Philippine Constitutions (PDF)

BASED ON SAMPLE QUESTIONS: CONSTITUTION- It refers to the “body of rules and principles in accordance with which the powers of sovereignty is regularly exercised.” SAN MIGUEL DE MAYUMO BULACAN- The BiaknaBato Republic was established ISABELO ARTACHO- He was one of those who crafted the 1897 Biakn...

BASED ON SAMPLE QUESTIONS: CONSTITUTION- It refers to the “body of rules and principles in accordance with which the powers of sovereignty is regularly exercised.” SAN MIGUEL DE MAYUMO BULACAN- The BiaknaBato Republic was established ISABELO ARTACHO- He was one of those who crafted the 1897 Biaknabato Constitution. MALOLOS CONSTITUTION- It is also known as the 1899 Constitution. JONES LAW OF 1916- It is an independence act during the American Regime that allows Filipinos to govern themselves better and enables the creation of First Philippine Assembly. TYDINGS MCDUFFIE LAW OF 1934- It is the Philippine independence act that served as the basis for crafting the 1935 Constitution. THE 1897/BIAKNABATO CONSTITUTION: MARCH 22, 1897- the first presidential and Vice-presidential elections in Philippines, held although only katipuneros. SAN MIGUEL DE MAYUMO BULACAN- place of the establishment of Biak na Bato. NOVEMBER 1, 1897- at Biak-na-Bato in the town of San Miguel de Mayumo in Bulacán, established the Republic of Biak-na-Bato. ISABELO ARTACHO AND FÉLIX FERRER- the constitution was drafted by these two. THE SUPREME COUNCIL- was vested with the power of Republic, headed by the president and four department secretaries: the interior, foreign affairs, treasury and war. THE CONSEJO SUPREMO DE GRACIA Y JUSTICIA- was given the authority to make decisions and affirm or disprove the sentences. THE ASSEMBLEA DE REPRESENTATES- was to be convened after the revolution to create a new constitution and to elect a new Council of Government and Representatives of the people. Salient Features: o Supreme Council Headed by the president and four department secretaries; the interior, foreign affairs, treasury and war. o Supreme Council of Grace and Justice; given the authority to make decisions and affirm or disprove the sentences. o Assembly of Representatives; a new Council of government and representatives  THE 1899/MALOLOS CONSTITUTION: THE MALOLOS CONSTITUTION- is the first important Filipino document ever produced by the people's representatives. It is anchored in democratic traditions that ultimately had their roots in American soil. FELIPE G. CALDERON- He drafted the 1899 Malolos Constitution. OFFICERS: Pedro A. Paterno, President; Benito Legarda, Vice-President; Gregorio Araneta, First Secretary; and Pablo Ocampo, Second Secretary. JANUARY 20, 1899- The constitution was approved by delegates to the Malolos Congress. BARASOAIN- where Congress was holding its sessions, amidst the "vociferous acclamations of the people and strains of music. Salient features: THE EXECUTIVE POWERS- were to be exercised by the president of the republic with the help of his cabinet. THE LEGISLATIVE POWER- shall be exercised by an Assembly of Representatives of the Nation. JUDICIAL POWERS- were given to the Supreme Court and other lower courts to be created by law. THE 1935 CONSTITUTION: 1935 CONSTITUTION- provided the legal basis of the commonwealth government which was considered a transition government before granting of the Philippine independence. PHILIPPINE BILL OF 1901- it aims to put an end to military government and paved the way for the establishment of civil government. JONES LAW OF 1916- allow Filipinos to govern themselves better and enables the creation of first Philippine assembly. HARE-HAWES CUTTING BILL OF 1933- provided for a ten-year transition period before the granting of Philippine independence. TYDINGS-MCDUFFIE ACT- authored by Sen. Millard Tydings and Rep. John Mcduffie, a slightly amended version of the Hare-Hawes Salient Features: The system called for a PRESIDENT to be elected at large for a 6-YEAR TERM but changed to 4 YEARS with reelection under the 1940 amendment. BICAMERAL CONGRESS- Senate and House of Representatives. The members of the supreme court are appointed by the president with the consent of the commission on appointments of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. THE 1943 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION THE 1943 CONSTITUTION- was the constitution of the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic of the Philippines. PCPI- Preparatory Commission for Philippine Independence (Jose P. Laurel). KALIBAPI- Kapisanan sa Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas. Salient feautes: The executive power is vested in the president, who is to be elected by the members of the NATIONAL ASSEMBLY. The Judicial powers is exercised by the Supreme Court whose justices, together with judges of lower courts. The 1943 Constitution requires the government to develop TAGALOG as the national language, one year after the termination of the Great east Asia or World War II; a new constitution shall be formulated to replace this constitution. 1973 CONSTITUTION: 1973 CONSTITUTION- was turned into a tool by the Marcos regime to perpetuate itself in power. MARTIAL LAW- 21 September 1972 Salient features: PRIME MINISTER- is elected from among the members of the National Assembly and serves as the head of government and commander in chief. PRESIDENT- is elected from among the members of the National Assembly and serves as the symbolic head of state with a six-year term. NATIONAL ASSEMBLY- exercises the power to define the jurisdiction of the lower courts. 1976 amendments: IBP (Interim Batasang Pambansa)- substituting for the Interim National Assembly. The President would also become the Prime Minister and he would continue to exercise legislative powers until such time as martial law was lifted. THE 1987 CONSTITUTION THE 1987 CONSTITUTION- is the existing law. It is the fundamental law of the land; it lays down principles of our present democratic institutions. CORAZON AQUINO- decided to make a new constitution, in 1986 a constitutional commission was created, composed of 48 members from different sectors. The Constitution begins with a preamble and 18 self-contained articles. It established the Philippines as a “Democratic Republican State”. It also established three independent Constitutional Commissions namely; o CSC (The Civil Service Constitution)- a central agency in charge of government personnel. o COMELEC (The Commission on Elections)- mandated to enforce all election laws. o COA (The Commission on Audit)- examines all funds, transactions and property accounts. THE OFFICE OF THE OMBUDSMAN- to further promote the ethical and lawful conduct of the government, created to investigate complaints that pertain to public corruption.