Jonah Patel
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is the current constitution of the Philippines. It was ratified in 1987, a year after the 1986 People Power Revolution that overthrew Marcos. The 1987 Constitution comprises a preamble and eighteen self-contained articles. The preamble introduces the constitution and the people as the source of sovereignty, and includes an appeal to God.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Introduction | The preamble introduces the constitution and the people as the source of sovereignty. |
| Appeal to God | The preamble includes an appeal to God or other deities. |
| Sovereignty | "We, the sovereign Filipino people" |
| Purpose | To build a just and humane society and establish a government that embodies the ideals and aspirations of the people. |
| Goals | To promote the common good, conserve and develop the national patrimony, and secure the blessings of independence and democracy, truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace. |
| Territory | The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all its islands, waters, and other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction. |
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What You'll Learn
The preamble introduces the constitution and the people as the source of sovereignty
The preamble to the 1987 Philippine Constitution introduces the constitution and the people as the source of sovereignty. It reads:
> "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."
The preamble sets out the Filipino people's intention to establish a government that reflects their values and aspirations, with a focus on justice, freedom, equality, and peace. It also emphasises the role of God in the constitution, a feature that follows past constitutions.
The preamble is followed by eighteen self-contained articles, each with its own section numbering. The first article, Article I, is on the National Territory and outlines the geographical scope of the Philippines' sovereignty and jurisdiction. This includes the Philippine archipelago and its islands, waters, territorial sea, seabed, and other submarine areas.
The 1987 Constitution was preceded by a provisional constitution, Proclamation No. 3, which was issued by President Corazon C. Aquino following the 1986 People Power Revolution that ousted Marcos. This transitional constitution lasted a year and granted the President broad powers to reorganise the government and remove officials. It also mandated the President to appoint a commission to draft a new Constitution, which became the 1987 Constitution.
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It appeals to God or other deities
The Preamble of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines begins with an appeal to God, stating: "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."
This invocation of God or Almighty God is a common feature of constitutional and legal documents, signalling a higher power or authority that bestows legitimacy and guidance on the laws and governance outlined in the document. It reflects the religious beliefs and values of the Filipino people, with a majority of the population identifying as Christian.
The inclusion of this appeal to God in the Preamble is significant as it sets a spiritual and moral tone for the constitution, suggesting that the laws and principles outlined therein are not just based on secular principles but also rooted in divine guidance and justice. This invocation adds a layer of sanctity and solemnity to the document, underscoring the importance and gravity of the constitution as the foundation of the nation's legal and governmental system.
Furthermore, the reference to Almighty God can be seen as a unifying force in a nation with diverse religious beliefs and practices. By invoking a higher power, the constitution acknowledges the spiritual dimension of society and seeks to include and represent the various faiths and beliefs of its citizens. This appeal to God serves as a reminder that the government and its laws should strive for justice, morality, and the common good, reflecting the ideals and aspirations of all Filipino people, regardless of their religious affiliations.
In addition to the preamble, references to God or deities can also be found in other parts of the constitution and related documents. For example, the oath of office for the President, Vice-President, or Acting President includes an option to conclude with "So help me God," further emphasising the role of religion and spirituality in the nation's governance.
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Oaths to abide by the constitution
The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is the result of a transition from dictatorship to democracy, following the 1986 People Power Revolution that overthrew the Marcos regime. The preamble of the constitution outlines its purpose and guiding principles, recognising the Filipino people as the source of sovereignty. It reads:
> "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."
The constitution outlines the rights and responsibilities of citizens and government officials, with specific reference to the recognition of God or other deities. It mandates that all public officers and employees, including the President, Vice-President, and Acting President, must take an oath or affirmation to uphold and defend the constitution. This oath is taken before they enter their office and is as follows:
> "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President (or Vice-President or Acting President) of the Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God."
The constitution further stipulates that in cases of impeachment, the Senators shall be on oath or affirmation, and no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of at least two-thirds of all Members of the Senate. It also mentions that public officers and employees must submit a declaration under oath regarding their assets, liabilities, and net worth, which is to be disclosed to the public.
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The constitution outlines the national territory
The preamble of the 1987 Philippine Constitution outlines the national territory of the Philippines. The preamble begins with an invocation of the Almighty God, expressing the Filipino people's desire to establish a just and humane society. It emphasizes the promotion of the common good, the conservation and development of the country's patrimony, and the preservation of independence and democracy.
The preamble specifically defines the national territory as comprising the Philippine archipelago, encompassing all the islands and waters within it. This includes the territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. Additionally, it mentions all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, including its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains.
The waters surrounding, lying between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago are considered internal waters, regardless of their breadth and dimensions. This assertion of sovereignty over the archipelago's waters is a significant aspect of the national territory's definition.
The 1987 Constitution also addresses the creation of autonomous regions within the Philippines. It provides for the establishment of autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, recognizing their unique historical, cultural, economic, and social characteristics. The Constitution grants the President supervisory powers over these autonomous regions to ensure the faithful execution of laws.
The 1987 Philippine Constitution, preceded by a provisional constitution in 1986, has been the subject of various amendment attempts since its ratification. The Constitution can be amended through a Constituent Assembly (Con-Ass), Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), or People's Initiative, each requiring ratification by majority vote in a national referendum.
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It establishes a government that embodies the ideals and aspirations of the people
The preamble of the 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is an introductory statement that outlines the source of the constitution's authority and the motives for its creation. It begins with the words: "We, the sovereign Filipino people..." recognising the people as the source of sovereignty and their active role in establishing a just and humane society.
The preamble expresses the Filipino people's desire to establish a government that embodies their ideals and aspirations. This government, as envisioned, would promote the common good, conserve and develop the country's patrimony, and secure for its citizens the blessings of independence and democracy. The preamble further emphasises the importance of a government that upholds the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace.
By acknowledging the Almighty God, the preamble invokes divine guidance in the pursuit of these noble aspirations. It reflects the Filipino people's recognition of a higher power as they embark on nation-building and establishing a just society.
The preamble also defines the national territory of the Philippines, encompassing the Philippine archipelago and all islands and waters within it. It asserts the country's sovereignty and jurisdiction over its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, including its territorial sea, seabed, subsoil, insular shelves, and other submarine areas.
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines came into effect after the transitional "Freedom Constitution" of 1986, which granted the President broad powers to reorganise the government and remove officials. The preamble of the 1987 Constitution thus reflects the Filipino people's desire to establish a more permanent and representative form of government that truly embodies their ideals and aspirations.
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Frequently asked questions
The preamble is an introductory statement at the beginning of the constitution.
The preamble includes an appeal to God, an introduction to the constitution, and an outline of the people as the source of sovereignty.
The preamble reads: "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."
The 1987 Philippine Constitution comprises the preamble and eighteen self-contained articles, with a section numbering that resets for each article.
