The Philippine Constitution

Before 1987
History
Malolos Constitution (1899) – First Republic Constitution
1935 Constitution – Commonwealth government
1943 Constitution – During the Japanese Occupation
1973 Constitution – During Marcos’ presidency
1987 Constitution – Enacted after EDSA 1 – During the Presidency of
Corazon Aquino
What is a Constitution?
• It is the supreme law of a country.
• It is the basis of all laws and future legislations.
• All laws, ordinances, policies, or regulations that may
be passed by the state, government instrumentalities,
agencies or organizations which are in conflict with
the constitution are considered invalid, or something
that does not have any effect.
Preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution

We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in
order to build a just and humane society, and establish a Government
that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common
good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves
and our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under
the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality,
and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.