appropriate academic and administrative bodies of the
University.
B. Publish a student newspaper and similar publications.
Section 4. Every student has the right to be provided adequate and safe facilities by the
College and the University.
Section 5. Every student has the right to:
A. Obtain access to his/her own school records, the confidentiality of which the
University shall maintain and preserve.
B. Demand the expeditious issuance of official certificates, diplomas, transcripts
of records, grades, transfer credentials, and other similar documents upon the
students request.
Section 6. No student shall be subjected to disciplinary actions without due process of
law.




Article IV. The Structure of CPH SC
Section 1. All students of the College of Public Health are considered members of the
SC.
Section 2. The Executive Committee shall be the highest administrative body of the SC.
A. It shall be composed of the duly elected members of the CPH SC. These are
the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs, Vice Chairperson for
External Affairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, and the CPH Representative
to the USC.
B. It shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Formulate policies, approve resolutions and execute the program of
action, set by the SC
2. Represent the students of the College of Public Health in affairs inside
and outside the University
Section 3. Representatives shall be elected from each year level. There shall be one
representative from each block for the first and second years, and one from the third and
fourth years.
Section 4. Graduate students may also elect their representatives; however, their full-
time participation in the meetings and activities of the council shall not be required.
Section 5. A Volunteer Corps Head shall be appointed as an official member of the CPH
SC at the beginning of the academic year, following the Volunteer Corps Guidelines
constructed and approved by the CPH SC Executive Committee and Representatives.
Section 6. Working committees shall be the basic units for planning and implementation
of all activities and projects of the CPH SC.
A. The committees shall be composed of the volunteer students from any year
level and/or graduate program.
B. The committees of the CPH SC are:
1. Committee on Internal Affairs
a. The Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs of the Executive
Committee shall head the committee.
b. It shall be responsible for planning and implementing all the co-
and extra-curricular activities of the college and for
coordinating with the administration in issues affecting the
students.
c. This committee shall include the Alliance of Public Health
Organizations (APHO), which is composed of the senior and
junior heads of all organizations within the College.

2. Committee on Information and Publicity
a. The Secretary of the Executive Committee shall head the
committee.
b. It shall be responsible for the production and circulation of all
publications, newsletters, memoranda, and other official
documents, as well as the dissemination of information
regarding the CPH SC and its activities.
3. Committee on Finance
a. The Treasurer of the Executive Committee shall head the
committee with the assistance of the Auditor.
b. It shall be responsible for the management and transparency of
all financial affairs of the CPH SC by producing financial
reports.
4. Committee on External Affairs
a. The Vice Chairperson for External Affairs of the Executive
Committee shall head the committee.
b. It shall be responsible for coordinating with institutions and
organizations outside the College or University in matters
concerning the CPH SC and its projects.
5. Volunteer Corps
a. The VolCorps Head shall head the committee.
b. It shall be responsible for providing manpower and assistance
for the events, activities, campaigns and advocacies of the CPH
SC and USC.

C. Temporary committees may be created only after proper consultation with
approval of the Executive Committee.
Section 6. The officer for student relations of the College of Public Health shall be the
Adviser of the CPH SC.

