This is the working draft of the Constitution & By-Laws for MAKAKALIKASAN (Nature Party Philippines). For discussion and comments. This was first adopted in the Founding National Assembly last April 24, 2021 and subsequently amended in the 1st Special Session of the National Assembly last September 11, 2021.
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PREAMBLE
We, who come together in the spirit of solidarity and good faith as citizens of these islands and the Earth, under the banner of a political party; who commit to the noble mission of engaging in a political process that mobilizes citizens towards good governance and sustainable development; and who hereby swear to pursue this task with courage, fervor and determination through peaceful means, resisting all ideologies that run counter to peaceful resolution; do ordain and promulgate this Constitution and By-Laws. Article I NAME OF THE PARTY Section 1. The Party shall be called MAKAKALIKASAN (Nature Party Philippines) Article II STATEMENT OF POLITICAL AGENDA The MAKAKALIKASAN (Nature Party Philippines)is guided by the following 10-Point Green Agenda. In the next 10 (2021 to 2030) years, it will push the following: Section1: Climate & public health emergency actions 1.1. Recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic 1.2. Preparation for succeeding pandemics 1.3. Adaptation to impacts of climate change 1.4. Mitigation to the root causes of climate change through lifestyle changes and changes in fundamental socio-economic systems Section 2: Renewable Energy & Green Public Works 2.1. 100% shift to renewable energy sources within a decade. Immediately, no new coal and diesel power plants 2.2. Shift infrastructure development towards support for green agro-industrial industries and services 2.3. Nationwide electric mass transportation system Section 3 : Organic Agriculture 3.1. 100% shift to organic agriculture within a decade 3.2. Preferential support for improving value chain for small farmers and fisherfolks 3.3. Local food systems including massive home/community gardening Section 4: Biodiversity and Habitat Conservation 4.1. 40% nationwide forest cover within a decade 4.2. Struct enforcement of conservation laws 4.3. Corridoring approach for protected areas 4.4. Agroforestry approach to reforestation 4.5. Priority for freshwater security through forest protection and rehabilitation Section 5: Shift to Ecological Economic Development 5.1. Shift to a mixed green agro-industrial and service circular economy with zero waste as a vision and waste minimization as goals 5.2. Support to micro, small, medium enterprises for green jobs generation 5.3. Promote and support alternative green value exchange systems such as barter, local green currencies, others 5.4. Reintegration of BPO workers to support local green agro-industrial and services enterprises 5.5. Gradual introduction of universal basic pay nationwide Section 6: De Urbanization and Greening Communities 6.1. Reduce urban population by 30% within a decade 6.2. Promote and support green collectives or communes in rural development 6.3. Promote and support green communities (urban, rural, suburban) with green technologies and systems (may include home solar net metering systems, home gardening/rooftop gardening for buildings, rainwater collection systems, green parts, bike commuting and delivery systems, etc. Section 7: Reclaiming National Resource Patrimony 7.1. Re-nationalization of all oil, gas development especially in Liguasan Marsh, Recto Bank, and others 7.2. Re-nationalization/ re-cooperativization of key public utilities (freshwater, electricity, transportation, media & communications) 7.3. Moratorium on all mineral mining for a decade while we rationalize utilization of minerals for our development Section 8: Humanely reducing population growth 8.1. Provision of sufficient access to sexual and reproductive health options & services 8.2. Provide incentives for couples who will commit not to have biological children of their own and instead opt for adoption of abandoned or orphaned children or have one of their 2 children from adoption Section 9: Sustainable development through green governance 9.1. Immediate completion of the recognition of indigenous peoples rights to their ancestral lands and domains - within 1 year 9.2. Full support to implement the ADSDPP (Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plan) of each IP tribe within a decade 9.3. Full support to the implementation of the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao) law and ful support for the full autonomy of the Cordillera 9.4. No All-Out-War declarations or actions against all rebellions and instead move for the final resolution of all peace negotiations leading to the withdrawal of all armed groups from the domains of the IPs, Bangsamoro and the Cordillera and the setting up of self-defense force of these peoples to secure their own domains and lands. Section 10: Green Governance Reforms 10.1. Passage and the full implementaiton of an anti-dynasty law 10.2. Public financing subsidy for political parties 10.3. Reform our penal and justice systems to decongest and make our penal facilities more humane within 5 years 10.4. Further greening our Constitution by including Rights to Environment and Rights of Nature clauses to be included 10.5. Optimize the local government code and if not sufficient support efforts to shift to a federal-parliamentary form of government to give local communities more control over the management and sustainable utilization of their natural resources Section 11: Sustainable National Financing 11.1. No new national borrowings for a decade. Instead plug leaks in our procurement systems, raise funds from the re-nationalization