cdp statute amended on may 25 2013 by the 5th national council

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  • 7/28/2019 CDP Statute Amended on May 25 2013 by the 5th National Council

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    CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWSOF THE

    CENTRIST DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

    Preamble

    We, the Centrist Democrats of the Philippines, in order to establish a

    functioning democracy in the country where all its citizens can live in dignity

    and have the opportunity to participate actively in the democratic process, to

    establish a just and humane Philippine society, under the rule of law,

    equality, justice, solidarity, integrity and subsidiarity, secure for the Filipino

    people a fully humane and dignified existence do hereby ordain and

    promulgate these Constitution and ByLaws of the Centrist Democratic Party

    of the Philippines.

    Article I

    Name and Mission of the Party

    Section 1. The name of the party shall be Centrist Democratic Party of

    the Philippines (CDP). The principal headquarters and postal office address

    of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines is at the 2nd Floor of

    MILLE Building, 335337 Gil Puyat Ave. (formerly Buendia) corner Dominga

    St., Pasay City, Metro Manila.

    Section 2. The mission of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines is

    to contribute to the design and implementation of centrist policies in the

    Philippines ensuring the protection of the dignity of each human being,

    which includes the following:

    a. the establishment of a Social Market Economy, a socio-economic-

    political order that advocates a socially and environmentally

    responsible market economy aiming at the well-being of each and

    every Filipino;

    b. the achievement of human development, basic freedom, moral

    renewal, the rule of law, and solidarity for all Filipino peoples;

    c. the creation of a Federal Philippines that recognizes the multi-

    ethnicity of its people, but united and integrated in its espousal of the

    core value of human dignity and its inherent principles, among which

    are, freedom and responsibility, justice, solidarity, and equal

    opportunities, tolerance, pluralism, mutual respect, integrity, reason

    and the guiding principle of subsidiarity.

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    Article II

    Objectives of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines

    Section 1. Reform of the democratic system towards the eventual

    establishment of a Parliamentary Form of Government to improve thedemocratic process and consolidate democracy and rule of law in the

    Philippines.

    In order to achieve this objective, the Centrist Democratic Party of the

    Philippines will focus on Political Reforms, with first steps for:

    a. the institutionalization of member-based and program-oriented

    political parties and the systematic strengthening of their role in the

    institutional set-up of the Philippine State;

    b. the improvement of the electoral system safeguarding the sanctity of

    the ballot and ensuring that the electoral process is fair and truly

    reflective of the popular will;

    c. the design and implementation of campaign financing regulations,

    ensuring transparency, accountability and democratic participation;

    d. the promotion of gender equality and equity and empowerment of

    women in democratic governance.

    Section 2. Reform of the Socio-Economic System towards the eventual

    establishment of a Philippine Social Market Economy to reduce poverty and

    to encourage sustainable development through high productivity,

    innovations, competitiveness, and environmental protection measures.

    In order to achieve this objective, the Centrist Democratic Party of the

    Philippines will focus on Socio-Economic Reforms, among others:

    a. the leveling of the playing field for economic enterprises by a strong

    State through effective legislation and strengthening citizens

    participation against graft and corruption to assure free and fair

    competition, open market access for newcomers and the break up of

    monopolies and cartels;

    b. the provision of quality education and countrywide modern

    vocational training facilities accessible to the citizenry;

    c. the systematic promotion of research and innovation by the state in

    companies and universities;

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    d. the further development and expansion of coverage of the social

    security system, housing, universal health care and social safety nets,

    unemployment, and pension insurances;

    e. the further development and improvement of a health and

    educational system covering all parts and settlements in the country

    with special attention for the marginalized and vulnerable sector;

    f. the intensification and further professionalization of the civil service

    and promotion of public ethics in the bureaucracy;

    g. the strengthening of research and further development of a

    sustainable and genuine agricultural reform and modernization;

    h. the promotion of the growth of wealth and the further extension of a

    progressive tax policy by the state, balancing the need to provideincentives for hard and qualified work with the need to guarantee a

    decent life for every citizen;

    i. the promotion of social dialogue and responsible participation of the

    Philippine society in the development of the socio economic order,

    namely trade unions, entrepreneurs and professional associations;

    and

    j. the systematic protection of natural living conditions by a strong

    State through the integration of environmental protection incentives inthe market process, the strict limitation of pollution and irreversible

    consumption of natural goods, and the generation of renewable,

    affordable and accessible energy.

