THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTIONS

DEFINITION OF TERMS:
❑Constitution. It is a written instrument enacted by the direct action of the people, by
which the fundamental governmental powers and functions are established, limited, and
defined. And by which those powers are distributed among several departments for their
safe and useful exercise for the benefit of the people.
❑Constitutional Convention. It is a gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution
or revising an existing constitution.
❑Commonwealth. It is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the
common good.
❑Ratification. It is a process and act of signing or giving a formal consent for the official
validity of a treaty, pact, or agreement.
❑Plebiscite. It is the direct vote of all the members of an electorate
on an important public question.
❑Referendum. This is a direct vote by the voting public on a
particular proposal or issue. It can have nationwide or local forms
which may result in the adoption of a new policy or specific law.
❑Viva Voce Vote. A vote in which it was done orally than written.
 KEY POINTS:
The Philippines has had a total of five (5) constitutions.
The Malolos Constitution was the first Philippine Constitution.
During the American rule, the Philippines was governed by the laws of the United States of
America.
A Constitutional Convention was called to draft a constitution for the Philippines to prepare
its independence. This gave birth to the 1935 Constitution.
The 1935 Constitution was also called as the Commonwealth Constitution.
During the World War II, under Japanese occupation, the 1935 Constitution was nullified.
From then 1943 Constitution was utilized under the rule of President Jose P. Laurel.
 During the American Rule, the Philippines was governed by the laws of the United
States of America.
Upon the independence from the Japanese in 1945, the 1935 Constitution was
restored.
The 1935 Constitution was used until the Proclamation of Martial under Marcos
rule in 1973.
President Marcos planned to ratify the 1935 Constitution, but due to his vision of
failure to be ratified, he declared Martial Law instead, claiming that the drafted
ratification was already approved through Citizen's Assembly.
As preparation for the drafting the 1987 Constitution, President Aquino through a
Presidential Decree, suspended the 1973 Constitution.
In 1987, the Current Philippine Constitution was created.
 THE CONSTITUTION
It is a set of fundamental principles or
established precedents according to which as
state or other organization is governed. It
symbolizes the country’s freedom and
independence.
 A constitution plays a significant role in every sovereign
state because it ensures that those people in the position which
makes rulings on behalf of the public, would fairly represent
public opinion and for the common good. While it sets the
bound within which the government must work, it also sets out
the ways in which those who exercise power may be held
accountable to the people they serve.
The Philippine Constitution has evolved since
1897: the 1897 Constitution of Biak-Na-Bato, the
1899 Malolos Constitution, Acts of the United
States Congress (Philippine Organic Act of 1902
Constitution, Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916,
and Tydings-McDuffie Act of 1934), the 1935
Constitution, the 1943 Constitution, the 1973
Constitution, the 1986 Freedom Constitution, and
the 1987 Constitution.
The country has had a total of five constitutions
which are as follows:
[Link] Biak-na-Bato Constitution
[Link] Malolos Constitution
[Link] 1935 Constitution
[Link] 1973 Constitution
[Link] 1987 Constitution
 A constitution provides the foundation for governance in
any country, which is important and essential in securing
that the public needs are being addressed and delivered. As
what we have mentioned, the Philippines has had a total of
five (5) constitution prior the current constitution that the
country is using. These are the following:
 BIAK-NA-BATO CONSTITUTION
The Biak-na-Bato Constitution provided for the establishment of
a supreme council that would serve as the highest governing body of
the Republic. It also outlined certain basic human rights, such as
freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and the right to education.
Emilio Aguinaldo and Mariano Trias were elected Supreme Council
president and vice president, respectively. This constitution is based
on the Cuban Constitution and was drafted by Felix Ferrer and
Isabelo Artacho.
The Constitution of Biak-na-Bato known as the “Constitution Provisional de
la Republica de Filipinas” was short-lived as it operated only from
November 1, 1987 to December 14,1897.
The Preamble of the 1897 Constitution of Biak-na-bato reads, “The
separation of the Philippines from the Spanish monarchy and their formation into
an independent state with its own government called the Philippine Republic has
been the end sought by the Revolution in the existing war, begun on the 24th of
August, 1896; and , therefore, in its name and by the power delegated by the
Filipino people, interpreting faithfully their desires and ambitions, we the
representatives of the Revolution, in a meeting at Biak-na-bato, November 1, 1897,
unanimously adopted the following articles for the constitution of the State.”
