NSTP Modules

Module 2- Citizenship Training

Philippine Constitution

Topic Overview:
The module discusses the History of Philippine Constitution, the Preamble, Bill of Rights
and UNDP Principles in Human Rights. These topics are necessary for citizenship
training, it will help develop values of citizenry.

Objectives:
At the end of the module, the student will be able to:
1. Acquire knowledge on the history and legal bases of NSTP
2. Articulate on the Philippine Constitution
3. Apply the values of a good citizen to everyday living.

Philippine Constitution

Since June 12, 1898, Proclamation of Independence, there have been a total of six (6)
Philippine Constitution. Below is the evolution of the constitution:

1. Malolos Constitution (1898 – 1901) – First Philippine Constitution; First republican

constitution in Asia

2. Philippine Organic Act of 1902 & Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 (1902 – 1935)
- The Phil. Organic Act of 1902 provided a Philippine Assembly composed of Filipino
citizen while the Phil. Autonomy Act of 1916 included the first pledge of Philippine
Independence.

3. Commonwealth and Third Republic/1935 Constitution (1935 – 1943 & 1945 –

1972) – The United States Congress in 1934 passed the Philippine Independence Act
that paved way to the creation of a constitution for the Philippines. Through the 1934
Constitutional Convention, a draft of the Constitution for the Philippines was produced. It
was ratified through a national plebiscite on May 14, 1935. In November 15, 1935 with the
inauguration of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, the constitution was fully
implemented and enforced. Part of its provision states that the said constitution will remain
in effect once independence was declared on July 4, 1946. In 1940, the National
Assembly of the Philippines amended the constitution from having a unicameral assembly
to a bicameral congress and changing the term limit of the president from
 NSTP Modules
six (6) years with no re-election to four (4) years with a possibility of re-election for a
second term. In 1945, the constitution was again observed with the liberation of the country.

4. Japanese-Sponsored Republic/Second Republic/1943 Constitution (1943 – 1945)

– The Japanese-sponsored government nullified the constitution during the World War II.
The government created a Preparatory Committee on Philippine Independence to replace
the constitution. The new constitution was used by the administration under President Jose
P. Laurel.

5. Martial Law Constitution/1973 Constitution (1973 – 1986) – During the regime of

President Ferdinand Marcos, a Constitutional Convention was formed to amend the 1935
Constitution. Through the Presidential Decree No. 86, s. 1972 – creation of a citizen
assembly to ratify a drafted constitution by means of a Viva Voce in place of secret ballots,
President Marcos announced the ratification and its effectivity on January 17, 1973.
Although there were several opposition to its ratification, the 1973 Constitution was
deemed valid and was enforced.

6. Freedom Constitution/1987 Constitution (1987 – Present) – After Martial Law and

the democracy was restored, President Corazon Aquino issued the suspension of several
provision in the 1973 Constitution and promulgated a transitory constitution through
Proclamation No. 3. The Constitutional Commission was created by Proclamation No. 9,
s. 1986 and was tasked to write a new charter to replace the previous Constitution. The
National Plebiscite for the new Constitution was held on February 2, 1987. Then, on
February 11, 1987, by virtue of Proclamation No. 58 the new constitution was ratified.

PREAMBLE
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

Mapua NSTP Program Module- Mapua Univerity. Retrieved at:

https://www.mapua.edu.ph/Campus%20Life/SOCIP/Assets/CWTS/NSTP
%202019
%20Module.pdf Retrieved on June 5, 2020.

https://www.unfpa.org/resources/human-rights-principles

https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/what-universal-declarationhuman-rights