Evolution of the

Philippine Constitution

readings in the philippine history

 W ha t is
Const itu t ion?
The word constitution is derived from the
Latin word “constitutio" which means "state
of a thing", "settlement founded".
Defined as a set of fundamental principles or
established precedent according to which a
state or other organization is governed, thus
the word itself mean to be a part of a whole,
the coming together of distinct entities into
one group, with the same principles and ideals.
So what are the Philippine
Constitutions?
1899 Malolos Constitution
1935 Commonwealth
Constitution
1943 Constitution
1973 Constitution
1986 Freedom Constitution
1987 constitution
1899 Malolos Constitution:
Following the declaration of the Philippine
Independence in 1898 and the transformation from
a dictatorial government to a revolutionary
government.

the constitution of the First Philippine Republic

and the first constitution in Asia.

drafted and adopted by the First Philippine

Republic, which lasted from 1899 to 1901.
1935 Commonwealth constitution:
Written in 1934, it was adopted by Commonwealth
Philippines(1935-1946). It was a transitional administration to
prepare the country for complete independence.

The 1935 Constitution was ratified by the Filipino people through

a national plebiscite, on May 14, 1935, and came into full force
and effect on November 15, 1935, with the inauguration of the
Commonwealth of the Philippines.

In 1940, the 1935 Constitution was amended by the National

Assembly of the Philippines. The legislature was changed from a
unicameral assembly to a bicameral congress. The amendment
also changed the term limit of the President of the Philippines
from six years with no reelection to four years with the
possibility of being reelected for a second term. sheesh
1943 Japanese constitution:
During World War II the Japanese-sponsored
government nullified the 1935 Constitution and
appointed Preparatory Committee (kalibapi) on
Philippine Independence to replace it. The Second
Republic used the 1943 Constitution with Jose P.
Laurel as President. Upon the liberation of the
Philippines in 1945, the 1935 Constitution came back
into effect.
1973 Constitution:
the shift from a presidential to a parliamentary
system of government. The Constitution vests the
legislative power in the National Assembly.
Failed to be ratified
Constitutional authoritarianism
1986 Freedom Constitution:
Immediately following the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted
Marcos, President Corazon C. Aquino issued Proclamation No. 3 as a
provisional constitution. It adopted certain provisions from the 1973
Constitution while abolishing others. It granted the President broad
powers to reorganize government and remove officials, as well as
mandating the president to appoint a commission to draft a new, more
formal Constitution.
1987 Constitution (present) :
The 1987 Constitution established a
representative democracy with power divided
among three separate and independent branches
of government: the Executive, a bicameral
Legislature, and the Judiciary.
 summary
The Philippines has had a total of six constitutions

Three other constitutions have effectively governed the

country in its history: the 1935 Commonwealth Constitution,
the 1973 Constitution, and the 1986 Freedom Constitution.
reference:
Constitution Day: GOVPH. Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. (n.d.). Retrieved
December 4, 2022, from https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/constitution-day/

Constitution of the Philippines. (2022, December 1). In Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_the_Philippines
Thank You
for listening!