1973 Constitution Timeline

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CONSTITUTIONAL RATIFICATION MILESTONES

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Plebiscite
E ect Date: January 15, 1973

Approval Date: December 01, 1972

Presidential Decree No. 73

Submitting To The Filipino People, For Rati cation Or Rejection, The Constitution
Of The Republic Of The Philippines Proposed By The 1971 Constitutional
Convention And Appropriating Funds Therefor

WHEREAS, a new Constitution of the Philippines has been approved by the

1971 Constitutional Convention;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Article XV of the present Constitution, the proposed new

Constitution shall be valid when approved by a majority of the votes cast at an election
at which it is submitted to the people for their rati cation;

WHEREAS, the 1971 Constitutional Convention has adopted Resolution No.

5843 proposing “to President Ferdinand E. Marcos that a decree be issued calling a
plebiscite for the rati cation of the proposed New Constitution on such appropriate
date as he shall determine and providing for the necessary funds therefor”;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, Commander-in-Chief of all the

Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to PROCLAMATION NO. 1081, dated
September 21, 1972, do hereby order and decree the following:

Section 1
Plebiscite. —

The proposed Constitution of the Philippines approved by the 1971

Constitutional Convention shall be submitted to the people for rati cation or rejection
at a plebiscite to be held on January 15, 1973, in accordance with the provisions of this
Decree.

Section 2
Publication of the Constitution. —

The proposed Constitution shall be published in full in English and in Pilipino, to

be translated by the Institute of National Language, once in the O cial Gazette and in
three issues of at least two newspapers of national circulation not later than two weeks
before the plebiscite.

Printed copies of the Constitution shall be posted in a conspicuous place in

each provincial, city, municipal, and municipal district government building and in at
least two other conspicuous places in the city, municipality, or municipal district at
least thirty days before the plebiscite and in a conspicuous place in each polling place
at least fteen days before the plebiscite. Said copies shall remain posted until after the
holding of the plebiscite.

At least ve copies of the Constitution shall be kept in each polling place to be

made available for examination by quali ed voters during plebiscite day. Whenever
practicable, copies in the principal local dialects, as may be determined by the
Commission on Elections, shall also be kept in each polling place.

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 The Department of Public Information shall, in addition, distribute printed copies
of the proposed Constitution to all government o ces, agencies and instrumentalities,
including national, provincial, city, municipal, municipal district and barrio governments,
and to civic, religious, educational, business, labor and trade organizations or
institutions, and through the use of all forms of mass communication, endeavor to
disseminate full information on the provisions of the proposed Constitution.

Section 3
Freedom of Information and Discussion. —

The people shall be fully informed and enlightened on the provisions of the
proposed Constitution and may discuss the same freely and publicly in order that they
can vote intelligently to ratify or reject it: Provided, however, That the discussion shall
be limited to the proposed Constitution and shall not in any manner tend to cause
disorder or endanger the security of the State.

Section 4
Provisions Governing Plebiscite. —

The provisions of the Election Code of 1971, insofar as they are not inconsistent
herewith, shall apply to the conduct of the plebiscite.

The provisions of the Election Code of 1971 regarding rights and obligations of
political parties and candidates, shall not apply to the plebiscite.

Section 5
Plebiscite Calendar. —

The periods and dates to be observed for the performance of certain pre-
plebiscite acts shall be indicated in the Plebiscite Calendar appended hereto: Provided,
however, That if on account of insurmountable di culties, any of said periods or dates
cannot reasonably be possible to observe, the Commission on Elections may x
another period or date in order that the voters shall not be deprived of their right of
su rage. The Commission shall also x the period or date for the performance of other
pre-plebiscite acts not included in the calendar.

Section 6
Registration of Voters. —

Any quali ed voter who is not registered in the permanent list of voters shall in
order that he may vote at the plebiscite, register with the city, municipality or municipal
district wherein he is a resident on any day, including Saturdays, Sundays and holidays,
from 8:00 o'clock to 12:00 o'clock in the morning and from 1:00 o'clock to 5:00 o'clock
in the afternoon, not later than the date indicated in the calendar. There shall be no
registration of voters before the boards of inspectors.

All election registration boards as presently constituted shall continue to act as

such in connection with the registration of voters for the plebiscite. In cases where
action by the election registration board on the application for registration of voters is
unduly delayed because of the failure or refusal, after due notice, of any member
thereof other than the election registrar to act as such, or in case of any vacancy in
said board, the election registrar may designate any other teacher or registered voter of
the city, municipality or municipal district, subject to the provisions of Section 106 of
the Election Code of 1971 to act in place of the absent member or to ll the vacancy.

The decision of courts of rst instance, city courts and municipal courts of the
provincial capitals, in inclusion and exclusion cases, shall be nal and immediately
executory.

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 Section 7
Current List of Voters: Preparation and Publication. —

The board of inspectors provided in the next succeeding section shall on the
second Saturday before plebiscite day, meet at their respective polling places from
seven o'clock in the morning until six o'clock in the afternoon to prepare and certify
three copies of the current list of voters, by transferring thereto the names of the voters
appearing in the existing precinct book of voters. Before seven o'clock in the morning
of this day, the election registrar shall deliver the precinct books of voters to the
chairman of the boards of inspectors who shall remain custody thereof until they are
returned to the election registrar after the plebiscite. After preparing the current list and
before it adjourns, the board shall close and seal the precinct books of voters and
make a certi cate that the approved applications contained therein, stating the exact
number, are complete for the precinct. The chairman of the board shall see to it that the
precinct books of voters shall remain closed and sealed until it is opened for use on
plebiscite day.

For purposes of public information, the poll clerk shall before leaving the polling
place, post a copy of the current list in a secure and conspicuous place at or near the
door of the polling place where it can be conveniently consulted by interested parties;
and shall, at the rst hour of the working day following the preparation of the current
list, deliver a certi ed copy thereof to the election registrar in whose o ce said copy
shall be open to the public for inspection during regular o ce hours. The chairman of
the board shall retain his copy of the current list so prepared which may be inspected
by the public in his residence or o ce during regular o ce hours.

