1973: CONSTITUTIONAL

AUTHORITARIANISM

Prepared by:
Ormeo, Myles Vincent
Pabon, Lance Rainier
Pagayon, Larry
Saladaga, Meg Stephanie
 In 1965, Ferdinand E.  In1967 the Philippine
Marcos was elected Congress passed a
president. resolution calling for a
constitutional
convention with the
objective to change the
1935 constitution.
 In 1965, Ferdinand E. Marcos was elected president.
 In1967 the Philippine Congress passed a resolution calling for
a constitutional convention with the objective to change the
1935 constitution. Former President Carlos P. Garcia was
elected as convention president, but he died and was
succeeded by Diosdado Macapagal.
 Before the convention finished its work, Martial Law was
declared. The reason given for the declaration was communist
insurgency.
 Some delegates of the ongoing constitutional convention were
sent to jail, went into hiding, or voluntarily exiled.
KEY FEATURES
OF THE
CONSTITUTION
KEY FEATURES
OF THE
CONSTITUTION
Key features of the 1973 Constitution include:
1. Presidential. System: Just like its predecessor, the 1973 Constitution established a presidential system where
the President served as the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
2. Unicameral Legislature: The 1973 Constitution replaced the bicameral Congress, comprising the Senate and
the House of Representatives, with a unicameral National Assembly or Batasang Pambansa.
3. Shift to Parliamentary System: The 1973 Constitution provided for a shift towards a parliamentary system
by establishing a Prime Minister position. The Prime Minister would be elected by a majority vote in the
National Assembly and would serve as the head of government.
4. Expansion of Presidential Powers: The constitution greatly expanded the powers of the President, who was
given the authority to legislate, dissolve the National Assembly, and appoint top-ranking officials.
5. Legal System: The judiciary was headed by the Supreme Court, with the Chief Justice leading the court, and
the lower courts composed of regional trial courts, metropolitan trial courts, and other inferior courts. 6.
Affirmation of National Sovereignty and Human Rights: The 1973 Constitution sought to reinforce national
sovereignty and uphold human rights by emphasizing social justice, freedom, and equality. 7. Amendments
and Martial Law: A key feature of the 1973 Constitution was the ease by which it could be amended or
revised
 Legislative power vested in a unicameral National Assembly.
 President will be elected from the members of the National Assembly
 President would serve a 6-year term and could be re-elected to an unlimited
number of terms.
 Executive power was relegated to the Prime Minister, who was also the head
of government and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces who was also
to be elected from the National Assembly.
 The judiciary was headed by the Supreme Court, with the Chief Justice
leading the court, and the lower courts composed of regional trial courts,
metropolitan trial courts, and other inferior courts