PREAMBLE
In the firm belief that the promotion of the general welfare of the country and the delivery of basic services to the remotest barangays could be best achieved by and through a genuine, effective and productive local autonomy, and binding ourselves with the blessing and guidance of the Almighty Father to form a league of councilors that shall strengthen and embody the above ideals, do hereby ordain and promulgate this Constitution and By-Laws.
ARTICLE I
NAME OF THE ASSOCIATION
Section 1. The official name of the Association shall be “PHILIPPINE COUNCILORS LEAGUE, INC.” PCL for brevity. (a/2007)
ARTICLE II
BASIC PRINCIPLES
Section 1. In the realization of its objectives, the members of the PCL shall commit themselves to:
ARTICLE III
OFFICIAL SEAL, CREED and HYMN OF THE PCL
Section 1. The official seal or logo of the PCL shall be colored red, white and blue.
Section 2. The seal or logo shall reflect the Philippine Archipelago encircled by a blue line with the words “PHILIPPINE COUNCILORS LEAGUE” boldly written on top from left to right in red ink and at the bottom the numbers “1990” shall also be boldly written in red, which represents the year when the PCL was founded. The said figures shall again be encircled by another blue line.
The red bold letters “P”, “C”, and “L” shall be printed over and across the Philippine Archipelago figure at the center and within the inner circle.
A blue-colored ribbon-like figure with folded ends shall be drawn below the outer circle bearing the red bold words “PUBLIC SERVICE ABOVE SELF”, which represents the motto of the PCL. (a/2007)
Section 3. The official PCL creed shall be the councilor’ creed which shall be as follows:
I am a Philippine Councilor mandated by law to enact measures and ordinances that redound to the general welfare of my constituents in their pursuit for happiness, peace and prosperity. I believe in Public Service Above Self as the guiding principle of my official act. And, as I tread the pathways of local legislation may the Almighty guide my mind and heart that I shall be true to my constituents and the Filipino people.
Section 4. The official hymn of the PCL shall be the Liga Ng MgaKonsehalngPilipinasLigangPagkakaisa with the following lyrics:
Sa puso ng bawat konsehal
Karangalan ang maglingkod sa Bayan
Sa isip ng bawat konsehal
Kagitingan ang gumawa ng kabutihan
Sa diwang bawat konsehal
Paggalang sakarapatan ng mga mamamayan
Alin sunod sa Saligang Batas
At kapakanan ng buong Sambayanan
CHORUS:
Ang Ligang mga Konsehal ng Pilipinas
Liga sa pagsulong ng kaunlaran
Kasama’t katuwang ng pamahalaan
Taglay ang pagmamahal sa Inang Bayan
Ang Liga ng mga Konsehal ng Pilipinas
Liga ng pagkakaisa
Kabalikat sa pagtataguyod ng isang
matatag na Republika
II
Sa puso ng bawat konsehal
Nananaig ang alab ng bayanihan
Sa isip ng bawat konsehal
Pag-iibayong galing at kasipagan
Sa diwa ng bawat konsehal
Paniniwala sa demokratikong paraan
Alin sunod samithiing maka-Diyos
Maka-tao at maka-kalikasan
Repeat Chorus…
Ang Liga ng mgaKonsehal ng Pilipinas (3x)
Mabuhay ang PCL
Section 5. The official seal, creed and hymn of the PCL shall only be used for official purposes, otherwise it shall require the prior approval of the National Board.
Section 6. The official seal, creed and hymn of the PCL shall always be used in all conventions, congresses and meetings.
ARTICLE IV
OBJECTIVES OF THE LEAGUE
Section 1. The objectives of the league shall be:
1. To establish a nationwide forum:
2. To bring the Government closer to the people.
3. To strengthen the rapport, camaraderie and brotherhood among the members of the League.
4. To formulate, implement and coordinate programs, projects and activities beneficial to the members of the League and/or the general welfare of the people;
5. To promote the development of cooperatives throughout the country to uplift the socio-economic condition of the people;
6. To set up a foundation for the benefit of the members;
7. To undertake fund raising projects and activities to support the PCL’s program and objectives.
ARTICLE V
MEMBERSHIP IN THE LEAGUE
Section 1. All elected, appointed and ex-officio members of local legislative councils, in cities and municipalities shall automatically become members of the League, subject to the provisions of Article VI.
