The 1987 Constitution PDF

February 2, 1987
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION
THE 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, uvial, 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
SECTION 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State.
Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.
SECTION 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.
SECTION 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.
SECTION 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
ful llment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to
render personal military or civil service.
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 all the people of the blessings of democracy.
SECTION 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.
State Policies
SECTION 7. The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its
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relations with other states the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty,
territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination.
SECTION 8. The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and
pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.
SECTION 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 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. Cdpr
SECTION 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 e ciency and
the development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.
SECTION 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.
SECTION 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and
shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.
SECTION 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the
people and instill health consciousness among them.
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 a rms 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 20. The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private
sector, encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments.
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 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and
information in nation-building.
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.
SECTION 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 III
Bill of Rights
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 to be secure in their persons, houses,
papers, and 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 except upon probable cause to be determined personally by the judge after
examination under oath or a rmation of the complainant and the witnesses he may
produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things
to be seized.
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
otherwise as prescribed by law.
(2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall
be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.
SECTION 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of
expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and
petition the government for redress of grievances.
SECTION 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious
profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed.
No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.
SECTION 6. The liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits
prescribed by law shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither
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 7. The right of the people to information on matters of public
concern shall be recognized. Access to o cial records, and to documents, and papers
pertaining to o cial acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research
data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such
limitations as may be provided by law.
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 law shall not be abridged.
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. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and
adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.
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 and independent counsel preferably of his own choice. If the person cannot
afford the services of counsel, he must be provided with one. These rights cannot be
waived except in writing and in the presence of counsel.
(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,
incommunicado, or other similar forms of detention are prohibited.
(3) Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this or Section 17
hereof shall be inadmissible in evidence against him.
(4) The law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this
section as well as compensation to and rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar
practices, and their families.
SECTION 13. All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by
reclusion perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong, shall, before conviction, be bailable
by su cient sureties, or be released on recognizance as may be provided by law. The
right to bail shall not be impaired even when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus
is suspended. Excessive bail shall not be required.
SECTION 14. (1) No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense
without due process of law.
(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until
the contrary is proved, 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, to have a speedy,
impartial, and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory
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
the accused provided that he has been duly noti ed and his failure to appear is
unjustifiable.
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 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their
cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.
SECTION 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
SECTION 18. (1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political
beliefs and aspirations.
(2) No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist except as a punishment
for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.
SECTION 19. (1) Excessive nes shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading
or inhuman punishment in icted. Neither shall death penalty be imposed, unless, for
compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it.
Any death penalty already imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua.
(2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment
against any prisoner or detainee or the use of substandard or inadequate penal
facilities under subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law.
SECTION 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a
poll tax.
SECTION 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the
same 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 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.
ARTICLE IV
Citizenship
SECTION 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.
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 citizenship. Those who elect Philippine citizenship in accordance with
paragraph (3), Section 1 hereof shall be deemed natural-born citizens.
SECTION 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired in the manner
provided by law.
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.
SECTION 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and
shall be dealt with by law.
ARTICLE V
Suffrage
SECTION 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not
otherwise disquali ed 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.
SECTION 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 quali ed 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.
ARTICLE VI
The Legislative Department
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 reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum.
SECTION 2. The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall
be elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines, as may be provided by law.
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- ve years of age, able
to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than
two years immediately preceding the day of the election.
SECTION 4. The term of o ce 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 their election.
No Senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary
renunciation of the o ce 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 5. (1) The House of Representatives shall be composed of not
more than two hundred and fty members, unless otherwise xed by law, who shall be
elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities, and the
Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of their respective inhabitants,
and on the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and those who, as provided by law,
shall be elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral
parties or organizations.
(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 rati cation of this Constitution, one-half of the seats
allocated to party-list representatives shall be lled, as provided by law, by selection or
election from the labor, peasant, urban poor, indigenous cultural communities, women,
youth, and such other sectors as may be provided by law, except the religious sector.
(3) Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous,
compact and adjacent territory. Each city with a population of at least two hundred fty
thousand, or each province, shall have at least one representative.
(4) Within three years following the return of every census, the Congress shall
make a reapportionment of legislative districts based on the standards provided in this
section.
SECTION 6. No person shall be a Member of the House of Representatives
unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is at
least twenty- ve years of age, able to read and write, and, except the party-list
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 of
the election.
SECTION 7. The Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected
for a term of three years which shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon
on the thirtieth day of June next following their election.
No member of the House of Representatives shall serve for more than three
consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the o ce 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 8. Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election of the
Senators and the Members of the House of Representatives shall be held on the
second Monday of May.
SECTION 9. In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House of
Representatives, a special election may be called to ll such vacancy in the manner
prescribed by law, but the Senator or Member of the House of Representatives thus
elected shall serve only for the unexpired term.
SECTION 10. The salaries of Senators and Members of the House of
Representatives shall be determined by law. No increase in said compensation shall
take effect until after the expiration of the full term of all the Members of the Senate
and the House of Representatives approving such increase.
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
arrest while the Congress is in session. No Member shall be questioned nor be held
liable in any other place for any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committee
thereof.
