THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES SECTION 8. The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and pursues
a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.
PREAMBLE
We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build SECTION 9. The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure
a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty
and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a
and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.
democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love,
equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution. SECTION 10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national
development.
ARTICLE I
National Territory SECTION 11. The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full
respect for human rights.
The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and
waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has SECTION 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and
sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect
including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and
submarine areas. The waters around, between, and connecting the islands of the primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and
archipelago, regardless of their breadth and dimensions, form part of the internal the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.
waters of the Philippines.
SECTION 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and
ARTICLE II shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-
Declaration of Principles and State Policies being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their
involvement in public and civic affairs.
Principles
SECTION 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall
SECTION 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.
in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
SECTION 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people
SECTION 2. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts and instill health consciousness among them.
the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and
adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with SECTION 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a
all nations. balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

SECTION 3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed SECTION 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts,
Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress,
secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory. and promote total human liberation and development.

SECTION 4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. The SECTION 18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall
Government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare.
thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render
personal military or civil service. SECTION 19. The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy
effectively controlled by Filipinos.
SECTION 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and
property, and the promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by SECTION 20. The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector,
all the people of the blessings of democracy. encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments.

SECTION 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable. SECTION 21. The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian
reform.
State Policies
SECTION 22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural
SECTION 7. The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with communities within the framework of national unity and development.
other states the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial
integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.
SECTION 23. The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used
sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation. as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such
limitations as may be provided by law.
SECTION 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in
nation-building. SECTION 8. The right of the people, including those employed in the public and
private sectors, to form unions, associations, or societies for purposes not contrary to
SECTION 25. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments. law shall not be abridged.

SECTION 26. The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public SECTION 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just
service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law. compensation.

SECTION 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and SECTION 10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.
take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption.
SECTION 11. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal
SECTION 28. Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.
and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public
interest. SECTION 12. (1) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense
shall have the right to be informed of his right to remain silent and to have competent
ARTICLE III and independent counsel preferably of his own choice. If the person cannot afford the
Bill of Rights services of counsel, he must be provided with one. These rights cannot be waived
except in writing and in the presence of counsel.
SECTION 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due
process of law, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws. (2) No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate
the free will shall be used against him. Secret detention places, solitary,
SECTION 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and incommunicado, or other similar forms of detention are prohibited.
effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any
purpose shall be inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue (3) Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this or Section 17 hereof shall
except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge after be inadmissible in evidence against him.
examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may
produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or (4) The law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section as
things to be seized. well as compensation to and rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices,
and their families.
SECTION 3. (1) The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable
except upon lawful order of the court, or when public safety or order requires SECTION 13. All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion
otherwise as prescribed by law. perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong, shall, before conviction, be bailable by
sufficient sureties, or be released on recognizance as may be provided by law. The
(2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall be right to bail shall not be impaired even when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding. is suspended. Excessive bail shall not be required.

SECTION 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or SECTION 14. (1) No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due
of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the process of law.
government for redress of grievances.
(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the
SECTION 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to be
prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a speedy,
profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. impartial, and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory
No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights. process to secure the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence in his
behalf. However, after arraignment, trial may proceed notwithstanding the absence of
SECTION 6. The liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits the accused provided that he has been duly notified and his failure to appear is
prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither unjustifiable.
shall the right to travel be impaired except in the interest of national security, public
safety, or public health, as may be provided by law. SECTION 15. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except
in cases of invasion or rebellion when the public safety requires it.
SECTION 7. The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall
be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents, and papers pertaining to
SECTION 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases SECTION 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and shall be
before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies. dealt with by law.

SECTION 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself. ARTICLE V

Suffrage
SECTION 18. (1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs
and aspirations. SECTION 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise
disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have
(2) No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist except as a punishment for a resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place wherein they propose
crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. to vote for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy,
property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of
SECTION 19. (1) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or suffrage.
inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be imposed, unless, for
compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. SECTION 2. The Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity
Any death penalty already imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua. of the ballot as well as a system for absentee voting by qualified Filipinos abroad.

(2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any The Congress shall also design a procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote
prisoner or detainee or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under without the assistance of other persons. Until then, they shall be allowed to vote
subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law. under existing laws and such rules as the Commission on Elections may promulgate to
protect the secrecy of the ballot.
SECTION 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax.
ARTICLE VI
SECTION 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same The Legislative Department
offense. If an act is punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under
either shall constitute a bar to another prosecution for the same act. SECTION 1. The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines
which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives, except to the extent
SECTION 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted. reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum.

ARTICLE IV SECTION 2. The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be
Citizenship elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines, as may be provided by law.

SECTION 1. The following are citizens of the Philippines:

SECTION 3. No person shall be a Senator unless he is a natural-born citizen of the
Philippines, and, on the day of the election, is at least thirty-five years of age, able to
(1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this
read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than
Constitution;
two years immediately preceding the day of the election.
(2) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;
SECTION 4. The term of office of the Senators shall be six years and shall commence,
unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following
(3) Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine
their election.
citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and
No Senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation
(4) Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.
of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the
continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected.
SECTION 2. Natural-born citizens are those who are citizens of the Philippines from
birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine
SECTION 5. (1) The House of Representatives shall be composed of not more than
citizenship. Those who elect Philippine citizenship in accordance with paragraph (3),
two hundred and fifty members, unless otherwise fixed by law, who shall be elected
Section 1 hereof shall be deemed natural-born citizens.
from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities, and the
Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of their respective
SECTION 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by
inhabitants, and on the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and those who, as
law.
provided by law, shall be elected through a party-list system of registered national,
regional, and sectoral parties or organizations.
SECTION 4. Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens shall retain their citizenship,
unless by their act or omission they are deemed, under the law, to have renounced it.
(2) The party-list representatives shall constitute twenty per centum of the total
number of representatives including those under the party list. For three consecutive
terms after the ratification of this Constitution, one-half of the seats allocated to SECTION 13. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may hold any
party-list representatives shall be filled, as provided by law, by selection or election other office or employment in the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or
from the labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or
and such other sectors as may be provided by law, except the religious sector. their subsidiaries, during his term without forfeiting his seat. Neither shall he be
appointed to any office which may have been created or the emoluments thereof
(3) Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact increased during the term for which he was elected.
and adjacent territory. Each city with a population of at least two hundred fifty
thousand, or each province, shall have at least one representative. SECTION 14. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may personally
appear as counsel before any court of justice or before the Electoral Tribunals, or
(4) Within three years following the return of every census, the Congress shall make a quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly,
reapportionment of legislative districts based on the standards provided in this be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special privilege
section. granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof,
including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during
SECTION 6. No person shall be a Member of the House of Representatives unless he is his term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the
a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at least Government for his pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on
twenty-five years of age, able to read and write, and, except the party-list account of his office.
representatives, a registered voter in the district in which he shall be elected, and a
resident thereof for a period of not less than one year immediately preceding the day SECTION 15. The Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of
of the election. July for its regular session, unless a different date is fixed by law, and shall continue
to be in session for such number of days as it may determine until thirty days before
SECTION 7. The Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected for a term the opening of its next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal
of three years which shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the holidays. The President may call a special session at any time.
thirtieth day of June next following their election.
SECTION 16. (1) The Senate shall elect its President and the House of
No member of the House of Representatives shall serve for more than three Representatives its Speaker, by a majority vote of all its respective Members.
consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not
be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for Each House shall choose such other officers as it may deem necessary.
which he was elected.
(2) A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller
SECTION 8. Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election of the Senators number may adjourn from day to day and may compel the attendance of absent
and the Members of the House of Representatives shall be held on the second Monday Members in such manner, and under such penalties, as such House may provide.
of May.
(3) Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for
SECTION 9. In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House of Representatives, a disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members,
special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law, suspend or expel a Member. A penalty of suspension, when imposed, shall not exceed
but the Senator or Member of the House of Representatives thus elected shall serve sixty days.
only for the unexpired term.
(4) Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish
SECTION 10. The salaries of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives the same, excepting such parts as may, in its judgment, affect national security; and
shall be determined by law. No increase in said compensation shall take effect until the yeas and nays on any question shall, at the request of one-fifth of the Members
after the expiration of the full term of all the Members of the Senate and the House of present, be entered in the Journal.
Representatives approving such increase.
Each House shall also keep a Record of its proceedings.
SECTION 11. A Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in all
offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, be privileged from (5) Neither House during the sessions of the Congress shall, without the consent of
arrest while the Congress is in session. No Member shall be questioned nor be held the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that in which
liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committee the two Houses shall be sitting.
thereof.
SECTION 17. The Senate and the House of Representatives shall each have an
SECTION 12. All Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives shall, upon Electoral Tribunal which shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election,
assumption of office, make a full disclosure of their financial and business interests. returns, and qualifications of their respective Members. Each Electoral Tribunal shall
They shall notify the House concerned of a potential conflict of interest that may arise be composed of nine Members, three of whom shall be Justices of the Supreme Court
from the filing of a proposed legislation of which they are authors. to be designated by the Chief Justice, and the remaining six shall be Members of the
Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may be, who shall be chosen on
the basis of proportional representation from the political parties and the parties or
organizations registered under the party-list system represented therein. The senior SECTION 25. (1) The Congress may not increase the appropriations recommended by
Justice in the Electoral Tribunal shall be its Chairman. the President for the operation of the Government as specified in the budget. The
form, content, and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by law.
SECTION 18. There shall be a Commission on Appointments consisting of the
President of the Senate, as ex officio Chairman, twelve Senators and twelve Members (2) No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the general appropriations bill
of the House of Representatives, elected by each House on the basis of proportional unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation therein. Any such
representation from the political parties and parties or organizations registered under provision or enactment shall be limited in its operation to the appropriation to which it
the party-list system represented therein. The Chairman of the Commission shall not relates.
vote, except in case of a tie. The Commission shall act on all appointments submitted
to it within thirty session days of the Congress from their submission. The Commission (3) The procedure in approving appropriations for the Congress shall strictly follow the
shall rule by a majority vote of all the Members. procedure for approving appropriations for other departments and agencies.

