EDICT NO. 240

AMENDING PAR. 15 OF Edict 175-B ON THE RECEPTION OF PAST GRAND MASTERS DURING LODGE MEETINGS OR DISTRICT OR MULTI-DISTRICT CONVENTION

WHEREAS, Par. 15 of Edict 175-B provides that during a Lodge Meeting or District or Multi-District Conventions, if there are Past Grand Masters present, they should be received separately after the Grand Master or his duly authorized representative is received;

WHEREAS, if the above-cited provision of Par. 15 Edict 175-B is followed, such will result in a Past Grand Master, who is subordinate to the Grand Master, being received after the Grand Master is received;

WHEREAS, in order to maintain the primacy of the Grand Master as the highest Masonic Authority, he should be placed in a position such that no other subordinate Masonic dignitary should be received after him in those instances when he is an invited Guest such as during Lodge Meetings, District or Multi-District Conventions, or other General Assembly of Masons except in the Grand Lodge where he is the presiding officer and will be received ahead of all Masonic Dignitaries in attendance;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, PACIFICO B. ANIAG, Grand Master of Masons in the Jurisdiction of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested, do hereby decree that Par. 15 of Edict 175-B be amended to read, as follows;

"Past Grand Master in Lodge, Conventions and Communications"

"15. If there are Past Grand Masters present in a communication of the Grand Lodge, Annual or Special, they shall be received separately after the Grand Master or his duly authorized representative is received. If there are Past Grand Masters present in a Lodge Meeting or Convention (District or Multi-District), they shall be received separately before the Grand Master or his duly authorized representative. When received, a PGM shall not wear the hat and the order of reception of Past Grand Masters shall be according to their seniority. They shall be introduced accordingly, with the most junior being received and introduced first, followed by the other Past Grand Masters according to seniority."

This Edict shall take effect immediately and shall be read in open Lodge at the stated meeting next following its receipt and that action duly recorded in the minutes.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Grand Lodge of the Philippines this 10th day of November 2008 in the City of Manila.

PACIFICO B. ANIAG Grand Master

ATTEST:

DANILO D. ANGELES, PGM Grand Secretary