June 29, 2014

To Mr. Lorenzo Pepito SJC Chief Magistrate Good afternoon, Mr. Pepito and magistrates. I am Maria Alexandra D. Tanjangco, 4 BS MGT AB COM, and the current JGSOM Chairperson. This is a formal request for Declaratory Relief. I would like to ask the Student Judicial Court to revisit the constitutional provision regarding the special elections, specifically Article XV, Section 4 entitled “Vacancies”. The said section states, “Vacancies that occur in the Central Board and School Boards before the election of Freshman Officers, with the exception of the positions of Sanggunian President and School Board Chairpersons, shall be filled via special elections to be held simultaneously with the Freshman Year Officers Elections.”

Regarding the provision mentioned above, I believe that this statement has many possible interpretations. It is specifically the line “with the exception of the positions of Sanggunian President and School Board Chairpersons” that is vague. I’ve listed a few of the possible interpretations from this line and encourage the SJC to review and consider it.

The following are the possible interpretations:

1. The positions of President and Chairperson are not allowed to run during the special elections.

2. The positions of President and Chairperson are not required to be included in the special elections, however are allowed to be included.

3. The positions of President and Chairperson are not allowed to take part in the special elections, however are allowed to take part in a separate election held on the same dates.

Given the present state of the Sanggunian and the need for these positions to be filled in order to best represent the Ateneo student body, I appeal to the Student Judicial court to review these interpretations and choose the one that will be most beneficial for the LS community.

Hoping for a favorable response,

Maria Alexandra D. Tanjangco JGSOM Chairperson