SECTION 19. The Electoral Tribunals and the Commission on Appointments shall be (4) A special appropriations bill shall specify the purpose for which it is intended, and
constituted within thirty days after the Senate and the House of Representatives shall shall be supported by funds actually available as certified by the National Treasurer,
have been organized with the election of the President and the Speaker. The or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposed therein.
Commission on Appointments shall meet only while the Congress is in session, at the
call of its Chairman or a majority of all its Members, to discharge such powers and (5) No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations; however, the
functions as are herein conferred upon it. President, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the heads of Constitutional Commissions
SECTION 20. The records and books of accounts of the Congress shall be preserved may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the general appropriations law for
and be open to the public in accordance with law, and such books shall be audited by their respective offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations.
the Commission on Audit which shall publish annually an itemized list of amounts paid
to and expenses incurred for each Member. (6) Discretionary funds appropriated for particular officials shall be disbursed only for
public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and subject to such
SECTION 21. The Senate or the House of Representatives or any of its respective guidelines as may be prescribed by law.
committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly
published rules of procedure. The rights of persons appearing in or affected by such (7) If, by the end of any fiscal year, the Congress shall have failed to pass the general
inquiries shall be respected. appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the general appropriations law for the
preceding fiscal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and effect
SECTION 22. The heads of departments may upon their own initiative, with the until the general appropriations bill is passed by the Congress.
consent of the President, or upon the request of either House, as the rules of each
House shall provide, appear before and be heard by such House on any matter SECTION 26. (1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one subject
pertaining to their departments. Written questions shall be submitted to the President which shall be expressed in the title thereof.
of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives at least three days
before their scheduled appearance. Interpellations shall not be limited to written (2) No bill passed by either House shall become a law unless it has passed three
questions, but may cover matters related thereto. When the security of the State or readings on separate days, and printed copies thereof in its final form have been
the public interest so requires and the President so states in writing, the appearance distributed to its Members three days before its passage, except when the President
shall be conducted in executive session. certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a public calamity or
emergency. Upon the last reading of a bill, no amendment thereto shall be allowed,
SECTION 23. (1) The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in joint session and the vote thereon shall be taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays
assembled, voting separately, shall have the sole power to declare the existence of a entered in the Journal.
state of war.
SECTION 27. (1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall, before it becomes a law, be
(2) In times of war or other national emergency, the Congress may, by law, authorize presented to the President. If he approves the same, he shall sign it; otherwise, he
the President, for a limited period and subject to such restrictions as it may prescribe, shall veto it and return the same with his objections to the House where it originated,
to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out a declared national policy. which shall enter the objections at large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it. If,
Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution of the Congress, such powers shall cease upon after such reconsideration, two-thirds of all the Members of such House shall agree to
the next adjournment thereof. pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other House by
which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of all the
SECTION 24. All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the Members of that House, it shall become a law. In all such cases, the votes of each
public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House shall be determined by yeas or nays, and the names of the Members voting for
House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with amendments. or against shall be entered in its Journal. The President shall communicate his veto of
any bill to the House where it originated within thirty days after the date of receipt
thereof; otherwise, it shall become a law as if he had signed it.
(2) The President shall have the power to veto any particular item or items in an on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years
appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to immediately preceding such election.
which he does not object.
SECTION 3. There shall be a Vice-President who shall have the same qualifications
SECTION 28. (1) The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The Congress and term of office and be elected with and in the same manner as the President. He
shall evolve a progressive system of taxation. may be removed from office in the same manner as the President.

(2) The Congress may, by law, authorize the President to fix within specified limits, The Vice-President may be appointed as a Member of the Cabinet. Such appointment
and subject to such limitations and restrictions as it may impose, tariff rates, import requires no confirmation.
and export quotas, tonnage and wharfage dues, and other duties or imposts within
the framework of the national development program of the Government. SECTION 4. The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote of the
people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June
(3) Charitable institutions, churches and parsonages or convents appurtenant thereto, next following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date six years
mosques, non-profit cemeteries, and all lands, buildings, and improvements, actually, thereafter. The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has
directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable, or educational purposes shall succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be
be exempt from taxation. qualified for election to the same office at any time.

(4) No law granting any tax exemption shall be passed without the concurrence of a No Vice-President shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary
majority of all the Members of the Congress. renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an
interruption in the continuity of the service for the full term for which he was elected.
SECTION 29. (1) No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of
an appropriation made by law. Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election for President and Vice-
President shall be held on the second Monday of May.
(2) No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed,
directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, The returns of every election for President and Vice-President, duly certified by the
denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, board of canvassers of each province or city, shall be transmitted to the Congress,
minister, or other religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest, directed to the President of the Senate. Upon receipt of the certificates of canvass, the
preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal President of the Senate shall, not later than thirty days after the day of the election,
institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium. open all certificates in the presence of the Senate and the House of Representatives in
joint public session, and the Congress, upon determination of the authenticity and due
(3) All money collected on any tax levied for a special purpose shall be treated as a execution thereof in the manner provided by law, canvass the votes.
special fund and paid out for such purpose only. If the purpose for which a special
fund was created has been fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall be The person having the highest number of votes shall be proclaimed elected, but in
transferred to the general funds of the Government. case two or more shall have an equal and highest number of votes, one of them shall
forthwith be chosen by the vote of a majority of all the Members of both Houses of
SECTION 30. No law shall be passed increasing the appellate jurisdiction of the the Congress, voting separately.
Supreme Court as provided in this Constitution without its advice and concurrence.
The Congress shall promulgate its rules for the canvassing of the certificates.
SECTION 31. No law granting a title of royalty or nobility shall be enacted.
The Supreme Court, sitting en banc, shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to
SECTION 32. The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a system of the election, returns, and qualifications of the President or Vice- President, and may
initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom, whereby the people can promulgate its rules for the purpose.
directly propose and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law or part thereof
passed by the Congress or local legislative body after the registration of a petition SECTION 5. Before they enter on the execution of their office, the President, the Vice-
therefor signed by at least ten per centum of the total number of registered voters, of President, or the Acting President shall take the following oath or affirmation:
which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of
the registered voters thereof. “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
ARTICLE VII and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate
Executive Department myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God.” (In case of affirmation, last
sentence will be omitted.)
SECTION 1. The executive power shall be vested in the President of the Philippines.
SECTION 6. The President shall have an official residence. The salaries of the
SECTION 2. No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born citizen of President and Vice-President shall be determined by law and shall not be decreased
the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age during their tenure. No increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the
expiration of the term of the incumbent during which such increase was approved. paragraph 4, Section 25, Article VI of this Constitution. The convening of the Congress
They shall not receive during their tenure any other emolument from the Government cannot be suspended nor the special election postponed. No special election shall be
or any other source. called if the vacancy occurs within eighteen months before the date of the next
presidential election.
SECTION 7. The President-elect and the Vice-President-elect shall assume office at
the beginning of their terms. SECTION 11. Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the
Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to
If the President-elect fails to qualify, the Vice-President-elect shall act as President discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written
until the President-elect shall have qualified. declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice-
President as Acting President.
If a President shall not have been chosen, the Vice-President-elect shall act as
President until a President shall have been chosen and qualified. Whenever a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit to the President of
the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written
If at the beginning of the term of the President, the President-elect shall have died or declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
shall have become permanently disabled, the Vice-President-elect shall become office, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the
President. office as Acting President.

Where no President and Vice-President shall have been chosen or shall have qualified, Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President of the Senate and to the
or where both shall have died or become permanently disabled, the President of the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability
Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall exists, he shall reassume the powers and duties of his office. Meanwhile, should a
act as President until a President or a Vice-President shall have been chosen and majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit within five days to the President
qualified. of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written
declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
The Congress shall, by law, provide for the manner in which one who is to act as office, the Congress shall decide the issue. For that purpose, the Congress shall
President shall be selected until a President or a Vice-President shall have qualified, in convene, if it is not in session, within forty-eight hours, in accordance with its rules
case of death, permanent disability, or inability of the officials mentioned in the next and without need of call.
preceding paragraph.
If the Congress, within ten days after receipt of the last written declaration, or, if not
SECTION 8. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation in session, within twelve days after it is required to assemble, determines by a two-
of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired thirds vote of both Houses, voting separately, that the President is unable to
term. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President shall act as the
both the President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or, in case of his President; otherwise, the President shall continue exercising the powers and duties of
inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall then act as President until his office.
the President or Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified.
SECTION 12. In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of
The Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve as President in case of death, the state of his health. The Members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and
permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President. He shall serve until the foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall
President or the Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified, and be subject not be denied access to the President during such illness.
to the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as the Acting President.
SECTION 13. The President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, and their
SECTION 9. Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the Vice-President during the deputies or assistants shall not, unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, hold
term for which he was elected, the President shall nominate a Vice-President from any other office or employment during their tenure. They shall not, during said
among the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who shall tenure, directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any
assume office upon confirmation by a majority vote of all the Members of both Houses business, or be financially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise, or
of the Congress, voting separately. special privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or
SECTION 10. The Congress shall, at ten o’clock in the morning of the third day after their subsidiaries. They shall strictly avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their
the vacancy in the offices of the President and Vice-President occurs, convene in office.
accordance with its rules without need of a call and within seven days enact a law
calling for a special election to elect a President and a Vice-President to be held not The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree of
earlier than forty-five days nor later than sixty days from the time of such call. The the President shall not during his tenure be appointed as members of the
bill calling such special election shall be deemed certified under paragraph 2, Section Constitutional Commissions, or the Office of the Ombudsman, or as Secretaries,
26, Article VI of this Constitution and shall become law upon its approval on third Undersecretaries, chairmen or heads of bureaus or offices, including government-
reading by the Congress. Appropriations for the special election shall be charged owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.
against any current appropriations and shall be exempt from the requirements of
SECTION 14. Appointments extended by an Acting President shall remain effective,
unless revoked by the elected President within ninety days from his assumption or The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only to persons judicially
reassumption of office. charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in or directly connected with the invasion.

