WHY IT EXISTS?
I.
Evolution of the Philippine
Constitution
• The
CONSTITUTION is defined
as a set of fundamental principles or
established precedents according to
which a state or other organization is
governed.
-Ang saligang batas o konstitusyon ay
isang pangkat ng mga prinsipyong
saligan o pundamental o nailunsad at
naitatag na mga pamarisan na
pinagbabatayan o inaalinsunuran kung
paano pinamamahalaan ang isang estado
o iba pang organisasyon.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CONSTITUTION
• It is a supreme, absolute and cannot be altered
except by the authority
• It is paramount law to which all other laws must
conform: it is a test of legality of all government
actions.
• Enumerates and protects the rights of Citizens
from the power of the state.
• It is harder to change than ordinary laws.
(Revision or Amendment)
I.
Evolution of the Philippine Constitution
• The Constitution of the Philippines, the supreme law of the Republic of the
Philippines, has been in effect since 1987.
1897: Constitution of Biak-na-Bato
The Constitution of Biak-na-Bato was
never fully implemented, since a truce,
the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, was signed
between the Spanish and the Philippine
Revolutionary Army.
•
1899:
Malolos
Constitution
1899: Malolos Constitution
• After the signing of the truce, the Filipino
revolutionary leaders accepted a payment
from Spain and went to exile in Hong Kong.
• Upon the defeat of the Spanish to the
Americans in the Battle of Manila Bay on
May 1, 1898, the United States Navy
transported Aguinaldo back to the
Philippines.
• The newly reformed Philippine
revolutionary forces reverted to the control of
Aguinaldo, and the Philippine Declaration of
Independence was issued on June 12, 1898,
together with several decrees that formed the
First Philippine Republic. The Malolos
Congress was elected, which selected a
commission to draw up a draft constitution
on September 17, 1898, which was composed
of wealthy and educated men.
1935:
The
Commonwealth
Constitution
1935: The Commonwealth Constitution
• It is worth mentioning that after the
Treaty of Paris, the Philippines was subject
to the power of the United States of
America, effectively the new colonizers of
the country.
From 1898 to 1901, the Philippines
would be placed under a military
government until a civil government would
be put into place.
Organic Act/Cooper Act: Philippine Bill of 1902
Creation of Bicameral legislative body
Upper House – Philippines Commission
Lower House – Philippines Assembly
Philippine Autonomy Act OF 1916
Amended the structure of the Philippine Government the Philippine
Commission was changed into ‘SENATE’; Senators are Elected
Hare-Hawes- Cutting Act of 1932
with the efforts of the Filipino independence mission led by Sergio Osmeña and
Manuel Roxas, the United States Congress passed the Hare-Hawes- Cutting Act
with the promise of granting Filipinos' independence.
Tydings-Mcduffie Act of 1934
10 year transition period for the Philippines allowed the Philippines for self
government and independence
1935: The Commonwealth
Constitution
• Elections were held in September 1935
and Manuel L. Quezon was elected
President of the Commonwealth.
• The Commonwealth was briefly
interrupted by the events of the World
War II, with the Japanese occupying the
Philippines.
1943:
Constitution
Various President who ruled the Philippines using the 1935 CONSTITUTION
MARCOS
ADMINISTRATION
1973:
Constitution
1986:
Constitution
(Freedom Constitution)
1987:
Constitution