SECTION 12. All Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives
shall, upon assumption of o ce, make a full disclosure of their nancial and business
interests. They shall notify the House concerned of a potential con ict of interest that
may arise from the filing of a proposed legislation of which they are authors.
SECTION 13. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may
hold any other o ce or employment in the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or
instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their
subsidiaries, during his term without forfeiting his seat. Neither shall he be appointed to
any o ce which may have been created or the emoluments thereof increased during
the term for which he was elected.
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 quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or
indirectly, be interested nancially in any contract with, or in any franchise or special
privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality
thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary,
during his term of o ce. He shall not intervene in any matter before any o ce of the
Government for his pecuniary bene t or where he may be called upon to act on account
of his office.
SECTION 15. The Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth
Monday of July for its regular session, unless a different date is xed by law, and shall
continue to be in session for such number of days as it may determine until thirty days
before the opening of its next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and
legal holidays. The President may call a special session at any time.
SECTION 16. (1) The Senate shall elect its President and the House of
Representatives its Speaker, by a majority vote of all its respective Members.
Each House shall choose such other officers as it may deem necessary.
(2) A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a
smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may compel the attendance of absent
Members in such manner, and under such penalties, as such House may provide.
(3) Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its
Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its
Members, suspend or expel a Member. A penalty of suspension, when imposed, shall
not exceed sixty days.
(4) Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and from time to
time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in its judgment, affect national
security; and the yeas and nays on any question shall, at the request of one- fth of the
Members present, be entered in the Journal.
Each House shall also keep a Record of its proceedings.
(5) Neither House during the sessions of the Congress shall, without the
consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, nor to any other place than that
in which the two Houses shall be sitting.
SECTION 17. The Senate and the House of Representatives shall each have
an Electoral Tribunal which shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the
election, returns, and quali cations of their respective Members. Each Electoral
Tribunal shall be composed of nine Members, three of whom shall be Justices of the
Supreme Court 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 Justice in the Electoral Tribunal shall be its Chairman.
SECTION 18. There shall be a Commission on Appointments consisting of
the President of the Senate, as ex o cio Chairman, twelve Senators and twelve
Members of the House of Representatives, elected by each House on the basis of
proportional representation from the political parties and parties or organizations
registered under the party-list system represented therein. The Chairman of the
Commission shall not 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 shall rule by a majority vote of all the Members.
SECTION 19. The Electoral Tribunals and the Commission on Appointments
shall be constituted within thirty days after the Senate and the House of
Representatives shall have been organized with the election of the President and the
Speaker. The 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 functions as are herein conferred upon it.
SECTION 20. The records and books of accounts of the Congress shall be
preserved and be open to the public in accordance with law, and such books shall be
audited by the Commission on Audit which shall publish annually an itemized list of
amounts paid to and expenses incurred for each Member.
SECTION 21. The Senate or the House of Representatives or any of its
respective 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 inquiries shall be respected.
SECTION 22. The heads of departments may upon their own initiative, with
the 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
pertaining to their departments. Written questions shall be submitted to the President
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 questions,
but may cover matters related thereto. When the security of the State or the public
interest so requires and the President so states in writing, the appearance shall be
conducted in executive session.
SECTION 23. (1) The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in
joint session assembled, voting separately, shall have the sole power to declare the
existence of a state of war.
(2) In times of war or other national emergency, the Congress may, by law,
authorize the President, for a limited period and subject to such restrictions as it may
prescribe, to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out a declared national
policy. Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution of the Congress, such powers shall
cease upon the next adjournment thereof.
SECTION 24. All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing
increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate
exclusively in the House of Representatives, but the Senate may propose or concur with
amendments.
SECTION 25. (1) The Congress may not increase the appropriations
recommended by the President for the operation of the Government as speci ed in the
budget. The form, content, and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed
by law.
(2) No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the general
appropriations bill unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation therein.
Any such provision or enactment shall be limited in its operation to the appropriation to
which it relates.
(3) The procedure in approving appropriations for the Congress shall strictly
follow the procedure for approving appropriations for other departments and agencies.
(4) A special appropriations bill shall specify the purpose for which it is
intended, and shall be supported by funds actually available as certi ed by the National
Treasurer, or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposed therein.
(5) No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations;
however, the 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 may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the
general appropriations law for their respective o ces from savings in other items of
their respective appropriations.
(6) Discretionary funds appropriated for particular o cials shall be
disbursed only for public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and
subject to such guidelines as may be prescribed by law.
(7) If, by the end of any scal year, the Congress shall have failed to pass the
general appropriations bill for the ensuing scal year, the general appropriations law for
the preceding scal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and
effect until the general appropriations bill is passed by the Congress.
SECTION 26. (1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one
subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.
(2) No bill passed by either House shall become a law unless it has passed
three readings on separate days, and printed copies thereof in its nal form have been
distributed to its Members three days before its passage, except when the President
certi es 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, and
the vote thereon shall be taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays entered in
the Journal.
SECTION 27. (1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall, before it becomes a
law, be presented to the President. If he approves the same, he shall sign it; otherwise,
he shall veto it and return the same with his objections to the House where it originated,
which shall enter the objections at large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it. If,
after such reconsideration, two-thirds of all the Members of such House shall agree to
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 Members of that
House, it shall become a law. In all such cases, the votes of each House shall be
determined by yeas or nays, and the names of the Members voting for 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 appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to
which he does not object.
