Lodge name; (Edict No. 298 MW Tolentino);
w. Masonic Lodges constituted using the names of Presidents
of the Republic of the Philippines and National Heroes
are hereby decreed to perpetually use the name of the
Lodge and henceforth prohibited from being revised,
altered, changed or modified except when removing the
word “Memorial” pursuant to Edict No. 298 Tolentino
(Edict No. 299 MW Tolentino); and
x. No balloting of petitioners or election of lodge officers
shall be conducted without the presence of the Grand
Lodge Inspector (GLI) (Edict No. 276 MW Rentoy).
ARTICLE V
FUNDS AND PROPERTIES OF LODGES
Sec.1. A lodge must all times retain control of its funds and properties.
Sec. 2. A lodge may invest its funds in savings bank accounts,
government bonds, first-class non-speculative stocks or in
other safe securities to realize maximum income which is to
be transferred to its General Fund.
Sec. 3. A lodge may hold title to all its assets with the power to
acquire, mortgage, sell and convey property and to invest and
reinvest its funds; or it may through trustees provided for in
a standing resolution, who shall always be under its control,
hold, mortgage, sell and otherwise dispose of its property and
funds which may be invested and reinvested as the lodge shall
direct.
Sec. 4. Only the income from amounts paid for life membership shall
be used by a lodge. Its original amount shall be kept and
maintained in a permanent life membership trust fund.
Sec. 5. A lodge shall not divide its funds or property with its members,
even with those withdrawing to form a new lodge nor with the
new lodge thus formed. It shall not entrust any of its funds
or property to a corporation formed within itself nor shall it
incorporate.
No money, except that dispensed by the charity committee
and that due to the Grand Lodge, shall be drawn without its
Masonic Law Book 69
express consent appearing in the record and no warrant shall
be drawn thereof unless there are sufficient funds to meet it.
Sec. 6. The funds, whether derived, from fees, dues, rental, profit or
otherwise, are trust funds set apart for the payment of the
necessary expenses of the lodge and for the special calls for
charity for which it was instituted.
It shall not use or permit the use of its funds or property or
any part thereof for any other purpose whatsoever except as
herein authorized.
Sec. 7. Each lodge may provide, in such manner as it may deem
proper for the necessary expenditures of its officers or
representatives in attending the communications of the Grand
Lodge. It may in its discretion appropriate from its funds any
amount for the holding of a testimonial for its retiring Master
and for floral pieces for an ill or deceased brother or his family.
Sec. 8. A lodge may spend not more than 10% of its revenue from
the preceding year for refreshment and promotion of Masonic
intercourse provided that no expenditure whatsoever shall be
made for spirituous, malt or fermented liquor.
Sec. 9. Masonic Districts shall refrain from conducting competing
fund-raising projects of its own. It shall be its duty to
extend all support and assistance to the lodge undertaking
such activity, through active participation, endorsement,
campaign, promotion and other similar measure. However,
Masonic Districts may pursue a district sponsored project
if no lodge has a competing activity during a three-month
period following such district-sponsored campaign, or if the
constituent lodges unanimously approve the holding of such
activity by the District (Edict No. 255-A MW Gazmin).
Sec. 10. Fund raising activities shall be limited to worthwhile endeavors
with intended Masonic or social beneficiaries. They shall not
partake of gambling or game of chance of any kind, except
Bingo or its derivatives. The holding of raffles or the selling
of raffle tickets against a collection of prizes shall be allowed
but subject to the approval by the DDGM of the rules for the
holding thereof which shall be fair and transparent and not
subject to revision at the instance of the promoter or holder
of the event. Any activity which requires government permits
or approval shall be the responsibility of the organizer (Edict
70 ORDINANCES
No. 255-A MW Gazmin).
Sec. 11. Brethren undertaking fund-raising activities, whether for
the district or the Grand Lodge, shall also take due notice of
the prohibition for lodges to solicit funds or other financial
assistance from other lodges in this or in any other jurisdiction
as provided in Part II, Article IV, Sec. 2 (o) of our Constitution.
Under no circumstances shall solicitations be made upon
petitioners for degrees (Edict No. 255-A MW Gazmin).
ARTICLE VI
DEGREES AND AFFILIATIONS
A. Qualifications and Other Requirements
Sec. 1. A petitioner for the degrees of Masonry must be a man at
least twenty-one (21) years old and for a son of a Mason,
eighteen (18) years old with parental consent and support at
the time of signing of the petition, freeborn, a believer in God
and a future existence, of good moral character, literate and
physically able to conform substantially to what the several
degrees require of him and those not sons of Masons have
made adequate provision for himself and for his family in case
of death.
The father of the 18-year-old petitioner must be a Master
Mason in good standing and financially capable or with
adequate provision to assist the 18 year old son in the financial
requirements for the petition for degrees and membership fee
of the lodge” (Edict No. 308 MW Tolentino).
Sec. 2. A petitioner for the degrees must have been a resident
within the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge for at least twelve
(12) months immediately before petitioning and within the
jurisdiction of the lodge for at least six (6) months. No lodge
shall be issued a dispensation to receive and act upon the
petition of a person belonging to the Armed Forces of the
Philippines or a diplomatic agency in the Philippines who
does not have the residence qualification, unless the request
thereof be made by unanimous vote by ballot a meeting of
which the members shall have due notice.
Masonic Law Book 71
In instances where the petitioner is allowed to apply to a
Lodge outside of his place of actual residence, such lodge
shall be required immediately upon receipt of the petition
form, to notify in writing the Lodge or Lodges covering or
geographically nearest to the petitioner’s place of residence
of the fact that such petition was received and inviting useful
information, if any, over the person of the petitioner.
The Lodge or Lodges so notified shall respond within sixty
(60) days from receipt of said written notice. Any derogatory
information shall be immediately forwarded to the Committee
on Investigation and duly investigated and considered in its
report.
If no derogatory information or objection or reply is received
after said period, an attestation of such fact shall be made
by the Secretary of the Lodge. This certification shall be
an essential requirement prior to balloting, in addition to
a favorable action of the Committee on Investigation and
publication of the name of the petitioner in G.L. Form No. 12.
Pending due revision of the prescribed Application Form, all
lodges are directed to require Petitioners to Indicate in a
separate sheet, all past residences since birth.
It is understood that this procedure only applies to the
circumstances above described (Edict No. 270 MW
Purisima).
Sec. 3. No lodge shall accept the petition of a person whose petition
has been rejected by another lodge.
Sec. 4. No lodge shall accept a petition from a person who within the
preceding twelve (12) months has been rejected by the lodge
except by dispensation of the Grand Master. The request for
dispensation must be unanimously approved by the lodge at a
meeting of which the members shall have due notice.
Sec. 5. No lodge shall accept a petition from a person rejected by a
Lodge of another Grand Jurisdiction. Upon receipt of such
petition, the Master of the Lodge shall, thru the Secretary, refer
the petition to the Grand Master thru the Grand Secretary, who
shall treat and consider the petition on Grand Lodge level.
Sec. 6. No lodge shall accept a petition for affiliation unless it is
72 ORDINANCES
accompanied by a demit from his lodge and an affiliation fee
if required by its By-Laws.
Sec. 7. No lodge shall accept a petition for plural membership unless
the petitioner is a resident of this jurisdiction. The petition
must be accompanied by a certificate of good standing from
the Parent lodge and the plural membership fee if required by
its By-Laws.
A brother applying for membership in a lodge other than
his Mother and Dual lodge must first obtain the permission
in writing of his Mother and Dual lodges before applying
for membership in another Lodge (Edict No. 186-A MW
Purisima).
The applying brother must satisfy the minimum required
number of attendance in Lodge meetings as provided for in
pertinent Grand Lodge rules and regulations;
All pertinent Grand Lodge rules and regulations regarding of
membership shall apply;
A brother suspended in any Lodge of which he has become a
member shall automatically be suspended in all other Lodges
of which he is a member.
Plural membership shall be limited to three (3) lodges inclusive
of the Mother lodge (Edict No. 186-A MW Purisima).
All Master Masons who have existing plural membership more
than the limitations as of 25 March 2015 may continue to
retain the same number of membership (Edict No. 186-A
MW Purisima).
Sec. 8. Petition for degrees and affiliation shall be in writing, signed
by the applicant, and recommended by at least two (2)
members of the lodge. The petition for degrees shall not be
received unless the petitioner shall have answered in his own
handwriting the questions in the prescribed form. The petition
shall be accompanied by at least one-half (1/2) payment of
the degrees fees and a photo showing the whole person of
the applicant taken not later than six (6) months prior to the
petition. The photograph should at least be 3-1/2” x 5” in
size.
Masonic Law Book 73
Sec. 9. All petitions for degrees and affiliations shall be referred to a
Committee of Three (3) who shall individually and separately
make a strict examination into the moral, mental, physical
and other qualifications of the petitioner and report thereon to
the Master at the next stated meeting, unless further time be
granted.
Sec. 10. The newly initiated, passed or obligated brother who has
not yet made the required proficiency examination when
the Lodge was considered defunct may obtain the necessary
examination through the Grand Master or his duly appointed
representative at the Grand Lodge or at the jurisdiction of the
duly appointed representative of the Grand Master where the
defunct lodge was located.
After passing the required proficiency examination, the
Entered Apprentice Mason, Fellow Craft Mason or the newly
raised Master Mason of the defunct lodge shall apply for
affiliation with a Chartered lodge within twelve (12) months
thereafter in accordance with the provisions of the Ordinances
on affiliations and is required to pay the affiliation fee.
The Entered Apprentice Mason or Fellow Craft Mason of the
defunct lodge who fails to affiliate without a valid reason for a
period of twelve (12) months starting from the date the Lodge
is considered defunct or from effectivity of this edict for those
already Entered Apprentice Mason or Fellow Craft Mason from
defunct lodges prior to this Edict, may hereafter be dropped
from the rolls.
The newly raised Master Mason of the defunct lodge who fails
to affiliate without a valid reason for the same period of time
shall be deemed unworthy of Masonic consideration and not
entitled to any of the rights, privileges and charities of the
Craft until such time he has affiliated with a Chartered lodge.
The newly raised Master Mason is further required to pay his
dues from the time he was considered a non-affiliated mason.
The sponsoring lodge, if any, of the Lodge U.D. is enjoined
to adopt all Masons Initiated, Passed and/or Raised by the
defunct lodge, subject to the applicable provisions of the
Ordinances on affiliations.
In the absence of the sponsoring lodge, the said Mason/s, may
74 ORDINANCES
apply for affiliation with any of the Chartered lodges under
the jurisdiction of Masonic District where the defunct lodge
belongs or is situated. The applicable provisions on affiliations
shall likewise apply.
