WHAT IS

CONSTITUTION?
The written instrument by which the
fundamental powers of the government
are established, limited, and define by
these powers are distributed among
several departments or branches for their
safe and useful exercise for the benefit of
the people.
 NATURE AND PURPOSES

1. It serves as the supreme or

fundamental law.
2.It established the basic framework and
underlying principles of government.
 THE FRAMING & RATIFICATION OF THE 1987
PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

• On April 1986, President Aquino issued Proclamation

No. 9 creating a constitutional commission to draft a
new constitution as provide for in the freedom
constitution. President Corazon C. Aquino addressed
the opening session on June 2, 1986 at the former
Batasang Pambansa Building.
• Debates and heated arguments took placed.
• On October 12, 1986, the constitutional commission
finished its work; and the draft of the said constitution
was submitted to the President on October 15, 1986 and
• On February 2, 1987, a plebiscite for the charter’s
ratification was held,
• 76.37% (17,059,495) “YES” votes and 22.65%
(5,058,724) “NO” votes.
• On February 2, 1987, the new constitution was ratified
and made effective.
 THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

• The constitution of the Philippines is the supreme law of the land as of

1987. Prevailing themes throughout the document are peace and
equality.
• The constitution also meant to established government authority and
protect the welfare of Filipino people. Democratic institution have been
set up, such as universal voting rights for people 18 years old or older.
There are also judicial, executive, and congressional branches of
governance.
• The constitution also state that civilian authority overrides the military
in all functions. The role of the armed forces is to be a protector of the
Filipino people of the state.
 SIGNIFICANT FEATURES OF THE
CONSTITUTION

• Sovereignty of the people

• Supremacy of civilian authority over the military

• Separation of powers
 HISTORICAL CONSTITUTION

• Malolos Constitution (1899)

• Commonwealth and Third Republic (1935)
• Japanese Sponsored Republic (1943)
• Martial Law Constitution (1973)
• Freedom Constitution (1986)
 BASIC PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING THE NEW
CONSTITUTION
• Recognition of the Aid of Almighty God
• Sovereignty of the people
• Renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy
• Supremacy of civilian authority over the military
• Separation of Church and State
• Recognition of the importance of the family as basic social institution
and of the vital role of youth in nation building
• Guarantee of human rights
• Government through suffrage
• Separation of power
• Independence of judiciary
• Guarantee of local autonomy
• High sense of public service morality and accountability
• Nationalization of natural resources and certain private enterprises affected by public
interest
• Non-suability of the state
• Rule of the majority; and
Government of laws and not men
 ARTICLE I: NATIONAL TERRITORY

• The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago,

with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all
other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty
or jurisdiction, consisting of each terrestrial, fluvial, and
aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the
subsoil, the insular shelves and other submarines areas. The
waters around between, and connecting the islands of the
archipelago regardless of their breadth and dimensions,
form part of the internal waters of the Philippines.
ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
AND STATES POLICIES

• Article II lays the basic social and political

creed of the Philippines, particularly the
implementation of the constitution and sets
forth the objectives of the government.
 ARTICLE III: BILL OF RIGHTS

• Article III enumerates specific protection against the

abuse of state power, most of which are similar to the
provisions of the U.S. Constitution, of public concern.
 ARTICLE IV: CITIZENSHIP

• Article IV defines the citizenship of Filipinos. It enumerates two

kinds of citizens; natural-born citizens and naturalized citizens.
Natural are those who are citizens from birth without having to
perform any act to acquire perfect Philippine citizenship. The
Philippines follows a jusanguinis system where citizen ship is
mainly acquired through a blood relationship with Filipino
citizens.
• Natural-born citizenship forms an important part of the
political system as only natural-born Filipinos are eligible to
hold high offices, including all elective offices beginning
with a representative in the House of Representatives up to
the President.
 ARTICLE V: SUFFRAGE

• Article V mandates various age and residence qualifications

to vote and a system of a secret ballots and absentee voting.
It also mandates a procedure for overseas and disabled and
illiterate Filipinos to vote.
 ARTICLE VI: THE LEGISLATIVE
DEPARTMENT

• Article VI provides for a bicameral legislature could the

congress composed of the senate and the house of
representatives. It vest upon congress, among others, the
power of investigation and inquiry and aid of legislation, the
power to declare the existence of a state of war, the power of
the purse, the power of taxation, and the power of eminent
domain.
 ARTICLE VII: THE EXECUTIVE
DEPARTMENT

• Article VII provides for a Presidential form of government

where the executive power is vested on the President. It
provides for the qualification, terms of office, election, and
power and functions of the President. It also provides for a
Vice-president and for the presidential line of succession.
ARTICLE VIII: THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

• Article VIII vests the judicial power upon the Supreme Court and other
lower court as may be established by law ( by congress). While the
power to appoint justices and judges still reside with the President, the
President may only appoint nominees pre-selected by the judicial and
bar council, a body composed of the chief justice of the Supreme
Court, the secretary of justice, the chairs of the senate and house
committees on justice, and representatives from the legal profession.
 ARTICLE IX: CONSTITUTIONAL
COMMISSIONS

• Article IX establishes three constitutional

commissions: the Civil Service Commission, the
Commission on Elections, and the Commission on
audit.
 ARTICLE X: LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Article X pursues for local autonomy and mandates

Congress to enact a law for the local government, now
currently the Local Government Code.
 ARTICLE XI: ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC
OFFICERS

• Section 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and

employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people,
serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and
efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest
lives.
 ARTICLE XII: NATIONAL ECONOMY AND
PATRIMONY

• Section 1. The goals of the national economy are a more

equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a
sustained increase in the amount of goods and services
produce by the nation for benefit of the people; and an
expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life
for all, especially the underprivileged.
ARTICLE XIII: SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN
RIGHTS
Section 1. The congress shall give a highest priority to the enactment of
measures that protect and enhance the right of the people to human dignity,
reduce social, economic, and political inequalities, and remove cultural
inequalities by equitably defusing wealth and political power for the
common good.

To this end, the State shall regulate the acquisition, ownership, use, and
disposition of property and its increments.
 ARTICLE XV: THE FAMILY

• Section 1. The State recognizes the Filipino family as the

foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its
solidarity and actively promote its total development.
 ARTICLE XVI: GENERAL PROVISIONS

• Section 1. The flag of the Philippines shall be red,

white, and blue, with a sun and three stars, as
consecrated and honored by the people and
recognized by law.
 ARTICLE XVII: AMENDMENTS AND
REVISION
• Section 1. Any amendments to, or revision of, this Constitution may be
proposed by:

(1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or

(2) A Constitutional convention.