Section 2. The members of this League shall be:
Section 3. Councilors who are ex-officio members of their respective local legislative councils shall be entitled to vote but cannot be voted upon to any position in the PCL.
Section 4. Membership in the League shall be terminated by death, resignation, abandonment, disqualification, or removal on the following grounds:
Culpable violation of the PCL Constitution & By-Laws, and
Commission of acts or omissions inimical to the interest of the PCL.
ARTICLE VI
RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF MEMBERS
Section 1. Members of good standing shall have the following rights and privileges:
Section 2. A member of good standing shall mean those who have fully paid their membership fees and term dues and who has not violated Article V, Section 4 letters (a) and (b) and Article VI Section 3 letter (e)
Section 3. Each member shall have the following duties and obligation:
Section 4. Unless otherwise increased or decreased pursuant to a resolution by the National Board, the dues/fees to be paid by each member shall be:
Section 5. The foregoing membership fee and term dues may be increased upon recommendation of the National Executive Officers (NEO) and approved by the National Board (NB) provided such increase does not exceed twenty percent (20%) of the current rates and provided further that increases beyond 20% shall require the ratification of the General Assembly.
Section 6.The fees/dues as stated in the preceding section for each member shall be chargeable to his/her respective local government unit pursuant to the appropriate DILGMemorandum Circulars and issuances.
Section 7.Two Hundred Pesos (P200.00) shall automatically be deducted from the P5,200.00 term dues which shall be placed in a trust fund for calamity assistance benefits. After which, a minimum ofThirty (30%) percent of the remainder ofthe term due payments allocated to the National Office and collected during the particular term shall be placed in a trust fund for medical and death benefits. (a/2016)
The National Board, upon the recommendation of the National Executive Officers may appropriate additional amount for said benefits. (a/2007)
ARTICLE VII
THE LEAGUE GOVERNMENT
Section 1. The structure and hierarchy of the government of the League shall be as follows
ARTICLE VIII
THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
Section 1. The National Assembly shall be composed of all councilors from the different municipalities and cities throughout the country.
Section 2. The functions of the National Assembly shall be as follows:
Section 3. The National Assembly shall be convened twice a term unless a special call is made by the National Board for the convening of the national assembly.
ARTICLE IX
THE NATIONAL BOARD
Section 1. The National Board shall be composed of the following officers;
The National Chairperson and National Vice-Chairperson shall be elected at large. The Vice-Chairperson of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, shall be elected
by their respective jurisdiction. The aforementioned officers shall hold office as such until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified.
The National Board shall have a Board Secretary to be appointed by the National Chairperson who shall not come from the NB or NEO and who shall act and function as recording secretary.
In the event a Regional Council Chairperson may not be able to attend a Board meeting, he/she may appoint/designate in writing or by any other practical means a representative from among the Regional Council Officers, strictly observing the line of succession.
Section 2. In the event of any vacancy in the National Board, such vacancy shall be filled up strictly observing the line of succession and by appointment if succession is not practicable provided they can muster a quorum.
Should the National Board cannot constitute a quorum, the National President shall fill-up the vacancy in order to constitute a quorum.
Section 3. The powers and functions of the National Board shall be as follows:
Section 4. The powers and functions of the National Chairperson shall be as follows:
Section 5. The powers and functions of the National Vice-Chairperson shall be as follows.
Section 6. The powers and functions of the respective Vice-Chairperson for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, shall be as follows:
Section 7. The functions of the Regional Council Chairpersons are:
ARTICLE X
THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Section 1. The National Executive Officers of the League shall be the following:
Section 2. The National Executive Officers shall attend to the administration of the day-to-day activities of the League in accordance with the policies approved by the National Board.