SECTION 15. Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or
to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise he shall be released.
except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies
therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety. SECTION 19. Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise provided in this
Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, and
SECTION 16. The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Commission remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment.
on Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive departments, ambassadors,
other public ministers and consuls, or officers of the armed forces from the rank of He shall also have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of
colonel or naval captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in him in all the Members of the Congress.
this Constitution. He shall also appoint all other officers of the Government whose
appointments are not otherwise provided for by law, and those whom he may be SECTION 20. The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the
authorized by law to appoint. The Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary Board, and
other officers lower in rank in the President alone, in the courts, or in the heads of subject to such limitations as may be provided by law. The Monetary Board shall,
departments, agencies, commissions, or boards. within thirty days from the end of every quarter of the calendar year, submit to the
Congress a complete report of its decisions on applications for loans to be contracted
The President shall have the power to make appointments during the recess of the or guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and controlled corporations
Congress, whether voluntary or compulsory, but such appointments shall be effective which would have the effect of increasing the foreign debt, and containing other
only until after disapproval by the Commission on Appointments or until the next matters as may be provided by law.
adjournment of the Congress.
SECTION 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless
SECTION 17. The President shall have control of all the executive departments, concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
bureaus, and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.
SECTION 22. The President shall submit to the Congress within thirty days from the
SECTION 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of opening of every regular session, as the basis of the general appropriations bill, a
the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed budget of expenditures and sources of financing, including receipts from existing and
forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of proposed revenue measures.
invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not
exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the SECTION 23. The President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular
Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the session. He may also appear before it at any other time.
proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. ARTICLE VIII
The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in Judicial Department
regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which
revocation shall not be set aside by the President. Upon the initiative of the President, SECTION 1. The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such
the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a lower courts as may be established by law.
period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and
public safety requires it. Judicial power includes the duty of the courts of justice to settle actual controversies
involving rights which are legally demandable and enforceable, and to determine
The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hours following such whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or
proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without any need of excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.
a call.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall have the power to define, prescribe, and apportion the
The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the jurisdiction of various courts but may not deprive the Supreme Court of its jurisdiction
sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of over cases enumerated in Section 5 hereof.
the privilege of the writ or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision
thereon within thirty days from its filing. No law shall be passed reorganizing the Judiciary when it undermines the security of
tenure of its Members.
A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor
supplant the functioning of the civil courts or legislative assemblies, nor authorize the SECTION 3. The Judiciary shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Appropriations for the Judiciary
conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil may not be reduced by the legislature below the amount appropriated for the previous
courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ. year and, after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.
 modify substantive rights. Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi-judicial
SECTION 4. (1) The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen bodies shall remain effective unless disapproved by the Supreme Court.
Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or in its discretion, in divisions of three, five, or
seven Members. Any vacancy shall be filled within ninety days from the occurrence (6) Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance with the Civil
thereof. Service Law.

(2) All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or executive SECTION 6. The Supreme Court shall have administrative supervision over all courts
agreement, or law, which shall be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, and all other and the personnel thereof.
cases which under the Rules of Court are required to be heard en banc, including
those involving the constitutionality, application, or operation of presidential decrees, SECTION 7. (1) No person shall be appointed Member of the Supreme Court or any
proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances, and other regulations, shall be lower collegiate court unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines. A Member
decided with the concurrence of a majority of the Members who actually took part in of the Supreme Court must be at least forty years of age, and must have been for
the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon. fifteen years or more a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the
Philippines.
(3) Cases or matters heard by a division shall be decided or resolved with the
concurrence of a majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations (2) The Congress shall prescribe the qualifications of judges of lower courts, but no
on the issues in the case and voted thereon, and in no case, without the concurrence person may be appointed judge thereof unless he is a citizen of the Philippines and a
of at least three of such Members. When the required number is not obtained, the member of the Philippine Bar.
case shall be decided en banc: Provided, that no doctrine or principle of law laid down
by the court in a decision rendered en banc or in division may be modified or reversed (3) A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence, integrity,
except by the court sitting en banc. probity, and independence.

SECTION 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following powers: SECTION 8. (1) A Judicial and Bar Council is hereby created under the supervision of
the Supreme Court composed of the Chief Justice as ex officio Chairman, the
(1) Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, other public Secretary of Justice, and a representative of the Congress as ex officio Members, a
ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired Member of the
warranto, and habeas corpus. Supreme Court, and a representative of the private sector.

(2) Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari, as the law or the (2) The regular Members of the Council shall be appointed by the President for a term
Rules of Court may provide, final judgments and orders of lower courts in: of four years with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. Of the Members
first appointed, the representative of the Integrated Bar shall serve for four years, the
(a) All cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, international or professor of law for three years, the retired Justice for two years, and the
executive agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction, representative of the private sector for one year.
ordinance, or regulation is in question.
(3) The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall be the Secretary ex officio of the Council and
(b) All cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, or toll, or any shall keep a record of its proceedings.
penalty imposed in relation thereto.
(4) The regular Members of the Council shall receive such emoluments as may be
(c) All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue. determined by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court shall provide in its annual
budget the appropriations for the Council.
(d) All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or higher.
(5) The Council shall have the principal function of recommending appointees to the
(e) All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved. Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the Supreme Court may
assign to it.
(3) Assign temporarily judges of lower courts to other stations as public interest may
require. Such temporary assignment shall not exceed six months without the consent SECTION 9. The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall be
of the judge concerned. appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the
Judicial and Bar Council for every vacancy. Such appointments need no confirmation.
(4) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice.
For the lower courts, the President shall issue the appointments within ninety days
(5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional from the submission of the list.
rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts, the admission to the practice of
law, the Integrated Bar, and legal assistance to the underprivileged. Such rules shall SECTION 10. The salary of the Chief Justice and of the Associate Justices of the
provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases, Supreme Court, and of judges of lower courts shall be fixed by law. During their
shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade, and shall not diminish, increase, or continuance in office, their salary shall not be decreased.
 SECTION 1. The Constitutional Commissions, which shall be independent, are the Civil
SECTION 11. The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts shall Service Commission, the Commission on Elections, and the Commission on Audit.
hold office during good behavior until they reached the age of seventy years or
become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office. The Supreme Court en SECTION 2. No Member of a Constitutional Commission shall, during his tenure, hold
banc shall have the power to discipline judges of lower courts, or order their dismissal any other office or employment. Neither shall he engage in the practice of any
by a vote of a majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on profession or in the active management or control of any business which in any way
the issues in the case and voted thereon. be affected by the functions of his office, nor shall he be financially interested, directly
or indirectly, in any contract with, or in any franchise or privilege granted by the
SECTION 12. The Members of the Supreme Court and of other courts established by Government, any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including
law shall not be designated to any agency performing quasi-judicial or administrative government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.
functions.
SECTION 3. The salary of the Chairman and the Commissioners shall be fixed by law
SECTION 13. The conclusions of the Supreme Court in any case submitted to it for and shall not be decreased during their tenure.
decision en banc or in division shall be reached in consultation before the case is
assigned to a Member for the writing of the opinion of the Court. A certification to this SECTION 4. The Constitutional Commissions shall appoint their officials and
effect signed by the Chief Justice shall be issued and a copy thereof attached to the employees in accordance with law.
record of the case and served upon the parties. Any Member who took no part, or
dissented, or abstained from a decision or resolution must state the reason therefor. SECTION 5. The Commission shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Their approved annual
The same requirements shall be observed by all lower collegiate courts. appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released.

SECTION 14. No decision shall be rendered by any court without expressing therein SECTION 6. Each Commission en banc may promulgate its own rules concerning
clearly and distinctly the facts and the law on which it is based. pleadings and practice before it or before any of its offices. Such rules however shall
not diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights.
No petition for review or motion for reconsideration of a decision of the court shall be
refused due course or denied without stating the legal basis therefor. SECTION 7. Each Commission shall decide by a majority vote of all its Members any
case or matter brought before it within sixty days from the date of its submission for
SECTION 15. (1) All cases or matters filed after the effectivity of this Constitution decision or resolution. A case or matter is deemed submitted for decision or resolution
must be decided or resolved within twenty-four months from date of submission for upon the filing of the last pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the rules of the
the Supreme Court, and, unless reduced by the Supreme Court, twelve months for all Commission or by the Commission itself. Unless otherwise provided by this
lower collegiate courts, and three months for all other lower courts. Constitution or by law, any decision, order, or ruling of each Commission may be
brought to the Supreme Court on certiorari by the aggrieved party within thirty days
(2) A case or matter shall be deemed submitted for decision or resolution upon the from receipt of a copy thereof.
filing of the last pending, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules of Court or by
the court itself. SECTION 8. Each Commission shall perform such other functions as may be provided
by law.
(3) Upon the expiration of the corresponding period, a certification to this effect
signed by the Chief Justice or the presiding judge shall forthwith be issued and a copy B. The Civil Service Commission
thereof attached to the record of the case or matter, and served upon the parties. The
certification shall state why a decision or resolution has not been rendered or issued SECTION 1. (1) The Civil Service shall be administered by the Civil Service
within said period. Commission composed of a Chairman and two Commissioners who shall be natural-
born citizens of the Philippines and, at the time of their appointment, at least thirty-
(4) Despite the expiration of the applicable mandatory period, the court, without five years of age, with proven capacity for public administration, and must not have
prejudice to such responsibility as may have been incurred in consequence thereof, been candidates for any elective position in the elections immediately preceding their
shall decide or resolve the case or matter submitted thereto for determination, appointment.
without further delay.
(2) The Chairman and the Commissioners shall be appointed by the President with the
SECTION 16. The Supreme Court shall, within thirty days from the opening of each consent of the Commission on Appointments for a term of seven years without
regular session of the Congress, submit to the President and the Congress an annual reappointment. Of those first appointed, the Chairman shall hold office for seven
report on the operations and activities of the Judiciary. years, a Commissioner for five years, and another Commissioner for three years,
without reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired
ARTICLE IX term of the predecessor. In no case shall any Member be appointed or designated in a
Constitutional Commissions temporary or acting capacity.