Section 8
Board of Inspectors. —

Not later than twenty days before plebiscite day, the Commission on Elections
shall appoint a board of inspectors for each election precinct to be composed of a
chairman and two members, one of whom shall be designated concurrently as poll
clerk, and all of whom shall be public school teachers, preference being given to civil
service eligibles who have been in the service for more than ve years and are
registered voters of the city, municipality or municipal district. In case of non-availability
of public school teachers, the Commission may appoint private school teachers, or any
o cer or employee in the civil service who is a registered voter of the city, municipality
or municipal district to ll the vacancies, or, in the absence of all the said substitutes,
any registered voter of the precinct. Public school teachers who are appointed
members of the board of inspectors, and their substitutes may vote in their respective
precincts where they are assigned on plebiscite day: Provided, That they are quali ed
voters of the city, municipality or municipal district where they are assigned and that
before the precinct books of voters are closed and sealed, their approved applications
for registration shall have been transferred to the precincts where they are assigned as
board members, under such rules that the Commission may provide.

In places where, by reason of deteriorating peace and order conditions, public

school teachers and their substitutes are unable or unwilling to discharge their duties,
the Commission may appoint ROTC cadets, who are at least 21 years of age, as
members of the board of inspectors to insure a free, orderly and honest plebiscite
therein.

The members of the board of inspectors shall receive the same rates of pay for
services rendered in connection with the plebiscite as those provided in the Election
Code of 1971.

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 Section 9
Watchers. —

The Commission on Elections may designate in each polling place, on

recommendation of civic groups, not more than six watchers, who are of good
reputation and who shall not have been convicted of any o ense nor have pending
against them any complaint or information for any election o ense. They shall have the
same rights and duties as those provided in the Election Code for watchers.

Section 10
Precincts and Polling Places. —

The election precincts actually established in the last election shall continue with
such adjustments, changes or new divisions as the Commission on Elections may nd
necessary. For purposes of the plebiscite, the maps of precincts required by Section 84
of the Election Code shall be deemed su ciently published if the Commission posts
copies thereof in the city, municipality or municipal government building and in three
other conspicuous places in the city, municipality or municipal district.

The location of polling places designated in the preceding election shall

continue with such changes as the Commission may nd necessary provided that each
polling place shall have at least three voting booths.

Section 11
O cial Ballots. —

The o cial ballot to be used in the plebiscite shall be printed in English and shall
be in the form and size to be prescribed by the Commission on Elections. It shall
contain on the face thereof the following:

(Seal)

OFFICIAL BALLOT

(Municipality & Province)

January 15, 1973

PLEBISCITE

Fill out this ballot secretly inside the booth. Do not put any distinctive mark in any part
of this ballot.

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

Proposed by the 1971 Constitutional Convention on November 30, 1972, is

being submitted to the people in this plebiscite, for rati cation or rejection, pursuant to
the provisions of Article XV of the present Constitution.

To vote for the rati cation of the Constitution, the voter shall write the word
"YES" or its equivalent in Pilipino or local dialect in the blank space after the question;
to vote for the rejection thereof, he shall write the word "NO" or its equivalent in Pilipino
or local dialect.

Do you approve the Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines as proposed

by the 1971 Constitutional Convention on November 30, 1972?

The o cial ballots may be printed by letterpress or o set method of printing.

The ballots shall be bound in separate books of one-hundred ballots each. Each city,
municipality and municipal district shall be furnished o cial ballots at the rate of one
and one-tenth ballots for every registered voter in the next preceding election.

Section 12
Plebiscite Returns. —

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 The board of inspectors shall prepare and sign four copies of the plebiscite
returns in their respective polling places on a form to be prescribed by the Commission
on Elections. One copy shall be deposited inside the ballot box, one copy each shall
be delivered personally by the board to the election registrar and to the city, municipal
or municipal treasurer, and the original copy shall be transmitted to the Commission on
Elections in such manner as it may direct.

Section 13
Canvass of the Returns by the City, Municipal and Municipal District Board of
Canvassers. —

At six o'clock in the afternoon of plebiscite day, the city, municipal or municipal
district board of canvassers shall meet for the purpose of canvassing the plebiscite
returns for the city, municipality or municipal district, as the case may be. The city,
municipal or municipal district treasurer shall produce before the board the returns
already received by him from the di erent precincts. The board shall canvass
continuously until all the returns are read, but may suspend the canvass only for the
purpose of awaiting other returns and shall resume immediately upon receipt of such
returns. Upon completion of the canvass, the board shall prepare and sign a certi cate
of canvass of all the votes cast for "YES" and all the votes cast for "NO" supported by
a statement of votes by precincts.

The board of canvassers shall prepare the certi cate of canvass and the
supporting statement by precinct in triplicate in one writing in the form prescribed by
the Commission on Elections. The copies of the certi cate and statement shall be
enclosed in envelopes furnished by the Commission on Elections and distributed as
follows: the original copy shall be delivered to the Commission on Elections in the
manner it may direct; the second copy shall be transmitted to the Provincial Treasurer
for safekeeping; and the third copy shall be kept on le in the o ce of the city,
municipal or municipal district treasurer.

The members of the board of canvassers shall each receive a xed

compensation of thirty pesos for actual services rendered in the board.

The Commission may, upon recommendation of civic, religious and educational

organizations, appoint three watchers to be present at, and take note of all the
proceedings of the board of canvassers. The watchers shall have the right to read the
plebiscite returns without touching them and to le a protest against any irregularity in
the plebiscite returns submitted and to obtain from the board of canvassers a
resolution thereon in writing.

Section 14
Canvass by the Commission on Elections: Proclamation of the Result. —

Within one week after the holding of the plebiscite, the Commission on Elections
shall commence a public canvass of the votes as certi ed by the city, municipal and
municipal district boards of canvassers and, thereafter, proclaim the result thereof.

In case there are certi cates of canvass which are missing and the votes therein will
not a ect the result of the plebiscite, the Commission on Elections may terminate the
canvass and proclaim the result of the plebiscite on the basis of the available
certi cates of canvass.

Section 15
Plebiscite Supplies and Services. —

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 The Commission on Elections may procure any supplies, materials or services
needed for the holding of the plebiscite either by negotiation or through sealed
quotations if it nds the requirements of public bidding impracticable to observe.

