TWICE, THE Sanggunian had allotted sessions to discuss the proposed new Sanggunian Constitution. And twice over, the sessions had to be cancelled because nobody attended.
Students, political parties and student organizations were all invited to take part in the discussion originally schedule on January 26 and 28.
Sanggunian’s proposed constitutional amendments aim to answer the loopholes and vague definitions in the current 2005 Constitution. Outgoing Sanggunian President Rob Roque had earlier hoped to have the provisions approved before the Sanggunian General Elections, which were held on February 17 and 18.
Consultation and inclusion
The consultation sessions, according to outgoing Sanggunian Secretary-General (SecGen) Maandelos Santos, were designed to prepare students for the eventual plebiscite that would approve the proposed changes in the Constitution. In particular, the sessions aimed to inform those who weren’t directly involved with the Sanggunian’s activities.
Although the Constitution does not require consultations prior to a plebiscite, outgoing Social Sciences Central Board (CB) Representative Gino Limcumpao said that “[the Sanggunian officers] wanted to give everyone a chance to comment on the provisions because this is not simply the Constitution of the Sanggunian but of everyone.”
As of press time, there have been no updates as to whether the Sanggunian would re-schedule the consultations.
Amendments to the constitution
Incoming Junior School of Humanities CB Representative AJ Elicaño added that the changes in the constitution would include the restructuring of the system, as well as provisions in some Sanggunian positions and in the filling up of position vacancies, among others.
He added that the filling up of vacant CB representative positions was particularly important because in the hierarchy of positions, there was no one to replace the CB rep.
“The current provision [states that] if anything happens to the president, he is replaced by the vice president (VP), then the VP is replaced by the SecGen, the SecGen is replaced by the Finance Officer (FO), and the FO is replaced by the CB rep,” he said.
Elicaño also said that another change would involve the composition of the Executive Coordinating Assembly (ECA). This body would be in charge of scheduling the Sanggunian’s calendar of events.
In the current constitution, the ECA includes the Sanggunian President, Vice Presdient, SecGen, Finance Officer and the school chairs and the secretary-treasurers. However, the proposal suggests that the ECA include all unit heads, CB heads, and the heads of the councils to ensure that the different Sanggunian units are well represented in planning their activities.
However, Limcumpao considers this an overhaul and added that it is not something that they are in a rush to implement.
“We would like to focus more on the immediate concerns such as providing provision for vacancies in certain positions as well as fixing the transition,” he added.
Limcumpao said the proposed new transition of the Commission on Elections has yet to be included in the proposed provisions.
This proposal entails that the new set of commissioners start their term in office in the first semester instead of the second semester. He added, however, that the Sanggunian has already talked about this.