 THE MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
In 1899, the Malolos Constitution - the first Philippine
Constitution, and the first republican constitution in Asia - was
drafted and adopted by the First Philippine Republic in which
the supremacy lasted from 1899 to 1901.
 THE 1899 MALOLOS CONSTITUTION OR THE
POLITICAL CONSTITUTION OF 1899 (CONSTITUCION
POLITICA DE 1899)
❑ was the basic law of the First Philippine Republic whose form
of government was unitary semi-presidential constitutional
❑ was the first republican constitution in Asia (Tucker, 2009)
written by Felipe Calderon y Roca and Felipe Buencamino
after the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain
on 12 June 1898
❑Malolos Constitution was in operation from January 23, 1899
to March 23, 1901
 THE 1899 MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
The salient features of the 1899 Malolos
Constitution include the declaration of sovereignty of
the people, the enumeration of the basic civil rights,
the separation of the Church and State, it provided
for the creation of an Assembly of Representative to
act as the legislative body, and a parliamentary
republic as the form of government
 THE 1899 MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
❑ Known as the Constitución Política de Malolos and it was written
in Spanish
❑ Following the declaration of independence from Spain on June 12,
1898 and transformation of the dictatorial government to a
revolutionary government on 23 June
❑Convened in Barasoa in Church in Malolos (now Malolos City,
Bulacan) Pedro Paterno as president and Gregorio Araneta as vice
president
 THE 1899 MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
❑Ratified on November 29, 1898, signed into law on December 23, approved on January 20,
1899Sanctioned by President Emilio Aguinaldo on January 21, and promulgated on January
22
❑Anchored in democratic traditions that ultimately had their roots in American soil,
modeled on the constitutions of France, Belgium, and Latin American countries states that
the people have exclusive sovereignty
❑It states basic civil rights, separated the church from the state, and called for the creation
of an Assembly of Representatives which would act as the legislative body. It also calls for a
Presidential form of government with the president elected for a term of four years by a
majority of the Assembly the authentic and official constitution of La Republica Filipina
(Philippine Republic)
 PREAMBLE OF 1899 CONSTITUTION
We, the Representatives of the Filipino people, lawfully convened, in
order to establish justice, provide for common defense, promote the
general welfare, and insure the benefits of liberty, imploring the aid
of the Sovereign Legislator of the Universe for the attainment of
these ends, have voted, decreed, and sanctioned the following
political constitution
 THE 1935 CONSTITUTION
Also known as the Commonwealth Constitution, the 1935 Philippine Constitution was
ratified by the Filipino people through a national plebiscite, on May 14, 1935, which came into
full force and effect on November 15, 1935, with the inauguration of the Commonwealth of
the Philippines. Among its provisions was that it would remain as the constitution of the
Republic of the Philippines once independence be granted on July 4, [Link] 1940, the 1935
Constitution was amended by the National Assembly of the Philippines. From then, the
legislature was changed its house from unicameral assembly to a bicameral congress. The
amendment also changed the term limit of the President of the Philippines from six (6) years
with no reelection to four (4) years with a possibility of being reelected for a second term.
 WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN UNICAMERAL
AND BICAMERAL?
A unicameral legislature concentrates legislative authority in a
single body of parliament. In a bicameral legislature, on the other
hand, the law-making authority is shared by an upper house and a
lower house, which make up the parliament.
 THE 1935 CONSTITUTION OF THE
PHILIPPINES
The 1935 Constitution of the Philippines was written in 1934, approved and adopted
by the Commonwealth of the Philippines and later used by the Third Republic of the
Philippines
It was written with an eye to meeting the approval of the United States Government
as well, so as to ensure that the U.S. would live up to its promise to grant the Philippines
independence and not have a premise to hold on to its "possession" on the grounds that it
was too politically immature and hence unready for full, real independence
The original 1935 Constitution provides, inter alia, for a unicameral Legislature and a
single six-year term for the President. It was amended in 1940 to have a bicameral
Congress composed of a Senate and House of Representatives, as well the creation of an
independent Commission on Elections. The Constitution limited the President to a four-year
term with a maximum of two consecutive terms in office.
