Baguhin,Vircelyn M.

BTLED-1C
Written Report
“SOCIAL,POLITICAL,ECONOMICS,AND CULTURAL ISSUES IN PHILIPPINE
HISTORY”

Evolution of the Philippine Constitution

The constitution is defined as a set of fundamental principles or established precedents
according to which a state or other organization is governed, thus, the word itself means to be a
part of a whole, the coming together of distinct entities into one group with the same principles
and ideals. The constitution of the Philippines, the supreme law of the Republic of the
Philippines has been in effect since 1987.
1897: Constitution of Biak-na-Bato
The constitution of Biak-na-Bato was the provisionary Constitution of the Philippine Republic
during the Philippine Revolution and was promulgated by the Philippine Revolutionary
Government on November 1, 1897. The Constitution, borrowed from Cuba, was written by
Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer in Spanish, and later on translated into tagalog.
(Organs of the Constitution)
 Supreme Council-which was vested with the power of the Republic, headed by the
president and four department secretaries: the interior, foreign affairs, treasury, and war.
 Consejo Supremo de Garcia Y Justicia(Supreme Council of Grace and Justice)-which
was given the authority to make decisions and affirm or disprove the sentences rendered
by other courts and to dictate rules for the administration of justice
 Asamblea de Represantes(Assembly of Representatives)-which was to be convened after
the revolution to create a new Constitution and to elect a new Council of government and
representative of the people

PRIMARY SOURCE:
PREAMBLE OF THE BIAK-NA-BATO CONSTITUTION
Philippine republic has been the end sought by the revolution in the existing war begun on the 24 th
of August 1896,therefore, in its name by the power delegated by the Filipino people interpreting
faithfully their desires and ambitions.
1899: MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
In 1899, the Malolos Constitution, the first Philippine Constitution—the first republican
constitution in Asia—was drafted and adopted by the First Philippine Republic, which lasted
from 1899 to 1901. During the American Occupation, the Philippines was governed by the laws
of the United States of America. April 1898, the Spanish–American War broke out. ... Following
the proclamation of independence Aguinaldo established a revolutionary government on June 23,
1898, under which the partly-elected and partly-appointed Malolos Congress convened on
September 15 to write a constitution. On January 21, 1899, Aguinaldo promulgated what is now
known as the Malolos Constitution. The Malolos constitution is the first important Filipino
document ever produced by the people's representatives. It is anchored in democratic traditions
that ultimately had their roots in American soil. Many constitutions are adopted by the
constitution-making body, such as a Constituent Assembly or by Parliament. To reflect the need
for consensus, a special majority may be required. Alternatively, many constitutions are ratified
or adopted through a national referendum.
1935: THE COMMONWEALTH CONSTITUTION
The 1935 Constitution provided the legal basis of the Commonwealth Government which was
considered a transition government before the granting of the Philippine independence with
American-inspired constitution; the Philippine government would eventually pattern its
government system after American government. The President shall have the power to grant
reprieves, commutations, and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction, for all
offenses, except in cases of impeachment, upon such conditions and with such restrictions and
limitations as he may deem proper to impose.

The constitution was approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on March 23, 1935 and
ratified by popular vote on May 14, 1935. Manuel L. Quezon and Sergio Osmeña of the
Nacionalista Party were proclaimed the winners, winning the seats of president and vice-
president respectively. Carlos Polistico Garcia (November 4, 1896–June 14, 1971) was a Filipino
teacher, poet, orator, lawyer, public official, political economist, guerrilla, and Commonwealth
military leader who was the eighth President of the Philippines.
At 7:17 pm on September 23, 1972, President Ferdinand Marcos announced that he had placed
the entirety of the Philippines under martial law. This marked the beginning of a 14-year period
of one-man rule which would effectively last until Marcos was exiled from the country on
February 24, 1986, warned the public of the possible establishment of a “garrison state” by
President Ferdinand Marcos. President Marcos imposed martial law on the nation from 1972 to
1981 to suppress increasing civil strife and the threat of a communist takeover following a series
of bombings in Manila.
1973: CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITARIANISM
The 1973 Constitution composed of a preamble and 17 articles, provides for the shift from
presidential to parliamentary system of government. The Constitution vests the legislative power
in the National Assembly. The 1973 Constitution: draft presented to President Marcos by the
1971 Constitutional Convention on December 1, 1972; deemed ratified by Citizens' Assemblies
held from January 10 to 15, 1973, proclaimed in force by Proclamation by President Marcos,
January 17, 1973. When democracy was restored in 1986, the 1973 Constitution was replaced by
first the freedom constitution, also known as Proclamation No. 3, s. 1986, then our current
constitution, the 1987 Constitution. This constitution came into full force and effect on February
11, 1987, after President Corazon C.

PRESIDENT CORAZON AQUINO’S GOVERNMENT

The triumph of the peaceful People Power Revolution and the ascension of Corazon Aquino to
the Philippine presidency signaled the end of authoritarian rule in the Philippines and the
dawning of a new era for the nation. The relatively peaceful manner by which Aquino came into
power drew international acclaim and admiration not only for her but for the Filipino people, as
well. During the first months of Aquino's presidency, the country experienced radical changes
and sweeping democratic reforms. One of Aquino's first and boldest moves was the creation of
the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which was tasked to go after the
Marcos ill-gotten wealth; however, after her presidency, the PCGG itself was also implicated by
corruption scandals when it was alleged that officials wanted a cut of the Marcos assets and
officials were "milking" sequestered assets.[1][2][3] Aquino, being a revolutionary president by
virtue of people power, repealed & abolished repressive laws under her predecessor, restored
civil liberties, abolished the 1973 "Marcos Constitution" and dissolved the Marcos allies,
loyalists, supporters-dominated Batasang Pambansa, despite the advice of her vice-president and
only prime minister Salvador Laurel. She also immediately created a Constitutional Commission,
which she directed for the drafting of a new constitution for the nation
On the over-all, the Aquino administration made important gains in the aspects of bringing back
democracy, restoring investor confidence in the economy and enacting legal and constitutional
reforms. Despite these achievements, her presidency faced several threats from both right-wing
military elements and extreme left-wing communist rebels. Further, her administration dealt with
numerous problems such as major natural disasters which struck the country and severe power
shortages which took a toll on doing business in the Philippines. It was also during her tenure
that the United States finally ended its military bases and presence in the country.