SECTION 28. (1) The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The
Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation.
(2) The Congress may, by law, authorize the President to x within speci ed
limits, and subject to such limitations and restrictions as it may impose, tariff rates,
import and export quotas, tonnage and wharfage dues, and other duties or imposts
within the framework of the national development program of the Government.
(3) Charitable institutions, churches and parsonages or convents
appurtenant thereto, mosques, non-pro t cemeteries, and all lands, buildings, and
improvements, actually, directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable, or
educational purposes shall be exempt from taxation.
(4) No law granting any tax exemption shall be passed without the
concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress.
SECTION 29. (1) No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in
pursuance of an appropriation made by law.
(2) No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or
employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, bene t, or support of any sect, church,
denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher,
minister, or other religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest,
preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal
institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium.
(3) All money collected on any tax levied for a special purpose shall be
treated as a special fund and paid out for such purpose only. If the purpose for which a
special fund was created has been ful lled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall be
transferred to the general funds of the Government.
SECTION 30. No law shall be passed increasing the appellate jurisdiction of
the Supreme Court as provided in this Constitution without its advice and concurrence.
SECTION 31. No law granting a title of royalty or nobility shall be enacted.
SECTION 32. The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a system
of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom, whereby the people can
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
therefor signed by at least ten per centum of the total number of registered voters, of
which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the
registered voters thereof.
ARTICLE VII
Executive Department
SECTION 1. The executive power shall be vested in the President of the
Philippines.
SECTION 2. No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born
citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years
of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years
immediately preceding such election.
SECTION 3. There shall be a Vice-President who shall have the same
quali cations and term of o ce and be elected with and in the same manner as the
President. He may be removed from office in the same manner as the President.
The Vice-President may be appointed as a Member of the Cabinet. Such
appointment requires no confirmation.
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 next following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date six
years thereafter. The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who
has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be
qualified for election to the same office at any time.
No Vice-President shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary
renunciation of the o ce 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.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election for President and Vice-
President shall be held on the second Monday of May.
The returns of every election for President and Vice-President, duly certi ed by
the board of canvassers of each province or city, shall be transmitted to the Congress,
directed to the President of the Senate. Upon receipt of the certi cates of canvass, the
President of the Senate shall, not later than thirty days after the day of the election,
open all certi cates 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
execution thereof in the manner provided by law, canvass the votes.
The person having the highest number of votes shall be proclaimed elected, but
in 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 the
Congress, voting separately.
The Congress shall promulgate its rules for the canvassing of the certificates.
The Supreme Court, sitting en banc, shall be the sole judge of all contests relating
to the election, returns, and quali cations of the President or Vice- President, and may
promulgate its rules for the purpose.
SECTION 5. Before they enter on the execution of their o ce, the President,
the Vice-President, or the Acting President shall take the following oath or affirmation:
"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 and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man,
and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God." (In case of
affirmation, last sentence will be omitted.)
SECTION 6. The President shall have an o cial residence. The salaries of the
President and Vice-President shall be determined by law and shall not be decreased
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. They
shall not receive during their tenure any other emolument from the Government or any
other source.
SECTION 7. The President-elect and the Vice-President-elect shall assume
office at the beginning of their terms.
If the President-elect fails to qualify, the Vice-President-elect shall act as
President until the President-elect shall have qualified.
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.
If at the beginning of the term of the President, the President-elect shall have
died or shall have become permanently disabled, the Vice-President-elect shall become
President.
Where no President and Vice-President shall have been chosen or shall have
quali ed, or where both shall have died or become permanently disabled, the President
of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives
shall act as President until a President or a Vice-President shall have been chosen and
qualified.
The Congress shall, by law, provide for the manner in which one who is to act as
President shall be selected until a President or a Vice-President shall have quali ed, in
case of death, permanent disability, or inability of the o cials mentioned in the next
preceding paragraph.
SECTION 8. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from o ce, or
resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the
unexpired term. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from o ce, or
resignation of both the President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or, in
case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall then act as
President until the President or Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified.
The Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve as President in case of death,
permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President. He shall serve until the
President or the Vice-President shall have been elected and quali ed, and be subject to
the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as the Acting President.
SECTION 9. Whenever there is a vacancy in the O ce of the Vice-President
during the term for which he was elected, the President shall nominate a Vice-President
from among the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who shall
assume o ce upon con rmation by a majority vote of all the Members of both Houses
of the Congress, voting separately.
SECTION 10. The Congress shall, at ten o'clock in the morning of the third
day after the vacancy in the offices of the President and Vice-President occurs, convene
in 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
earlier than forty- ve days nor later than sixty days from the time of such call. The bill
calling such special election shall be deemed certi ed under paragraph 2, Section 26,
Article VI of this Constitution and shall become law upon its approval on third reading
by the Congress. Appropriations for the special election shall be charged against any
current appropriations and shall be exempt from the requirements of paragraph 4,
Section 25, Article VI of this Constitution. The convening of the Congress cannot be
suspended nor the special election postponed. No special election shall be called if the
vacancy occurs within eighteen months before the date of the next presidential
election.
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 discharge the powers and duties of his o ce, and until he transmits to
them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged
by the Vice-President as Acting President.
