About Bayan Muna

Commitment and Vision I Program I Background I Constitution I By-laws

OUR COMMITMENT AND VISION

Bayan Muna, the people first. This is our battlecry. A society where true freedom, democracy, justice and peace prevail. This is our vision.

We, the members of BAYAN MUNA, pledge this commitment as we draw inspiration and lessons from the historic struggle of our heroes and martyrs.

We stand on a platform of change and social transformation that addresses the basic problems that have plagued our country –foreign domination, feudal bondage and a graft-ridden government.

We embody the yearnings and aspirations of the most oppressed and the least heard, the "common tao" – workers, peasants, fisherfolk, indigenous peoples, urban poor and other downtrodden. We also give voice to the concerns of the middle social strata and the cause of women and youth as well as other various pressing issues.

We believe that the test of an authentic democracy lies in the empowerment of the people, particularly the toiling majority. We believe that this can be realized by harnessing their collective creativity and strength, guaranteeing the full exercise of their basic rights and ensuring their representation and participation at all levels of government decision-making.

Upon this stated purpose and vision, we stand one and indivisible.

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OUR PROGRAM

Guided by our shared commitment and principles, conscious of the lessons of our past and the requirements of building a truly sovereign and democratic present and future, we affirm the following objectives–

To establish a democratic, nationalist and popular government by empowering the people, ensuring their representation and participation in all levels of government decision-making.
To assert national sovereignty and independence and protect the national patrimony from foreign domination and control.
To promote a self-reliant and sustainable socio-economic development through the integrated programs of genuine land reform, national industrialization and protection of the environment.
To uphold and protect the people’s basic human rights and freedoms and ensure justice for all victims of human rights violations.
To improve the social and economic welfare of workers, peasants and other marginalized sectors by providing a comprehensive and progressive program in basic social services and livelihood.
To promote a national culture that is progressive, patriotic, scientific and popular and develop research and development in science and technology.
To guarantee the right to self-determination of the Bangsa Moro, Cordillera and other indigenous peoples and ensure their participation in all matters that directly affect them.
To remove all forms of gender oppression and discrimination against women and promote their full involvement in national affairs and other fields of endeavor.
To advance a national comprehensive policy on peace negotiations to address decisively the root causes of the prolonged armed conflict that has historically beset our country.
To foster a just policy of international relations that is independent, peace-oriented and mutually beneficial to our integrity, security and prosperity as a nation.

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OUR BACKGROUND

On September 25, 1999, leading representatives from major people’s organizations gathered at the national office of the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN) in Quezon City and laid the ground for a new alternative party in Philippine parliamentary politics.

This was the beginning of Bayan Muna. The name is the message and the embodiment of all the ideas and ideals it seeks to assert – people first, their interest and welfare above all.

That founding meeting defined the character and program of BAYAN MUNA as a national progressive political party representing the national and democratic aspirations of the people, especially the poorest and most disadvantaged.

Drawing upon lessons and experiences of past political formations, the new political party immediately took up the challenge of party building on the basis of a comprehensive platform for social transformation and New Politics.

Organizing efforts gained ground in the first year of the new millennium. On September 23, 2000, Bayan Muna held a convention attended by 29 leaders and representatives from national and sectoral organizations at the conference room of the United Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP) in Quezon City.

Reaffirming basic unities and the correct view regarding electoral and parliamentary struggle in support of the militant mass movement, the convention ratified the Constitution and By-laws and General Program of the party. It also elected the national officers to head the party. It also decided to participate in the party-list elections on May 14, 2001 as the organization’s first electoral activity.

The convention participants were one in assessing the party-list system as a chance, though a limited one, for the marginalized and under-represented to have a voice in government decision-making. The party-list process, which took off in the 1998 polls, is a mechanism prescribed in the Philippine Constitution supposedly to give small political parties possible representation in the Lower House which is traditionally controlled by parties with big machineries.

On October 27, newly elected party chairperson Dr. Reynaldo Lesaca Jr. and party president Satur Ocampo filed a petition with the Commission on Elections for the registration and accreditation of Bayan Muna as a national political party in the upcoming party-list elections.

