Bataan Peninsula State

University
City of Balanga, Bataan

PROJECT FOR
FINALS
SSCI 102
Submitted by:
Rexes John C. Angeles
NW-1A
Submitted to:
Mrs. Lilibeth Quicho

Source:http://www.filipiniana.net/publication/the-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines1987/12791881598556
1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I: National Territory
Summary: Article I states the scope and extent of the country's territory, including the internal waters; and
terrestrial, fluvial and aerial domains. Furthermore, the waters around, between, and connecting the islands of
the Philippines form part of the country's internal waters (based on the Archipelagic Doctrine).
ARTICLE II: Declaration of Principles and State Policies
Summary: Article II contains 28 sections divided into two parts. The first part enumerates the principles of the
State such as the democratic and republican nature of the Philippine State; the supremacy of civilian authority
over the military; the people's duty to defend the State; separation of Church and State; and renunciation of war
as an instrument of national policy. While the second part stipulates the State policies such as the promotion of
an independent foreign policy; recognition of the youth's and women's role in nation-building; promotion of a
comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform; and the promotion of social justice.
ARTICLE III: Bill of Rights
Summary: Article III recognizes the individual rights of the Filipino people and guarantees its protection against
abuses. Included in the bill of rights are: due process of law; equal protection of the laws; protection against
unreasonable searches and seizures; right to privacy of communication and correspondence; and the right to free
speech, expression and to peaceably assemble. The specific rights of the accused is likewise presented, such as;
right to bail, right to criminal due process, right to speedy disposition of cases, right against self-incrimination,
non-imprisonment for non-payment of debt or a poll tax, and right against double jeopardy. It further prohibits
the enactment of an ex post facto law or a bill of attainder.
ARTICLE IV: Citizenship
Summary: Article IV enumerates the conditions of being citizens of the Philippines and the manner of acquiring
and losing Philippine citizenship. It also provides for the constitutional definition of natural-born citizen and
the retention of Philippine citizenship of those who marry aliens unless they have renounced it.
ARTICLE V: Suffrage
Summary: Article V stipulates the qualifications of the Filipinos who have the right to vote. No literacy,
property, or other substantive requirement is imposed on the exercise of suffrage. The Congress is tasked to
provide a system to protect the ballots, a system of overseas absentee voting, and a procedure for the disabled
and illiterates to vote without the assistance of other persons.
ARTICLE VI: Legislative Department
Summary: Article VI provides for the establishment of a bicameral legislature, its composition, terms of office,
powers and functions as the legislative branch of the government. Under this Article, the people can also
exercise legislative powers through a system of initiative and referendum. The members of the Senate, or the
Upper house, are elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines and are to serve for six years with a
maximum of two terms. While there are two kinds of members of the House of Representatives or the Lower
House of Congress, namely, the representatives elected by district and those elected through the party-list
system. The term of office of the members of the lower house is shorter than the Senate. Each member of the
House of Representatives is elected for a term of three years with a maximum of three terms. The powers of
Congress include the passage of bills, levy taxes, approve appropriation, declare a state of war, and confirm
presidential appointments through the Commission of Appointments.
ARTICLE VII: Executive Department
Summary: Article VII stipulates the qualifications, duties and functions of the President and Vice-President. It
expressly states that the executive power is vested in the President of the Philippines. The President and the
Vice-President are elected by direct vote of the qualified voters of the Philippines for a six-year term. While the
President is not qualified for re-election, the vice-president can serve two (2) consecutive terms. This article
stipulates that the President is the head of state, the chief executive of government, and the commander-in-chief
of the armed forces. However, certain protections are declared against abuses of executive power such as the

