1 REVISED CONSTITUTION AND BY LAWS


2 of the

3 PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS (PIChE)

4 (Approved during the 73rd PIChE National Convention
5 held in Surigao City on February 15 to 17, 2012)
6
7
8 PREAMBLE
9
10 WE, THE CHEMICAL ENGINEERS OF THE PHILIPPINES,
11 AFFIRMING our adherence to our professionalism and code of conduct;

12 REALIZING that we need each other to be able to promote the welfare of our profession;

13 PURSUING the advancement of science and technology in the field of chemical engineering;

14 DETERMINED to make the Philippines and the world a better place to live in; and

15 AWARE of our responsibility to God, to mankind and to our countrymen, in particular;

16 HAVE RESOLVED to unite our hearts, our minds and our will to accomplish these aims by
17 constituting a national organization of chemical engineers, and by
18 virtue thereof, ordain and promulgate this Constitution and By-Laws.
19
20 ARTICLE I

21 NATURE, NAME, SEAL AND OFFICE
22
23
24 Section 1. Nature - This organization shall be a Professional Organization. It shall be a non-
25 profit and non- political corporation organized under the laws of the Republic of the
26 Philippines and shall be the accredited professional organization by the Professional
27 Regulation Commission (PRC).
28
29 Section 2. Name - This organization shall be known as the PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL
30 ENGINEERS, INC. (PIChE, by which it will be referred to hereafter).
31
32 Section 3. Seal - The seal of PIChE shall consist of two concentric circles with the name
33 PHILIPPINE INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS and the year 1938 inscribed in
34 between them and the symbol of a manufacturing plant inside the smaller circle.
35
36 Section 4. Principal Office - The principal office of PIChE shall be located in Metro Manila,
37 Philippines.
38
39 ARTICLE II

40 DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES
41
42 Section 1. Principles - The principles of the members of PIChE shall be based upon a firm
43 commitment to equality, sincerity, trustworthiness, service and good moral conduct.
44
45 Section 2. Objectives - PIChE shall have the following objectives which aim at the improvement,
46 development and advancement of its members by:
47
48 a. Promoting and developing the chemical engineering profession through the active
49 participation and involvement of its members;
50 b. Holding continuing professional education fora, seminars and workshops for its
51 members;
52 c. Uplifting, safeguarding and protecting by lawful means the welfare of its members;
53 d. Enhancing understanding, goodwill and cooperation among chemical engineers;
54 e. Providing fora and venues to discuss and/or resolve issues pertinent to the chemical
55 engineering 
profession;
56 f. Fostering among its members a profound sense of responsibility and dedication, and
57 a deep concern in preserving and maintaining the high ethical and moral standards
58 of the chemical engineering profession;
59 g. Networking with other professional, government and non-government
60 organizations, both local and foreign, for mutual benefits; and
61 h. Serving as a vehicle for achieving and sustaining national development. 

62
63 ARTICLE III
64 ORGANIZATION
65
66 Section 1. General Assembly - The General Assembly shall be composed of all bona fide
67 members from all PIChE Chapters.
68
69 Section 2. Powers and Prerogatives - The General Assembly shall be the supreme authority of
70 PIChE. It shall direct the affairs of PIChE through a duly elected National Board of
71 Directors and Officers. The General Assembly shall have the exclusive prerogative to:
72
73 a. Elect the members of the National Board of Directors;
74 b. Choose the venue and the host(s) of PIChE’s Annual General Assembly through a
75 vote of the Chapter 
presidents or their authorized representative; and
76 c. Consider and decide on matters as may be necessary and proper to effectively
77 implement the 
objectives of PIChE through the representation of the Chapter
78 Presidents.
79
80 Section 3. Quorum - The presence of a General Assembly of at least thirty percent (30%) of the
81 total number of members in good standing of all Chapters shall constitute a quorum. A
82 majority vote of the General Assembly shall constitute as a valid act of PIChE, except on
83 matters specifically provided under the Corporation Code of the Republic of the
84 Philippines.
85
86
 87 Section 4. National Convention - The annual meeting of the General Assembly shall be known
88 as the National Convention. The National Convention shall be held in the month of
89 February at any place in the Philippines decided upon in the previous General Assembly.
90
91 Section 5. Special General Assembly - A special General Assembly may be called by the National
92 Board of Directors upon a thirty (30) days notice to the Chapters.
93
94 ARTICLE IV

