TUYOM NHS SUPREME STUDENT COUNCIL

2017

PREAMBLE

We, the students of Tuyom National High School, imploring the aid of Almighty God, to establish a student government
that will unite the student body through the tenets of democracy, in order to recognize and to define our rights and
responsibilities, foster cooperation among the students, faculty and administration and instill in ourselves the spirit of
active involvement in issues affecting us students, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

ARTICLE I
OFFICIAL NAME, SEAL AND DOMICILE

Section 1. The official name of this body shall be Tuyom National High School Student Council referred to as TNHS-
SSC.
Section 2. The SSC shall craft its own official seal.
Section 3. The office of the TNHS – SSC shall be located within the TNHS Campus, Tuyom, Carcar City, Cebu,
Philippines.

ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

Section 1. Statement of Principles:

1.1 The TNHS – SSC shall be a democratic and republican government, sovereignty resides in the students and all
government authority emanates from them.
1.2 The TNHS-SSC shall serve as the mouthpiece of the student body and shall be an active forum for free
expression.

Section 2. Statement of Objectives:

2.1 The TNHS – SSC shall promote and defend the rights and the welfare of the students.
2.2 The TNHS – SSC shall instill in the students the sense of dedication, service and endeavor for a selfless and
dynamic leadership.
2.3 The TNHS – SSC shall promote better understanding among students, faculty and administration.

Section 3. The TNHS – SSC officers shall undergo legal process in all their sessions, meetings and businesses such as
practicing basic parliamentary procedures to have a smooth and productive outcome.

ARTICLE III
MEMBERSHIP AND JURISDICTION

Section 1. The TNHS – SSC shall exercise jurisdiction over all high school students, and duly recognized organizations.

Section 2. All bona fide students shall pay a membership fee upon. The SSC Officers shall have the power to collect the
membership fees anytime needed. The Council shall determine the amount provided that affordability & reasonability are
considered.

Section 3. Membership shall be revoked on the following grounds:

3.1 Expulsion from Tuyom National High School;
3.2 Transfer to another institution;
3.3 Discontinuance of study; and

Section 4. There shall be no refund to be given to students who may lose their membership in any grounds stated in
Article III, Section 3.

Section 5. The SSC shall have a Fiscal Autonomy. Any financial matters shall be free from the School’s own financial
matters.

ARTICLE IV
BILL OF RIGHTS

Section 1. Every student shall have the right to form, join and participate in associations and societies provided that
their principles and ideas are not contrary to the TNHS-SSC Constitution, school principles and by laws of the land.
Section 2. All students attending meetings and appointments of TNHS-SSC and other important matters pertaining to
their studies may have the right to be excused by their respective Teachers from their classes and may be given special
examination upon the request of the students, provided that they will show a letter of excuse duly signed by the School
Principal and/or the SSC Adviser.

Section 3. The students shall have the right to be informed and be consulted regarding policies and regulations, which
may directly or indirectly affect them before such matters are adopted.

Section 4. No resolution shall be passed restricting the freedom of speech and expression or of press or the right of
the students to peaceably assemble and petition the student council and school administration for redress of grievances.

Section 5. The rights to use/ receive students’ facilities or equitable services except those that are intended for specific
students with valid and legal basis.

Section 6. The right to be free from excessive and involuntary contribution from any societies/organizations is
inviolable.

Section 7. No form of exploitation and/ or punishment or penalty shall be imposed on any student without due
process of law.

Section 8. Access to the official records, documents and papers pertaining to official transactions, or decisions shall be
afforded to the students.

Section 9. The right of the students to be informed of the financial status regarding the various expenses and other
accounts pertaining to the student council funds every year end during the Turn-over Ceremonies. During the Induction
of the new officers, the State of the Council Address shall be done, including the Presidential Inauguration of the newly-
elect President.

Section 10. The TNHS students shall enjoy the rights as mandated by laws related to students’ rights.

Section 11. Students shall be collectively entitled for the speedy redress of grievances.

Section 12. The privacy of communication and correspondence among the students shall be inviolable.

ARTICLE V
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Section 1. Every student shall:

1.1 Uphold the school’s integrity and prestige of academic excellence;
1.2 Develop their potentials that they may be of service to the administration, family and society;
1.3 Strive for academic excellence and to abide with the rules and regulations regarding his/her academic
responsibility and moral authority;
1.4 Attend, speak, and vote during called meetings / elections;
1.5 Exercises the mentioned rights and responsibilities that they are answerable for any infringement/violation of the
public welfare of the students.