prohibition against practice of any other profession, prohibition against appointment of spouse and relatives to
certain positions in government and limitation on the declaration of martial law or suspension of the privilege of
the writ of habeas corpus to a period not exceeding 60 days.
ARTICLE VIII: Judicial Department
Summary: Article VIII provides for the composition, powers and functions of the judiciary. The judicial power
is vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law. Composed of the Chief
Justice and 14 Associate Justices, the Supreme Court has administrative supervision over all courts and its
personnel. Among the notable powers of the Supreme Court are its exercise of original jurisdiction on cases
involving ambassadors, public ministers and consuls; review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm judgments or
decisions of lower courts; rule on the constitutionality of laws and treaties; and appoint officials and employees
of the judiciary. Furthermore, the members of the Supreme Court and the judges of lower courts are appointed
by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). They
must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and must be at least forty years of age. They will hold office
hold office during good behavior until the age of 70 years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of
their office. The JBC, which is created in this article, is under the supervision of the Supreme Court and has the
principal function of nominating appointments to the judiciary
ARTICLE IX: Constitutional Commissions
Summary: Article IX stipulates the creation of three independent constitutional commissions such as, the Civil
Service Commission (CSC), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the Commission on Audit (COA).
Each commission enjoys fiscal autonomy, appoints their officials and employees in accordance with law, and is
composed of commissioners appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
The Civil Service Commission is the central personnel agency of the government and establishes a career
service based on merit and fitness. The Commission on Elections, on the other hand, enforces and administers
all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall.
Lastly, the Commission on Audit examines, audits, and settles all accounts pertaining to the funds and property,
owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to the government.
ARTICLE X: Local Government
Summary: Article X provides for a decentralized local government administration through the various territorial
and political subdivisions such as, the autonomous regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays.
This article further mandates Congress to enact a local government code for a more responsive and accountable
local government structure, and an organic act for the autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and in the
Cordilleras.
ARTICLE XI: Accountability of Public Officers
Summary: Article XI states that public office is a public trust. This article enumerates the officials that may be
impeached, the grounds for impeachment, and the rules of impeachment. The House of Representatives initiates
all impeachment cases, while the Senate conducts the trial and decides on all impeachment cases. This article
also provides for the creation of special judicial institutions as instruments of public accountability namely, the
Sandiganbayan as the anti-graft court, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
ARTICLE XII: National Economy and Patrimony
Summary: Article XII declares the aims of the State for a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income,
and wealth; sustainable development and industrialization; and full employment of its citizens. All natural
resources except agricultural lands are owned by the State. It stipulates the limitations on the exploration,
development and utilization of these natural resources by Filipino citizens, private corporations or associations,
and foreign-owned corporations. Congress is mandated to establish an independent economic and planning
agency and an independent central monetary authority. Section 17 grants the State the power to take over or
direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest in times of
national emergency.
Article XIII: Social Justice and Human Rights
Summary: Article XIII declares that the State shall promote social justice, agrarian and natural resources
reform, urban land reform and housing; protect labor; recognize the rights of every citizen and people's
organization, and adopt an integrated health development program. It also mandates Congress to enact a law

creating an independent Commission on Human Rights, with the responsibility of investigating cases of human
rights violation.
ARTICLE XIV: Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports
Summary: Article XIV declares the principles of the State on education, language, science and technology, arts
and culture, and sports. On education, the State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality
education. This article also mandates that education shall be accessible to all. On language, this article states
that Filipino is the the national language of the Philippines. Filipino shall be used as a medium of official
communication and as language of instruction in the educational system. Furthermore, Congress is mandated to
establish a national language commission. On science and technology, priority is given on research and
development, incentives are provided to science students, researchers, scientists and gifted citizens to encourage
scientific research. On arts and culture, the State shall promote the Philippine national culture and shall
preserve, and develop the cultures, traditions and institutions of the indigenous cultural communities. Lastly on
sports, the State shall promote physical education and different sports activities to foster self-discipline,
teamwork, and excellence.
ARTICLE XV: The Family
Summary: Article XV recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. The constitutional
definition of marriage is found herein. It further provides for specific provisions to protect the rights of spouses,
children, family and family associations. The duty of the family and the State to care for the elderly is likewise
set forth in this article.
ARTICLE XVI: General Provisions
Summary: Article XVI contains provisions on twelve subjects. The design of the Philippine flag is set forth in
the first section, followed by a section on any change, by law, of the name of the country, national anthem and
national seal. Section 3 hereof provides for the general rule on State's immunity from suit. The composition of
the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as other provisions on the military such as recruitment,
appointment, and retirement of soldiers and officers are likewise found in this article. This article further
provides for the establishment of a national and civilian police force. It also stipulates general provisions on the
benefits, pensions and assistance to war veterans, their spouses and orphans, as well as to the retirees of the
government and the private sectors. It is also mandated that the State shall protect the consumer against trade
malpractices, respect the freedom of speech and of the press, regulate the ownership and management of mass
media and the advertising industry. Lastly, it is stipulated that Congress may create a consultative body on
indigenous cultural communities.
ARTICLE XVII: Amendments or Revisions
Summary: Article XVII stipulates that any amendment to, and revision of the Constitution may be proposed by
a three-fourths vote of all the members of Congress and a constitutional convention. The people may likewise
propose amendments through an initiative of at least twelve percent of total registered voters. It further states
that any amendment or revision is not valid without a ratification by a majority of votes cast in a plebiscite.
ARTICLE XVIII: Transitory Provisions
Summary: Article XVIII stipulates specific provisions that are temporary in nature on the first elections, the
judiciary, legal codes, international agreements, civil service and private armies. It stipulates the dates of the
first elections of the members of the Congress, the first local elections and the first regular elections for the
President and Vice-President. This article further provides for the continued enforcement of all existing laws
which are consistent with this Constitution as well as the continued exercise of jurisdiction of all courts, until
otherwise provided by law. Section 24 mandates that all private armies and other paramilitary groups outside
the armed forces of the Philippines be dismantled. An important provision on the expiration of the Military
Bases Agreement in 1991 includes a declaration that no foreign military bases, troops or facilities shall be
allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate. The last part hereof is with
regard to the sequestration or freeze order concerning the recovery of ill-gotten wealth.