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ARTICLE I
: NAME

This community of medical, surgical and allied specialists
involved in cancer shall be known as “Philippine Society of Oncologist, Inc.[1]  “ , which is an
affiliate society of the Philippine Medical Association.

ARTICLE II : NATIONAL OFFICE

The national office shall be in Metro Manila, Philippines, as
designated by the Executive Council.

ARTICLE III : OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the Society are:

1.    
To
bring together the various disciplines engaged in the study, diagnosis and
management of neoplastic diseases.

2.    
To
promote the advancement of the science and practice of oncology.

3.    
To
maintain the highest standards of practice in oncology.

4.    
To
foster cancer research and technological development.

5.    
To
assist in the national cancer control program.

6.    
To
promote the interest, welfare and proficiency of its members.

7.    
To
promote and perpetuate good fellowship among its members.

ARTICLE
IV : MEMBERSHIP

Section 1 – Categories of
Membership

Membership in the Philippine Society of Oncologists, shall be in
any following categories:

1.1Fellow

1.2Senior Fellow

1.3Affiliate Member

1.4Corresponding Member

1.5Honorary Member

Section 2
–
Qualifications required:

2.1 A fellow shall fulfill the following requirements:

1. Shall be a Filipino citizen, duly licensed to practice
medicine in the Philippines and registered with the Professional Regulation
Commission.

2. Shall be a bona fide member of the Philippine Medical
Association.

3. Shall have satisfactory moral, ethical and professional
standing in the Specialty society and community.

4. Shall have passed the certifying examination of his/her
specialty society/ board.

5. Shall be a registered Fellow or its equivalent and be an
active member of HIS/HER specialty society recognized by the Philippine
Society of Oncology.

6. Shall have demonstrated special interest in a particular
field of oncology such as training program or research.

2.2 A Senior Fellow is one who has been a Fellow in good
standing and Has reached the age of (65) years, or one who has been a Fellow
in Good standing for at least Ten (10) consecutive years but has retired from
the practice of medicine due to illness or incapacity.

Upon approval of his application he will continue to be listed
in the roster of Fellows, but shall not pay the annual dues or have the right
to vote or be required to attend the meetings.

2.3 Affiliate member is

1. A licensed physician who has shown special interest in
oncology but is not yet a registered fellow and active member of his/her
specialty society/board its equivalent.

2. An allied health professional in oncology (oncology nurse,
researcher, and other health specialists) who have demonstrated their ability
to participate in the study and care of patients with neoplastic disease.

2.4 A corresponding Member is a physician residing, and licensed
to Practice medicine in a foreign country, with special interest in a field
of oncology.

2.5 An Honorary Member may be awarded by the Executive Council
upon recommendation of the Committee on Credentials and Membership, based on
the following criteria:

1. Shall have attained national or international distinction in
field of oncological and allied sciences.

2. Shall have rendered meritorious humanitarian services or
endeavors for the

promotion of cancer control.

An Honorary Member shall have the privileges of membership
but may not vote or hold office. He shall not pay annual dues.[2] [3] 

Section 3 – Admission to
Membership[4] 

3.1 A Fellow or corresponding Member is admitted to the Society
by applying to the Executive Council. The Committee on Credentials and
Membership shall review his qualifications and make its recommendations to
the Executive Council for final action.

3.2 Application for charge of status to Senior Fellow is coursed
through the Committee on Credentials and Membership who shall make its
recommendation to the Executive Council for final action.

3.3 Affiliate Members must be sponsored by two active society members.[5] 

ARTICLE V
: RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS

Section 1 – Duties and
Obligations

To be deemed in good standing, a fellow:

1.1. Shall affix his signature in the official Roll of Fellows
of the Society;

1.2 Shall conduct himself according to the prescribed Code of
Ethics of the Philippine Medical Association;

1.3 Shall attend and participate in meetings, seminars,
conventions and other Activities of the Society;

1. Shall attend at least 50% of seminars of the society in a
year.[6] 

2. Shall attend the annual convention including the business
meeting at least once every 2 years unless excused for cause; and

1.4 Shall regularly pay his dues, fees and other assessments.[7] 

Section 2
– Rights and Privileges

1.5 A Fellow shall have the right to affix the title of Fellow
of the Philippine Society of Oncology, Inc. (F.P.S.O.) after his name and
academic degree and in professional communications.

