CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS of
FREE WORKERS (FFW)

We, who recognize the aspirations of our people to attain, with the aid of Divine Providence, a peaceful and democratic way of life and a society characterized by political dynamism, social justice, and respect for human and trade union rights and dignity;

We who believe that such objectives may be more effectively realized through a sectoral party with an ideology;

Do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

ARTICLE I
Name of Party

Section 1. The formal name of the organization shall be “Free Workers”.

Section 2. The short name of the organization shall be “FFW”.

ARTICLE II
Basic Principles

Section 1. FFW seeks to achieve its objectives and programs based on these avowed Party principles.

  1. FFW acknowledges God as the Supreme Being, a God of Order and the source of all good in the universe.
  2. National Sovereignty
    FFW upholds the absolute sovereignty of the Philippines. It considers the national interest of paramount importance, and subscribes to the ideals of international justice, solidarity and peace.
  3. People Empowerment
    FFW recognizes that sovereignty resides in the people. It stands for people empowerment and decentralization of power and privileges. It upholds the rights of indigenous communities to autonomy within the framework of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  4. Justice and Responsibility
    FFW believes in the equality of everyone before the law. It upholds the people’s right to equitable access to resources and opportunities and to a just distribution of wealth among the people.
  5. Economic and Self-Reliance
    FFW upholds social partnership between the private and public sectors as a force in self-reliant and sustainable economic development, in the context of balancing market, state and voice regulations. It encourages public and social ownership of productive firms and industries, and for this purpose, shall work for the development of cooperatives and workers’ enterprises.

ARTICLE III
Goals and Objectives

Section 1. FFW commits to the following objectives:

  1. To develop and maintain an effective democratic political structure that will sustain national political stability.
  2. To promote a self-reliant, sustainable and robust economy that will uplift the standard of living of the people.
  3. To foster social partnerships, responsibility and social justice.
  4. To uphold the rule of law and to ensure that the people’s right to life, liberty and property is affirmed.
  5. To cultivate a national philosophy based on people empowerment.

(FFW Vision)
FFW envisions a free, independent and responsible organization of workers, strong, stable and determined in defending workers’ rights and promoting their interests. It is committed to build a truly humane society characterized by:

Prosperous and democratic economy;
Equality and equity;
Active participation of all sectors in the governance of society;
Culture of freedom, peace, justice and solidarity; and
Empowered workers

(FFW Mission)
FFW endeavors to unite and empowers all workers into a trade union-social movement to realize decent work.

Section 2. The FFW specifics goals and objectives shall be set forth in a Party Platform which may be modified from time to time by the National Council.

ARTICLE IV
Symbols of the Party

Section 1. The FFW national song shall be “Awit ng Malayang Manggagawa”.

Section 2. The FFW slogan shall be “Marangal na Hanapbuhay at Disenteng Trabaho para sa Lahat ng mga Pilipino”.

Section 3. The FFW logo shall be a “Phoenix” - one that symbolizes an organization that rose from the ashes of war.

ARTICLE V
FFW Party-List Membership

Section 1. Any Filipino citizen is qualified to apply for membership in the FFW if he/she:

  1. is at least 18 years old at the time of application;
  2. is not a member of any organization whose objectives, principles and programs are opposed to or inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the Philippines;
  3. is not a member of any organization whose objectives, principles and programs are contrary to, or inconsistent with FFW’s objectives, principles and programs;
  4. accepts the FFW’s Constitution, commits to work actively for the party and carries out party decisions;
  5. submits to FFW discipline.

Section 2. Applications for membership shall be filed with the FFW Local Council, which shall transmit its recommendations to the National Executive Committee which shall act on the same.

Section 3. The Oath of Allegiance and induction rites of the new members shall be administered by the Local Council according to the procedures to be prescribed by the National Executive Committee.

Section 4. Membership in the FFW shall be terminated by death, resignation, or expulsion by the National Executive Committee as provided in Article VII.

ARTICLE VI
Rights and Duties of Party Members

Section 1. Each FFW member in good standing shall have the following rights:

  1. to participate in all the activities and plans of the FFW;
  2. to be fully informed of all activities of the FFW and the use of FFW funds and properties;
  3. to avail himself of FFW services and facilities following the guidelines prescribed by the National Executive Committee;
  4. to vote, and where qualified for the position involved, to be voted for.

