This document outlines the constitution and by-laws of The Watch Guild, the student publication of the Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of Technology (PECIT). It establishes the name, objectives, leadership structure and duties of the publication. Key points: - The Watch Guild aims to promote responsible journalism and strengthen ethical values on campus. - Leadership includes an Editor-in-Chief chosen through a competitive exam administered by a Selection Board. Other roles include Associate Editors, Managing Editor, and section editors. - The Editor-in-Chief oversees the editorial board and staff, and is responsible for the content and production of each issue. Other roles have specific duties related to their sections like news, sports, and

1. THE WATCH GUILD PUBLICATION
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS
PREAMBLE
We, the campus journalists of Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of
Technology, imploring the aid of the Almighty God, in order to promote the development and
growth of responsible journalism as a means of strengthening ethical values, encouraging critical
and creative thinking, and developing moral character and personal discipline, do hereby ordain
and promulgate this Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE I
NAME, SCOPE, TAGLINE, SEAL AND DOMICILE
Section 1. The official student publication of Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute
of Technology shall be known as THE WATCHGUILD
Section 2. The Watchguild shall serve primarily as a publication for and by the students and shall
reflect character of Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of Technology, along with
its constituent units.
Section 3. The Watch Guild office shall be located inside of the premises of the school.
Section 4. The Watch Guild tagline shall be “Information and Truth”.
Section 5. The official logo of the Watch Guild shall consist of the following:
a) The five colored persons (red, orange, yellow, green and purple) symbolizes
courage, nobility of writing profession, enthusiasm, stability and wisdom in the
field of journalism;
b) A person with the magnifying glass while reading a book symbolizes the attention
to details and truthfulness;
c) The black belt that surrounds the five colored persons symbolizes strength and
authority.
d) The name “The Watch Guild” represents visual identity;
e) The year 2014 represents the year where the publication established.
Section 6. The Watch Guild shall hold business and editorial offices at OB 201, Main Building,
Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of Technology, Capitol-Bonbon Rd., Imadejas
Subd., Butuan City, Philippines.
Section 7. The following are terms and acronyms used in this Constitution and By-Laws in their
operational meaning:
a) PECIT shall refer to Philippine Electronics and Communication Institute of
Technology;
b) OSAS shall refer to the Office of Student Affairs and Services;
c) Editorial Year shall coincide with the academic of the PECIT;
d) Editorial Term shall refer to the period of appointment of the Editorial Board;
e) EB shall refer to the Editorial Board, the publication’s highest governing and
supreme policy making body;

2. f) Laws shall refer to the Article III of the Bill of Rights of the 1987 Philippine
Constitution; the Campus Journalism Act of 1991 or R.A. 7079; and other related
laws;
g) The Public shall refer to the general population of PECIT, including the
Administration and to the general public outside PECIT.
ARTICLE II
OBJECTIVES
Section 1. The Watch Guild shall pursue the following objectives:
a) Uphold the ethics of journalism;
b) Inform the Public with news of relevance and interest;
c) Defend and advance students’ and peoples’ rights and welfare;
d) Serve as a venue for campus opinion and in maintaining an atmosphere of free
and responsible discussion and of intellectual exploration;
e) Provide an outlet for student’s suggestion for the betterment of the campus.
f) Develop student’s powers of observation and discrimination concerning relative
merits of news articles;
g) Provide an opportunity for journalistic and creative writing;
ARTICLE III
THE SELECTION BOARD
Section 1. The Editor-in-Chief shall be chosen by a Selection Board in the manner prescribed in
these Rules.
Section 2. The Selection Board shall be composed of the Publication Adviser, League of Campus
Organization Adviser, two members of the faculty (1 from college and 1 from basic education)
and two former Editorial Board members of The Watch Guild.
Section 3. The Selection Board shall be appointed by the Head for Student Affairs and Services,
based on the recommendation of the incumbent Editorial Board and the Head for Student Affairs
and Services.
Section 4. The Selection Board shall choose from among themselves a Chairperson to head the
Selection Board.
Section 5. The Selection Board shall have the following functions:
a) Choose the Editor-in-Chief in the manner prescribed in these Rules;
b) Investigate and decide all protests relating to the selection of the Editor-in- Chief;
c) Recommend to the Head for Student Affairs and Services the appointment of an
interim Editor-in-Chief as defined in these Rules, when the need arises; and
d) Investigate and decide all matters relating to the impeachment of the Editor- in-
Chief.
Section 6. The Selection Board shall serve for the duration of the selection process and shall
convene during special circumstances (i.e., impeachment of the Editor-in-Chief) as prescribed in
these Rules.

