Constitution

PREAMBLE
We, citizens of the Republic of the Philippines espousing Christian, Muslim and other faiths, and belonging to two recognized dominant political parties, namely: Lakas CMD and KAMPI; 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 unified political party arising from the merger of our two parties 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, 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 KAMPI CMD otherwise known as LAKAS-KAMPI for short, hereinafter referred to as the “Party”.
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. The Party believes that God created man and vested him with dignity. The Party therefore upholds the value of human life and the inherent dignity and worth of every man. It guarantees full respect for the exercise of his civil, economic, and political rights under a just and dynamic social order.
Section 2. The Party ensures freedom of religion and the free exercise of one’s faith.
Section 3. The Party pursues the following principles for the development and advancement of the political, economic, and socio-cultural systems of Philippine society:
(1) Good governance, which requires that public service be conducted at all times with utmost integrity, transparency, accountability, people participation, effectiveness, and efficiency.
(2) Globalization, which acknowledges the interdependence and connectivity of the nations of the world, the commonality of their goals, the necessity of addressing common problems, and the integration of national economies into a global economy.
(3) 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.
(4) 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.
(5) 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.
(6) Subsidiarity, which recognizes the people’s right to and capability for self-determination and promotes decentralization, democratization, and autonomy.
(7) Solidarity, which upholds the unity of the national community in pursuit of the common good which shall at all times be superior to individual, sectoral, or parochial interests.

Section 4. The Party affirms the family as the most basic social unit that must be upheld, respected, and protected at all times.
Section 5. The Party promotes national interest, inculcates patriotism, and encourages participation in governmental and civic affairs.
Section 6. The Party pursues a policy of expanded productivity that ensures the conservation of national patrimony and the maintenance of ecological balance.
Section 7. The party 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 8. The Party recognizes the role of the State in ensuring a socially oriented market economy.

ARTICLE III
GENERAL PLATFORM OF GOVERNMENT
(GOALS AND OBJECTIVES)

Section 1. The general objectives of the Party are:
1.1 To 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.
1.2. To 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.
1.3. To 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;
1.4. To 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;
1.5. To 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
1.6. To 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 the Party are:
2.1. To decentralize political power through devolution, deconcentration, and improved local autonomy;
2.2. To 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;
2.3. To ensure that politics promotes the national interest, thus transforming the politics of patronage and personality into one of service and ideology; and
2.4. To help ensure a responsible, accountable, and transparent system of government.

Section 3. The specific socio-economic objectives of the Party are:
3.1. To 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;
3.2. To 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;
3.3. To 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;
3.4. To 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;
3.5. To 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;
3.6. To ensure the effective implementation of the agrarian reform program;
3.7. To adopt policies and programs that deconcentrate economic power and counter exploitative economic activities especially those that translate into political entrenchment;
3.8. To foster a development paradigm that promotes self-reliance and indigenous growth in the context of global interdependence; and
3.9. To adopt programs and policies that will promote food and energy security for the country.

ARTICLE IV
PARTY MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Membership in the Party is a privilege and a responsibility.
Section 2. Any Filipino is qualified for membership in the Party, provided that he:
2.1. Is at least fifteen (15) years old at the time of application;
2.2. Adheres to the Party’s Constitution and By-Laws;
2.3. Commits to work actively for the Party and carries out its decisions; and
2.4. Submits to Party discipline.

Section 3. No applicant shall be accepted for membership if he is:
3.1. A member of another national political party at the time of the application; or
3.2. A member of any organization whose ideology, objectives, policies, and programs are contrary to the Philippine Constitution and laws, or are inconsistent with those of the Party.