1.6 A Fellow in good standing shall have the right to vote and be voted upon[8]  Unless disqualified by
virtue of the provisions of these By-Laws, such, As in the case of Senior
Fellows, Affiliate Members, Corresponding Members and Honorary
Members[9] .

1.7 Shall have the right to vote, be eligible to serve on
committees, hold office, and participate in activities of the society.

1.8 An Affiliate Member will have the right to:

a. attend meetings

b.will be eligible to serve on all committees of the Society.

1.9 Affiliate Members cannot vote or hold office in the Society

1.10 All categories of Members shall be entitled to participate
in all functions of the Society.

Section 3
– Inactive Members

A member is declared inactive if he fails:

3.1 to pay dues and other financial obligations to the Society
for three consecutive years without justifiable cause.

3.2 to attend at least 50% of seminars in the previous year, or

3.3 to attend the annual convention for 2 consecutive years
without justifiable cause. Notice of such delinquency shall be sent to the
member by registered mail after which all privileges of membership shall be
suspended.

Section 4
– An
inactive member may apply for reinstatement:

4.1 by paying dues in arrears both for current and past years,

4.2 by writing a letter expressing continued interest in
membership

Such application shall be evaluated by the Committee on
Membership and Regional Chapters and recommended to the Council for final
action.

Section 5 –       Section 5 – If within a period of
three (3) years after he is notified by registered mail of his inactive
status, a Fellow fails to apply for reinstatement without justifiable
explanation, he shall be automatically dropped from the roster of the
Society. Notice of such action shall be communicated to the inactive Fellow
at his last registered address.

ARTICLE VI : DUES AND FEES

Section 1 – The annual membership dues
shall be determined by the Executive Council and presented to the general
membership during the Annual Convention.

Section 2 – The annual membership dues
shall be paid by the Fellows within the current year.

Section 3 – The Executive Council may
impose assessments and fees for projects, special purposes and other
activities as deemed necessary to carry out the objectives of the Society
such as application fee, induction fees, convention fee, etc.

Section 4 – Senior Fellows and Honorary
Members are exempted from paying these dues and fees.

ARTICLE VII : ETHICS AND
DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Section 1 – Ethics

1.1 Recognizing HIS professional
responsibilities and the integrity of his specialty, all members of the
Philippine Society of Oncology must pledge to the Code of Ethics of the
Philippine Medical Association. He shall be so guided in a manner befitting
the dignity of his specialty.[10] 

1.2 Each member, upon being accepted no[11]  the Society, shall receive and sign a copy of the Oath of Fellowship
to the Society at the same time of induction.[12] [13] 

Section 2 – Disciplinary
Action

2.1 A complaint against any member of the Society for violation of the
Code of Ethics, unprofessional or unethical acts, shall be filed with the
President of the Society.

2.2 This complaint shall be referred to the Committee of Ethics.

2.3 The committee shall conduct an investigation within 15 days from
its receipt of the complaint. The concerned member shall be given ample
opportunity to answer the charges against him before the committee.

2.4 The committee shall submit the results of the investigation and its
Recommendation to the Executive Council within 120 days after start of the
Investigation.

2.5 The Executive Council shall review the recommendations and take
action within 60 days from receipt of the committee report.

Section 3 – Guidelines for Violation and Committed Acts

3.1 Unethical act – violation of the provisions ad[14]  precepts of the
Code of Ethics of Philippine Medical Association.

