Philippine Constitution: Preamble & Territory

Preamble

• The sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, aim to build a just and humane society. They seek to establish a government embodying ideals and aspirations, promoting the common good, conserving their patrimony, and securing independence and democracy under the rule of law, with truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace.

Article I: National Territory

• The national territory includes the Philippine archipelago, with all its islands and waters. It encompasses all other territories under Philippine sovereignty or jurisdiction.
• This includes terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, the territorial sea, seabed, subsoil, insular shelves, and submarine areas.
• Waters around, between, and connecting the islands, regardless of breadth or dimension, are internal waters of the Philippines.

Article II: Declaration of Principles and State Policies, Principles

• The Philippines is a democratic and republican State; sovereignty resides in the people. All government authority comes from them.
• The Philippines renounces war as a national policy instrument, adopting international law principles and adhering to peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.
• Civilian authority is supreme over the military; the Armed Forces of the Philippines protect the people and the State, aiming to secure sovereignty and national integrity.
• The government's prime duty is to serve and protect the people; citizens may be required to render personal, military, or civil service under conditions provided by law to defend the State.
• Maintaining peace and order, protecting life, liberty, and property, and promoting general welfare are essential for democracy.
• The separation of Church and State is inviolable.

Article II: Declaration of Principles and State Policies, State Policies

• The State pursues an independent foreign policy, prioritizing national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and self-determination in relations with other states.
• Consistent with national interest, the Philippines adopts a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.
• The State promotes a just and dynamic social order for national prosperity, independence, poverty alleviation, adequate social services, full employment, rising living standards, and improved quality of life.
• The State promotes social justice in all phases of national development.
• The State values human dignity and guarantees full respect for human rights.
• The State recognizes the sanctity of family life, protecting and strengthening the family as a basic autonomous social institution, equally protecting the mother's and unborn's lives from conception. Parental rights and duties in youth rearing are supported by the government.
• The State recognizes the vital role of youth in nation-building, promoting their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being, inculcating patriotism and nationalism, and encouraging public and civic involvement.
• The State recognizes women's role in nation-building, ensuring fundamental equality before the law for women and men.
• The State protects and promotes the right to health and instills health consciousness.
• The State protects and advances the people's right to a balanced and healthful ecology in harmony with nature.
• The State prioritizes education, science, technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism, nationalism, social progress, and human liberation.
• The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force, protecting workers' rights and promoting their welfare.
• The State develops a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.
• The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encouraging enterprise and investments.
• The State promotes comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform.
• The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within national unity and development.
• The State encourages non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations that promote the nation's welfare.
• The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building.
• The State ensures the autonomy of local governments.
• The State guarantees equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibits political dynasties.
• The State maintains honesty and integrity in public service, taking measures against graft and corruption.
• Subject to conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts full public disclosure of transactions involving public interest.

Article III: Bill of Rights

• No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process; equal protection of laws is guaranteed.
• People have the right to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures; warrants require probable cause determined by a judge, after examining the complainant and witnesses, particularly describing the place and items to be seized.
• Privacy of communication is inviolable except upon a lawful court order or when public safety requires, as prescribed by law; illegally obtained evidence is inadmissible.
• No law shall abridge freedom of speech, expression, or the press, or the right to assemble and petition for grievances.
• No law shall establish religion or prohibit its free exercise; religious freedom and worship are allowed without discrimination; no religious test for civil or political rights.
• Liberty of abode and travel shall not be impaired except upon lawful court order or in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health.
• People have a right to information on public matters, access to official records, documents, transactions, decisions, and government research, subject to limitations provided by law.
• People can form unions, associations, or societies for lawful purposes without abridgment.
• Private property cannot be taken for public use without just compensation.
• Laws impairing contract obligations shall not be passed.
• Free access to courts and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied due to poverty.
• Those under investigation can remain silent and have competent counsel, preferably of their choice; rights cannot be waived except in writing and with counsel.
• Torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or means vitiating free will are prohibited, as are secret detention places, solitary confinement, or similar detention forms.
• Confessions obtained in violation of rights are inadmissible; penal and civil sanctions are provided for violations, along with compensation for victims of torture and their families.
• All persons are bailable before conviction, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua when guilt evidence is strong; excessive bail is prohibited.
• The writ of habeas corpus can only be suspended in cases of invasion or rebellion when public safety requires it.
• All persons have the right to speedy case disposition in all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.
• No person shall be compelled to be a witness against themselves.
• Detention is prohibited based on political beliefs or aspirations.
• Involuntary servitude exists only as punishment for duly convicted crimes.
• Excessive fines, cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment are not allowed, and the death penalty can only be imposed for heinous crimes if Congress provides for it, reducing existing death penalties to reclusion perpetua.
• Physical, psychological, or degrading punishment, substandard penal facilities, or subhuman conditions for prisoners or detainees will be legally addressed.
• No imprisonment for debt or non-payment of poll tax is allowed.
• No one shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense.
• No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.

