1987 CONSTITUTION 1973 CONSTITUTION 1935 CONSTITUTION

Preamble Preamble Preamble

We, the sovereign Filipino We, the sovereign Filipino The Filipino people, imploring

people, imploring the aid of people, imploring the aid of the aid of Divine Providence, in

Almighty God, in order to build a Divine Providence, in order to order to establish a government

just and humane society and establish a government that that shall embody their ideals,

establish a Government that shall embody our ideals, conserve and develop the

shall embody our ideals and promote the general welfare, patrimony of the nation, promote

aspirations, promote the conserve and develop the the general welfare, and secure

common good, conserve and patrimony of our Nation, and to themselves and their posterity

develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our the blessings of independence

secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of under a regime of justice, liberty,

posterity the blessings of democracy under a regime of and democracy, do ordain and

independence and democracy justice, peace, liberty, and promulgate this Constitution.

under the rule of law and a equality, do ordain and

regime of truth, justice, freedom, promulgate this Constitution.

love, equality, and peace, do

ordain and promulgate this

Constitution.

ARTICLE I ARTICLE I ARTICLE I

The National Territory The National Territory The National Territory

Section 1. The national territory Section 1. The Philippines

The national territory comprises
comprises the Philippine comprises all the territory ceded
the Philippine archipelago, with
archipelago, with all the islands to the United States by the
all the islands and waters
and waters embraced therein, Treaty of Paris concluded
embraced therein, and all other
territories over which the and all the other territories between the United States and

Philippines has sovereignty or belonging to the Philippines by Spain on the tenth day of

jurisdiction, consisting of its historic or legal title, including December, eighteen hundred

terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial the territorial sea, the air space, and ninety-eight, the limits which

domains, including its territorial the subsoil, the sea-bed, the are set forth in Article III of said

sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and the treaty, together with all the

insular shelves, and other submarine areas over which the islands embraced in the treaty

submarine areas. The waters Philippines has sovereignty or concluded at Washington

around, between, and jurisdiction. The waters around, between the United States and

connecting the islands of the between, and connecting the Spain on the seventh day of

archipelago, regardless of their islands of the archipelago, November, nineteen hundred,

breadth and dimensions, form irrespective of their breadth and and the treaty concluded

part of the internal waters of the dimensions, form part of the between the United States and

Philippines. internal waters of the Great Britain on the second day

Philippines. of January, nineteen hundred

and thirty, and all territory over

which the present Government

of the Philippine Islands

exercises jurisdiction.

ARTICLE II ARTICLE II ARTICLE II

Declaration of Principles and Declaration of Principles and Declaration of Principles

State Policies State Policies

Principles Section 1.

Section 1.
The Philippines, is a republican

The Philippines is a republican state. Sovereignty resides in the

SEC. 1.
state. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government
The Philippines is a democratic
and republican State. people and all government authority emanates from them.

Sovereignty resides in the authority emanates from them.

people and all government

Section 2.
authority emanates from them.
Section 2.
The defense of the State is a

The defense of the State is the prime duty of government, and

SEC.2.
prime duty of government, and in the fulfilment of this duty all
The Philippines renounces war
in the fulfilment of this duty all citizens may be required by law
as an instrument of national
citizens may be required by law to render personal military or
policy, adopts the generally
to render personal military or civil service.
accepted principles of
civil service.
international law as part of the

law of the land and adheres to

Section 3.
the policy of peace, equality,
Section 3.
The Philippines renounces war
justice, freedom, cooperation,
The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national
and amity with all nations.
as an instrument of national policy, and adopts the generally

policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of

SEC.3.
accepted principles of international law as part of the
Civilian authority is, at all times,
international law as part of the law of the Nation.
supreme over the military. The
law of the land, and adheres to
Armed Forces of the Philippines
the policy of peace, equality,
is the protector of the people Section 4.
justice, freedom, cooperation,
and the State. Its goal is to The natural right and duty of
and amity with all nations.
secure the sovereignty of the parents in the rearing of the
State and the integrity of the youth for civic efficiency should
national territory. Section 4. receive the aid and support of

The State shall strengthen the the government.

SEC.4. family as a basic social
Section 5. The promotion of
The prime duty of the institution. The natural right and social justice to insure the well-

Government is to serve and duty of parents in the rearing of being and economic security of

protect the people. The the youth for civic efficiency and all the people should be the

Government may call upon the the development of moral concern of the State.

people to defend the State and, character shall receive the aid

in the fulfillment thereof, all and support of the government.

citizens may be required, under

conditions provided by law, to

render personal military or civil

Section 5.
service.

The State recognizes the vital

SEC.5. role of the youth in nation-

The maintenance of peace and building and shall promote their

order, the protection of life, physical, intellectual and social

liberty, and property, and the well-being.

promotion of the general welfare

are essential for the enjoyment

Section 6.
by all the people of the
The State shall promote social
blessings of democracy.
justice to ensure the dignity,

welfare, and security of all the

SEC.6.
people. Towards this end, the
The separation of Church and
State shall regulate the
State shall be inviolable.
acquisition, ownership, use,

enjoyment, and disposition of

State Policies
private property, and equitably

diffuse property ownership and

SEC.7. profits.

The State shall pursue an

independent foreign policy. In its

Section 7.
relations with other states the
The State shall establish,
paramount consideration shall
maintain, and ensure adequate
be national sovereignty,
social services in the field of
territorial integrity, national
education, health, housing,
interest, and the right to self-
employment, welfare, and social
determination.
security to guarantee the

enjoyment of the people of a

SEC.8.
decent standard of living.
The Philippines, consistent with

the national interest, adopts and

pursues a policy of freedom

Section 8.
from nuclear weapons in its
Civilian authority is at all times
territory.
supreme over the military.

SEC.9.

The State shall promote a just Section 9.

and dynamic social order that The State shall afford protection

will ensure the prosperity and to labor, promote full

independence of the nation and employment and equality in
free the people from poverty employment, ensure equal work

through policies that provide opportunities regardless of sex,

adequate social services, race, or creed, and regulate the

promote full employment, a relation between workers and

rising standard of living, and an employers. The State shall

improved quality of life for all. assure the rights of workers to

self-organization, collective

bargaining, security of tenure,

SEC.10.
and just and humane conditions
The State shall promote social
of work. The State may provide
justice in all phases of national
for compulsory arbitration.
development.