A. Common Provisions
SECTION 2. (1) The civil service embraces all branches, subdivisions, C. The Commission on Elections
instrumentalities, and agencies of the Government, including government-owned or
controlled corporations with original charters. SECTION 1. (1) There shall be a Commission on Elections composed of a Chairman
and six Commissioners who shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and, at
(2) Appointments in the civil service shall be made only according to merit and fitness the time of their appointment, at least thirty-five years of age, holders of a college
to be determined, as far as practicable, and, except to positions which are policy- degree, and must not have been candidates for any elective position in the
determining, primarily confidential, or highly technical, by competitive examination. immediately preceding elections. However, a majority thereof, including the
Chairman, shall be Members of the Philippine Bar who have been engaged in the
(3) No officer or employee of the civil service shall be removed or suspended except practice of law for at least ten years.
for cause provided by law.
(2) The Chairman and the Commissioners shall be appointed by the President with the
(4) No officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in consent of the Commission on Appointments for a term of seven years without
any electioneering or partisan political campaign. reappointment. Of those first appointed, three Members shall hold office for seven
years, two Members for five years, and the last Members for three years, without
(5) The right to self-organization shall not be denied to government employees. reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired term of
the predecessor. In no case shall any Member be appointed or designated in a
(6) Temporary employees of the Government shall be given such protection as may temporary or acting capacity.
be provided by law.
SECTION 2. The Commission on Elections shall exercise the following powers and
SECTION 3. The Civil Service Commission, as the central personnel agency of the functions:
Government, shall establish a career service and adopt measures to promote morale,
efficiency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in the civil (1) Enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an
service. It shall strengthen the merit and rewards system, integrate all human election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall.
resources development programs for all levels and ranks, and institutionalize a
management climate conducive to public accountability. It shall submit to the (2) Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all contests relating to the elections,
President and the Congress an annual report on its personnel programs. returns, and qualifications of all elective regional, provincial, and city officials, and
appellate jurisdiction over all contests involving elective municipal officials decided by
SECTION 4. All public officers and employees shall take an oath or affirmation to trial courts of general jurisdiction, or involving elective barangay officials decided by
uphold and defend this Constitution. trial courts of limited jurisdiction.

SECTION 5. The Congress shall provide for the standardization of compensation of Decisions, final orders, or rulings of the Commission on election contests involving
government officials and employees, including those in government-owned or elective municipal and barangay offices shall be final, executory, and not appealable.
controlled corporations with original charters, taking into account the nature of the
responsibilities pertaining to, and the qualifications required for their positions. (3) Decide, except those involving the right to vote, all questions affecting elections,
including determination of the number and location of polling places, appointment of
SECTION 6. No candidate who has lost in any election shall, within one year after such election officials and inspectors, and registration of voters.
election, be appointed to any office in the Government or any government-owned or
controlled corporations or in any of their subsidiaries. (4) Deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement agencies and
instrumentalities of the Government, including the Armed Forces of the Philippines,
SECTION 7. No elective official shall be eligible for appointment or designation in any for the exclusive purpose of ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible
capacity to any public office or position during his tenure. elections.

Unless otherwise allowed by law or by the primary functions of his position, no (5) Register, after sufficient publication, political parties, organizations, or coalitions
appointive official shall hold any other office or employment in the Government or any which, in addition to other requirements, must present their platform or program of
subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or government; and accredit citizens’ arms of the Commission on Elections. Religious
controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. denominations and sects shall not be registered. Those which seek to achieve their
goals through violence or unlawful means, or refuse to uphold and adhere to this
SECTION 8. No elective or appointive public officer or employee shall receive Constitution, or which are supported by any foreign government shall likewise be
additional, double, or indirect compensation, unless specifically authorized by law, nor refused registration.
accept without the consent of the Congress, any present, emolument, office, or title of
any kind from any foreign government. Financial contributions from foreign governments and their agencies to political
parties, organizations, coalitions, or candidates related to elections constitute
Pensions or gratuities shall not be considered as additional, double, or indirect interference in national affairs, and, when accepted, shall be an additional ground for
compensation. the cancellation of their registration with the Commission, in addition to other
penalties that may be prescribed by law.
 SECTION 10. Bona fide candidates for any public office shall be free from any form of
(6) File, upon a verified complaint, or on its own initiative, petitions in court for harassment and discrimination.
inclusion or exclusion of voters; investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute cases
of violations of election laws, including acts or omissions constituting election frauds, SECTION 11. Funds certified by the Commission as necessary to defray the expenses
offenses, and malpractices. for holding regular and special elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda, and recalls,
shall be provided in the regular or special appropriations and, once approved, shall be
(7) Recommend to the Congress effective measures to minimize election spending, released automatically upon certification by the Chairman of the Commission.
including limitation of places where propaganda materials shall be posted, and to
prevent and penalize all forms of election frauds, offenses, malpractices, and nuisance D. Commission on Audit
candidacies.
SECTION 1. (1) There shall be a Commission on Audit composed of a Chairman and
(8) Recommend to the President the removal of any officer or employee it has two Commissioners, who shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and, at the
deputized, or the imposition of any other disciplinary action, for violation or disregard time of their appointment, at least thirty-five years of age, certified public accountants
of, or disobedience to its directive, order, or decision. with not less than ten years of auditing experience, or members of the Philippine Bar
who have been engaged in the practice of law for at least ten years, and must not
(9) Submit to the President and the Congress a comprehensive report on the conduct have been candidates for any elective position in the elections immediately preceding
of each election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, or recall. their appointment. At no time shall all Members of the Commission belong to the
same profession.
SECTION 3. The Commission on Elections may sit en banc or in two divisions, and
shall promulgate its rules of procedure in order to expedite disposition of election (2) The Chairman and the Commissioners shall be appointed by the President with the
cases, including pre-proclamation controversies. All such election cases shall be heard consent of the Commission on Appointments for a term of seven years without
and decided in division, provided that motions for reconsideration of decisions shall be reappointment. Of those first appointed, the Chairman shall hold office for seven
decided by the Commission en banc. years, one Commissioner for five years, and the other Commissioner for three years,
without reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired
SECTION 4. The Commission may, during the election period, supervise or regulate portion of the term of the predecessor. In no case shall any Member be appointed or
the enjoyment or utilization of all franchises or permits for the operation of designated in a temporary or acting capacity.
transportation and other public utilities, media of communication or information, all
grants, special privileges, or concessions granted by the Government or any SECTION 2. (1) The Commission on Audit shall have the power, authority, and duty to
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of, and
controlled corporation or its subsidiary. Such supervision or regulation shall aim to expenditures or uses of funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining
ensure equal opportunity, time, and space, and the right to reply, including to, the Government, or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities,
reasonable, equal rates therefor, for public information campaigns and forums among including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters, and on
candidates in connection with the objective of holding free, orderly, honest, peaceful, a post-audit basis: (a) constitutional bodies, commissions and offices that have been
and credible elections. granted fiscal autonomy under this Constitution; (b) autonomous state colleges and
universities; (c) other government-owned or controlled corporations and their
SECTION 5. No pardon, amnesty, parole, or suspension of sentence for violation of subsidiaries; and (d) such non-governmental entities receiving subsidy or equity,
election laws, rules, and regulations shall be granted by the President without the directly or indirectly, from or through the Government, which are required by law or
favorable recommendation of the Commission. the granting institution to submit to such audit as a condition of subsidy or equity.
However, where the internal control system of the audited agencies is inadequate, the
SECTION 6. A free and open party system shall be allowed to evolve according to the Commission may adopt such measures, including temporary or special pre-audit, as
free choice of the people, subject to the provisions of this Article. are necessary and appropriate to correct the deficiencies. It shall keep the general
accounts of the Government and, for such period as may be provided by law, preserve
SECTION 7. No votes cast in favor of a political party, organization, or coalition shall the vouchers and other supporting papers pertaining thereto.
be valid, except for those registered under the party-list system as provided in this
Constitution. (2) The Commission shall have exclusive authority, subject to the limitations in this
Article, to define the scope of its audit and examination, establish the techniques and
SECTION 8. Political parties, or organizations or coalitions registered under the party- methods required therefor, and promulgate accounting and auditing rules and
list system, shall not be represented in the voters’ registration boards, boards of regulations, including those for the prevention and disallowance of irregular,
election inspectors, boards of canvassers, or other similar bodies. However, they shall unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable expenditures, or uses of
be entitled to appoint poll watchers in accordance with law. government funds and properties.