3. Section 7. Each member of the Selection Board shall be paid honorarium at the end of the
selection process, at rates fixed by the Editorial Board in accordance with the approved budget
of The Watch Guild.
ARTICLE IV
SELECTION OF THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Section 1: To be able to participate in the competitive editorial examination, the applicant must:
a) A bona fide student of PECIT enrolled in any Bachelor degree for the semestral
term and have completed at least one year of residency;
b) Have a minimum of at least twelve (12) academic units and a general average of
82% with no failing grade on his/her previously completed semester;
c) Be of good moral character as certified by the guidance counselor.
d) Have at least one (1) year residency in the Watch Guild.
Questions on the eligibility of the applicant shall be filed with the Selection Board a week before
the date of the editorial examination. The applicant concerned shall be given the opportunity to
express his/her side on the matter. The Selection Board shall resolve the case within the week
before the scheduled date of the editorial examination and its decision, pursuant to these Rules,
shall be final.
Section 2: The editorial examination shall be held two weeks after the first day of the summer
classes. The Selection Board shall convene a month before the scheduled date of the editorial
examination to deliberate on the rules and regulations governing the selection process.
Application to participate shall be filed with the Selection Board not later than two weeks before
the scheduled date of the editorial examination. The list of qualified applicants shall be released
to all colleges and departments and shall be posted in conspicuous places and shall likewise be
publicized as the Selection Board shall deem appropriate. The examination questions shall be
formulated by the Selection Board a day before the scheduled date of the editorial examination
and shall be kept confidential until the start of the examination.
Section 3. The Selection Board shall decide the manner of editorial examination, time and place.
The editorial examination shall be given in the following fields:
a) editorial writing, which shall comprise - 50%
b) news writing, which shall comprise - 20%
c) features writing, which shall comprise - 20%
d) lay-out and copy editing, which shall comprise - 10%.
Section 4. Immediately after the editorial examination, the Selection Board shall hold a closed-
door session to evaluate the examination papers, and then proceed to compute the individual
examinees’ aggregate scores pursuant to Article IV, Section 3 of these Rules. The examinee with
the highest aggregate score shall be nominated by the Selection Board for appointment as Editor-
in-Chief.
In case of a tie for the first place, the Selection Board shall conduct an interview with the first-
place applicants and shall hold secret balloting. In case of another deadlock, the Chairperson of
the Selection Board shall break the tie.

