•In 1965,Ferdinand E. Marcos was elected president ,and in 1967, Philippinned congress
passed a resolution calling for a constitutional convention to change 1935.
• Marcos won the re-election in 1969,in a bid boosted by campaign overspending and use the
government funds.
• In November 20, 1970 was the elections of the delegates to the constitutional convention.
• June 1,1971 the convention formal began.
• Elections of the delegates to the constitutional convention were held on November
20,1970.And the convention formally began on June 1,1971,with the former President Carlos P.
Garcia being elected as convention president .
• It was succeeded by another former president Diosdado Macapagal .
• Before the convention finished it's work ,Martial law was declared.
• Marcos cited a growing communist insurgency as reason for the martial law, which was
provided for in the 1935 constitution.
• Some delegates of the ongoing constitutional convention were placed behind bars and others
went into hiding or were voluntarily exiled.
• With Marcos as dictator , the direction of the convention turned with accounts that the
president himself dictated some provisions of the constitution, manipulating the document to be
able to hold on to power for as long as he could.
• On november 29, 1972, the convention approved its proposed constitution.
• The constitution was supposed to introduce a parliamentary-style government where
legislative power was vested in a unicameral National assembly , with members being elected
to a six-year term.
• President Marcos issued presidential Degree no.73 setting the date of the plebiscite to ratify or
reject the proposed constitution on nov.30 1973.
• Instead of plebisite ,citizen assemblies were held from 10-15 January 1973
• The president on January 17, 1973 issued a proclamation announcing the proposed
constitution being ratified.
• In 1976 citizen assemblies once again decide to allow the constitution of martial law ,as well as
approved the amendments.
• An interim Batasang pambansa to substitute for the interim national assembly,the president to
also become to prime minister and continue to exercise legislative powers until martial law was
lifted and authorized the president to legislative on his own on an emergency basis.