THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

OF THE

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

PREAMBLE

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

ARTICLE I - NATIONAL TERRITORY

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

ARTICLE II - DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

PRINCIPLES

1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority
emanates from them.

2. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts 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 all
nations.

3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the
people and the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. The Government may call upon the people to defend
the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal,
military or civil service.

5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and promotion of the general welfare are
essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of democracy.

6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.

STATE POLICIES

7. The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, the paramount consideration shall be
national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.

8. The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its
territory.

9. The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and
free the people 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.cralaw

10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.

11. The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.

12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social
institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary
right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive
the support of the Government.

13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral,
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their
involvement in public and civic affairs.

14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of
women and men.

15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm
and harmony of nature.
17. The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and
nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.

18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare.

19. The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.

20. The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to
needed investments.

21. The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform.

22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity
and development.

23. The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the
nation.

24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building.

25. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments.

26. The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined
by law.

27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft
and corruption.

28. Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all
its transactions involving public interest.

ARTICLE IV

CITIZENSHIP

1. The following are citizens of the Philippines:

[1] Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution;

[2] Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;

[3] Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of
majority; and

[4] Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

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 citizenship. Those who elect Philippine citizenship in accordance with paragraph (3), Section 1 hereof
shall be deemed natural-born citizens.

3. Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by law.

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.

5. Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and shall be dealt with by law.

ARTICLE V

SUFFRAGE

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 resided in the Philippines for at least one year, and in the place wherein they propose 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 suffrage.

2. The Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot as well as a system for absentee voting
by qualified Filipinos abroad.

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.