The 1987 Philippine Constitution known as Freedom Constitution

PREAMBLE comes from the word praeambulus means “walking before” or meaning
Introduction

Kabisaduhin:

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 our
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.

The 18 Articles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution

Article I. The National Theory

Article II. Declaration of Principles and State Policies

Article III. Bill Of Rights

Article IV. Citizenship

Article V. Suffrage

Article VI. The Legislative Department

Article VII. The Executive Department

Article VIII. The 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 XII. National Economy and Patrimony

Article XVIII. Transitory Provisions

Article I. The National Theory

The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters
embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or
jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, including its territorial sea,
the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around,
between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and
dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines.

Article II. Declaration of Principles and State Policies

This Article lays out the basic social and political creed of the Philippines, particularly the
implementation of the constitution and sets forth the objectives of the government.

Article III. Bill Of Rights

This article numerates specific protections against the abuse of state power, most of which are
similar to the provisions of the U.S. Constitution of public concern.

Article IV. Citizenship

This article defines the citizenship of Filipinos. It enumerates two kinds of citizens:

a. Natural born citizens - are those who are citizens from birth without having to perform
any act to acquire or perfect Philippine citizenship. The Philippines follows a jus
sanguinis system where citizenship is mainly acquired through a blood relationship
with Filipino citizens. Natural-born citizenship forms an important part of the political
system as only natural-born Filipinos are eligible to hold high offices, including all
elective offices beginning with a representative in the House of Representatives up to
the President.

b. Naturalized citizens – foreign born individuals who was naturalized by the Philippines
and declared as Filipino citizens by acquiring different requirements and will have
the same privileges and rights.

Article V. Suffrage
This article mandates various age and residence qualifications to vote and a system of secret
ballots and absentee voting. It also mandates a procedure for overseas and disabled and illiterate
Filipinos to vote.

Article VI. The Legislative Department

This article provides for a bicameral legislature called the Congress composed of the Senate
and the House of Representatives. It vests upon Congress, among others, the power of
investigation and inquiry in aid of legislation, the power to declare the existence of a state of
war, the power of the purse, the power of taxation, and the power of eminent domain.

Article VII. The Executive Department

This article provides for a presidential form of government where the executive power is
vested on the President. It provides for the qualification, terms of office, election, and power
and functions of the President. It also provides for a Vice President and for the presidential line
of succession.

Article VIII. The Judicial Department

This article vests the judicial power upon the Supreme Court and other lower courts as may be
established by law (by Congress). While the power to appoint justices and judges still reside
with the President, the President may only appoint nominees pre-selected by the Judicial and
Bar Council, a body composed of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Secretary of
Justice, the Chairs of the Senate and House Committees on Justice, and representatives from the
legal profession.

Article IX. Constitutional Commissions

This article establishes three constitutional commissions: the Civil Service Commission, the
Commission on Elections, and the Commission on Audit.
Article X. Local Government

This article pursues for local autonomy and mandates Congress to enact a law for the local
government, now currently the Local Government Code.

Article XI. Accountability of Public Officers

Section 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must, at all times, be
accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and
efficiency; act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.

Article XII. National Economy and Patrimony

Section 1. The goals of the national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities,
income, and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the
nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the
quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged.

Article XIII. Social Justice and Human Rights.

Section 1. The Congress shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures that protect
and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and political
inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power
for the common good.

To this end, the State shall regulate the acquisition, ownership, use, and disposition of property
and its increments.

Article XIV. Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports.

Section 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at
all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

Article XV. The Family

Section 1. The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.
Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.

Article XVI. General Provisions

Section 1. The flag of the Philippines shall be red, white, and blue, with a sun and three stars,
as consecrated and honored by the people and recognized by law.

Article XVII. Amendments and Revisions

Section 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by:

(1)The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its

Members; or

(2) A constitutional convention.

Article XVIII. Transitory Provisions

Section 1. The first elections of Members of the Congress under this Constitution shall be held
on the second Monday of May, 1987.

The first local elections shall be held on a date to be determined by the President, which may
simultaneous with the election of the Members of the Congress. It shall include the election of
all Members of the city or municipal councils in the Metropolitan Manila area.