of oil, gas and public utilities 11.2. Redirect remittances of OFWs to investments in green jobs, green agro-industrial and services enterprises 11.3. Reduce income and value added tax while increasing direct tax to pollutive and unhealthy industries (including a carbon tax) Section 12: Research & Development (R&D), Education & Artistic Expressions of Sustainability & Regeneration 12.1 Increase R&D budget 500% every year for the next 10 years 12.2. Support local investors and creatives to develop new green technologies & innovations, and artistic expressions to better communicate sustainability & regeneration within the values of “sapat” (social equity) 12.3. Re-focus education towards sustainability and regenerative values, principles, knowledge and skills Section 13: South East Asia Security Solidarity 13.1. Decrease dependence from mutual defense pacts with western allies and instead strengthen South East Asian (SEA) security solidarity in tandem with building our complementary military defensive capacities 13.2. Pursue joint exploration & conservation for future sustainable use of all disputed territories among SEA neighbors Section 14: Sustainable Re-Integration of Overseas Filipino Workers 14.1. Provide technical & financial incentives to facilitate the return of 75% of all OFWs within a decade with investment mechanisms in green agro-industrial and services enterprises in green collectives or communes and re-unite families as a strategy to reduce demand-side factors contributing to drug abuse, juvenile delinquency and teenage pregnancy as social costs of the OFW phenomenon 14.2. Enhance protection of all OFWs current deployed Section 15: Support Global Climate Justice Leadership 15.1. Support the Philippine delegations leading roles in global demands for climate justice; particularly in loss & damages for early onset of climate change impacts as well as to ensure consistent implementation of our own commitment to the recent Paris agreements for global climate actions. Article III OBJECTIVES Section 1. The general objectives of the Party are: 1. To act in synergy to advance party ideals through peaceful political means. 2. To uphold the environmental issues as the key political agenda among decision makers in government and other sectors of society 3. To create a constituency of people from all sectors that respects all life forms in nature 4. To foster ecological standards of personal behavior for all for the protection of the environment Section 2. The specific political objectives of the Party are: 1. To support candidates in the local and national levels with sound environmental platforms and good environmental governance performance. 2. To formulate and lobby for the enactment of laws that would conserve, rehabilitate and protect our environment and enhance our life support systems and cultural integrity towards sustainable development. 3. To advocate against unfair business and industrial practices by multi-national corporations which have a direct and deep impact on the state of the environment and demand for exact corporate accountability and responsibility. 4. To push adequate funding for effective implementation and strict enforcement of the existing laws on the environment. 5. To work with other green movements at all levels, local, national and international. Article IV PARTY MEMBERSHIP Section 1. Membership in the Party is a privilege and a responsibility. Section. 2. Regular Membership. Any applicant for Party membership shall be eligible as a Regular Member if he/she is: 1. A Filipino citizen; 2. 18 years and above; 3. Who declares commitment to Party principles and agenda; and 4. Willing to submit to Party discipline Section. 3. Associate Membership. Any applicant for a Party membership shall be eligible as an Associate Member if he/she is: 1. a Filipino citizen 2. below 18 years old. Those below 18 will also be referred youth wing of the Party 3. with existing membership in another political party 4. those whose application has been screened by the membership committee but for whatever justifiable reasons cannot be bestowed full membership at this point 5. who declares commitment to Party principles and agenda; and 6. willing to submit to Party discipline Section 4. Organizational Membership. Full pledged Organizational Members (any Filipino organization consisting of at least 20 individual members with about 60% of them becoming full pledged individual members of the Party) who declares their support to the Party’s Manifesto and Green Agenda and pledge to be subject to party discipline and code of ethics and standards [note: adopted as an amendment during the Sept. 11, 2021 1st Special Session of our National Assembly] Section 5. All membership should be processed upon application. There shall be no automatic membership and everyone must apply and be subject to screening by the membership committee using guidelines and standards approved by the general membership of the party. Section 6. Only regular individual members have the right to vote on all matters about the party and be voted upon in elective position in the party. Associate members have no right to vote on all matters within the Party Section 7. Only regular individual members may be selected by the party to run in electoral exercises carrying the party; Associate members cannot be selected by the Party to run in any electoral exercises; but can become members of certain committees Section 8 Regular Individual Membership should not hold any dual membership with another party. Those who hold membership in other parties’ may be considered as associate members only. Section 9. Any application for membership must be acted upon in writing within fifteen (15) calendar days