    Section 3. Reform of the structures of the State based on a decentralized

    system following the principles of subsidiarity and proximity of political

    decision making towards the eventual creation of a Federal Philippines.

    In order to achieve this objective, the Centrist Democratic Party of the

    Philippines shall focus on:

    a. the promotion of the establishment of the regions/states as

    competent, democratic governmental layers in a first step towards a

    Federal Philippines;

    b. the connection of participatory local planning mechanisms with the

    budget planning on national level;

    c. the strengthening of democratic local governance and the

    elimination of distortions in the local democratic processes by politicalpatronage and dynastic power;

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    d. the review and revision of existing laws and the adoption of new

    laws to further decentralize and devolve state functions to local

    authorities;

    e. the recognition of the rights of the indigenous cultural communities

    for selfdetermination within the framework of national unity.

    Article III

    Activities of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines

    Section 1. As a member-based and program oriented political party the

    Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines will focus on the following

    activities:

    a. Civic and political education for members and other interested

    citizens, promoting active participation in democratic processes of all

    groups and sectors in the country;

    b. Participation in elections on all levels of government based on

    detailed and meaningful political platforms with candidates selected in

    democratic procedures by the members of the CDP;

    c. Providing opportunities for the citizens to hold accountable their

    elected representatives on all levels of government with regard to their

    programs and promises in the election campaigns and to their

    performance as representatives of the people between the elections;

    d. Legislative and administration oversight work of its representatives

    on all levels of government.

    Section 2. Further to these core activities, the Centrist Democratic Party of

    the Philippines with its allied sector associations and civil society on local

    and regional level shall promote and conduct economic, political and social

    projects in order to improve the living situation of the citizens and to solve

    problems in the respective localities.

    Article IV

    Membership

    Section 1. Eligibility and Application for Membership.

    a. Any Filipino who is eighteen (18) years or older, who is qualified by

    Philippine laws or regulations to vote and be voted upon in anyelections in the country, who has received a basic orientation on

    centrist values and the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines, is

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    willing to support the objectives of the party and to respect the

    constitution and By-Laws of the party, can become a member of the

    Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines at congressional district,

    where he is included in the voters register of his locality.

    b. The application for membership has to be addressed to the district

    council of the party and has to be approved by this body. The approval

    of membership for applicants, who are major incumbent public office

    holders (Senators, Congresspersons, Province Governors and Vice-

    Governors, Mayors and Vice-Mayors) has to be confirmed by the

    Executive Board of the party.

    c. Further to registration as core members of the party, who are dues-

    paying members, citizens can also apply for registration as volunteer

    members without obligation of paying membership dues.

    d. Membership in the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines is

    individual membership and is not allowed for organizations,

    institutions, enterprises or other bodies with juridical personality.

    e. Appointed public servants can be members of the Centrist

    Democratic Party of the Philippines, exercising their constitutional

    right of freedom of expression and association. They can participate in

    civic education and internal organization activities of the Centrist

    Democratic Party of the Philippines. However, they shall not be eligibleas Officers of Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines

    Organizations at any level and shall not participate in campaigning or

    any other partisan activities of the Centrist Democratic Party of the

    Philippines.

    Section 2. Rights of Members.

    Every member shall have the right to participate in all events, activities and

    elections of the party as may be provided by any policies, regulations or

    advisories of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines A member shallhave the following rights and obligations as provided for in these

    Constitution and By Laws:

    1) to exercise the right to vote on matters relating to the affairs of the

    party;

    2) to vote in elections for any office of the party.

    3) All core members of the party have the right to be candidates for all

    offices in the party and to apply for being selected as party candidates

    in elections for public offices.

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    Section 3. Duties of Members.

    All members have to obey and comply with the Constitution and By Laws of

    the party.

