Constitution By Laws

LAKAS CMD CONSTITUTION BY LAWS

PREAMBLE

We, citizens of the Republic of the Philippines espousing Christian, Muslim and other faiths, and belonging to a recognized dominant political party, namely: LAKAS-CMD (LAKAS- Christian Muslim Democrats); invoking the blessings of the Almighty; united by spiritual and social convictions; committed to a just, humane, peaceful and progressive society where all citizens are accorded full respect and dignity and enjoy the benefits of freedom, progress and our nation’s resources; in order to establish a political party that will engage in the peaceful, legal and democratic pursuit and exercise of political power and provide our country with leaders who will pursue the vision, mission, core values, principles, beliefs, and aspirations that we collectively embrace; do ordain and promulgate this Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE I

NAME AND SYMBOLS OF THE PARTY

Section 1. The formal name of the Party shall be LAKAS CHRISTIAN MUSLIM DEMOCRATS, hereinafter referred to, and otherwise known as the “LAKAS-CMD”.

Section 2. The flag, anthem, logo, slogan, and creed of the Party shall be determined by the National Executive Committee.

ARTICLE II

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND POLICIES

Section 1. LAKAS-CMD believes that God created man and vested him with dignity. Therefore, LAKAS-CMD upholds the value of human life and the inherent dignity and worth of every man. It guarantees full respect for the exercise of his/her civil, economic, and political rights under a just and dynamic social order.

Section 2. In the pursuit of service to the Almighty, country, and family, LAKAS-CMD ensures freedom of religion and the free exercise of one’s faith.

Section 3. LAKAS-CMD pursues the ideals of a strong republic; and the following principles for the development and advancement of the political, economic, and socio-cultural systems of Philippine society:

Good governance,which requires that public service be conducted at all times with utmost integrity, transparency, accountability, people participation, effectiveness, and efficiency.

Global engagement,which acknowledges the increasing interdependence among nations and the advantages to be derived from integrating national economies into a global economy while protecting the interest of the Filipino people and promoting the nation’s competitiveness.
People empowerment,which believes that development for all is attainable by giving the people the necessary tools and resources to improve their own lives and the means to participate actively and meaningfully in governance.
Sustainable development,which asserts that the nation’s resources shall be preserved, conserved, and creatively utilized for the benefit of both the present and future generations.
Social justice,which affirms that God’s work is intended for the good of all, that man is created as the steward for the common good, and that a humanistic society is attainable through man’s continuous striving for the creation and equitable distribution of wealth.
Subsidiarity,which recognizes the people’s right to and capability for self-determination and promotes decentralization, democratization, and autonomy.
Solidarity, which upholds the unity of the national community in pursuit of Party alliance to all allies of LAKAS-CMD the common good which shall at all times be superior to individual, sectoral, or parochial interests.
Section 4. LAKAS-CMD affirms the family as the most basic social unit that must be upheld, respected, and protected at all times.
Section 5. LAKAS-CMD promotes national interest, inculcates patriotism, and encourages participation in governmental and civic affairs.
Section 6. Further, LAKAS-CMD affirms the fundamental obligation of the government to uplift the lives of the poor and the marginalized and provide all citizens with equal opportunity for economic advancement.
Section 7. LAKAS-CMD recognizes the role of the State in ensuring a socially oriented market economy.
Section 8. As a national political party, LAKAS-CMD pursues a policy of expanded productivity that ensures the conservation of national patrimony and the maintenance of ecological balance.
Section 9. LAKAS-CMD, one of whose original precursors was founded on Christian-humanist Centrist ideology and which subsequently adopted the Muslim Centrist ideology, is firmly committed to and maintains its linkages, solidarity and fraternal ties with the Centrist Democrats International (CDI), formerly Christian Democrats International, and the worldwide association of kindred political parties in many countries which embrace the same ideology.
Section 10. In keeping with the ideologies upon which the Party was founded, LAKAS-CMD respects all ideologies and commits to interfaith harmony and fraternal dialogue with all faiths, religions, and denominations in pursuit of its Centrist-humanist ideology.

ARTICLE III

GENERAL PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT (GOALS AND OBJECTIVES)

Section 1. The general objectives of LAKAS-CMD are:

1.1. Promulgate laws, formulate policies, and implement programs which shall safeguard and strengthen the nation’s integrity and sovereignty, promote national unity, foster a high sense of honor and pride among Filipinos, and secure for them genuine and lasting peace, sustained economic growth, prosperity, and political stability as hallmarks of a Strong Republic.