Section 2. Each FFW member shall have the following duties:

  1. to conduct himself at all times in accordance with the principles and programs of FFW;
  2. to keep himself fully informed of the plans, activities and services of FFW;
  3. to pursue FFW objectives and actively participate in the implementation of FFW programs;
  4. to help recruit qualified FFW members;
  5. to pay the membership fee and the regular dues prescribed by the National Executive Committee, and the special assessments that may be imposed and/or approved by the FFW Local Council.
  6. To comply with duly promulgated decisions.

ARTICLE VII
FFW Discipline

Section 1. The observance of organizational discipline is a basic obligation of all Members of FFW. The minority shall be subordinate to the majority;

Section 2. A member who fails to perform his duties, may be asked to withdraw his membership in the FFW by the FFW Local Council. Should the member refuse to withdraw, he may be expelled by a two-thirds vote of all the members of the National Executive Committee.

Section 3. Forced withdrawal or expulsion may be resorted to on any of the following grounds:

  1. disloyalty to FFW;
  2. lack of interest or unwillingness to participate in FFW activities;
  3. refusal to undergo Basic Membership Seminar or further education in the FFW Institute as the National Executive Committee may require of members aspiring for officer positions;
  4. other acts inimical to FFW as determined by the National Executive Committee;

Section 4. Refusal to pay dues and/or assessment shall not be a ground for expulsion but will disqualify a member from voting and from being voted and/or denying from him/her the rights and benefits as a member of FFW;

Section 5. The FFW Local Council concerned may, by majority vote of all its members, suspend, fine censure or otherwise discipline for sufficient and valid cause any erring FFW Member.

Section 6. Before the imposition of the FFW 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 FFW Local Council concerned.

Section 7. Any disciplinary action including expulsion by the FFW Local Council may be subject to appeal to the National Executive Committee, whose decision shall be final.

Section 8. The procedural rules relative to the imposition of, and relief from, FFW disciple shall be promulgated by the National Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VIII
General Provisions on the FFW Government

Section 1. The structure of the organization shall consist of the following:

  1. Local Council – It shall be the basic unit that shall be organized in every affiliate organization in the work places and communities where FFW members are present. Each Local Council shall have a chairman, vice-chairman, secretary and treasurer, and such other officers as the council may deem necessary;
  2. National Council – It shall be composed of all chairmen of FFW Local Councils.

Section 2. All FFW Councils shall have the power to:

  1. implement FFW programs, policies and projects at their respective levels;
  2. elect from among themselves officers who shall serve for a term of three (3) years.

Section 3. Each Local Council, except the National Council, may meet regularly once a month. Minutes of meetings shall be submitted to the Secretary-General of the National Council.

The National Council may meet every quarter but in no case should be less than once a year. It shall determine the date, time and place of such meeting. Written notice shall be served upon each member at least fifteen (15) days before the date of the meeting. However, any delay in giving notice shall not invalidate the proceedings if a quorum exists.

ARTICLE IX
Functions of the National Council

Section 1. The National Council shall be the highest policy making and governing body of the FFW.

Section 2. The National Council shall have the power to:

  1. Formulate and adopt the policies, plans, and programs of the FFW;
  2. approve proposed amendments for the FFW Constitution;
  3. revise, alter, modify or repeal any resolution, decision or accord approved by the National Executive Committee.

Resolutions or decisions or accords approved by the National Council shall be final and binding upon the FFW, its members and officers.

ARTICLE X
The National FFW Officers

Section 1. The members of the National Council shall elect from among themselves the following officers who shall serve for a term of three (3) years:

  1. National President
  2. Secretary General
  3. (2) Deputy Secretary Generals
  4. National Treasurer
  5. (2) Deputy National Treasurers
  6. (3)Vice-Presidents for Luzon
  7. (3)Vice-Presidents for Visayas
  8. (3)Vice-Presidents for Mindanao
  9. (8)Board of Directors

Section 2. The President, the Secretary General, the Deputy Secretary Generals, the National treasurer, the Deputy National Treasurer, the Vice-Presidents for Luzon, Vice-Presidents for Visayas, Vice-Presidents for Mindanao and Board of Directors shall form the National Executive Committee. In the absence of a quorum, the President is authorized to designate such member as may be necessary to constitute a quorum.

