Last July 12, Rem Serrano, previously counsel officer, was appointed as Chief Magistrate under the Judiciary branch for this AY 2013-2014. The counterpart who ran for the position was Mark Wong, the incumbent Ramon V. del Rosario-College of Business (RVR-COB) magistrate.
Maintaining equal power
The final appointment of Chief Magistrate, as stated in the University Student Government (USG) Constitution, is jointly decided by the Executive Committee (EXECOM), Activities Assembly (AA), and Legislative Assembly (LA), presided by the USG President, after interested candidates for the position meet the qualifications set by LA and present the Vision and Mission of Judiciary and Plans of Action for the branch.
Asked if external branches selecting the Chief Magistrate compromise the independence of the branch, Serrano justifies otherwise, “The Legislative [branch] makes the qualifications on who can be Chief Magistrate, and the Judiciary in turn can monitor both the legislative and executive [branches] to make sure that they’re not doing anything that is unconstitutional. So it’s our way of making sure that powers [of each branch] are equal and the same on all aspects.”
Continuing the feat
According to Serrano, one of his major plans is to introduce the branch to De La Salle University – Science and Technology Complex (DLSU-STC).
However, as of press time, Judiciary branch is still in preparation on the specifics of the plans to introduce in STC campus.
Aside from introducing the branch to STC, Serrano plans to make the branch more aware to the students in DLSU through room-to-room campaigning and through re-launch of its website again. In addition, it plans to announce hearings and make the documents regarding court decisions and cases available in its website to ensure transparency in the branch.
He also plans to strengthen the ties between Commission on Election (COMELEC) and Commission of Audit (CoA), with its jobs of deciding electoral exercises in the University and of auditing and examining the financial aspect in the operation of USG units, respectively.
Miguel Adriano, the Chief Magistrate last academic year, also shares the problems his branch encountered and the things that need to be improved this academic year.
“The main problems we faced last year were leftovers from the previous administration (academic year 2011-2012) while getting the recognition of the branch from the student body. The standing problems mainly laid in the structure of the branch [ever since its first formation], and this [problem] went on for the first three years of its existence. When it was my turn, at the behest of the department, my fellow magistrates and I decided to reorganize the branch.”
Although the operation of the branch has smoothened since its organizational restructure, still, he believes many improvements should be made.
Asked what the current roster of magistrates and the Chief Magistrate should focus on, Adriano says, “I would have to say, the leftovers of my administration: mainly the office of the Student Advisers, which aims to help students in Student Discipline and Formation Office (SDFO) and grievance cases, as well as the office of the Ombudsman.”
The magistrate roster
The Ombudsman is tasked to investigate and gather evidences that are to be submitted to the panels, and the magistrates, along with Chief Magistrate, are tasked are tasked to reach the verdict for a case, whose votes represent each of the colleges they represent. Currently, all the magistrates are complete except for the College of Education (CED).
For STC magistrates, the branch is still in preparation, as the application for the magistrate should come from STC students themselves, before they go through Magistrate Training Program (MTP), after which the applicants will be screened. According to Serrano, the introduction of the branch should be prioritized prior to having the magistrate.
Regarding the vacancy of CED magistrate, Serrano explains, “Unfortunately, during the recruitment process and the training process, we weren’t lucky to have an applicant from CED, so the position is vacant until now.” Since the seat of the CED magistrate is vacant, the Chief Magistrate is required to handle the cases regarding CED.
The branch is still trying to fill the magistrate position for CED, as having a full roster of magistrates is crucial for judging a case impartially. Quorum should be reached for the verdict to be validated with no less than two-thirds vote of the members present, each vote coming from the magistrates for each college. More votes of magistrates ensure the verdict to be more accurate and impartial.
Currently, magistrates in position are Mark Wong of Ramon V. del Rosario-College of Business (RVR-COB), Marc Englis of College of Computer Studies (CCS), Sermae Pascual of School of Economics (SOE), Lyssa Placido of College of Science (COS), Sheena Better of Gokongwei College of Engineering (GCOE), and the Chief Magistrate Rem Serrano representing College of Liberal Arts (CLA).