3.2 Unprofessional act – an act not in conformity with the standards of the medical profession.[15] 

3.3 Guidelines on unethical or unprofessional
act applicable to the specialty of the oncology shall be formulated by the
Committee on Ethics and Professional Relations subject to approval of
Executive.[16] 

Section 4 – Guidelines for Penalty

The penalty
that shall be imposed shall be commensurable to the gravity of the offense
and as to whether it is a first or repeated offense. The penalties are
(1)Reprimand (2) fine (3) suspension for a definite or indefinite period (4)
expulsion from the society.[17] 

ARTICLE VIII : EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

Section 1 – There shall
be an Executive Council who shall exercise the corporate powers of the
Society, conduct its business and administer its funds and property.

Section 2 – The council shall consist of four (4) Executive Officers (President,
Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer), five (5) Executive Councilors, and the
Immediate Past President.[18] 

Section 3 – The members
of the Executive Council shall be elected during the annual meeting for a Term of one year.[19] 

Section 4 – Any vacancy
in the Executive Council shall be filled by the Executive Council if still
constituting a quorum within 30 days from the time of declaration of the
vacancy. Such elected Executive Council shall serve only the unexpired term
of that office.

Section 5 – The
Chairman of standing committees shall be ex-officio members of the Council unless they are regular members[20] . As such, they
shall have a voice but shall not vote in the deliberations of the council.

Section 6 – The
functions of the Executive Council shall be:

6.1 to act as the policy-making body of the Society and to carry out
the provisions of the By-Laws of the Society.

6.2 to determine the activities of the Society during its tenure in
office;

6.3 to approve the appointment of the officers, committees and other
positions as submitted the President;

6.4 to appropriate funds for projects and other activities of the
Society;

6.5 to accept donations, grants, bequests and other kinds of
contributions on behalf of the Society;

6.6 to manage, invest and otherwise conserve the funds and assets of
the Society;

6.7 to act on applications for admission, change of status,
inactivation, reinstatement, resignation, dropping from the rolls of members;

6.8 to approve or amend proposals or recommendations of the officers
and Committees;

6.9 to fill up vacancies in the Executive Council in the event of
resignation, termination , incapacity or death.

6.10 to perform any function or duty that will further the objectives
of the Society.

Section 7 – Meetings

7.1 The Executive Council shall meet at least six times a year at such
date, time and place as the President may designate.

7.2 A special meeting may be called by the President or upon the
written request of at least four members of the Executive Council.

7.3 The presence of a majority of the regular
member of the Executive Council at least one Executive officer is present
shall constitute a quorum.[21] 

Section 8 – The members of the Executive Council
including the Executive Officers shall not received financial compensation
for the services rendered to the Society.[22] 

However, they may be reimbursed for the expense[23]  incurred in
relation to the official duties such as council and committee meetings,
travel, production of materials to be utilized for Society activities as
approved by the Executive Council.

Section 9 – The executive Council by a vote of at least 2/3 of its
members may remove from office any elected or appointed Executive Councilor
or officer of the Society for deliberate failure to comply with his duties
and responsibilities or due to incapacity to serve after a reasonable period
of notice.

ARTICLE IX : OFFICERS

Section 1 – The Executive Officers of the Society shall
be the President, Vice-President, Secretary, and Treasurer.[24]  They shall be
elected by the Executive Council from among its members for a term of one
year. They may be re-elected to the same position for one more year. One year
should elapse before the officer shall be eligible for election to the same
position.

Section 2 – Other officers as may be deemed necessary by the Council
shall be appointed by the President subject to the approval of the Council.

Section 3 – The term of office of the newly elected officers shall
commence on the first day of January or as soon as they qualify thereafter
and terminate on the last day of December of the same year or until their
successors shall be elected and qualified.

Section 4 – An office may be permanently vacated by resignation,
incapacity or death of the incumbent. In case of prolonged absence, illness
or incapacity of the President, the Council may by 2/3 vote declare the
office vacant in which case the Vice-President, shall assume the presidency
until such time that the President may resume his
duties. In case the office of the President and Vice-President both become
vacant, the Secretary shall act as President until such time that the Council
can meet for the purpose of electing a new President until the next regular
election.