Develop a socially responsive democratic political structure and a revitalized streamlined graft-free government bureaucracy that will contribute to a stable and durable democracy and effective national governance.
Engage in the active and peaceful quest for political power as the most effective instrument for promoting Party ideals in the service of the common good and the nation;
Promote an efficient and globally competitive economic reform policy that will improve the living conditions of the Filipino people; and to pursue socially relevant and political ideals that truly represent the general interest of the people;
Conduct educational programs which shall stress the universal ideals of democracy and the historical contributions to our national identity of Christianity, Islam, and the country’s indigenous communities; and
Develop the spirit of entrepreneurship that rewards individual initiative but respects national cultural traditions and places spiritual and ethical goals above purely secular and material interests.

Section 2. The specific political objectives of LAKAS-CMD are:

Help ensure a responsible, accountable, and transparent system of government.
Decentralize political power through devolution, de-concentration, and improved local autonomy;
Empower every citizen politically by promoting social consciousness and active involvement in governance, especially in his community, and the formation of people’s organizations as partners for political articulation and developmental action in society; and,
Ensure that politics promotes the national interest, thus transforming the politics of patronage and personality into one of service and ideology.

Section 3. The specific socio-economic objectives of LAKAS-CMD are:

Establish a socio-economic order based on distributive justice manifested in the integration of marginalized sectors into the mainstream of social development and political structure, and the equitable dispersal of ownership, opportunities, and control of the nation’s wealth;
Adopt affirmative actions and compensatory policies that support a preferential option for the marginalized sectors to achieve equal opportunities for a better quality of life;
Implement democratic, participatory, and bottom-up approaches in socio-economic growth-planning geared toward achieving higher levels of income, productivity and employment, and fiscal, monetary, and welfare policies for the upliftment of marginalized sectors;
Launch economic empowerment through total economic mobilization centered on cooperativism and solidarity with, and for the benefit of, marginalized sectors and micro and small-scale entrepreneurs;
Promote the welfare of the industrial labor force through appropriate and relevant support for human resources development and for efforts to ensure a just working wage based on productivity and cost of living and a standard of life that values human dignity;
Ensure the effective implementation and attain the objectives of the agrarian reform program;
Adopt policies and programs that deconcentrate economic power and counter exploitative economic activities especially those that translate into political entrenchment;
Foster a development paradigm that promotes self-reliance and indigenous growth in the context of global interdependence; and
Adopt programs and policies that will promote food security and energy self-sufficiency for the country.
Advance and advocate the digital age while safeguarding data privacy.

ARTICLE IV

PARTY MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in LAKAS-CMD is a privilege and a responsibility.

Section 2. Any Filipino is qualified for membership in LAKAS-CMD, provided that he/she:

Is at least eighteen (18) years old at the time of application;
Adheres to the Party’s Constitution and By-Laws;
Personally commits to work actively for LAKAS-CMD, participate in all activities, actively recruit members and carry out Party decisions; and
Submits to Party discipline.

Section 3. No person shall be accepted as member if he/she is:

A member of another national political party at the time of the application; or
A member of any organization whose ideologies, objectives, policies, and programs are contrary to the Philippine Constitution, laws and regulations, or are inconsistent with those of the Party.

Section 4. A member in good standing may join a regional, provincial, or local party, provided the ideology is consistent with LAKAS-CMD.

Section 5. Applications for membership must be submitted to existing local chapters as maybe applicable and shall be acted upon in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of submission. However, in special cases, the National Executive Committee, may directly accept and approve application for membership.

Section 6. All applications for membership must be approved by the Membership Committee of the local chapter concerned.

Section 7. Membership in LAKAS-CMD shall be terminated by voluntary departure, resignation or expulsion.

Section 8. The procedure on membership admission, change of membership status, and induction rites shall be determined by the National Executive Committee.

Section 9. The National Executive Committee shall determinethereasonable amount of membership fee and monthly dues.

ARTICLE V

RIGHTS, DUTIES, AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS

Section 1. A party member in good standing shall enjoy the following rights and privileges:

To vote and, if qualified for the position involved, be voted for;
To participate in official activities and functions;
To be fully informed on official Party matters;
To have access to Party services, facilities, and resources;
To be entitled to a membership identification card and certificate as well as other documents which will attest to his/her bona fide party membership;
To avail of the representation and protection of the Party for just cause, particularly when his civil and political rights are violated;
To initiate or petition for the imposition of disciplinary measures on erring Party officers and members; and
To enjoy priority preference for appointment to political positions which will be commensurate to his qualifications and contributions to the success of the Party.

