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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of a constitution?
Which of the following is NOT considered a part of a good written constitution?
Which constitution was in effect in the Philippines prior to the 1987 Constitution?
What does the Bill of Rights primarily safeguard?
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What type of government system does the Philippine Constitution establish?
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Which section of the constitution addresses the rights to freedom of speech and assembly?
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In what year was the current Philippine Constitution enacted?
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Which of these constitutions was the first to govern the Philippines?
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Who were the authors of the Cuban constitution?
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What was the primary purpose of the Asamblea de Representantes?
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Which body had the authority to affirm or disprove sentences rendered by other courts?
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What major event triggered the convening of the Asamblea de Representantes?
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What constitution served as a model for the Malolos Constitution?
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When was the Malolos Constitution promulgated?
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Why was the constitution mentioned not fully implemented?
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What was the social status of the commission that drafted the Malolos Constitution?
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What was the purpose of the Tydings-McDuffie Act passed in 1934?
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Which significant change was made to the 1935 constitution in 1940?
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What was the initial voting right limitation under the 1935 Constitution?
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What aspect of governance did the 1935 Constitution initially provide for?
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What significant event briefly interrupted the implementation of the 1935 Constitution?
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Who was the president of the constitutional convention that established the 1935 Constitution?
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What was one of the key goals stated in the preamble of the 1935 Constitution?
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What did the 1946 declaration of independence formally establish for the Philippines?
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Study Notes
What is a Constitution?
- A constitution is a set of rules establishing the duties and functions of government institutions
- It defines the relationship between the state and individuals
- Constitutions are classified based on rules, change mechanisms, adherence, and structure.
A Good Written Constitution
- Constitution of Liberty: protects civil and political rights, limits government power
- Constitution of Government: outlines government structure, enumerates powers, defines administration, and the electorate
- Constitution of Sovereignty: establishes how changes to the constitution are to be made.
Constitution of the Philippines
- In effect since 1987
- Prior constitutions: 1935 Commonwealth, 1973, and 1986 Freedom Constitution
Parts of the Government Under the 1987 Constitution
- Executive
- Legislative
- Judiciary
- Utilizes a Presidential System of Government
The General Form of a Constitution
- Preamble
- Organizational Section: outlines government powers
- Bill of Rights
- Amendment Procedures
Why is the Bill of Rights Important?
- It protects individual freedoms and limits government’s power to infringe upon them.
Historical Development of the Philippine Constitution
-
1897: Biak-na-Bato Constitution:
- Provisional constitution during the Philippine Revolution
- Signed on November 1, 1897
- Based on the Cuban Constitution
- Written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer
-
1899: Malolos Constitution:
- Drafted by a commission elected by the Malolos Congress
- Approved by the Congress on 29 November 1898
- Promulgated by Aguinaldo on 21 January 1899
- Patterned after Spanish (1812) and French (1793) Constitutions.
- Main author was Felipe Calderon, citing similarities in social, political, and governance contexts.
-
1935: Commonwealth Constitution:
- Created after the Philippines became a US territory
- Established by the Tydings-McDuffie Act (Philippine Independence Act)
- Approved by a constitutional convention with Claro M. Recto as president
- Crafted to meet the approval of the US government
- Aimed to transition the country towards independence
- Initially had a unicameral National Assembly with a six-year term for president and vice president
- Amended in 1940 to have a bicameral Congress and limited presidential terms.
- Women's right to suffrage was granted two years after the Constitution's adoption.
- Briefly interrupted by World War II with the Japanese occupation.
- Philippine independence was declared on July 4, 1946.
The 1935 Constitution
- Emphasized that nationalism is nurtured by history
1897: Biak-na-Bato Constitution
- Never fully implemented due to the Pact of Biak-na-Bato between the Spanish and the Philippine Revolutionary Army.
- Its preamble states that the Philippine Republic was established through a revolution that began on 24 August 1896.
Parts of the Government Under the Biak-na-Bato Constitution:
- Supreme Council: held the power of the republic, headed by the president and four department secretaries (interior, foreign affairs, treasury, and war).
- Consejo Supremo de Gracia Y Justicia (Supreme Council of Grace and Justice): had the authority to make decisions and affirm or disapprove court sentences, as well as dictate rules for the administration of justice.
- Asamblea de Representantes (Assembly of Representatives): would convene after the revolution to create a new constitution, elect a new Council of Government, and represent the people.
Preamble of the 1899 (Malolos) Constitution
- Emphasizes the establishment of justice, common defense, general welfare, and securing the benefits of liberty relying on the "Sovereign legislator of the Universe" to achieve these goals.
Preamble of th 1935 Constitution
- It states that, "The Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence, in order to establish a government that shall embody their ideals, conserve and develop the patrimony of the nation, promote the general welfare, and secure themselves and their posterity the blessings of independence under a regime of justice, liberty, and democracy, do ordain and promulgate this constitution."
Preamble of the 1987 Constitution
- "It is hereby declared that the Philippines is a democratic and republican state. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them. The defense of the State and the people's security and well-being shall be the prime duty of the Government, and in the fulfillment of this duty all citizens may be required, even those who are not citizens of the Philippines but residing therein, to render personal military or civil service."
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Description
This quiz delves into the essential aspects of constitutions, including their definitions, types, and the specific features of the Constitution of the Philippines. Explore topics such as the government's structure under the 1987 Constitution, and the importance of civil rights within a constitution. Test your knowledge on these fundamental principles of governance.