If none of the abovementioned is available, the said Masons
may opt to choose any Chartered Lodge where he may deem fit
to continue his degrees in Masonry, subject to the regulations
governing residency.
In all cases, the regulations governing proficiency examinations
and tried and proven are hereby strictly implemented (Edict
No. 301 MW Tolentino).
B. Referral to Committee on Investigation
Sec. 11. The report shall recite in detail the facts ascertained with
respect to the petitioner and must be returned to the Master.
The conclusion of the Committee shall be read to the lodge.
The facts ascertained shall be read when directed by the
Master, or when requested by any member of the Lodge. The
names of the members of the committee shall not be made
known.
a. Procedure in case of approval of the report – In the
event that the report has sufficiently complied with the
Constitution, relevant Edicts and rules on the petition,
the Grand Lodge Inspector (GLI) shall make or issue the
required attestation/certification as provided for in section
3 hereof and shall submit the same to the Master of the
Lodge within the prescribed period;
b.1 Procedure in case of denial of the report – In the event
that the report has failed to substantially comply with
the Constitution and relevant Edicts on the petition, the
GLI shall make an appropriate notation and/or comment
thereon indicating the deficiency/deficiencies and shall
return the same to the Master of the Lodge within the
prescribed period of seven (7) days;
b.2 The Master of the Lodge, upon receipt of the report with
a notation/recommendation of the GLI that the same is
not compliant, shall return the same to the Committee on
Investigation and shall advise them to take appropriate
action on the comment/recommendation of the GLI and
Masonic Law Book 75
re-submit the report at the next stated meeting unless
further time be granted (Edict No. 275 MW Rentoy).
Sec. 12. If the Committee finds the petitioner disqualified in
consequence of insufficient residence or physical disability, or
because his application has been received within twelve (12)
months after his rejection by the lodge and finds no other
objection to him, they shall make a special report thereon
in which case the Master may direct the withdrawal of the
petition without further action and such direction shall be
entered upon the record. If the petitioner shall have removed
from the jurisdiction of the Lodge after filing his petition, the
petition may be withdrawn if the petitioner so desires and the
Lodge consents. In no other case shall a petition be withdrawn
after it is received. A petition is deemed received when it is
read by the Secretary at a stated meeting.
Sec. 13. If the report of the Committee or any member thereof be
unfavorable, no balloting shall be had. Instead, the Master,
upon the reception of such report, shall declare the petitioner
rejected.
Sec. 14. Prohibited Acts:
a) Failure or refusal on the part of the Worshipful Master to
constitute the Committee on Investigation;
b) Failure or refusal on the part of the Worshipful Master
to furnish the Grand Lodge Inspector (GLI) with the
Investigation Report or disregarding the finding of the
Grand Lodge Inspector without sufficient basis;
c) Refusal on the part of any member of the Investigation
Committee to conduct a re-examination and/or re-
investigation of the petitioner/candidate despite being
ordered to do so by the Worshipful Master.
d) Violation of the confidentiality of the Investigation Report
by any member of the Craft. (Edict No. 275, Section 6
MW Rentoy)
C. Balloting
Sec. 15. The ballot box shall be rectangular in shape. It shall be 9-1/2
inches in length, 6 inches in width and 4 inches in height,
all dimensions to be even. It shall be lined with felt and
divided into two (2) equal compartments. The dividing wall
shall have a 3/4 inch round opening in its center and shall be
movable in a vertical direction, running in slots or guides. One
76 ORDINANCES
compartment shall have a hinged lid on its top and the other
shall have a 6-inch by 3/4 inch round handle attached to the
end which has a lid.
Sec. 16. The ballot box shall contain as many white balls as there are
members of the Lodge present together with ten (10) or more
black cubes. Both balls and cubes shall measure one-half
(1/2) inch in size. When prepared prior to balloting, all the
balls and cubes shall be in the uncovered compartment. After
inspection, it shall be placed on the west side of the Altar with
the open compartment to the West and the handle to the East.
Sec. 17. No balloting shall be made on the petition of a candidate
unless his name shall have been regularly published in the
Grand Lodge Circular (G. L. Form Number 12) and its proof of
publication has been read in the previous Stated Meeting or
earlier Stated Meetings held.
Lodges shall also strictly conform to our prescribed Order
of Business and conduct balloting first before the reading of
edicts and circulars, including G. L. Form Number 12 (Edict
No. 236 MW Gonzales).
Sec. 18 . In balloting, members entitled to vote shall walk along the
border to a point directly in front of the Senior Warden, face
east and walk individually to the Altar where, after properly
giving the Third Degree sign, he shall cast his vote by dropping
a white ball for election or a black cube for rejection of a
candidate through the opening in the wall of the uncovered
compartment into the covered compartment. He shall then
leave the altar and return to his seat. Members from the south
side of the hall will vote first with the Secretary leading, when
all members in the South voted, then the Treasurer will vote
followed by the members from the North side. The Senior
Deacon votes last. Every member of a lodge qualified to vote,
when present, must vote upon a ballot for the degrees or for
affiliation.
In order to be able to participate in the balloting on a petition
of a candidate for the degrees of masonry or affiliation, a lodge
member must possess ALL of the following qualifications:
a. He must be a member in good standing, i.e. not
suspended for non-payment of dues, fees and other
assessments payable to the Grand Lodge (Sec. 4.f.,Art.
Masonic Law Book 77
XX, Part II-Ordinances, Masonic Law Book); or not
suspended for failure to attend at least three (3)
Stated Meetings of his lodge (Sec. 1.g, Art. XI, Part II-
Ordinances, Masonic Law Book); or not suspended for
other Masonic offenses. He must be a member in good
standing not only in the lodge conducting the balloting
but in all of the lodges in which he may be a regular or
plural member of. (cf. Sec. 7, Art. VI, Part II-Ordinances,
Masonic Law Book);
b. He must have attended an aggregate of at least six
(6) Stated Meetings during the 12-month period
immediately preceding the date of the balloting or
election. In determining or counting the number of
stated meetings attended, the month when the balloting
or election is scheduled shall be excluded; and
c. He must have passed the proficiency examination
for the third degree of masonry (Edict No. 276 MW
Rentoy).
The following brethren shall be exempt from the strict
application of the “Six Meeting-Rule”:
a. Life Members by Longevity (LML) provided they have
attended at least THREE (3) STATED MEETINGS; and
b. Those who worked abroad for more than six (6) months
during the 12-month period immediately preceding the
balloting or lodge elections. Provided they have attended
at least THREE (3) STATED MEETINGS.
The foregoing exemptions shall apply only if the following
conditions are complied with:
a. That the brother seeking exemption must have a
Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) issued by his Mother
Lodge and the Dual/Plural Lodge wherein he intends to
cast his ballot;
b. That he must have made the Third (3rd) Degree
Proficiency Examination; and
c. That his employment abroad must be properly
documented and his length of stay outside the country
duly established through his passport; (Edict No. 276-
A MW Rentoy).
Sec. 19. A lodge shall have but one ballot for the three (3) degrees and
it shall require the unanimous ballot of the members present
78 ORDINANCES
to elect for the degrees or affiliation.
Sec. 20 Before the ballot is taken there may be discussion of the
qualifications of the petitioner and of the propriety of receiving
him into the lodge as may deem proper. If during the balloting,
objection be made that the ballot box is not properly prepared,
the Master must, before announcing the result of the ballot,
examine it, and if not properly prepared, he must at once
rectify the error and have a proper ballot taken.
Sec. 21. Every Worshipful Master shall give to the brethren who are
about to ballot a candidate the following charge, to wit:
“One of your important privileges as a mason
is that of accepting or rejecting all who may
apply for the degrees or for membership. I wish
to impress upon your mind and immense power
for good or evil with which you are entrusted. The
white ball, secretly cast by you, signifies your
approbation of any candidate who may apply,
while the black one, when cast by you, signifies
that the candidate is unworthy for some reason
known to you, and will have the same effect as
though each member of this lodge were to cast
one of them. Hence, how important it is that you
should be extremely careful in depositing your
ballot, always remembering that white balls
elect and black reject. The ballot, my brother, is
inviolably secret, and you are cautioned that to
discuss or make known your ballot is one of the
greatest of Masonic offenses. The ballot is never
the proper place to exhibit petty spite towards
any individual within or without the lodge, and
the ceremony attending the casting of a ballot
is equivalent to a sacred promise to cast it in
accordance with your obligation.”
Sec. 22. When less than three (3) petitioners, whether for degrees or
affiliation or both, are to be balloted on the same meeting,
separate ballot must be had on each; when three (3) or more,
the petitioners may be balloted on collectively. When the
method of group balloting is employed, the Master shall read
the names of the petitioners with the essential information
about each as supplied by the application, and as furnished by
the committee on investigation; after which a ballot shall be
taken in the usual manner and on the petitioners collectively,
Masonic Law Book 79
and if no cube appears, each applicant shall be declared
elected. If one or more cube appear, the Master may either
direct an individual ballot or divide the names of the petitioners
into groups, and the lodge shall proceed to ballot in the usual
manner on each individual or of each group. The Master shall
declare each petitioner in a group elected if no cube appears.
The subdivision into groups and this procedure shall continue
until an individual ballot is taken. Nothing herein contained
shall modify the method of balloting on individual petitioners.
Sec. 23. If but one cube appears in the ballot box, the Master without
declaring the result, shall at once order a second ballot for
the purpose of correcting a possible mistake, which ballot
shall be the last; but in no case, after the ballot has been
had, shall any discussion be permitted in the lodge before the
second ballot is had, nor shall the second ballot be postponed
to another meeting of the lodge.
Sec. 24. There shall be no discussion regarding an unfavorable ballot,
and no member of a lodge shall be required, requested or
allowed to divulge his vote upon a ballot for affiliation or for
the degrees of Masonry, nor to assign reasons for such vote, if
it be known, except to the Master for the purpose of correcting
a mistake.
D. Objection and Prohibitions
Sec. 25. At any time after a petition for the degrees or affiliation is
received, objection to his election may be made orally or in
writing by any member of the lodge privately to the Master;
if objection is made before balloting, unless such objection be
and unless withdrawn within sixty (60) days, such objection
shall have the effect of a rejection by ballot and shall be so
reported to the Grand Secretary. A committee need not be
appointed, or if appointed, need not act, after an objection is
received, unless the objection is withdrawn. If an objection
is made, the Master shall report the fact at the next stated
meeting of the lodge and the sixty (60) day period shall
commence to run from the date of such meeting.
Sec. 26. If objection is made after the election and before initiation
the petitioner shall not receive the degree until such objection
shall have been withdrawn, and such objection shall, unless
withdrawn within sixty (60) days, have the effect of a rejection
by ballot and shall be so reported to the Grand Secretary.