Section 2. The National Executive Committee shall formulate and issue the appropriate implementing policy, administrative, and operational guidelines and procedures for the exercise of the rights mentioned in the preceding section.

Section 3. A Party member is obliged to:

Conduct himself/herself at all times in accordance with the principles, objectives, and programs of the Party;
Pay the membership fees, dues and other special assessments as may be prescribed by the National Executive Committee;
Actively promote Party ideals and programs in their respective areas of influence and responsibility;
Regularly attend Party activities and functions;
Actively and exclusively support and campaign for the official candidates of the Party in all elections; and
Abide by the decision of the Party.

ARTICLE VI

PARTY DISCIPLINE

Section 1. The observance of organizational discipline is a basic obligation of all members. Democratic process shall be observed in the conduct of disciplinary actions.

Section 2.Any member may be suspended or expelled from the party for just cause, or under the grounds provided herein.

Section 3.The following acts shall be grounds for reprimand or suspension:

Failure to attend official activities or functions without justifiable reasons or prior notice;
Non-payment of membership dues and other special assessments; and
Refusal to undergo Party audit procedures.

Section 4.The following acts shall be grounds for expulsion:

Willful and malicious violation of the Constitution and By-Laws;
Patent disloyalty to the Party;
Abandonment of duties and responsibilities as member for a prolonged period;
Repetition of acts resulting to suspension of membership from the Party; and
Final conviction by a competent court of a crime involving moral turpitude.

Section 5. Other acts considered inimical to the Party, such as but not limited to the following, shall merit disciplinary action as may be determined by the National Executive Committee:

Taking a stand contrary to the declared policies of the Party in public gatherings, on radio, television, print, social media, and other forms of communications;
Making public any confidential Party proceedings, information, and documents; or giving political opponents access to them;
Embezzling assets of the Party or placed at the Party’s disposal;
Maliciously and willfully sowing intrigues against or engendering factionalism among members or officials of the Party; and

Supporting and campaigning for candidates other than the official candidates of the

Party in electoral exercises.

Section 6. Before the imposition of discipline on any member, he/she shall be given a period of not less than fifteen (15) days from receipt of the notice in writing, afforded sufficient opportunity to defend himself/herself, and be given a fair hearing by the appropriate body of the Party.

Section 7. The National Executive Committee shall formulate and issue the appropriate implementing guidelines for imposing Party discipline. This notwithstanding, a member shall not be expelled by the local chapter or the National Council, as the case may be, except by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all its members.

ARTICLE VII

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

Section 1. The following are members of the National Council:

The members of the National Executive Committee;
Incumbent Senators;
Incumbent Congressmen;
Officials of the Cabinet;
Incumbent Governors;
Incumbent Highly Urbanized and Independent Component City Mayors;
Regional Chairmen;
Provincial Chairmen;
District Chairmen;
Highly Urbanized and Independent Component City Chairmen;
Heads of Sectors as may be determined by the National Executive Committee;
Other members as may be designated by the National Executive Committee.

Section 2. The members of the National Council shall serve for a term of three (3) years. They shall elect from among themselves the national officers who will compose the National Executive Committee, except those as may otherwise be provided for in Article IX.

Section 3. There shall be a National Council which shall exercise the following powers:

3.1 Act as the appellate body in cases of suspension and expulsion of members initiated by the local chapters;

3.2 Ratify the nomination and proclamation of the Party’s official candidates at the local levels as approved by the National Executive Committee;

3.3 Ratify the amendments to and revision of the Constitution and By-Laws as approved by the National Executive Committee;

3.4 Formulate and adopt policy guidelines and implementing rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this Constitution and By-Laws; and,

3.5 Authorize and/or effect any re-organization of the National Committees, National Secretariat, and National Electoral College; provided, that such reorganization shall be approved by a majority of the members of the National Council.

Section 4. The National Council shall be presided over by the Chairman. It shall meet at least once every three (3) years.

