UP CATANDUNGAN Section 3.

The official domicile of the organization shall be the University of the

University of the Philippines Philippines – Diliman at Quezon City.
Diliman, Quezon City
ARTICLE III
OBJECTIVES

Section 1. The organization envisions attaining ACADEMIC

CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS EXCELLENCE, SOCIAL COMMITMENT, SOLIDARITY, and HUMAN
Amended March 2008 RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT.
A. ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
1. To promote discussions on prevailing national and
PREAMBLE local issues
2. To achieve critical awareness for expressing valid and
We, the members of the UP Catandungan, a socio-cultural oriented sound arguments
organization firmly founded upon our desire to serve our province, the 3. To promote excellence in the members’ respective
university and the country, shall propagate the cause of selfless service with the fields of studies
promotion of ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, SOCIAL COMMITMENT, SOLIDARITY,
and HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT. Bound by our true interest to serve, B. SOCIAL COMMITMENT
we ordain and promulgate this constitution and by-laws by the grace of the 1. To search for solutions regarding problems and other
Divine Providence. concerns besetting the province, university and the
country
ARTICLE I 2. To initiate and/or to take part in programs and
GENERAL PROVISIONS activities relevant and beneficial to the society
3. To develop and promote the cultural and historical
Section 1.This constitution and by-laws shall be known as the “Constitution heritage of the province
and By-Laws of the UP Catandungan”.
Section 2. This constitution and by-laws shall govern the organization, binding C. SOLIDARITY
its members with the provisions, principles and by-laws. 1. To promote unity in pursuit of the organization’s goals
2. To encourage cooperation and participation in
ARTICLE II undertaking organizational activities
OFFICIAL NAME, SEAL AND DOMICILE 3. To foster and strengthen camaraderie within the
organization
Section 1. The organization shall be officially named as UP
Catandungan. D. HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Section 2.The organization shall bear an official seal, the components of which 1. To discover innate talents and develop untapped
altogether form a square border. It consists of a maroon-colored skills
oblation at its lower right corner; a yellow sun partially hidden
behind the oblation’s head; and the blue sky on the upper left ARTICLE IV
corner. The oblation stands for the members of the organization MEMBERSHIP AND APPLICATION
being UP students; the sun symbolizes the optimism in achieving
the organization’s goals; and the sky stands for its endless quest for Section 1. Any individual willing to adhere to the principles and ideals of the
excellence. The square is a representation of the equality fostered organization can be a member provided that he satisfies all of the
by the entire membership of UP Catandungan. following requirements:

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 A. He is a bonafide student of the University of the
Philippines - Diliman.
B. He has a genealogical origin in Catanduanes.
C. He successfully passed the application process and
undergone induction process.
D. He is not a subject of or has not been subjected to any
disciplinary action by the Student Disciplinary Tribunal for
the semester preceding application.
Section 2. Application Process
A. Application for membership shall be open at least once a
year as determined by the Internal Affairs Committee and
approved by the General Assembly.
B. The application process shall be facilitated by the Internal
Affairs Committee supported by a written justification
subject to the approval of the General Assembly.
C. The applicants shall complete the application process and
undergo induction rites within one application period. No
probationary status shall be granted.
Section 3. Membership Status
A. A resident member is a member who is enrolled in UP
Diliman and who has undergone induction process.
B. A non-resident member is a member who has completed
the application process but is no longer enrolled in UP
Diliman.
C. An honorary member is a member who has rendered
exemplary service to the organization but does not meet at
least one of the qualifications for membership as stated in
Article IV Section 2of this constitution upon the
recommendation of a resident member before the Internal
Affairs Committee as approved by the General Assembly.
D. An alumnus is a member who has graduated from the
university.
Section 4. An alumnus enrolled in the University of the Philippines –
Diliman shall have the option to change his membership status to
resident.
Section 5. Membership in the organization shall be revoked upon:
A. Willful withdrawal of the concerned member
B. Expulsion, as specified in Article V of the By-Laws.
ARTICLE V
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Rights of Members
A. Every resident member of the organization shall have the
following rights:
1. To have full deliberative and voting rights on all
matters concerning the organization
2. To participate in all organizational activities
3. To be fully informed of all activities, plans, decisions,
financial status and other issues concerning the
organization
4. To run for any elective position satisfying the
provisions of Article III of the By-Laws
5. To avail the services, facilities and other benefits
provided by the organization
6. To call for the expulsion of any member before the
Internal Affairs Committee following the requisite
procedures provided in Article V Section 4 of the By-
Laws.
7. To call for the impeachment of any member of the
Executive Committee before the Internal Affairs
Committee following the requisite procedures
provided in Article VI Section 1 of the By-Laws
8. To withdraw membership from the organization
9. To be formally notified, heard, and advocated by the
General Assembly before being put under probation,
impeached or expelled
B. Every non-resident member of the organization shall have
the following rights:
1. To participate in organizational activities as
determined by the Internal Affairs Committee
2. To avail the services, facilities and other benefits
provided by the organization as determined by the
Internal Affairs Committee
3. To withdraw membership from the organization
4. To be formally notified, heard, and advocated by the
General Assembly before being expelled
C. Every honorary member of the organization shall have the
following rights:
1. To participate in all organizational activities as
determined by the Internal Affairs Committee
2. To avail the services, facilities and other benefits
provided by the organization as determined by the
Internal Affairs Committee
3. To withdraw membership from the organization
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 4. To be formally notified, heard, and advocated by the
General Assembly before being expelled
D. Every alumnus of the organization shall have the following
rights:
1. To participate in all organizational activities as
determined by the Internal Affairs Committee
2. To withdraw membership from the organization
3. To be informed of all activities, plans, decisions,
financial status and other issues concerning the
organization
4. To avail the services, facilities and other benefits
provided by the organization as determined by the
Internal Affairs Committee
5. To be formally notified, heard, and advocated by the
General Assembly before being expelled
Section 2. Duties of Members
A. The following duties and responsibilities shall be assumed
by every resident member, except for Article IV Section 2
which does not apply to the President, Executive Vice
President, and Executive Secretary.
1. To uphold the constitution and the principles
governing the organization
2. To keep himself informed of the plans, activities, and
the services of the organization
3. To attend at least 2/3 of all the General Assembly
meetings, committee, and special meetings
4. To join only one Standing Committee in one academic
year
5. To help recruit qualified applicants
6. To pay the dues promptly
7. To maintain peace and order within the organization
and refrain from committing any action detrimental to
the organization
8. To actively participate in at least 2/3 of all the
activities of the organization
9. To respect all decisions made by the General Assembly
10. To exercise his right of suffrage
B. Every non-resident member of the organization shall have
the following duties and responsibilities:
1. To uphold the constitution and the principles
governing the organization
2. To respect all decisions made by the organization
3. To maintain peace and order within the organization
and refrain from committing any action detrimental to
the organization
C. Every honorary member of the organization shall have the
following duties and responsibilities:
1. To uphold the constitution and the principles
governing the organization
2. To respect all decisions made by the General Assembly
