CIRCULAR NO.

15 - MW PAULINO

TO : ALL GRAND LODGE OFFICERS, DDGMs, DGLs,

GLIs, AND OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF
SUBORDINATE LODGES IN THIS JURISDICTION

SUBJECT : CONSULTATIONS THROUGHOUT THE GRAND

JURISDICTION ON CERTAIN PROPOSALS PERTAINING
TO THE GOVERNANCE OF THE CRAFT

In a Letter dated 25 October 2021, RW Johnny T. Pimentel, Deputy

Grand Master of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted
Masons of the Philippines, wrote to MW Rolen C. Paulino, Grand Master of
Masons in the Philippines, to articulate certain courses of action pertaining to
the governance of our Grand Jurisdiction in view of the ongoing public health
emergency occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the Deputy
Grand Master recommended(a) extending the term of office of the Grand
Master for another year, together with all elected Grand Line Officers; (b)
extending the term of office of the Officers of Subordinate Lodges for another
year; and (c) moving the Annual Communication scheduled in April 2022 to
April 2023. According to the Deputy Grand Master, the recommended actions
shall provide the Grand Master, as well as the Officers of Subordinate Lodges,
the opportunity to execute their plans and programs, which has been
interrupted by the pandemic. (Attachment “A”)

Believing that, out of decency and propriety, he should not act on any
matter that would directly affect his tenure in the Grand East, the Grand
Master referred the Letter of the Deputy Grand Master to the Board for General
Purposes for consideration and appropriate action.

In an emergency meeting on 26 October 2021, the Board for General

Purposes considered the Letter of the Deputy Grand Master, which, by then,
was supported and seconded by RW Don Teng Ramas-Uypitching, Senior
Grand Warden, and by RW Ariel T. Cayanan, Junior Grand Warden. After
much discussion, the Board for General Purposes prudently resolved to refer
the matter — only with respect to the proposal to extend the term of office of
the Grand Master and all elected Grand Line Officers (“Subject Proposal”) —
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Circular No. 15 – MW Paulino

to the Brethren of the Grand Jurisdiction for the conduct of discussion and
consultations among Masonic Districts and Subordinate Lodges culminating
in a Special Communication to be convened later this year.

It should be emphasized that the Subject Proposal does not cover and
shall not apply to the Worshipful Masters, Wardens, and Officers of
Subordinate Lodges considering that Circular No. 14 already authorized the
conduct of election of Officers of Subordinate Lodges in December 2021.

On 28 October 2021, the Grand Master convened the District Deputy

Grand Masters (DDGMs) to inform them about the Subject Proposal, which
would have the effect of extending the term of office of all appointed Grand
Line Officers, including DDGMs, Junior Grand Lecturers, District Grand
Lecturers, and Grand Lodge Inspectors.

In furtherance of the disposition of the Board for General Purposes, the

following are to be undertaken:

1. Preparatory to the Special Communication, the DDGMs are hereby

instructed to consult with and gather the sentiments of Subordinate
Lodges within their respective Masonic Districts on the Subject
Proposal;

2. All Subordinate Lodges shall discuss and act on the Subject Proposal
during their November Stated Meeting or in a Special Meeting
specifically called for the purpose. The Worshipful Master shall cause
the issuance of a Lodge Resolution either endorsing or rejecting the
Subject Proposal and submit said Lodge Resolution to their DDGM;

3. All Masonic Districts shall discuss and act on the Subject Proposal
during their District Convention, if one has not yet been held, or in a
Special District Convention, if a District Convention has already been
held prior to the issuance of this Circular. The DDGM shall cause the
issuance of a District Resolution either endorsing or rejecting the
Subject Proposal and submit said District Resolution to the Grand
Lodge not later than 10 December 2021;

4. In the case of Subordinate Lodges and Masonic Districts that are unable
to formally convene to discuss the Subject Proposal, the concerned
DDGM is hereby authorized to utilize the most effective and efficient
means to obtain the requisite resolutions; and

5. A Special Communication shall be convened on 17 December 2021 for

the sole purpose of discussing the Subject Proposal. An Edict shall be
issued in due course.
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Circular No. 15 – MW Paulino

It should be noted that a favorable action on the Subject Proposal would

have the consequential effect of foregoing with the 2022 Annual
Communication.

This Circular shall be effective upon posting on the official Grand Lodge
website or upon electronic transmission to the official lodge email account and
shall be read in open lodge at the Stated Meeting next following its receipt and
action thereon duly recorded in the Minutes of said meeting.

Given under my hand and the Seal of the Most Worshipful Grand Lodge
of Free and Accepted Masons of the Philippines in the City of Manila this 8th
day of November 2021.

ROLEN C. PAULINO
Grand Master

Attest:

DANILO D. ANGELES, PGM

Grand Secretary

RCP/DDA/JVA/vangie