Article IV: Citizenship

• The following are citizens of the Philippines: those who are citizens at the time of the constitution's adoption; those whose fathers or mothers are citizens; those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching majority age; and those who are naturalized by law.
• Natural-born citizens are those who are citizens from birth without needing to perform any act to acquire or perfect citizenship; those who elect Philippine citizenship are deemed natural-born.
• Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired as provided by law.
• Philippines citizens who marry aliens retain their citizenship unless they renounce it by act or omission under the law.
• Dual allegiance is inimical to the national interest and shall be dealt with by law.

Article V: Suffrage

• Suffrage can be exercised by all Philippines citizens not otherwise disqualified by law. They must be at least 18 years of age, and have resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place of voting for at least six months before the election.
• Literacy, property, or other similar substantive requirement is not necessary for suffrage.
• Congress must provide a system securing the secrecy and sanctity of ballots, including absentee voting for qualified Filipinos abroad.
• Congress must design a procedure for disabled and illiterate citizens to vote without assistance; until then, existing laws and COMELEC rules protecting ballot secrecy apply.

Article VI: The Legislative Department

• Legislative power is vested in the Congress of the Philippines, which consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives, except for the powers reserved to the people through initiative and referendum.
• The Senate is composed of twenty-four Senators elected at large by qualified voters.
• A Senator must be natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least 35 years old on election day, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for at least 2 years immediately preceding the election.
• Senators have a six-year term, starting at noon on June 30 following their election, and cannot serve more than two consecutive terms; voluntary renunciation of office does not interrupt term continuity.
• The House of Representatives has up to 250 members, unless otherwise fixed by law, elected from legislative districts based on population and a uniform ratio, and those elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations.
• Party-list representatives constitute 20% of the total number of representatives. For the first three terms after this Constitution, half of party-list seats shall be filled by selection or election from specific sectors, except religious, as provided by law.
• Each legislative district should be contiguous, compact, and adjacent; each city with at least 250,000 population or each province has at least one representative.
• Congress shall reapportion legislative districts within three years following every census based on provided standards.
• Members of the House of Representatives must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at least twenty-five years old on election day, able to read and write, a registered voter in their district (except for party-list representatives), and a resident there for at least one year immediately preceding election.
• Members of the House of Representatives are elected for a three-year term, starting noon on June 30 following their election. They may not serve more than three consecutive terms; voluntary renunciation of office does not interrupt term continuity.
• Unless otherwise provided by law, regular elections for Senators and Members of the House of Representatives are held on the second Monday of May.
• In case of a vacancy, a special election may be called as prescribed by law; the elected Senator or Representative serves only for the unexpired term.
• Salaries of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives are determined by law. Any pay increase only takes effect after the expiration of the full term of all Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives approving such increase.
• Senators and members are privileged from arrest during the congress session for offenses punishable by no more than six years imprisonment. A Member cannot be questioned or held liable elsewhere for speech or debate in Congress or in any committee thereof.
• All members of the Senate and the House of Representatives, upon assumption of office, make a full disclosure of their financial and business interests. They shall notify the House concerned of a potential conflict of interest.
• Senators and Members of the House of Representatives cannot hold any other government office or employment during his term without forfeiting his seat. Neither shall he be appointed to any office which may have been created or the emoluments thereof.
• Senators and members of house cannot personally appear as counsel before any court of justice. They can't be financially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Government including any government-owned or controlled.
• Congress convenes annually on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session, unless a different date is fixed by law, and continues until thirty days before the opening of its next regular session.
• The Senate and the House elect a President, and a Speaker, by a majority vote of all it's Members. Each House chooses other officer as necessary.
• A majority of each House is a quorum to do business, however a smaller number can be adjourned day to day.
• Each House determines the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and suspend or expel a Member with a concurrence of two-thirds of all Members.
• Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceedings and publish the same, and the yeas and nays shall be entered in the Journal.
• Neither House can adjourn for more than three days.
• The Senate and the House each have an Electoral Tribunal.
• There shall be a Commission on Appointments consisting of the President of the Senate, twelve Senators, and twelve Members of the House of Representatives.
• The Commission shall act on all appointments submitted to it within thirty session days of the Congress from their submission by Members.
• The Electoral Tribunals and the Commission on Appointments shall be constituted within thirty days after the Senate and the House of Representatives have been organized.
• The records and books of accounts of the Congress shall be preserved and open to the public.
• The Senate or the House may conduct inquiries.
• Heads of departments may appear before the President, of on the request of either House.
• The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session assembled, shall declare the existence of a state of war.
• All bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose.
• The Congress may not increase the recommended appropriations.
• No enactment shall be embraced in the general appropriations bill.
• The procedure in approving appropriations for the Congress shall followed.
• Discretionary funds appropriated for particular officials shall be disbursed only.
• Every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one subject.
• No bill shall become a law unless it has passed three readings on separate days.
• Every bill shall be presented to the President.
• The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable.
• The congress shall fix within specified limits, and subject to such limitations as it may impose.
• No law shall be passed increasing the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court.
• No law shall be passed until Congress shall provide for a system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions.