95 NATIONAL BOARD OF DIRECTORS
96
97 Section 1. Composition - There shall be fifteen (15) Members in the National Board of Directors,
98 which shall be composed of the twelve (12) Area Directors, the Immediate Past National
99 President, the Immediate Past National Executive Vice-President endorsed by the
100 outgoing National Board of Directors to assume the National Presidency, and the
101 Chairman of the Council of Advisers.
102
103 Each of the Areas in the Philippines (Luzon, National Capital Region, Visayas and
104 Mindanao) shall be allocated three (3) elected members in the National Board of
105 Directors, who shall be elected separately by the Area’s Chapter members present at
106 the National Convention (provided, however, that only one (1) Area Director shall be
107 elected from the same Chapter.
108
109 In the event the Immediate Past National Executive Vice-President declines to
110 automatically assume the office of National President or is not endorsed by the
111 outgoing National Board of Directors, another Director shall be elected at large by all
112 qualified members present at the National Convention to replace him/her as member of
113 the National Board of Directors.
114
115 The Director at Large nominee shall not come from the same Chapter as the
116 nominee for the position cited in the foregoing.
117
118 Section 2. Qualifications of Members of the Board - Unless otherwise provided herein, each of
119 the members of the Board shall have the following qualifications:
120
121 a. Shall be members of PIChE Chapters for two (2) years prior to the National
122 Convention and must continue to be a member of the Chapters during his/her
123 tenure;
124 b. Shall be members of a PIChE Chapter which is current in their payments of dues to
125 PIChE, otherwise his/her election shall be void ab initio;
126 c. Shall be registered and in attendance at the National Convention at which he/she is
127 a nominee; and
128 d. Shall have held or is holding an elective position in his/her Chapter.
129
130
131 Section 3. Election to the Board - The members of the Board shall be elected at the National
132 Convention or at a Special General Assembly called for electing the Board in the
133 following manner:
134
135 a. All registered attendees in the National Convention or Special General Assembly
136 shall be qualified to elect the Members of the Board. Each qualified voter, upon
137 registration, shall be given a ballot. No ballot will be given to those who have not
138 registered;
139 b. No nominee shall be voted during the election if he/she is absent during the
140 election;
141 c. Sufficient time shall be given for voting and the proper conduct of the proceedings;
142 and
143 d. The Commission on Elections, as constituted herein, shall conduct the election and
144 count the votes. 
The candidates receiving the highest number of votes in each area
145 shall be declared as elected, 
subject to the provision of Section 1 supra.
146 e. The Commission on Elections shall provide five (5) ballot boxes, one (1) for each of
147 the four (4) Areas’ 
ballots and one (1) for the ballots to elect the Director at Large,
148 if needed.
149
150 Section 4. Term of Office ‐ The term of office of the elected members of the Executive
151 Committee except for the National Executive Vice President shall be for two years. All
152 other elected officers and directors shall relinquish their incumbent positions after one
153 year. All elected officers and directors of the National Board shall hold office according
154 to their terms of office or until their successors have been elected, qualified, and have
155 taken their oaths of office.
156
157 Section 5. Duties of the Board - The Board shall have the following duties:
158
159 a. To elect from among themselves the National Officers of PIChE, except the
160 Immediate Past National President and the Chairman of the Council of Advisers. to
161 wit:
162 1. National President, if the Immediate Past National Executive Vice-President shall
163 not automatically assume the National Presidency,
164 2. National Executive Vice-President,
165 3. Four (4) Area Vice-Presidents, one each for Luzon, National Capital Region,
166 Visayas and Mindanao, who shall come from the area which they will be
167 responsible for,
168 4. National Secretary,
169 5. National Treasurer, and,
170 6. National Public Relations Officer who shall serve concurrently as Managing
171 Editor of the PIChE 
Journal;
172
173
174 b. To appoint and retain an External Auditor;
175 c. To elect the Chairman and members of the Commission on Elections as provided in
176 Article IX hereof;
177 d. To appoint the Chairman and members of Committees as may be necessary for the
178 proper and 
efficient operations of PIChE;
179 e. To manage and exercise general supervision over the affairs of PIChE;
180 f. To establish policies for the guidance and implementation of the Chapters and the
181 other bodies within PIChE;
182 g. To receive reports and recommendations from the National Officers, Chapters,
183 Commissions, Committees and members for study and consideration;
184 h. To propose to the General Assembly matters not within the purview of its authority;
185 i. To act on all matters endorsed to it by General Assembly as are deemed proper; and
186 j. To endorse the National Executive Vice-President if he/she shall assume the National
187 Presidency for 
the following year.
188
189 Section 6. Meetings of the Board – The Board shall hold regular monthly meetings during its
190 tenure. The venue of the meetings shall be geographically distributed among the four
191 (4) Areas, the dates and venues of which shall be set by the Board during its first
192 meeting after the election of its members. The dates and venues of these meetings may
193 be altered due to unforeseen constraints. However, due notice shall be given to
194 members on any change in schedule. Special meetings of the Board may be held as
195 necessary. These meeting may be called by the National President or by at least three
