Do you know what is a constitution is, do you know its purpose?

Here in the Philippines we have a total of six constitutions and today we will talk
about one of its constitutions which is the 1973 Philippine Constitution.

What is a Constitution? a constitution is a set of rules that guides how a country state
or other political organization works.

How did Philippine constitution started? How? It started for more than 300 years of
Spanish rule nationally sentiment began to grow among groups of indios or filipinos
fueled in large measure by the writings of National Hero Jose Rizal and other
illustrado.

A revolution happened against spain and declared Philippine Independence in

Kawit, Cavite on June 12 1898. and what became known as the Malolos Congress,
was convened on September 15, 1898. And the first philippine constitution called the
Malolos Constitution it was approved on January 20, 1899. ushering what is called the
first Philippine Republic.

So how did 1973 constitution started?

President Ferdinand Marcos was the first president to be re-elected because of his
desires of remaining in power beyond his legal tenure. He declared
Martial Law in 1972 just before his last term. He then manipulated an ongoing
constitutional convention and caused the drafting of a new constitution (the 1973
constitution) which allowed him to rule by decree until 1978.

When the presidential system of the 1935 constitution was replaced with a new and
parliamentary one.

Here are the five important features of the 1973 constitution:

1. Content of the constitution the 1973 constitution is composed of a preamble

and 17 articles that provides for the shift from presidential to parliamentary system
of government. Its constitution was a deviation from the philippines commitment to
democratic ideals.
Former President Marcos euphemistically called the 1973 constitution as
authoritarian nature yet democratic in practice.

Both the 1935 and the 1973 constitution had in the amendatory process and
elaborate bill of rights.

and next we have

2. Established a Prime Minister and President.

For the first time in philippine history a parliamentary government established a prime
minister and the president both were elected by the national assembly.

and we have
3. Legislative Powers
The legislative power is vested in a congress which is divided into two houses,
the senate and the house of representatives in the unicameral national assembly.

In 1973 constitution, Legislative Power was given to the president in an acting laws
compulsory to avoid the uprising of new people's army. Also the justices of the court
were appointed by the president alone without the consent approval or
recommendation of anybody or officials.

4. Parity Rights
According to Gabriel John D. Ricarde’s Study, President Manuel Roxas believed that
the Philippines needed support from the Americans to be able to restore its economy.
That is why the liberal party under Manuel Roxas favored the grant of parity rights
but President Marcos terminated parity rights between Americans and Filipinos.

lastly
5. Emphasize duties and obligations
There is an emphasis of the duties and obligations of the citizens especially in giving
military services and joining military forces.
Stated in Article 5 of the 1973 constitution, it shall be the duty of the citizens to
be loyal to the republic and to honor the Philippine flag to defend the state and
contribute to its development and welfare to uphold the constitution and obey the laws
and to cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the attainment and
preservation of a just an orderly society.

Important Laws still used up to this day.

It was during the Marcos administration, where the 1973 philippine constitution was
ratified.
If you are going to compare the 1973 constitution and the current constitution that
we're following you will notice that the articles have the same meaning.
It's just that the description for every article in the 1987 constitution are more
elaborated. Some of these articles are the article 1 national territory article 2
declaration of principles in the state policies in the article 3 bill of rights .

Formerly article 4 bill of rights of the 1973 philippine constitution section 4 that says
no law shall be passed, abridging the freedom of speech of expression or of the press
for the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for the
readiness of grievances.

Let me discuss the Presidential Decrees. A decree is a rule of law usually issued by a
head of state such as the president. It was a former president of the philippines
ferdinand e marcos who innovated the idea of presidential decrease with the
proclamation of martial law. One of the important decrees is the presidential decree
number 86 series of 1972 also known as creating
Barangay a citizen assemblies. Now the barangay is considered as the basic unit of the
government and is recognized in the 1987 constitution.
Another example is the presidential degree 1177, known as the budget reform degree
which commonly known as the portk barrel, and the source of the greatest scam
whose mastermind was said to be Ms Janet Lim Napoles,

Let's talk about suffrage or the right to vote in political election. During the 1935
constitution only male citizens with at least 21 years of age and who is able to read
and write are allowed to vote, but it was changed in article 6 of 1973 constitution
where all citizens of the Philippines who is at least 18 years of age are allowed to
vote. There is no literacy or property requirement but he or she should be a resident
for at least one year and six months in the place he or she proposed to vote and this is
still applied and followed in the present day.

Next is article 3 which talks about citizenship who are the citizens of the Philippines.
Well basically if your parents are filipino citizens then you are a filipino citizen but
What if you married an alien? A foreign person who is a permanent resident of the
country but does not have citizenship. If this happens you are still a filipino.