SECTION 9. Unless otherwise fixed by the Commission in special cases, the election SECTION 3. No law shall be passed exempting any entity of the Government or its
period shall commence ninety days before the day of the election and shall end thirty subsidiary in any guise whatever, or any investment of public funds, from the
days after. jurisdiction of the Commission on Audit.
SECTION 4. The Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress, within
the time fixed by law, an annual report covering the financial condition and operation SECTION 10. No province, city, municipality, or barangay may be created, divided,
of the Government, its subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities, including merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance with
government-owned or controlled corporations, and non-governmental entities subject the criteria established in the Local Government Code and subject to approval by a
to its audit, and recommend measures necessary to improve their effectiveness and majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected.
efficiency. It shall submit such other reports as may be required by law.
SECTION 11. The Congress may, by law, create special metropolitan political
ARTICLE X subdivisions, subject to a plebiscite as set forth in Section 10 hereof. The component
Local Government cities and municipalities shall retain their basic autonomy and shall be entitled to their
own local executives and legislative assemblies. The jurisdiction of the metropolitan
General Provisions authority that will hereby be created shall be limited to basic services requiring
coordination.
SECTION 1. The territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines
are the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. There shall be autonomous SECTION 12. Cities that are highly urbanized, as determined by law, and component
regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras as hereinafter provided. cities whose charters prohibit their voters from voting for provincial elective officials,
shall be independent of the province. The voters of component cities within a
SECTION 2. The territorial and political subdivisions shall enjoy local autonomy. province, whose charters contain no such prohibition, shall not be deprived of their
right to vote for elective provincial officials.
SECTION 3. The Congress shall enact a local government code which shall provide for
a more responsive and accountable local government structure instituted through a SECTION 13. Local government units may group themselves, consolidate or
system of decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative, and coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly beneficial to
referendum, allocate among the different local government units their powers, them in accordance with law.
responsibilities, and resources, and provide for the qualifications, election,
appointment and removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local SECTION 14. The President shall provide for regional development councils or other
officials, and all other matters relating to the organization and operation of the local similar bodies composed of local government officials, regional heads of departments
units. and other government offices, and representatives from non-governmental
organizations within the regions for purposes of administrative decentralization to
SECTION 4. The President of the Philippines shall exercise general supervision over strengthen the autonomy of the units therein and to accelerate the economic and
local governments. Provinces with respect to component cities and municipalities, and social growth and development of the units in the region.
cities and municipalities with respect to component barangays shall ensure that the
acts of their component units are within the scope of their prescribed powers and Autonomous Region
functions.
SECTION 15. There shall be created autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and in
SECTION 5. Each local government unit shall have the power to create its own the Cordilleras consisting of provinces, cities, municipalities, and geographical areas
sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and charges subject to such guidelines sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social
and limitations as the Congress may provide, consistent with the basic policy of local structures, and other relevant characteristics within the framework of this Constitution
autonomy. Such taxes, fees, and charges shall accrue exclusively to the local and the national sovereignty as well as territorial integrity of the Republic of the
governments. Philippines.

SECTION 6. Local government units shall have a just share, as determined by law, in SECTION 16. The President shall exercise general supervision over autonomous
the national taxes which shall be automatically released to them. regions to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.

SECTION 7. Local governments shall be entitled to an equitable share in the proceeds SECTION 17. All powers, functions, and responsibilities not granted by this
of the utilization and development of the national wealth within their respective areas, Constitution or by law to the autonomous regions shall be vested in the National
in the manner provided by law, including sharing the same with the inhabitants by Government.
way of direct benefits.
SECTION 18. The Congress shall enact an organic act for each autonomous region
SECTION 8. The term of office of elective local officials, except barangay officials, with the assistance and participation of the regional consultative commission
which shall be determined by law, shall be three years and no such official shall serve composed of representatives appointed by the President from a list of nominees from
for more than three consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any multisectoral bodies. The organic act shall define the basic structure of government
length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his for the region consisting of the executive department and legislative assembly, both
service for the full term for which he was elected. of which shall be elective and representative of the constituent political units. The
organic acts shall likewise provide for special courts with personal, family, and
SECTION 9. Legislative bodies of local governments shall have sectoral representation property law jurisdiction consistent with the provisions of this Constitution and
as may be prescribed by law. national laws.
 (2) A verified complaint for impeachment may be filed by any Member of the House of
The creation of the autonomous region shall be effective when approved by majority Representatives or by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any Member
of the votes cast by the constituent units in a plebiscite called for the purpose, thereof, which shall be included in the Order of Business within ten session days, and
provided that only provinces, cities, and geographic areas voting favorably in such referred to the proper Committee within three session days thereafter. The
plebiscite shall be included in the autonomous region. Committee, after hearing, and by a majority vote of all its Members, shall submit its
report to the House within sixty session days from such referral, together with the
SECTION 19. The first Congress elected under this Constitution shall, within eighteen corresponding resolution. The resolution shall be calendared for consideration by the
months from the time of organization of both Houses, pass the organic acts for the House within ten session days from receipt thereof.
autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras.
(3) A vote of at least one-third of all the Members of the House shall be necessary
SECTION 20. Within its territorial jurisdiction and subject to the provisions of this either to affirm a favorable resolution with the Articles of Impeachment of the
Constitution and national laws, the organic act of autonomous regions shall provide Committee, or override its contrary resolution. The vote of each Member shall be
for legislative powers over: recorded.

(1) Administrative organization; (4) In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least
one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles of
(2) Creation of sources of revenues; Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.

(3) Ancestral domain and natural resources; (5) No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than
once within a period of one year.
(4) Personal, family, and property relations;
(6) The Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment.
(5) Regional urban and rural planning development; When sitting for that purpose, the Senators shall be on oath or affirmation. When the
President of the Philippines is on trial, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall
(6) Economic, social, and tourism development; preside, but shall not vote. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of
two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
(7) Educational policies;
(7) Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than removal from
(8) Preservation and development of the cultural heritage; and office and disqualification to hold any office under the Republic of the Philippines, but
the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to prosecution, trial, and
(9) Such other matters as may be authorized by law for the promotion of the general punishment according to law.
welfare of the people of the region.
(8) The Congress shall promulgate its rules on impeachment to effectively carry out
SECTION 21. The preservation of peace and order within the regions shall be the the purpose of this section.
responsibility of the local police agencies which shall be organized, maintained,
supervised, and utilized in accordance with applicable laws. The defense and security SECTION 4. The present anti-graft court known as the Sandiganbayan shall continue
of the regions shall be the responsibility of the National Government. to function and exercise its jurisdiction as now or hereafter may be provided by law.

ARTICLE XI SECTION 5. There is hereby created the independent Office of the Ombudsman,
Accountability of Public Officers composed of the Ombudsman to be known as Tanodbayan, one overall Deputy and at
least one Deputy each for Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. A separate Deputy for the
SECTION 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must at all military establishment may likewise be appointed.
times be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity,
loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives. SECTION 6. The officials and employees of the Office of the Ombudsman, other than
the Deputies, shall be appointed by the Ombudsman according to the Civil Service
SECTION 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme Court, Law.
the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be
removed from office, on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the SECTION 7. The existing Tanodbayan shall hereafter be known as the Office of the
Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of Special Prosecutor. It shall continue to function and exercise its powers as now or
public trust. All other public officers and employees may be removed from office as hereafter may be provided by law, except those conferred on the Office of the
provided by law, but not by impeachment. Ombudsman created under this Constitution.

