CONSTITUTION

OF THE

FEDERATION OF FREE FARMERS

We, the farmers of the Philippines, realizing our primary importance to the nation, and our obligation to unite ourselves in order to strengthen our country, hereby adopt this Constitution of the Federation of Free Farmers. ARTICLE I DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES Section 1. Because the farmer produces the food without which men cannot live, he is the most important worker in the world. Section 2. By virtue of the absolutely indispensable nature of their task, as well as their great number, the Filipino farmers are the backbone of the nation. Section 3. If the farmer is poor, the nation cannot be rich; if the farmer is weak, the nation cannot be strong; if the farmer is a slave, the nation cannot be free. Section 4. In order to strengthen the nation, the farmer must be strengthened; in order to strengthen the farmers, they must unite and organize themselves. Section 5. Since the farmer is a human being, he has the right to all that is necessary to enable him to live in keeping with his dignity as a human being; since it is his task to produce food for men to eat, he has the right to own sufficient land and adequate tools and all that is necessary to produce enough food for all. Section 6. In the fulfilment of his duties and enforcement of his rights, the farmer must have wisdom, courage and constancy, but he should likewise practice justice and charity and look upon all other people as his brothers. ARTICLE II AIMS AND PURPOSES Section 1. Section 2. Section 3. To unite and organize all the small farmers through the Philippines. To act as a weapon of common defense for its members. To serve as an instrument of peace between its members and other groups, particularly between tenants and landlords.

Section 4.

To act as a bridge to bring the government and the people closer to each other. To provide an effective voice in the government for its members by enlightened and united action. To act as a medium of information and education for its members. To teach and encourage its members to adopt improved methods of production, and to organize cooperatives. To promote democracy and freedom and to check communist infiltration and subversion. To exert effort to the end that every farmer will own at least a decent home and a homelot. To promote understanding, cooperation, and coordination between the Federation and other groups here and abroad. To call up on other organizations and individuals to extend material and other aid to the members of the Federation.

Section 5.

Section 6. Section 7.

Section 8.

Section 9.

Section 10.

Section 11.

Section 12. To acquaint other groups of the conditions and problems of the members and to promote good public relations. Section 13. To engage in rural banking and own stocks in rural banks for the benefit of its members. Section 14. To promote in any way the physical, material, and spiritual well being of its members. ARTICLE III MEMBERS, DUES AND FUNDS Section 1. The following are qualified to become members of the Federation of Free Farmers: (a) (b) Agricultural tenants; Small landowners who till the land themselves, including independent saltmakers, poultry and livestock raisers;

(c)

Agricultural laborers such as those employed by a sugar central or in plantations, including saltmakers, poultry and other livestock raisers under employment; Fishpond laborers and persons engaged in fishing; Any laborer employed in the production, transportation, or milling of any agriculture, forestry or mining products; Prospective farmers; All transport employees; Ambulant, intermittent and itinerant workers whether in agricultural or non-agricultural areas or enterprises; Rural workers, whether employed or self employed; Wage earners; "Squatters" and landless individuals who may desire to acquire or hold lands or dwellings.

(d) (e)

(f) (g) (h)

(i) (j) (k)

Anyone who regularly has tenants or employees in connection with any agricultural, fishing, transportation or mining enterprise is disqualified from becoming a member of the Federation; but this provision does not apply to tenants employing or hiring seasonal helpers for transplanting and harvesting. Section 2. A qualified person becomes a member upon approval of the proper official authorized to do so. Section 3. The following have separately the power to suspend or dismiss for cause a member or members: 1. The Barrio or Hacienda Executive Office (BEXO or HEXO) within the territory covered by it; The Municipal or Central Executive Office (MEXO or CEXO) within the territory covered by it; The Provincial Executive Office (PEXO) within the territory

2.

3.

covered by it; 4. The Regional Executive Office (REXO) within the territory covered by it if the region is duly established, recognized and functioning; The National Executive Office (NEXO) anywhere in the Philippines, only in rare and exceptional cases, but always in consultation and coordination with the barrio, municipal, provincial, or regional offices concerned. The members suspended or dismissed in the foregoing cases may appeal to higher authorities of the FFF, but the action of the Provincial Executive Office is final for the acts performed by it or lower authorities within the territory of the provincial association concerned; and the act of the National Executive Office shall be final.

5.

