Faculty of Arts and Letters University of Santo Tomas

ARTLETS ECONOMICS SOCIETY

Constitution and By - Laws

PREAMBLE

We, the Economics majors of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, imploring the aid of Almighty God,

conscious of our responsibilities as students of the royal and pontifical University of Santo Tomas and as citizens of the Republic of the Philippines aim to establish a harmonious organization that shall embody

our ideals and aspirations, promote unity and brotherhood, uplift socio-spiritual consciousness, propagate

intellectual growth, broaden our cultural and economic involvement, do hereby ordain and promulgate this constitution and by-laws.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND DOMICILE

Section 1. The student society organized under this Constitution and by-laws shall be known as the Artlets Economics Society and may be also referred to as the AES for brevity.

Section 2. The AES shall have its own official seal.

Section 3. It shall be based at the Faculty of Arts and Letters, St. Raymund’s Building, University of Santo Tomas, España, Manila.

ARTICLE II

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The AES is democratic, autonomous and representative student organization free from external control and manipulation. Sovereignty resides on its members and all authority emanates from

them.

Section 2. The welfare of every member is the primary concern of the AES, and in the pursuit of this

objective, all members shall be required to render personal and moral services.

Section 3. The AES shall recognize and uphold the rights of every member to participate in its legitimate activities.

Section 4. The administration of the AES shall manifest the collective effort of all its members.

Section 5. The decision and will of the majority shall be held inviolable at all times.

Section 6. The AES shall organize the Economics majors for the promotion of their academic excellence

and academic freedom, socio-cultural formation, and active participation in issues vital and relevant to the academic community.

Artlets Economics Society

ARTLETS ECONOMICS SOCIETY Faculty of Arts and Letters University of Santo Tomas

Section 7. The promotion of a harmonious academic society of peace and justice to ensure the well-being and dignity of all the members shall be the concern of the AES.

Section 8. The AES shall be the sole representative of all the Economics majors in the Faculty of Arts

and Letters in any legitimate activity inside and outside the university.

Section 9. The AES shall establish ties and relations with other societies' within the University, as well as

with other Economics societies of other universities. This shall be done along the line of peaceful co-existence and equity in joint activities to enhance the amiable image of the AES.

Section 10. The AES shall have the right to represent the Economics majors' official position on matters

directly affecting its welfare and interest.

ARTICLE III BILL OF RIGHTS

Section 1. Every member shall have the right to participate in any organizational activity, right to vote, and the right to be elected, if qualified, in any elective position in the AES.

Section 2. Every member shall have the right to be heard through the Executive Board on matters

directly concerning his or her welfare.

Section 3. Every member shall have the right to public information on matters directly concerning his or

her welfare.

Section 4. Every member shall have the right to speedy, impartial and proper disposition of his or her complaints and or case.

Section 5. Every member, if accused, shall have the right to be heard for his or her defense in respect with due process of law.

Section 6. Excessive fines or unjust punishments shall not be imposed upon any member for violation of

any rule or regulation of the AES.

Section 7. No officer shall be removed from office without due process of law.

Section 8. No rules and regulations shall be enacted contrary to the provisions of the UST and the AES

constitution and by-laws.

ARTICLE IV MEMBERSHIP AND DUTIES

Section 1. Every Economics major of the Faculty of Arts and Letters shall, upon enrollment,

automatically be a member of AES and shall, by reason thereof, enjoy all rights and privileges

appurtenant thereto and correspondingly discharge his or her duties and obligations enumerated herein. Other majors shall not be granted memberships to the AES. Students who are enrolled in at least 12 units

are also recognized as members of the society.

Section 2. An equitable solidarity fee shall be rendered every semester. The Executive Board shall determine the membership fee.

Section 3. It shall be the duty of every member to uphold and obey this constitution and by-laws; to be loyal to the AES and to the whole Thomasian community and to contribute to its development and

welfare.