4. Section 5. The Head for Student Affairs and Services shall appoint as Editor-in-Chief that applicant
chosen by the Selection Board.
In the event that the duly appointed Editor-in-Chief shall fail or not be able to assume office, the
Selection Board shall nominate, and the Head for Student Affairs and Services appoints the
applicant with the next highest aggregate score in the examination to serve as Editor-in-Chief. In
case of inability, disqualification or impeachment of the duly appointed Editor-in-Chief to
continue in office, the editors and staff shall elect from among the Editorial Board a new Editor
in-Chief. In turn, the rest of the Editorial Board shall nominate, and Head for Student Affairs and
Services appoints the editor chosen to serve as Editor-in-Chief for the unexpired portion of the
term.
ARTICLE V
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
Section 1. Members of the Editorial Board shall be duly appointed by the Editor-in-Chief.
Section 2. Members of the Editorial Board, other than the Editor-in-Chief, must:
a) a bona fide student enrolled in PECIT in the semester immediately prior to and
during his/her appointment;
b) have at least one semester/quarter residency in The Watch Guild.
Section 3. The Editorial Board shall be composed of the Editor-in-Chief, the Associate Editors
(internal and external), the Managing Editor, the News Editor, the Sports Editor, the Features
Editor, Culture and Literary Editor, the Graphic Editor, the Lay-out Artist/s, the Photojournalist/s,
the Cartoonist/s, and the Reporter/s.
Section 4: Vacant position shall be filled in by the editorial board from qualified nominees
submitted by the members and chosen by a two-third vote.
Section 5: Members of the EB are responsible for the content of the newspaper. They shall see
that no material published is unlawful or that intentionally supports a substantial disruption of
school activities without an ethical journalistic explanation.
Section 6: Editorial Board shall discharge the following duties and functions:
a) Set the editorial policies for the editorial term;
b) Prepare and propose the budget for each semester/term;
c) Deliberate on the promotion, demotion and honoraria per issue of the staff
subject to the ceiling set in the approved budget of The Watch Guild;
d) Make the consensus stand on issues, upon consultation with the staff, which shall
be reflected in the editorial of each issue for The Watch Guild.
ARTICLE VI
STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Section 1. The Editor-In-Chief, otherwise known as the EIC:
a) Shall sit as chairperson of the EB and shall preside over its meetings;
b) Shall supervise the EB and staff of The Watch Guild;

5. c) Shall have the authority to select and appoint his/her section editors;
d) Shall edit and proofread all articles in consultation with the EB and staff for the
final editing and proofreading;
e) Shall act as the official spokesperson of The Watch Guild;
f) Shall call meetings of the EB and staff members in consultation with the adviser.
g) Shall approve the contents of every issue in collaboration with the EB and after
consultation with the adviser;
h) Shall approve all plans, activities and projects of The Watch Guild after due
consultation with the EB before these are implemented;
i) Shall supervises the preparation of the layout of the paper and paging of the same
in cooperation with the managing editor;
j) Shall have the authority to appoint the Internal Auditor of The Watch Guild among
the members of the EB except the Managing Editor;
k) Shall be allowed to write in every issue of The Watch Guild;
l) Shall call the attention of the section editors and staff members with regards to
oversight in editing, inability to meet deadlines and newsrooms and editorial
policies that have been neglected;
m) Shall be one of the signatories with regards to the signing of checks and payment
of financial obligations of The Watch Guild;
n) Shall sign pertinent papers, documents, resolution and certifications regarding the
operations of The Watch Guild;
o) Shall chair the Screening Committee regarding the selection and appointment of
new staff members;
p) Shall submit an operations recap at the end of the editorial year to the members
of The Watch Guild and to the OSAS; and
q) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild.
Section 2. The Associate Editor:
a) Shall assume powers, duties and responsibilities in absence of the Editor-in-Chief,
thereby acting as the Officer-in-Charge;
b) Shall edit articles in cooperation with the Editor-in-Chief;
c) Shall be allowed to write articles in every issue of The Watch Guild;
d) Shall prepares assignments of section editors in consultation with the Editor-in-
Chief.
e) Shall cooperates in the preparation of the layout of the paper and paging of the
same with the editor-in-chief and Managing Editor.
f) Shall monitor the performances of the EB and staff and suggest appropriate
sanctions in coordination with the EB;
g) Shall assist the Editor-in-Chief in all matters concerning the internal and external
operations of The Watch Guild;
h) Shall be one of the members of the Screening Committee regarding the selection
of new staff members;
i) Shall serve as The Watch Guild’s official Liaison Officer with other institutions,
organizations and alliances; and
j) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild.

