POLGOV SECTION 2.

The Philippines renounces war as an

instrument of national policy, adopts the generally
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
accepted principles of international law as part of
THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC the law of the land and adheres to the policy of
OF THE PHILIPPINES peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and
amity with all nations.
PREAMBLE
SECTION 3. Civilian authority is, at all times,
We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the
of Almighty God, in order to build a just and Philippines is the protector of the people and the
humane society and establish a Government that State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the
shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote State and the integrity of the national territory.
the common good, conserve and develop our
patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity SECTION 4. The prime duty of the Government is
the blessings of independence and democracy under to serve and protect the people. The Government
the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, may call upon the people to defend the State and, in
freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required,
promulgate this Constitution. under conditions provided by law, to render
personal military or civil service.
SECTION 5. The maintenance of peace and order,
ARTICLE I: National Territory the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the
- The national territory comprises the promotion of the general welfare are essential for
Philippine archipelago, with all the islands the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of
and waters embraced therein, and all other democracy.
territories over which the Philippines has SECTION 6. The separation of Church and State
sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its shall be inviolable.
terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains,
including its territorial sea, the seabed, the
subsoil, the insular shelves, and other
State Policies
submarine areas. The waters around,
between, and connecting the islands of the
archipelago, regardless of their breadth and
SECTION 7. The State shall pursue an independent
dimensions, form part of the internal waters
foreign policy. In its relations with other states the
of the Philippines.
paramount consideration shall be national
sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest,
and the right to self-determination.
ARTICLE II: Declaration of Principles and
State Policies SECTION 8. The Philippines, consistent with the
national interest, adopts and pursues a policy of
freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.
Principles
SECTION 9. The State shall promote a just and
SECTION 1. The Philippines is a democratic and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity
republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and independence of the nation and free the people
and all government authority emanates from them. from poverty through policies that provide adequate
social services, promote full employment, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life
for all.
SECTION 10. The State shall promote social SECTION 20. The State recognizes the
justice in all phases of national development. indispensable role of the private sector, encourages
private enterprise, and provides incentives to
SECTION 11. The State values the dignity of every
needed investments.
human person and guarantees full respect for human
rights. SECTION 21. The State shall promote
comprehensive rural development and agrarian
SECTION 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of
reform.
family life and shall protect and strengthen the
family as a basic autonomous social institution. It SECTION 22. The State recognizes and promotes
shall equally protect the life of the mother and the the rights of indigenous cultural communities within
life of the unborn from conception. The natural and the framework of national unity and development.
primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of
SECTION 23. The State shall encourage non-
the youth for civic efficiency and the development
governmental, community-based, or sectoral
of moral character shall receive the support of the
organizations that promote the welfare of the nation.
Government.
SECTION 24. The State recognizes the vital role of
SECTION 13. The State recognizes the vital role of
communication and information in nation-building.
the youth in nation-building and shall promote and
protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, SECTION 25. The State shall ensure the autonomy
and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth of local governments.
patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their
involvement in public and civic affairs. SECTION 26. The State shall guarantee equal
access to opportunities for public service, and
SECTION 14. The State recognizes the role of prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by
women in nation-building, and shall ensure the law.
fundamental equality before the law of women and
SECTION 27. The State shall maintain honesty and
men.
integrity in the public service and take positive and
SECTION 15. The State shall protect and promote effective measures against graft and corruption.
the right to health of the people and in still health SECTION 28. Subject to reasonable conditions
consciousness among them. prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a
policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions
SECTION 16. The State shall protect and advance
involving public interest.
the right of the people to a balanced and healthful
ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of
nature.
ARTICLE IV: Citizenship
SECTION 17. The State shall give priority to
education, science and technology, arts, culture, and
sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, SECTION 1. The following are citizens of the
accelerate social progress, and promote total human Philippines:
liberation and development.
(1) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the
time of the adoption of this Constitution;
SECTION 18. The State affirms labor as a primary (2) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of
social economic force. It shall protect the rights of the Philippines;
workers and promote their welfare.
(3) Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino
SECTION 19. The State shall develop a self-reliant mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon
and independent national economy effectively reaching the age of majority; and
controlled by Filipinos.
(4) Those who are naturalized in accordance with
law.
PREAMBLE
SECTION 2. Natural-born citizens are those who
- It is derived from the Latin word
are citizens of the Philippines from birth without
"PREAMBULARE", which means TO
having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their
WALK BEFORE.
Philippine citizenship. Those who elect Philippine
citizenship in accordance with paragraph (3), - It is neither a source of a right nor authority.
Section 1 hereof shall be deemed natural-born It is the declaration of the Filipino's
citizens. aspiration imploring the help of the Divine
Providence.
SECTION 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost or
reacquired in the manner provided by law. NATIONAL TERRITORY (ART. I)