196 (3) Board members giving notice of at least seven (7) calendar days before the date of
197 the meeting.
198
199 Section 7. Quorum – The presence of at least eight (8) members of the Board shall constitute a
200 quorum in a meeting.
201
202 Section 8. Voting - The members of the Board present in a meeting shall have only one (1) vote
203 each. Proxy voting shall be allowed.
204
205 Section 9. Forfeiture of Office. – The failure of any member of the Board to attend three (3)
206 consecutive meetings of the Board shall, ipso-facto, result in the forfeiture of his/her
207 office unless the said member submit within a week after being notified to respond to
208 the inquiry, a written justification for such absences and found acceptable to the Board.
209 The number of meetings of the Board shall include both regular and special meetings
210 even if no business was transacted due to lack of quorum.
211
212 Section 10. Vacancies and Succession. – In the event of death, disability, resignation, incapacity
213 or forfeiture of a member of the Board, he/she shall be succeeded by a candidate from
214 the Area of the member to be replaced who obtained the next highest number of votes
215 in the past election.
216
217
218 Section 11. Suspension of Board Members - A Board member whose Chapter has been
219 delinquent in remitting dues to PIChE in the first semester of his/her term shall be
220 automatically suspended until such time his/her Chapter has settled its financial
221 obligation to PIChE. In the event that settlement is not made within thirty (30) days of
222 the deadline set by the Board, the member’s post shall be declared vacant.
223
224
225 ARTICLE V
226 NATIONAL OFFICERS
227
228 Section 1. National President - The National President shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the
229 Organization. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the General Assembly, the National
230 Convention, the Board and the Executive Committee. He/she shall direct the overall
231 operations of PIChE and assume all the duties and responsibilities as may be prescribed
232 herein or by the Board.
233
234 He/she shall report to the General Assembly and the National Convention at
235 their meetings the accomplishments of the Board and the Executive Committee.
236 He/she, as head of PIChE, shall be its official representatives in all ceremonies and extra-
237 mural meetings, affairs, proceedings and transactions involving PIChE provided,
238 however, that any contractual or financial obligation entered into shall be subject to the
239 approval of the Board.
240
241 Section 2. National Executive Vice-President - The National Executive Vice-President shall
242 discharge the powers and duties of the National President, in case of the latter’s death,
243 incapacity, illness or resignation. He/she shall coordinate the activities of the four (4)
244 Area Vice-Presidents and perform such functions, as may be directed by the Board.
245 He/she shall serve as the Chairman of the forthcoming National Convention and shall
246 automatically be the National President for the following year, unless he/she declines to
247 assume the position or is not endorsed by the outgoing Board to assume the National
248 Presidency.
249
250 Section 3. Area Vice-Presidents - The Area Vice-Presidents shall:
251
252 a. Motivate, direct and coordinate the programming of the activities of the Chapters in
253 his/her area;
254 b. Coordinate and supervise the activities of the aforesaid activities;
255 c. Visit the Chapters in his/her Area as often as necessary;
256 d. Report regularly to the Board on the activities in his/her Area; and
257 e. Perform such other duties and responsibilities, as may be designated by the Board
258 or National President.
259
260 Section 4. National Secretary - The National Secretary shall record and keep the Minutes of all
261 meetings of the General Assembly, National Convention, Executive Committee and
262 other meetings. He/she shall perform all other functions incidental to his/her office as
263 the Board may determine.
264
265 Section 5. National Treasurer - The National Treasurer shall be the financial officer of PIChE and
266 custodian of all its funds and properties. He/she shall countersign all checks and
267 disbursements of funds, and shall keep an accurate account of all monies received and
268 disbursed by him/her, in accordance with the budget or special appropriation approved
269 by the Board. He/she shall deposit all collections and funds of PIChE with at least two (2)
270 reputable banks designated by the Board, jointly with the National President and the
271 National Executive Vice- President. He/she shall make a written annual report, duly
272 audited, of the finances of PIChE to the Board and the General Assembly, or during the
273 National Convention of PIChE and of such other funds as the Board may establish and
274 determine. The National Treasurer shall be responsible for the preparation and
275 submission of the annual budget of PIChE national office to the Board within forty five
276 (45) calendar days after assumption of his/her office.
277
278 Section 6. National Public Relations Officer and Managing Editor of the PIChE Journal - As the
279 National Public Relations Officer (PRO), he/she shall ensure that PIChE maintains its
280 good reputation with the public and the media. He will propose to the Board plans to
281 further enhance this good reputation. As Managing Editor of the PIChE Journal he/she
282 shall ensure its regular issue, quality of contents and the economic viability of its
283 publication. He/she shall propose to the Board ways and means by which these can be
284 achieved.
285
286 Section 7. Immediate Past National President - The Immediate Past National President shall
287 have the following duties:
288
289 a. Be a member of the Executive Committee;
290 b. Be the Chair of the Commission of Elections;
291 c. Be the Chair of the Awards Committee;
292 d. Be the Chair of the Committee of Nominations per Executive Order No. 496, Series
293 of 1991. 