By the year’s end, the thrust to unify its broad membership bore solid results in grassroots party building and recruitment. Bayan Muna established 13 regional offices and 57 chapters in major provinces, cities and municipalities nationwide. The party is still growing as it inspires optimism in those who believe it is time for change

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CONSTITUTION OF BAYAN MUNA

PREAMBLE

We, Filipino citizens from various sectors and regions, dedicated to the principle that the people’s interests and welfare must always come first, united in the effort to articulate and assert the voice of the most oppressed yet the least heard, committed to a platform of change and social transformation through the new politics of principles, issues, service and people’s empowerment, recognizing the need to carry out these ideas and ideals through the formation of a nationalist and progressive political party founded on the strength of the basic masses and other democratic forces, hereby organize ourselves into BAYAN MUNA and promulgate this Constitution.

Article 1
NAME OF ORGANIZATION

Section 1. This political party shall be called BAYAN MUNA.

Article 2
PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES

Section 1. BAYAN MUNA advances the much needed alternative of New Politics which is defined as the politics of the majority classes, not of the elite few; politics based on principles and issues, not on personalities and patronage; the politics of popular concerns and public service, not of vested interests and division of spoils; and the politics of the empowerment of the people, not of their subjugation by traditional elite politics.

Section 2. BAYAN MUNA shall uphold, defend and promote the principles of national sovereignty and patrimony, people’s empowerment and people’s democracy, people’s basic rights and freedoms, social justice and equity, people’s livelihood and welfare, economic progress and self-reliance, environment and ecosystem protection, and a just and principled peace.

Section 3. In pursuit of the aforementioned principles and its commitment to a platform of change and social transformation that addresses the basic problems of foreign domination, feudal bondage and a graft-ridden government, conscious of the lessons of the past and the requirements of building a truly sovereign and democratic present and future, BAYAN MUNA shall strive to achieve the following objectives:

To establish a democratic, nationalist and popular government by empowering the people, ensuring their representation and participation in all levels of government decision-making.
To assert national sovereignty and independence and protect the national patrimony from foreign domination and control.
To promote a self-reliant and sustainable socio-economic development through the integrated programs of genuine land reform, national industrialization and protection of the environment
To uphold and defend the people’s basic human rights and freedoms and ensure justice for all victims of human rights violations.
To improve the social and economic welfare of workers, peasants and other marginalized sectors by providing a comprehensive and progressive program in basic social services and livelihood.
To promote a national culture that is progressive, patriotic, scientific and popular and develop research and development in science and technology.
To guarantee the right to self-determination of the Bangsa Moro, Cordillera and other indigenous peoples and ensure their participation in all matters that directly affect them.
To remove all forms of gender oppression and discrimination against women and promote their full involvement in national affairs and other fields of endeavor.
To advance a national comprehensive policy on peace negotiations to address decisively the root causes of the prolonged armed conflict that has historically beset our country.
To foster a just policy of international relations that is independent, peace-oriented and mutually beneficial to our integrity, security and prosperity as a nation.

Article 3
MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Any Filipino citizen of the voting age of 18 and above who accepts the Principles, Program and Constitution of BAYAN MUNA and agrees to advance these may apply for regular membership in the party.

Section 2. Any Filipino citizen who is below the voting age but at least 15 years old who likewise accepts and agrees to advance the above may apply for associate membership.

Section 3. Every applicant shall be recommended by two bonafide members and shall undergo screening by a third bonafide member authorized accordingly.

Section 4. An applicant shall complete a seminar on the Program and Constitution of BAYAN MUNA conducted by a duly accredited party organ in order to become a member.

Section 5. Application for membership shall be decided upon by the executive committee of the Barangay Chapter subject to review by a meeting of the chapter or by the next higher leading body of the party.

Section 6. Following is the oath that every member takes upon admission into the party:

"I, _____________________, do hereby solemnly swear that I will uphold and advance the principles, objectives and program of BAYAN MUNA, abide by its Constitution, raise its prestige and widen its influence among the people, and that I will fight for the interests of our country and people and serve them wholeheartedly and unselfishly."

