Professional Documents
Culture Documents
the
Philippine
Constitution
Constitution
– Defined as a set of fundamental principles or
established precedents according to which a
state or other organization is governed, thus,
the word itself mean to be a part of a whole,
the coming together of distinct entities into one
group, with the same principles and ideals.
1897 Constitution (Biak-na-Bato
Constitution
3. Asemblea
Representantes 1. To create new constitution
(Assembly of 2. To new elect new council or
Representatives) representative of people
The Constitution of Biak-na-Bato
was never fully implemented, since
the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, was
signed between the Spanish and
the Philippine Revolution Army.
1899 Constitution: (Malolos
Constitution)
– LEGISLATIVE
– Unicameral body (Assembly of Representative)
– Members were elected in four years
– Secretaries of the government were given seat in the assembly
– Bills were introduced by member of legislative or by the president
– They are given rights to select their own officers
– Right of impeaching the president, cabinet members, chief justice of
supreme court and solicitor-general
1899 Constitution: (Malolos
Constitution)
– Executive
– Vested in the president
– Elected by constituent assembly (assembly of the
representative)
– Four years term without re-election
– No vice president
– In case of vacancy, a president was to be selected by the
constituent assembly.
1899 Constitution: (Malolos
Constitution)
d. Key provisions
Bill of rights
Appointment of two non-voting Filipino
Resident Commissioner of the Philippines (
Representative to US congress)
1935 Constitution:
(CommonwealthConstitution)
Judiciary Branch
The Supreme Court
15 member court appointed by the president
without the need to confirmed by Congress
Appointment Process
List of nominees was provided (judicial and bar
council)
1987 Constitution: Constitution
After Martial Law
The Supreme Court Justice
May hear appeal any cases dealing with constitutionality of any
law, treaty or decree.
Cases where questions of jurisdiction or judicial error is
concerned
Cases where penalty is sufficiently grave.
It may also exercise original jurisdiction over cases involving
government or international officials
In charge of the functioning and administration of the lower and
their personnel.
1987 Constitution: Constitution
After Martial Law
The Constitution also established three independent
CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS
1. Civil Service Commission- A central agency in charge of
government personnel
2. Commission on Election- enforce and administer all
election laws and regulations
3. Commission on Audit- which examines all funds,
transactions and property accounts of the government
and its agencies.
Changing the Constitution
– There were efforts to amend or change the 1987 Constiution starting with
Fidel Ramos
– !995- when Secretary of National Security Council JOSE ALMONTE drafted a
constitution but it was exposed to media and it never prospered
– 1997- The group called PIRMA hoped to gather signatures from voters to
change the constitution through people’s initiative. Many were against this
including Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago who brought the issue to court
and won
– Joseph Ejercito Estrada-formed a study commission to investigate the issues
surrounding charter change focusing on the economic and judiciary provision
of the constitution.
Attempts to Amend or Change the
1987 Constitution