THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

The PREAMBLE and an overview of the articles

Objectives:
 Explain the fundamental principles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and analyze how its provisions
uphold democratic governance.
 Demonstrate respect and appreciation for the values of freedom, justice, and equality as enshrined in the
1987 Philippine Constitution through class discussions and personal reflections.
 Create a visual presentation (e.g., poster, infographic, or skit) illustrating the rights and responsibilities of
Filipino citizens under the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

INTRODUCTION
The 1987 Philippine Constitution is the fundamental law of the Republic of the Philippines, enacted to restore democracy
after the fall of the Marcos dictatorship. Ratified on February 2, 1987, during the presidency of Corazon Aquino, it replaced
the 1973 Constitution and reestablished a democratic government with a clear separation of powers among the executive,
legislative, and judicial branches. It emphasizes the protection of human rights, national sovereignty, social justice, and the
rule of law, reflecting the aspirations of Filipinos for freedom, justice, and genuine democratic governance.

PREAMBLE
We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane
society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good,
conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence
and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do
ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

Article I. National Territory

Article II. Declaration of Principles and State Policies
Article Ill. Bill of Rights
Article IV. Citizenship
Article V. Suffrage
Article VI. The Legislative Department
Article VII. The Executive Department
Article VIII. The Judicial Department
Article IX. Constitutional Commission
Article X. Local Government
Article XI. Accountability of Public Officers
Article XII. National Economy and Patrimony
Article XIII. Social Justice and Human Rights Article
XIV. Education, Science & Technology, Arts, Culture & Sports
Article XV. The Family
Article XVI. General Provisions
Article XVII. Amendments and Revisions
Article XVIII. Transitory Provisions

Article I. National Territory

The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein,
and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial,
fluvial, and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other
submarine areas. The waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of
their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines.

Article II. Declaration of Principles and State Policies

Article Il lays out the basic social and political creed of the Philippines, particularly the implementation of the
constitution and sets forth the objectives of the government.

Article III. Bill of Rights

Article Ill enumerates specific protections against the abuse of state power, most of which are similar to the
provisions of the U.S. Constitution of public concern

Article IV. Citizenship

Article IV defines the citizenship of Filipinos. It enumerates two kinds of citizens: natural-born citizens and
naturalized citizens. Natural-born citizens are those who are citizens from birth without having to perform any
act to acquire or perfect Philippine citizenship. The Philippines follows a jus sanguinis system where
citizenship is mainly acquired through a blood relationship with Filipino citizens.

Natural-born citizenship forms an important part of the political system as only natural-born Filipinos are
eligible to hold high offices, including all elective offices beginning with a representative in the House of
Representatives up to the President.

Article V. Suffrage
Article V mandates various age and residence qualifications to vote and a system of secret ballots and
absentee voting. It also mandates a procedure for overseas and disabled and illiterate Filipinos to vote.

Article VI. The Legislative Department

Article Vl provides for a bicameral legislature called the Congress composed of the Senate and the House of
Representatives. It vests upon Congress, among others, the power of investigation and inquiry in aid of
legislation, the power to declare the existence of a state of war, the power of the purse, the power of taxation,
and the power of eminent domain.

Article VII. The Executive Department

Article VII provides for a presidential form of government where the executive power is vested on the
President. It provides for the qualification, terms of office, election, and power and functions of the President.
It also provides for a Vice President and for the presidential line of succession.

Article VIII. The Judicial Department

Article VIII vests the judicial power upon the Supreme Court and other lower courts as may be established by
law (by Congress). While the power to appoint justices and judges still reside with the President, the
President may only appoint nominees pre-selected by the Judicial and Bar Council, a body composed of the
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Secretary of Justice, the Chairs of the Senate and House Committees
on Justice, and representatives from the legal profession.

Article IX. Constitutional Commissions

Article IX establishes three constitutional commissions: the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on
Elections, and the Commission on Audit.

Article X. Local Government

Article X pursues for local autonomy and mandates Congress to enact a law for the local government, now
currently the Local Government Code.
Article XI. Accountability of Public Officers
Section 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to
the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency; act with patriotism and
justice, and lead modest lives.

Article XII. National Economy and Patrimony

Section 1. The goals of the national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and
wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation for the benefit of the
people; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially the
underprivileged.

Article XIII. Social Justice and Human Rights Section 1. The Congress shall give highest priority to the
enactment of measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social,
economic, and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and
political power for the common good.

To this end, the State shall regulate the acquisition, ownership, use, and disposition of property and its
increments.

Article XIV. Education, Science & Technology, Arts, Culture & Sports
Section 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and
shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

Article XV. The Family

Section 1. The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall
strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.

Article XVI. General Provisions

Section 1. The flag of the Philippines shall be red, white, and blue, with a sun and three stars, as consecrated
and honored by the people and recognized by law.

Article XVII. Amendments and Revisions

Section 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by:
(1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or
(2) A constitutional convention.

Article XVIII. Transitory Provisions

Section 1. The first elections of Members of the Congress under this Constitution shall be held on the second
Monday of May, 1987.

The first local elections shall be held on a date to be determined by the President, which may simultaneous
with the election of the Members of the Congress. It shall include the election of all Members of the city or
municipal councils in the Metropolitan Manila area.
 HUMAN RIGHTS IN THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD
Objectives:
 Identify and explain the different categories of human rights (civil, political, economic, social, and
cultural) and their significance in democratic societies.
 Value the importance of human rights by expressing empathy toward individuals or groups who
experience discrimination or injustice.
 Design and present a campaign (e.g., poster, video, or role-play) promoting awareness and protection of
human rights within the community or school.

What are Human Rights?

