September 25, 2017

MR. BRAGGY BRAGANZA

Vice President for Student Life
Southwestern University
Cebu City

Through: MR. RANDYL KUNDIMAN

Student Life Coordinator
Southwestern university

Dear MR. BRAGANZA:

Greetings from SOUTHWESTERNERS!

As student leaders in this academic community, we are morally obliged

to look after the welfare of our constituents and status of any entity under
the umbrella organization of the Supreme Student Government. It is in the
principle of humility, militancy, and responsiveness that this school has
taught us over these years. It is also from the same moral fibers that this
academe has molded us to become responsible students and citizens as well.

Let it be known to all that the stand of the Supreme Student

Government composed of League of Governors and House of
Representatives regarding the CURRENT situation of our School publication
is anchored in the best interest of justice, unity and responsibility.

The Campus Journalism Act, recognizes that “a student publication is

published by the student body through an editorial board and publication staff
composed of students selected by fair and competitive examinations (Sec. 4,
Student Publication).” It adds, “Once the publication is established, its editorial
board shall freely determine its editorial policies and manage the publication’s funds
(Sec. 4).”

By the provision of the law abovementioned, the school publication is

autonomous. However, its autonomy is limited purely to editorial policies and self
management of funds. Therefore, a student publication is not free or exempt from
any lawful intervention as provided by RA 7079 or known as Campus Journalism Act

It is crystal clear that no provision of the law prohibits Student Body

particularly Supreme Student Government to intervene under exceptional
circumstance. Prohibition to release funds and/or abolition of its existence does not
violate its autonomy because its autonomy is limited to internal affairs.”

Sec. 4. Once the publication is established, its editorial board shall freely determine its editorial
policies and manage the publication’s funds (Sec. 4).”

The issue of non-releasal of funds due to alleged incompetency of writers

does not violate Sec. 4. Management of publication funds under such law means,
the funds are already in their control in compliance with Sec. 4 p. 3. To withhold
publication fund with legal grounds is not within the coverage of Sec. 4. (Please find
herein attached hard copy of the law).
The non- compliance of university under RA 7079, sec. 4 p. 3 was affirmed and
concurred by the Supreme Student Government way back 2012 due to alleged
misappropriation of funds by the editorial board.

A careful review of RA 7079:

Section 5. Funding of Student Publication. – Funding for the student

publication may include the savings of the respective school's
appropriations, student subscriptions, donations, and other
sources of funds.

The use of the word “may” makes budget appropriation for student
publications optional. Since “The Quill ’ is under the umbrella organization of the
Supreme Student Government in the exercise of power of control may legally
deprived financial support to student publication.

Be it noted, the existence of the Student publication is not presumed. There must
be an act from the Supreme Student Government whether or not school publication
be established under Sec. 4. Furthermore, CHED Memorandum Order series of 2013
on Student Publication existence is not mandatory but purely recommendatory in
nature. Provided furthermore, CMO is not a self- executing order to college and
universities. Therefore, its existence is optional and plays within the discretionary
power of the student body.

The SUPREME STUDENT GOVERNMENT composed of the League of

Governors and House of Representatives have decided unanimously to establish a
new publication in compliance with RA 7079, sec. 4 with new Editor in Chief and
writers effective 2nd semester 2017.

Rest assured that we uphold accountability and transparency

Thank you for your concern for the students.

For the SWU Students, WE REMAIN!

Yours in Christ,

Danny Toralba Jr.

SSG Vice president

Joseph Christian Hornido

SSG President

Cris Jim Bertonia

SSG Secretary