ARTICLE VIII

THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. The highest policy-making and governing body of the Party is the National Executive Committee. It shall exercise the following powers and functions:

Appoint the Chapter Chairperson.
Administer and supervise Party affairs and operations;
Formulate, adopt, issue, and implement Party guidelines, rules, and regulations;
Develop, plan, formulate, and implement Party policies, programs, projects, and activities;
Create special committees to effectively carry out Party policies, programs, projects, and activities;
Issue implementing rules and regulations on the organization and operations of local chapters and resolve disputes and controversies therein;
Propose and approve the amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws by a majority vote of its members;
Propose and approve the revision of the Constitution and By-Laws by a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of its members; and
Perform other functions as it may deem necessary.

Section 2. The National Executive Committee shall be presided over by the President and shall be composed of the following:

Chairman
Vice-Chairman
Chairman Emeritus
President Emeritus
President
Executive Vice President
Secretary-General
Treasurer
Vice President for Luzon
Vice President for Visayas
Vice President for Mindanao
Executive Director
And such other officers as may be appointed or designated by the President whenever appropriate.

Section 3. An officer of any local chapter may be appointed to the National Executive Committee.

Section 4. The members of the National Executive Committee shall serve for a term of three (3) years; provided, that the members of the interim National Executive Committee appointed in accordance with the Transitory Provisions herein shall serve until such time that their successors are elected and qualified.

Section 5. The Chairperson shall be the incumbent highest elected official. In the event that he/she is unable to assume and discharge the functions as Chairperson or there are two (2) or more members of the same position, the National Executive Committee shall select its Chairperson either through election from among its members or appointment to be made in the manner determined by the National Executive Committee.

Section 6. The Chairperson shall be the head of the Party and the chief exponent of its vision, ideology and principles. He/she shall preside over the meetings of the National Council.

Section 7. The Vice-Chairperson shall jointly serve as Chairperson in the latter’s absence, disability, or temporary incapacity. They shall also perform such functions as may be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.

Section 8. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Party who shall direct the implementation of its plans, policies and programs, and supervise its affairs. In addition, he/she shall perform the following functions:

8.1. Appoint members of the National Executive Committee;

8.2. The President shall appoint honorary positions, such as Chairmen Emeriti and President Emeritus.

8.3. Authorize the disbursement of funds contained in the annual general budget approved by the National Executive Committee; and

8.4. Represent the Party in all international and domestic functions, assemblies, and conferences which necessitates its participation.

Section 9. The Executive Vice President shall assist the President. In case of absence or temporary incapacity, assume the powers and duties of the President. He/she shall also perform such functions as may be assigned to him/her by the President or the National Executive Committee.

Section 10. The geographical Vice-Presidents shall be stewards and coordinators for their respective major island groupings or jurisdictions. The functional Vice-Presidents shall be responsible for the formulation and implementation of policies, programs, and projects relating to their areas of concern. They shall perform such other functions as may be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.

Section 11. The Secretary-General shall be the administrator and chief operating officer of the Party and as such shall:

11.1. Implement the directives of the National Executive Committee;

11.2. Sign documents for and on behalf of the Party;

11.3. Ensure the custody and safety of all Party records, files, documents, and correspondence, but excluding those pertaining to the Treasurer;

11.4. Approve disbursement of funds and disposal of properties in accordance with the policies set by the National Executive Committee or as authorized by the President; and

11.5. Coordinate the activities and convene the meetings of the National Executive Committee.

Section 12. The Treasurer shall have custody of all Party finances and properties; collect dues; certify to the availability of funds; disburse the necessary funds upon the endorsement of the Secretary-General or his/her duly authorized representative; maintain accurate financial reports and records; prepare the annual general budget for the approval of the National Executive Committee; and submit a financial report to the National Executive Committee at least once a month and during the regular meetings of the National Council.

Section 13. The Executive Director shall supervise the day-to-day operations of the Party. He/she shall perform duties as may be assigned to him by the President and Secretary-General.

Section. 14. The President shall appoint Spokesperson/s who shall articulate Party positions,

decisions and advocacies before the media and the public. They shall be responsible for disseminating all relevant information on the Party’s programs, projects and activities.

Section 15. The National Executive Committee shall prescribe the duties, functions, and responsibilities of national officers that are otherwise not specifically expressed herein. It may further prescribe such other duties, functions and responsibilities of the national officers in addition to those already given.

Section 16. The National Executive Committee shall meet only upon the existence of a quorum, which is a majority of its members, provided that for the purpose of discussing and approving Party matters, except those relating to amendments to and revisions of the Constitution and By-Laws, only the vote of the majority of the members present shall be necessary for a decision.

