This document summarizes key aspects of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines. It outlines the national territory, citizenship requirements, branches of government including their structure and powers, and protections for civil liberties and human rights. Some highlights include that the Philippines has a bicameral legislature called Congress, an executive branch led by a President, and an independent judiciary headed by the Supreme Court. It also establishes local governments and commissions to oversee elections, civil service, and audits.

1. Michael P. Vale
Instructor 1

2. THE 1987 Constitution of
the republic of the
Philippines

3. OFFICERS:
President: Cecilia Munoz Palma
Vice President: Ambrosio B. Padilla
Floor Leader: Napoleon G. Rama
Assistant Floor Leaders: Jose
Calderon and Ahmad Domocao
Alanto
Ratified: February 2, 1987

4. ARTICLE I- NATIONAL TERRITORY
The Philippine Archipelago with all the
islands and waters contained therein.
ARCHIPELAGO- Greek Pelagos
meaning SEA- Group of Islands
DOMAINS:
Areal- Air Territory
Terrestrial- Land Territory
Fluvial- Water

5. UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE
LAW OF THE SEA (UNCLOS)
12 Nautical mile (19 km.) territorial
sea
200 nautical mile Exclusive
Economic Zone (EEZ)
Other Territories:
Seabed
Subsoil
Other submarine areas

6. NAVIGABLE WATERS
Inland/Internal waters
Territorial Sea
High or Open Seas

7. TERRITORIAL DISPUTES
Spratlys/Scarborough
Shoal- China, Taiwan,
Vietnam, Malaysia
Sabah- Malaysia

8. ARTICLE II- DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE
AND STATE POLICIES
Section 1- Democratic and
Republican State. Sovereignty reside in
the people.
Democratic- Election
Republican- Representative
Sovereignty:
Internal- The State can govern itself
External- No other country can
interfere with state affairs

9. ARTICLE II- DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE
AND STATE POLICIES
Section 2- Renunciation of war
Aggressive
Defensive
Adopts generally accepted principle of
international law
INTERNATIONAL LAW- Rules and
Principles that govern the relations of
nations

10. ARTICLE II- DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE
AND STATE POLICIES
Section 3- Civilian authority is
supreme over the military
-President is the Commander-in-Chief
Section 4- To serve and Protect the
People
MILITARY SERVICE- Compulsary and
personal for the defense of the State
CIVIL SERVICE- Any service to
government, Encouraged and Personal

11. ARTICLE II- DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE
AND STATE POLICIES
Section 6- Separation of Church and
State should be inviolable
-Church should not interfere in purely
political or temporal life matters. It’s
concern is religious and moral matters.
-State shall not have official religion
-State shall not fund any religion
-Freedom of Religion

12. ARTICLE II- DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE
AND STATE POLICIES
Section 7- Pursue Independent
Foreign Policy
-FOREIGN POLICY- Conduct of a
State of it’s affairs with other State
Section 8- Freedom from Nuclear
weapons
-Except when national interest
warrants:
-No production, storage or transit of
Nuclear Weapon

13. ARTICLE II- DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE
AND STATE POLICIES
Section 11- Values the dignity of
every person and guarantees full
respect for human rights
-Violation of Human Rights is violation
of the Dignity of a person
Section 12- Protect and strengthen
family
-Family- basic unit of society
-Ban on abortion
-No divorce
-Crime against adultery and
concubinage

14. ARTICLE II- DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLE
AND STATE POLICIES
Section 25- Autonomy of local
governments
Section 26- Equal access to public
service and prohibit Political Dynasties
Section 28- Full public disclosure

15. ARTICLE III- BILL OF RIGHTS
BILL OF RIGHTS- Charter of Liberty
Declaration and enumeration of person’s
basic rights and privileges to protect from
abuse of government and other individuals
or group of individuals
CLASSES:
NATURAL RIGHTS- Given by God
(Right to life, liberty, love) inalienable
CONSTITUTIONAL- Right guaranteed
by the constitution and cannot be taken
by the law making body, alienable

16. ARTICLE III- BILL OF RIGHTS
STATUTORY- Additional rights granted
by law. (right to minimum wage)
CLASSIFICATION OF
CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS
Political- To participate in government
(right to suffrage, citizenship and
information on public concerns
Civil- Enforced by law for the
enjoyment of happiness (right to equal
protection of law, against involuntary
servitude, against imprisonment for non-
payment of debt)