Article V. The Electoral Process
Section 1. Only bona fide students who are able to fulfill the following requirements are
allowed to run for office.
A. Candidates for Chairperson:
1. Must have at least taken any Public Health course offered by the
College.
2. Must not be under any academic and/or disciplinary probation, as
defined in the Student Handbook.
3. Must be an incoming 4
th
year student.
B. Candidates for Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs:
1. Must have at least taken any Public Health course offered by the
College.
2. Must not be under any academic and/or disciplinary probation, as
defined in the Student Handbook.
3. Must be an incoming 4
th
year student.
C. Candidates for Vice Chairperson for External Affairs:
1. Must have at least taken any Public Health course offered by the
College.
2. Must not be under any academic and/or disciplinary probation, as
defined in the Student Handbook.
3. Must be an incoming 4
th
year student.
D. Candidates for Secretary:
1. May be from any year level.
2. Must not be under any academic and/or disciplinary probation, as
defined in the Student Handbook.
E. Candidates for Treasurer:
1. May be from any year level.
2. Must not be under any academic and/or disciplinary probation, as
defined in the Student Handbook.
F. Candidates for Auditor:
1. May be from any year level.
2. Must not be under any academic and/or disciplinary probation, as
defined in the Student Handbook.
G. Candidates for CPH representative to the USC:
1. May be from any year level.
2. Must not be under any academic and/or disciplinary probation, as
defined in the Student Handbook.
H. Candidates for Year Level/Graduate Representative:
1. Must officially be from the year level and/or graduate program he/she
is representing during his/her term of office.
2. Must not be under any academic and/or disciplinary probation, as
defined in the Student Handbook.
Section 2. In cases where there is only one candidate for a particular office, a majority
vote (50% + 1) of the total voting population shall still be required for that individual to
be elected to that position. The total voting population is the undergraduate population,
together with the population of the graduate students that have voted.
A. If, however, a majority vote has not been reached, each year level shall
nominate at least one candidate for the position, provided that their nominee
satisfies the abovementioned criteria for candidacy. The outgoing CPH SC
officers, including the year level and graduate representatives, shall then elect
among the said nominees their choice for the said position.
B. Representatives of the same year level and/or graduate program shall be
entitled to only one vote during the election.
C. All results of the selection process are subject to approval of the faculty
adviser.
Section 3. The election of the first year representatives shall be held at the beginning of
the first semester of every academic year, and shall be conducted by a representative of
the Executive Committee.
Section 4. The election of the Chairperson, Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs, Vice
Chairperson for External Affairs, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, CPH Representative to
the USC, and second year, third year and fourth year representatives shall be held at least
two months before the end of the second semester of every academic year, and shall be
conducted and supervised by the College Electoral Board and incumbent officers of the
CPH SC, provided that they do not have any political affiliations.
Section 5. The College Electoral Board shall be composed of the CPH SC faculty adviser,
two representatives from each batch and one representative from the CPH SC. It shall be
their duty to formulate and implement election guidelines that are consistent with the
provisions of the U.P. Manila Election Code and to resolve any problems that may arise
regarding the elections.
Section 6. All CPH SC officers shall serve for a term of one academic year, starting
immediately after induction and ending after a new set of officers has been inducted.
Section 7. All newly elected CPH SC officers shall be inducted depending on the date
decided upon the by the Dean of the College and the Dean of the Office of Student
Affairs.
Section 8. The Chairperson, Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs, Vice Chairperson for
External Affairs, and CPH Representative of the USC are not allowed to hold any high-
ranking position in any other organization, including fraternities and sororities, during
his/her term of office.

Article VI. Duties and Responsibilities of CPH SC Officers
Section 1. The Chairperson shall be the chief executive officer. It shall be his/her duty to:
A. Sign all resolutions, communications and documents of the council.
B. Preside over all meetings of the Council provided that in case he/she desires to
take part in the debate or discussion, he/she may name the Vice Chairperson
for Internal Affairs, or in the absence of the latter, any member of the
Executive Committee to take his/her chair.
C. Represent the students in his/her official capacity as Chairperson.
D. Decide for the CPH SC in times when the Council or the Executive
Committee cannot be convened or reached, after which he/she shall be given
two (2) days to explain in paper the reasons for lack of communication.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs to:
A. Assist the chairperson in all the activities that may be undertaken by the
Council.
B. Take over the function of the Chairperson whenever the office is vacant by
reason of death, resignation, impeachment, suspension, physical or mental
incapacity, or by any reason that leaves the position vacant.
C. Head the Committee on Internal Affairs.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Vice Chairperson for External Affairs to:
A. Represent the CPH SC in meetings and other activities with the different
organizations and institutions in and out of the University, except on
occasions requiring the presence of the Chairperson.
B. Keep a record of the proceedings of all meetings he/she has attended and
present them to the Executive Committee and the Year Level Representatives.
C. Head the Committee on External Affairs.
D. Perform duties designated to him/her by the Executive Committee.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Secretary to:
A. Keep a record of the meetings and activities of the Executive committee and
keep the members informed.
B. Keep all documents and correspondence of the Council.
C. Head the Committee on Information and Publicity.
D. Perform duties designated to him/her by the Executive Committee.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to:
A. Collect student funds and other contributions as the Council may indicate.
B. Keep and release the Councils funds upon the approval of the Chairperson.
C. Head the Committee on Finance.
D. Perform duties delegated to him/her by the Executive Committee.
Section 6. It shall be the duty of the Auditor to:
A. Handle the bookkeeping of all financial transaction of the Council.
B. Prepare financial statements after every month and semester, as well as annual
financial reports.
C. Audit the financial reports before submitting them to the Executive
Committee.
D. Assist the Treasurer in heading the Committee on Finance.
E. Perform duties as delegated to him/her by the Executive Committee.
Section 7. It shall be the duty of the CPH Representative to the USC to:
A. Represent the CPH SC in all meetings of the USC.
B. Take the stand of the CPH SC regardless of his/her personal beliefs and
principles.
C. Keep a record of all proceedings of the USC meetings and report these to the
Executive Committee and Year Level Representatives.
Section 8. It shall be the duty of the Year Level Representatives to:
A. Represent their respective batch/program in the meetings of the Executive
Committee.
B. Keep the members of their batch/program informed of the plans and activities
of the CPH SC.