Section 4. Before the issuance of membership card to the applicant, he shall pay P / 3.00 for the identification booklet and as a membership fee, payable to the person or body elected or created therefor by the local unit who will issue a corresponding receipt. Section 5. Effective on November 8, 1988, every member shall pay in advance for the next year an annual dues of P / 30.00 to the person or body elected or created therefor by the local unit who shall issue a corresponding receipt. Failure to pay said annual dues within said year will render the member obligated to pay an annual dues of P / 40.00 to be paid not later than the end of the fifth month of the following year. Section 6. The duty and responsibility for the collection, keeping, disposition and accounting of all dues, assessments and other funds of whatever kind shall rest upon such person or body chosen or created through democratic processes by the local units concerned in accordance with such procedure as may be decided Section 7. The shares of the National Office in the dues and other collections and funds shall be transmitted to it by the person or body charged with the duty to do so; and the National Office shall issue a receipt therefor through its National Treasurer. The National Office shall be responsible only for the amount or amounts of money received by it from the local units and other sources. Section 8. The disbursement of all money received by the National Office shall be in accordance with the general policy or policies of the National Policy Board; but in specific or particular cases where immediate action is needed, the

authority of the National Executive Office shall suffice. Subsequent ratification of the National Policy Board of any disbursement will be tantamount to the previous approval of the same. In every case, all collections and disbursements shall be for the greater interest of the members of the Federation. Section 9. For the purpose of this article, local units shall include provincial associations, municipal or central chapters and barrio or hacienda locals. Section 10. At every national convention, the provincial associations shall submit to the National Office a written report of all the collections, disbursements and accounts for the preceding twelve (12) months period covering all the units within their respective territories and/or jurisdiction. Section 11. Apart from the foregoing provisions on dues, assessments and funds, the National Policy Board shall, by a resolution, prescribe limits in payments of fees which its members shall be resolved to pay to their respective legal counsel when the latter belongs to the Legal Panel of the Federation. The National Policy Board shall likewise provide for the collection from the members concerned money for postage and other necessary expenses for the prosecution of the legal cases of the members of the Federation. Section 12. The NPB may fix as assessment on amounts recovered by member-litigants represented by a member of the Legal Panel in amounts not exceeding twenty percent (20%) of such recoveries, and proceeds of such recoveries shall be shared between the National Office and the local units of the Federation, the sharing of which is to be approved by the NEXO taking into consideration the existing constitution and policies of the local branch. ARTICLE IV GENERAL ORGANIZATION Section 1. The smallest organizational unit is the Barrio or Hacienda Local, composed of members in the same barrio or hacienda. All Barrio and/or Hacienda Locals in one municipality or central shall constitute the Municipal or Central Chapters. All organized Municipal and/or Central Chapters in one province shall constitute the Provincial Association. All organized Provincial Associations shall constitute the Federation.

Section 2.

Section 3.

Section 4.

Section 5.

A Provincial Association shall become such upon the adoption of its constitution, election of its officers and recognition by the National Executive Office. Before the recognition of the Provincial Association, neighbouring towns and centrals may be temporarily organized into districts. For purposes of coordination and efficiency, a number of contiguous or adjacent provinces may be grouped into a Region. Special organizational arrangements for agricultural laborers, saltmakers, poultry and livestock raisers, fishermen and fishpond workers, may be provided by the National Executive Office. Wage earners, who desire to form themselves into a labour union, may do so by joining directly with a Provincial Association; provided, further, that existing labour unions may affiliate directly with the Federation, if they so desire, subject to such conditions as may be imposed by the NPB. Rural workers, wage earners, other workers, "squatters" and landless individuals who are not sufficiently numerous, may join the Barrio or Hacienda Local, or form themselves into separate units if they are sufficiently numerous. ARTICLE V THE NATIONAL POLICY BOARD

Section 6. Section 7.

Section 8.

Section 9.

Section 10.

Section 1.

The principal function of the National Policy Board is the formulation of national policies for the Federation. It can exercise all the powers granted to all the lower bodies and offices whenever, in special cases, it wants to. Effective upon the start of the next term after October 21, 1963, the members of the NPB shall be elected every year in the month of October, unless otherwise specified by the NPB, by a national convention to be composed of the President of every Provincial Association and additional delegates from each Provincial Association at the rate of one for every 500 paying members, but the number of delegates from each association shall not exceed five (5). The delegates to the convention may attend personally or if prevented by serious cause, alternate(s) previously designated.

Section 2.

Section 3. The term of office of the members of the National Policy Board shall be one year from the date of election or until their successors shall have been elected and taken office.

Section 4.

Upon their election, the members of the National Policy Board shall elect their officers who shall be known as members of the National Executive Office.

