EDICT NO. 306

PROPER SEATING ARRANGEMENTS OF DIGNITARIES IN THE EAST

WHEREAS, it has been observed that different Masonic Districts have different seating arrangements for the dignitaries in the East;

WHEREAS, we may have several Masonic Districts in our jurisdiction but ours is just one Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines and therefore must have one policy on the seating arrangements of dignitaries in the East;

WHEREAS, in order to avoid confusion, all Masonic Districts must conform to one and uniform seating arrangement of dignitaries in the East whether in Lodges, District Conventions, Multi-District Conventions or Installation or District Council Turn-Over Ceremonies;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ABRAHAM N. TOLENTINO, Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby decree:

The following dignitaries shall be seated at the right of the Worshipful Master in the East:

a) Grand Master; b) Grand Master’s duly authorized representative; c) District Deputy Grand Master (DDGM); and d) Grand Lodge Inspector (GLI);

The Grand Master or if his duly authorized representative is present or in the absence of the Grand Master, the DDGM shall sit at the immediate right of the Worshipful Master in the East;

On the other hand, the following dignitaries shall be seated at the left of the Worshipful Master in the East:

a) Past Grand Masters (PGM); b) All Elective Officers of the Grand Lodge; c) Grand Lecturers; d) All Other Grand Line Officers; e) Guest of Honor and Speaker; f) Installing Officer (IO); g) Master of Ceremonies (MC); h) Incumbent Worshipful Masters of other Lodges; i) High Dignitaries from Sister Grand Lodges; and j) Invited Guests of the Worshipful Master to sit in the East.

The Guest of Honor and Speaker (GOHAS) except when the Grand Master is the GOHAS whether Mason or non‑Mason, shall be seated at the immediate left of the Worshipful Master in the East.

All provisions of the Constitution, edicts, circulars and other issuances inconsistent herewith are hereby repealed or amended accordingly.

This Edict shall take effect immediately and shall be read in open lodge at the Stated Meeting next following its receipt, which fact of reading shall be recorded in the Minutes of the stated meeting of the Lodge.

Given under my hand and the seal of this Grand Lodge in the City of Manila, this 3rd day of July 2017.

ABRAHAM N. TOLENTINO Grand Master

Attest:

DANILO D. ANGELES, PGM Grand Secretary