History of the Philippine Constitution

1. Malolos Constitution- January 21, 1899 (1 st Republic)

2. 1935 Constitution- May 14, 1935 (Commonwealth)

3. 1943 Constitution- Japanese Occupation

4. 1973 Constitution- January 17, 1973 Presidential Proclamation no. 1102 (Parliamentary Government)

5. 1987 Constitution- February 2, 1 987

-constitutional commission

-President of the drafting commission Cecilia Munoz Palma

The Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines

PREAMBLE

ARTICLE I National Territory

COMPRISES:

1) the Philippine archipelago;

2) all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction

– consists of its

a) Terrestrial

b) Fluvial

c) Aerial domains

– including its

a) Territorial sea

b) The seabed

c) The subsoil

d) The insular shelves; and

e) The other submarine areas

ARCHIPELAGIC PRINCIPLE
Two elements:

1. The definition of internal waters (supra);

2. The straight baseline method of delineating the territorial sea – consists of drawing straight lines
connecting the outermost points on the coast without departing to any appreciable extent from the
general direction of the coast.

Important distances with respect to the waters around the Philippines

-Territorial Sea 12 nautical miles (n.m.)

-Contiguous Zone 12 n.m. from the edge of the territorial sea

-Exclusive Economic Zone 200 n.m. from the baseline

EXCLUSIVE ECONOMIC ZONE-

Body of water extending up to 200 nautical miles, within which the state may exercise sovereign rights
to explore, exploit, conserve and manage the natural resources

The state in the EEZ exercises jurisdiction with regard to:

1. the establishment and use of artificial islands, installations, and structures;

2. marine scientific research;

3. the protection and preservation of marine environment;

ARTICLE II Declaration of Principles and State Policies

- The Philippines is a democratic republic

- Renunciation of war as a form of national policy
o Congress are the one who can declare war by 2/3 votes
- Supremacy of civilian over military authority
- Separation of church and state
- Family as the basic unit of the state
- Autonomy of local governments
- Full public disclosure

ARTICLE III Bill of Rights

- a right to due process and equal protection of law

- a right against searches and seizures without a warrant issued by a judge
 - a right to privacy
- The right to freedom of speech and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and
the right to petition
- The free exercise of religion
- a right of abode and the right to travel
- a right to information on matters of public concern
- a right to form associations
- a right of free access to courts
- the right to remain silent and to have competent legal counsel
- a right to bail and against excessive bail conditions
- a right to habeas corpus
- the right to a speedy trial
- the right against self-incrimination
- the right to political beliefs and aspirations
- a prohibition against cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment
- protection against imprisonment for debt
- the right against double jeopardy
- prohibition of ex post facto laws and bills of attainder.

ARTICLE IV Citizenship

Jus Sanguini –Blood

Jus Soli- Place of birth

The following are citizens of the Philippines:

(1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution;

(2) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;

(3) Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon
reaching the age of majority; and

Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

-Natural-born citizens are those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform
any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship. Those who elect Philippine citizenship in
accordance with paragraph (3), Section 1 hereof shall be deemed natural-born citizens.

-Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by law

-Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens shall retain their citizenship, unless by their act or omission
they are deemed, under the law, to have renounced it.

-Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and shall be dealt with by law.
ARTICLE V Suffrage

-18 years old

-who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least one year

-and in the place wherein they propose to vote for at least six months immediately preceding the
election

-No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage

ARTICLE VI Legislative Department

Bicameralism- upperhouse(senate), lowerhouse(house of representatives)

Senate

-24 members

-6 years term

Qualification:

- Natural born citizen

- 35 years old
- Registered Voter
- a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the
election
- able to read and write

House of Representatives (Congress)

- 250 members party list representatives included

- 3 years term

Qualification:

- Natural born citizen

- 25 years old
- Registered Voter
- resident thereof for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day of the
election.
- Able to read and write
- The Senate and the House of Representatives shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to
the election, returns, and qualifications of their respective Members. Each Electoral Tribunal
shall be composed of nine Members, three of whom shall be Justices of the Supreme Court to
be designated by the Chief Justice
 - All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local
application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives, but the
Senate may propose or concur with amendments.
- The House of Representatives shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of
impeachment (1/3 votes)
- The Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.
- The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session assembled, voting
separately, shall have the sole power to declare the existence of a state of war.

ARTICLE VII Executive Department

The executive power shall be vested in the President of the Philippines.

6 years term without re-election

Qualification:

- Natural born citizen

- 40 years old
- Registered Voter
- resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election
- able to read and write

 The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines.
 The President may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures,
after conviction by final judgment. He shall also have the power to grant amnesty with the
concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress.
 The President shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus, and offices.

ARTICLE VIII Judicial Department

The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established
by law.

- The Judiciary shall enjoy fiscal autonomy

- The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen (14) Associate Justices
- The retirement of a chief justice is 70 years old

ARTICLE IX Constitutional Commissions

1. Commission on audit
2. Commission on election

3. Civil service commision

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 XVII Amendments or Revisions

ARTICLE XVIII Transitory Provisions

Order of succession of Power

1. President

2. Vice- President

3. Senate President

4. House Speaker

Who can be removed from office through Impeachment

1. President

2. Vice- President

3. Chief Justice and the Members of the Supreme Court

4. Ombudsman

5. Constitutional Commission
Which place in CALABARZON was named “ Special Science and Nature City” of the Philippines?

a.Los Banos c. Pagsanjan

b.Tagaytay d. Kawit

Los Banos is the correct answer. Signed on August 7, 2000: Designating and declaring the
municipality of Los Baños, Laguna as a special science and nature city of the Philippines.

Which one serves as the rice granary in the northeast Philippine?

a.Cagayan Valley

b.Nueva Ecija

c. Cordillera Administrative Region

d. Ilocos Region

Who was the first woman in Panay to fight in the Philippine revolution?

• Teodora Alonso

• Agueda Esteban

• Teresa Magbanua

• Trinidad Tecson