from the date of filing. Section 10. No applicant shall be accepted for Party Membership if he is convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude. Section 11. Membership in the Party shall be terminated by resignation, expulsion, disaffiliation and temporary suspension with cause and due process. Section 12. The National Council shall prescribe the amount of membership fee and monthly dues. Article V RIGHTS AND DUTIES Section 1. A Party Member in good standing shall have the following rights: 1. Right to be part of the decision making of the organization, 2) Right to be appointed or elected to a position in the party 2. Right to be become a nominee or a candidate of the Party subject to our guidelines on candidate selection 3. Right to due process 4. Right to regularly and actively participate in official activities and functions of the Party 5. Be fully informed on official Party matters 6. Access to services, facilities, and other Party resources 7. A membership identification card and certificate, and such other documents which attest to bonafide Party membership 8. Initiate or petition the imposition of disciplinary measures on erring party officers and members. Section 2. The National Council shall formulate and issue the implementing policy, administrative and operational guidelines and procedures for the exercise of these rights. Section 3. A Party member in good standing shall; 1. Comply with all membership requirements including paying his/her membership fees, dues, and/or other special assessments as may be prescribed by the National & Local Councils of the Party 2. Follow lawful directives of the Party leadership structure 3. Conduct himself/ herself, at all times, in accordance with ethical standards of personal behavior in government, business, the professions, livelihood activities, and community service 4. Subject oneself to the the Party Discipline and Code of Ethical Standards of the Party 5. Actively promote Party ideals and programs 6. Regularly attend official Party activities and functions 7. Actively support and campaign for the official candidates of Party 8. Abide by the final decisions of the Party. Article VI PARTY DISCIPLINE Section 1. A party member may be disciplined, suspended, or removed from the Party on the following grounds: 1. Engaging in activities that run counter to the objectives and interests of the Party or of deliberate failure to support any of its fundamental decisions; 2. Abandonment of duties and responsibilities as a Party member for a prolonged period of time; 3. Taking a stand contrary to the declared policies of the Party in public gatherings, in radio and TV and in print media and the internet 4. Embezzling assets belonging to the Party 5. Maliciously sowing intrigues against members and officials of the Party; 6. Membership in another political party; either act or deed except in the case of Associate members 7. Engaging in environmentally destructive business activities and performance of governance functions and roles Section 2. A Party member who is subject to disciplinary proceedings shall enjoy the right of due process. Section 3. The National Council shall formulate the implementing guidelines for imposing Party Discipline. The Chapter Councils may motu propio or acting upon a complaint executed by any Party member, investigate and decide on the case whose decision may be appealed to the higher Chapter Councils until the National Council whose decision will be final. Section 4. A party member may be suspended for a period not exceeding one (1) year Article VII LOCAL PARTY ORGANIZATION Section 1. The basic policy-making and governing body of the Party shall be the Chapters. There shall be city, municipality, barangay and school/institutional chapters. Section 2. The Chapters are subject to the supervision, control and direction of the National Council. Section 3. The functions of the Chapters shall be as follows: 3.1. Formulate and executive programs and measures that would promote increase consciousness and actions of the citizens in the party’s political agenda. 3.2. Develop and implement local chapter political agenda and initiate politically pro-active activities that will link these agenda and actions to national & international policies and programs 3.3. Screen and nominate to the National Governance Committee, prospective candidates for succeeding national & local elections who are environmental champions, subject to the criteria, rules and regulations prescribed by the National Council and may be based on the recommendation/s of the respective chapter Governance Committee. Section 4. The Chapters shall be convened annually at a regular date set by their respective members and duly communicated to the National Council Section 5. The members of the Chapters shall elect from among themselves the Chapter Councils to act as implementing body of the decisions of the Chapter. This Chapter Council shall be composed of a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson, Secretary-General and four (4) Committee Coordinators, as enumerated in the succeeding sections Section 6. The Chairperson shall be the presiding officer of the Chapter Assembly and the Chapter Council. Section 7. The Vice Chairperson shall succeed as Chairperson for the unexpired portion of the term in case of vacancy therein. She/he shall also preside in meetings in case the Chairperson is absent Section 8. The Secretary-General shall take the minutes of the all the meetings of the Chapter Assembly and the Chapter Council and shall be the custodian of all its records Section 9. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds and other properties of the Chapter Section 10. The Coordinators of the Chapter Committees shall be responsible for the planning, organizing, implementing projects to wit: 10.1. Membership and Organization: In charge of the processing of membership applications and active in the creation of propaganda materials that promote the Party’s ideology. 10.2. Advocacy: Conceptualization and execution of effective meta-legal and legal strategies to push the political agenda of the Party and counteract local development aggression 10.3. Finance and Economic Affairs: In charge of creative, local fund raising and business enterprise 10.4. Governance Committee. Shall provide technical and capacity building support to Party members who have been elected or appointed in local government positions to ensure that he/she shall perform his/her government function under the highest standard set-forth in our guiding principles and policies as well as our platform of governance. During elections, this committee shall take lead in any and all electoral campaigning support of the Green Party candidates and shall provide support to the work of the Party Primary Elections system in nominating and electing Party candidates to national and local elections Section 11. The Chapter may add in the roster of officers listed herein, create other positions suited to local demand or as the need requires Section 12. Chapters shall constitute at least 50 members. At the organizing stage of the Chapter, five (5) core group members can initiate Chapter building. Section 13. Chapter Chairpersons shall be convened and consolidated at the district, provincial and regional levels through its respective divisions. The convenor of each division shall be elected from among its members composed of chapter chairpersons. Regardless of the size of membership of each chapter, at the district levels, each chapter will have one vote. Divisions are convened for purposes of consulting chapters on issues covering the divisions and to facilitate engagement of the party in various governance and advocacy opportunities at the level of the districts, province and regions. Article VIII NATIONAL PARTY ORGANIZATION Section 1. The highest governing body of the Party is the National Assembly Section 2. The National Chairperson and the National Council shall convene the National Assembly at least once every three (3) years, at least a year before the next elections of the country. Section 3. All members of the Party are entitled to receive notification and to participate in the National Assembly. Section 4. While all full members may attend and participate in the National Assembly, only the official delegates from each of the Chapters and members of the National Council will have voting rights. Every Chapter can designate one (1) delegate to the National Assembly who shall have one (1) vote. Each of the elected National Council members will also enjoy one (1) vote. Section 5. The Chapters are required to consult all their respective members on all positions to be taken by their delegation during the National Assembly. Section 6. The Chapters shall be fully liable to their members on all positions and decisions that their delegation will take during the National Assembly. Section 7. All Chapters are required to send official delegations to the National Assembly. Non-representation of the any Chapter in two (2) succeeding National Assembly will automatically dissolve said Chapter. Section 8. A simple majority of all Chapter Delegation and all members of the National Council, taken together, is sufficient and necessary to declare a quorum. Section 9. After a quorum is declared, the total number of Chapter Delegation and members of the National Council registered will be used for subsequent computations of majority. The National Assembly needs a simple majority of those registered to make decisions. Section 10. If no quorum is reached, the National Assembly may not elect a new National Council. However, it may still propose decisions if a simple majority of the Chapter delegates and members of the incumbent National Council registered for the National Assembly vote in favor of the proposals. 10.1. The proposals must then be submitted in a written referendum to all Chapters through the Chapter Councils, who will vote on each proposal through a meeting called for the purpose. 10.2. Approval by a simple majority of all Chapters will ratify a proposed decision as if it had been approved in a National Assembly. Section 11. The National Council shall submit the following written reports to the National Assembly. Copies of these reports should be made available to all members before the National Assembly. 11.1. A detailed Party organizational report 11.2. A report on the national situation 11.3. A consolidated financial report of the Party 11.4. A three-year Party Program of Action considering all Chapter Operational and Strategic Plans Section 12. The regular agenda of every National Assembly shall include: 12.1. Presentation and adoption of the Executive Reports from the National Council 12.2. Presentation and adoption of a 6-year Mid-Term Strategic Plan and 3-Year Operational Plan of the Party 12. 3. Presentation and adoption of the Party’s “State of the Philippine Society and Environment” 12.4. Election of the National Council 12.5. Completion of the Party Primary Elections and the public declaration of the National and Local Green Candidate Slate of the Party for the next Philippine National and Local Elections Article IX NATIONAL COUNCIL Section 1. In between National Assembly, the highest governing body of the Green Party is the National Council. It is also the lead implementing body of all National Assembly decisions Section 2. The National Council shall be composed of the following 2.1. National Chairperson 2.2. Vice Chairperson 2.3. National President 2.4. National Secretary-General 2.5. National Treasurer 2.6. National Spokesperson 2.7. National Auditor 2.8. Regional Division Convenors Section 3. The roles and responsibilities of the members the National Council shall be as follows: 3.1. The Chairperson shall be the presiding officer of the National Assembly. He/She shall be the National Leader of the Party and shall represent it in any national and international bodies and gatherings that require our participation. 