The SOLIDARIDAD Constitution

SOLIDARIDAD
UP ALLIANCE OF STUDENT PUBLICATIONS AND WRITERS' ORGANIZATIONS

CONSTITUTION


PREAMBLE
We, the student publications and writers' organizations in the University of the Philippines System, impassioned by the compelling essentiality of establishing a center and beacon that shall strive to broaden and advance campus press freedom, recognizing the need to unite our ranks and link our thoughts and actions with the rest of the Filipino people, in the determined struggle for social transformation, do hereby ordain and promulgate this constitution.

ARTICLE I
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

Section 1. The Solidaridad UP Alliance of Student Publications and Writers' Organizations believes that the people have the right to know. Solidaridad believes that the truth shall set us free, that the truth is an important instrument in the liberation of the Filipino people in general and UP students in particular.
Section 2. The Alliance asserts the freedom to receive and express ideas and opinions without interference from the State, School Administration, Business sector and other elite interest groups.
Section 3. Solidaridad believes that UP writers have a big role in informing, raising and molding the awareness of people on issues and campaigns concerning the university, the country and the world.
Section 4. The Alliance stands for the patriotic, scientific and democratic interests of the Filipino people and unites with other sectors and groups to advance social change.
Section 5. The Alliance shall practice consensus building, democratic deliberation and principled unity in all discussions and decisions

ARTICLE II
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. This Alliance of various student publications and writers' organizations of the University of the Philippines founded on May 2002 shall be officially known as the Solidaridad UP Alliance of Student Publications and Writers' Organizations.

Section 2. Solidaridad shall maintain the broadest alliance of student publications and writers' organizations in UP.

Section 3. This constitution shall hereby be known as the "Constitution of Solidaridad."
Section 4. This constitution shall govern Solidaridad and its members.
Section 5. For the purposes of this constitution:
a. "Student publication" refers to any publication of a college, university, dormitory or community in the UP system, or publication of an organization, wholly managed and funded by UP students;
b. "Writers' organization" refers to any group of student writers, journalists and poets based in the colleges, units and communities in the UP system.
c. "Alliance" refers to Solidaridad unless the context indicates otherwise;
d. Executive Council refers to the Systemwide Executive Council unless the context indicates otherwise
e. "Systemwide Officers" refers to the Chairperson, Executive Vice-Chair, Vice-Chairpersons for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Secretary General, Education and Research Officer, Finance Officer, and other persons elected or appointed to the Systemwide Executive Council.
f. "Unit Officers" refers to the Consul General, Vice-Consul, Secretary General, Education and Research Officer, Finance Officer, and other persons elected or appointed in each UP regional or autonomous unit.

ARTICLE III
OBJECTIVES

Section 1. Unite all student publications and writers' organizations in the UP system;
Section 2. Promote the establishment of student publications.
Section 3. Work for the restoration of defunct student publications.
Section 4. Defend the interest and independence of student publications and writers' organizations.
Section 5. Defend and advance campus press freedom and other students' democratic rights and interests;
Section 6. Actively work for social transformation, facilitate social consciousness among UP writers; engage in sectoral and social issues;
Section 7. Actively participate in the Filipino people's struggle for a truly free and democratic society.
Section 8. Establish ties with other organizations and individuals with corresponding goals

ARTICLE IV
MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in the ALLIANCE shall be open to any student publication and writers' organization within the UP system.
Section 2. Acceptance to the Alliance shall be decided by the General Assembly upon application to and recommendation by the System-wide Executive Council through the application process set by the latter. Applications must be filed in between sessions of the General Assembly and shall be decided by the System-wide Council.
Section 3. Renewal of membership shall be done on an annual basis.
Section 4. Renewal of membership shall be filed to the System-wide Council during the System-wide Congress prior to any election or voting procedures.

ARTICLE V
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS

Section 1. To be able to participate fully in discussions, meetings, consultations and other activities, to freely express opinions and positions on particular issues, submit suggestions and resolutions, and to have any dissenting opinion and criticisms and the reasons thereof be recorded.
Section 2. To be informed of all affairs of the Alliance, and the reasons for activities and decisions as may be adopted by its policy-making bodies.
Section 3. To have access to all documents and records of the Alliance.
Section 4. To be represented by their freely chosen delegates in the System-wide Congress, System-wide Council, Unit meetings, and other Alliance activities.
Section 5. To avail of the services and assistance provided by the Alliance.
Section 6. To have right to due process, especially in cases of disciplinary actions.
Section 7. To enjoy such other rights and privileges granted by the System-wide Congress
Section 8. Individuals within the Alliance have the right to elect and be elected into the leadership of the Alliance.