Section 10.

The State shall guarantee and

promote the autonomy of local

government units, especially the

barrio, to ensure their fullest

development as self-reliant

communities.

ARTICLE VI ARTICLE VIII ARTICLE VI

Legislative Department
The National Assembly Legislative Department

SEC.1.
Section 1. Section 1.
The legislative power shall be
The Legislative power shall be The Legislative power shall be
vested in the Congress of the
vested in a National Assembly. vested in a Congress of the
Philippines which shall consist
Philippines, which shall consist
of a Senate and a House of
of a Senate and a House of
Representatives, except to the Section 2.
Representatives.
extent reserved to the people by
The National Assembly shall be
the provision on initiative and
composed of as many Members
referendum. Section 2.
as may be provided by law to be
 appointed among the provinces, The Senate shall be composed

SEC.2. representative districts, and of twenty-four Senators who

The Senate shall be composed cities in accordance with the shall be chosen at large by the

of twenty-four Senators who number of their respective qualified electors of the

shall be elected at large by the inhabitants and on the basis of a Philippines, as may be provided

qualified voters of the uniform and progressive ratio. by law.

Philippines, as may be provided Each district shall comprise, as

by law. far as practicable, contiguous,

Section 3.
compact, and adjacent territory.
The term of office of Senators
SEC.3. Representative districts or
shall be six years and shall
No person shall be a Senator provinces already created or
begin on the thirtieth day of
unless he is a natural-born existing at the time of the
December next following their
citizen of the Philippines, and, ratification of this Constitution
election. The first Senators
on the day of the election, is at shall have at least one Member
elected under this Constitution
least thirty-five years of age, each.
shall, in the manner provided by
able to read and write, a
law, be divided equally into
registered voter, and a resident
Section 3.
three groups, the Senators of
of the Philippines for not less
(1) The Members of the National the first group, to serve for a
than two years immediately
Assembly shall be elected by term of six years; those of the
preceding the day of the
the qualified electors in their second group, for four years;
election.
respective districts for a term of and those of the third group, for

six years which shall begin, two years.

SEC.4.
unless otherwise provided by
The term of office of the
law, at noon on the thirtieth day
Senators shall be six years and
Section 4.
of June next following their
shall commence, unless
No person shall be a Senator
election.
otherwise provided by law, at
unless he be a natural born
noon on the thirtieth day of June citizen of the Philippines and, at

next following their election. No the time of his election, is at

(2) In case the National
Senator shall serve for more least thirty-five years of age, a
Assembly is dissolved, the
than two consecutive terms. qualified elector, and a resident
newly elected Members shall
Voluntary renunciation of the of the Philippines for not less
serve the unexpired portion of
office for any length of time shall than two years immediately prior
the term from the time the Prime
not be considered as an to his election.
Minister convenes the
interruption in the continuity of
Assembly, which shall not be
his service for the full term for
later than thirty days
Section 5.
which he was elected.
immediately following the
The House of Representatives
elections.
shall be composed of not more
SEC.5.
than one hundred and twenty
(1) The House of
Section 4. Members who shall be
Representatives shall be
apportioned among the several
composed of not more than two No person shall be a Member of
provinces as nearly as may be
hundred and fifty members, the National Assembly unless
accorded to the number of their
unless otherwise fixed by law, he is a natural-born citizen of
respective inhabitants, but each
who shall be elected from the Philippines and, on the day
province shall have at least one
legislative districts apportioned of the election, is at least
Member. The Congress shall by
among the provinces, cities, and twenty-five years of age, able to
law make an apportionment
the Metropolitan Manila area in read and write, a registered
within three years after the
accordance with the number of voter in the district in which he
return of every enumeration,
their respective inhabitants, and shall be elected, and a resident
and not otherwise. Until such
on the basis of a uniform and thereon for a period of not less
apportionment shall have been
progressive ratio, and those than one year immediately
made, the House of
who, as provided by law, shall preceding the day of the
Representatives shall have the
be elected through a party-list election.
same number of Members as
system of registered national, that fixed by law for the National

regional, and sectoral parties or Assembly, who shall be elected

Section 5.
organizations. by the qualified electors from the
(1) Unless otherwise provided
present Assembly districts. Each
by law, the regular election of
representative district shall
(2) The party-list representatives
Members of the National
comprise, as far as practicable,
shall constitute twenty per
Assembly shall be held on the
contiguous and compact
centum of the total number of
second Monday of May every
territory.
representatives including those
six years thereafter.
under the party list. For three

consecutive terms after the

Section 6.
(2) In case a vacancy arises in
ratification of this Constitution,
The term of office of the
the National Assembly one year
one-half of the seats allocated to
Members of the House of
or more before a regular
party-list representatives shall
Representatives shall be four
election, the Commission on
be filled, as provided by law, by
years and shall begin on the
Elections shall call a special
selection or election from the
thirtieth day of December next
election to be held within sixty
labor, peasant, urban poor,
following their election.
days after the vacancy occurs.
indigenous cultural

communities, women, youth,

and such other sectors as may Section 7.

Section 6.
be provided by law, except the
No person shall be a Member of
The National Assembly shall
religious sector. the House of Representatives
convene once every year on the
unless he be a natural born
fourth Monday of July for its
(3) Each legislative district shall citizen of the Philippines, and, at
regular session, unless a
comprise, as far as practicable, the time of his election, is at
different date is fixed by law,
contiguous, compact, and least twenty-five years of age, a
and shall continue to be in
adjacent territory. Each city with qualified elector, and a resident
session until thirty days before
a population of at least two of the province in which he is
the opening of its next regular
hundred fifty thousand, or each session, exclusive of Saturdays, chosen for not less than one

province, shall have at least one Sundays, and legal holidays. It year immediately prior to his

representative. may recess for periods not election.

exceeding thirty days each, and

not more than ninety days

(4) Within three years following
Section 8.
during the year. However, it may
the return of every census, the
(1) Elections for Senators and
be called to session at any time
Congress shall make a
Members of the House of
by the Prime Minister to
reappointment of legislative
Representatives shall be held in
consider such subjects or
districts based on the standards
the manner and on the dates
legislation as he may designate.
provided in this section.
fixed by law.

