ARTICLE I: NAME

Section I – The name of the organization shall be the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP), therein after known and referred to as the LEAGUE.

ARTICLE II: DOMICILE

Section 2 – The principal office of the League shall be located in Metro Manila, Philippines.

ARTICLE III: OBJECTIVE, POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

Section 1 – The League shall have primary purpose of ventilating, articulating, and crystallizing issues affecting provincial government administration specially those concerning local legislation and securing, through proper and legal means, solutions thereto; likewise, the league shall:

a. Assist the national government in the formulation and implementation of policies, programs and projects affecting the provinces a whole;
b. Promote and give meaning to local autonomy and decentralization;
c. Foster unity and cooperation among all Vice Governors in the country in particular and all provinces in general;
d. Provide a unified and a cohesive force that will embody the sentiments and aspirations of the members;
e. Encourage people’s participation in local government legislation and administration in order to promote united and concerted action for the attainment of countrywide development goals;
f. Serve as a forum of discussion amd feed back mechanism on policies affecting local governments particularly in the area of local legislation.
g. Collaborate with national and local government agencies as well as non- government organizations in attaining efficient and effective local local legislation to provide development programs that will enrich and upgrade the capabilities of local legislative bodies and local government units as a whole;
h. Engage in continuing programs for the development of the local government legislators;
i. Involve the League’s Officers and Members in international associations, conventions, seminars, congress and international linkages with their counterpart local legislative bodies;
j. Source, generate and solicit funds including grants and credits from all possible sources;
k. Propose measures for legislative action by congress for the benefit of the local government units;
l. Coordinate and collaborate with other league of local government units on common programs and activities which needs collective support by local officials;
m. Provide and undertake capability building and skills development of the members of the LEAGUE for efficient and effective governance;

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – All incumbent provincial Vice Governors shall represent their respective provinces for membership in this League.

Section 2 – Members shall pay an annual fee during their term as members of the League which shall be set by the general assembly

Annual fees shall be payable within the quarter immediately after the preceding local elections, and every year thereafter, to the National Treasurer of the LEAGUE through the league of Vice Governors of the Philippines National
Secretariat.

ARTICLE V: MEETINGS

Section 1 – A general membership meeting shall be held quarterly. The venue of the assembly shall be rotated from among the major islands of the country, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

Section 2 – A special general meeting may be called by the National President or by a written request of the majority of the members of the LEAGUE.

ARTICLE VI: QUORUM

Section 1 – The majority of all members of the League shall be necessary in all general assembly meetings in order to constitute a quorum to transact any business and every decision of a majority of the quorum shall be necessary for its validity.

The quorum maybe dispensed in case of immediate policy decision provided that all the members of the League were duly notified and they failed to attend the meeting.

In such case, the decision of the majority of the members present during the meeting shall be valid.

ARTICLE VII: NATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD

Section 1 – There shall be a National Executive Board for the League consisting the elected officers of the LEAGUE as hereinafter provided for in article VIII, and other officers, as may be appointed by the National President with the concurrence of the National Executive Board. The National Executive Board shall be the ruling body of the LEAGUE in between the meeting of the general membership.

The members of the National Executive Board shall serve for a period co-terminus with their term of office as Vice Governors starting from the date of oath
taking and assumption of office.

Section 2 – Any member of the National Executive Board may be removed for cause after an investigation duly conducted thereon by a committee appointed by the Board and the member given the opportunity to present his/her side by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all members present constituting a quorum at a meeting called for the purpose.

Section 3 – The general powers of the National Executive Board shall be the formulation of policies of the LEAGUE. It shall have the over-all supervision of all affairs and properties of the LEAGUE with full powers and authority to manage and conduct the same.