ARTICLE VI
SUFFRAGE

Section 1. The right and obligation of every student to vote must be recognized without discrimination of race, creed,
gender, social status, age and educational strand.

Section 2. Any student who fails to register and comply the rules and requirements set by the COMELEC shall be
disqualified to vote if found guilty.

ARTICLE VII
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Section 1. The General Assembly shall be the highest consultative body of the TNHS-SSC which be convenedby the
SSC President as the need may arise.

Section 2. The General Assembly shall be composed of Year Level Governors, Class Mayors, or any Representative for
their absence.

Section 3. The General Assembly may approve the plans of the Council, or may disapprove if found detrimental to the
common good of the student body.
Section 4. The General Assembly can make their own set of rules for the governance of its members provided that it
doesn’t violate the student government and school policies.

ARTICLE VIII
THE LEGISLATIVE & EXECUTIVE BRANCH

Section 1. The Legislative and Executive power shall be vested in the COUNCIL which is composed of the 1 President,
1 Vice-President, 1 Secretary, 1 Treasurer, 1 Auditor, 2 P.I.O’s, 1 Representative per grade level& 1 Grade Level
Governor.

Section 4. The permanent committees in the Council are: Secretariat, Internal Affairs, Finance, Publicity, Student’s
Welfare and Special Rrograms Committee.

Section 5. The COUNCIL shall have the following powers:

a. Enact and promulgate laws, acts and resolutions for the whole student body;
b. Approves the annual budget submitted by the President in a Plenary;
c. Shall have the power to impeach the President and other elected and appointed officers;
d. Approve Cabinet Secretaries appointment;
e. Exercises such other powers as may be deemed proper and necessary for the interest and welfare of the students
provided that these are not contrary to any provision of this Constitution.

Section 6. No member of the Council may hold any other office in any other governmental organization or
instrumentality thereof, during his term without forfeiting his seat.

Section 7. Duties and Functions of the members of the Student Council:

7.1 President
a. Preside over sessions of the Council;
b. Implement the rules and regulations of the Student Council;
c. Sign documents, acts, resolutions and correspondence pertaining to the student council; and
d. Shall faithfully implement or execute the policies, rules and regulations of the TNHS-SSC;
e. Shall represent the TNHS-SSC in all matters affecting its interests;
f. Shall be the chief representative of the students to all internal and external affairs;
g. Shall call the General Meeting of all the SSC Officers and the General Assembly and presides on its regular and special
sessions; and
h. Shall perform such other functions and duties, which are deemed proper and necessary.

7.2 Vice-President
a. Replace the President whenever there is a need due to impeachment, resignation, transfer, death or temporary leave;
b. Act as the Floor leader during the session;
c. Sign documents, acts, resolutions and correspondence pertaining to the student council; and
d. Shall perform the functions and duties of the President in the latter absence and incapacities;
e. Shall assist the president in supervising and carrying out the activities of the organization; and
f. Shall perform other functions as may be delegated to him/her by the President or may be deemed proper and
necessary.

7. 3 Secretary
a. The Council Secretary shall keep records and other documents on all the proceeding involving minutes of the sessions
and performs other functions as may be deemed proper and necessary.
b. Exercise such other powers and duties as the law may authorize.

7.4 Treasurer
a. Keep all records of accounts of the TNHS-SSC;
b. Take charge and record all receipts and disbursements;
c. Make charge of all the collections of the TNHS-SSC;
d. Perform such other functions as may be delegated by the President or maybe deemed proper and necessary.

7.5 Auditor
a. Audits the fiscal behaviour of the council;
b. Watch dog against graft and corruption;
c. Perform such other functions as may be delegated by the President or maybe deemed proper and necessary.

7.6 Public Information Officers

a. Serve as the messenger of the important information to all the members of the SSC.
b. In-charge of making good relationship between the officers, other offices especially the studentry.
c. May function as part of the social media team of the SSC.
d. Perform such other functions as may be delegated by the President or maybe deemed proper and necessary.

