ANG LADLAD (formerly Ang Lunduyan) was formed on September 1, 2003 as a network of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Filipinos. The members can either be LGBT organizations or individuals, or their heterosexual supporters.

In Filipino, "magladlad" means to unfurl the cape that used to cover one's body as a shield. It means to come out of the closet, to assert one's human rights as equal to that of the next Filipino. Thus, it means to take one's place in the sun, with dignity intact.

ANG LADLAD might run for party-list elections for Congress on May 14, 2007. Thus, it is bound to to make history. It will be the first political party composed of LGBT Filipinos that will claim -- and reclaim -- the rights we have lost from centuries of homophobia and discrimination.

Platforms

1. Support for the Anti-Discrimination Bill that gives LGBT Filipinos equal opportunities in employment and equal treatment in schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, entertainment centers, and government offices.

2. Re-filing of the bill to repeal the Anti-Vagrancy Law that some unscrupulous policemen use to extort bribes from gay men without ID cards;

3. Setting up of micro-finance and livelihood projects for poor and handicapped LGBT Filipinos;

4. Setting up of centers for Golden Gays, or old and abandoned LGBTs, as well as young ones driven out of their homes. The centers will also offer legal aid and counseling, as well as information about LGBT issues, HIV-AIDS, and reproductive health. These centers will be set up initially in the key cities/metropolitan areas of the Philippines -- Baguio, National Capital Region, Cebu and Davao.

The platforms of ANG LADLAD are like laser beams -- clear and focused only in one direction. We aim to restore our pride and dignity as LGBT Filipinos as well as give ourselves a chance to lead kinder and gentler lives.

The only way to shape history is to make it. Be part of history.

POLITICAL PARTY

Preamble

We, the Filipino citizens – lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgenders,(LGBT) and heterosexuals – advocates of the LGBT cause from all sectors of society, united in ending oppression and discrimination by empowering the marginalized and reeducating society, enlightened by and committed to the principles of democracy, nation-building, freedom, truth, equality, justice and peace, recognizing the necessity of consolidating and bringing our forces together by forming a political party dedicated to social reformation, do hereby form ourselves into ANG LADLAD, ordain, and promulgate this Constitution.

Article I

NAME, SYMBOL, AND DOMICILE

§ 1.  The political party will be called ANG LADLAD, otherwise known as LADLAD.

§ 2.  The official color of ANG LADLAD will be pink. Its symbol will be the butterfly to show the colorful wings of freedom we aspire to have.

§ 3.  ANG LADLAD will establish and maintain its National Office in the National Capital Region, Regional Offices in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao, Provincial Offices in respective provinces, and Chapters in cities, municipalities, barangays, communities, public and private institutions, and International Offices in respective countries where Overseas Filipino citizens live.

Article II

PRINCIPLES AND OBJECTIVES

§ 1.  The Party is committed to the following Principles:

1. That all institutions shall uphold democracy by promoting equality and asserting the right of every citizen from all levels of society through representation and  consultation;

2. That society shall uphold human rights which, as citizens of this country we should equally enjoy regardless of sex or sexual orientation, racial descent or ethnicity, age, disability, religion, social and economic status. However, we believe that the LGBTs in all sectors of society have long been denied these human rights, thus rendering them invisible and marginalized;

3. That the LGBTs shall be recognized as important members of society and of nation-building;

4. That every individual shall have the right to state one’s own sexual identity and orientation;

5. That the proclamation and expression of sexual orientation shall not endanger any individual’s rights to life, liberty, and property;

6. That the LGBTs in all sectors of society, after their long struggle with oppression, prejudice, discrimination and gender stereotyping, shall be able to live freely in a gender-sensitive society; and

7. That all the LGBTs who have suffered from oppression and all forms of discrimination shall have the right to pursue justice in the name of human rights.