80 ORDINANCES
Whenever any such objection be made, the Master shall report
the fact at the next stated meeting of the lodge and the sixty
(60) day period specified herein shall commence to run at the
date of such meeting.
Sec. 27. If objection is made after his initiation but before being passed
or after passing, before being raised, the cause of objection
must be stated. If no cause is assigned, the Master may
disregard the objection and proceed to confer the remaining
degree or degrees. If the cause assigned seems insufficient
to the Master, he shall state the matter to the lodge at its next
stated meeting, and the lodge shall then decide by majority
vote taken in the usual manner, whether or not further
investigation shall be made. If however, the objection seems
to the Master to be sufficient or to merit investigation, or if the
lodge shall so decide, the Master shall appoint a committee
to inquire into the cause of the objection, to fix the time and
place for its meeting, have the objector summoned and the
applicant notified thereof, and the Masons whose statements
seem necessary or proper summoned then and there to
appear.
Sec. 28. The committee shall meet at the time and place fixed. The
Master shall, ex-officio, be a member and chairman thereof
and the Secretary, or a brother appointed in his place, shall
record the proceedings. Any statements made shall be taken
down by the Secretary or at the Master’s option by a qualified
stenographer who shall be a Master Mason in good standing.
The committee may adjourn from time to time, and shall have
entire charge of the investigation. It may hear the statements
privately or in the presence of the objector and petitioner or
either of them and neither shall be allowed any objection to
the committee or its methods. It may take the statements
of masons and non-masons in such manner as may seem to
it proper. It shall report at the next stated meeting stating
fully the cause of objection and its conclusion thereon. The
statements upon which the report is based shall be read in the
Lodge, if required.
Sec. 29. Upon the reception of such reports, and should the cause
assigned be, in the opinion of two-thirds (2/3) of the members
present taken by secret ballot, not a valid and Masonic one,
the Lodge may confer the degree in the same manner as if no
objection had been made; and if it shall decide that the cause
assigned is not a valid and Masonic one, the Master shall not
Masonic Law Book 81
allow the same objection to be made a second time. The
decision is final and no appeal may be taken therefrom. If the
objection is sustained, the part of the fee for the degree or
degrees not taken by the applicant shall be returned to him.
Sec. 30. Before a lodge shall advance an Entered Apprentice or Fellow
Craft to a higher degree, he must have given satisfactory
evidence, by strict examination in open lodge, that he is
entirely proficient and well qualified in that degree or those
which he has already taken. Any number of petitioners may
be examined at any meeting but not more than five (5) shall
be examined at any one time. Such examination shall be held
in accordance with the Monitor.
Sec. 31. No lodge shall initiate a petitioner unless all the required
degree fees have been fully paid.
Sec. 32. No lodge shall confer degrees gratuitously or donate degree
fees back to a candidate.
Sec. 33. No lodge shall confer more than one degree upon any one
candidate at any one meeting.
Sec. 34. No lodge shall confer any degree upon more than one
candidate at a time without dispensation or confer degrees
upon more than five (5) candidates at any one meeting.
Sec. 35. No lodge shall request or permit a candidate to furnish or
pay for refreshments during the period he is receiving the
degrees.
E. How Degrees are Conferred
Sec. 36. Degrees within this jurisdiction may be conferred:
a. By a lodge upon its own elected candidate;
b. By courtesy upon the elected candidate of one lodge by
another lodge upon the request of the electing lodge;
and
c. By courtesy upon the candidate of a recognized lodge
of a foreign jurisdiction upon the request of our Grand
Lodge.
A candidate who receives the degrees by courtesy shall not
be subject to further petition, reference, ballot or fee and he
shall be a member of the lodge which elected him.
82 ORDINANCES
Sec. 37. A candidate of a lodge in this jurisdiction may receive his
degrees in a recognized lodge of a foreign jurisdiction upon
the electing lodge’s request to our Grand Lodge and after the
necessary arrangements with the foreign jurisdiction have
been made.
Sec. 38. When a candidate is being prepared to receive the degrees,
he shall be asked upon what Holy Writing he would prefer to
take his obligation, and if he has made his choice, it must be
complied with, placing on the Altar the preferred Holy Writing,
even to the extent of obtaining, if he is a Roman Catholic, the
Douay version – or if other Christians, the King James version
of the Holy Bible.
The phraseology to be used when the candidate is requested
to indicate his choice is: -- “As Freemasonry admits to its
membership men of all religions who believe in God and a
life after death, please choose the Holy Book upon which you
prefer to take your obligation, and be reminded, if you are a
Christian, that Jesus Christ as mediator is equally essential to
your belief”.
Sec.39. All blue lodges in any Masonic district shall have concurrent
jurisdiction to receive, entertain and act on all petitions for
degrees. They shall also exercise concurrent jurisdiction over
masons who are not members of any of them residing with
that area.
Sec. 40. A candidate shall be initiated Entered Apprentice Mason at
least fifteen (15) days from approval on favorable ballot of
petition.
Sec. 41. That an Entered Apprentice shall not be passed and a
Fellowcraft shall not be raised unless at least fourteen (14)
days have elapsed since his taking the preceding degree;
Sec. 42. That before passing or raising, the candidate shall prove
himself proficient in the required examination which shall
be conducted in open lodge as specified in our rituals; and
the questions shall be propounded by a competent examiner
appointed by the Master and answered by the examinee
in a clear and audible tone of voice so as to be heard and
understood by all the members present;
Masonic Law Book 83
Sec. 43. That every newly-raised Master Mason shall submit himself,
in an open lodge, to a strict examination to demonstrate his
proficiency in the Master Masons Degree not later than ninety
(90) days after he is raised.
Sec. 44. That the Worshipful Master, by virtue of his position shall
decide the proficiency and qualification of the candidate upon
the report and recommendation of the examiner; and that any
brother objecting to the report and recommendation of the
examiner shall state in detail the basis of his objection and be
prepared to support his contention;
Sec. 45. That the initiation, passing or raising of a candidate without
the observance of the period interval referred to as stated
shall subject the Officers to disciplinary action;
Sec. 46. That a newly-raised Master Mason who has not complied with
the proficiency requirement shall not:
a. Demit from his Lodge;
b. Hold plural membership in any other Lodge;
c. Be issued a Traveling Certificate;
d. Hold any office in the Lodge, either elective or appointive;
e. Be eligible to receive other Masonic degrees as in the
York Rite, Scottish Rite and other appendant bodies.
f. Be eligible to receive the Master Mason’s diploma; and
g. Be qualified for Life Membership by Longevity.
F. Related Edicts on Degrees and Affiliations
1. The Applicant and His Advancement Freemansonry - Edict No.
60, as amended (MW Tria).
2. Handling of Candidates During Initiation, Passing and Raising -
Edict No. 131 (MW Choa).
3. Strengthening Edict 131 Which Prescribes the Proper Handling
of Candidates During Degree Conferrals - Edict No. 131-A
(MW Galvez).
4. Consolidating and Harmonizing All Edicts Pertaining to the
Proper Handling of Candidates During Degree Conferrals and
Providing Immediate Disciplinary Sanctions – Edict No. 245
(MW Lim Lo Suy).
84 ORDINANCES
ARTICLE VII
DUES AND FEES OF LODGES
AND INDIVIDUAL MASONS
Sec. 1. The Grand Lodge may charge fees of such amount as may
be fixed by the Grand Master and duly approved at Annual
Communication on the following:
a. For a Dispensation to form a new Lodge;
b. For a Charter to perpetuate a Lodge;
c. For a dispensation to hold an election of officers other
than at the prescribed time;
d. For a Dispensation to receive and act upon the petition
for degrees of a person whose petition was rejected
within less than twelve (12) months;
e. For a Dispensation to receive and act upon the petition
for degrees of a person belonging to the Armed Forces
of the Philippines or of the United States or other
diplomatic agencies in the Philippines who has fulfilled
but does not fully possess the residence qualifications;
f. For a Dispensation to confer any Masonic degree upon
more than five (5) candidates at any one meeting or to
confer degrees collectively on more than one candidate;
g. For Dispensation and other documents for which no
specific fee is fixed, except that there shall be no fee
when issued for the widow or children of a deceased
brother. No diploma shall be issued until the Secretary
of the Lodge has made a formal request to the Grand
Secretary;
h. For each copy of its printed proceedings for the current
year except the three (3) copies sent to each subordinate
lodge and those required for transmission abroad,
and for the use of the Grand Lodge at its next Annual
Communication;
i. For publication or supplies sold by the office of the Grand
Secretary; and
j. Such other charges and fees which the Grand Master
may deem justified and appropriate.
Sec. 2. Each Lodge, whether chartered or under dispensation (U.D.)
shall pay such annual dues of such amount as may be
fixed by the Grand Master after due approval at the Annual
Masonic Law Book 85
Communication, on the following:
a. For each Master Mason listed in its Annual Report, except
Members by Longevity (LML);
1) Per capita assessment;
2) Cable Tow Subscription fee;
3) Masonic Charities for Crippled Children;
4) Youth Fund;
5) Building Fund;
6) Charity Fund;
7) Grand Guild of Past Masters;
8) Library and Museum;
9) Calamity Fund (Edict No. 258 MW Gabionza); and
10) IMES Fee (Edict No. 267 MW Espino)
b. Each petitioner for degrees:
1) Conferral fee for three (3) degrees,
The degree fee for petitioners in this jurisdiction is
hereby fixed at Php5,000.00 effective immediately
of which Php1,000.00 shall be set aside for the
Calamity and Disaster Committee’s project and
activities (Edict No. 248 MW Abergas).
2) Temple Fund; and
c. Such other accounts as the Grand Master may deem
justified and appropriate.
Sec. 3. In the event that a Master Mason is a regular member of more
than one (1) Lodge, he shall pay to his first Lodge all annual
dues and assessment as enumerated in Sub-section 2.a. of
the preceding Section, while he shall pay to his other Lodges
only the per capita assessment and other dues peculiar to said
lodges.
Sec. 4. No lodge whether chartered or under dispensation shall charge
as annual membership dues or degree fees any amount lower
than the dues payable by it to the Grand Lodge.
Sec. 5. Life membership may only be granted by longevity:
86 ORDINANCES
a. A Master Mason who has been a member in good
standing in the fraternity for at least twenty-five (25)
years continuously and has paid his dues to the lodge for
the same period of time may be declared a life member
by longevity and issued a certificate which will exempt
him from the payment of dues. For life membership
purchased in prior years, if as a result of unusual
inflation or currency devaluation, the life membership
purchase amount or deposited had become insufficient
to generate the required proceeds or income to cover
the Master Mason’s financial obligations to the lodge
and Grand Lodge, the lodge has the option to return
all the original sum paid or deposited by the members
after deducting their current dues and fees, or crediting
whatever amount left to the future dues and fees
payable until fully exhausted, and thereafter consider
the brothers as regular members, after due and prior
notice of the existence of such option to the members.
b. The lodge is empowered to deposit funds paid by
members for life membership purchase made in prior
years in any reputable bank or invest in any non-
speculative securities or “blue-chip” dividend-paying
shares of stock, the proceeds of which shall be used to
pay the dues, fees and other assessments of such life
members.
c. Upon the death of said Master Mason, the lodge shall
return to his heirs the sum deposited by him after
deducting the difference between its income and the
current annual dues and fees.