7. 7 STUDENT MARSHALL
a. Bridges the President and the Scout Ranger through its General.
b. Maintains the orderliness of the session and other activities of the school.

7. 8 GRADE LEVEL REPRESENTATIVE

a. Shall be the mouthpiece of the grade level they are representing.
b. Shall be the bridge between the grade level and the SSC.
c. Shall serve as the grievance desk for their respective grade level.
d. Conceptualize & implement programs & projects and recommend policies for their respective grade level.
e. Perform such other functions as may be delegated by the President or maybe deemed proper and necessary.

7.9 GRADE LEVEL GOVERNOR

a. Act as grade level head coordinator of all the SSC programs, projects to the Grade Level Representative per grade
level
b. Act as the governor the entire year level
c. Perform such other functions as may be delegated by the President or maybe deemed proper and necessary.

Section 8. The Cabinet Secretaries, under the office of the President, shall be appointed by the President and shall be
confirmed by the majority of the Council. The following are the task of the Cabinet Secretaries and shall perform such
other functions as may be delegated by the President or maybe deemed proper and necessary.

8.1 Executive Secretary

a. The personal Secretary of the President in relation to his/her function.
b. Keep the record of the Cabinet.
c. Writes the minutes of the Cabinet Meeting.
d. Prepares the documents needed by the President.

8.2 External Secretary

a. Shall be the representative of the President outside of the campus.
b. In charge of the official outside communication of the SSC.
c. Tap and document possible donors, partners and sponsors for the program of the SSC.

8.3 Media Secretary

a. Shall be the primary Admin of the TNHS official page and its Confession page in the social Media. The President, Vice
President, SSC PIOs are automatic Admin of these pages. Other Admin may be extended by the President with the
approval of the Council.
b. shall endeavor to widen the social media influence of the SSC page and disseminate important information from the
Council and School.

8.4 Program Secretary

a. shall be the program creator of the SSC.
b. shall lead the Committee of any Committees sponsored by the council.

8.5 IGP Secretary

a. Shall plan, create and manage the alternative income resources of the Council.
b. Shall be the manager of all IGP of the Council.

8.6 Student Welfare & Organization Secretary

a. Take charge on the welfare of the students and making sure that proper aid from the Council and School shall be
afforded to the needy student.
b. Accredits any student organization of the school except for sectional organization.

8.7 Sanitation Secretary

a. Heads the cleanliness program spearheaded by the Philippines.
b. Plans, creates and manage the efforts to maintain the cleanliness and orderliness of the school.

8.8 Scout Ranger General

a. Heads the helping arm of the Council.
b. Direct, supervise and manage the Scout Rangers.
Section 9. The veto power of the President and of the General Assembly may be overridden by a two-third vote of the
Council.

Section 10. The Council shall hold a regular session twice a month or as often deemed needed by the President. The
specific day of the said session shall depend on the Council rules as agreed by the body. Special sessions may be called
when necessary.

Section 11. No member of the Council shall be part of any electoral body in the school without forfeiting his/her seat.
The COMELEC Chair is an ex officio Cabinet Member and shall maintain independence in the matter of election.

Section 12. No student shall be elected and/or appointed and continues its term as a member of the Council unless
she/he:

a. Is a bona fide regular student of TNHS;

b. Must be of good character;
c. Must not be a central figure officer of any recognized campus organization on Induction Day or in the
appointment day EXCEPT for religious organization; and
d. Must have no failing or incomplete grade in any of the subjects enrolled in the semester preceding the election
or the appointment day.

Section 13. The President and the Vice-President as members of the Executive shall be elected at large by a direct vote
of the students for a term of one year that shall begin right after their induction and Oath of Office. The Cabinet
secretaries shall be composed of the Executive Secretary, Internal and External Press Secretaries and Budget and Finance
Secretary which are appointed by the President.

Section 14. In case of death, permanent disability and removal from the office or resignation of the president, the Vice-
President shall serve as President of the remaining term.

Section 15. The term of office of the member of the elected member of the Council shall expire upon the induction of
the newly-elected members. They can be re-elected once in the same position. The appointed members are co-terminus
to the appointing President.

Section 16. No member of the Council shall be a part of any electoral body in the School without forfeiting his/her
seat.

ARTICLE IX
SSC COMELEC

Section 1. The SSC Adviser shall be a full-time faculty of TNHS.

