The 1935 Constitution vi ol ated, a nd no warrants shall issue but upon (17) In a ll cri minal prosecutions the a ccused

(17) In a ll cri minal prosecutions the a ccused shall be

proba ble cause, to be determined by the judge after pres umed to be i nnocent until the contrary i s proved,
CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES exa mination under oath or affirmation of the a nd s hall enjoy the ri ght to be heard by himself and
compl ainant and the witnesses he ma y produce, a nd couns el, to be informed of the nature a nd ca use of
The Fi lipino people, imploring the aid of Divine
Provi dence, in order to establish a government that pa rti cularly describing the place to be searched, and the a ccusation a gainst him, to have a speedy a nd
s ha ll embody their ideals, conserve and develop the the persons or things to be s eized. public tri al, to meet the witnesses fa ce to face and to
pa tri mony of the nation, promote the general ha ve compulsory process to s ecure the a ttendance of
(4) The l iberty of a bode a nd of changing the same
wel fare, and secure to themselves a nd their posterity wi thin the limits prescribed by law shall not be wi tnesses in his behalf.
the bl essings of independence under a régime of i mpaired. (18) no pers on s hall be compelled to be a witness
jus ti ce, liberty, a nd democracy, do ordain a nd a ga inst himself.
promulgate this Constitution. (5) The pri vacy of communication a nd
corres pondence shall be inviolable except upon (19) Exces sive fines shall not be i mposed, nor cruel
Arti cl e I.—THE NATIONAL TERRITORY l a wful order of the court or when public safety a nd a nd unusual punishment inflicted.
Secti on 1. The Philippines comprises all the territory order require otherwise. (20) No pers on shall be twice put i n jeopardy of
ceded to the United States by the treaty of Pa ris (6) The ri ght to form a ssociations or s ocieties for punishment for the s ame offense. If an cat is
concl uded between the United States and Spain on purposes not contrary to law shall not be a bridged. punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or
the tenth day of December, eighteen hundred and a cquittal under either s hall constitute a bar to
ni nety eight, the limits of which are set forth i n Article (7) No l a w shall be made respecting an establishment a nother prosecution for the same act.
III of said treaty, together with all the islands of rel igion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof,
embra ced i n the treaty concluded a t Washington, a nd the free exercise a nd enjoyment of religious (21) Free a ccess to the courts s hall not be denied to
between the United States and Spain on the s eventh profession a nd worship, without discrimination or a ny person by reason of poverty.
da y of November, nineteen hundred, a nd i n the preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test
trea ty concl uded between the United States and s ha ll be required for the exercise of ci vil or political ARTICLE IV.—CITIZENSHIP
Grea t Bri tain on the second day of Ja nuary, nineteen ri ghts . SECTION 1. The following are citizens of the
hundred and thirty, a nd a ll territory over which the
pres ent Government of the Philippine Islands (8) No l a w shall be passed a bridging the freedom of Phi l ippines:
exerci ses jurisdiction. s peech, or of the press, or the ri ght of the people (1) Thos e who are citizens of the Philippine Islands at
pea ceably to a ssemble and petition the Government the ti me of the a doption of this Constitution.
ARTICLE II.—DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES for redress of grievances
(2) Thos e born in the Philippine Islands of foreign
Secti on 1. The Philippines i s a republican state. (9) No l a w granting a title of nobility s hall be enacted, pa rents who, before the a doption of this Constitution,
Sovereignty resides in the people and all government a nd no person holding a ny office of profit or trus t ha d been elected to public oce in the Philippine
a uthority emanates from them. s ha ll, without the consent of the Na tional Assembly, Is lands.
a ccept a ny present, emolument, office, or ti tle of any
Sec. 2. The defense of the State is a prime duty of ki nd whatever from a ny foreign state. (3) Thos e whose fathers a re citizens of the
government, and in the fulfilment of this duty all Phi l ippines.
ci ti zens may be required by law to render personal (10) No l a w impairing the obligation of contracts shall
mi l itary or ci vil servi ce. be pa ssed. (4) Thos e whose mothers are ci tizens of the
Phi l ippines a nd, upon reaching the age of majority,
Sec. 3. The Phi lippines renounces war as a n (11) No ex pos t facto law or bill of attainder s hall be el ect Philippine citizenship.
i ns trument of national policy, a nd adopts the ena cted.
generally a ccepted principles of international law as a (5) Thos e who a re naturalized i n a ccordance with law.
pa rt of the law of the Nation. (12) No pers on shall be imprisoned for debt or
nonpayment of a poll ta x. SEC. 2. Phi l ippine citizenship may be lost or re -
SEC. 4. The na tural ri ght and duty of parents i n the a cquired in the ma nner provided by law.
rea ri ng of the youth for ci vic eciency s hould receive (13) No i nvol untary s ervitude in any form s hall exist
the a i d and support of the Government. except a s a punishment for cri me whereof the party ARTICLE V.—SUFFRAGE
s ha ll have been duly convicted.
SEC. 5. The promotion of social justice to insure the SECTION 1. Suffra ge may be exercised by male
wel l-being and economic security of all the people (14) The pri vilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall ci ti zens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualied by
not be s uspended except i n ca ses of invasion, l a w, who are twenty-one years of a ge or over a nd a re
s hould be the concern of the State.
i ns urrection, or rebellion, when the public safety a bl e to read and write, a nd who s hall have resided i n
ARTICLE III.—BILL OF RIGHTS requi res i t, in any of which events the s ame may be the Phi lippines for one year a nd in the municipality
s us pended wherever during s uch period the necessity wherein they propose to vote for at l east six months
SECTION 1. (1) No pers on shall be deprived of life, for s uch s uspension s hall exist. preceding the election. The Na tional As sembly s hall
l i berty, or property wi thout due process of law, nor
extend the right of s uffrage to women, i f i n a
s ha ll a ny person be denied the equal protection of (15) No pers on shall be held to answer for a cri minal pl ebiscite which s hall be held for that purpose within
the l a ws. offense without due process of law. two yea rs after the adoption of this Constitution, not
(2) Pri va te property s hall not be ta ken for public use (16) Al l persons shall before convi ction be bailable by l ess than three hundred thousand women possessing
wi thout just compensation. s ufficient s ureties, except those charged with ca pital the necessary qualications shall vote a rmatively on
offenses when evidence of guilt is strong. Excessive the question.
(3) The ri ght of the people to be secure in their ba i l shall not be required.
pers ons, houses, papers, a nd effects a gainst ARTICLE VI.—LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
unreasonable searches and seizures s hall not be

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 SECTION 1. The Legislative power s hall be vested i n a a t the request of the one-fth of i ts Members present, term of oce; nor s hall a ny s uch Member a ppear a s
Na ti onal Assembly. The Members of the National be entered in the Journal. couns el before the Electoral Commission or a ny court
As s embly s hall not exceed one hundred and twenty, i n a ny ci vil case wherein the Government or a ny s ub-
s ha ll be chosen every three years, a nd s hall be SEC. 4. There s hall be an El ectoral Commission di vi sion or i nstrumentality thereof is the adverse
a pportioned among the several provinces as nearly as composed of three Justices of the Supreme Court pa rty, or col l ect any fee for his appearance in a ny
ma y be a ccording to the number of their respective des ignated by the Chief Justice, a nd of six Members a dministrative proceedings or in any cri minal case
i nhabitants, but each province s hall have a t least one chos en by the National Assembly, three of whom wherein a n ocer or employee of the Government is
Member. The National Assembly s hall by l aw make an s ha ll be nominated by the party having the largest a ccus ed of an offense committed i n relation to his
a pportionment within three years after the return of number of votes, and three by the party havi ng the oce. No Member of the Commission on Appointments
every enumeration, a nd not otherwise. Until s uch s econd largest number of votes therein. The senior of the Na tional Assembly s hall a ppear as counsel
a pportionment s hall have been made, the National Jus ti ce in the Commission shall be its Chairman. The before a ny court i nferior to the Supreme Court.
As s embly s hall consist of ninety-eight Members, of El ectoral Commission shall be the sole judge of all
contests relating to the election, returns, and SEC. 9. (1) The Pres ident shall submit within fteen
whom eighty-seven shall be elected by the
representative districts as now provi ded by l aw; a nd qua lications of the Members of the National da ys of the opening of each regular s ession of the
three by theMountainProvince, a nd one by each of As s embly. Na ti onal Assembly a budget of receipts and
the other eight existing s pecial provinces. The expenditures, which shall be the basis of the general
SEC. 5. The Members of the National Assembly s hall, a ppropriation bill. The Na tional Assembly ma y not
Members of the National Assembly in the provinces unl ess otherwise provided by law, receive an annual
of Sul u, Lanao, a nd Cotabato s hall be chosen as may compensation of ve thousand pesos each including i ncrease the appropriations recommended by the
be determined by l aw; in all other provinces they shall per di ems and other emoluments or a llowances a nd Pres i dent for the operation of the Government as
be el ected by the qualied voters therein. s pecied i n the Budget, except the appropriations for
excl usive only of tra velling expenses to and from their the Na tional Assembly a nd the Judicial Department.
SEC. 2. No pers on shall be a Member of the National res pective districts when attending s essions of the The form of the Budget and the information that i t
Na ti onal Assembly. No i ncrease in said compensation
As s embly unless he has been ve years a citizen of the s hould contain shall be prescribed by l aw.
Phi l ippines, is a t least thirty yea rs of age, and, at the s ha ll ta ke effect until a fter the expiration of the full
ti me of his election, a qualied elector, and a resident term of the Members of the National Assembly (2) No provi sion or enactment shall be embraced in
of the provi nce i n which he is chosen for not l ess than el ected subsequent to the approval of such i ncrease. the general appropriation, unless i t relates specically
one year i mmediately prior to his election. The Speaker of the National Assembly shall receive an to s ome particular a ppropriation i n the bill; and any
a nnual compensation of sixteen thousand pesos until s uch provision or enactment s hall be limited in its
SEC. 3. (1) In ca s e of va cancy i n the National Assembly otherwise provi ded by l aw. opera tion to such a ppropriation.
a s pecial election may be called in the corresponding
di s trict, in the manner prescribed by l aw, but the SEC. 6. The Members of the National Assembly s hall SEC. 10. The heads of departments upon their own
member thus elected s hall s erve only for the i n a ll cases except treason, felony, a nd breach of the i ni tiative or upon the request of the National
pea ce, be privileged from a rrest during their As s embly may a ppear before and be heard by the
unexpired term.
a ttendance a t the sessions of the National Assembly, Na ti onal Assembly on any matter pertaining to their
(2) El ecti ons for the National Assembly shall be held a nd i n going to and returning from the same; a nd for departments, unless the public interest s hall require
on the dates xed by l aw. a ny s peech or debate therein, they s hall not be otherwise and the President shall so state in writing.
questioned in any other place.
(3) The Na tional Assembly s hall convene in regular SEC. 11. (1) Every bi l l which s hall have passed the
s ession once every year, on the second Monday of SEC. 7. The Na tional Assembly s hall elect from among Na ti onal Assembly s hall, before it becomes a l aw, be
the month immediately following that on which the i ts Members, on the basis of proportional pres ented to the President. If he a pprove the s ame,
el ection of its Members was held, unless a different representation of the political parties therein, a he s hall sign i t; but i f not, he shall return it with his
da te is xed by l aw. The National Assembly ma y be Commi ssion on Appointments a nd a Commission on objections to the National Assembly, which shall
ca l led in s pecial s ession at a ny ti me by the President Impeachment, each to consist of twenty-one enter the objections at l arge on its Journal a nd
to cons ider general legislation or only s uch s ubjects as members. These Commissions shall be constituted proceed to reconsider it. If, after such
he ma y designate. No special session shall continue wi thin thirty days a fter the Na tional Assembly s hall reconsideration, two-thirds of all the Members of the
l onger than thirty da ys and no regular s ession longer ha ve been organized wi th the election of i ts Speaker, Na ti onal Assembly s hall agree to pass the bill, i t shall
tha n one hundred days, exclusive of Sundays. a nd s hall meet only while the National Assembly i s in become a law. In all such cases the votes of the
s ession, a t the call of their respective Chairmen or a Na ti onal Assembly s hall be determined by yeas and
(4) The Na tional Assembly s hall choose its Speaker, a ma jority of their members, to discharge s uch powers na ys , a nd the names of the Members voting for and
s ecretary, a sergeant-at-arms, a nd s uch other ocers as a nd functions as are herein conferred upon them. a ga inst shall not be returned by the President as
ma y be required. A ma jority of a ll the Members s hall herein provided within twenty days (Sundays
cons titute a quorum to do business, but a s maller SEC. 8. (1) No Member of the National Assembly ma y excepted) a fter it s hall have been presented to him,
number ma y a djourn from day to day, a nd may hol d any other oce or employment in the the s ame shall become a l aw i n like manner a s if he
compel the a ttendance of absent Members, i n s uch Government without forfeiting his s eat, nor shall any ha d s igned it, unless the National Assembly by
ma nner a nd under such penalties a s the National s uch Member during the time for which he was a djournment prevent its return, in which ca se i t shall
As s embly may provi de. el ected, be a ppointed to any ci vil oce which may have become a law unless vetoed by the President within
been created or the emoluments whereof shall have thi rty da ys after adjournment.
(5) The Na tional Assembly ma y determine the rules of been increased while he was a Member of the
i ts proceedings, punish i ts Members for disorderly Na ti onal Assembly. (2) The Pres ident s hall have the power to veto a ny
behavi or, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds, pa rti cular i tem or i tems of an appropriation bill, but
expel a Member. It s hall keep a Journal of i ts (2) No Member of the National Assembly s hall directly the veto s hall not a ffect the item or i tems to which he
proceedings, and from ti me to ti me publish the same, or i ndirectly be nancially i nterested i n a ny contract does not object. When a provision of an
excepting s uch parts as may i n i ts judgment require wi th the Government or a ny s ubdivision or a ppropriation bill affects one or more i tems of the
s ecrecy; a nd the yeas a nd nays on any question s hall, i ns trumentality thereof, or i n a ny fra nchise or special s a me, the President ca nnot veto the provision
pri vi lege granted by the National Assembly during his wi thout a t the same time vetoing the particular i tem
2
or i tems to which i t relates. The item or items cha ri table, or educational purposes shall be exempt If a Pres ident s hall not have been chosen before the
objected to shall not ta ke effect except in the manner from ta xa tion. ti me xed for the beginning of his term, or i f the
heretofore provi ded as to bills returned to the Pres i dent-elect shall have failed to qualify, then the
Na ti onal Assembly wi thout the approval of the SEC. 15. The Na ti onal Assembly s hall, with the Vi ce-President shall act as President until a President
Pres i dent. If the veto refers to a bill or any item of an concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members, have s ha ll have qualied, a nd the Na tional assembly ma y by
a ppropriation bill which a ppropriates a sum i n excess the s ole power to declare war. l a w provide for the case wherein neither a President-
of ten per centum of the total amount voted i n the SEC. 16. In ti mes of war or other national emergency, el ect nor a Vice-President-elect shall have qualied,
a ppropriation bill for the general expenses of the the Na tional Assembly ma y by l aw a uthorize the decl aring who shall then act a s President, or the
Government for the preceding year, or i f i t should ma nner i n which one who is to a ct shall be selected,
Pres i dent, for a limited period a nd s ubject to s uch
refer to a bill authorizing an i ncrease of the public res tri ctions as i t may prescribe, to promulgate rules a nd s uch person shall act a ccordingly until a President
debt, the same s hall not become a law unless or Vi ce-President shall have qualied.
a nd regulations to carry out a declared national
a pproved by three-fourths of all the Members of the pol icy.
SEC. 8. Before he enter on the execution of his oce,
Na ti onal Assembly.
the Pres ident s hall ta ke the following oath or
ARTICLE VII.—EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
(3) The Pres ident s hall have the power to veto a ny a rma tion:
s eparate item or items in a revenue or ta riff bill, a nd SECTION 1. The Executive power s hall be vested in a
the i tem or i tems vetoed shall not ta ke effect except Pres i dent of the Philippines. “I do s olemnly s wear (or a rm) that I will faithfully and
cons cientiously fulll my duties
i n the manner provi ded as to bills vetoed by the
Pres i dent. SEC. 2. The Pres ident shall hold his oce during a term
of s i x years, a nd together with the Vice-President As Pres ident of the Philippines, preserve and defend
SEC. 12. (1) No bi ll which may be enacted i nto l aw chos en for the same term, shall be elected by direct i ts Constitution, executive its laws, do justice to every
s ha ll embrace more than one subject which shall be vote of the people. The election returns for President ma n, a nd consecrate myself to the service of the
expressed i n the ti tle of the bill. Na ti on. So help me God.” (In case of a rmation, last
a nd Vi ce-President, duly certied by the board of
ca nva ssers of each province, s hall be tra nsmitted to s entence will be omitted.)
(2) No bi ll s hall be passed or become a law unless it the
s ha ll have been printed a nd copies thereof i n i ts nal SEC. 9. In the event of the removal of the President
form furnished the Members at l east three ca lendar Na ti onal Assembly. Upon the receipt of such returns from oce or of his death, resignation, or inability to
da ys prior to i ts passage by the National Assembly, the Na tional Assembly s hall forthwith, i n public di s charge the powers and duties of the said oce, the
except when the President shall have certied to the s ession, count the votes, a nd proclaim the persons s a me shall devolve on the Vi ce-President, and the
necessity of i ts immediate enactment. Upon the l ast el ected President a nd Vi ce-President. The persons Na ti onal Assembly s hall by law provide for the case of
rea ding of a bill no amendment thereof s hall be res pectively havi ng the highest number of votes for remova l, death, resignation, or inability, both of the
Pres i dent a nd Vice-President, declaring what ocer
a l lowed, a nd the question upon its nal passage s hall Pres i dent a nd Vice-President shall be declared
be ta ken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and el ected, but i n case two or more s hall have a n equal s ha ll then act as President, a nd such ocer shall act
na ys entered on the Journal. a nd the highest number of votes for either oce, the a ccordingly, until the disability be removed or a
Na ti onal Assembly s hall, by a majority vote of all i ts Pres i dent s hall be elected.
SEC. 13. (1) Al l money collected on any ta x l evied for a Members, elect one of said persons as President or
s pecial purpose s hall be treated as s pecial fund and Vi ce-President. SEC. 10. The Pres ident shall have an ocial residence
pa i d out for s uch purpose only. If the purpose for a nd receive a compensation to be ascertained by law
whi ch a s pecial fund was created has been fullled or SEC. 3. No pers on may be elected to the oce of whi ch shall be neither i ncreased nor diminished
a ba ndoned, the balance, if a ny, s hall be tra nsferred to Pres i dent or Vi ce-President, unless he be a natural- duri ng the period for which he shall have been
the general funds of the Government. born ci tizen of the Philippines, a qualied voter, forty el ected, a nd he s hall not receive within that period
a ny other emolument from the Government or a ny of
yea rs of age or over, and has been a resident of the
(2) No money s hall be paid out of the Treasury except Phi l ippines for at l east ten years i mmediately i ts s ubdivisions or instrumentalities. Until the
i n pursuance of a n a ppropriation made by law. Na ti onal Assembly s hall provide otherwise, the
preceding the election.
Pres i dent s hall receive a n a nnual salary of thirty
(3) No public money or property s hall ever be SEC. 4. No pers on elected President may be re - thousand pesos. The Vice-President, when not a cting
a ppropriated, a pplied, or used, directly or i ndirectly, a s President, shall receive an a nnual compensation of
el ected for the following term, nor shall the Vice-
for the us e, benet, or s upport of any s ect, church, fteen thousand pesos until otherwise provi ded by
Pres i dent or a ny other person who may have
denomination, sectarian institution, or s ystem of s ucceeded to the oce of President as herein provided l a w.
rel i gion, or for the use, benet, or support of any a t l east one year before the election, be eligible to
pri est, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher the oce of President a t such election. SEC. 11. (1) The President shall have control of a ll the
or di gnitary i s assigned to the armed forces or to any executive departments, bureaus, or oces, exercise
penal i nstitution, orphanage, or l eprosarium. SEC. 5. El ecti ons for President a nd Vi ce-President general supervision over a ll local governments as may
s ha ll be held once every s ix years on a date to be xed be provi ded by law, and take care that the l aws be
SEC. 14. (1) the rul e of ta xation s hall be uniform. by the Na ti onal Assembly. fa i thfully executed.
(2) The Na tional Assembly ma y by l aw a uthorize theSEC. 6. The terms of the President and Vice-President (2) The Pres ident s hall be commander-in-chief of all
Pres i dent, s ubject to s uch limitations and restrictions
s ha ll end at noon on the thirtieth day of December a rmed forces of the Philippines and, whenever i t
a s i t may i mpose, to x wi thin s pecied limits, ta riff
fol l owing the expiration of six years a fter their becomes necessary, he may ca ll out such armed
ra tes , import or export quotas, and tonnage and el ection, a nd the terms of their s uccessors shall begin forces to prevent or s uppress lawless vi olence,
wha rfage dues. i nva sion, i nsurrection, or rebellion, or i mminent
from s uch time.
da nger thereof, when the public s afety re quires it, he
(3) Cemeteries, churches, a nd parsonages or convents SEC. 7. If, a t the ti me xed for the beginning of the
ma y s uspend the privileges of the writ of habeas
a ppurtenant thereto, and all lands, buildings, and term of the President, the President-elect s hall have corpus , or place the Philippines or any part thereof
i mprovements used exclusively for religious, di ed, the Vi ce-President-elect s hall become President. under martial law.

3
(3) The Pres ident s hall nominate a nd with the consent SECTION 1. The Judicial power s hall be vested i n one a dmitted to the practice of l aw i n the Philippines.
of the Commission on Appointments of the National Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as may be
As s embly s hall a ppoint the heads of the executive es tablished by law.
departments a nd bureaus, ocers of the Army from the SEC. 9. The members of the Supreme Court and all
ra nk of colonel, of the Na vy a nd air forces from the SEC. 2. The Na tional Assembly s hall have the power to judges of inferior courts shall hold oce during good
ra nk of ca ptain or commander, a nd all other ocers of dene, prescribe, and apportion the jurisdiction of the behavi or, until they reach the a ge of s eventy yea rs, or
the Government whose a ppointments a re not herein va ri ous courts, but may not deprive the Supreme become i ncapacitated to discharge the duties of their
Court of i ts original jurisdiction over cases affecting oce. They s hall receive such compensation as may be
otherwise provi ded for, and those whom he may be
a uthorized by law to appoint; but the National a mbassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, nor xed by l a w, which s hall not be diminished during th e
As s embly may by l a w vest the appointment of inferior of i ts jurisdiction to review, revise, reverse, modify, or conti nuance i n oce. Until the Na tional Assembly s hall
ocers , i n the President alone, in the courts, or i n the a rm on a ppeal, certiorari, or wri t of error, as the l aw provi de otherwise, the Chief Justice of the Supreme
hea ds of departments. or the rul es of court ma y provide, nal judgments and Court s hall receive a n a nnual compensation of sixteen
decrees of inferior courts i n thousand pesos, and each Associate Justice, fteen
(4) The Pres ident s hall have the power to ma ke thousand pesos.
a ppointments during the recess of the national (1) Al l ca ses i n which the constitutionality or va lidity
As s embly, but such appointments shall be effective of a ny trea ty, l aw, ordinance, or executive order or SEC. 10. Al l ca ses involving the constitutionality of
onl y until disapproval by the Commission on regul ation is i n question. trea ty or l a w s hall be heard and decided by the
Appoi ntments or until the next adjournment of the (2) Al l ca ses i nvolving the legality of a ny ta x, i mpost, Supreme Court in banc, and no treaty or l aw may be
Na ti onal Assembly. decl ared unconstitutional without the concurrence of
a s sessment, or toll, or a ny penalty i mposed in relation two-thi rds of all the members of the Court.
(5) The Pres ident s hall from time to time give to the thereto.
SEC. 11. The concl usions of the Supreme Court i n any
Na ti onal Assembly i nformation of the state of the (3) Al l cases i n which the jurisdiction of a ny tri al
Na ti on, and recommend to i ts consideration such ca s e s ubmitted to i t for decision shall be reached in
courts i s in issue. cons ultation before the case is assigned to a Justice
mea sures as s hall judge necessary a nd expedient.
(4) Al l cri minal ca ses i n which the penalty i mposed is for the wri ting of the opinion of the Court. Any Justice
(6) The President shall have the power to gra nt dea th or l ife i mprisonment. di ssenting from a decision s hall s tate the reasons for
repri eves, commutations, and pardons, and remit nes hi s dissent.
a nd forfeitures, after conviction, for all offenses, (5) Al l ca ses i n which an error or question of law i s
except i n ca ses of impeachment, upon s uch SEC. 12. No deci sion s hall be rendered by a ny court of
i nvol ved.
condi tions and with s uch restrictions a nd limitations record wi thout expressing therein clearly a nd
a s he may deem proper to i mpose. He s hall have the SEC. 3. Unti l the National Assembly s hall provide di s tinctly the facts a nd the law on which i t is based.
power to gra nt a mnesty wi th the concurrence of the otherwise, the Supreme Court s hall have such original
SEC. 13. The Supreme Court s hall have the power to
Na ti onal Assembly. a nd a ppellate jurisdiction as may be possessed and
exerci sed by the Supreme Court of the Philippine promulgate rules concerning pleading, practice, and
(7) The Pres ident s hall have the power, wi th the Is lands at the ti me of the adoption of this procedure in a ll courts, and the admission to the
concurrence of a majority of a ll the Members of the Cons ti tution. The original jurisdiction of the Supreme pra cti ce of law. Said rules s hall be uniform for all
Na ti onal Assembly, to ma ke treaties, a nd with the Court s hall i nclude a ll ca ses a ffecting ambassadors, courts of the s ame grade and shall not diminish,
cons ent of the Commission on Appointments, he shall other public ministers, and consuls. i ncrease, or modify s ubstantive rights. The existing
a ppoint ambassadors, other public ministers, and l a ws on pleading, practice, and procedure are hereby
cons uls. He s hall receive a mbassadors a nd other SEC. 4. The Supreme Court shall be composed of a repealed as s tatues, and are declared Rules of Courts,
mi nisters duly a ccredited to the Government of the Chi ef Justice a nd ten Associate Justices and may sit s ubject to the power of the Supreme Court to a lter
ei ther i n banc or i n two divisions unless otherwise a nd modify the same. The National Assembly shall
Phi l ippines.
provi ded by law. ha ve the power to repeal, a lter, or supplement the
SEC. 12. (1) The executive departments of the present rul es concerning pleading, practice, and procedure,
Government of the Philippine Islands shall continue SEC. 5. The members of the Supreme Court and all a nd the a dmission to the practice of law in the
a s now a uthorized by law until the National Assembly judges of inferior courts shall be appointed by the Phi l ippines.
s ha ll provide otherwise. Pres i dent with the consent of the Commission on
Appoi ntments of the Na tional Assembly. ARTICLE IX.—IMPEACHMENT
(2) The heads of departments and chiefs of bureaus
or oces a nd their a ssistants s hall not, during their SEC. 6. No pers on may be a ppointed member of the SECTION 1. The Pres ident, the Vice -President, the
conti nuance i n oce, engage i n the practice of a ny Supreme Court unless he has been ve years a ci tizen Jus ti ces of the Supreme Court, a nd the Auditor
profession, or i ntervene, directly or i ndirectly, i n the of the Phi lippines, is at l east forty yea rs of a ge, a nd General, shall be removed from oce on impeachment
ma nagement or control of any pri vate enterprise ha s for ten years or more been a judge of a court of for, a nd conviction of, culpable vi olation of the
whi ch in any way ma y be affected by the functions of record or engaged in the practice of law in the Cons ti tution, treason, bribery, or other high crimes.
thei r oce; nor s hall they, directly or i ndirectly, be Phi l ippines.
SEC. 2. The Commi ssion on Impeachment of the
na ncially i nterested in any contract with the SEC. 7. No judge a ppointed for a particular district Na ti onal Assembly, by a vote of two-thirds of its
Government, or any s ubdivision or i nstrumentality
s ha ll be designated or tra nsferred to another district Members, shall have the s ole power of i mpeachment.
thereof.
wi thout the a pproval of the Supreme Court. The
SEC. 3. The Na tional Assembly s hall have the sole
(3) The Pres ident may a ppoint the Vi ce-President as a Na ti onal Assembly s hall by law determine the power to try a l l impeachments. When sitting for that
member of his cabinet and also as head of an res i dence of judges of i nferior courts.
purpose the Members shall be on oath or a rmation.
executive department. SEC. 8. The Na tional Assembly s hall prescribe the When the President of the Philippines is on trial, the
ARTICLE VIII.—JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT qua lications of judges of inferior courts, but no Chi ef Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside. No
pers on may be a ppointed judge of any s uch courts pers on shall be convicted without the concurrence of
unl ess he is a ci tizen of the Philippines a nd has been
4
three-fourths of a ll the Members who do not belong SEC. 2. Ocers a nd employees i n the Ci vil Service, SEC. 6. The Sta te ma y, in the interest of national
to the Commission on Impeachment. i ncl uding members of the armed forces, s hall not wel fare and defense, establish and operate industries
enga ge directly or i ndirectly i n partisan political a nd means of tra nsportation and communication,
SEC. 4. Judgment i n cases of impeachment s hall not a cti vi ties or ta ke part i n a ny election except to vote. a nd, upon payment of just compensation, tra nsfer to
extend further then to removal from oce and public ownership utilities a nd other private
di s qualication to hold a nd enjoy a ny oce of honor, SEC. 3. No ocer or employee of the Government s hall enterprises to be operated by the Government.
trus t, or prot under the Government of the recei ve a dditional or double compensation unless
Phi l ippines, but the party convi cted shall nevertheless s pecically a uthorized by l aw. ARTICLE XIII.—GENERAL PROVISIONS
be l iable a nd s ubject to prosecution, tri al, and
punishment, according to law. SEC. 4. No ocer or employee in the Ci vil Service s hall SECTION 1. The a g of the Philippines shall be red,
be removed or suspended except for cause as whi te, and blue, with a sun and three stars, as
ARTICLE X.—GENERAL AUDITING OFFICE provi ded by law. cons ecrated and honored by the people a nd
recognized by l aw.
SECTION 1. There s hall be a General Auditing Oce ARTICLE XII.—CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF
under the direction and control of a n Auditor NATURAL RESOURCES SEC. 2. Al l public ocers and members of the armed
General, who s hall hold oce for a term of ten years forces shall take an oath to support a nd defend the
a nd may not be reappointed. The Auditor General SECTION 1. Al l a gricultural, timber, a nd mineral lands Cons ti tution.
s ha ll be a ppointed by the President with the consent of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal,
of the Commission on Appointments, and shall petrol eum, a nd other mineral oils, a ll forces or SEC. 3. The Na tional Assembly s hall take steps toward
recei ve a n a nnual compensation to Le xed by l aw potential energy, a nd other natural resources of the the development and a doption of a common national
whi ch shall not be diminished during his continuance Phi l ippines belong to the State, a nd their disposition, l a nguage based on one of the existing native
i n oce. Until the Na tional Assembly s hall provide expl oitation, development, or utilization shall be l a nguages. Until otherwise provided by l aw, English
otherwise, the Auditor General shall receive an l i mited to ci tizens of the Philippines, or to a nd Spanish shall continue a s ocial languages.
a nnual compensation of twelve thousand pesos. corpora tions or a ssociations a t least sixty per centum
of the ca pital of which is owned by s uch citizens, SEC. 4. The Sta te s hall promote scientic research a nd
i nvention. Arts and letters s hall be under its
SEC. 2. The Audi tor General s hall examine, audit, a nd s ubject to a ny existing right, gra nt, lease, or
s ettle a ll a ccounts pertaining to the revenues a nd concession at the ti me of the inauguration of the pa tronage. The exclusive ri ght to writings a nd
recei pts from whatever s ource, including trust funds Government established under this Constitution. i nventions shall be secured to a uthors a nd inventors
deri ved from bond i ssues; a nd audit, i n a ccordance Na tura l resources, with the exception of public for a l i mited period.
wi th l aw a nd administrative regulations, all a gri cultural land, s hall not be alienated, and no SEC. 5. Al l educational institutions shall be under the
expenditures of funds or property pertaining to or l i cense, concession, or lease for the exploitation, s upervision of a nd subject to regulation by the State.
hel d i n trust by the Government or the provinces or development, or utilization of a ny of the natural The Government shall establish a nd maintain a
muni cipalities thereof. He s hall keep the general res ources s hall be gra nted for a period exceeding compl ete and a dequate s ystem of public education,
a ccounts of the Government and preserve the twenty-ve years, except a s to water ri ghts for a nd s hall provide a t least free public primary
vouchers pertaining thereto. It s hall be the duty of i rri gation, water supply, s heries, or industrial uses i ns truction, and citizenship tra ining to adult citizens.
the Auditor General to bring to the a ttention of the other tha n the development of water power, i n which Al l s chools s hall a im to develop moral character,
proper a dministrative ocer expenditures of funds or ca s es benecial use ma y be the measure a nd the l imit pers onal discipline, civic conscience, and vocational
property which, i n his opinion, are i rregular, of the gra nt. eci ency, a nd to teach the duties of ci tizenship.
unnecessary, excessive, or extravagant. He s hall a lso Opti onal religious i nstruction shall be maintained in
perform s uch other functions as may be prescribed by SEC. 2. No pri va te corporation or association may the public s chools a s now authorized by l aw.
l a w. a cquire, l ease, or hold public a gricultural l ands in
exces s of one thousand a nd twenty-four hectares, nor Uni versities established by the State shall enjoy
ma y a ny i ndividual a cquire s uch l ands by purchase in a ca demic freedom. The State shall create scholarships
SEC. 3. The decisions of the Auditor General shall be exces s of one hundred a nd forty-four hectares, or by i n a rts, s cience, and l etters for s pecially gi fted
rendered within the time xed by l aw, a nd the same l ease i n excess of one thousand a nd twenty-four ci ti zens.
ma y be a ppealed to the President whose a ction s hall hecta res, or by homestead i n excess of twenty-four SEC. 6. The Sta te s hall a fford protection to labor,
be na l. When the aggrieved party i s a private person hecta res. La nds adapted to grazing, not exceeding es pecially to working women and minors, and shall
or enti ty, a n appeal from the decision of the Auditor two thousand hectares, may be leased to a n regul ate the relations between landowner a nd
General may be taken directly to a court of record i n i ndividual, priva te corporation, or association.
tena nt, a nd between l abor a nd ca pital in i ndustry a nd
the ma nner provided by l aw.
SEC. 3. The Na tional Assembly ma y determine by l aw i n a griculture. The State may provide for compulsory
SEC. 4. The Audi tor General s hall s ubmit to the the s ize of private agricultural land which individuals, a rbi tration.
Pres i dent a nd the National Assembly a n annual report corpora tions, or a ssociations may a cquire and hold, SEC. 7. The Na tional Assembly s hall not, except by
coveri ng the nancial condition a nd operations of the s ubject to ri ghts existing prior to the enactment of general law, provide for the formation, organization,
Government, and such other reports as may be s uch l aw. or regul ation of private corporations, unless such
requi red.
SEC. 4. The Na tional Assembly ma y a uthorize, upon corpora tions a re owned or controlled by the
ARTICLE XI.—CIVIL SERVICE pa yment of just compensation, the expropriation of Government or any s ubdivision or i nstrumentality
l a nds to be subdivided into small l ots and conveyed at thereof.
SECTION 1. A Ci vi l Service embracing all branches and cos t to i ndividuals.
s ubdivisions of the Government s hall be provided by SEC. 8. No fra nchise, certicate, or a ny other form of
l a w. Appointments i n the Ci vil Servi ce, except as to SEC. 5. Sa ve i n cases of hereditary s uccession, no a uthorization for the operation of a public utility s hall
thos e which a re policy-determining, primarily pri va te a gricultural land s hall be tra nsferred or be gra nted except to ci tizens of the Philippines or to
condential or highly technical i n nature, shall be made a s signed except to i ndividuals, corporations, or corpora tions or other entities organized under the
onl y a ccording to merit a nd tness, to be determined a s sociations qualied to a cquire or hold lands of the l a ws of the Philippines, s ixty per centum of the capital
a s fa r as practicable by competitive examination. public domain i n the Philippines. of whi ch is owned by ci tizens of the Philippines, nor
5
s ha ll s uch fra nchise, certicate, or a uthorization be
excl usive i n character or for a longer period than fty
yea rs . No franchise or ri ght s hall be granted to a ny
i ndividual, rm, or corporation, except under the
condi tion that it s hall be s ubject to a mendment,
a l teration, or repeal by the National Assembly when
the public i nterest s o requires.
SEC. 5. The Members of the National Assembly for Commonwealth of the Philippines shall thenceforth
theMountainProvinceshall be elected as may be be known as the Republic of the Philippines.
provi ded by law. The voters of municipalities a nd
muni cipal districts formerly belonging to a special ORDINANCE APPENDED TO THE CONSTITUTION
provi nce a nd now forming part of regular provi nces SECTION 1. Notwi thstanding the provisions of the
s ha ll vote in the election for Members of the National foregoing Constitution, pending the nal and complete
As s embly i n s uch districts as may be provided by l aw. wi thdrawal of the sovereignty of the United States

