The corporation shall be known as the PHILIPPINE COLLEGE OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE, INC.

I. Vision

The national academic body composed of dedicated professional emergency medicine physicians oriented towards quality service; research and training in emergency care, working together towards global recognition.

II. Mission

To achieve national recognition as a distinct specialty in medicine.

To promote emergency care to its highest standard nationwide.

To regulate the practice and training of emergency medicine.

To participate in disaster planning and pre-hospital care.

To innovate emergency medicine practice through research and continuing medical education

ARTICLE I

OFFICE

SECTION 1. The National Office of the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine, unless otherwise relocated shall be at the LG-62 Cityland Pioneer Building, 128 Pioneer Street, Mandaluyong City, Philippines. A postal Address shall be utilized whenever possible.

SECTION 2. The National Office shall house the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine.

SECTION 3. Business hours shall be from 8:00 to 12:00 in the morning and from 1:00 to 5:00 in the afternoon everyday except weekends and holidays.

SECTION 4. College chapters may be established in other regions of the Philippines as may be deemed necessary by the College Board of Directors. Whenever applicable, the College may affiliate with local or international emergency medicine oriented organizations or institutions.

SECTION 5. Official Abbreviations. The following are the official abbreviations of the College.

5.1 PCEM shall stand for the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine.

5.2 PBEM shall stand for the Philippine Board of Emergency Medicine.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. Membership in the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine shall be categorized as follows:

1.1 Diplomate

1.2 Fellow

1.3 Candidate Member

1.4 Associate Member

1.5 Honorary Fellow

1.6 International Member

SECTION 2. DIPLOMATE.    A Diplomate in the College must be:

2.1 A graduate of a duly accredited training program in Emergency Medicine.

2.2 Duly certified by the Philippine Board of Emergency Medicine.

2.3 Licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission.

2.4 In good standing with Philippine Medical Association and local medical society.

SECTION 3. FELLOW.     A Fellow in the College must be:

3.1 A Diplomate of the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine.

3.2 Engaged in the practice of Emergency Medicine for at least one (1) year.

3.3 Must be able to present a certification of competent clinical practice in any of the various fields of Emergency Medicine.

3.4 Conferred by the College as recommended by the Credentials and Membership Committee.

SECTION 4. CANDIDATE MEMBER. A Candidate member must be:

4.1 Currently in residency training and has finished at least one (1) year of Emergency Medicine residency training at a duly accredited institution or medical center; or

4.2 Has completed Emergency training program but has not passed the certifying board exam.

4.3 Licensed by the Professional Regulation Commission.

4.4 In good standing with Philippine Medical Association and local medical society.

SECTION 5.ASSOCIATE MEMBER.

5.1 Has not completed a recognized Emergency Medicine training program but it is engaged in the practice of Emergency Medicine for at least five (5) years;

5.2 Must be able to present a certification of competent clinical practice in the various fields of Emergency Medicine.

5.3 Licensed by Professional Regulation Commission.

5.4 Must be in good standing with Philippine Medical Association and local medical society.

SECTION 6.HONORARY FELLOW.

6.1 A member of the medical profession who has significantly contributed to the advancement of the specialty.

6.2 The certifying board shall recommend honorary Fellowship in the College.

6.3 The awardees shall have the Privileges of a Fellow, but may not vote or hold office and shall have no financial obligations to the College.

6.4 An Honorary Fellow shall not be certified as a Diplomate.

SECTION 7. INTERNATIONAL MEMBER. An International Member must be:

7.1 A licensed medical practitioner in their country of origin.

7.2 Engaged in the practice of Emergency Medicine for at least one (1) year.

SECTION 8. A member shall have the following duties and responsibilities:

8.1   To obey and comply with the by-laws, rules and regulations that may be promulgated by the College;

8.2   To attend all meetings that may be called by the Board of Directors;

8.3 To pay membership dues and other assessments of the College.

SECTION 9. A member shall have the following rights:

9.1 To exercise the right to vote, if eligible, on all matters relating to the affairs of the College;

9.2 To be eligible to any elective or appointive office of the College;

9.3 To participate in all deliberations / meetings of the College.

9.4 To avail of all the facilities of the College;

9.5 To examine all the records or books of the College during business hours.

ARTICLE III

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

SECTION 1. All dues and fees, annual or those that may arise in connection with the College activities shall be determined and set adjusted by the Board of Directors.

