The 1987 Constitution Flashcards
Memorize
Preamble
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 1
National Territory
The national territory comprises of 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 sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters 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 2
Declaration of Principles and State Policies
Article 2 is divided into two parts. The first part establishes the fundamental principles that governs the state, the government, the military, the people, and the church. It also renunciates war as in instrument of national policy and it promotes the general welfare of the people. While the second part outlines fundamental state policies about independent foreign relations, the role of youth and women in nation-building, comprehensive rural development, and the promotion of social justice.
Article 3
Bill of Rights
Article 3 of the 1987 constitution outlines fundamental rights aimed at ensuring fair treatment under the law. It emphasizes freedoms of speech and religion, privacy and access to information. The article also talks about due process, the justification required for search warrants and arrests, and the protection of individual’s rights when dealing with the law, the government, the court and regarding habeas corpus.
Article 4
Citizenship
Article 4 talks about Filipino citizenship. It enumerates those who are considered as Filipinos under a number of qualifications validated by the law, and that it can be gained, regained, or lost depending on the rules of law.
Article 5
Suffrage
This article talks about the right to vote. As long as the voter is a Filipino citizen of legal age, regardless of their identity and capabilities, and as long as the law permits, they are free to vote with no other requirements to fulfill. Furthermore, the government is tasked with keeping the secrecy and integrity of the ballot.
Article 6
The Legislative Department
Article 6 enumerates the legislative department, with the legislative powers granted to the Senate and house of representatives. It discussed their terms of office, their roles, their obligations, their duties, qualifications and requirements to be a part of the department, the things they should not and are not allowed to do, and responsibilities all in respect with and under the rule of law.
Article 7
Executive Department
Article 7 has 23 sections that details the qualifications, roles, responsibilities, obligations, powers and functions of the President and Vice-President of the Philippines. It also states that the president can only be elected once with a term of 6 years, and that the vice president can only be re-elected twice for two consecutive terms. Provisions against abuse of power were also stated such as anti-nepotism rules, restrictions on practicing other professions while still in term, and the limitation of the declaration of martial law and habeas corpus.
Article 8
Judicial Department
Under article 8, it is stated that the judicial powers are granted to the Supreme court and in lower courts as allowed by the law. The supreme court shall consist of a Chief Justice, and 14 associate justices, overseeing all courts and personnel administratively. It discussed their powers, their obligations, roles, functions, other members of the judicial department, their terms of office, qualifications and requirements to be a part of the department and their responsibilities to be done and carried all in alignment with the law.
Article 9
Constitutional Commissions
Article 9 of the 1987 constitution states the three constitutional commissions, namely the Civil Service Commissions, the Commissions on Elections, and the Commissions on Audit, wherein each commissions has fiscal autonomy, appoints officials and employees according to the law, and is led by commissioners appointed by the President with the consent of the Commissions on Appointments. The succeeding parts discussed the role of Civil Service commissions as managing government personnel and promoting merit-based career service, while the COMELEC enforces elections and regulations, and the COA audits government funds and property accounts.
Article 10
Local Government
Article 10 of the 1987 Constitution establishes general provisions about the local government as well as detailed provisions about the autonomous regions of the Philippines. Furthermore, the role of the Presidents and congress in regards with the local government
were stated, the functions and powers of local units including their members, as well as the terms of the elective local officials were also specified.
Article 11
Accountability of Public Officers
Article 11 details about the accountability of public officers, impeachment processes, as well as the creation of the office of ombudsman and tanodbayan, their powers, functions, and
duties, the allegiance of public officers and employees to the state, and anti-graft provisions to ensure ethical conduct in and within the government.
Article 12
National Economy and Patrimony
Article 12 of the 1987 constitution establishes fundamental provisions regarding the national economy and patrimony. It sets goals for the economy in relation to the country’s natural resources, their classification, utilization, and protection, as well as ownership of
property and land. The article also outlines the powers of the State and the Congress concerning the national economy, patrimony, and foreign relations. Additionally, it specifies that acts harmful to the principles of this article are punishable by law.
Article 13
Social Justice and Human Rights
This article specifies the fundamental principles that governs social justice and human rights. It established that the congress must prioritize the protection, development and conservation of human rights and social justice. It details provisions about labor rights, agrarian and natural resources reform, urban land reform and housing, the state’s role in national health, the protection of women’s rights, and the role and rights of people’s organizations. It further discussed the creation of the office of the Commission on Human
Rights, its composition, its powers and its functions.
Article 14
Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports
Article 14 of the 1987 Constitution outlines the rights of the Filipino people concerning education, science, technology, arts, culture, and sports. It emphasizes the State’s duty to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, making
education accessible to everyone. The article also establishes the national language, Filipino, as the medium of official communication and language of instruction, while also recognizing the importance of regional languages. Additionally, Article 14 promotes the development of science, technology, arts, culture, and sports among Filipino citizens, emphasizing their essential role in national development and progress.