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
declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
o ce, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the o ce
as Acting President.
Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President of the Senate and to
the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability
exists, he shall reassume the powers and duties of his o ce. Meanwhile, should a
majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit within ve days to the President 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 o ce, the
Congress shall decide the issue. For that purpose, the Congress shall convene, if it is
not in session, within forty-eight hours, in accordance with its rules and without need of
call.
If the Congress, within ten days after receipt of the last written declaration, or, if
not in session, within twelve days after it is required to assemble, determines by a two-
thirds vote of both Houses, voting separately, that the President is unable to discharge
the powers and duties of his o ce, the Vice-President shall act as the President;
otherwise, the President shall continue exercising the powers and duties of his office.
SECTION 12. In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be
informed of the state of his health. The Members of the Cabinet in charge of national
security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, shall not be denied access to the President during such illness.
SECTION 13. The President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, and
their deputies or assistants shall not, unless otherwise provided in this Constitution,
hold any other o ce or employment during their tenure. They shall not, during said
tenure, directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any business,
or be nancially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise, or special privilege
granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof,
including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. They shall
strictly avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office.
The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree
of the President shall not during his tenure be appointed as members of the
Constitutional Commissions, or the O ce of the Ombudsman, or as Secretaries,
Undersecretaries, chairmen or heads of bureaus or o ces, including government-
owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.
SECTION 14. Appointments extended by an Acting President shall remain
effective, unless revoked by the elected President within ninety days from his
assumption or reassumption of office.
SECTION 15. Two months immediately before the next presidential elections
and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make
appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued
vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.
SECTION 16. The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the
Commission on Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive departments,
ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, or o cers of the armed forces from
the rank of colonel or naval captain, and other o cers whose appointments are vested
in him in this Constitution. He shall also appoint all other o cers of the Government
whose appointments are not otherwise provided for by law, and those whom he may be
authorized by law to appoint. The Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of other
o cers lower in rank in the President alone, in the courts, or in the heads of
departments, agencies, commissions, or boards.
The President shall have the power to make appointments during the recess of
the Congress, whether voluntary or compulsory, but such appointments shall be
effective only until after disapproval by the Commission on Appointments or until the
next adjournment of the Congress.
SECTION 17. The President shall have control of all the executive
departments, bureaus, and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.
SECTION 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed
forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such
armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of
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
Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the
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. The
Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in 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, the Congress
may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be
determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety
requires it.
The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hours following such
proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without any need of a
call.
The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding led by any citizen,
the su ciency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension
of the privilege of the writ or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision
thereon within thirty days from its filing.
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
conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil
courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ.
The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only to persons judicially
charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in or directly connected with the invasion.
During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or
detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise he shall be released.
SECTION 19. Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise provided in
this Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, and
remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment.
He shall also have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority
of all the Members of the Congress.
SECTION 20. The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on
behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary
Board, and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law. The Monetary Board
shall, 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
or guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and controlled corporations
which would have the effect of increasing the foreign debt, and containing other
matters as may be provided by law.
SECTION 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective
unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
SECTION 22. The President shall submit to the Congress within thirty days
from the opening of every regular session, as the basis of the general appropriations
bill, a budget of expenditures and sources of nancing, including receipts from existing
and proposed revenue measures.
SECTION 23. The President shall address the Congress at the opening of its
regular session. He may also appear before it at any other time.
ARTICLE VIII
Judicial Department
SECTION 1. The judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in
such lower courts as may be established by law.
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 whether or not there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack
or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.
SECTION 2. The Congress shall have the power to de ne, prescribe, and
apportion the jurisdiction of various courts but may not deprive the Supreme Court of
its jurisdiction over cases enumerated in Section 5 hereof.
No law shall be passed reorganizing the Judiciary when it undermines the
security of tenure of its Members.
SECTION 3. The Judiciary shall enjoy scal autonomy. Appropriations for the
Judiciary may not be reduced by the legislature below the amount appropriated for the
previous year and, after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.
SECTION 4. (1) The Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and
fourteen Associate Justices. It may sit en banc or in its discretion, in divisions of three,
ve, or seven Members. Any vacancy shall be lled within ninety days from the
occurrence thereof.
(2) All cases involving the constitutionality of a treaty, international or
executive agreement, or law, which shall be heard by the Supreme Court en banc, and all
other 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,
proclamations, orders, instructions, ordinances, and other regulations, shall be decided
with the concurrence of a majority of the Members who actually took part in the
deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon.
(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
on the issues in the case and voted thereon, and in no case, without the concurrence of
at least three of such Members. When the required number is not obtained, the 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 modi ed or reversed except
by the court sitting en banc.
SECTION 5. The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:
(1) Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors,
other public ministers and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari,
prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus.
(2) Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari, as
the law or the Rules of Court may provide, final judgments and orders
of lower courts in:
(a) All cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty,
international or executive agreement, law, presidential decree,
proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance, or regulation is in
question.
(b) All cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment,
or toll, or any penalty imposed in relation thereto.
(c) All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue.
(d) All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion
perpetua or higher.
(e) All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.
(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 of the judge concerned.
(4) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of
justice.