ARTICLE XI
FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Section 1. The following executive powers shall be exercised by the National President:
Section 2. The functions of the National Executive Vice-President shall be as follows:
Section 3. The powers and functions of the National Secretary General shall be as follows:
Section 4. The functions of the Vice-Presidents for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, shall be:
Section 5. The powers and functions of the National Treasurer are:
Section 6. The powers and functions of the National Auditor are:
Section 7. The powers and functions of the National P.R.O. are:
Section 8. The powers and functions of the National Liaison Officer are:
Section 9. All duties, responsibilities and functions provided for under the Local Government Code of 1991 and other pertinent laws shall be deemed incorporated herein.
ARTICLE XII
ADVISERS
Section 1. The immediate past National Chairman and National President shall serve as the advisers of the PCL whose term shall be co-terminus with the elected incumbent officers, and be part of the Management Committee.
ARTICLE XIII
THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
Section 1. There shall be a Management Committee which shall act on extremely urgent cases when the National Board or the National Executive Office cannot act within a reasonable time to protect the interest of the league whose actions shall be subject to the ratification of the National Board.
Section 2. The Management Committee shall be co-chaired by the National Chairperson and the National President with the following members:
The Immediate Past National Chairman, Immediate Past National President, General Legal Counsel and Executive Director shall have no voting rights.
ARTICLE XIV
THEISLANDOFFICERS
Section 1. There shall be an Island Board of Trustees for the Islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao composed of the following:
The functions of the foregoing officers are enumerated on Article IX, Sections 6 and 7.
Section 2. The Island Board of Trustees shall exercise policy-formulating powers within its jurisdiction in accordance with this Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 3. There shall be Island Executive Officers for the Islands of Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao composed of the following:
The functions of the foregoing officers are enumerated on Article XI, Section 4.
Section 4. The Island Executive Officers shall exercise executive powers within its jurisdiction in accordance with this Constitution and By-Laws.
Section 5. No money shall be spent without a budget approved by a majority of the Island Board of Trustees and submitted to the National Board.
Section 6. The Constitution and By-Laws of the Metro Manila Philippine Councilors League (MMPCL) shall as much as possible conform to this constitution and by-laws.
Section 7. All Local Chapters shall apply and acquire their respective Official Receipts from the proper government agency and to be issued by their respective Treasurers during their chapter activities subject to the usual accounting and auditing procedures. (n/2016)
ARTICLE XV
THE REGIONAL COUNCILS, PROVINCIAL FEDERATIONS and COUNCILS IN HIGHLY URBANIZED CITIES (HUCs), and INDEPENDENTCOMPONENTCITIES (ICCs)
Section 1. There shall be Regional Council in each region, a Provincial Federation in each province and a City Chapter in each HUC and ICC. (a/2002)
Section 2. The Vice-Chairperson for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,shall conduct and supervise the organization and/or election of the Regional Councils in their respective areas in coordination with the National Chairperson, National President, National Secretary General and the DILG Regional Director in accordance with the PCL Constitution and By-Laws and the election guidelines set by the National Board. (a/2007)
Section 3. The Vice-President for Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao, and the President of the HUCs, NCCs/ICCs shall conduct and supervise the organization and/or election of the Provincial Federation and City Chapter in HUCs and ICCs in their respective areas in coordination with the National Chairperson, National President, National Secretary General and the DILG Provincial Director in accordance with the PCL Constitution and By-Laws and election guidelines set by the National Board.
Section 4. The Regional Council shall be composed of all Provincial Federation and City Chapter Officers of good standing who shall elect from among themselves the following Regional Council Officers:
In the selection and election of the Regional Council Chairperson, the order of preference shall be the Provincial Federation Presidents/City Chapter Presidents followed by the Provincial Federation Vice-Presidents/City Chapter Vice-Presidents. In the event that none of the foregoing officer are willing to run for the said position, any officer of the Provincial Federation/City Chapter may be elected as Regional Council Chairperson provided that he/she is elected by a majority of the electorate. (n/2007)
For the purpose of the Regional Election of National Capital Region (NCR), the municipality of Pateros shall be entitled to a separate chapter.
Section 5. The Regional Council shall coordinate programs, plans and activities of the PCL in the regional level and perform such other functions as may be assigned by the National Board.
