Page 81 - Student Handbook

2. The date set for the initial hearing shall not be less than five (5) days, nor more than ten
(10) days from receipt of the “Notice of Hearing” by the parties.

3. Continuance or subsequent hearings shall be set by the Disciplining Authority upon the
termination of each hearing, which shall be acknowledged by the signature of the
parties and/or their respective counsel or representatives.

4. A “Notice of Hearing”, and other pleadings served on a counsel of other representative
of record in the case shall be sufficient notice to the parties concerned.

Section 12. Hearing

a. The initial hearing shall commence on the date, time and place stated in the “Notice of
Hearing”. Only one “Motion for Postponement” shall be entertained in any hearing if it is for
good and sufficient cause.

b. Failure of any party to attend two (2) consecutive hearings where notice was properly
received shall be construed as a waiver of the right of said party to attend the said hearing
and shall prevent the Disciplining Authority from continuing with the hearing of the case.

c. Hearing:

1. At the start of the hearing, the entire complaint will be read to the student/s charged.
Each one of them will be asked if they wish to be represented by counsel or
representative, who need not be a lawyer or a member of the Philippine Bar, or they
elect to personally undertake their defense by themselves. The choice made by the
student/s charged shall be recorded, together with the name/s and address/es of the
counsel or representative named.

2. Where the student/s charged do not admit the allegations in the complaint, the
Disciplining Authority shall set the case for hearing for three (3) consecutive school days
which shall not be earlier than five (5) days from the date of the initial hearing nor more
than ten (10) days thereafter.

3. The Disciplining Authority shall endeavor to complete the hearings within a period of
three (3) consecutive school days.

Section 13. Order of Hearing

a. The complainant shall first documentary evidence and/or the testimony of witnesses to
establish the allegations in the complaint. After said party has completed the presentation
of the evidence, the case of the complaint shall be deemed submitted for resolution.

b. The student/s charged shall then proceed to submit documents and/or witnesses in their
defense. After said party has completed the presentation of evidence, the case for the
defense shall be deemed submitted for resolution.