Section 4. Applications for membership must be filed with the local chapters and acted upon in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of filing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the National Executive Committee in special cases to be determined by it, may directly accept and approve applications for membership in consultation with the concerned local chapter.
Section 5. All applications for membership must be approved by the Membership Committee of the local chapter concerned.
Section 6. Membership in the Party shall be terminated by resignation or expulsion.
Section 7. The procedures on membership admission, change of membership status, and induction rites shall be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.
Section 8. The National Executive Committee shall prescribe the 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:
1.1. To vote and, if qualified for the position involved, be voted for;
1.2. To participate in official activities and functions;
1.3. To be fully informed on official Party matters;
1.4. To have access to Party services, facilities, and resources;
1.5. To be entitled to a membership identification card and certificate as well as other documents which will attest to his bona fide Party membership;
1.6. To avail of the representation and protection of the Party for just cause, particularly when his civil and political rights are violated;
1.7. To initiate or petition for the imposition of disciplinary measures on erring Party officers and members; and
1.8 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:
3.1. Conduct himself at all times in accordance with the principles, objectives, and programs of the Party;
3.2. Pay the membership fees, dues and other special assessments as may be prescribed by the National Executive Committee from time to time;
3.3. Actively promote Party ideals and programs in their respective areas of influence and responsibility;
3.4. Regularly attend Party activities and functions;
3.5. Actively and exclusively support and campaign for the official candidates of the Party in all elections; and
3.6. Abide by the final decisions 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. No Party member shall be suspended or expelled except for sufficient and valid cause.
Section 3. A member may be reprimanded or suspended from the Party if he commits any of the following acts:
3.1. Failure to attend official activities or functions without justifiable reasons;
3.2. Non-payment of membership dues and other special assessments; and
3.3. Refusal to undergo Party audit procedures.

Section 4. A member may be expelled if he commits any of the following acts:
4.1. Willful and malicious violation of the Constitution and By-Laws;
4.2. Patent disloyalty to the Party;
4.3. Abandonment of duties and responsibilities as member for a prolonged period;
4.4. Frequent service of suspension orders without regard to any interregnum between such orders; and
4.5. 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:
5.1. Taking a stand contrary to the declared policies of the Party in public gatherings, on radio and television shows, in print media, internet and other forms of electronic communications;
5.2. Making public confidential Party proceedings and documents or giving political opponents access to them;
5.3. Embezzling assets belonging to the Party or placed at the Party’s disposal;
5.4. Maliciously and willfully sowing intrigues against or engendering factionalism among members or officials of the Party; and
5.5. 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, such member shall be given not less than fifteen (15) days’ notice in writing of the charge/s against him, afforded sufficient opportunity to defend himself in person or by counsel, 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, no Party member may 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
LOCAL CHAPTERS