Section 5 – The duties of the
President shall be:

5.1 to be the Chief Executive Officer of the Society;

5.2 to preside over all meetings of the Executive Council and of the
Society.

5.3 to officially represent the Society in the official functions,
meetings and other related activities

5.4 to appoint other officers and members of committees with approval
of the Council;

5.5 to sign all certificates, reports, communications, checks,
contacts, deeds and other instruments;

5.6 to carry out or cause to be carried out all orders or resolutions
of the Council; And

5.7 to perform all duties incident to the office of the President and
such other duties as may be assigned by the Council

Section 6 – The[25]  duties of the Vice-President shall be:

6.1 to discharge the duties and responsibilities of the President in
the absence or incapacity of the latter;

6.2 to perform such other functions as may be assigned by the President
or the Board.

Section 7 – The duties of the
Secretary shall be:

7.1 to keep a record of the meeting of the Council and the Society;

7.2 to act as the custodian of the records and the seal of the Society;

7.3 to take charge of correspondence of the Society and Council

including notices of meetings, notification of appointments and other
communications;

7.4 to issue and sign with the President certificates of membership,
awards, communications and similar instruments;

7.5 to render annual reports in behalf of the President and the
Council;

7.6 to keep a list of all members showing address, dates of admission,
and other data; and

7.7 to perform all duties incident to the office of the Secretary and
such other duties as may be assigned by the President or the Board.

Section 8 – The duties of the
Treasurer shall be:

8.1 to collect dues and other fees from members and receive grants,
donations,

Bequests and contributions from any source;

8.2 to deposit all moneys, checks and other funds of the Society in a
bank or banks

Designates by the Council;

8.3 to pay all expenses approved by the Executive Council or President;

8.4 to prepare a balance sheet and statement of financial condition of
the Society and report the same at the Annual Meeting;

8.5 to sign with the President all checks, vouchers, accounts and
similar instruments of the Society; and to perform all the duties incident to
the office of the Treasurer, and such other duties assigned by the President
or the Council.

ARTICLE X: COMMITTEES

Section 1 – There shall
be organized Committees for the purpose of planning and implementing
activities and studies for the Society. The Standing Committees shall be as
follows:

1.1 Committee on Annual Convention

1.2 Committee on Awards

1.3 Committee on By-Laws and Legislation

1.4 Committee on Chapters

1.5 Committee on Credentials and Membership

1.6 Committee on Election and Nominations

1.7 Committee on Ethics

1.8 Committee on External Affairs

1.9 Committee on Publications

1.10 Committee on Research

1.11 Committee on Scientific Activities

1.12 Committee on Social Responsibility

1.13 Committee on Ways and Means

Section 2 – Each
Standing Committee shall be composed of a Chairman and at least four (4)
members who shall be appointed by the President with the approval of the
Executive Council;

Section 3 – Members of
standing committees shall hold office until their successors shall have been
appointed.

Section 4 – The
President and the Secretary shall be ex-officio members of all Committees.

Section 5 – Each
Committee shall meet at least two (2) times a year and as needed to
accomplish its functions. The presence of a majority of the members
constitutes a quorum.

Section 6 – Each
committee shall render a progress report of its plans and activities to the
Council as required and an annual report at the Annual Meeting.

Section 7 – Special
Committees may be created for particular purposes or projects by the Council
and shall cease to exist upon the accomplishment of such purpose or project and the submission of the final report to the Council.

Section 8 – The functions of the Committee on Annual Convention
shall be:

8.1. to prepare and implement the arrangements for the Annual
Convention in coordination with other committees concerned such as a
Scientific Program, Ways and Means, Publications, External Affairs, etc.

Section 9 – 9.1. to
recommend the categories of awards that the Society shall confer and the
conditions for such award;

9.2.    to screen all nominations
for the awards.