    Section 4. Termination of Membership

    a.Termination of membership to the party may be made throughvoluntary written withdrawal of membership, expulsion or death.

    Grounds for expulsion can be the violation of membership

    obligations as specified in Section 3 of this Article or serious

    damage inflicted on the party by the respective member. The

    decision on expulsion of a member is to be taken by the National

    Council of the Party with a two-thirds majority. Appeal against this

    decision can be made to the Arbitration Committee of the Party as

    provided in these Constitution and By Laws.

    Section 5. An applicant for party membership shall take the following oath

    before admission to Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines.

    I_________________, do hereby solemnly swear that I will uphold and advance

    the principles, objectives and programs of action of the Centrist Democratic

    Party of the Philippines, abide by its Constitution and By-Laws and policies,

    and fight for its interests as I also uphold the interests of my country and

    people.

    Article V

    Sector Associations

    Section 1.The Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines is a peoples

    party open to all sectors of Philippine society. The members are united in

    their values and beliefs and their efforts to build up a more humane future

    for all Philippine citizens.

    Section 2. In order to integrate the advocacies and concerns of the differentsectors into the political concepts and strategies of the party, the Centrist

    Democratic Party of the Philippines is cooperating closely with the

    organizations of different sectors, i.e. the farmers and fisherfolk, the labor

    sector, small and informal businesses, youth, senior citizens, indigenous

    peoples, women and the urban poor. Instruments for this cooperation are

    the Centrist Democratic (CD) Sector Organizations established and managed

    by members and supporters from the respective sectors, which communicate

    on a regular and systematic basis the key problems and requests of the

    citizens in their sectors with the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines

    and which translate the vision, messages and political concepts of the

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    Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines into the language of the citizens

    of the respective sectors.

    Section 3. These Centrist Democratic Sector Organizations are organized in

    parallel structures to the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines as

    independent legal entities with their own constitutions and with personal as

    well as financial autonomy. The members are not required to be members of

    the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines, but are highly welcomed as

    members of Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines with all rights and

    obligations.

    Section 4. Dues paying members of Centrist Democratic Sector

    Organizations, who join the CDP as core members, will be granted to pay

    CDP annual membership dues reduced by their sector organization

    membership duesmaximum reduction 365 Pesos per year.

    Section 5. One representative of each respective CD Sector Association

    approved by the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines National

    Council as part of the CDP Family, who is a core Centrist Democratic Party

    of the Philippines member, is included as ex officio member in the respective

    District, Regional and National Councils of the Centrist Democratic Party of

    the Philippines.

    Article VI

    National Bodies of the Party

    Section 1. List of Bodies of the National Party.

    The Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines shall conduct its national

    activities through the following bodies:

    a.The National Congress

    b. The National Council

    c. The Executive Board of the National Council

    d. The National Secretariat

    e. Working Groups of Major Public Office Holders

    f. National Thematic Commissions

    g. Board of Senior Advisors

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    Section 2. The National Congress.

    The National Congress shall be the highest representative body of the

    Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines. It shall consist of one hundred

    (100) members who shall serve for one (1) year elected by the Regional

    Assemblies of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines in accordance

    with the number of core members in their respective regions, following

    strictly proportional principles as specified under the working procedures.

    The National Congress of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines

    shall be in-charge of fundamental orientation and of basic programmatic

    decisions of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines. The National

    Congress shall decide upon political alliances on the national level, strategies

    and the role and potential involvement of the Centrist Democratic Party of

    the Philippines in national election processes. It can delegate this right to the

    National Council. The National Congress shall convene once a year upon theinvitation of the National Council.

    Section 3.The National Council

    a. Composition of the National Council.

    The National Council shall be the national policy making body of the

    Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines and shall oversee the

    overall operations of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines

    nationwide. It shall consist of:

    1)The Chairpersons of all Regional Centrist Democratic Party of

    the Philippines Organizations with a minimum number of 100

    members;

    2) 25 other members elected by the Regional Assemblies

    according to the number of members of the different regions

    following strictly proportional principles; districts which do not

    yet belong to an organized region, shall be considered

    provisionally as a quasi-region, with regards to theirrepresentation in the National Council and National Party

    Congress. Their delegates for the National Bodies of the Party

    are elected by their respective district assemblies.