Section 6. No money shall be spent by the Regional Council without a budget approved by a majority of its elected Officers and submitted to the National Board.(a/2016)
Section 7. The Provincial Federation shall be composed of all councilors in good standing in all municipalities and component cities in the province, who shall elect from among themselves the following officers:
Section 8. The Provincial Federation shall coordinate programs, plans and activities of the PCL on the provincial level and perform such other functions as may be assigned by the National Board or the Regional Council.
Section 9. The duly elected President of the Provincial Federation shall sit as ex-officio member of the Provincial Board as provided for by Law.
Section 10. No money shall be spent by the Provincial Federation without a budget approved by a majority of its elected Officers and submitted to the National Board. (n/2016)
Section 11. The creation of additional position/s in the Regional Councils and the Provincial Federation other than the ones specified in the previous Section, shall not in any way disturb the vertical hierarchy for succession purposes.
Section 12. The City Chapter in a Highly Urbanized City (HUC) and Independent Component City (ICC) shall be composed of the following officers to be elected by the members in their respective legislative councils, to wit:
Section 13. The City Chapter in such HUC or ICC shall coordinate programs, plans and activities of the PCL within that city and perform such other functions as may be assigned by the National Board.
Section 14. No money shall be spent by the City Chapter in a Highly Urbanized City (HUC) or Independent Component City (ICC) without a budget approved by a majority of its elected officers and submitted to the National Board. (n/2016)
Section 15. All Regional Councils, Provincial Federations and City Chapters shall apply and acquire their respective Official Receipts from the proper government agency and to be issued by their respectiveTreasurers during their chapter activities subject to the usual accounting and auditing procedures. (n/2016)
ARTICLE XVI
THE NATIONAL STANDING COMMITTEES
Section 1. The National Standing Committees are:
The National Board may create such other committees, as it may deem necessary.
Section 2. The functions of the National Standing Committees are:
Section 3. The National President shall appoint the Committee Chairpersons, Vice-Chairpersons and three members representing Luzons, Visayas and Mindanao with the concurrence of the National Board.
ARTICLE XVII
THE PCL LEGISLATIVE ACADEMY
Section 1. The PCLLegislativeAcademy is hereby created that shall be responsible for the capability building program of the members of the League and other legislative bodies of the Philippines who wish to avail of the services of the Academy
Section 2. The National Board is hereby mandated to promulgate the rules and regulations with respect to the operation, administration and management of the Academy.
Section 3. The PCL Legislative Academy shall have direct supervision and control of the PCL Souvenir Shop which shall be the sole and exclusive distributor of the PCL products and paraphernalia.
Section 4. The funding of the Academy shall come from the PCL funds, the amount of which shall be determined by the National Board. The Academy can also source out funds by way of grants, donations, and other financial assistance from the national and international sources and activities of the PCL. (a/2010)
ARTICLE XVIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. The quorum of the League shall be as follows:
Section 2. The schedule and conduct of the election of all provincial federations and HUCC’s/ICC’S chapters and regional councils shall be determined by the National Board provided it shall not exceed ninety days upon assumption into office of the regularly elected members of local legislative councils.
Section 3. The election for the National Board and the National Executive Officers,shall be held but not later than March of the year following their election.
Section 4. Proper notices shall be sent at least fifteen (15) days before the schedule of any election.
Section 5. The election of all Officers of the League, including the Regional Council, the Provincial Federation and HUCC’s/ICC’sChapter Officers shall be by direct and secret balloting.
Section 6. The Regional Director of the DILG or his duly authorized representative shall call and supervise the elections of the Regional Councils and the Provincial Director of the DILG for the Provincial Federation-HUCC’s/ICC’s Chapter.
Section 7. The result of the Regional Council election and/or the Provincial Federation/HUCC’s/ICC’sChapter election shall be immediately certified to by the DILG Regional Director or his duly authorized representative and/or DILG Provincial/City Officer or his duly authorized representative who actually supervised the election, as the case may be, after the results of the election are made known, with or without protest.
Section 8. The term of office of all the officers of the League in all levels shall be the entire duration of their respective terms as Councilors.