SECTION 3. (1) The House of Representatives shall have the exclusive power to SECTION 8. The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall be natural-born citizens of the
initiate all cases of impeachment. Philippines, and at the time of their appointment, at least forty years old, of
recognized probity and independence, and members of the Philippine Bar, and must
not have been candidates for any elective office in the immediately preceding election.
The Ombudsman must have for ten years or more been a judge or engaged in the (7) Determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud, and
practice of law in the Philippines. corruption in the Government and make recommendations for their elimination and
the observance of high standards of ethics and efficiency.
During their tenure, they shall be subject to the same disqualifications and
prohibitions as provided for in Section 2 of Article IX-A of this Constitution. (8) Promulgate its rules of procedure and exercise such other powers or perform such
functions or duties as may be provided by law.
SECTION 9. The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall be appointed by the President
from a list of at least six nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council, and from SECTION 14. The Office of the Ombudsman shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Its approved
a list of three nominees for every vacancy thereafter. Such appointments shall require annual appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released.
no confirmation. All vacancies shall be filled within three months after they occur.
SECTION 15. The right of the State to recover properties unlawfully acquired by public
SECTION 10. The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall have the rank of Chairman and officials or employees, from them or from their nominees or transferees, shall not be
Members, respectively, of the Constitutional Commissions, and they shall receive the barred by prescription, laches, or estoppel.
same salary, which shall not be decreased during their term of office.
SECTION 16. No loan, guaranty, or other form of financial accommodation for any
SECTION 11. The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall serve for a term of seven years business purpose may be granted, directly or indirectly, by any government-owned or
without reappointment. They shall not be qualified to run for any office in the election controlled bank or financial institution to the President, the Vice-President, the
immediately succeeding their cessation from office. Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional
Commissions, the Ombudsman, or to any firm or entity in which they have controlling
SECTION 12. The Ombudsman and his Deputies, as protectors of the people, shall act interest, during their tenure.
promptly on complaints filed in any form or manner against public officials or
employees of the Government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, SECTION 17. A public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as
including government-owned or controlled corporations, and shall, in appropriate often thereafter as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his
cases, notify the complainants of the action taken and the result thereof. assets, liabilities, and net worth. In the case of the President, the Vice-President, the
Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, the Constitutional
SECTION 13. The Office of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, Commissions and other constitutional offices, and officers of the armed forces with
functions, and duties: general or flag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner
provided by law.
(1) Investigate on its own, or on complaint by any person, any act or omission of any
public official, employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be SECTION 18. Public officers and employees owe the State and this Constitution
illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient. allegiance at all times, and any public officer or employee who seeks to change his
citizenship or acquire the status of an immigrant of another country during his tenure
(2) Direct, upon complaint or at its own instance, any public official or employee of shall be dealt with by law.
the Government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, as well as of
any government-owned or controlled corporation with original charter, to perform and ARTICLE XII
expedite any act or duty required by law, or to stop, prevent, and correct any abuse National Economy and Patrimony
or impropriety in the performance of duties.
SECTION 1. The goals of the national economy are a more equitable distribution of
(3) Direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a public official or opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and
employee at fault, and recommend his removal, suspension, demotion, fine, censure, services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people; and an expanding
or prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith. productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially the
underprivileged.
(4) Direct the officer concerned, in any appropriate case, and subject to such
limitations as may be provided by law, to furnish it with copies of documents relating The State shall promote industrialization and full employment based on sound
to contracts or transactions entered into by his office involving the disbursement or agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and
use of public funds or properties, and report any irregularity to the Commission on efficient use of human and natural resources, and which are competitive in both
Audit for appropriate action. domestic and foreign markets. However, the State shall protect Filipino enterprises
against unfair foreign competition and trade practices.
(5) Request any government agency for assistance and information necessary in the
discharge of its responsibilities, and to examine, if necessary, pertinent records and In the pursuit of these goals, all sectors of the economy and all regions of the country
documents. shall be given optimum opportunity to develop. Private enterprises, including
corporations, cooperatives, and similar collective organizations, shall be encouraged
(6) Publicize matters covered by its investigation when circumstances so warrant and to broaden the base of their ownership.
with due prudence.
SECTION 2. (Regalian Doctrine) All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, SECTION 5. The State, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and national
coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests development policies and programs, shall protect the rights of indigenous cultural
or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the communities to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural
State. With the exception of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be well-being.
alienated. The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources shall be
under the full control and supervision of the State. The State may directly undertake The Congress may provide for the applicability of customary laws governing property
such activities, or it may enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing rights or relations in determining the ownership and extent of ancestral domain.
agreements with Filipino citizens, or corporations or associations at least sixty per
centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens. Such agreements may be for a SECTION 6. The use of property bears a social function, and all economic agents shall
period not exceeding twenty-five years, renewable for not more than twenty-five contribute to the common good. Individuals and private groups, including
years, and under such terms and conditions as may be provided by law. In cases of corporations, cooperatives, and similar collective organizations, shall have the right to
water rights for irrigation, water supply, fisheries, or industrial uses other than the own, establish, and operate economic enterprises, subject to the duty of the State to
development of water power, beneficial use may be the measure and limit of the promote distributive justice and to intervene when the common good so demands.
grant.
SECTION 7. Save in cases of hereditary succession, no private lands shall be
The State shall protect the nation’s marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial transferred or conveyed except to individuals, corporations, or associations qualified
sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment exclusively to to acquire or hold lands of the public domain.
Filipino citizens.
SECTION 8. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7 of this Article, a natural-born
The Congress may, by law, allow small-scale utilization of natural resources by Filipino citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of
citizens, as well as cooperative fish farming, with priority to subsistence fishermen private lands, subject to limitations provided by law.
and fishworkers in rivers, lakes, bays, and lagoons.
SECTION 9. The Congress may establish an independent economic and planning
The President may enter into agreements with foreign-owned corporations involving agency headed by the President, which shall, after consultations with the appropriate
either technical or financial assistance for large-scale exploration, development, and public agencies, various private sectors, and local government units, recommend to
utilization of minerals, petroleum, and other mineral oils according to the general Congress, and implement continuing integrated and coordinated programs and
terms and conditions provided by law, based on real contributions to the economic policies for national development.
growth and general welfare of the country. In such agreements, the State shall
promote the development and use of local scientific and technical resources. Until the Congress provides otherwise, the National Economic and Development
Authority shall function as the independent planning agency of the government.
The President shall notify the Congress of every contract entered into in accordance
with this provision, within thirty days from its execution. SECTION 10. The Congress shall, upon recommendation of the economic and planning
agency, when the national interest dictates, reserve to citizens of the Philippines or to
SECTION 3. Lands of the public domain are classified into agricultural, forest or corporations or associations at least sixty per centum of whose capital is owned by
timber, mineral lands, and national parks. Agricultural lands of the public domain may such citizens, or such higher percentage as Congress may prescribe, certain areas of
be further classified by law according to the uses which they may be devoted. investments. The Congress shall enact measures that will encourage the formation
Alienable lands of the public domain shall be limited to agricultural lands. Private and operation of enterprises whose capital is wholly owned by Filipinos.
corporations or associations may not hold such alienable lands of the public domain
except by lease, for a period not exceeding twenty-five years, renewable for not more In the grant of rights, privileges, and concessions covering the national economy and
than twenty-five years, and not to exceed one thousand hectares in area. Citizens of patrimony, the State shall give preference to qualified Filipinos.
the Philippines may lease not more than five hundred hectares, or acquire not more
than twelve hectares thereof by purchase, homestead, or grant. The State shall regulate and exercise authority over foreign investments within its
national jurisdiction and in accordance with its national goals and priorities.
Taking into account the requirements of conservation, ecology, and development, and
subject to the requirements of agrarian reform, the Congress shall determine, by law, SECTION 11. No franchise, certificate, or any other form of authorization for the
the size of lands of the public domain which may be acquired, developed, held, or operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or to
leased and the conditions therefor. corporations or associations organized under the laws of the Philippines at least sixty
per centum of whose capital is owned by such citizens, nor shall such franchise,
SECTION 4. The Congress shall, as soon as possible, determine by law the specific certificate, or authorization be exclusive in character or for a longer period than fifty
limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the years. Neither shall any such franchise or right be granted except under the condition
ground. Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved and may that it shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by the Congress when the
not be increased nor diminished, except by law. The Congress shall provide, for such common good so requires. The State shall encourage equity participation in public
period as it may determine, measures to prohibit logging in endangered forests and utilities by the general public. The participation of foreign investors in the governing
watershed areas. body of any public utility enterprise shall be limited to their proportionate share in its
capital, and all the executive and managing officers of such corporation or association SECTION 21. Foreign loans may only be incurred in accordance with law and the
must be citizens of the Philippines. regulation of the monetary authority. Information on foreign loans obtained or
guaranteed by the Government shall be made available to the public.
SECTION 12. The State shall promote the preferential use of Filipino labor, domestic
materials and locally produced goods, and adopt measures that help make them SECTION 22. Acts which circumvent or negate any of the provisions of this Article
competitive. shall be considered inimical to the national interest and subject to criminal and civil
sanctions, as may be provided by law.
SECTION 13. The State shall pursue a trade policy that serves the general welfare and
utilizes all forms and arrangements of exchange on the basis of equality and ARTICLE XIII
reciprocity. Social Justice and Human Rights

SECTION 14. The sustained development of a reservoir of national talents consisting SECTION 1. The Congress shall give highest priority to the enactment of measures
of Filipino scientists, entrepreneurs, professionals, managers, high-level technical that protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce social,
manpower and skilled workers and craftsmen in all fields shall be promoted by the economic, and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably
State. The State shall encourage appropriate technology and regulate its transfer for diffusing wealth and political power for the common good.
the national benefit.
To this end, the State shall regulate the acquisition, ownership, use, and disposition of
The practice of all professions in the Philippines shall be limited to Filipino citizens, property and its increments.
save in cases prescribed by law.
SECTION 2. The promotion of social justice shall include the commitment to create
SECTION 15. The Congress shall create an agency to promote the viability and growth economic opportunities based on freedom of initiative and self-reliance.
of cooperatives as instruments for social justice and economic development.
Labor
SECTION 16. The Congress shall not, except by general law, provide for the
formation, organization, or regulation of private corporations. Government-owned or SECTION 3. The State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas,
controlled corporations may be created or established by special charters in the organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment
interest of the common good and subject to the test of economic viability. opportunities for all.

SECTION 17. In times of national emergency, when the public interest so requires, It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective bargaining
the State may, during the emergency and under reasonable terms prescribed by it, and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to strike in
temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility or accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane conditions
business affected with public interest. of work, and a living wage. They shall also participate in policy and decision-making
processes affecting their rights and benefits as may be provided by law.
SECTION 18. The State may, in the interest of national welfare or defense, establish
and operate vital industries and, upon payment of just compensation, transfer to The State shall promote the principle of shared responsibility between workers and
public ownership utilities and other private enterprises to be operated by the employers and the preferential use of voluntary modes in settling disputes, including
Government. conciliation, and shall enforce their mutual compliance therewith to foster industrial
peace.
SECTION 19. The State shall regulate or prohibit monopolies when the public interest
so requires. No combinations in restraint of trade or unfair competition shall be The State shall regulate the relations between workers and employers, recognizing
allowed. the right of labor to its just share in the fruits of production and the right of
enterprises to reasonable returns on investments, and to expansion and growth.
SECTION 20. The Congress shall establish an independent central monetary authority,
the members of whose governing board must be natural-born Filipino citizens, of Agrarian and Natural Resources Reform
known probity, integrity, and patriotism, the majority of whom shall come from the
private sector. They shall also be subject to such other qualifications and disabilities SECTION 4. The State shall, by law, undertake an agrarian reform program founded
as may be prescribed by law. The authority shall provide policy direction in the areas on the right of farmers and regular farmworkers, who are landless, to own directly or
of money, banking, and credit. It shall have supervision over the operations of banks collectively the lands they till or, in the case of other farmworkers, to receive a just
and exercise such regulatory powers as may be provided by law over the operations share of the fruits thereof. To this end, the State shall encourage and undertake the
of finance companies and other institutions performing similar functions. just distribution of all agricultural lands, subject to such priorities and reasonable
retention limits as the Congress may prescribe, taking into account ecological,
Until the Congress otherwise provides, the Central Bank of the Philippines, operating developmental, or equity considerations, and subject to the payment of just
under existing laws, shall function as the central monetary authority. compensation. In determining retention limits, the State shall respect the right of
small landowners. The State shall further provide incentives for voluntary land-
sharing.
 SECTION 12. The State shall establish and maintain an effective food and drug
SECTION 5. The State shall recognize the right of farmers, farmworkers, and regulatory system and undertake appropriate health manpower development and
landowners, as well as cooperatives, and other independent farmers’ organizations to research, responsive to the country’s health needs and problems.
participate in the planning, organization, and management of the program, and shall
provide support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and SECTION 13. The State shall establish a special agency for disabled persons for
adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support services. rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance, and their integration into the
mainstream of society.
SECTION 6. The State shall apply the principles of agrarian reform or stewardship,
whenever applicable in accordance with law, in the disposition or utilization of other Women
natural resources, including lands of the public domain under lease or concession
suitable to agriculture, subject to prior rights, homestead rights of small settlers, and SECTION 14. The State shall protect working women by providing safe and healthful
the rights of indigenous communities to their ancestral lands. working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities
and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full
The State may resettle landless farmers and farmworkers in its own agricultural potential in the service of the nation.
estates which shall be distributed to them in the manner provided by law.
Role and Rights of People’s Organizations
SECTION 7. The State shall protect the rights of subsistence fishermen, especially of
local communities, to the preferential use of local marine and fishing resources, both SECTION 15. The State shall respect the role of independent people’s organizations to
inland and offshore. It shall provide support to such fishermen through appropriate enable the people to pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their
technology and research, adequate financial, production, and marketing assistance, legitimate and collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means.
and other services. The State shall also protect, develop, and conserve such
resources. The protection shall extend to offshore fishing grounds of subsistence People’s organizations are bona fide associations of citizens with demonstrated
fishermen against foreign intrusion. Fishworkers shall receive a just share from their capacity to promote the public interest and with identifiable leadership, membership,
labor in the utilization of marine and fishing resources. and structure.