Section 16
Rules and Regulations. —

The Commission on Elections shall promulgate the rules and regulations

necessary to carry out the provisions of this Decree.

Section 17
Appropriation. —

The sum of fteen million (P15,000,000) pesos is hereby appropriated out of any
funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry out the purposes of
this Decree: Provided, That this appropriation shall be available for the payment of
expenses incurred for the purpose before the promulgation of this Decree, and shall be
available for expenditure after June 30, 1973, until all expenses of said plebiscite shall
have been paid.

Section 18
E ectivity. —

This Decree shall become e ective immediately upon its promulgation.

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Information Drive on proposed Constitution

E ect Date: Upon approval

Approval Date: December 18, 1972

Presidential Decree No. 82

Calling On The Delegates To The Constitutional Convention To Conduct An
Information Campaign On The Proposed New Constitution And For Other
Purposes

WHEREAS, it is important that the delegates to the Constitutional Convention

conduct an information drive on the proposed new Constitution, which they have
approved, in order to a ord our people the opportunity to be more enlightened on its
various features;

WHEREAS, it is equally important that the Constitutional Convention wind up its

a airs not later than January 31, 1973; and

WHEREAS, for these purposes, it is necessary that the Government extend all
assistance possible to the Constitutional Convention;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by

virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, and pursuant to PROCLAMATION NO. 1081, dated
September 21, 1972, and General Order No. 1, dated September 22, 1972, do hereby
decree:

1. The Constitutional Convention shall wind up its a airs not later than January
31, 1973.

2. The Constitutional Convention delegates shall conduct, pursuant to the

Executive Memorandum of the Constitutional Convention President Diosdado

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 Macapagal, dated December 2, 1972, an information campaign on the Constitution
throughout the country.

3. The amount of Three Million Four Hundred Thousand Pesos (P3,400,000) is

hereby appropriated for the above-mentioned purposes.

4. The funds reverted to the National Treasury appropriated under Republic Acts
Nos. 6132, 6490 and 6427, intended for the Constitutional Convention, as well as the
unreleased portion of the funds appropriated under Republic Act No. 6427 and
Presidential Decree No. 14, dated October 5, 1972, are also hereby appropriated for
the same purposes.

In this connection, the Budget Commission is hereby ordered to release the

afore-cited amounts immediately to the Constitutional Convention: Provided, however,
That the funds intended for the information drive of the Constitutional Convention
delegates shall be expended only upon the approval of the Chairman of the
Constitutional Convention Rati cation Coordinating Committee in such a manner as
will e ectively carry out the objectives of the information drive as herein stated.

This Decree is hereby made part of the law of the land and shall take e ect
immediately.

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Plebiscite-Referendum
E ect Date: January 10-15, 1973

Approval Date: January 5, 1973

PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 86-A

STRENGTHENING AND DEFINING THE ROLE OF BARANGAYS (CITIZENS
ASSEMBLIES)

WHEREAS, on the basis of preliminary and initial reports from the eld as
gathered from barangays (citizens assemblies) that have so far been established, the
people would like to decide for themselves questions or, issues, both local and
national, a ecting their day-to-day lives and future;

WHEREAS, the barangays (citizens assemblies) would like themselves to be the

vehicle for expressing the views of the people on important issues;

WHEREAS, such barangays (citizens assemblies) desire that they be given legal
status and due recognition as constituting the genuine, legitimate and valid expression
of the popular will; and

WHEREAS, the people would like the citizens assemblies to conduct

immediately a referendum on certain speci ed questions such as the rati cation of the
new Constitution, continuance, of martial law, the convening of Congress on January
22, 1973, and the elections in November 1973 pursuant to the 1935 Constitution.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by

virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as Commander-in-Chief of all the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, do hereby declare as part of the law of the land the
following:

1. The present barangays (citizens assemblies) are created under Presidential

Decree No. 86 dated December 31, 1972, shall constitute the base for citizen
participation in governmental a airs and their collective views shall be considered in
the formulation of national policies or programs and, wherever practicable, shall be
translated into concrete and speci c decision;

2. Such barangays (citizens assemblies) shall consider vital national issues not
confronting the country, like the holding of the plebiscite on the new Constitution, the

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 continuation of martial rule, the convening of Congress on January 22, 1973, and the
holding of elections in November 1973, and others in the future, which shall serve as
guide or basis for action or decision by the national government;

3. The barangays (citizens assemblies) shall conduct between January 10 and

15, 1973, a referendum on important national issues, including those speci ed in
paragraph 2 hereof, and submit the results thereof to the Department of Local
Governments and Community Development immediately thereafter, pursuant to the
express will of the people as re ected in the reports gathered from the many thousands
of barangays (citizens assemblies) throughout the country.

4. This Decree shall take e ect immediately.

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Referendum-Plebiscite
E ect Date: January 10-15, 1973

Approval Date: January 07, 1973

Presidential Decree No. 86-B

De ning Further The Role Of Barangays (Citizens Assemblies)

WHEREAS, since their creation pursuant to the Presidential Decree No. 86 dated
December 31, 1972, the Barangays (Citizens Assemblies) have petitioned the O ce of
the President to submit to them for resolution important national issues;

WHEREAS, one of the questions persistently mentioned refers to the rati cation
of the Constitution proposed by the 1971 Constitutional Convention;

WHEREAS, on the basis of the said petitions, it is evident that the people
believe that the submission of the proposed Constitution to the Citizens Assemblies or
Barangays should be taken as a plebiscite in itself in view of the fact that freedom of
debate has always been limited to the leadership in political, economic and social
elds, and that it is now necessary to bring this down to the level of the people
themselves through the Barangays or Citizens Assemblies;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by

virtue of the-powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby order that important
national issues shall from, time to time be referred to the Barangays (Citizens
Assemblies) for resolution in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 86-A dated
January 5, 1973 and, that the initial referendum shall include the matter of rati cation of
the Constitution proposed by the 1971 Constitutional Convention.

The Secretary of the Department of Local Governments and Community

Development shall insure the implementation of this Order.

