1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE I: National Territory

Summary: Article I states the scope and extent of the country's territory, including the internal
waters; and terrestrial, fluvial and aerial domains. Furthermore, the waters around, between, and
connecting the islands of the Philippines form part of the country's internal waters (based on the
Archipelagic Doctrine).

ARTICLE II: Declaration of Principles and State Policies

Summary: Article II contains 28 sections divided into two parts. The first part enumerates the
principles of the State such as the democratic and republican nature of the Philippine State; the
supremacy of civilian authority over the military; the people's duty to defend the State;
separation of Church and State; and renunciation of war as an instrument of national policy.
While the second part stipulates the State policies such as the promotion of an independent
foreign policy; recognition of the youth's and women's role in nation-building; promotion of a
comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform; and the promotion of social justice.

ARTICLE III: Bill of Rights

Summary: Article III recognizes the individual rights of the Filipino people and guarantees its
protection against abuses. Included in the bill of rights are: due process of law; equal protection
of the laws; protection against unreasonable searches and seizures; right to privacy of
communication and correspondence; and the right to free speech, expression and to peaceably
assemble. The specific rights of the accused is likewise presented, such as; right to bail, right to
criminal due process, right to speedy disposition of cases, right against self-incrimination, non-
imprisonment for non payment of debt or a poll tax, and right against double jeopardy. It further
prohibits the enactment of an ex post facto law or a bill of attainder.

ARTICLE IV: Citizenship

Summary: Article IV enumerates the conditions of being citizens of the Philippines and the
manner of acquiring and losing Philippine citizenship. It also provides for the constitutional
definition of “natural-born” citizen and the retention of Philippine citizenship of those who
marry aliens unless they have renounced it.

ARTICLE V: Suffrage

Summary: Article V stipulates the qualifications of the Filipinos who have the right to vote. No
literacy, property, or other substantive requirement is imposed on the exercise of suffrage. The
Congress is tasked to provide a system to protect the ballots, a system of overseas absentee
voting, and a procedure for the disabled and illiterates to vote without the assistance of other
persons.
ARTICLE VI: Legislative Department

Summary: Article VI provides for the establishment of a bicameral legislature, its composition,
terms of office, powers and functions as the legislative branch of the government. Under this
Article, the people can also exercise legislative powers through a system of initiative and
referendum. The members of the Senate, or the Upper house, are elected at large by the qualified
voters of the Philippines and are to serve for six years with a maximum of two terms. While
there are two kinds of members of the House of Representatives or the Lower House of
Congress, namely, the representatives elected by district and those elected through the party-list
system. The term of office of the members of the lower house is shorter than the Senate. Each
member of the House of Representatives is elected for a term of three years with a maximum of
three terms. The powers of Congress include the passage of bills, levy taxes, approve
appropriation, declare a state of war, and confirm presidential appointments through the
Commission of Appointments.

ARTICLE VII: Executive Department

Summary: Article VII stipulates the qualifications, duties and functions of the President and
Vice-President. It expressly states that the executive power is vested in the President of the
Philippines. The President and the Vice-President are elected by direct vote of the qualified
voters of the Philippines for a six-year term. While the President is not qualified for re-election,
the vice-president can serve two (2) consecutive terms. This article stipulates that the President is
the head of state, the chief executive of government, and the commander-in-chief of the armed
forces. However, certain protections are declared against abuses of executive power such as the
prohibition against practice of any other profession, prohibition against appointment of spouse
and relatives to certain positions in government and limitation on the declaration of martial law
or suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus to a period not exceeding 60 days.

ARTICLE VIII: Judicial Department

Summary: Article VIII provides for the composition, powers and functions of the judiciary. The
judicial power is vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by
law. Composed of the Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices, the Supreme Court has
administrative supervision over all courts and its personnel. Among the notable powers of the
Supreme Court are its exercise of original jurisdiction on cases involving ambassadors, public
ministers and consuls; review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm judgments or decisions of lower
courts; rule on the constitutionality of laws and treaties; and appoint officials and employees of
the judiciary. Furthermore, the members of the Supreme Court and the judges of lower courts are
appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar
Council (JBC). They must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and must be at least forty
years of age. They will hold office hold office during good behavior until the age of 70 years or
become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office. The JBC, which is created in this
article, is under the supervision of the Supreme Court and has the principal function of
nominating appointments to the judiciary
ARTICLE IX: Constitutional Commissions

Summary: Article IX stipulates the creation of three independent constitutional commissions

such as, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and
the Commission on Audit (COA). Each commission enjoys fiscal autonomy, appoints their
officials and employees in accordance with law, and is composed of commissioners appointed by
the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. The Civil Service
Commission is the central personnel agency of the government and establishes a career service
based on merit and fitness. The Commission on Elections, on the other hand, enforces and
administers all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative,
referendum, and recall. Lastly, the Commission on Audit examines, audits, and settles all
accounts pertaining to the funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to the
government.

