Title
Amendments to Girl Scouts of the Philippines law
Law
Presidential Decree No. 720
Decision Date
Jun 2, 1975
Executive Order No. 267 amends the charter of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines to restructure its governing body, allowing for more effective decision-making and representation, and repeals previous sections of Commonwealth Act No. 542 to ensure consistency with the new amendments.
amendments
charter
governing body

Legal basis and predecessor laws

  • Presidential Decree No. 720 is enacted to amend Commonwealth Act No. 542.
  • Commonwealth Act No. 542 had been previously amended by Republic Act No. 4375.
  • The corporate powers of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines are tied to the general corporation framework under Act 1459, as amended.
  • Presidential Decree No. 720 expressly amends multiple sections of Republic Act No. 4375.

Policy, purpose, and program direction

  • The corporation is organized to help girls realize the ideals of womanhood and prepare them for responsibilities in the home, the nation, and the world community (Section III amending Section 3).
  • The corporation serves as the directing and coordinating head of the Girl Scout Movement in the Philippines.
  • The corporation must fix and maintain standards that inspire each generation with ideals of citizenship, character, conduct, attainment, and international understanding (Section III amending Section 3).
  • The corporation is directed to operate through its structural pattern to maximize effectiveness for optimum youth development.

Corporation identity and powers

  • The corporation is constituted as a body corporate named “Girl Scouts of the Philippines” (Section I amending Section 1).
  • The individuals named in Section I constitute the first Central Board and serve until successors are elected and have qualified (Section I amending Section 1).
  • The principal office of the corporation is in Metropolitan Manila, Philippines (Section I amending Section 1).
  • The corporation has perpetual succession and the power to sue and be sued (Section II amending Section 2).
  • The corporation has power to acquire, hold, and convey real and personal estate and related property rights and choses in action necessary for corporate purposes (Section II amending Section 2).
  • The corporation may receive funds and real and personal property by gift, devise, bequest, or other means (Section II amending Section 2).
  • The corporation may adopt a seal, maintain offices, and conduct business in Metropolitan Manila and in the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays of the Philippines (Section II amending Section 2).
  • The corporation may make and adopt by-laws and generally do all acts and exercise all powers of a corporation under Act 1459, as amended, necessary to carry out the act and promote corporate purpose (Section II amending Section 2).

Nature and independence of the organization

  • The Girl Scouts of the Philippines is non-stock, non-profit, non-sectarian, non-political, independent, and voluntary (Section IV amending Section 4).
  • The corporation must willingly cooperate with other entities—public and private—whose ideals and procedures are in accord with those authorized by the act (Section IV amending Section 4).

Governing structure and membership composition

  • The governing body is the Central Board (Section V amending Section 5).
  • The Central Board includes:
    • The First Lady of the Philippines, who serves as Chief Girl Scout.
    • The Charter and Life Members, in no case to exceed sixteen (16).
    • An equal number of representatives from the private sector.
    • The Regional chairpersons of the Girl Scout Regions of the Philippines.
    • Government sector representatives, including:
      • Secretary of Foreign Affairs
      • Secretary of Finance
      • Secretary of Education & Culture
      • Secretary of Labor
      • Secretary of National Defense
      • Executive Secretary
      • Secretary of Social Welfare
      • Secretary of Local Government and Community Development
      • Secretary of Youth and Sports Development
      • President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines
    • One Senior Girl Scout from each Girl Scout Region to represent the girl membership.
    • Three representatives from the cultural minorities.
  • The Central Board membership appointment rules provide that:
    • The Regional Chairpersons and Senior Girl Scout regional representatives are elected by their respective Regions.
    • All other Central Board members are by appointment or cooption, subject to ratification by the Chief Girl Scout and confirmation by the President of the Philippines (Section V amending Section 5).
  • The Central Board is empowered to:
    • Make and amend the Constitution and by-laws.
    • Create Standing and Special Committees.
    • Provide policies and procedures necessary to carry on the business of the corporation (Section V amending Section 5).
  • The by-laws may set the number of members needed for a quorum, and the quorum number may be less than a majority of the whole number of the Board (Section V amending Section 5).
  • The Central Board must meet regularly at least twice a year at a time and place designated in the by-laws (Section V amending Section 5).
  • The Chief Girl Scout is the Head of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines (Section V amending Section 5).
  • The Central Board must elect from among themselves the other corporate officers: National President, First Vice-President, Second Vice President, National Secretary, Asst. National Secretary, National Treasurer, and Asst. National Treasurer (Section V amending Section 5).

Executive committee and national council

  • An Executive Committee exists and is composed of all the officers and chairpersons of Standing Committees.
  • The Executive Committee is responsible for implementing policies and decisions of the National Council and the Central Board (Section VI amending Section 6).
  • A National Council exists as a forum for guidelines, directions, and evaluation of the Girl Scout Movement (Section VI amending Section 7).
  • The National Council includes:
    • Members of the Central Board.
    • The President of the Girl Scout Councils or their duly designated representatives.
    • Such number of elected delegates from each Council as prescribed in the by-laws (Section VI amending Section 7).

Ad interim transition and restructuring timeline

  • Until Central Board reorganization under Section 5 as amended, an Ad Interim body is appointed (Section VII adding Section 13).
  • Honorable Carlos P. Romulo is appointed as Interim Chairman (Section VII adding Section 13).
  • The Interim Chairman is authorized to designate members of committees for restructuring and reorganization (Section VII adding Section 13).
  • The present administrative set-up is maintained in the meantime to conduct the affairs of the Girl Scouts of the Philippines.
  • The reorganization must be effected within six (6) months from date of this decree (Section VII adding Section 13).

Separability, repeal, and sanctions

  • No separability, repealing, or sunset provisions are set out in Presidential Decree No. 720.
  • No penalties, fines, or sanctions for non-compliance are established in Presidential Decree No. 720.

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