3.2. The Vice Chairperson shall succeed as Chairperson for the unexpired portion of the term in case of vacancy therein. She/he shall also preside in meetings in case the Chairperson is absent 3.3. The President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the Party. He/she shall lead and convene the National Council and its meetings and processes. He/she shall also convene the National Executive Committee 3.4. The Secretary-General shall be the Chief Operating Officer of the Party and shall take charge of the operations of the National Secretariat. He/She shall also take the minutes of the all the meetings of the National Assembly and the National Council and shall be the custodian of all its records 3.5. The Treasurer shall be the custodian of the funds and other properties of the Party and co-signatory of the President or the Secretary General for the disbursement of funds 3.6. The National Spokesperson shall be the public voice of the Party on all matters regarding our campaigns and activities. He/She will take charge of our relationship with media. 3.7. The National Auditor shall conduct an annual internal audit of the financial and management system of the Party and submit his/her report to the National Council. 3.8. The Convenors of the Regional Districts shall represent the interest of their respective Regions Section 4. The National Chairperson, National Vice Chairperson, National President, National Secretary-General, National Treasurer, National Spokesperson and National Auditor shall be elected during the National Assembly. The Convenors of the Regional Districts are elected by their respective district members. Section 5. The National Council shall serve for a term of three (3) year Section 6. No member shall hold more than one (1) elective party position Section 7. The National Council shall also include in ex-oficio capacity the representatives of the Party Institutes and the Youth Wing of the Party. Section 8. The National Council shall be convened at least three (3) times a year. Article X NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Section 1. The day-to-day functions of the National Council is hereby delegated to a National Executive Committee (NEC). Section 2. It shall be composed of the: a) National President, b) National Secretary General, and c) National Treasurer Section 3. The National Executive Committee shall be convened every quarter or more frequently if necessary. Article XI NATIONAL COMMITTEES Section 1. To support the work of the National Council, four (4) National Committees of the National Assembly are hereby created as coordinating units as well as policy-recommending body as follows: 1.1. Membership and Organization: In charge of reviewing membership-related and coalition-building programs and policies. They also support Chapter Membership Committees in the creation of propaganda materials that promote the Party’s ideology. The committee shall also be responsible for facilitating expansion of the Party in new areas. 1.2. Advocacy: Conceptualization and execution of effective meta-legal and legal strategies at the national and international levels to push the political agenda of the Party. 1.3. Finance and Economic Affairs: In charge of creative, national and international fund raising and business enterprise 1.4. Governance Committee. Shall provide technical and capacity building support to Party members who have been elected or appointed in national government positions to ensure that he/she shall perform his/her government function under the highest standard set-forth in our guiding principles and policies as well as our platform of governance. During elections, this committee shall take lead in any and all electoral campaigning support of the Green Party candidates and shall provide support to the work of the Party Primary Elections system in nominating and electing Party candidates to national elections Article XII PARTY INSTITUTES Section 1. To support the policy research and capacity building on governance of the Party and our leaders, including those who will be appointed and elected in government positions, Party Institutes shall be set-up and/or designated. Section 2. The Institutes' leadership shall include Party leaders given their individual expertise to provide the above services to the Party. Section 3. To ensure accountability of the Institutes to the Party, the Party National Council and the Board of Trustees of the Institutes shall cause the execution of parallel resolutions ensuring an interlocking leadership in both the Party National Council and the Institute Board of Trustees. Section 4. The administrative and financial management of the Institutes shall remain independent of the Party but shall be reported as part of the Executive Report of the National Council to the National Assembly. Section 5. The strategic and operations plans of the Institutes shall take into consideration the similar plans of the Party in order to ensure that the Institute operations directly benefit the needs of the Party [note: sections in blue were adopted as an amendment during the Sept. 11, 2021 1st Special Session of our National Assembly] Article XIII PARTY YOUTH WING Section 1. To ensure that the