    3) one representative of the each of the five Working Groups

    from Major Public Office holders as specified in Article VIII of

    these Constitution and By Laws;

    4) one representative from each Sector Association linked with

    the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines;

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    5) Chairpersons of up to five Thematic Commissions, as

    specified under Section 6 of this Article, without voting rights;

    6) two representatives of the Board of Senior Advisors, as

    specified under section 7 of this article, without voting rights.

    b. Functions and Duties of the National Council.

    The National Council shall convene three (3) times a year. It shall elect

    the Executive Board of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines

    who shall serve for one (1) year. The National Council shall decide

    upon the following:

    1) the yearly budget and plan of activities of the Centrist

    Democratic Party of the Philippines, presented by the National

    Secretariat in the last meeting before the start of a new calendaryear;

    2) the approval of the yearly financial and narrative report

    presented by the National Secretariat in the first meeting of each

    year;

    3) formulation of policies that would affect the entire party;

    4) creation of a maximum of 5 thematic commissions as

    specified under Section 6 of this Article.

    5) amendments to the Party Constitution and By Laws by two

    thirds (2/3) vote of all its members with voting rights.

    6) election of an Auditing Council, consisting of three (3) CDP

    Core Members without office position in the Party for one (1)

    year.

    Section 4.The Executive Board of the National Council.

    a.The Executive Board of the National Council is the highest decisionmaking body of the Party between the meetings of the National

    Council. It shall convene monthly and shall be in-charge of the day-to-

    day operations and activities of the party to be implemented by the

    National Secretariat. The members of the Executive Board of the

    National Council shall be the national officers of the party. They shall

    be elected by secret ballot to serve for one (1) year, and shall be

    composed of the following:.

    1) The Chairman of the Centrist Democratic Party of the

    Philippines , to be elected by a simple majority of all members of

    the National Council with voting rights. The Chairman of the

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    CDP has the right to nominate candidates for all positions on

    regional and national levels of the Party after consultation with

    the Executive Board of the Party. The candidates nominated by

    the Chairman of the Party have to be elected in secret voting by

    a simple majority of the members present at the election event ofthe respective body of the CDP in order to take over office. If they

    fail to get a majority of the votes, other candidates can be

    nominated and voted upon for this position by all members of

    the respective body.

    2) The President of the Centrist Democratic Party of the

    Philippines, who shall concurrently be the Chairperson of its

    National Council, to be elected by a simple majority of all

    members of the National Council with voting rights;

    3) Three Vice-Presidents one Vice-President for Luzon, one

    Vice-President for the Visayas, one Vice-President for Mindanao ,

    to be elected by a simple majority of the members with voting

    rights of the National Council from the respective part of the

    Philippines (Luzon, the Visayas, Mindanao);

    4) One Secretary General, to be nominated by the Chairman of

    the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines after

    consultation with the President of the CDP, to be approved by a

    simple majority of the National Council members with votingrights;

    5) One Deputy Secretary General, to be nominated by the

    Chairman of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines

    after consultation with the President of the CDP, to be approved

    by a simple majority of the National Council members with

    voting rights;

    6) One Treasurer, to be nominated by the Chairman of the

    Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines after consultation

    with the President of the CDP, to be approved by a simple

    majority of the National Council members with voting rights.

    b. The National Council may create additional positions in the

    Executive Board as it may deem necessary.

    Section 5.The National Secretariat.

    The National Secretariat, which shall be supported by a group of technical

    and administrative staff selected and employed upon recommendation of theSecretary General after approval of the President of the Party, shall be in-

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    charge of implementing the decisions of the National Council and of

    coordinating the activities of the party under supervision of the Executive

    Board of the National Council on a day to day basis. It shall consist of:

    a. the Secretary General as the head;

    b. the Deputy Secretary General;

    c. the Treasurer.