(5) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of
constitutional 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 provide a
simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of
cases, shall be uniform for all courts of the same grade, and shall not
diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights. Rules of procedure of
special courts and quasi-judicial bodies shall remain effective unless
disapproved by the Supreme Court.
(6) Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary in accordance
with the Civil Service Law.
SECTION 6. The Supreme Court shall have administrative supervision over all
courts and the personnel thereof.
SECTION 7. (1) No person shall be appointed Member of the Supreme Court
or any lower collegiate court unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines. A
Member of the Supreme Court must be at least forty years of age, and must have been
for fteen years or more a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in
the Philippines.
(2) The Congress shall prescribe the quali cations of judges of lower courts,
but no person may be appointed judge thereof unless he is a citizen of the Philippines
and a member of the Philippine Bar.
(3) A Member of the Judiciary must be a person of proven competence,
integrity, probity, and independence.
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 o cio
Chairman, the Secretary of Justice, and a representative of the Congress as ex o cio
Members, a representative of the Integrated Bar, a professor of law, a retired Member
of the Supreme Court, and a representative of the private sector.
(2) The regular Members of the Council shall be appointed by the President
for a term of four years with the consent of the Commission on Appointments. Of the
Members rst appointed, the representative of the Integrated Bar shall serve for four
years, the professor of law for three years, the retired Justice for two years, and the
representative of the private sector for one year.
(3) The Clerk of the Supreme Court shall be the Secretary ex o cio of the
Council and shall keep a record of its proceedings.
(4) The regular Members of the Council shall receive such emoluments as
may be determined by the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court shall provide in its
annual budget the appropriations for the Council.
(5) The Council shall have the principal function of recommending
appointees to the Judiciary. It may exercise such other functions and duties as the
Supreme Court may assign to it.
SECTION 9. The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts
shall be 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.
For the lower courts, the President shall issue the appointments within ninety
days from the submission of the list.
SECTION 10. The salary of the Chief Justice and of the Associate Justices of
the Supreme Court, and of judges of lower courts shall be xed by law. During their
continuance in office, their salary shall not be decreased.
SECTION 11. The Members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts
shall hold o ce during good behavior until they reached the age of seventy years or
become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their o ce. The Supreme Court en
banc shall have the power to discipline judges of lower courts, or order their dismissal
by a vote of a majority of the Members who actually took part in the deliberations on
the issues in the case and voted thereon.
SECTION 12. The Members of the Supreme Court and of other courts
established by law shall not be designated to any agency performing quasi-judicial or
administrative functions.
SECTION 13. The conclusions of the Supreme Court in any case submitted to
it for 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 certi cation to this
effect signed by the Chief Justice shall be issued and a copy thereof attached to the
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.
The same requirements shall be observed by all lower collegiate courts.
SECTION 14. No decision shall be rendered by any court without expressing
therein clearly and distinctly the facts and the law on which it is based.
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 15. (1) All cases or matters led after the effectivity of this
Constitution must be decided or resolved within twenty-four months from date of
submission for the Supreme Court, and, unless reduced by the Supreme Court, twelve
months for all lower collegiate courts, and three months for all other lower courts.
(2) A case or matter shall be deemed submitted for decision or resolution
upon the ling of the last pending, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules of Court
or by the court itself.
(3) Upon the expiration of the corresponding period, a certi cation to this
effect signed by the Chief Justice or the presiding judge shall forthwith be issued and a
copy thereof attached to the record of the case or matter, and served upon the parties.
The certi cation shall state why a decision or resolution has not been rendered or
issued within said period.
(4) Despite the expiration of the applicable mandatory period, the court,
without prejudice to such responsibility as may have been incurred in consequence
thereof, shall decide or resolve the case or matter submitted thereto for determination,
without further delay.
SECTION 16. The Supreme Court shall, within thirty days from the opening of
each regular session of the Congress, submit to the President and the Congress an
annual report on the operations and activities of the Judiciary.
ARTICLE IX
Constitutional Commissions
A. Common Provisions
SECTION 1. The Constitutional Commissions, which shall be independent, are
the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Elections, and the Commission on
Audit.
SECTION 2. No Member of a Constitutional Commission shall, during his
tenure, hold any other o ce or employment. Neither shall he engage in the practice of
any profession or in the active management or control of any business which in any way
be affected by the functions of his o ce, nor shall he be nancially interested, directly
or indirectly, in any contract with, or in any franchise or privilege granted by the
Government, any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including
government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.
SECTION 3. The salary of the Chairman and the Commissioners shall be xed
by law and shall not be decreased during their tenure.
SECTION 4. The Constitutional Commissions shall appoint their o cials and
employees in accordance with law.
SECTION 5. The Commission shall enjoy scal autonomy. Their approved
annual appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released.
SECTION 6. Each Commission en banc may promulgate its own rules
concerning pleadings and practice before it or before any of its o ces. Such rules
however shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive rights.
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 decision or resolution. A case or matter is deemed submitted for
decision or resolution upon the ling of the last pleading, brief, or memorandum
required by the rules of the Commission or by the Commission itself. Unless otherwise
provided by this 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 from receipt of a copy thereof.
SECTION 8. Each Commission shall perform such other functions as may be
provided by law.