Sec. 6. A lodge may annually remit the accrued dues of those of its
members who render special service for the lodge or who are
unable to pay them. It may also remit the dues of a member
or members in advance or otherwise, by special resolution
applicable to the particular member involved who in the sound
judgment of the lodge, should by reason of some misfortune,
inability or other good cause, be exempt from the payment
of dues and provided, he shall have been a member in good
standing in this jurisdiction for a period of forty (40) years or
more, or shall have attained the age of seventy (70) years.
Sec. 7. A member shall not be expelled but may be suspended from
Masonic Law Book 87
all the rights and privileges of Masonry for non-payment of his
dues, fees and other Grand Lodge assessments.
Sec. 8. In case any member shall have refused or neglected to pay
his regular dues during a period of twelve (12) months, the
Secretary shall notify him, either by registered letter addressed
to him at his last known address, or by actual service of notice,
duly certified by the Tyler, that, unless at the next stated
meeting, either his dues be paid or sickness or inability to pay
be shown as the cause of such refusal or neglect, he will be
suspended from all the rights and privileges of masonry.
Sec. 9. If neither of these things be done, he shall, at such stated
meeting, be declared by the Master to be suspended, unless
for special reasons shown, the lodge shall remit his dues or
grant him further time for their payment.
Sec. 10. A lodge shall restore any member suspended for non-payment
of dues upon payment of all arrears up to the date of suspension
plus dues and fees for the current year. If payment is made
before two (2) years have elapsed from the date of suspension,
the restoration shall be immediate and mandatory, otherwise,
restoration may be made only by a three-fourths (3/4) vote of
all the members present at the next stated meeting where the
petition for restoration is presented.
ARTICLE VIII
DISSOLUTION OF LODGES
Sec. 1. A lodge may be dissolved by the voluntary surrender of its
charter when such surrender shall have been accepted by the
Grand Lodge or by the revocation of its charter by the Grand
Lodge.
Sec.2. A lodge may surrender its Charter if notice shall be given at a
stated meeting that a resolution to that effect will be presented
in the next succeeding meeting and two-thirds (2/3) of its
members present vote affirmatively for dissolution. No act
of surrender shall be considered final until it shall have been
approved and accepted by the Grand Lodge.
88 ORDINANCES
Sec. 3. All Masons who were members in good standing of a lodge at
the date of the surrender of its Charter and whose dues shall
have been paid are entitled to and may receive from the Grand
Secretary a certificate of that fact, which certificate shall have
the same effect as the regular recommendatory certificate of
withdrawal issued by an existing lodge.
Sec. 4. A lodge may forfeit its Charter:
a. By violation of any provision of the Constitution,
Ordinances, Regulations or Edicts of the Grand Lodge or
of its By-Laws;
b. By disregard of the authority of the Grand Master.
c. By violations or neglect of the ancient and recognized
usages of the Craft;
d. By receiving applicants known to be unworthy or refusing
or neglecting to discipline unworthy members; and
e. By failure to hold stated meetings for three (3) successive
months.
Sec. 5. No Charter shall be forfeited unless charges against the lodge
shall have been presented to and investigated by the Grand
Lodge, of which charges the lodge accused shall have due
notice, provided, however, that the Charter may be arrested
until the next Annual Communication by the Grand Master
upon satisfactory reasons therefore being shown.
Sec.6. During the pendency of the arrest of the Charter of a lodge, the
status of each of the members, thereof shall be that of a non-
affiliated Master Mason in good standing, subject, however,
to charges and trial for unmasonic conduct to the same
extent and effects as if there were no such arrest; provided
always, that any such charges shall be presented to the Master
of a lodge which would have jurisdiction over the matter if
such suspended lodge were not in existence; and all further
proceedings thereon shall be in accord with the then existing
law governing trials, penalties, and appeals.
Sec. 7. In the event of the forfeiture of the Charter of a lodge, each of
the then members of such lodge shall have the status of a non-
affiliated Master Mason in good standing, subject, however, to
the disposition, according to law, of any charge of unmasonic
conduct already made and then pending against him, as well
as to the subsequent institution and prosecution of any charge
of unmasonic conduct on account of matters occurring prior
thereto. It shall be the duty of the Grand Secretary to issue to
Masonic Law Book 89
each of said members his certificate under seal of the Grand
Lodge, evidencing such status, which certificate shall serve all
the purposes of the ordinary demit.
Sec. 8. The surrender or forfeiture of the Charter of a lodge, when
declared by the Grand Lodge, shall be conclusive upon the
lodge and its members.
Sec. 9. Upon dissolution of a lodge, the Grand Secretary, shall at
once proceed to receive its funds on hand, except its life
membership fund, collect its outstanding dues and dispose of
its jewels, furniture and other property in such manner as shall
seem to him most judicious. After the payment of all just
debts and necessary expenses, he shall place the proceeds
thereof in the General Fund of the Grand Lodge. On the
other hand, the assets of the life membership fund shall be
delivered to the Grand Treasurer who shall hold the same as a
trust fund pending the disposition thereof. The Grand Lodge
shall determine the interest of each living life member in said
fund and the interest of the Grand Lodge therein on a just
and equitable basis. The Grand Treasurer shall distribute said
fund or the proceeds of the sale thereof in accordance with the
determination of the Grand Lodge which shall be final.
ARTICLE IX
REACTIVATION OF LODGES
Sec. 1. Any lodge which has been dissolved by the voluntary surrender
of its charter may be reactivated under its original name and
number upon the issuance of a Certificate of Reactivation by
the Grand Master.
Sec. 2. Payment to the Grand Lodge of a reactivation fee of such
amount as may be fixed by the Grand Master and approved at
the Annual Communication.
a. A petition for reactivation signed by at least twenty-five
(25) Master Masons in good standing one of whom was a
member of that lodge at the time of its dissolution. The
petition shall include such other requirements necessary
in the organization of a new lodge in this jurisdiction.
b. A brief resume of the circumstances leading up to the
dissolution of the lodge and a description of its capability
90 ORDINANCES
of working satisfactorily.
c. Diligent examination and approval by the Grand Master
of the reasons for dissolutions of the lodge as well as
its capability to satisfactorily resume its functions and
become an asset to the fraternity.
d. Payment to the Grand Lodge of a reactivation fee of
such amount as may be fixed by the Grand Master
and approved at the Annual Communication.
ARTICLE X
OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES
Sec. 1. The Master, Wardens, Treasurer, Secretary, and Auditor of each
Lodge shall be elected annually by ballot at the stated meeting
in December. A majority of the votes of members present shall
be necessary to elect.
Sec. 2. They shall be installed not later than March 31 of each year
and hold office until their successors are elected and installed.
Sec. 3. No Master of any Lodge shall be installed unless he served as
Warden and until the Grand Lodge Inspector of the Lodge, or
the District Grand Lecturer or the District Deputy Grand Master
or the Junior or Senior Grand Lecturer shall have certified
in writing to the Installing Officer that he is proficient in the
work and lectures in the three degrees and those portions of
the Constitution and General Regulations of the Grand Lodge
which relate to the government of a Lodge.
Sec. 4. No Senior Warden shall be installed until after he has presented
to the Installing Officer the Certificate of Proficiency signed by
the Grand Lodge Inspector of his lodge, or the District Grand
Lecturer or District Deputy Grand Master of the District, or the
Junior or Senior Grand Lecturer, certifying that he has been
personally examined by the officer issuing the Certificate and
found qualified to give the work and lectures of the First and
Second Degrees.
Sec. 5. No Junior Warden shall be installed until after he has presented
to the Installing Officer the Certificate of Proficiency signed by
the Grand Lodge Inspector of his lodge, or the District Grand
Lecturer, certifying that he has been personally examined by
Masonic Law Book 91
the officer issuing the Certificate and found qualified to give
the work and lecture of the Fist Degree.
Sec. 6. The Certificates of Proficiency and Certifications of Installation
of the above officers by the Installing Officer shall be sent to
the Grand Secretary.
Sec. 7. If the elected Master, Senior, or Junior Warden fail to secure
within sixty (60) days the Certification of Proficiency, the
Secretary shall immediately communicate this fact to the Grand
Master and request a dispensation to hold another election at a
fixed date.
Sec. 8. If a Lodge fails to hold its election at the specified time, the
Secretary shall immediately communicate this fact to the
Grand Master and apply a dispensation to hold another election
at a fixed date.
Sec. 9. If a vacancy in the position of Master arises from death,
absence or prolonged illness of the incumbent, the Senior
Warden shall assume the position. If a vacancy occurs in the
position of Senior Warden, the Junior Warden shall assume the
position. Either of the positions shall be filled for the unexpired
term or until the successor shall have been duly elected,
qualified, and installed. In either case, the Secretary shall
communicate the fact of vacancy to the Grand Master who may
issue a dispensation for the Lodge to hold an election for the
said position.
Sec. 10. When a Master or a Warden of a Lodge moves from the
jurisdiction of the lodge but does not resign and does not leave
this Grand Jurisdiction, his office cannot be declared vacant by
resolution of the Lodge.
Sec. 11. Only members in good standing shall be entitled to vote at an
election, and hold office. A Plural Member may hold an elective
office in only one lodge.
Sec. 12. The Chaplain, Marshal, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and
Junior Stewards, Almoner, Orator, Lecturer, Organist and the
Tyler shall be appointed by the Master-elect and installed at
the same time as the elective officers not later than March 31
of the same year.
92 ORDINANCES
ARTICLE XI
THE MASTER
Sec. 1. The Master shall have the power:
a. To assemble the brethren;
b. To issue or cause to be issued summonses or notices;
c. To refuse admission to any one who shall not have proved
himself to be a Master Mason;
d. To refuse admission to any member who is intoxicated,
who is making trouble, or who is not in proper attire;
e. To refuse admission to a visitor if a member of the lodge
has made a valid objection privately to the Master giving
him the reason therefore;
f. To suspend any officer for irregularity or disobedience;
g. To warn, reprimand, or suspend for a definite period any
member of his Lodge who fails to attend at least three
(3) stated meetings of his Lodge within twelve months,
unless proof of attendance in other Lodges during the
period in question is presented: Provided that the Brother
concerned shall be given the opportunity to explain his
absences. The decision of the Master shall be appealable
to the Grand Master; and
h. To perform all acts which by ancient usage are proper and
incident to his office and not in contravention with the
Constitution, Edicts, Ordinances, or General Regulations
of the Grand Lodge or the By-Laws of his Lodge.