SEC.6.
Section 7.
No person shall be a Member of (2) In case of vacancy in the
(1) The National Assembly,
the House of Representatives Senate or in the House of
shall, by a majority vote of all its
unless he is a natural-born Representatives, a special
Members, elect its Speaker from
citizen of the Philippines and, on election may be called to fill
the Members thereof. It shall
the day of the election, is at such vacancy in the manner
choose such other officers as it
least twenty-five years of age, prescribed by law, but the
may deem necessary.
able to read and write, and, Senator or Member of the
The election of the President
except the party-list House of Representatives thus
and the Prime Minister shall
representatives, a registered elected shall serve only for the
precede all other business
voter in the district in which he unexpired term.
following the election of the
shall be elected, and a resident
Speaker.
thereof for a period of not less
Section 9.
than one year immediately
The Congress shall convene in
preceding the day of the
(2) A majority of the National
regular session once every year
election.
Assembly shall constitute a
 quorum to do business, but a on the fourth Monday of

smaller number may adjourn January, unless a different date

SEC.7.
from day to day and may is fixed by law. It may be called
The Members of the House of
compel the attendance of in special session at any time by
Representatives shall be elected
absent Members in such the President to consider
for a term of three years which
manner, and under such general legislation or only such
shall begin, unless otherwise
penalties, as the National subjects as he may designate.
provided by law, at noon on the
Assembly may provide. No special session shall
thirtieth day of June next
continue longer than thirty days
following their election.
and no regular session longer
No member of the House of (3) The National Assembly may
than one hundred days,
Representatives shall serve for determine the rules of its
exclusive of Sundays.
more than three consecutive proceedings, punish its

terms. Voluntary renunciation of Members for disorderly

the office for any length of time behavior, and with concurrence

shall not be considered as an of two-thirds of all its Members,

Section 10.
interruption in the continuity of suspend or expel a Member, but
(1) The Senate shall elect its
his service for the full term for if the penalty is suspension, this
President and the House of
which he was elected. shall not exceed sixty days.
Representatives its Speaker.

SEC.8. Each House shall choose such

(4) The National Assembly shall
Unless otherwise provided by other officers as may be
keep a Journal of its
law, the regular election of the required.
proceedings, and from time to
Senators and the Members of
time publish the same,
the House of Representatives
(2) A majority of each House
excepting such parts as may, in
shall be held on the second
shall constitute a quorum to do
its judgment, affect national
Monday of May.
business, but a smaller number
security; and the yeas and nays
may adjourn from day to day
SEC.9. on any question shall, at the and may compel the attendance

In case of vacancy in the Senate request of one-fifth of the of absent Members in such

or in the House of Members present, be entered in manner and under such

Representatives, a special the Journal. penalties as such House may

election may be called to fill provide.

such vacancy in the manner

Section 8.
prescribed by law, but the
(3) Each House may determine
(1) Unless otherwise provided
Senator or Member of the
the rule of its proceedings,
by law, each Member of the
House of Representatives thus
punish its Members for
National Assembly shall receive
elected shall serve only for the
disorderly behavior, and, with
an annual salary of sixty
unexpired term.
the concurrence of two-thirds of
thousand pesos. The Speaker of
all its Members, expel a
the National Assembly shall
SEC.10.
Member.
receive an annual salary of
The salaries of Senators and
seventy-five thousand pesos.
Members of the House of
No increase in salary shall take
Representatives shall be (4) Each House shall keep a
effect until after the expiration of
determined by law. No increase Journal of its proceedings, and
the term of the Members of the
in said compensation shall take from time to time publish the
National Assembly approving
effect until after the expiration of same, excepting such parts as
such increase.
the full term of all the Members may in its judgment requires

of the Senate and the House of secrecy; and the yeas and nays

Representatives approving such on any question shall, at the

(2) The records and books of
increase. request of one-fifth of the
accounts of the National
Members present, be entered
Assembly shall be open to the
SEC.11. into the Journal.
public in accordance with law,
A Senator or Member of the
and such books shall be audited
House of Representatives shall,
by the Commission on Audit
(5) Neither House during the
in all offenses punishable by not which shall publish annually the sessions of the Congress shall,

more than six years itemized expenditures for each without the consent of the other,

imprisonment, be privileged Member. adjourn for more than three

from arrest while the Congress days, nor to any other place

is in session. No member shall than that in which the two

Section 9.
be questioned nor be held liable Houses shall be sitting.
A Member of the National
in any other place for any
Assembly shall, in all offenses
speech or debate in the
Section 11.
punishable by not more than six
Congress or in any committee
years imprisonment, be The Senate and the House of
thereof.
privileged from arrest during his Representatives shall have an

attendance at its sessions, and Electoral Tribunal which shall be

SEC.12.
in going to and returning from the sole judge of all contests
All Members of the Senate and
the same; but the National relating to the election, returns,
the House of Representatives
Assembly shall surrender the and qualifications of their
shall, upon assumption of office,
Member involved to the custody respective Members. Each
make a full disclosure of their
of the law within twenty-four Electoral Tribunal shall be
financial and business interests.
hours after its adjournment for a composed of nine Members,
They shall notify the House
recess or its next session, three of whom shall be Justices
concerned of a potential conflict
otherwise such privilege shall of the Supreme Court to be
of interest that may arise from
cease upon its failure to do so. designated by the Chief Justice,
the filing of a proposed
A Member shall not be and the remaining six shall be
legislation of which they are
questioned or held liable in any Members of the Senate or the
authors.
other place for any speech or House of Representatives, as

debate in the Assembly or in the case may be, who shall be

SEC.13.
any committee thereof. chosen by each House, three
No Senator or a Member of the
upon nomination of the party
House of Representatives may
having the largest number of
hold any other office or Section 10. votes and three of the party