3. To maintain peace and order within the organization
and refrain from committing any action detrimental
to the organization
D. Every alumnus of the organization shall have the following
duties and responsibilities:
1. To uphold the constitution and the principles
governing the organization
2. To respect all decisions made by the General Assembly
3. To maintain peace and order within the organization
and refrain from committing any action detrimental to
the organization
ARTICLE VI
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Section 1. The General Assembly shall be the highest policy-making body of the
organization. It shall consist of all the resident members.
Section 2. The Executive Committee
A. The Executive Committee shall be composed of the
following elected officers: President, Executive Vice
President, Executive Secretary, Vice-President for Internal
Affairs, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Vice President
for External Affairs, and Vice-President for Finance. The
Vice Presidents of the various committees hold equal
status.
B. It shall formulate pertinent policies, projects, and other
matters subject to final deliberation and approval of the
General Assembly.
Section 3. Organization Officers
A. President
1. He shall be the official head of the organization.
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 2. He shall prepare the agenda and preside in all
Executive Committee and General Assembly meetings.
3. He shall call for special meetings when necessary and
render decisions in times of emergency.
4. He shall decide questions of order, sign resolutions
and communications for and in the name of UP
Catandungan.
5. He shall serve as the official representative of the
organization unless he otherwise appoints another to
assume such functions.
6. He shall sign the minutes of the meetings together
with the Executive Secretary.
B. Executive Vice-President
1. He shall assume the responsibilities and obligations of
the President during the latter’s absence, incapacity,
or impeachment.
2. He shall oversee the Vice Presidents of the various
committees and inform the President of their
respective concerns.
3. He shall head a team consisting of all the Vice
Presidents which shall function in designating the
respective committee assignments of the resident
members.
C. Executive Secretary
1. He shall keep a complete and written record of all the
meetings.
2. He shall prepare all official correspondences.
3. He shall be responsible for all the documents of the
organization.
4. He shall check the attendance in all activities.
5. He shall be responsible for filing the renewal of the
recognition of the organization before the Office of
Student Affairs.
D. Vice Presidents of the Various Committees
1. He shall implement or execute functions of the
respective committees.
2. He may create sub-committees when necessary.
3. He may appoint a deputy committee head if necessary.
4. He shall head all committee meetings.
5. He shall work in a team consisting of all the Vice
Presidents headed by the Executive Vice President
which shall function in designating the respective
committee assignments of the resident members.
Section 4. The Standing Committees
A. The Academic Affairs Committee
1. It shall keep the members updated on various issues
by handling academic activities such as, but not
limited to, lectures/symposia.
2. It shall equip members with the appropriate
knowledge and skills necessary for organizational
activities.
3. It shall act as overseer of the academic status of all
members.
4. It shall provide tutorial services and supplemental
materials.
5. It shall work for any commensurate function that may
be assigned by the Executive Committee.
B. The External Affairs Committee
1. It shall be responsible for the external affairs and
social service-oriented activities.
2. It shall be responsible for establishing linkages with
other organizations in and out of campus.
3. It shall take charge of the public exposure of the
organization through appropriate channels such as but
not limited to teasers, statements, and press releases.
4. It shall form the editorial board and facilitate the
publication of the organization’s newsletter.
5. It shall work for any commensurate functions that may
be assigned by the Executive Committee.
C. The Internal Affairs Committee
1. It shall be responsible for the evaluation of members
and other aspects of membership.
2. It shall be responsible for the recruitment of qualified
applicants and facilitate the application process.
3. It shall provide and update a directory of all the
members per semester
4. It shall organize social and sport activities that will
help promote a healthy interaction among the
members.
5. It shall work for any commensurate function that may
be assigned by the Executive Committee.
D. The Finance Committee
1. It shall organize all income-generating projects of the
organization.
2. It shall collect and keep all the funds of the
organization.
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 3. It shall provide financial reports at the end of each
semester and whenever necessary.
4. It shall keep records of the financial status of each
member.
5. It shall work for any commensurate function that may
be assigned by the Executive Committee.
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
MEETINGS
Section 1. Definition
A. A committee meeting is a meeting exclusive to all the
members of a committee.
B. A special meeting shall be held when necessary.
Section 2. Frequency of Meetings
A. There shall be at least two General Assembly meetings
every month.
B. Committee meetings shall be held at least once a month.
C. Executive Committee meetings shall be held as scheduled
by the President.
Section 3. Resolutions
A. For a General Assembly, resolutions shall be passed on the
vote of at least a majority (50% + 1) of a quorum, which is
2/3 of the General Assembly.
B. For Committee meetings, resolutions shall be passed on
the vote of at least a majority (50% + 1) of a quorum,
which is 2/3 of all committee members.
ARTICLE II
FEES