Section 4. It shall be the duty of every member to abide by the rules and regulations promulgated by

the Executive Board.

Section 5. It shall be the duty of every member to cast his or her vote during elections and plebiscites.

Section 6. It shall be the duty of every member to exercise his or her rights with due respect to the rights of others.

Section 7. It shall be the duty of every member to protect the security and integrity of the AES.

Section 8. AES Alumni may be considered as honorary members. The Executive Board will decide if a person is qualified for honorary membership. Honorary members and alumni though, do not have the

power to vote and have no liability to pay except on their own expressed desire to do so, be it in cash or

kind. The AES Executive Board has the right to cancel an honorary membership at their (AES EB) discretion. Upon a majority decision, the Executive Board may grant honorary memberships to individuals

who have exhibited qualities that are akin to the UST's and the AES' ideals and have provided outstanding services that have contributed to the development of the AES members and to the Society in

general. However, such conferment is limited to three (3) for every academic year.

ARTICLE V THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1. The Executive Board shall be the administrative, implementing, coordinating and

policymaking body of the AES.

Section 2. The Executive Board may enter into any contract with due respect to their obligations. As

such, no officer or member may enter into any contract, agreement or negotiation using the name of the AES without the expressed approval of the Executive Board.

Section 3. The Executive Board shall be composed of a President, a Vice-President for External Affairs, a Vice-President for Internal Affairs, an Assistant Vice-President, a Secretary, an Assistant Secretary, a

Treasurer, an Auditor, a Public Relations Officer and an Assistant Public Relations Officer.

Section 4. Act as the final arbiter in cases within the AES in cooperation with the Good Governance Commission, which require judicial decisions.

Section 5. The President shall:

a. Be the Chief Executive officer of the AES. b. Call and preside over all meetings of the Executive Board.

c. Have the power to create and dissolve standing and ad hoc committees in consultation with the

Executive Board. d. Have the power to appoint members of the standing committees with the concurrence of the

head of the said standing committees. e. Coordinate all the activities of the AES.

f. Have the power to veto any resolution passed by the Executive Board. However, such veto may be overridden by a majority which is seven (7) votes of the Executive Board.

g. Take charge of all Class Representatives and they shall be called the Good Governance

Commission, which will take part in the policy planning but does not have the power to vote on any of the decisions of the Executive Board.

h. Be directly responsible to the Dean and the Regent of the Faculty of Arts and Letters and to the Father Rector of the University of Santo Tomas.

i. Be the Chair or Director of any AES Committee or Sub-Committee if he so chooses.

Section 6. The Vice-President for External Affairs shall:

a. Assume the presidency if the President is physically incapacitated, impeached, resigned or in case

of latter’s official absence. b. Be the Chairman of the External Affairs Committee unless expressly waived.

c. Supervise the appointment of the Junior Philippine Economics Society (JPES) and Philippine

Council of Economics Students (PhilCES) representatives. d. Be responsible in obtaining updates in informing the AES' school and organization tie-ups, partner

companies, and sponsors for any updates regarding the organization. e. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the President.

Section 7. The Vice-President for Internal Affairs shall:

a. Be the Chairman of the Internal Affairs Committee unless expressly waived. b. Advise the President on matters pertaining to the welfare of the Society as a whole.

c. Implement programs that will develop and train the members' economic skills through personality development and leadership training.

d. Implement programs that will motivate members to participate more in the AES' activities.

e. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the President.

Section 8. The Assistant Vice-President shall:

a. Be the Vice-Chairman of both External Affairs and Internal Affairs Committees unless expressly

waived. b. Assist the President and the Vice-Presidents for External Affairs and Internal Affairs in terms of

project management and implementation. c. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the President.