In addition thereto, the Board shall have the following express powers:

a. Promulgate rules and regulations not inconsistent with these By-Laws for the effective management of the affairs of the LEAGUE;
b. Prepare and approve the annual budget and such other necessary supplemental budget of the LEAGUE;
c. Create committee and define their duties and functions, and to lawfully delegate as it sees fit, any of its power to any committee or office of the LEAGUE;
d. Suspend, dismiss and penalize any officer, member and employee for acts Inimical to the interest of the LEAGUE after an investigation only conducted thereon and officer or member given the opportunity to present his/her side.

Section 4. Meetings of the National Executive Board – Meeting of the National Executive Board shall be held quarterly at such time, place and purpose as it may determine. It may also be held at any time on call by the National President/Chairman or upon written request of the majority of the National Executive Board members, as the need arises, at such date and time as may be set by the Board. Notice of such meetings, shall be sent at least 15 days before the scheduled date of meetings , specifying the time and place at which such meeting shall be held.

Section 5. Quorum – Eleven members of the National Executive Board shall constitute a quorum and a majority vote of the members present at said meeting shall be a valid act of the LEAGUE.

ARTICLE VIII: OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Section 1 – The officers of the LEAGUE shall consist of:

1. Chairman of the National Executive Board
2. National President
3. Executive Vice President
4. Vice President for Luzon
5. Vice President for Visayas
6. Vice President for Mindanao
7. Secretary General
8. Treasurer
9. Auditor
10. Public Relations Officer
11. Regional Directors for Regions 1, 2, 3, 4-A, 4-B, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, CAR, ARMM and Caraga.

The Chairman, National President, Executive Vice President, Vice President representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, Secretary General, Treasurer, Auditor, and Public Relations Officer shall be elected by the members at large. The Regional Directors shall be elected by the members coming from their respective regions.

The National President shall, with the concurrence of the National Executive Board, appoint the General Counsel(s) who may or may not be members of the LEAGUE.

Section 2. The Chairman of the National Executive Board – The Chairman of the National Executive Board shall perform the following duties:

a. Be the official presiding officer of the National Executive Board and all general membership meeting of Board;
b. Be responsible for calling all meetings, convention or special meetings of the National Executive Board;
c. Represent the League in all activities where his/her presence and representation is required.

Section 3. The National President – The National President shall perform the following duties:

a. Provide the kind of leadership necessary for the attainment of the Goals of the LEAGUE;
b. Preside over all meetings of the National Assembly;
c. Recommend and propose policy guidelines that shall govern and conduct of the affairs and function of the LEAGUE;
d. Call a special meeting whenever he deems it necessary;
e. Represent the LEAGUE in any occasion or matter in which representation may be required;
f. Approve vouchers covering disbursement for funds of the LEAGUE before payment is made by the Treasurer;
g. Sign all appointments, contracts and other documents relative to its business and activities.

Section 4. The Executive Vice President – In case of absence, disability, incapacity, death or resignation of the National President, he shall act as the National President. He shall assist the national President in the implementation of programs, projects and activities.

Section 5. The Vice President – The Vice Presidents representing Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, shall perform the following duties:

a. Directly supervise the implementation of programs, projects and activities of the LEAGUE in the geographical areas they represent in cases when such representation may be necessary; and
b. Represent the National President or the Executive Vice President in any occasion and matter on the geographical areas they represent in cases when such representation may be necessary; and
c. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the National Executive Board.

Section 6. The Regional Director – The Regional Director shall perform the following duties:

a. The Regional Directors shall represent his region in any occasion and matters in cases when such representation may be necessary; and
b. Perform such other duties as may be assigned by the National Executive Board.

Section 7. The Secretary General – The Secretary general shall perform the following duties:

a. Exercise overall control and supervision of officers and members of the Secretariat;
b. Initiate the means and processes by which the membership of the LEAGUE are fully informed of all activities and operations of the LEAGUE;
c. Prepare a budget for the operation, functions and activities of the LEAGUE in consultation with the Treasurer and Auditor of the LEAGUE and submit the same to the National Executive Board
for deliberations and approval.

