This document summarizes the process by which the 1987 Philippine Constitution was drafted and ratified after the 1986 People Power Revolution. It describes how President Corazon Aquino issued a temporary constitution called the "Freedom Constitution" and then established a constitutional commission to draft a new constitution. The commission finished its work in October 1986 and the draft was submitted to and ratified by a public referendum in February 1987, with over 76% of voters approving. The new constitution enshrined key principles like sovereignty residing in the people, civilian authority over the military, and separation of powers among the three branches of government.

2. • The written instrument by which
the fundamental powers of the
government are established,
limited, and defined and by which
these powers are distributed
among several departments or
branches for their safe and useful
exercise for the benefit of the
people.

3. 1. It serves as the supreme
or fundamental law.
2. It establishes the basic
framework and underlying
principles of government.

4. President Corazon C. Aquino
issued Proclamation No. 3. adopting
a temporary constitution for the
Philippines. This was called the
“FREEDOM CONSTITUTION” which
took effect on March 25, 1986, a
month after the People Power
Revolution.

5. • On April 1986, President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 9 creating a constitutional
commission to draft a new constitution as provided for in the Freedom Constitution.
• President Corazon C. Aquino addressed the opening session on June 2, 1986 at the
former Batasang Pambansa Building.
• Debates and heated arguments took placed.
• On October 12, 1986, the Constitutional Commission finished its work; and the draft
of the said constitution was submitted to the President on October 15, 1986 and;
• On February 2, 1987, a plebiscite for the charter’s ratification was held.
• 76.37% (17,059,495) “YES” votes and 22.65% (5,058,714) “NO” votes.
• On February 2, 1987, the new constitution was ratified and made effective.

6. • Sovereignty of the people
• Supremacy of civilian
authority over the military
• Separation of powers

7. Article II. Section 1. The
Philippines is a democratic and
republican state, Sovereignty
resides in the people and all
government authority emanates
from them.

8. Section 3. Civilian authority is at all times,
supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the
Philippines is the protector of the people and the
state. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the state
and the integrity of the national territory.

9. BRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT
• EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
President – implements or approves laws.
• LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT
Congress – enact laws.
• JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT
Supreme Court – decide cases.