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1973 CONSTITUTION RATIFIED

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January 17, 1973

Proclamation No. 1102
ANNOUNCING THE RATIFICATION BY THE FILIPINO PEOPLE OF THE
CONSTITUTION PROPOSED BY THE 1971 CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION

WHEREAS, the Constitution proposed by the nineteen hundred seventy-one

Constitutional Convention is subject to rati cation by the Filipino people;

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 WHEREAS, Citizens Assemblies were created in barrios in municipalities and in
districts/wards in chartered cities pursuant to Presidential Decree No. 86, dated
December 31, 1972, composed of all persons who are residents of the barrio, district
or ward for at least six months, fteen years of age or over, citizens of the Philippines
and who are registered in the list of Citizen Assembly members kept by the barrio
district or ward secretary;

WHEREAS, the said Citizens Assemblies were established precisely to broaden

the base of citizen participation in the democratic process and to a ord ample
opportunity for the citizenry to express their views on important national issues;

WHEREAS, responding to the clamor of the people and pursuant to Presidential

Decree No. 86-A, dated January 5, 1973, the following questions were posed before
the Citizens’ Assemblies or Barangays: Do you approve of the New Constitution? Do
you still want a plebiscite to be called to ratify the new Constitution?

WHEREAS, fourteen million nine hundred seventy-six thousand ve hundred

sixty-one (14,976,561) members of all the Barangays (Citizens Assemblies) voted for
the adoption of the proposed Constitution, as against seven hundred forty-three
thousand eight hundred sixty-nine (743,869) who voted for its rejection; while on the
question as to whether or not the people would still like a plebiscite to be called to
ratify the new Constitution, fourteen million two hundred ninety-eight thousand eight
hundred fourteen (14,298,814) answered that there was no need for a plebiscite and
that the vote of the Barangays (Citizens Assemblies) should be considered as a vote in
a plebiscite;

WHEREAS, since the referendum results show that more than ninety- ve (95)
per cent of the members of the Barangays (Citizens Assemblies) are in favor of the new
Constitution, the Katipunan ng Mga Barangay has strongly recommended that the new
Constitution should already be deemed rati ed by the Filipino people;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines, by

virtue of the powers in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby certify and proclaim
that the Constitution proposed by the nineteen hundred and seventy-one (1971)
Constitutional Convention has been rati ed by an overwhelming majority of all of the
votes cast by the members of all the Barangays (Citizens Assemblies) throughout the
Philippines, and has thereby come into e ect.

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CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS MILESTONES

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Referendum-Plebiscite
E ect Date: October 16-17, 1976

Approval Date: September 22, 1976

Presidential Decree No. 1033

Stating the Questions to be Submitted to the People in the Referendum-
Plebiscite on October 16, 1976
“1976 Amendments”

Section 1
The questions to be submitted to the people in the referendum-plebiscite to be held on
October 16, 1976 shall be as follows:

1. Do you want martial law to be continued?

2. Whether or not you want martial law to be continued, do you approve the
following amendments to the Constitution? For the purpose of the second

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 question, the referendum shall have the e ect of a plebiscite within the
contemplation of Section 2 of Article XVI of the Constitution.

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS:

1. There shall be, in lieu of the Interim National Assembly, an interim Batasang
Pambansa, Members of the interim Batasang Pambansa which shall not be more
than 120, unless otherwise provided by law, shall include the incumbent President
of the Philippines, representatives elected from the di erent regions of the nation,
those who shall not be less than eighteen years of age elected by their respective
sectors, and those chosen by the incumbent President from the members of the
Cabinet. Regional representatives shall be apportioned among the regions in
accordance with the number of their respective inhabitants and on the basis of a
uniform and progressive ratio while the sectors shall be determined by law. The
number of representatives from each region or sector and the manner of their
election shall be prescribed and regulated by law.

2. The interim Batasang Pambansa shall have the same powers and its members
shall have the same functions, responsibilities, rights, privileges, and
disquali cations as the interim National Assembly and the regular National
Assembly and the members thereof. However, it shall not exercise the power
provided in Article VIII, Section 14(1) of the Constitution.

3. The incumbent President of the Philippines shall, within 30 days from the election
and selection of the members, convene the interim Batasang Pambansa and
preside over its sessions until the Speaker shall have been elected. The
incumbent President of the Philippines shall be the Prime Minister and he shall
continue to exercise all his powers even after the interim Batasang Pambansa is
organized and ready to discharge its functions, and likewise he shall continue to
exercise his powers and prerogatives under the nineteen hundred and thirty ve
Constitution and the powers vested in the President and the Prime Minister under
this Constitution.

4. The President (Prime Minister) and his Cabinet shall exercise all the powers and
functions, and discharge the responsibilities of the regular President (Prime
Minister) and his Cabinet, and shall be subject only to such disquali cations as
the President (Prime Minister) may prescribe. The President (Prime Minister) is he
so desires may appoint a Deputy Prime Minister or as many Deputy Prime
Ministers as he may deem necessary.

5. The incumbent President shall continue to exercise legislative powers until martial
law shall have been lifted.

6. Whenever in the judgment of the President (Prime Minister), there exists a grave
emergency or a threat or imminence thereof, or whenever the interim Batasang
Pambansa of the regular National Assembly fails or is unable to act adequately on
any matter for any reason that in his judgment requires immediate action, he may,
in order to meet the exigency, issue the necessary decrees, orders or letters of
instructions, which shall form part of the law of the land.

7. The barangays and sanggunians shall continue as presently constituted but their
functions, powers, and composition may be altered by law.

Referenda conducted thru the barangays and under the supervision of the
Commission on Elections may be called at any time the government deems it
necessary to ascertain the will of the people regarding any important matter
whether of national or local interest.

8. All provisions of this Constitution not inconsistent with any of these amendments
shall continue in full force and e ect.

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 9. These amendments shall take e ect after the incumbent President shall have
proclaimed that they have been rati ed by a majority of the votes cast in the
referendum-Plebiscite.

Section 2
This decree shall take e ect immediately.

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Plebiscite
E ect Date: January 30, 1980

Approval Date: December 22, 1979

Publication Date: March 19, 1984

Batas Pambansa Big. 54

An Act Providing For The Holding Of A Plebiscite On January 30, 1980, At Which
Proposed Amendments To The Constitution Of The Republic Of The Philippines
Shall Be Submitted To The Filipino Electorate

Section 1
A plebiscite shall be held on January 30, 1980, simultaneously with the election
for local o cials, at which proposed amendments to the Constitution of the Republic of
the Philippines shall be submitted to the electorate for their consideration.

