Simone Lawson
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is the supreme law of the land, embodying strong safeguards against authoritarianism and outlining the nation's aspirations for a just and humane society. It serves as a moral compass, guiding the country towards democratic and republican ideals, with a focus on nationalism, social justice, and the common good. This constitution, modelled on the American Constitution, establishes a representative democracy with three independent branches: the Executive, a bicameral Legislature, and the Judiciary. It also provides for regional development councils, outlines impeachment procedures, and ensures free and fair elections. The 1987 Constitution is significant as it restored democratic institutions and protected Filipinos from future abuses of power.
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What You'll Learn
The 1987 Constitution is the Philippines' supreme law
The 1987 Constitution is particularly significant because it restored democratic institutions and enshrined protections against future abuses of power. It embodies strong safeguards against authoritarianism and emphasises civil liberties, social justice, and popular sovereignty. The Constitution outlines the rights and responsibilities of citizens, equipping them to hold public officials accountable and uphold the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution.
One of the key features of the 1987 Constitution is its emphasis on nationalism, democracy, and the common good. It declares the collective aspirations of the Filipino people, including building a just and humane society, establishing a government that embodies democratic and republican ideals, and securing the blessings of independence and democracy. The Constitution also outlines the process of impeachment for government officials, with the Senate holding the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.
The 1987 Constitution also addresses the creation of autonomous regions within the Philippines, such as Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras. These regions are designed to strengthen the autonomy of local units and accelerate their economic and social growth and development while preserving the national sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Republic of the Philippines. Additionally, the Constitution outlines the role of the President in providing for regional development councils to promote administrative decentralisation.
The 1987 Constitution is a vital document that shapes the political and legal landscape of the Philippines. It reflects the principles and values fundamental to Philippine society, such as sovereignty, republicanism, respect for human rights, and social justice. By understanding and upholding the Constitution, citizens, legal practitioners, and public servants can ensure that governance remains anchored in the foundational values of freedom, equality, and social justice.
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It restored democratic institutions
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is the supreme law of the land, providing the framework for the country's political and legal systems. It is the present constitution, embodying safeguards against authoritarianism and emphasising civil liberties, social justice, and popular sovereignty. The 1987 Constitution is significant because it restored democratic institutions and enshrined protections against future abuses of power.
The 1987 Constitution outlines the structure of the government and the separation of powers into three co-equal branches: the Executive Branch, headed by the President; the bicameral Legislature; and the Judiciary. The President, Vice-President, or Acting President must take an oath to "preserve and defend [the Philippines'] Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation." This constitution gave the President broad powers and great authority, but with the promise to use them to restore democracy.
The 1987 Constitution also establishes the role of the Supreme Court, which is the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the President or Vice-President. It further outlines the impeachment process, stating that the Senate has the sole power to try and decide impeachment cases, and that no person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
The 1987 Constitution promotes the creation of autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, consisting of provinces, cities, and municipalities, within the framework of national sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also provides for regional development councils to strengthen the autonomy of local units and accelerate their economic and social growth.
The Preamble of the 1987 Constitution declares the aspirations of the Filipino people, including building a just and humane society, establishing a democratic and republican government, and securing independence and democracy. It serves as a legal instrument and a moral compass, reflecting nationalism, democracy, and the common good. The Constitution equips citizens to exercise their rights, hold public officials accountable, and uphold the democratic principles it enshrines.
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It safeguards against authoritarianism
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is the country's supreme law and outlines the structure of the government and the separation of powers into three co-equal branches: the Executive Branch, headed by the President; a bicameral Legislature; and the Judiciary.
The 1987 Constitution is significant because it restored democratic institutions and enshrined safeguards against authoritarianism and future abuses of power. It serves as a moral compass, guiding the nation toward its envisioned destiny and emphasising nationalism, democracy, and the common good.
The Constitution ensures that governance remains anchored in the foundational values of freedom, equality, and social justice. It embodies strong safeguards against authoritarianism by emphasising civil liberties, social justice, and popular sovereignty. It also outlines the process of impeachment, stating that in case a verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third of the Members of the House, the trial by the Senate shall proceed. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all Members of the Senate.
The 1987 Constitution also ensures free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections by deputising law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines. It also regulates political parties and requires them to present their platform or program of government and register with the Commission on Elections. Religious denominations and sects are prohibited from registering as political parties.
The President is tasked with providing for regional development councils or similar bodies to strengthen the autonomy of units within the region and accelerate their economic and social growth and development. The Constitution also establishes autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, consisting of provinces, cities, and municipalities within the framework of the Constitution and national sovereignty.
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It outlines the structure of government
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is the country's supreme law and outlines the structure of the government. It is the highest legal authority and serves as the foundation for the country's political and legal systems. The Constitution establishes a representative democracy with power divided among three separate and independent branches of government: the Executive, a bicameral Legislature, and the Judiciary.
The Executive Branch is headed by the President, who is both the head of state and government. The President is responsible for executing the laws, providing for regional development councils, and ensuring free and fair elections. The President also has the power to deputize law enforcement agencies and the Armed Forces of the Philippines to ensure peaceful and credible elections.
The Legislature consists of two chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate has the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment, including those against the President. When the President is on trial, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall preside but shall not vote. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
The Judiciary is headed by the Supreme Court, which is the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of the President and Vice-President. The Supreme Court may also promulgate rules for these purposes. The Constitution also outlines the process of impeachment, stating that impeachment proceedings shall not be initiated against the same official more than once a year.
The 1987 Constitution also created autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, consisting of provinces, cities, and municipalities with distinct historical and cultural heritage within the framework of the Constitution and national sovereignty.
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It emphasises nationalism, democracy and the common good
The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines is the country's supreme law. It lays the groundwork for the nation's political and legal systems, reflecting the collective aspirations of the Filipino people. The preamble of the 1987 Constitution emphasises nationalism, democracy, and the common good.
The Constitution declares the Philippines to be a democratic and republican state, with sovereignty residing in the people. It highlights the renunciation of war, adherence to international law, and the promotion of social justice, with a specific focus on the role of youth, women, and family. The 1987 Constitution is significant because it restored democratic institutions and enshrined protections against future abuses of power. It serves as a moral compass, guiding the nation toward its envisioned destiny.
The Constitution outlines the structure of the government and the separation of powers into three co-equal branches: the Executive Branch, headed by the President; the bicameral Legislature; and the Judiciary. The President is both the head of state and the head of government. The President, Vice-President, or Acting President must take an oath to "preserve and defend [the Philippines'] Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation".
The 1987 Constitution also provides for the creation of regional development councils to strengthen the autonomy of local units and accelerate their economic and social growth. It establishes autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, recognising their unique historical and cultural heritage within the framework of national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Constitution ensures that governance remains anchored in the foundational values of freedom, equality, and social justice, embodying strong safeguards against authoritarianism and emphasising civil liberties. It empowers citizens to exercise their rights, hold public officials accountable, and uphold the democratic principles enshrined within it.
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Frequently asked questions
The 1987 Philippine Constitution is the supreme law of the land, outlining the country's political and legal systems. It restored democratic institutions, emphasising civil liberties, social justice, and popular sovereignty.
The Constitution is founded on several key principles, including sovereignty, republicanism, respect for human rights, and social justice. It also emphasises nationalism, democracy, and the common good.
The Constitution ensures that governance remains anchored in the foundational values of freedom, equality, and social justice. It outlines the structure of the government, including the separation of powers into three co-equal branches: the Executive, the Legislature, and the Judiciary.