SEC. 9. The Government shall organize a nd maintain a SEC. 6. The provi sions of this Constitution, except over the Phi lippines—
na ti onal police force to preserve public order a nd thos e contained in this a rticle a nd i n Arti cle V, a nd (1) Al l ci tizens of the Philippines s hall owe allegiance
enforce the law. thos e which refer to the election and qualications of to the Uni ted States.
ocers to be elected under this Constitution, s hall not
SEC. 10. Thi s Constitution shall be ocially promulgated ta ke effect until the i nauguration of the (2) Every ocer of the Government of the
i n English a nd Spanish, but in case of conict the Commonwealth of the Philippines. Commonwealth of the Philippines shall, before
Engl ish text s hall prevail.
ARTICLE XVI.—SPECIAL PROVISIONS EFFECTIVE UPON entering upon the discharge of his duties, take a nd
ARTICLE XIV.—AMENDMENTS THE PROCLAMATION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE s ubscribe a n oath of oce, declaring, a mong other
SECTION 1. The Na tional Assembly, by a vote of three-PHILIPPINES. thi ngs, that he recognizes and accepts the supreme
fourths of all i ts Members, may propose a mendments SECTION 1. Upon the proclamation of the President of a uthority of and will maintain true faith and
a l legiance to the United States.
to thi s Constitution or call a convention for that the Uni ted States recognizing the i ndependence of
purpose. Such a mendments s hall be va lid as part of the Phi lippines— (3)Abs olute toleration of religious sentiment shall be
thi s Constitution when approved by a majority of the s ecured and no inhabitant or religious organization
votes ca st at a n election at which the a mendments (1) The property ri ghts of the United States a nd the s ha ll be molested in person or property on account of
a re s ubmitted to the people for their ra tication. Phi l ippines s hall be promptly a djusted and settled, rel i gious belief or mode or worship.
a nd a ll existing property ri ghts of citizens or
ARTICLE XV.—TRANSITORY PROVISIONS corpora tions of the United States s hall be (4) Property owned by the United States, cemeteries,
SECTION 1. The rs t election of the ocers provided in a cknowledged, respected, and safeguarded to the churches, and parsonages or convents a ppurtenant
s a me extent as property ri ghts of citizens of the thereto, and all lands, buildings, and improvements
thi s Constitution and the inauguration of the
Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines Phi l ippines. us ed exclusively for religious, charitable, or
s ha ll ta ke place as provi ded i n Public Act Numb ered (2) The oci als elected a nd s erving under this educational purposes shall be exempt for ta xation.
One hundred and twenty-seven of the Congress of Cons ti tution s hall be constitutional ocers of the free (5) Tra de relations between the Philippines a nd the
the Uni ted States, approved Ma rch twenty-four, a nd i ndependent government of the Philippines and Uni ted States shall be upon the basis prescribed i n
ni neteen hundred and thirty-four. qua lied to function in a ll respects as i f elected directly s ecti on six of Public Act Numbered One hundred and
SEC. 2. Al l l aws of the Philippine Islands s hall continue under such Government, and shall serve their full twenty-s even of the Congress of the United States
terms of oce as prescribed in this Constitution. a pproved March twenty-four, nineteen hundred and
i n force until the inauguration of the Commonwealth
of the Phi lippines; thereafter, such laws s hall remain (3) The debts a nd l iabilities of the Philippines, its thi rty-four.
opera tive, unless i nconsistent with this Constitution, provi nces, ci ties, municipalities, and instrumentalities, (6) The public debt of the Philippines a nd i ts
unti l a mended, altered, modied, or repealed by the whi ch shall be va lid and subsisting at the ti me of the s ubordinate branches s hall not exceed limits now or
Na ti onal Assembly, a nd all references i n such laws to na l and complete withdrawal of the sovereignty of hereafter xed by the Congress of the United States,
the Government or ocials of the Philippine Islands the Uni ted States, shall be assumed by the free and a nd no loans s hall be contracted in foreign countries
s ha ll be construed, i n so far as a pplicable, to refer to i ndependent government of the Philippines; and wi thout the a pproval of the President of the United
the Government and corresponding ocials under this where bonds have been issued under a uthority of an Sta tes.
Cons ti tution. Act of Congress of the United States by the Philippine
Is lands, or any province, ci ty, or municipality therein, (7) The debts, liabilities, a nd obligations of the
SEC. 3. Al l courts existing a t the time of the adoption pres ent Government of the Philippine Islands, its
of thi s Constitution s hall continue a nd exercise their the Government of the Philippines will make
juri s diction, until otherwise provided by l aw i n a dequate provision for the necessary funds for the provi nces, municipalities, and instrumentalities, va lid
a nd s ubsisting a t the time of the adoption of the
a ccordance with this Constitution, and all cases, civil pa yment of i nterest and principal, and such Cons ti tution, s hall be assumed a nd paid by the
a nd cri minal, pending in s aid courts, shall be heard, obl igations shall be a rs t lien on all taxes collected.
Government of the Commonwealth of the
tri ed a nd determined under the laws then i n force. (4) The Government of the Philippines will assume a ll Phi l ippines.

SEC. 4. Al l ocers and employees in the existing conti nuing obligations of the United States under the
(8) The Government of the Commonwealth of the
Government of the Philippine Islands shall continue in Trea ty of Pea ce withSpainceding the Philippine
Is lands to the United States. Phi l ippines s hall establish a nd maintain a n adequate
oce until the National Assembly s hall provide s ys tem of public s chools, primarily conducted i n the
otherwise, but all ocers whose appointments are by ARTICLE XVII.—THE COMMONWEALTH AND THE Engl ish l anguage.
thi s Constitution vested in the President shall va cate REPUBLIC
thei r respective oces upon the a ppointment a nd (9) Acts a ffecting currency, coi nage, i mports, exports,
qua lication of their successors, i f s uch a ppointment is SECTION 1. The government established by this a nd i mmigration shall not become law until approved
ma de within a period of one year from the date of the Cons ti tution s hall be known as the Commonwealth of by the Pres ident of the United States.
i na uguration of the Commonwealth of the the Phi lippines. Upon the nal a nd complete
Phi l ippines. wi thdrawal of the sovereignty of the United States (10) Forei gn affairs shall be under the direct
a nd the proclamation of Philippine i ndependence, the s upervision and control of the United States.

6
 (11) Al l a cts passed by the National Assembly of the (20) The Pres ident of the Commonwealth of the ti tl e, including the territorial sea, the air s pace, the
Commonwealth of the Philippines shall be reported to Phi l ippines s hall make an a nnual report to the s ubsoil, the sea-bed, the i nsular shelves, a nd the
the Congress of the United States. Pres i dent a nd Congress of the United States of the other s ubmarine a reas over which the Philippines has
proceedings and operations of the Government of the s overeignty or juri sdiction. The waters around,
(12) The Phi lippines recognizes the right of the United Commonwealth of the Philippines and shall make between, a nd connecting the islands of the
Sta tes to expropriate property for public uses, to s uch other reports as the President or Congress may a rchi pelago, irrespective of their breadth a nd
ma i ntain military a nd other reserva tions and armed request. di mensions, form part of the internal waters of the
forces in the Philippines, and, upon order of the Phi l ippines.
Pres i dent of the United States, to call into the servi ce SEC. 2. Pendi ng the nal a nd complete withdrawal of
of s uch a rmed forces all military forces organized by the s overeignty of the United States over the ARTICLE II DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE
the Government of the Commonwealth of the Phi l ippines, there s hall be a Resident Commissioner of POLICIES
Phi l ippines. the Phi lippines to the United Stateswho shall be
a ppointed by the President of the Commonwealth of SECTION 1. The Phi lippines is a republican state.
(13) The decisions of the courts of the Philippines the Phi lippines with the consent of the Commission Sovereignty resides in the people and all
s ha ll be s ubject to review by the Supreme Court of on Appointments. The powers and duties of the governmental a uthority emanates from them.
the Uni ted States as now provi ded by l aw, a nd such Res ident Commissioner shall be as provided i n section
SEC. 2. The defense of the State is a prime duty of the
revi ew shall also extend to all cases involving the s even, paragraph ve of Public Act Numbered One
Cons ti tution of the Philippines. Government and the people, a nd i n the fulllment of
hundred and twenty-seven of the Congress of the thi s duty a ll citizens may be required by law to render
(14) Appeals from decisions of the Auditor General Uni ted States, approved Ma rch twenty-four, nineteen pers onal military or ci vil servi ce.
ma y be ta ken to the President of the United States. hundred and thirty-four, together wi th such other
duti es as the National Assembly ma y determine. The SEC. 3. The Phi lippines renounces war a s an
(15) The Uni ted States may, by Presidential qua lications, compensation, and expenses of the i ns trument of national policy, a dopts the generally
procl amation, exercise the right to i ntervene for the Res ident Commissioner shall be xed by l aw. a ccepted principles of i nternational law as part of the
pres ervation of the Government of the l a w of the land, and adheres to the policy of peace,
SEC. 3. Al l other provisions of Public Act Numbered equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity
Commonwealth of the Philippines and for the
ma i ntenance of the Government as provided i n the One hundred and twenty-seven of the Congress of wi th a ll nations.
Cons ti tution thereof, a nd for the protection of life, the Uni ted States, approved Ma rch twenty-four,
property, a nd individual liberty a nd for the discharge ni neteen hundred and thirty-four, applicable to the SEC. 4. The Sta te s hall s trengthen the family as a basic
of Government obligations under a nd in a ccordance Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines s oci al i nstitution. The natural ri ght and duty of
a re hereby ma de a part of this Ordinance as i f s uch pa rents i n the rearing of the youth for ci vic eciency
wi th the provisions of the Constitution.
provi sions were expressly i nterested herein. a nd the development of moral character s hall receive
(16) The a uthority of the United States High the a i d and support of the Government.
I HEREBY CERTIFY that this Constitution was adopted
Commi ssioner to the Government of the
by the Cons titutional Convention on February 8, SEC. 5. The Sta te recognizes the vi tal role of the youth
Commonwealth of the Philippines as provided in
1935. i n the nation-building a nd s hall promote their
Publ ic Act Numbered One hundred and twenty-seven
of the Congress of the United States a pproved Ma rch (Sgd.) CLARO M. RECTO phys i cal, i ntellectual, a nd s ocial well-being.
twenty-four, nineteen hundred a nd thirty-four, is SEC. 6. The Sta te s hall promote social justice to
hereby recognized. Pres i dent, Constitutional Convention ens ure the dignity, welfare, and security of all the
(17) Ci ti zens and corporations of the United States ATTEST: people. Towards this end, the State shall regulate the
s ha ll enjoy i n the Commonwealth of the Philippines a cquisition, ownership, use, enjoyment, a nd
a l l the ci vil rights of the citizens and corporations, (Sgd.) N. PIMENTEL di s position of private property, a nd equitably diffuse
res pectively, thereof. property ownership and prots.
Secretary, Cons titutional Convention
(18) Every dul y a dopted a mendment to the SEC. 7. The Sta te s hall establish, maintain, a nd ensure
Cons ti tution of the Philippines shall be submitted to a dequate s ocial s ervices in the eld of education,
the Pres ident of the United States for a pproval. If the 1973 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines hea lth, housing, employment, welfare, and social
Pres i dent a pprove the a mendment or i f the President s ecurity to guarantee the enjoyment by the people of
a decent s tandard of living.
fa i l to disapprove such amendment within six months 1973 PREAMBLE
from the ti me of its submission, the amendment s hall We, the s overeign Filipino people, i mploring the aid SEC. 8. Ci vi l ian a uthority is a t all times s upreme over
ta ke effect as a part of such Constitution. of Di vi ne Provi dence, in order to establish a the mi litary.
(19) The Pres ident of the United States shall have Government that s hall embody our i deals, promote
SEC. 9. The Sta te s hall a fford protection to labor,
a uthority to s uspend the taking effect of or the the general welfare, conserve and develop the
opera tion of any l aw, contract, or executive order of pa tri mony of our Nation, and secure to ourselves and promote full employment and equality i n
our pos terity the blessings of democracy under a empl oyment, ensure equal work opportunities
the Government of the Commonwealth of the
regi me of justice, peace, liberty, a nd equality, do rega rdless of sex, ra ce, or creed, and regulate the
Phi l ippines, which in his judgment will result i n a rel a tions between workers and employers. The State
fa i lure of the Government of the Commonwealth of orda in and promulgate this Constitution.
s ha ll assure the rights of workers to self-organization,
the Phi lippines to fulll i ts contracts, or to meet i ts ARTICLE I THE NATIONAL TERRITORY col l ective bargaining, s ecurity of tenure, and just a nd
bonded indebtedness and interest thereon or to
huma ne conditions of work. The State may provide
SECTION 1. The na tional terri tory comprises the
provi de for i ts s inking funds, or which seems likely to Phi l ippine a rchipelago, with a ll the i slands a nd waters for compulsory a rbitration.
i mpair the reserves for the protection of the currency embra ced therein, a nd a ll the other territories SEC. 10. The Sta te shall guarantee a nd promote the
of the Phi lippines, or which in his judgment will bel onging to the Philippines by historic ri ght or l egal a utonomy of local government units, especially the
vi ol ate international obligations of the United States.
7
[ba ra ngays ], to ensure their fullest development as SEC. 6. The ri ght of the people to i nformation on a ccus ed provided that he has been duly notied and
s elf-reliant communities. ma tters of public concern s hall be recognized. Access hi s failure to appear is unjustied.
to oci a l records, a nd to documents and papers
ARTICLE III CITIZENSHIP perta ining to ocial a cts, transactions, or decisions, SEC. 20. No pers on shall be compelled to be a witness
s ha ll be a fforded the ci tizen subject to s uch a ga inst himself. Any person under i nvestigation for
SECTION 1. The following are citizens of the the commission of an offense shall have the ri ght to
Phi l ippines: l i mitations as may be provided by law.
rema in silent and to counsel, a nd to be i nformed of
SEC. 7. The ri ght to form associations or societies for s uch ri ght. No force, vi olence, threat, i ntimidation, or
(1) Thos e who a re citizens of the Philippines a t the
purposes not contrary to law shall not be a bridged. a ny other means which vi tiate the free will s hall be
ti me of the a doption of this Constitution.
us ed a gainst him. Any confession obtained i n
(2) Thos e whose fathers or mothers a re citizens of the SEC. 8. No l a w s hall be made respecting a n vi ol ation of this section shall be i nadmissible in
Phi l ippines. es tablishment of religion, or prohibiting the free evi dence.
exerci se thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of
(3) Thos e who elect Philippine citizenship pursuant to rel i gious profession a nd worship, without SEC. 21. Exces s ive nes shall not be i mposed, nor cruel
the provi sions of the Constitution of nineteen di s crimination or preference, s hall forever be or unus ual punishment inicted.
hundred and thirty-ve. a l lowed. No religious test shall be required for the
SEC. 22. No pers on shall be twice put i n jeopardy of
exerci se of civil or political ri ghts.
(4) Thos e who a re naturalized i n a ccordance with law. punishment for the s ame offense. If an act is
SEC. 9. No l a w s hall be passed abridging the freedom punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or
SEC. 2. A fema le citizen of the Philippines who marries of s peech, or of the press, or the right of the people a cquittal under either s hall constitute a bar to
a n a lien s hall retain her Philippine ci tizenship, unless pea ceably to a ssemble and petition the Government a nother prosecution for the same act.
by her a ct or omi ssion she is deemed, under the l aw, for redress of grievances.
to ha ve renounced her ci tizenship. SEC. 23. Free a ccess to the courts s hall not be denied
SEC. 10. No l a w gra nting a ti tle of royalty or nobility to a ny person by reason of poverty.
SEC. 3. Phi l ippine citizenship may be lost or s ha ll be enacted.
rea cquired in the manner provided by law. ARTICLE V DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENS
SEC. 11. No l a w i mpairing the obligation of contracts
SEC. 4. A na tural-born citizen is one who is a ci tizen of s ha ll be passed. SECTION 1. It s hall be the duty of the ci tizen to be
the Phi lippines from birth without having to perform l oya l to the Republic and to honor the Philippine a g,
a ny a ct to a cquire or perfect his Philippine ci tizenship. SEC. 12. No ex pos t fa cto law or bill of a ttainder shall to defend the State and contribute to its
be enacted. development and welfare, to uphold the Constitution
ARTICLE IV BILL OF RIGHTS a nd obey the laws, and to.cooperate with the duly
SEC. 13. No pers on shall be imprisoned for debt or cons tituted authorities in the a ttainment and
SECTION 1. No pers on s hall be deprived of life, liberty, non-payment of a poll ta x.
pres ervation of a just and orderly s ociety.
or property wi thout due process of law, nor s hall a ny
pers on be denied the equal protection of the laws. SEC. 14. No i nvol untary s ervi tude i n any form shall SEC. 2. The ri ghts of the indivi dual impose upon him
exi s t except as a punishment for a cri me whereof the the correlative duty to exercise them responsibly a nd
SEC. 2. Pri va te property s hall not be ta ken for public pa rty s hall have been duty convi cted.
wi th due regard for the rights of others.
us e without just compensation.
SEC. 15. The pri vilege of the writ of habeas corpus
SEC. 3. The ri ght of the people to be s ecure i n their s ha ll not be suspended except i n ca ses of invasion, SEC. 3. It s ha ll be the duty of every ci tizen to engage
i n ga inful work to assure himself a nd his family a life
pers ons, houses, papers, a nd effects a gainst i ns urrection, rebellion, or i mminent danger thereof, worthy of human dignity.
unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever when the public s afety requires it.
na ture and for a ny purpose shall not be vi olated, and SEC. 4. It s ha ll be the obligation of every ci tizen
no s earch warra nt or warrant of a rrest shall issue SEC. 16. Al l persons s hall have the ri ght to a s peedy qua lied to vote to register and cast his vote.
except upon probable ca use to be determined by the di s position of their cases before all judicial,
judge, or s uch other responsible ocer as may be qua sijudicial, or a dministrative bodies. ARTICLE VI SUFFRAGE
a uthorized by law, after examination under oath or
a rma tion of the complainant a nd the witnesses he SEC. 17. No pers on shall be held to a nswer for a SECTION 1. Suffra ge shall be exercised by ci tizens of
cri mi nal offense without due process of law. the Phi lippines not otherwise disqualied by law, who
ma y produce, and particularly describing the place to
be s earched, a nd the persons or things to be s eized. SEC. 18. Al l persons, except those charged with a re eighteen years of a ge or over, and who shall have
res i ded i n the Philippines for at l east one year a nd in
ca pi tal offenses when evidence of guilt is strong, the pl ace wherein they propose to vote for at least six
SEC. 4. (1) The pri va cy of communication and
s ha ll, before conviction, be bailable by sucient months preceding the election. No literacy, property,
corres pondence shall be inviolable except upon
l a wful order of the court, or when public safety a nd s ureties. Excessive bail s hall not be required. or other s ubstantive requirement s hall be i mposed on
order require otherwise. SEC. 19. In a l l criminal prosecutions, the a ccused s hall the exercise of suffrage. The Batasang Pa mbansa shall
be presumed i nnocent until the contrary i s proved, provi de a system for the purpose of s ecuring the
(2) Any evi dence obtained in violation of this or the
preceding section s hall be i nadmissible for a ny a nd s hall enjoy the ri ght to be heard by himself and s ecrecy a nd s anctity of the vote.
purpose i n any proceeding. couns el, to be informed of the nature a nd ca use of ARTICLE VII THE PRESIDENT
the a ccusation a gainst him, to have a speedy,
SEC. 5. The l i berty of a bode and of travel s hall not, be i mpartial, and public tri al, to meet the witnesses face SECTION 1. The Pres ident s hall be the head of state
i mpaired except upon lawful order of the court, or to fa ce, a nd to have compulsory process to secure the a nd chief executive of the Republic of the Philippines.
when necessary i n the interest of national security, a ttendance of witnesses and the production of
public s afety, or public health. evi dence in his behalf. However, a fter a rraignment, SEC. 2. No pers on may be elected President unless he
tri a l ma y proce ed notwithstanding the absence of the i s a natural-born citizen of the Philippines. a
regi stered voter, a ble to read and write, a t least fty