§ 2.  The Party shall unite and strive to achieve the following Objectives:

1. To ensure that the proclamation and expression of sexual orientation will not endanger any individual by ensuring that the LGBTs are included in all existing and forthcoming laws in the name of human rights;

2. To emphasize that the LGBTs shall not be given special rights;

3. To emphasize that the promotion of laws that fight discrimination is not a surplusage in the Constitution;

         d.  To empower the advocates of the LGBT cause through consolidation, mobilization, and proper         representation ;

         e.     To raise the consciousness of the Filipino people about the LGBT cause;

4. To unite the Filipino people in creating a society free from oppression and all forms of discrimination;

5. To ensure that all the LGBTs who have suffered from oppression and all forms of discrimination have their legal right to pursue justice;

6. To provide legal aid to LGBTs who have suffered from oppression and all forms of discrimination ;

7. To create micro-finance and livelihood programs for everyone, especially LGBT advocates who are poor and handicapped;

8. To form Regional Organizations, Provincial Organizations, and Chapters in municipalities, barangays, private  and public offices;

9. To form alliances across the archipelago with LGBT-cause advocate organizations;

10. To form International Organizations and Chapter  Organizations and other LGBT-cause advocate organizations outside the Philippines where Overseas Filipinos citizens live;

11. To unite with local and international LGBT-cause advocate organizations in the fight against oppression and all forms  of discrimination; and

12. To establish the Ladlad Center for Culture and the Arts focusing on  LGBT Studies that will help raise the consciousness of the people and promote awareness on the LGBT cause.

Article III

MEMBERSHIP

§ 1.  Any Filipino citizen who is at least eighteen (18) years old who accepts and agrees to advance the Principles and Objectives stated in this Constitution may apply for membership in the Party.

§ 2.   Any individual who expresses a desire to be a member of the Party may file an application in any of our Party  Offices.

§ 3.  An applicant shall attend an orientation on the Principles, Objectives, and Programs of the Party prior to becoming a member, followed by the taking of an  Oath of Allegiance.

§ 4.  Membership in the Party may be terminated through voluntary resignation or by expulsion on valid grounds after being given proper hearing and due process.

§ 5.  A member shall be considered in good standing when:

1. A member upholds the Principles and Objectives of this Constitution;

2. A member pays the annual membership fee;

3. A member has not violated any provision in this Constitution; and

4. A member has not violated any policy, decision, and program of the Party. 

Article IV

RIGHTS AND PRIVILEGES OF MEMBERS

§ 1.  All members shall have the following rights and privileges:

1. To know all matters pertaining to the Party by attending Party meetings;

2. To be consulted on all matters pertaining to the Party;

3. To have access to facilities provided by the Party to attain its Objectives as stated in this Constitution;

4. To nominate and elect the officials of the Party;

5. To be nominated, elected, or appointed as officials of the Party; and

6. To recommend activities, projects, and proposals that would advance the LGBT cause before any appropriate body of the Party.

Article V

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS

§ 1.  All members shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

1. To abide by the Constitution of ANG LADLAD and all policies implemented by the appropriate bodies of the Party;

2. To know all matters pertaining to the Party by attending Party meetings;

3. To perform designated tasks in the advancement of the LGBT cause;

4. To pay the annual membership fee; and

        e.      To perform volunteer work for the Party.

Article VI

NATIONAL PARTY CONGRESS

§ 1.  The National Party Congress  shall be convened every three years.

§ 2.  The National Party Congress shall have the following functions:

1. To ratify and amend the Constitution of the Party;

2. To affirm and execute the Programs of the Party; and

3. To decide on all matters within its jurisdiction.

§ 3.  The National Party Congress shall be composed of all members of good standing.

§ 4.   The National Party Congress shall, as it deems fit, form special offices and committees to strengthen and advance the Objectives and Programs of the Party.

§ 5.  The National Party Congress’ organizational structure shall be composed of the:

1. National Executive Committee, which includes the Party Chairperson, Vice-Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, and Media Relations Officer;

2. Regional Organizations, which shall be composed of members within their respective regional jurisdictions;

3. Provincial Organizations, which shall be composed of members within their respective provincial jurisdictions;

4. Chapter Organizations, which shall include all Party members in municipalities, communities, barangays, private or public institutions;

5. International Organizations, which shall be composed of all members who are Overseas Filipinos citizens living outside the Philippines. 

