The 1987Constitution of the Republic

of the Philippines

Reported by: Nelson Ronquillo

The 1987Constitution of the Republic

of the Philippines

Preamble

Article I – National TerritoryThe national territory comprises the Philippines Archipelago,

with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its, terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other other submarine areas. The subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around, between, and converting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their, breath and dimensions. Form part of the internal waters of the Philippines.

Article II – Declaration of Principles and State Policies.

Article III – Bill of RightsSection 1. No person shall be deprived of life,

liberty, or property without due process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.

Section 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation

Article IV - Citizenship

Section 1. The following are citizens of the Philippines

1. Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of adoption of this constitution;

2. Those whose fathers of mothers are citizens of the Philippines

3. Those born before January 17, 1973, of a Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority;

4. Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

Article V – SuffrageArticle VI – The Legislative DepartmentArtcle VII – Executive DepartmentArticle VIII – Judicial DepartmentArticle IX – Constitutional CommissionsSection 1. The Constitutional Commissions, which

shall be independent, are the civil service commissions, The Commissions on Elections, and the Commission on Audit.

Civil Service Commission • as the central personnel agency of the

Government, shall establish a career service and adopt measures to promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in the civil service. It shall strengthen the merit and rewards system, integrate all human resources development programs for all levels and ranks and institutionalize a management climate conducive to public accountability.

CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS

Commission on Elections

• enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall

Commission on Audit

• has the power, authority and duty to examine, audit and settle all accounts and expenditures of the funds and properties of the government. Towards that end, it has the exclusive authority to define the scope, techniques and methods of auditing examination procedures. It also may prevent and disallow irregular, unnecessary, excessive, extravagant or unconscionable expenditures, or uses of government funds and properties.

Article X – Local GovernmentArticle XI – Accountability of Public OfficersArticle XII – National Economy and PatrimonyArticle XIII – Social Justice and Human RightsLaborAgrarian and Natural Resources Reform

Urban land Reform and HousingHealthWomenRole and Rights of People’s OrganizationsHuman RightsArticle XIV - Education, Science and Technology,

Arts, Culture, and Sports.

Article XV – The FamilySection 1. The State recognizes the Filipino

Family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strenghten its solidcirity and actively promote its total development.

Section 2. Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State.

Article XVI – General ProvisionsArticle XVII – Amendments or RevisionsArticle XVIII – Transitory Provisions

The Philippine Party System

Political Parties

• are strengthened, encouraging program and platform based politics instead of weak affiliations between opportunists. This challenges moneyed and patronage politics that have bred corruption and inefficiency, hindering the country’s development.

Party List System

• can help create a healthy democracy, providing a citizen’s voice in Congress and in local government. Aims to increase the representation, particularly of “marginalized and underrepresented” sectors and enhance transparency and accountability leading to more efficient government.