The 1973 Constitution - Famous for being made and ratified by Filipinos during the

Marcos period. It introduced two (2) new commissions: Commission on Audit (CoA) and
the Civil Service Commission (CSC). It also introduces the responsibilities of the Local
Government, as well as the introduction of the Prime Minister in the Office.

The Constitution explained that the Prime Minister, as the head of the government, has
more power than the president. Through this, it would have effectively changed the
government from a Republic into a Parliamentary form.

Constitution Content
Preamble
We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence, in order to
establish a government that shall embody our ideals, promote the general welfare,
conserve and develop the patrimony of our Nation, and secure to ourselves and our
posterity the blessings of democracy under a regime of justice, peace, liberty, and
equality, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

Constitution Articles
I. The National Territory
Describes the country as an independent nation with its properties and all within its
jurisdictions under the Philippine ownership including air space, territorial seas, and
islands within the territorial spaces claimed by the country

II. Declaration of Principles and State Policies

Same as the 1935 Constitution, but promotes the Filipino-centric values of peace,
equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with a few updates which are:
Duties of the Filipino youth
Establishment and maintenance of various social services
Civilian authority, provisions, and benefits Autonomy of local government units for self-
reliance

III.Citizens
Renamed from Citizenship
Adds provisions for Filipinas who marry aliens (i.e. foreigners), and describes what a
natural-bom citizen is

IV. Bill of Rights

Adds two (2) new civil rights from the previous constitution, and provided specified
explanations of each existing right:
o Information
o Right to access speedy trial

V. Duties and Obligationsof Citizens

Details on the responsibilities of the citizens tothe country and to the fellowman

VI. Suffrage
VII. The President and Vice-President
Details on the distinctions of duties, responsibilities, and criteria of both presidential and
vice-presidential positions
Explained that the Head Speaker of the National Assembly will become the acting-
president in case of presidential crisis or absence

VIII. National Assembly

• Renamed from Legislative Department
• Provides the same responsibilities as before

IX The Prime Minister and the Cabinet

• Renamed from Executive Department
• Provides thesame responsibilities, with the Prime Minister as head of the Cabinet of
Ministers
• Basically explains that the President is also the Prime Minister

X. The Judiciary
Renamed from Judicial DepartmentProvides the same responsibilities as before

XI.Local Government
Details the powers and duties of the heads of the local governmentunitsDivides the
country into (in descending order):O ProvincesO CitiesO MunicipalitiesO Barrios

XII. The Constitutional Commissions

Merged three (3) Articles to form one (1):
• Commission on Elections
• Civil Service Commission
• Renamed from Civil Service
• Responsible for providing eligibility of people to work for government agencies and
government-related work
• Commission on Audit
• Renamed from the General Accounting Office
• Responsible for providing financial reports and accountancy from all government
agencies, as well as file cases for financerelated cases
• All three (3) commissions have common guidelines which they are expected to follow
aside from their individual provisions

XIII. Accountability of Public Officers

• Details the candidates, conditions, and the court proceedings of impeachment
• Added a provision for the creation of the Office of the Ombudsman

XIV. The National Economy and the Patrimony of the Nation

• Added a provision for the creation of the National Economic and Development
Authority to be headed by the Prime Minister • Details the control and prohibition of
private monopolies, as well as provide opportunities, guidelines, and limitations for the
Filipino entrepreneurs• Details as well the powers of the government in emergencies
relating to business transactions and the likes• States that the natural resources will be
used by theFilipinos only, including agrarian reforms

XV. General Provisions

• Details all provisions not merited in the previous articles, which are:
o The Flag
o Adoption of national symbols, and adoption of a new country name
o Promulgating the Constitution in both English and Filipino
o Oath of the National Security in upholding the Constitution
o Development and Promotion of the national language, science, invention, the arts and
letters
o Salary and Tax
o Education and the Study of the Constitution
o Development and Implementation of Technical and Vocational education
o Separation of church and State
o Filing cases against the State

XVI. Amendments
XVII. Transitory Provisions
• Details the transitory period between the Commonwealth to the ratification of thisnew
constitution
• Added a provision for the Interim National Assembly, which is temporary until the
members of the National Assembly are elected • Details the promulgation and
processes during and after Martial Law
Amendments from the original 1973:
• Added the duties of the Vice-President in Article VII, as well as reduced the powers of
the Presidentby transferring it to the Prime Minister.
• Article VIII renamed from Batasang Pambansa.
• Article IX renamed from The Prime Minister, The Cabinet and The Executive
Committee