The Basic Fundamental Principles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution

The 1987 Constitution is founded within the underlying principles of the government, which has
the priority of establishing parts and parcels of the democratic heritage of the people. It is essential to
understand that these principles are bound to our knowledge of the organic laws. Among these
principles contained fundamental aspects of a sovereign country, and emphasizes democracy and
independence of the Filipino people.

Spanish influence certainly made an impact on Filipino’s choice of religion, and the majority
went into Christianism, thus making the primary principle of the constitution recognizing the aid of the
Almighty God. Preamble implores the aid of God in establishing an order to build a just and humane
society that shall embody ideals and aspiration that promotes and conserve the common good of the
Filipino People. The Church influenced many Filipinos in every aspects of living. It has its own policy thus;
the separation of church and state is considered vital and inviolable to the constitution. Article III Section
V states that no law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without
discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise
of civil or political rights.

The government’s prime purpose is to serve and protect the people. It may call upon its citizens
to defend the State. War exploitation has since been renounced and it will prevent further fatalities in
case of a conflict. The Armed Forces of the Philippines has given the authority to protect the people and
the state. The sovereignty shall not just exist among the state, but shall exist to its people as well. This
justifies

Many aspects of the Constitution are bound to the welfare of the people. Article II, Section 12,
13; Article XV recognize the importance of the family as a basic social institution of the vital role of the
youth in nation to ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and frere the people from
poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising in
standard living and improved quality life for all. It also promotes the right of health of the people and
instill health consciousness among them. With this, a right of education in science and technology, arts,
culture and sports are also given to accelerate social progress and promote total human liberation and
development.

Perhaps, the most important aspect that parcels the democratic heritage of the people is the Bill
of Rights, that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor
shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws. The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and
for any purpose shall be inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon
probable cause to be determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of
the complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched
and the persons or things to be seized. Freedom of speech and expression are included in this article,
and it stated that no law shall be passed abridging it, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble
and petition the government for redress of grievances. The totality of this article is that the people has
the ability to exercise their rights against the persecution of the government.
 In addition, many principles in the constitution also involves the separation of powers,
independence of the judiciary, guarantee of local autonomy, high sense of public service morality and
accountability of public officers, nationalization of natural resources and certain private enterprises
affected with public interest, non-usability of state, rule of the majority and most of all, it shall be a
government of laws and not of men. The rule of majority has ever since one of the popular unwritten
law of a democratic government. It has given fundamental rights to express their opinions or to protest
the acts of majority although it is bound to abide by the decision of the latter. It is a government of law
and not of men after all. By the principles, which is also known and has the same import as the rule of
law, is meant that no man in this country- not even the government– is above or beyond the law. Every
man, however high and mighty his station may be, possesses no greater rights than every other man in
the eyes of the law. In contrary, the exercise of government power is limited to itself. It has only the
powers given it by the Constitution and laws, it may not go beyond the grants and limitations set forth
therein. Its authority continues only with the consent of the people in whom sovereignty resides. The
principle is intended to be a safeguard against arbitrary government.

The citizens of the state, although has the protection, rights and securities, are bound to respect
the sovereignty of law and not to exploit it. A person’s ideology may differ in the existing government,
but it is his duty to follow the law as long as it remains in the statute books. He cannot take the law into
his own hands by resorting to violence to enforce his rights or achieve his ends without being civilly and
criminally held liable for his actions.

The principles this protects most especially the liberties of the weak and underprivileged, hence
everyone must obey the law and no person should be exempted – rich or poor, lowly or powerful –
without fear or favor. Every citizen should obey the law, especially that the state is a democratic
republic. They are not deprived of their rights, and are not critically limited to whatever actions they
want to accomplish as long as it does not violate the law. Without this vital constitution, the state might
just fall into anarchy or dictatorship.

References:
https://mbgb79trulyrichclubcomurlhttptrulyrichclub.wordpress.com/2020/04/24/basic-principles-underlying-the-new-
constitution-the-1987-constitution/
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/1987-constitution/