8
yea rs of age on the day of election for President, a nd or i ndirectly i n the management of any business, or SEC. 14. The Pres ident shall address the Batasang
a res ident of the Philippines for a t least ten years be na ncially i nterested directly or i ndirectly i n a ny Pa mba nsa a t the opening of its regular s ession. He
i mmediately preceding s uch election. contra ct wi th, or i n a ny fra nchise or special privilege ma y a l so appear before i t at a ny other time.
gra nted by, the Government or a ny s ubdivision,
SEC. 3. The Pres ident shall be elected by di rect vote of a gency or i nstrumentality thereof, i ncluding a ny SEC. 15. The Pres ident shall be immune from s uit
the people for a term of six years which shall begin at government-owned or controlled corporation. duri ng his tenure. Thereafter, no s uit whatsoever
noon on the thirtieth day of June following the day of s ha ll lie for ocial acts done by him or by others
the el ection a nd s hall end at noon of the same date SEC. 7. In ca s e of permanent disability, death, purs uant to his s pecic orders during his tenure.
s i x yea rs thereafter when the term of his successor remova l from oce or resignation of the President, the
s ha ll begin. Executi ve Committee headed by the Pri me Mi nister The i mmunities herein provi ded s hall a pply to the
a s hereinafter provided shall exercise the powers of i ncumbent President referred to in Article XVII of this
The returns of every election for President, duly the Pres ident until a President shall have been Cons ti tution.
certi ed by the board of ca nvassers of each province or el ected a nd qualied. If the permanent disability,
ci ty, s ha ll be tra nsmitted to the Speaker a t the SEC. 16. Al l powers vested in the President of the
dea th, removal from oce or resignation of the
Ba ta sang Pa mbansa, who s hall, not later than thirty Pres i dent occurs earlier than eighteen (18) months Phi l ippines under the 1935 Constitution and the laws
da ys a fter the day of the election, a nd i n the presence before the expiration of his term, the Batasang of the l and which are not herein provi ded for or
of the Ba tasang Pa mbansa open all the certicates, and Pa mba nsa s hall, within thirty days from the time the conferred upon any ocial shall be deemed a nd a re
the votes s hall then be counted. hereby vested i n the President unless the Batasang
va ca ncy occurs, ca ll a special election to be held not Pa mba nsa provides otherwise.
The person havi ng the highest number of votes s hall ea rlier than forty-ve days nor l ater than sixty da ys
be proclaimed elected; but i n case two or more shall from the ti me of such call, to elect a President to ARTICLE VIII BATASANG PAMBANSA
ha ve a n equal a nd the highest number of votes, one s erve the unexpired term. SECTION 1. The Legislative power s hall be vested in a
of them s hall forthwith be chosen by a vote of a In the a bsence of an Executive Committee, the Ba ta sang Pa mbansa.
ma jority of a ll the Members of the Batasang Spea ker s hall a ct as President until the President shall
Pa mba nsa i n s ession assembled. ha ve been elected and qualied. SEC. 2. The Ba tasang Pambansa which s hall be
composed of not more than 200 Members unless
SEC 4. If, a t the ti me xed for the beginning of his term, SEC. 8. The Pres ident shall have control of the otherwise provi ded by l aw, s hall i nclude
the Pres ident-elect shall have died or s hall have failed mi nistries. representatives elected from the different regions of
to qua lify or i f the President shall not have been the Phi lippines, those elected or s elected from
chos en, the Executive Committee, headed by the SEC. 9. The Pres ident shall be commander-in-chief of va ri ous s ectors as may be provi ded by l aw, a nd those
Pri me Mi nister, a s hereinafter provided, shall exercise a l l a rmed forces of the Philippines and, whenever i t chos en by the President from the members of the
the powers a nd discharge the duties of the President be comes necessary, he ma y call out s uch a rmed Ca bi net. Regional representatives s hall be
unti l a President shall have been elected and qualied. forces to prevent or s uppress lawless vi olence, a pportioned among the regions in a ccordance with
If the Ba tasang Pa mbansa withdraws its condence i n i nva sion, i nsurrection, or rebellion. In ca se of the number of their respective i nhabitants a nd on the
the Pri me Minister, the Speaker s hall preside over the i nva sion, i nsurrection, or rebellion, or i mminent ba s is of a uniform a nd progressive ra tio.
Executi ve Committee. In the a bsence of an Executive da nger thereof, when the public s afety requires it, he
Commi ttee, the Speaker of the Batasang Pa mbansa ma y s uspend the privilege of the wri t of habeas The number of representatives from each region a nd
s ha ll a ct as President until a President shall have been corpus , or place the Philippines or any part thereof the ma nner of their election shall be prescribed by
el ected a nd qualied. under martial law. l a w. The number of representatives from each s ector
a nd the manner of their election or selection shall be
In the event of death or failure to qualify a s herein SEC. 10. The Pres ident shall appoint the heads of pres cribed by law.
provi ded, the Batasang Pambansa shall call a s pecial burea us and oces, the ocers of the a rmed forces of
el ection i n the manner prescribed i n Section 7 hereof. the Phi lippines from the rank of brigadier general or SEC. 3. (l ) The Members of the Batasang Pa mbansa
commodore, and all other ocers of the Government s ha ll have a term of six years which shall begin; unless
SEC. 5. The Pres ident, on assuming oce, shall take the whos e appointments are not otherwise provided for, otherwise provi ded by l aw, a t noon on the thirtieth
fol l owing oath or a rmation: thos e whom he may be a uthorized by law to a ppoint. da y of June next following their election.
“I do s olemnly swear (or arm) that I will faithfully a nd However, the Batasang Pa mbansa may by l aw vest in (2) In ca s e the Batasang Pambansa is dissolved, the
the Pri me Minister, members of the Ca binet, the
cons cientiously fulll my duties as President of the newl y elected Members shall serve the unexpired
Executi ve Committee, courts, heads of agencies,
Phi l ippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, porti on of the term from the time the President
execute its laws, do justice to every ma n a nd commi ssions, and boards the power to a ppoint
i nferior ocers. convokes the Assembly, which s hall not be later than
cons ecrate mys elf to the s ervice of the Nation. So thi rty da ys immediately following their election.
hel p me God.” (In ca se of a rmation, the last sentence SEC. 11. The Pres ident may, except i n cases of
i s omitted.) i mpeachment, grant reprieves, commutations and SEC. 4. No pers on shall be a Member of the Batasang
Pa mba nsa a s a regional representative unless he is a
SEC. 6. (1) The Pres ident shall have an ocial residence pa rdons, remit nes and forfeitures a nd, with the na tural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day
a nd s hall receive a compensation to be xed by l aw, concurrence of the Batasang Pambansa, grant
a mnesty. of the election, is a t least twenty-ve years of age, able
whi ch shall not be i ncreased or decreased during his to rea d a nd wri te, a registered voter i n the Region i n
term of oce. He shall not receive during his tenure SEC. 12. The Pres ident may contract and guarantee whi ch he shall be elected, and a resident thereof for a
a ny other emolument from the Government or a ny forei gn and domestic l oans on behalf of the Republic peri od of not less than one year i mmediately
other s ource. Until the Batasang Pambansa shall of the Phi lippines, subject to such limitations a s may preceding the day of the election.
provi de otherwise, the President shall receive an be provi ded by law.
a nnual salary of one hundred thousand pesos. A s ectoral representative shall be a natural-born
SEC. 13. The Pres ident shall formulate the guidelines ci ti zen, able to read a nd write, a nd shall have such
(2) The Pres ident s hall not, during his tenure, hold any of na ti onal policy. other qualications a s may be provided by l aw.
other oce, practice any profession, participate directly
9
SEC. 5. (1) The regular election of the Members of the of the l aw within twenty-four hours after i ts condence s hall be ca lendared for debate i f it is signed
Ba ta sang Pa mbansa shall be held on the second a djournment for a recess or for its next s ession, by a t l east one-fth of the Members of the Batasang
Monda y of Ma y 1984 a nd every s ix years thereafter. otherwise such privilege s hall cease upon its failure to Pa mba nsa. No s uch motion s hall be debated and
do s o. A Member shall not be questioned nor be held voted upon until after the lapse of s even days a fter its
(2) In ca s e a va cancy a rises i n the Batasang Pa mbansa l i able i n a ny other place for a ny s peech or debate in s ubmission.
ei ghteen months or more before a regular election, the Ba tasan or i n any committee thereof.
the Commission on Elections s hall ca ll a special Wi thi n ten days from receipt of the written advice of
el ection to be held within sixty days a fter the va cancy SEC. 10. A Member of the Batasang Pa mbansa s hall the a pproval of the motion of no condence, the
occurs to elect the Member to s erve the unexpired not hol d a ny other oce or employment i n the Pres i dent may s ubmit a nominee for a Pri me Minister
term. Government, or any s ubdivision, a gency, or to be el ected by the Batasang Pambansa.
i ns trumentality thereof, i ncluding government-owned
SEC. 6. The Ba tasang Pambansa shall convene once or control led corporations, during his tenure except (2) The Pri me Minister may a dvise the President in
every yea r on the fourth Monday of July for i ts regular tha t of Pri me Mi nister, Deputy Pri me Mi nister, wri ti ng to dissolve the Batasang Pa mbansa whenever
s ession, unless a different date is xed by law, and shall Member of the Ca binet or the Executive Committee, the need arises for a popular vote of condence on
conti nue to be i n session for such number of days as or Deputy Mi nister. Neither shall he, during the term fundamental issues, but not on a matter i nvolving his
i t ma y determine. However, it may be called to for whi ch he was elected, be a ppointed to a ny ci vil own personal i ntegrity. Whereupon, the President
s ession a t any ti me by the President to consider s uch oce whi ch may have been created or the emoluments ma y di ssolve the Batasang Pambansa not earlier than
s ubjects or l egislation as he may designate; s even nor later than fourteen days from his receipt of
thereof i ncreased while he was a Member of the
Ba ta sang Pa mbansa. the a dvice, a nd ca ll for a n election on a date set by
SEC. 7. (1) The Ba tasang Pambansa shall, by a majority hi m which s hall not be earlier than forty-ve nor later
vote of a ll i ts Members, elect its Speaker from the SEC. 11. No Member of the Batasang Pa mbansa shall tha n s ixty days from the date of s uch dissolution.
Members thereof. It shall choose s uch other ocers as a ppear as counsel before any court wi thout appellate However, no dissolution of the Batasang Pa mbansa
i t ma y deem necessary. juri s diction, before any court i n a ny ci vil case wherein s ha ll ta ke place within eighteen months immediately
the Government, or any s ubdivision, a gency, or preceding a regular election of the Batasang
(2) A ma jority of a ll the Members of the Batasang
i ns trumentality thereof is the a dverse party, or i n any Pa mba nsa or wi thin eighteen months immediately
Pa mba nsa s hall constitute a quorum to do business,
but a s maller number may a djourn from day to da y cri mi nal case wherein a ny ocer or employee of the fol l owing s uch election, or during the pendency of
a nd may compel the attendance of absent Members Government is accused of a n offense committed in i mpeachment proceedings against the President, or
rel a tion to his oce, or before a ny a dministrative body. when the powers of the President are exercised by
i n s uch manner, and under such penalties, as the
Nei ther shall he, directly or i ndirectly be interested the Executive Committee or the Speaker. The
Ba ta sang Pa mbansa may provide.
na ncially i n any contract with, or in any franchise or Ba ta sang Pa mbansa shall not be dissolved oftener
(3) The Ba tasang Pa mbansa ma y determine the rules s pecial privilege granted by the Government, or any tha n once every twelve (12) months.
of i ts proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly s ubdivision, agency or i nstrumentality thereof,
SEC. 14. (1) Except a s otherwise provided in this
behavi or, and with the concurrence of two-thirds of i ncl uding a ny government-owned or controlled
Cons ti tution, no treaty s hall he valid a nd effective
a l l i ts Members; s uspend or expel a Member, but if corpora tion, during his term of oce. He shall not
unl ess concurred i n by a majority of all the Members
the penalty i s suspension, this s hall not exceed sixty a ccept employment to i ntervene in any ca use or
da ys . ma tter where he may be called to a ct on a ccount of of the Ba tasang Pa mbansa.
hi s oce. (2) The Ba tasang Pa mbansa, by a vote of two-thirds of
(4) The Ba tasang Pa mbansa s hall keep a Journal of i ts
a l l i ts Members, s hall have the s ole power to declare
proceedings, and from ti me to ti me publish the same, SEC. 12. (1) There shall be a question hour a t least
excepting s uch parts as may, i n i ts judgment, effect once a month or a s often as the Rules of the Batasang the exi stence of a s tate of war.
na ti onal security; a nd the yeas and nays on a ny Pa mba nsa may provi de, which shall be included i n its SEC. 15. In ti mes of war or other national emergency,
question shall, at the request of one-fth of the a genda, during which the Pri me Mi nister, the Deputy the Ba tasang Pa mbansa may by l aw a uthorize the
Members present, be entered in the Journal. Pri me Mi nister or a ny Mi nister ma y be required to Pres i dent for a limited period a nd s ubject to s uch
a ppear a nd a nswer questions and interpellation by res tri ctions as i t may prescribe, to exercise powers
SEC. 8. (1) Unl ess otherwise provided by l aw, each Members of the Batasang Pa mbansa. Written
Member of the Batasang Pa mbansa s hall receive a n questions s hall be s ubmitted to the Speaker at l east necessary a nd proper to ca rry out a declared national
pol icy. Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution of the
a nnual salary of sixty thousand pesos. The Speaker of three
the Ba tasang Pa mbansa shall receive an a nnual salary Ba ta sang Pa mbansa, such powers s hall cease upon its
of s eventy-ve thousand pesos. No increase i n salary da ys before a scheduled question hour. next a djournment.
s ha ll ta ke effect until a fter the expiration of the term Interpellations s hall not be limited to the wri tten
of the Members of the Batasang Pambansa approving questions, but may cover matters related thereto. SEC. 16. (1) The Pri me Mi nister shall submit to the
s uch i ncrease. The a genda shall specify the s ubjects of the question Ba ta sang Pa mbansa within thirty days from the
hour. When the s ecurity of the State so requires and opening of each regular session, as the basis of the
(2) The records and books of a ccounts of the Batasang the Pres ident s o s tates i n writing, the question hour general appropriations bill, a budget of receipts based
Pa mba nsa s hall be open to the public i n a ccordance s ha ll be conducted in executive session. on exi sting and proposed revenue measures, and of
wi th l aw, a nd such books s hall be a udited by the expenditures. The form, content, a nd manner of
Commi ssion on Audit which shall publish annually the (2) The Ba tasang Pa mbansa or a ny of i ts committees prepa ration of the budget shall be prescribed by l aw.
i temized expendi tures for each Member. ma y conduct inquiries in a id of legislation i n
a ccordance with i ts duly published rules of procedure. (2) No provi sion or enactment shall be embraced in
SEC. 9. A Member of the Batasang Pa mbansa s hall, i n The ri ghts of persons a ppearing i n. or a ffected by the general appropriations bill unless i t relates
a l l offenses punishable by not more than six years s uch i nquiries s hall be respected. s pecically to s ome particular appropriation therein.
i mprisonment, be privileged from a rrest during his Any s uch provision or enactment shall be limited in its
a ttendance a t its s essions, and i n going to a nd SEC. 13. (1) The Ba tasang Pambansa may withdraw its opera tion to the a ppropriation to which it relates.
returni ng from the same; but the Batasang Pambansa condence from the Pri me Mi nister by a majority vote
s ha ll s urrender the Member i nvolved to the custody of a l l its Members. The motion for a vote of no
10
(3) The procedure in a pproving a ppropriations for the (2) No bi ll s hall become a law unless i t has passed member of the Ca binet or the Executive Committee
Ba ta sang Pa mbansa shall strictly follow the procedure three readings on s eparate days, a nd printed copies ma y be removed a t the discretion of the President.
for a pproving appropriations for other departments thereof i n i ts nal form have been distributed to the
a nd a gencies. Members three days before i ts passage, except when SEC. 5. (1) The Pres ident may nominate from a mong
the Pri me Minister certies to the necessity of i ts the Members of the Batasang Pa mbansa a Deputy
(4) A s pecial a ppropriations bill shall specify the i mmediate enactment to meet a public ca lamity or Pri me Mi nister who s hall be elected by a majority of
purpose for which it is i ntended, a nd s hall be emergency. Upon the last reading of a bill, no the Members thereof. The Deputy Pri me Minister
s upported by funds actually a vailable a s certied to by a mendment thereto s hall be a llowed, a nd the vote s ha ll perform s uch functions as may be assigned to
the Na tional Treasurer, or to be raised by a thereon s hall be ta ken i mmediately thereafter, and hi m by the Pri me Minister.
corres ponding revenue proposal included therein. the yea s and nays entered i n the Journal. (2) The Pres ident s hall a lso appoint the Deputy
(5) No l a w shall be passed a uthorizing a ny tra nsfer of SEC. 20. (1) Every bi l l passed by the Batasang Mi ni sters who shall perform such functions as may be
a ppropriations; however, the President, the Pri me Pa mba nsa s hall, before i t becomes a law, be a s signed to them by law or by the respective heads of
Mi ni ster, the Speaker, the Chief Justice of the pres ented to the President. If he a pproves the same, mi nistries.
Supreme Court, and the heads of Constitutional he s hall sign i t; otherwise, he shall veto i t and return SEC. 6. The Pri me Mi nister, Deputy Pri me Mi nister,
Commi ssions may by l aw be authorized to a ugment the s ame with his objections to the Batasang the Members of the Ca binet, and the Members of the
a ny i tem in the general appropriations l aw for their Pa mba nsa. The bill may be reconsidered by the
res pective oces from savings in other items of their Executi ve Committee, on assuming oce, shall take the
Ba ta sang Pa mbansa and, if approved by two-thirds of fol l owing oath or a rmation:
res pective a ppropriations. a l l i ts Members, s hall become a law. The President
s ha ll a ct on every bill passed by the Batasang ‘I do s olemnly s wear (or arm) that I will faithfully a nd
(6) If, by the end of a ny s cal year, the Batasang
Pa mba nsa s hall have failed to pass the general Pa mba nsa within thirty days a fter the date of receipt cons cientiously fulll my duties as (name of position)
a ppropriations bill for the ensuing scal year, the thereof; otherwise i t shall become a law as i f he had of the Phi lippines, preserve a nd defend its
general appropriations l aw for the preceding s cal year s i gned it. Cons ti tution, execute i ts laws, do justice to every man
s ha ll be deemed re -enacted a nd s hall remain i n force (2) The Pres ident s hall have the power to veto a ny a nd consecrate mys elf to the s ervice of the Nation. So
a nd effect until the general appropriations bill is hel p me God.’ (In ca se of a rmation, the last sentence
pa rti cular i tem or i tems i n an appropriation, revenue, wi l l be omitted.)
pa ssed by the Batasang Pa mbansa. or ta ri ff bill, but the veto s hall not affect the item or
SEC. 17. (1) The rul e of ta xation s hall be uniform and i tems to which he does not object. SEC. 7. The s alaries and emoluments of the Pri me
equitable. The Batasang Pa mbansa s hall evolve a Mi ni ster, Deputy Pri me Minister, Members of the
ARTICLE IX THE PRIME MINISTER, THE CABINET AND Ca bi net a nd of the Executive Committee shall be xed
progressive s ystem of taxation. THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE by l a w which s hall not be increased or decreased
(2) The Ba tasang Pa mbansa ma y by l aw a uthorize th e SECTION 1 There s hall be a Cabinet which shall be duri ng their tenure of oce. Until otherwise provided
Pres i dent to x wi thin specied limits, and subject to composed of Mi nisters with or without portfolio by l a w, the Prime Mi nister s hall receive the same
s uch l imitations and restrictions as it may i mpose, a ppointed by the President. At l east a majority of the s a lary a s that of the President.
ta ri ff ra tes, i mport a nd export quotas, tonnage a nd Members of the Ca binet who are heads of ministries
wha rfage dues, and other duties or i mposts. SEC. 8. The Pri me Mi nister, the Members of the
s ha ll come from the Regional Representatives of the Ca bi net a nd the Members of the Executive
(3) Cha ri table i nstitutions, churches, parsonages or Ba ta sang Pa mbansa. Commi ttee, shall be subject to the provisions of
convents a ppurtenant thereto, mosques, a nd nonprot The Pri me Minister s hall be the head of the Ca binet. Secti on 11, Arti cle VIII hereof a nd may not appear as
cemeteries, a nd a ll lands, buildings, a nd He s hall, upon the nomination of the President from couns el before any court or a dministrative body, or
i mprovements a ctually, directly, and exclusively used a mong the Members of the Batasang Pa mbansa, b e ma nage any business, or practice any profession, and
for rel i gious or charitable purposes shall be exempt el ected by a majority of a ll the Members thereof. s ha ll also be
from ta xa tion.
SEC. 2. The Pri me Mi nister a nd the Ca binet shall be s ubject to s uch other disqualications as may be
(4) No l a w granting a ny ta x exemption s hall be passed res ponsible to the Batasang Pambansa for the provi ded by law.
wi thout the concurrence of a majority of a ll the progra m of government a pproved by the President.
Members of the Batasang Pa mbansa. SEC. 9. The Pri me Mi nister, Deputy Pri me Mi nister,
SEC. 3. There s hall be an Executive Committee to be a ny Member of the Ca binet or the Executive
SEC. 18 (1) No money s hall be paid out of the Commi ttee may resign for a ny ca use without va cating
des ignated by the President, composed of the Pri me
Trea sury except in pursuance of an appropriation Mi ni ster as Chairman, and not more than fourteen hi s seat as Regional or Sectoral Representative in the
ma de by law. other members, at l east half of whom shall be Ba ta sang Pa mbansa, or any other government

(2) No public money or property s hall ever be Members of the Batasang Pa mbansa. The Executive pos ition.
a ppropriated, a pplied, paid, or used, directly or Commi ttee shall assist the President i n the exercise of SEC. 10. The Pri me Mi nister s hall have supervision of
i ndirectly, for the use, benet, or s upport of a ny s ect, hi s powers and functions and in the performance of a l l ministries.
church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system hi s duties as he may prescribe.
of rel igion, or for the use, benet, or support of a ny The Members of the Executive Committee s hall have ARTICLE X THE JUDICIARY
pri est, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher the s ame qualications as those of the Members of the SECTION 1. The Judicial power s hall be vested i n one
or di gnitary a s such, except when such priest, Ba ta sang Pa mbansa. Supreme Court and in such inferior courts as may be
prea cher, minister, or dignitary i s assigned to the es tablished by law. The Batasang Pa mbansa shall
a rmed forces, or to a ny penal institution, or SEC. 4. The term of oce of the Prime Mi nister s hall ha ve the power to dene, prescribe, a nd a pportion the
government orphanage or l eprosarium. commence from the date of his election by the juri s diction of the va rious courts, but may not deprive
Ba ta sang Pa mbansa and shall end on the date that the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction over ca ses
SEC. 19. (1) Every bi l l shall embrace only one s ubject the nomination of his successor i s submitted by the
whi ch shall be expressed i n the title thereof. enumerated i n Section ve hereof.
Pres i dent to the Batasang Pambansa. Any other
11
SEC. 2. (1) The Supreme Court s hall be composed of a (3) As s ign temporarily judges of i nferior courts to rendi tion of the corresponding decision or resolution
Chi ef Justice a nd fourteen Associate Justices. It may other s tations as public i nterest may require. Such beca use the necessary vote ca nnot be had, the
s i t en banc or in two divisions. temporary a ssignment s hall not last longer than six judgment, order, or resolution a ppealed from shall be
mouths without the consent of the judge concerned. deemed a rmed, except in those cases where a
(2) Al l ca ses i nvolving the constitutionality of a treaty, qua lied majority i s required and in appeals from
executive agreement, or law shall be heard a nd (4) Order a cha nge of venue or place of trial to avoid a judgments of conviction in cri minal cases; a nd i n
deci ded by the Supreme Court en banc, and no treaty, mi s carriage of justice. ori gi nal s pecial civil actions and proceedings for
executive agreement, or law may be declared ha beas corpus, the petition in s uch ca ses s hall be
unconstitutional without the concurrence of a t least (5) Promul gate rules concerning pleading, practice, deemed dismissed; and a certication to this effect
ten Members. All other cases, which under i ts rules a nd procedure in all courts, the admission to the s i gned by the Chief Ma gistrate of the court s hall be
a re required to be heard en banc, shall be decided pra cti ce of law, and the integration of the Bar, which, i s sued and a copy thereof a ttached to the record of
wi th the concurrence of at l east eight Members. however, may be repealed, altered, or s upplemented
by the Ba tasang Pa mbansa. Such rules shall provide a the ca s e.
(3) Ca s es heard by a division shall be decided with the s i mplied a nd.inexpensive procedure for the s peedy SEC. 12. The Supreme Court s hall, within thirty da ys
concurrence of at least ve Members, but i f s uch di s position of cases, shall be uniform for a ll courts of from the opening of each regular s ession of the
requi red number i s not obtained, the ca se shall be the s ame grade, and shall not diminish, i ncrease, or Ba ta sang Pa mbansa, submit to the President, the
deci ded en banc: Provi ded, that no doctrine or modi fy substantive ri ghts. Pri me Mi nister, a nd the Batasang Pambansa an
pri nciple of law laid down by the Court in a decision
rendered en banc or i n division may be modied or (6) Appoi nt i ts ocials a nd employees i n accordance a nnual report on the operations and activities of the
Judi ciary.
revers ed except by the Court s itting en banc. wi th the Ci vil Service La w.
ARTICLE XI LOCAL GOVERNMENT
SEC. 3. (l ) No person shall be appointed Member of SEC. 6. The Supreme Court shall have a dministrative
the Supreme Court unless he is a natural-born citizen s upervision over a ll courts and the personnel thereof. SECTION 1. The terri torial and political subdivisions of
of the Phi lippines, at l east forty years of a ge, a nd has SEC. 7. The Members of the Supreme Court a nd the Phi lippines a re the provinces, cities,
for ten yea rs or more been a judge of a court of judges of inferior courts shall hold oce during good muni cipalities, and barrios.
record or engaged in the practice of law in the behavi or until they reach the a ge of s eventy yea rs or SEC. 2. The Ba tasang Pambansa shall enact a local
Phi l ippines. become i ncapacitated to discharge the duties of their government code which may not thereafter be
(2) The Ba tasang Pa mbansa s hall prescribe the oce. The Supreme Court shall have the power to a mended except by a majority vote of all i ts
qua lications of judges of inferior courts, but no di s cipline judges of inferior courts a nd, by a vote of at Members, dening a more responsive and accountable
l east eight Members, order their dismissal.
pers on may be a ppointed judge thereof unless he is a l oca l government s tructure with an effective sys tem
na tural-born citizen of the Philippines and a member SEC. 8. The concl usions of the Supreme Court i n any of reca ll, allocating a mong the different local
of the Phi lippine Bar. ca s e s ubmitted to i t for decision en banc or in division government units their powers, responsibilities, a nd
res ources, a nd providing for the qualications, election
SEC. 4. The Members of the Supreme Court a nd s ha ll be reached in consultation before the case is
a s signed to a Member for the writing of the opinion a nd removal, term, salaries, powers, functions, and
judges of inferior courts shall be appointed by the
Pres i dent. of the Court. Any Member dissenting from a decision duti es of local ocials, a nd a ll other matters relating to
the orga nization and operation of the l ocal units.
s ha ll s tate the reasons for his dissent. The same
However, any change in the existing form of local
SEC. 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following requi rements s hall be observed by a ll inferior
government shall not ta ke effect until ra tied by a
powers: col l egiate courts.
ma jority of the votes cast i n a plebiscite called for the
(1) Exerci s e original jurisdiction over cases affecting SEC. 9. Every deci sion of a court of record s hall cl early purpose.
a mbassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, and a nd distinctly s tate the fa cts a nd the l aw on which it is
SEC. 3. No provi nce, city, municipality, or barrio ma y
over peti tions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus ba s ed. The Rules of Court s hall govern the
be crea ted, divided, merged, a bolished, or i ts
quo wa rranto, and habeas corpus. promulgation of minute resolutions.
boundary s ubstantially altered, except i n accordance
(2) Revi ew a nd revise, reverse, modify, or a rm on SEC. 10. The s alary of the Chief Justice and of the wi th the criteria established i n the l ocal government
a ppeal or certiorari, as the law or the Rules of Court As s ociate Justices of the Supreme Court, a nd of code, a nd subject to the approval by a majority of the
ma y provi de, nal judgments and decrees of i nferior judges of inferior courts shall be xed by l aw, which votes ca st in a plebiscite i n the unit or units a ffected.
courts i n– s ha ll not be decreased during the continuance in oce.
Unti l the Batasang Pambansa shall provide otherwise, SEC. 4. (1) Provi nces with respect to component cities
(a ) Al l cases i n which the constitutionality or va lidity the Chi ef Justice s hall receive an a nnual salary of a nd municipalities, and ci ties and municipalities with
of a ny trea ty, executive agreement, law, ordinance, or s eventy-ve thousand pesos, a nd each Associate res pect to component barrios, s hall ensure that the
executive order or regulation i s in question. a cts of their component units are within the scope of
Jus ti ce, sixty thousand pesos.
thei r assigned powers and functions. Highly urbanized
(b) Al l cases involving the l egality of a ny ta x, i mpost, SEC.11.(1) Upon the effectivity of this Constitution, ci ti es, as determined by standards established in the
a s sessment, or toll, or a ny penalty i mposed in relation the ma ximum period within which a case or ma tter l oca l government code, shall be independent of the
thereto. s ha ll be decided or resolved from the date of i ts provi nce.
(c) Al l ca ses i n which the jurisdiction of any inferior s ubmission, s hall be eighteen months for the
Supreme Court, and, unless reduced by the Supreme (2) Loca l government units may group themselves, or
court i s i n issue.
Court, twel ve months for a ll inferior collegiate courts, cons olidate or coordinate their efforts, s ervices, and
res ources for purposes commonly benecial to them.
(d) Al l criminal cases in which the penalty i mposed is a nd three months for a ll other inferior courts.
dea th or l ife i mprisonment. SEC. 5. Ea ch l ocal government unit s hall have the
(2) Wi th respect to the Supreme Court a nd other
power to create i ts own s ources of revenue and to
(e) Al l ca ses i n which only a n error or question of law col l egiate a ppellate courts, when the applicable
i s i nvolved. ma xi mum period s hall have lapsed without “the l evy ta xes, subject to such limitations as may be
provi ded by law.
12
ARTICLE XII THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS SEC. 4. (1) Unl ess otherwise provided by l aw, no a rmed forces of the Philippines, for the purpose of
el ective ocial s hall be eligible for appointment to a ny ens uring free, orderly, a nd honest elections.
A. COMMON PROVISIONS oce or position during his tenure, except as Member
(5) Regi ster and accredit political parties s ubject to
SECTION 1. The Constitutional Commissions s hall be of the Executive Committee referred to in Section 3, the provi sions of Section eight hereof.
Arti cl e IX, hereof.
the Ci vi l Servi ce Commission, the Commission on
El ections, and the Commission on Audit. (6) Recommend to the Batasang Pa mbansa effective
(2) No ca ndidate who l ost in a n election shall be
el igible for appointment or reappointment to a ny oce mea sures to minimize election expenses a nd prohibit
SEC. 2. Unl ess otherwise provided by l aw, the a l l forms of election frauds and malpractices, political
Cha i rman a nd each Commissioner of a Constitutional i n the Government, or i n a ny’ government-owned or opportunism, guest or nuisance candidacy, or other
control led Corporation, within one year following
Commi ssion s hall receive an a nnual salary of sixty s i milar a cts.
thousand pesos and fty thousand pesos, respectively, s uch election.
whi ch shall not be decreased during their continuance SEC. 5. No ocer or employee in the Ci vil Service, (7) Submi t to the President, the Pri me Mi nister, and
i n oce. i nc1uding members of the a rmed forces, s hall engage the Ba tasang Pa mbansa a report on the conduct a nd
ma nner of each election.
SEC. 3. No Member of a Constitutional Commission di rectly or i ndirectly in any partisan political activity
s ha ll, during his tenure i n oce, engage i n the practice or ta ke part i n a ny election except to vote. (8) Perform s uch other functions as may be provided
of a ny profession or i n the management of any SEC. 6. The Ba tasang Pambansa shall provide for the by l a w.
bus iness, or be nancially i nterested directly or s ta ndardization of compensation of government
i ndirectly i n a ny contract with, or i n a ny fra nchise or oci a ls a nd employees, i ncluding those i n government-SEC. 3. The Commi ssion on Elections may sit en banc
or i n three divisions. All election ca ses may be heard
pri vi lege granted by, the Government, or any owned or controlled corporations, ta king i nto a ccount a nd decided by divisions, except contests i nvolvi ng
s ubdivision, agency, or i nstrumentality thereof the na ture of the responsibilities pertaining to, a nd Members of the Batasang Pa mbansa, which shall be
i ncl uding government-owned or controlled the qualications required for, the positions
corpora tions. hea rd and decided en banc. Unless otherwise
concerned. provi ded by law, all election cases shall be, decided
SEC. 4. The Cons titutional Commissions shall appoint C. THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS wi thin ninety days from the date of their submission
thei r ocials a nd employees i n accordance wi th the for deci sion.
Ci vi l Servi ce Law. SECTION 1. (1) There s hall be a n independent
Commi ssion on Elections composed of a Chairman SEC. 4. The Commi ssion may recommend to the
B. THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION a nd eight Commissioners, who shall be natural-born Pres i dent the removal of, or a ny other disciplinary
ci ti zens of the Philippines, and, at the ti me of their a cti on a gainst, any ocer or employee it has deputized,
SECTION 1. (1) The Ci vi l Service embraces every for vi ol ation or disregard of, or disobedience to, its
bra nch, agency, s ubdivision, a nd i nstrumentality of a ppointment, at l east thirty-ve years of a ge a nd deci sion, order, or directive.
hol ders of a college degree. However, a majority
the Government, including every government-owned
or control led corporation. It s hall be a dministered by thereof, i ncluding the Chairman, s hall be members of SEC. 5. The enjoyment or utilization of all franchises
a n i ndependent Ci vil, Servi ce Commission composed the Phi lippine Bar who have been engaged i n the or permi ts for the operation of tra nsportation and
of a Cha irman a nd two Commissioners, who shall be pra cti ce of law for a t least ten years. other public utilities, media of communication or
na tural-born citizens of the Philippines, a nd, at the (2) The Cha irman and the Commissioners s hall be i nformation, all grants, s pecial privileges, or
ti me of their appointment, a re at l east thirty-ve years a ppointed by the President for a term of s even years concessions gra nted by the Government, or a ny
of a ge a nd holders of a college degree, and must not wi thout reappointment. Of the Commissioners rs t s ubdivision, agency, or i nstrumentality thereof,
ha ve been candidates for a ny elective position i n the a ppointed, three s hall hold oce for s even years, three i ncl uding a ny government-owned or controlled
el ection i mmediately preceding their appointment. for ve yea rs , a nd the last three for three years. corpora tion, may be supervised or regulated by the
The Cha irman and the Commissioners shall be Appoi ntment to any va cancy s hall be only for the Commi ssion during the election period for the
a ppointed by the President for a term of s even years unexpired portion of the term of the predecessor. purpose of ensuring free, orderly, a nd honest
wi thout reappointment. Of the Commissioners rs t el ections.
a ppointed, one s hall hold oce for seven years, SEC. 2. The Commi ssion on Elections shall have the
a nother for ve years, and the third for three years. fol l owing powers and functions: SEC. 6. Unl ess otherwise xed by the Commission in
Appoi ntment to any va cancy s hall be only for the s pecial ca ses, the election period shall commence
unexpired portion of the term of the predecessor. (1) Enforce a nd administer a ll laws relative to the ni nety da ys before the day of election and shall end
conduct of elections. thi rty da ys thereafter.
(2) The Commission s hall, s ubject to s uch l imitations
a s ma y be provi ded by l aw, establish a career servi ce (2) Be the s ole judge of all contests relating to the SEC. 7. No pa rdon, parole or s uspension of s entence
a nd a dopt measures to promote morale, eciency, a nd el ections, returns, a nd qualications of all Members of for vi ol ation of the law or rules and regulations
the Ba tasang Pa mbansa and elective provincial and concerning elections shall be granted wi thout the
i ntegrity i n the Ci vil Service.
ci ty oci a ls. recommendation of the Commission.
SEC. 2. Appoi ntments in the Ci vil Service, except a s to
thos e which a re policy-determining, primarily (3) Deci de, save those i nvolvi ng the right to vote, SEC. 8. The political parties whose respective
condential, or highly technical i n nature, shall be a dministrative questions a ffecting elections, including ca ndidates for President have obtained the rst a nd
the determination of the number a nd l ocation of s econd highest number of votes i n the last preceding
ma de only a ccording to merit and tness, to be
determined a s far as practicable by competitive pol ling places, the a ppointment of election ocials a nd el ection for President under this Constitution s hall be
exa mination. i ns pectors, a nd the registration of voters. enti tled to a ccredition i f each has obtained a t least
ten percent (10%) of the total number of votes cast in
SEC. 3. No ocer or employee in the Ci vil Service s hall (4) Deputize, with the consent or a t the i nstance of s uch election. If the candidates for President
be s uspended or dismissed except for causes as the Pres ident, l aw enforcement a gencies a nd obta ining the two highest number of votes do not
provi ded by law. i ns trumentalities of the Government, including the ea ch obtain a t least ten percent (10%) of the total
number of votes cast, or in case no election for

