EVOLUTION

OF THE PHILIPPINES
CONSTITUTIONS
 The Constitution of the Philippines, the supreme law of the republic
of the Philippines, has been in effect since 1987.

 The were only three other constitutions that have effectively governed
the country
 The 1935 Commonwealth Constitutions
 The 1973 Constitution
 The 1986 Freedom Constitution
 1897:
CONSTITUTION OF BIAK-NA-
BATO
 It was provisionary Constitution of the Philippine Republic
 Promulgated by the Philippines Revolutionary Government on
November 1, 1897
 Borrowed from Cuba, was written by Isabelo Artacho and
Felix Ferrer in Spanish
The organ of the government under the
Constitution are:

Supreme Consejo Asemble de

Council Supremo de Representantes
Gracia Y
Justicia
 It was fully implemented, since a
truce, the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, was
signed between the Spanish and
Philippine Revolutionary Army
 1899:
MALOLOS CONSTITUTION
 Pact of Biak-na-Bato was signed by
Spanish and Philippine Revolutionary
Army. When Spanish was defeated by
Americans on May 1, 1898 Aguinaldo was
transported back in the Philippines.
 So then, Aguinaldo controlled Philippine
Revolutionary Forces and the declaration of
Independence issued on June 12, 1898. By
then, Malolos Congress was elected and
September 17, 1898 dated as the drafting of the
constitution.
“The Political Constitution of1899” came up
with, approved by the Congress on 29
November 1898 and promulgated by
Aguinaldo on 21 January 1899
It was patterned after Spanish Constitution of 1812, with influences from the
charters of:

Belgium Mexico Brazil

Nicaragua Costa Rica Guatemala

 The 27 articles of Title IV detail the natural
rights and popular sovereignty of Filipinos

Title III Article V, declares that the State

recognizes the freedom and equality of all beliefs
 According to Title II, Article 4, the form of
government shall exercise 3 distinct powers:

EXECUTIVE
LEGISLATIVE
JUDICIAL
 Executive power was vested in the President elected by a
constituent assembly of the Assembly of Representatives
and Special Representatives with a term of 4 years
without re-election

 Legislative power was vested in a unicameral body

called the Assembly of Representatives, its members
elected for 4 year terms

 Secretaries were given seats in assembly meeting

annually for period at least 3 months
Some powers not legislative in nature were also given to the body such as:

 right to select its own officers

 right of censure and interpellation
 the right of impeaching the presidents
 the presidents
 cabinet members
 chief justice of the Supreme Court
 solicitor-general
 Treaty of Paris between
Spain and United State

 Philippine Sovereignty
transferred on December 10,
1898