SECTION 8. The State shall provide incentives to landowners to invest the proceeds of SECTION 16. The right of the people and their organizations to effective and
the agrarian reform program to promote industrialization, employment creation, and reasonable participation at all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making
privatization of public sector enterprises. Financial instruments used as payment for shall not be abridged. The State shall, by law, facilitate the establishment of adequate
their lands shall be honored as equity in enterprises of their choice. consultation mechanisms.

Urban Land Reform and Housing Human Rights

SECTION 9. The State shall, by law, and for the common good, undertake, in SECTION 17. (1) There is hereby created an independent office called the Commission
cooperation with the public sector, a continuing program of urban land reform and on Human Rights.
housing which will make available at affordable cost decent housing and basic services
to underprivileged and homeless citizens in urban centers and resettlements areas. It (2) The Commission shall be composed of a Chairman and four Members who must be
shall also promote adequate employment opportunities to such citizens. In the natural-born citizens of the Philippines and a majority of whom shall be members of
implementation of such program the State shall respect the rights of small property the Bar. The term of office and other qualifications and disabilities of the Members of
owners. the Commission shall be provided by law.

SECTION 10. Urban or rural poor dwellers shall not be evicted nor their dwellings (3) Until this Commission is constituted, the existing Presidential Committee on
demolished, except in accordance with law and in a just and humane manner. Human Rights shall continue to exercise its present functions and powers.

No resettlement of urban or rural dwellers shall be undertaken without adequate (4) The approved annual appropriations of the Commission shall be automatically and
consultation with them and the communities where they are to be relocated. regularly released.

Health SECTION 18. The Commission on Human Rights shall have the following powers and
functions:
SECTION 11. The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive approach to
health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health and other (1) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of human rights
social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority for violations involving civil and political rights;
the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. The
State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers. (2) Adopt its operational guidelines and rules of procedure, and cite for contempt for
violations thereof in accordance with the Rules of Court;
(3) Provide appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all (4) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-
persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and provide for learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that
preventive measures and legal aid services to the underprivileged whose human respond to community needs; and
rights have been violated or need protection;
(5) Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth with training in civics,
(4) Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities; vocational efficiency, and other skills.

(5) Establish a continuing program of research, education, and information to enhance SECTION 3. (1) All educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution
respect for the primacy of human rights; as part of the curricula.

(6) Recommend to the Congress effective measures to promote human rights and to (2) They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect
provide for compensation to victims of violations of human rights, or their families; for human rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical
development of the country, teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen
(7) Monitor the Philippine Government’s compliance with international treaty ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline,
obligations on human rights; encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and technological
knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency.
(8) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or whose
possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or convenient to determine (3) At the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians, religion shall be
the truth in any investigation conducted by it or under its authority; allowed to be taught to their children or wards in public elementary and high schools
within the regular class hours by instructors designated or approved by the religious
(9) Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency in the authorities of the religion to which the children or wards belong, without additional
performance of its functions; cost to the Government.

(10) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and SECTION 4. (1) The State recognizes the complementary roles of public and private
institutions in the educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision and
(11) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by law. regulation of all educational institutions.

SECTION 19. The Congress may provide for other cases of violations of human rights (2) Educational institutions, other than those established by religious groups and
that should fall within the authority of the Commission, taking into account its mission boards, shall be owned solely by citizens of the Philippines or corporations or
recommendations. associations at least sixty per centum of the capital of which is owned by such
citizens. The Congress may, however, require increased Filipino equity participation in
ARTICLE XIV all educational institutions.
Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports
The control and administration of educational institutions shall be vested in citizens of
Education the Philippines.

SECTION 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality No educational institution shall be established exclusively for aliens and no group of
education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education aliens shall comprise more than one-third of the enrollment in any school. The
accessible to all. provisions of this subsection shall not apply to schools established for foreign
diplomatic personnel and their dependents and, unless otherwise provided by law, for
SECTION 2. The State shall: other foreign temporary residents.

(1) Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of (3) All revenues and assets of non-stock, non-profit educational institutions used
education relevant to the needs of the people and society; actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from taxes
and duties. Upon the dissolution or cessation of the corporate existence of such
(2) Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the elementary and institutions, their assets shall be disposed of in the manner provided by law.
high school levels. Without limiting the natural right of parents to rear their children,
elementary education is compulsory for all children of school age; Proprietary educational institutions, including those cooperatively owned, may likewise
be entitled to such exemptions subject to the limitations provided by law including
(3) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, restrictions on dividends and provisions for reinvestment.
subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both
public and private schools, especially to the underprivileged; (4) Subject to conditions prescribed by law, all grants, endowments, donations, or
contributions used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes shall be
exempt from tax.
SECTION 5. (1) The State shall take into account regional and sectoral needs and science students, researchers, scientists, inventors, technologists, and specially gifted
conditions and shall encourage local planning in the development of educational citizens.
policies and programs.
SECTION 12. The State shall regulate the transfer and promote the adaptation of
(2) Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning. technology from all sources for the national benefit. It shall encourage the widest
participation of private groups, local governments, and community-based
(3) Every citizen has a right to select a profession or course of study, subject to fair, organizations in the generation and utilization of science and technology.
reasonable, and equitable admission and academic requirements.
SECTION 13. The State shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists,
(4) The State shall enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement. Non- inventors, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations,
teaching academic and non-academic personnel shall enjoy the protection of the particularly when beneficial to the people, for such period as may be provided by law.
State.
Arts and Culture
(5) The State shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that
teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through SECTION 14. The State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and dynamic
adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment. evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a
climate of free artistic and intellectual expression.
Language
SECTION 15. Arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The State shall
SECTION 6. The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation’s historical and cultural heritage and
be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other resources, as well as artistic creations.
languages.
SECTION 16. All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural
Subject to provisions of law and as the Congress may deem appropriate, the treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State which may
Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of regulate its disposition.
official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.
SECTION 17. The State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of indigenous
SECTION 7. For purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and
the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English. institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national plans and
policies.
The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in the regions and shall
serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein. SECTION 18. (1) The State shall ensure equal access to cultural opportunities through
the educational system, public or private cultural entities, scholarships, grants and
Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted on a voluntary and optional basis. other incentives, and community cultural centers, and other public venues.

SECTION 8. This Constitution shall be promulgated in Filipino and English and shall be (2) The State shall encourage and support researches and studies on the arts and
translated into major regional languages, Arabic, and Spanish. culture.

SECTION 9. The Congress shall establish a national language commission composed Sports
of representatives of various regions and disciplines which shall undertake,
coordinate, and promote researches for the development, propagation, and SECTION 19. (1) The State shall promote physical education and encourage sports
preservation of Filipino and other languages. programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for
international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the
Science and Technology development of a healthy and alert citizenry.

SECTION 10. Science and technology are essential for national development and (2) All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the
progress. The State shall give priority to research and development, invention, country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.
innovation, and their utilization; and to science and technology education, training,
and services. It shall support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and ARTICLE XV
technological capabilities, and their application to the country’s productive systems The Family
and national life.
SECTION 1. The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.
SECTION 11. The Congress may provide for incentives, including tax deductions, to Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total
encourage private participation in programs of basic and applied scientific research. development.
Scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms of incentives shall be provided to deserving
SECTION 2. Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family
and shall be protected by the State. (6) The officers and men of the regular force of the armed forces shall be recruited
proportionately from all provinces and cities as far as practicable.
SECTION 3. The State shall defend:
(7) The tour of duty of the Chief of Staff of the armed forces shall not exceed three
(1) The right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their religious years. However, in times of war or other national emergency declared by the
convictions and the demands of responsible parenthood; Congress, the President may extend such tour of duty.

