The Leadership Roles and Organizational Structure in PGBI

Many members and leaders within the PGBI organization may not realize or observe that there is only one President position in the entire organization, which is held only at the national level.

Throughout the regional, provincial, municipal, and barangay levels, leadership is primarily exercised by Chairmen who serve as the highest officials in their respective areas. These Chairmen are elected by their local councils and assemblies, and they oversee the activities and governance of their chapters. This structure ensures a clear hierarchy where the national leadership is headed by a single President, while at the grassroots levels, the Chairmen act as the key figures in guiding and managing their communities.

For contrast, the duties and responsibilities of a President versus a Chairman are distinct:

The President is the chief executive officer of the entire organization at the national level, responsible for setting strategic direction, representing the organization publicly, overseeing the implementation of policies, and ensuring that the organization’s objectives are achieved. The President often presides over national meetings, makes high-level decisions, and acts as the primary spokesperson.

In contrast, a Chairman at the regional, provincial, municipal, or barangay level is primarily responsible for local governance and administration. The Chairman leads the chapter or local unit, ensures compliance with national policies, facilitates local activities, and represents the organization within their specific community. While both roles serve as leadership figures, the President’s scope is broader and more strategic, whereas the Chairman’s responsibilities are more localized and operational.

In the national level, there is no position like Business Manager and Public Relations Officer, while from the Regional level down to the lowest level, the organizational structure includes a seven-man position: Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Business Manager, and PRO. These roles are elected to manage the day-to-day operations, finance, communication, and other administrative functions at their respective levels.

Based on the provided structure and description, there is NO explicit mention of a position titled “Regional President” in the Constitution and By-Laws. Instead, the key leadership roles within the regional framework are primarily the Regional Chairman and the Regional Representative, both of whom are elected by the Regional Executive Council.

The Regional Chairman appears to serve as the highest regional leader, overseeing the activities and functions of the regional chapter and council. The Regional Executive Council, composed of Provincial and City Chairmen, exercises both executive and legislative powers within the region, and it is responsible for electing the Regional Chairman, Regional Representative, and other officers.

The Regional Assembly, which includes provincial or city chairmen and delegates, functions as a deliberative body that reviews reports, elects or removes council members, and makes significant decisions affecting the organization. The same way at the Provincial and Municipal levels, the organization structure has NO mention of a “President,” and only at the National level does one person hold both the positions of President and Chairman.

In the National level, there is no position like Business Manager and Public Relations Officer, whereas from Regional to the lowest level, the seven-man position namely, the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Business Manager and Public Relations Officer (PRO).

Here is a clarification on the role, duties, and responsibilities of a National Chairman at the national level:

The National Chairman is the highest-ranking official in the national leadership of the organization. His principal role is to provide guidance and direction to the National Board and to ensure the effective implementation of national policies and decisions. His key responsibilities include:

• Leading the National Executive Council (NEC) and ensuring its effective functioning.
• Providing vision and direction to the organization
• Setting national policies and goals
• Overseeing the implementation of national projects and programs
• Representing the organization in national and international forums
• Facilitating communication and collaboration among national, regional, provincial, municipal, and barangay leaders
• Ensuring the organization’s compliance with national laws and regulations
• Performing other duties and responsibilities as may be assigned by the NEC or the President of the organization.

Difference between the National level against Regional, Provincial, Municipal, and Barangay levels?  

At the National level, the leadership includes the National President and National Chairman, the National Executive Vice President (NEVP), and the three Vice-Presidents (VPL, VPV and VPM).

Additionally, there are the National Secretariat (Secretry-General, the Deputy Secretary-General, and the four (4) Assistant Secretaries (ASec) and the National Treasury, which are usually called as the National Executive Committee (NEC). The National Headquarters and the National Executive Council (commonly the Regional Representatives) are key components of the national leadership structure.

There shall be one (1) representative per region on the National Executive Council. Prior to the election during the National Convention and when a vacancy arises, the National Chairman/President may issue interim appointments to fill vacancies on the council.

The members of the National Executive Council (NEC) shall elect from among themselves who shall automatically assume the position of National Chairman/President of the Organization, the National Executive Vice-President, and the Vice Presidents for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

The voting delegates to the National Convention shall be apportioned five (5) representatives per region. These delegates shall constitute the National Assembly. The delegates to the National Convention shall perform the following functions:

1. To hear and pass upon the reports of the National Executive Council;

2. To elect and remove for cause the members of the National Executive Council;

3. To make final decisions on any significant change in financial and other policies, subject to legal restrictions;

4. To exercise final authority on all matters significantly affecting the Organization, unless otherwise provided in the Constitution and By-Laws; and

5. To determine and pass upon the proposed amendments to this Constitution and By-Laws.

In contrast, at the Provincial, Municipal, and Barangay levels, leadership roles are typically divided among elected Chairmen, Representatives, and other officers, with no single individual holding both the positions of President and Chairman. These lower levels are organized into councils, assemblies, and chapters that operate under the guidance of their respective elected leaders.

In the national level, there is no position like Business Manager and Public Relations Officer, whereas from Regional to the lowest level, the seven-man position namely, the Chairman, Vice-Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Auditor, Business Manager and Public Relations Officer (PRO).

How about the Corporate Incorporators?  

The Corporate Incorporators are the individuals or entities responsible for establishing and registering the organization as a legal corporation. Their significance lies in laying the foundational legal framework for the organization, ensuring compliance with corporate laws, and securing official recognition from government authorities. They play a crucial role in drafting the Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, and their actions and decisions can influence the organization’s governance structure and long-term stability.  

To the national officers, the Corporate Incorporators serve as the original founders and the legal stakeholders of the organization. Their vision and initial decisions set the direction and purpose of the organization, and their role is essential in maintaining the organization’s legal integrity and continuity.  

To the lower levels, the significance of the Corporate Incorporators is more indirect but equally important. They provide the legal foundation that empowers the organization to operate effectively at regional, provincial, municipal, and barangay levels. The lower levels are accountable to the organizational structure established by the incorporators, and their activities are carried out within the legal framework that the incorporators helped to establish.  

Overall, the Corporate Incorporators are vital in ensuring the organization’s legitimacy, stability, and continuity from its inception through its ongoing operations at all levels.

The National level, therefore, functions as the highest authority with a more complex and hierarchical leadership structure, while the lower levels focus on localized governance and organizational activities. – GSM