Article IX. Impeachment and Accountability of the Officials of the Student Government

Impeachable Officers:

1. USG President
2. USG Vice President
3. Student Chief Magistrate
4. Student Associate Magistrates
5. Chairperson and Members of the Student Government Commission on Election
6. Governor and Vice Governor of Local Student Government

Grounds for Impeachment and Discipline of Student Government Officers:

1. Any willful violation of this Constitution.
2. Grave misconduct.
3. Abuse of authority.
4. Gross neglect of duty.
5. If the concerned official/s fails to attend four consecutive regular sessions without informing the body of his status or the reasons why he/she has not been attending or working. In the case of the USG President, if he/she fails to participate in the Administrative Council meetings for four consecutive times or Board of Regents meetings for two consecutive times or fails to conduct regular USG meetings for four consecutive times.
6. Any other form of misconduct which undermines the integrity of the USG.

Composition of the Impeachment Council:

1. The Student Chief Magistrate as the presiding officer, except if he/she is the subject of the impeachment complaint.
2. The Senate Chairperson, who shall preside in case the Student Chief Magistrate is the subject of the impeachment complaint.
3. The Speaker of the House of the House of Representatives.
4. The other seven (7) Senators.

The Impeachment Council shall convene in case of any verified complaint for impeachment against impeachable officers as above stated. The Council may immediately dismiss the complaint for improper form or lack of substance. The concerned officer shall be immediately served with a copy of the complaint and shall file a verified answer within the period of fifteen (15) days. The Council shall thereafter conduct a preliminary conference for the parties to discuss the possibility of settling the dispute amicably. Thereafter, the Council shall require the petitioner to submit his/her evidence and witnesses or submit verified position papers. The respondent shall thereafter submit his/her controverting evidence and witnesses or may likewise submit verified position papers. Thereafter, the Council shall decide on the petition.

For purposes of suspension, an affirmative vote of at least a majority of all members shall be required. To impeach an officer, the vote of two-thirds (⅔) of all the members of the Council is required. The period of suspension shall not exceed sixty (60) days.

The decision of the Impeachment Council on all matters relevant to the discipline and impeachment of the concerned officers shall be final and executory.

The respondents shall have no right to vote in any of the disciplinary proceedings.