6. Section 3. The Managing Editor:
a) Shall be the financial and budget officer of The Watch Guild;
b) Shall prepare the budget of The Watch Guild on a semestral basis in consultation
with the EB
c) Shall prepare reports on The Watch Guild’s fund balance from the previous year
and the publication fees of students as verified by the Accounting Office;
d) Shall prepare pertinent papers, documents, resolutions and certifications
regarding the operations of The Watch Guild;
e) Shall submit a semestral financial report of The Watch Guild funds to the EB;
f) Shall be responsible for all financial aspects of the publication;
g) Shall coordinate with the EB on all financial matters;
h) Shall supervise the canvassing and follow-up the bidding for printing of issues and
purchase of office materials and equipment pertinent to the operations of The
Watch Guild and other related activities;
i) Shall prepare a financial statement at the end of every semester to be published
on The Watch Guild’s first issue of the succeeding semester;
j) Shall be one of the signatories with regards to the signing of checks and payment
of financial obligations of The Watch Guild;
k) Shall be allowed to write articles in every issue of The Watch Guild;
l) Shall be one of the members of the Screening Committee regarding the selection
of new staff members;
m) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild; and
n) Shall have the authority to select, upon the concurrence of the EB, the Assistant
Managing Editor among the staff members who:
1. Shall assist the Managing Editor in all managerial aspects of The Watch
Guild;
2. Shall represent the Managing Editor in his/her absence;
3. Shall be the Property Custodian of The Watch Guild equipment, items,
gadgets, office supplies, and all other effects and shall make an inventory
of these at the end of the editorial year;
4. Shall take-charge of the circulation of The Watch Guild and other
important letters and documents in and out of the school; and
5. Shall be allowed to write articles in every issue of The Watch Guild.
Section 4: The News Editor:
a) Shall assign reporters to cover events relevant to the school activities;
b) Shall write straight news articles on assignment from the Editor-in-Chief or
through his own initiative in consultation with the latter.
c) Shall edit all straight news articles received preparatory to submission of the
same to editor-in-chief.
d) Shall monitor the development of articles in every issue of The Watch Guild;
e) Shall be allowed to write articles in every issue of The Watch Guild; and
f) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild.

7. Section 5. The Sports Editor:
a) Shall assign reporters to conduct interviews and surveys (if needed) and cover
events of relevant issues and activities, and edit articles written about it;
b) Shall monitor the development of articles in his/her section;
c) Shall be allowed to write articles in every issue of The Watch Guild; and
d) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild.
Section 6. The Features Editor:
a) Shall assign correspondents to conduct interviews and surveys (if needed) and
cover events of relevant issues and activities, and edit articles written about it
b) Shall monitor the development of articles in his/her section;
c) Shall be allowed to write articles in every issue of The Watch Guild; and
d) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild.
Section 7. The Culture and Literary Editor:
a) Shall assign correspondents to conduct interviews and surveys (if needed) and
cover events of relevant issues and activities, and edit articles written about it;
b) Shall monitor the development of articles in his/her section;
c) Shall be allowed to write articles in every issue of The Watch Guild;
d) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild; and
e) Shall take charge of the literary and arts folio of The Watch Guild in consultation
with the EB.
Section 8. The Graphic Editor:
a) Shall coordinate with the sections editors and cartoonists regarding illustrations
needed for the articles in each issue;
b) Shall take charge of the visual announcements needed by The Watch Guild;
c) Shall have a section of graphic illustrations depending on the need of the
publication; and
d) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild.
Section 9. The Layout Artist:
a) Shall take-charge of the layout of the publications in consultation with the
section editors for each article; and
b) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild.
Section 10. The Photojournalist:
a) Shall be the official photographer of the publication;
b) Shall take charge of the pictures needed by the publication in each issue; and
c) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild.
Section 11. The Cartoonist:
a) The Watch Guild’s cartoonists shall not exceed a maximum number of three (4);
b) Shall make illustrations, drawing and other artworks needed by the publication
in each issue;