13
Pres i dent s hall a s yet have been held, the Commission unnecessary, excessive; or extrava gant expenditures public oce, including those in governmentowned or
on El ections s hall grant accredition to political parties or us es of funds and property. control led corporations, make appropriate
a s ma y be provi ded by l aw; recommendations, a nd i n case of failure of justice as
(2) Deci de any ca se brought before it within sixty days dened by l aw, l e and prosecute the corresponding
No rel igious s ect shall be registered as a political from the da te of i ts s ubmission for resolution. Unless cri mi nal, ci vil, or administrative case before the
pa rty, a nd no political party which seeks to a chieve its otherwise provi ded by l aw, a ny de cision, order, or proper court or body.
goa l through vi olence shall be entitled to a ccredition. rul i ng of the Commission may be brought to the
Supreme Court on certiorari by the aggrieved party ARTICLE XIV THE NATIONAL ECONOMY AND THE
SEC. 9. (1) Bona de ca ndidates for any public oce s hall wi thin thirty days from his receipt of a copy thereof. PATRIMONY OF THE NATION
be free from a ny form of harassment and
di s crimination. (3) Submi t to the President, the Pri me Mi nister, and SECTION 1. The Ba tasang Pa mbansa s hall establish a
the Ba tasang Pa mbansa, within the time xed by l aw, Na ti onal economic and Development Authority, to be
(2) Accredi ted political parties s hall be represented in a n a nnual nancial report of the Government, i ts hea ded by the President, which shall recommend to
the registration board, board of election i nspectors, s ubdivisions, a gencies, a nd i nstrumentalities, the Ba tasang Pa mbansa, after consultation with the
boa rd of canvassers, or other similar bodies as may be i ncl uding government-owned or controlled pri va te s ector, l ocal government units, a nd other
provi ded by law. corpora tions, a nd recommend measures necessary to a ppropriate public a gencies, continuing, coordinated,
Accredi ted political parties may by l aw be granted i mprove their eciency a nd effectiveness. It shall a nd fully integrated social and economic plans and
s ubmit such other reports as may be required by l aw. progra ms.
other ri ghts or privileges.

SEC. 10. No el ective public ocer may change his (4) Perform s uch other duties and functions as may be SEC. 2. The Sta te s hall regulate or prohibit private
pol itical aliation during his term of oce, and no pres cribed by law. monopolies when the public i nterest s o requires. No
combi nation in restraint of trade or unfair
ca ndidate for a ny elective oce may change his ARTICLE XIII ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS competition s hall be a llowed.
pol itical party a liation within six months immediately
preceding or following an election, unless otherwise SECTION 1. Publ ic oce i s a public trust. Public ocers SEC. 3. The Ba tasang Pambansa shall, upon
provi ded by law. a nd employees s hall serve with the highest degree of recommendation of the National Economic a nd
res ponsibility, i ntegrity, l oyalty, a nd eciency, and shall Devel opment Authority, reserve to ci tizens of the
SEC. 11. Any deci sion, order, or ruling of the rema in accountable to the people. Phi l ippines or to corporations or a ssociations wholly
Commi ssion ma y be brought to the Supreme Court on
owned, by s uch ci tizens, certain tra ditional areas of
certi orari by the aggrieved party wi thin thirty days SEC. 2. The Pres ident, the Members of the Supreme
from hi s, receipt of a copy thereof. Court, a nd the Members of the Constitutional i nvestments when the national i nterest so dictates.
Commi ssions s hall be removed from oce on SEC. 4. The Ba tasang Pambansa shall not, except by
D. COMMISION ON AUDIT i mpeachment for, a nd conviction of, culpable general law, provide for the formation; organization,
SECTION 1. (1) There s hall be a n independent vi ol ation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, other or regul ation of private corporations, unless such
Commi ssion on Audit composed of a Chairman a nd hi gh cri mes, or gra ft a nd corruption. corpora tions a re.owned or controlled by the
two Commi ssioners, who shall be natural-born SEC. 3. The Ba tasang Pambansa shall have the Government or any s ubdivision or i nstrumentality
ci ti zens of the Philippines and, at the ti me of their excl usive power to i nitiate, try, a nd decide all cases of thereof.
a ppointment, at l east forty years of age and certied i mpeachment. Upon the lling of a veried complaint,
public a ccountants or members of the Philippine Bar the Ba tasang Pa mbansa may i nitiate i mpeachment by SEC. 5. No fra nchise, certicate, or a ny other form of
for a t l east ten years. a uthorization for the operation of a public utility s hall
a vote of a t l east one-fth of all its Members. No ocial be gra nted except to ci tizens of the Philippines or to
s ha ll be convicted without the concurrence of at least corpora tions or a ssociations organized under the laws
(2) The Cha irman and the Commissioners s hall be
a ppointed by the President for a term of s even years two-thi rds of all the Members thereof. When the of the Phi lippines at l east sixty per ce ntum of the
wi thout reappointment. Of the Commissioners rs t. Ba ta sang Pa mbansa sits i n i mpeachment cases, i ts ca pi tal of which is owned by s uch citizens, nor s hall
a ppointed, one s hall hold oce for seven years, Members shall be on oath or a rmation. s uch fra nchise, certicate, or a uthorization be
a nother for ve years, and the third for three years. SEC. 4. Judgments i n cases of i mpeachment shall be excl usive i n character or for a longer period than fty
Appoi ntment to any va cancy s hall be only for the yea rs . Neither shall any such franchise or ri ght be
l i mited to removal from oce and disqualication to
unexpired portion of the term of the predecessor. gra nted except under the condition that it s hall be
hol d any oce of honor, trust, or prot under the
Republic of the Philippines, but the party convicted s ubject to a mendment, alteration, or repeal i n by the
SEC. 2. The Commi ssion on Audit shall have the Ba ta sang Pa mbansa when the public interest s o
s ha ll nevertheless be liable a nd s ubject to
fol l owing powers and functions: requi res. The State s hall encourage equity
pros ecution, tri al, a nd punishment, in accordance
pa rti cipation i n public utilities by the general public.
(1) Exa mi ne, audit, a nd s ettle, in a ccordance with l aw wi th l aw.
The pa rticipation of foreign i nvestors in the governing
a nd regulations, all accounts pertaining to the
SEC. 5. The Ba tasang Pambansa shall create a special body of a ny public utility enterprise s hall be l imited to
revenues and receipts of, a nd expenditures or uses of
court, to be known as Sandiganbayan, which s hall thei r proportionate share i n the ca pital thereof.
funds a nd property, owned or held i n trust by, or
perta ining to, the Government, or a ny of i ts ha ve jurisdiction over cri minal a nd ci vil cases
SEC. 6. The Sta te ma y, in the interest of national
s ubdivisions, a gencies, or i nstrumentalities, i ncluding i nvol ving graft and corrupt practices a nd such other wel fare or defense, establish and operate i ndustries
government-owned or controlled corporations; keep offenses committed by public ocers a nd employees, a nd means of tra nsportation and communications,
the general accounts of the Government and, for such i ncl uding those i n government-owned or controlled a nd, upon payment of just compensation, tra nsfer to
corpora tions, i n relation to their oce as may be
peri od as may be provided by law, preserve the public ownership utilities a nd other private
vouchers pertaining thereto; and promulgate determined by l aw.
enterprises to be operated by the Government.
a ccounting and auditing rules and regulations SEC. 6. The Ba tasang Pambansa shall create a n oce of
i ncl uding those for the prevention of i rregular, the Ombudsman, to be known as Tanodbayan, which SEC. 7. In ti mes of national emergency when the
s ha ll receive a nd i nvestigate complaints relative to public i nterest s o requires, the State may te mporarily
ta ke over or direct the operation of any pri vately
14
owned public utility or business a ffected with public SEC. 12. The Sta te shall formulate and implement an SEC. 6. No s a lary or a ny form of emolument of any
i nterest. a gra rian reform program aimed at emancipating the public ocer or employee, i ncluding constitutional
tena nt from the bondage of the soil a nd a chieving the ocers , s hall be exempt from payment of i ncome ta x.
SEC. 8. Al l l ands of the public domain, waters, goa ls enunciated in this Constitution.
mi nerals, coal, petroleum and other mineral oils, all SEC.7. (1) The ownership and management of mass
forces of potential energy, s heries, wildlife, a nd other SEC. 13. The Ba tasang Pambansa may a uthorize, upon media s hall be l imited to ci tizens of the Philippines or
na tural resources of the Philippines belong to the pa yment of just compensation, the expropriation of to corpora tions or a ssociations wholly owned and
Sta te. With the exception of a gricultural, i ndustrial or pri va te l and to be s ubdivi ded i nto s mall lots a nd ma naged by s uch citizens.
commercial, residential, a nd resettlement lands of conveyed at cost to deserving ci tizens.
the.public domain, natural resources shall not be (2) The governing body of every entity engaged in
a l ienated, and no license, concession, or lease for the SEC. 14. Sa ve i n cases of hereditary s uccession, no commercial telecommunications s hall i n all cases be
expl oration, development, exploitation, or utilization pri va te l ands shall be tra nsferred or conveyed except control led by the citizens of the Philippines.
of a ny of the natural resources shall be granted for a to i ndividuals, corporations, or a ssociations qualied to
SEC. 8. (1) Al l educational institutions shall be under
peri od exceeding twenty-ve years, renewable for not a cquire or hold lands of the public domain.
the s upervision of, a nd subject to regulation by, the
more tha n twenty-ve years, except as to wa ter rights SEC. 15. Notwi thstanding the provisions of Section 14 Sta te. The State s hall establish a nd maintain a
for i rri gation, water supply, s heries, or industrial uses of thi s Arti cle, a natural-born ci tizen of the Philippines compl ete, adequate, a nd i ntegrated system of
other tha n the development of water power, i n which who ha s lost his Philippine citizenship may be a education releva nt to the goals of national
ca s es, benecial use ma y be the measure a nd the l imit tra ns feree of priva te land, for use by him as his development.
of the gra nt. res i dence, as the Batasang Pambansa shall provide.
(2) Al l i nstitutions of higher learning s hall enjoy
SEC. 9. The di sposition, exploration, development, of SEC. 16. Any provi sion of paragraph one, Section a ca demic freedom.
expl oitation, or utilization of any of the natural fourteen, Article Ei ght a nd of this Article
res ources of the Philippines shall be limited to citizens (3) The s tudy of the Constitution s hall be part of the
notwi thstanding, the President may enter into
of the Phi lippines, or to corporations or a ssociation at i nternational treaties or a greements a s the national curri cula i n all s chools.
l east sixty per centum of the capital of which is wel fare and interest may require. (4) Al l educational institutions s hall aim to i nculcate
owned by such ci tizens. The Batasang Pa mbansa, i n
the na tional interest, may allow such ci tizens, ARTICLE XV GENERAL PROVISIONS l ove of country, teach the duties of citizenship, a nd
corpora tions, or a ssociations to enter i nto servi ce develop moral character, personal discipline, and
contra cts for nancial, technical, management, or SECTION 1. The a g of the Philippines shall be red, s ci entic, technological, a nd vocational eciency.
other forms of assistance with any foreign person or whi te, and blue, with a sun and three stars, as
(5) The Sta te s hall maintain a system of free public,
enti ty for the exploitation, development, exploitation, cons ecrated and honored by the people a nd el ementary education and, in a reas where nances
or uti l ization of a ny of the natural resources. Exi sting recognized by l aw.
permi t, establish and maintain a s ystem of free public
va l i d and binding s ervice contracts for nancial, the SEC. 2. The i nterim Batasang Pa mbansa may by l aw education at l east up to the secondary l evel.
technical, management, or other forms of assistance a dopt a new name for the country, a national
a re hereby recognized as such. a nthem, and a national s eal, which shall all be truly (6) The Sta te s hall provide ci tizenship and vocational
tra i ning to adult citizens and out-of-school youth, and
SEC. 10. La nds of the public domain a re classied into reecti ve a nd s ymbolic of the ideals, history, a nd
tra di tions of the people. Thereafter, the national crea te and maintain scholarships for poor a nd
a gri cultural, i ndustrial or commercial, residential, des erving s tudents.
res ettlement, mi neral, timber or forest, and grazing na me, anthem, a nd s eal s o adopted shall not be
l a nds, and such other cl asses as may be provided by s ubject to change except by constitutional (7) Educa tional i nstitutions, other than those
l a w. a mendment. es tablished by religious orders, mission boards, and
cha ri table organizations, s hall be owned s olely by
SEC. 11. The Ba tasang Pambansa, taking i nto account SEC. 3. (1) Thi s Constitution shall be ocially
cons erva tion, ecological, a nd developmental promulgated i n English and i n Pilipino, and tra nslated ci ti zens of the Philippines, or corporations or
requi rements of the natural resources, shall i nto each dialect s poken by over fty thousand people, a s sociation s ixty per centum of the ca pital of which is
a nd i nto Spanish and Ara bic. In case of conict, the owned by such ci tizens. The control and
determine by l aw the s ize of lands of the public a dministration of educational i nstitutions shall be
doma in which may be developed, held or a cquired by, Engl ish text s hall prevail. ves ted i n ci tizens of the Philippines. No educational
or l eased to, any qualied individual, corporation, or (2) The Ba tasang Pa mbansa s hall ta ke s teps towards i ns titution s hall be established exclusively for a liens,
a s sociation, a nd the conditions therefor. No private the development and formal a doption of a common a nd no group of aliens shall comprise more than
corpora tion or association may hold alienable lands of na ti onal language to be known as Filipino.
the public domain except by lease not to exceed one one-third of the enrolment in any s chool. The
thousand hectares in area; nor ma y a ny ci tizen hold (3) Unti l otherwise provided by l aw, English and provi sions of this sub-section shall not a pply to
s uch l ands by l ease i n excess of ve hundred hectares Pi l ipino s hall be the ocial languages. s chools established for foreign diplomatic personnel
or a cquire by purchase or homestead i n excess of a nd their dependents a nd, unless otherwise provided
twenty-four hectares. No private corporation or SEC. 4. Al l public ocers and employees and members by l a w, for other foreign temporary residents.
a s sociation ma y hold by l ease, concession, license, or of the a rmed forces s hall ta ke a n oath to support and
permi t, timber or forest lands and other ti mber or defend the Constitution. (8) At the option expressed in writing by the parents
fores t resources in excess of one hundred thousand or gua rdians, and without cost to them and the
SEC. 5. No el ective or a ppointive public ocer or Government, religion s hall be ta ught to their children
hecta res; however, such area may be increased by
empl oyee s hall receive a dditional or double
the Ba tasang Pa mbansa upon recommendation of the compensation unless specically a uthorized by law, nor or wa rds in public elementary a nd high s chools as
Na ti onal Economic a nd Development Authority. ma y be provided by l aw.
a ccept, without the consent of the Batasang
Pa mba nsa, a ny present, emolument, oce, or ti tle of SEC. 9. (1) The Sta te shall promote scientic research
a ny ki nd from any foreign s tate. a nd i nvention. The a dvancement of science and

15
technology s hall have priority in the national s ubmit the question of calling such a convention to a nd explicitly modied or repealed by the regular
development. the el ectorate i n an election. Na ti onal Assembly.

(2) Fi l ipino culture shall be preserved and developed SEC. 2. Any a mendment to, or revision of, this SEC. 4. The i nterim Pri me Mi nister and his Ca binet
for na ti onal identity. Arts and letters s hall be under Cons ti tution s hall be va lid when ratied by a ma jority s ha ll exercise all the powers and functions, and
the pa tronage of the State. of the votes cast i n a plebiscite which shall be held di s charge the responsibilities of the regular Pri me
not l a ter than three months a fter the approval of Mi ni ster and his Cabinet, and shall be subject to the
(3) The excl usive ri ght to inventions, wri tings a nd s uch a mendment or revision. s a me disqualications provided in this Constitution.
a rti stic creations shall be secured to i nventors
a uthors, and artists for a limited period. Scholarships, ARTICLE XVII TRANSITORY PROVISIONS SEC. 5. The i nterim National Assembly shall give
gra nts -in-aid, or other forms of i ncentives s hall be pri ori ty to measures for the orderly tra nsition from
SECTION 1. There s hall be a n interim National
provi ded for s pecially gi fted citizens. the presidential to the parliamentary s ystem, the
As s embly which s hall exist i mmediately upon the reorga nization of the Government, the eradication of
SEC. 10. It s ha ll be the responsibility of the State to ra ti ca tion of this Constitution a nd s hall continue until gra ft a nd corruption, the effective maintenance of
a chi eve a nd maintain population l evels most the Members of the regular National Assembly s hall pea ce a nd order, the implementation of declared
conducive to the national welfare. ha ve been elected and shall have assumed oce a gra rian reforms, the standardization of
fol l owing a n election called for the purpose by the compensation of government employees, a nd s uch
SEC. 11. The Sta te shall consider the customs i nterim National Assembly. Except as otherwise other measures as shall bridge the gap between the
tra di tions, beliefs, and i nterests of national cultural provi ded in this Constitution, the interim National
ri ch a nd the poor.
communities i n the formulation and implementation As s embly s hall have the same powers a nd i ts
of s ta te policies. Members shall have the same functions, SEC. 6. The i nterim National Assembly shall
res ponsibilities, ri ghts and privileges, and rea pportion the As sembly s eats i n a ccordance with
SEC. 12. The Sta te shall establish and maintain an
di s qualications as the regular. Na tional Assembly a nd Secti on two, Article Eight, of this Constitution.
i ntegrated national police force whose organization,
the Members thereof.
a dministration, and operation s hall be provided by SEC. 7. Al l existing laws not inconsistent with this
l a w. SEC. 2. The Members of the interim National Cons ti tution s hall remain operative until amended,
SEC. 13. (1) The a rmed forces of the Philippines s hall As s embly s hall be the i ncumbent President and modi ed, or repealed by the National Assembly.
Vi cePresident of the Philippines, those who served as
i ncl ude a citizen a rmy composed of all able-bodied SEC. 8. Al l courts existing a t the time of the ratication
ci ti zens of the Philippines who shall undergo military Pres i dent of the nineteen hundred and seventy-one of thi s Constitution s hall continue a nd exercise their
tra i ning as may be provided by law. It shall keep a Cons ti tutional Convention, those Members of the
juri s diction, until otherwise provided by l aw i n
regul ar force necessary for the s ecurity of the State. Sena te and the House of Representatives who shall a ccordance with this Constitution, and all cases
express i n writing to the Commission on El ections
wi thin thirty days a fter the ra tication of this pending in s aid courts shall be heard, tri ed, a nd
(2) The ci ti zen army s hall have a corps of trained
ocers a nd men in active duty s tatus a s may be Cons ti tution their option to serve therein, a nd those determined under the laws then i n force. The
necessary to tra i n, servi ce, and keep i t in reasonable Del egates to the nineteen hundred and seventy-one provi sions of
prepa redness at all ti mes.
Cons ti tutional Convention who have opted to s erve the exi sting Rules of Court not i nconsistent with this
SEC. 14. The Ba tasang Pambansa shall establish a therein by voting a rmatively for this Arti cle. They may Cons ti tution s hall remain operative unless a mended,
centra l monetary a uthority which shall provi de policy ta ke their oath of oce before a ny ocer authorized to modi ed, or repealed by the Supreme Court or the
di rection in the areas of money, banking, and credit. a dminister oath a nd qualify thereto, after the Na ti onal Assembly.
It s hall have s upervisory a uthority over the operations ra ti ca tion of this Constitution. SEC. 9. Al l ocials and employees in the existing
of ba nks a nd exercise such regulatory a uthority as Government of the Republic of the Philippines shall
ma y be provided by l aw over the operations of nance SEC. 3. (1) The i ncumbent President of the Philippines conti nue i n oce until otherwise provided by law or
s ha ll i nitially convene the i nterim National Assembly
compa nies and other i nstitutions performing similar a nd s hall preside over its sessions until the interim decreed by the i ncumbent President of the
functi ons. Until the Batasang Pa mbansa shall Spea ker s hall have been elected. He shall continue to Phi l ippines, but a ll ocials whose a ppointments a re by
exerci se his powers a nd prerogatives under the thi s Constitution vested in the Pri me Mi nister shall
otherwise provi de, the Central Bank of the
Phi l ippines, operating under existing laws, s hall ni neteen hundred and thirty-ve Constitution and the va ca te their respective oces upon the appointment
functi on as the central monetary a uthority. powers vested i n the President a nd the Pri me a nd qualication of their successors.
Mi ni ster under this Constitution until he calls upon
SEC. 15. The s eparation of church a nd s tate s hall be the i nterim National Assembly to elect the i nterim SEC. 10. The i ncumbent members of the Judiciary may
conti nue i n oce until they reach the a ge of seventy
i nvi olable. Pres i dent a nd the interim Pri me Mi nister, who shall yea rs , unless s ooner replaced i n accordance with the
then exercise their respective powers vested by this preceding section hereof.
SEC. 16. The Sta te may not be s ued without i ts
Cons ti tution.
cons ent.
SEC. 11. The ri ghts and privileges granted to ci tizens
(2) Al l proclamations, orders, decrees, i nstructions, of the United States or to corporations or associations
ARTICLE XVI AMENDMENTS
a nd a cts promulgated, issued, or done by the
owned or controlled by s uch ci tizens under the
SECTION 1. (1) Any a mendment to, or revision of. this i ncumbent President shall be part of the l aw of the Ordi nance appended to the nineteen hundred a nd
Cons ti tution may be proposed by the Batasang l a nd, a nd s hall remain va lid, l egal, binding, and thi rty-ve Constitution shall automatically terminate
Pa mba nsa upon a vote of three-fourths of all its effective even after lifting of martial law or the on the third day of July, ni neteen hundred and
Members, or by a constitutional convention. ra ti ca tion of this Constitution, unless modied, s eventy-four. Titles to private lands acquired by s uch
revoked, or superseded by s ubsequent
(2) The Ba tasang Pa mbansa ma y, by a vote of two- procl amations, orders, decrees, i nstructions, or other pers ons before such date shall be va lid as a gainst
thi rds of all its Members, call a constitutional other pri vate persons only.
a cts of the i ncumbent President, or unless expressly
convention or, by a majority vote of all its Members,