SECTION 4. Citizens of the Philippines who marry ARCHIPELAGO

aliens shall retain their citizenship, unless by their - is a body of water with islands therein.
act or omission they are deemed, under the law, to
have renounced it. ARCHIPELAGAIC DOCTRINE

SECTION 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical - was followed in the definition of the
to the national interest and shall be dealt with by National Territory in the 1987 Philippine
law. Constitution.
ARTURO M. TOLENTINO

ARTICLE V: Suffrage - a brilliant diplomat and a Senator of the

Philippines is considered as the FATHER
OF THE ARCHIPELAGAIC
SECTION 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all DOCTRINE
citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified
by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and
who shall have resided in the Philippines for at least COMPONENTS OF NATIONAL TERRITORY
one year and in the place wherein they propose to
TERRISTIAL DOMAIN
vote for at least six months immediately preceding
the election. No literacy, property, or other - AGRICULTURAL LANDS
substantive requirement shall be imposed on the - FOREST OR TIMBER
exercise of suffrage. - MINERAL LANDS
SECTION 2. The Congress shall provide a system - NATURAL PARKS
for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot as FLUVIAL DOMAIN
well as a system for absentee voting by qualified
Filipinos abroad. - INTERNAL WATERS
- EXTERNAL WATERS
AERIAL DOMAIN
The Congress shall also design a procedure for the
disabled and the illiterates to vote without the
assistance of other persons. Until then, they shall be
allowed to vote under existing laws and such rules
as the Commission on Elections may promulgate to
protect the secrecy of the ballot.
OTHER AREAS INCLUDED IN THE - Philippine territory cannot be determined
PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO without reference to this map;
- Used at the arbitration tribunal to back up
TERRITORIAL SEA
the Philippines’ right and ownership over
- 12 nautical miles from the low water mark the Scarborough Shoal in the West
(1.852 KMS = 1 NAUTICAL MILE) Philippine Sea.
- This is also the first map that gave a name to
SEA BED
Scarborough Shoal, or “panacot” in
- bottom of the sea Tagalog, which means danger.
- Filipino businessman Mel Velasco Velarde
SUB SOIL
of Now Corp. who acquired this national
- everything beneath the soil treasure at a Sotheby’s auction in London in
2014, won at a hammer price of P12 million.
INSULAR SHELVES
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES &
- parts of the island that is under water STATE POLICIES (ART. II)
OTHER SUBMARINE AREAS - Embodied in Article 2 of the 1987
- other areas under the sea Philippine Constitution are the Political
Creed or Doctrine of the Nation.
- As a whole, it lays down the fundamental
SOVEREIGNTY VS. SOVEREIGN RIGHTS principles and policies of the government.
The determination of policies are the
- Yes, under international law, the Philippines FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE
has no sovereignty – and only has sovereign AND THE LEGISLATIVE
rights – over its EEZ in the West Philippine DEPARTMENTS and the electorate cannot
Sea. The Philippine government is duty- demand their enforcement through the
bound to defend its sovereign rights over the courts. The REMEDY IS POLITICAL.
West Philippine Sea, experts said. - But indirectly, some of these principles may
- is like full ownership of property, with all guide the courts in determining validity of
the rights it implies, including the right to statutes or executive acts in justiciable cases.
destroy it.” Sovereignty applies to the
Philippines’ landmass and its 12-nautical DECLARATION HAS 2 PARTS
mile territorial sea. - First part is the Enumeration of the
- Exclusive sovereign rights function “like Principles of the States
usufruct, a right to use and enjoy property,” - Second part is Stipulation of the State
said Batongbacal. Policies
- Sovereign rights allow the Philippines to
exclusively fish and enjoy marine resources, REPUBLICAN STATE
such as oil and natural gas, in its 200- Sovereignty
nautical mile EEZ in the West Philippine
Sea. - resides in the people and all government
authority emanates from them.
1734 MURILLO VELARDE MAP
Representative Democracy
- The Mother of All Philippine Maps;
- the map is a living document because it - established government where people either
determines Philippine territory today. directly or indirectly elect their ruler for a
fixed period of time.
 Declares what are ESSENTIALS for the people to
enjoy the BLESSINGS of democracy. They are the
following:
Republican Government
- Maintenance of peace and order;
- the powers of government are exercised by - Protection of life, liberty and property;
public officials chosen in periodic elections - Promotion of the general welfare.
by the electoral body. Chosen
SEPARATION OF CHURCH & STATE
representatives govern the people.
MANIFESTATIONS OF A REPUBLICAN - The government shall not favor any religion,
GOVERNMENT. (BROSSELS) support them using public funds or even set
up or establish a church.
The existence of the Bill of Rights; - The church should not get involved in
political issues and matters.
- The observance of the Rule of Majority;
- The state has no official religion and
- Ours is a government of laws and not of
everyone has the right to profess their belief
men;
or disbelief to a religion.
- State cannot be sued without its consent;
- Election through popular will; INDEPENDENT FOREIGN POLICY
- Legislature cannot pass irrepealable laws;
The present administration is pursuing this policy in
- Law of Public Officers;
its relation with other states and the paramount
- Observance of the Principle of Separation of considerations are the following:
Powers and the system of checks and
balances - National sovereignty;
- National integrity;
PROCESS OF TRANSFORMATION
- National interest; and
- Treaties, however shall pass through this - Right to self-determination. It is noticeable
process before they become part of the law that the government is now befriending new
of the land. It is expressly provided that “no allies and keeping old friends.
treaty or international agreement shall be
POLITICAL DYNASTY
valid unless concurred in by at least two-
thirds of all the members of the Senate”. - Wonder of all wonders though the answer is
clear is the PROHIBITION OF
CIVILIAN AUTHORITY
POLITICAL DYNASTIES.
- IS AT ALL TIMES SUPREME OVER - The particular provision ended with "as may
THE MILITARY be defined by law." Sad to say, 36 years
- The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the have lapsed and still there is still no law
protector of the people and the State. prohibiting it.
- Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the - Probably, the only consolation is its
State and the integrity of the national inclusion but all those paeans about its
territory. This principle shows respect to the existence will be nothing but rhetoric.
sovereign people and value them as the
PRINCIPLE OF INTER-GENERATIONAL
source of all powers in the State.
RESPONSIBILITY
- It expresses the prime duty of the
government, which is to serve and protect - OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE OPOSA
the people and defend the State. DOCTRINE;
- The Philippine Supreme Court held that a
SECTION 5 ART II
group of minors had the right to sue on
 behalf of succeeding generations because 1. Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the
every generation has a responsibility to the time of the adoption of the 1987 Constitution. .
next to preserve nature.
2. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of
- The case is a contributor to the development
the Philippines;
of international environmental law.
3. Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino
INHERENT POWERS OF THE STATE
mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon
POLICE POWER reaching the age of majority; and

