ARTICLE II

Declaration of Principles and State Policies

Principles

SECTION 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in

the people and all government authority emanates from them.

The Philippines, a democratic and republican state.

 A republican government is a democratic government by representatives chosen

by the people at large.

Sovereignty of the people.

Sovereignty implies the supreme authority inherent in the state by which it is govern,
thus the Filipino people have the right to constitute their own government, to change it, and to
define its jurisdiction and powers.

1. Exercised indirectly through public officials.

2. Exercised directly through suffrage.

Manifestations of a democratic and republican state.

 The existence of a bill of rights;

 The observance of the rule of the majority;
 The observance of the principle that ours is a government of laws, and not of men;
 The presence of elections through popular will;
 The observance of the principle of separation of powers and the system of checks and
balances;
 The observance of the principle that the legislature cannot pass irrepealable laws;
 The observance of the law on public officers; and
 The observance of the principle that the State cannot be sued without its consent.

SECTION 2. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts

the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and
adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all
nations.

International Law- refers to the body of rules and principles which governs the relations of
nations and their respective peoples in their intercourse with one another.

The doctrine of incorporation is the automatic adoption of international law as a part of the
law of the Philippines.
Adherence to the policy of peace, etc., with all nations.

- The Philippines seeks only peace and friendship with her neighbors and all countries of
the world, regardless of race, creed, ideology and political system, on the basis of
mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.

SECTION 3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed
Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure
the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.