War vets rejects
secretary Gazmin’s constitution and by-laws for VFP
Press Release
June 18, 2014
QUEZON CITY – War
veterans rejected the changes being introduced by Defense Secretary
Voltaire Gazmin to the constitution and by-laws governing the Veterans
Federation of the Philippines (VFP), the federation announced
yesterday.
In the convention report
manual of the first-ever national presidents’ convention of the VFP
held in Taguig City on May 17 and 18, 2014 which was released
yesterday, all 182 delegates rejected the changes made by Gazmin in
the classification of organizations that may join the federation as an
umbrella organization, membership requirements, the composition of the
supreme council, committees and management including the financial
system.
“All regional presidents,
district presidents including presidents of charter and affiliate
organizations of the VFP all over the Philippines have unanimously
spoken and they do not want to tinker with the current VFP
constitution and by-laws at this time. They particularly expressed
disapproval of the changes in the by-laws being introduced by no less
than Defense Secretary Gazmin,” the delegates’ statement after the
two-day workshop said.
Delegates believed all these
by-laws amendments proposed by Gazmin will diminish the core function
of the current set up of officers, downgrade the roles of the
veterans’ widows and children. They also share the fear the amendments
will allow non-veterans to come in and take hold and control of all
the assets of the VFP.
“The highest ruling body of
the VFP has spoken at how thousands of Filipino veterans are best
governed. We hope the voice of the people who fought for our freedom
shall be respected,” the statement added.
The report was released
Wednesday, June 18 coinciding with the 54th anniversary celebration of
VFP held in Manila.
The VFP was created by
Republic Act 2640, an act to create a public corporation to be known
as the Veterans Federation of the Philippines. It was approved into
law by the late Pres. Garcia in May 1960 precisely to uphold and
defend the democratic way of life as envisioned in the Philippine
constitution, represent and to defend the interest of all Filipino
veterans, coordinate the efforts of all different veterans of the
Philippines in behalf of the interests of respective members.
It was also mandated to
promote mutual help among former comrades-in-arms, perpetuate their
common experiences in war, undertake acts of charity and relief work,
preserve peace and order, foster love of country and inculcate
individual civic consciousness.