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7/31/2019 Winlaw Consti

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PREAMBLE

We, the members of the University of the Philippines Women in Law,having for our purpose the establishment of an organization which shall

promote our intellectual well-being and socio-civic consciousness, developour talents and qualities in preparation for our future role as lawyers,

provide us the proper atmosphere for the exchange of ideas and the pursuitof common goals, propel us towards socially relevant endeavors, and

enhance a sense of camaraderie among us, do hereby promulgate andordain this Constitution.

ARTICLE IGENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1.This organization shall be officially known as the University of

the Philippines Women in Law (UP WINLAW).

Section 2. The emblem of the organization is composed of two (2)concentric circles with a gavel at the center of the inner circle. The word

WINLAWis printed on the upper portion of the outer circle. The lowerportion of the inner circle bears the word U.P., also in print, which is

flanked on both sides by two (2) laurel leaves pointing upwards to theword WINLAW.

Section 3. The official colors of the organization are gold and green.

Section 4. The motto of the organization is:"For there must be courage in wisdom, grace in strength."

Section 5. The official foundation day of the organization is 7 September1979.

Section 6. The first week of March is declared as the official WINLAWWEEK.

As amended on February 23, 2000 in a General Assembly called

for that purpose, in compliance with Article X of the Constitutionof the UP Women in Law.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership shall be open to female students of the U.P.College of Law who are of good moral character and who satisfy the

requirements set forth in Section 3 of this Article.

Section 2. Recruitment for membership shall be once every semester byformal invitation.

Section 3. The minimum requirements for membership are:

a. Non-membership in any other college-based women'sorganization or sorority;

b. Completion of individual interview conducted by the MembershipCommittee; andc. Participation in a batch project.

The Membership Committee shall lay down other requirements as it maydeem necessary.

ARTICLE III

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS

Section 1. Every member shall have the right to vote in any election or onany matter taken up in a general assembly meeting.

Section 2. Every member shall have the right to run for any elective

position;provided, she possesses all the qualifications set forth in thisConstitution and such other qualifications as may be laid down by the

Electoral Tribunal.

Section 3. Every member shall have access to all academic materialsduring her residence and shall be entitled to the benefits of the Bar


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Operations of the organization when she takes the bar examinations.

Section 4. No member shall be deprived of her rights and privilegeswithout due process.

ARTICLE IV

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS

Section 1. It shall be the duty of every member to attend regular andspecial general assembly meetings.

Regular meetings shall be held once every month on a date as may be setby the Executive Committee.

Special meetings may be called by the Executive Committee; or in case ofinaction on its part, by a resolution of at least one-third (1/3) of all the

resident members, copies of the notice of which shall be posted on theWINLAW bulletin boards and served on the Executive Committee.

Section 2. Every member shall pay her semestral dues within one month

from the first regular meetings of every semester.

Section 3. Every member shall actively participate in the activities of theorganization.

ARTICLE V

DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS

Section 1. The Executive Committee shall be responsible for the disciplineof the members of the organization.

Section 2. The penalty of fine may be imposed on the basis of any of thefollowing grounds:

a. Unjustified absence from one (1) meeting;

b. Unjustified absence from one (1) minor activity; andc. Non-payment of semestral dues within one (1) month

from the first regular meeting of the semester.

The Executive Committee shall determine the amount of fine to beimposed;provided, that such fine shall be reasonable.

Section 3. The penalty of suspension may be imposed on the basis of anyof the following grounds:

a. Unjustified absence from three (3) meetings;b. Unjustified absence from any major activity; andc. Performance of any act inimical to the interest of the

organization.

Section 4. Suspension shall mean the loss of the rights and privileges setforth in Article III hereof.

Section 5. Suspension shall be declared lifted by the Executive Committeeupon proof of active participation in at least one (1) project of theorganization.

Section 6. The penalty of expulsion shall be imposed on the basis of any ofthe following grounds:

a. Subsequent membership in any other college-based women'sorganization or sorority;

b. Utter lack of cooperation in the projects and disinterest in the aims ofthe organization;

c. Incurrence of two (2) suspensions in one semester; and

d. Failure to lift the penalty of suspension during the semester nextfollowing such suspension.

Section 7. The proceedings for the expulsion of a member shall be initiatedby a written petition of at least a majority of the members of the ExecutiveCommittee. The Executive Committee shall give notice to the memberconcerned and shall call a meeting of the general membership. The petitionshall be referred to anAd hoc Committee to be constituted and shall be

composed of one (1) representative from each year level.


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TheAd hoc Committee shall set a date for hearing on the matter, whichdate shall not be later than one (1) week from its constitution, and give

written notice to the member concerned. After hearing, the Ad hocCommittee shall submit its findings and recommendations to the resident

membership in a meeting called for that purpose. A vote of two-thirds(2/3) of the members present and constituting a quorum shall be necessaryto expel a member.