17. ARTICLE III- BILL OF RIGHTS
CLASSIFICATION OF CONSTITUTIONAL
RIGHTS
Social and Economic RIGHTS- to
ensure economic security (right to
property, just compensation, education)
Accused- For protection of person
accused of a crime (unreasonable seize
and seizure, presumption of innocence,
impartial and speedy trial, against inhuman
punishment)
Miranda Doctrine

18. ARTICLE III- BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 1- Due process of Law, Equal
protection
Procedural Due process- Follows right
process
Substantive- Jurisdiction and evidence
Section 2- Right to be secure in their
person, houses, papers against
unreasonable searches, seizures
Search Warrant- Order in writing, named
in the people of the Philippines, signed by
a judge
Warrant of arrest- To arrest a person

19. ARTICLE III- BILL OF RIGHTS
Search and seizure without warrant:
-consent or waiver
-questionable contrabands in checkpoints
-Law prohibited possession is in plain
view
-Routinary searches in customs
Arrest without warrant:
-Crime in presence (Citizen arrest)
-Prisoner escaped from prison

20. ARTICLE III- BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 3- Privacy of communication
Right of Privacy- Right to be left alone
against undesired publicity, disclosure of
communication and correspondence when
public matter/security is not concerned
(writ of habeas data)
Section 4- No law shall be passed
abridging freedom of speech, expression,
press, assembly, and redress grievances
Section 5- Religious Freedom
Section 6- Liberty of abode

21. ARTICLE III- BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 7- Information on matters of
public concern
Section 8- Right to form unions,
association and societies not contrary to
law
Section 9- private property shall not be
taken without just compensation (Eminent
domain)
Section 11- Free access to courts and
adequate legal assistance
Section 12- Accused Right to
information, against self incrimination and
competent and independent counsel

22. ARTICLE III- BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 13. Right to bail
Section 14. Right to presumption of
innocence
No person shall be compelled as a
witness against himself (right to self
incrimination)
Section 22. No ex post facto bill of
attainder shall be enacted
Ex post facto- Bill for punishment after
crime was committed
Bill of attainder- Punishment without
judicial trial

23. ARTICLE IV- CITIZENSHIP
CITIZENSHIP- membership of a person in
a political society.
CITIZEN- A person having the title of a
citizen who enjoys civil and political rights
and is protected by the state inside or
outside the territory.
ALIEN- A citizen of other country
WAYS OF ACQUIRING CITIZENSHIP:
Involuntary method- By birth (blood or
place)
Voluntary- By naturalization

24. ARTICLE IV- CITIZENSHIP
CITIZENSHIP BY BIRTH:
Jus Sanguinis- By blood
Jus Soli/Loci- By soil
NATURALIZATION- An act of formally
adopting a foreigner into the political body
of the state and clothing him with the
rights and privileges of a citizen.
Judgment of the Court
Direct act of Congress
Administrative proceeding
KINDS OF CITIZEN:
Natural born
Naturalized

25. ARTICLE IV- CITIZENSHIP
LOSS OF CITIZENSHIP:
VOLUNTARILY
•Naturalization in other country
•Renunciation of citizenship
•Oath of allegiance to constitution of other country
INVOLUNTARY
•Cancellation of certificate of naturalization by the court
•Deserter of the armed forces in times of war
REACQUISITION:
•Naturalization
•Repatriation- for deserters and marriage to alien
•Direct act of Congress

26. ARTICLE IV- CITIZENSHIP
Section 5. Dual allegiance is inimical to
national interest and shall be dealt with
by law.
DUAL ALLEGIANCE- Continued
allegiance of a naturalized to his previous
constitution/mother country
DUAL CITIZENSHIP- Possession of two
citizenship.

27. ARTICLE V- SUFFRAGE
Section 1. Suffrage may be exercized by all citizen unless
otherwise disqualified by law
SUFFRAGE- Right and obligation to vote of citizen (18
years of age, resident for one year and in the place to vote
for 6 months)
ELECTION- Choosing officials
PLEBISCITE- Yes or no to proposed legislation that may
affect local government units/ revision, amendment to
constitution
REFERENDUM- Submission of law or part for ratification or
rejection of voting citizen
INITIATIVE- People directly proposes or enacts law
RECALL- Suspension of public official

28. ARTICLE V- SUFFRAGE
WHO SHALL NOT VOTE?
•Sentenced criminals (disenfranchised)
•Disloyal people to government
•Insane or incompetent people declared
by competent authority
Section 2. Congress shall provide system
for securing the secrecy and sanctity of
ballot, procedure for illiterates and
absentee voting