ARTICLE VI
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

Section 1. Uphold the Constitution of the Alliance.
Section 2. Abide by all matters decided upon by the General Assembly and all the policy-making and governing bodies of the Alliance.
Section 3. Vigorously participate in all programs, projects, actions and other activities of the Alliance.
Section 4.Provide space in the publication and/or other means to feature the positions taken by the Alliance on university, sectoral, national and international issues.
Section 5. Attend educational discussions set by the Alliance officers
Section 6. Submit reports on the situation of their respective publications/organizations quarterly and when deemed necessary.
Section 7. Attend and submit annual reports in the Systemwide Congress
Section 8. Pay fees and other dues set by the General Assembly.
Section 9. Perform other duties set forth by the Systemwide Congress

ARTICLE VII
STRUCTURE OF THE ALLIANCE

Section 1.The Solidaridad General Assembly shall be the highest policy-making and governing body of the Alliance; it shall compose of all the members of the Alliance and shall meet at least once yearly in the System-wide Congress.
Section 2. The Solidaridad System-wide Council shall be the second highest decision making and governing body of the Alliance, provided that these decisions are consistent with the policies set by the General Assembly; it shall compose of the System-wide Executive Council, the Consul-General and other representatives of every UP unit.
Section 3. The Solidaridad System-wide Executive Council (SEC) shall be the highest decision making and governing body of the Alliance in between sessions of the System-wide Council and the System-wide Congress; provided that these decisions are consistent with the policies of the General Assembly; It is the system-wide education and campaign center of the Alliance.
Section 4. The SEC shall be composed of the Chairperson, Executive Vice Chairperson, Vice Chairpersons for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, Secretary General, Education and Research Officer, Finance Officer and other persons elected or appointed; they shall hereafter be known as the Systemwide Officers of the Alliance.
Section 5. A Consul-General shall be elected or appointed for every UP unit, to implement policies and activities set by the Alliance; and if possible; every unit shall have a Vice-Consul, a Secretary General, an Education and Research Officer and a Finance Officer. The Consul General shall convene these officers plus representatives of member publications/organizations to form the basic unit and level of the Alliance.

ARTICLE VIII
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Section 1. Amend, revise and ratify the Constitution.
Section 2. Formulate, approve and enforce decisions, policies, resolutions, stands on issues and programs of action for the Alliance.
Section 3. Elect members of the Executive Council as provided by this Constitution.
Section 4. Receive, review and act upon the reports of the Executive Council.
Section 5. Decide upon the acceptance of the membership of organizations into the Alliance after the recommendation of the Executive Council.
Section 6. Act and decide upon all cases of disciplinary actions.
Section 7. Determine amount of financial obligations from member organizations.
Section 8. Perform other functions and duties as it may deem necessary.

ARTICLE IX
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE SYSTEMWIDE COUNCIL

Section 1. Implement policies of the General Assembly and assist the Executive Council in their operationalization.
Section 2. Formulate policies, adopt resolutions and execute decisions with the SEC in between sessions of the General Assembly.
Section 3. Adopt stands on particular social and sectoral issues.
Section 4. Create committees as may be deemed necessary; appoint officers for these committees.
Section 5. Serve as editorial board of Liwanag and other publications of the Alliance.
Section 6. Form a tribunal in cases of impeachment and other disciplinary actions and to recommend appropriate actions to the System-wide Congress.
Section 7. Act and investigate on matters raised by the Executive Council and/or member publications/organizations.
Section 8. May call special sessions of the System-wide Congress.
Section 9. Perform other functions tasked by the General Assembly

ARTICLE X
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE SYSTEMWIDE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Section 1. Enforce the Constitution and set down by-laws that shall govern the Alliance.
Section 2.Draft a general program of action to be approved by the Systemwide Congress and accomplish the approved plans of the Systemwide Congress.
Section 3. Formulate rules and regulations governing the organization and administration of the alliance.
Section 4. Issue stands on particular social, sectoral and other issues whenever the General Assembly or the Systemwide Council cannot be convened, provided that such stands are consistent with the principles of the Alliance.
Section 5. Respond and act immediately on matters affecting the legitimate interests of the Alliance and its members, provided that such acts are consistent with the policies set by the General Assembly; create ad hoc committees as may be deemed necessary.
Section 6. Submit a report to the Systemwide Congress on the situation of the Alliance.
Section 7. Prepare the agenda and convene the Systemwide Congress and the Systemwide Council.
Section 8. Call special sessions of the Systemwide Congress and Systemwide Council as may be deemed urgent and necessary.