ARTICLE VI

ORGANIZATION AND OFFICERS

Section 1. The Executive Committee (EXECOM) shall be the governingbody of the organization and shall be composed of the following officers:

a. President

b. Vice President for Academicsc. Vice President for External Affairs

d. Vice President for Financee. Vice President for Internal Affairs

f. Vice President for Publicityg. Year Level Representatives, each of whom shall be

elected by the resident member-batch mates

Section 2. Any member may be elected officer of the organization;provided, she possesses all the following qualifications at the time of thenomination of candidates:

a. Due registration as a student of the college;

b. Residence in the organization for at least one (1)semester;c. Non-officership in any university-based sorority or

women's organization; andd. Non-Incurrence of the penalty of suspension.

Section 3. The election of officers shall be by secret ballot and shall beheld on a date to be fixed by the incumbent EXECOM, which date shallnot be later than five (5) weeks from the last day of classes of the secondsemester.

Only resident members who have paid their semestral dues shall beallowed to vote.

Section 4. The candidates garnering the highest number of votes in their

respective positions shall be declared elected.

Section 5. The newly-elected members of the EXECOM shall assume theirrespective positions two (2) weeks subsequent to their election.

The Freshman Representative shall be elected on the last Saturday ofNovember and shall assume her post immediately.

Section 6. The members of the EXECOM shall hold office for one (1) yearand may be subject to reelection; provided, however, that in the case of theFreshman Representative, she shall hold the position conterminously withthe other members of the EXECOM.

Section 7. The EXECOM shall have the following powers and duties:

a. Exercise of the power of legislation and policy-making ofthe organization;

b. Exercise of exclusive control and supervision over theaffairs of the organization and the implementation of its policies;

c. Exercise of supervision over election matters whilesitting as the Electoral Tribunal; and

d. Appointment of any resident member to a position thathas become vacant for reasons other than the expiration of the terms forthe remaining portion of the term.

Section 8. The EXECOM shall have no power to decide on mattersregarding the support of any political party.

ARTICLE VII

DISCIPLINE OF THE MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE

COMMITTEE

Section 1. Any member of the EXECOM may be suspended from office by

a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of its members upon any of the followinggrounds:

a. Gross inefficiency resulting to substantial delay and

disruption of the activities of the organization;b. Unjustified absence from two (2) consecutive meetings


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of the EXECOM; andc. Unjustified absence in any activity.

Section 2. Any member of the EXECOM may be impeached from officeon the basis of any of the following grounds:

a. Gross neglect in the performance of her duties;

b. Conduct unbecoming of a member of the EXECOM; andc. Performance of any act inimical to the interest of theorganization.

Section 3. Any member of the EXECOM may be impeached by a petitionof at least a majority of the general membership. The EXECOM shallconduct a hearing not later than one (1) week from receipt of the petition.It shall render its decision by two-thirds (2/3) vote of its members, whichdecision shall be ratified by at least two-thirds (2/3) vote of the generalmembership; provided, however, if the EXECOM shall decide to dismissthe petition, a vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the general

membership shall be sufficient to overturn such decision.

ARTICLE VIII

THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION

Section 1. There shall be five (5) standing committees of the organization,to wit:

a. The Membership Committee to be headed by the VicePresident for Internal Affairs;

b. The Finance Committee to be headed by the VicePresident for Finance;

c. The External Affairs Committee to be headed by the VicePresident for External Affairs;

d. The Academics and Bar Operations Committee to beheaded by the Vice President for Academics; and

e. The Publicity Committee to be headed by the VicePresident for Publicity and General Services

Section 2. The Chairperson of the Academics and Bar OperationsCommittee shall be nominated and voted for during the nomination and

election of the members of the EXECOM. She shall serve conterminouslywith the members of the EXECOM.

ARTICLE IX

MEETINGS

Section 1. There shall be a regular general assembly meeting once everymonth on a date as may be fixed by the EXECOM.

Section 2. Special meetings of the general membership may be called by

the EXECOM or by a petition of at least one-third (1/3) of all the residentmembers, which petition shall be submitted to any members of the

EXECOM.

In any case, notice of the scheduled and special meetings shall be postedon WINLAW bulletin boards.

Section 3. Questions and/or objections to any of the policies of theEXECOM may be raised at any general assembly meeting. A vote ofthree-fourths (3/4) of the members present at the meeting shall besufficient to declare any such policy null and void.

Section 4. A quorum shall consist of a majority of the members.

ARTICLE X

AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS

Section 1. Amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution shall be initiated

by a petition of at least one-fifth (1/5) of the general membership.

Section 2. The petition shall be submitted to the general membership in aspecial meeting called for that purpose. A vote of a majority of those

present shall be required to approve the petition. Upon approval, aConstitutional Committee shall be constituted and shall be composed ofthe following:


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a. One (1) member representing the EXECOM; andb. A representative from each year level who shall be duly

elected by the members belonging to the year level she represents.

Section 3. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution shall bevalid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which

shall be held not later than two (2) weeks after approval of suchamendment or revision.

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