THE OUTSTANDING COUNCILORS OF THE PHILIPPINES (TOCP) AWARD

Brief History:    

It was year 2006 during the incumbency of JCI Philippines (Philippine Jaycees) National President ISMAEL P. PENADO, the brainchild of the project conceived the idea of giving due recognition to Philippine Councilors for their outstanding achievements and excellent deeds to their constituents. Realizing that it is also important to bestow awards to our local legislators for their exceptional works and meritorious service in their respective community benefiting their constituents. It was at this point that he set an appointment for an exploratory talk with Mandaue City Councilor,  Atty. Carlo Pontico R. Fortuna who is a former JCI Philippines 2005 General Legal Counsel, 2003 Comelec Chairman and 2006 President of the JCI Mandaue who then at that time the incumbent National President of the Philippine Councilors League (PCL). Both these two distinguished gentlemen being a well seasoned JCI member agreed with the proposal to confer said award.  It's first MOA signing was held last last August 24, 2006 in which Sen. Edgardo J. Angara accepted to be the main sponsor.

Project Profile;

       The Outstanding Councilor of the Philippines (TOCP) Award will now become an annual undertaking of the  JCI Philippines in partnership with the Philippine Councilors League. In its 1st year the Office of Senator Edgardo J. Angara has agreed to be the major sponsor of the project.  The said award will join the two other flagship projects of JCI Philippines, namely The Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) Award and The Outstanding Policemen of the Philippines (TOPP) Award  where over the years, both awards have become  institutions, having developed a reputation for its selectiveness of outstanding young men and the men in uniform upon whom the award is conferred.  For 48 years, TOYM seeks to give recognition to young men and women whose selfless dedication to their profession or vocation has resulted in significant contributions to the welfare of their country men and our country at large, as well as to the advancement of their respective fields of endeavor.  The awardees who have become light of the nation totaling 394 by now, is literally a Philippine “Who’s Who” in outstanding achievement in areas such as community service, the arts, literature, journalism, education law, politics, agriculture, science and technology, economics, banking, business, sports, government service, and other fields of endeavor. The TOPP has been successfully given for the last 39 years in recognition of the exceptional and outstanding  achievements of our men  and women in uniform rendered beyond the call of duty. 

      While this two other awards give recognition purely to humanitarian work, the TOCP Awards is uniquely given for outstanding leadership and excellent contributions to local legislation, governance and the nation at large.  Its primary aim is for the recognition of the outstanding achievement of our nation’s councilors which have benefited significantly their constituents, the community and the nation. Likewise, it will also inspire others, especially the youth, with the recognition to these achievements and/or leadership of the awardees-leaders who have demonstrated vigor and innovativeness in tackling the problems of society and offering solutions. Moreover, the said award will also challenge and inspire councilors to become development-oriented and to excel beyond the ordinary.

      As agreed by the proponents the general criteria for the search will be based on the principles as stated in the Jaycee Creed and the JCI organization on its goal and mission  "to contribute to the advancement of the global community by providing young persons with the opportunity to develop leadership skills, social responsibility and fellowship for a positive change".   This mission finds basis in the Jaycee Creed, which believes: 

            That faith in God gives meaning and purpose to human life;

            That the brotherhood of man transcends the sovereignty of nations;

            That economic justice can best be won by free men through free enterprise;

            That government should be of laws rather than of men;

            That earth’s great treasure lies in human personality; and

            That service to humanity is the best work of life. 

       The Jaycee Creed, which is universal in its perception and exhortation, sees man not only in the light of what he is but what he can be. This precept proceeds from the principle that earth’s great treasure lies in the in the human personality, which must be developed in its wholeness.  This recognizes with implicit faith that God gives its dimension. 

      The creed likewise exhorts man to hold on to the convention that government, which is man’s own creation, must conform with the demands of humanity; it should not therefore be of men but of laws—laws that are just, and promote the dignity of man and a better understanding among mankind, The Creed emphasizes also a measure that frees man in the pursuit of his enterprise, and must be therefore guaranteed economic justice.                 

       “That government should be of laws rather than of men and that service to humanity is the best work of life.”  It is in this context and spirit that the TOCP award was conceived. If it is idealistic, it is because man must have his idealism if he has to shape for himself a better future and a better world. 

Objective of this Program;

  1. To recognize the outstanding achievement of our nation’s councilors which have benefited significantly their constituents, the community and the nation;
  1. To focus public attention and confer national recognition to these achievements and contributions.
  1. To inspire others, especially the youth, with the recognition to these achievements and/or leadership of the awardees-leaders who have demonstrated vigor and innovativeness in tackling the problems of society and offering solutions;
  1. To live the Jaycee Creed and consider the Jaycee Creed as a good measure of performance by the awardee/s.                                                                 

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE NOMINEE 

As part of the scrapbook, the nominator must answer the following questions about the nominee on a separate sheet.  Indicate by number where each answer begins.  Answers must be printed, double-spaced on standard A4 or letter-size bond paper.  Be as brief and factual as possible.

