Download as docx, pdf, or txt
Download as docx, pdf, or txt
You are on page 1of 3

Article 1: National Territory - This article defines the national territory of the Philippines, which includes the land,

waters, and
airspace. It also establishes the country's sovereignty over these areas.

The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein.

Article 2: Declaration of Principles and State Policies - This article lays down the fundamental principles and values that guide the
government and the Filipino people. It includes provisions on the promotion of social justice, human rights, democracy, and the
pursuit of national development.

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

This section emphasizes the democratic and republican nature of the Philippines, with power ultimately belonging to the people.

Article 3: Bill of Rights - This article enumerates the basic rights and freedoms of every Filipino citizen. It includes provisions on the
right to life, liberty, and property, freedom of expression, religion, and assembly, as well as protection against unreasonable searches
and seizures.

Section 1. 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.

Article 4: Citizenship - This article defines who are considered citizens of the Philippines, including those who are natural-born,
naturalized, or have acquired citizenship through other means. It also discusses the loss and reacquisition of citizenship.

Section 1: The following are citizens of the Philippines: those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this
Constitution, those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines, and those who elect Philippine citizenship.

This section defines who are considered citizens of the Philippines, including those who are citizens by birth or by election.

Article 5: Suffrage - This article deals with the right to vote and the qualifications and disqualifications for suffrage. It also
establishes the Commission on Elections, which is responsible for conducting elections in the country.

Section 1: Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen
years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherein they propose to vote for at
least six months immediately preceding the election.

This section establishes the qualifications for suffrage, including age, residency, and absence of disqualifications.

Article 6: The Legislative Department - This article establishes the bicameral Congress, composed of the Senate and the House of
Representatives. It defines the qualifications and term of office for legislators and outlines the legislative process.

Section 1: The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House of
Representatives.

This section establishes the Congress of the Philippines as the legislative body, composed of the Senate and the House of
Representatives.

Article 7: The Executive Department - This article outlines the powers and responsibilities of the President, including the
qualifications and term of office. It also discusses the Vice President and the President's Cabinet.

Section 1: The executive power shall be vested in the President of the Philippines.

This section establishes the President as the head of the executive branch of government.

Article 8: The Judicial Department - This article establishes the judiciary as an independent branch of government. It discusses the
qualifications and appointment of judges, the jurisdiction of courts, and the power of judicial review.

Section 1: The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law.

This section establishes the Supreme Court as the highest judicial body in the Philippines, along with lower courts.

Article 9: Constitutional Commissions - This article establishes three constitutional commissions: the Commission on Elections, the
Civil Service Commission, and the Commission on Audit. It defines their powers, functions, and independence.

Section 1: There shall be a Commission on Elections composed of a Chairman and six Commissioners who shall be natural-born
citizens of the Philippines.

This section establishes the Commission on Elections as a constitutional commission responsible for conducting elections in the
Philippines.

Article 10: Local Government - This article provides for the creation of local government units and defines their powers and
responsibilities. It also discusses the principles of decentralization and local autonomy.

Section 1: The territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines are the provinces, cities, municipalities, and
barangays.

Article 11: Accountability of Public Officers - This article establishes mechanisms for holding public officials accountable for their
actions. It includes provisions on impeachment, the Ombudsman, and the Sandiganbayan, a special anti-corruption court.

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.

This section emphasizes the principles of public accountability and the ethical standards expected of public officers and employees.
Article 12: National Economy and Patrimony - This article outlines the principles and policies governing the national economy,
including the promotion of Filipino-owned businesses, protection of natural resources, and regulation of foreign investments.

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 produced by the nation for the benefit of the people.

Article 13: Social Justice and Human Rights - This article emphasizes the importance of social justice and human rights in the
country. It includes provisions on labor rights, agrarian reform, urban land reform, and the protection of marginalized sectors.

Section 1: The Congress shall give the highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the
people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing
wealth and political power for the common good.

This section emphasizes the importance of protecting human dignity, reducing inequalities, and promoting the common good through
legislative measures.

Article 14: Education, Science, and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports - This article focuses on the promotion of quality
education, scientific research, and cultural development in the Philippines. It also discusses the role of the state in supporting these
areas.

Section 1: The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate
steps to make such education accessible to all.

This section highlights the state’s responsibility to protect and promote the right to quality education for all citizens.

Article 15: The Family - This article recognizes the importance of the family as the foundation of society. It includes provisions on
marriage, parental authority, and the protection of children.