    Section 6. National Thematic Commissions of the Party

    a. The party shall have up to five (5) standing National Thematic

    Commissions as expert consultative bodies for the National Council of

    the CDP on the following policy fields:

    1) Democratic Institutions and Procedures, Rule of Law,Subsidiarity and Decentralization,

    2) Public Order, Human Security, Police and Armed Forces,

    Human Rights

    3) Economy, Finance, Environment, Poverty and Public Budget

    Issues

    4) Social Security and Assistance, Health and Education, Social

    Justice

    5) International Affairs

    b. Each commission shall consist of up to ten (10) members, selected

    by the Executive Board of the National Council after consultation with

    the Regional Councils. The chairpersons of the National Thematic

    Commissions shall be nominated by the Executive Board of the

    National Council and shall be members of the National Council

    without voting rights.

    Section 7. The Board of Senior Advisors.

    The National Council of the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines may

    set up a Board of Senior Advisors of the Party (BSA), consisting of a

    maximum of five (5) experienced national and international personalities

    with Centrist Democratic orientation. The Board of Senior Advisors of the

    Party will convene twice a year in order to develop recommendations and

    suggestions for the work and development of the Centrist Democratic Party

    of the Philippines and for the international cooperation of the Party, to be

    discussed in a joint meeting with the Executive Board of the CentristDemocratic Party of the Philippines.

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    Article VII

    Regional, District and Local Organizational Structures

    Section 1.The Regions.

    The Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines consists of up to seventeen

    (17) Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines Regional Chapters in the

    administrative regions of the Philippines. Within the framework of the

    Constitution, By Laws and the Program of the Party, the regional chapters

    shall be entitled to develop their own programs and activities and to organize

    and sustain themselves, following the principles of transparency,

    subsidiarity, internal democracy, and cohesiveness.

    Section 2. Structures of the Regions.

    Each regional chapter shall conduct its activities through the following

    bodies:

    a. The Regional Assembly

    b. The Regional Council

    Section 3. The Regional Assemblies.

    a. The Regional Assemblies shall consist of elected representatives of

    the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines congressional district

    chapters located in the respective regions. They shall convene at least

    every six months. Additional meetings may be convened upon the

    request of the regional chairperson or by twenty percent (20%) of the

    members of the respective assembly. The number of members of a

    Regional Assembly shall be three times the number of formally

    established Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines district

    chapters in the respective region.

    b. The elected chairpersons of the formally established Centrist

    Democratic Party of the Philippines district chapters shall be ex-officio

    members in the regional assembly of the respective regional chapters.

    In case of absence in a meeting, they shall be represented by their

    Deputy Chairpersons or another elected officer of the respective

    district chapters. The other seats in the Regional Assembly shall be

    distributed to the different district chapters in accordance with their

    number of core members, following the principle of proportionality.

    They shall be elected in their respective district in a secret ballot bythe members and shall serve for one (1) year. They cannot be

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    represented in the meetings of the Regional Assembly in case of their

    absence.

    c. The Regional Assemblies shall decide upon:

    1) the general plan of activities and the budget of CentristDemocratic Party of the Philippines regional chapters;

    2) the approval of the yearly narrative and financial reports of

    the respective Regional Council; and

    3) potential alliances or support for specific candidates in the

    election of local or regional candidates in cooperation with the

    district chapters with the purpose to promote Centrist

    democratic values and policies.

    4) A simple majority of the total members of the regional

    assembly is sufficient to constitute a quorum to do business.

    The Regional Assemblies shall elect in secret ballot, by simple

    majority of the members present in the meeting, the members of

    the Regional Council and the delegates of the region to the

    National Council and the National Congress of the party for a

    period of one year.

