Evolution of the Philippine

Constitution
1897 Biac-na-Bato
Constitution- 32 Articles
• Nov. 1, 1897- assembly; modifying the
constitution
• Naic, Cavite March 22, 1897 Decree # 29-
proclamation of the constitution “La
Constitucion Provisional De La Republica De
Filipinas”
• Provision agreed:
1. separation of the Phil. from the Spanish
monarchy; independence with own govt. (Phil.
Republic)
Malolos Constitution- 100 Articles
• June 23, 1898- decree-Revolutionary Congress
convened at Barasoain Church, Malolos, Bulacan;
promulgation of the Malolos Constitution
• September 4, 1898- appointed members of the
Congress (48 lawyers, 18 doctors, 5 pharmacists,
7 businessmen, 4 agriculturists, 3 educators, 3
soldiers, 2 engineers, 2 painters and 1 priest)
• When Aguinaldo entered the church, the
secretary called on the names of the delegates
and introduced him
• Aguinaldo read his message (written by Felipe
Buencamino)
• September 9, 1898-ratification of Phil.
independence which was proclaimed on June 12,
1898
• Convent of Malolos Church- Aguinaldo’s official
residence
• June 18 and 23, 1898- Mabini conceived the
Congress as an advisory body to the President of
the Revolutionary government
• A committee was formed to draft the
constitution as a prelude to the establishment of
a republic
• Felipe Calderon was a member; his draft was
approved; framer of the constitution
• October 8, 1898- Calderon presented his draft of
the constitution
• October 25, 1898- Congress deliberated on the
draft
• November 29, 1898- the constitution was sent to
Aguinaldo for approval
• Mabini warned Aguinaldo of the provisions that
will give Congress so much powers and the
President merely a puppet; he delayed the
approval
• With the issues layed down by Mabini, pressures
of the influential Manila elite, reluctance of
Aguinldo, the constitution was modified
• Amendments were made
• January 21, 1899- the Malolos Constitution was
approved and proclaimed
• Malolos Constitution- first Filipino document
produced by the people’s representatives though
not all members who drafted the constitution
were elected by the people
• Democratic constitution
• Republican in nature-popular and representative
• 3 branches (executive, legislative, judiciary)
• Enumerated national and individual rights
• Assembly-legislative; delegates are elected
• Commission- created to serve as the law-making
body when the Congress is not in session;
created as a result of the insecurities of the
illustrado members that the President of the
Republic might abuse his powers while the
Congress is not in session
• Assembly- elects the President
• Cabinet- Secretaries of executive departments
responsible to the Assembly
• Supreme Court- administration of justice
• Chief Justice- elected by the Assembly with the
concurrence of the President of the Republic and
the cabinet
1935 Constitution- 18 Articles
• Based on the Tydings-Mc-Duffie Law 1934
• CONCON will draft the constitution and ratified by
the Filipinos before the Commonwealth government
be established
• July 10, 1934- 202 delegates were elected by the
people
• July 30, 1934- Convention formally was inaugurated
with Claro M. Recto as the President
• Constitution was based on Biac na bato and Malolos
Constitutions, Phil. Bill of 1902, constitutions (US,
Mexico, Italy, Germany and Italy etc.)
1935 Constitution- 18 Articles
• Pro-American- Parity Rights provisions
• January 31, 1935- draft approved with
amendments
• February 8, 1935- the CONCON approved the
constitution
• Votes 177 vs 1 (Tomas Cabili of Lanao)
• Quezon, Recto and Roxas brought the
constitution to the US fo the approval of the US
Pres.
• March 23, 1935- Franklin Roosevelt approved
the constitution
1935 Constitution- 18 Articles
• May 14, 1935- approval by the people in a
plebiscite (1,213, 046 yes 44, 963 no)
• Women’s suffrage
• 3 branches of the government
• Pres. is the executive elected by the people for 4
year term
1943 Constitution- 12 Articles
Phil. Executive Commission
January 1, 1943
 1943 Constitution
• January 23, 1942- renaming of the govt. “Central
Administrative Org.” by Gen. Homma
• Jorge Vargas was appointed by Gen. Homma as head
of the Executive Commission (Where Filipinos
report)
• June 18, 1943- forming of the Preparatory
Commission for Phil. Independence; Jose Laurel as
President and VP; Benigno Aquino and Ramon
Avancena as VP’s
• Executive Commission drafted the constitution
• Sept. 4, 1943 ratified in accord w/ the rules set by
the Japs military authorities
• June 18, 1943- the Kapisanan ng Pagllingkod sa bagong
Pilipinas (KALIBAPI) created to form the Preparatory
Commission for Phil. independence
• Preparatory Commission- Pres. Jose Laurel, VP Benigno
Aquino & Ramon Avancena
• September 4, 1943- constitution was ratified
• September 23, 1943- election of the members of the
legislature
• September 25, 1943- the legislature elected Jose Laurel
as the Pres. Of the Republic of the Phil.
• October 14, 1943- Second Republic was born with Jose
Laurel as the President
 1973 Constitution
• 1971 CONCON
• January 7, 1973- ratification of the 1973 constitution of
the barangay assemblies
• January 17, 1973- constitution signed and declared its
ratification
• January 22, 1973- SC ruled on the legality of the
ratification of the 1973 constitution; SC CJ Roberto
Concepcion resigned
• Provided for a parliamentary form of government with
the PM as the chief executive
• National Assembly-legislative power
• Suffrage was made compulsory
• Abolished the Parity Rights amendment in the
constitution
 1973 Constitution
• Interim Batasan Pambansa (amend)- was created
with 120 members
• Appoint sectoral reps and cabinet members to the
BP
• Pres. Marcos was both the Pres. and PM
• Amendment #6 allowing Marcos to issue executive
orders, proclamations etc. with the force of law in
cases of national emergencies without the approval
of the BP
• October 17, 1976- amendments were submitted to
the people for approval
 1973 Constitution
• January 30, 1980- plebiscite conducted to ratify the
amendments extending the retirement age of
justices in the SC from 65 to 70
 Provisional Constitution (March 23, 1986)
18 Articles
• Corazon Aquino- Pres.
• Constitutional Commission (CONCOM)- 50
appointees; drafted
• February 2, 1987