Section 7. Membership in the party may be terminated through voluntary resignation or by expulsion on just and valid grounds by the appropriate organ of the party after proper hearing and due process.

Article 4
RIGHTS AND DUTIES OF MEMBERS

Section 1. The rights and privileges of party members are the following:

To recommend candidates for membership to the appropriate organ of the party.
To nominate and elect officers of the party.
To be nominated, elected or appointed as officials or functionaries of the party.
To be present or represented in all meetings of all appropriate bodies, to participate in all discussions therein, and, directly or through their delegates, to vote on all matters submitted to the meeting for discussion when voting is proper.
To submit proposals or complaints to any appropriate body of the party.

Section 2. The duties and responsibilities of party members are the following:

To abide by the Constitution and By-Laws of BAYAN MUNA and all policies and decisions adopted by the appropriate bodies of the party.
To advance the principles, objectives and program of BAYAN MUNA and perform tasks and services in furtherance of these.
To pay dues and assessments.
To report any information that may affect the interest of the party.

Article 5
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE AND PRINCIPLES

Section 1. BAYAN MUNA’s organizational structure shall consist of the following:

The Barangay Chapter which is the basic unit of the party to be organized at the barangay or barrio level.
The Municipal and City Chapters which shall consist of Barangay Chapters.
The Provincial Chapters which shall consist of Municipal and City Chapters.
The National Council.
The National Convention.

Section 2. There shall be Regional Coordinators to be elected/appointed by the National Council from among the Provincial Chairpersons and Coordinators for congressional districts who are elected/appointed by the Provincial Chapters.

Article 6
NATIONAL CONVENTION

Section 1. The National Convention shall be the highest governing body of BAYAN MUNA. It shall be convened every three years or as decided upon by the National Council.

Section 2. The powers and functions of the National Convention include the following:

To ratify and amend the Program and Constitution of the party.
To receive reports and recommendations from the National Council.
To determine the size and composition of the National Council.
To elect the executive officers of the party and other members of the National Executive Committee.
To decide on candidates for national elective position to be fielded by the party as well as other candidates who may be supported by the party.
To decide on any matter within its over-all jurisdiction.

Section 3. The National Convention shall be composed of:

Representatives of Provincial, City and Municipal Chapters of the party.
National officers of the party.
Representatives of organized labor including transport workers; peasants; fisherfolk; urban poor; the Bangsa Moro, Cordillera and other indigenous peoples; women; gays; youth and students; academe; scientists; health workers; artists; employees; professionals; patriotic businessmen; overseas Filipinos and other groups with special social concerns which support the party.
Personages who have significantly helped further the cause of the party but may not be officers of the party.

Section 4. The size and distribution of delegates to the National Convention shall be decided upon by the National Council.

Article 7
THE NATIONAL COUNCIL

Section 1. Between the holding of National Conventions, the National Council shall be the highest governing body of the party. It shall be convened once a year.

Section 2. The National Council shall be composed of the following:

The chairpersons of the Provincial Chapters or their designated representatives.
The national executive officers of the party.
Representatives of organized labor including transport workers; peasants; fisherfolk; urban poor; the Bangsa Moro, Cordillera and other indigenous peoples; women; gays; youth and students; academe; scientists; health workers; artists; employees; professionals; patriotic businessmen; overseas Filipinos and other groups with special social concerns which support the party.

Section 3. The powers and functions of the National Council are the following:

To submit reports and recommendations to the National Convention.
To determine the size and distribution of delegates to the National Convention.

Article 8
THE NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. The National Executive Committee shall consist of the Chairperson, President, Vice-Chairperson, Executive Vice-President, Vice-Presidents for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the Secretary-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, the Treasurer and such other members of the National Council as may be designated by the latter.