ARTICLE XI
THE OFFICERS

Section 1. The Chairperson of the Alliance shall have the following powers, functions and duties:
a. build up the integrity, advance the interests and welfare of the Alliance and strengthen links and camaraderie among members of the Alliance;
b. preside over all sessions of the Systemwide Congress, the Systemwide Council and the Systemwide Executive Council, unless the Chairperson is a party to the issues to be resolved;
c. report to the Systemwide Congress on behalf of the Systemwide Executive Council and the Systemwide Council;
d. appoint the Secretary General and other offices deemed necessary to create, with the approval of the Systemwide Executive Council;
e. represent the Alliance in all occasions and events that need representation;
f. exercise general supervision and responsibility over the Alliance and ensure the functioning of all officers, committees and members of the Alliance;
g. sign all resolutions, communications and documents of the Alliance to make them official
h. enforce the provisions of this Constitution and all other rules and regulations which may be promulgated from time to time;
i. call for special sessions of the Alliance when deemed necessary;
j. to perform such other functions as may be delegated by the General Assembly.

Section 2. The Executive Vice-Chairperson shall have the following duties, functions and powers:
a. assume the role of the Chairperson in the latter's absence or incapacity to perform that role;
b. assist the Chairperson in all of his/her duties and responsibilities;
c. supervise and coordinate with the Vice Chairpersons in their activities and projects;
d. report the inputs of the Vice Chairpersons to the SEC;
e. fulfill other duties and responsibilities given by the Chairperson , the Systemwide Council and the Systemwide Congress;

Section 3. The Vice Chairpersons shall have the following duties, functions and powers:
a) assist the Chairperson in all of his/her duties and responsibilities;
b) make island-wide visits and implement island-wide projects and activities, with the knowledge of the SEC;
c) directly aid, monitor and supervise activities and projects coordinated with member-organizations and publications in island designated to him/her.

Section 4. The Secretary-General of the Alliance shall have the following duties, functions and powers::
a. assist the Chairperson, particularly on internal matters and operations of the Alliance;
b. act as Chairperson in the latter's absence or incapacity of both the Chairperson and Executive Vice Chairperson to perform that role;
c. maintain continuous correspondence with the members of the Alliance;
d. keep a journal of all proceedings of the SEC, the Systemwide Council and the General Assembly;
e. store all documents and records of the Alliance;
f. administer all publications of the Alliance
g. formulate and enforce the House Rules during the Systemwide Congress;
h. perform such other functions as may be delegated by the Executive Council, the Systemwide Council and the General Assembly.

Section 5. The Education and Research Officer of the Alliance shall have the following duties, functions and powers:
a. assume primary responsibility over the socio-political education and development of the analytical and leadership skills of all members of the Alliance;
b. form research committees investigating the situation of publications and writers throughout the UP system; report on number of closed and functioning publications and their current problems and situations;
c. formulate an education curriculum every semester to be approved by the Systemwide Council and distributed to the members of the Alliance.
d. coordinate with the Education and Research Officers of the member organizations and publications;.

Section 6. The Finance Officer of the Alliance shall have the following duties, functions and powers:

a. have primary responsibility over the acquisition, control and utilization of the funds and logistics of the Alliance;
b. keep a transparent record of all the Alliance's financial transactions.

Section 7. The Consul General shall have the following duties, functions and powers:
a. serve as the overall coordinator of Alliance activities in his/her particular campus
b. enforce policies and decisions of the Alliance in his/her specific unit;
c. serve as the local emissary of the Alliance
d. ensure the expansion of the Alliance, aid colleges without publications and attend to the welfare of local member publications/organizations
e. if possible, and with the consent of local members, appoint a Vice-Consul, Secretary General, Education and Research Officer and a Finance Officer for his/her particular campus
f. perform other functions as delegated by the SEC, the Systemwide Council and the General Assembly.