Section 2
The expenses for such plebiscite shall be charged to the appropriations of the
Commission on Elections authorized for the purpose and any de ciency thereof shall
be covered by appropriations authorized for special priority activities of government as
embodied in the Special Activities Fund or its equivalent.

Section 3
This Act shall take e ect upon its approval.

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Plebiscite
E ect Date: April 7, 1981

Approval Date: march 10, 1981

Batas Pambansa Big. 122

An Act To Submit To The Filipino People, For Rati cation Or Rejection, The
Amendments To The Constitution Of The Philippines, Proposed By The Batasang
Pambansa, Sitting As A Constituent Assembly, In Its Resolutions Numbered Two,
Three And One, And To Appropriate Funds Therefor.
“1981 Amendments”

Section 1
A plebiscite shall be held on April 7, 1981, at which amendments to the
Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines proposed by the Batasang Pambansa,

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sitting as a Constituent Assembly, during its Third Regular Session shall be submitted
to the electorate for their consideration.

Section 2
The said amendments shall be published at least once in each of the English
and Pilipino newspapers of nationwide circulation, the last publication to be made not
later than March 17, 1981. Printed copies of the amendments shall be posted in a
conspicuous place in every municipal, city and provincial o ce building not later than
March 17, 1981. Su cient copies of the proposed amendments shall be furnished
each polling place to be available for examination by the quali ed voters during the day
of the plebiscite. Whenever practicable, copies in the principal dialects as may be
determined by the Commission on Elections shall also be printed and used. The
Commission on Elections is hereby empowered to promulgate rules and regulations to
assure widest dissemination of information on the proposed constitutional
amendments through the broadcast and print media and the barangays.

Section 3
The ballots to be used in the plebiscite shall be printed in English, and in
appropriate cases, in Arabic as provided by the Election Code of 1978, in a form to be
prescribed by the Commission on Elections which shall include the questions
hereinafter stated.

OFFICIAL BALLOT

The Batasang Pambansa, sitting as a Constituent Assembly, in Resolution No. 2,

No. 3 and No. 1 has proposed that the Constitution of the Philippines be amended in
the particulars here-in-below stated.

To vote for the approval of each of the questions covering the amendments
proposed, write the word "Yes" or its equivalent in the blank space provided for the
purpose.

To vote for the rejection thereof, write the word "No" or its equivalent.

QUESTION NO. 1

Do you vote for the approval of an amendment to the Constitution and to

Amendment No. 2, as proposed by the Batasang Pambansa in Resolution No. 2,
which, in substance, calls for the establishment of a modi ed parliamentary system,
amending for this purpose Articles VII, VIII and IX of the Constitution, with the following
principal features:

1. The President is the head of state and Chief Executive of the Republic of the
Philippines, elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years. He has
control of the Ministries. He formulates the guidelines of national policy. He
nominates the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister to be elected by the
Batasang Pambansa. Upon the advice of the Prime Minister in writing, whenever
the need arises for a vote of con dence on a fundamental issue, the President
may dissolve the Batasang Pambansa and call for an election on a date set by
him. However, the Batasang Pambansa may not be dissolved: 1) within eighteen
(18) months preceding a regular election of the Batasang Pambansa; 2) within
eighteen (18) months immediately following such election; 3) during the pendency
of impeachment proceedings against the President; or 4) when the Executive
Committee or the Speaker, in appropriate cases, exercises the powers or
discharges the duties of the President. The President shall be immune from suit
during his tenure. Thereafter, no suit whatsoever shall lie for o cial acts done by
him or by others pursuant to his speci c orders during his tenure. This immunity

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 shall apply to the incumbent President referred to in Article XVII of this
Constitution.

2. The legislative power is vested in the Batasang Pambansa to be composed of not

more than 200 members unless otherwise provided by law, including regional and
sectoral representatives, and members of the Cabinet chosen by the President.
The regional and sectoral representatives shall have a term of six years. The
regular election for the members of the Batasang Pambansa shall be held on the
second Monday of May, 1984, and every six years thereafter. The Batasang
Pambansa elects the Prime Minister upon nomination by the President. It may
withdraw its con dence from the Prime Minister, in which case, the President may
within ten days from advice of the adoption of the motion of non-con dence,
submit to the Batasang Pambansa a nominee for Prime Minister. It calls for the
election of President in case of permanent disability, death, removal from o ce or
resignation of the President. In addition to the existing disquali cations, its
Members may not appear as counsel in any criminal case wherein a government
o cer or employee is accused of an o ense committed in relation to his o ce.

3. The Executive Committee is composed of not more than 14 members designated

by the President, at least half of whom shall be members of the Batasang
Pambansa. It is headed by the Prime Minister. The Executive Committee assists
the President in the exercise of his powers and functions and in the performance
of his duties as he may prescribe. The Executive Committee shall exercise the
powers and discharge the duties of the President until a President is elected and
quali ed in the following cases: (a) if the President-elect dies; or (b) fails to qualify
before the beginning of his term; or (c) if the President has not been chosen
before the start of his term. In case of permanent disability, death, removal from
o ce or resignation of the President, the Executive Committee headed by the
Prime Minister as hereinafter provided shall exercise the powers of the President
until a President shall have been elected and quali ed. If the permanent disability,
death, removal from o ce or resignation of the President occurs earlier than
eighteen (18) months before the expiration of his term, the Batasang Pambansa
shall, within thirty days from the time the vacancy occurs, call a special election to
be held not earlier than thirty- ve days nor later than sixty days from the time of
such call, to elect a President to serve the unexpired term. In the absence of the
Executive Committee, the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa shall act as
President until a President shall have been elected and quali ed.

4. The Cabinet, headed by the Prime Minister, shall be composed of Ministers with
or without portfolio appointed by the President. At least a majority of the Cabinet
who are heads of ministries shall come from the Regional Representatives of the
Batasang Pambansa.