Human Rights refer to the concept of human beings having universal, natural rights, or status, regardless of
legal jurisdiction or other localizing, such as ethnicity, nationality, and sex.
Set of standards that guarantees a life befitting a rational being
Are basic and minimum which people can't live in dignity
These are the "foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world"

What are the four characteristics of human rights?

INHERENT - essential part of our lives, intrinsic.
UNIVERSAL - people have human rights whoever they are and wherever they are
INDIVISIBLE - human rights must be enjoyed by everyone in its full range
INALIENABLE - can't be taken away or transferred (but can be limited when the exercise of it is an affront to
the rights of others)

How can we classify human rights?

A. According to Nature
1. CIVIL RIGHTS - pertain to rights belonging to a person by reason of citizenship (e.g.. right to a name,
right to freedom from discrimination, right to equality before the law, right to public trial, right to marry, right
to leave a country, etc.)
2. POLITICAL RIGHTS - enable the people to participate in running or influencing the administration of the
government (e.g.. right to vote, right to freedom of expression, right to free and periodic elections, etc.)
3. ECONOMIC RIGHTS - pertain to access to resources - such as land, labor, physical, and financial capital -
that are essential for the creation, legal appropriation, and market exchange of goods and services (e.g.. right
to work, right to own property, right to adequate standard of living, etc.)
4. SOCIAL RIGHTS - relate to living together or enjoying life in communities or organized groups (e.g..
right to social security, right to social welfare, etc.)
5. CULTURAL RIGHTS - ensure the well-being of the individual and foster the preservation, enrichment,
and dynamic evolution of arts, manners and way of living of a group with principles of unity in diversity of
expression (right to take part in the cultural life, right to joy the benefits of scientific progress and its
application).
6. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS - are rights that may be exercise by every individual
7. COLLECTIVE/GROUP RIGHTS - are rights given to a specified vulnerable group which may be
exercised because one's membership to such community such as the right to development, women's rights,
children's rights, and indigenous people's rights.
8. NATURAL RIGHTS - are rights believed to be based on reason or given by the Supreme Being.
They already existed before they were recognized by law.
9. LEGAL RIGHTS - are rights recognized by laws.
10. IMMEDIATE - are those rights that States can readily implement because these are dependent on the
State's political will such as civil and political rights.
11. PROGRESSIVE - are those rights whose implementation are dependent on the availability of the states'
resources and can be enjoyed gradually

What is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights?

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is the minimum and common standard of achievement
for all people.

The United Nations General Assembly adopted it on December 10, 1948, the day which continues to be
observed internationally as 'Human Rights Day'
It has 30 articles spelling out basic civil, political, economic and sociocultural rights.

The said articles are as follows:

1. Right to Equality
2. Freedom from Discrimination
3. Right to Life, Liberty, Personal Security
4. Freedom from Slavery
5. Freedom from Torture and Degrading Treatment
6. Right to Recognition as a Person before the Law
7. Right to Equality before the Law
8. Right to Remedy by Competent Tribunal
9. Freedom from Arbitrary Arrest and Exile
10. Right to Public Hearing
11. Right to be considered Innocent until Proven Guilty
12. Freedom from Interference with Privacy, Family, Home and Correspondence
13. Right to free movement in and out of the Country
14. Right to Asylum in other Countries from Persecution
15. Right to a Nationality and the Freedom to Change it
16. Right to Marriage and Family
17. Right to own property
18. Freedom of Belief and Religion
19. Freedom of Opinion and Information
20. Right to Peaceful Assembly and Association
21. Right to participate in Government and in Free Elections
22. Right to Social Security
23. Right to Desirable Work and to Join Trade Unions
24. Right to Rest and Leisure
25. Right to Adequate Living Standard
26. Right to Education
27. Right to Participate in the Cultural Life of the Community
28. Right to a Social Order that Articulates this Document
29. Community Duties Essential to Free and Full Development
30. Stated that "Nothing in this declaration may be interpreted as implying for any state, group or person any
right to engage in any activity or to perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of the rights and freedoms
set forth therein".

Whose responsibility is human rights?

In Article 30 of the UDHR, it is stated that,
"groups and individuals may not engage in any activity or perform any act aimed at the destruction of any of
the rights and freedoms "set forth therein". It means that human rights are both a responsibility of state and
non-state actors.

How may human rights be guaranteed?

The protection of human rights may be guaranteed by national and international human rights mechanisms.
This as follows:

1. LEGISLATION - through a.)Amending and supplementing national laws to suit international laws and b.)
promulgating new legal documents.
2. EDUCATION AND CAMPAIGN - educating state agents and dissemination in the grassroots level
3. NATIONAL PROGRAMS OF ACTION - serves as guide to government in formulating policies and
programs

Final Activity: “My Rights, My Voice: A Reflective Essay on the 1987 Philippine Constitution”

Objective:
To encourage students to understand and internalize the significance of constitutional rights by reflecting on
how these rights impact their daily lives.

Instructions:
Prompt:
Choose one specific right or principle from the 1987 Philippine Constitution (e.g., freedom of speech, right to
education, right to due process). Write a reflective essay discussing:
What this right means to you personally?
Why it is important in a democratic society?
How this right has affected your life, community, or people you know?
What responsibilities come with this right?

Format:
500–700 words
Typed, Calibri, 12, single-spaced
Include a title and follow basic essay structure (introduction, body, conclusion)

Assessment Criteria:
Understanding of the constitutional right (35%)
Depth of personal reflection (30%)
Clarity and coherence of ideas (20%)
Grammar and mechanics (15%)

Submission: google drive

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1y8cPK2QM5dVivkMM9WvCH9_U0YhlTVRB?usp=sharing

Deadline of submission: May 3, 2025 (on or before 11:59 PM)

Note: The use of AI will automatically result in a grade of zero (0).