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 (Excerpts)
PRINCIPLES
Section 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates
from them.
Section 3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military.
Section 4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people.
Section 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.
STATE POLICIES
Section 10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.
Section 11. The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.
Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social
institution.
Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building
Section 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building
Section 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.
Section 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.
Section 18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare.
Section 19. The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.
Section 21. The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform.
Section 22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and
development.
Section 23. The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation.
Section 25. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments.
Section 26. The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by
law.
Section 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and
corruption.
Article III BILL OF RIGHTS

Bill of Rights – a declaration and enumeration of the individual rights and privileges, which the constitution is designed to protect against
violations by the individual and a limitation upon the power of the state.
Classification of Rights
1. Natural Rights – are rights possessed by every citizen without being granted by the state for they are conferred upon by God to
human being.
2. Constitutional Rights – are rights which are conferred and protected by the constitution.
a. Political Rights – rights of the citizens which give them power to participate directly and indirectly in the establishment or
administration of the government.
b. Civil Rights – are those rights enjoyed by the private individuals that would guarantee their personal happiness.
c. Social and economic Rights – are rights which are intended to ensure the well-being and economic security of the
individual.
d. Statutory Rights – are rights promulgated by the law-making body and consequently may be abolished by the same body.
* Sections herein were edited for the easy comprehension and recall of the students:
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.
Section 2. The right of the people against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Section 3. The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable except upon lawful order of the court.
Section 4. The right of the people to freedom of speech, of expression, and of the press.
Section 5. The right of persons to freedom of religion.
Section 6. The right to liberty of abode and to travel.
Section 7. The right of the people to information.
Section 8. The right of the people to form unions, associations, or societies.
Section 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
Section 10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.
Section 11. The right to free access to the Courts and Quasi-judicial bodies and the right to Adequate Legal Assistance.
Section 12. Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the right to be informed of his right to remain
silent; the right to have competent and independent counsel preferably of one’s choice; the right to be informed of such rights; and
the right against torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation or any other means which vitiate the free will.
Section 13. The right to bail.
Section 14. In all criminal prosecution, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is provided, and shall enjoy the right
to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him.
Section 15. The right to privilege of *writ of habeas corpus. *a writ to produce the body of a person detained).
Section 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases.
Section 17. The right against self-incrimination.
Section 18. No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and aspirations.
Section 19. Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be
imposed, hereafter provides for it. Any death penalty already imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua.
Section 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a *poll tax.
*Community Tax Certificate or Cedula
Section 21. The right against double jeopardy.
Section 22. No *ex post facto law or **bill of attainder shall be enacted.
*one which makes that criminal which was not so at the time the action was performed. **a legislative act that inflicts
punishments without trial.

Article IV CITIZENSHIP
Citizenship – is a term denoting membership of a citizen in a political community. This membership implies, reciprocally, a duty of allegiance
on the part of the member and duty of protection on the part of the state.

Citizen – one who enjoys full civil and political rights, and accorded protection inside and outside the territory of the state.

I. True or False. (Citizenship – Nationality) All persons are nationals, but not all nationals are citizens.
II. Right or Wrong. Being an Alien is not the same as being a Foreigner.

Two principles governing Citizenship by birth: Jus Sanguines – by virtue of blood relationship, and Jus Soli – by virtue of place of birth.

Naturalization – a legal act of adopting a foreigner and clothing him with the privileges of a natural-born citizen.

III. Check or Cross. The Philippine citizenship may not be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by law.
IV. Correct or Incorrect. Citizens of the Philippines who marry aliens shall not retain their citizenship, unless by their act or omission, they are
deemed, under the law, to have renounced it.
V. True or False. Dual allegiance or citizenship of citizens is allowed in our country.

Duties and obligations of the citizens:

a. To be loyal to the Republic.
b. To honour the Philippine flag.
c. To defend the state.
d. To contribute to the development and welfare of the country.
e. To uphold the constitution and obey the laws.
f. To cooperate with the duly constituted authorities.
g. To register and vote.
ARTICLE V SUFFRAGE
Directions: Write on your paper the word AGREE if the statement is true and the word DISAGREE if false.
1. Suffrage is a privilege and an obligation to vote of qualified Filipino citizens in the national and local elections.
2. There are requirements such as literacy, property, or other substantive necessities shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.
3. Suffrage is classified as a political right.
4. Initiative is the power of the people to propose amendments to the constitution.
5. Plebiscite is the name given to a popular vote of the people expressing their view within their choice for or against a proposed law
submitted to them.
6. Plebiscite is a method by which a public officer may be removed from office.
7. Illiterates are still allowed to vote.
8. Absentee voting for qualified Filipinos abroad is not authorized by the constitution.
9. Any person convicted of a crime or adjudged as rebels still has the right to vote.
10. Insane or incompetent persons as declared by competent authority are qualified to vote even if they have the necessary
qualifications.

Article X - Local Government (Local Government Code of 1991 – Republic Act 7160)
Local Government refers to a political subdivision of a nation or a state which is constituted by law. The officials are either elected or
selected.
Functions:
1. Imposition and collection of taxes
2. Policy-making – passage and implementation of ordinances and laws.
3. Maintenance of security and welfare of the people
Decentralization – the state or process of systematically dispersing the power, authority and responsibility from the national government
to local government units.
Reasons:
1. It advances people participation
2. It promotes self-reliance
3. It upholds responsiveness
Local Government Units in the Philippines
1. Barangay – the basic political units in the Philippines. It is created with a population of at least 2,000 – 5,000 inhabitants.
2. Municipality – is composed of barangays with at least 25,000 inhabitants in a minimum “contiguous territory” of 50 square
kilometers.
3. City – is comprised of “more urbanized and developed barangays.”
a. Component – has an average annual income of at least P20,000,000 (based on constant prices) with a “contiguous
territory” of 100 square kilometers and a population of 150,000 inhabitants. Prohibits its voter from voting for
provincial elective officials.
b. Highly Urbanized City - has an average annual income of at least P50,000,000 (based on constant prices) with a
population of 200,000 inhabitants. Prohibits its voter from voting for provincial elective officials.
4. Province – the biggest unit of local government composed of a cluster of municipalities
1. Natural
2. Civil
3. Civil
4. Civil
5. Civil
6. Civil
7. Civil
8. Civil
9. Civil
10. Social and economic
11. Civil
12. Civil
13. Civil
14. Civil
15. Civl
16. Civil
17. Civil
18. Political
19. Statutory
20. Civil
21. Statutory

1. True
2. Wrong
3. Cross
4. Incorrect
5. False

1. Agree
2. Disagree
3. Agree
4. Agree
5. Agree
6. Disagree
7. Agree
8. Disagree
9. Disagree
10. Disagree