Article VII

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

§ 1.  The National Executive Committee shall implement all the decisions of the National Party Congress, facilitate and administer the regular affairs as well as manage the administration and operations of the Party. 

§ 2.  The National Executive Committee shall be composed of the following:

1. The Party President – will oversee the implementation of the Programs, Policies, and Objectives of the Party.
2. The Party Vice-President – will help the Chairperson in administrative and operational work and will act as Officer-in-Charge if the Chairperson is ill or incapacitated for a period of more than two weeks.
3. The Party Secretary – will keep all records, handle recruitment and membership, and take charge of liaison tasks.
4. The Party Treasurer – will oversee and document all financial transactions, to include fund-raising and disbursement of funds.
5. The Party Media Relations Officer – will disseminate news and information, maintain media contacts, hold media events, as well as maintain the archives and website.

Article VIII

REGIONAL  ORGANIZATION

§ 1.  The Regional Organization shall be composed of all the Provincial Organizations within the limits of its geography. The Regional Organization shall implement the decisions, policies, and Programs of the National Party Congress within its jurisdiction.

§ 2.  The Regional Organization shall be supervised by representatives elected by all Provincial Organization Officials.  The Regional Organization Representatives shall directly report all matters within their  jurisdiction to the National Executive Committee.

§ 3.   The Regional Organization shall ensure Party unity by resolving internal conflicts. 

Article VIII

PROVINCIAL ORGANIZATION

§ 1.  The Provincial Organization shall be composed of all Chapter Organizations within the limits of its geography.  The Provincial Organization shall implement the decisions, policies,, and programs of the National Party Congress within its jurisdiction.

§ 2.  The Provincial Organization shall be supervised by representatives elected by all Chapter Organization Officials.  The Provincial Organization Representatives shall report all matters within their jurisdiction to the Regional Organization.

§ 3.  The Provincial Organization shall ensure Party unity by resolving internal conflicts.

Article IX

CHAPTER ORGANIZATION

§ 1.  The Chapter Organization shall be composed of all the members of the Party within the limits of its geography.  It shall be composed of members from cities, municipalities, barangays, communities, public and private institutions.

§ 2.  The Chapter Organization shall be supervised by elected representatives.  They shall report to the Provincial Organization all matters within their  jurisdiction.

§ 3.  The Chapter Organization shall ensure Party unity by resolving internal conflicts. 

Article X

INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION

§ 1.  The International Organization shall be given the same status as that of a Regional Organization.  Moreover, the influence of the International Organization shall be determined by the limits of its geography.  The International Organization shall exercise autonomy in Party-Level structuring. It shall be composed of Overseas Filipinos who have retained their Philippine citizenship, or are holders of dual citizenship papers.

§ 2.  The International Organization shall be composed of all the Chapter Organizations outside the Philippines.  It shall implement decisions, policies, and Programs of the National Party Congress within its jurisdiction.

§ 3.   The International Organization shall be supervised by representatives elected within the limits of its jurisdiction. The International Organization Representatives shall report to the National Executive Committee all matters within their jurisdiction.

4. The International Organization shall ensure Party unity by resolving internal conflicts.

Article XI

PARTY DISCIPLINE

§ 1.  Any member who violates this Constitution, policies, decisions, and Programs or commits actions contrary to the Party’s interests shall be subject to disciplinary action depending on the gravity of the offense.  Any member shall be given proper hearing and due process before any disciplinary action could be imposed.

§ 2.  An Investigative Committee shall be formed by the appropriate body in the area where the alleged violation has been committed and where the formal complaint has been filed.

§ 3.  The Investigative Committee shall submit a formal written report and recommendation to the appropriate body that formed it, which shall then resolve the matters at hand.

§ 4.  In the case that censure, demotion, or suspension would not apply, expulsion from the Party shall be imposed on any member for violating this Constitution, policies, decisions, and Programs of the Party or setting into motion any action contrary to the Party’s interests.

§ 5.  A member’s expulsion shall be based on two-thirds (2/3) plus one (+1) of the votes cast by the appropriate body.  Decisions on complaints and disciplinary action may be appealed to the next Chapter Organization up to the National Executive Committee.