Sec. 2. His duties are:
a. To designate the appointive officers of the Lodge;
b. To preside at all meetings;
c. To confer the degrees in strict accordance with the ritual
of the Grand Lodge;
d. To give or cause to be given in full the lecture of each
degree on the day of conferral;
e. To examine the minutes of each meeting and sign them
after approval;
f. To supervise the acts of all officers of his Lodge;
g. To cast the deciding vote in case of a tie vote;
h. To guard against any infraction of its By-Laws, the
Constitution, By-Laws, Edicts, Ordinances or General
Rules and Regulations of the Grand Lodge or the General
Regulations of Masonry;
Masonic Law Book 93
i. To prepare a budget of expenses of his Lodge and a
statement of its income for approval by the Lodge;
j. To transmit through the Grand Lodge Inspector a copy of
the approved budget to the Grand Secretary;
k. To cause to be prepared at the close of each calendar month
a statement from the books and records of the Lodge,
showing in detail the receipts, debts and disbursements,
meetings, attendance, and such information as may be
required. One copy of the report signed only by the Master
will be mailed as early as possible to the Grand Master
and one copy signed by the Master, Treasurer, Secretary,
and Inspector shall be sent later to the Committee on
Administration of Lodges. Both copies shall be mailed
thru the Grand Secretary. To read or cause to be read
Section 2, Article II, of the Uniform Code of By-Laws for
Subordinate Lodges at the Stated Meetings of October,
November, and December of each year;
l. To furnish a copy of the report to the Grand Lodge
Inspector for his assessment and/or evaluation (Edict
No. 275 MW Rentoy);
m. To assure that all brethren present during the balloting or
election are only those qualified to cast BALLOT upon a
petition of a candidate/s or affiliation/s or VOTE for lodge
officers (Edict No. 276 MW Rentoy);
n. To cause the roll call of all lodge members present before
the lodge proceeds with the conduct of the balloting
of petitioner/s or affiliation/s or election of its officers
(Edict No. 276 MW Rentoy);and
o. To receive from the secretary an attested/certified list of
all qualified brethren to cast BALLOT upon petitioner/s
or affiliation/s or VOTE for lodge officers and to direct
the brother or brethren disqualified to be temporarily
seated at the north side of the lodge, while such balloting
or election is being conducted; (Edict No. 276 MW
Rentoy).
Sec. 3. There shall be no appeal to the Lodge from the decision of the
Master. Appeal from such decision may be presented to the
Grand Master.
Sec. 4. For the neglect or violation of any duty imposed by this
Constitution, Edicts, Ordinances, Rules and Regulations, or
of the By-Laws of his Lodge the Master shall be subject to
deprivation of office, suspension or expulsion by the Grand
Master.
94 ORDINANCES
ARTICLE XII
THE WARDENS
Sec. 1. The Wardens shall assist the Master in his duties. They shall
discharge those duties which ancient usage has assigned to
their respective stations.
Sec. 2. In the absence of the Master, the Senior Warden shall assume
his powers and duties. In the absence of both the Master and
the Senior Warden, the Junior Warden shall assume the powers
and duties. If the Master be present and the Senior Warden
absent, the Master may designate the Junior Warden or any
member as Senior Warden. If the Junior Warden occupies the
Senior Warden’s station, the Master will designated somebody
to occupy the Junior Warden’s station.
ARTICLE XIII
THE TREASURER
Sec. 1. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer:
a. To receive and safely keep all money or properties of the
Lodge place in his hands;
b. To disburse or transfer the same or any part thereof upon
the order of the Master with the consent of the Lodge;
c. To keep a correct account of his receipts and
disbursements in an approved Record Book;
d. To prepare on the prescribed form each month the
financial report of his Lodge and to submit it to the Grand
Secretary before the next stated meeting; and
e. To perform such other duties as may be required.
ARTICLE XIV
THE SECRETARY
Sec. 1. It shall be the duty of the Secretary:
a. To record the proceedings of each meeting proper to be
written in a Minutes Book and submit the record of the
Lodge at its next stated meeting for approval;
Masonic Law Book 95
b. To submit monthly a copy of the approved minutes to the
Grand Lodge;
c. To collect and receive all moneys due the Lodge, deliver
them to the Treasurer as soon as possible and obtain
his receipt therefore. If the treasurer is not available,
moneys received must be deposited to the established
Lodge Bank account on the first banking day after receipt
and the deposit slip turned over to the Treasurer who will
issue a receipt;
d. To keep and affix the seal of the Lodge on al papers
issued under its authority;
e. To transmit to the Grand Secretary immediately after
each election a Certification of elective and appointive
officers;
f. To prepare on the prescribed form each month the
Financial Report of his Lodge and to submit it to the
Grand Secretary before the next stated meeting;
g. To transmit to the Grand Secretary the Annual Report of
the Lodge on the prescribed form;
h. To report immediately to the Grand Secretary all demits,
suspensions, expulsions, affiliations, deaths, restorations
and rejections of petitions for degrees, on the prescribed
Monthly Membership Report form;
i. To keep a complete file of the Cabletow in his Lodge
records;
j. To read all Grand Lodge Circulars, Edicts and other
official communications in open Lodge at the stated
meeting next following their receipt and to so state in
the minutes;
k. To provide a certified listing of all regular members
present inside the lodge that are to participate in the
BALLOTING OF CANDIDATE/S OR AFFILIATION/S
or ELECTION OF LODGE OFFICERS and to make an
attestation and certification below said listing that “he
has verified the minutes of previous meetings and
tyler’s book of the lodge, and had personally ascertained
from other documents, record and other means that
all brethren listed therein possess all the qualifications
prescribed (Edict No. 276 MW Rentoy);
l. To keep and maintain a copy of the said attested/
certified listing of qualified brethren to cast BALLOT upon
petitioner/s or affiliation/s or VOTE for lodge officers to
form part of the record of the lodge (Edict No. 276 MW
Rentoy); and
96 ORDINANCES
m. To provide the Worshipful Master a copy of his attested/
certified listing of qualified brethren and personally
advise him of the presence of a brother or brethren, if
any, who do not possess the qualifications as provided
under Section 16, Art VI, Part II-Ordinances for his
appropriate action (Edict No. 276 MW Rentoy).
Sec. 2. He shall keep the following books of the Lodge on the prescribed
form:
a. Minutes Book -- where all the approved minutes of
transactions of the Lodge, legible handwritten or
typewritten, shall be filed and kept.
b. Book of Constitution, Installation Book, Funeral and
Memorial Service Book, and a volume of the Sacred Law.
c. Book of By-Laws -- signed by each member with his
name in full.
d. Account Book -- where he shall record the account of
each member.
e. Tyler’s Register -- where each attending officer, member
and visitor, shall record his name in ink before entering
the Lodge and in case of a visitor, also the name, member
and location of his lodge.
f. Roll Book -- to be maintained in the following prescribed
form:
NAME
(Last) (First) (Middle)
Home Address
Postal Address
Occupation Educational Attainment
Where Employed Tel. No.
Address
Date of Birth Place of Birth
Name of Nearest Kin Relation
Address
Masonic Law Book 97
MASONIC MEMBERSHIP
Name of Lodge No.
Date
Date Date Date
Initiated Passed Raised
M.M. Proficiency
Other Lodges
Remarks:
OTHER MASONIC MEMBERSHIP
York Rite Bodies
Location Honors
Chapter No. RAM
Council No. Commandery No.
Scottish Rite Bodies
Location
Lodge KCCH-Date Invested
Chapter IGH-Date Coroneted
Council SGIG-Date Crowned
Consistory
MASONIC ORIENTED ORGANIZATIONS
A.A.O.N.M.S. Temple Location
OES CHAPTER No. Location
AMARANTH Location
PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE OF THE PHILIPPINES, ROS
98 ORDINANCES
NON-MASONIC ORGANIZATIONS
Location
Location
Sec. 3. An acceptable bond in an amount to be determined by the
Lodge shall be filed by the Secretary, the premium of which
shall be paid by the Lodge.
ARTICLE XV
THE AUDITOR
Sec. 1. It shall be the duty of the Auditor:
a. To verify the accuracy and existence of all Lodge funds;
b. To ascertain that proper accounting and control
procedures in the handling of Lodge funds are being
implemented;
c. To verify that all monies due the Lodge have been
received, duly receipted, deposited and recorded the
books;
d. To verify that all disbursements are properly and duly
approved by the Lodge and other responsible officers of
the Lodge;
e. To attest to the correctness of the Lodge financial reports
and statements and to report to the Lodge or to the
Grand Lodge any deviation from regular procedure by
any person;
f. To check the accuracy of the accounting records of the
Lodge and reconcile actual Lodge funds with the bank
current account statements or Savings Passbook; and
g. To undertake a special audit of any Lodge transaction
if requested by the Worshipful Master or by the Grand
Lodge.
Masonic Law Book 99
ARTICLE XVI
THE APPOINTED OFFICERS
Sec. 1. The Chaplain, Marshal, Senior and Junior Deacons, Senior and
Junior Stewards, Almoner, Orator, Lecturer, Organist and Tyler
shall be the appointed officers of the Lodge and shall perform
such duties as may be required.
Sec. 2. The Master-elect may appoint a member to perform the duties
in consonance with the usage of the Craft they but shall not be
considered officers of the Lodge.
Sec. 3. All funds collected by the Almoner shall be turned over to the
Treasurer after each meeting provided that the Almoner may
retain sufficient funds to meet reasonable needs.
ARTICLE XVII
INDIVIDUAL MASONS
(Membership, Rights and Obligations)
Sec. 1. One may acquire membership in a lodge –
a. By having regularly received the degree of Master Mason
therein;
b. By having been duly elected for affiliation therewith and
complying with the conditions thereof;
c. By having been named in a dispensation for a new lodge
as one of its petitioners;
d. By the consolidation into one lodge of two or more
lodges, of one which he was a member;
e. By becoming a plural member of another lodge; and
f. By being chosen as an honorary member by a lodge as a
reward for his exemplary service.
Sec. 2. Membership in a lodge shall be terminated –
a. By the dissolution of a lodge;
b. By the consolidation of a lodge with another lodge or
other lodges;
c. By voluntary withdrawal there from after proper notice is
given; and
100 ORDINANCES
d. By death or expulsion; and temporarily, by suspension.
Sec. 3. A candidate elected for membership who decides not to take
the degrees is not entitled to be reimbursed of the fees he has
paid.