Section 1. There shall be established the following local chapters: (1) Provincial Chapter; (2) Lone District-Provincial Chapter; (3) Lone District-Highly Urbanized City Chapter; (4) Highly Urbanized City Chapter; (5) District Chapter; (6) Component City/Municipal City Chapter; and (7) Barangay Chapter.
Section 2. The local chapters shall be organized as follows:
2.1. Provincial Chapter. District Chapters, Component City/Municipal Chapters, and Barangay Chapters within the province shall comprise the Provincial Chapter. The National Executive Committee shall appoint the Provincial Chapter Chairman; provided that only the governor, any of the province’s congressmen, or the highest-ranking elective official in the province who is a member of the Party is qualified to be the Chapter Chairman. The Chairman shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairmen of the five (5) committees herein provided, and such other officers as he may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.
2.2. Lone District-Provincial Chapter. Component City/Municipal Chapters and Barangay Chapters within the lone congressional district that is also a province shall comprise the Lone District-Provincial Chapter. The National Executive Committee shall appoint the Lone District-Provincial Chapter Chairman; provided that only the governor, the congressman, or the highest-ranking elective official in the lone district-provincial chapter who is a member of the Party is qualified to be the Chapter Chairman. The Chairman shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairmen of the five (5) committees herein provided, and such other officers as he may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.
2.3. Lone District-Highly Urbanized City Chapter. Barangay Chapters within the lone congressional district that is also a highly urbanized city shall comprise the Lone District-Highly Urbanized City Chapter. The National Executive Committee shall appoint the Lone District-Highly Urbanized City Chapter Chairman; provided that only the district congressman, city mayor, or the highest-ranking elective official in the city who is a member of the Party is qualified to be the Chapter Chairman. The Chairman shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairmen of the five (5) committees herein provided, and such other officers as he may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.
2.4. Highly Urbanized City Chapter. District Chapters and Barangay Chapters within the highly urbanized city shall comprise the Highly Urbanized City Chapter. The National Executive Committee shall appoint the Highly Urbanized City Chapter Chairman; provided that only the city mayor, any of the city’s congressmen, or the highest-ranking elective official in the city who is a member of the Party is qualified to be the Chapter Chairman. The Chairman shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairmen of the five (5) committees herein provided, and such other officers as he may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.
2.5. District Chapter. Component City/Municipal Chapters and Barangay Chapters within the congressional district shall comprise the District Chapter. The National Executive Committee shall appoint the District Chapter Chairman; provided that only the district congressman or the highest-ranking elective official in the district who is a member of the Party is qualified to be the Chapter Chairman. The Chairman shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairmen of the five (5) committees herein provided, and such other officers as he may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.
2.6. Component City/Municipal Chapter. Barangay Chapters within the component city or the municipality, as the case may be, shall comprise the Component City/Municipal Chapter. The National Executive Committee shall appoint the Component City/Municipal Chapter Chairman; provided that only the mayor or the highest-ranking elective official in the city or municipality who is a member of the Party is qualified to be the Chapter Chairman; provided further that the appointment shall be made in consultation with the Provincial Chapter Chairman, Lone District-Provincial Chapter Chairman, or District Chapter Chairman concerned. The Chairman shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairmen of the five (5) committees herein provided, and such other officers as he may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.
2.7. Barangay Chapter. Barangay Chapter Chairmen shall be appointed by the Chairman of the next higher chapter, which appointments shall be final and operative until revoked by the National Executive Committee; provided that the Barangay Chapter Chairman shall be the highest-ranking elective official in the barangay who is a member of the Party. The Chairman shall appoint the following chapter officers: Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Chairmen of the five (5) committees herein provided, and such other officers as he may determine. The officers shall meet at least once a month or as often as necessary.

Section 3. The Chapter Chairman shall be the chief executive officer of the chapter. He shall appoint the chapter officers, and call and preside over meetings. He shall perform such other functions as may be determined by the National Executive Committee.
Section 4. The Vice-Chairman shall assist the Chairman in the performance of his duties; act as Chairman in case of the latter’s absence, disability, or temporary incapacity; and succeed as Chairman for the unexpired portion of the term in case of permanent vacancy therein.
Section 5. The Secretary shall be the chapter’s administrative officer and custodian of records. He 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 shall be the co-signatory of the Chairman in the disbursement of funds.
Section 7. The Chairmen of the committees shall be responsible for planning, organizing, implementing, and evaluating the programs, projects, and activities within their areas of responsibility. The committees are:
7.1. Membership and Organization, which processes membership applications, maintains the membership roster, and promotes Party ideology, principles, and vision.
7.2. Education and Training, which implements the Party’s educational and training programs.
7.3. Finance and Economic Affairs, which conceptualizes and monitors the implementation of projects for the benefit of Party members and their respective communities.
7.4. Sectoral Affairs, which facilitates the establishment, development, and maintenance of youth, women, labor, farmers, fisherfolk, and other sectoral organizations of the Party and coordinates efforts to ensure the effective promotion and participation of people’s organizations in the pursuit of the Party’s objectives.
7.5. Public Affairs and Information, which handles the systematic and widespread dissemination of information relating to the programs, projects, and activities of the Party.

Section 8. 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 VIII
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

Section 1. The following are members of the National Council:
1) The members of the National Executive Committee;
2) Incumbent Senators;
3) Incumbent Congressmen;
4) Officials of the Cabinet;
5) Incumbent Governors;
6) Incumbent Highly Urbanized and Independent Component City Mayors;
7) Regional Chairmen;
8) Provincial Chairmen;
9) District Chairmen;
10) Incumbent Highly Urbanized and Independent Component City Chairmen;
11) Heads of Leagues of Local Government Units;
12) Heads of Sectors as may be determined by the National Executive Committee; and
13) 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 two (2) 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 re-organization 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 only upon the existence of a quorum, which is a majority of its members.