The National Executive Committee, through the Secretary General, shall be responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, coordinate and direct the activities of the difference Committees that may be formed by the Secretary-General with concurrence of the National Executive Committee and perform such other functions as may be provided herein.

Section 3. The duties and functions of the FFW Officers shall be as follows:

  1. President
    The President shall be the presiding officer of the meetings of the National Council and the National Executive Committee. He shall represent the FFW in ceremonies and functions; and shall perform other duties as may be mandated by the National Council.
  2. The Secretary General
    The Secretary General shall assist the President in the administration of the organization. The Secretary General shall perform duties that may be assigned to him by the President or the National Executive Committee.

    The Secretary General shall be the chief administrator of the organization and shall oversee the day-to-day operations thereof. He shall be the chief spokesman of the organization, shall sign documents, implement programs, execute policies, and enforce organizational discipline. He shall keep the Records of Membership, the records of the National Council and the National Executive Committee, cause the recording of minutes of the National Council and the National Executive Committee; safekeeping the records of minutes of meetings of all organizational units which are submitted to him; and prepare, circulate reports, including an annual report to the National Council. He shall be assisted by the Deputy-Secretary General with concurrence of a majority of the National Executive Committee, who shall be appointed by the President upon the recommendation of the Secretary-General. He shall create special committees which shall be subject to approval by the National Executive Committee.
  3. The Deputy Secretary
    General The Deputy Secretary General shall assist the Secretary General in all his functions. The Deputy Secretary General shall act as Secretary General in the temporary absence of the Secretary General.
  4. The National Treasurer
    The National Treasurer shall safeguard the funds of the FFW, and shall disburse the same according to the guidelines set by the National Executive Committee. He shall submit to the National Council an annual audited financial statement of the party.
  5. The Deputy National Treasurer
    The Deputy National Treasurer shall assist the National Treasurer in all his functions. The Deputy National Treasurer shall act as National Treasurer in the temporary absence of the latter.
  6. The Vice-Presidents for Luzon
    The three (3) Vice-Presidents for Luzon shall assist the Secretary General in the implementation of the organization’s program in Luzon. They shall likewise assist in the recruitment of members in the area.
  7. The Vice-Presidents for Visayas
    The three (3) Vice-Presidents for Visayas shall assist the Secretary General in the implementation of the organization’s program in Visayas. They shall likewise assist in the recruitment of members in the area.
  8. The Vice-Presidents for Mindanao
    The three (3) Vice-Presidents for Mindanao shall assist the Secretary General in the implementation of the organization’s program in Mindanao. They shall likewise assist in the recruitment of members in the area.
  9. The Board of Directors
    The Board of Directors shall be the highest policy recommending body of the organization to the National Council.

ARTICLE XI
National Committees

  1. There shall be ten (10) Standing Committees, namely:
    1. Membership Committee
    2. Education Committee
    3. Finance Committee
    4. Public Information Committee
    5. Research and Documentation Committee
    6. Legal Affairs Committee
    7. Grievance and Arbitration Committee
    8. Social Action Committees
    9. Committee on Sectoral Organizations

the chairmen of which shall be appointed by the President in consultation with the members of the National Executive Committee.