Sec. 4. Entered Apprentices and Fellow Crafts have only the right to
sit in the degree taken by them and the right to advancement
therein after passing satisfactorily a strict examination in open
lodge. They are not required to pay any dues and are not
entitled to vote or speak in the lodge nor are they entitled to
burial with Masonic honors, nor are they or their widows or
orphans entitled to relief from the funds of the lodge. They
cannot, acting in a lodge, open in degrees taken, exercise any
control over the funds of the lodge for charity or for any other
purpose. They cannot withdraw from their lodge or apply
for membership or advancement in another lodge without
a waiver of jurisdiction. Charges may be preferred against
them for offenses committed, which shall be made in the same
manner and tried by a commission of Master Masons elected
as prescribed for trial of individual Masons. If found guilty,
the same punishment may be inflicted as is prescribed for trial
of individual Masons, and they may appeal in like manner. An
Entered Apprentice of Fellow Craft who fails to advance to the
next degree within a period of twelve (12) months without
valid reason may be dropped from the rolls and the degree
fees forfeited, at the discretion of the lodge.
Sec. 5. Every Master Mason must be a member of some Lodge. A
demitted or non-affiliated Master Mason who has resided
within this jurisdiction for six (6) months and failed to make
application for membership to some lodge shall be deemed
unworthy of Masonic consideration and not entitled to any of the
rights, privileges and charities of the Craft. If after (6) months’
residence he desires to affiliate, he must pay six (6) months’
dues in addition to the affiliation fee of the lodge to which he
applies. If rejected, the affiliation fee shall be returned but the
six (6) months’ dues shall become the property of the lodge.
Sec. 6. No mason shall be a member of more than three (3) lodges
inclusive of his Mother Lodge in this jurisdiction (Edict No.
186-A MW Purisima).
Sec. 7. A plural member who is suspended or expelled in one lodge shall
automatically be suspended or expelled in the other lodges.
Masonic Law Book 101
The Secretary of the lodge imposing the penalty shall notify
the Secretary of the other lodge of such action. Notice of such
suspension by means of the Grand Lodge circular regularly
issued by the office of the Grand Secretary regarding petitions
for degrees, deaths, suspensions, etc. shall be considered as
sufficient notice for the purpose of this section.
Sec. 8. A member in good standing who desires to withdraw shall notify
his lodge in writing. He shall receive a certificate of withdrawal
(demit) without recommendation. A recommendatory
certificate may be given him by a majority vote of the members
of the lodges then present at the stated meeting when his
demit is submitted.
Sec. 9. When a lodge surrenders its charters, the Grand Secretary shall
issue a demit to its members in good standing. Those under
suspension may apply for restoration to the Grand Secretary.
Sec. 10. A member in good standing may apply and receive from the
Secretary of his lodge a duly attested certificate of his standing
which he shall present when applying for affiliation with another
lodge. If he is elected, he becomes a member thereof only by
filing with its Secretary at a stated meeting the certificate of his
withdrawal from the lodge of which he was last a member. A
certificate of good standing shall be required when applying for
plural membership and the Secretary of the lodge where the
applicant acquires plural membership shall immediately notify
in writing the Secretary of the lodge of which the applicant is a
member.
Sec. 11. A member of a lodge is at all times entitled to be present
and participate in its proceedings while he conducts himself
with due order and propriety but for a breach of the rules of
propriety, the Master may refuse his admission thereto or
exclude him therefrom, and a Master should refuse admission
to any member who presents himself in a state of intoxication.
Sec. 12. A Master Mason in good standing cannot abstain from voting
upon petitions for degrees or affiliations.
Sec. 13. An honorary member may participate in the deliberations of
the lodge but he cannot vote or hold office.
Sec. 14. Every Master Mason in good standing, his widow and orphans
when in distress, may ask for relief from the lodge of which he
102 ORDINANCES
is or was a member, from the lodge within which jurisdiction
he or they may be or from any Master Mason. Relief, however,
cannot be demanded as a right. It may be given as an act of
charity and is strictly discretionary.
Sec. 15. The right to visit masonically is not absolute but a favor which
any lawful Master Mason in good standing has the right to ask
but which a lodge may grant or refuse.
Sec. 16. A visitor shall not be admitted unless the lodge has legal
information, or he produces written evidence under the seal of
his lodge, that he is in good standing therein.
Sec. 17. A visitor shall not be admitted if there be, in the opinion of the
Master, a valid objection to his admission made by a member
of the lodge, stating the reason privately to the Master. The
Master shall not disclose to the visitor or to any other person
the name of the brother objecting.
Sec. 18. No Mason shall vouch for a visiting brother unless he has sat
with him in open lodge, or has examined him under proper
authority, or, in case a member of one lodge, all three being
present, and such brother to whom avouchment is made can
then vouch for the visiting brother to the Master of his lodge.
Private examination and lecturing a visitor in the work, without
authority, are both forbidden.
Sec. 19. No Master Mason shall cause his picture wearing Masonic
jewels, emblems, insignias, apron or any another masonic
regalia, to be taken and printed for distribution to the public in
general for business or political purposes.
Sec. 20. No Master shall record and/or reproduce by means of any
recording or reproducing device any coded portion of the ritual
whereby masonic intelligence could thereby be unlawfully
communicated.
Sec. 21. No Master Mason shall hold Masonic intercourse or membership
in any illegal or clandestine lodge nor communicate masonically
with any clandestine Mason.
Sec. 22. Any Mason within this jurisdiction may be reprimanded,
suspended or expelled for any violation of the Ancient
Landmarks, Constitution, Edicts, the Ordinances and General
Regulations of the Grand Lodge, the By-Laws of his Lodge and
Masonic Law Book 103
other Masonic Laws.
Sec. 23. Before a Master Mason under this jurisdiction can be accepted
as a candidate for the degrees of Masonry of any Rite, Order
or Body, it shall be the Masonic duty of the Secretary, Recorder
or Scribe of that Rite, Order or Body to verify from the Grand
Lodge of the Philippines, Office of the Grand Secretary, that
the candidate has been a Master Mason in good standing for
at least twelve (12) months and has attended at least seventy
percent (70%) of his Symbolic Lodge Meeting within these
twelve (12) months and immediately after he was raised as a
Master Mason. Provided further, that he must also fulfill every
position of Edict No. 60 as stated.
Some leniency can be provided to persons serving in the Armed
Forces, and Foreign Consular Corps, who cannot meet the
residence requirements. At the discretion of the Grand Master,
proper dispensation, after due consideration and careful study
of each and every case, can be issued (Edict No. 65 MW
Councell).
ARTICLE XVIII
CHARGES, TRIALS AND PROCEDURES
A. Relative to the Grand Master
Sec. 1. Charges may be preferred against the Grand Master for violation
of the Ancient Landmarks of the Order, the Constitution, Edicts,
Rules or Regulations and Ordinances of the Grand Lodge, or of
the By-Laws of his Lodge or for unmasonic conduct or abuse of
power.
Sec. 2. The charges shall be accomplished in writing with at least seven
(7) copies of the original, and be preferred over the signatures
of incumbent Worshipful Masters representing at least ten
percent (10%) of subordinate Lodges in good standing.
Sec. 3. The original and all seven (7) copies of the charges shall be
addressed to the Grand Lodge, but coursed through the Grand
Secretary, who shall transmit a copy thereof to the immediate
Past Grand Master of the Grand Lodge who may be within the
104 ORDINANCES
Philippines and is member of a Lodge in this jurisdiction, or
in his absence or incapacity, to the next immediate available
qualified Past Grand Master.
Sec. 4. The Past Grand Master concerned shall, within ten (10) days
upon receipt from the Grand Secretary of his copy of the
charges, organize a Trial Commission which shall be composed
of five (5) members, with himself as the Chairman and not more
than four (4) other Past Grand Masters in this Jurisdiction, in
the order of their reverse seniority, as his associates. He shall
furnish his associates with a copy of the charges filed against
the respondent and request them to assemble with him at a
designated place, date and time. The Grand Secretary shall
be the Secretary of the Commission, but it may utilize the
services of an assistant Secretary or stenographer who shall
be a Master Mason in good standing.
B. Relative to incumbent or past elective grand lodge
officers other than the Grand Master, incumbent or past
appointive grand lodge officers, incumbent masters
of lodges, past masters of lodges and officers and
employees of the Grand Lodge and affiliated allied
organizations and Grand Lodge employees (Edict No. 293
MW Gazmin).
Sec. 5. Charges may be preferred against any incumbent or past elective
grand lodge officers other than the Grand Master, incumbent
or past appointive grand lodge officers, incumbent masters of
lodges, past masters of lodges and officers and employees of
the Grand Lodge and affiliated allied organizations and Grand
Lodge employees for violation of the Ancient Landmarks of
the Order, the Constitution, Edicts, Rules, Regulations and
Ordinances of the Grand Lodge, or of the By-Laws of his Lodge,
or for unmasonic conduct or abuse of power (Edict No. 293
MW Gazmin).
Sec. 6. The charges shall be accomplished in writing with at least seven
(7) copies of the original and be preferred over the signature of
any of the following groups:
a. at least one (1) incumbent elective officer of the Grand
Lodge, and two (2) others who shall be incumbent or
Past elective officers of the Grand Lodge; or
b. an incumbent elective officer of the Lodge where the
Masonic Law Book 105
officer sought to be charged holds membership and of
at least two (2) Master Masons in good standing who
shall be incumbent or Past elective officers of the Grand
Lodge, or, five (5) members in good standing of the
Lodge where the officer sought to be charged holds
membership.
Sec. 7. The original and all seven (7) copies of the charges shall be
addressed to the Grand Master, but coursed through the Grand
Secretary.
Sec. 8. The Grand Master shall, upon receipt from the Grand Secretary
of the charges, refer the case to the Masonic Committee on
Preliminary Investigation for the purpose of establishing the
existence of probable cause or lack thereof (Edict No. 293
MW Gazmin).
Sec. 9. The Committee is empowered to conduct further mediation
and reconciliation proceedings and to issue final decisions
based on compromise agreement reached with the litigants
(Edict No. 293 MW Gazmin).
Sec. 10. If the complaint does not yet contain proof of service of
complaint upon respondent(s), it shall be the duty of the
Committee to furnish a copy thereof to the respondent(s)
therein named and cause the latter to submit his or their
answer or position paper within fifteen (15) days from date of
receipt (Edict No. 293 MW Gazmin).
Sec. 11. If no answer or position paper is received from or filed by
the respondent(s) within the prescribed period despite proper
notice and proof of service of the complaint, and likewise in
cases of unjustified refusal to file and submit answer or Position
Paper, the Committee is empowered to render final judgment
on the merits of the case, on the basis of available records,
evidences and testimonies (Edict No. 293 MW Gazmin).