Section 9. The Secretary General shall:

a. Be the Chairman of the Administrative Affairs Committee unless expressly waived b. Publish a quarterly report of the progress of the AES.

c. Record the minutes of Executive Board and General Assembly meetings. d. Have custody over all papers, documents and files pertinent to the Executive Board and the

whole organization.

e. Have the authority to call for the cooperation of all members and officers in obtaining records and information to be used in the deliberations of the Executive Board or the organization as a

whole. f. Have the prerogative to recommend disciplinary action for any member or officer for non-

cooperation in obtaining records and information and/or for non-compliance in submitting written

reports on time g. Be responsible for furnishing documents of every project sponsored by the AES.

h. Supervise the Economics Tribune and assist the outgoing Editor-in-Chief in the selection of the new Editorial Board.

i. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the President.

Section 10. The Assistant Secretary General shall:

a. Be the Vice-Chairman of the Administrative Affairs Committee unless expressly waived.

b. Assist the Secretary in terms of project management and implementation. c. Assist the Secretary in supervising the Economics Tribune.

d. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the President.

Section 11. The Treasurer shall:

a. Be the Chairman of the Financial Affairs Committee unless expressly waived, and supervise other

bodies subordinate to him or her. b. Take charge in coordinating activities that are directed towards the generation of funds to

finance the projects of the Society.

c. Be responsible for major fund-raising activities and gathering sponsors from different companies or establishments whose primary purpose should be in line with the organization's objectives

d. Keep in trust and confidence all the funds and properties of the AES. e. Collect and receive all dues required by the Executive Board and all receivables from other

sources and issues official receipts and acknowledgement hereof.

f. Post a monthly financial statement of the AES on the Bulletin Board upon the request of the President and submit a copy of the same to him or her.

g. Have the prerogative to recommend disciplinary action for any members or officer for non-payment of dues and other fiscal offenses.

h. Furnish the adviser a financial report at the end of every semester and post a copy on the Society's Bulletin Board.

i. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the President.

Section 12. The Auditor shall:

a. Be the Vice-Chairman of the Financial Affairs Committee unless expressly waived

b. Receive and audit all financial reports after each activity of the AES.

c. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the President.

Section 13. The Public Relations Officer shall:

a. Be the Chairman of the Public Relations and Grievance Committee unless expressly waived.

b. Take charge in posting information of Economic issues on the Bulletin Board at least every two weeks.

c. Oversee activities that promote and publicize the projects and achievements of the AES. d. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the President.

Section 14. The Assistant Public Relations Officer shall:

a. Be the Vice-Chairman of the Public Relations and Grievance Committee unless expressly waived. b. Take charge in posting information of AES activities on the board at least once a week.

c. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the President.

ARTICLE VI QUALIFICATIONS AND TERMS OF OFFICE

Section 1. The candidates for any position in the Executive Board:

a. Must be a bona fide member of the AES, with at least six months residency.

b. Must have a minimum general weighted average of 2.50 or and above from all previous

semesters (freshman year, first semester to semester immediately preceding the elections). c. Must have a minimum load of fifteen (15) academic units.

d. Must not have incurred any failure in the one semester immediately preceding the elections. e. Must have good moral character as certified by any of the guidance counselors of the Faculty of

Arts and Letters.

f. Should not be an elected officer of any other organization in and outside of the university upon assumption of office.

Section 2. The President, the Vice-President for External Affairs and the Vice-President for Internal

Affairs shall come from the outgoing junior and sophomore batches.

Section 3. The Assistant Vice-president, the Secretary, the Assistant Secretary, the Treasurer, Auditor,

the Public Relations Officer, and the Assistant Public Relations Officer shall come from the outgoing freshmen, sophomore or junior batches.

Section 4. No one shall hold more than one elective position in the Executive Board at any time during

the Academic Year.

Section 5. The Term of Office of the Executive Board shall commence on the first day of the succeeding

academic year and after the time of their election. It shall terminate on the last day of the said academic year and after their successor shall have been duly sworn to office.

ARTICLE VII

ACCOUNTABILITY OF EXECUTIVE BOARD OFFICERS

Section 1. Any member of the AES may initiate impeachment through the Good Governance Commission sitting en banc. Only three (3) impeachment complaints may be filed every semester.

