The proposed Constitutional Convention (CONCON) to review and revise the 2019 University Student Government (USG) Constitution has been deferred to the incoming 8th Congress after failing to secure enough petitions within the 7th Congress’ timeline, according to outgoing USG Vice President Philip Zymon Linezo.

In an exclusive interview with The HERALDO FILIPINO, Linezo said the initiative became inoperable after only two out of eight colleges—the College of Science (COS) and the College of Liberal Arts and Communication (CLAC)—submitted petitions before the deadline.

Under the 2019 USG Constitution, convening a Constitutional Convention requires petitions supported by at least 15 percent of each participating college’s student population before the process can advance to succeeding stages, including a referendum and the election of convention delegates.

“We came to realize when we initiated the bid that the timeline that we have is actually restricted of how we can actually achieve it,” Linezo said.

 Petition drive falls short

The administration launched the petition process in the first week of May but encountered difficulties gathering the required signatures and securing submissions from the College Student Governments (CSGs) within the remaining weeks of the academic year (AY).

The HERALDO FILIPINO reached out to all CSG governors regarding the initiative. As of press time, only the governors from the College of Criminal Justice Education Student Government (CCJESG) and the College of Liberal Arts and Communication Student Government (CLACSG) had responded.

CCJESG Governor Jazzmin Calino, whose college failed to meet the required petition threshold, said many students struggled to understand the significance of the initiative due to the petition’s technical language.

Calino also identified the requirement for wet signatures as another challenge, noting that many students preferred digital processes.

In addition, she said the initiative coincided with final examinations and the implementation of the college’s Writ of Elections, making it difficult for both students and student leaders to prioritize the petition campaign.

“This resulted to competing priorities that ultimately hindered our ability to gather the necessary number of signatures,” Calino explained.

Meanwhile, CLACSG Governor Francine Roraldo said their college became the first to submit a petition after gathering 442 signatures through early planning, close coordination with block representatives, and consistent follow-ups with students.

According to Roraldo, the college also distributed printed copies of the petition across blocks and made signature sheets accessible through help desks to encourage participation despite overlapping academic requirements.

Structural issues cited

According to Linezo, the push for constitutional reform stemmed from concerns repeatedly raised by student leaders regarding ambiguities in the current constitution and declining participation in student elections.

During a focus group discussion (FGD) with CSGs, representatives identified the constitution’s provisions on the University’s program councils as one of the areas requiring more clarification, citing vague definitions and scope.

“I think the majority, if not all, of the college student government, told us that the problem lingering within their constitution is the program councils. Sobrang liit ng definition tungkol sa program councils,” Linezo emphasized.

He also pointed to recurring election failures, including the declining number of candidates seeking office and lower voter turnout, as indicators of structural problems rooted within the existing constitutional system.

“I think it’s not the participation talaga, eh. I think it’s within the system that is wrong,” the vice president stressed.

Roraldo echoed these sentiments, saying students frequently questioned the need to revise the 2019 Constitution but also raised concerns about consultation mechanisms and transparency throughout the process.

“While the 2019 Constitution served its purpose at the time, maraming aspeto nito ang hindi na ganap na tumutugon sa kasalukuyang pangangailangan ng mga estudyante,” Roraldo emphasized.

Despite falling short of the required number of signatures, Calino likewise expressed support for the proposed convention, arguing that the 2019 Constitution should be reviewed to reflect the significant changes in the student body and the University’s learning environment since its ratification nearly seven years ago, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“The CONCON provides an opportunity to assess the effectiveness of the current constitution, ensuring that the framework remains responsive and relevant to the student body,” Calino said.

Linezo added that while Congress has the authority to amend specific constitutional provisions, a Constitutional Convention would allow students to conduct a comprehensive review of the document and determine whether broader reforms are necessary.

“Kung tao ang nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan, tao rin ang may kakayahan na baguhin ‘yung porma ng binibigay na kapangyarihan ng mga representatives nila,” he said.

Transition to 8th Congress

Despite the setback, Linezo stated that the groundwork established by the 7th Congress would allow the incoming 8th Congress to continue the effort.

“We have initiated this, and there is an opportunity to continue this next year,” he said, adding that the initiative had already opened discussions on constitutional reform and student participation.

He also clarified that the initiative was intended solely to convene a Constitutional Convention and not to advance predetermined constitutional amendments. 

 Addressing concerns surrounding the process, Linezo stressed that any future revisions would ultimately be decided by convention delegates elected by the student body.

Under the proposed process, students would first vote in a referendum on whether to establish a Constitutional Convention. If approved, the student body would then elect separate delegates tasked with reviewing and proposing revisions to the constitution.

Linezo said the 7th Congress would formally transmit its documents, timelines, and proposed mechanisms to the incoming Congress to ensure continuity.

“In-ensure naman namin na there is an adequate transition that will be given to them and ipapasa natin sa kanila lahat ng mechanism na in-apply natin and possible mechanism na p’wede rin nila i-apply on how they will do it,” he affirmed.

Despite the delay, Linezo expressed hope that the incoming Congress would continue the initiative and pursue what he described as a long-overdue effort to address issues within the existing constitution.

Originally published in Heraldo Filipino Volume 40, Issue 2