Article VII: Executive Department

• The executive power is vested in the President of the Philippines.
• The President must be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years.
• There shall be a Vice-President who shall have the same qualifications and term of office and be elected with, and in the same manner, as the President.
• The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by vote of the people for a term of six years.
• The President shall not be eligible for any re-election.
• No Vice-President shall serve for more than two successive terms.
• Unless otherwise provided by law, regular election for President and Vice-President shall be held on the second Monday of May.
• Every election for President and Vice-President shall be transmitted to the Congress, directed to the President of the Senate.
• The person having the highest number of votes shall be proclaimed elected.
• The Supreme Court shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the President or Vice-President.
• Before they enter on the execution of their office, the President, the Vice-President, or the Acting President shall take an oath or affirmation. I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President (or Vice-President or Acting President) of the Philippines, preserve and defend it’s Constitution, execute it’s laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation.
• The President shall have an official residence.
• The President-elect and the Vice President-elect shall assume office.
• If the President-elect fails to qualify, the Vice President-elect shall act as President.
• If a President shall not have been chosen, the Vice President-elect shall act as President.
• The Congress provides who shall serve as President in case of death.
• The Congress nominate a Vice-President from among the Members of the Senate.
• The Congress shall, at ten o'clock on the morning after the vacancy in the offices of the President and Vice-President.
• Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
• In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health.
• The President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, and their deputies assistant shall not, unless otherwise. The spouse and relatives within the fourth civil degree of the President.
• Appointments shall remain effective.
• Two months before the next presidential elections.
• The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.
• The President shall have control of all the executive departments, bureaus, and offices.
• The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines that is necessary.
• Except in cases of impeachment.

Article VIII: Judicial Department

• The Judicial power shall be vested in Supreme Court and such lower courts.
• The Congress shall have the power to define, prescribe, and apportion the jurisdiction of the various courts.
• Shall enjoy fiscal autonomy.
• The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate Justices.
• All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty.
• Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors.
• No person shall be appointed.
• A Judicial and Bar Council is created under the supervision of The Supreme Court.
• The president shall in the Supreme Court.
• This salary shall not be decreased.
• The Members of the Supreme Court hold office during good behavior.
• The Supreme Court shall be by law.
• The court shall decide or resolve.
• The conclusions of the Supreme Court decision.
• The Supreme Court is within thirty days from day.

Article IX: Constitutional Commission

• The Constitutional Commissions are the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Elections, and the Commission on Audit.
• The salary of the Chairman.
• Shall appoint their officials.
• Each commission in banc may promulgate.
• The commission.
• It was submitted to the president.
• The civil service will be administered.
• The Government
• The elective.

Article X: Local Government

• Territorial and political subdivisions.
• Enjoy local autonomy.
• The congress is instituted through a system on.
• The acts of their prescribed powers.
• In the national taxes which shall be released. a. In the national the,
• The term of elected local official.
• Shall sectorial local.
• The component cities.

Article XI: Accountability of Public Officers

• Accountability of Public Officers.
• Public office is a public trust.
• Those are the Vice Presidents.
• House of representative shall of cases of Impeachment.
• Shall not extended further than office.
• Law.
• Anti Graft.
• The President is three nominees occurs.
• During their term of office.
• Shall shall the same position.

Article XII: National Economy and Patrimony

• Goals of the natural economy.
• The exploration, development.
• The natural domain.
• The constitution.
• A natural body
• The transfer and promotion..

Article XIII: Social Justice and Human Rights

• Congress priority.
• Economic opportunity.
• The shall total .
• Natural resources.
• Urban Land.
• Equal opportunity.

Article XIV: Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports

• all citizens must promote quality education to its .
• A medium in the official .
• As auxiliary is a region.
• Language in the society.
• Is necessary and development.

Article XV: The Family

• It also strengthens and promotes solidarity is key.
• The state also must provide protection to ensure well-being.

Article XVI: General Provisions

• The colors of the Phillipines flag are red, white, and blue, with a sun and three stars.
• The Congress may adopt a new flag , seal, and national anthem that reflects the history of the people.
• All members of the military shall follow the constitution.

Article XVII: Amendments or Revisions

• Any changes, amendments, or revisions must be proposed or approved by Congress Members.
• Constitutional Conventions can be called.

Article XVIII: Transitory Provisions

• The first elections shall be held on the 2nd Monday of May and is overseen by the President of the Philippines.
• There shall be no changes to past officials until new elections.
• The officials and employees scale are determined by the National Government.