 ACTS OF THE UNITED STATES
CONGRESS
The Philippines was a United States Territory from December
10, 1898 to March 24, 1934[17] and therefore under the
jurisdiction of the Federal Government of the United States.
 PHILIPPINE ORGANIC ACT OF 1902
The Philippine Organic Act of 1902, sometimes known as the "Philippine Bill of 1902"
or the "Cooper Act", was the first organic law for the Philippine Islands enacted by the
United States Congress. It provided for the creation of a popularly elected Philippine
Assembly, and specified that legislative power would be vested in a bicameral legislature
composed of the Philippine Commission (upper house) and the Philippine Assembly (lower
house).
Its key provisions included a bill of rights for the Filipinos and the appointment of two
non-voting Filipino Resident Commissioner of the Philippines to represent the Philippines in
the United States House of Representatives.
 PHILIPPINE AUTONOMY ACT OF 1916
The Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916, sometimes known as "Jones Law", modified the structure of
the Philippine government by removing the Philippine Commission as the legislative upper house
and replacing it with a Senate elected by Filipino voters, creating the Philippines' first fully elected
national legislature. This act also explicitly stated that it was and had always been the purpose of
the people of the United States to end their sovereignty over the Philippine Islands and to recognise
Philippine independence as soon as a stable government can be established therein.
Tydings–McDuffie Act (1934) Though not a constitution itself, the Tydings–McDuffie Act of 1934
provided authority and defined mechanisms for the establishment of a formal constitution via a
constitutional convention.
 PREAMBLE OF COMMONWEALTH
CONSTITUTION
The Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine
Providence, in order to establish a government that shall
embody their ideals, conserve and develop the patrimony
of the nation, promote the general welfare, and secure to
themselves and their posterity the blessings of
independence under a regime of justice, liberty, and
democracy, do ordain and promulgate this constitution."
 THE 1973 CONSTITUTION
Prior the declaration of Martial Law by former President Ferdinand Marcos, a
Constitutional Convention was already in the process of deliberating on amending or revising
the 1935 Constitution. They have finished their work and submitted it to the late President
Marcos on December 1, 1972. President Marcos then submitted it for ratification in early
January of 1973. Foreseeing that the direct ratification was bound to fail, Marcos issued
Presidential Decree No. 86, s. 1972, creating citizens assemblies to ratify the newly drafted
constitution by means of a Viva Voce vote in place of secret ballots.
Marcos announced that it had been ratified and in full force and effect on
January 17, 1973. Although the 1973 Constitution had been "ratified" in
this manner, opposition against it continued. Chief Justice Roberto V.
Concepcion, in his dissenting opinion in the case of Javellana V. Executive
Secretary, exposed the fraud that happened during the citizen's assembly
ratification of the 1973 Constitution on January 10 to 15, 1973. However,
the final decision of this case was that the ratification was valid and was
in force.
 1973: CONSTITUTIONAL
AUTHORITARIANISM
On 24 August 1970, Congress enacted RA No. 6132, otherwise known as the Constitutional
Convention Act, for the purpose of convening a Constitutional Convention. While in the process of
drafting a new Constitution, President Ferdinand Marcos declared Martial Law on 21
September 1972The 1973 Constitution, promulgated after Marcos' declaration of martial law,
was supposed to introduce a parliamentary-style government.
Legislative power was vested in a unicameral National Assembly whose members were
elected for six-year terms. The President was ideally elected as the symbolic and purely ceremonial
head of state chosen from amongst the Members of the National Assembly for a six-year term and
could be re-elected to an unlimited number of terms. Upon election, the President ceased to be a
Member of the National Assembly. During his term, the President was not allowed to be a member
of a political party or hold any other office.
 From 16–17 October 1976, a majority of barangay voters (also called "Citizen
Assemblies") approved that martial law should be continued and ratified the
amendments to the Constitution proposed by President Marcos.
The 1976 amendments were: an Interim Batasang Pambansa (IBP) substituting
for the Interim National Assembly; the President would also become the Prime
Minister and he would continue to exercise legislative powers until such time as
martial law was lifted.
