The Philippine

Constitution
 What is a
Constitution?
  Part of a country's sovereignty
 Is the fundamental and supreme law of

the land
 Basis of all the other laws in the land

 Serves as a guide to the government in

making decisions
 What are the
different
constitutions the
Philippines had?
 1897 Constitution
- Philippines’ first constitution
- also called the Biak-na-Bato Constitution
- written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer
- lasted only until General Aguinaldo and
Governor General Primo de Rivera signed
the Pact of Biak-na-Bato
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the Biak-na-Bato republic
- almost the same as the Cuban Constitution of
Jimaguayu
 Malolos Constitution
- written by Felipe Calderon
- ratification and proclamation held at
Barasoain Church in Malolos
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the First Philippine Republic, 1899.
- lasted until the Philippine-American War
 1935 Constitution
- written by Claro M. Recto
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the Commonwealth Republic
- Tydings-Mcduffie Law of 1934 caused the
drafting of the 1935 constitution
- effectivity was halted during the Japanese
occupation but continued in 1946 until 1972
- constitution had to be approved by Pres.
Franklin Roosevelt
- ratification of constitution included women
for the first time
 1943 Constitution
- drafted by the Preparatory Committee for
Philippine Independence
- created in accordance with the establishment of
the Second Philippine Republic or Puppet
Republic
- Main purposes are :
1. To make Filipinos believe that they would be given
independence
2. To allow the Japanese to have more influence over
Philippine territory and resources
- lasted until the end of Japanese occupation, 1945
 1973 Constitution
- Main purposes before Martial Law:
1. To reflect genuine Philippine independence and sovereignty
- Main purposes after Martial Law:
1. To change the present government to parliamentary form
2. To give Marcos more power and postpone the incoming
1973 elections
- ratification was done through citizen’s
assembly
- created in accordance with the declaration of
Martial Law and the New Society
- lasted until the People Power Revolution in
1986
 Freedom Constitution
- promulgated on March 25 1896
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the Revolutionary Government of 1896
- only parts about human rights were retained
from the previous constitution
- served as a temporary/transitional
constitution
 1987 Constitution
- ratified February 2, 1987
- formulated by Constitutional Commission led
by Cecilia Munoz Palma
- pushed for the restoration of the presidential
government and protection of human rights
- Changes from previous constitutions:
1. Longer term but without reelection for president
2. Abolition of capital punishment
3. Party-list representation and creation of Sandigang Bayan
4. Creation of Human Rights Commission
5. Controlled power of president in declaring martial law
 What are the
different kinds of
laws made by the
government?
 National Laws
- implemented throughout the country
- drafted by the congress
- also called as Republic Acts
Examples of National Laws:
1. Tax Laws
2. Local Government Code
 National Laws
- other laws implemented throughout the
country are the ff.:
1. International Laws
2. Laws coming from the President
3. Laws administered by the Supreme Court
 Ordinances
- passed by local government bodies in
provinces, towns, cities, etc.
- implemented in LGU’s because they are
important to the communities
Examples of Ordinances:
1. Change in street name
2. Color coding (esp. Metro Manila)
 Barangay Orders
- passed by Sangguniang Barangay
- implemented in barangays
- usually related to cleanliness, peace, and order
Examples of Barangay Orders:
1. Prohibiting noisy vehicles
2. Designation of places where trash is thrown
 Sources:
Tuico, A. and Santos, E. (2005). Awakening 6:
The Philippines Through the Years. First
Edition. JFC Publishing Inc.
Tuico, A. and Santos, E. (2005). Awakening 5:
The Philippines Through the Years. First
Edition. JFC Publishing Inc.
Oliveros, R., Galvez M., Estrelia, Y. and
Andaquig, J. (2007). Philippine History and
Government . Quezon City. Ibon Books, Inc.