Batac, Louissee Diamond S.

HUMSS 12 E
Worksheet # 5
Can You Spot the Difference?

Government constitution is what sets this country's laws and keeps it running smoothly.
This is why there hasn't been a rebellion in hundreds of years. Also because it can be altered, this
allows it to be changed based on the changing times and new technology. Many other countries
also have constitutions as well. Other constitutions may or may not have different laws than ours
does. The purpose of a constitution is to provide a framework of rules that creates the structures
and functions of a human organization.

The Philippine's constitution intended for "peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation,
and amity with all nations." (Philippine's Const. Sect. 2 Art. 2) The U.S. constitution intended for
"Justice, domestic Tranquility, common defense, general Welfare, and Liberty to ourselves and
our Posterity." (U.S. Const. Preamble) They both also want a national government with
separation of powers, republicanism, federalism, popular sovereignty, checks and balances,
individual rights, and limited government. (1) The principles of government displayed in both
constitutions set out the structure of the constitution and what is expected out of it. (2) Both
constitutions have a preamble to explain their purpose and goals and articles that specifically
describe the laws. The Philippines constitution has an ordinance that will direct the government.

The original intention of the 1987 Philippines Constitution was to establish a government
based on people's needs, develop financial assistance and keep the Philippines independent.
(Philippines Const. Preamble) They did have previous constitutions, but as time goes on, they
will need to make corrections and it's not always a bad idea to start new if it means creating a
very specific and correct constitution. Their constitution is broken up into a Preamble, the
purposes and goals, 18 Articles, the specifics for the constitution and the Ordinance, the direction
the government should go in. (Philippines Const.) Their purpose was to establish a "democratic
and republican state" in which "sovereignty resides in the people and government emanates from
them." (Philippines Const. Sect. 1 Art. 1)

The original intention of creating the United States Constitution was to replace the
Articles of Confederation and establish a stronger federal government. They divided up this
doctrine into the Preamble, where they listed the purpose and goals of the new union, the
Articles, the specifics for each branch's power, and the Amendments, where they can place
additions into the constitution as society's rights will always change. (US Const.) The purpose of
the US Constitution is to establish a federal government of separation of powers for the United
States of America and to delegate certain, limited (enumerated) powers. (Michelsen).
 The constitutions of both countries are both similar and different. Both of them have
ways of adapting their constitution to the changing times so these constitutions may become
more similar or more different by adding amendments. Each constitution benefits itself
differently and it seems that it prevents people from committing crimes. Therefore, each country
did not make important mistakes when writing their own constitution.

Executive Power
The Constitution of the United States The 1987 Philippine Constitution
Similaritie Article II - Section 1. The executive ARTICLE VII - Section 1. The executive
s Power shall be vested in a President power shall be vested in the President of the
of the United States of America. He Philippines.
shall hold his Office during the Term ARTICLE XI – Section 2. The President, the
of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, the Members of the Supreme
Vice President, chosen for the same Court, the Members of the Constitutional
Term, be elected, as follows Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be
Section 4 The President, Vice removed from office on impeachment for, and
President and all civil Officers of the conviction of, culpable violation of the
United States, shall be removed from Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and
Office on Impeachment for, and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of
Conviction of, Treason, Bribery, or public trust.
other high Crimes and
Misdemeanors.
Differences Person except a natural born Citizen, Section 2. No person may be elected President
or a Citizen of the United States, at unless he is a natural-born citizen of the
the time of the Adoption of this Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and
Constitution, shall be eligible to the write, at least forty years of age on the day of
Office of President; neither shall any the election, and a resident of the Philippines
Person be eligible to that Office who for at least ten years immediately preceding
shall not have attained to the Age of such election.
thirty five Years, and been fourteen
Years a Resident within the United
States.

Legislative Power
The Constitution of the United States The 1987 Philippine Constitution
Similaritie All legislative Powers herein granted ARTICLE VI Section 1. The legislative power
s shall be vested in a Congress of the shall be vested in the Congress of the
United States, which shall consist of a Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and
Senate and House of Representatives. a House of Representatives, except to the
extent reserved to the people by the provision
on initiative and referendum.

Differences No Person shall be a Representative Section 3. No person shall be a Senator unless

who shall not have attained to the he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines,
Age of twenty-five Years, and been and, on the day of the election, is at least
 seven Years a Citizen of the United thirty-five years of age, able to read and write,
States, and who shall not, when a registered voter, and a resident of the
elected, be an Inhabitant of that State Philippines for not less than two years
in which he shall be chosen. immediately preceding the day of the election.
Section 6. No person shall be a Member of the
No Person shall be a Senator who House of Representatives unless he is a
shall not have attained to the Age of natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on
thirty Years, and been nine Years a the day of the election, is at least twenty-five
Citizen of the United States, and who years of age, able to read and write, and,
shall not, when elected, be an except the party-list representatives, a
Inhabitant of that State for which he registered voter in the district in which he shall
shall be chosen. be elected, and a resident thereof for a period
of not less than one year immediately
preceding the day of the election.

Judicial Power
The Constitution of the United States The 1987 Philippine Constitution
Similaritie The judicial Power of the United SECTION 1. The judicial power shall be
s States, shall be vested in one vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower
supreme Court, and in such inferior courts as may be established by law.
Courts as the Congress may from
time to time ordain and establish. Judicial power includes the duty of the courts
The Judges, both of the supreme and of justice to settle actual controversies
inferior Courts, shall hold their involving rights which are legally demandable
Offices during good Behaviour, and and enforceable, and to determine whether or
shall, at stated Times, receive for not there has been a grave abuse of discretion
their Services, a Compensation, amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on
which shall not be diminished during the part of any branch or instrumentality of the
their Continuance in Office. Government.

Differences In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, Section 4. (2) All cases involving the
other public Ministers and Consuls, constitutionality of a treaty, international or
and those in which a State shall be executive agreement, or law, which shall be
Party, the supreme Court shall have heard by the Supreme Court en banc, and all
original Jurisdiction. In all the other other cases which under the Rules of Court are
Cases before mentioned, the supreme required to be heard en banc, including those
Court shall have appellate involving the constitutionality, application, or
Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, operation of presidential decrees,
with such Exceptions, and under proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances,
such Regulations as the Congress and other regulations, shall be decided with the
shall make. concurrence of a majority of the Members who
actually took part in the deliberations on the
issues in the case and voted thereon.