The University Supreme Student Council (USSC) – Baybay Campus released its amended Constitution and By-Laws (CBL) on Saturday, August 29, ahead of its scheduled plebiscite on Wednesday, September 2.
The revised CBL introduces a defined legislative body within the student government, strengthens the student Bill of Rights, and formally includes the College of Medicine in student representation.
Bicameral legislature for student concerns
In an interview with Amaranth on August 29, newly elected USSC-Baybay President Emmanuel John Bolaño said the new legislative provisions address gaps in the previous CBL of the council.
Vested legislative power in the USSC Board but did not clearly establish how student concerns could be translated into binding policies.
The proposed CBL establishes a bicameral legislative body, meaning a legislature divided into two chambers: the House of Representatives and a Senate.
The House of Representatives, composed of presidents from the Faculty Supreme Student Council, College Supreme Student Council, University Interdormitory Student Body, and Association of Student Organizations, initiates and deliberates on measures based on student concerns.
The Senate, composed of the USSC Board of Directors and presided over by the USSC Vice President as Senate President, reviews, deliberates on, amends, and acts on measures passed by the House.
“A council without a working legislative system cannot fully protect student welfare, and that is exactly what we are building,” Bolaño said.
Strengthened Bill of Rights
The amended CBL also strengthens protections against harassment and red-tagging.
Article IV, Sections 7 and 14 provide protections against harassment, while Section 15.2 recognizes peaceful gatherings, assemblies, and rallies within university premises without students being red-tagged, citing the Supreme Court’s Deduro v. Vinoya (2023) ruling.
Bolaño said developing a policy specifically addressing red-tagging remains among the council’s priorities.
Revision reaffirmed
Bolaño clarified that the new version is largely the same revision approved during the previous administration but was not ratified after the previous Bicameral Session last academic year failed to meet quorum.
The current administration repeated the legislative process through first and second readings on August 24 and 25, followed by the Bicameral Session on August 28, primarily to reaffirm the previous revision.
“The CBL isn’t just a paperwork, it’s your rulebook as a Viscan. It sets out your rights and how your council actually works for you,” Bolaño said.
“We don’t hold this power. We hold it in trust for you,” he added.
Student feedback on the CBL is being accepted through an online form until Tuesday, September 1, at 8:00 p.m. The legislative body will deliberate on the suggestions received after the feedback period.
The revised CBL will be presented for plebiscite during the first Semester State of the Student Assembly (SOSA) on Wednesday, September 2.