employment in the Government, having the second largest

A Member of the National
or any subdivision, agency, or numbers of votes therein. The
Assembly shall not hold any
instrumentality thereof, including senior Justice in each Electoral
other office or employment in
government-owned or controlled Tribunal shall be its Chairman.
the government, or any
corporations or their
subdivision, agency, or
subsidiaries, during his term
instrumentality thereof, including
without forfeiting his seat.
government-owned or controlled
Section 12.
Neither shall he be appointed to
corporations during his tenure
any office which may have been There shall be a Commission on
except that of Prime Minister or
created or the emoluments Appointments consisting of
Member of the Cabinet. Neither
thereof increased during the twelve Senators and twelve
shall he be appointed to any civil
term for which he was elected. Members of the House of
office which may have been
Representatives, elected by
created or the emoluments
SEC.14. each House, respectively, on
thereof increased while he was
No Senator or Member of the the basis of proportional
a Member of the National
House of Representatives may representation of the political
Assembly.
personally appear as counsel parties therein. The president of

before any court of justice or the Senate shall be the

Section 11.
before the Electoral Tribunals, Chairman ex officio of the

or quasi-judicial and other No Member of the National Commission, but shall not vote

administrative bodies. Neither Assembly shall appear as except in case of tie.

shall he, directly or indirectly, be counsel before any court inferior

interested financially in any to a court with appellate

contract with, or in any franchise jurisdiction, before any court in

Section 13.
or special privilege granted by any civil case wherein the

the Government, or any government, or any subdivision, The Electoral Tribunal and the
subdivision, agency, or agency, or instrumentality Commission on Appointments

instrumentality thereof, including thereof is the adverse party, or shall be constituted within thirty

any government-owned or before any administrative body. days after the Senate and the

controlled corporation, or its Neither shall he, directly or House of Representatives shall

subsidiary, during his term of indirectly, be interested have been organized with the

office. He shall not intervene in financially in any contract with, election of their President and

any matter before any office of or in any franchise or special Speaker, respectively. The

the Government for his privilege granted by, the Commission on Appointments

pecuniary benefit or where he government, or any subdivision, shall meet only while the

may be called upon to act on agency, or instrumentality Congress is in session, at the

account of his office. thereof, including any call of its Chairman or a majority

government-owned or controlled of its Members, to discharge

SEC.15. corporation, during his term of such powers and functions as

The Congress shall convene office. He shall not intervene in are herein conferred upon it.

once every year on the fourth any matter before any office of
Section 14.
Monday of July for its regular the government for his
The Senators and the Members
session, unless a different date pecuniary benefit.
of the House of Representatives
is fixed by law, and shall
shall, unless otherwise provided
continue to be in session for
Section 12. by law, receive an annual
such number of days as it may
compensation of seven
(1) There shall be a question
determine until thirty days
thousand two hundred pesos
hour at least once a month or as
before the opening of its next
each, including per diems and
often as the rules of the National
regular session, exclusive of
other emoluments or allowances
Assembly may provide, which
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
and exclusive only of traveling
shall be included in its agenda,
holidays. The President may call
expenses to and from their
during which the Prime Minister
a special session at any time.
respective districts in the case of
or any Minister may be required
Members of the House of
to appear and answer questions
SEC.16. and interpellations by Members Representatives, and to an from

(1) The Senate shall elect its of the National Assembly. their places of residence in the

President and the House of Written questions shall be case of Senators, when

Representatives its Speaker, by submitted to the Speaker at attending sessions of the

a majority vote of all its least three days before a Congress. No increase in said

respective Members. scheduled question hour. compensation shall take effect

Each House shall choose such Interpellations shall not be until after the expiration of the

other officers as it may deem limited to the written questions, full term of all the Members of

necessary. but may cover matters related the Senate and of the House of

(2) A majority of each House thereto. The agenda shall Representatives approving such

shall constitute a quorum to do specify the subjects of the increase. Until otherwise

business, but a smaller number question hour. When the provided by law, the President

may adjourn from day to day security of the State so requires of the Senate and the Speaker

and may compel the attendance and the Prime Minister so states of the House of Representatives

of absent Members in such in writing, the question hour shall each receive an annual

manner, and under such shall be conducted in executive compensation of sixteen

penalties, as such House may session. thousand pesos.

provide.

(3) Each House may determine

(2) The National Assembly or
the rules of its proceedings,
any of its committees may
Section 15.
punish its Members for
conduct inquiries in aid of
disorderly behavior, and, with The Senators and Members of
legislation in accordance with its
the concurrence of two-thirds of the House of Representatives
duly published rules of
all its Members, suspend or shall in all cases except treason,
procedure. The rights of persons
expel a Member. A penalty for felony, and breach of the peace,
appearing in such inquiries shall
suspension, when imposed, be privileged from arrest during
be respected.
shall not exceed sixty days. their attendance at the session
(4) Each House shall keep a of the Congress, and in going to

Journal of its proceedings, and and returning from the same;

Section 13.
from time to time publish the and for any speech or debate
(1) The National Assembly may
same, excepting such parts as therein, they shall not be
withdraw its confidence from the
may, in its judgment, affect questioned in any other place.
Prime Minister only by electing a
national security; and the yeas
successor by a majority vote of
and nays on any question shall,
all its Members. No motion for
at the request of one-fifth of the
the election of such successor
Section 16.
members present, be entered in
shall be debated and voted
the Journal. No Senator or Member of the
upon until after the lapse of
Each House shall also keep a House of Representatives may
three days from the submittal of
Record of its proceedings. hold any other office or
such motion.
(5) Neither House during the employment in the government

sessions of the Congress shall, without forfeiting his seat, nor

without the consent of the other, (2) The Prime Minister may shall any Senator or Member of

adjourn for more than three advise the President in writing to the House of Representatives,

days, nor to any other place dissolve the National Assembly during the time for which he was

than that in which the two whenever the need arises for a elected, be appointed to any

Houses shall be sitting. popular vote of confidence on civil office which may have been

fundamental issues, but not on a created or the emoluments

SEC.17. matter involving his own whereof shall have been

The Senate and the House of personal integrity. Whereupon, increased while he was a

Representatives shall each have the President shall dissolve the Member of the Congress.

