Adoption, promulgation and amendments

The Constitution is promulgated by the sovereign Filipino people. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution
may be proposed by the Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members or a constitutional convention.
Structure of the constitution
The Constitution is divided into 18 Articles: National Territory (I); Declaration of Principles and State Policies
Principles (II); Bill of Rights (III); Citizenship (IV); Suffrage (V); Legislative Department (VI); Executive Department
(VII); Judicial Department (VIII); Constitutional Commissions (IX); Local Government (X); Accountability Of Public
Officers (XI); National Economy and Patrimony (XII); Social Justice and Human Rights (XIII); Education, Science and
Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports (XIV); The Family (XV); General Provisions (XVI); Amendments or Revisions
(XVII); Transitory Provisions (XVIII).
Form of government and basic principles of the state
The Philippines is a democratic and republican State (Se. 1) governed by the rule of law. Sovereignty resides in the
people and all government authority emanates from them (Sec. 1). Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the
military (Sec. 3). The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable (Sec. 6) The State ensures the autonomy of
local governments (Sec.25).
Basic institutions of the state and the rule of law
The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House
of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum (Art.VI,
Sec. 1) The executive power shall be vested in the President of the Philippines (Art. VII, Sec.1). The judicial power
shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law. Judicial power includes
the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights which are legally demandable and
enforceable, and to determine whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess
of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government (Art. VIII, Sec.1). Art IX provides for the
establishment of Constitutional Commissions and sets forth that the Constitutional Commissions, which shall be
independent, are the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Elections, and the Commission on Audit. The
territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines are the provinces, cities, municipalities, and
barangays. There shall be autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras as hereinafter provided (Art.
X, Sec.1) The territorial and political subdivisions shall enjoy local autonomy (Art. X, Sec. 2). Further sections 15 and
16 of the same article set out that there shall be created autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and in the
Cordilleras consisting of provinces, cities, municipalities, and geographical areas sharing common and distinctive
historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures, and other relevant characteristics within the
framework of this Constitution and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the
Philippines. The President shall exercise general supervision over autonomous regions to ensure that laws are
faithfully executed.
Legal status of international obligations
The Philippines renounces was as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of
international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equally, justice, freedom,
cooperation, and amity with all nations (Art II, Sec.2) No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective
unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate (Ar. VII, Sec.21). All cases involving the
constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive agreement, or law, which shall be heard by the Supreme Court
en banc, and all other cases which under the Rules of Court are required to be heard en banc, including those
involving the constitutionality, application, or operation of presidential decrees, proclamations, orders, instructions,
ordinances, and other regulations, shall be decided with the concurrence of a majority of the Members who actually
took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon (Art. VIII, Sec.4).
FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND DIRECTIVE PRINCIPLES OF THE STATE POLICY
General information
Article III of the constitution is the bill of rights and sets out provisions regarding the fundamental rights and principles
of the state policy guarantees human rights and freedoms such as the right to life and liberty, prohibition of unjust
arrest and detention, prohibition of forced labour and slavery, the privacy of home, the freedom of movement,
freedom of assembly, freedom of association, the freedom of speech and religion.
Right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment
The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature. (Sec.16)
Right to property and security of tenure, including collective rights
Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation (Sec. 9).
Right to food
Explicit protection of the right to food. Article 15, Section 3 sets forth that the state shall defend the right of children to
assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty,
exploitation and other conditions prejudicial to their development
Right to water
No provisions regarding right to water.
Non discrimination and gender equality
The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law
of women and men (Sec. 14).
Rights of Indigenous Peoples
The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national
unity and development (Sec. 22).
OTHER PROVISIONS RELATED TO FAO'S MANDATE