- is inherent in sovereignty and founded on 4. Those who are naturalized in accordance with
the obligation of the state to provide law.
protection for its citizens and the safety and
PRINCIPLES DETERMINING CITIZENSHIP
good order of the society. It is based on the
Latin maxim "SALUS POPULI EST - JUS SANGUINES, which states that
SUPREMA LEX" or THE WELFARE OF “blood relations” determine citizenship.
THE PEOPLE IS THE FIRST LAW". - JUS SOLI OR JUS LOCI, which states
that the “place of birth” determines
POWER OF TAXATION
citizenship.
- is the power of the state to impose a charge
UNDERLYING THEORY BEHIND ART. IV
or burden upon persons, property or
property rights, for the use and support of - The Philippines adopts the jus sanguinis
the government in order to discharge its principle;
appropriate functions. It is also based on the - Thus, someone becomes a Filipino by birth
reciprocal duty of support and protection if either his mother “or” father is a Filipino,
between the citizens and the state. so that by virtue of his blood relations to
either his Filipino parents he is also a
POWER OF EMINENT DOMAIN
Filipino.
- right of the state to acquire private property
for public use upon payment of just
compensation.

CITIZENSHIP & SUFFRAGE (ART. IV &

ART. V)

CITIZENSHIP
- refers to the membership of a person to a
democratic state which bestows upon
him/her full civil and political rights (unless
especially disqualified by law), and the
corresponding duty to support and maintain
allegiance to the state.
WHO ARE CITIZENS OF THE
PHILIPPINES?