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

Section 2. The National Executive Committee shall be presided over by the President. It shall be composed of the following national officers:
1) Chairman;
2) Chairman Emeritus;
3) Two Vice-Chairmen;
4) President;
5) Executive Vice-President;
6) Three Senior Vice-Presidents; provided that, one shall be assigned for Finance; another for External Affairs; and another for Internal Affairs;
7) Secretary-General;
8) Two Senior Deputy Secretaries-General;
9) Treasurer;
10) Deputy Treasurer;
11) Two Vice-Presidents for Luzon;
12) Two Vice-Presidents for Visayas;
13) Two Vice-Presidents for Mindanao;
14) Vice-President for the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao;
15) Vice-President for the National Capital Region;
16) Vice-President for Sectoral Affairs;
17) Vice-President for Legal Affairs;
18) Vice-President for Policy;
19) Vice-President for Membership and Recruitment;
20) Vice-President for Muslim Communities;
21) Vice-President for Environment;
22) Vice-President for Local Governments;
23) Vice-President for Youth;
24) Vice-President for Public Affairs;
25) Two Deputy Secretaries-General;
26) Presidents of the League of Provinces, League of Cities, and League of Municipalities, who are ex officio members;
27) Spokesmen;
28) Regional Chairmen of the following regions: 1, 2, 3, Cordillera Administrative Region, 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Caraga, Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, and National Capital Region;
29) And such other officers as may be appointed or designated by the Chairman whenever appropriate.

Section 3. A national officer and member of the National Executive Committee is qualified to be elected as officer of any local chapter.
Section 4. The members of the National Executive Committee shall
serve for a term of two (2) 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 Chairman shall be the incumbent President of the Philippines who is a member of the party. In the event that the incumbent President of the Philippines is not a member of the Party, the Chairman shall be elected in the same manner as the other national officers.
Section 6. The Chairman shall be the head of the Party and the chief exponent of its vision, ideology, and principles. He shall preside over the meetings of the National Council.
Section 7. The Chairman Emeritus, or Emeriti as the case may be, shall be the past President of the Philippines who is a member of the party.
Section 8. The Vice-Chairmen shall jointly serve as Chairman 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 9. 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 shall perform the following functions:
9.1. Authorize the disbursement of funds contained in the annual general budget approved by the National Executive Committee; and
9.2. Represent the Party in all international and domestic functions, assemblies, and conferences which necessitate its participation.

Section 10. The Executive Vice-President shall assume the powers and duties of the President in the latter’s absence, disability, or temporary incapacity. He shall also perform such functions as may be assigned to him by the President or the National Executive Committee.
Section 11. The Senior Vice-President for Finance shall serve as the chief fund-raiser of the Party and shall ensure that the Party’s plans, programs, and projects are successfully implemented through sufficient funding. The Senior Vice-President for External Affairs shall handle the Party’s relations with international organizations, associations, and groups and shall represent the Party in all international functions, assemblies, and conferences where its presence is necessary, in the absence of the President. The Senior Vice-President for Internal Affairs shall handle all domestic concerns of the Party, in addition to those assigned to him by the National Executive Committee.
Section 12. 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 13. The Secretary-General shall be the administrator and chief operating officer of the Party. As such, he shall:
13.1. Exercise control and supervision over the Senior Deputy Secretaries-General, Deputy Secretaries-General, the National Secretariat, the National Committees, and such other committees as may be created by the National Executive Committee;
13.2 Implement the directives of the National Executive Committee;
13.3. Sign documents for and on behalf of the Party;
13.4. Ensure the custody and safety of all Party records, files, documents, and correspondence, but excluding those pertaining to the Treasurer;
13.5. Approve disbursements of funds and disposal of properties in accordance with the policies set by the National Executive Committee or as authorized by the President; and
13.6. Coordinate the activities and convene the meetings of the National Executive Committee.