The Sixth Amendment authorized the President to legislate on his own on an
"emergency" basis: whenever in the judgement of the President there exists a
grave emergency or a threat or imminence thereof, or whenever the Interim
Batasang Pambansa or the regular National Assembly fails or is unable to act
adequately on any matter for any reason that in his judgment requires immediate
action, he may, in order to meet the exigency, issue the necessary decrees, orders
or letters of instructions, which shall form part of the law of the land.
 PREAMBLE OF 1973 CONSTITUTION
We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of
Divine Providence, in order to establish a Government that
shall embody our ideals, promote the general welfare,
conserve and develop the patrimony of our Nation, and
secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of
democracy under a regime of justice, peace, liberty, and
equality, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
 THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
A month later, President Aquino issued Proclamation No, 9, s.
1986, which created a Constitutional Commission tasked with writing
a new charter to replace the 1973 Constitution. The commission
finished its work at 12:28 a.m. of October 16, 1986. National
Plebiscite was held on February 2, 1987, ratifying the new
constitution. On February 11, 1987, by the virtue of Proclamation No.
58, President Aquino announced the official canvassing of results and
the ratification of the draft constitution.
 1987: FREEDOM CONSTITUTION
(CONSTITUTION AFTER MARTIAL LAW)
❑Establishes the Philippines as a "democratic and republican state",
where "sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority
emanates from them".
❑Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 3, declaring a national policy to
implement the reforms mandated by the people, protecting their basic
rights, adopting a provisional constitution, and providing for an orderly
translation to a government under a new constitution
❑The 1987 Constitution established a representative democracy
with power divided among three separate and independent
branches of government: the Executive, a bicameral Legislature,
and the Judiciary
❑ There were three independent constitutional commissions as
well: the Commission on Audit, the Civil Service Commission, and
the Commission on Elections.
❑Integrated into the Constitution was a full Bill of Rights, which
guaranteed fundamental civil and political rights, and it provided
for free, fair, and periodic elections.
 EXECUTIVE BRANCH
❑Executive branch is headed by the President and his appointed
Cabinet
❑The President is the head of the state and the chief executive, but
he is subject to significant checks from the other branches, especially
in times of emergency, which, given the history of the country, was
obviously intended to be a safeguard against a repeat of Marcos’
martial law despotism.
 For example, in cases of national emergency, the President can still declare
martial law, but not for a period longer than 60 days. Congress can revoke this
decision by a majority vote, or it can also extend it for a period to be determined by
the Congress. Additionally, the Supreme Court can review the declaration to decide if
there were sufficient facts to justify martial law.
The President can grant pardons and amnesty. He is also empowered to make
or accept foreign loans. He cannot, however, enter into treaties without the consent of
the Senate. The President and Vice-President are elected at large by a direct vote, but
the President may only serve one 6-year term. The Cabinet, consisting of the
President’s advisers and heads of departments, is appointed by the President and it
assists him in his governance functions.
 LEGISLATIVE BRANCH
Legislative power is vested in a Congress which is divided into two Houses, the Senate
and the House of Representatives. The 24 members of the Senate are elected at large by a
popular vote and can serve no more than two consecutive 6-year terms.
The House is composed of 250 elected members. Most of these Representatives are
elected by district for 3-year terms, but 20% of the total membership is chosen in proportion
to party representation. Besides the exclusive power to legislate, one of the most important
powers of Congress is the ability to declare war, which it can through a two-thirds vote in both
houses.
Even the power to legislate, however, is subject to an executive check. The President
retains the power to veto a bill passed by both houses, and Congress may override this veto
only with a two-thirds vote in both houses.
 JUDICIAL BRANCH
The court system in the Philippines exercises the judicial power of
government and it is made up of a Supreme Court and lower courts created
by law
The Supreme Court is a 15- member court appointed by the President
without need for confirmation by Congress. Appointment, however, is
limited to a list of nominees presented to the President by a
constitutionally-specified Judicial and Bar Council.
 This Council consists of 7 members: the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the
Secretary of Justice, a representative from Congress, a representative of the Integrated Bar, a
professor of law, a retired member of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the private
sector. The first four serve for four years, the law professor for three, the retired Justice for
two, and the private sector representative for one year.
