1897

PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
1897: CONSTITUTION OF BIAK-NA-BATO
The 1897 Constitution of Biak-na-Bato
-Tejeros Convention on March 22, 1897
President: Emilio Aguinaldo
Vice President: Mariano Trias
November 1, 1897- Republic of Biak-na-Bato was
established
- De Facto Constitutional Republic
>Written by Felix Ferrer and Isabelo Artacho
>November 1, 1897 to December 14,1897
 1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

Philippine Constitution as
instrument
LOVE THY COUNTRY
 1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I : THE SUPREME
GOVERNMENT

ARTICLE II : POWERS OF SUPREME COUNCIL

ARTICLE III : SUCCESSORSHIP OF VICE PRESIDENT

TO THE PRESIDENCY
 1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

ARTICLE VIII : TAGALOG SHALL BE THE OFFICIAL

LANGUAGE OF THE REPUBLIC

ARTICLE IX : THE DECISION OF THE COUNCIL OF

GOVERNMENT SHALL BE DETERMINED BY A
MAJORITY VOTE, AND ALL THE MEMBERS OF THE
SAME SHALL TAKE PART IN ITS DELIBERATION
 1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE X :
The executive power shall be vested in the President
or in his absence in the Vice-President, and shall have these
powers: To approve and promulgate the acts of the Supreme
Council of the Government; To provide for their execution within
the period of nine days: To issue decrees, rules or instructions for
their execution: To receive ambassadors and to execute treaties.

ARTICLE XI : IN CASE OF DEFINITE

VACANCIES, IN THE OFFICE OF PRESIDENT,
VICE PRESIDENT, AND SECRETARIES, BY
DEATH RESIGNATION OR OTHER LEGAL
CAUSES, THE ASSEMBLY OF
REPRESENTATIVES SHALL MEET FOR THE
ELECTION OF OTGERS TO FILL THE VACANT
OFFICES
 1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE XII : ROLE OF SECRETARIES
Each Secretary shall have a vote in the passage of all resolutions and
measures of whatever kind, and shall be able to take part in the
deliberations thereon
ARTICLE XIII : POWER OF SECRETARIES
The Secretaries shall have the right to choose and nominate their own
assistants and other officials of their respective departments.
ARTICLE XIV : DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
The Secretary of Foreign Affairs shall have charge of: All correspondence
with foreign nations regarding treaties and agreements of all kinds;
ARTICLE XV : DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR The Secretary of the Interior is
responsible for collecting statistics, promoting the Republic, establishing roads
and bridges, advancing industries, public instruction, and maintaining state
property, while also ensuring public order and individual rights.
 1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE XVI : DEPARTMENT OF WAR
•This department was responsible for overseeing military affairs,
including the organization and deployment of revolutionary forces.
ARTICLE XVII :DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY
•The Department of Treasury's duties would have likely included
collecting revenues, managing expenditures, and ensuring the
financial stability of the revolutionary government.
ARTICLE XVIII : DRAFTING OF LAWS
•This drafting of laws have been tasked with proposing, debating, and
enacting laws that would govern the revolutionary government and the
areas under its control.

ARTICLE XIX : CAPTAIN-GENERAL OF THE

ARMY
1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE XX : LIEUTENANT-GENERAL OF THE ARMY
The Lieutenant-General shall serve as Captain-General of the
Army, ad interim, in case of vacancy
ARTICLE XXI : PROVINCIAL REPRESENTATION
Each province of the Philippines may have a representative
delegate elected by universal suffrage , who shall represent it in
the Assembly.
ARTICLE XXII : RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Religious liberty, the right of association, the freedom of education
, the freedom of the press , as well as freedom in the exercise of all
classes of professions, arts, trades and industries are established.

ARTICLE XXIII : PETITIONS AND REMONSTRANCE

1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE XXIV : FREEDOM FROM
IMPRISONMENT

ARTICLE XXV : PRIVATE PROPERTY

ARTICLE XXVI : Every Filipino is obliged to

serve the Revolution with his services, and
property to the extent of his capacity.
ARTICLE XXVII : The debts and other obligations contracted
prior to the promulgation of this Constitution by the Generals
and other Chiefs of the Revolutionary Army, as well as their
notes and orders, are hereby recognized and ratified to-day,
also all subsequent debts, certified to by the government.
1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE XXVIII : The officials of the Council of
Government are entitled to the consideration and respect
due to their rank, and if they be constant in them they shall
be entitled to pensions according to regulations to be
published on the subject.

ARTICLE XXIX : The Council of Government has the power to

remove any official from office if there be sufficient reason for it.
Formal charges will be laid for the action of a court to be called
the "Sworn Tribunal. "

ARTICLE XXX : The Supreme Council of Grace

and Justice to be established by the Supreme
Council of Government, shall have authority to
make decisions and affirm or disprove the
sentences rendered by other courts, and to
dictate rules for the administration of justice.
 1897 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE XXXI : The Supreme Council of Grace and Justice
shall be independent in its functions and shall not be
interfered with by any power or authority.

ARTICLE XXXII : Every official of the Republic shall render

assistance to the others in the discharge of his duties.

ARTICLE XXXIII : NAVY

When the necessary Army is organized, a navy shall be created for
the protection of the coasts of the Philippine Archipelago and its
seas; then a Secretary of the Navy shall be appointed and the duties
of his office shall be added to this Constitution.

ARTICLE XXXIV : EXPIRATION OF THIS CONSTITUTION

The Constitution in the Philippines will remain in effect for two years,
unless the Revolution ends within that time, after which a new
Constitution and Council of Government are elected..