The Philippine

Constitution
By Group 1

What is a
Constitution?

Part of a country's sovereignty

Is the fundamental and supreme law of

the land

Basis of all the other laws in the land

Serves as a guide to the government in

making decisions

What are the

different
constitutions the
Philippines had?

1897 Constitution
- Philippines first constitution
- also called the Biak-na-Bato Constitution
- written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer
- lasted only until General Aguinaldo and
Governor General Primo de Rivera signed
the Pact of Biak-na-Bato
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the Biak-na-Bato republic
- almost the same as the Cuban Constitution of
Jimaguayu

Malolos Constitution
- written by Felipe Calderon
- ratification and proclamation held at
Barasoain Church in Malolos
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the First Philippine Republic, 1899.
- lasted until the Philippine-American War

1935 Constitution
- written by Claro M. Recto
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the Commonwealth Republic
- Tydings-Mcduffie Law of 1934 caused the
drafting of the 1935 constitution
- effectivity was halted during the Japanese
occupation but continued in 1946 until 1972
- constitution had to be approved by Pres.
Franklin Roosevelt
- ratification of constitution included women
for the first time

1943 Constitution
- drafted by the PCPI
- created in accordance with the
establishment of the Second Philippine
Republic or Puppet Republic
- Main purposes are :
1.

To make Filipinos believe that they would be given

independence

2.

To allow the Japanese to have more influence over Philippine

territory and resources

lasted until the end of Japanese occupation, 1945

1973 Constitution
- Main purposes before Martial Law:
1.

To reflect genuine Philippine independence and sovereignty

- Main purposes after Martial Law:

1.
2.

To change the present government to parliamentary form

To give Marcos more power and postpone the incoming 1973
elections

ratification was done through citizens assembly

created in accordance with the declaration of
Martial Law and the New Society
lasted until the People Power Revolution in 1986

Freedom Constitution
-

promulgated on March 25 1896

created in accordance with the establishment

of the Revolutionary Government of 1896

only parts about human rights were retained

from the previous constitution

served as a temporary/transitional
constitution

1987 Constitution
-

ratified February 2, 1987

formulated by Constitutional Commission led
by Cecilia Munoz Palma
pushed for the restoration of the presidential
government and protection of human rights
Changes from previous constitutions:

1.

Longer term but without reelection for president

2.

Abolition of capital punishment

3.

Party-list representation and creation of Sandigang Bayan

4.

Creation of Human Rights Commission

5.

Controlled power of president in declaring martial law

What are the

different kinds of
laws made by the
government?

National Laws
-

implemented throughout the country

drafted by the congress

also called as Republic Acts

Examples of National Laws:

1.

Tax Laws

2.

Local Government Code

National Laws
-

other laws implemented throughout the

country are the ff.:

1. International Laws
2. Laws coming from the President
3. Laws administered by the Supreme Court

Ordinances
-

passed by local government bodies in

provinces, towns, cities, etc.

implemented in LGUs because they are

important to the communities

Examples of Ordinances:
1.

Change in street name

2.

Color coding (esp. Metro Manila)

Barangay Orders
-

passed by Sangguniang Barangay

implemented in barangays

usually related to cleanliness, peace, and

order

Examples of Barangay Orders:

1.

Prohibiting noisy vehicles

2.

Designation of places where trash is thrown

Sources:
Tuico, A. and Santos, E. (2005). Awakening 6:
The Philippines Through the Years. First
Edition. JFC Publishing Inc.
Tuico, A. and Santos, E. (2005). Awakening 5:
The Philippines Through the Years. First
Edition. JFC Publishing Inc.
Oliveros, R., Galvez M., Estrelia, Y. and
Andaquig, J. (2007). Philippine History and
Government . Quezon City. Ibon Books, Inc.