Section 9. Any officer of the League who shall lose in an election, or is elected to a position other than that of a councilor, or resigns, is dismissed for cause, or in any manner divested of this position as councilor, shall automatically cease as an officer of the League.
Section 10. The Federation President who ceases to be such for any reason aforementioned, shall be automatically succeeded by the Federation Vice-President and, in the case of representation in the Sanggunian Panlalawigan, the Provincial Federation Vice-President or the next ranking officer shall succeed him as ex-officio member of the Sanggunian Panlalawigan concerned in the order of their succession.
Section 11. No member with unsettled financial obligation or accountability to the League shall be qualified to be elected to any position or qualified to be appointed to any position in the League without certification from the National Treasurer and National Auditor for National positions, Island Treasurer and Island Auditor for Island positions, Regional Treasurer and Regional Auditor for Regional positions, and Federation Treasurer and Federation Auditor for Provincial Federation and HUCC’s/ICC’s Chapter positions.
Section 12. The following benefits shall be enjoyed by a member of good standing:
Section 13. There shall be collected a membership fee in the sum of One Thousand Pesos (Php1,000) that shall accrue exclusively to the PCL National Office and the term due of Five Thousand Two Hundred Pesos (Php5,200.00) shall be distributed as follows:(a/2016)
All PCL Island Offices, Regional Councils, Provincial Federations and HUCCs/ICCs Chapters are required to submit their respective Fund Utilization Reports of the shares received from the National Office, to the PCL National Treasurer thru the National Secretariat Accountant before the end of every term. (n/2016)
Section 14. The Meetings and Conventions of the PCL shall be conducted as follows:
The National Assembly shall be twice a term, first during the election of the National Officers and the other shall be the end term assembly.
The Island, Regional and Provincial Assemblies shall be convened at least once a term.The Island Vice-President and Vice-Chairman shall be the Co-Chairpersons of such Island Assembly.
The Regional Council Officers, Provincial Federation Officers and City Chapter Officers shall meet at least twice (2) a year.
The Regional Council Assembly and the Provincial Federation Assembly shall be convened at least once a term.
The National Board shall meet at least once in every quarter of a year.
The National Executive Officers shall meet at least once every quarter of a year, preferably a day before the scheduled meeting of the National Board.
The Continuing Local Legislative Education Program shall be conducted once in every quarter which shall coincide with the regular National Executive Officers and National Board Meeting. (n/2016)
Section 15. The principal office of the League shall be at the PCLHostel and Training Center to be located at Las Piñas City, Metro Manila.
Section 16. The Provincial Federations and City Chapters are hereby authorized to adopt their own PCL Constitution and By-Laws to govern their internal affairs, which must conform to this Constitution and By-Laws subject to the approval of the National Board.
ARTICLE XIX
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND DIRECTOR FOR ADVOCACY
AND PROGRAMS
Section 1. There shall be an Executive Director and a Director for Advocacy and Programs who shall be an appointive staff of the PCL with the necessary qualification, experience, training and expertise as may be required and mandated by the National Board.
Section 2. The National Secretariat and Support Staff of the Executive Director and the Director for Advocacy and Programs shall be composed of the following:
Accounting and Finance Department which shall include the Accountant; Accounting Assistant/Cashier and Book keeper;
Administrative and Human Resource Department shall include Administrative and Human Resource Officer; Membership and Benefits Personnel; Documentation/Record Keeping/Clerical Personnel; Messenger and Maintenance Staff and Drivers;
Advocacy Policy and Legislation Officer; Special Projects/Programs Officer and Information and Dissemination Officer;
Section 3. The National President shall have over all control and supervision over the Executive Director and the Director for Advocacy and Programs. The
National Secretary General shall supervise the Executive Director and the national secretariat while the Director for Advocacy and Programs shall directly report to the National President.
Section 4. The National President subject to the confirmation by the National Board shall appoint the Executive Directorand the Director for Advocacy and Programswho shall be on a contractual basis for a period of five (5) years and renewable subject to the approval of the National Board for not more than five (5) years.The Executive Director shall oversee the day-to-day operations of the National Secretariat subject to the control and supervision of the National President who shall closely coordinate with the National Secretary General.