Section 8. The Treasurer – The Treasurer shall perform the following duties:

a. Have the custody of and control over all funds and properties of the LEAGUE;
b. Disburse funds and dispose of the properties of the LEAGUE under the authority of the National Executive Board;
c. Issue Official Receipt for any sum of money or properties received by him/her for the LEAGUE;
d. Deposit funds of the LEAGUE in the bank in the name of the LEAGUE;
e. Render financial reports during Board and semi-annual and Annual meetings and keep inventories of the books and other properties in the custody of other officers of the LEAGUE;
f. Keep up-to-date proper books of accounts subject to examination by the Auditor; and
g. Perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the National Executive Board or the National President.

Section 9. The Auditor – The Auditor shall perform the following duties:

a. Examine and audit periodically the books of the LEAGUE; its assets and liabilities, and require the production of supporting documents and the minutes of meetings as guiding factors; and
b. Inform the Executive Board immediately of any transaction Inimical to the LEAGUE and to do such acts or propose such measures that may protect the interest of the LEAGUE.

Section 10. The Public Relations Officer – The Public Relations Officers shall perform the following duties:

a. Establish relations or contacts with mass media for purposes of disseminating information about the organization, membership, objectives and activities of the LEAGUE; and
b. Perform such other functions and duties as the National Executive Board may deem necessary and proper to gain and promote a favorable public image of the LEAGUE.

Section 11. The General Counsel – The General Counsel shall Perform the following duties:

a. Interpret the provision of the Constitution and By-Laws for the benefit and/or information of the members;
b. Prepare draft of bills to be recommended by the LEAGUE to Congress that will redound to the benefit of the members;
c. Perform other functions as may be assigned by the National Executive Board.

ARTICLE IX. ELECTION

Section 1 – At the first regular meeting of the LEAGUE, the election of officers thereof shall be held, for this purpose, the LEAGUE shall constitute the committee on elections which shall be composed of three members, one each from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, who shall elect a chairman among themselves.

The Chairman shall decide and preside the election in the following manner:

a. Call to order;
b. Oral or written nomination;
c. Secret balloting;
d. Canvassing; and
e. Proclamation.

The COMELEC shall not be eligible to run for office.

Section 2 – The President and Chairman of the League shall be elected by the general assembly, in that order, and shall not come from the same island group.

Section 3 – The election of officers shall be held in Metro Manila or such other places as the National Executive Board may designate. Ballots, ballot boxes, election paraphernalia, and secretariat services shall be provided by the National Secretariat.

Section 4 – All succeeding elections shall be governed by rules and regulations prepared by the committee on elections and approved by the National Executive Board unless otherwise amended.

ARTICLE X. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1 – There shall be standing committees of the LEAGUE subject to the supervision and control of the National Executive Board, through the President of the LEAGUE, whose respective chairman shall be appointed by the National President with concurrence of the National Executive Board.

The following shall be the Standing Committees:

1. Finance
2. Membership and Attendance
3. Plans and Programs
4. Publication and Public Information
5. Legal Affairs and Legislation
6. Rules
7. Special Action
8. International Relations
9. Group of 20

Section 2. Committee on Finance – The Treasurer shall be the chairman of this committee. It shall prepare the budget of the LEAGEU, and see to it that the same is adhered to, supervise the prompt collection of the dues, fees and other assessments in accordance with the By-Laws, and devise ways and means of obtaining funds for the support and maintenance of the LEAGUE and its activities.

Section 3. Committee on Plans and Programs- the committee shall prepare the program of activities, projects and other initiatives that can be implemented ;by the League, upon the approval by the General Assembly or the National Executive Board.

It shall supervise the consultation process, drafting of proposals and implementation mechanisms of the League’s plans and programs, which will benefit the members of the League and the Filipino people, in general.

Section 4. Committee on Membership and Attendance – the committee shall maintain an up-to-date list of members. It shall take charge in the induction of new members. The committee shall maximize attendance of members of all meetings of the Board, as well as the general membership.