Article VII. Meetings and Quorum
Section 1. The Executive Committee and the Year Level Representatives shall hold
meetings at least once a week in the span of one academic year, except during the breaks
when they shall be free to arrange any schedule convenient to all.
Section 2. All schedules of meetings must be posted in the CPH SC Facebook group
page, or must be sent through a group text message, by the Chairperson at least one day
before the scheduled date, except in cases of emergency.
Section 3. Quorum shall have been obtained when 50% + 1 of the total number of CPH
SC members are present. No meeting shall ensue without proper quorum. As such, the
meeting may be rescheduled at another date at the prerogative of the Executive
Committee.
Section 4. The Executive Committee and the different ad hoc committees shall be
allowed to call meetings aside from the regular meetings, as the case may be.

Article VIII. Resignation, Vacancy and Succession
Section 1. The elected members of the student council shall be required to tender
resignation if found guilty of violating the Constitution, if proven not to perform the
duties tasked upon him/her, or if found guilty of disobeying the regulations of the
council.
A. Any elected member of the Student Council who wishes to resign shall submit
a formal letter of resignation to the Executive Committee.
B. His/her resignation shall take effect upon the approval of the Executive
Committee.
C. The Executive Committee shall act on the resignation letter within three (3)
days after submission and shall immediately proclaim the replacement of the
said position.
Section 2. Temporary vacancy exists when the officer cannot perform his/her duties due
to physical and mental incapacity, official leave, or any other reason that leaves the
possibility of resuming his/her duties before the expiration of his/her term. This shall
cover a period of not more than five (5) weeks.
A. In cases of temporary vacancy, the designated officer-in-charge will have the
powers only in the course of the vacancy. All positions shall revert to the
elected officers upon their return.
B. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs
shall be the acting chairperson.
C. In the absence of the CPH Representative to the USC, an appointed officer-in-
charge within the CPH SC shall take his/her place in USC meetings.
D. In the absence of the Year Level Representative, any individual from his/her
batch shall take his/her place.
Section 3. Permanent vacancy exists when the position has been vacated due to death,
resignation, impeachment or permanent illness, preventing the individual from
performing the functions of his/her office.
A. In the absence of the Chairperson, the Vice Chairperson for Internal Affairs
shall succeed the Chairperson.
B. In the absence of any other elected officer, an appointed member shall take
his/her place upon the approval of the Executive Committee. Each year level
shall nominate at least one candidate for the position, provided that their
nominee satisfies the criteria for candidacy mentioned in Article V, Section 2.
The remaining incumbent CPH SC Executive Committee and Year Level
Representatives shall then elect among the said nominees their choice for the
vacated position.
C. In the absence of the Year Level Representative, a new representative shall be
elected from his/her batch/program to take his/her place.

Article IX. Impeachment
Section 1. All the elected members of the Student Council are subject to impeachment.
Section 2. The following are grounds for impeachment:
A. Culpable violation of the Constitution.
B. Withholding of pertinent information from the student body.
C. Ten (10) accumulated unexcused absences from meetings.
D. Three (3) counts of non-performance of ones duties, based on this
Constitution and the Rules of Internal Governance, without a valid reason.
E. Graft and corruption, including malversation of funds, forgery, falsification of
documents, bribery, and gross misconduct.
F. Sexual harassment.
G. Proven guilty of a disciplinary case.
Section 3. An independent body shall be created to investigate the impeachment case
within three (3) days after the filing. This shall be headed by the CPH SC Faculty
Adviser, who shall appoint four (4) students into the body.
Section 4. All members of the investigative body should not in any way be affiliated with
any of the committees of the CPH SC.
Section 5. All impeachment cases shall be resolved within three (3) days after the
creation of the investigative body. The results shall be announced a day after the body has
decided.
Section 6. An appeal will be allowed two (2) days after the declaration of the decision,
after which, the decision of the body is final.

Article X. Amendments and Revisions
Section 1. Any provision of this Constitution shall be declared invalid once a formal
petition for its revision is submitted to the Executive Committee and screened by the
Faculty Adviser.
Section 2. If any provision of this charter is declared invalid, the remainder thereof not
affected thereby shall continue to be enforced.
Section 3. The committee shall be given four (4) weeks to act on the proposed revisions,
after which, they shall present their decision to the Executive Committee.
Section 4. Any amendment to the constitution shall be considered valid if approved by
two-thirds (2/3) of the CPH SC officers, including the representatives, who shall be
entitled to only one vote per year level and/or graduate program.
Section 5. The Executive Committee shall inform the student body and the academic
community regarding the amendments.

Article XI. Ratification
Any amendment to, or revision of this constitution, shall be presented to the student body
in a referendum. It is considered ratified when 50% + 1 of the total number of undergraduate
population has been gained.