ARTICLE 2

DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES
AND STATE POLICIES
Article 2: Declaration of Principles
and State Policies contains 28 sections
divided into two parts. The first part:
Enumerates the principles of the State
such as the democratic and republican
nature of the Philippine State; the
supremacy of civilian authority over the
military; the people's duty to defend the
State; separation of Church and State; and
renunciation of war as an instrument of
national policy.
The second part:
stipulates the State policies such
as the promotion of an
independent foreign policy;
recognition of the youth's and
women's role in nation- building;
promotion of a comprehensive
rural development and agrarian
reform; and the promotion of
social justice.
 The political
creed of the
Lays down the fundamental principles
nation
and policies the government in their
policy-determining functions. These
rests with the executive and
legislative departments, and the
electorate cannot demand their
enforcement through the courts. The
remedy is political. But indirectly,
some of these principles may guide
the courts in determining the validity
of statutes or executive acts in
justiciable cases.
 STATE
PRINCIPLES
Section 1 The Philippines, a
DEMOCRATIC and REPUBLICAN State.
Sovereignty resides in the people. All
Government Authority Emanates
from the people.
Representative
democracy “democracy”, we
mean a government where people either
directly or indirectly elect their ruler for a
fix period of time.

Republican
government
the powers of government are exercised by
public officials chosen in periodic elections
by the electoral body, Their chosen
representatives govern the people.
 Manifestation of a Republican State
Existence of Bill of Rights. Rights of individual covering political, civil, social,
cultural & economic rights as enumerated in Article 3

Observance of the principle that ours is government of laws not

of men, No one is above the law, and every one is subject to it.
The observance that legislature cannot pass irrepealable laws.
Laws are subject to change inasmuch as they seek to address the growing needs of the
constituencies.

The observance of popular election through the rule of majority.

A majority decision rules over minority, b. declare the existence of war, 2/3 majority votes
from the congress
The observance of the principle of separation of power
and the system of checks & balances.

a) to avoid abuses and dominance

b) each branch performs a function, independent of each other.

c) to secure coordination in the various workings of the

government

d) it designed to secure action & at the same time forestall overaction

which results from undue concentration of powers, thereby obtain efficiency
and prevent despotism.
The observance of the principle that
the state cannot be sued without its
consent. Except for
a) Implied consent – government enters business contract
& violates some proprietary agreement (jus gestionis), the
state can be sued

b) Expressed consent - Article 1280 Civil Code – ‘ the state

is responsible in like manner when it acts through a special
agent …Article 2189 – “ provinces, cities & municipalities
shall be liable for damages for the death of or injuries
suffered by any person by reason of the defective
conditions of roads, street ; bridges, public buildings, and
other public works under their control or supervision.”
Section 2
Renunciation of War as an
instrument of national policy

DOCTRINE OF INCORPORATION -
Adaptation of the generally accepted
principles of International law as part
of our law. Adherence to the

POLICY OF PEACE with all nation.

Peace as framework of national policy is
nevertheless absolute. The state can declare
war under the circumstances of self-
preservation and territorial
integrity. Though the constitution
denounces offensive war, it nevertheless
anticipates imminent threat or hostilities under
the doctrine of “clear and present
danger” rule.
Section 3 Supremacy of
civilian authority over the
military. Armed Forces of
the Philippines, protector
of the people and State.
The mandate exemplifies
the value of respect to
the sovereign people as
the source of all powers
in the state.
Deployment of
Military Personnel
Section 4 Prime duty of the
Government: SERVE and PROTECT the
PEOPLE
Defending the State: Personal,
Military and civil service.
The condition of
rendering military or
civil service must be
observed in the ff:
-For self-defense
-Service is compulsory not optional or voluntary
-Cannot be substituted by any other means, but
active duty
-Civil service involvement or community
-participation may be required by the state
-Service rendered must be consistent and
conforming to the established command of law
Section 5 BLESSINGS OF
DEMOCRACY: Maintenance of Peace and
Order, Protection of Life, Liberty and
Property and Promotion of the General
Welfare Maintenance of
Peace and Order
–The government shall
maintain peace and order as
contemplated under the
Constitution.
The Philippines is envisioned to
be a peaceful, free, nationalistic,
just, and humane society, where
everyone is enjoined to observe
under any given circumstances.
Maintenance of Peace and
Order –The government shall
maintain peace and order as
contemplated under the
Constitution.
–The Philippines is envisioned to
be a peaceful, free, nationalistic,
just, and humane society, where
everyone is enjoined to observe
Section 6