Section 8. Committees and offices may be created by the SEC, the Systemwide Council and the General Assembly as may be deemed necessary; the same shall be filled by appointment by the Chairperson.
Section 9. All officers shall serve a term of one year. All officers shall be allowed at most two terms in the same position.

ARTICLE XII
APPOINTMENTS, ELECTIONS AND THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

Section 1. The General Assembly shall elect the Chairperson, Executive Vice Chairperson, the Vice Chairpersons for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the Education and Research Officer and the Finance Officer during the annual Solidaridad Systemwide Congress
Section 2. The Secretary General shall be appointed by the Chairperson with the consent of the elected Executive Council, unless there is a strong protest from the General Assembly,.
Section 3. The Consul General and other local officers can be voted upon by member publications/organizations of a particular campus; otherwise, the Chairperson of the Alliance shall appoint the Consul General.
Section 4.Elective officers must have been a member of the Alliance for at least one (1) semester
Section 5. The Chairperson may not be elected unless his/her nomination has been endorsed by at least three (3) active member publications/organizations.
Section 6.All elective officers shall be elected by the official voting delegate/s of the member publications/organizations. The voting delegate must be an official member of a publication or organization within the Alliance.
Section 7. Each member publication/organization shall be entitled to one (1) and only one vote.
Section 8. After nominations, the General Assembly may elect through secret ballot or open elections as may be decided upon by the body.

Section 9. There shall be a Commission on Election (COMELEC) comprised of a chairperson and two members, all appointed by the SEC.
Section 10. The COMELEC shall have the following duties, functions and powers:
a. formulate and enforce rules and regulations regarding election conduct, provided that these do not violate provisions in this Constitution;
b. receive and certify certificates and qualifications of candidates;
c. proclaim the winners of elections right after the authentication, checking and counting of ballots.

ARTICLE XIII
DISCIPLINARY ACTION, SUSPENSION, IMPEACHMENT AND EXPULSION

Section 1. Any member of the Alliance will be meted disciplinary action of suspension or expulsion on the following grounds:
a. willful violation of the principles and Constitution of the Alliance;
b. unreasonable neglect of duty;
c. culpable actions detrimental to the integrity, interests and welfare of the Alliance
d. gross misconduct as determined by an investigative committee constituted by the Systemwide Council;

Section 2. A formal letter should be given to the Executive Council explaining non-attendance to the Congress on or before the next one. The General Assembly will determine the validity of the reasons thereof.
Section 3. A motion for disciplinary action may be filed by any member of the Alliance to the Systemwide Council. The SC shall then form an investigative committee to probe on the complaint.
Section 4. The target of the complaint has the right to be informed of all the charges against it.
Section 5. The recommendations of the committee shall be deliberated upon by the SC on the principles of fair and due process.
Section 6. The validity of the complaint shall be determined by a vote of one-third of the SC and subsequently submitted to the General Assembly.
Section 7.The General Assembly shall try and decide on the disciplinary action appropriate to the violation. A vote of two-thirds of the total members of the Alliance shall decide the fate of the case.
Section 8. If a member organization or publication is expelled from the Alliance, officers who belong to the expelled organization/publication will automatically have to resign his/her post, unless vetoed by ten (10) other members of the Alliance.
Section 9. Executive Council Officers may be impeached upon the petition of at least fifteen (15) members of the Alliance. A special General Assembly will then be convened. A resolution of investigation must be filed and presented to the General Assembly before an investigation can be conducted.
Section 10. Any charged officer must be informed of all the charges raised against him/her a month before the request for investigation. The General Assembly will then try and decide his/her case.

ARTICLE XIV
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
Section 1. Liwanag shall be the official publication of the Alliance
Section 2. The Alliance shall maintain an online publication of Liwanag
Section 3. The Chairperson shall be the editor in chief of the official publication of the Alliance.

ARTICLE XV
AMMENDMENTS

Section 1. Any provision of this constitution may be amended, altered or repealed by at least a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all members of the Alliance present at the General Assembly, provided that such Assembly reaches a quorum of the total membership.
Section 2. All proposals for amendments must be submitted by any member-organization in written form together with the explanations for such to the Secretary-General at least thirty (30) days prior to the General Assembly.

ARTICLE XVI
EFFECTIVITY

Section 1. This constitution shall take effect immediately after the ratification by two-thirds (2/3) of all member organizations/publications present at the General Assembly during the Solidaridad Founding System-wide Congress.
Drafted and Approved: May 26, 2002, UP Cebu

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