In Response to the Report of the Grand Master (Series Nr 3)

This is the 3rd serial on the querry " what was the Report of the GM at ANCOM 2007, and What was Really Approved by the Grand Lodge?". I hope that this will clarify the oft repeated statement thet- the formation of IGLPI was a personality issue. For your appreciation.

June 19, 2007 (Updated July14, 2007) - Bro Jim Bantolo


IN RESPONSE TO THE REPORT OF THE GRAND MASTER
( Series Nr 3)

“ON THE APPOINTMENT OF DDGM”

The GLP Grand Master reported in the ANCOM 2007, that the “the formation of IGLPI was rooted to the refusal to respect the appointment of VW Mario G Marasigan as DDGM for District Region 4A Cavite”.. It cited the authority of the GM under Part 1, Article IX, Section 2(o) to wit “ To divide the jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge into Districts, and to appoint his official representative to be known as the District Deputy Grand Master, for each District” This is not the appropriate basis. This Section pertains to organizing or dividing the jurisdiction into Districts and consequently to appoint his representative, It follows the authority of the GM “ To create Regional Grand Lodges and to appoint the Regional Grand Master”.

The GLP Constitution specially provided a separate Part I Article XVIII and Section 1 for the “Qualifications, Nomination and Appointment of the District Deputy Grand Master” This is the process to be followed. This was modified in a Cavite Covenant and placed in the District Constitution and By-Laws to allow a rotation policy with the DDGM coming from the Host Lodge; and which was respected by all PGMs since 1987; and gave peace and harmony among the 17 Lodges in Cavite..The District Constitution and By-Laws is provided for by Edict 127 and undergo a GM/GLP approval process for any amendment.

Of about 54 Masonic Districts in the Philippine GLP jurisdiction, there were several Districts mostly in Luzon where PGM YU appointed a NON-District Nominee; causing TURBULENCE and sometime DISRESPECT and NON_ADMISSION of the DDGM.

Almost every year, there is a Lodge or District Resolution calling for the GM to appoint his DDGM from the 3 Nominees of the District. The primary reason is HARMONY, UNITY, LOYALTY, and close cooperation between the Grand Lodge and the District.This includes a multi-district Resolution from the Disricts of Davao-North and South Cotabato when PGM YU was the Regional JGL.

There are countless recorded and unrecorded incidents of disrespect to or non-acceptance of the DDGM and other District Officers. The reasons range from being non-nominated; to lack of qualification; to lack of acceptance or support; lack of Masonic credentials; to lack of proficiency. In all these turmoils, the GM exerted efforts to harmonize the situation peacefully.Almost all of these were harmonized properly,EXCEPT for CAVITE

The process of selection and appointment of a DDGM for Cavite was started by PGM YU as early as September 2005 and culminated in the Cebu ANCOM in April 2006. There were many PGMs and illustrious elders and leaders of Philippine Masonry who whispered good counsel to him to respect the Cavite Covenant or “gentlemen’s agreement” It was an agenda item among the PGM’s meetings.

PGM YU had told me that :
1. He acknowledge the Rotation Policy of Hosting DISCONs and of the DDGM coming from the Host Lodge as is done in Davao,
2. He will appoint his DDGM from the Host Lodge and will announce his name at the proper time at ANCOM, This he told me TWICE before ANCOM.
3. Wala na ang alitan o problema nila ni VW Joseph Capuyan. Tapos na iyon…
( VW Capuyan wrote the Cavite brethren electioneering charge against then VW Romeo A Yu when he ran for JGW in 2003. VW Capuyan is the leading Nominee for DDGM from the Host Lodge).
4. He asked me that we give him 3 names or Nominees for DDGM. To this, I complied.

However, PGM YU appointed someone else from a non-host lodge; and made the reason of citing his powers to make appointments and that VW Capuyan does not have his confidence and trust nor did VW Capuyan exerted efforts to gain his trust and confidence.As early as March 2006, his cohorts or ”bata-bata” in Cavite knew what is coming and secretly acted and denied anything despite my discovery of a list of who ordered aprons and collars at the GLP Masonic Supply. His cohorts also spread and inflame the YU-CAPUYAN feud, which is non-existing. When I returned a week later, the saleslady was tightlipped and refused to answer again my querry.