INVIOLABILITY on the SEPARATION of Church

and State Freedom of Religion Freedom From
Religion Freedom to Believe Freedom to Act
on One’s Belief
The government shall not favor any religion,
support them using public funds,or even
establish or set up a church. The Church
should not get involved in political issues or
matters.

ESTABLISHMENT OF RELIGION CLAUSE

The State shall have no official religion. The
State cannot set up a church. Everyone has
the freedom to profess their belief or disbelief
in any religion.
THE STATE
POLICIES
Section 7
The State shall pursue an independent
foreign policy. In its relations with other
states the paramount consideration shall be
national sovereignty, territorial integrity,
national interest, and the right to self-
Foreign Policy
Basic direction underlying the conduct by a State of its
affairs vis-a vis those of other States. It is a set of guidelines
followed by a government of a country.

1. Formulation and conduct of foreign policy

 The president is the chief architect of
Philippine foreign policy.
2. An instrument of domestic foreign policy
3. Pursuit in an independent foreign policy
4. Basic Foreign policy objective
5. Paramount consideration
Section 8
The Philippines, consistent with the national
interest, adopts and pursues a policy of
freedom from nuclear weapons in its
Freedom from
Nuclear
Weapons Exceptions The
use of nuclear
It is a prohibition from:
 Making, Storing, 
for:

Manufacturing, Medicine, 
Dumping, Of nuclear Agriculture,  And
weapons, devices, or
parts thereof in our
other beneficial
country. purposes If the
national interest so
requires  The storing
of nuclear weapons in
our territory
SECTION 9
The State shall promote a
just and dynamic social
order that will ensure the
prosperity and
independence of the nation
and free the people from
poverty through policies
that provide adequate
social services, promote
full employment, a rising
 Just and
Dynamic Social
Order
This is accomplished
through policies
that: 

Provide sufficient social

services (in the field of
health, education,
housing, etc). 
Promote full
employment. A rising
standard of living. 
Improve quality of life
SECTION 10
The State shall promote social justice
in all phases of national development.
The State must give preferential
attention to the welfare of the less
fortunate members of the
community the Poor, Uneducated,
Underprivileged, disabled.
SECTION 11
The State values the dignity
of every human person and
guarantees full respect for
human rights.
Human Rights Belief in
inherent dignity of every
human person basis of human
right  A human person is a
being not a thing. In a
democratic state, the
individual enjoys certain rights
which cannot be modified or
SECTION 12
The State recognizes the sanctity of
family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic
autonomous social institution. It shall
equally protect the life of the mother and
the life of the unborn from conception.
The natural and primary right and duty of
parents in the rearing of the youth for
civic efficiency and the development of
moral character shall receive the support
of the Government.
Right of human life of the unborn
from conception and of the mother
• Mandates the protection of the
unborn from the possibility of
abortion being legalized.

• The State should also protect the

health of the mother
Rearing of the youth for civic efficiency
and development of moral character
• A duty of both parents and
government 
• Proper education and good
upbringing of the children can
• The government
should share the
responsibility of the
parents to train their
children to be
worthy citizens by
supporting and
encouraging them in
order to prepare
Right of State to interfere with
education of the children 

• The parents and the government

have the duty in giving
adequate education to the
children. tal
e n
p ar
n d s Power of State to regulate all
e a on
ta t ati schools
e S l i g
Th o b The State has the power to require
the age children of proper age to attend
school, the teachers shall be of a good
moral character and teach the children
certain points to good citizenship.
SECTION 13 T