  1. Describe the career of the nominee.  Please include background, scope of nominee’s work or activity and his resources in achieving his goals.
  1. Narrate the nominee’s exceptional achievement or contributions in his/her constituents, community and the nation.
  1. List quotations, statements of authorities, honors and awards received which evaluate his/her achievements or contributions.
  1. Did the accomplishments of the nominee result in the advancement of the public good?  Is it an outstanding contribution to public welfare and the nation at large?  Does it promote interest in the youth, the general public and in nation building?
  1. Summarize the nominee’s most outstanding legislative and humanitarian efforts, how the nominee exemplified the line of Jaycee Creed that states, “that government should be of laws rather than of men and that service to humanity is the best work of life.”

AWARDS CRITERIA 

  1. The nominee is judged by his outstanding leadership and excellence in his  contribution to the cause of his constituents, community and the nation at large. In essence, proof of nominee’s outstanding leadership and excellence in local legislation and the nominee’s outstanding contributions to community development constitute the basis for the TOCP Award.
  1. Nominee must have complied with all the rules governing nomination such as citizenship, etc. contained at the back page of the official nomination form.
  1. Nominee must be an incumbent councilor (1st to 3rd term or repeater) and must have engaged in local legislation with documented proof subject to verification by the TOCP Search Committee.
  1. Nominee must have been engaged in contributing to the cause of his constituents for a substantial part of his/her public life with documented proof subject to verification by the TOCP Search Committee.
  1. Only Filipino citizens (including naturalized citizens) are eligible for nomination.  Nominees must not be a former TOCP Awardees (for subsequent awards). 
  1. These annual awards are given to recognize the men and women councilors who have proven themselves worthy of honor and emulations based on the following criteria:

a.     Service to his/her constituents, to the community and/or to the nation (40 points)

b.    Legislative excellence and integrity in their public life, including moral rectitude (40 points)

c.     Leadership, innovativeness and pioneering spirit (20 points) 

RULES GOVERNING SUBMISSION OF NOMINATION 

  1. Nomination for TOCP shall be open to all incumbent councilors whether 1st termer to 3rd termer or repeater.  Any person or organization can nominate one or more individuals subject to the requirements stated below.
  1. Nominations shall be made on the prescribed TOCP Nomination Form and notarized accordingly.  All information therein shall be submitted in English, Tagalog or Taglish.
  1. Nominees must sign the Nomination Form attesting to all facts stated therein; giving consent to the independent verification by the TOCP 2006 Search Committee and the subsequent publication of said facts; and indicating  his willingness to attend the awards ceremonies if selected.
  1. A certified true copy of the nominee’s birth certificate or any equivalent proof of date and place of birth should accompany the nomination.
  1. Five (5) copies of the nominee’s picture (5” x 7”) black and white or colored should accompany the five (5) copies of the accomplished Nomination Form.
  1. A one-page Executive Summary of the nominee summarizing the important facts and accomplishments as presented in the scrapbook shall accompany the Nomination Form.
  1. The scrapbook shall be subject to the specifications as indicated in the Technical Requirements for Attachments.
  1. An original or certified true copy of the nominee’s NBI Clearance Certificate should also accompany the Nomination Form.
  1. All entries are to be mailed or personally delivered to the JCI Philippines Bldg., #14 Don Alejandro Roces Avenue, Quezon City on or before September 15, 2006.  Mailed entries should be postmarked not later than the same date.
  1. The TOCP Search Committee of the JCI Philippines shall be the operating body of the project and reserves the right to pass judgment or any issue that may arise in connection with the above rules.
  1. TOCP Committee will review the entries to ensure that all technical requirements are complied with.
  1. The Screening Committee, composed of a selected panel, shall conduct a preliminary selection of the nominees as finalist for consideration of the Board of Judges.
  1. The Board of Judges composed of respected individuals shall select the winners.  Their decision will be final and unappealable.  They may opt to call the finalist for an interview as they may deem fit.
  1. All data, information submitted in connection with the award will be accorded the strictest confidentiality.

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS FOR  ATTACHMENTS 

  1. The Nomination Form, together with all original attachments (documentary and supportive evidence) as required and necessary, for the nominee’s accomplishments, shall be bound together in the form of a scrapbook for submission.
  1. The scrapbook shall not exceed the allowable outer dimension of 11” x 14” (Standard bond paper size)
  1. Each page of the scrapbook should not be numbered.  The first page should be used for the nomination form followed by the attachments required under the Rules Governing Submission of Nomination and followed by the answers to the Questions About the Nominee.
  1. The scrapbook shall be limited to 30 pages only, including annexes that serve as reference or supportive evidence to the information provided in the scrapbook, the annexes must be properly labeled for ease of reference.
  1. Two (2) additional copies of the scrapbook shall likewise be submitted and becomes the property of Junior Chamber International Philippines. All original documents and attachments shall be returned to the nominees.

CONTACT INFORMATION 

       Please send to the contact information below all requirements before an stipulated deadline to qualify your nomination for The Outstanding Councilors of the Philippines.  For submission or inquiry regarding the search: 

JUNIOR CHAMBER INTERNATIONAL PHILIPPINES

(Philippine Jaycees, Inc)

#14 Don Alejandro Roces Avenue, Quezon City  1103

Tel Nos.: (632) 3737907 to 09  Fax No.: (632) 3744138

Email: NOM@philjaycees.com   Websites:  www.philjaycees.com