Philippine Politics & Governance Quiz

Study Notes

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.

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.

A written instrument that establishes, limits, and defines government powers.
Distributes powers among departments for safe and beneficial exercise for the populace.

By Type of Government: Democratic, Monarchical, Presidential, Unitary.
By Amending Procedure:
- Flexible: Easy to amend.
- Rigid: Difficult to amend requiring specific conditions.
By Form:
- Written: All provisions in a single document.
- Unwritten: Provisions scattered across various legal sources.
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.

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.
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.

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.