It was clearly stated in the 1973 constitution article 3 section 2, that the female
citizens of the philippines who marry an alien shall retain her philippine citizenship.
Then it was developed in 1987 constitution article 4 section 4 that the citizens of the
philippines who marry an alien shall retain their citizenship. In short this applies to all
gender.
Now let's say you already married an alien. He is Korean and you have a daughter, so
Basically your daughter is half korean and half filipino. But what about her
citizenship? According to article 3 section 1, Those whose father or mother are
citizens of the philippines are considered filipino citizen, so your daughter is a
filipino citizen. Though you have to provide some paperwork to prove that your
daughter is a filipino.
To sum up this story short, dual citizens, are considered filipino as long as one of its
parents are filipino citizen and this citizenship law is still followed in the present day.

Strengths and Weaknesses of this Constitution

Strengths

First is the constitution ensures the citizens health, education and security.

Second the constitution led the records and books of account of each member to the
public. Also because the constitution allows us the people of the philippines the right
of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized.

Third the natural resources of the philippines are limited to the citizen itself.
This is one of the strength of the constitution i noticed because we need to limit the
access of our natural resources because if we allow anyone to have access to our
resources probably it will not take long and it will destroy.

Fourth the constitution ratifies the rights of the workers it is one of the threat of the
constitution because it's a freedom of association to equal opportunity and to protect
our workers against discrimination.
Fifth the constitution allows everyone the right to vote no gender role six is
maintaining and preserving of the filipino culture understanding of how things came
to be and why they are the way they are serves as guide to accumulated knowledge of
the past also understand the value of freedom, respect and peace.

Along with strengths the 1973 philippine constitution also has its Weaknesses.

This constitution allowed marcos the rule by decree until the year 1978 when the
presidential system of the 1935 constitution was replaced with a parliamentary one
under this new system Marcos held on to power and continued to govern by decree
suppressing democratic institutions and restricting civil freedoms.

In 1981 martial law was officially lifted, but Marcos continued to rule by the
Expedient of being re elected in the force of an election the new six-year term.
He continued to suppress descent and thousands of vocal objectors to his rule
Either mysteriously disappeared or were incarcerated.
Having to hold on to power corruption allowed Marcos and his wife Imelda to live
extravagantly causing resentment domestically and criticism internationally.

The 1973 constitution increased the numbers of the members of the supreme court.
However the justices of the court were appointed by the president alone without the
constant approval or recommendation of any other body or officials.

Writ large also during this period was the relationship between the court and the chief
executive who under amendment number six to the 1973 constitution had assumed
legislative powers even while an elected legislative body continued to function.

This 1973 constitution had become the downfall of Marcos administration as filipinos
unified to once again and achieve democracy.

For the long-term contribution of the 1973 constitution of the republic of the
Philippines, the jurisprudence includes, that the philippines has its national territory.
The national territory comprises the philippine archipelago with all the islands and
waters embrace their inn and all the other territories belonging to the philippines the
historic right or legal title.

Declaration of principles and state policies the philippine as a republican state.

Sovereignty resides in the people and all governmental authority.

Citizenship

We also have the bill of rights. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty or
property without due process of law nor shall any person be denied the equal
protection of the laws.

The constitution also has the jurisprudence of the duties and obligations of citizens.
It shall be the duty of the citizen to be loyal to the republic and to honor the philippine
flag to defend the state and contribute to its development and welfare.
The Suffrage
Suffrage shall be exercised by citizens of the philippines not otherwise disqualified by
law who are 18 years of age or over.

The President
The president shall be the head of state and chief executive of the republic of
the philippines.

Batasang Pambansa
The legislative power shall be vested in Batasang Pambansa, composed of not more
than 200 members unless otherwise provided by law shall include representatives
elected from the different regions of the philippines.

The prime minister, the cabinet and the executive committee.

There shall be a cabinet which shall be composed of ministers with or without
portfolio appointed by the president.

The 1972 constitution of the republic of the philippines has many contributions to the
nation like article 12 section 2 which states that no officer or employee in the civil
service should be suspended or dismissed except for costs provided by law. It gives
right and protects the workers from people who abuses their power.

Also article 13 section 2, which states that the president the justices of the supreme
court and the members of the constitutional commission, shall be removed from
office on impeachment for and conviction of culpable violation of the constitution,
treason, bribery or graft and corruption. This helps the citizens of the philippines to
have a better government because those who will commit high crimes will be
removed because of this law.

The philippines has many natural resources and it should be preserved and protected.
Article 14 section 8 has a big contribution for that because it states that natural
resources must not be alienated. No licensed concession or lease for the exploration or
utilization of any of the natural resources shall be granted.

Education is really important and according to article 15 section 8 number 5 the state
shall maintain a system for free public elementary education and in areas where
finances permit establish and maintain a system of free public education at least up to
the secondary level. This law is very helpful especially to those who cannot afford
private schools. Education is also the key to success so having free education is a big
relief to many filipinos.