THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

WHAT IS

CONSTITUTION?• The written instrument by which the

fundamental powers of the government are established, limited, and defined and by which these powers are distributed among several departments or branches for their safe and useful exercise for the benefit of the people.

NATURE AND PURPOSES

1. It serves as the supreme or fundamental law.2. It establishes the basic framework and underlying principles of government.

THE FREEDOM CONSTITUTION OF

PRESIDENT CORAZON C. AQUINO

President Corazon C. Aquino issued Proclamation No. 3. adopting a temporary constitution for the Philippines. This was called the “FREEDOM CONSTITUTION” which took effect on March 25, 1986, a month after the People Power Revolution.

THE FRAMING & RATIFICATION OF THE1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION• On April 1986, President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 9 creating a constitutional

commission to draft a new constitution as provided for in the Freedom Constitution.

• President Corazon C. Aquino addressed the opening session on June 2, 1986 at the former Batasang Pambansa Building.

• Debates and heated arguments took placed.

• On October 12, 1986, the Constitutional Commission finished its work; and the draft of the said constitution was submitted to the President on October 15, 1986 and;

• On February 2, 1987, a plebiscite for the charter’s ratification was held.

• 76.37% (17,059,495) “YES” votes and 22.65% (5,058,714) “NO” votes.

• On February 2, 1987, the new constitution was ratified and made effective.

SIGNIFICANT FEATURES OF THE CONSTITUTION

• Sovereignty of the people• Supremacy of civilian

authority over the military• Separation of powers

SOVEREIGNTY OF THE PEOPLE

Article II. Section 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican state, Sovereignty resides in the people and all

government authority emanates from them.

SUPREMACY OF CIVILIAN

AUTHORITY OVER THE MILITARY

Section 3. Civilian authority is at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the state. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the state and the integrity of the national territory.

SEPARATION OF POWERSBRANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT

• EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTPresident – implements or approves laws.

• LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENTCongress – enact laws.

• JUDICIAL DEPARTMENTSupreme Court – decide cases.

ALVIN CUARESMA EDULSAPREPARED BY:

“In free governments, the rulers are the servants and the

people their superiors and sovereigns.”

- Benjamin Franklin