B. The Civil Service Commission
SECTION 1. (1) The Civil Service shall be administered by the Civil Service
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- ve
years of age, with proven capacity for public administration, and must not have been
candidates for any elective position in the elections immediately preceding their
appointment.
(2) The Chairman and the Commissioners shall be appointed by the
President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments for a term of seven
years without reappointment. Of those rst appointed, the Chairman shall hold o ce
for seven years, a Commissioner for ve years, and another Commissioner for three
years, without 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 temporary or acting capacity.
SECTION 2. (1) The civil service embraces all branches, subdivisions,
instrumentalities, and agencies of the Government, including government-owned or
controlled corporations with original charters.
(2) Appointments in the civil service shall be made only according to merit
and tness to be determined, as far as practicable, and, except to positions which are
policy-determining, primarily con dential, or highly technical, by competitive
examination.
(3) No o cer or employee of the civil service shall be removed or suspended
except for cause provided by law.
(4) No o cer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or
indirectly, in any electioneering or partisan political campaign.

(5) The right to self-organization shall not be denied to government
employees.
(6) Temporary employees of the Government shall be given such protection
as may be provided by law.
SECTION 3. The Civil Service Commission, as the central personnel agency of
the Government, shall establish a career service and adopt measures to promote
morale, e ciency, integrity, responsiveness, progressiveness, and courtesy in the civil
service. It shall strengthen the merit and rewards system, integrate all human resources
development programs for all levels and ranks, and institutionalize a management
climate conducive to public accountability. It shall submit to the President and the
Congress an annual report on its personnel programs.
SECTION 4. All public o cers and employees shall take an oath or
affirmation to uphold and defend this Constitution.
SECTION 5. The Congress shall provide for the standardization of
compensation of government o cials and employees, including those in government-
owned or controlled corporations with original charters, taking into account the nature
of the responsibilities pertaining to, and the qualifications required for their positions.
SECTION 6. No candidate who has lost in any election shall, within one year
after such election, be appointed to any o ce in the Government or any government-
owned or controlled corporations or in any of their subsidiaries.
SECTION 7. No elective o cial shall be eligible for appointment or
designation in any capacity to any public office or position during his tenure.
Unless otherwise allowed by law or by the primary functions of his position, no
appointive o cial shall hold any other o ce or employment in the Government or any
subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or
controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.
SECTION 8. No elective or appointive public o cer or employee shall receive
additional, double, or indirect compensation, unless speci cally authorized by law, nor
accept without the consent of the Congress, any present, emolument, o ce, or title of
any kind from any foreign government.
Pensions or gratuities shall not be considered as additional, double, or indirect
compensation.
C. The Commission on Elections
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 the time of their appointment, at least thirty- ve years of age, holders of a
college degree, and must not have been candidates for any elective position in the
immediately preceding elections. However, a majority thereof, including the Chairman,
shall be Members of the Philippine Bar who have been engaged in the practice of law
for at least ten years.
years without reappointment. Of those rst appointed, three Members shall hold o ce
for seven years, two Members for ve years, and the last Members for three years,
without 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
temporary or acting capacity.
SECTION 2. The Commission on Elections shall exercise the following
powers and functions:
(1) Enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the
conduct of an election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall.
(2) Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all contests relating to
the elections, returns, and qualifications of all elective regional,
provincial, and city officials, and appellate jurisdiction over all
contests involving elective municipal officials decided by trial courts
of general jurisdiction, or involving elective barangay officials decided
by trial courts of limited jurisdiction.
Decisions, final orders, or rulings of the Commission on Elections
contests involving elective municipal and barangay offices shall be final,
executory, and not appealable.
(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 election officials and
inspectors, and registration of voters.
(4) Deputize, with the concurrence of the President, law enforcement
agencies and instrumentalities of the Government, including the
Armed Forces of the Philippines, for the exclusive purpose of ensuring
free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections.
(5) Register, after sufficient publication, political parties, organizations,
or coalitions which, in addition to other requirements, must present
their platform or program of government; and accredit citizens' arms
of the Commission on Elections. Religious 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 Constitution, or which are supported by any foreign government
shall likewise be refused registration.
Financial contributions from foreign governments and their
agencies to political parties, organizations, coalitions, or candidates
related to elections constitute interference in national affairs, and,
when accepted, shall be an additional ground for the cancellation of
their registration with the Commission, in addition to other penalties
that may be prescribed by law.
(6) File, upon a verified complaint, or on its own initiative, petitions in
court for inclusion or exclusion of voters; investigate and, where
appropriate, prosecute cases of violations of election laws, including
acts or omissions constituting election frauds, offenses, and
malpractices.
(7) Recommend to the Congress effective measures to minimize
election spending, including limitation of places where propaganda
materials shall be posted, and to prevent and penalize all forms of
election frauds, offenses, malpractices, and nuisance candidacies.

(8) Recommend to the President the removal of any officer or employee
it has deputized, or the imposition of any other disciplinary action, for
violation or disregard of, or disobedience to its directive, order, or
decision.
(9) Submit to the President and the Congress a comprehensive report
on the conduct of each election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, or
recall.
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 cases, including pre-proclamation controversies. All such election cases shall
be heard and decided in division, provided that motions for reconsideration of
decisions shall be decided by the Commission en banc.