Article XII

ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

§ 1.  In the event of an election, including an election due to a vacancy declared by the National Executive Committee in case of resignation, incapacity, demise, or impeachment by any Party Official, the National Executive Committee shall form a Commission on Elections composed of three people who are non-Party Officials. These three people are either members of the LGBT community or known, heterosexual supporters of the LGBT cause.

§ 2.  The Commission on Elections shall ensure that all elections be done in the following manner:

1. Secret balloting shall be observed during the elections;

2. The Commission on Elections shall exercise autonomy in the appreciation, inspection, and validation of the votes cast;

3. The Commission on Elections shall authenticate and acknowledge the proclamation;

4. The Commission on Elections shall issue a formal declaration on the newly-elected official;

5. An Oath of Office shall be administered to the newly-elected official by the Presiding Officer of the Commission on Elections.  The Oath of Office shall formalize the assumption into office of the newly-elected official;

6. If the result of the election is being contested, the Commission on Elections shall receive formal, written petitions and complaints. It  shall conduct a formal investigation and observe proper hearing and due process thereto;

7. The Commission on Elections shall resolve petitions and complaints after conducting a formal investigation, observing proper hearing and due process thereto; and

8. The decisions of the Commission on Elections shall be final and irrevocable.

Article XIII

MEETINGS

§ 1.  An Organization must have either a quorum or fifty percent (50%) of its membership plus one (+1) member before any Party meeting could be held.  Any decisions done in the absence of a quorum shall be considered null and void.

§ 2.  A two-thirds (2/3) plus one (+1) vote of the members shall suffice for the approval of any motion during any Party meeting.

§ 3.  All members shall be notified at least a week or seven (7) days before holding Chapter Organizational meetings.  All members shall be notified at least a fortnight, or fifteen (15) days, before holding Provincial, Regional and International Organizational meetings.  All members shall be notified at least a month, or thirty (30) days, before holding National meetings.

Article XIV

MEMBERSHIP FEES

§ 1.  All membership applicants to the Party will pay a yearly membership fee of one hundred pesos (P100) to their respective Chapter Organization. 

§ 2.   The members of the Party are encouraged to donate additional contributions, monetary or otherwise, according to their financial capabilities to their respective Chapter Organization, Provincial Organization, Regional Organization, or International Organization .

§ 3. Volunteer work for the Party is highly encouraged.

Article XVIII

FUNDS AND RESOURCES

§ 1.  The funds of ANG LADLAD shall come from membership fees and voluntary contributions.

§ 2.  Activities and projects to raise funds shall be organized and conducted on a regular basis.

§ 3.  Voluntary contributions, monetary or otherwise, from any entity outside the Party shall be received on the condition that the Party Principles and Objectives shall not be violated and that no Philippine laws shall be transgressed. No funds will be accepted from foreigners and foreign corporations so as not to put into peril the national interest.

Article XIX

SPECIAL PROVISIONS

§ 1.  Interim leaderships and organizations shall be encouraged where standard Party-Level Organizations are still non-existent, until the requirements of this Constitution could be applied and observed.

§ 2.  The Party shall encourage its members to form Regional  and Provincial organizations affiliated with ANG LADLAD.

§ 3.  The formation of these organizations shall recognize the specific circumstances of these regions and provinces.  They may use a different name or a slightly different name, provided that their Program and Constitution shall adhere to the essential parts of the Program and Constitution of ANG LADLAD.

§ 4.  The Party may establish a coalition or build alliances with other parties, organizations, or individuals in the Philippines, or with Overseas Filipinos carrying Philippine citizenship, in line with its Principles, Objectives, and Programs for both electoral campaigns and long-range development plans for the greater good of the LGBT Filipinos.

Article XX

AMENDMENTS

§ 1.  The Constitution of ANG LADLAD may be amended by a two-thirds (2/3) plus one (+1) vote of the members of the National Party Congress.

§ 2.  Any member in good standing may propose to the National Executive Committee any amendments to this Constitution.

§ 3.  The proposed amendments shall be endorsed to the National Party Congress, which shall convene on the next occasion thereon.