The Philippine
Constitution
By Group 1
What is a
Constitution?
Part of a country's sovereignty
 Is the fundamental and supreme law of
the land
 Basis of all the other laws in the land
 Serves as a guide to the government in
making decisions

What are the
different
constitutions the
Philippines had?
1897 Constitution
- Philippines’ first constitution
- also called the Biak-na-Bato Constitution
- written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer
- lasted only until General Aguinaldo and
Governor General Primo de Rivera signed
the Pact of Biak-na-Bato
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the Biak-na-Bato republic
- almost the same as the Cuban Constitution of
Jimaguayu
Malolos Constitution
- written by Felipe Calderon
- ratification and proclamation held at
Barasoain Church in Malolos
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the First Philippine Republic, 1899.
- lasted until the Philippine-American War
1935 Constitution
- written by Claro M. Recto
- created in accordance with the establishment
of the Commonwealth Republic
- Tydings-Mcduffie Law of 1934 caused the
drafting of the 1935 constitution
- effectivity was halted during the Japanese
occupation but continued in 1946 until 1972
- constitution had to be approved by Pres.
Franklin Roosevelt
- ratification of constitution included women
for the first time
1943 Constitution
- drafted by the PCPI
- created in accordance with the
establishment of the Second Philippine
Republic or Puppet Republic
- Main purposes are :
1.
To make Filipinos believe that they would be given
independence
2.
To allow the Japanese to have more influence over
Philippine territory and resources
-
lasted until the end of Japanese occupation,
1945
1973 Constitution
- Main purposes before Martial Law:
1.
To reflect genuine Philippine independence and sovereignty
- Main purposes after Martial Law:
1.
2.
To change the present government to parliamentary form
To give Marcos more power and postpone the incoming
1973 elections
-
ratification was done through citizen’s
assembly
created in accordance with the declaration of
Martial Law and the New Society
lasted until the People Power Revolution in
1986
-
Freedom Constitution
-
promulgated on March 25 1896
-
created in accordance with the establishment
of the Revolutionary Government of 1896
-
only parts about human rights were retained
from the previous constitution
-
served as a temporary/transitional
constitution
1987 Constitution
-
-
ratified February 2, 1987
formulated by Constitutional Commission led
by Cecilia Munoz Palma
pushed for the restoration of the presidential
government and protection of human rights
Changes from previous constitutions:
1.
Longer term but without reelection for president
2.
Abolition of capital punishment
3.
Party-list representation and creation of Sandigang Bayan
4.
Creation of Human Rights Commission
5.
Controlled power of president in declaring martial law
-
What are the
different kinds of
laws made by the
government?
National Laws
-
implemented throughout the country
-
drafted by the congress
-
also called as Republic Acts
Examples of National Laws:
1.
Tax Laws
2.
Local Government Code
National Laws
-
other laws implemented throughout the
country are the ff.:
1. International Laws
2. Laws coming from the President
3. Laws administered by the Supreme Court
Ordinances
-
passed by local government bodies in
provinces, towns, cities, etc.
-
implemented in LGU’s because they are
important to the communities
Examples of Ordinances:
1.
Change in street name
2.
Color coding (esp. Metro Manila)
Barangay Orders
-
passed by Sangguniang Barangay
-
implemented in barangays
-
usually related to cleanliness, peace, and order
Examples of Barangay Orders:
1.
Prohibiting noisy vehicles
2.
Designation of places where trash is thrown
Sources:
Tuico, A. and Santos, E. (2005). Awakening 6:
The Philippines Through the Years. First
Edition. JFC Publishing Inc.
Tuico, A. and Santos, E. (2005). Awakening 5:
The Philippines Through the Years. First
Edition. JFC Publishing Inc.
Oliveros, R., Galvez M., Estrelia, Y. and
Andaquig, J. (2007). Philippine History and
Government . Quezon City. Ibon Books, Inc.