SECTION 2. The annual membership fees are as follows:

2.1 Diplomate – Php 1,000.00

2.2 Fellow – Php 2,000.00

2.3 Candidate Member – Php 500.00

2.4 Associate Member – Php 1,500.00

2.5 Honorary Fellow – no annual dues

2.6 International Member – US$ 50.00

SECTION 3. Honorary Fellows, incumbent Board of Examiners and incumbent Board of Directors shall be exempt from payment of charges in connection with College affairs and activities.

SECTION 4. The admission fee for Associate and International Members shall be set, determined and adjusted by the incumbent Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. Payment of all annual fees shall be on or before the 3rd week of April. Registered members may pay either to the PCEM National Office or the Treasurer or his duly appointed representative during the Annual Convention of the College.

SECTION 6. Dues and other financial obligations to the College shall become delinquent 30 days after they due.

ARTICLE IV

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. A member in any of the membership categories in Article II, Section 1 may be dropped from the rolls of the College upon affirmative votes of 2/3 of the Board of Directors acting upon the recommendation of the Credentials and Membership committee or Peer review and Ethics committee.

SECTION 2. Grounds for termination of membership shall be any of the following:

2.1Commission of or involvement in grossly unethical acts.

2.2Any act which is patently inimical to the best interest of the College.

2.3Any conviction for a felony

2.4Withdrawal of license to practice medicine in the Philippines or any country.

SECTION 3. Any member of the College may file a written complaint against another member with the Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. The member concerned will be granted by the Board of Directors the opportunity to defend his case at a meeting duly called for that purpose.

SECTION 5. Any member may voluntarily tender his resignation in writing addressed to the Board of Directors stating, among other things, the reason for his resignation. Whether to accept or not a memberís resignation shall be decided by the Board of Directors in a meeting duly called for that purpose.

SECTION 6. Any member dropped from the rolls of the College may not enjoy the rights and privileges inherent in or appurtenant to, such membership. Ignorance of the aforementioned injunction shall be grounds for legal sanctions.

ARTICLE V

INACTIVE STATUS

SECTION 1. Any member who fails to pay dues and other financial obligations to the College has not paid their financial obligation for two (2) consecutive years.

SECTION 2. Any member who fails to participate in the College annual convention for two (2) consecutive years.

SECTION 3. Any member who has applied for inactive status with the Membership and Credentials Committee.

SECTION 4. Members who are an inactive status shall not be dropped from the rolls of the College.

ARTICLE VI

REINSTATEMENT OR REACTIVATION OF MEMBERS

SECTION 1. Members of the College who have been dropped or separated from the rolls may apply in writing to the Board of Directors for reinstatement. They must, among other things, give the cause or causes for their deficiency, and justification for reinstatement.

SECTION 2. The application for reinstatement shall be subject to:

2.1 Approval by a 2/3-majority vote of Board of Directors,

2.2 By payments of all dues and financial obligations to the College according to his membership category during the entire period of delinquency or separation, and/ or

2.3 By compliance with requirements set by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VII

VOTING PRIVILEGES

SECTION 1. Only Fellows and Diplomates in good standing may vote, but only Fellows may hold office.

SECTION 2. VOTING PROXY ñ Fellows shall be entitled to one vote, and they may vote either in person or by proxy, which shall be in writing and filed with the Secretary of the College before the scheduled meeting.

ARTICLE VIII

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SECTION 1. A Board of Directors composed of nine (9) Fellows shall govern the College. Directors shall hold office for a term of two (2) years without prejudice to reelection for another term only.

SECTION 2. The Board of Directors is charged with the management, direction, and control of the affairs, funds, and properties of the College. It shall determine policies and carry out the purposes and objectives of the College in accordance with the Articles of Incorporation and with the Constitution and By-Laws.

SECTION 3. The presence of six (6) members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum in any meeting of the Board of Directors. In those cases where higher number of percentage is required, the approval of a majority of those in attendance, but in no case less than five (5), shall be a sufficient to carry any motion or resolution of the Board.

SECTION 4. Vacancies in office, however occasioned, shall be filled by majority vote for the Board of Directors and the person so elected shall be hold office for the remainder of the term. A Director shall be considered to have abandoned office if he fails to attend three (3) consecutive Board meetings without justifiable cause, verbal or written.

SECTION 5. Nominations and Election of the Board of Directors:

5.1 The electoral committee shall be convened by the Board of Directors forty five (45) days prior to the end of their term of office.

5.2 The electoral committee shall be composed of the Chair of the By-Laws, Credentials and Membership and Ethics and Peer Review Committees.

5.3 The electoral committee shall set the rules for the conduct of the elections.

5.4 Members of the electoral committee are barred from seeking elective office for the duration of their term of office.

5.5 The electoral committee shall be responsible for the proclaiming the new set of Board of Directors.

5.6 Their term of office shall end forty five (45) days after proclamation of the new Board of Directors and having no pending electoral disputes.