SECTION 4. The Commission may, during the election period, supervise or
regulate the enjoyment or utilization of all franchises or permits for the operation of
transportation and other public utilities, media of communication or information, all
grants, special privileges, or concessions granted by the Government or any
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or
controlled corporation or its subsidiary. Such supervision or regulation shall aim to
ensure equal opportunity, time, and space, and the right to reply, including reasonable,
equal rates therefor, for public information campaigns and forums among candidates
in connection with the objective of holding free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible
elections.
SECTION 5. No pardon, amnesty, parole, or suspension of sentence for
violation of election laws, rules, and regulations shall be granted by the President
without the favorable recommendation of the Commission.
SECTION 6. A free and open party system shall be allowed to evolve
according to the free choice of the people, subject to the provisions of this Article.
SECTION 7. No votes cast in favor of a political party, organization, or
coalition shall be valid, except for those registered under the party-list system as
provided in this Constitution.
SECTION 8. Political parties, or organizations or coalitions registered under
the party-list system, shall not be represented in the voters' registration boards, boards
of election inspectors, boards of canvassers, or other similar bodies. However, they
shall be entitled to appoint poll watchers in accordance with law.
SECTION 9. Unless otherwise xed by the Commission in special cases, the
election period shall commence ninety days before the day of the election and shall end
thirty days after.
SECTION 10. Bona de candidates for any public o ce shall be free from
any form of harassment and discrimination.
SECTION 11. Funds certi ed by the Commission as necessary to defray the
expenses 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 released automatically upon certi cation by the Chairman of the
Commission.
D. Commission on Audit
SECTION 1. (1) There shall be a Commission on Audit 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- ve years of age, certi ed public
accountants 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 have been candidates for any elective position in the elections immediately
preceding their appointment. At no time shall all Members of the Commission belong
to the same profession.
years without reappointment. Of those rst appointed, the Chairman shall hold o ce
for seven years, one Commissioner for ve years, and the other Commissioner for three
years, without reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the
unexpired portion of the term of the predecessor. In no case shall any Member be
appointed or designated in a temporary or acting capacity.
SECTION 2. (1) The Commission on Audit shall have the power, authority, and
duty to examine, audit, and settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of,
and expenditures or uses of funds and property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining
to, the Government, or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including
government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters, and on a post-
audit basis: (a) constitutional bodies, commissions and o ces that have been granted
scal autonomy under this Constitution; (b) autonomous state colleges and
universities; (c) other government-owned or controlled corporations and their
subsidiaries; and (d) such non-governmental entities receiving subsidy or equity,
directly or indirectly, from or through the Government, which are required by law or 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
Commission may adopt such measures, including temporary or special pre-audit, as
are necessary and appropriate to correct the de ciencies. It shall keep the general
accounts of the Government and, for such period as may be provided by law, preserve
the vouchers and other supporting papers pertaining thereto.
(2) The Commission shall have exclusive authority, subject to the limitations
in this Article, to de ne the scope of its audit and examination, establish the techniques
and methods required therefor, and promulgate accounting and auditing rules and
regulations, including those for the prevention and disallowance of irregular,
unnecessary, excessive, extravagant, or unconscionable expenditures, or uses of
government funds and properties.
SECTION 3. No law shall be passed exempting any entity of the Government
or its subsidiary in any guise whatever, or any investment of public funds, from the
jurisdiction of the Commission on Audit.
SECTION 4. The Commission shall submit to the President and the Congress,
within the time xed by law, an annual report covering the nancial condition and
operation of the Government, its subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities, including
government-owned or controlled corporations, and non-governmental entities subject
to its audit, and recommend measures necessary to improve their effectiveness and
efficiency. It shall submit such other reports as may be required by law.
ARTICLE X
Local Government
General Provisions
SECTION 1. The territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the
Philippines are the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. There shall be
autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras as hereinafter provided.
SECTION 2. The territorial and political subdivisions shall enjoy local
autonomy.
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 system of decentralization with effective mechanisms of recall, initiative, and
referendum, allocate among the different local government units their powers,
responsibilities, and resources, and provide for the quali cations, election, appointment
and removal, term, salaries, powers and functions and duties of local o cials, and all
other matters relating to the organization and operation of the local units.
SECTION 4. The President of the Philippines shall exercise general
supervision over local governments. Provinces with respect to component cities and
municipalities, and 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 functions.
SECTION 5. Each local government unit shall have the power to create its
own sources of revenues and to levy taxes, fees, and charges subject to such guidelines
and limitations as the Congress may provide, consistent with the basic policy of local
autonomy. Such taxes, fees, and charges shall accrue exclusively to the local
governments.
SECTION 6. Local government units shall have a just share, as determined by
law, in the national taxes which shall be automatically released to them.
SECTION 7. Local governments shall be entitled to an equitable share in the
proceeds of the utilization and development of the national wealth within their
respective areas, in the manner provided by law, including sharing the same with the
inhabitants by way of direct benefits.
SECTION 8. The term of o ce of elective local o cials, except barangay
officials, which shall be determined by law, shall be three years and no such official shall
serve for more than three consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the o ce 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 9. Legislative bodies of local governments shall have sectoral
representation as may be prescribed by law.
