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University of San Jose-Recoletos

NATIONAL TRAINING SERVICE PROGRAM
CIVIC WELFARE TRAINING SERVICE
Cebu City

VALUES UNDER THE PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

1. Introduction:

A common vision for the Philippines is what we need to build a

strong nation. We must be very clear of what we want, how we want to do
it and have the collective will to work together for our common dream.

The good citizenship values contained in our Constitution give us a

very clear vision of the kind of people we know we should be. These
modules help us examine how we can live these values. If every Filipino
commits himself/herself to living these values, we will transform our
society. (Excerpts from Brother Rolando R Dizon, Chairman, Commission on Higher
Education.)

These are our values as a people that will make us good citizens, if
we live by them. This must be translated into concrete actions in all
aspects of our lives at all times. If we do this, then all our actions no
matter how humble mason of putting one stone on top of another builds
a cathedral. And the realization that all our actions based on these
values, no matter how small, are building our nation, will give us that
sense of nationhood that has heretofore eluded us. (Foreword, Modules on
Good Citizenship Values)

Each time we pledge allegiance to the Philippine flag, we affirm in

ourselves, and proclaim to everyone around us, that we are proud to be Filipino.
We are proud to be citizens of our beloved country.

As we salute the flag, hand over our heart, we resolve and commit
ourselves to work for the stability, progress, and prosperity of our country to the
best of our ability. We associate ourselves personally and passionately with the
vision that we, as a people, have defined for ourselves and have enshrined in our
Constitution – the vision of a just and humane society – at the same time, already
present, and yet to be.

As we salute the flag, we resolve to live the good citizenship values.

2. Underlying Principles:

a. Good citizenship is the duty of every citizen

b. Good citizenship actions proceeds from Good Citizenship Values
c. The building of a strong, peaceful, progressive nation, of the just and
humane society envisioned in the Philippine Constitution requires
that every Filipino citizen make his unique contribution thereto.
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d. Citizens are called to help, affirm, and reinforce one another as they
seek to be good citizens.
e. Good governance and good citizenship inseparable.

Preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution

“We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of
Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane
society and establish a Government that shall embody
our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good,
conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to
ourselves and posterity the blessings of independence
and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of
truth, justice, freedom, love equality, and peace, do
ordain and promulgate this constitution.

3. GOOD CITIZENSHIP AND CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES:

A. PAGKAMAKA – DIYOS:

1. FAITH IN THE ALMIGHTY GOD - Faith in Almighty

God is a basic value of the good Filipino citizen. The Filipino people are a
God centered people. It is this faith in Almighty God which gives
resiliency as a people; that enables the Filipino to struggle through one
crisis after another with smile on his face and hope in his heart.

2. RESPECT OF LIFE – The State values the dignity of

every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights. The
State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.

To uphold the good citizenship value of RESPECT OF LIFE

means to dwell always on the principle of pro life and recognize the
absolute value of human life and the human dignity of every person. God
is the sole author of life and no amount of crime can authorize somebody
to take out our life. Our life is a precious and unique gift to us from God.
Our life has a purpose and destiny.

3. ORDER – Means doing things first with a workable

system by respecting the human rights of one another and comply with
your duties and responsibilities. It is simply doing the right thing in a
right time and right place without haste because things done in haste
will usually end up to waste. Order is the sanity of the mind, the health
of the body, the peace of the city, the security of the state.
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Order ensures all citizens of 1) security, 2) peace (when

order is maintained by law enforcement agencies of the government and
other sectors of society), 3) harmony (as a result of the social contract
borne out of respect of the human rights of one another and comply with
your duties and responsibilities).

4. WORK – Means to develop a strong and positive out

look that hard work, quality work, and honest work are what make us
good, productive, and self-reliant citizens of our country. Work is the key
to our national progress. Without work we can’t make a living. Be
diligent and earn an honest living. Work is gift, an essential part of our
life. Do not engage in crime and corruption.

5. CONCERN FOR THE FAMILY AND FUTURE

GENERATIONS – Means that utmost attention must be focused on the
family as sanctuary of life and a core unit of society. Look after the
welfare of your family and future generations. A family is the place of
refuge, strength, inspiration, example and source of love for today’s
youth at risk and couples whose values and virtues are challenge
daily by the ways of materialism.