294
295 ARTICLE VI
296 CHAPTERS
297
298 Section 1. Formation and Establishment of Chapter - Chapters shall be established in various
299 localities where any member, irrespective of type, shall affiliate himself/herself. A local
300 chapter of at least fifteen (15) registered chemical engineers may be formed and
301 establish itself as a Chapter of PIChE in their locality subject to the following:
302
303 a. Their objectives and activities are in accord with the principles and objectives of
304 PIChE as enumerated herein;
305 b. They shall submit to PIChE’s Board a written application for recognition and
306 admission, together with its proposed Constitution and By-Laws; which should be
307 aligned with the national constitution and by-laws; and
308 c. Admission as a Chapter shall have the approval of the Board.
309
310 Section 2. Identification of Chapters - Upon approval by the Board, the Chapter shall be given
311 its Charter and identified by its locality, workplace or site as deemed appropriate.
312
313 Section 3. Governance of Chapters - For its governance Chapters may start with seven (7)
314 Directors/Officers which may be increased to a maximum of fifteen (15) as the number
315 of members increases.
316
317 Section 4. Existing PIChE Chapters - All existing PIChE Chapters at the adoption of this
318 Constitution and By- Laws shall be deemed as Chartered Chapters and their existing
319 structure and membership, unless contrary to the provisions of this Constitution and By-
320 Laws, shall be duly recognized.
321
322 Section 5. Chapters as Self-regulating Units - PIChE Chapters shall be recognized as self-
323 regulating units which shall elect its own local governing body and may collect dues and
324 raise funds over and above their prescribed annual membership dues to support their
325 activities.
326
327 Section 6. Chapter Support to Its Members Elected to National Offices or Appointed to National
328 Commissions or Committees - As deemed possible Chapters shall financially support any
329 and all of their members elected to National Offices or appointed to National
330 Commissions and Committees to enable them to comply with the requirements of their
331 Offices, Commissions or Committees.
332
333 Section 7. Annual Dues to the National Office of PIChE ‐ Each Chapter shall be assessed by the
334 Board annually an equitable amount, taking into consideration the economic condition
335 of its members and their location. Such amount shall be remitted to the National Office
336 within the calendar year, after the constitution of a new set of National Officers. The
337 annual dues of every Chapter shall be reviewed annually and revised as necessary.
338
339 Section 8. Junior Chapters ‐ Each Area Vice‐President shall encourage the formation of Junior
340 Chapters in its locality when possible, and shall support and supervise the continued
341 existence of the Junior Chapters. The Junior Chapters shall be composed of students of
342 schools of a locality taking a course leading to a B.S.Ch.E. degree. Junior Chapters may
343 formulate its own Articles of Association, which in form and substance are approved by
344 the Chapter’s Board of Directors. The Chapter shall appoint one of its own members to
345 oversee the activities of its Junior Chapter.
346
347
348
349
350 Section 9. Powers and Duties of the Chapters - The Chapters shall have the following powers
351 and duties:
352
353 a. Chapter members can vote for and act during the Special General Assemblies or
354 National Conventions to decide on matters pertaining to PIChE and/or its Chapters;
355 b. Review the qualification and eligibility of candidates to be endorsed for election to
356 the Board, provided, however, that a Chapter can nominate only (1) of its members
357 to be a candidate for election to the Board;
358 c. Support the elected candidates in the Board; and
359 d. Recommend and endorse nominees to the Awards Committee for outstanding
360 chemical engineers 
and other recognition deemed relevant to the profession.
361
362 ARTICLE VII
363 MEMBERSHIP
364
365 Section 1. Types of Membership - The membership of PIChE in the Chapters shall be composed
366 of:
367
368 a. Regular Member - A person who is a registered chemical engineer in accordance
369 with the laws of the Republic of the Philippines;
370 b. Associate Member – A person holding a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
371 (BSChE) degree from a duly recognized college or university, either local or foreign;
372 c. Industrial Member - A corporation, partnership or single proprietorship engaged in
373 and industry employing chemical engineers; and
374 d. Honorary Member - A person, not necessarily a registered chemical engineer, who
375 has distinguished himself/herself in the field of chemical engineering or contributed
376 greatly to the advancement of the chemical engineering profession.
377
378 Section 2. Admission of Members - A person duly registered by the PRC as a licensed chemical
379 engineer is automatically admitted as a regular member of a PIChE chapter. All other
380 types of members are admitted upon approval by the Chapter’s Board of Directors or
381 Officers.
382
383 Section 3. Prohibition on Dual Membership - No member, irrespective of type, shall, at any
384 time, be a member of more than one Chapter.
385
386 Section 4. Transfer of Membership - A member, irrespective of type, may transfer from one
387 Chapter to another by informing his/her/its home Chapter through a written request
388 supported by an acceptance letter from the Chapter he/she/it is transferring.
389
390 Section 5. Lifetime Membership – Regular members may avail of lifetime membership by
391 paying in advance an amount as may be set by the Chapter Board of Directors or
392 Officers. This amount will be deposited in a special trust fund to be put up by the
393 Chapter where the lifetime membership is affiliated.
394 Section 6. Ch.E. Fellow – A regular member who has shown exemplary performance as a
395 chemical engineer shall be given the title Ch.E. Fellow as provided for in Article XII of
396 this By-Laws.
397
398 Section 7. Suspension, Expulsion and Reinstatement of Members – Any member may be
399 suspended or expelled by a Chapter for non-payment of dues or for reasons inimical to
400 PIChE or the profession. Any member who has been expelled for non-payment of dues
401 may be reinstated to membership by the Chapter, provided that he/she shall make full
402 settlement of all dues and accounts outstanding at the time of reinstatement.
403
404 ARTICLE VIII
405 AREAS
406
407 Section 1. Boundaries of Areas - In order to ensure that most effective service is given to
408 Chapters by the Board, the chapters of PIChE is grouped into four (4) Areas, based on
409 their locations, designated as follows:
410 AREA I Luzon, except National Capital Region,
411 AREA II National Capital Region,