Section 5.

In case of a vacancy or vacancies in the membership of the National Policy Board by reason of resignation, death, permanent disability, expulsion, or other reason, the majority of the remaining members may, in a meeting, choose a new member or members to fill up the vacancy or vacancies. Such new member or members chosen by the remaining members of the NPB shall remain to be so for the remaining portion of the term of office of the member or members whom they succeed until the successor or successors of such new member or members will have been elected in the next following national convention and will have qualified. Section 6. The National Policy Board shall draft its rules and regulations for its own organization and operation in matters not herein otherwise provided for. No person shall be eligible for membership in the NPB unless at the time of his election he shall have served a period of three (3) years as an officer of the FFF whether elected or appointed from the provincial level upwards. In no case shall there be less than two thirds of the members of the National Policy Board coming directly from the peasant class, as per the criteria approved by the National Policy Board. ARTICLE VI THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE Section 1. The National Executive Office shall execute the policies formulated by the National Policy Board. The National Executive Office shall be composed of President, First VicePresident, as many other Vice Presidents as the NPB may desire, SecretaryGeneral, Treasurer and such other officers or members as the National Policy Board may choose. The National Executive officials and members shall hold office for one year and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified; provided, however, that the first officers elected after the approval of the Constitution shall hold office until the third Saturday of October, 1957. All the other officers and members of the National Executive Office shall be responsible to the National Policy Board.

Section 7.

Section 8.

Section 2.

Section 3.

Section 4.

Section 5.

In no case shall there be, without counting the National President, less than one half of the members of the National Executive Office coming directly from the peasant class, as per the criteria approved by the National Policy Board.

ARTICLE VII REGISTRATION Section 1. Whenever it is be wise and proper for certain members to form a labour union, they may do so, registering in the proper government office and such proper organizational arrangements within the Federation as the National Executive Office may lay down. ARTICLE VIII NATIONAL EXECUTIVE OFFICIALS Section 1. The President shall be the chief executive officer of the Federation, and as such, shall have general supervision of its affairs. He shall see to it that this Constitution as well as the rules and regulations that may be made as herein provided, are complied with. He shall represent the organization on all occasions and in all matters where representation maybe required or agreed upon, either by himself or through one authorized by him. He shall likewise exercise such powers and duties as shall be agreed upon by the National Policy Board or the National Executive Office. The First Vice-President shall take the place of the President in case of absence or disability of the latter to perform the duties of the office. He shall also perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the National Policy Board or the National Executive Office. The Second Vice-President shall perform the duties and exercise the powers of the President in the absence or disability of the President and the First Vice-President. The Vice Presidents shall perform such other duties as may be assigned to them by the National Policy Board or the National Executive Office. The Secretary-General shall attend all meetings of the National Policy Board and the National Executive Office, prepare and keep the minutes of such meetings, give notice of the time and place of meeting, have custody of the records and seal of the corporation, send to all provincial presidents copies of the Constitution and other papers, and keep the roll of the members up to date. He shall assist the President in his function of supervision, coordination, and evaluation of the NEXO administrative departments and staff, ensure the efficient operation of the National Office, and perform such other duties as may be assigned to him by the National Policy Board of the National Executive Office.

Section 2.

Section 3.

Section 4.

Section 5.

The Treasurer shall receive the account for any income, contribution or donation that any person or association may give to the National Office and shall collect, and upon direction of the National Executive Office, disburse the corporation's funds and conduct correspondence relating thereto, keep bill of accounts showing all financial transactions of the National Office and submit to the National Policy Board within the first five days of every quarter the assets and liabilities of the National Office, all of which he shall post or cause to be posted in the corporation's bulletin board for the information of the members. At the end of his term, he shall, upon proper receipt, deliver to his successor, who has qualified as herein provided, all care and all papers bearing on or connected therewith. The receipt signed by his successor shall also be attached to the record. ARTICLE IX LEADERSHIP

Section 1.

Except as otherwise provided in pertinent resolutions, rules and regulations, membership is not a pre-requisite for anyone to become an official or leader of the Federation; but as soon as a non-member becomes an officer or leader, upon completion of the necessary pre-membership education requirements, accomplishment of the membership application form and payment of the membership fee and annual dues, he becomes a member of the Federation. Officials and leaders shall be either appointed or elected; and in the appointment or election of officials or leaders, the moral character of the person to be appointed or elected shall be primarily considered by the appointing or electing power. The religion of the person shall not be considered in his appointment or election; but no positive atheist, irreligious person, communist or fascist, shall become an official or leader of the Federation. The National Executive Office shall adopt a system of military, government and other clearance of officials and leaders of the Federation. Save in rare and exceptional cases to be determined by the National Executive Office, any official or leader of the Federation may be asked to sever his relation with the FFF and cease to be a member or leader from the moment he runs for an elective government office or receives appointment to a government office, and cannot again become an official or leader of the Federation until after one year following his defeat or after the termination of his office, but this provision shall not apply to city and barrio councilors

Section 2.

