Questions and Answers
What is a Constitutional Government?
A government that has a fundamental law or constitution that organizes, defines limits and extends the powers of the political system while laying down the rights and obligations of the people.
What is a Constitution?
A written instrument establishing, limiting, and defining the fundamental powers of government.
Which of the following are types of Constitution based on the government it provides?
What type of Constitution changes with ease?
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What does a good written Constitution need to be in terms of form?
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A Constitution provides specific details about laws.
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Match the following types of Constitution with their descriptions:
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What are the basic distinctions between a Constitution and a Statute?
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Study Notes
Lesson Learning Outcomes (LLOs)
- Define Constitution, Statute, Constitutional Government.
- Identify different types of constitutions.
- Differentiate between a Constitution and a Statute.
- Enumerate influences on the Philippine Constitution.
- Classify the 1987 Constitution based on government type, amendatory process, form, and origin.
Constitutional Government
- Defined as a system with a fundamental law that organizes government, limits powers, and outlines people's rights and obligations.
- Sovereignty typically resides in the people; government authority is derived from their consent.
Definition of a Constitution
- A written instrument that establishes, limits, and defines government powers.
- Distributes powers among departments for safe and beneficial exercise for the populace.
Kinds of Constitution
- By Type of Government: Democratic, Monarchical, Presidential, Unitary.
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By Amending Procedure:
- Flexible: Easy to amend.
- Rigid: Difficult to amend requiring specific conditions.
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By Form:
- Written: All provisions in a single document.
- Unwritten: Provisions scattered across various legal sources.
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By Origin:
- Evolutionary/Cumulative: Develops over time.
- Enacted/Conventional: Drafted by representatives in a convention.
- Granted/Fiat: Decreed by a monarch or handed over by one government to another.
Requisites of a Good Written Constitution
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As to Form:
- Broad: Outlines a comprehensive governmental organization.
- Brief: Avoids excessive detail; contains general principles.
- Definite: Must be clear to avoid ambiguity and misinterpretation.
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As to Contents:
- Preamble outlining aims and purposes.
- Provisions for organization, powers, and distribution of government.
- Amendatory process provisions establishing sovereignty.
- Civil and political rights defined, often referred to as the Bill of Rights.
Basic Distinctions Between a Constitution and a Statute
- A Constitution addresses general government principles; a Statute covers specific subjects.
- Constitutions consider future conditions, while Statutes apply mainly to current situations.
- Constitutions derive authority directly from the people, requiring their approval; Statutes are approved by their representatives.
- Amending a Constitution follows a special procedure; Statutes can be changed through normal legislative processes.
- Constitutions define the government's framework and power distribution; Statutes provide specifics to fill in the framework established by the Constitution.
Sources of the Philippine Constitution
- Organic laws enacted by the U.S. Congress, such as legislative acts that have influenced the Philippine legal foundation.
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Description
Test your understanding of the Philippine Constitution and its significance in governance. This quiz covers definitions, types of constitution, and key differences between constitution and statutes, ensuring a comprehensive grasp of the foundational principles in Philippine politics.