youth; which already comprises majority of Philippine society, is properly represented in the Party, a Party Youth Wing shall be set-up. Section 2. While remaining organizationally and administratively autonomous from the Party, the Party Youth Wing shall abide fully to the Party’s Political Agenda and this Constitution and By-Laws. However, at its formative stage and until such time that the National Council in consultation with the National Secretariat deemed the Makakalikasan Youth leaders and its policies and organizational mechanisms are ready for autonomous operations, it will first have to be under the direct supervision of a young greens leadership program of the Party with support from the Party Institutes; if necessary. [PROPOSED AMENDMENT for consideration in the 3rd Special Session of the Makakalikasan-Nature Party Philippines on December 17, 2022] Section 3. The Party youth Wing shall be represented in the National Council subject to article IV of this Constitution and By-Laws. Section 4. Each Party Chapter shall host and support the setting up of local chapters of the Party Youth Wing. Section 5. During the annual Chapter Assemblies, the Chapter Council shall ensure that at least 20% of their official delegates to every National Assembly shall be youth between 18 to 30 years old. Article XIV THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT Section 1 The National Secretariat, under the control of the Secretary-General-General shall be the central coordinative, administrative, and operations support body of the Party. It shall perform other specific functions, as may be prescribed by the National Assembly, National Council and the National Executive Committee. Section 2. The National Secretariat shall set-up regional coordinating centers in locations deemed most appropriate and accessible by members and officers thereof. A National Secretariat Coordinating Center will be set up in Metro Manila. The National Secretary-General shall take charge of the professional staffing of the National Secretariat subject to the administrative policies to be adopted by the National Executive Committee Article XV PARTY PRIMARY ELECTION SYSTEM Section 1. Two (2) years before National and Local Elections in the Philippines, the Party shall execute its Party Primary Election System through the Governance Committees of the Chapters and the National Assembly. Section 2. This system shall integrate within the regular operations of the Party a 6-month to a year series of selection, nomination and eventually internal primary elections among Party members across all Chapters to select the best Party members to be our official candidates in Philippine local and national elections. Section 3. This system shall be open to the participation and scrutiny of the public and shall accept 20% of the final votes considered from non-Party members who will join the primary elections Section 4. The final primary elections at the Chapter levels shall be done during the last Chapter Assembly prior to the National Assembly held at least eight (8) months before any National and Local Elections in the Philippines. The National Party Primary Elections shall be held during that same National Assembly. Article XVI GENERAL PROVISIONS Section 1. For purpose of transacting business, the presence of ¼ of all members of any party organ shall constitute a quorum Section 2. Vacancies in the Party organs shall be filled by the corresponding committee of Party organ unless otherwise provided in this Constitution Section 3. The National Council shall adopt the appropriate implementing policies, rules, regulations and procedures to carry out the provision of this Constitution and By-Laws Section 4. All decisions of the governing bodies of the Party must be put in writing and circulated to all members Section 5. Within each Party organ, decisions shall be arrived at by consensus. If consensus is not possible and a decision is necessary, majority rule will be followed, after sufficient discussions. The minority should respect the majority decision and abide by it. On important issues, the minority will be allowed to reserve its opinion but they should not oppose the decision publicly. The next higher Party organ must be notified of all major decisions. Section 6. All dissenting opinions shall be respected and noted down, as long as they are consistent with our vision. This is important because better ideas often start as minority opinions. On major and recurring internal debates within the Party, the majority can allow the minority view to be tried out in a limited area, to clarify the issues and facilitate the resolution of the debate based on actual experience. Article XVII AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS Section 1. Except for the Articles I and II, this Constitution & By-Laws may be amended by the National Assembly if two-thirds (2/3) or more of all National Assembly delegates and members of the incumbent National Council vote in favor of the amendment, or if two-thirds or more of the general membership approve the proposed amendment in a referendum called by the National Council. Section 2. Amendments to Article I and II. The official name of the Party as well as our Political Agenda may be amended if three-fourths (3/4) or more of the National Assembly delegates and members of the incumbent National Council who registered in the National Assembly vote in favor of the amendment, or if three-fourths (3/4) or more of the general membership approve the proposed amendment in a referendum called by the National Council. Unanimously approved and adopted by the delegates of the 1st National Assembly of the MAKAKALIKASAN (Nature Party Philippines) held last ________ in ___________ |