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It Is A Fundamental Principle That A Constitution Can Only Be Revised or Amended in The Manner Prescribed by The Instrument Itself
It Is A Fundamental Principle That A Constitution Can Only Be Revised or Amended in The Manner Prescribed by The Instrument Itself
prescribed by the instrument itself, and that any attempt to revise a constitution in a manner other than
the one provided in the instrument is almost invariably treated as extra-constitutional and revolutionary.
"It is a Constitution we are expounding" solemnly intoned the great Chief Justice John Marshall of the
United States in the 1819 case of M'cCulloch v. Maryland. Our Constitution is not a mere collection of
slogans. Every syllable of our Constitution is suffused with significance and requires our full fealty.
Indeed, the rule of law will wither if we allow the commands of our Constitution to underrule us. (G.R.
No. 174153)
Test yourself. Below are questions that you should be able to answer if you have studied Article XVII
enough. These can also serve as your guide if you are still in the process of studying amendments and
revisions.
[2] What are the two types of changes that can be done to the Constitution?
[5] What are the two tests in determining the nature of proposed changes?
[17] Why is the constituent assembly the cheapest way to change the Constitution?
[22] Why is a constitutional convention the most expensive way to change the Constitution?
[23] Why does "submission to the electorate of the question to call" mean?
[25] How often can a constitutional convention propose changes to the Constitution?
[34] What is the role of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in people's initiative?
[39] What are the two steps in the process of changing the Constitution?
[42] Is the constitution of a constituent assembly done by Congress voting jointly or separately?
[43] Is the President allowed to create and allocate funds for a drafter's committee or constitutional
committee for the drafting of a proposed change in the Constitution?