5. The Prime Minister is the head of the Cabinet and of the Executive Committee. He
is elected by the Batasang Pambansa upon nomination by the President from
among the Members. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet shall be responsible to
the Batasang Pambansa for the program of government approved by the
President. 

The Deputy Prime Minister, elected by the Batasang Pambansa, upon nomination
by the President from among the Members thereof, performs functions assigned
to him by the Prime Minister.

QUESTION NO. 2

Do you vote for the approval of an amendments to the Constitution of the

Philippines, as proposed by the Batasang Pambansa in Resolution No. 3, which, in
substance, institutes electoral reforms, namely:

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 1. Except as member of the Executive Committee, no elective o cial shall be
eligible for appointment to any o ce or position during his tenure, unless
otherwise provided by law, amending for this purpose paragraph (1) Section 4 of
Article XII-B;

2. Accreditation of political parties whose candidates for President obtained the rst
and second highest number of votes in the last preceding presidential election
under this Constitution if each has obtained at least ten percent (10%) of the total
number of votes cast, amending for this purpose Section 8 of Article XII-C;

3. Grant to accredited political parties the right to be represented in the registration

board, board of election inspectors, board of canvassers, or similar bodies; as
well as grant to accredited political parties of other rights or privileges as may be
provided by law; amending for this purpose paragraph (2), Section 9, Article XII-C;
and

4. Change of political party a liation by an elective public o cer during his term of
o ce, or by a candidate for an elective o ce within six months immediately
preceding or following an election shall be prohibited, unless otherwise provided
by law, amending for this purpose Section 10, Article XII-C.

QUESTION NO. 3

Do you vote for the approval of an amendment to the Constitution of the

Philippines, as proposed by the Batasang Pambansa in Resolution No. 1, which, in
substance, provides that a natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his
Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of private land, for use by him as his
residence, as the Batasang Pambansa shall provide, amending for this purpose
Section 14 of Article XIV of the Constitution?

Section 4
The Citizens Election Committees that functioned in the local elections of
January 30, 1980 are hereby reappointed to serve in the same polling centers subject
to the power of the Commission on Elections to make new appointments or transfers
whenever the need arises.

Section 5
The Citizens Election Committees shall prepare and sign three copies of the
returns of the plebiscite in their respective voting centers on a form to be prescribed by
the Commission on Elections. One copy shall be deposited in the ballot box for valid
ballots, and two copies shall be delivered to the Municipal Election Registrar who shall
immediately deliver the original copy to the Provincial Election O cer and forward the
other to the Commission on Elections.

Section 6
Upon the completion of the canvass, the Provincial or City Board of Canvassers
as the case may be shall prepare a certi cate of canvass in duplicate. The original shall
be delivered to the Commission on Elections in Manila by the fastest possible means,
one copy to be led in the O ce of the Provincial Election O cer.

Section 7
The Commission on Elections, sitting en banc, shall canvass and proclaim the
result of the plebiscite using the certi cates, submitted to it, duly authenticated and
certi ed by the Board of Canvassers of each province or city.

Section 8

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 The Commission on Elections shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out
the provisions of this Act.

Section 9
The expenses for such plebiscite shall be charged to the appropriations of the
Commission on Elections authorized for the purpose in the current annual General
Appropriations Act. In case of de ciency, the appropriations herein provided may be
augmented from funds currently authorized in the General Appropriations Act under the
Special Activities Fund.

Section 10
The plebiscite shall be conducted and supervised by the Commission on
Elections and shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of the 1978 Election Code
and other applicable laws.

Section 11
This Act shall take e ect upon its approval.

———————————————————————————————————————

Plebiscite
E ect Date: January 27, 1984

Approval Date: December 21, 1983

Batas Pambansa Big. 643

An Act To Submit To The Filipino People For Rati cation Or Rejection The
Amendments To The Constitution Of The Philippines Proposed By The Batasang
Pambansa In Its Sixth Regular Session, Calling A Plebiscite For This Purpose,
Appropriating Funds Therefor And For Other Purposes.
“1984 Amendments”

Section 1
A plebiscite shall be held on January 27, 1984, pursuant to Article XVI, Sections
1(1) and 2 of the Constitution, for the submission to the people of amendments to the
Constitution of the Philippines proposed by the Batasang Pambansa during its Sixth
Regular Session.

Section 2
The said amendments shall be published at least once, in at least three
newspapers of nationwide circulation and once in at least one newspaper of provincial
circulation in every province to be determined by ra e, the last publication to be made
not later than January 7, 1984. Printed copies of the amendments shall be posted in a
conspicuous place in every provincial capitol, municipal, city and barangay hall or
building not later than January 7, 1984. Su cient copies of the proposed amendments
shall be furnished each voting center to be available for the quali ed voters to read and
study on the day of the plebiscite. Copies thereof in the principal dialects shall also be
printed and distributed to the electorate. The Commission on Elections is hereby
empowered to promulgate rules and regulations to assure widest dissemination
through the print and broadcast media and other means of information on the

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 proposed amendments and questions herein prescribed for submission to the
electorate.

Section 3
The o cial ballots to be used in the plebiscite shall be printed in English and, in
appropriate cases, in Arabic in accordance with the provisions of the Election Code, of
1973, in a form to be prescribed by the Commission on Elections which shall include
the questions and particulars hereunder stated to be printed in clearly readable type:

OFFICIAL BALLOT

The Batasang Pambansa, in Resolutions Numbered 104, 105, 110, 111 and 112
has proposed that the Constitution of the Philippines be amended in the particulars
hereinbelow stated.

To vote for the approval of each of the questions covering the proposed
amendments, write the word "Yes" or its equivalent in the blank space provided for the
purpose. A check mark shall not be considered as such equivalent.

To vote for the rejection thereof, write the word "No" or its equivalent in the
blank space provided for the purpose. A cross or "x" mark shall not be considered as
such equivalent.

QUESTION NO. 1

Do you vote for the approval of amendments to the Constitution proposed by

the Batasang Pambansa in Resolution Numbered 104 and 112 which, in substance,
provides as follows:

1. The Members of the Batasang Pambansa shall be elected by the di erent

provinces with their component cities, by highly urbanized cities, and by the
districts of Metropolitan Manila, instead of by the various regions. Each province,
highly urbanized city and district of Metropolitan Manila shall be entitled to at least
one Member. The total number of Members of each province and city shall at least
be the same as under the 1935 Constitution.