ARTICLE IX

OFFICERS

SECTION 1. The following are the officers of the College:

1.1President

1.2Vice President

1.3Secretary-General

1.4Treasurer

1.5Auditor

1.6Liaison Officer

1.7Committee Heads

SECTION 2. Duties of Officers

2.1 President

2.1.1 He shall preside at all meetings of the College and the Board of Directors.

2.1.2 He may create special Committees and shall appoint the chairman and members of all standing and special committees with the approval of the Board of Directors.

2.1.3 He shall approve all statements of the accounts and disbursement of the College and Board of Directors.

2.1.4 He shall perform all such duties as are incumbent upon the office.

2.1.5 He shall submit to the Board and members of the College a complete report of activities and operations of the College for the fiscal year under his term.

2.1.6 He shall be the official delegate to the PMA House of Delegates and any other organization.

2.2 Vice President

2.2.1 He shall assist the President in the discharge of his duties.

2.2.2 He shall take over the functions of the President in the absence or incapacity of the President for that duration.

2.2.3 He shall be the alternate delegate to the Philippine Medical Association House of Delegates or any other organization.

2.3 Secretary General

2.3.1 He shall be the custodian of all the records of the College and the Board of Directors.

2.3.2 He shall keep on file the minutes of all the proceedings of all College and Board of Directors Meetings

2.3.3 He shall send all notices of meetings as required by the College and Board of Directors and shall generally perform such duties as are inherent in the office of the Secretary General.

2.4       Treasurer

2.4.1 He shall serve as the chief financial officer.

2.4.2 He shall submit financial reports to the Board of Directors at least quarterly.

2.4.3 The Treasurer and President shall countersign all disbursements.

2.5 Auditor

2.5.1 He shall inspect and examine the financial sheets/books of the College and

2.5.2 He shall report to the Board of Directors when so requested.

2.6 Liaison Officer

2.6.1 He shall act as liaison between the College and the College chapters affiliate organizations and emergency medicine oriented organization or institutions.

2.6.2 He shall be the designated representative of the College to all social functions.

ARTICLE X

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. The standing committee of the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine shall be the following:

1.1 Committee on By-Laws

1.2 Committee on Credentials and Membership

1.3 Committee on Ethics and Peer Review

1.4 Committee on Annual Convention

1.5 Committee on Research and Academic Affairs

1.6 Committee on Disaster Management and EMS

1.7 Committee on Standard of Practice

SECTION 2. Committee Procedures

1.1 Committees are composed of at least five (5) members who are either Fellows or Diplomates of the College.

1.2 Term of office will be two (2) years except for the Annual Convention Committee, which will be one (1) year.

1.3 The Chair of the committee should be a Fellow appointed by the Board of Directors and has the authority to appoint committee members.

1.4 Committees shall meet at least quarterly or at the call of the Chair and quorum shall be fifty percent (50%) plus one.

1.5 Action maybe taken without a meeting by unanimous consent in writing signed by each member entitled to vote.

1.6 Minute of each regular meeting by committee shall be prepared and shall include a record of attendance or absence and the vote taken on each matter.

1.7 Committees shall make written reports and recommendations to the Board of Directors.

SECTION 3. Functions of each of the standing committees are as follows:

3.1 Committee on By-Laws

3.1.1 To prepare for approval by the Board of Directors any changes in the By-Laws and rules and regulations of the College.

3.1.2 To serve as final arbiters in the interpretation of the By-Laws.

3.2 Committee on Credentials and Membership

3.2.1 To screen all applicants for membership or reinstatement and to monitor the standing of the members and make appropriate recommendations to the Board of Directors.

3.2.2 To screen applicants and recommend examinations those qualified to take the specialty examinations.

3.3 Committee on Ethics and Peer Review

3.3.1 To provide the venue to hear complaints filed against a member of the College allowing due process.

3.3.2 To interpret the Code of Ethics and determine the applicability in such instances as may be required.

3.4 Committee on Annual Convention

3.4.1 To take charge of the planning and programming of all activities for the annual convention.

3.5Committee on Research and Academic Affairs

3.5.1 To plan, organize and implement scientific programs, seminars, and continuing medical education programs.

3.5.2 To take the charge of research contests and provide incentives and proposals for research.

3.5.3 To take charge of the official publication of the College

3.6Committee on Disaster Management and EMS

3.6.1 To coordinate and maintain relations with national and non-governmental organization involved in disaster preparedness and management.