an Electoral Tribunal which shall National Assembly not earlier

Section 17.
be the sole judge of all contests than five days nor later than ten
No Senator or Member of the
relating to the election, returns, days from his receipt of the
House of Representatives shall
and qualifications of their advice, and call for an election
directly or indirectly be
respective Members. Each on a date set by the Prime financially interested in any

Electoral Tribunal shall be Minister which shall not be contract with the government or

composed of nine Members, earlier than forty-five days nor any subdivision or

three of whom shall be Justices later than sixty days from the instrumentality thereof, or in any

of the Supreme Court to be date of such dissolution. franchise or special privilege

designated by the Chief Justice, However, no dissolution of the granted by the Congress during

and the remaining six shall be National Assembly shall take his term of office. He shall not

Members of the Senate or the place within nine months appear as counsel before the

House of Representatives, as immediately preceding a regular Electoral Tribunals or before any

the case may be, who shall be election or within nine months court in any civil case wherein

chosen on the basis of immediately following any the Government or any

proportional representation from general election. subdivision or instrumentality

the political parties and the thereof is the adverse party, or

parties or organizations in any criminal case wherein an

(3) In case of dissolution of the
registered under the party-list officer or employee of the
National Assembly or the
system represented therein. The government is accused of an
termination of its regular term,
senior Justice in the Electoral offense committed in relation to
the incumbent Prime Minister
Tribunal shall be it Chairman. his office, or collect any fee for
and the Cabinet shall continue
his appearance in any
to conduct the affairs of
SEC.18. administrative proceedings; or
government until the new
There shall be a Commission on accept employment to intervene
National Assembly is convoked
Appointments consisting of the in any cause or matter where he
and a Prime Minister is elected
President of the Senate, as ex may be called upon to act on
and has qualified.
officio Chairman, twelve account of his office. No

Senators, and twelve Members Member of the Commission on

of the House of Section 14. Appointments shall appear as

Representatives, elected by counsel before any court inferior

(1) Except as otherwise
each House on the basis of provided in this Constitution, no to a collegiate court of appellate

proportional representation from treaty shall be valid and jurisdiction.

the political parties or effective unless concurred in by

organizations registered under a majority of all the Members of

Section 18.
the party-list system the National Assembly.
All appropriation, revenue or
represented therein. The
tariff bills, bills authorizing
Chairman of the Commission
(2) The National Assembly, by a
increase of the public debt, bills
shall not vote, except in case of
vote of two-thirds of all its
of local application, and private
a tie. The Commission shall act
Members, shall have the sole
bills, shall originate exclusively
on all appointments submitted to
power to declare the existence
in the House of
it within thirty session days of
of a state of war.
Representatives, but the Senate
the Congress from their
may propose or concur with
submission. The Commission
amendments.
shall rule by a majority vote of Section 15.

all the Members.

In times of war or other national

emergency, the National Section 19.

SEC.19.
The Electoral Tribunals and the
Commission on Appointments
shall be constituted within thirty
days after the Senate and the
House of Representatives shall
have been organized with the
election of the President and the
Speaker. The Commission on
Appointments shall meet only
while the Congress
Assembly may by law authorize
(1) The President shall submit
the Prime Minister, for a limited
within fifteen days of the
period and subject to such
opening of each regular session
restrictions as it may prescribe,
of the Congress a budget of
to exercise powers necessary
receipts and expenditures,
and proper to carry out a
which shall be the basis of the
declared national policy. Unless
general appropriations bill. The
sooner withdrawn by resolution
Congress may not increase the
of the National Assembly, such
appropriations recommended by
powers shall cease upon its next
the President for the operation
is in
adjournment.
of the Government as specified
session, at the call of its in the Budget, except the

Chairman or a majority of all its appropriations for the Congress

Section 16.
Members, to discharge such and the Judicial Department.
(1) The Prime Minister shall
powers and functions as are The form of the Budget and the
submit to the National Assembly
herein conferred upon it. information that it should contain
within thirty days from the
shall be prescribed by law.
opening of each regular session,
SEC.20.
(2) No provision or enactment
as the basis of the general
The records and books of
shall be embraced in the
appropriations bill, a budget of
accounts of the Congress shall
general appropriations bill
receipts based on existing and
be preserved and be open to the
unless it relates specifically to
proposed revenue measures,
public in accordance with law,
some particular appropriation
and of expenditures. The form,
and such books shall be audited
therein; and any such provision
content, and manner of
by the Commission on Audit
or enactment shall be limited in
preparation of the budget shall
which shall publish annually an
its operation to such
be prescribed by law.
itemized list of amounts paid to
appropriation.
(2) No provision or enactment
and expenses incurred for each
shall be embraced in the
Member.
general appropriations bill Section 20.

unless it relates specifically to

SEC.21. (1) Every bill passed by the
some particular appropriation
The Senate or the House of Congress shall, before it
therein. Any such provision or
Representatives or any of its becomes a law, be presented to
enactment shall be limited in its
respective committees may the President. If he approves the
operation to the appropriation to
conduct inquiries in aid of same, he shall sign it; but if not,
which it relates.
legislation in accordance with its he shall return it with his

duly published rules of objections to the House where it

procedure. The rights of persons originated, which shall enter the

(3) The procedure in approving
appearing in or affected by such objections at large on its Journal
appropriations for the National
inquiries shall be respected. Assembly shall strictly follow the and proceed to reconsider it. If,

procedure for approving after such reconsideration, two-

SEC.22. appropriations for other thirds of all the Members of such

The heads of departments may departments and agencies. House shall agree to pass the

upon their own initiative, with the bill, it shall be sent together, with

consent of the President, or the objections, to the House by

(4) A special appropriations bill
upon the request of either which it shall likewise be
shall specify the purpose for
House, as the rules of each reconsidered, and if approved
which it is intended, and shall be
House shall provide, appear by two-thirds of all the Members
supported by funds actually
before and be heard by such of that House, it shall become a
available as certified to by the
House on any matter pertaining law. In all such cases, the votes
National Treasurer, or to be
to their departments. Written of each House shall be
raised by a corresponding
questions shall be submitted to determined by yeas and nays,
revenue proposal included
the President of the Senate or and the names of the Members
therein.
the Speaker of the House of voting for and against shall be