29. ARTICLE VI- LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Section 1. The legislative power shall be vested
in the Congress of the Philippines
LEGISLATIVE POWER- Power to create, alter
or repeal a law
Bicameralism/Double-Chamber
•Upper House- Senate
•Lower House- House of representatives
Section 2. The SENATE
•24 senators
•Natural born
•35 years old
•Able to read and write
•Registered voter
•Resident for two years
•TERM: Six years/2 consecutive terms

30. ARTICLE VI- LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Section 5. House of Representatives
•250 members
•Party list is 20%
•Natural born
•25 years old
•Able to read and write
•Registered voter in his legislative district
•Resident of his legislative district for 1 year
•3 years and 3 consecutive terms
•ELECTION:
•Regular- Second Monday of may
•Special- in terms of vacancy
•Immunity to cases with 6 years below sentence
while house is in session

31. ARTICLE VI- LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
ELECTORAL TRIBUNAL:
•Judge of electoral contests
•3 SC Justices
•6 members of Senate/Congress
•Senior Justice is Chairman
COMMISSION ON APPOINTMENT:
•Senate Pres- Ex officio (not voting except in a
tie) Chairman
•Six senators
•Six congressmen
Section 23. Joint session with 2/3 vote each
(Congress shall have the sole power to declare
the existence of war)

32. ARTICLE VI- LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
CHECK:
Legislative: Veto a Bill- Override a vetoed Bill
(3/4 vote)
Judiciary- Declare a bill or parts thereof
unconstitutional
Section 24. All appropriations shall come from
the house of Representatives
Hodge-podge or log-rolling legislation- Several
subjects in one bill

33. ARTICLE VII- EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Section 1. The executive power shall be vested
in the President of the Philippines
EXECUTIVE POWER- Power to administer law.
Qualifications of Pres and VP:
•Natural Born
•Registered voter
•Able to read and write
•40 years old
•Resident for 10 years
•No reelection for Pres
•One reelection for VP
•No reelection for Pres successor who served
for four years and above

34. ARTICLE VII- EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
Section 18. The writ of habeas corpus may
only be suspended or put the Philippines or
any part thereof for a period not exceeding
sixty days unless extended by congress.
Must only be suspended at times of rebellion,
invasion or public service require it.
PARDONING POWER:
•Reprieve- postponement of sentence
•Commutation- reduction of sentence
•Pardon- act of grace, total forgiveness
•Parole- Freedom without finishing sentence
•Amnesty- Mass granting of freedom (with
concurrence of Congress)

35. ARTICLE VIII- JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Section 1. The judicial power shall be vested
in one supreme court and lower courts
established by law.
JUDICIAL POWER- Power and duty of courts
of justice to interpret and apply laws.
•Scope:
•Adjudicatory power- To settle controversies
•Judicial review- interpret constitution
•Incidental power- Power to infer punishment

36. ARTICLE VIII- JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Supreme Court- Chief Justice and 14
Associate Justices
Qualifications: natural born, 40 years old, 15
years judge of lower court or in practice
Court of Appeals- 69 justices with 1 Presiding
Justice
Regional Trial Court- 720 Trial Judges
Metropolitan Courts
Special Courts
Sandiganbayan- 14 justices and 1 presiding
justice
Court of tax appeals- 5 justices and 1
presiding justice

37. ARTICLE VIII- JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
JURISDICTION OF SUPREME COURT
•Certiorari- Writ to transmit records to higher
court for review
•Prohibition- Command to a lower court,
corporation, board or person to desist from
proceeding to action or matter
•Mandamus- Ordering a certain act to be done
•Quo Warranto- Recover an office or
franchise from persons or corporations
unlawfully holding it.

38. ARTICLE IX- CONSTITUTIONAL
COMMISSION
Civil Service Commission, Commission on
Elections and Commission on Audit
CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION
•Chairman and two commissioner
•Natural born, 35 years old and not a
candidate for election preceding appointment
•Chairman- Seven years
•Commissioner- Five years
•Commissioner- Three years
•CIVIL SERVICE- Professionalized men and
women who made government service a
lifetime career

39. ARTICLE IX- CONSTITUTIONAL
COMMISSION
Commission on Elections
•One chairman and six commissioners
•Natural born
•35 years old
•Holder of college degree
•Not a candidate for election preceding
appointment
•TERM: Chairman for seven years, Three
members for 7 years, two members for five
years and and the last for 3 years without
reappointment

40. ARTICLE IX- CONSTITUTIONAL
COMMISSION
Commission on Audit
•One chairman and two commissioners
•Natural born
•35 years old
•CPA or member of Philippine BAR and is in
practice for ten years
•Chairman-7 years
•One commissioner for 5 years
•One for three years
•No reappointment

41. ARTICLE X- LOCAL GOVERNMENT
Section 1. Territorial divisions are provinces,
cities, municipalities and barangays.
Autonomous Region in Mindanao and
Cordilleras
LOCAL GOVERNMENT- political subdivision
with a control of local affairs
Section 2. Enjoy local autonomy
LOCAL AUTONOMY- exercise of basic
powers (police, taxation and eminent domain)
DECENTRALIZATION- transfer of basic
powers from national to local governments

42. ARTICLE XI- ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC
OFFICERS
Section 1. Public Office is public trust
PUBLIC OFFICE- Public position
Employee- Holds clerical position
Officer- Holds managerial and executive
functions
Section 2. Impeachment for President, VP,
Members of Supreme Court, Members of
Constitutional Commission and Ombudsman
(Tanod Bayan)
Grounds:
•Violation of constitution, treason, bribery,
graft and corruption, high crimes, betrayal of
public trust

43. ARTICLE XI- ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC
OFFICERS
Impeachment- Senate as quasi court to
decide on the inquest of the conduct of public
men
Section 3. Senate shall have the sole power to
try and decide cases of impeachment
Two thirds vote of the senate with the Senate
President to preside
When the President is on trial, the Chief
Justice shall Preside but not vote

44. ARTICLE XI- ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC
OFFICERS
Sandiganbayan- Anti graft court
Ombudsman- Tanodbayan
Section 15. Right of the State to recover ill-
gotten wealth

45. ARTICLE XII- NATIONAL ECONOMY AND
PATRIMONY
Section 1. Equitable distribution of
opportunities, income and wealth, promote
industrialization and full employment
THREE-FOLD GOALS OF NATIONAL
ECONOMY:
•Equity- Control of monopoly and prevention
of unfair competition
•Growth- Increase in (GDP) and (GNP)
•Productivity- ability to create better outputs
•Section 2. All natural resources are owned by
the state (Regalian Theory)

46. ARTICLE XIII- SOCIAL JUSTICE AND
HUMAN RIGHTS
SOCIAL JUSTICE- Guarantee the equality of
opportunity in all fields of human endeavor
Section 4. Agrarian and natural resources
Reform
Section 9. Urban Land and Housing
Section 11. Promotion Health
Section 14. Women
Section 15. Organization
Section 17. Commission on Human Rights
Chairman and 4 members
Natural born, members of Bar

47. ARTICLE XIV- EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, CULTURE AND
SPORTS
Section 1. Right of every citizen to quality
education at all levels
•Free education up to High School
•Compulsory Elementary Education for all
children of school age
•Formal Education- DepEd
•Non- Formal Education- ALS, Distance
learning
•Section 3. Study of Constitution as part of
curricula

48. ARTICLE XIV- EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, CULTURE AND
SPORTS
•Optional Religious Instruction in Public
Elementary and High School
•Parents desire in writing
•Instructors designated or approved by
religious authorities where the children’s ward
belong
•No cost to government
•Exemption from taxes and duties of private
schools
•Academic freedom of Higher Institution

49. ARTICLE XIV- EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND
TECHNOLOGY, ARTS, CULTURE AND
SPORTS
•Role of Teachers in Education of the Youth
•Second Parents- Loco parentis
•Heart of Education System
•Contributors to nation building
•Section 6. Filipino as national language-
medium of instruction and official
communication
•Section 10- Science and Technology as
essential to national development and
progress
•Section 14- Arts and Culture
•Section 19. Sports

50. ARTICLE XV- THE FAMILY
Section 1. The family as the basic
unit/foundation of nation
FAMILY- group of persons united together by
marriage and blood
MARRIAGE- status of relation of man and
woman

51. ARTICLE XVI- GENERAL PROVISIONS
Section 1. Flag of the Philippines
Section 2. Name for the country, national
anthem, national seal
Section 3. The state may not be sued without
it’s consent
Section 4. Armed forces
Section 6. Police force
Section 11. mass media to Filipino Citizen

52. ARTICLE XVII- AMMENDMENTS OR
REVISION
Section 1. Amendment shall be proposed by:
•¾ vote by congress
•Constitutional convention
•People’s initiative (12% of registered voter)
•AMENDMENT- Change in some parts or
specific provision
•REVISION- Re-writing or substantial
changing in Constitution
•RATIFICATION- Direct approval by the
people to amendment or revision

53. ARTICLE XVIII- TRANSITORY PROVISION
Transitory Provision- Schedule and
ordinances to provide for the transition of old
government to new government.

54. Thank You…