412 AREA III Visayas,

413 AREA IV Mindanao.
414
415 Section 2. Area Organizations - The Executive Committee of the Area shall be composed of the
416 Vice- President for the Area, and the Presidents of each Chapter therein.
417
418 Section 3. Election of Area Vice-Presidents - The Area Vice-Presidents shall be elected by the
419 Board from among its members who come from the area where their Chapters belong.
420
421 ARTICLE IX
422 COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS
423
424 Section 1. Composition and Term of Office – There shall be an independent National
425 Commission on Elections composed of the incumbent IPP as Chairman and four (4)
426 Commissioners representing the Luzon, NCR, Visayas, and Mindanao Areas to be
427 appointed by the Chair during the Election period with concurrence of the incumbent
428 National President.
429
430 Section 2. Power and Duties – The National Commission on Election shall have the following
431 powers and duties:
432 a. Enforce and administer all rules and regulations related to the conduct to elections;
433 b. Be the sole judge of all contest relating to election returns, the qualifications of
434 electors and candidates for national elective offices, and canvassing and validity of
435 ballots;
436 c. Hear and decide election contests within thirty (30) days after the same are
437 submitted for resolution;
438 d. Register and accredit voters during the convention;
439 e. Submit to the incoming and outgoing Boards at the National Convention on the day
440 following the 
national election, a report on the conduct and manner of election
441 and a statement of disbursements 
of the fund allotted to the Commission which
442 shall be subject to audit;
443 e. Recommend to the Board effective measures to further minimize election expenses
444 and prohibit all 
forms of election frauds and malpractices, political opportunity
445 quest or nuisance candidacy or similar 
acts; and
446 f. Act with fairness to all qualified candidates for the Board.
447 g. All filing fees or assessments to be required from the candidates, other than the
448 imposition of penalties, shall be subject to the approval of the Board.
449
450 Section 3. Prohibitions Against Members – No member of the Commission shall engage,
451 directly or indirectly, in PIChE partisan politics nor hold any other elective or appointive
452 office or Chairmanship
during his term of office.
453
454 Section 4. Nominations Committee – There shall be a Nominations Committee composed of
455 seven (7) members, three (3) of whom shall be the Past National Presidents in the last
456 three (3) preceding years starting with the Immediate Past National President. The
457 other four (4) members shall be representatives of the four (4) Areas, to be appointed
458 by the Commission on Elections for a term of
four (4) years.
459
460 The Immediate Past National President shall be the Chairman of the Committee.
461
462 Section 5. Powers and Duties of the Nominations Committee - The Committee shall have the
463 following powers and duties:
464
465 a. Review the qualification and eligibility of all candidates to the Board relative to
466 qualifications and eligibility provided for in this Constitution and By-laws;
467 b. Brief the candidates on their duties and responsibilities to be conducted on the day
468 preceding the opening of the National Convention; and
469 c. Determine whether any candidate is not qualified as provided in this Constitution
470 and By-Laws, and thus, disqualify the candidate.
471
472 Section 6. Certificates of Candidacy – All candidates for any elective office in PIChE must file
473 with the National Commission on Elections, copy furnished the Nominations
474 Committee, their Certificates of Candidacy in the form provided for accompanied by the
475 written endorsements of the majority of the Board of Directors of their respective
476 Chapters at least thirty (30) days before the opening of the National Convention. In the
477 event that there is no candidate for a certain office, the filing of a Certificate of
478 Candidacy for that uncontested office shall be allowed up to one (1) day before the
479 scheduled election date.
480
481 ARTICLE X
482 COMMITTEES
483
484 Section 1. Committees – The Board may create such committees as may be necessary to carry
485 out PIChE’s program of activities.