  1. The Functions of the National Committees shall be as follows:
    1. Membership Committee
      The National Membership Committee shall be responsible for over-all recruitment program of the FFW subject to guidelines set by the National Executive Committee. It shall evaluate membership performance and recommend to the National Executive Committee recruitment policies as well as programs for growth and development for the general membership.
    2. Education Committee
      The National Education Committee shall institute an Education and Training Program for all FFW members.
    1. It shall take charge of the FFW Institute which shall be known as the Philippine Social Institute.
    2. The Faculty and the Staff of the Institute shall be appointed by the National Executive Committee as recommended by the National Education Committee, from among members of the organization endorsed by the Local FFW Councils.
    3. The National Executive Committee shall appropriate funds for the FFW Institute.
    1. Finance Committee
      The National Finance Committee shall formulate and establish the Overall financial program of the FFW under the direction of the National Executive Committee. Local FFW councils may engage in fund-raising activities in accordance with guidelines to be issued by the National Executive Committee. It shall be responsible for raising FFW funds to support official candidates of the FFW in the Party-List Election as well as organizational projects and activities. It shall collect dues and other assessments. It shall prepare and submit periodic financial reports to the National Executive Committee.
    2. Public Information Committee
      The National Public Information Committee shall be the FFW’s liaison with the mass media. It shall be responsible for the mass propaganda line of the FFW. It shall cause the publication and circulation of the FFW Organ.
    3. Research and Documentation Committee
      Research and Documentation Committee shall conduct studies and prepare FFW materials, under the direction of the National Executive Committee.
    4. Legal Affairs Committee
      The National Arbitration Committee shall resolve conflicts among FFW members with a view to promoting harmony in the FFW. Decisions of the Committee shall be final.
    5. Grievance and Arbitration Committees
      The National Arbitration Committee shall resolve conflicts among FFW members with a view to promoting harmony in the FFW. Decisions of the Committee shall be final.
    6. Social Action Committee
      The National Social Action Committee shall establish a Community Service Program. It shall be responsible for strategic action through special activities such as liasing with the agencies of the national government, conducting medical-dental and other community services, assisting in job placements, livelihood projects, promoting skills development, providing scholarship programs, initiating and promoting socio-economic programs to assist FFW members and their communities towards self- reliance and sufficiency.

      It shall also take charge of the linkaging networking and alliance building and enlisting the support of individuals and organizations sympathetic to the cause of the FFW.
    7. Electoral Committee
      The National Electoral Committee shall take charge of organizing the FFW’s electoral machinery, formulating campaign strategies and tactics, and identifying potential leaders. The National Electoral Committee shall take charge of the FFW Campaign Institute. The FFW Campaign Institute shall be tasked to formulate training programs for prospective candidates in preparation for future electoral exercises.
    8. Committee on Sectoral Organizations
      The National Committee on Sectoral Organizations shall harness the talents and energies of sectoral organizations towards FFW growth and nation building.

ARTICLE XII
General Provisions On Local FFW Officer & Committees

Section 1. Members of a Local FFW Council shall elect from among themselves a Chairman, a Vice Chairman, a Secretary, and a Treasurer and other officers it may deem necessary;

Section 2. The officers of all Local FFW councils shall have the following functions:

  1. Chairman – He shall act as chief administrator for the FFW unit and preside over all meetings of the unit, sign documents in behalf of the unit, represent the unit in ceremonies and functions, and perform other duties assigned to him by the unit.
  2. Vice-Chairman – He shall assist the Chairman in administering the FFW unit. In case of incapacity, resignation, or death of the Chairman, he shall serve as Chairman for the unexpired term. He shall perform other duties assigned to him by the unit.
  3. Secretary – He shall keep the records of the FFW unit, including all minutes, a copy of the membership roster of the unit. He shall report regularly to the Secretary-General the minutes of meetings and the current membership roster, and shall perform other duties assigned to him by the unit.
  4. Treasurer - The Treasurer shall safeguard the funds of FFW local council, and shall disburse the same according to the guidelines set by the National Executive Committee. He shall submit to the National Council an annual audited financial statement of the organization.

ARTICLE XVII
Transitory Provisions

Section 1. Until the regular National Officers shall have been elected and qualified, the National Executive Committee formed by the organizers of the organization coming from the Federation of Free Workers is hereby constituted as the interim ruling body of the FFW.

Section 2. The FFW interim officers of the National Executive Committee shall take steps to organize the FFW at local all levels. The foregoing Free Workers’ Constitution and By-Laws was approved and adopted by the interim National Executive Committee in an organizational meeting held on July 15, 2009 at FFW Hall, 2nd Floor, FFW Building, 1943 Taft Avenue, Malate, Manila.

 

Certified True and Correct,

ATTY. JOSE SONNY G. MATULA
Secretary General

Attested by:

ATTY. ALLAN S. MONTAÑO
National President

SUBSCRIBED AND SWORN to before me this 28th day of July 2009, in compliance with A.M. No. 02-8-13-SC 2004 Rules on Notarial Practice, affiant personally appeared JOSE SONNY G. MATULA and exhibited to me his Community Tax Certificate No. 24401627, issued at Loreto, Agusan del Sur on February 24, 2009, as well as his Driver’s License No.N02-95-293046 which will be expiring on 2010-01-21.

Notary Public

Doc. No__________;
Book No__________;
Page No__________;
Series of  2009.

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