Representatives at least three entered on its Journal. If any bill

days before their scheduled (5) No law shall be passed shall not be returned by the

appearance. Interpellations shall authorizing any transfer of President as herein provided

not be limited to written appropriations; however, the within twenty days (Sundays

questions, but may cover Prime Minister, the Speaker, the excepted) after it shall have

matters related thereto. When Chief Justice of the Supreme been presented to him, the

the security of the State or the Court, and the heads of same shall become a law in like

public interest so requires and Constitutional Commissions manner as if he had signed it,

the President so states in may by law be authorized to unless the Congress by

writing, the appearance shall be augment any item in the general adjournment prevent its return,

conducted in executive session. appropriations law for their in which case it shall become a

respective offices from saving in law unless vetoed by the

SEC.23. other items of their respective President within thirty days after

(1) The Congress, by a vote of appropriations. adjournment.

two-thirds of both Houses in

joint session assembled, voting

(6) If, by the end of the fiscal (2) The President shall have the
separately, shall have the sole
year, the National Assembly power to veto any particular item
power to declare the existence
shall have failed to pass the or items of an appropriation bill,
of a state of war.
general appropriations bill for but the veto shall not affect the

the ensuing fiscal year, the item or items to which he does

(2) In times of war or other
general appropriations law for not object. When a provision of
national emergency, the
the preceding fiscal year shall an appropriation bill affects one
Congress may, by law,
be deemed re-enacted and shall or more items of the same, the
authorize the President, for a
remain in force and effect until President cannot veto the
limited period and subject to
the general appropriations bill is provision without at the same
such restrictions as it may
passed by the National time, vetoing the particular item
prescribe, to exercise powers
Assembly. or items to which it relates. The
necessary and proper to carry
item or items objected to shall
out a declared national policy.
not take effect except in the
Section 17.
Unless sooner withdrawn by
manner heretofore provided as
resolution of the Congress, such (1) The rule of taxation shall be
to bills returned to the Congress
powers shall cease upon the uniform and equitable. The
without the approval of the
next adjournment thereof. National Assembly shall evolve
President. If the veto refers to a
a progressive system of
bill or any item of an
SEC.24. taxation.
appropriation bill which
All appropriation, revenue or
appropriates a sum in excess of
tariff bills, bills authorizing
ten per centum of the total
(2) The National Assembly may
increase of public debt, bills of
amount voted in the
by law authorize the Prime
local application, and private
appropriation bill for the general
Minister to fix within specified
bills shall originate exclusively in limits, and subject to such expenses of the Government for

the House of Representatives, limitations and restrictions as it the preceding year, or if it

but the Senate may propose or may impose, tariff rates, import should refer to a bill authorizing

concur with amendments. and export quotas, tonnage and an increase of the public debt,

wharfage dues, and other duties the same shall not become a

or imposts. law unless approved by three-

fourths of all the Members of

each House.
(3) Charitable institutions,

churches, personages or

convents appurtenant thereto, (3) The President shall have the

mosques and non-profit power to veto any separate item

cemeteries, and all lands, or items in a revenue of tariff bill,

buildings and improvements and the item or items shall not

actually, directly, and exclusively take effect except in the manner

used for religious or charitable provided as to bills vetoed by

purposes shall be exempt from the President.

taxation.

Section 21.

(4) No law granting any tax

(1) No bill which may be
exemption shall be passed
enacted into law shall embrace
without the concurrence of a
more than one subject which
majority of all the Members of
shall be expressed in the title of
the National Assembly.
the bill.

Section 18.
(2) No bill shall be passed by

(1) No money shall be paid out either House unless it shall have
of the Treasury except in been printed and copies thereof

pursuance of an appropriation in its final form furnished its

made by law. Members at least three calendar

days prior to its passage, except

when the President shall have

(2) No public money or property
certified to the necessity of its
shall ever be appropriated,
immediate enactment. Upon the
applied, paid, or used, directly or
last reading of a bill no
indirectly, for the use, benefit, or
amendment thereof shall be
support of any sect, church,
allowed, and the question upon
denomination, sectarian
its passage shall be taken
institution, or system of religion
immediately thereafter, and the
or for the use, benefit, or
yeas and nays entered on the
support of any priest, preacher,
Journal.
minister, or other religious

teacher or dignitary as such,

except when such priest, Section 22.

preacher, minister, or dignitary

(1) The rule of taxation shall be
is assigned to the armed forces,
uniform.
or to any penal institution, or

government orphanage or
(2) The Congress may by law
leprosarium.
authorize the President, subject

to such limitations and

Section 19.
restrictions as it may impose, to

(1) Every bill shall become a law fix, within specified limits, tariff

unless it has passed three rates, import or export quotas,

readings on separate days, and and tonnage and wharfage

printed copies thereof in its final dues.

form have been distributed to

the Members three days before

(3) Cemeteries, churches, and
its passage, except when the
parsonages or convents
Prime Minister certifies to the
appurtenant thereto, and all
necessity of its immediate
lands, buildings, and
enactment to meet a public
improvements used exclusively
calamity or emergency. Upon
for religious, charitable, or
the last reading of a bill, no
educational purposes shall be
amendment thereto shall be
exempt from taxation.
allowed, and the vote thereon

shall be taken immediately

thereafter, and the yeas and Section 23.

nays entered in the Journal. (1) All money collected on any

tax levied for a special purpose

shall be treated as a special

(2) No bill except those of local
fund and paid out for such
application shall be calendared
purpose only. If the purpose for
without the prior
which a special fund was crated
recommendation of the Cabinet.
has been fulfilled or abandoned,

the balance, if any, shall be

Section 20.
transferred to the general funds

(1) Every bill passed by the of the Government.

national Assembly shall, before

it becomes a law, be presented

(2) No money shall be paid out
to the Prime Minister. If he
of Treasury except in pursuance
approves the same he shall sign
of an appropriation made by
it; otherwise, he shall veto it and law.

return the same with his

objections to the National

(3) No public money, or property
Assembly. The bill may be
shall ever be appropriated,
reconsidered by the National
applied, or used, directly or
Assembly and, if approved by
indirectly, for the use, benefit, or
two-thirds of all its Members,
support of any sect, church,
shall become a law. The Prime
denomination, sectarian
Minister shall act on every bill
institution or system of religion,
passed by the National
for the use, benefit, or support of
Assembly within thirty days after
any priest, preacher, ministers,
the date of receipt thereof;
or other religious teacher or
otherwise, it shall become a law
dignitary as such except when
as if he had signed it.
such priest, preacher, minister,
(2) The Prime Minister shall
or dignitary is assigned to the
have the power to veto any
armed forces or to any penal
particular item or items in
institution, orphanage or
appropriation, revenue, or tariff
leprosarium.
bill, but the veto shall not affect

the item or items to which he

Section 24.
does not object.