Section 14. 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 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 15. The Deputy Treasurer shall act as the Treasurer in the latter’s absence, disability, or temporary incapacity. He shall also perform such functions as may be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.
Section 16. The Spokesmen 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 17. 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 18. 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 revision of the Constitution and By-Laws, only the vote of the majority of the members present shall be necessary for a decision.
Section 19. 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 X
THE NATIONAL COMMITTEES

Section 1. The National Executive Committee shall create the Service, Sectoral, Policy Research and Development, and other committee clusters as it may deem necessary, subject to the control and supervision of the Secretary-General.
Section 2. The National Service Committee Cluster shall be composed of the following Committees: International Affairs, Legal Affairs, Education and Training, Public Affairs and Information, Finance, Livelihood, Membership and Organization, and Arbitration.
Section 3. The National Sectoral Committee Cluster shall be composed of the following Committees: Youth, Women, Urban Poor, Labor, Veterans, Farmers and Fisherfolk, Business and Professionals, Non-Government Organizations (NGO’s), Indigenous Communities, People’s Organizations and Cooperatives, and Overseas Filipino Workers.
Section 4. The National Policy Research and Development Committee Cluster shall be composed of the following Committees: Health and Social Welfare Services; Food and Agriculture; Environment and Natural Resources; Tourism; Foreign Affairs and International Trade; Economic Planning; Labor Development and Employment; Energy, Science, and Technology; Investment, Finance, and Domestic Trade; Education, Culture, and Sports; Infrastructure and Housing; Legislative Affairs; Justice and Human Rights; Transportation and Communications; Public Order and Safety; and Local Governance, Community Development, and Public Administration.
Section 5. The scope of responsibilities and functions of the national committees shall be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.
Section 6. The Chairmen and members of the committees shall be appointed by the Chairman in consultation with the members of the National Executive Committee.
Section 7. All national committees shall have at least one fulltime staff who is accountable to and supervised by the Secretary-General.

ARTICLE XI
THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

Section 1. The National Secretariat, 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. It shall also perform other specific functions as may be prescribed by the National Council and 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 shall be assisted by an adequate number of staff whom he will appoint.
Section 3. The Secretary-General shall submit jointly with the Treasurer the Party’s annual general budget to the National Executive Committee, for its approval, on the last month of every year. He shall also submit a written annual report of the Party’s major activities and accomplishments for the year.

ARTICLE XII
THE NATIONAL ELECTORAL COLLEGE

Section 1. The National Electoral College, which shall be convened at least sixty (60) days before the filing of certificates of candidacy, shall nominate the Party’s official candidates for national elective positions.
Section 2. The members of the National Electoral College shall be determined by the National Executive Committee on the basis of equitable geographical distribution and proportional representation among sectors, provinces, cities, and municipalities.

ARTICLE XIII
GENERAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. There shall be established sixteen (16) 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 livelihood programs and other socio-economic activities.
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 XIV
AMENDMENTS OR REVISION

Section 1. The National Executive Committee or any local chapter may propose amendments to or revision of the Constitution and By-Laws. Any proposed amendment or revision shall be approved by a vote of simple majority or of three-fourths (3/4), respectively, of the members of the National Executive Committee and ratified by the National Council in a meeting called for the purpose.
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 XV
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

Section 1. All existing members in good standing of Lakas CMD and KAMPI at the time of the ratification of this Constitution and By-Laws are deemed members of LAKAS-KAMPI, unless excluded by their respective governing bodies; provided they shall submit newly prescribed membership forms and take the oath of membership individually.
Section 2. Pending the election of the regular members of the National Executive Committee which shall be conducted within three (3) months from June 30, 2010, the Chairman is hereby empowered to appoint the interim members of the National Executive Committee.
Section 3. The interim National Executive Committee shall determine the schedule and manner of organizing the Party at the local level.
Section 4. The ownership of all properties, records, equipment, buildings, facilities, and other assets held by Lakas CMD and KAMPI parties prior to their merger shall be transferred to LAKAS-KAMPI.
Section 5. For purposes of the 2010 national elections, the powers of the National Electoral College provided in Article XII herein shall be exercised by the National Executive Committee.

ARTICLE XVI
EFFECTIVITY

This Constitution and By-Laws takes effect immediately upon its approval and ratification by the appropriate bodies of Lakas CMD and KAMPI pursuant to the provisions of their respective Constitutions and By-Laws.