    Section 4. The Regional Councils

    a. The Regional Councils are the planning, coordinating and

    implementing bodies of the Centrist Democratic Party of the

    Philippines in the regions of the Philippines. They are in charge of the

    budget and of the activities of the respective Centrist Democratic Party

    of the Philippines organization in accordance with the decisions of the

    Regional Assemblies. They are the supervising authority of the Centrist

    Democratic Party of the Philippines district chapters. The Regional

    Council shall be composed of at least six (6) members, who shall be

    elected by secret ballot for a period of one year by the regular yearly

    Regional Assembly, namely:

    1) the Chairperson who shall concurrently be Regional Assembly

    Chairperson and ex officio member of the National Council;

    2) the Deputy Chairperson;

    3) the Secretary;

    4) the Deputy Secretary;

    5) the Treasurer;

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    6) and the Deputy Treasurer.

    b. Joining the Regional Council as members are the representatives of

    the different sector associations linked with the Centrist Democratic

    Party of the Philippines with a minimum number of 50 members in the

    region. The regional assembly may create additional positions in the

    Regional Council as it may deem necessary. Each Regional Council

    shall select and appoint an Auditing Council consisting of three (3)

    non-office holder party members of the region for a period of one (1)

    year. The regular meetings of the Regional Council shall take place

    quarterly. Additional meetings shall have to be convened upon the

    request of the Regional Chairperson or by twenty percent (20%) of its

    core members.

    Section 5. The District Organizations.

    The Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines shall formally establish

    under the supervision of the respective regional party organizations

    congressional district chapters of the respective regions. For reasons of

    logistic practicability clustered district chapters can be set up as long as the

    number of members and activities does not allow yet the establishment of

    separate district chapters in a city or a province. Each district or clustered

    district chapter shall conduct its activities through the following bodies:

    a. The District Assembly

    b. The District Council

    Section 6. The District Assemblies

    a) The District Assemblies shall consist of all members of the Centrist

    Democratic Party of the Philippines (CDP) in the respective District.

    They convene at least every three months. Additional meetings shall

    have to be convened upon the request of the Assembly Chairperson or

    by twenty percent (20%) of the core members of the respective

    assembly. The District Assemblies shall decide upon:

    1) the general plan of activities and the budget of the respective

    district chapter;

    2) the approval of the yearly narrative and financial reports of

    the respective District Council; and

    3) potential alliances or support for specific candidates in the

    election of local candidates after approval by the respective

    Regional Council

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    b. The quorum for decisions of the District Assembly shall be ten

    percent (10%) of its total core members, with a minimum of at least

    five (5) core members present in the respective meeting. The District

    Assemblies shall elect in secret ballot, by simple majority of the

    members present in the meeting, the members of the District Counciland the delegates of the district chapters in the respective Regional

    Assembly for a period of one year.

    Section 6. The District Councils

    a. The District Councils are the planning, coordinating and

    implementing bodies of the party district chapters in their respective

    areas. They shall be in-charge of the budget and of the activities of the

    respective chapters in accordance with the decisions of their

    Assemblies and under supervision of the respective Regional Council.The District Councils shall consist of at least six (6) members elected

    for a period of one (1) year by the District Assemblies. The Councils

    shall be composed of the following:

    1) Chairperson who shall be the concurrent District Assembly

    Chairperson and ex officio member of the Regional Assembly;

    2) Deputy Chairperson;

    3) Secretary;

    4) Deputy Secretary;

    5) Treasurer;

    6) And one Deputy Treasurer.

    b.The District assembly may create additional positions in the District

    Council as it may deem necessary and the election of officers thereto

    shall be by secret balloting. Each District Council shall select and

    appoint an auditing council consisting of three (3) non-office holderparty members of the respective district for a period of one (1) year.

    The regular meetings of the District Council shall take place monthly.

    Additional meetings shall have to be convened upon request of the

    council chairperson or by twenty percent (20%) of its members.

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    Article VIII

    Involvement of Major Public Office Holders in the Bodies of the Party

    Section 1. Role of Public Office Holders in the Party.

    Elected public office holders, who are party members, shall enjoy the same

    rights and obligations like other members in the activities and decision-

    making processes of the party. They shall contribute at least ten percent

    (10%) of their remunerations to the party funds.

    Section 2. Senators and Congresspersons who are party members, shall

    become ex-officio members in their home regional council, while Senators,

    Congresspersons, Governors and City and Municipal Mayors who are partymembers, shall become ex-officio members in their home district council.