16
SEC. 12. Al l trea ties, executive a greements, a nd res pective s ectors, a nd those chosen by the a ny i mportant ma tter, whether of national or l ocal
contra cts entered into by the Government, or a ny i ncumbent President from the Members of the i nterest.
s ubdivision, agency, or i nstrumentality thereof, Ca bi net. Regional representatives s hall be
i ncl uding government-owned or controlled a pportioned among the regions in a ccordance with 8. Al l provisions of this Constitution not i nconsistent
corpora tions, a re hereby recognized as legal, valid, the number of their respective i nhabitants a nd on the wi th a ny of these a mendments shall continue i n full
a nd binding. When the national i nterest so requires, ba s is of a uniform a nd progressive ra tio, while the force a nd effect.
the i ncumbent President of the Philippines or the s ector s hall be determined by l aw. The number of 9. Thes e amendments shall take effect after the
i nterim Prime Mi nister ma y review all contracts, representatives from each region or s ector and the i ncumbent President shall have proclaimed that they
concessions, permits, or other forms of privileges for ma nner of their election shall be prescribed a nd
ha ve been ratied by a majority of the votes cast i n the
the exploration, development, exploitation, or regul ated by l aw. referendum-plebiscite.
uti l ization of natural resources entered into, granted,
i s sued, or acquired before the ratication of this 2. The i nterim Batasang Pa mbansa shall have the
s a me powers and its Members shall have the same
Cons ti tution.
functi ons, responsibilities, ri ghts, privileges, and
SEC. 13. Any public ocer or employee separated from di s qualications as the interim National Assembly a nd
the s ervice as a result of the reorganization effected the regular National Assembly a nd the Members THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
under this Constitution shall, if entitled under the thereof. THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE
l a ws then i n force, receive the retirement and other
benets a ccruing thereunder. 3. The i ncumbent President of the Philippines shall, PHILIPPINES
wi thin 30 days from the election and selection of the PREAMBLE
SEC. 14. Al l records, equipment, buildings, facilities, Members, convene the i nterim Batasang Pambansa
a nd other properties of a ny oce or body a bolished or a nd preside over its sessions until the Speaker shall We, the s overeign Filipino people, i mploring the aid
reorga nized under this Constitution s hall be ha ve been elected. The i ncumbent President of the of Al mi ghty God, i n order to build a just and humane
tra ns ferred to the oce or body to which its powers, Phi l ippines s hall be the Pri me Minister a nd he s hall s oci ety a nd establish a Government that shall
functi ons, a nd responsibilities substantially pertain. conti nue to exercise all his powers even a fter the embody our i deals a nd aspirations, promote the
i nterim Batasang Pambansa is organized and ready to common good, conserve a nd develop our patrimony,
SEC. 15. The i nterim National Assembly, upon s pecial di s charge its functions, a nd likewise he shall continue a nd s ecure to ourselves a nd our posterity the
ca l l by the.interim Pri me Mi nister, ma y, by a majority to exerci se his powers a nd prerogatives under the
bl essings of independence and democracy under the
vote of a ll i ts Members, propose a mendments to this 1935 Cons ti tution a nd the powers vested i n the rul e of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom,
Cons ti tution. Such a mendments s hall ta ke effect Pres i dent a nd the Prime Mi nister under this l ove, equality, a nd peace, do ordain a nd promulgate
when ra tied in accordance with Article Sixteen Cons ti tutions. thi s Constitution.
hereof.
4. The President (Pri me Mi nister) a nd his Cabinet shall ARTICLE I
SEC. 16. Thi s Constitution shall take effect exerci se all the powers and functions, and discharge
i mmediately upon its ra tication by a majority of the the res ponsibilities of the regular President (Prime Na ti onal Territory
votes ca st in a plebiscite ca lled for the purpose a nd, Mi ni ster) and his Ca binet, a nd s hall be s ubject only to
except a s herein provi ded, s hall s upersede the The na tional territory comprises the Philippine
s uch disqualications as the President (Prime Mi nister)
Cons ti tution of nineteen hundred and thirty-ve and allma y pres cribe. The President a rchi pelago, with all the islands a nd waters embraced
a mendments thereto. therein, and all other territories over which the
(Pri me Mi nister), i f he so desires, may appoint a Phi l ippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting
The foregoing Constitution was a pproved by the Deputy Pri me Mi nister or a s many Deputy Pri me of i ts terrestrial, uvial, a nd a erial domains, including
Fi l ipino people in a referendum held between January i ts territorial sea, the s eabed, the subsoil, the insular
Mi ni sters as he may deem necessary.
10, 1973 a nd Ja nuary 15, 1973, the res ult of which s helves, and other s ubmarine areas. The waters
wa s announced under Proclamation Numbered One 5. The i ncumbent President s hall continue to exercise a round, between, a nd connecting the islands of the
Thousand One Hundred Two, dated January 17, 1973, l egislative powers until martial law s hall have been a rchi pelago, regardless of their breadth and
by Hi s Excellency, President Ferdinand E. Ma rcos. By l i fted. di mensions, form part of the internal waters of the
vi rtue whereof, the Constitution ca me i nto full force Phi l ippines.
a nd effect a s of noon of January 17, 1973 In a ddition 6. Whenever i n the judgment of the President (Pri me
to the 1976 a mendments reproduced i n the following Mi ni ster), there exists a gra ve emergency or a threat ARTICLE II
pa ges, the Filipino people in two plebiscites or i mmi nence thereof, or whenever the i nterim
Ba ta sang Pa mbansa or the regular Na tional Assembly Decl aration of Pri nciples and State Policies
res pectively held on January 30, 1980 a nd April 7,
1981 a pproved the amendments herein i ncorporated, fa i ls or is unable to a ct adequately on a ny ma tter for Pri nci ples
the res ults being a nnounced in Proclamation No. a ny rea son that i n his judgment requires i mmediate
1959 a nd Proclamation No. 2077. a cti on, he may, i n order to meet the exigency, i ssue SECTION 1. The Phi lippines is a democratic a nd
the necessary decrees, orders, or l etters of republican State. Sovereignty resides i n the people
1976 AMENDMENTS i ns tructions, which s hall form part of the l aw of the a nd a ll government authority emanates from them.
l a nd.
1. There s hall be, i n lieu of the i nterim Na tional SECTION 2. The Phi lippines renounces war as a n
As s embly, a n i nterim Batasang Pambansa. Members 7. The Ba rangays and sanggunians shall continue a s i ns trument of national policy, a dopts the generally
of the i nterim Batasang Pa mbansa which s hall not be pres ently constituted but their functions, powers a nd a ccepted principles of i nternational law as part of the
more tha n 120, unless otherwise provided by l aw, composition may be altered by law. l a w of the land and adheres to the policy of peace,
s ha ll i nclude the i ncumbent President of the equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity
Phi l ippines, representatives elected from the Referenda conducted through the barangays a nd wi th a ll nations.
di fferent regions of the nation, those who s hall not be under the s upervision of the Commission on Elections
l ess than eighteen years of a ge elected by their ma y be ca lled a t any ti me the Government deems it
necessary to a scertain the will of the people regarding
17
SECTION 3. Ci vi l ian authority i s, at a ll ti mes, supreme SECTION 14. The Sta te recognizes the role of women SECTION 1. No pers on s hall be deprived of life, liberty,
over the mi litary. The Armed Forces of the Philippines i n na tion-building, a nd s hall ensure the fundamental or property wi thout due process of law, nor s hall a ny
i s the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is equality before the l aw of women a nd men. pers on be denied the equal protection of the laws.
to s ecure the s overeignty of the State a nd the
i ntegrity of the national territory. SECTION 15. The Sta te s hall protect and promote the
SECTION 2. The ri ght of the people to be secure in
ri ght to health of the people and instill health thei r persons, houses, papers, a nd effects a gainst
SECTION 4. The pri me duty of the Government i s to cons ciousness a mong them. unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever
s erve a nd protect the people. The Government may na ture and for a ny purpose shall be inviolable, and no
ca l l upon the people to defend the State and, i n th e SECTION 16. The Sta te s hall protect and advance the s earch warrant or wa rrant of arrest s hall i ssue except
ful llment thereof, a ll ci tizens may be required, under ri ght of the people to a balanced a nd healthful upon probable cause to be determined personally by
condi tions provi ded by l aw, to render personal ecol ogy i n a ccord with the rhythm and harmony of
the judge a fter examination under oath or a rmation
mi l itary or ci vil servi ce. na ture. of the complainant and the witnesses he may
produce, a nd particularly describing the place to be
SECTION 5. The ma intenance of peace a nd order, the SECTION 17. The Sta te s hall give priority to education, s earched a nd the persons or things to be s eized.
protecti on of life, liberty, a nd property, a nd the s ci ence and technology, a rts, culture, and sports to
promoti on of the general welfare are essential for the fos ter patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social SECTION 3. (1) The pri vacy of communication a nd
progress, and promote total human liberation and corres pondence shall be inviolable except upon
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of
democracy. development. l a wful order of the court, or when public safety or
order requires otherwise as prescribed by l aw.
SECTION 6. The s eparation of Church and State shall SECTION 18. The Sta te a rms labor as a primary s ocial
be i nviolable. economic force. It s hall protect the rights of workers (2) Any evi dence obtained in violation of this or the
a nd promote their welfare. preceding section s hall be i nadmissible for a ny
Sta te Policies
SECTION 19. The Sta te s hall develop a s elf-reliant and purpose i n any proceeding.
SECTION 7. The Sta te shall pursue an i ndependent i ndependent national economy effectively controlled SECTION 4. No l a w shall be passed a bridging the
forei gn policy. In i ts relations with other states the by Fi l ipinos. freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or
pa ra mount consideration shall be national the ri ght of the people peaceably to assemble and
s overeignty, terri torial i ntegrity, national interest, and SECTION 20. The Sta te recognizes the indispensable
peti tion the government for redress of gri evances.
the ri ght to self-determination. rol e of the private sector, encourages private
enterprise, a nd provides i ncentives to needed SECTION 5. No l a w shall be made respecting an
SECTION 8. The Phi lippines, consistent with the i nvestments. es tablishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
na ti onal interest, adopts and pursues a policy of
freedom from nuclear weapons i n its territory. SECTION 21. The Sta te s hall promote comprehensive exerci se thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of
rel i gious profession a nd worship, without
rura l development and agrarian reform.
SECTION 9. The Sta te shall promote a just and di s crimination or preference, s hall forever be
dyna mic s ocial order that will ensure the prosperity SECTION 22. The Sta te recognizes and promotes the a l lowed. No religious test shall be required for the
a nd i ndependence of the nation and free the people ri ghts of i ndigenous cultural communities within the exerci se of civil or political ri ghts.
from poverty through policies that provide a dequate fra mework of national unity a nd development.
SECTION 6. The l iberty of abode a nd of changing the
s oci al s ervices, promote full employment, a rising SECTION 23. The Sta te s hall encourage non- s a me within the l imits prescribed by l aw shall not be
s ta ndard of living, a nd a n i mproved quality of l ife for governmental, community-based, or s ectoral i mpaired except upon lawful order of the court.
a l l. orga nizations that promote the welfare of the nation. Nei ther shall the ri ght to travel be i mpaired except i n
the i nterest of national s ecurity, public safety, or
SECTION 10. The Sta te s hall promote social justice i n SECTION 24. The Sta te recognizes the vital role of
public health, as ma y be provided by l aw.
a l l phases of national development. communication a nd i nformation in nation-building.
SECTION 11. The Sta te va lues the dignity of every SECTION 7. The ri ght of the people to information on
SECTION 25. The Sta te s hall ensure the a utonomy of ma tters of public concern s hall be recognized. Access
huma n person and guarantees full respect for human l oca l governments.
to oci a l records, a nd to documents, and papers
ri ghts .
SECTION 26. The Sta te s hall guarantee equal access to perta ining to ocial a cts, transactions, or decisions, as
SECTION 12. The Sta te recognizes the sanctity of opportunities for public s ervice, a nd prohibit political wel l as to government research data used as basis for
fa mi ly life and shall protect a nd strengthen the family dyna sties as may be dened by l aw. pol icy development, s hall be a fforded the ci tizen,
a s a basic a utonomous social institution. It shall s ubject to s uch l imitations as may be provided by law.
equally protect the life of the mother a nd the life of SECTION 27. The Sta te s hall maintain honesty a nd
the unborn from conception. The natural a nd primary i ntegrity i n the public s ervice and take positive and SECTION 8. The ri ght of the people, including those
ri ght a nd duty of parents i n the rearing of the youth effective measures a gainst graft a nd corruption. empl oyed in the public and private sectors, to form
uni ons, associations, or societies for purposes not
for ci vi c eciency a nd the development of moral
SECTION 28. Subject to reasonable conditions contra ry to l a w s hall not be abridged.
cha ra cter s hall receive the s upport of the
Government. pres cribed by law, the State a dopts a nd i mplements a
pol icy of full public disclosure of a ll i ts tra nsactions SECTION 9. Pri va te property s hall not be ta ken for
SECTION 13. The Sta te recognizes the vital role of the i nvol ving public interest. public use without just compensation.
youth i n nation-building a nd s hall promote and SECTION 10. No l a w impairing the obligation of
protect their physical, moral, spiritual, i ntellectual, ARTICLE III contra cts s hall be passed.
a nd s ocial well-being. It shall inculcate i n the youth Bi l l of Rights
pa tri otism a nd nationalism, a nd encourage their SECTION 11. Free a ccess to the courts and quasi-
i nvol vement in public and civi c affairs. judi cial bodies and adequate legal a ssistance shall not
be denied to any person by reason of poverty.

18
SECTION 12. (1) Any pers on under i nvestigation for (2) No i nvoluntary s ervitude in any form s hall exist ARTICLE V
the commission of an offense shall have the ri ght to except a s a punishment for a cri me whereof the party
Suffra ge
be i nformed of his ri ght to remain silent a nd to have s ha ll have been duly convicted.
competent and independent counsel preferably of his SECTION 1. Suffra ge may be exercised by a ll ci tizens
own choice. If the person ca nnot afford the services SECTION 19. (1) Exces sive nes s hall not be imposed, of the Phi lippines not otherwise disqualied by l aw,
of counsel, he must be provided with one. These nor cruel , degrading or i nhuman punishment inicted.
who a re at l east eighteen years of a ge, a nd who s hall
ri ghts cannot be waived except in writing and in the Nei ther shall death penalty be i mposed, unless, for ha ve resided i n the Philippines for at l east one year
compelling reasons i nvolvi ng heinous cri mes, the
pres ence of counsel.
Congress hereafter provides for i t. Any death penalty a nd i n the place wherein they propose to vote for a t
(2) No torture, force, vi olence, threat, i ntimidation, or a l ready i mposed shall be reduced to reclusion l east six months immediately preceding the election.
a ny other means which vi tiate the free will s hall be perpetua. No l i teracy, property, or other substantive
us ed a gainst him. Secret detention places, solitary, requi rement shall be imposed on the exercise of
i ncommunicado, or other similar forms of detention (2) The employment of physical, psychological, or s uffrage.
a re prohibited. degra ding punishment a gainst any prisoner or
deta inee or the use of substandard or i nadequate SECTION 2. The Congress shall provide a s ystem for
(3) Any confession or admission obtained i n vi olation penal facilities under subhuman conditions shall be s ecuring the secrecy a nd sanctity of the ballot as well
a s a system for absentee voting by qualied Filipinos
of thi s or Section 17 hereof s hall be i nadmissible in dea lt with by l aw.
evi dence against him. a broad.
SECTION 20. No pers on shall be imprisoned for debt
(4) The l aw shall provide for penal and civil sanctions or non-payment of a poll ta x. The Congress shall also design a procedure for the
for vi ol ations of this s ection as well as compensation di s abled and the illiterates to vote without the
to a nd rehabilitation of vi ctims of torture or s imilar SECTION 21. No pers on shall be twice put in jeopardy a s sistance of other persons. Until then, they s hall be
pra cti ces, and their families. of punishment for the same offense. If an a ct is a l lowed to vote under existing laws a nd s uch rules as
the Commission on Elections may promulgate to
SECTION 13. Al l persons, except those charged with punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or protect the secrecy of the ballot.
a cquittal under either s hall constitute a bar to
offenses punishable by recl usion perpetua when
evi dence of guilt is strong, shall, before convi ction, be a nother prosecution for the same act. ARTICLE VI
ba i lable by s ucient sureties, or be released on SECTION 22. No ex pos t facto law or bill of attainder The Legislative Department
recognizance as may be provided by l aw. The ri ght to s ha ll be enacted.
ba i l shall not be impaired even when the privilege of SECTION 1. The l egislative power s hall be vested i n
the wri t of habeas corpus i s suspended. Excessive bail the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of
s ha ll not be required. a Senate and a House of Representatives, except to
ARTICLE IV
the extent reserved to the people by the provision on
SECTION 14. (1) No pers on shall be held to answer for i ni tiative and referendum.
a cri mi nal offense without due process of law. Ci ti zenship
SECTION 2. The Senate s hall be composed of twenty-
(2) In a ll cri minal prosecutions, the accused shall be SECTION 1. The following are citizens of the four Senators who shall be elected at large by the
pres umed i nnocent until the contrary i s proved, a nd Phi l ippines:
qua lied voters of the Philippines, as may be provided
s ha ll enjoy the ri ght to be heard by himself and (1) Thos e who a re citizens of the Philippines a t the by l a w.
couns el, to be informed of the nature a nd ca use of
ti me of the a doption of this Constitution;
the a ccusation a gainst him, to have a speedy, SECTION 3. No pers on s hall be a Senator unless he is a
i mpartial, and public tri al, to meet the witnesses face (2) Thos e whose fathers or mothers a re citizens of the na tural-born citizen of the Philippines, and, on the
to fa ce, a nd to have compulsory process to secure the Phi l ippines; da y of the election, is a t least thirty-ve years of age,
a ttendance of witnesses and the production of a bl e to read and write, a registered voter, a nd a
evi dence in his behalf. However, a fter a rraignment, (3) Thos e born before Ja nuary 17, 1973, of Fi l ipino res i dent of the Philippines for not less than two years
tri a l ma y proceed notwithstanding the absence of the mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon i mmediately preceding the day of the election.
a ccus ed provided that he has been duly notied and rea ching the age of majority; a nd
hi s failure to appear is unjustiable. SECTION 4. The term of oce of the Senators shall be
(4) Thos e who a re naturalized i n a ccordance with law.s i x yea rs a nd s hall commence, unless otherwise
SECTION 15. The pri vilege of the wri t of habeas SECTION 2. Na tural-born ci tizens a re those who are provi ded by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June
corpus shall not be s uspended except i n cases of
ci ti zens of the Philippines from birth without havi ng next fol lowing their election.
i nva sion or rebellion when the public safety requires to perform a ny a ct to a cquire or perfect their
i t. No Senator shall serve for more than two consecutive
Phi l ippine ci tizenship. Those who elect Philippine terms . Voluntary renunciation of the oce for a ny
SECTION 16. Al l persons shall have the right to a ci ti zenship in a ccordance with paragraph (3), Section l ength of time shall not be considered as an
s peedy disposition of their ca ses before a ll judicial, 1 hereof s hall be deemed natural-born citizens. i nterruption i n the continuity of his s ervice for the full
qua si-judicial, or a dministrative bodies. term for whi ch he was elected.
SECTION 3. Phi l ippine ci tizenship may be l ost or
SECTION 17. No pers on shall be compelled to be a rea cquired in the manner provided by law. SECTION 5. (1) The House of Representatives shall be
wi tness against himself. composed of not more than two hundred and fty
SECTION 4. Ci ti zens of the Philippines who marry
members, unless otherwise xed by l aw, who shall be
SECTION 18. (1) No pers on shall be detained solely by a l iens s hall retain their citizenship, unless by their a ct el ected from legislative districts apportioned a mong
rea s on of his political beliefs a nd aspirations. or omi ssion they a re deemed, under the l aw, to have
the provi nces, ci ties, a nd the Metropolitan Ma nila
renounced it.
a rea in a ccordance with the number of their
SECTION 5. Dua l allegiance of ci tizens is i nimical to res pective i nhabitants, a nd on the basis of a uniform
the na tional interest and shall be dealt with by law. a nd progressive ra tio, and those who, as provided by
19
l a w, shall be elected through a party-list s ystem of the Members of the Senate and the House of (3) Ea ch House may determine the rules of i ts
regi stered national, regional, and sectoral parties or Representatives approving s uch i ncrease. proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly
orga nizations. behavi or, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of
SECTION 11. A Senator or Member of the House of a l l i ts Members, s uspend or expel a Member. A
(2) The pa rty-list representatives s hall constitute Representatives shall, in a ll offenses punishable by penalty of s uspension, when i mposed, shall not
twenty per centum of the total number of not more than six years imprisonment, be privileged exceed sixty days.
representatives i ncluding those under the party l ist. from a rrest while the Congress i s in s ession. No
For three consecutive terms a fter the ra tication of Member s hall be questioned nor be held liable in a ny (4) Ea ch House shall keep a Journal of i ts proceedings,
thi s Constitution, one-half of the seats allocated to other place for a ny s peech or debate in the Congress a nd from time to time publish the same, excepting
pa rty-l ist representatives shall be lled, as provided by or i n a ny committee thereof. s uch parts as may, i n i ts judgment, a ffect national
s ecurity; a nd the yeas a nd nays on any question s hall,
l a w, by s election or election from the labor, peasant, SECTION 12. Al l Members of the Senate a nd the a t the request of one-fth of the Members present, be
urba n poor, indigenous cultural communities, Hous e of Representatives shall, upon assumption of entered in the Journal.
women, youth, and such other s ectors as ma y be oce, ma ke a full disclosure of their nancial a nd
provi ded by law, except the religious s ector. bus iness interests. They s hall notify the House Ea ch House shall a lso keep a Record of i ts
concerned of a potential conict of interest that may proceedings.
(3) Ea ch l egislative district shall comprise, a s far as a ri se from the ling of a proposed l egislation of which
pra cti cable, contiguous, compact a nd a djacent they a re a uthors. (5) Nei ther House during the sessions of the Congress
terri tory. Ea ch city wi th a population of a t least two s ha ll, without the consent of the other, adjourn for
hundred fty thousand, or each province, s hall have at SECTION 13. No Senator or Member of the House of more tha n three days, nor to any other place than
l east one representative. Representatives may hold a ny other oce or tha t i n which the two Houses s hall be s itting.
empl oyment i n the Government, or a ny s ubdivision,
(4) Wi thi n three years following the return of every a gency, or i nstrumentality thereof, i ncluding SECTION 17. The Senate a nd the House of
cens us, the Congress shall make a reapportionment government-owned or controlled corporations or Representatives shall each have an El ectoral Tribunal
of l egislative districts based on the standards thei r s ubsidiaries, during his term without forfeiting whi ch shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to
provi ded in this section. hi s seat. Neither s hall he be appointed to a ny oce the el ection, returns, and qualications of their
res pective Members. Each Electoral Tri bunal s hall be
SECTION 6. No pers on s hall be a Member of the whi ch may have been created or the emoluments
thereof i ncreased during the term for which he was composed of nine Members, three of whom s hall be
Hous e of Representatives unless he is a natural-born Jus ti ces of the Supreme Court to be designated by the
el ected.
ci ti zen of the Philippines a nd, on the day of the Chi ef Justice, a nd the remaining six shall be Members
el ection, is a t least twenty-ve years of a ge, a ble to
SECTION 14. No Senator or Member of the House of of the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the
rea d a nd wri te, and, except the party-list Representatives may personally a ppear as counsel ca s e ma y be, who shall be chosen on the basis of
representatives, a registered voter in the district i n before a ny court of justice or before the Electoral proportional representation from the political parties
whi ch he shall be elected, and a resident thereof for a Tri bunals, or quasi-judicial and other a dministrative a nd the parties or organizations registered under the
peri od of not less than one year i mmediately bodi es. Neither shall he, directly or i ndirectly, be pa rty-l ist system represented therein. The s enior
preceding the day of the election. i nterested nancially i n any contract with, or in any Jus ti ce in the El ectoral Tribunal shall be its Chairman.
fra nchise or special privilege gra nted by the
SECTION 7. The Members of the House of SECTION 18. There s hall be a Commission on
Representatives shall be elected for a term of three Government, or any s ubdivision, a gency, or Appoi ntments consisting of the President of the
yea rs which shall begin, unless otherwise provided by i ns trumentality thereof, i ncluding any government- Sena te, as ex ocio Chairman, twelve Senators a nd
l a w, a t noon on the thirtieth day of June next owned or controlled corporation, or its s ubsidiary,
fol l owing their election. duri ng his term of oce. He s hall not intervene i n a ny twel ve Members of the House of Representatives,
el ected by each House on the basis of proportional
ma tter before any oce of the Government for his
No member of the House of Representatives shall pecuniary benet or where he may be called upon to representation from the political parties and parties
a ct on a ccount of his oce. or orga nizations registered under the party-list
s erve for more than three consecutive terms.
Vol untary renunciation of the oce for a ny l ength of s ys tem represented therein. The Chairman of the
ti me s hall not be considered as a n i nterruption i n the SECTION 15. The Congress shall convene once every Commi ssion s hall not vote, except in ca se of a tie. The
yea r on the fourth Monday of July for its regular Commi ssion s hall a ct on a ll a ppointments s ubmitted
conti nuity of his service for the full term for which he
s ession, unless a different date is xed by law, and shall to i t wi thin thirty s ession days of the Congress from
wa s elected.
conti nue to be i n session for such number of days as thei r s ubmission. The Commission s hall rule by a
SECTION 8. Unl ess otherwise provided by l aw, the i t ma y determine until thirty days before the opening ma jority vote of all the Members.
regul ar election of the Senators and the Members of of i ts next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays,
the House of Representatives shall be held on the Sundays, a nd l egal holidays. The President may ca ll a SECTION 19. The El ectoral Tribunals a nd the
s pecial s ession a t any ti me. Commi ssion on Appointments shall be constituted
s econd Monday of Ma y.
wi thin thirty days a fter the Senate and the House of
SECTION 9. In ca se of va cancy i n the Senate or in the SECTION 16. (1) The Senate s hall elect its President Representatives shall have been organized with the
Hous e of Representatives, a s pecial election may be a nd the House of Representatives its Speaker, by a el ection of the President a nd the Speaker. The
ca l led to ll such va cancy i n the manner prescribed by ma jority vote of all i ts respective Members. Commi ssion on Appointments shall meet only while
l a w, but the Senator or Member of the House of the Congress is i n s ession, a t the call of its Chairman
Representatives thus elected s hall s erve only for the Ea ch House shall choose such other ocers as it may or a ma jority of a ll i ts Members, to discharge such
unexpired term. deem necessary. powers a nd functions as a re herein conferred upon it.

SECTION 10. The s alaries of Senators and Members of (2) A ma jority of each House shall constitute a SECTION 20. The records and books of a ccounts of the
the House of Representatives shall be determined by quorum to do business, but a smaller number ma y Congress s hall be preserved and be open to the public
l a w. No increase i n said compensation shall ta ke a djourn from day to da y and may compel the i n a ccordance with law, and such books shall be
effect until a fter the expiration of the full term of all a ttendance of a bsent Members in s uch manner, a nd a udited by the Commission on Audit which s hall
under such penalties, a s such House may provide.
20
publish a nnually a n i temized list of amounts paid to the Na tional Treasurer, or to be raised by a or ta ri ff bill, but the veto s hall not affect the item or
a nd expenses i ncurred for each Member. corres ponding revenue proposed therein. i tems to which he does not object.