8. c) Shall make cartoon or comic strips depending on the need of the publication;
and
d) Must be present in every editorial and staff meeting of The Watch Guild.
Section 12. The Reporters:
a) Shall secure the cold facts of an assigned event and write an article out of the
same.
b) Receive assignments from the Section Editors and EB and accomplishes the same
properly and on time.
ARTICLE VII
RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF THE EDITORS AND STAFF
Section 1. The editors and staff shall have the following rights and privileges:
a) The Editor-in-Chief shall be entitled to receive a full scholarship grant from the
institution under the Student Journalism Scholarship Program, upon the approval
of the President.
b) Have due process when disciplinary actions are being imposed;
c) Participate in all the activities of The Watch Guild and be informed fully of the
reasons for policies, programs, projects and actions as may be adopted by The
Watch Guild;
d) Hone and develop his/her journalistic and literary skills;
e) Participate in discussions and debates, and to have any dissenting opinion and the
reasons thereof be recorded;
f) Have access to the facilities and equipment of PECIT in the course of his/her
exercise of duties and responsibilities as member of The Watch Guild;
g) Avail the services and/or assistance as may be rendered by The Watch Guild; and
h) Enjoy such other rights and privileges that The Watch Guild may grant, provided,
however, that such rights and privileges shall not in any way contravene with any
provision of The Watch Guild 's Constitution and By-laws.
Section 2. The editors and staff shall be paid honoraria at rates fixed by the Editorial Board in
accordance with the approved budget of The Watch Guild for the semester or summer.
ARTICLE VIII
MEETINGS
Section 1. General and/or Special meetings will be held upon the call of the Editor-in-Chief in
which he/she will be the presiding officer.
Section 2. A secretary, who will be appointed by the Editor-in-Chief, shall notify the members
regarding the meeting and shall ensure to furnish a copy of the proceedings to the members
present at least a day after the meeting.
Section 3. Every decision agreed upon by the majority of the members present at the meeting
shall be considered valid.

9. ARTICLE IX
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
Section 1. The staff shall be subject to the disciplinary authority of the Editorial Board regarding
the conduct and performance in the discharge of their duties and responsibilities as provided for
under Article VIII, Section 1 hereof.
The Editorial Board shall have the power and authority to impose, after due process, such
penalties as reprimand, withholding of honoraria, demotion, suspension from the office or
termination of appointment, depending on the gravity of the offense committed.
Section 2. If at any time an authorized staffer becomes dissatisfied with the conduct of any
member of the Editorial Board, he/she may initiate a disciplinary action. The authorized staff, in
the exercise of managerial responsibility mandated by the editorial board, has the authority to
issue reprimands in the form of warnings, suspensions, or expulsions to staffers whose conduct
is in conflict with the objectives of student publication. In all cases, the questionable action of a
staffer should be measured against performance of job-related duties, and not on the basis of
personalities.
1. Warning Notice. A written document from the authorized staff notifies the staffer of
the job-related infractions, and lists resulting consequences for additional infractions.
The following infractions may result in a formal writing notice:
i. Failure to meet an established deadline
ii. Failure to attend mandatory staff meeting without valid and written excuse
2. Notice of suspension. The staffer involved and the Editor-in-Chief or editorial boards
are encouraged to meet and to discuss the reasons before the suspension is
implemented. Then, a written document from the authorized staff usually issued only
after three written warnings have been issued, notifies the staffer of suspension from
the staff for a specific period of time. During this time, the staffer will not be awarded
any assignments, nor will the staffer’s name be listed on the masthead of the next
issue. Once a suspension has been lifted, the staffer may again resume normal staff
duties.
3. Expulsion from the staff. A written document from the authorized staff, issued as last
resort only after the staffer has been given written warnings and suspension(s)
notices, terminates a staff member from affiliation with the newspaper. He/she may
no longer apply for a position in the Watch Guild.
4. Extraordinary suspension. In a few, exceptional cases, the Editor-in-Chief have the
authority to suspend a staff member without issuing a formal warning. These
instances include, but are not limited to, the following infractions:
i. Plagiarism
ii. Maliciously falsifying a news report
iii. Maliciously misrepresenting the newspaper
iv. Theft of newspaper property
v. Malicious destruction of newspaper property
vi. Acceptance of money or other special considerations in exchange for
favorable news coverage or a promise of news coverage
Section 3. If the violation of any of the foregoing is committed by any member of the Editorial
Board, other than the Editor-in-Chief, the rest of the Editorial Board shall decide on the
penalty/ies to be imposed.