Section 2. The National Executive Committee shall have the authority to conduct and administer the affairs of the party between the meetings of the National Council subject to the review and confirmation by the National Council. The powers and functions of the National Executive Committee are the following:

To decide on any matter within its jurisdiction and issue directives.
To submit reports and recommendation to the National Council.
To issue statements in the name of the party.
To appoint a national auditor and general counsel for the party as well as other officers as the need may arise.
To designate temporary officers in the National Executive Committee to replace vacant positions until the National Convention elects a permanent replacement.
To call the National Council to a meeting.
To create and supervise, through the Secretary-General, the General Secretariat.
To create and supervise other committees necessary to carry out the work of the party.

Article 9
FUNCTIONS OF NATIONAL OFFICERS

Section 1. The Chairperson shall:

Call and preside over the National Convention, the meetings of the National Council and National Executive Committee.
Issue directives and statements on behalf of the National Council.
Make representation on behalf of the party and the National Council.

Section 2. The Vice-Chairperson shall:

Take over the functions of the Chairperson in the latter’s absence or incapacity.
Perform such other tasks which may be assigned by the National Executive Committee and the Chairperson.

Section 3. The President shall:

Issue directives and statements on behalf of the National Executive Committee.
Represent the party and the National Executive Committee.
Act as the chief campaign officer of the party.

Section 4. The Executive Vice-President shall:

Take over the functions of the President in the latter’s absence or incapacity.
Act as the deputy chief campaign officer of the party.

Section 5. The Vice-Presidents for Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao shall:

Supervise the regional coordinators of the party in their respective jurisdictions.
Act as the chief campaign officer in their respective jurisdictions.

Section 6. The Secretary-General shall:

Form and head the General Secretariat which runs the day-to-day functions of the party.
Recommend such deputies and personnel as may be necessary subject to the approval of the National Executive Committee.

Section 7. The Deputy Secretary-General shall:

Assist the Secretary General in discharging his/her functions.
Perform such other functions as may be assigned by the Secretary-General, the National Executive Committee and the National Council.

Section 8. The Treasurer shall:

Plan the budget of the party for approval by the National Executive Committee.
Act as the over-all manager of the funds and resources of the party.

Section 9. The National Auditor shall:

Check and audit all resources and funds of the party.
Form auditing teams to investigate any reported financial anomalies.

Section 10. The General Counsel shall:

Act as the legal counsel of the national bodies of the party.
Make representation on behalf of the party in regard to all legal matters.

Article 10
INTERMEDIATE LEADING BODIES

Section 1. The Municipal/City Council shall be composed of the following:

Chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of all Barangay Chapters.
Representatives of organized sectors existing in the municipality/city and other groups with special social concerns which support the party.
Municipal/city executive officers of the party.

Section 2. The Provincial Council shall be composed of the following:

Chairpersons and vice-chairpersons of all Municipal and City Councils.
Representatives of organized sectors existing in the province and other groups with special social concerns which support the party.
Provincial executive officers.

Section 3. The executive officers shall include the chairperson, vice-chairperson and treasurer.

Article 11
THE BARANGAY CHAPTER

Section 1. The basic unit of the party is the Barangay Chapter. Every member shall belong to a Barangay Chapter.

Section 2. A Barangay Chapter shall have a minimum of fifteen (15) members.

Section 3. The powers and functions of the Barangay Chapter shall include the following:

To implement the programs, policies and decisions of the party.
To ensure the involvement of members through education, campaigns and other activities.
To conduct studies on the principles and program of the party and current issues and to subscribe to party publications.
To recruit members and see to it that they fulfill the requirements for membership.
To submit reports and recommendations to the Municipal/City Council.
To elect officers of the Barangay Chapter.
To create organizational structures or machinery appropriate to the size of the Barangay Chapter.

Section 4. The Barangay Chapter shall have an executive committee of at least seven (7) members which shall include the chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and treasurer.

Section 5. The officers of the Barangay Chapter and other members of the executive committee shall be elected by a meeting of the members of the chapter.

Article 12
FUNDS AND RESOURCES

Section 1. The basic funds of BAYAN MUNA shall come from membership fees and dues and other special assessments.