2. The Members of the Batasang Pambansa to be elected by the di erent provinces

with their component cities, highly urbanized cities, and the districts of Metropolitan
Manila shall be apportioned, unless otherwise provided by law, as follows: 

National Capital Region: Manila, 6; Quezon City, 4; Caloocan, 2; Pasay, 1; Pasig
and Marikina, 2; Las Piñas and Parañaque, 1; Makati, 1; Malabon, Navotas and
Valenzuela, 2; San Juan and Mandaluyong, 1; Taguig, Pateros and Muntinglupa, 1.
Region I: Abra, 1; Benguet, 1; Ilocos Norte with Laoag City, 2; Ilocos Sur, 2; La
Union, 2; Mountain Province, 1; Pangasinan with the cities of Dagupan and San
Carlos, 6; Baguio City, 1; Region II: Batanes, 1; Cagayan, 3; Ifugao, 1; Isabela, 3;
Kalinga-Apayao, 1; Nueva Vizcaya, 1; Quirino, 1; Region III: Bataan, 1; Bulacan, 4;
Nueva Ecija with the cities of Cabanatuan, Palayan and San Jose, 4; Pampanga
with Angeles City, 4; Tarlac, 2; Zambales, 1; Olongapo City, 1; Region IV: Aurora, 1;
Batangas with the cities of Batangas and Lipa, 4; Cavite with the cities of Cavite,
Tagaytay and Trece Martires, 3; Laguna with the San Pablo City, 4; Marinduque, 1;
Occidental Mindoro, 1; Oriental Mindoro, 2; Palawan with Puerto Princesa City, 1;
Quezon with Lucena City, 4; Rizal, 2; Romblon, 1; Region V: Albay with Legaspi
City, 3; Camarines Norte, 1; Camarines Sur with the cities of Iriga and Naga, 4;
Catanduanes, 1; Masbate, 2; Sorsogon, 2; Region VI: Aklan, 1; Antique, 1; Capiz
with Roxas City, 2; Iloilo with Iloilo City, 5; Negros Occidental with the cities of
Bacolod, Bago, Cadiz, La Carlota, San Carlos and Silay, 7; Region VII: Bicol with
Tagbilaran City, 3; Cebu with the cities of Danao, Lapu-Lapu, Mandaue and Toledo,
6; Negros Oriental with the cities of Bais, Canlaon and Dumaguete, 3; Siquijor, 1;
Cebu City, 2; Region VIII: Leyte with the cities of Ormoc and Tacloban 5; Southern

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 Leyte, 1; Eastern Samar, 1; Northern Samar, 1; Samar with Calbayog City, 2; Region
IX: Basilan, 1; Sulu, 1; Tawi-Tawi, 1; Zamboanga del Norte with the cities of Dapitan
and Dipolog, 2; Zamboanga del Sur with Pagadian City, 3; Zamboanga City, 1;
Region X: Agusan del Norte with Butuan City, 1; Agusan del Sur, 1; Bukidnon, 2;
Camiguin, 1; Misamis Occidental with the cities of Oroquieta, Ozamis and Tangub,
1; Misamis Oriental with Gingoog City, 2; Surigao del Norte with Surigao City, 1;
Cagayan de Oro City, 1; Region XI: Surigao del Sur, 1; Davao del Norte 3; Davao
Oriental, 1; Davao del Sur, 2; South Cotabato with General Santos City, 3; Davao
City, 2; Region XII: Lanao del Norte, 1; Lanao del Sur with Marawi City, 2;
Maguindanao with Cotabato City, 2; North Cotabato, 2; Sultan Kudarat, 1; Iligan
City, 1. Any province that may hereafter be created or any component city that may
hereafter be declared by or pursuant to law as a highly urbanized city, shall be
entitled in the immediately following election to at least one Member or such
number of Members as it may be entitled to on the basis of the number of its
inhabitants and on the same uniform and progressive ratio used in the last
preceding apportionment. The number of Members apportioned to the province out
of which the new province was created or where the new highly urbanized city is
geographically located shall be correspondingly adjusted by the Commission on
Elections but such adjustment shall not be made within one hundred twenty days
before the election.

3. The foregoing appointment shall be appended as an Ordinance to the Constitution.

4. The residence requirements in the political subdivision in which a Member of the

Batasang Pambansa will be elected is reduced from one year to six months
immediately preceding the day of the election.

QUESTION NO. 2

Do you vote for the approval of amendments to the Constitution as proposed by

the Batasang Pambansa in Resolution Numbered 110 which, in substance, provide for
a di erent mode of presidential succession with the following salient features:

1. Abolition of the Executive Committee and Creation of the O ce of the Vice-

President.

1. The Executive Committee provided in Section 3, Article IX of the

Constitution is abolished.

2. The O ce of the Vice-President is created. The Vice-President shall have

the same quali cations and term of o ce and may be removed from
o ce in the same manner as the President. He may be appointed as a
member of the Cabinet and he may be nominated and elected as Prime
Minister. He shall be elected with and in the same manner as the
President. A vote for the President shall also be a vote for the Vice-
President running under the same ticket of a political party, unless
otherwise provided by law. The age quali cation for President and Vice-
President is reduced to 40 years old.

2. Presidential succession before the election of 1987

1. In case a vacancy in the O ce of President occurs before the presidential

election of 1987, the Speaker of the Batasang Pambansa shall act as
President until a President and a Vice-President or either of them shall
have been elected and shall have quali ed.

2. The Batasang Pambansa shall, at ten o'clock in the morning of the third
day after the vacancy occurs, convene in accordance with its Rules
without need of a call and within seven days enact a law calling for a
special election for President and Vice-President to be held not earlier
than forty- ve days and not later than sixty days from the time of such

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 call. The convening of the Batasang Pambansa cannot be suspended nor
the special election postponed. No special election shall be called if the
vacancy occurs within seventy days before the date of the presidential
election of 1987.

3. The tenure of o ce of the President and Vice-President elected in the

special election shall commence at noon of the tenth day following their
proclamation, and shall end at noon on the thirtieth day of June of the
sixth year thereafter.

