Philippine Constitution Preamble Overview

Preamble

• Introduces the main subject of the Constitution
• Derived from Latin "preambulare" meaning "to walk before"
• Serves as the prologue of the Constitution
• Not essential in a constitution, technically
• Still, most constitutions have a preamble
• Sets down the origin and purposes of the Constitution
• Outlines the Constitution's spirit and broad goals
• Helps to interpret vague or ambiguous provisions

Source of Constitution's Authority

• Filipino people are the source
• "We, the sovereign Filipino people" are stated in the beginning and end of the Constitution
• The sovereign Filipino people themselves, not just representatives, give legitimacy
• Represents the unity and solidarity of the Filipino people

Belief in God Stressed

• Filipinos are intensely religious
• The preamble is a collective prayer, imploring the aid of Almighty God
• A belief in a Supreme Being and recognition of His role in nation's destiny is shown
• Acknowledges God as the source of the nation's authority

National Purposes and Aims in Adopting the Constitution

• Build a just and humane society
• Establish a government promoting common good, ideals, aspirations, posterity, and independence
• Conserve and develop the patrimony(heritage)
• Guarantee blessings of freedom, love, equality, and peace to the people and posterity

Attainment of Constitutional Goals

• Root causes of problems: graft, corruption, political wrongdoings, economic blunders and lack of unity and oneness
• Constitution envisions a democratic government based on the consent of the governed, honesty, and efficiency from its officials
• Government to be responsive to needs, exercising power through the will of the people.

Changes in the Preamble

• The 1973 Constitution's preamble has 15 fewer words than the current one.
• Almighty God is used instead of "Divine Providence" due to accommodating non-believers
• "Common good" is used instead of "general welfare" as the latter could potentially exclude subsets of the population

National Territory

• Constitution does not require a State to define territorial boundaries
• Defines territory for international recognition to prevent future conflict
• Defines archipelago—includes islands within waters and includes territorial domains(seabed, subsoil, and submarines)

Other Territories

• Covers areas over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction
• Includes terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains(seabed, subsoil, and submarines)
• Includes all the waters embraced

Declaration of Principles and State Policies (Principles)

• Philippines is a democratic and republican state with sovereignty vested in the people
• Democratic nature: through representatives
• Has some elements of direct democracy (initiative, referendum, recall)
• Government's principle aim is to serve and protect the people
• Citizens may be required to render personal, military or civil service
• Enforces the principle that the State cannot be sued without its consent, government of laws, not of men, separation of powers, and checks and balances

Declaration of Principles and State Policies (State Policies)

• Renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopting generally-accepted international laws, and promotes peace, equality, cooperation and amity within all nations
• Civilian authority is supreme over military

Freedom from Nuclear Weapons

• Policy to forbid making, storing, manufacture, testing, dumping of or use of our territory for nuclear weapons
• Consistent with the national interest

Just and Dynamic Social Order

• Promotes prosperity and independence of nation
• Ensures welfare of the people
• Encourages a healthy lifestyle by protecting life, liberty, property, and welfare
• Encourages a rising standard of living and quality of life

Social Justice

• Promotes social justice in all phases of national development
• Prioritizes the welfare of the less privileged members of society (e.g. the poor)

Human Dignity and Human Rights

• All individuals inherently deserve dignity and rights
• Prevents the state from infringing upon these rights

Balanced and Healthful Ecology

• Protect the environment (i.e. ecosystems)
• Promotes the well-being, health, and safety of all

Priority to Education, Science, and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports

• Prioritize education, science, technology, arts, culture, and sports for societal development and progress

Labor as a Primary Social Economic Force

• Protects the rights of workers
• Promotes welfare

Self-reliant and Independent National Economy

• Develops an independent national economy
• Effective Filipino control over the economy

Role of the Private Sector

• Recognizes private sector's crucial role in economic development
• Encourages investments, whether local or foreign

Comprehensive Rural Development and Agrarian Reform

• Covers all phases of rural development (economic, social, political, cultural and industrial)

Rights of Indigenous Cultural Communities

• Recognizes the rights of Indigenous cultural communities
• State's duty to respect the rights of and work within the framework of national unity and development

Role of Communication and Information

• Mass media plays a vital role in nation building
• Encourages national values, attitudes, and beliefs
• Supports proper functioning of a republican government
• Aids in promotion of education, communication, and trade

Autonomy of Local Governments

• State guarantees autonomy to local governments

Equal Access to Opportunities for Public Service

• Guarantees equal opportunity for public service
• Prevents political dynasties

Honesty and Integrity in Public Service

• Maintains honesty, integrity, and accountability within public service
• Takes positive and effective measures against graft and corruption
• Addresses the perpetual problem of graft and corruption within government