Response to the Report of the Grand Master No. 1

Following are two (2) papers of a series of reactions on the Report of the GM so as to present the proper other picture which were missed by many brethren who had no access to the Info Kit of Bro Ben . I asked earlier on what was reported and what was really approved at ANCOM? We may have to REVISIT a little the past so as to arrive at a better understanding of the story. The info kit given at ANCOM are not readily well read or scrutinized or compared with other documents as TIME for discussion is very limited at ANCOM.. You can pass this on to other Masonic web-site or blog sites or e-groups for intelligent discussions.

IN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE GRAND MASTER
( Series Number 1 )


Earlier, I have asked , “ what was the Report of the Grand Master?” and “ what really was approved by the Grand Lodge in the last ANCOM?. A few days ago I received a bunch of documents distributed in the last ANCOM which I asked for from Bro Ben. As I went over the Reports, I cannot help but react from what is alleged in the Reports and to present the other side of the issue for information, comprehension and understanding.

1. Status of the Program. There was a GLP Five (5) Year Program mandated by the Iloilo ANCOM years ago and finally developed during MW EBDANE’s term. I presumed that Year 2 was the Program. Unfortunately, the GLP reverted back to the GM’s Program. Hence the mandate and powers of the Grand Lodge at ANCOM was DENIED as it was not able to insist what it wanted.- a MID TERM Program to provide for the development, growth and continuity of activities. Hence the Grand Lodge is NOT the supreme Masonic authority. This is the NEW LAW allowed by the Grand Lodge.

2. Challenges – Election for Junior Grand Warden in the Last ANCOM. The election for the JGW not only “caused some unnecessary confusion and discussion in the craft”., but resulted in the WALK-OUT OF SOME 700 DELEGATES; the questionable proceedings of determining the final Nominees particularly in the ABSENCE of DUE PROCESS for Nominees to explain the alleged complaints of electioneering; the failure to define the WORTHINESS of the Nominees; the issue of FAILURE of ELECTION as to the requirements of QUORUM; and the perceived machinations to favor a Nominee. There is NO sincere determination to have electoral reforms. NO electoral reforms were proposed or discussed in the last ANCOM. Hence, the efforts of VW Ben for a Special ANCOM just to address electoral reforms is DEAD and will remain DEAD.

3. The United Grand Lodge of the Philippines (UGLP). The UGLP Convention in Tacloban, Leyte on July 2006 was a reality and a product of organization. The Manifesto, the Declaration and formation of a Grand Lodge was news in the Masonic world web-sites.The region was visited by PGM YU later in November and offered to organize a Regional Grand Lodge thereat. NO Regional Grand Lodge was organized in Leyte- Samar. There is a law in the GLP Constitution for the organization of Regional Grand Lodge but the GM did NOT act. A Resolution to establish RGL was presented but tabled to the Committee on Revision of the Constitution in the last ANCOM. What a ploy to appease Leyte-Samar. The last thing I heard is a division of those insisting for a Grand Lodge and the other for a RGL. The result – a benign UGLP. The new LAW is that, the GM CANNOT create Regional Grand Lodges and cannot appoint Regional Grand Masters as it will DISMEMBER the Grand Lodge of the Philippines. This is the new LAW allowed by the Grand Lodge at the last ANCOM. It AMENDED the provision WITHOUT the process by the Committee on Revision of the Constitution.

Bro Jim: June 6, 2007