Section 2. Any member of the Executive Board may be impeached on any of the following grounds:

a. Determined or culpable violation of the Constitution and By-Laws. b. Willful and gross negligence of duties.

c. Malversation and embezzlement of funds and or properties of the AES.

d. Any other grave offenses and or misconduct to the Society as stated in the Code of Conduct.

Section 3. Any member of the Executive Board may resign from office, except when an impeachment proceeding has been filed, by submitting a letter of resignation addressed to the Executive Board.

Section 4. Any accused officer of the Executive Board shall be given prior notice, of at least one week,

of the charge/s against him and shall be given the opportunity to speak to the Impeachment Tribunal to

defend himself in a meeting called for the purpose

Section 5. Any member of the Executive Board may be impeached by a majority of seven votes of the Good Government Commission sitting en banc.

Section 6. Any member of the Executive Board is subject to disqualification if he incurred a failure in any academic subject during his or her term.

Section 7. Any member of the Executive Board is subject to expulsion with respect to due process if he

incurred three (3) consecutive or five non-consecutive absences in the Executive Board meetings without a valid reason or any prior notice.

ARTICLE VIII

STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Standing Committees of the AES are:

a. The External Affairs Committee

1.a.a. JPES - AES Sub-Committee 1.a.b. PhilCES - AES Sub-Committee

1.a.c. SOCC – AES Sub-Committee 1.a.d. AES Catalyst, the official Community Development Committee of AES

b. The Internal Affairs Committee 1.b.a. Academic Competitions Sub-Committee

1.b.a.a. AES Debate Team 1.b.a.b. AES Quiz Bee Team

1.b.b. Sports Sub-Committee

1.b.b.a. AES Basketball Team 1.b.b.b. AES Volleyball Team

1.b.c. Entertainment Committee 1.b.c.a. AES All-Stars

1.b.d. Academic Assistance Sub-Committee

c. The Financial Affairs Committee

1.c.a. Marketing Sub-Committee

d. Administrative Affairs Committee 1.d.a. Alumni Affairs Committee

1.d.b. Publications Committee

1.d.b.a. EcoTribune, the official newsletter of AES

e. Public Relations Committee 1.e.a. E-media

f. Ad hoc Committee

Section 2. The Executive Board will be responsible for the selection and appointment of Chairmen or Directors for the Standing Committees unless expressly waived.

Section 3. The Standing Committees shall be supervised and regularly monitored by the Executive

Board.

Section 4. Sub-Committees may be created by the Executive Board and shall be placed under the

supervision of the concerned Standing Committees.

Section 5. The External Affairs Committee shall:

a. Recommend policy directives and considerations to the Executive Board with regards to the

external affairs of the society. b. Assist in the publicity and press releases.

c. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned by the Executive Board.

d. Be responsible, through the AES Catalyst, in conducting community development projects

pertaining the welfare and sustainability of the organization’s partner community, Aplayang Munti located at Cavite City, Cavite.

e. Delegate a Director who shall serve as the concurrent AES Senior Representative to the Junior Philippine Economics Society shall head the JPES - AES Sub-Committee.

f. Delegate a Director who shall serve as the concurrent AES Senior Representative to the Philippine

Council of Economics Students shall head the PhilCES - AES Sub-Committee.

Section 6. The Internal Affairs Committee shall:

a. Be responsible, through the Academic Assistance Sub-Committee headed by a Director, in initiating and supervising academic programs such as tutorials and seminars.

b. Be responsible, through the Academic Competition Sub-Committee headed by a Director, for the

permission and training of quiz bee and debate teams for inter-organization, intercollegiate, and national competitions.

c. Be responsible, through the Sport Sub-Committee, consisted of sports deemed by the Vice-President for Internal Affairs, in culminating and empowering physical strength and

competitiveness of its members.

d. Be responsible, through the Entertainment Sub-Committee, consisted of areas such as singing, dancing and acting that will exhibit artistic talents of its members.

e. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned by the Executive Board.