What infuriated most of Cavite brethren were; the appointment of a DDGM who is a non-nominee, a much less qualified; a much less trustworthy; a much less prepared, a non-JW, a non-SW, from a much later host lodge, a Mindoro Lodge member, a 4 Cavite Plural lodge member, 6 years in Masonry; and the appointment of 8 DGL’s coming from 3 Cavite Lodge only – to rule and govern Cavite 17 Masonic Lodges; and in infidelity to the Cavite Covenant or “ gentlemen’s agreement” and of the District equity rule in the spread of District officers.

The issue was – what is power when there is no harmony? You cannot dictate or order harmony; it requires good leadership to achieve, foster and maintain it…For 17 Lodges, the District had found the harmony and equity formula, but the GM YU refuses to recognize its beneficent value for Cavite Masons, and insisted on his power to appoint someone else.

Albert Pike wrote “ weigh well what it is you promise; but once the promise and pledge are given, remember that he who is false to his obligation will be false to his family, his friends, his country, and his GOD… The word of a Mason, like the word of a knight in times of chivalry, once given must be sacred…”

Is there something wrong or bad or unlawful with formulating a “gentlemen’s agreement” in the further interpretation or of defining the implementing rules or regulations to a higher Edict? Was there anything wrong when then MW Taylor and RW Quezon formulated the “Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1917” by alternating between the American and Filipinos the election of the Grand Master for the GLP? This is indeed considered “ELECTIONEERING” but apologist considered it as harmoniously relevant and accepted during those times and which lasted up to 1974. Is PGM YU really bound to respect the Cavite Covenant? Will you consider the PGMs since 1987 to be harmony bound in respecting the Cavite Covenant? Will you then consider the Taylor-Quezon Gentlemens Agreement to be unconstitutional? Will you consider the PGMs and the Grand Lodge duty bound to respect the 1917 Gentlemens Agreement? As to why it ended in 1974, I am not aware of.

There was a long debate on the word “may nominate”. The only justification was that “ there should be NO diminution of the GM’s vast power”.But his power to appoint was NOT diminished. Further, the District exercised its Constitutional right or prerogative to nominate three (3) recommendees for DDGM for consideration of the GM. It was in fulfillment of appointing the best qualified Masons to assist the GM govern the Grand Lodge and achieved his program goals with the utmost cooperation and support of the Lodges and District.

The GLP Election also provides for NOMINATION for the JGW which are considered by the Council of PGMs, and which narrows down the selection to 5 to be voted upon by the Grand Lodge. NOW WHAT IF THE GRAND LODGE DOES NOT ACCEPT THE NOMINEES JUST LIKE WHAT HAPPENED IN THE CEBU ANCOM? … A LARGE WALKOUT OF ABOUT 700 DELEGATES HAPPENED !!! WHAT A DISHARMONY !!!

What immediately followed was the May 3, 2006 General Trias Manifesto signed by 24 Cavite Masons affirming fidelity to the Cavite Covenant and to express displeasure to the violators. Immediately,on May 21, 2006 at Emilio Aguinaldo Lodge No 31, the KAPULUNGAN NG MGA KAPATID SA KABITE (KKK), was informally organized as a forum to express support and fidelity to the Cavite Covenant.It was composed of the best and illustrious Mason and Lodge leaders of Cavite

The formation of IGLPI was a later event which was influenced by many valid issues, causes and reasons.

Hence our ideals are enshrined in the IGLPI Declaration of Independence and its Constitution..This forms the true basis and roots of the formation of IGLPI. Other issues or causes or basis are all subsumed in this principal root or has accelerated its formation

Hence our vision of “ A FRESH START FOR TRUE MASONRY ‘

The formation of the Most Worshipful Independent Grand Lodge of the Philippine Islands is therefore rooted in the exercise of our freedom and time immemorial right under the Constitution for LODGES to form a new Grand Lodge in compliance to time honored standards of Recognition used by the United Grand Lodge of England and adopted by the GLP on January 27, 1932 where we are united in harmony to practice and exemplify the tenets and teachings of Freemasonry under a regime of justice, equality, democracy.