1987 CONSTITUTION

1973 CONSTITUTION

Preamble

Preamble

We, the sovereign Filipino people,

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

ARTICLE I

The National Territory

The 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.

Section 1. The national territory

comprises the Philippine archipelago,
with all the islands and waters
embraced therein, and all the other
territories belonging to the Philippines
by historic or legal title, including the
territorial sea, the air space, the
subsoil, the sea-bed, the insular
shelves, and the submarine areas over
which the Philippines has sovereignty
or jurisdiction. The waters around,
between, and connecting the islands of
the archipelago, irrespective of their
breadth and dimensions, form part of
the internal waters of the Philippines.

ARTICLE II

ARTICLE II

Declaration of Principles and State Declaration of Principles and State

Policies
Policies

193

The Filipino peo

Divine Providen
a government
ideals, conserv
patrimony of th
general welfare
themselves an
blessings of ind
regime of justic
democracy, do
this Constitutio

The Na

Section 1. The
the territory ce
by the Treaty o
between the U
on the tenth da
eighteen hundr
limits which are
said treaty, tog
embraced in th
Washington be
and Spain on th
November, nin
treaty conclude
States and Gre
day of January,
thirty, and all t
present Govern
Islands exercis

Declara
Section 1.

Principles
SEC. 1.

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

The Philippines is a democratic and

republican State. Sovereignty resides in
the people and all government authority
Section 2.
emanates from them.
The defense of the State is the prime
SEC. 2.
duty of government, and in the
The Philippines renounces war as an
fulfillment of this duty all citizens may
instrument of national policy, adopts the be required by law to render personal
generally accepted principles of
military or civil service.
international law as part of the law of
the land and adheres to the policy of

The Philippines
Sovereignty re
all government
from them.
Section 2.

The defense of
duty of govern
fulfillment of th
be required by
military or civil
Section 3.

peace, equality, justice, freedom,

Section 3.
The Philippines
cooperation, and amity with all nations.
instrument of n
The Philippines renounces war as an
adopts the gen
instrument of national policy, adopts
SEC. 3.
principles of in
the generally accepted principles of
Civilian authority is, at all times,
the law of the N
international law as part of the law of
supreme over the military. The Armed
the land, and adheres to the policy of
Forces of the Philippines is the protector
peace, equality, justice, freedom,
Section 4.
of the people and the State. Its goal is
cooperation, and amity with all nations.
to secure the sovereignty of the State
The natural rig
and the integrity of the national
the rearing of t
territory.
Section 4.
efficiency shou
support of the
The State shall strengthen the family
SEC. 4.
The prime duty of the Government is to as a basic social institution. The natural Section 5. The
right and duty of parents in the rearing justice to insur
serve and protect the people. The
Government may call upon the people of the youth for civic efficiency and the economic secu
development of moral character shall should be the c
to defend the State and, in the
receive the aid and support of the
fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be
required, under conditions provided by government.
law, to render personal military or civil
service.
SEC. 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 all the people of the
blessings of democracy.
SEC. 6.
The separation of Church and State
shall be inviolable.
State Policies

Section 5.
The State recognizes the vital role of
the youth in nation-building and shall
promote their physical, intellectual and
social well-being.
Section 6.
The State shall promote social justice
to ensure the dignity, welfare, and
security of all the people. Towards this
end, the State shall regulate the
acquisition, ownership, use, enjoyment,
and disposition of private property, and
equitably diffuse property ownership
and profits.

SEC. 7.
The State shall pursue an independent
foreign policy. In its relations with other
states the paramount consideration
Section 7.
shall be national sovereignty, territorial
integrity, national interest, and the right The State shall establish, maintain, and
ensure adequate social services in the
to self-determination.
field of education, health, housing,
employment, welfare, and social
SEC. 8.
security to guarantee the enjoyment of
The Philippines, consistent with the
national interest, adopts and pursues a the people of a decent standard of
policy of freedom from nuclear weapons living.
in its territory.
SEC. 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.

Section 8.
Civilian authority is at all times
supreme over the military.
Section 9.
The State shall afford protection to
labor, promote full employment and

equality in employment, ensure equal

work opportunities regardless of sex,
race, or creed, and regulate the
SEC. 10.
The State shall promote social justice in relation between workers and
employers. The State shall assure the
all phases of national development.
rights of workers to self-organization,
collective bargaining, security of
SEC. 11.
tenure, and just and humane
The State values the dignity of every
conditions of work. The State may
human person and guarantees full
provide for compulsory arbitration.
respect for human rights.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 14.
The State recognizes the role of women
in nation-building, and shall ensure the
fundamental equality before the law of
women and men.
SEC. 15.
The State shall protect and promote the
right to health of the people and instill
health consciousness among them.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 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.
SEC. 18.

Section 10.
The State shall guarantee and promote
the autonomy of local government
units, especially the barrio, to ensure
their fullest development as self-reliant
communities.

The State affirms labor as a primary

social economic force. It shall protect
the rights of workers and promote their
welfare.
SEC. 19.
The State shall develop a self-reliant
and independent national economy
effectively controlled by Filipinos.
SEC. 20.
The State recognizes the indispensable
role of the private sector, encourages
private enterprise, and provides
incentives to needed investments.
SEC. 21.
The State shall promote comprehensive
rural development and agrarian reform.
SEC. 22.
The State recognizes and promotes the
rights of indigenous cultural
communities within the framework of
national unity and development.
SEC. 23.
The State shall encourage nongovernmental, community- based, or
sectoral organizations that promote the
welfare of the nation.
SEC. 24.
The State recognizes the vital role of
communication and information in
nation-building.
SEC. 25.
The State shall ensure the autonomy of
local governments.
SEC. 26.
The State shall guarantee equal access
to opportunities for public service, and
prohibit political dynasties as may be
defined by law.
SEC. 27.
The State shall maintain honesty and
integrity in the public service and take
positive and effective measures against
graft and corruption.
SEC. 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.