The heads of departments upon

their own initiative or upon the

request of either House may

appear before and be heard by

such House on any matter

pertaining to their departments,

unless the public interest shall

require otherwise and the

President shall so state in

writing.

Section 25.

The Congress, shall, with the

concurrence of two-thirds of all

the Members of each House,

have the sole power to declare

war.

Section 26. In times of war and

other national emergency the

Congress may by law authorize

the President, for a limited

period, and subject to such

restrictions as it may prescribe,

to promulgate rules and

regulations to carry out a

declared national policy.

 1935 CONSTITUTION 1973 CONSTITUTION 1987 CONSTITUTION

SUFFRAGE Only male citizens By Citizens of the By all the citizens of the

At least 21 years of age Philippines Philippines

Able to read and write At least 18 years of age At least 18 years of age

Residence for at least No literacy, property or Residence for at least 1

one year and six other substantive year and 6 months in the

months in the place requirement on the place propose to vote

propose to vote exercise of the suffrage preceding the elections

preceding the elections Residence for at least 1 The congress shall

Extend the right to vote year and 6 months in the provide a system for

for women after voting place propose to vote securing the secrecy and

affirmatively in a least preceding the elections sanctity of the ballots as

voted by 300,000 well as the system for

women processing the absentee voting by

necessary qualified Filipino abroad

qualifications. The congress shall also

design the procedure for

the disabled and

illiterates to vote

without the assistance of

other person. Until then

they shall be allowed to

vote under existing laws

and such rules as the

commission on elections

may promulgate to
 protect the secrecy of

the ballot.

KINDS OF National assembly Batasang Pambansa Congress

CONGRESS

COMELEC One chairman and two One chairman and eight One chairman and six

COMPOSITION commissioners commissioners commissioners

APPOINTED By the president with the By the prime minister By the president with the

BY: consent of commission on consent of commission on

appointment appointment

QUALIFICATIO None Natural born citizen Natural born citizen

NS OF At least 35 years of age At least 35 years of age

MEMBERS at the time of at the time of

appointment appointment

Holder of college degree, Holder of college degree,

including the chairman including the chairman

shall be member of the shall be member of the

Philippine bar and Philippine bar and

engaged in the practice engaged in the practice

of law for at least ten of law for at least ten

years years

Must not have been

candidates for any

elective positions I then

immediately preceding

elections

IN CASE OF none Appointments to any Appointments to any

VACANCY vacancy shall be for the vacancy shall be only for

unexpired portion of the the unexpired term of

term of the predecessor the predecessor

In no case shall any

member be appointed or

designated in temporary

or acting capacity.

NUMBER OF Three members Nine members (chairman Seven members (chairman

MEMBERS AND (chairman and two and eight commissioners) and six commissioners)

TERM OF commission) Three- for seven years Three- for seven years

OFFICE One- for nine years Three- for five years Two- for five years

One- for six years Three- for three years Two- for three years

One- for three years

REMOVAL OF Only by Only by Only by

OFFICE impeachment impeachment impeachment

POWERS AND Inclusive charge of the Be the sole judge of all Enforce and administer

FUNCTIONS enforcement and contests relating to all laws and regulations

administration of all elections, returns, and relative to the conduct of

laws relative to the qualifications of all an election plebiscite,

conduct of elections members of the National initiative, referendum,

Exercise all other Assembly and Elective and recall.

functions which may be Provincial and City Exercise exclusive

conferred upon it by Officials. original jurisdiction

law Deputize, with the overall contests relating

Decide, save those consent or at the instance to the elections, returns

involving the right to of the Prime Minister, and qualifications of all

vote, all administrative law enforcement elective regional,

questions affecting agencies and provincial and city

elections including: instrumentalities of the officials, and appellate

The determination of Government, including jurisdiction over all

the number and the armed forces of he contests involving

location of polling Philippines, for the elective municipal

places purpose of ensuring free, officials decided by trial

The determination of orderly, and honest courts or general

the number and election. jurisdiction, or involving

location of polling Register and accredit elective barangay

places, and the political parties subject o officials decided by trial

appointment of election the provisions of Section courts of limited

inspectors and of other Eight hereof. jurisdiction.

election officials Recommend to the Decisions final orders, or

National Assembly rulings of the

effective measure to commission on election

minimize election contests involving

expenses and prohibit all elective municipal and

forms of election frauds barangay offices shall be

and malpractices, guest final, executor, and not

or other similar acts. appealable.

Submit to the President, Decide except those

Prime Minister, and the involving the right to

National Assembly report vote, all question

on the conduct and affecting elections,

manner of each election. including determination

Perform such other o the number and

functions as may be location of polling

provided by law. places,. Appointment of

The commission may be election officials and

recommend by the inspectors and

Prime Minister the registration of voters,

removal of , or any other Deputize with the

disciplinary action concurrence of the

against , any officer or president, law

employee it has enforcement agencies

deputized for violation or and credible elections.

disregard of, or Register, after sufficient

disobedience to its publication, political

decision, order, or parties, organizations, or

directive. coalitions, which in in

Section 3. The addition to other

Commission on election requirements, must

may sit en banc or in present their platform or

three divisions. All program of government;

election cases may be and accredit citizens

heard and decided by arms of the Commission

division, except contests on Election. Religious

involving members of the denominations and sects

National Assembly, shall not be registered

which shall be heard and those which seeks to

decided en banc. Unless achieve their goals

otherwise provided by through evidence or

law, all election cases unlawful means, or

shall be decided within refuse to uphold and

ninety days from the date adhere to this

of their submission for constitution, or which

decision. are supported by any

Section 4. The foreign government shall

Commission may likewise be refused

recommend to the Prime registration.