486
487 Section 2. Committee Chairperson – A chairperson shall be appointed to each of the
488 committees of PIChE as recommended by the National President and approved by the
489 Board.
490
491 Section 3. Ex-Officio Members – The National President, the National Secretary and the
492 National Treasurer shall be ex-officio members of all committees created by the Board.
493
494 Section 4. Supervision – All committees shall be under the supervision of the National Secretary
495 or such other officer authorized by the Board.
496
497 Section 5. Disbursement of Committee Funds – All monies, funds and properties received by
498 any Committee shall be deposited in the name of PIChE. No withdrawals from such fund
499 shall be made without the approval of the National Treasurer and shall be in accordance
500 with the budget appertaining thereto.
501
502 Section 6. Nominations Committee – There shall be a Nominations Committee composed of the
503 incumbent members of the Governing Council of the College of Fellows.
504
505 Section 7. Awards Committee – An Awards Committee shall be formed to recognize and honor
506 outstanding achievements in the fulfilment of the purpose of the chemical engineering
507 profession by Chapters or by individuals.
508
509 Section 8. Qualification of Appointed Members - All appointed members of Committees must
510 be active members of a PIChE Chapter for at least two (2) years at the time of their
511 appointment.
512
513 ARTICLE XI
514 EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
515
516 Section 1. Composition – There shall be an Executive Committee composed of the National
517 President, the National Executive Vice President, the four (4) Area Vice Presidents, the
518 National Secretary, the National Treasurer, and the Immediate Past National President.
519
520 Section 2. Powers and Duties – The Executive Committee shall:
521
522 a. Administer and manage the affairs of PIChE during the intervals between meetings
523 of the Board and subject to such limitations as may be prescribed by the General
524 Assembly or by the Board;
525 b. Serve as the Finance Committee to review and revise the annual budget as may be
526 necessary for submission to the Board for approval; and
527 c. Undertake and carry out such powers, duties, functions and responsibilities as may
528 be delegated to it by the Board and shall have the power to act as and for the Board,
529 subject to ratification by the Board.
530
531 Section 3. Meetings – The Executive Committee shall meet at the call of the Board, or on
532 petition of at least three (3) members thereof.
533
534 Section 4. Quorum – The majority of the members of the Executive Committee shall constitute
535 a quorum.
536
537 ARTICLE XII
538 COLLEGE OF FELLOWS
539
540 Section 1 ‐ Definitions
541
542 a. PIChE Fellow. A PIChE Fellow is a title reserved for selected PIChE members who
543 have distinguished 
himself/herself in the practice of chemical engineering and its
544 allied, related, or growth areas/fields such 
as managerial and executive positions of
545 chemical/industrial corporations and/or government agencies).
546 b. College of Fellows (COF). Chemical engineers who have been granted the title of
547 PIChE Fellow and who 
have organized themselves into an association within and
548 affiliated to PIChE.
549 c. Governing Council (GC). The name given to the set of officers of the College of
550 Fellows to distinguish it 
from the officers of the PIChE NBOD. The GC will be
551 composed of five (5) officers elected by the embers of the College of Fellows.
552
553 Section 2 – Membership Requirements for PIChE Fellows
554
555 a. Must be a registered chemical engineer as shown by the roster of chemical
556 engineers of the Professional Regulation Commission of the Republic of the
557 Philippines.
558 b. Must have practiced chemical engineering and its allied, related, or growth
559 areas/fields (such as managerial and executive positions of chemical or industrial
560 corporations, academe, and/or government agencies) with distinction for a total of
561 at least ten (10) years.
562 c. Must have been an active member of the PIChE for a total of at least 10 years, and
563 must be nominated by his/her current chapter.
564 d. Must be endorsed or sponsored by a PIChE Fellow,