Section 17. The National Executive Committee may create a National Advisory Board composed of distinguished national leaders and personalities held in great esteem and are of known probity and integrity. The Advisory Board shall advise and counsel the National Executive Committee in the exercise of its functions.

ARTICLE IX

THE NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Section 1. The National Executive Committee shall create such committees as it may deem necessary, subject to the supervision of the Secretary-General.

Section 2. The scope of responsibilities and functions of the national committees shall be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.

Section 3. The Chairpersons and members of the committees shall be appointed by the Chairperson in consultation with the members of the National Executive Committee.

Section 4. All national committees shall have at least one fulltime staff that is accountable to and supervised by the Secretary-General.

ARTICLE X

THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

Section 1. The National Secretariat, headed by the ED, under the control and direction of the Secretary-General, shall be the central coordinative and administrative body of the Party. It shall ensure the efficient and effective performance of all operating units of the Party and shall perform other specific functions as may be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.

Section 2. The Secretary-General shall be responsible for the administration of the day-to-day affairs of the National Secretariat. He/she shall be assisted by an adequate number of staff whom

ARTICLE XI

LOCAL CHAPTERS

Section 1. There shall be established the following local chapters: (1) Provincial Chapter; (2) District Chapter; and, (3) City/Municipal City Chapter.

Section 2. The local chapters shall be organized as follows:

2.1. Provincial Chapter. The National Executive Committee shall appoint the Provincial Chapter Chairperson; provided that the highest-ranking elective official in the province who is a member of the Party is qualified to be the Chapter Chairperson, unless otherwise provided by the National Executive Committee. The Chairperson shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as he/she may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.

2.2. District Chapter. The National Executive Committee shall appoint the District Chapter Chairperson; provided that only the highest-ranking elective official in the district who is a member of the Party is qualified to be the Chapter Chairperson, unless otherwise provided by the National Executive Committee. The Chairperson shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer and such other officers as he/she may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.

2.3. City/Municipal Chapter. The National Executive Committee shall appoint the Component City/Municipal Chapter Chairperson; provided, that only the highest-ranking elective official in the city or municipality who is a member of the Party is qualified to be the Chapter Chairperson, unless otherwise provided by the National Executive Committee; provided further, that the appointment shall be made in consultation with the Provincial and District Chapter Chairperson, concerned. The Chairman shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, and such other officers as he/she may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.

Provided, however, that the President, may in his discretion, as he deems fit, create a chapter when necessary, including sectoral chapters.

Section 3. The Chapter Chairperson shall be the chief executive officer of the chapter. He/she shall appoint the chapter officers, call and preside over meetings. He/she shall perform such other functions as may be determined by the National Executive Committee.

Section 4. The Chapter Vice-Chairperson shall assist the Chairperson in the performance of his/her duties; act as Chapter Chairperson in case of the latter’s absence, disability, or temporary incapacity; and, in case of permanent vacancy, succeed as Chairperson for the unexpired portion of the term.

Section 5. The Secretary shall be the chapter’s administrative officer and custodian of records. He/she shall be responsible for the minutes of all chapter meetings.

Section 6. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of funds and other properties of the chapter. He/she shall be the co-signatory of the Chairperson in the disbursement of funds.

Section 7. The National Executive Committee shall issue implementing rules and regulations governing the organization and operations of the local chapters, including those cases not otherwise provided for herein, and shall resolve any dispute or controversy arising therein.

ARTICLE XII

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. There shall be established regional coordinating centers in locations deemed most appropriate and accessible by the officers and members in the region concerned.

Section 2. The Party shall establish under the Secretary-General an institute for education and training and a foundation for the implementation of socio-economic activities, such as but not limited to livelihood programs.

Section 3. The National Executive Committee shall adopt the appropriate implementing policies, rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures to carry out the provisions of this Constitution and By-Laws.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS OR REVISION

Section 1. Any amendments to, or revision of, this Constitutions and By-Laws shall be approved by a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all members of the National Executive Committee and ratified by a majority of the members of the National Council.

Section 2. After the effectivity of this Constitution and By-Laws, any amendment or revision

shall be allowed to be conducted only twice within the first year of ratification.

ARTICLE XIV

EFFECTIVITY

This Constitution and By-Laws takes effect immediately upon its approval and ratification by the appropriate body.