The Supreme Court Justices may hear, on appeal, any cases dealing with the
constitutionality of any law, treaty, or decree of the government, cases where questions of
jurisdiction or judicial error are concerned, or cases where the penalty is sufficiently grave. It
may also exercise original jurisdiction over cases involving government or international
officials. The Supreme Court also is charged with overseeing the functioning and
administration of the lower courts and their personnel.
 CHANGING OF THE
CONSTITUTION
Constitutional reform in the Philippines, also known as Charter
Change (colloquially Cha-Cha) refers to the political and legal
processes needed to amend the current 1987 Constitution of the
Philippines. Under the common interpretation of the Constitution,
amendments can be proposed by one of three methods: a People's
Initiative, a Constituent Assembly or a Constitutional Convention.
 People's Initiative (or "PI") is a common appellative in the Philippines that
refers to either a mode for constitutional amendment provided by the 1987
Philippine Constitution or to the act of pushing an initiative (national or local)
allowed by the Philippine Initiative and Referendum Act of The appellative also
refers to the product of either of those initiatives.
A Constitutional Convention, is one of the three methods to amend the
Constitution of the Philippines. The others are a People's Initiative or a Constituent
Assembly. Article XVII, Section 3 of the Constitution says, "The Congress may, by a
vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a constitutional convention, or by a
majority vote of all its Members, submit to the electorate the question of calling
such a convention.
 The Constituent Assembly, is a term describing one of the three methods by which
amendments to the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines may be proposed.
The other two modes are via People's Initiative and Constitutional Convention. All
three require a majority vote in a national referendum. Constituent Assembly is composed
of all members of the bicameral Congress of the Philippines (Senate and the House of
Representatives). It is convened by Congress to propose amendments to the 1987
constitution. Under Article XVII of the Constitution of the Philippines, amendments pass
upon a vote of three fourths of all members of Congress, but it is not clear if the Congress
should vote as a single body or as separate houses. The convention of Congress into a
Constituent Assembly is not explicitly provided for in the Constitution, since the term
"Constituent Assembly" is not used in the Constitution.
 PROPOSED AMENDMENTS OR REVISION
TO THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
Ramos Administration

The first attempt to amend the 1987 Constitution was under President Fidel Ramos. Among the proposed changes in the
constitution included a shift to a parliamentary system and the lifting of term limits of public officials. Ramos argued that the changes will
bring more accountability, continuity, and responsibility to the "gridlock"-prone Philippine version of presidential bicameral system. Some
politically active religious groups, opposition politicians, business tycoons and left-wing organizations opposed the process that was
supposed to lead to a national referendum. Critics argued that the proposed constitutional changes for one would benefit the incumbent,
Ramos. On September 21, 1997, a church-organized rally brought in an estimated half a million people to Rizal Park.

Furthermore, on September 23, 1997, the advocates suffered a setback when the Supreme Court, under Chief Justice Andres Narvasa,
narrowly dismissed a petition filed by the People's Initiative for Reform, Modernization and Action (PIRMA), which sought to amend the
Constitution through a signature campaign or People's Initiative. The Supreme Court dismissed the petition on the grounds that the People's
Initiative mode does not have enough enabling law for the proposed revisions or amendments in the 1987 constitution.
 ESTRADA ADMINISTRATION
Under President Joseph Estrada, there was a similar attempt to change the 1987
constitution. The process is termed as CONCORD or Constitutional Correction for Development.
Unlike Constitutional Reform under Ramos and Arroyo the CONCORD proposal, according to its
proponents, would amend only the restrictive economic provisions of the constitution that are
considered to impede the entry of more foreign investments in the Philippines.
There were, once again, objections from opposition politicians, religious sects and left-
wing organizations based on diverse arguments such as national patrimony and the proposed
constitutional changes would be self-serving. Again, the government was accused of pushing
constitutional reform for its own vested interests.
 ARROYO ADMINISTRATION
Endorsed a constitutional change through a constituent
assembly, which entails a two-thirds vote of the House to
propose amendments or revision to the constitution. This
initiative was not successful since the term of President Arroyo
was mired in controversy and scandal, including the possibility
of arroyo extending her term as president, which the
constitution does not allow.
 AQUINO III ADMINISTRATION
President Benigno Aquino III had no concrete plans regarding
constitutional reform, but several proposals were put forth by different
members of Congress. Senate Resolution No. 10, by Senator Pimentel,
called for constitutional reform to convert to a federal republic. Belmonte's
joint resolution on economic provisions. They filed a bill pushing for a
federal and parliamentary government, in addition to economic
liberalization.