SECTION 21. The Senate or the House of (5) No l a w shall be passed a uthorizing a ny tra nsfer of SECTION 28. (1) The rul e of taxation shall be uniform
Representatives or any of its respective committees a ppropriations; however, the President, the President a nd equitable. The Congress shall evolve a
ma y conduct inquiries in a id of legislation i n of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of progressive s ystem of taxation.
a ccordance with i ts duly published rules of procedure. Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Supreme
The ri ghts of persons a ppearing i n or a ffected by s uch Court, a nd the heads of Constitutional Commissions (2) The Congress may, by l aw, authorize the President
i nquiries shall be respected. ma y, by l a w, be authorized to a ugment any item i n to x wi thin specied limits, and subject to such
l i mitations and restrictions as it may i mpose, ta riff
SECTION 22. The heads of departments may upon the general appropriations l aw for their respective ra tes , import a nd export quotas, tonnage and
thei r own i nitiative, with the consent of the President, oces from savings in other items of their respective wha rfage dues, and other duties or i mposts within
or upon the request of either House, as the rules of a ppropriations. the fra mework of the national development program
ea ch House shall provide, appear before and be heard of the Government.
by s uch House on any ma tter pertaining to their (6) Di s cretionary funds appropriated for particular
departments. Wri tten questions shall be submitted to oci a ls s hall be disbursed only for public purposes to (3) Cha ri table i nstitutions, churches and parsonages
be s upported by a ppropriate vouchers a nd subject to or convents a ppurtenant thereto, mosques, nonprot
the Pres ident of the Senate or the Speaker of the
Hous e of Representatives at l east three days before s uch guidelines as may be prescribed by law. cemeteries, a nd a ll lands, buildings, a nd
thei r s cheduled appearance. Interpellations shall not (7) If, by the end of a ny s cal year, the Congress s hall i mprovements, a ctually, directly, and exclusively used
be l i mited to written questions, but may cover for rel i gious, charitable, or educational purposes shall
ha ve failed to pass the general appropriations bill for be exempt from taxation.
ma tters related thereto. When the s ecurity of the the ensuing scal year, the general a ppropriations law
Sta te or the public interest s o requires a nd the for the preceding s cal year s hall be deemed (4) No l a w granting a ny ta x exemption s hall be passed
Pres i dent s o s tates i n writing, the appearance shall be
reenacted and shall remain in force and effect until wi thout the concurrence of a majority of a ll the
conducted in executive session. the general appropriations bill is passed by the Members of the Congress.
SECTION 23. (1) The Congress, by a vote of two -thirds Congress. SECTION 29. (1) No money s hall be paid out of the
of both Houses in joint session assembled, voting SECTION 26. (1) Every bi ll passed by the Congress Trea sury except in pursuance of an appropriation
s eparately, s hall have the sole power to declare the
s ha ll embrace only one subject which s hall be ma de by law.
exi s tence of a s tate of war. expressed i n the ti tle thereof.
(2) No public money or property s hall be
(2) In ti mes of war or other national emergency, the (2) No bi ll passed by either House shall become a law a ppropriated, a pplied, paid, or employed, directly or
Congress may, by l aw, authorize the President, for a unl ess it has passed three readings on separate days, i ndirectly, for the use, benet, or s upport of a ny s ect,
l i mited period and subject to such restrictions as it a nd printed copies thereof in its nal form have been church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system
ma y pres cribe, to exercise powers necessary a nd di s tributed to its Members three days before its of rel igion, or of a ny pri est, preacher, minister, or
proper to ca rry out a declared national policy. Unless pa ssage, except when the President certies to the other religious teacher, or dignitary a s s uch, except
s ooner withdrawn by resolution of the Congress, such necessity of i ts immediate enactment to meet a when s uch priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary i s
powers shall cease upon the next a djournment public ca lamity or emergency. Upon the last reading a s signed to the a rmed forces, or to a ny penal
thereof. of a bi ll, no a mendment thereto s hall be allowed, a nd i ns titution, or government orphanage or l eprosarium.
SECTION 24. Al l a ppropriation, revenue or ta riff bills, the vote thereon shall be taken immediately
thereafter, a nd the yeas and nays entered i n the (3) Al l money col lected on a ny ta x l evied for a s pecial
bi l ls a uthorizing i ncrease of the public debt, bills of purpose s hall be treated as a special fund and paid
l oca l application, a nd private bills shall originate Journal.
out for s uch purpose only. If the purpose for which a
excl usively i n the House of Representatives, but the SECTION 27. (1) Every bi ll passed by the Congress s pecial fund was created has been fullled or
Sena te may propose or concur with a mendments. s ha ll, before i t becomes a law, be presented to the a ba ndoned, the balance, if a ny, s hall be tra nsferred to
SECTION 25. (1) The Congress may not increase the Pres i dent. If he approves the same, he s hall sign i t; the general funds of the Government.
a ppropriations recommended by the President for otherwise, he shall veto i t and return the same with
SECTION 30. No l a w shall be passed i ncreasing the
the operation of the Government as s pecied i n the hi s objections to the House where i t originated, which a ppellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as
budget. The form, content, and manner of s ha ll enter the objections at l arge i n i ts Journal and
provi ded in this Constitution without its a dvice a nd
prepa ration of the budget shall be prescribed by l aw. proceed to reconsider it. If, after such concurrence.
reconsideration, two-thirds of all the Members of
(2) No provi sion or enactment shall be embraced in s uch House shall agree to pass the bill, it s hall be sent, SECTION 31. No l a w granting a title of royalty or
the general appropriations bill unless i t relates together wi th the objections, to the other House by nobility s hall be enacted.
s pecically to s ome particular appropriation therein. whi ch it s hall l ikewise be reconsidered, and if
Any s uch provision or enactment shall be limited in its a pproved by two-thirds of a ll the Members of that SECTION 32. The Congress shall, as early as possible,
opera tion to the a ppropriation to which it relates. Hous e, it s hall become a law. In all such cases, the provi de for a system of i nitiative and referendum, and
votes of each House s hall be determined by yeas or the exceptions therefrom, whereby the people ca n
(3) The procedure in a pproving a ppropriations for the na ys , a nd the names of the Members voting for or di rectly propose a nd enact l aws or approve or reject
Congress s hall s trictly follow the procedure for a ga inst shall be entered i n i ts Journal. The President a ny a ct or l a w or part thereof passed by the Congress
a pproving appropriations for other departments and s ha ll communicate his veto of a ny bill to the House or l oca l legislative body a fter the registration of a
a gencies. where it ori ginated within thirty days a fter the date of peti tion therefor signed by a t l east ten per centum of
recei pt thereof; otherwise, i t shall become a law as i f the tota l number of registered voters, of which every
(4) A s pecial a ppropriations bill shall specify the
he ha d s igned it. l egislative district must be represented by a t least
purpose for which it is i ntended, a nd s hall be
s upported by funds actually a vailable a s certied by (2) The Pres ident s hall have the power to veto a ny three per centum of the registered voters thereof.
pa rti cular i tem or i tems i n an appropriation, revenue,
21
ARTICLE VII The Congress shall promulgate its rules for the the unexpired term. In case of death, permanent
ca nva ssing of the certicates. di s ability, removal from oce, or resignation of both
Executi ve Department the Pres ident a nd Vice-President, the President of the
The Supreme Court, s itting en banc, shall be the sole Sena te or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the
SECTION 1. The executive power s hall be vested in the judge of all contests relating to the election, returns,
Hous e of Representatives, shall then a ct as President
Pres i dent of the Philippines. a nd qualications of the President or Vice- President, unti l the President or Vi ce-President shall have been
SECTION 2. No pers on ma y be elected President a nd may promulgate i ts rules for the purpose. el ected a nd qualied.
unl ess he is a natural-born ci tizen of the Philippines, a SECTION 5. Before they enter on the execution of
regi stered voter, a ble to read and write, a t least forty thei r oce, the President, the Vice-President, or the The Congress shall, by l aw, provide who s hall s erve as
Pres i dent i n case of death, permanent disability, or
yea rs of age on the day of the election, a nd a resident Acti ng President shall take the following oath or
of the Phi lippines for at l east ten years immediately a rma tion: res i gnation of the Acti ng President. He s hall s erve
preceding such election. unti l the President or the Vice-President shall have
“I do s olemnly swear (or arm) that I will faithfully a nd been elected a nd qualied, a nd be s ubject to the s ame
SECTION 3. There s hall be a Vice-President who shall cons cientiously fulll my duties as President (or Vi ce- res tri ctions of powers and disqualications as the
ha ve the s ame qualications and term of oce a nd be Pres i dent or Acti ng President) of the Philippines, Acti ng President.
el ected with a nd in the same manner as the pres erve and defend i ts Constitution, execute its laws,
Pres i dent. He may be removed from oce i n the same do jus tice to every ma n, a nd consecrate mys elf to the SECTION 9. Whenever there is a vacancy i n the Oce of
the Vi ce-President during the term for which he was
ma nner as the President. s ervi ce of the Nation. So help me God.” (In case of el ected, the President s hall nominate a Vi ce-President
The Vi ce-President may be a ppointed as a Member of a rma tion, last sentence will be omitted.) from a mong the Members of the Senate and the
the Ca binet. Such a ppointment requires no SECTION 6. The Pres ident s hall have a n ocial Hous e of Representatives who shall assume oce upon
conrma tion. res i dence. The salaries of the President a nd conrma tion by a majority vote of a ll the Members of
both Houses of the Congress, voting separately.
SECTION 4. The Pres ident a nd the Vi ce-President shall Vi cePresident shall be determined by l aw a nd s hall
be el ected by direct vote of the people for a term of not be decreased during their tenure. No i ncrease in SECTION 10. The Congress shall, a t ten o’clock i n the
s i x yea rs which s hall begin at noon on the thirtieth s a id compensation shall take effect until after the morni ng of the third day a fter the va cancy i n the oces
da y of June next following the day of the election a nd expi ration of the term of the incumbent during which of the Pres ident a nd Vi ce-President occurs, convene
s uch i ncrease was approved. They s hall not receive i n a ccordance with its rules without need of a ca ll and
s ha ll end at noon of the same date six yea rs
thereafter. The President shall not be eligible for any duri ng their tenure any other emolument from the wi thin seven days enact a law calling for a special
reel ection. No person who has s ucceeded as Government or any other s ource. el ection to elect a President a nd a VicePresident to be
Pres i dent a nd has served as s uch for more than four SECTION 7. The Pres ident-elect and the Vice- hel d not earlier than forty-ve days nor later than s ixty
yea rs shall be qualied for election to the same oce at Pres i dent-elect shall assume oce at the beginning of da ys from the time of s uch call. The bill calling such
a ny ti me. s pecial election s hall be deemed certied under
thei r terms.
pa ra graph 2, Section 26, Arti cle VI of this Constitution
No Vi ce-President s hall s erve for more than two If the President-elect fails to qualify, the Vi ce- a nd s hall become l aw upon i ts a pproval on third
cons ecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the oce Pres i dent-elect shall act a s President until the rea ding by the Congress. Appropriations for the
for a ny l ength of time shall not be considered as an Pres i dentelect s hall have qualied. s pecial election s hall be charged a gainst any current
i nterruption i n the continuity of the servi ce for the a ppropriations and shall be exempt from the
ful l term for which he was elected. If a Pres ident s hall not have been chosen, the Vice- requi rements of paragraph 4, Section 25, Arti cl e VI of
Pres i dent-elect shall act a s President until a President thi s Constitution. The convening of the Congress
Unl ess otherwise provided by l aw, the regular s ha ll have been chosen a nd qualied. ca nnot be suspended nor the special election
el ection for President a nd Vi ce-President shall be held
on the s econd Monday of Ma y. If a t the beginning of the term of the President, the pos tponed. No s pecial election s hall be ca lled if the
Pres i dent-elect shall have died or s hall have become va ca ncy occurs within eighteen months before the
The returns of every election for President and Vice- perma nently disabled, the Vice -President-elect s hall da te of the next presidential election.
Pres i dent, duly certied by the board of canvassers of become President.
SECTION 11. Whenever the President tra nsmits to the
ea ch province or ci ty, s hall be tra nsmitted to the
Congress, directed to the President of the Senate. Where no President and Vice-President s hall have Pres i dent of the Senate a nd the Speaker of the House
of Representatives his written declaration that he is
Upon receipt of the certicates of ca nvass, the been chosen or s hall have qualied, or where both
Pres i dent of the Senate s hall, not later than thirty s ha ll have died or become permanently disabled, the una ble to discharge the powers and duties of his oce,
da ys a fter the day of the election, open all certicates Pres i dent of the Senate or, i n ca se of his inability, the a nd until he tra nsmits to them a written declaration
i n the presence of the Senate a nd the House of Spea ker of the House of Representatives s hall a ct as to the contra ry, s uch powers a nd duties s hall be
Representatives in joint public session, and the Pres i dent until a President or a Vice-President shall di s charged by the Vi ce-President as Acti ng President.
Congress, upon determination of the authenticity and ha ve been chosen a nd qualied. Whenever a majority of a ll the Members of the
due execution thereof i n the manner provided by law,
ca nva ss the votes. The Congress shall, by l aw, provide for the manner i n Ca bi net tra nsmit to the President of the Senate and
whi ch one who is to a ct as President s hall be s elected to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their
wri tten declaration that the President is unable to
The person havi ng the highest number of votes s hall unti l a President or a Vi ce-President shall have
di s charge the powers and duties of his oce, the Vice-
be proclaimed elected, but i n case two or more shall qua lied, i n case of death, permanent disability, or
ha ve a n equal a nd highest number of votes, one of i na bility of the ocials mentioned in the next preceding Pres i dent s hall i mmediately assume the powers and
duti es of the oce as Acti ng President.
them s hall forthwith be chosen by the vote of a pa ra graph.
ma jority of a ll the Members of both Houses of the Thereafter, when the President tra nsmits to the
Congress, voting s eparately. SECTION 8. In ca se of death, permanent disability,
remova l from oce, or resignation of the President, the Pres i dent of the Senate a nd to the Speaker of the
Vi ce-President shall become the President to serve Hous e of Representatives his written declaration that
no i nability exists, he s hall reassume the powers and
22
duti es of his oce. Meanwhile, should a majority of all SECTION 16. The Pres ident s hall nominate and, with a gencies over civilians where civil courts a re able to
the Members of the Ca binet tra nsmit within ve days the consent of the Commission on Appointments, functi on, nor a utomatically s uspend the privilege o f
to the Pres ident of the Senate a nd to the Speaker of a ppoint the heads of the executive departments, the wri t.
the House of Representatives their written a mbassadors, other public ministers and consuls, or
decl aration that the President is unable to discharge ocers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or The s uspension of the privilege of the writ s hall a pply
the powers a nd duties of his oce, the Congress s hall na va l ca ptain, and other ocers whose appointments onl y to persons judicially charged for rebellion or
deci de the i ssue. For that purpose, the Congress shall a re ves ted in him i n this Constitution. He shall also offenses i nherent in or directly connected with the
i nva sion.
convene, i f it is not in s ession, wi thin forty-eight a ppoint all other ocers of the Government whose
hours , in accordance with its rules a nd without need a ppointments a re not otherwise provi ded for by l aw,
Duri ng the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any
of ca l l. a nd those whom he may be a uthorized by law to pers on thus arrested or detained shall be judicially
a ppoint. The Congress may, by l aw, vest the
If the Congress, within ten days after receipt of the a ppointment of other ocers lower i n ra nk in the cha rged within three days, otherwise he s hall be
l a st written declaration, or, if not i n s ession, within Pres i dent a lone, i n the courts, or i n the heads of rel eased.
twel ve days after it i s required to a ssemble, departments, a gencies, commissions, or boards. SECTION 19. Except i n cases of impeachment, or a s
determines by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, otherwise provi ded i n this Constitution, the President
voti ng s eparately, that the President is unable to The Pres ident s hall have the power to ma ke ma y gra nt reprieves, commutations a nd pardons, and
di s charge the powers and duties of his oce, the Vice- a ppointments during the recess of the Congress, remi t nes a nd forfeitures, after conviction by nal
Pres i dent s hall a ct as the President; otherwise, the whether vol untary or compulsory, but such judgment.
Pres i dent s hall continue exercising the powers a nd a ppointments s hall be effective only until after
duti es of his oce. di s approval by the Commission on Appointments or He s hall a lso have the power to grant amnesty with
unti l the next a djournment of the Congress. the concurrence of a majority of a ll the Members of
SECTION 12. In ca s e of s erious illness of the President, the Congress.
the public s hall be informed of the state of his health. SECTION 17. The Pres ident s hall have control of all
The Members of the Cabinet in charge of national the executive departments, bureaus, and oces. He SECTION 20. The Pres ident may contract or guarantee
s ecurity a nd foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of s ha ll ensure that the laws be faithfully executed. forei gn loans on behalf of the Republic of the
the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not be Phi l ippines with the prior concurrence of the
denied access to the President during such illness. SECTION 18. The Pres ident s hall be the Commander- Moneta ry Board, a nd s ubject to s uch l imitations as
i n-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines a nd
ma y be provided by l aw. The Monetary Board shall,
SECTION 13. The Pres ident, Vi ce-President, the whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such wi thin thirty days from the end of every quarter of
Members of the Ca binet, and their deputies or a rmed forces to prevent or s uppress lawless vi olence, the ca l endar year, s ubmit to the Congress a complete
a s sistants s hall not, unless otherwise provided i n this i nva sion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, report of i ts decisions on applications for l oans to be
Cons ti tution, hold any other oce or employment when the public s afety requires it, he may, for a contra cted or guaranteed by the Government or
duri ng their tenure. They s hall not, during said tenure, peri od not exceeding sixty da ys, suspend the privilege government-owned and controlled corporations
di rectly or i ndirectly, practice any other profession, of the wri t of habeas corpus or place the Philippines whi ch would have the effect of increasing the foreign
pa rti cipate in any business, or be nancially i nterested or a ny pa rt thereof under ma rtial law. Within forty- debt, a nd containing other matters as may be
i n a ny contract with, or i n a ny fra nchise, or special ei ght hours from the proclamation of martial law or provi ded by law.
pri vi lege granted by the Government or any the s uspension of the privilege of the wri t of habeas
s ubdivision, agency, or i nstrumentality thereof, corpus , the President shall submit a report i n person SECTION 21. No trea ty or i nternational a greement
i ncl uding governmentowned or controlled or i n wri ting to the Congress. The Congress, voting s ha ll be va lid and effective unless concurred i n by a t
corpora tions or their s ubsidiaries. They s hall strictly joi ntly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its l east two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
a voi d conict of interest i n the conduct of their oce. Members in regular or s pecial session, may revoke
s uch proclamation or s uspension, which revocation SECTION 22. The Pres ident s hall s ubmit to the
The s pouse a nd relatives by consanguinity or a nity s ha ll not be set aside by the President. Upon the Congress within thirty da ys from the opening of every
wi thin the fourth ci vil degree of the President s hall i ni tiative of the President, the Congress may, i n the regul ar session, as the basis of the general
not duri ng his tenure be appointed as members of the s a me manner, extend s uch proclamation or a ppropriations bill, a budget of expenditures a nd
Cons ti tutional Commissions, or the Oce of the s us pension for a period to be determined by the s ources of nancing, including receipts from existing
Ombudsman, or as Secretaries, Undersecretaries, Congress, i f the i nvasion or rebellion shall persist a nd a nd proposed revenue measures.
cha i rmen or heads of bureaus or oces, including public s afety requires it.
government-owned or controlled corporations and SECTION 23. The Pres ident s hall a ddress the Congress
thei r s ubsidiaries. The Congress, i f not in s ession, shall, within twenty- a t the opening of its regular s ession. He may a lso
four hours following such proclamation or a ppear before i t at a ny other ti me.
SECTION 14. Appoi ntments extended by a n Acting s us pension, convene i n a ccordance with i ts rules ARTICLE VIII
Pres i dent s hall remain effective, unless revoked by wi thout a ny need of a call.
the el ected President within ninety days from his Judi cial Department
a s sumption or reassumption of oce. The Supreme Court ma y review, in an a ppropriate
proceeding led by a ny ci tizen, the suciency of the SECTION 1. The judicial power s hall be vested in one
SECTION 15. Two months immediately before the fa ctual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be
next presidential elections and up to the end of his s us pension of the privilege of the wri t or the
es tablished by law.
term, a Pres ident or Acti ng President s hall not make extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision
a ppointments, except temporary a ppointments to thereon within thirty da ys from i ts ling. Judi cial power i ncludes the duty of the courts of
executive positions when continued vacancies therein jus ti ce to settle actual controversies involving ri ghts
wi l l prejudice public s ervice or endanger public A s ta te of martial l aw does not suspend the operation whi ch are legally demandable a nd enforceable, and to
of the Constitution, nor s upplant the functioning of determine whether or not there has been a grave
s a fety. the ci vi l courts or l egislative assemblies, nor authorize a buse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of
the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and
23
juri s diction on the part of a ny bra nch or (b) Al l cases involving the l egality of a ny ta x, i mpost, (2) The regular Members of the Council shall be
i ns trumentality of the Government. a s sessment, or toll, or a ny penalty i mposed in relation a ppointed by the President for a term of four years
thereto. wi th the consent of the Commission on
SECTION 2. The Congress shall have the power to Appoi ntments. Of the Members rst a ppointed, the
dene, prescribe, and apportion the jurisdiction of (c) Al l ca ses i n which the jurisdiction of any lower representative of the Integrated Bar s hall s erve for
va ri ous courts but may not deprive the Supreme court i s i n issue. four yea rs, the professor of law for three years, the
Court of i ts jurisdiction over cases enumerated in
Secti on 5 hereof. (d) Al l criminal cases in which the penalty i mposed is reti red Justice for two years, a nd the representative
recl usion perpetua or higher. of the pri vate s ector for one year.
No l a w shall be passed reorganizing the Judiciary
when i t undermines the security of tenure of its (e) Al l ca ses i n which only a n error or question of law (3) The Cl erk of the Supreme Court shall be the
i s i nvolved. Secretary ex oci o of the Council and shall keep a
Members. record of i ts proceedings.
SECTION 3. The Judiciary s hall enjoy s cal autonomy. (3) As s ign temporarily judges of l ower courts to other
(4) The regular Members of the Council shall receive
Appropriations for the Judiciary may not be reduced s ta tions as public interest may require. Such s uch emoluments as may be determined by the
by the l egislature below the amount appropriated for temporary a ssignment s hall not exceed six months Supreme Court. The Supreme Court s hall provide i n
the previ ous year a nd, a fter a pproval, shall be wi thout the consent of the judge concerned.
i ts a nnual budget the appropriations for the Council.
a utomatically a nd regularly released. (4) Order a cha nge of venue or place of trial to avoid a
(5) The Council shall have the principal function of
SECTION 4. (1) The Supreme Court s hall be composed mi s carriage of justice. recommending a ppointees to the Judiciary. It may
of a Chi ef Justice and fourteen Associate Justices. It (5) Promul gate rules concerning the protection a nd exerci se such other functions and duties as the
ma y s i t en banc or i n i ts discretion, i n divisions of Supreme Court may assign to it.
enforcement of constitutional ri ghts, pleading,
three, ve, or s even Members. Any va cancy s hall be pra cti ce, a nd procedure in a ll courts, the admission to
l l ed within ninety da ys from the occurrence thereof. the pra ctice of law, the Integrated Bar, and legal SECTION 9. The Members of the Supreme Court and
a s sistance to the underprivileged. Such rules s hall judges of lower courts s hall be a ppointed by the
(2) Al l ca ses i nvolving the constitutionality of a treaty,
provi de a simplied and inexpensive procedure for the Pres i dent from a l ist of at l east three nominees
i nternational or executive agreement, or law, which prepa red by the Judicial and Bar Council for every
s ha ll be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, and all s peedy disposition of ca ses, s hall be uniform for all
va ca ncy. Such appointments need no conrmation.
other ca ses which under the Rules of Court are courts of the s ame grade, and shall not diminish,
requi red to be heard en banc, i ncluding those i ncrease, or modify s ubstantive rights. Rules of For the l ower courts, the President shall issue the
i nvol ving the constitutionality, a pplication, or procedure of s pecial courts and quasi-judicial bodies a ppointments within ninety days from the submission
opera tion of presidential decrees, proclamations, s ha ll remain effective unless disapproved by the of the l ist.
orders , instructions, ordinances, a nd other Supreme Court.
regul ations, shall be decided with the concurrence of (6) Appoi nt all ocials a nd employees of the Judiciary in SECTION 10. The s alary of the Chief Justice a nd of the
a ma jority of the Members who actually took part i n a ccordance with the Ci vil Servi ce Law. As s ociate Justices of the Supreme Court, a nd of
judges of lower courts s hall be xed by law. During
the deliberations on the issues i n the case a nd voted
thereon. thei r continuance i n oce, their salary s hall not be
SECTION 6. The Supreme Court s hall have
decreased.
a dministrative s upervision over a ll courts and the
(3) Ca s es or matters heard by a division shall be pers onnel thereof. SECTION 11. The Members of the Supreme Court a nd
deci ded or resolved with the concurrence of a
ma jority of the Members who a ctually took part in SECTION 7. (1) No pers on shall be appointed Member judges of lower courts s hall hold oce during good
the deliberations on the issues i n the case a nd voted of the Supreme Court or a ny lower collegiate court behavi or until they reached the age of s eventy years
thereon, a nd i n no ca se, without the concurrence of unl ess he is a natural-born ci tizen of the Philippines. A or become i ncapacitated to discharge the duties of
a t l east three of such Members. When the required Member of the Supreme Court must be at l east forty thei r oce. The Supreme Court en banc shall have the
number i s not obtained, the case shall be decided en yea rs of age, and must have been for fteen years or power to discipline judges of l ower courts, or order
ba nc: Provi ded, that no doctrine or principle of law more a judge of a lower court or engaged i n the thei r dismissal by a vote of a majority of the Members
l a id down by the court in a decision rendered en banc pra cti ce of law in the Philippines.
who a ctually took part i n the deliberations on the
or i n di vision may be modied or reversed except by
the court s itting en banc. (2) The Congress s hall prescribe the qualications of i s sues i n the case a nd voted thereon.
judges of lower courts, but no person may be SECTION 12. The Members of the Supreme Court a nd
SECTION 5. The Supreme Court s hall have the a ppointed judge thereof unless he is a ci tizen of the of other courts established by l aw s hall not be
fol l owing powers: Phi l ippines a nd a member of the Philippine Bar. des ignated to any agency performing quasi-judicial or
(1) Exerci s e original jurisdiction over cases affecting (3) A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of a dministrative functions.
a mbassadors, other public ministers and consuls, a nd proven competence, integrity, probity, a nd SECTION 13. The conclusions of the Supreme Court in
over peti tions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, i ndependence. a ny ca s e submitted to i t for decision en banc or i n
quo wa rranto, and habeas corpus.
SECTION 8. (1) A Judi cial a nd Bar Council is hereby di vi sion s hall be reached in consultation before the
(2) Revi ew, revise, reverse, modify, or a rm on appeal crea ted under the s upervision of the Supreme Court ca s e i s assigned to a Member for the writing of the
or certi ora ri, a s the law or the Rules of Court may composed of the Chief Justice as ex ocio Chairman, opi nion of the Court. A certication to this effect
provi de, nal judgments a nd orders of l ower courts i n: the Secretary of Justice, a nd a representative of the s i gned by the Chief Justice s hall be issued and a copy
Congress as ex ocio Members, a representative of the thereof a ttached to the record of the case a nd s erved
(a ) Al l cases i n which the constitutionality or va lidity Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired Me mber upon the parties. Any Member who took no part, or
of a ny trea ty, i nternational or executive agreement, di ssented, or a bstained from a decision or resolution
of the Supreme Court, a nd a representative of the
l a w, presidential decree, proclamation, order, mus t s tate the reason therefor. The same
pri va te s ector.
i ns truction, ordinance, or regulation i s in question.

24
requi rements s hall be observed by a ll lower collegiate SECTION 3. The s alary of the Chairman and the (2) Appoi ntments in the ci vil servi ce shall be made
courts . Commi ssioners s hall be xed by l aw and shall not be onl y a ccording to merit a nd tness to be determined,
decreased during their tenure. a s fa r as practicable, and, except to positions which
SECTION 14. No deci sion shall be rendered by a ny a re policy-determining, primarily condential, or highly
court wi thout expressing therein clearly a nd distinctly SECTION 4. The Constitutional Commissions s hall technical, by competitive examination.
the fa cts a nd the l aw on which i t is based. a ppoint their ocials and employees in a ccordance
wi th l aw. (3) No ocer or employee of the ci vil servi ce shall be
No peti tion for review or motion for reconsideration removed or suspended except for cause provided by
of a decision of the court shall be refused due course SECTION 5. The Commission s hall enjoy s cal l a w.
or deni ed without stating the legal basis therefor. a utonomy. Their approved a nnual a ppropriations
s ha ll be a utomatically a nd regularly released. (4) No ocer or employee in the civil servi ce shall
SECTION 15. (1) Al l ca ses or ma tters led a fter the enga ge, directly or i ndirectly, i n any electioneering or
effectivity of this Constitution must be decided or SECTION 6. Ea ch Commission en banc may pa rti san political ca mpaign.
res olved within twenty-four months from date of promulgate its own rules concerning pleadings and
s ubmission for the Supreme Court, and, unless pra cti ce before i t or before a ny of i ts oces. Such rules (5) The ri ght to self-organization s hall not be denied
reduced by the Supreme Court, twelve months for a ll however shall not diminish, i ncrease, or modify to government employees.
l ower collegiate courts, and three months for all other s ubstantive ri ghts.
l ower courts. (6) Temporary employees of the Government shall be
SECTION 7. Ea ch Commission shall decide by a gi ven s uch protection as may be provi ded by l aw.
(2) A ca s e or ma tter shall be deemed submitted for ma jority vote of all i ts Members any case or ma tter
deci sion or resolution upon the ling of the last brought before i t within sixty da ys from the date of its SECTION 3. The Ci vi l Service Commission, as the
pending, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules s ubmission for decision or resolution. A ca se or centra l personnel agency of the Government, shall
of Court or by the court i tself. ma tter i s deemed submitted for decision or es tablish a career s ervice a nd a dopt measures to
res olution upon the ling of the last pleading, brief, or promote morale, eciency, i ntegrity, responsiveness,
(3) Upon the expiration of the corresponding period, memorandum required by the rules of the progressiveness, and courtesy i n the ci vil servi ce. It
a certi cation to this effect s igned by the Chief Justice Commi ssion or by the Commission i tself. Unless s ha ll s trengthen the merit and rewards s ystem,
or the presiding judge shall forthwith be issued a nd a otherwise provi ded by this Constitution or by law, any i ntegrate all human resources development programs
copy thereof a ttached to the record of the case or deci sion, order, or ruling of each Commission may be for a l l l evels a nd ranks, and institutionalize a
ma tter, a nd served upon the parties. The certication brought to the Supreme Court on certiorari by the ma nagement climate conducive to public
s ha ll s tate why a decision or resolution has not been a ggri eved party wi thin thirty da ys from receipt of a a ccountability. It s hall s ubmit to the President and the
rendered or i ssued within s aid period. Congress a n annual report on its personnel programs.
copy thereof.
(4) Des pite the expiration of the a pplicable SECTION 8. Ea ch Commission shall perform such SECTION 4. Al l public ocers and employees s hall ta ke
ma ndatory period, the court, without prejudice to other functions as may be provided by l aw. a n oa th or a rmation to uphold and defend this
s uch responsibility a s may have been i ncurred i n Cons ti tution.
cons equence thereof, s hall decide or resolve the case B. The Ci vi l Servi ce Commission
or ma tter s ubmitted thereto for determination, SECTION 5. The Congress shall provide for the
wi thout further delay. SECTION 1. (1) The Ci vi l Service shall be administered s ta ndardization of compensation of government
by the Ci vi l Service Commission composed of a oci a ls a nd employees, i ncluding those i n government-
SECTION 16. The Supreme Court s hall, within thirty Cha i rman a nd two Commissioners who shall be owned or controlled corporations wi th original
da ys from the opening of each regular session of the na tural-born citizens of the Philippines a nd, at the cha rters, ta king into account the nature of the
Congress, s ubmit to the President and the Congress ti me of their appointment, a t least thirty-ve years of res ponsibilities pertaining to, a nd the qualications
a n a nnual report on the operations a nd a ctivities of a ge, with proven ca pacity for public administration, requi red for their positions.
the Judiciary. a nd must not have been candidates for a ny elective
pos ition in the elections immediately preceding their SECTION 6. No ca ndidate who has l ost in any election
ARTICLE IX a ppointment. s ha ll, within one year a fter s uch election, be
a ppointed to a ny oce i n the Government or any
Cons ti tutional Commissions (2) The Cha irman and the Commissioners s hall be government-owned or controlled corporations or i n
A. Common Provi sions a ppointed by the President with the consent of the a ny of their s ubsidiaries.
Commi ssion on Appointments for a term of seven
SECTION 1. The Constitutional Commissions, which yea rs without reappointment. Of those rs t appointed, SECTION 7. No el ective ocial shall be eligible for
s ha ll be i ndependent, a re the Ci vil Servi ce the Cha irman shall hold oce for s even years, a a ppointment or designation i n a ny ca pacity to a ny
Commi ssion, the Commission on Elections, a nd the Commi ssioner for ve years, a nd a nother public oce or position during his tenure.
Commi ssion on Audit. Commi ssioner for three years, without Unl ess otherwise allowed by l aw or by the primary
rea ppointment. Appointment to a ny va cancy s hall be functi ons of his position, no a ppointive ocial s hall
SECTION 2. No Member of a Constitutional onl y for the unexpired term of the predecessor. In no
Commi ssion s hall, during his tenure, hold any other ca s e s hall a ny Member be appointed or designated i n hol d any other oce or employment in the
oce or employment. Neither s hall he engage i n the a temporary or a cting capacity. Government or any s ubdivision, a gency or
i ns trumentality thereof, i ncluding government-owned
pra cti ce of any profession or i n the a ctive
or control led corporations or their s ubsidiaries.
ma nagement or control of any business which in any
wa y be a ffected by the functions of his oce, nor s hall SECTION 2. (1) The ci vi l service embraces all branches, SECTION 8. No el ective or appointive public ocer or
he be nancially i nterested, directly or i ndirectly, in any s ubdivisions, i nstrumentalities, and agencies of the empl oyee s hall receive a dditional, double, or i ndirect
contra ct wi th, or i n a ny fra nchise or privilege granted Government, including government-owned or compensation, unless specically a uthorized by law,
by the Government, a ny of i ts s ubdivisions, a gencies, control led corporations with original charters. nor a ccept without the consent of the Congress, any
or i ns trumentalities, i ncluding government-owned or
control led corporations or their s ubsidiaries.
25
pres ent, emolument, oce, or ti tle of a ny kind from (5) Regi ster, after s ucient publication, political parties, repl y, i ncluding reasonable, equal ra tes therefor, for
a ny foreign government. orga nizations, or coalitions which, i n addition to other public i nformation ca mpaigns and forums a mong
requi rements, must present their platform or ca ndidates in connection with the objective of
Pens ions or gra tuities s hall not be considered as progra m of government; a nd a ccredit ci tizens’ a rms hol ding free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible
a dditional, double, or indirect compensation. of the Commission on Elections. Religious el ections.
C. The Commission on Elections denominations a nd sects shall not be registered.
Thos e which seek to achieve their goals through SECTION 5. No pa rdon, amnesty, parole, or
SECTION 1. (1) There s hall be a Commission on vi ol ence or unlawful means, or refuse to uphold and s us pension of sentence for vi olation of election laws,
El ections composed of a Chairman a nd six a dhere to this Constitution, or which are supported rul es, and regulations s hall be gra nted by the
Commi ssioners who s hall be natural-born citizens of by a ny forei gn government shall likewise be refused Pres i dent without the fa vorable recommendation of
the Phi lippines a nd, a t the time of their a ppointment, regi stration. the Commission.
a t l east thirty-ve years of age, holders of a college SECTION 6. A free a nd open party s ystem shall be
degree, a nd must not have been ca ndidates for any Fi nancial contributions from foreign governments and a l lowed to evolve a ccording to the free choice of the
thei r a gencies to political parties, organizations,
el ective position i n the immediately preceding people, subject to the provisions of this Arti cle.
el ections. However, a majority thereof, including the coa l itions, or ca ndidates related to elections
Cha i rman, shall be Members of the Philippine Bar cons titute interference in national a ffairs, a nd, when SECTION 7. No votes cast i n favor of a political party,
who ha ve been engaged in the practice of l aw for a t a ccepted, s hall be a n a dditional ground for the orga nization, or coalition shall be va lid, except for
l east ten years. ca ncellation of their registration with the thos e registered under the party-list system as
Commi ssion, i n a ddition to other penalties that may provi ded in this Constitution.
(2) The Cha irman and the Commissioners s hall be be prescribed by law.
a ppointed by the President with the consent of the SECTION 8. Pol i tical parties, or organizations or
Commi ssion on Appointments for a term of seven (6) Fi l e, upon a veried complaint, or on i ts own coa l itions registered under the party-list s ystem, s hall
i ni tiative, petitions i n court for inclusion or exclusion
yea rs without reappointment. Of those rs t appointed, not be represented i n the voters’ registration boards,
three Members s hall hold oce for s even years, two of voters ; i nvestigate and, where a ppropriate, boa rds of election i nspectors, boards of ca nvassers,
pros ecute cases of vi olations of election laws,
Members for ve years, and the last Members for or other s imilar bodies. However, they s hall be
three years, without reappointment. Appointment to i ncl uding a cts or omissions constituting election enti tled to a ppoint poll watchers in accordance with
a ny va ca ncy shall be only for the unexpired term of fra uds, offenses, and malpractices. l a w.
the predecessor. In no case s hall a ny Member be (7) Recommend to the Congress effective measures SECTION 9. Unl ess otherwise xed by the Commission
a ppointed or designated in a temporary or a cting to mi nimize election s pending, i ncluding l imitation of i n s pecial cases, the election period s hall commence
ca pa city. pl a ces where propaganda materials shall be posted, ni nety da ys before the day of the election and shall
SECTION 2. The Commission on Elections shall a nd to prevent a nd penalize all forms of election end thirty da ys after.
fra uds, offenses, malpractices, and nuisance
exerci se the following powers a nd functions:
ca ndidacies. SECTION 10. Bona de candidates for a ny public oce
(1) Enforce a nd administer a ll laws a nd regulations s ha ll be free from a ny form of harassment and
rel a tive to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, (8) Recommend to the President the removal of a ny di s crimination.
ocer or employee it has deputized, or the i mposition
i ni tiative, referendum, and recall.
of a ny other disciplinary a ction, for vi olation or SECTION 11. Funds certied by the Commission as
(2) Exerci s e excl usive original jurisdiction over a ll di s regard of, or disobedience to i ts directive, order, or necessary to defray the expenses for holding regular
contests relating to the elections, returns, a nd deci sion. a nd s pecial elections, plebiscites, initiatives,
qua lications of all elective regional, provincial, and referenda, a nd recalls, s hall be provided in the regular
(9) Submi t to the President and the Congress a
ci ty oci a ls, a nd a ppellate jurisdiction over a ll contests or s pecial appropriations a nd, once approved, shall be
comprehensive report on the conduct of each
i nvol ving elective municipal ocials decided by tri al rel eased automatically upon certication by the
el ection, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, or recall. Cha i rman of the Commission.
courts of general jurisdiction, or involving elective
ba ra ngay ocials decided by tri al courts of l imited SECTION 3. The Commission on Elections may s it en D. Commi ssion on Audit
juri s diction. ba nc or i n two divisions, and shall promulgate i ts rules
Deci sions, nal orders, or rulings of the Commission on of procedure i n order to expedite disposition of SECTION 1. (1) There s hall be a Commission on Audit
el ection contests i nvolving elective municipal a nd el ection cases, i ncluding pre-proclamation composed of a Chairman and two Commissioners,
ba ra ngay oces shall be nal, executory, a nd not controversies. All s uch election cases shall be heard who s hall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines
a nd decided in division, provided that motions for a nd, a t the time of their a ppointment, at l east
a ppealable.
reconsideration of decisions s hall be decided by the thi rtyve yea rs of age, certied public accountants with
(3) Deci de, except those involving the ri ght to vote, all Commi ssion en banc. not l ess than ten years of a uditing experience, or
questions a ffecting elections, including determination members of the Philippine Bar who have been
of the number a nd l ocation of polling places, SECTION 4. The Commission may, during the election enga ged in the practice of law for a t l east ten years,
a ppointment of election ocials a nd i nspectors, and peri od, supervise or regulate the enjoyment or a nd must not have been candidates for a ny elective
uti l ization of all fra nchises or permits for the
regi stration of voters. pos ition in the elections immediately preceding their
opera tion of transportation a nd other public utilities, a ppointment. At no time shall all Members of the
(4) Deputize, with the concurrence of the President, media of communication or i nformation, all grants, Commi ssion belong to the same profession.
l a w enforcement a gencies a nd i nstrumentalities of s pecial privileges, or concessions granted by the
the Government, including the Armed Forces of the Government or any s ubdivision, a gency, or (2) The Cha irman and the Commissioners s hall be
Phi l ippines, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring i ns trumentality thereof, i ncluding any government- a ppointed by the President with the consent of the
free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections. owned or controlled corporation or its s ubsidiary. Commi ssion on Appointments for a term of seven
Such s upervision or regulation shall aim to ensure yea rs without reappointment. Of those rs t appointed,
equal opportunity, ti me, a nd s pace, and the ri ght to the Cha irman shall hold oce for s even years, one