The State recognizes the vital role of the

youth in nation-building and shall promote
and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual, and social well-being. It shall
inculcate in the youth patriotism and
nationalism, and encourage their
involvement in public and civic affairs.
 Role of women in
SECTION 14 nation building
The State
recognizes the • Our women have
role of women in proven their
capabilities in different
nation-building, fields in business,
and shall ensure professions, arts,
the fundamental education and in public
• Inservice
the past and even
equality before internationally.
today, women involve
the law of women themselves in worthy
and men. causes or activities
The State should formulate
strategies to expand women’s
participation in non-household and
productive activities, and make
them as the direct contributors to
the country’s economic growth. It
is the duty of the State to ensure
equality before the law in all
aspects of national life by
rectifying or ending all practices
SECTION 15
The State shall protect and promote
the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among
them. Health is the state physical,
social and mental well-being rather
than merely the absence of physical
diseases

These constitution gives the right to

the people to health  DOH 
Health Center
 The need for a program to
SECTION 16 address the ecological
problems of:
The State shall
Pollution 
protect and advance Waste disposal
the right of the Forest denudation
people to a balanced Flood
and healthful ecology drought
in accord with the Dying river beds
rhythm and harmony Destruction of
waterways
of nature.
Protect human life
 Right to Balanced and Healthful Ecology
The need for a program
to address the
ecological problems of:

• Pollution
• Waste disposal 
• Forest denudation 
• Flood drought  The States prioritizes
• Dying river beds  the following through
• Destruction of waterways their different programs
 like the:
• Protect human life
DepEd
DOST 
PSC
SECTION 18
The State affirms labor as a primary social
economic force. It shall protect the rights of
workers and promote their welfare. Human
labor is not only treated as land, tools, or
machinery. It mandates the State to provide
living wage and full participation to workers in
decision- making processes which affect their
rights and benefits.
SECTION 19
The State shall develop a
self-reliant and
independent national
economy effectively
controlled by Filipinos.
States the constitutional
guidelines in the
development of the
economy:  Economic self-
reliance, Independent
SECTION 20
The State
recognizes the Role of private sectors
indispensable role of in the economy
the private sector,
The Constitution does
encourages private not favor an economy
enterprise, and where the State directly
provides incentives competes with private
to needed business.
investments.
The business of
government is governance
and NOT money-making.
SECTION 21
The State shall promote
comprehensive rural development
and agrarian reform.

Covers all phases of rural development: 

Economic  Social  Political  Cultural  Industrial
SECTION 22 Recognizes the existence
The State and the rights of the
indigenous cultural
recognizes and
communities. Directs the
promotes the State to promote the rights
rights of of indigenous cultural
indigenous communities by considering
cultural their customs, traditions,
communities beliefs, and interests.
within the Implementing state policies
framework of with full respect to their
culture, dignity,
national unity
SECTION 23
The State shall encourage
non-governmental,
community-based, or
sectoral organizations that
promote the welfare of the
nation. The state is they can be active
required to encourage contributors to the
these organizations political, social, and
because recent events economic growth of
have shown that, under the country –
responsible leadership, promote the welfare
SECTION 24
The State recognizes
the vital role of
communication and Nation-Building
information in nation- • The people are
building. Means of enlightened on
communications such certain public
as: issues.
• They can also
• Motion pictures serve as useful
• Television tools to promote
• Radio unity among the
SECTION 25
The State shall ensure the
autonomy of local governments.
Local affairs can best be
regulated by the people in the
locality.
 This does not allow
SECTION 26 the existence of
political dynasties or
The State shall the practice of
guarantee equal keeping political
access to power within the
opportunities for control of select
public service, and families.
prohibit political
dynasties as may be Emphasizes the duty
of the government
defined by law.
to uphold democratic
SECTION 27
The State shall maintain honesty and
integrity in the public service and take
positive and effective measures against
graft and corruption.
Honesty and integrity in
public service
Undermines the quality of life
for people especially in poor
qualities.

The constitution seeks to

minimize and find completely to
eliminate graft and corruption, a
 SECTION 28
The Subject to reasonable
conditions prescribed by law, the State
adopts and implements a policy of full
public disclosure of all its transactions
involving public interests.
Section 7 of the Bill of Rights 
Guarantees the people’s right to know
any transaction entered into by the
government.  Limited to things
which involves public concerns.
The policy covers matters involving
public interest especially those
concerning the utilization of public
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