Section 2. Fund-raising activities shall be launched.

Section 3. Contributions in cash and in kind shall be accepted provided there are no conditions contrary to the principles of the party and to existing laws.

Article 13
SPECIAL PROVISIONS

Section 1. Where regular organs of the party do not yet exist, provisional bodies of leadership may be formed until the requirements of this Constitution can be applied.

Section 2. The party shall allow its members to form themselves into regional parties affiliated with BAYAN MUNA, especially in the regions where autonomy is being promoted, with due recognition to the specific features of these regions, using a different name or slightly different name, provided that their program and constitution adhere to the essential parts of the Program and Constitution of BAYAN MUNA.

Section 3. The party may establish or enter into coalition or alliances with other parties, organizations or individual candidates in line with its principles and program for electoral campaigns and long-term plans for the purpose of achieving common goals.

Article 14
AMENDMENTS

Section 1. Amendments to this Constitution may be made with the concurrence of two-thirds of all delegates to the National Convention.

Section 2. Any member or body of the party may propose amendments to this Constitution but these shall be subject to adoption by the National Council which shall endorse these to the National Convention.

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BY-LAWS OF BAYAN MUNA

Article 1
NATURE OF THE ORGANIZATION

Section 1. BAYAN MUNA is a political party adhering to a Constitution and a Program and all policies and decisions promulgated by its duly authorized bodies.

Article 2
OFFICES

Section 1. The national office of the party shall be principally located within Metro Manila.

Section 2. Regional, provincial, city, municipal and barangay offices shall be established by the party in such places in the country as the needs of the party may require.

Article 3
MEETINGS

Section 1. The National Convention shall be held every three years.

Section 2.. The National Council shall meet at least once a year.

Section 3. The National Executive Committee shall meet at least twice a year.

Article 4
PARTY DISCIPLINE

Section 1. Any member or officer of BAYAN MUNA who commits serious violations of the Program, Constitution and By-Laws and legitimate policies and decisions of the party at any level shall be subject to disciplinary action.

Section 2. Disciplinary actions shall be meted out based on the gravity of the violation of the party discipline and these shall include the following: censure, demotion, suspension and expulsion from the party.

Section 3. Expulsion from the party may be meted to a member or officer of the party for willful violations of the Constitution and for acts inimical to the interest of the party and the people.

Section 4. The party shall also work for the recall or removal from public office of party members and officers who have been found to have committed acts inimical to the interest of the country and the people.

Section 5. In meting out disciplinary action, due process shall be upheld:

Any member of the party with a complaint against a body of leadership, officer or another member of the party may do so before the chapter he belongs to or at the next higher level. Complaints of a serious nature may be brought directly to the national bodies of leadership.
A fact-finding committee shall be formed by the body where the complaint has been lodged or by an appropriate body assigned to investigate the complaint.
The report of the fact-finding committee shall be submitted to the body that formed it for appropriate action. In case of expulsion, this must be based on two-thirds of the votes of the members of the appropriate body.
In case of expulsion, the decision shall be reviewed by the next higher level of leadership.
Any disciplinary action against an officer of the party shall be decided upon by the corresponding body that elected him/her to the position.
Decisions on complaints and disciplinary actions may be appealed for review by the next higher body of leadership up to the National Convention.

Article 5
DUES AND ASSESSMENTS

Section 1. All applicants to the party coming from the working masses or who are impoverished shall pay a one-time membership fee of five (5) pesos minimum. Those coming from the better off sections shall pay a one-time membership fee of ten (10) pesos minimum.

Section 2. All members of the party coming from the working masses or who are impoverished shall pay an annual membership due of five (5) pesos minimum. Those coming from the better off sections shall pay an annual membership due of ten (10) pesos minimum.

Section 3. Members of the party may be charged with special assessments by the leading bodies of the party on the basis of specific projects or requirements.

Section 4. All members are encouraged to provide additional contributions based on their individual capacity.

Article 6
AMENDMENTS

Section 1. The By-Laws of BAYAN MUNA may be amended by a majority vote of the members of the National Council.

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