565 e. Must satisfy a membership criteria point system as defined in the Handbook of the
566 PIChE College of 
Fellows.
567 f. Must receive at least the majority (3 out of 5) of the votes of the Governing Council
568 (GC) during the final 
screening process.
569
570 Section 3 ‐ Membership Procedure
571
572 a. The prospective PIChE Fellow shall be initially contacted by the PIChE chapter of
573 which he/ she is a member of the plan to nominate him/ her as a member of the
574 College.
575 b. The prospective nominee fills up an application form available from the College of
576 Fellows website (www.fpiche.org) and submits the completed form to the
577 nominating PIChE chapter.
578 c. Details of the Membership Screening and Acceptance Process are defined by
579 Handbook of the PIChE College of Fellows.
580
581 Section 4 ‐ College of Fellows
582
583 a. Autonomy. The College of Fellows, because of the distinct qualification and
584 reputation of its members in 
the field of chemical engineering and its allied,
585 related, or growth fields, is a self‐governing Council within 
PIChE. It shall be
586 responsible in recruiting, selecting and admitting its members.
587 b. Governing Council. The College of Fellows shall be governed or supervised by a
588 Governing Council 
composed of the following: Chairman, Vice‐Chairman, Secretary,
589 Treasurer, and a Press Relations Officer; or a total of five (5) officers. Their election
590 and term of office shall be defined in the Handbook of the PIChE College of Fellows.
591 The incumbent PIChE National President shall sit as an ex‐officio member in the GC
592 while the Chairman of the GC shall be an ex‐officio member of the current PIChE
593 National Board in order to promote cooperation in projects that may be organized
594 by the National Board or the COF.
595 c. Handbook of the PIChE College of Fellows. Members of the College of Fellows shall
596 abide with its Rules and Code of Conduct as stated in the Handbook of the PIChE
597 College of Fellows. The Handbook shall detail the rules of membership, election and
598 term of the GC, payment of dues, General Assembly, and other policies on the
599 expected conduct of Fellows. The Handbook of the PIChE College of Fellows shall be
600 available to Member Fellows and the general public from COF website and shall be
601 regularly reviewed by the GC for final approval by majority of the members present
602 during a General Assembly of Fellows.
603
604 Section 5 ‐ Rights and Privileges of Fellows
605
606 a. The Fellow is authorized to use the title, FPIChE (signifying PIChE Fellow) when
607 placed after a member’s name in all his official documents or identification portfolio.
608 b. The Fellow shall be awarded a framed certificate of his membership and a special
609 PIChE Fellow pin during an oath taking ceremony. The PIChE Fellow pin shall be
610 worn at all official functions of PIChE, the College of Fellows, or any activity for
611 which he represents PIChE or the College.
612 c. The Fellow shall be invited to participate in important events of PIChE such as the
613 Chemical Engineering Week, National Convention, and to act as resource persons in
614 continuing development seminars for members.
615 d. The Fellow shall be granted a discount of all fees for convention, seminars and
616 conference to be determined by the PIChE National Board.
617
618 Section 6 ‐ Obligations of Fellows. Members of the PIChE College of Fellows are expected:
619
620 a. To assist PIChE National Board on its ongoing projects when requested. A Fellow
621 may also initiate a project for the consideration of the College or the NBOD.
622 b. To accept and endorse nominations for prospective PIChE Fellows from the PIChE
623 Chapters.
624 c. To attend all General Assemblies called for by the GC.
625 d. To serve as adviser to a PIChE chapter when requested or assigned by the GC
626 Chairman in 
coordination with the PIChE National Board and/or the PIChE chapter.
627 e. To serve as resource person, such as speaker of a training seminar or a talk, when
628 requested by the 
PIChE National President or a PIChE chapter through the GC
629 Chairman.
630 f. To follow the rules on active membership and pay any dues as stated in the College
631 Handbook.
632 g. To participate in other meetings and activities called for or organized by the GC of
633 the College of Fellows. 