    Senators, Congresspersons, Governors, City Mayors and Municipality

    Mayors who are party members, shall establish respective working groups on

    the national level. The elected chairpersons of these working groups shall be

    exofficio members with voting rights in the National Council of the Party.

    Article IX

    Finances

    Section 1. The Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines on national

    level, the regional party organizations and the district party organizations

    shall have their own yearly budget, based on a budget plan to be approved

    by the respective councils on the local and regional level and the National

    Council on the national level. The budget year shall follow the calendar year.

    Section 2. The Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines in its financial

    management shall follow the principles of transparency, accountability, and

    efficiency. The party on national, regional and local levels shall cover the

    costs for its structures and activities from the following sources:

    a. membership fees;

    b. donations from natural or juridical persons, up to a maximum of 1

    Million Pesos per year for natural persons and 10 M Pesos for juridical

    persons;

    c. revenues from fundraising events or other activities; and

    d. cooperation projects with Centrist Democratic partner

    organizations.

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    Section 3. The minimum annual membership fee for core members shall be

    one thousand pesos (PhP1,000.00), to be paid per year or in two tranches of

    five hundred pesos (Php 500.00) per semester. This amount shall be

    reviewed every year by the Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines

    National Secretariat. It may be changed and/or adopted by a two-thirds(2/3) vote of the members of the National Council after consultation with the

    Regional Councils. It shall be collected by the district treasurers.

    Section 4.Payment of another persons membership dues shall be strictly

    prohibited. The National and Regional Councils shall institute mechanisms

    to prevent patronage politics in the Party. Violation of this prohibition shall

    result to automatic termination of membership or shall serve as basis for

    outright denial of membership.

    Section 5. The treasurers of national, regional and local levels shall render afinancial report to their respective Councils before the end of March of the

    succeeding year. In these reports, every donation with a value of more than

    one hundred thousand pesos (Php 100,000.00) shall be declared.

    Section 6. The revenues collected from the membership dues on the district

    level shall be divided among the national (40%), regional (20%) and district

    level (40%)

    Section 7. All donations higher than one hundred thousand pesos (Php

    100,000.00) shall be addressed to the National Council of the CentristDemocratic Party of the Philippines which shall allow the respective regional

    or local organization to use the donations acquired by them for their regional

    or local use as long as no serious reasons - i.e. patronage are in place

    against it.

    Section 8. Details shall be regulated in a Financial Management Guide, to

    be approved by the National Council, binding for all CDP organizations on

    national, regional and local level.

    Article X

    Dissolution of Regional/District Chapters

    Section 1. A regional or district organization of the Centrist Democratic

    Party of the Philippines can be dissolved by the National Council of the Party

    in case of serious and repeated violations of the Partys Constitution and By-

    Laws or by inflicting serious damage to the whole party. The decision of

    dissolution of a party organization or chapter can be taken by a two-thirds

    (2/3) majority of the members of the National Council with voting rights.

    Article XI

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    Arbitration

    An arbitration body shall be set up in the Party in order to attempt peaceful

    reconciliation in case of conflicts between individual party members and

    party bodies. The arbitration body shall consist of three (3) lawyers, being

    Centrist Democratic Party of the Philippines core members in 3 different

    regions, to be nominated by the National Council in a secret ballot with

    simple majority. Each party member has the right to appeal to the

    arbitration body against a decision of any body or organ of the party

    considered by such member as a serious violation of his rights as a party

    member. The decisions of the arbitration body are final.

    Article XII

    Amendment and Revision

    Section 1.

    Any amendment to or revision of the constitution and bylaws may be

    proposed in writing by any organ or body of the Party duly addressed to the

    National Council.

    Section 2.

    Amendments to or revisions of the Constitution and By Laws of the Centrist

    Democratic Party of the Philippines shall be ratified by two-thirds majorityof all the members of the National Council.

    As per amendment, May 25, 2013, Davao City, Philippines, 5th National

    Council, Article VI, Section 3, paragraph 2.

    Article IX, Section 5 and 6.

    As per amendment, September 29, 2013, Quezon City, Philippines, 3rd

    National Council.