Section 5. The National Secretariat shall have the following functions:
Take charge of the administrative and technical aspect of the implementation of the National Policies, programs and activities of the League.
Provide technical support and other services to the local PCL Units, the Standing Working Committees and National Officers.
Make regular reports to the Organization through the concerned Officers and as such furnish the National Treasurer and the National Auditor, a certified copy of the minutes of any meeting where disbursement or collection have been authorized.
Act as custodian of the PCL documents records and properties, and
Perform any other duties that the National Executive Officers/National Board may direct.
Section 6. The Secretariat Office Policies duly approved by the National Board and such other Board Policies shall govern the operations of the National Secretariat.
Section 7. The National Board shall determine the compensation of the Executive Director, Director for Advocacy, the National Secretariat and the Support Staff.The National Secretary General shall receive no compensation.
The Executive Director is not a permanent employee of the PCL. The Permanent employees are the regular staff whose compensation shall be subject to the guidelines of the National Board and the existing laws.
Section 8. The organizational structure of the National Secretariat shall be approved by the National Board thru the recommendation of the National
Executive Officers and shall be periodically reviewed by a committee to make it more responsive, efficient and effective.
ARTICLE XX
MECHANICS OF RECALL
Section 1. The power of recall for loss of confidence shall be exercised by the members of the National, Island, Regional or Provincial Federations to which the elective PCL official subject to recall belongs.
Section 2. Any PCL Official maybe recalled for loss of confidence in the manner prescribed herein provided that no recall may be instituted against said official
who has been subjected for a previous recall election held during that same term of office.
Section 3. Recall maybe instituted by at least three-fourths (3/4) of the members of the National, Island,Regional or Provincial to which the PCL official subject to recall belongs.
Section 4. A written petition for recall duly signed by at least 3/4of all the members of the National, Island, Regional and Provincial to which the recall belongs may be filed with the National President or the Executive Director, who shall validate the petition by verifying the authenticity of the signatures appearing therein.
Section 5. After finding the petition to be in order and duly authenticated, the National President or Executive Director shall submit the same to the National Board.
Section 6. Upon the lapse of the period for publication of the petition, the DILG Officers concerned shall schedule the election to the position not later than thirty (30) days in case of the national officers and fifteen (15) days in case of island, regional and provincial federation officers, which include the names of nominees and which shall also include the name of the official sought to be recalled.
Section 7. The recall of the PCL officer shall be effective only upon the election and proclamation of a successor in the person of the candidate receiving thehighest number of votes cast during the election on recall. Should the official sought to be recalled receive the highest number of votes, confidence in him is hereby affirmed and he shall continue in office.
Section 8. The elective PCL officer sought to be recalled shall not be allowed to resign while the recall process is in progress.
Section 9. Any PCL officer maybe the subject of a recall only once during his tem of office for loss of confidence. No recall shall take place within one (1) year preceding a scheduled election.
Section 10. All expenses incidental to recall shall be borne by the PCL through registration fees or from funds available for the purpose.
Section 11. The provisions of recall shall also be applicable to HUCs, and ICCs.
ARTICLE XXII
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION
Section 1. Amendments may be proposed by the National Officers, or any member or any Council and submitted to the National Board for proper action.
Section 2. The National Assembly may repeal, modify or amend any amendment approved by the National Board, by a majority vote of all the members present
Section 3. The National Assembly shall act as a whole to approve any proposed amendment, when in session, by a vote of a majority of those present.
Section 4. Any amendment shall take effect upon its approval, unless a specific date for its effectivity has been used.
ARTICLE XXII
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS
Section 1. This Constitution and By-Laws shall take effect upon its approval.
Section 2. The amendments under Article XIV shall take effect in 2013 during the next term of officers.
Section 3. The amendments under Article VI, XIV, XV and XVIII shall take effect in 2016.
ADOPTED AND RATIFIED during the 2016 End-Term National Assembly at Iloilo Convention Center, Iloilo City on March 8, 2016.
ALMA MORENO
National Chairperson
MAYBELYN DC. FERNANDEZ
National President
BENITO J. BRIZUELA
National Secretary-General