26
Commi ssioner for ve years, a nd the other General Provisions or i ts boundary s ubstantially a ltered, except in
Commi ssioner for three years, without a ccordance with the cri teria established in the Local
rea ppointment. Appointment to a ny va cancy s hall be SECTION 1. The terri torial and political subdivisions of Government Code a nd s ubject to a pproval by a
onl y for the unexpired portion of the term of the the Republic of the Philippines are the provinces, ma jority of the votes cast i n a plebiscite in the
predecessor. In no case s hall a ny Member be ci ti es, municipalities, and barangays. There s hall be pol itical units directly a ffected.
a ppointed or designated in a temporary or a cting a utonomous regions in Muslim Mi ndanao and the
ca pa city. Cordi lleras as hereinafter provided. SECTION 11. The Congress may, by l aw, create special
metropolitan political subdivisions, subject to a
SECTION 2. (1) The Commission on Audit shall have SECTION 2. The terri torial and political subdivisions pl ebiscite as set forth i n Section 10 hereof. The
the power, a uthority, a nd duty to examine, a udit, and s ha ll enjoy l ocal a utonomy. component ci ties a nd municipalities shall retain their
s ettle a ll a ccounts pertaining to the revenue a nd SECTION 3. The Congress shall enact a l ocal ba s ic autonomy a nd s hall be entitled to their own
recei pts of, and expenditures or uses of funds and government code which shall provi de for a more l oca l executives and legislative assemblies. The
property, owned or held i n trust by, or pertaining to, res ponsive and accountable l ocal government juri s diction of the metropolitan a uthority that will
the Government, or any of its subdivisions, a gencies, hereby be created s hall be limited to basic s ervices
s tructure instituted through a system of
or i ns trumentalities, i ncluding government-owned or decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, requi ring coordination.
control led corporations with original charters, and on i ni tiative, and referendum, allocate among the
a pos t-audit basis: (a) constitutional bodies, SECTION 12. Ci ti es that a re highly urbanized, as
di fferent local government units their powers,
commi ssions and oces that have been granted scal res ponsibilities, a nd resources, a nd provide for the determined by l aw, and component cities whose
a utonomy under this Constitution; (b) autonomous qua lications, election, appointment a nd removal, cha rters prohibit their voters from voting for
s ta te colleges a nd universities; (c) other provi ncial elective ocials, s hall be i ndependent of the
term, s a laries, powers and functions a nd duties of provi nce. The voters of component ci ties within a
governmentowned or controlled corporations a nd l oca l ocials, and all other matters relating to the
thei r s ubsidiaries; a nd (d) such non-governmental provi nce, whose charters contain no s uch prohibition,
orga nization and operation of the l ocal units. s ha ll not be deprived of their ri ght to vote for elective
enti ties receiving s ubsidy or equity, directly or
i ndirectly, from or through the Government, which SECTION 4. The Pres ident of the Philippines shall provi ncial ocials.
a re required by law or the granting i nstitution to exerci se general s upervision over l ocal governments. SECTION 13. Loca l government units may group
s ubmit to such audit as a condition of subsidy or Provi nces with respect to component ci ties a nd thems elves, consolidate or coordinate their efforts,
equity. However, where the i nternal control system of muni cipalities, and cities and municipalities wi th s ervi ces, and resources for purposes commonly
the a udited a gencies i s inadequate, the Commission res pect to component barangays shall ensure that the benecial to them in a ccordance with l aw.
ma y a dopt s uch measures, i ncluding temporary or a cts of their component units are within the scope of
s pecial pre-audit, as a re necessary a nd appropriate to thei r prescribed powers and functions. SECTION 14. The Pres ident s hall provide for regional
correct the deciencies. It s hall keep the general development councils or other similar bodies
a ccounts of the Government and, for s uch period a s SECTION 5. Ea ch l ocal government unit shall have the composed of l ocal government ocials, regional heads
ma y be provided by l aw, preserve the vouchers and power to create i ts own s ources of revenues and to of departments and other government oces, and
other s upporting papers pertaining thereto. l evy ta xes, fees, and charges s ubject to s uch representatives from non-governmental
gui delines a nd limitations as the Congress may orga nizations within the regions for purposes of
(2) The Commission s hall have exclusive a uthority, provi de, consistent with the basic policy of local a dministrative decentralization to s trengthen the
s ubject to the l imitations in this Arti cle, to dene the a utonomy. Such ta xes, fees, a nd charges shall accrue a utonomy of the units therein and to accelerate the
s cope of i ts a udit a nd examination, establish the excl usively to the l ocal governments. economic a nd social growth a nd development of the
techniques and methods required therefor, and
promulgate accounting a nd a uditing rules a nd SECTION 6. Loca l government units s hall have a just uni ts i n the region.
regul ations, including those for the prevention and s ha re, as determined by l aw, i n the national taxes Autonomous Region
di s allowance of irregular, unnecessary, excessive, whi ch shall be automatically released to them.
extra va gant, or unconscionable expenditures, or uses SECTION 7. Loca l governments shall be entitled to an SECTION 15. There s hall be created a utonomous
of government funds a nd properties. regi ons in Muslim Mindanao a nd i n the Cordilleras
equitable s hare in the proceeds of the utilization a nd cons isting of provinces, ci ties, municipalities, and
SECTION 3. No l a w shall be passed exempting any development of the national wealth wi thin their geogra phical a reas sharing common and distinctive
enti ty of the Government or its subsidiary in any guise res pective a reas, i n the manner provided by l aw, hi s torical and cultural heritage, economic a nd s ocial
wha tever, or a ny i nvestment of public funds, from the i ncl uding s haring the same with the inhabitants by s tructures, a nd other relevant characteristics within
juri s diction of the Commission on Audit. wa y of di rect benets. the fra mework of this Constitution and the national

SECTION 4. The Commission s hall s ubmit to the SECTION 8. The term of oce of elective local ocials, s overeignty a s well as territorial i ntegrity of the
Republic of the Philippines.
Pres i dent a nd the Congress, wi thin the time xed by except barangay ocials, which s hall be determined by
l a w, a n annual report covering the nancial condition l a w, shall be three years and no s uch ocial shall serve SECTION 16. The Pres ident s hall exercise general
a nd operation of the Government, i ts s ubdivisions, for more tha n three consecutive terms. Voluntary s upervision over a utonomous regions to ensure that
a gencies, a nd i nstrumentalities, including renunciation of the oce for any length of ti me shall the l a ws are faithfully executed.
government-owned or controlled corporations, and not be considered as a n i nterruption i n the continuity
nongovernmental entities s ubject to i ts audit, a nd of hi s s ervice for the full term for which he was SECTION 17. Al l powers, functions, a nd
recommend measures necessary to i mprove their el ected. res ponsibilities not granted by this Constitution or by
effectiveness a nd eciency. It s hall s ubmit such other SECTION 9. Legi slative bodies of l ocal governments l a w to the a utonomous regions s hall be vested in the
reports as may be required by l aw. Na ti onal Government.
s ha ll have s ectoral representation a s may be
ARTICLE X pres cribed by law. SECTION 18. The Congress shall enact an organic a ct
for ea ch autonomous region with the assistance a nd
Loca l Government SECTION 10. No provi nce, ci ty, municipality, or pa rti cipation of the regional consultative commission
ba ra ngay may be created, divi ded, merged, abolished, composed of representatives a ppointed by the

27
Pres i dent from a l ist of nominees from multisectoral
bodi es. The organic act s hall dene the basic s tructure
of government for the region consisting of the
executive department and legislative assembly, both
of whi ch shall be elective a nd representative of the
cons tituent political units. The organic a cts shall
l i kewise provi de for special courts with personal,
fa mi ly, and property l aw jurisdiction consistent with
the provi sions of this Constitution and national laws.
SECTION 2. The Pres ident, the Vice -President, the
Members of the Supreme Court, the Members of the
Cons ti tutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman
ma y be removed from oce, on i mpeachment for, a nd
convi cti on of, culpable vi olation of the Constitution,
trea s on, bribery, graft a nd corruption, other high
cri mes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public
ocers a nd employees may be removed from oce as
provi ded by law, but not by impeachment.
exerci se its jurisdiction as now or hereafter may be
provi ded by law.
SECTION 5. There is hereby created the i ndependent
Oce of the Ombudsman, composed of the
Ombudsman to be known as Tanodbayan, one overall
Deputy a nd at least one Deputy each for Luzon,
Vi s ayas, and Mi ndanao. A s eparate Deputy for the
mi l itary establishment may l ikewise be a ppointed.

The crea tion of the autonomous region shall be SECTION 3. (1) The House of Representatives shall SECTION 6. The oci als a nd employees of the Oce of
effective when a pproved by majority of the votes cast ha ve the exclusive power to i nitiate all cases of the Ombudsman, other than the Deputies, shall be
by the cons tituent units i n a plebiscite called for the i mpeachment. a ppointed by the Ombudsman a ccording to the Ci vil
purpose, provided that only provinces, cities, and Servi ce Law.
geogra phic areas voting favorably i n s uch plebiscite (2) A veri ed complaint for impeachment may be led
s ha ll be i ncluded in the autonomous region. by a ny Member of the House of Representatives or by SECTION 7. The existing Tanodbaya n shall hereafter
a ny ci ti zen upon a resolution of endorsement by a ny be known as the Oce of the Special Pros ecutor. It shall
SECTION 19. The rs t Congress elected under this Member thereof, which s hall be i ncluded in the Order conti nue to function and exercise i ts powers as now
Cons ti tution s hall, within eighteen months from the of Bus iness within ten s ession days, a nd referred to or hereafter may be provided by l aw, except those
ti me of organization of both Houses, pass the organic the proper Committee within three s ession days conferred on the Oce of the Ombudsman created
a cts for the a utonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao thereafter. The Committee, a fter hearing, a nd by a under this Constitution.
a nd the Cordilleras. ma jority vote of all i ts Members, shall submit i ts SECTION 8. The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall be
report to the House within sixty s ession days from
SECTION 20. Wi thi n its territorial jurisdiction and na tural-born citizens of the Philippines, a nd at the
s uch referral, together with the corresponding
s ubject to the provisions of this Constitution and ti me of their appointment, a t least forty years old, of
res olution. The resolution shall be calendared for
na ti onal laws, the organic a ct of autonomous regions cons ideration by the House within ten s ession days recognized probity a nd i ndependence, and members
of the Phi lippine Bar, a nd must not have been
s ha ll provide for l egislative powers over: from receipt thereof. ca ndidates for any elective oce in the immediately
(1) Admi nistrative organization; (3) A vote of a t l east one-third of all the Members of preceding election. The Ombudsman must have for
the House shall be necessary either to a rm a ten yea rs or more been a judge or engaged i n the
(2) Crea ti on of sources of revenues;
fa vora ble resolution with the Arti cles of Impeachment pra cti ce of law in the Philippines.
(3) Ances tral domain and natural resources; of the Committee, or override i ts contrary resolution. Duri ng their tenure, they s hall be s ubject to the same
The vote of each Member s hall be recorded.
(4) Pers onal, family, and property relations; di s qualications and prohibitions a s provided for in
(4) In ca s e the veried complaint or resolution of Secti on 2 of Arti cle IX-A of this Constitution.
(5) Regi onal urban and rural planning development; i mpeachment is led by at l east one-third of all the
SECTION 9. The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall be
Members of the House, the same shall constitute the a ppointed by the President from a list of a t least six
(6) Economic, s ocial, a nd tourism development;
Arti cl es of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall nomi nees prepared by the Judicial a nd Bar Council,
(7) Educa tional policies; forthwi th proceed. a nd from a l ist of three nominees for every va cancy
thereafter. Such appointments s hall require no
(8) Pres ervation and development of the cultural (5) No i mpeachment proceedings shall be initiated
a ga inst the same ocial more than once within a conrma tion. All va cancies s hall be l led within three
heri tage; and
peri od of one year. months a fter they occur.
(9) Such other matters as may be a uthorized by law
for the promotion of the general welfare of the (6) The Senate s hall have the sole power to try a nd SECTION 10. The Ombudsman and his Deputies s hall
deci de a ll ca ses of impeachment. When s itting for ha ve the ra nk of Chairman a nd Me mbers,
people of the region.
tha t purpose, the Senators s hall be on oath or res pectively, of the Constitutional Commissions, and
SECTION 21. The preservation of peace a nd order a rma tion. When the President of the Philippines i s on they s hall receive the same salary, which shall not be
wi thin the regions s hall be the responsibility of the tri a l, the Chi ef Justice of the Supreme Court shall decreased during their term of oce.
l oca l police agencies which s hall be organized, pres ide, but shall not vote. No person shall be
ma i ntained, supervised, and utilized i n a ccordance convi cted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all SECTION 11. The Ombudsman and his Deputies s hall
s erve for a term of seven years without
wi th a pplicable laws. The defense a nd s ecurity of the the Members of the Senate.
rea ppointment. They s hall not be qualied to run for
regi ons shall be the responsibility of the National
(7) Judgment i n cases of i mpeachment shall not a ny oce i n the election i mmediately s ucceeding their
Government.
ces sation from oce.
extend further than removal from oce and
ARTICLE XI di s qualication to hold a ny oce under the Republic of SECTION 12. The Ombudsman and his Deputies, as
the Phi lippines, but the party convi cted shall
Accounta bility of Public Ocers protectors of the people, s hall a ct promptly on
nevertheless be l iable a nd s ubject to prosecution, compl aints led i n a ny form or manner against public
SECTION 1. Publ ic oce i s a public trust. Public ocers tri a l, a nd punishment according to law. oci a ls or employees of the Government, or a ny
a nd employees must a t all times be accountable to s ubdivision, agency or i nstrumentality thereof,
(8) The Congress s hall promulgate its rules on
the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, i ncl uding government-owned or controlled
i ntegrity, l oyalty, a nd eciency, a ct with patriotism and i mpeachment to effectively ca rry out the purpose of corpora tions, a nd s hall, i n a ppropriate cases, notify
thi s section.
jus ti ce, and lead modest lives. the complainants of the a ction ta ken and the result
SECTION 4. The present a nti-graft court known as the thereof.
Sa ndiganbaya n shall continue to function a nd
28
SECTION 13. The Oce of the Ombudsman shall have Ca bi net, the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the renewable for not more than twenty-ve years, and
the fol lowing powers, functions, a nd duties: Cons ti tutional Commissions, the Ombudsman, or to under
a ny rm or enti ty i n which they have controlling
(1) Inves tigate on i ts own, or on complaint by a ny i nterest, during their tenure. s uch terms and conditions as may be provi ded by law.
pers on, any act or omission of any public ocial, In ca s es of water ri ghts for i rrigation, water supply,
empl oyee, oce or a gency, when s uch act or omission SECTION 17. A public ocer or employee shall, upon s heries, or industrial uses other than the
a ppears to be illegal, unjust, i mproper, or inecient. a s sumption of oce and as often thereafter a s may be development of water power, benecial use may be
requi red by l aw, s ubmit a declaration under oath of the measure a nd limit of the grant.
(2) Di rect, upon complaint or a t its own instance, a ny hi s assets, l iabilities, a nd net worth. In the case of the
public ocial or employee of the Government, or a ny Pres i dent, the Vi ce-President, the Members of the The Sta te s hall protect the nation’s marine wealth in
s ubdivision, agency or i nstrumentality thereof, as well Ca bi net, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the i ts a rchipelagic wa ters, territorial sea, a nd exclusive
a s of a ny government-owned or controlled Cons ti tutional Commissions and other constitutional economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment
corpora tion with original charter, to perform a nd oces , a nd ocers of the armed forces with general or excl usively to Filipino citizens.
expedite any a ct or duty required by l aw, or to s top, a g ra nk, the declaration shall be disclosed to the
prevent, a nd correct any a buse or impropriety i n the public i n the manner provided by l aw. The Congress may, by l aw, allow small-scale
performance of duties. uti l ization of natural resources by Filipino citizens, as
wel l as cooperative sh farming, with priority to
SECTION 18. Publ ic ocers a nd employees owe the
(3) Di rect the ocer concerned to ta ke appropriate Sta te a nd this Constitution allegiance a t all times, and s ubsistence shermen and shworkers in rivers, l akes,
a cti on a gainst a public ocial or employee a t fault, and a ny public ocer or employee who s eeks to change his ba ys , a nd lagoons.
recommend his removal, suspension, demotion, ne, ci ti zenship or acquire the status of an immigrant of
cens ure, or prosecution, and ensure compliance The Pres ident may enter into a greements with
a nother country during his tenure s hall be dealt with forei gn-owned corporations i nvolvi ng either technical
therewith. by l a w. or na ncial assistance for large-scale exploration,
(4) Di rect the ocer concerned, in any appropriate ARTICLE XII development, and utilization of minerals, petroleum,
ca s e, a nd subject to s uch limitations as may be a nd other mineral oils a ccording to the general terms
provi ded by law, to furnish it with copies of Na ti onal Economy a nd Pa trimony a nd conditions provided by l aw, based on real
documents relating to contracts or tra nsactions contri butions to the economic growth a nd general
entered into by his oce involving the disbursement or SECTION 1. The goals of the national economy a re a wel fare of the country. In such a greements, the State
us e of public funds or properties, and report a ny more equitable distribution of opportunities, i ncome, s ha ll promote the development a nd use of local
i rregularity to the Commission on Audit for a nd wealth; a s ustained increase i n the amount of s ci entic and technical resources.
goods a nd s ervices produced by the nation for the
a ppropriate action.
benet of the people; and an expanding productivity as The Pres ident s hall notify the Congress of every
(5) Request any government agency for a ssistance the key to ra ising the quality of l ife for a ll, especially contra ct entered i nto i n a ccordance with this
a nd i nformation necessary i n the discharge of its the underprivileged. provi sion, within thirty da ys from i ts execution.
res ponsibilities, a nd to examine, if necessary,
The Sta te s hall promote industrialization and full SECTION 3. La nds of the public domain are cl assied
perti nent records a nd documents.
empl oyment based on s ound a gricultural i nto a gricultural, forest or ti mber, mineral lands, and
(6) Publ icize matters covered by i ts investigation development and a grarian reform, through industries na ti onal parks. Agricultural lands of the public domain
when ci rcumstances s o warrant and with due tha t ma ke full and ecient use of human a nd natural ma y be further classied by l aw a ccording to the uses
prudence. res ources, a nd which a re competitive in both whi ch they ma y be devoted. Alienable l ands of the
domestic and foreign markets. However, the State public domain s hall be limited to a gricultural l ands.
(7) Determine the ca uses of i neciency, red tape, s ha ll protect Filipino enterprises against unfair foreign Pri va te corporations or a ssociations may not hold
mi s management, fraud, and corruption i n the competition a nd trade practices. s uch a lienable l ands of the public domain except by
Government and make recommendations for their l ease, for a period not exceeding twenty-ve years,
el imination a nd the observa nce of high standards of In the pursuit of these goals, all sectors of the renewable for not more than twenty-ve years, and
ethi cs and eciency. economy a nd all regions of the country s hall be given not to exceed one thousand hectares in a rea. Ci tizens
opti mum opportunity to develop. Pri vate enterprises, of the Phi lippines may l ease not more than ve
(8) Promul gate its rules of procedure and exercise i ncl uding corporations, cooperatives, and similar hundred hectares, or a cquire not more than twelve
s uch other powers or perform such functions or col l ective organizations, s hall be encouraged to
duti es as may be provided by l aw. hecta res thereof by purchase, homestead, or grant.
broa den the base of their ownership.
Ta ki ng into account the requirements of
SECTION 14. The Oce of the Ombudsman shall enjoy SECTION 2. Al l l ands of the public domain, waters,
s ca l a utonomy. Its approved annual appropriations mi nerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all cons erva tion, ecology, a nd development, a nd s ubject
s ha ll be a utomatically a nd regularly released. to the requirements of a grarian reform, the Congress
forces of potential energy, s heries, forests or ti mber, s ha ll determine, by l aw, the s ize of lands of the public
wi l dlife, ora and fauna, a nd other natural resources doma in which may be a cquired, developed, held, or
SECTION 15. The ri ght of the State to recover
a re owned by the State. With the exception of l eased a nd the conditions therefor.
properties unlawfully a cquired by public ocials or
a gri cultural lands, all other natural resources s hall not
empl oyees, from them or from their nominees or
tra ns ferees, s hall not be barred by prescription, be a lienated. The exploration, development, and SECTION 4. The Congress shall, as s oon as p ossible,
l a ches, or estoppel. uti l ization of natural resources s hall be under the full determine by l aw the s pecic limits of forest lands a nd
control and supervision of the State. The State may na ti onal parks, marking clearly their boundaries on
SECTION 16. No l oa n, guaranty, or other form of di rectly undertake such activities, or it may enter into the ground. Thereafter, such forest l ands and national
na ncial accommodation for a ny business purpose may coproduction, joint venture, or production-sharing pa rks s hall be conserved a nd may not be i ncreased
be gra nted, directly or i ndirectly, by a ny government- a greements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or nor di minished, except by law. The Congress shall
owned or controlled bank or nancial institution to the a s sociations a t least sixty per centum of whose capital provi de, for s uch period as it ma y determine,
Pres i dent, the Vi ce-President, the Members of the i s owned by s uch ci tizens. Such a greements may be mea sures to prohibit logging in endangered forests
for a peri od not exceeding twenty-ve years, a nd watershed areas.
29
SECTION 5. The Sta te, subject to the provisions of this SECTION 11. No fra nchise, certicate, or a ny other tra ns fer to public ownership utilities and other
Cons ti tution a nd national development policies a nd form of a uthorization for the operation of a public pri va te enterprises to be operated by the
progra ms, shall protect the ri ghts of i ndigenous uti l ity shall be granted except to ci tizens of the Government.
cul tural communities to their a ncestral lands to Phi l ippines or to corporations or a ssociations
ens ure their economic, s ocial, and cultural well-being.orga nized under the laws of the Philippines at l east SECTION 19. The Sta te s hall regulate or prohibit
s i xty per centum of whose capital is owned by s uch monopolies when the public i nterest s o requires. No
The Congress may provide for the a pplicability of ci ti zens, nor shall such franchise, certicate, or combi nations i n restraint of tra de or unfair
cus tomary l aws governing property ri ghts or relations a uthorization be exclusive i n character or for a longer competition s hall be a llowed.
i n determining the ownership and extent of ancestral peri od than fty yea rs. Neither s hall a ny s uch franchise
doma in. SECTION 20. The Congress shall establish an
or ri ght be granted except under the condition that it i ndependent central monetary a uthority, the
s ha ll be s ubject to a mendment, alteration, or repeal members of whose governing board must be natural-
SECTION 6. The us e of property bears a social
functi on, and all economic agents s hall contribute to by the Congress when the common good so requires. born Fi lipino ci tizens, of known probity, i ntegrity, a nd
the common good. Individuals and private groups, The Sta te s hall encourage equity pa rticipation in pa tri otism, the majority of whom s hall come from the
public utilities by the general public. The participation pri va te s ector. They s hall also be subject to such
i ncl uding corporations, cooperatives, and similar
col l ective organizations, s hall have the right to own, of forei gn investors in the governing body of a ny other qualications a nd disabilities as may be
es tablish, a nd operate economic enterprises, subject public utility enterprise s hall be l imited to their pres cribed by law. The authority s hall provide policy
to the duty of the State to promote distributive proportionate share i n i ts ca pital, and all the di rection in the areas of money, banking, and credit.
jus ti ce and to intervene when the common good so executive and managing ocers of such corporation or It s hall have s upervision over the operations of banks
a s sociation must be citizens of the Philippines.
dema nds. a nd exercise such regulatory powers as may be
provi ded by law over the operations of nance
SECTION 7. Sa ve i n ca ses of hereditary s uccession, no SECTION 12. The Sta te s hall promote the preferential compa nies and other i nstitutions performing similar
pri va te l ands shall be tra nsferred or conveyed except us e of Filipino labor, domestic materials and locally functi ons.
to i ndividuals, corporations, or a ssociations qualied to produced goods, and adopt measures that help make
them competitive.
a cquire or hold lands of the public domain. Unti l the Congress otherwise provides, the Central
Ba nk of the Philippines, operating under existing laws,
SECTION 8. Notwi thstanding the provisions of Section SECTION 13. The Sta te s hall pursue a tra de policy that s ha ll function as the central monetary a uthority.
7 of thi s Arti cle, a natural-born citizen of the s erves the general welfare and utilizes all forms and
Phi l ippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship may a rra ngements of exchange on the basis of equality SECTION 21. Forei gn loans may only be i ncurred i n
be a tra nsferee of private lands, subject to l imitations a nd reciprocity. a ccordance with law and the regulation of the
provi ded by law. SECTION 14. The s ustained development of a monetary a uthority. Information on foreign l oans
obta ined or guaranteed by the Government shall be
SECTION 9. The Congress may establish a n res ervoir of national talents consisting of Filipino
ma de available to the public.
i ndependent economic and planning agency headed s ci entists, entrepreneurs, professionals, managers,
by the Pres ident, which shall, after consultations with hi gh-level technical manpower a nd s killed workers SECTION 22. Acts whi ch ci rcumvent or negate any of
a nd cra ftsmen i n all elds shall be promoted by the
the a ppropriate public a gencies, va rious private the provi sions of this Arti cle s hall be considered
s ectors, and l ocal government units, recommend to Sta te. The State s hall encourage a ppropriate i ni mical to the national interest a nd s ubject to
Congress, a nd i mplement continuing integrated and technology a nd regulate its transfer for the national cri mi nal a nd ci vil sanctions, a s may be provided by
benet.
coordi nated programs and policies for national l a w.
development. The pra ctice of all professions i n the Philippines shall ARTICLE XIII
Unti l the Congress provides otherwise, the National be l i mited to Filipino ci tizens, s ave in cases prescribed
Economic a nd Development Authority s hall function by l a w. Soci al Justice and Human Rights
a s the i ndependent planning agency of the SECTION 15. The Congress shall create an agency to SECTION 1. The Congress shall give highest priority to
government. promote the viability a nd growth of cooperatives as the enactment of measures that protect a nd enhance
SECTION 10. The Congress shall, upon i ns truments for social justice a nd economic the ri ght of all the people to human dignity, reduce
development. s oci al, economic, a nd political inequalities, and
recommendation of the economic a nd planning
a gency, when the national interest dictates, reserve SECTION 16. The Congress shall not, except by general remove cultural i nequities by equitably diffusing
wea lth a nd political power for the common good.
to ci ti zens of the Philippines or to corporations or l a w, provide for the formation, organization, or
a s sociations a t least sixty per centum of whose capital regul ation of private corporations. Government- To thi s end, the State shall regulate the a cquisition,
i s owned by s uch ci tizens, or s uch higher percentage owned or controlled corporations ma y be created or ownership, use, a nd disposition of property a nd i ts
a s Congress may prescribe, certain areas of es tablished by special charters in the interest of the i ncrements.
i nvestments. The Congress shall enact measures that common good and subject to the test of economic
wi l l encourage the formation and operation of vi a bility. SECTION 2. The promotion of social justice s hall
enterprises whose capital is wholly owned by i ncl ude the commitment to create economic
Fi l ipinos. SECTION 17. In ti mes of national emergency, when opportunities based on freedom of initiative a nd s elf-
the public i nterest s o requires, the State may, during rel iance.
In the gra nt of rights, privileges, a nd concessions the emergency a nd under reasonable terms
coveri ng the national economy a nd patrimony, the pres cribed by i t, temporarily ta ke over or direct the La bor
Sta te s hall give preference to qualied Filipinos. opera tion of any pri vately owned public utility or SECTION 3. The Sta te shall afford full protection to
The Sta te s hall regulate a nd exercise a uthority over bus iness affected with public i nterest. l a bor, l ocal and overseas, organized a nd unorganized,
forei gn investments within its national jurisdiction SECTION 18. The Sta te may, i n the i nterest of national a nd promote full employment and equality of
a nd i n a ccordance with i ts national goals and empl oyment opportunities for all.
wel fare or defense, establish and operate vi tal
pri ori ties. i ndustries and, upon payment of just compensation,
30
It s hall guarantee the rights of all workers to self- to the preferential use of l ocal marine and shing SECTION 14. The Sta te s hall protect working women
orga nization, collective bargaining and negotiations, res ources, both i nland and offshore. It shall provide by provi di ng s afe a nd healthful working conditions,
a nd peaceful concerted activities, including the right s upport to s uch s hermen through appropriate ta ki ng into a ccount their ma ternal functions, and such
to s tri ke i n accordance wi th law. They shall be technology a nd research, a dequate nancial, fa ci lities a nd opportunities that will enhance their
enti tled to s ecurity of tenure, humane conditions of production, and marketing a ssistance, and other wel fare and enable them to realize their full potential
work, a nd a livi ng wa ge. They s hall a lso participate i n s ervi ces. The State shall also protect, develop, a nd i n the servi ce of the nation.
pol icy a nd decision-making processes a ffecting their cons erve such resources. The protection s hall extend
Rol e and Rights of People’s Organizations
ri ghts and benets as may be provided by law. to offs hore s hing grounds of subsistence s hermen
a ga inst foreign intrusion. Fishworkers s hall receive a
The Sta te s hall promote the principle of s hared SECTION 15. The Sta te s hall respect the role of
jus t s hare from their labor in the utilization of marine i ndependent people’s organizations to enable the
res ponsibility between workers a nd employers a nd a nd s hing resources.
the preferential use of voluntary modes i n settling people to pursue a nd protect, within the democratic
di s putes, i ncluding conciliation, and shall enforce SECTION 8. The Sta te shall provide incentives to fra mework, their l egitimate and collective interests
thei r mutual compliance therewith to foster industrial l a ndowners to i nvest the proceeds of the a grarian a nd a spirations through peaceful and lawful means.
pea ce. reform program to promote i ndustrialization, Peopl e’s organizations are bona de associations of
empl oyment creation, a nd priva tization of public ci ti zens with demonstrated capacity to promote the
The Sta te s hall regulate the relations between s ector enterprises. Financial instruments used a s
workers a nd employers, recognizing the ri ght of labor pa yment for their lands shall be honored as equity i n public i nterest a nd with identiable l eadership,
to i ts just s hare in the fruits of production a nd the membership, and structure.
enterprises of their choice.
ri ght of enterprises to reasonable returns on SECTION 16. The ri ght of the people and their
i nvestments, and to expansion a nd growth. Urba n La nd Reform a nd Housing orga nizations to effective and reasonable
Agra ri an and Natural Resources Reform SECTION 9. The Sta te shall, by l aw, a nd for the pa rti cipation a t all levels of social, political, a nd
common good, undertake, in cooperation with the economic decision-making shall not be abridged. The
SECTION 4. The Sta te shall, by l aw, undertake a n public s ector, a continuing program of urban land Sta te s hall, by l aw, facilitate the establishment of
a gra rian reform program founded on the ri ght of reform a nd housing which will make available at a dequate consultation mechanisms.
fa rmers a nd regular fa rmworkers, who are landless, a ffordable cost decent housing and basic s ervices to
to own di rectly or collectively the lands they ti ll or, in underprivileged a nd homeless ci tizens i n urban Huma n Rights
the ca s e of other farmworkers, to receive a just s hare centers a nd resettlements a reas. It shall also promote SECTION 17. (1) There i s hereby created a n
of the frui ts thereof. To this end, the State s hall a dequate employment opportunities to s uch citizens. i ndependent oce called the Commission on Human
encourage and undertake the just distribution of a ll In the i mplementation of s uch program the State shall Ri ghts.
a gri cultural lands, subject to such priorities and res pect the ri ghts of s mall property owners.
rea s onable retention limits as the Congress may (2) The Commission s hall be composed of a Chairman
pres cribe, ta king i nto a ccount ecological, SECTION 10. Urba n or rural poor dwellers s hall not be a nd four Members who must be natural-born ci tizens
developmental, or equity considerations, a nd s ubject evi cted nor their dwellings demolished, except i n of the Phi lippines and a majority of whom s hall be
to the pa yment of just compensation. In determining a ccordance with law and i n a just and humane members of the Bar. The term of oce a nd other
retention limits, the State s hall respect the ri ght of ma nner. qua lications and disabilities of the Members of the
s ma ll landowners. The State s hall further provide Commi ssion s hall be provided by law.
i ncentives for voluntary l and-sharing. No res ettlement of urban or rural dwellers shall be
undertaken without adequate consultation with them (3) Unti l this Commission is constituted, the existing
SECTION 5. The Sta te shall recognize the right of a nd the communities where they a re to be relocated. Pres i dential Committee on Human Rights s hall
fa rmers, farmworkers, a nd l andowners, a s well as conti nue to exercise its present functions a nd powers.
cooperatives, and other i ndependent farmers’ Hea lth
orga nizations to participate i n the planning, (4) The a pproved annual a ppropriations of the
SECTION 11. The Sta te s hall a dopt an i ntegrated and Commi ssion s hall be a utomatically a nd regularly
orga nization, and management of the program, a nd comprehensive approach to health development
s ha ll provide s upport to a griculture through rel eased.
whi ch shall endeavor to make essential goods, health
a ppropriate technology a nd research, and adequate a nd other social servi ces a vailable to a ll the people at SECTION 18. The Commission on Human Rights s hall
na ncial, production, marketing, and other s upport a ffordable cost. There shall be priority for the needs ha ve the following powers a nd functions:
s ervi ces.
of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women,
SECTION 6. The Sta te shall apply the principles of a nd children. The State shall endeavor to provide free (1) Inves tigate, on its own or on complaint by a ny
pa rty, a l l forms of human rights vi olations involving
a gra rian reform or s tewardship, whenever applicable medi cal ca re to paupers. ci vi l and political ri ghts;
i n a ccordance with law, in the disposition or SECTION 12. The Sta te s hall establish a nd maintain an
uti l ization of other natural resources, including lands effective food and drug regulatory s ystem and (2) Adopt i ts operational guidelines and rules of
of the public domain under lease or concession undertake a ppropriate health manpower procedure, and cite for contempt for vi olations
s ui table to agriculture, s ubject to prior rights, development and research, responsive to the thereof i n a ccordance with the Rules of Court;
homestead ri ghts of small s ettlers, a nd the ri ghts of
country’s health needs a nd problems.
i ndigenous communities to their a ncestral lands. (3) Provi de a ppropriate legal measures for the
SECTION 13. The Sta te s hall establish a special agency protecti on of human ri ghts of all persons within the
The Sta te may resettle landless farmers and for di sabled persons for rehabilitation, Phi l ippines, as well as Filipinos residing a broad, and
fa rmworkers in i ts own agricultural estates which provi de for preventive measures a nd l egal aid
s elfdevelopment a nd s elf-reliance, a nd their
s ha ll be distributed to them i n the manner provi ded i ntegration i nto the mainstream of s ociety. s ervi ces to the underprivileged whose human ri ghts
by l a w. ha ve been vi olated or need protection;
Women
SECTION 7. The Sta te shall protect the rights of
s ubsistence shermen, especially of l ocal communities,
31
(4) Exerci s e visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or i ndependent, and out-of-school study programs Propri etary educational i nstitutions, i ncluding those
detention facilities; pa rti cularly those that respond to community needs; cooperatively owned, may likewise be entitled to
a nd s uch exemptions s ubject to the l imitations provided
(5) Es ta blish a continuing program of research, by l a w i ncluding restrictions on divi dends a nd
education, and information to enhance respect for (5) Provi de a dult ci tizens, the disabled, and out-of- provi sions for reinvestment.
the pri macy of human rights; s chool youth with training i n ci vics, vocational
eci ency, a nd other s kills. (4) Subject to conditions prescribed by l aw, all grants,
(6) Recommend to the Congress effective measures endowments, donations, or contributions used
to promote human rights a nd to provide for SECTION 3. (1) Al l educational i nstitutions s hall a ctua lly, di rectly, a nd exclusively for educational
compensation to vi ctims of vi olations of human i ncl ude the study of the Constitution as part of the purposes shall be exempt from ta x.
ri ghts , or their families; curri cula.
SECTION 5. (1) The Sta te s hall ta ke into a ccount
(7) Moni tor the Philippine Government’s compliance (2) They s hall inculcate patriotism a nd nationalism, regi onal and sectoral needs a nd conditions and shall
wi th i nternational treaty obligations on human ri ghts; fos ter love of humanity, respect for human rights, encourage local planning in the development of
a ppreciation of the role of national heroes in the educational policies and programs.
(8) Gra nt i mmunity from prosecution to any person hi s torical development of the country, teach the
whos e testimony or whose possession of documents ri ghts and duties of ci tizenship, strengthen ethical and (2) Aca demic freedom s hall be enjoyed i n all
or other evi dence is necessary or convenient to s pi ritual values, develop moral character a nd personal i ns titutions of higher l earning.
determine the truth in a ny i nvestigation conducted by di s cipline, encourage cri tical a nd creative thinking,
i t or under its authority; broa den s cientic a nd technological knowledge, a nd (3) Every ci ti zen has a ri ght to select a profession or
promote vocational eciency. cours e of s tudy, s ubject to fair, reasonable, and
(9) Request the assistance of a ny department, equitable a dmission a nd a cademic requirements.
burea u, oce, or a gency i n the performance of its (3) At the option expressed in writing by the parents
functi ons; or gua rdians, religion s hall be a llowed to be taught to (4) The Sta te s hall enhance the right of teachers to
professional advancement. Non-teaching academic
(10) Appoi nt i ts ocers a nd employees i n accordance thei r children or wards i n public elementary a nd high a nd non-academic personnel shall enjoy the
wi th l aw; a nd s chools within the regular class hours by i nstructors
des ignated or approved by the religious authorities of protecti on of the State.
(11) Perform s uch other duties and functions as may the rel igion to which the children or wards belong, (5) The Sta te s hall assign the highest budgetary
be provi ded by law. wi thout a dditional cost to the Government. pri ori ty to education and ensure that teaching will
SECTION 4. (1) The Sta te recognizes the a ttra ct a nd retain its rightful s hare of the best
SECTION 19. The Congress may provide for other
compl ementary roles of public and private a va ilable talents through a dequate remuneration and
ca s es of vi olations of human ri ghts that should fall
wi thin the authority of the Commission, ta king i nto i ns titutions in the educational system and shall other means of job satisfaction a nd fulllment.
a ccount its recommendations. exerci se reasonable supervision and regulation of all La nguage
educational i nstitutions.
ARTICLE XIV SECTION 6. The na tional language of the Philippines is
(2) Educa tional i nstitutions, other than those
Educa tion, Science a nd Technology, Arts , Cul ture, and es tablished by religious groups a nd mission boards, Fi l ipino. As it evolves, it s hall be further developed
Sports a nd enriched on the basis of existing Philippine a nd
s ha ll be owned s olely by ci tizens of the Philippines or other l anguages.
corpora tions or a ssociations a t least sixty per centum
Educa tion
of the ca pital of which is owned by s uch citizens. The Subject to provisions of l aw a nd as the Congress may
SECTION 1. The Sta te shall protect and promote the Congress may, however, require increased Filipino deem appropriate, the Government shall take steps
ri ght of a ll citizens to quality education a t all levels equity pa rticipation in all educational institutions. to i ni tiate a nd s ustain the use of Filipino a s a medium
a nd s hall ta ke a ppropriate steps to make such of oci al communication a nd a s language of i nstruction
education accessible to all. The control and administration of educational i n the educational s ystem.
i ns titutions shall be vested i n citizens of the
SECTION 2. The Sta te shall: Phi l ippines. SECTION 7. For purposes of communication a nd
i ns truction, the ocial languages of the Philippines a re
(1) Es ta blish, maintain, a nd s upport a complete, No educational i nstitution s hall be established Fi l ipino a nd, until otherwise provided by l aw, English.
a dequate, a nd i ntegrated s ystem of education excl usively for aliens a nd no group of aliens shall
rel evant to the needs of the people and society; compri se more than one-third of the enrollment i n The regional languages a re the auxiliary ocial
a ny s chool. The provisions of this s ubsection s hall not l a nguages in the regions a nd s hall s erve as a uxiliary
(2) Es ta blish a nd maintain a system of free public a pply to s chools established for foreign diplomatic media of i nstruction therein.
education in the elementary a nd high s chool l evels. pers onnel and their dependents and, unless
Wi thout l imiting the natural right of parents to rear otherwise provi ded by l aw, for other foreign Spa nish and Arabic s hall be promoted on a voluntary
thei r children, elementary education is compulsory temporary residents. a nd optional basis.
for a l l children of s chool a ge;
(3) Al l revenues a nd assets of non-stock, non-prot SECTION 8. Thi s Constitution s hall be promulgated i n
(3) Es ta blish a nd maintain a system of scholarship educational i nstitutions used actually, directly, a nd Fi l ipino a nd English and shall be translated i nto major
gra nts , student loan programs, s ubsidies, a nd other excl usively for educational purposes shall be exempt regi onal languages, Ara bic, and Spanish.
i ncentives which shall be available to deserving from ta xes a nd duties. Upon the dissolution or SECTION 9. The Congress shall establish a national
s tudents i n both public and private s chools, especially ces sation of the corporate existence of such
to the underprivileged; l a nguage commission composed of representatives of
i ns titutions, their assets s hall be disposed of i n the va ri ous regions a nd disciplines which shall undertake,
(4) Encoura ge non-formal, i nformal, a nd i ndigenous ma nner provided by l aw. coordi nate, a nd promote researches for the
l earning systems, as well a s self-learning,

