The Preamble of the 1987

Philippine constitution
with discussions of the national
territory

Michael S. Martinez : AB BSE Social Studies

• The Preamble- it comes from the
word preambulare ( Latin) which
means ‘’to walk before’’
• The Preamble serves two functions: ( Bernas
S.J., 1997):
1.It sets down the origin, scope, and purpose of
the constitution. Its origin or authorship is the
‘’ will of the sovereign Filipino people’’. Its scope
and purpose is to ‘’ build a just and humane
society and to establish a government that shall
embody our ideals and aspirations’’ among
others
2. It aids in ascertaining the
meaning of ambiguous provisions.
It serves as a source of light
( Bernas S.J., 1997) to the
provisions, which are worded in
general terms.
 Territory Defined
How does the 1987 Constitution
define the territory of the
Philippines? Art. 1 Sec. 1 provides
what comprises our national
territory.
A.THE ARCHIPELAGO WITH ALL THE
ISLANDS AND WATERS EMBRACED
THEREIN
Archipelago- Greek word pelagos
which means ‘’sea’’ Archipelago-
is that part of the sea scattered with
islands
ARCHIPELAGIC DOCTRINE- posited
the 200 nautical miles exclusive
economic zone (EEZ) which provides
that a state has a jurisdiction on
territories 200 miles from the
baseline.
 Art. 1 Sec. 1
National Territory
‘’ The national territory comprises the Philippine
archipelago with all the islands and waters
embraced therein, and all other territories over
which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction
consisting of its terrestial, fluvial and aerial domains
including its territorial sea, the seabed the subsoil
and the insular shelves and other submarine areas.
The waters around, between and connecting the
islands of the archipelago, regardless of their
breadth and dimensions form part of the internal
waters of the Philippines.’’ 
The claim of the Philippines over the
SPRATLYS AND SABAH