By Gunslinger

From the days of January 15-20, the 2025 Sanggunian conducted the first plebiscite for Consti Natin: Constitutional Reform of 2025. According to the student government, this initiative “will determine if the student body agrees to review and revise the Constitution of 2017.” In essence, this initiative aims to “adapt to the ever-changing context of the student body” and to “reform the Sanggunian’s foundations to accommodate the constituent’s vision and desires for their student government.” 

While this constitutional reform movement may appear necessary or crucial for the betterment of the student government and its constituents, the Sanggunian has failed to expound more on why we must adhere to the reform. Such initiative demands more reasoning and evidence as to how the current constitution does not reflect the current context of the student body. If Constitution 2017 is not the best representation of the student body anymore, in what ways is this evident? 

How does this affect the common Ateneans, especially those who are far involved in the student government? How does this affect me? How will the constitutional reform affect us?

Consti Nga Ba Talaga Natin?

It is undeniable that, as students who are products of the pandemic, the Constitution 2017 will have the tendency to inaccurately represent the context of the student body, given that it has adjusted to the ways of online modality. However, the issue lies in the lack of a clear basis and evidence as to such inaccurate tendencies, as well as the ineffective communication and emphasis on why we must conduct a constitutional reform.

According to the ASHS Sanggunian Resolution No. 008 s. 2024-2025, the Sanggunian ng mga Mag-aaral ng Nakatatandang Mataas na Paaralang Ateneo de Manila (Sanggu-SHS) Constitution of 2017 currently serves as the guiding document to the processes of the Sanggunian, specifically stating that it provides “basic principles and objectives, outlining the duties and powers of the bodies under it, and enumerating the general procedures of each council and office under its purview.”

Furthermore, the Resolution No. 008 s. 2024-2025 also restates the argument about the current constitution failing to represent the current context of the student body, stating certain examples such as

“…the Constitution of 2017 fails to accurately represent the current structure of the ASHS Sanggunian as manifested in Section 4 of Article 4, wherein the Communications Overall Director and Project Operations Executive are not included in the ASHS Sanggunian Executive Council, and the Council of Student Committees Vice President is said to be appointed instead of elected, contradictory to the 2023 and 2024 Year End Elections.”

and 

“the Constitution of 2017 fails to accurately reflect the formal and official titles of certain positions inside and outside the jurisdiction of the ASHS Sanggunian, as manifested in Section 6 of Article 5, wherein the Executive Finance Officer is titled Head Finance Officer, as well as in Section 4 of Article 7, wherein a body is named the Assistant Principal for Student Affairs and Formation, a position not present in the Student Handbook of 2024.”

However, as much as these examples prove that the current processes of Sanggunian are not the same as what is stated in the Constitution 2017, it appears that these examples are just mere declarations of positions in the Sanggunian. Looking at this from the perspective of an Atenean who’s far less involved in the student government, especially its processes, one cannot help but wonder how exactly will these re-declarations of structures and positions directly affect one’s life in the ASHS. 

These examples may have proven that the Constitution 2017 inaccurately represents the current Sanggunian, but how do these inaccurately represent the whole student body? How can common Ateneans see themselves in the reconstruction of Sanggunian structures? A constitutional reform demands more than these examples. 

In addition, the Sanggunian also promotes how the plebiscite form will only take a minute to answer, which may encourage the students that such decisions, one that involves changes in a constitution, can be done quickly and with less discernment. This, in turn, may diminish the essence of being wise voters and being youth for change. 

Para Sa Ating Lahat

“…the ASHS Sanggunian must root its actions in the sentiments of the ASHS student body to ensure that it is an accurate representation of its constituents and to maintain effective governance of student activities.”

– Resolution No. 008 s. 2024-2025

Having this statement in mind, the Sanggunian can root its actions and attempt at a constitutional reform by involving the student body more in this initiative and by asking for more than just a yes or no question. It is imperative that the Sanggunian grant the student body the ability to let their own thoughts and suggestions be reflected in this movement. 

With the ever-changing environment in the ASHS, its student government, the Sanggunian, and its constitution must always learn to adapt to the current context of the student body, which is why a constitutional reform is a crucial step in ensuring that the Sanggunian can serve the students to their best interests. 

However, this must be conducted with proper and effective communication as to why it must be done. The Sanggunian must present the student body with clear and all-encompassing examples and explanations as to why the Constitution 2017 inaccurately reflects the context of the ASHS, as well as the need for such initiatives. It is by doing so can the Sanggunian best ensure that they truly are an accurate representation of its constituents and maintain effective governance of student activities.