(2) The right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special SECTION 6. The State shall establish and maintain one police force, which shall be
protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions national in scope and civilian in character, to be administered and controlled by a
prejudicial to their development; national police commission. The authority of local executives over the police units in
their jurisdiction shall be provided by law.
(3) The right of the family to a family living wage and income; and
SECTION 7. The State shall provide immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other
(4) The right of families or family associations to participate in the planning and forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns, their
implementation of policies and programs that affect them. surviving spouses and orphans. Funds shall be provided therefor and due
consideration shall be given them in the disposition of agricultural lands of the public
SECTION 4. The family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the State may domain and, in appropriate cases, in the utilization of natural resources.
also do so through just programs of social security.
SECTION 8. The State shall, from time to time, review to upgrade the pensions and
ARTICLE XVI other benefits due to retirees of both the government and the private sectors.
General Provisions
SECTION 9. The State shall protect consumers from trade malpractices and from
SECTION 1. The flag of the Philippines shall be red, white, and blue, with a sun and substandard or hazardous products.
three stars, as consecrated and honored by the people and recognized by law.
SECTION 10. The State shall provide the policy environment for the full development
SECTION 2. The Congress may, by law, adopt a new name for the country, a national of Filipino capability and the emergence of communication structures suitable to the
anthem, or a national seal, which shall all be truly reflective and symbolic of the needs and aspirations of the nation and the balanced flow of information into, out of,
ideals, history, and traditions of the people. Such law shall take effect only upon its and across the country, in accordance with a policy that respects the freedom of
ratification by the people in a national referendum. speech and of the press.

SECTION 3. The State may not be sued without its consent. SECTION 11. (1) The ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to
citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations, cooperatives or associations, wholly-
SECTION 4. The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be composed of a citizen armed owned and managed by such citizens.
force which shall undergo military training and serve, as may be provided by law. It
shall keep a regular force necessary for the security of the State. The Congress shall regulate or prohibit monopolies in commercial mass media when
the public interest so requires. No combinations in restraint of trade or unfair
SECTION 5. (1) All members of the armed forces shall take an oath or affirmation to competition therein shall be allowed.
uphold and defend this Constitution.
(2) The advertising industry is impressed with public interest, and shall be regulated
(2) The State shall strengthen the patriotic spirit and nationalist consciousness of the by law for the protection of consumers and the promotion of the general welfare.
military, and respect for people’s rights in the performance of their duty.
Only Filipino citizens or corporations or associations at least seventy per centum of
(3) Professionalism in the armed forces and adequate remuneration and benefits of its the capital of which is owned by such citizens shall be allowed to engage in the
members shall be a prime concern of the State. The armed forces shall be insulated advertising industry.
from partisan politics.
The participation of foreign investors in the governing body of entities in such industry
No member of the military shall engage directly or indirectly in any partisan political shall be limited to their proportionate share in the capital thereof, and all the
activity, except to vote. executive and managing officers of such entities must be citizens of the Philippines.

(4) No member of the armed forces in the active service shall, at any time, be SECTION 12. The Congress may create a consultative body to advise the President on
appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the Government policies affecting indigenous cultural communities, the majority of the members of
including government-owned or controlled corporations or any of their subsidiaries. which shall come from such communities.

(5) Laws on retirement of military officers shall not allow extension of their service.
ARTICLE XVII SECTION 4. All existing treaties or international agreements which have not been
Amendments or Revisions ratified shall not be renewed or extended without the concurrence of at least two-
thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
SECTION 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by:
SECTION 5. The six-year term of the incumbent President and Vice-President elected
(1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or in the February 7, 1986 election is, for purposes of synchronization of elections,
hereby extended to noon of June 30, 1992.
(2) A constitutional convention.
The first regular elections for the President and Vice-President under this Constitution
SECTION 2. Amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by shall be held on the second Monday of May, 1992.
the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve per centum of the total
number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by SECTION 6. The incumbent President shall continue to exercise legislative powers
at least three per centum of the registered voters therein. No amendment under this until the first Congress is convened.
section shall be authorized within five years following the ratification of this
Constitution nor oftener than once every five years thereafter. SECTION 7. Until a law is passed, the President may fill by appointment from a list of
nominees by the respective sectors the seats reserved for sectoral representation in
The Congress shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this right. paragraph (2), Section 5 of Article VI of this Constitution.

SECTION 3. The Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its Members, call a SECTION 8. Until otherwise provided by the Congress, the President may constitute
constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to the the Metropolitan Authority to be composed of the heads of all local government units
electorate the question of calling such a convention. comprising the Metropolitan Manila area.

SECTION 4. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution under Section 1 SECTION 9. A sub-province shall continue to exist and operate until it is converted
hereof shall be valid when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which into a regular province or until its component municipalities are reverted to the
shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after the approval mother province.
of such amendment or revision.
SECTION 10. All courts existing at the time of the ratification of this Constitution shall
Any amendment under Section 2 hereof shall be valid when ratified by a majority of continue to exercise their jurisdiction, until otherwise provided by law. The provisions
the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later of the existing Rules of Court, judiciary acts, and procedural laws not inconsistent with
than ninety days after the certification by the Commission on Elections of the this Constitution shall remain operative unless amended or repealed by the Supreme
sufficiency of the petition. Court or the Congress.

ARTICLE XVIII SECTION 11. The incumbent Members of the Judiciary shall continue in office until
Transitory Provisions they reach the age of seventy years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties
of their office or are removed for cause.
SECTION 1. The first elections of Members of the Congress under this Constitution
shall be held on the second Monday of May, 1987. SECTION 12. The Supreme Court shall, within one year after the ratification of this
Constitution, adopt a systematic plan to expedite the decision or resolution of cases or
The first local elections shall be held on a date to be determined by the President, matters pending in the Supreme Court or the lower courts prior to the effectivity of
which may be simultaneous with the election of the Members of the Congress. It shall this Constitution. A similar plan shall be adopted for all special courts and quasi-
include the election of all Members of the city or municipal councils in the Metropolitan judicial bodies.
Manila area.
SECTION 13. The legal effect of the lapse, before the ratification of this Constitution,
SECTION 2. The Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and the local of the applicable period for the decision or resolution of the cases or matters
officials first elected under this Constitution shall serve until noon of June 30, 1992. submitted for adjudication by the courts, shall be determined by the Supreme Court
as soon as practicable.
Of the Senators elected in the election of 1992, the first twelve obtaining the highest
number of votes shall serve for six years and the remaining twelve for three years. SECTION 14. The provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4), Section 15 of Article VIII of
this Constitution shall apply to cases or matters filed before the ratification of this
SECTION 3. All existing laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, letters of Constitution, when the applicable period lapses after such ratification.
instructions, and other executive issuances not inconsistent with this Constitution
shall remain operative until amended, repealed, or revoked. SECTION 15. The incumbent Members of the Civil Service Commission, the
Commission on Elections, and the Commission on Audit shall continue in office for one
year after the ratification of this Constitution, unless they are sooner removed for
cause or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office or appointed to a
new term thereunder. In no case shall any Member serve longer than seven years SECTION 25. After the expiration in 1991 of the Agreement between the Republic of
including service before the ratification of this Constitution. the Philippines and the United States of America concerning Military Bases, foreign
military bases, troops, or facilities shall not be allowed in the Philippines except under
SECTION 16. Career civil service employees separated from the service not for cause a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires, ratified
but as a result of the reorganization pursuant to Proclamation No. 3 dated March 25, by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for that
1986 and the reorganization following the ratification of this Constitution shall be purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.
entitled to appropriate separation pay and to retirement and other benefits accruing
to them under the laws of general application in force at the time of their separation. SECTION 26. The authority to issue sequestration or freeze orders under Proclamation
In lieu thereof, at the option of the employees, they may be considered for No. 3 dated March 25, 1986 in relation to the recovery of ill-gotten wealth shall
employment in the Government or in any of its subdivisions, instrumentalities, or remain operative for not more than eighteen months after the ratification of this
agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations and their Constitution. However, in the national interest, as certified by the President, the
subsidiaries. This provision also applies to career officers whose resignation, tendered Congress may extend said period.
in line with the existing policy, had been accepted.
A sequestration or freeze order shall be issued only upon showing of a prima facie
SECTION 17. Until the Congress provides otherwise, the President shall receive an case. The order and the list of the sequestered or frozen properties shall forthwith be
annual salary of three hundred thousand pesos; the Vice-President, the President of registered with the proper court. For orders issued before the ratification of this
the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice of the Constitution, the corresponding judicial action or proceeding shall be filed within six
Supreme Court, two hundred forty thousand pesos each; the Senators, the Members months from its ratification. For those issued after such ratification, the judicial action
of the House of Representatives, the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, and the or proceeding shall be commenced within six months from the issuance thereof.
Chairmen of the Constitutional Commissions, two hundred four thousand pesos each;
and the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, one hundred eighty thousand The sequestration or freeze order is deemed automatically lifted if no judicial action or
pesos each. proceeding is commenced as herein provided.

SECTION 18. At the earliest possible time, the Government shall increase the salary SECTION 27. This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its ratification by a
scales of the other officials and employees of the National Government. majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite held for the purpose and shall supersede all
previous Constitutions.
SECTION 19. All properties, records, equipment, buildings, facilities, and other assets
of any office or body abolished or reorganized under Proclamation No. 3 dated March Ratified: February 2, 1987
25, 1986 or this Constitution shall be transferred to the office or body to which its
powers, functions, and responsibilities substantially pertain.

SECTION 20. The first Congress shall give priority to the determination of the period
for the full implementation of free public secondary education.

SECTION 21. The Congress shall provide efficacious procedures and adequate
remedies for the reversion to the State of all lands of the public domain and real
rights connected therewith which were acquired in violation of the Constitution or the
public land laws, or through corrupt practices. No transfer or disposition of such lands
or real rights shall be allowed until after the lapse of one year from the ratification of
this Constitution.

SECTION 22. At the earliest possible time, the Government shall expropriate idle or
abandoned agricultural lands as may be defined by law, for distribution to the
beneficiaries of the agrarian reform program.

SECTION 23. Advertising entities affected by paragraph (2), Section 11 of Article XVI
of this Constitution shall have five years from its ratification to comply on a graduated
and proportionate basis with the minimum Filipino ownership requirement therein.

SECTION 24. Private armies and other armed groups not recognized by duly
constituted authority shall be dismantled. All paramilitary forces including Civilian
Home Defense Forces not consistent with the citizen armed force established in this
Constitution, shall be dissolved or, where appropriate, converted into the regular
force.