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.