Section 1. Every member shall pay a membership fee within the first thirty
days of the semester, the amount of which shall be determined by
the Executive Committee upon the recommendation of the Finance
Committee.
Section 2. Applicants for membership shall pay a non-refundable fee, which
shall be determined by the Internal Affairs Committee.
ARTICLE III
QUALIFICATION OF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS
Section 1. Any resident member can run for office provided that he satisfies all
of the following qualifications.
A. He must have at least one year of resident membership in
the organization.
B. He must have a good academic standing according to the
university rules and regulations for the previous semester.
C. He must not have been subjected to any disciplinary action
by the Student Disciplinary Tribunal for the present
academic year.
D. He must satisfy all the requirements set by the Electoral
Board as approved by the General Assembly.
E. He must not be under probation nor subjected to any case
of expulsion for the present and preceding semester.
F. He must have at least one year of residency left.
Section 2. The candidate for President must not seek or is not seeking the
topmost position of any other organization within the university
for the succeeding academic year.
ARTICLE IV
ELECTORAL PROCEDURES
Section 1. Election of Officers
A. Filing of candidacy shall be held a week before election.
B. Election shall be held any day within the month of March.
C. Election of officers shall be conducted through secret
balloting.
D. Only resident members shall cast their votes.
E. At least two-thirds (2/3) of the resident members must
have casted their votes for the election to be valid.
F. A candidate is elected if he has the majority of the total
number of votes.
Section 2. Electoral Board
A. The election process shall be supervised and facilitated by
an Electoral Board, which shall be composed of three
graduating students of the organization.
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 B. It shall formulate guidelines regarding the electoral
process.
C. Members of the Electoral Board shall be chosen by the
General Assembly among the resident members who have
no intention of seeking office.
D. The Head of the Electoral Board shall be chosen by its
members.
E. Members of the Electoral Board shall exercise the right to
vote.
Section 3. Term of Office
A. The officers of the organization shall have a term of one
academic year beginning at the summer preceding the
academic year until the end of the second semester.
B. Any officer may be reelected into office but he cannot hold
the same position for two consecutive terms.
ARTICLE V
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Section 1. A resident member shall be put under probation upon
incurrence of five offenses.
Section 2. An offense is either one of the following:
A. An unexcused absence from all the activities of the
organization
B. Non-payment of financial obligation on specified dates
C. Willful disruption of orderly proceedings duly covered by
the organization
Section 3. The probationary status of any resident member shall be lifted
upon careful scrutiny of the Internal Affairs Committee.
Section 4. A member shall be expelled upon incurrence of at least one of the
following offenses:
A. Putting the organization in situations that compromise the
safety of its members
B. Committing fraudulent acts
C. Inflicting physical injury to another member
D. Using the name of the organization for reasons that are not
reflective of its objectives and are highly detrimental to its
interest, integrity, and well being
E. Embezzlement of funds and/or theft of properties
F. Being under probation for three consecutive semesters
Section 5. The General Assembly shall decide on all matters
concerning expulsion.
Section 6. Expulsion is final and irrevocable.
ARTICLE VI
IMPEACHMENT AND RESIGNATION
Section 1. Impeachment
A. Any resident member may call for impeachment of any
officer through a formal letter addressed to the Executive
Committee.
B. Grounds for Impeachment
1. Grave misconduct
2. Theft of properties and/or embezzlement of funds
3. Culpable violation of the constitution
4. Gross incompetence
5. Usurpation and abuse of power
C. Any officer may be impeached if proven guilty of any of the
grounds stated in Article VI, Section 1B of the by-laws after
careful study and deliberation which shall be validated by
a 50% + 1 vote of the resident members in the General
Assembly.
Section 2. Resignation
A. An officer’s resignation shall be presented to the General
Assembly after which they will take a vote on the case.
B. A majority vote of the General Assembly validates the
officer’s resignation
C. Resignation from the office does not affect his membership
status
D. There shall be a reelection within one week after the
effectivity of the resignation without prejudice to the
provisions of Article VII in by-laws
ARTICLE VII
SUCCESSION OF POWERS
Section 1. If the President vacates his position before the end of his term, the
Executive Vice-President shall automatically assume his position
until the term of office expires.
Section 2. Any other position vacated from the Executive Vice-President to the
Vice-Presidents of the various committees shall be open for any
resident member in office or not. Incumbent officers must resign
from their offices if they shall run for any office.
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 ARTICLE VIII
TERM OF CONSTITUTION

Section 1. The Constitution shall take effect immediately after ratification.

Section 2. Any resident member of the organization may propose amendments
in the Constitution provided it is first endorsed in writing.
Section 3. The Executive Committee shall present the proposal to the General
Assembly, and after careful deliberation of at least 2/3 vote of all
resident members, the amendment shall be adopted.
Section 4. The provisions of the Constitution can only be amended two years
after its ratification.

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