Sec. 12. Committee may decide solely on the basis of documents and
records presented by both parties but without prejudice to the
holding of actual hearings attended by all parties and witnesses
to the dispute, as it may deem proper and necessary under the
circumstances of the case (Edict No. 293 MW Gazmin).
106 ORDINANCES
Sec. 13. The Committee shall recommend to the Grand Master, through
a resolution supported by a majority vote of its members,
whether to dismiss the complaint for lack of probable cause or
to recommend that the case be submitted to trial based on a
finding of reasonable ground(s) or a well-founded belief that
a Masonic violation has been committed and the respondent(s)
is or are probably guilty thereof and should be held for trial
(Edict No. 293 MW Gazmin).
In case of finding of probable cause, the Grand Master
shall, appoint a Trial Commission to be composed of five (5)
disinterested members with one incumbent Grand Lodge officer
as the Chairman and four (4) other members of the Grand
Lodge as Associates. He shall furnish the appointed members
of the Trial Commission with a copy of the charges filed against
the respondent and request them to assemble with him at a
designated place, date and time. The Grand Secretary shall be
the Secretary of the Commission, but it may also utilize the
services of an assistant Secretary or a stenographer who shall
be a Master Mason in good standing.
Sec. 14. In all cases of recommendation to hold masonic trial, the
Committee shall endorse and forward all records of the cases it
has decided to the concerned Masonic Trial Commission (Edict
No. 293 MW Gazmin).
Sec. 15. Any decision by the Committee shall remain appealable to the
Grand Master through the Grievance Committee (Edict No.
293 MW Gazmin).
C. Relative to Lodges
Sec. 16. When a controversy arises between Lodges, or between a
Lodge and a member or members of another Lodge, charges
may be preferred by either party, if in good standing.
Sec. 17. The charges shall be accomplished in writing with at least seven
(7) copies of the original, and be preferred over the signatures
of the Master and Secretary in case of Lodges, and over the
signatures of the complainant or complainants, in case of a
member or members.
Sec. 18. The original and all seven (7) copies of the charges shall be
addressed to the Grand Master but coursed through the Grand
Masonic Law Book 107
Secretary.
Sec. 19. The Grand Master shall, upon receipt of the charges, appoint a
trial Commission composed of five (5) disinterested members,
with one (1) incumbent or Past Officer of the Grand Lodge as
the Chairman and four (4) Associates who shall be Masters,
Past Masters, or incumbent Wardens in good standing,
selected from at least three (3) different Lodges and belonging
to the same district, if possible. The Commission shall elect
a Secretary from among its members but may utilize the
services of an assistant secretary or a stenographer who shall
be a Master Mason in good standing.
D. Relative to Masons Individually
Sec. 20. Charges may be preferred against a member of a Lodge or
any Mason residing within its jurisdiction, except the Master
of a Lodge, the Grand Master, any incumbent or past officer of
the Grand Lodge or Past Master, for violations of the Ancient
landmarks Of the Order, the Constitution, Edicts, Rules,
Regulations or Ordinances of the Grand Lodge, or of the By-
Laws of his Lodge, or for unmasonic conduct or abuse of power,
for breaches and offenses against the Grand Lodge and/or its
constituted officers.
Sec. 21. The charges shall be accomplished in writing, with at least
seven (7) copies of the original, and preferred:
a. the signature of one (1) incumbent or past elective officer
of the Grand Lodge, in cases of breaches and/ or offenses
against the Grand Lodge and/or any of its constituted
officers; and
b. over the signature of the complaining Master Mason, who
shall be in good standing, in other cases.
Sec. 22. The original and all seven (7) copies of the charges shall be
addressed:
a. to the Grand Master, in cases of breaches and/or offenses
against the Grand Lodge and/or any of its constituted
officers, or
b. to the Master of the Lodge where the respondent holds
membership, but coursed through the Secretary who shall
transmit the same to the Master, in other cases.
108 ORDINANCES
Sec. 23. The charges shall never be presented to the Master of a Lodge
under dispensation, except where the respondent is a regular
member of such Lodge, or under or within its jurisdiction, and
no chartered Lodge has concurrent jurisdiction over the same
territory, in which event, the Master shall at once transmit
such charges to the Grand Master who shall, in turn, after a
preliminary investigation, designate the Master of a Lodge in
the Masonic District to proceed therewith in the same manner
as if the charges had originally been presented to him.
Sec. 24. Upon receipt of the charges:
a. The Grand Master shall make a preliminary investigation of
the charges and if in his opinion the same is not frivolous,
he shall appoint a Trial Commission composed of five
(5) members of his own choice, in cases of breach and/
or offenses against the Grand Lodge and/or any of its
constituted officers; and
b. The Master shall, in other cases, call a special meeting
of his Lodge, as soon as practicable, and shall cause the
Secretary to issue written notification thereof to such
member whose residence is known and is within such
distance as may reasonably permit him to attend, which
notification shall state the day, date and time of the meeting
and shall further state that the purpose of said meeting is
to elect five (5) Commissioners to try a brother, without
mentioning names, upon charges filed against him.
Sec. 25. At such special meeting the Master will announce its purpose
and call for the election of the five (5) Commissioners. Each
member present will write the names of five (5) members of the
Lodge upon one ballot, and upon canvassing of the votes, such
members as shall have been found to have received a majority
of all votes cast, shall be declared elected as Commissioners.
In case the full number should not be elected on the first
ballot, another ballot shall be had for the remainder until the
full number of Commissioners shall have been elected, each by
a majority vote of those present.
Sec. 26. The Master shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Commission,
shall preside over the trial and shall rule over all questions of
Masonic Law which may arise during the trial, but shall have no
vote of the judgment.
Masonic Law Book 109
Sec. 27. Neither a witness nor one who acted as Commissioner at a first
trial, nor one who cannot fairly try the same, is qualified to act
as Commissioner, nor a Master qualified to preside who would
be disqualified as Commissioner for any other reason than
because of his acting at a first trial.
Sec. 28. The Secretary of the Lodge shall be the Secretary of the
Commission but it may utilize the services of an assistant
Secretary or of a stenographer who shall be a Master Mason in
good standing.
Sec. 29. Masonic charge filed with the Blue Lodges and/or the Grand
Lodge shall be considered withdrawn if the complainant fails to
prosecute within a period of three (3) years from the date of
filing said complaint.
E. Trial Procedure
Sec. 30. The charge itself shall be a general one, defined in a specification
or specifications, setting forth with clearness and precision
the offense or offenses complained of, and giving date, time
and place and all necessary particulars relating thereto, as
distinctly as possible, so that the respondent may have full and
comprehensive knowledge of all that he may be called upon to
answer.
Sec. 31. When the charge is for an offense which is subject of the
proceedings in the courts of the land, the Masonic trial may,
in the discretion of the Trial Commission, be deferred until
such proceeding is concluded. In the event of final judgment
of conviction against a Mason in the regular courts of a crime
involving moral turpitude, it shall be the duty of the Junior
Warden of any Lodge having jurisdiction of such Mason so
convicted on account of the matters involved in said conviction
and to press to conclusion a trial on account thereof. Acquittal
in said courts, or the refusal of the prosecuting officer to file a
complaint or information for an offense is no bar to a Masonic
trial.
Sec. 32. The Trial Commission, shall, through its Secretary, furnish
respondent with the summon attaching thereto with a copy
of the complaint against him, and require him to answer the
same within thirty (30) days from receipt if he is within the
Philippines, or within forty five (45) if without the Philippines.
110 ORDINANCES
The summon shall be accomplished in triplicate, one copy to
be delivered or transmitted to the respondent, one copy to be
sent to the Lodge Secretary where the respondent is a member
and the third copy to be presented to Commissioners.
Sec. 33. The summon shall, as far as practicable, be served by handing
a copy thereof to respondent in person, or if he refuses to
receive and sign for it, by tendering it to him. If respondent
cannot be served personally, service shall be effected by
registered mail with return card.
Sec. 34. Any objection to any of the Commissioners shall be in writing
with seven (7) copies of the original, stating clearly the
reasons for the same, and shall be filed with the Secretary
of the Commission. The Commission shall decide the validity
of the objection and if vacancies shall arise as a consequence
thereof, the remaining Commissioners may choose qualified
brothers to act.
Sec. 35. After receipt of the answer or upon expiration of the period
to answer, the Trial Commission shall set the date, time and
place for the Preliminary Conference and shall summon both
parties to be present thereat. Such summons, if sent by
registered mail with return card, shall be sent and stamped
at least twenty (20) days before the date sent; and if sent by
personal delivery, the same shall be delivered at least fifteen
(15) days before said date.
Sec. 36. The Preliminary Conference shall be held to consider the
following:
a. The possibility of amicable settlement;
b. The simplification of the issues;
c. The possibility of obtaining stipulations or admissions of
facts and of documents to avoid unnecessary proof; and
d. Such other matters that may aid in the prompt disposition
of the case.
Failure of complainant to appear during the Preliminary
Conference shall be a cause for dismissal of the complaint.
On the other hand, should respondent fail to appear, then
respondent is deemed to have waived his right to present
his evidence. Complainant shall be entitled to judgment in
accordance with Sections 37 and 41 hereof.
Masonic Law Book 111
Sec. 37. Within ten (10) days after the termination of the preliminary
conference, the Trial Commission shall issue an order stating
the matters taken up therein, including but not limited to:
a. Whether the parties have arrived at an amicable settlement,
and if so, the terms thereof;
b. The stipulations or admissions entered into by the parties;
c. Whether, on the basis of the pleadings and the stipulations
and admissions made by the parties, or the failure of
the parties to submit their pleadings, judgment may be
rendered without the need of further proceedings, in which
event the judgment shall be rendered within thirty (30)
days from issuance of the order;
d. A clear specification of material facts which remain
controverted; and
e. Such other matters intended to expedite the disposition of
the case.
Sec. 38. Within ten (10) days from receipt of the order mentioned in
the preceding section, the parties shall submit the affidavits
of their witnesses and other evidence on the factual issues
defined in the order, together with their position papers setting
forth the law and the facts relied upon by them.
Sec. 39. Witnesses, whether Masons or not, may testify upon their
honor as such, through written affidavits or depositions sworn
to before a Master Mason in good standing legally authorized
to administer oaths. All documentary evidence shall be made
part of the record.
Sec. 40. The parties shall be entitled to personal representation or
through counsel who shall be a Master Mason in good standing
in this jurisdiction.
Sec. 41. Upon receipt of the respective position papers, the Trial
Commission shall, within thirty (30) days from receipt thereof,
render and promulgate its decision. The Trial Commission
may, at its discretion, call for a clarificatory hearing on
matters contained in the respective position papers. Should
a clarificatory hearing be called, the 30-day period to render
and promulgate a decision shall commence upon termination
thereof.