Section 5. Committee on Legal Affairs and Legislation - The General Counsel shall be the Chairman of the Committee and shall attend to all legal matters affecting the LEAGUE. It shall interpret provisions of the By Laws, rules and regulations for the benefit and information of the members and shall see to it that the By laws are updated. It shall also handle the follow up of the Bills in the House of Representatives or the Senate which will redound to the benefit of the League, including the preparation of the proposed draft of the Bills to be sponsored by the Representative or Senators sympathetic to the LEAGUE.

Section 6. Committee on Publication and Public Information – The Public Relations Officers shall be the Chairman of this committee. It shall devise ways and means of establishing publications and a functional public information system.

Section 7. Committee on Rules – It shall be the duty of the Committee to formulate the rules and regulations and disseminate them to the general membership.

Section. 8. Special Action Committee – The committee shall perform the functions which do not fall within the scope of the committees herein specified and such other functions as may be assigned to it by the National Executive Board.

Section 9. International Relations Committee – The committee shall devise means to strengthen international relations such as attending and holding international conferences, seminars and convention on local government and other matters that could benefit the LEAGUE, and also try to get grants for the benefit of all the provinces of the LEAGUE.

Section 10. The Standing committees – it shall as much as possible submit bi-monthly reports or whatever required by the National Executive Board.

Section 11. The committee of Group of 20 – it shall prepare programs and projects that will help alleviate the conditions and promote the issues and concerns of the 20 most depressed provinces in the country.

ARTICEL XI. THE NATIONAL SECRETARIAT

Section 1 – There shall be a National Secretariat, to be headed by the Secretary General. It shall consist of personnel with such competence and expertise as required by the position.

An Executive Director may be appointed by the President, who may not necessarily be from among the membership of the LEAGUE and shall serve a full time officer of the LEAGUE who shall oversee the day to day conduct of the National Secretariat subject to the supervision of the Secretary General.

Section 2 – The National Secretariat shall have the following functions:

a. Provide the LEAGUE with the necessary technical and administrative support liaison services. It shall conceptualize, plan, research and execute programs and projects of the LEAGUE as may be directed by the National Executive Board;
b. Prepare the minutes of all the meetings of the National Executive Board and National Assembly;
c. Act as custodian of all minutes, records and documents including the seal of the LEAGUE;
d. Furnish the treasurer and the auditor a certified true copy of the minutes of any meetings where disbursements or collection have been authorized;
e. Give due notice of all meetings;
f. Keep accurate membership records; and
g. Perform any other duties that the National Executive Board or the Secretary of Local Government may direct.

ARTICLE XII. SEAL OF THE LEAGUE

Section 1 – The League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP) shall have its seal with shall be used in the official documents or papers executed by the League through its National President or his duly authorized representative in order to render authenticity of the official acts on such documents.

ARTICLE XIII. AMENDMENTS

This By-Laws may be amended in whole or in part by a two-thirds vote of all members at any regular or special meeting of the LEAGUE. The call of such meeting shall, among others, specify the matter of amendment.

TRANSITORY PROVISION

The First National Assembly and Elections of the National Officers of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP) shall be conducted at the Subic International Hotel, Subic Bay Metropolitan Areas (SBMA), Olongapo City.

Articel IX, Section 2 of the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines (LVGP) Constitution, on the elections of President and Chairman, shall not apply to the First National Elections of the LVGP.

VOTED and APPROVED this 27th day of August 1995 during the League of Vice Governors of the Philippines National Assembly held at Subic Bay International Hotel, Subic Bay Metropolitan Area (SBMA), Olongapo City, Philippines.

AMENDMENT TO THE LVGP CONSTITUION

Introduced by Sorsogon Vice Governor Oscar G. Deri and unanimously approved by the LVGP National Assembly on March 13, 1997 at the Sulo Hotel, Quezon City. It reads: “Real properties now and thereafter owned by the LEAGUE may be sold or conveyed only by three fourths (3/4) votes of all its members. This particular provision may only be amended also by three fourths (3/4) votes of all its members.”