AN INTRODUCTION TO

THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTIONS THROUGHOUT HISTORY
 The Philippine Constitution has undergone several significant changes that
were driven by the political, or social, and economic changes which the
country faced throughout history.
 Biak na Bato Constitution (1897)
 Malolos Constitution (1898)
 Japanese Invasion caused a complete change in the Philippine Government
 The return of the Commonwealth Government in 1945 signaled the
restoration of the 1935 Constitution as the basis of governance in the state.
A BACKGROUND ON THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
 Article 1 – National Territory
 Article II – Declaration of Principles and State Policies
 Article III – Bill of Rights
 Article IV – Citizenship
 Article V – Suffrage
 Article VI – Legislative Department
 Article VII – Executive Department
 Article VIII – Judicial Department
 Article IX – Constitutional Commissions
 Article X – Local Government
 Article XI – Accountability of Public Officers
 Article XII – National Economy and Patrimony
 Article XIII – Social Justice and Human Rights
 Article XIV – Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports
 Article XV – The Family
 Article XVI – General Provisions
 Article XVII – Amendments or Revisions
 Article XVIII – Transitory Provisions
NATIONAL TERRITORY AND CITIZENSHIP

 National Territory and citizenship are two important aspects of nationhood and
governance.
 Article I on the national territory defines the geographical limits of sovereignty over
the Philippine state.
 While the extent of the Philippine territory is not numerically measured, it is stated
to encompass all geographical forms, be it in land, air, or water.
 Article IV provides the bases for the recognition of Filipino Citizens. Based on the
constitution, there are two kinds of Filipino citizens: natural-born Filipinos and
naturalized Filipinos.
ASPECTS OF PHILIPPINE DEMOCRACY IN THE
CONSTITUTION
 The first of these aspects is the vital role of the Filipino citizens in state affairs.
 Article II, for example, points out that the sovereignty over the state rests in the
Filipino people.
 The sovereignty of the Filipino people is further tackled in Article V, which focuses on
suffrage, or the right to vote for the officials of the government.
 Representation of the public in the government is highlighted particularly in Article
VI.
 Lastly, Article XI stresses that all government officials have a duty to be accountable
to the public.
 The second important aspects of democracy discussed in the constitution is the duty
of the government to uphold the general welfare of the Filipino people at all times.
 Article II ensures this by instituting the civil liberties or rights entitled to a Filipino.
 Articles XIII, Article XIV, and Article XV echo the importance of upholding Filipino
welfare as they state provisions on significant social matters, including labor; health;
equal opportunities for women; the development of Filipino families; and access to
quality education at all levels.
 One significant feature of the Constitution is the safeguard set in place to prevent
the return of a dictatorship in the country.
 In addition, the 1987 Constitution assures that the President
cannot suspend the writ of habeas corpus for an indefinite
period.
 The writ of habeas corpus refers to the right of the accused
against illegal arrest or detention.
 The writ of habeas corpus, however, can be suspended in certain
occasions such as rebellion or invasion of the state, where
public safety might be threatened.
BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT
SEPARATION OF POWERS; CHECKS AND BALANCES
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS

 Article IX of the 1987 Constitution provides for the creation of the

Constitutional Commissions, namely, the Civil Service Commissions
(CSC), the Commissions on Elections (COMELEC), and the Commission
on Audit (COA).
 Article XIII of the Constitution established another independent
commission, the Commission on Human Rights, which investigates and
addresses cases of human rights and abuses.