Sec. 42. The penalties that a Commission may impose are expulsion,
suspension, reprimand and/or deprivation of office or title.
112 ORDINANCES
Sec. 43. After all the position papers and affidavits shall have been
received, the Commissioners shall proceed to deliberate with
none present save members themselves and the Secretary
who shall have no voice in the proceedings. A vote for “guilty”
or “not guilty” by ballot shall be taken upon each specification,
and each vote shall be recorded. Should the vote be guilty,
the Commission will then proceed to vote by ballot, upon the
proper penalty to be imposed.
The vote of at least three (3) members shall constitute the
judgment on the Trial Commission. It shall be accomplished in
writing and signed by the concurring members and attested by
the Secretary of the Commission.
Sec. 44. Any dissenting opinion shall also be accomplished in writing
and shall form part of the records of the case.
In case of Masons individually charged for any offense other
than for breaches and/or offenses against the Grand Lodge
and/or its constituted officers, the judgment of the Commission
shall be presented to the Master, who at the next stated
meeting of this Lodge, shall in the presence of its members
only, announce the judgment and direct the Secretary to
record the same as the judgment of the Lodge which shall be
made part of the records of the case, and a copy thereof filed
for safekeeping among its archives.
Sec. 45. In case of Masons individually charged for breaches and/or
offenses against the Grand Lodge and/or any of its constituted
officers, the decision or judgment of the Commission shall at
once be made part of the records of the case.
Sec. 46. If the judgment be suspension or expulsion, it shall at once
go into effect, and the Secretary shall immediately notify the
person suspended or expelled and the Grand Secretary.
Sec. 47. If the judgment be reprimand, the Master shall summon the
respondent to appear at the next stated meeting, where it shall
be carried into effect in the presence only of the members of
the Lodge, unless, before the said meeting, legal notice shall
have been given of an appeal to the Grand Lodge. In such
cases, the judgment shall not be executed until after a decision
by the Grand Master affirming the same.
Masonic Law Book 113
Sec. 48. The Secretary of the Trial Commission shall attend the
preliminary conference and/or clarificatory hearings and keep
a true and accurate record of the proceedings. He shall have
charge and custody of the records and transcripts of the
proceedings, and when completed shall serve both parties with
one copy each of the judgment and shall be addressed to the
Grand Secretary who shall endorse the same to the Committee
on Grievances as part of the records.
Sec. 49. An appeal in writing and with at least seven (7) copies of the
original may be taken to the Grand Lodge by either party
within thirty (30) days from receipt of judgment, copy of which
shall be given to the adverse party. The appeal shall specify
and discuss the errors in the judgment and shall be addressed
to the Grand Secretary who shall endorse the same to the
Committee on Grievances as part of the records.
Sec. 50. Within thirty (30) days from receipt of the Complete records
of the case, including the appeal in writing, the Committee
on Grievances shall deliberate and report thereon with its
recommendations to the next Annual Communication.
Sec. 51. The decision of the Grand Master shall be effective and executory
as of date, subject to review by the Annual Communication.
The Grand Lodge may affirm, modify or reverse the decision
of the Grand Master, The decision of the Grand Lodge Annual
Communication shall be final.
1. This jurisdiction shall adopt the doctrine of finality
of judgment on decisions approved by the Annual
Communications for all cases reported by the Grievance
Committee;
Once a report on a particular case has been reported and
approved by the ANCOM, the decision shall acquire finality,
and may no longer be modified to correct erroneous
conclusions of fact and law at (the) behest of any party to
the dispute.
Provided, however, that upon approval by the Grand Master
of a favorable endorsement by a subordinate lodge, a final
decision rendered by the ANCOM maybe reconsidered
114 ORDINANCES
strictly on the following grounds:
a) To correct clerical errors;
b) To correct denial of due process; and
c) When demanded by the highest interest of
masonic justice.
The concerned lodges and/or parties shall strictly
implement the final decision rendered by the ANCOM and
willful or deliberate refusal to do so shall be considered as
a Masonic offense (Edict No. 271 MW Purisima).
F. Cases of Abandonment and other cases tried
and decided by the Grand Master”
Sec. 52. Cases filed against any Mason under the jurisdiction of the
Grand Lodge, whether or not a member of the Grand Lodge
maybe filed directly with the Grand Lodge which shall be
resolved by way of a summary procedure.
Sec. 53. The Rules of Summary Procedure under the Rules of Court shall
be suppletory hereto wherein, after the filing of the verified-
complaint and answer, the parties shall be required to submit
Position Papers, attaching all their supporting documents,
evidence and supporting affidavits of their witnesses. Only
the Grand Master shall have the power and authority to hear
and decide on the expulsion or grant of pardon to an expelled
brother pursuant to this Edict.
Sec. 54. For purposes of Edict No. 303 MW TOLENTINO, a regular
mason shall not be considered a proper party in filing the
complaint. A written complaint under oath from the legitimate
spouse shall be indispensable for the commencement of the
action;
Sec. 55. No action or complaint under Edict No. 303 MW TOLENTINO
shall prosper unless it appears clearly from the verified
complaint that earnest efforts toward a compromise have
been made, but that the same have failed. If it is shown that
no such efforts were in fact made, the same case must be
dismissed;
Sec. 56. Notwithstanding the imposition of the penalty of Expulsion, a
Mason expelled under Edict No. 303 MW TOLENTINO may
Masonic Law Book 115
be pardoned by the Grand Master and restored to Masonry in
accordance with the procedures provided for in the Masonic
Law Book due to any of the following grounds:
a. Upon presentation of joint-sworn statements of the
spouses that the abandonment ceases to exist and
that the spouses are living again as husband and
wife;
b. Upon presentation of joint-sworn statements of the
spouses that the spouses have amicably settled their
differences and are mutually happily living separately
from each other; or
c. Upon presentation of a court decision ordering
the legal separation or a decree of annulment of
the marriage of the spouses (Edict No. 303 MW
Tolentino).
G. Reversals and Restorations
Sec. 57. Any brother expelled upon a decision of expulsion made by the
Grand Master duly approved during the past and succeeding
Annual Communications (ANCOM) except expulsion under
Edict No. 303 MW Tolentino, is not subject to restoration
within a period of five (5) years. In case of restoration after the
said period of five (5) years pursuant to a petition duly made
to the Grand Lodge by the expelled brother and upon showing
remorse, the penalty of expulsion originally imposed shall only
be commuted to a penalty of suspension for no less than a
period of ten (10) years inclusive of the five (5) year expulsion
period duly served.
The Masonic records will continue to reflect the penalty of
expulsion imposed notwithstanding any restoration. The
restored brother even after serving completely the commuted
penalty shall no longer be eligible for any appointive and/or
elective positions in the Lodge or the Grand Lodge (Edict No.
318 MW Tolentino).
116 ORDINANCES
ARTICLE XIX
A. Clothing
Sec. 1. Proper attire in Lodge meetings and other Masonic functions
is “Barong Tagalog” and dark pants, or dark suit and tie, with
proper regalia. Aprons shall be worn outside the coat.
a. “Barong Tagalog” should be understood to mean WHITE
BARONG TAGALOG and no other color. The more formal
material for barong tagalog such as jusi or pina or pina-
jusi may also be worn;
b. “Barong Tagalog” should be worn over a PLAIN WHITE
UNDERSHIRT. Printed shirts, regardless of its markings,
are DISALLOWED;
c. “Dark pants” should be understood to mean BLACK PANTS.
Pants should be made of formal material. Denims (maong),
corduroy, or others of similar lind are DISALLOWED;
d. “Dark suit” should likewise be understood to mean BLACK
coat/jacket and BLACK pants worn over a WHITE shirt
(long sleeves) with tie of any appropriate color; and
e. Black pants being the prescribed color, SHOES AND SOCKS
must likewise be BLACK. Black shoes should be understood
to mean LEATHER SHOES WITH HEELS. Black boating
shoes, driving shoes, rubbers shoes or others of similar
kind are DISALLOWED. If BELTS are to be worn, the same
should likewise be BLACK (Edict No. 284 MW Rentoy).
Sec. 2. At laying of foundations or cornerstones, dedications of
temples, institution or constitution of a Lodge, the officers shall
use their usual regalia with white gloves.
Sec. 3. At funeral or memorial services, no jewels shall be worn and
the Master shall wear no hat. Only white aprons shall be used
and the officers shall wear white gloves.
Sec. 4. Proper attire, with full regalia, shall be worn by Master Masons
in the parade of lodges preceding District Conventions and
during Masonic functions commemorating the birth or death
of brother Masons who are National Heroes such as Jose Rizal,
Andres Bonifacio, Jose Abad Santos, etc.
B. Grand Lodge Official Regalia
Sec. 5. The Collar of the Elective Officers is of the chain type, consisting
Masonic Law Book 117
of eighteen (18) oblong links, 1-1/4” wide by 1-7/8” long, and
one round link, 1-5/8” outside diameter, connected by small
rings, all heavily gold plated.
Eight links have the initials GLP in script out inside each; eight
(8) have the emblem of interlaced threads; and the other two
(2) have the Square and Compasses with the Letter G inside
them. The round link has a 5-point star emblem and is the
bottom link from which the jewel is suspended. The collar is
mounted on a purple velvet material 1-1/2” wide.
Sec. 6. The Collar of the Appointive Officers, excepting Grand Lodge
Inspectors, is made of purple velvet materials, 3” wide at its
narrowest part around the neck and 4” wide at the breast, with
¼ plated yellow on the right and left sides.
Sec. 7. The Collar of the Grand Lodge Inspectors is made of white
cotton material, 3” wide its narrowest part around the neck
and 4” wide at the breast, with ¼” plated purple borders.
Sec. 8. The Jewels of the following officers are gold plated and mounted
on a gold plated wreath of laurel leaves, 3/8” by 3” outside
diameter.
a. Grand Master ������������������ A Square and Compasses,
an arc of 90°, the points
of the Compasses resting on
the Arc, and in the sun.
b. Past Grand Master ������������� A similar jewel without the
sun.
c. Deputy Grand Master ������� A Square, angle opening
down
e. Senior Grand Warden ������� A level
f. Junior Grand Warden ��������� A plumb
g. Grand Treasurer ��������������� Crossed Keys
h. Grand Secretary �������������� Crossed Pens (feather type)
i. Grand Auditor ������������������ Crossed Key and Pen
j. Asst. Grand Treasurer ������ A Key
k. Asst. Grand Secretary ������ A Pen (feather type)
l. Grand Chaplain ����������������� An Open Bible
m. Grand Orator ������������������� A Scroll
n. Grand Marshal ����������������� Crossed Batons
o. Senior Grand Deacon ������� Square and Compasses with
sun in opening between
them.
118 ORDINANCES
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