Section 7. The Financial Affairs Committee shall:

a. Have a working staff composed of all class treasurers and auditors.

b. Be responsible for keeping, budgeting, and allocating funds and properties throughout the Society and its underlying class sections.

c. Be responsible, through the Marketing Sub-Committee headed by a Director, for initiating programs directed at raising the funds of the AES through solicitations and sponsorships.

d. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned by the Executive Board.

Section 8. The Administrative Affairs Committee shall:

a. Be responsible, through the Alumni Affairs committee for the coordination with the alumni of AES

and keeping track of the history of AES.

b. Publish, through the Publications Committee, The Economics Tribune, headed by an Editor-in-Chief and assisted by an Editorial Board, a newsletter or news magazine that will highlight the

achievements of the AES and contain sections deemed pertinent and appropriate by the Editor-in-Chief, the Public Relations Officer, and the President. The Economics Tribune shall release at

least two (2) publications every academic year. Designation of the Editor-in-Chief and members of the Editorial Board shall be done through written examinations and oral interviews supervised

by the Executive Board, primarily by the Secretary in collaboration with the Public Relations

Officer. c. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned by the Executive Board.

Section 9. Public Relations Committee shall:

a. Be responsible, through E-media, in gathering pertinent information vital to its members and whole organization and able to disseminate it effectively with the usage of technical resources

such as website, bulletin board and text messaging. b. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned by the Executive Board.

Section 10. Creation of Ad hoc Committee:

a. The Executive Board, headed by the President, will be held responsible in the creation of an Ad hoc Committee.

b. An Ad hoc Committee will be created when the need arises, its function and composition will be officially assigned by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE IX THE GOOD GOVERNANCE COMMISSION

Section 1. The Good Governance Commission shall be composed of the adviser and Chief Commissioner

as head to be assisted by a Senior Commissioner and all the Presidents and Vice-Presidents of every AB Economics class, hereafter be known as Commissioners.

Section 2. The Good Governance Commission shall be part of policy planning and implementation with the Executive Board but will have no voting power.

Section 3. Members of the said committee will closely work with the Executive Board in the planning,

publicity and implementation of the projects of the Executive Board.

Section 4. The Executive Board, headed by the President, has the right to remove a member of the

Good Governance Commission from office when the member is not properly performing his or her duties and responsibilities assigned by the Executive Board.

Section 5. The Good Governance Commission shall be the sole interpreter of this Constitution. A two-

thirds vote of all its members shall be required to declare an act as unconstitutional.

Section 6. The Good Governance Commission shall sit as the Impeachment Tribunal and complaints

body. All issues pertaining to the status of any member of the Council may be appealed to and shall be settled by the Good Governance Commission. However, no member from the Good Governance

Commission can initiate any impeachment proceeding.

Section 7. The Good Governance Commission shall preside over impeachment proceedings, formulate

impeachment procedures and decide on it with a two-thirds vote, wherein the decision shall be final.

Section 8. The Good Governance Commission shall formulate its own house rules not contrary to the

provisions of this Constitution and By-Laws

Section 9. The Good Governance Commission shall perform such other functions as may be officially assigned by the Executive Board.

ARTICLE X

THE ADVISER

Section 1. The Executive Board will adopt an adviser with the permission of the Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Letters.

Section 2. The adviser shall be the Supervisor of the Good Governance Commission.

Section 3. Every program of the Executive Board shall be submitted to the adviser for notification.

ARTICLE XI ELECTIONS

Section 1. The Economics majors shall elect the Executive Board officers by secret balloting.

Section 2. Executive Board elections shall occur every first week of March during the academic year.

Section 3. The election campaign must be conducted only during the seven (7) school days preceding

the date of elections. Campaign paraphernalias and programs will be also allowed.