Minister the removal of, Financial contributions

or any other disciplinary from foreign government

action against, any officer and their agencies to

or employee it has political parties,

deputized, for violation organization, coalitions,

or disregard of, or or candidates related to

disobedience to its the elections, constitute

decision, order, or interference in national

directive. affairs, and hen accepted

Section 5. the enjoyment shall be an additional

o utilization of all ground for the

franchises or permits for cancellation of their

the operation or registration with the

transportation and other Commission, in addition

public utilities, media of to other penalties that

communication, all may be prescribed by

grants[, special law. File upon a verified

privileges, or any complaint or on its own

subdivision, agency, or initiative, petitions in

instrumentality thereof, court for inclusion of

including ant voters; investigate and

government-owned or where appropriate

controlled corporation prosecute cases of

may be supervised or violation of election laws,

regulated by the including acts or

Commission during the commission constituting

election period for the election frauds, offences,

purpose of ensuring free, and malpractices.

orderly, and honest Recommend to the

election. congress affective

Section 6. Unless measures to minimize

otherwise fixed by the election spending,

Commission in special including limitation of

cases, the election period places where

shall commence ninety propaganda materials

days before the day of shall be posted, and to

election and shall end prevent and penalize all

thirty days thereafter. forms of election frauds,

Section 7. No pardon, offenses, malpractices

parole, or suspension of and nuisance candidates.

sentence for violation of Recommend to the

the law or rules and President the removal of

regulation concerning any officer or employee it

elections be granted has deputized, or the

without the imposition of any other

recommendation of the disciplinary action, for

Commission. violation or disregard of,

Section 8. A political or decision.

party shall be entitled to Submit to the President

accreditation by the and the Congress a

commission if, in the comprehensive report on

immediately preceding the conduct of each

election, such party has election, plebiscite,

obtained at least the initiative, referendum, or

third highest number of recall.

vote cast in the Section 3. The

constituency to which it Commission on Election

seeks accreditation. No may sit en banc or in two

religious sect shall be divisions, and shall

registered as political promulgate its rules of

party and no political procedure in order to

party which seek to expedite disposition of

achieves its goals election cases, including

through violence or pre-proclamation

subversion shall be controversies. All such

entitled to accreditation. election cases shall be

Section 9. Bona fide heard and decide in

candidates for any public division provided that

office shall be free from motions for

any form of harassment reconsideration of

and discrimination. decision shall be decide

Section 10. No elective by the Commission en

public officer may change Banc.

his political party Section 4. The

affiliation during hid Commission may, during

term of office and no the election period,

candidate for any supervise or regulate the

elective. Public office enjoyment or utilization

may change his political of all franchises or

party affiliation within permits for the operation

six months immediately of transportation and

preceding or following an other public utilities,

election. media of communication

or information, all grants,

special privileges, or

concessions granted by

the government or any

other subdivision,

agency, or

instrumentality, thereof,

including any

government-owned or

controlled corporation or

its subsidiary. Such

supervision or regulation

shall aim to ensure equal

opportunity, and equal

rates therefor, public

information campaigns

and forums among

candidates in connection
with the objective of

holding free, orderly,

honest, peaceful, and

credible elections.

Section 5. No pardon

amnesty parole, or

suspension of sentence

for violation of election

laws, rules and

regulations shall be

granted by the president

without the favorable

recommendation of the

Commission.

Section 6. A free and

open party system shall

be allowed to evolve

according to the free

choice of the people,

subject to the provisions

of this article.

Section 7. No vote cast in

favor of political party,

organization, or coalition

shall be valid. Except for

those registered under

the party-list system as

provided in this

Constitution.

Section 8. Political

parties, or organization

or coalitions registered

under the party-list

system shall not be

represented in the voters

registration boards,

boards of election,

inspectors, board of

canvassers, or other

similar bodies. However,

they shall be entitled to

appoint poll watchers in

accordance with law.

Section 9. Unless

otherwise fixed by the

Commission in special

cases, the election period

shall commence ninety

days before the day of

election and shall end

thirty days thereafter.

Section 10. Bona fide

candidates for any public

office shall be free from

 any form of harassment

and discrimination

Section 11. Funds

certified by the

Commission as necessary

to defray the expenses

for holding regular and

special elections.

Plebiscites, initiative,

referenda and recalls,

shall be provided in the

regular or special

appropriations and once

approved, shall be

released automatically

upon certification by the

Chairman of the

Commission.

DECISIONS, Subject to review Maybe brought to Unless otherwise

ORDERS, by the supreme court the supreme court by provided by this

RULINGS, AND certiorari 30 days from constitution or by law,

RESOLUTIONS receipt of a copy thereof any decision, order, or

ruling of each

commission may be

brought to the supreme

 court on certiorari by

the aggrieved party

within thirty days from

receipt of a copy thereof.

PROHIBITION Member of No member of the No member of

TO HOLD Constitutional constitutional Constitutional

OTHER OFFICE Commission shall not, Commission shall, during Commission shall,

AND PRACTICE during their his tenure in office, during his tenure, hold

OF continuance of any engage in the practice of any offer office or

PROFESSIONS profession, or any profession or in the employment. Neither

intervene, directly or management of any shall he engage in the

indirectly, in the business, or be practice of any

management or control financially interested profession or in the

of any private directly or indirectly in active management or

enterprises which in any contract with, or in control of Any business

any way may be any franchise or which, in a way, may be

affected by the privilege granted by the affected by the function

functions of their office government or any of his office, nor shall he

Nor shall they, directly subdivision agency or be financially interested.

or indirectly, be instrumentality, thereof, Directly, or indirectly in

financially interested in including government- any contract with, or in

any contract with the owned or controlled any franchise or

government or any corporations. privilege granted by the

subdivisions or Government, any of its

instrumentality thereof. subdivisions, agencies,

or instrumentalities

including government.