Section 3.

Section 4.

Section 5.

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as well as city and barrio officials not higher in rank than councilors. Section 6. The promotion, demotion, suspension, dismissal or other punishment of any appointed or elected official or leader on the barrio level shall be determined by the Barrio or Hacienda Policy Board (BPB or HPB), subject to appeal to the Municipal or Central Policy Board (MCB or CPB), and to the Provincial Policy Board (PPB) whose decision shall be final; on the municipal or central level by the Municipal or Central Policy Board (MPB or CPB), subject to the appeal to the Provincial Policy Board (PPB) whose decision shall be final; on the provincial level by the Provincial Policy Board (PPB), subject to the appeal to the Regional Policy Board (RPB), and to the National Executive Office (NEXO) whose decision shall be final; on regional level by the Regional Policy Board (RPB), subject to appeal to the National Executive Office (NEXO) whose decision shall be final. When the person concerned is a national official or employee, the power to determine belongs to the National Executive Office (NEXO) whose decision shall be final, except in cases of officials and members of the NEXO which may be appealed to the National Policy Board (NPB) whose decision shall be final. Any of the body(ies) or authority(ies) abovementioned may determine the promotion, demotion, suspension, dismissal or other punishment of any appointed or elected official or leader belonging to a lower body but always in consultation and coordination with said lower body and intermediate body(ies), and subject to appeal to the next higher body(ies) or authority(ies) as provided above. Unless otherwise provided by the body or authority making the decision, every decision is executory pending appeal to a higher body or authority. ARTICLE X PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATIONS, MUNICIPAL CHAPTERS, AND BARRIO LOCALS Section 1. The Provincial Associations shall be under the supervision of the National Executive Office and shall follow all the policies laid down for them by said office. Each Provincial Association shall formulate its own Constitution and/or By-Laws in consonance with, and in order to carry out, the Constitution and purposes of the Federation. Said Constitution and/or By-Laws shall be subject to the approval of the National Executive Office. The Constitution and/or By-Laws of each Provincial Association shall

Section 2.

11

provide for its officers, organizations, funds, property and other matters falling under its jurisdiction. Section 3. The Municipal or Central Chapter shall be under the direct supervision of the Provincial Association. However, the National Executive Office may intervene in any affairs, case, problem or operation when it deems it proper and convenient, but always in consultation and coordination with the provincial officials concerned. The Barrio or Hacienda Local is under the direct supervision of the Municipal or Central Chapter but the Provincial Association may intervene in any matter, case, problem or operation of a Barrio or Hacienda Local whenever it deems it proper and expedient to do so, but as much as possible, always in consultation and coordination with the officials of the Municipal or Central Chapter. To exceptional cases to be determined by the National Executive Office, said office may intervene in any matter, case, problem and operation in any Barrio or Hacienda Local, but as much as possible in consultation with the Local Chapter and Association officials concerned. As soon as the education of the members and conditions of security will allow it, all the Barrio, Municipal, and Provincial units shall elect their own officers. In any matter not provided for, the decision shall lie in the National Executive Office, but said office shall determine the mind of all the leaders and members and shall decide accordingly whenever it thinks that the matter requires and circumstances allow such determination. ARTICLE XI AMENDMENTS Section 1. This Constitution may be amended at any regular or special meeting called for the purpose by a two thirds majority of all the National Policy Board. Upon all questions of construction of this Constitution, the decision of the National Policy Board shall control. ARTICLE XII EFFECTIVITY This Constitution shall become effective as soon as it is approved by the

Section 4.

Section 5.

Section 6.

Section 7.

Section 2.

12

affirmative vote of at least two thirds of all the members of the National Policy Board. Last Amended: November 8, 1988

13

November 8, 1988 This is to certify that the foregoing Constitution of the Federation of Free Farmers is, as of this date, the existing and current Constitution, of the Federation on file in the National Office. It was last amended on November 8, 1988 and said Constitution contains the said amendments.

Attested by:

/ghl:10-13-97

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