TAMMY JR. C.
ESTOMATA
READINGS IN PHILIPPINE HISTORY
ACTIVITY 1
Name of Constitution
The Constitution of Biak-na-Bato
(1897)
The Malolos Constitution
The Commonwealth Constitution
(1935)
The 1943 Constitution
2-BSCE-C
Distinct Features
-written in Spanish by Istabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer
-three organs of government: Supreme Council,
Supreme Council of Grace and Justice, and Assembly of
Representatives
-Never implemented since the Pact of Biak-na-Bato was
signed between Spanish and Philippine Revolutionary
Army.
-is the first important Filipino document ever produced
by the people’s representatives.
-patterned after Spanish Constitution of 1812
-separated of the Church and State
-declared the sovereignty resides exclusively in the
people
-stated basic civil rights
-called for creation of an Assembly of Representative to
act as legislative body
-called for parliamentary republic as form of government
-President was elected for a term of four years by
majority of the Assembly
-established a democratic, republication government
with three branches: the executive, legislative and
judicial branches
-granted women suffrage two months after adoption
-amended in 1940 to have bicameral congress
composed of Senate and House of Representatives
-created independent electoral commission
-limited term office of the president and vice-president to
four years, with one re-election
-On December 30, President Quezon issued Executive
Order 134, s. 1937, approving the adoption of Tagalog
as the language of the Philippines
-Jose P. Laurel was appointed President by the National
Assembly, declared a state of war against US and
British Empire
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-drafted by the Preparatory Committee for Philippine

Independence
The 1973 Constitution -controversial for removing presidential term limit
-introduced parliamentary-style government
-Presidential Decree 1081 was proclaimed, declaring on
September 21,1972 Martial Law.
-a president was chosen from National Assembly,
ceremonial, could be reelected for unlimited terms, no to
hold any other office
-amended four times
-executive power be exercised by the Prime Minister
also elected by the National Assembly
-Prime Minister was head of government and
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
-executive power was restored to the President
-Direct election of president restored
-instituted electoral forms
-1984 amendment abolish the executive committee
restored the position of Vice-President
-provided a true parliamentary system
-The final form was the abolition of the Senate
Freedom Constitution -intended as a temporary constitution to ensure freedom
of the people and the return of democratic rule
-granted broad powers to reorganize government and
remove officials, mandating the president to appoint a
commission to draft a new constitution
The 1987 Constitution -A “democratic republican state”, sovereignty resides in
the people and all government authority emanates from
them
-allows Martial Law in times of emergency only for 60
days
-Congress can revoke by majority vote or extend
-Supreme Court may review if justifying acts are
sufficient
-legislative powers in the Congress, Senate and House
of Representatives
-Congress may declare state of war thru 2/3 votes in
upper and lower houses
- President, VP elected by direct vote, serving a single
six-year term
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