EDICT NO. 82-B
AMENDING EDICT NO. 82 AND EDICT NO. 82-A AND OTHER PURPOSES
WHEREAS, Edict No. 82-Puno required conciliation attempts to be made by Masons before institution of suits between masons outside the Fraternity;
WHEREAS, Edict No. 82-A-Galvez has institutionalized mediation as an alternative dispute resolution method in conflicts among Masons and provided for the establishment of the Masonic Mediation Center;
WHEREAS, in the study and experience of the Center of the Filipino and Masonic culture, it has been found that a combination of conciliation and mediation is the best method for dispute resolution among Masons at present;
WHEREAS, the Center has formulated and refined the implementing rules for the effective implementation of Edict Nos. 82 and 82-A, to complement the present Lodge and District structure of the Grand Lodge;
WHEREAS, with the effective promotion of peace and harmony among Masons, our Fraternity can contribute its share in healing the divisiveness and individualism threatening the progress of the nation.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROBERTO Q. PAGOTAN, Grand Master of Masons in the jurisdiction of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby promulgate and decree that:
Section 1. The Masonic Mediation Center shall be called the Masonic Temple of Harmony (hereinafter referred to as the "Temple") and shall employ conciliation and mediation, as the primary tools for dispute resolution among Masons;
Section 2. The Temple shall continue to perform its function as provided for in Edict No. 82-A, with the additional function of including conciliation, as part of the dispute resolution method;
Section 3. In general, the Temple shall have jurisdiction over the following disputes, to wit:
a. Disputes among Masons regarding Masonic matters; and b. Disputes among Masons regarding Non-Masonic matters.
Section 4. The Temple shall acquire jurisdiction of the dispute only, when:
a. The dispute is referred to the Temple by the Grand Master; and b. The disputing parties voluntarily offer themselves, in writing, to the Temple for dispute resolution;
Section 5. The present Executive Director, Deputy Director and Directors of the Temple, as provided in Edict No. 82-A, shall compose the Governing Board of the Temple, until their terms of office shall have expired and their successors shall have been appointed and qualified;
Section 6. Every Lodge shall elect, by a majority vote of the brethren present at a Stated Meeting, a Harmony Officer, who shall have the following qualifications:
a. A Past Master in good standing of the Lodge electing him; b. Is willing and has time to serve as Harmony Officer; c. Possesses a deep sense of objectivity and fairness; d. Independent-minded; and e. Creative in finding solution/s to disputes.
The initial Harmony Officers elected by each Lodge shall have a term of office which is co-terminus with the Directors of the Temple and the Harmony Officers to be elected thereafter shall have a terms of office of three (3) years;
The Harmony Officers of the Lodges in a Masonic District shall compose the District Governing Board, with the District Deputy Grand Master as its Chairman;
After the organization of the District harmony Temple, the District Deputy Grand Master shall immediately Inform the Governing Board In the Grand Lodge of the names, addresses and contact numbers of the Harmony Officers elected by each Lodge in his District. The DDGM shall cause the election of a Harmony Officer of a Lodge which failed to elect such Harmony Officer.
Section 7. The attached guidelines (Annex "A") shall govern the procedure In dispute resolution in Lodges, subject to revision by the Governing Board, from time to time.
This Edict shall be read in open lodge at the stated meeting next following its receipt and shall be recorded in the Minutes.
Given under my hand and seal of the Grand Lodge on this 12th day of April, 2005, in the City of Manila, Philippines.
(Sgd.) ROBERTO Q. PAGOTAN Grand Master ATTEST: (Sgd.) REYNALDO S. FAJARDO, PGM, GMH Grand Secretary