Section 10 – The functions of
the Committee on By-Laws and Legislation shall be:

10.1. to receive, act, and recommend to the Council proposals for the
amendments of the By-Laws

Section 11 – The functions of
the Committee on Chapters:

11.1 to promote the formation of regional chapters in various parts of
the country;

11.2 to screen the qualifications of regional chapters which apply for
recognition and make recommendation to the Executive
Council.

Section 12 – The functions of the Committee on Chapters:

12.1 to recommend guidelines for admission for membership pursuant to
provisions for qualifications required in these By-Laws;

12.2 to accept applications for membership, evaluate and recommend to
the Executive Council appropriate action according to the merits of the
applicants;

12.3 to screen nominations for Honorary Membership and recommend to the
Executive Council:

12.4 to maintain a current registry of members in good standing;

12.5 to recommend the change of status to Senior Fellow, the
inactivation Of members and reinstatement of inactive members after
compliance with requirements in the By-Laws;

Section 13 – The functions of the Committee on Election and Nominations:

13.1 to conduct the election of members of the Executive Council during the Annual Meeting accordance with the rules and procedures approved by the Executive Council;

13.2 the screen candidates
nominated for election to the Executive Council and to present the qualified
candidates during the election proceedings of the Annual Meeting.

Section 14 – The functions of the Committee on Ethics shall be:

14.1 to receive, investigate, and evaluate complaints against a member
pertinent to ethical and professional practice;

14.2 to recommend guidelines on ethical relations among oncologists
with other physicians, health workers and the public.

Section 15 – The functions of the Committee on External Affairs shall be:

15.1   to act as liaison of the
Philippines Society of Oncology with other medical organizations, government
agencies, media and other health related institutions.

15.2. to study and make recommendations to the Executive Council on
proposed or approved legislation, ordinances, executive orders, rules and
regulations and similar issuances by competent authorities, either government
or private, affecting the practice of oncology.

Section 16 – The functions of the Committee on Publications shall be:

16.1 to prepare and publish the official newsletter and journal of the
Society;

16.2 to inform the public through the media news regarding the programs
and activities of the Society;

16.3 to publish educational and publicity materials on cancer for the
general public.

Section 17 – The functions of the Committee on Research

17.1. to promote research among members of the Society.

Section 18 – The functions of
the Committee on Scientific Activities shall be:

18.1 to plan a program of scientific meetings, seminars or postgraduate
courses for the Society or in collaboration with other medical societies or
professional health organizations;

18.2 to take charge of the preparation, arrangements and coordination
of such scientific meeting.

Section 19 – The functions of the Committee on Social Responsibility are:

19.1 to plan and organize activities for community awareness and public
Education on cancer;

19.2 to conduct creative activities for cancer patients

Section 20 – The functions of the Committee on Ways and Means shall be:

20.1. to plan and organize activities to raise funds for the Society.

ARTICLE XI : MEETINGS

Section 1 – Annual Convention

The Society shall hold its annual convention during the fourth quarter
of every year or at such other time as may be determined by the Executive
Council for special reasons. At this annual convention, there shall be a
business meeting, the agenda of which shall include the reports of the
President and Treasurer. The election of Executive Council members shall be
held at this annual convention; the election of the executive council
Officers will follow once the Executive Councilors have been elected.

Section 2 – Conduct of Election

There shall be a Committee on Election and Nominations composed of not
less than Six(6) members appointed by the president with the approval of the
Executive council to conduct the election of Council, the Committee’s
decision on matters of procedure and content shall be final.

Section 3 – Special Meetings

The Executive Council by majority of its members may call for special meeting of the Society
when necessary to act on urgent matters.

Section 4 – Quorum

The presence of at least 30 Fellows in good standing shall constitute a
Quorum.

Section 5 – Scientific Meetings

The Society shall hold at least two (2) scientific meetings every
fiscal year. The date and venue of these meetings shall be approved and
decided by the Executive Council.

