The SAMAHAN Constitutional Commission presented their proposed constitution to the SAMAHAN Central Board at around 1 o’clock in the afternoon last November 18, 2012.

The proposed constitution was composed of a Preamble and thirteen articles with sections under it.
Constitutional Commission chairperson Paolo C. Cansino revealed during the first reading of the constitution that it was inspired from different sources.

“We used the Philippine Constitution and other universities’ constitutions namely of Ateneo de Manila University and University of the Philippines Diliman campus as inspirations.” The main speaker said.

Cansino also revealed that the original draft had 79 pages. But somehow, the commission managed to reduce it to 24 pages.

It is important to note that there will be a new branch of the student government if the constitution will be approved. The SAMAHAN Board of Adjudicators will join the ranks of the SAMAHAN Central Board (executive) and SAMAHAN Council of Representatives (legislative) as the judiciary.

There will also be moderators for each branch to guide the student leader.

The COMELEC (Commission on Elections) and CCO (Council of Clubs and Organizations) were also recognized in the proposed constitution as autonomous, thereby making them equal with the entire SAMAHAN.
According to Michael Mon, one of the members of the Constitutional Commission, the current constitution existed since 1982 and 1987.

“As far as I know, SAMAHAN follows the bits and parcels of the 1982 and 1987 constitution. SAMAHAN has been trying to develop the constitution for, more or less, 30 years,” he disclosed.

He also added that the approval of the new constitution would mean a clearer basis for the decision-making process for the student government.

The first reading lasted for almost six hours. Throughout the afternoon, explanations and suggestions were made for improvement.

The SAMAHAN were also planning to invite stakeholders representing different departments, experts and certain clubs and organizations for open discussions regarding the proposed constitution.

The second reading of the proposed constitution will be on the third of December and on the fourteenth for the final reading.

After the three readings, the proposed constitution will have its final seal of approval from the entire student body through a plebiscite proposed on December 15 to January 15, 2012.

The transition period will be from there until the end of January.

To see the proposed constitution, click the link below: http://samahan.addu.edu.ph/2012/11/18/2013-draft-of-the-samahan-constitution/