3.6.2 To propose legislation in the aid of disaster management and pre-hospital care.

3.7 Committee on Standard of Practice

3.7.1 To establish and maintain clinical practice guidelines;

3.7.2 To periodically review and recommend minimum revenue unit value for the practice.

3.7.3 To promote standard of care in Emergency Medicine in national and international bodies.

ARTICLE XI

ACCREDITATION BOARD

SECTION 1. The Philippine College of Emergency Medicine shall have an autonomous body known as the Philippine Board of Emergency Medicine or PBEM with following functions:

1.1 Accreditation of Emergency Training Program

1.2 Administration of the Specialty Board Exam

1.3 Conferment of Diplomate status

SECTION 2. The Philippine Board of Emergency Medicine shall consist of seven (7) members.

SECTION 3. The Philippine Board of Emergency Medicine Board of Directors qualifications are as follows:

3.1 Should be in active practice of Emergency Medicine for at least five (5) years

3.2      Certified by the Philippine Board of Emergency Medicine

3.3      Fellow in good standing.

SECTION 4. The Philippine Board of Emergency Medicine terms of office are as follows:

4.1 The Chairman and the Vice Chairman will be replaced every two (2) years

4.2 Two new members shall be appointed every two (2) years by the Board of Directors

ARTICLE XII

COLLEGE FISCAL YEAR AND MEETINGS

SECTION 1. The fiscal year of the Philippine College of Emergency Medicine shall be from May 1 to April 30.

SECTION 2. The College shall hold its annual meeting at such time and place as may be designated by the Board of Directors, but should not be later than the 30th of April.

SECTION 3. Special meetings of the College may be called by the President, or upon request of a majority of the Board of Directors, or on written demand of one-third of all Fellows.

SECTION 4. The Board of Directors shall hold regular meetings at least once every two (2) months. It may also be convened at the direction of the President or upon request of at least three (3) members of the Board of Directors.

SECTION 5. Scientific and Business meetings should be held as frequent as possible but at least once a year.

SECTION 6. At business meetings, majority of Fellows and Diplomates in good standing with the College shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 7. Advanced notice shall be served on all College members one (1) month before the next scheduled annual meeting. Ten (10) days advanced notice shall be served on all Directors for special meetings of the Board. Seven (7) days advanced notice shall be served on all College members for special or emergency College meetings.

ARTICLE XIII

SEAL

SECTION 1. The Philippine College of Emergency Medicine shall have a prescribed seal which shall, whenever possible, appear in all stationeries, streamers, emblems, certificates, documents and momentous of the College.

ARTICLE XIV

AMENDMENTS OF THE BY-LAWS

SECTION 1. The following may propose amendments to the constitution and By-Laws.

1.1A majority of the Board of Directors meeting for the purpose of recommending an amendment.

1.2 Twenty (20) percent of the Fellows.

1.3 The Committee on Constitution and By-Laws.

SECTION 2. All proposed amendments shall be circulated to all members one (1) month before the next College annual meeting.

SECTION 3. The constitution and by-laws may be amended by two-thirds (2/3) of the votes cast in the meeting of Fellows provided the requirements for a quorum is met.

ARTICLE XV

TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

SECTION 1. The transition period of the College shall cover the duration from the PCEM Foundation Day to the ratification of the College as Philippine Medical Association affiliate subspecialty society of Family Medicine by the PMA House of Delegates.

SECTION 2. The first Board of Directors shall be composed of ten (10) Fellows, with equal representation from each original society and from whom the first set of officers shall be obtained.

SECTION 3. The election of the first officers shall be at such date, time and place as may be designated by the Founding Board of Directors.

SECTION 4. The title of Fellow shall be conferred to the following:

4.1 Fellows in good standing of the original societies

4.2 Founders of the original societies who are presently in active practice of Emergency Medicine and choose to be recognized as Fellow.

After the Transition Period, all applicants for Fellow shall be subjected to provisions in ARTICLE II.

SECTION 5. The title of Honorary Fellow shall be conferred to Founders of the original societies. After the Transition Period, all nominees for Honorary Fellow shall be subjected to provisions in ARTICLE II.

SECTION 6. Specialists other than Emergency Medicine physicians with some training and experience in emergency care and actively practicing in emergency facilities during the transition period may apply for Associate Member and be appointed as such by the incumbent Board of Directors after compliance with the requirements set by the Philippine of Emergency Medicine and Committee on Membership and Credentials. All applicants for Associate Member after the Transition Period shall be subject to provisions in ARTICLE II.

SECTION 7. Fellows in good standing from the original societies will be recognized as such until the next fiscal year.

SECTION 8. All provisions in the College By-Laws shall be applied during the Transition Period whenever possible.