Section 2. The adviser shall guide, oversee and monitor the businesses of the TNHS SSC and COMELEC.

ARTICLE X
ELECTION

Section 1. The SSC election shall be conducted once a year before the end of the school year. The election of the
grade 7 and 11 Representative shall happen during the first month of the School Year.

Section 2. The annual election shall be conducted by the TNHS COMELEC which is a separate and independent body
from the SSC.

Section 3. The adviser of the SSC shall be the adviser of the TNHS COMELEC.

Section 4. The COMELEC has the sole right on the operation of the COMELEC based on the general law and the
specific guidelines they promulgated to have a fair, clean and speedy election.

Section 5. Any matters decided by the COMELEC can be reviewed by the Supreme Court of the SSC.

ARTICLE XI
LOCAL GOVERNMENT UNITS

Section 1. The local government shall be composed of the class officers and other student organizations.

Section 2. The class shall be headed by a Mayor with a Vice- Mayor, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, 2 P.I.O’s and 2
Student [Link] Prince and Muse are optional.
Section 3. The Council shall enact a local government code which shall provide for a more responsive and accountable
local government structure.

Section 4. The President shall exercise general supervision over local governments.

ARTICLE XII
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION

Section 1. The Constitutional Commission, which shall be independent, is the Commission on Elections.

Section [Link] Commission shall perform such other functions as may be provided by law.

A. The Commission on Elections

Section [Link] shall be a Commission on Elections composed of 1 Chairperson who is a Senior High School Student
and 2 Commissioners for Senior and Junior High, respectively. There shall be 1 sub-commissioners per year level in the
Junior High and per strand in the Senior High. 1 B.E.I. per level in the Junior High and 1 B.E.I. per strand in the Senior
High.

Section 2. The Chairperson shall be appointed by the President with the consent of the Congress. Appointment to any
vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor. All other positions are appointed by the COMELEC
Chair.

Section 3. The Commission on Elections shall exercise the following powers and functions:

(1) Enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative,
referendum, and recall.

(2) Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all contests relating to the elections, returns, and qualifications of all
elective positions.

(3) Decide, except those involving the right to vote, all questions affecting elections, including determination of the
number and location of polling places, appointment of election officials and inspectors, and registration of voters.

(4)Register, after sufficient publication, political parties, organizations, or coalitions which, in addition to other
requirements, must present their platform or program of government; and accredit citizens’ arms of the Commission on
Elections.

Section 4. A two party system, sustainable and mature party system shall be allowed to evolve according to the free
choice of the people, subject to the provisions of this Article.

ARTICLE XIII
ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS

Section 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and appointees must at all times be accountable to the people,
serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest
lives.

Section 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Council, and the Leaders of the Constitutional
Commission may be removed from office, on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution,
treason, bribery, graft and corruption, negligence of duties &other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other
public officers and employees may be removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.

Section 3.

1) The Council shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment.

(2) A verified complaint for impeachment may be filed by any Member of the Council or by any citizen upon a resolution
of endorsement by any Member thereof, which shall be included in the Order of Business, and referred to the Internal
Affairs Committee. The Committee, after hearing, and by a majority vote of all its Members, shall submit its report to
the Plenary for debate.

(3) A vote of at least one-third of all the Members of the Council shall be necessary either to affirm a favorable
resolution with the Articles of Impeachment of the Committee, or override its contrary resolution. The vote of each
Member shall be recorded. Absent Members, regardless of the reason, cannot vote.
 ARTICLE XIV
AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS

Section 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by:
(1) The Council, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or
(2) A constitutional convention.

Section 2. Amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people through initiative upon a
petition of at least 10 per centum of the total number of the students, of which every strand/year level must be
represented by at least 2 per centum of the students therein. No amendment under this section shall be authorized
within five years following the ratification of this Constitution nor oftener than once every five years thereafter.

The Council shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this right.

Section 3. The Council may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a constitutional convention, or by a
majority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling such a convention.

Section 4. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution under Section 1 hereof shall be valid when ratified by a
majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after
the approval of such amendment or revision.

ARTICLE XV
TRANSITORY PROVISION

Section 1. This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its ratification by a majority of the votes cast in a
plebiscite held for the purpose and shall be binding unless amended by the Council according to the law.

Ratified by: