CONSTITUTION

A constitution is a written instrument by which the fundamental powers of

government are established, limited and defined, and by which the powers

are distributed among several departments for their safe and useful exercise

for the benefits of the body politics.

It is a written charter, enacted and adopted by the people of the state,

through a convention of representatives or in any way the people may

choose to act, which a government for them is ordained or established, and

by which the people give organic and corporate form to that ideal thing – the

state.

Types of Constitution

There are several types of a constitution.

1. Written constitution is a kind of a constitution whose provisions

are all contained in a single document. A good example of this

constitution is the Philippine constitution.

2. Unwritten constitution is a kind of constitution where the

provisions are not contained in a single document but rather in

different documents which are considered as part of the

fundamental law of the land. A more appropriate term for this kind

would be un-compiled constitution. The constitution of United

Kingdom is fine example of this type of constitution.

 3. Conventional or enacted constitution is a type of constitution

that was formulated by a constitutional convention that is called to

draft the constitution.

4. Cumulative or evolved constitution is a constitution which is

not drafted by a positive act of the state but it developed as a part

of the history of the nation.

5. Rigid or inelastic constitution is one which cannot be easily

amended unless such amendment is provided for by the constitution itself.

Parts of a Constitution

The Constitution is a fundamental law has three major parts namely:

1. Constitution of Government which refers to those provisions which

set up the government structure specifically, Articles VI,VII,VIII,IX

and X of the 1987 Constitution.

2. Constitution of Liberty are the provisions which guarantee

individual fundamental liberties against governmental abuse

specifically provided in Articles III,IV,V,XII,XIII,XIV and XV of the

1987 Constitution and

3. Constitution of Sovereignty which refers to those provisions which

outline the process whereby the sovereign people may change the

constitution. These are provided in XVII and Article II Section 1 of

the 1987 Constitution.(Duka,2010)

Essential Qualities of a Written Constitution

A desirable written constitution must be broad, brief and definite. It

must be broad in the sense that it provides for the organization and structure

of the entire government. It must embody the political history of the nation,

the present realities and future prospects of the nation’s destiny.

The constitution must be brief for it must limit itself to the basic principles

and leave the implementations of such fundamental principles to the sound

judgement of the legislative department. It must be definite in order to avoid

unnecessary ambiguities which would later on lead to confusion, brought

about by the different interpretations and constructions of its provisions

(Cruz, 2003).

THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

The 1987 Constitution is founded upon certain fundamental principles of

government which have become part and parcel of our cherished democratic

heritage as a people. A knowledge of these principles is, therefore, essential

to proper understanding of our organic law. Among these principles as

contained in the new Constitution are the following:

1. Recognition of the aid of the Almighty God. (See Preamble)

2. Sovereignty of the people (Art. II, Sec 1):

3. Renunciation of war as an instrument of nation policy (Art.II, Sec

2);

4. Supremacy of civilian authority over the military (Art II, Sec 3);

5. Separation of church and state (Art II, Sec 6);

6. Recognition of the importance of the family as a basic social

institution and of vital role of the youth in nation-building (Art. II,

Sec. 12,13; Art. XV);

7. Guarantee of Human Rights (Art. III, Sec 1-22)

8. Government through suffrage (Art V, Sec 1);

9. Separation Powers ( Art VI, Sec 1);

10. Independence of the Judiciary (Art VIII, Sec 1);

11. Guarantee of local autonomy ( Art X, Sec 2);

12. High sense of public service morality and accountability of public

officers (Art XI, Sec 1);

13. Nationalization of natural resources and certain private enterprise

affected with public interest (Art XII, Sec 2, 3 ,17 , 18);

14. Non-suability of the State (Art. XVI, Sec. 3);

15. Rule of the majority; and

16. Government of laws and not of men

 PREAMBLE

The term preamble is derived from the Latin word “perambulate” which

means to walk before. It is the introduction to the main subject.

It is the prologue of the Constitution. The preamble of the 1987 constitution

is reproduced hereunder:

“We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God,

in order to build a just and humane society and establish a government that

shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good,

conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our

posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law

and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace, do ordain

and promulgate this Constitution”

ARTICLE I – NATIONAL TERRITORY

The National Territory comprises the Philippine Archipelago, with all the

islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the

Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial,

and aerial domains , including its territorial seas, the seabed, subsoil, the
insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The water around, between and

connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and

dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines.

ARTICLE II – DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

The function of the Declaration of Principles and State Policies in the

constitution are:

1. To shed light on the meaning of the other provisions of the

constitution; and

2. To guide all departments in the implementation of the Constitution

ARTICLE III – THE BILL OF RIGHTS

The Bill of Rights may be defined as declaration and enumeration of the

individual rights and privileges which the Constitution is designed to protect

against violations by the government or by individual or groups of

individuals. It is a charter of liberties for the individual and a limitation upon

the power of the state.

Classification of Rights

1. Natural Rights – right possessed by every citizen without being

granted by the State for they are conferred by God to human being

so that he may live a happy life. Ex. The right to live and the right to

love.

2. Constitutional Rights – rights conferred and protected by the

Constitution. Since they are part of the fundamental law, they

cannot be modified or taken away by the law- making body.

Classification of the Constitutional Rights

1. Political Rights – rights which give citizens the power to

participate directly or indirectly, in the establishment or

administration of the government. Ex: rights of citizenship and

suffrage.

2. Civil Rights – right which the law will enforce at the instance of

private individuals for the purpose of securing them the enjoyment

of their means of happiness.

2.1. Social and Economic Rights – rights are intended to insure the

well being and economic security of the individual.

 2.2. Rights of the Accused – Intended for the protection of a person

accused of any crime.

3. Statutory Rights – provided by law promulgated by the law

making body and consequently, may be abolished by the same

body.

Ex: rights to receive a minimum wage and to inherit property.

The Rights of the Individual As Provided by the Bill of Rights

1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due

process of law nor shall any person be denied the equal protection

of the laws.

2. The right of person to be secured in their persons, houses, papers,

and effect against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever

nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable, and no search

warrant or warrant of arrest shall be issued except upon probable

cause to be determined personally by the judge after examination

under oath or affirmation of the complaint and the witnesses he

may produce, and particularly describing the place to be search and

the persons or things to be seized.

3. The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be

inviolable except upon lawful order of the court, or when public

 safety or order requires otherwise as prescribed by law. Any

evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall

be inadmissible for any purpose in proceeding.

4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of

expression, or of the press, or right of the people peaceably to

assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion or

prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

6. The liberty of abode and changing the same within the limits

prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of

the court. Neither shall the right to travel be impaired except in the

interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may

be provided by law.

7. The right of the people to information on matters of public concern

shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents,

and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as

well as to government research data used as basis for policy

development shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such

limitations as may be provided by law.

8. The right pf the people, including those employed in the public and

private sectors, to for union, associations, or societies for purposes

not contrary to law shall not be abridged

9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just

competition.

10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.

11. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate
legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of

poverty.

12. (1) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense

shall have the right to be informed of his right to remain silent and

to have competent and independent counsel preferably of his own

choice. If the person cannot afford the services of counsel, he must

be provided with one.

These rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the presence

of counsel. (2) No torture, force violence, threat, intimidating, or any

other means which vitiate the free will shall be used against him.

Secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado, other similar

forms of detention are prohibited. (3) Any confession or admission

obtained in violation of this or section 17 hereof shall be

inadmissible in evidence against him (4) The law shall provide for

penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section as well provide

for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section as well as
 compensation to and rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar

practices, and their families.

13. All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by

reclusion Perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong, shall before

conviction, be bail able by sufficient sureties, or be released on

recognizance as may be provided by law. The right to bail shall not

be impaired even when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is

suspended. Excessive bail shall not be required.

14. No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense due process

of law. In all criminal prosecution, the accused shall be presumed

innocent until the contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to be

heard by himself and by counsel, to be informed of the nature and

cause of accusation against him, to have a speedy, impartial, and

public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have

compulsory process to secure the attendance of witness and the

production of compulsory process to secure the attendance of

witness and the production of evidence in his behalf. However, after

arraignment, trial may proceed notwithstanding the absence of the

accused provided that he has been duly notified and his failure to

appear is unjustifiable.

15. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended

except in case of invasion or rebellion when the public safety

requires it
 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of cases

before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.

17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

18. (1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political

beliefs and aspiration. (2) No involuntary servitude in any form shall

exist except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall

have been duly convicted.

19. (1) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or

inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall the death penalty be

imposed, unless for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes,

the Congress hereafter, provides for it.

Any death penalty already imposed shall be reduced to reclusion

Perpetua. (2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading

punishment against any prisoner or detainee or the use of substandard or

inadequate penal facilities under subhuman conditions shall be death with by

law.

20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll

tax.

21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the

same offense.
 22. No expose facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.

ARTICLE IV – CITIZENSHIP

Citizenship denotes membership of a permanent character in a political

community. A citizen of a state is one who owes allegiance to it and is

correspondingly entitled to its protection.

Modes of acquiring citizenship

A person’s citizenship may be acquired either by birth or by

naturalization. Those who acquired citizenship by birth are considered as

natural born citizens.

There are two principles in acquiring citizenship by birth – jus snguinis and

jus soli principles.

1. Citizenship by birth
 A person’s citizenship is determined at the time of his birth by following

either of the following principles:

A. jus sanguinis – under this principle a child follows the nationality or

citizenship of the parents regardless of the place of his birth.

B. jus soli – under this principle a child citizenship is determined by the

place of his birth.

The Philippines adheres to the jus sanguinis principle

The Philippine law on citizenship adheres to the principle of jus

sanguinis.

Thereunder, a child follows the nationality or citizenship of the parents

regardless of the place of his/her birth, as opposed to the doctrine of jus soli

which determines nationality or citizenship on the basis of place of birth.

(Valles vs Commission on Elections, G.R. No.137000, August 9, 2000)

2. Citizenship by naturalization

Naturalization refers to an act whereby a person acquires a citizenship

different from that person’s citizenship at birth. Naturalization is most

commonly associated with economic migrants or refugees who have

immigrated to a country and resided there as aliens, and who have

voluntarily and actively chosen to become citizens of that country after

meeting specific requirements.

A. Administrative Naturalization under Republic Act No. 9139, also

known as the Administrative Naturalization Act of 2000.

Special Committee on Naturalization

There shall be constituted a Special Committee on Naturalization herein

referred to as the “Committee”, with the Solicitor General as chairman, the

Secretary of Foreign Affairs, or his representative, and the National Security

Adviser, as members, with the power to approve, deny or reject applications

for naturalization as provided in this Act. (Section 6, R.A.9139)

b. Judicial Naturalization under Commonwealth Act No. 473

The applicant for naturalization must file his petition for naturalization with

the Court.

c. Citizenship by Congressional grant

The Congress of the Philippines may enact a law which would grant an alien

an outright Philippine citizenship.

An example of this mode of acquiring Philippine citizenship by an alien is

Republic Act No. 8266 which was approved on February 20, 1997 and

granted Filipino citizenship to Rev. Fr. Paul Van Parijs, CICM, a Belgian citizen

and a Roman Catholic Priest of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of

Mary (CICM). (Duka, 2010)

Natural born citizens

Based on the express provisions of the 1987 Constitution, the following are

natural born citizens of the Philippines:

1. Citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to

perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship;

2. Those born before January 17, 1973 of Filipino mothers, who

elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age majority.

Duties and Obligations of a Citizen

 1. To be loyal to the Republic

2. To defend the State

3. To contribute to the development and welfare of the State

4. To uphold the Constitution and obey the laws

5. To cooperate with the duly constituted authorities

6. To exercise rights responsibly and with due regard for the rights of

other

7. To engage in gainful work

8. To register and vote

ARTICLE V – SUFFRAGE

Suffrage is the right and obligation to vote of qualified citizens in the election

of certain national and local officers of the government and in the decision of

public questions submitted to the People.

Scope of Suffrage
 1. Election – A political exercise whereby the sovereign people chose

a candidate to fill up an elective government position.

2. Plebiscite – A political right of the sovereign people to ratify or

eject constitutional amendments or proposed laws.

3. Referundum – the right reserved to the people to adopt or reject

any act or measure which has been passed by a legislative body

and which in most cases would without action on the part of the

electors become law.

4. Initiative – the power of the people to propose bills and laws, and

to enact or reject them at the polls, independent of the legislative

assembly.

5. Recall – a system by which an elective official is removed by

popular vote before the end of his term.

Persons Disqualified to Vote. Any person who has been sentenced by

final judgment to suffer imprisonment for not less than one year, such

disability not having been removed by plenary pardon or granted amnesty.

But such person shall automatically reacquire the right to vote upon

expiration of five years after service of sentence;

Any person who has been adjudged by final judgement by competent

court or tribunal of having committed any crime involving disloyalty to the

duly constituted government such as rebellion, sedition, violation of the anti-

subversion and firearms laws, or any crime against national security, unless

restored to his full civil and political rights in accordance with law. Such

person shall likewise automatically regain his right to vote upon expiration of

five years after service of sentence; and

Insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority.

ARTICLE VI – LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT

Legislative power is essentially the authority under the Constitution to

make laws and to alter and repeal them. Under the present set-up, the

legislative department is divided into two chambers: the Senate with 24

members and the House of Representatives with note more than 250

members, 20 percent of which comes from the party list representatives.

Qualification of Senators

1. Natural born Citizens of the Philippines

2. At lest 35 years old on the day of election

3. Able to read and write

4. A registered voter
 5. A resident of the Philippines for 2 years preceding the day of

election

Qualifications of Representatives

1. Natural born Citizens of the Philippines

2. At least 25 years old on the day of election

3. Able to read and write

4. A registered voter in his district (except the party list)

5. A Resident of the Philippines for at least a year before the day of

election

HOW A BILL BECOMES A LAW

The Party – list system

Based on Article VI, Section 5 (2) of the Constitution as implemented by

Republic Act No. 7941, the different sectors of the Philippine society like the
farmers, labors, education, women, youth and others except the religious

sector shall be represented in the congress.

The different sectors from a party and register their respective parties

with the Commission on Elections. The voters for the party that they want in

the ballot on Election Day and the Party who garners at least two per cent of

the votes will be entitled to one party list representative in Congress.

ARTICLE VII – EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT

The executive power is vested in the President of the Philippines.

Executive power is defined as the power to administer the laws, which

means carrying them into practical operation and enforcing their due

observance.

Qualifications of the President and Vice-President

1. A natural born citizen of the Philippines

2. A registered voter

3. Able to read and write

4. At least forty (40) years of age on the day of the election for President
5. A resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding

such election.

1. List of Philippine Presidents

1. Emilio Aguinaldo (January 23, 1899 – April 1, 1901)

2. Manuel L. Quezon (November 15, 1935 – August 1, 1944)

3. Jose P. Laurel (October 14, 1943 – August 17, 1945)

4. Sergio Osmeña (August 1, 1944 – May 26, 1946)

5. Manuel A. Roxas (May 26, 1946 – April 15, 1948)

6. Elpidio Quirino (April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953)

7. Ramon Magsaysay (December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957)

8. Carlos Garcia (March 18, 1957 – December 30, 1961)

9. Diosdado Macapagal (December 30, 1961 – December 30 1965)

10. Ferdinand Marcos (December 30, 1965 – February 25, 1986)

11. Corazon Aquino (February 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992)

12. Fidel Ramos (June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998)

13. Jose Ejercito Estrada (June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001)
 14. Gloria Arroyo (January 20, 2001 – June 30, 2010)

15. Benigno Simeon Aquino, III (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2016)

16. Rodrigo Roa Duterte (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2022)

List of Philippine Vice Presidents

1. Mariano Trias (January 23, 1899 – April 1, 1901)

2. Sergio Osmeña (November 15, 1935 – August 1, 1944)

3. Benigno Aquino Sr. and Ramon Avancena (October 14, 1943 –

August 17, 1945)

4. Elpidio Quirino (May 26, 1946 – April 15, 1948)

5. Fernando Lopez (April 17, 1948 – December 30, 1953)

6. Carlos Gacria (December 30, 1953 – March 17, 1957)

7. Diosdado Macapagal (March 18, 1957 – December 30, 1961)

8. Emmanuel Pelaez (December 30, 1961 – December 30, 1965) 9.

Fernando Lopez (1965 – 1969 and 1969 – 1972)

9. Salvador Laurel (Febuary 25, 1986 – June 30, 1992)

 10. Jose Ejercito Estrada (June 30, 1992 – June 30, 1998)

11. Gloria Arroyo (June 30, 1998 – January 20, 2001)

12. Teofisto Guingona (January 20, 2001 – June 30, 2004)

13. Manuel De Castro (July 1, 2004 – June 30, 2010)

14. Jejomar Binay (July 1, 2010 – June 30, 2016)

15. Maria Leonor Robredo (July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2022)

ARTICLE VIII – JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT

The Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and in such lower

courts as may be established by law. Judicial power is the power to apply the

laws to contests or disputes concerning legally recognized right or duties

between the state and private persons, or between individual litigants in

cases properly brought before the judicial tribunal.

The Supreme Court is composed of a Chief Justice and 14 Associate Justices.

It may sit end banc or in its discretion, in division of three, five or seven

members.

Qualifications of the Justices

 1. A natural born citizen of the Philippines

2. At least 40 years old

3. A judge or a law practitioner for 15 years in the Philippines

4. A person of proven competence, integrity, probity and

independence

The Judicial and Bar Council nominates at least three candidates to

the President for every vacant position in the Supreme Court and

other lower courts.

It is the body that screens and nominates to the president prospective

appointees to Philippine courts. It is composed of:

1. Chief Justice – ex- officio chairman

2. Secretary of Justice
 3. Representative from Congress

4. Representative from integrated Bar of the Philippines

5. A professor of law

6. A retired member of the Supreme Court

7. A representative of the private sector

ARTICLE IX – CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS

The Constitutional Commissions which are independent are the Civil

Service Commission, the Commission on Election and the Commission on

Audit. Their creation is established in the Constitution because of the

extraordinary importance of their functions and the need to insulate them

from undesired political interference of pressure.

Their independence cannot be assured if they were to be created merely by

statute.

The Civil Service Commission

 The term civil service embraces all branches, subdivisions,

instrumentalities, and agencies of the Government, including government-

owned or controlled corporations with original charters.

The Civil Service Commission is composed of a Chairman and two

Commissioners who shall be: natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at the

time of their appointment, at least thirty-five years of age, with proven

capacity for public administration and must not have been candidates for

any elective position in the elections immediately preceding their

appointment.

The chairman and the two commissioners are appointed by the president

with the concurrence of the Commission on Appointments for seven years

without any reappointment.

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC)

The Commission on Elections is composed of a Chairman and six

Commissioners who shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at the

time of their appointment, at least thirty five years of age, holders of a

college degree, and must not have been candidates for any elective

positions in the immediately preceding elections.

However, a majority thereof, including the Chairman, shall be members of

the Philippine Bar who have been engaged in the practice of law for at least
ten years. The Chairman the Commissioners are appointed by the President

with the concurrence of the Commission on Appointments for seven years

without any reappointment.

The Commission on Audit (COA)

The Commission on Audit is composed of a Chairman and two

Commissioners, who shall be natural born citizens of the Philippines. At the

time of their appointment, at least thirty years of age, Certified Public

Accountants with not less than ten years of auditing experience, or members

of the Philippine Bar who have been engaged in the practice of law for at

least ten years, must not have been candidates for any elective position in

the elections immediately preceding their appointment.

At no time shall all Members of the Commission belong to the same

profession.

The chairman and the Commissioners shall be appointed by the President

with the consent of the Commission on Appointments for a term of seven

years without reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for

the unexpired portion of the term of the predecessor. In no case shall any

Member be appointed or designated in a temporary or acting capacity.

ARTICLE X – LOCAL GOVERNMENT

The term local government refers to a political subdivision of a nation or

state which is constituted by law and has substantial control of local affairs,

with officials elected or otherwise locally selected. The implementing law for

this Article is Republic Act 7160 or the Local Government Code of 1991.

Region- A sub-national administrative unit comprising of several provinces

having more or less homogenous characteristics, such as ethnic origin if

inhabitants, dialect spoken, agricultural produce, etc.

Province – The largest unit in the political structure of the Philippines. It

consists, in varying numbers, of municipalities and, in some cases, of

component cities.

Its functions and duties in relation to its component cities and municipalities

are generally coordinative and supervisory.

City – There are three classes of cities in the Philippines: the highly

urbanized, the independent component cities which are independent of the

province, and the component cities which are part of the provinces where

they are located and subject to their administrative supervision

Municipality – Is a political corporate body which is endowed with the

facilities of a municipal corporation, exercised by and through the municipal

government in conformity with law.

It is a subsidiary of the province which consists of a number of barangays

within its territorial boundaries, one of which is the seat of government found

at the town proper (Poblacion).

Barangay – The smallest political unit into which cities and municipalities in

the Philippines are divided. It is the basic unit of the Philippine political

system.

It consists of less than 1,000 inhabitants residing within the territorial limit of
a city or municipality and administered by a set of elective officials, headed

by a barangay chairman (punong barangay).

City Classification

Highly urbanized Cities – Cities with a minimum population of two

hundred thousand (200,000) inhabitants, as certified by the Philippines

Statistics Authority, and with the latest annual income of at least One

Hundred Million Pesos (100,000,000,) as certified by the city treasurer.

Independent Component Cities – Cities whose charters prohibit their

voters from voting for provincial elective officials. Independent component

cities shall be independent of the province.

Component Cities – Cities which do not meet the above requirements shall

be considered component cities of the province in which they are

geographically located.
If a component city is located within the boundaries of two (2) or more

provinces, such city shall be considered a component of the province which it

used to be a municipality.

LIST OF PROVINCES

As of December 31, 2017 there are 17 regions, 81 provinces, 144

cities, 1490

Municipalities and 42029 barangays

Region I (Ilocos Region)

Ilocos Norte

Ilocos Sur

La Union

Pangasinan
Region II (Cagayan Valley)

Batanes

Cagayan

Isabela

Nueva Vizcaya

Quirino

REGION III (Central Luzon)

(Aurora)

Bataan

Bulacan

Nueva Ecija

Pampanga

Tarlac

Zambales
REGION VIII (Eastern Visayas)

(Eastern Samar)

Leyte

Northern Samar

Samar (Western Samar)

Southern Leyte

Biliran

REGION IV (Southern Tagalog)

Region IV A-CALABARZON

Cavite

Laguna

Batangas

Rizal

Quezon
REGION IV B-MIMAROPA

Occidental Mindoro

Oriental Mindoro

Marinduque

Romblon

Palawan

REGION V (Bicol Region)

Albay

Camarines Norte

Camarines Sur

Catanduanes

Masbate

Sorsogon

REGION VI (Western Visayas)

Aklan
Antique

Capiz

Guimaras

Ilo-Ilo

Negros Occidental

REGION VII (Central Visayas)

Bohol

Cebu

Negros Oriental

Siquijor

REGION VIII (Eastern Visayas)

(Eastern Samar)

Leyte

Northern Samar
Samar (Western Samar)

Southern Leyte

Biliran

REGION IX (Zamboanga Peninsula)

Zamboanga Del Norte

Zamboanga Del Sur

Zamboanga Sibugay

REGION X (Northern Mindanao)

Bukidnon

Camiguin

Lanao Del Norte

Misamis Occidental

Misamis Oriental
REGION XI (Davao Region)

Davao Del Norte

Davao Del Sur

Davao Oriental

Davao Occidental

Compostela Valley

REGION XII (SOCCSKSARGEN)

South Cotabato

Sultan Kudarat

Cotabato (North Cotabato)

Sarangani

REGION XIII (Caraga)

Agusan Del Norte

Agusan Del Sur

Surigao Del Norte

Surigao Del Sur

Dinagat Islands

CAR- Cordillera Administrative NCR-NATIONAL CAPITAL REGION

Region City of Manila Municipality City

Abra Quezon City Las Piñas City

Benguet Caloocan City Parañaque City

Pasig City San Juan City

Ifugao Pasay City Taguig City

Kalinga Makati City Pateros

Mountain Province Mandaluyong City Navotas City

Apayao Marikina City Valenzuela City

Malabon City
ARMM – Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao

Basilan

Lanao Del Sur

Maguindanao

Sulu

Tawi-Tawi

ARTICLE XI – ACCOUNTABILITY OF REPUBLIC OFFICERS

A public office is the right, authority and duty created and conferred by

law which, a given period either fixed by law or enduring at the pleasure of

the appointing power, an individual is invested with some portion of the

sovereign functions of the government to be exercised by him for the benefit

of the public. This individual so invested is a public officer.

Section 1. It enunciates the principle of public accountability. It sets

down in unequivocal terms the mandate that all government officials and

employees, whether they be highest in the land or the lowest public

servants, shall at all times be answerable for their misconduct to the people

from whom the government derives its powers.

Impeachment is a method of national inquest into the conduct of public

men.

Impeachable Officials

1. President

2. Vice President

3. Members of the Supreme Court

4. Members of the Constitutional Commissions

5. Ombudsman

The Grounds for impeachment are

1. Culpable violation of the Constitution

2. Treason

3. Bribery

4. Graft and corruption

5. Other high crimes

6. Betrayal of public trust

The Ombudsman (Tanodbayan)

There shall be one Ombudsman and one overall Deputy and at least one

Deputy each for Luzon, Visayas and Midanano and one Deputy for the

military establishment.

The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall be appointed by the President from

a list of six nominees prepared by the judicial and Bar Council, without the

need for confirmation by the Commission on Appointments.

The Ombudsman and his deputies must be natural born citizens of the

Philippines; at least forty years old at the time of appointment; members of

the Philippine Bar (lawyers); and must not be candidates in any elective

office in the preceding election.

The Ombudsman has a duty to investigate upon his own initiatives or

upon complaints of any person any act or omission of any public official,

office or agency when such act or omission appears to be illegal, unjust

improper, or inefficient.

He can direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a

public official or employee at fault and recommend his removal, suspension,

demotion, fine, censure or prosecution

ARTICLE XII – NATIONAL ECONOMY AND PATRIMONY

The national economy refers to the entire structure of economic life in a

country. It encompasses all the activities relating to or concerned with the

production, distribution and consumption of goods and services, and what

are called” factors of production’ which are utilized to carry out these

activities.

The national patrimony refers to the natural resources of our country

which under the Constitution includes all lands of the public domain, waters,

minerals, coal, petroleum, etc. It is the obligation of every generation to love

and care for their national patrimony, to conserve and develop it for the

benefit of succeeding generations.

ARTICLE XIII – SOCIAL JUSTICE AND HUMAN RIGHTS

Social justice is not a mere slogan to express concern for the plight of

the poor and the downtrodden. As a mandate imposed by the constitution, it

requires the adoption by the State of measures that guarantee the right of

all the people to equality of opportunity in all fields of human endeavor and

to equitable sharing of social and economic benefits with special emphasis

on such measures that ameliorate the standard of living of the under

privileged groups.

The end of social justice measures or programs should be to assure that

those who are less favored in life be more favored in law.

ARTICLE XIV – EDUCATION, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, ARTS,

CULTURE AND SPORTS

The states shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality

education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such

education accessible to all.

Establish, maintain and support a complete, adequate and integrated

system of education relevant to the needs of the people and society;

Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the

elementary and high school levels.

Without limiting the natural rights of parents to rear their children,

elementary education is compulsory for all children of school age;

Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan

programs, subsidies and other incentives which shall be available to

deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to the

underprivileged;

Encourage non-formal, informal and indigenous learning system, as well

as self-learning, independent and out of school study programs particularly

those that respond to community needs.

 Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out of school youth with training

in civics vocational efficiency, and other skills.

All educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as

part of the curricula.

They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity,

respect for human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the

historical development of the country, strengthen ethical and spiritual

values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage critical

and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological knowledge, and

promote vocational efficiency.

At the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians, religion

shall be allowed to be taught to their children or wards in public elementary

and high schools within the regular class hours by instructors designated or

approved by the religious authorities of the religion to which the children or

wards belong, without additional cost to the Government.

All educational institutions shall be owned by the Filipinos or

corporations or associations of which at least 60 percent is owned by such

citizens.

Control and administration of educational institution shall be vested in

citizens of the Philippines.

No school shall be established solely for aliens and no group of aliens

shall comprise more than one third of the enrollment in any school.
 All assets of non-stock, nonprofit educational institutions used actually,

directly and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from taxes

and duties.

Academic freedom shall be enjoyed by all institutions of higher learning.

Every citizen has the right to select a profession or a course of study

subject to fair, reasonable and equitable admission and academic

requirements.

The state shall enhance the right of teachers to professional

advancements.

The state shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and

ensure that teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best

available talents through adequate remuneration and other means of job

satisfaction and fulfilment.

ARTICLE XV – THE FAMILY

The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.
Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total

development.

The family is very important to the state because it is the basic social

institution.

The family is the very heart of society and the community’s first

socializing agency.

ARTICLE XVI – GENERAL PROVISIONS

The general provisions include the following:

1. The flag of the Philippines and compulsory flag ceremony.

2. The Congress is given the power to adopt a new name for the

country, a national anthem or a national seal.

3. The principle of non suability of the State.

4. The Armed Forces of the Philippines to include a citizen armed

force.

5. Assistance to veterans, their widows and orphans.

 6. Review of pensions and other benefits due to retirees.

7. Protection of consumers.

8. Ownership and management of mass media by Filipino citizens.

9. Regulation of the advertising agencies.

10. Creation of consultative body for indigenous cultural communities.

ARTICLE XVII – AMENDMENTS OR REVISIONS

Bot denote a change in the Constitution. Amendment is a change

effected in some parts of the Constitution without considering the whole

document.

Revision is rewriting or substantially changing the Constitution in its entirety.

Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by:

The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or A

constitutional convention.

Amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by

the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve per centum of

the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must

be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters therein.

No amendment under this section shall be authorized within five years

following the ratification of this Constitution nor oftener than once every five

years thereafter.

The Congress shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this

right.

The Congress may, by a vote of two thirds of all its Members, call a

constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to

the electorate the question of calling such a convention.

Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution under section 1

hereof shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a

plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety

days after the approval of such amendment or revision.

Any amendment under Section 2 hereof shall be valid when ratified by a

majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than

sixty days nor later than ninety days after the certification by the

Commission on Elections of the sufficiency of the petition.

ARTICLE XVIII – TRANSITORY PROVISION

 The transitory provisions of a Constitution are schedules and ordinances

forming part of, or appended to, a Constitution to provide for the transition

from the old government to the new and put the provisions of the new

Constitution into effect, or to qualify, restrict or limit some permanent

provisions for a limited period.

Their main purpose is to obviate confusion which would otherwise arise

during the transition period. They have temporary or transient operation.