There is a need to work harder and guide the children in the

ways of good values and responsibility as they are more vulnerable to
negative influences brought the advent of high technology and
materialism. The State recognizes the family as the foundation of the
nation. It shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total
development. Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the
foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State.

B. PAGKAMAKA – TAO:

1. LOVE – It is the answer to our many questions during

these trying times. The reason why our nation has never moved forward
is that we never learn yet how to live in love and therefore we never
grow in our capacity to love one another. Love is the “will to do good
for others” even though it entails sacrifice of oneself and to “look after
the good and welfare of one another”.

2. FREEDOM – Means giving due recognition and

respect to our individuality as persons with fundamental human rights
and duties. Assert your right to be able to do the right things. Our
sense of freedoms would lead to us to love our fellowmen, understand
their plight and do what is good and right while avoiding what is wrong
and evil.

3. PEACE – Means doing good for others and for our

country but let that action of peace comes from your inner being. Peace
cannot be attained through violence or other ways that do not
promote order. Live and work together in harmony. Avoid violence as a
means of settling disputes.
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4. TRUTH – Means living and loving passionately with

the truth. Truth exacts us to live of transparency, total honesty and
integrity. Truth demands sacrifices and efforts but is worthy cause
that highlights our own capacity as persons to do good with integrity.
Stand up for the truth and avoid intrigue and mudslinging.

5. JUSTICE – Means promotion of social practices that

enhance the essence of social justice. Justice means treating others
with high respect and dignity, mindful of their basic human rights.
The justice system is important as it ensures that all people, regardless
of any form of distinction, will receive the full benefits and protection of
the law.

Justice is the key to progress, the foundation of freedom

and the bedrock principle of unity and equality among all men. Give
everyone his due. Do not oppress or take advantage of anyone.

C. PAGKAMAKA – BAYAN:

1. UNITY – Means that all of us Filipino citizens are

expected to have our oneness as a people as a guiding principle in
our daily life. Work together and share with one another. This means
that:

 We want our country to be united always

that despite the diversity of cultures, of
alliances, of abilities, of opinions, and
religious affiliations; we have a fundamental
oneness as a people; that we agree on what
we want as a people; that we work together;
doing our part to attain our national vision.

 We are willing to lend a helping hand to

others;

 We are to understand those whose views are

different from our own;

 We want and will work for what is best for

our countrymen.

2. EQUALITY – Means treating one another and respect

the fellow human beings with equal and utmost dignity regardless of
his religious or cultural orientation, sex, social status, race etc. Equality
means cultivating a culture of brotherhood and unity, the precursors
for a strong republic. Treat one another as brother and sister being
children of one God and one nation.

3. RESPECT FOR THE LAW AND GOVERNMENT –

Means to follow strictly the rule of law and not the rule of the mob.
The law is not meant to curtail freedom but to ensure that every citizen is
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responsible while exercising hid freedom. The law and the government
are not meant to enslave people but they are meant to establish order in
the society.

Obey the laws of the land and support government programs.

We must believe that the laws and the government are meant to serve
our own interest as citizens. We must not allow our values to be
compromised by illegal acts and practices.

4. PATRIOTISM – Means placing 1) the good of the

country above one’s own that we should 2) be good and loving
citizens constantly vigilant for the welfare of our country and 3)
ready to sacrifice for the love of our country.

Patriotism is every person’s sense of duty and

responsibility to contribute in the 1) development of the country, 2)
protection of the integrity and 3) upholding the rights and dignity of
the people.

5. PROMOTION OF THE COMMON GOOD – The term

“common good” refers to “the sum total of goods and social conditions
which allow people, either as groups or individuals, to reach their
fulfillment more fully and easily. Do not be greedy and selfish.

To promote the common good is an obligation of every

member of the society for sustainable development and long term
survival of the community requires that those who have least be helped
to a level of living. Put the welfare of the greater number of people over
one’s own.

D. PAGKAMAKA – KALIKASAN:

1. CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT – Means

launching an efficient and sustainable Clean and Green program nation-
wide. Keep your surroundings clean and conserve our natural resources.

We must understand that our very existence and that of

generations after us are threatened by the destruction of the
environment. We shall develop a conscious effort to preserve and
protect the environment from further degradation.

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