 DUTERTE ADMINISTRATION
During the May 2016 election, Rodrigo Duterte stated in May 2016 that a plebiscite on the proposed
replacement of the unitary state with a federal one will be held in two years. After winning, Duterte
proposed to revive the proposed form of Nene Pimentel.
On December 7, 2016, President Duterte signed Executive Order No. 10 creating a consultative committee
(ConCom) to review the 1987 Constitution. Then on July 3, 2018, the ConCom unanimously approved the
draft constitution through voting. It was submitted to the President on or before July 9 of the same year.
Referred to as the "Bayanihan Constitution" (referring to the Filipino value of communal work) by Duterte
and the consultative committee the proposed federal charter includes an amendment that aims to prohibit
elected officials from switching political parties during the first and last two years of their term, as a
response to turncoat behavior. Also included are provisions that seek to ban political dynasties, barring
"persons related within the second civil degree of consanguinity or affinity" from running for public office
"simultaneously for more than one national and one regional or local position."
 FEDERALISM
Federalism is a proposed type of government wherein
sovereignty is constitutionally divided between the national
government and sub divisional governments (such as states or
provinces). Federalism divides the country into several
autonomous states with a national government.
 HOW FEDERALISM WORKS?
The autonomous states are even further divided into local
government units. They will have the main responsibility over
developing their local industries, public health and safety,
education, transportation, and culture. These states have more
power over their finances, policies, development plans, and
laws.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution has been a subject of debate and
discussion regarding potential amendments or changes since its
promulgation. Here are some notable attempts to amend or change
the constitution:
[Link] Convention of 1997: During the presidency of
Fidel V. Ramos, there was a proposal to convene a Constitutional
Convention to propose amendments to the 1987 Constitution.
However, this proposal did not gain enough support to proceed, and
the plan was eventually abandoned.
2. People's Initiative for Charter Change (PIRMA): In 1997, a group called
People's Initiative for Reform, Modernization, and Action (PIRMA) launched a
campaign to gather signatures for a petition to propose amendments to the
constitution through a people's initiative. The campaign aimed to amend economic
provisions, particularly those restricting foreign ownership. However, the Supreme
Court ruled that the initiative was unconstitutional.
3. House Resolution No. 1109 (2009): During the administration of President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, there was an attempt in the House of Representatives to
convene itself into a Constituent Assembly to propose amendments to the
constitution. House Resolution No. 1109 sought to convene the assembly without the
participation of the Senate. The resolution sparked controversy and was eventually
withdrawn amid public outcry and legal challenges.
4. Charter Change under President Duterte: President Rodrigo Duterte
has expressed support for amending the constitution to shift to a federal form of
government. Various proposals have been put forward, including through
Constituent Assembly or Constitutional Convention. However, these efforts have
faced challenges, including debates over the proposed structure of federalism,
concerns about potential abuse of power, and public skepticism.
5. Economic Charter Change (E-CHA-CHA): In recent years, there have been
discussions about amending the constitution to liberalize economic provisions,
particularly restrictions on foreign ownership in certain industries. This initiative,
often referred to as Economic Charter Change (E-CHA-CHA), aims to attract more
foreign investment and stimulate economic growth. However, it remains a
contentious issue, with debates over its potential impact on national sovereignty
and economic development.
6. COVID-19 Pandemic and Charter Change: During the
COVID-19 pandemic, there have been renewed calls to prioritize
efforts to address the public health crisis and economic recovery
over constitutional amendments. However, discussions about charter
change persist, reflecting ongoing debates about the direction of
Philippine governance and development.
Overall, attempts to amend or change the 1987 Philippine
Constitution have been met with various challenges, including
legal, political, and public opposition. The constitution remains
a fundamental document in Philippine democracy, shaping
debates about governance, human rights, and economic policy.
 GENERALIZATION
With the long history of our constitutions, the Filipino people always
strive for democracy and what is fair. The Preamble of our current
constitution states our rights and aspirations for a better country. We
must never forget it. We must always remember that the constitution
is the supreme law in the nation and that no one, not even the
government, is above the constitution. No one can violate what is
written in the constitution.