Section 4. In the event where only one candidate runs for an elective position, a majority by plurality

vote of all the members shall be required for his or her election into office.

Section 5. No block-voting nor voting in absentia or proxy-voting shall be allowed.

Section 6. All permanent vacancies of the Executive Board shall be filled by special elections. Provided

such vacancy occurred three (3) months before the election date.

Section 7. In case of a tie or the victory of an abstain vote, a special election shall be held. The

outgoing Good Governance Commission has the right to modify rules and regulations in which they deemed inappropriate in the aforementioned elections.

Section 8. The Good Governance Commission will be present in monitoring the counting of votes. No

candidate should be present during the counting. Only student political party representatives and the Elections Commission officials are allowed inside the room during the counting of votes.

Section 9. Filing of candidacy should be at least one (1) week before the campaign period to allow the Elections Commission to screen the candidates.

Section 10. The Elections Commission will conduct a special screening for interested candidates to be

able to disqualify applicants deemed a nuisance or unfit to run in the elections. Such disqualification will

require a two-thirds vote of the Elections Commission.

Section 11. All elections for class officers within Economics sections are to be held under the supervision of the Executive Board and the Elections Commission.

ARTICLE XII MEETINGS

Section 1. The AES shall conduct a General Assembly for its members. This is to regularly inform the

members of the current projects of AES and for the Executive Board to be updated of the current status

of every year level.

Section 2. The Executive Board shall meet at least twice a month.

Section 3. A special meeting may be called by the presiding officer upon the request of at least one-thirds of all the members concerned. However, no such meeting may be held without due notice.

Section 4. The quorum for any meeting shall consist of a majority by plurality defined as the half of the population plus one of the Executive Board members, unless otherwise provided for by this Constitution

and By-Laws.

Section 5. The order of business during regular or special meetings shall be:

a. Call to order

b. Roll calling c. Reading the minutes of the previous meeting

d. Reading the reports of the committees e. Discussion of the agenda

f. Discussion of other businesses

g. Adjournment of the meeting

ARTICLE XIII THE AB ECONOMICS CLASS OFFICERS

Section 1. AB Economics Class Officers shall be the administrative, implementing, coordinating and

policymaking body of their respective classrooms.

Section 2. AB Economics Class Officers shall be composed of a President, a Vice-President, a Secretary,

a Treasurer, an Auditor and a Public Relations Officer.

Section 3. The President shall:

a. Be automatically a member of the Good Governance Commission upon the start of his term,

unless expressly waived, which will take part in the policy planning but does not have the power to vote on any of the decisions of the Executive Board.

b. Be directly responsible to the Dean and the Regent of the Faculty of Arts and Letters, to their respective Class Adviser and professors of each curriculum.

Section 4. The Vice-President shall:

a. Be automatically a member of the Good Governance Commission upon the start of his term, unless expressly waived, which will take part in the policy planning but does not have the power

to vote on any of the decisions of the Executive Board.

c. Assist the President in terms of any duties and obligations assigned to him. d. Assume the presidency if the Class President is physically incapacitated, impeached, resigned or

in case of latter’s official absence. e. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the Class President.

Section 5. The Secretary shall:

a. Coordinate with the AES Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General regarding class attendance on assemblies, any activities of AES, and any student information that will be

assigned by the AES Secretary General and Assistant Secretary General. b. Have custody over all papers, documents and files pertinent to their academic welfare and the

whole class and the organization.

c. Have the prerogative to recommend disciplinary action for any member or officer for non-cooperation in obtaining records and information and/or for non-compliance in submitting written

reports on time d. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the Class President.

Section 6. The Treasurer shall:

a. Be automatically a member of the AES Financial Affairs Committee upon the start of his term, unless expressly waived.

b. Administer the collection of class funds pertinent to academic welfare and other transactions as delegated by the organization.

c. Keep in trust and confidence all the funds and properties of their class.

d. Have the prerogative to recommend disciplinary action for any members or officer for non-payment of dues and other fiscal offenses.

e. Coordinate with the AES Treasurer in terms of any financial transactions between the organization and the class.

f. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the Class President.