10. Section 4. If the violation is committed by the Editor-in-Chief, the rest of the Editorial Board shall
recommend to the Head of Student Affairs and Services the penalty/ies to be imposed.
Section 5. Any misconduct or violation of these by-laws committed by any of the editors and/or
staff shall be the sole and individual responsibility of the concerned student/s and the same shall
not cause curtailment or interruption of the publication of The Watch Guild.
ARTICLE X
TENURE
Section 1. An editor or staff member shall maintain his/her status as a student in order for his/her
membership to be retained in the publication.
Section 2. The new EB and Staff members shall assume office during the start of classes in the
month on June or August, coinciding with the start of the incoming academic year.
Section 3. If an editor or a staff member absents him/herself without official leave for one (1)
issue, he/she shall be terminated after due process. After which, the EB shall conduct screening
process to look for a replacement from among the members of the EB and Staff.
a) A former editor unless resigned or terminated, may be readmitted upon the
discretion of the EB, after consultation with the staff but only as a member of the
staff thereof;
b) A former staff member unless resigned or terminated, may be readmitted into the
staff upon the discretion of the EB, after consultation with the staff.
Section 4. A section editor may retain his/her position provided that he/she continues to enjoy
the confidence of the members of the EB and Staff.
Section 5. Any member of The Watch Guild desiring to run for an elective post in the Student
Government Body shall tender his/her leave of absence at least one (1) week prior to the filing
of his/her candidacy. The said editor or staff member shall be forced to resign in the event he/she
was elected upon assumption of office in order to preserve the integrity of the publication.
ARTICLE XI
IMPEACHMENT
Section 1. Petition for impeachment of any member of the Editorial Board may be initiated by
any editor or staff but shall only prosper upon agreement of at least two-thirds of the editors and
staff.
Section 2. Impeachment of any of the members of the Editorial Board shall be based on the
following grounds:
a) Culpable violation of The Watch Guild's Constitution and By-laws;
b) Gross negligence of duties and responsibilities; and/or
c) Other acts inimical to the objectives of The Watch Guild.
Section 3. Petitions for the impeachment of a member of the Editorial Board, other than the
Editor-in-Chief, shall be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief, who shall in turn, convene the other
members of the Editorial Board to investigate and decide on the matter.

11. Petitions for the impeachment of a member of the Editorial Board, other than the Editor-in-Chief,
shall be submitted to the Editor-in-Chief, who shall in turn, convene the other members of the
Editorial Board to investigate and decide on the matter petition for impeachment, the Director
of Student Affairs shall find a replacement. The Editor-in-Chief concerned shall be given the
opportunity to express his/her side on the matter. The Selection Board shall recommend to the
Chancellor the appropriate action to be taken which shall be appealable only once.
ARTICLE XII
TRANSITORY
Section 1. The incumbent Editorial Board shall serve in a hold over capacity until the next Editorial
Board has assumed office.
Section 2. No member of The Watch Guild shall hold any position of similar nature in any college
publication.
Section 3. Any member of The Watch Guild who desires to run for an elective post in a College
Student Council shall tender his/her resignation at least one week prior to the filing of his/her
candidacy.
ARTICLE XIII
AMENDMENTS AND EFFECTIVITY CLAUSE
Section 1. This Constitution and By-laws may be amended in whole or in part by a petition of at
least two-thirds of editors and staff. However, this Constitution and By-laws shall not be
amended more than two times in ten years.
Section 2. This Constitution and By-laws shall take effect upon the approval of the Head of
Student Affairs as per recommendation by the Publication Adviser and endorsed by the Editorial
Board.