ARTICLE X: Local Government

Summary: Article X provides for a decentralized local government administration through the
various territorial and political subdivisions such as, the autonomous regions, provinces, cities,
municipalities, and barangays. This article further mandates Congress to enact a local
government code for a more responsive and accountable local government structure, and an
organic act for the autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and in the Cordilleras.

ARTICLE XI: Accountability of Public Officers

Summary: Article XI states that public office is a public trust. This article enumerates the
officials that may be impeached, the grounds for impeachment, and the rules of impeachment.
The House of Representatives initiates all impeachment cases, while the Senate conducts the trial
and decides on all impeachment cases. This article also provides for the creation of special
judicial institutions as instruments of public accountability namely, the Sandiganbayan as the
anti-graft court, the Office of the Ombudsman and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

ARTICLE XII: National Economy and Patrimony

Summary: Article XII declares the aims of the State for a more equitable distribution of
opportunities, income, and wealth; sustainable development and industrialization; and full
employment of its citizens. All natural resources except agricultural lands are owned by the
State. It stipulates the limitations on the exploration, development and utilization of these natural
resources by Filipino citizens, private corporations or associations, and foreign-owned
corporations. Congress is mandated to establish an independent economic and planning agency
and an independent central monetary authority. Section 17 grants the State the power to take over
or direct the operation of any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public
interest in times of national emergency.

Article XIII: Social Justice and Human Rights

Summary: Article XIII declares that the State shall promote social justice, agrarian and natural
resources reform, urban land reform and housing; protect labor; recognize the rights of every
citizen and people's organization, and adopt an integrated health development program. It also
mandates Congress to enact a law creating an independent Commission on Human Rights, with
the responsibility of investigating cases of human rights violation.

ARTICLE XIV: Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports

Summary: Article XIV declares the principles of the State on education, language, science and
technology, arts and culture, and sports. On education, the State shall protect and promote the
right of all citizens to quality education. This article also mandates that education shall be
accessible to all. On language, this article states that Filipino is the the national language of the
Philippines. Filipino shall be used as a medium of official communication and as language of
instruction in the educational system. Furthermore, Congress is mandated to establish a national
language commission. On science and technology, priority is given on research and
development, incentives are provided to science students, researchers, scientists and gifted
citizens to encourage scientific research. On arts and culture, the State shall promote the
Philippine national culture and shall preserve, and develop the cultures, traditions and institutions
of the indigenous cultural communities. Lastly on sports, the State shall promote physical
education and different sports activities to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence.

ARTICLE XV: The Family

Summary: Article XV recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. The
constitutional definition of marriage is found herein. It further provides for specific provisions to
protect the rights of spouses, children, family and family associations. The duty of the family and
the State to care for the elderly is likewise set forth in this article.

ARTICLE XVI: General Provisions

Summary: Article XVI contains provisions on twelve subjects. The design of the Philippine flag
is set forth in the first section, followed by a section on any change, by law, of the name of the
country, national anthem and national seal. Section 3 hereof provides for the general rule on
State's immunity from suit. The composition of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as
other provisions on the military such as recruitment, appointment, and retirement of soldiers and
officers are likewise found in this article. This article further provides for the establishment of a
national and civilian police force. It also stipulates general provisions on the benefits, pensions
and assistance to war veterans, their spouses and orphans, as well as to the retirees of the
government and the private sectors. It is also mandated that the State shall protect the consumer
against trade malpractices, respect the freedom of speech and of the press, regulate the ownership
and management of mass media and the advertising industry. Lastly, it is stipulated that
Congress may create a consultative body on indigenous cultural communities.

ARTICLE XVII: Amendments or Revisions

Summary: Article XVII stipulates that any amendment to, and revision of the Constitution may
be proposed by a three-fourths vote of all the members of Congress and a constitutional
convention. The people may likewise propose amendments through an initiative of at least
twelve percent of total registered voters. It further states that any amendment or revision is not
valid without a ratification by a majority of votes cast in a plebiscite.

ARTICLE XVIII: Transitory Provisions

Summary: Article XVIII stipulates specific provisions that are temporary in nature on the first
elections, the judiciary, legal codes, international agreements, civil service and private armies. It
stipulates the dates of the first elections of the members of the Congress, the first local elections
and the first regular elections for the President and Vice-President. This article further provides
for the continued enforcement of all existing laws which are consistent with this Constitution as
well as the continued exercise of jurisdiction of all courts, until otherwise provided by law.
Section 24 mandates that all private armies and other paramilitary groups outside the armed
forces of the Philippines be dismantled. An important provision on the expiration of the Military
Bases Agreement in 1991 includes a declaration that no foreign military bases, troops or
facilities shall be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty duly concurred in by the
Senate. The last part hereof is with regard to the sequestration or freeze order concerning the
recovery of ill-gotten wealth.