Section 7. The Auditor shall:

a. Be automatically a member of the AES Financial Affairs Committee upon the start of his term,

unless expressly waived. b. Assist the Treasurer in terms of collecting funds and other official functions.

c. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the Class President.

Section 8. The Public Relations Officer shall:

a. Be always updated with pertinent information and announcements that concerned his class and

effectively disseminate.

b. Coordinate with the AES Public Relations Officer and Assistant Public Relations Officer in terms of any information or announcements vital to the organization and the class.

c. Perform such other functions as may be officially assigned to him or her by the Class President.

Section 9. Any member of the respective AB Economics Sections may initiate impeachment against any class officer through the Good Governance Commission sitting en banc.

Section 10. Any AB Economics Class Officer may be impeached by a two-thirds vote of all the class members.

ARTICLE XIV

THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS

A. The Elections Commission

Section 1. The Elections Commission shall be composed of two (2) commissioners from every AB

Economics class, all whom shall:

a. Have a minimum weighted average of 2.50. b. Have not incurred any failure in any academic subject during the two (2) semesters immediately

preceding their appointments. c. Be of good moral character as certified by their respective class adviser.

d. Not be an incumbent class officer or Executive Board member.

Section 2. No member of the Elections Commission shall be allowed to run for any elective position

during his / her term of office.

Section 3. The Elections Commission shall convene not later than three (3) weeks after the elections.

Section 4. The Elections Commission shall:

a. Set the dates for the regular and / or special elections.

b. Must follow the guidelines of AB Comelec for orderly and honest elections. c. Review all applications for candidacy.

d. Conduct all electoral procedures.

e. Handle and decide all elections protests and disputes with the approval of AB Comelec. f. Attend to all matters pertaining to elections / plebiscites within the AES.

g. A panel on band must be composed by a senior commissioner and three (3) members.

Section 7. The term of office of the members of the Elections Commission and the Good Governance

Commission shall be co-terminus with the term of the Executive Board.

ARTICLE XV

AMENDMENTS AND REVISIONS

Section 1. No part of this Constitution shall be repealed, amended or revised within the next five (5)

Academic Years, unless the need for such repeal, amendment or revision is favored for unanimously by the Executive Board as expressed in a formal statement of proof.

Section 2. Any member can initiate an amendment to or revision of this Constitution by filing a petition

to the Good Governance Commission. However, no amendment or revision under this section shall be

authorized within five Academic Years, following the ratification of this Constitution.

Section 3. Any amendment to or revision of this Constitution shall be done through a Constitutional Convention, which shall be composed of all class presidents, or any duly representative from each class.

The body shall elect a Presiding Officer from among themselves.

Section 4. Any amendment to or revision of this Constitution shall be valid when ratified by a majority

by plurality affirmative vote cast in a plebiscite called for the purpose.

ARTICLE XVI

TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

Section 1. This Constitution must be ratifies by a majority vote of all members of Artlets Economics

Society in a plebiscite to be held and conducted for the purpose on February 2009

Section 2. This Constitution, if ratified, shall take upon immediately effective.

Section 3. The current Executive Board members shall assume their new designations after taking this

oath:

I (name), do solemnly swear that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my

duties as (position) of the Artlets Economics Society, to uphold and obey its constitution and by-laws, to be loyal to the AES and to the whole Thomasian community and to

contribute to its development and welfare and to devote my self to the service of Society.

So help me God.

Prepared By:

Rex John Remitio

Treasurer, Artlets Economics Society A.Y. 2008-2009 Chairman, AES Constitutional Convention of 2009

Noted By:

Beatriz Amanda Liza Cruz President, Artlets Economic Society A.Y. 2008-2009

Assoc. Prof. Emmanuel J. Lopez, Ph. D.

Adviser, Artlets Economics Society