ARTICLE XII : SECRETARIAT

A national secretariat shall be organized which will be situated in the
national office in Metro Manila, Philippines. The secretariat shall assist
the Executive Council, officers and committees in the operation and
activities of the Society. The personnel of the secretariat, their functions
and compensation shall be determined by the Executive Council upon
recommendation of the President.

ARTICLE XIII : CHAPTERS

Section 1 – The
Executive Council upon petition of at least ten (10) Fellows in good standing
may establish chapters in different regions, provinces or cities of the
Philippines.

Section 2 – The by-laws
of the Chapter shall not be inconsistent with that of the Society.

Section 3 – The
Executive Council shall promulgate rules and regulations governing these
chapters.

Section 4 – A Chapter
may elect its officers to administer the affairs of the chapter.

Such officers shall render an annual report through the Executive
Council.

Section 5 – A Chapter
may levy annual dues as it may decide provided the annual membership fees and
assessments to the Society are remitted to the Treasurer of the Society.

Section 6 – When for
any reason, the membership of the Chapter for 3 consecutive years falls to
five (5) or less, the Executive Council at its discretion may abolish the
charter of the Chapter.

ARTICLE XIV : FUNDS

Section 1 – Source of Funds

The Funds of the Society shall come mainly from dues and fees as
determined under Article VI. Other sources of income shall be grants,
donations, bequests, other contributions, income from deposits and
investments, sales of assets, fund raising activities and others.

Section 2 – The funds
may be deposited in a bank or may be invested in such a manner as determined
by the Executive Council with the view of safeguarding the assets of the
Society.

Section 3 – Funds
shall be appropriated by the Executive Council to defray the expenses of the
Society in the pursuant of its projects and objectives.

ARTICLE XV : PUBLICATIONS

Section 1 – Newsletter

An official Newsletter shall be published regularly. The
editor-in-chief shall be appointed by the Executive Council.

Section 2 – Journal

The Journal shall be published, with the editor to be appointed by the
President with approval of the Executive Council. His term of office shall be
three years without Prejudice to re-appointment.

ARTICLE XVI : SEAL, BANNER AND
PRESIDENTIAL MEDALLION

Section 1 – The Society
shall have an official seal which shall consist of two concentric   circles; within the two circles are the
words “Philippine Society of Oncologists, Inc., 1964 “ and within
the inner circle is a staff of Aesculapius piercing a crab – symbolizing the
battle against cancer.

Section 2 – The
Official Seal shall be affixed on all documents, certificates of membership
and in Communications.

Section 3 – The
Official Banner contains the seal of the Society against a white background.
The Letters and staff are in black, the snake in yellow and the crab in red.

Section 4 – The
Official Banner shall be prominently displayed in all meetings and similar
gatherings of the Society.

Section 5 – The name
and seal of the Society shall be engraved in Presidential Medallion. It shall
Be made of silver with the diameter of 6.5 cm. hanging from a red ribbon. It
is transferred from the outgoing President of the Society during the
Induction Ceremonies.

ARTICLE XVII : AMENDEMENTS

Section 1 – A Fellow
in good standing may propose an amendment to the By-Laws.

Section 2 – The
proposed amendment(s) shall be submitted in writing to the Executive Council
and forwarded to the Committee on By-Laws and Legislation for discussion.

Section 3 – The
Committee may approve, modify or disapprove such proposed amendment(s) by
majority vote, submitting its recommendations to the Executive Council.

Section 4 – Upon
adoption or modification by the Executive Council by majority vote, the
proposed amendment(s) shall be circulated to all Fellows in good standing at
least thirty(30) Days before the Annual Meeting or Special meeting called for
that purpose.

Section 5 – At the
meeting, the general membership shall discuss and vote upon the proposed
amendment(s). An affirmative vote of at least a majority of the members
present shall be required for adoption of the amendment(s).

Section 6 – An
amendment approved by the membership shall be effective immediately unless
Otherwise provided in the amendment.