634
635
636 ARTICLE XIII

637 DUES, FEES AND PRIVILEGES
638
639 Section 1. Chapter Dues - Each Chapter shall remit annually to the Board an amount to be
640 determined by the Board.
641
642 Section 2. Miscellaneous Fees - Fees shall be charged by the Chapters for the sale of
643 publications and other services under such rules and regulations as maybe prescribed by
644 the Board.
645
646 Section 3. Privileges - A regular member of a local Chapter shall be entitled to all services and
647 privileges including the right to vote and be voted upon as an officer of PIChE. An
648 associate member shall be entitled to all services and privileges and can vote but cannot
649 be voted upon.
650
651 Section 4. Newly Chartered Chapters – Newly established Chapters shall pay their annual
652 membership dues on a pro-rata basis for the balance of the fiscal year upon their formal
653 establishment.
654
655
656 Section 5. Deadline for Payments and Delinquency Penalties – Dues must be paid in full on or
657 before August 31 of each calendar year. The Board may provide for an incentive scheme
658 for early full or partial payments.
659
660 Section 6. Financial Commitments – No financial commitment on the part of PIChE shall be
661 made by an affiliate Chapter or a member over and above the budget approved by the
662 Board, provided that expected savings may be committed upon authority or approval by
663 the majority of the Board.
664
665 Section 7. Fiscal Year – The PIChE’s fiscal year shall begin on March 1 and end on February 28 or
666 29 of the following year.
667
668 Section 8. Assets – All funds, real properties and other assets of the National Office shall be
669 held and maintained in the name of the PIChE.
670
671 Section 9. Budget – The National President shall prepare and submit to the National Treasurer
672 his recommendations on the operating budget at the start of the fiscal year.
673
674 Section 10. Special Fund – A special fund shall be created by the National Office which shall not
675 be less than ten percent (10%) of its yearly income, excluding sponsorship income. This
676 fund shall be built up at the rate of not less than one percent (1%) of the total income
677 per year until the appropriate amount is reached. Disbursement from this fund must be
678 approved by the General Assembly at a National Convention upon the recommendation
679 of the Board.
680
681 Section 11. Bank Signatories – All disbursements from PIChE’s bank accounts or certificates of
682 deposit shall require at least two (2) authorized signatories, to be designated by the
683 Board in a resolution for that purpose unless otherwise provided for herein.
684
685 Section 12. Convention Income – Unless otherwise agreed by the Board, the host chapter of
686 any National Convention shall remit to PICHE 50 % of the net income of the National
687 Convention.
688
689 Section 13. Bank Accounts and Depository Bank – PIChE will maintain its account with at least
690 two (2) reputable banks to be approved by the Board upon the recommendation of the
691 National Treasurer. No account can be opened by any Committee in the name of PIChE
692 or that of his own project without the approval of the Board and without the National
693 Treasurer being one of the signatories.
694
695 Section 14. Donations - PIChE may accept donations according to the rules and regulations of
696 the Corporation Code of the Philippines.
697
698 Section 15. External Auditor -- PIChE shall retain an external Auditor appointed by the Board.
699
700 ARTICLE XIV

701 SUSPENSION OR IMPEACHMENT FROM OFFICEAND/OR THE FROM PICHE
702
703 Section 1. Grounds for Suspension or Impeachment – Members of the Board and members of
704 the National Commission on Elections of may be suspended or impeached for violation
705 of this Constitution and By- Laws, conviction of any crime involving moral turpitude,
706 dereliction of duty or conduct inimical to the interest of the PIChE, malfeasance,
707 misfeasance or nonfeasance.
708
709 Section 2. Procedure for Suspension or Impeachment – The Board may, motu propio or upon
710 petition by any member, inquire into the existence of any of the aforesaid grounds for
711 suspension or removal of an elected member of the Board or member of the National
712 Commission on Elections. After due notice and hearing, the Board shall take whatever
713 action it may deem warranted under the premises.
714
715 Such action may consist of suspension or expulsion from the office held. A report
716 on the action taken stating the facts and other circumstances shall be immediately
717 submitted by the Board to the General Assembly in a National Convention for its
718 information or further action, if necessary.
719
720 ARTICLE XV
721 SUPREMACY CLAUSE
722
723 Section 1. Supremacy Clause - No provision of this Constitution and By-Laws shall be waived,
724 suspended or in any manner rendered ineffective by any resolution, action, or inaction
725 by any Officer and/or Director and affiliate of PIChE.
726
727 Violation of this provision shall render all acts pursuant thereto null and void ab
728 initio and the officer/s and/or board/s enforcing or claiming any right or defense under
729 the same shall be subjects to censure, suspension or expulsion by the General Assembly.
730
731 ARTICLE XVI
732 AMENDMENTS
733
734 Section 1. Method – As proposed by a majority vote of the Board, this Constitution and By-Laws
735 may be modified, altered, amended or repealed by the majority vote of the members in
736 good standing represented in a National Convention or Special General Assembly called
737 for the purpose, consistent with the provision of the Corporation Code of the
738 Philippines. (Amended October, 1993).
739
740
741
742
743
744 ARTICLE XVIII
745 EFFECTIVITY
746
747 Section 1. Effectivity – This Constitution and By-Laws shall be effective upon approval by the
748 General Assembly and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
749
750 The provisions of this Constitution and By-Laws shall be prospective in character
751 and nature. This Constitution and By-Laws shall not, however, affect the qualification,
752 eligibility and tenure of the present elected and constitutionally appointed National
753 Officers who shall continue to serve the remainder of their term.