Section 1: The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.

This section recognizes the importance of the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation and emphasizes the state’s role in
strengthening and promoting its development.

Article 16: General Provisions - This article contains miscellaneous provisions that do not fit in other articles. It includes provisions
on the national language, national anthem, flag, and the official seal of the Philippines.

Section 1: The national language of the Philippines is Filipino.

This section designates Filipino as the national language of the Philippines and acknowledges its development and enrichment based
on existing languages.

Article 17: Amendments or Revisions - This article outlines the process for amending or revising the Constitution. It requires a
proposal from Congress or a constitutional convention, followed by ratification through a plebiscite.

Section 1: Any amendment 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.

This section outlines the two methods by which amendments or revisions to the Constitution can be proposed.

The constitutional commission is created to draft proposed amendments or revisions to the constitution. The members of this
commission are typically appointed or elected based on specific criteria. They review the existing constitution, consult with various
stakeholders, and propose changes that they believe will improve the constitution.

The Constitutional Commission submits its proposed amendments or revisions to Congress. The proposals are then reviewed and
debated by the members of Congress.

Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives, has the power to approve or reject the proposed amendments
or revisions. The proposals go through a series of readings, debates, and voting in both houses of Congress.

If the proposed amendments or revisions are approved by a certain majority of the members of Congress, they are then submitted to
the people for a vote. This is usually done through a referendum or plebiscite. (It is a voting process or a form of direct democracy that
allows citizens to have a direct say in matters of national importance. The voting process is usually conducted in a manner similar to
regular elections, with polling stations set up and ballots provided to the voters.)

If the proposed amendments or revisions are approved by the majority of the voters, they are ratified and become part of the
constitution.

Article 18: Transitory Provisions - This article contains provisions for the transition from the previous constitution to the 1987
Constitution. It includes provisions on the continuity of government, the preservation of rights, and the establishment of new
institutions.

Section 1: The provisions of the 1973 Constitution, as amended, shall be recognized as valid and binding.

This section recognizes the validity and binding nature of the provisions of the previous constitution, as amended, during the
transition period to the 1987 Constitution.

There were 6 Philippine Constitutions. (1) Malolos Constitution, which is after the proclamation of the Philippine Independence from
Spain on June 12 1898. Before the 1987 Constitution, it was the 1973 Constitution, which was written by a convention which is inline
by what President Ferdinand Marcos wanted, but he wasn’t the one who wrote it, according to the victims of martial law.

As for the 1987 Philippine Constitution, it was created by the Constitutional Commission under the administration of Corazon Aquino.

The 1973 and 1987 Philippine Constitutions have differences in their preambles, structure, and provisions.
The 1973 Constitution was enacted during the martial law period under President Ferdinand Marcos. It introduced a parliamentary
form of government and allowed Marcos to stay in power during the transition period. The preamble of the 1973 Constitution
emphasizes the establishment of a government that shall embody the ideals of the Filipino people, promote general welfare, and secure
the blessings of democracy.

On the other hand, the 1987 Constitution, enacted after the People Power Revolution that ousted Marcos, restored the presidential
form of government and added several provisions to prevent the repeat of abuses during the martial law period. The preamble of the
1987 Constitution highlights building a just and humane society, establishing a government that shall embody the ideals and
aspirations of the Filipino people, and securing the blessings of independence and democracy.

For instance, the 1987 Constitution explicitly states that “The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in
the people and all government authority emanates from them.” It also emphasizes the supremacy of civilian authority over the
military, the separation of Church and State, and the protection of human rights.

Also, the 1987 Constitution has more extensive provisions on social justice, education, health, and other social services. It also
provides for the autonomy of local governments and the prohibition of political dynasties as may be defined by law.

In terms of the legislative department, the 1987 Constitution provides for a bicameral Congress composed of a Senate and a House of
Representatives, whereas the 1973 Constitution provided for a unicameral National Assembly. Usa la nga legislative body, mayda la
nira sinusuga nga assemblymen, which is responsible for making and passing laws in the country.

In the parliamentary system, the President served as both the head of state and the head of government. The National Assembly,
composed of Assemblymen, acted as the legislative body. The President was elected by the National Assembly, and the Prime
Minister, who was the head of government, was appointed by the President.

The unicameral National Assembly had the power to enact laws, approve the budget, and perform other legislative functions.
However, it’s important to note that during this time, the President also had significant executive powers, including the ability to issue
decrees and orders with the force of law.

You might also like