In line with Memorandum Circulars (MCs) Nos. 2020-10, 2020-12 and 2020-13, which were issued due to the exigencies brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, the Authority hereby allows the oath taking ceremonies of elected cooperative officers to be conducted via video conferencing.
Following the Democratic Member Control Principle stated under paragraph 2, Article 4, of the Philippine Cooperative Code of 2008 (R.A. No. 9520), cooperatives are democratic organizations that are controlled by their members who actively participate in setting their policies and making decisions. Thus, cooperatives may incorporate and indicate in their Election Policies and Guidelines, the procedures to follow if they opt to conduct the oath taking through video conference, including the protocol to be observed by the attendees to ensure the solemnity of the ceremony. This may include the registration process, joining period, dress code and proof of attendance.
Failure of the elected officers to comply with any of the guidelines set by the cooperative may be considered as non-attendance, tantamount to non-fulfillment of the oath requirement to become a full-fledged officer. This can also be a ground to deny a subsequent request to take the oath.
Please be advised that the Authority allows the foregoing unorthodox oath taking to be pro hac vice, which means that due to the present pandemic, the same shall apply only to those officers duly elected during the 2020 Annual General Assembly meetings.
For your information and guidance.
(Sgd) Usec. ORLANDO R. RAVANERA
Chairman