32
development, propagation, a nd preserva tion of s cholarships, grants a nd other incentives, and SECTION 3. The Sta te may not be sued without its
Fi l ipino a nd other languages. community cultural centers, a nd other public venues. cons ent.

Sci ence and Technology (2) The Sta te s hall encourage a nd support researches SECTION 4. The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall
a nd s tudies on the a rts and culture. be composed of a citizen a rmed force which s hall
SECTION 10. Sci ence and technology a re essential for undergo military tra ining a nd serve, as may be
na ti onal development and progress. The State s hall Sports provi ded by law. It shall keep a regular force
gi ve pri ority to research a nd development, i nvention, necessary for the security of the State.
i nnovation, a nd their utilization; and to science a nd SECTION 19. (1) The Sta te s hall promote physical
technology education, training, a nd s ervices. It shall education and encourage s ports programs, league SECTION 5. (1) Al l members of the a rmed forces s hall
s upport i ndigenous, a ppropriate, and self-reliant competitions, a nd a mateur s ports, i ncluding tra ining ta ke a n oath or a rmation to uphold and defend this
for i nternational competitions, to foster s elfdiscipline, Cons ti tution.
s ci entic and technological capabilities, a nd their
a pplication to the country’s productive systems a nd tea mwork, and e xcellence for the development of a
na ti onal life. hea lthy a nd alert ci tizenry. (2) The Sta te s hall s trengthen the patriotic s pirit and
na ti onalist consciousness of the military, a nd respect
SECTION 11. The Congress may provide for i ncentives, (2) Al l educational institutions s hall undertake regular for people’s ri ghts in the performance of their duty.
i ncl uding ta x deductions, to encourage private s ports a ctivities throughout the country i n
pa rti cipation i n programs of basic a nd applied s cientic cooperation with athletic cl ubs and other s ectors. (3) Profes sionalism in the armed forces and adequate
res earch. Scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms remuneration and benets of i ts members shall be a
ARTICLE XV pri me concern of the State. The a rmed forces shall be
of i ncentives shall be provided to deserving s cience
s tudents, researchers, scientists, inventors, The Fa mily i ns ulated from partisan politics.
technologists, and specially gifted ci tizens.
SECTION 1. The Sta te recognizes the Filipino family as No member of the military s hall engage directly or
SECTION 12. The Sta te s hall regulate the tra nsfer and the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, i t shall i ndirectly i n a ny partisan political a ctivity, except to
promote the adaptation of technology from all s trengthen i ts solidarity a nd a ctively promote its total vote.
s ources for the national benet. It shall encourage the development. (4) No member of the a rmed forces i n the a ctive
wi dest participation of private groups, l ocal s ervi ce shall, a t any ti me, be appointed or designated
governments, a nd community-based organizations in SECTION 2. Ma rri a ge, a s an i nviolable s ocial
the generation a nd utilization of s cience and i ns titution, is the foundation of the family a nd shall i n a ny ca pacity to a civilian position i n the
be protected by the State. Government including government-owned or
technology. control led corporations or a ny of their s ubsidiaries.
SECTION 13. The Sta te s hall protect and secure the SECTION 3. The Sta te shall defend: (5) La ws on retirement of military ocers shall not
excl usive ri ghts of s cientists, inventors, artists, a nd
(1) The ri ght of spouses to found a fa mily i n a l low extension of their s ervice.
other gi fted citizens to their intellectual property a nd a ccordance with their religious convictions a nd the
crea ti ons, particularly when benecial to the people, dema nds of responsible parenthood; (6) The ocers a nd men of the regular force of the
for s uch period as may be provided by law. a rmed forces s hall be recruited proportionately from
(2) The ri ght of children to assistance, i ncluding a l l provinces and ci ties as far a s practicable.
Arts a nd Culture
proper ca re and nutrition, and special protection from
(7) The tour of duty of the Chief of Staff of the armed
SECTION 14. The Sta te s hall foster the preservation, a l l forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, a nd forces shall not exceed three years. However, in times
enri chment, a nd dynamic evolution of a Filipino other conditions prejudicial to their development;
of wa r or other national emergency declared by the
na ti onal culture based on the principle of unity i n (3) The ri ght of the family to a family l iving wage a nd Congress, the President may extend s uch tour of duty.
di versity i n a climate of free artistic and intellectual i ncome; a nd
expression. SECTION 6. The Sta te shall establish and maintain one
(4) The ri ght of families or fa mily associations to pol ice force, which shall be national in s cope a nd
SECTION 15. Arts a nd letters s hall enjoy the pa rti cipate in the planning and implementation of ci vi l ian in character, to be a dministered and
pa tronage of the State. The State shall conserve, pol icies and programs that affect them. control led by a national police commission. The
promote, and popularize the nation’s historical a nd a uthority of local executives over the police units in
cul tural heritage a nd resources, as well as artistic SECTION 4. The fa mily has the duty to ca re for i ts thei r jurisdiction s hall be provided by law.
crea ti ons. el derly members but the State may also do so
through just programs of social security. SECTION 7. The Sta te shall provide immediate a nd
SECTION 16. Al l the country’s artistic a nd historic a dequate ca re, benets, a nd other forms of assistance
wea lth constitutes the cultural treasure of the nation ARTICLE XVI to wa r vetera ns and veterans of military ca mpaigns,
a nd s hall be under the protection of the State which thei r s urvivi ng s pouses a nd orphans. Funds shall be
ma y regulate i ts disposition. General Provisions
provi ded therefor and due consideration shall be
SECTION 17. The Sta te s hall recognize, respect, and SECTION 1. The a g of the Philippines shall be red, gi ven them in the disposition of a gricultural l ands of
whi te, and blue, with a sun and three stars, as the public domain a nd, i n a ppropriate cases, in the
protect the ri ghts of indigenous cultural communities
to pres erve and develop their cultures, traditions, and cons ecrated and honored by the people a nd uti l ization of natural resources.
i ns titutions. It shall consider these rights i n the recognized by l aw.
SECTION 8. The Sta te shall, from ti me to time, review
formul ation of national plans and policies. SECTION 2. The Congress may, by l aw, adopt a new to upgra de the pensions and other benets due to
SECTION 18. (1) The Sta te s hall ensure equal a ccess to na me for the country, a national a nthem, or a reti rees of both the government and the private
cul tural opportunities through the educational na ti onal seal, which shall all be truly reective a nd s ectors.
s ys tem, public or private cultural entities, s ymbolic of the ideals, history, a nd tra ditions of the
people. Such law s hall ta ke effect only upon its
ra ti ca tion by the people in a national referendum.
33
SECTION 9. The Sta te shall protect consumers from The Congress shall provide for the implementation of SECTION 6. The i ncumbent President shall continue to
tra de malpractices and from s ubstandard or the exercise of this ri ght. exerci se legislative powers until the rst Congress is
ha za rdous products. convened.
SECTION 3. The Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds
SECTION 10. The Sta te s hall provide the policy of a l l its Members, call a constitutional convention, or SECTION 7. Unti l a law is passed, the President ma y ll
envi ronment for the full development of Filipino by a ma jority vote of all its Members, submit to the by a ppointment from a list of nominees by the
ca pa bility a nd the emergence of communication el ectorate the question of ca lling such a convention. res pective s ectors the seats reserved for s ectoral
s tructures s uitable to the needs and aspirations of the representation in paragraph (2), Section 5 of Article VI
na ti on a nd the balanced ow of information into, out SECTION 4. Any a mendment to, or revision of, this of thi s Constitution.
of, a nd a cross the country, i n accordance with a policy Cons ti tution under Section 1 hereof shall be valid
tha t res pects the freedom of s peech a nd of the press. when ra tied by a majority of the votes ca st in a SECTION 8. Unti l otherwise provided by the Congress,
pl ebiscite which s hall be held not earlier than sixty the Pres ident may constitute the Metropolitan
SECTION 11. (1) The ownership a nd management of da ys nor later than ninety da ys after the approval o f Authori ty to be composed of the heads of all local
ma s s media shall be limited to citizens of the s uch a mendment or revision. government units comprising the Metropolitan
Phi l ippines, or to corporations, cooperatives or Ma ni la area.
a s sociations, wholly-owned a nd managed by s uch Any a mendment under Section 2 hereof shall be valid
when ra tied by a majority of the votes ca st in a SECTION 9. A s ub-provi nce shall continue to exist a nd
ci ti zens.
pl ebiscite which s hall be held not earlier than sixty opera te until i t is converted i nto a regular province or
The Congress shall regulate or prohibit monopolies i n da ys nor later than ninety da ys after the certication unti l i ts component municipalities are reverted to the
commercial mass media when the public interest s o by the Commi ssion on El ections of the suciency of the mother province.
requi res. No combinations i n restraint of tra de or peti tion.
unfa ir competition therein s hall be a llowed. SECTION 10. Al l courts existing at the ti me of the
ARTICLE XVIII ra ti ca tion of this Constitution s hall continue to
(2) The a dvertising industry i s impressed with public exerci se their jurisdiction, until otherwise provided by
i nterest, and shall be regulated by law for the Tra ns itory Provi sions l a w. The provisions of the existing Rules of Court,
protecti on of consumers and the promotion of the SECTION 1. The rs t elections of Members of the judi ciary a cts, and procedural laws not inconsistent
general welfare. Congress under this Constitution shall be held on the wi th this Constitution s hall remain operative unless
a mended or repealed by the Supreme Court or the
Onl y Fi lipino citizens or corporations or associations s econd Monday of Ma y, 1987. Congress.
a t l east seventy per centum of the ca pital of which is The rs t l ocal elections shall be held on a date to be
owned by such ci tizens s hall be allowed to engage i n SECTION 11. The i ncumbent Members of the Judiciary
determined by the President, which may be
the a dvertising industry. s i multaneous wi th the election of the Members of the s ha ll continue i n oce until they reach the a ge of
s eventy yea rs or become incapacitated to discharge
The pa rticipation of foreign i nvestors in the governing Congress. It shall include the election of all Members the duties of their oce or a re removed for ca use.
body of entities i n such i ndustry s hall be limited to of the ci ty or municipal councils in the Metropolitan
thei r proportionate share i n the ca pital thereof, a nd Ma ni la area. SECTION 12. The Supreme Court s hall, within one year
a l l the executive and managing ocers of such entities SECTION 2. The Senators, Members of the House of a fter the ratication of this Constitution, a dopt a
mus t be citizens of the Philippines. s ys tematic plan to expedite the decision or resolution
Representatives, and the local ocials rs t elected under
of ca s es or matters pending i n the Supreme Court or
SECTION 12. The Congress may create a consultative thi s Constitution shall serve until noon of June 30,
1992. the l ower courts prior to the effectivity of this
body to a dvise the President on policies affecting Cons ti tution. A s imilar plan shall be adopted for a ll
i ndigenous cultural communities, the majority of the Of the Senators elected in the election of 1992, the s pecial courts and quasi-judicial bodies.
members of which shall come from such rs t twel ve obtaining the highest number of votes shall
communities. s erve for six years a nd the remaining twelve for three SECTION 13. The l egal effect of the lapse, before the
yea rs . ra ti ca tion of this Constitution, of the applicable
ARTICLE XVII peri od for the decision or resolution of the cases or
SECTION 3. Al l existing l aws, decrees, executive ma tters s ubmitted for adjudication by the courts,
Amendments or Revisions
orders , proclamations, l etters of i nstructions, a nd s ha ll be determined by the Supreme Court a s soon as
SECTION 1. Any a mendment to, or revision of, this other executive issuances not inconsistent with this pra cti cable.
Cons ti tution may be proposed by: Cons ti tution s hall remain operative until amended,
SECTION 14. The provi sions of paragraphs (3) and (4),
repealed, or revoked.
(1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all Secti on 15 of Arti cle VIII of this Constitution shall
i ts Members; or SECTION 4. Al l existing treaties or international a pply to ca ses or matters led before the ratication of
a greements which have not been ratied s hall not be thi s Constitution, when the applicable period lapses
(2) A cons titutional convention. renewed or extended without the concurrence of at a fter s uch ratication.
SECTION 2. Ame ndments to this Constitution may l east two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
SECTION 15. The i ncumbent Members of the Ci vil
l i kewise be directly proposed by the people through SECTION 5. The s ix-year term of the incumbent Servi ce Commission, the Commission on Elections,
i ni tiative upon a petition of at l east twelve per Pres i dent a nd Vice-President elected in the February a nd the Commission on Audit shall continue in oce for
centum of the total number of registered voters, of 7, 1986 el ection is, for purposes of s ynchronization of one year a fter the ra tication of this Constitution,
whi ch every l egislative district must be represented el ections, hereby extended to noon of June 30, 1992. unl ess they a re sooner removed for cause or become
by a t l east three per centum of the registered voters i nca pacitated to discharge the duties of their oce or
therein. No a mendment under this s ection shall be The rs t regular elections for the President and Vice- a ppointed to a new term thereunder. In no ca se shall
a uthorized within ve years following the ra tication of Pres i dent under this Constitution shall be held on the a ny Member s erve l onger than s even years i ncluding
thi s Constitution nor oftener than once every ve years s econd Monday of Ma y, 1992. s ervi ce before the ra tication of this Constitution.
thereafter.

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SECTION 16. Ca reer ci vil servi ce employees s eparated Cons ti tution s hall have ve years from its ra tication to
from the s ervi ce not for cause but as a result of the compl y on a gra duated a nd proportionate basis with
reorga nization pursuant to Proclamation No. 3 da ted the mi nimum Filipino ownership requirement therein.
Ma rch 25, 1986 a nd the reorganization following the
ra ti ca tion of this Constitution s hall be entitled to SECTION 24. Pri va te a rmies and other a rmed groups
a ppropriate separation pay a nd to retirement and not recognized by duly constituted a uthority shall be
other benets accruing to them under the laws of di s mantled. Al l paramilitary forces i ncluding Ci vilian
Home Defense Forces not consistent with the ci tizen
general application i n force a t the time of their
s eparation. In lieu thereof, at the option of the a rmed force established in this Constitution, s hall be
empl oyees, they ma y be considered for employment di ssolved or, where a ppropriate, converted i nto the
i n the Government or i n a ny of i ts subdivisions, regul ar force.
i ns trumentalities, or a gencies, including government- SECTION 25. After the expiration i n 1991 of the
owned or controlled corporations a nd their Agreement between the Republic of the Philippines
s ubsidiaries. This provision a lso applies to career a nd the United States of America concerning Mi litary
ocers whose resignation, tendered i n line with the Ba s es, foreign military bases, troops, or facilities shall
exi s ting policy, ha d been a ccepted. not be a llowed in the Philippines except under a
SECTION 17. Unti l the Congress provides otherwise, trea ty duly concurred i n by the Senate and, when the
the Pres ident s hall receive a n a nnual salary of three Congress s o requires, ra tied by a majority of the votes
hundred thousand pesos; the Vi ce-President, the ca s t by the people i n a national referendum held for
Pres i dent of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of tha t purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other
Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme contra cti ng State.
Court, two hundred forty thousand pesos each; the SECTION 26. The a uthority to i ssue s equestration or
Sena tors, the Members of the House of freeze orders under Proclamation No. 3 da ted Ma rch
Representatives, the Associate Justices of the
25, 1986 i n relation to the recovery of ill-gotten
Supreme Court, and the Chairmen of the wea lth s hall remain operative for not more than
Cons ti tutional Commissions, two hundred four ei ghteen months after the ra tication of this
thousand pesos each; and the Members of the Cons ti tution. However, in the national i nterest, as
Cons ti tutional Commissions, one hundred eighty certi ed by the President, the Congress may extend
thousand pesos each. s a id period.
SECTION 18. At the earliest possible ti me, the A s equestration or freeze order s hall be issued only
Government shall increase the salary s cales of the upon s howing of a prima facie case. The order and
other ocials and employees of the Na tional the l ist of the sequestered or frozen properties shall
Government. forthwi th be registered with the proper court. For
orders issued before the ra tication of this
SECTION 19. Al l properties, records, equipment,
bui ldings, facilities, and other a ssets of any oce or Cons ti tution, the corresponding judicial action or
body a bolished or reorganized under Proclamation proceeding shall be led within six months from its
No. 3 da ted Ma rch 25, 1986 or thi s Constitution shall ra ti ca tion. For those issued a fter s uch ratication, the
be tra nsferred to the oce or body to which its powers, judi cial action or proceeding s hall be commenced
functi ons, a nd responsibilities substantially pertain. wi thin six months from the issuance thereof.

SECTION 20. The rs t Congress shall give priority to the The s equestration or freeze order is deemed
determination of the period for the full a utomatically l ifted i f no judicial a ction or proceeding
i mplementation of free public secondary education. i s commenced a s herein provided.

SECTION 21. The Congress shall provide ecacious SECTION 27. Thi s Constitution shall take effect
procedures a nd a dequate remedies for the reversion i mmediately upon its ra tication by a majority of the
to the Sta te of all lands of the public domain a nd real votes ca st in a plebiscite held for the purpose a nd
s ha ll s upersede a ll previous Constitutions.
ri ghts connected therewith which were acquired i n
vi ol ation of the Constitution or the public land l aws, Ra ti ed: February 2, 1987
or through corrupt practices. No tra nsfer or
di s position of such lands or real ri ghts shall be
a l lowed until a fter the lapse of one year from the
ra ti ca tion of this Constitution.

SECTION 22. At the earliest possible ti me, the

Government shall expropriate i dle or a bandoned
a gri cultural lands as may be dened by l aw, for
di s tribution to the beneciaries of the agrarian reform
progra m.

SECTION 23. Adverti sing entities a ffected by

pa ra graph (2), Section 11 of Arti cle XVI of this

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