3. Limitations on the powers of the Speaker acting as President.

1. The Acting President may not declare martial law or suspend the privilege
of the writ of habeas corpus without the prior consent of at least a
majority of all the Members of the Batasang Pambansa.

2. He may not issue any decree, order or letter of instruction while the
lawmaking power of the President is in force.

3. He shall be deemed automatically on leave and the Speaker Pro-Tempore

shall act as Speaker. While acting as President, the Speaker may not be
removed.

4. He shall not be eligible for election in the immediately succeeding election

for President and Vice-President.

5. Appointments extended by the Acting President shall remain e ective

unless revoked by the newly elected President within ninety days from his
assumption of o ce.

4. Presidential succession after the election of 1987

1. If at the time xed for the beginning of his term, the President-elect shall
have died, the Vice-President elect shall become President. If a President
shall not have been chosen before the time xed for the beginning of his
term, or if the President shall have failed to qualify, then the Vice-president
shall act as President until a President shall have quali ed.

2. In case of permanent disability, death, removal from o ce or resignation

of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve
the unexpired term.

5. Statutory succession

1. The Batasang Pambansa shall by law provide who shall act as President
or the manner in which one who is to act shall be elected if neither a
President-elect nor a Vice-President-elect shall have been chosen nor
shall have quali ed, or both shall have, died at the time xed for the
beginning of their term.

2. The Batasang Pambansa shall by law provide for the death, pertinent
disability or resignation of the Speaker at the time the vacancy in the
O ce of the President occurs or subsequently thereafter, declaring who
shall serve as President until the President and the Vice-President shall
have been elected and quali ed, subject to the same restrictions of
powers and disquali cations as the Speaker when acting as President.

QUESTION NO. 3

Do you vote for the approval of amendments to the Constitution as proposed by

the Batasang Pambansa in Resolution Numbered 105 which, in substance, provide
that grant shall be an additional mode for the acquisition of lands belonging to the
public domain and that the agrarian reform program may include the grant or
distribution of alienable lands of the public domain to quali ed tenants, farmers and
other landless citizens.

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 Section 4
In case of any resolution that may hereafter be approved proposing further
amendment or amendments to the Constitution, the Commission on Elections is
empowered to formulate the appropriate question or questions based on the resolution
concerned for inclusion in the same ballot as the other questions to be submitted in the
plebiscite herein called.

Section 5
There shall be a Citizen's Election Committee in every voting center to be
composed of three public school teachers one whom shall be designated as the
chairman. In case the number of public school teachers is insu cient, the Commission
of Elections may appoint private school teachers. The members of the committee shall
each receive a compensation of fty pesos per day of service which shall be paid not
later than thirty days following the day of the plebiscite.

Section 6
The Citizens' Election Committees shall prepared and sign four copies of the
returns of the plebiscite in their respective voting centers on a form to be prescribed by
the Commission on Elections. The fourth copy shall be deposited in the ballot box for
valid ballots, and three copies shall be delivered to the election registrar concerned
who shall retain one copy, immediately deliver the original to the provincial election
supervisor and forward the other to the Commission on Elections. In cities, the election
registrar shall deliver the original to the city board of canvassers and forward the other
to the Commission on Elections. Certi ed copies of the plebiscite returns may be
issued by the election committees upon request of interested parties and such certi ed
copies shall be evidence of the results of the plebiscite in the voting centers
concerned.

Section 7
1. There shall be a provincial board of canvassers in each province to be
composed of the provincial election supervisor or a representative of the
Commission, as chairman, and the provincial scal and the division
superintendent of schools, as members: Provided, That in case there are two or
more division superintendents of schools in a province, the Commission shall
appoint as member the more senior superintendent who is not a native of the
province.

2. There shall be a city board of canvassers in each city to be composed of the city
election registrar or a representative of the Commission on Elections who should
be a lawyer, as chairman, and the city scal and the city superintendent of
schools, as members.

Section 8
Upon the completion of the canvass, the provincial or city board of canvassers
as the case may be shall prepare a certi cate if canvass in duplicate. The original shall
be delivered to the Commission on Elections in Manila by the fastest possible means
and the duplicate shall be led in the O ce of the Provincial Election Supervisor.
Certi ed copies of the certi cate of canvass may be issued by the board of canvassers
upon request of interested parties and such certi cates shall be evidence of the results
of the canvass in the province or city concerned.

Section 9

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 The Commission on Elections, sitting en banc shall, not later than twenty days
from the date of the plebiscite, canvass and proclaim the result of the plebiscite using
the certi cates submitted to it, duly authenticated and certi ed by the board of
canvassers of each province or city.

Section 10
The President shall issue a proclamation upon submission to him by the
Commission on Election of the results of the plebiscite, declaring the amendments
rati ed in the plebiscite as in full force and e ect as part of the Constitution of the
Philippines.

Section 11
On such date as the Commission on Elections may x, which shall not be later
than January 17, 1984, the Commission on Elections shall order a new registration of
voters in any voting center, motu proprio or upon veri ed petition of any election
registrar, political party or voter after due notice and hearing, in areas where there is
need therefor to cleanse the list of voters of illegal or irregular registrants. Not later than
ve days before the date xed for the plebiscite, the complete list of voters shall be
posted in every voting center. Failure to comply with this requirement shall be
considered serious election o ense and shall be penalized as such.

Section 12
The expenses for the plebiscite shall be charged to the appropriations of the
Commission on Elections authorized for the purpose in the General Appropriations
Acts of 1983 and 1984. In case of de ciency, the appropriations herein provided may
be augmented from funds authorized under said General Appropriations Acts under the
Special Activities Fund.

Section 13
The plebiscite shall be conducted and supervised by the Commissioner on
Elections and shall be governed by the pertinent provisions of the 1978 Election Code
and other applicable laws. The Commission on Elections shall promulgate the rules
and regulations necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act.

Section 14
This Act shall take e ect upon its approval.

———————————————————————————————————————

References
Retrieved from:

https://www.lawphil.net/statutes/presdecs/pd1973/pd_86_a_1973.html

http://source.gosupra.com/docs/statutes/tag/constitution?
t=Constitutions+and+Amendments

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