SECTION 10. No province, city, municipality, or barangay may be created,
divided, merged, abolished, or its boundary substantially altered, except in accordance
with the criteria established in the Local Government Code and subject to approval by a
majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the political units directly affected.
SECTION 11. The Congress may, by law, create special metropolitan political
subdivisions, subject to a plebiscite as set forth in Section 10 hereof. The component
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
authority that will hereby be created shall be limited to basic services requiring
coordination.
SECTION 12. Cities that are highly urbanized, as determined by law, and
component cities whose charters prohibit their voters from voting for provincial
elective o cials, shall be independent of the province. The voters of component cities
within a province, whose charters contain no such prohibition, shall not be deprived of
their right to vote for elective provincial officials.
SECTION 13. Local government units may group themselves, consolidate or
coordinate their efforts, services, and resources for purposes commonly bene cial to
them in accordance with law.
SECTION 14. The President shall provide for regional development councils
or other similar bodies composed of local government o cials, regional heads of
departments and other government o ces, and representatives from non-
governmental organizations within the regions for purposes of administrative
decentralization to strengthen the autonomy of the units therein and to accelerate the
economic and social growth and development of the units in the region.
Autonomous Region
SECTION 15. There shall be created autonomous regions in Muslim
Mindanao and in the Cordilleras consisting of provinces, cities, municipalities, and
geographical areas sharing common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage,
economic and social structures, and other relevant characteristics within the
framework of this Constitution and the national sovereignty as well as territorial
integrity of the Republic of the Philippines.
SECTION 16. The President shall exercise general supervision over
autonomous regions to ensure that the laws are faithfully executed.
SECTION 17. All powers, functions, and responsibilities not granted by this
Constitution or by law to the autonomous regions shall be vested in the National
Government.
SECTION 18. The Congress shall enact an organic act for each autonomous
region with the assistance and participation of the regional consultative commission
composed of representatives appointed by the President from a list of nominees from
multisectoral bodies. The organic act shall de ne the basic structure of government for
the region consisting of the executive department and legislative assembly, both 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 property law
jurisdiction consistent with the provisions of this Constitution and national laws.
The creation of the autonomous region shall be effective when approved by
majority of the votes cast by the constituent units in a plebiscite called for the purpose,
provided that only provinces, cities, and geographic areas voting favorably in such
plebiscite shall be included in the autonomous region.
SECTION 19. The rst Congress elected under this Constitution shall, within
eighteen months from the time of organization of both Houses, pass the organic acts
for the autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras.
SECTION 20. Within its territorial jurisdiction and subject to the provisions of
this Constitution and national laws, the organic act of autonomous regions shall
provide for legislative powers over:
(1) Administrative organization;
(2) Creation of sources of revenues;
(3) Ancestral domain and natural resources;

(4) Personal, family, and property relations;
(5) Regional urban and rural planning development;
(6) Economic, social, and tourism development;
(7) Educational policies;
(8) Preservation and development of the cultural heritage; and
(9) Such other matters as may be authorized by law for the promotion of
the general welfare of the people of the region.
SECTION 21. The preservation of peace and order within the regions shall be
the responsibility of the local police agencies which shall be organized, maintained,
supervised, and utilized in accordance with applicable laws. The defense and security of
the regions shall be the responsibility of the National Government.
ARTICLE XI
Accountability of Public Officers
SECTION 1. Public o ce is a public trust. Public o cers and employees
must at all 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 2. The President, the Vice-President, the Members of the Supreme
Court, the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be
removed from o ce, on impeachment for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the
Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of
public trust. All other public o cers and employees may be removed from o ce as
provided by law, but not by impeachment.
SECTION 3. (1) The House of Representatives shall have the exclusive power
to initiate all cases of impeachment.
(2) A veri ed complaint for impeachment may be led by any Member of the
House of Representatives or by any citizen upon a resolution of endorsement by any
Member thereof, which shall be included in the Order of Business within ten session
days, and referred to the proper Committee within three session days thereafter. The
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
corresponding resolution. The resolution shall be calendared for consideration by the
House within ten session days from receipt thereof.
(3) A vote of at least one-third of all the Members of the House shall be
necessary either to a rm a favorable resolution with the Articles of Impeachment of
the Committee, or override its contrary resolution. The vote of each Member shall be
recorded.
(4) In case the veri ed complaint or resolution of impeachment is led by at
least one-third of all the Members of the House, the same shall constitute the Articles
of Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.
(5) No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same o cial
more than once within a period of one year.
(6) The Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of
impeachment. When sitting for that purpose, the Senators shall be on oath or
a rmation. When the President of the Philippines is on trial, the Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court shall preside, but shall not vote. No person shall be convicted without
the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
(7) Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than removal
from o ce and disquali cation to hold any o ce under the Republic of the Philippines,
but the party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to prosecution, trial, and
punishment according to law.
(8) The Congress shall promulgate its rules on impeachment to effectively
carry out the purpose of this section.
SECTION 4. The present anti-graft court known as the Sandiganbayan shall
continue to function and exercise its jurisdiction as now or hereafter may be provided
by law.
SECTION 5. There is hereby created the independent O ce of the
Ombudsman, 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 military establishment may likewise be appointed.
SECTION 6. The o cials and employees of the O ce of the Ombudsman,
other than the Deputies, shall be appointed by the Ombudsman according to the Civil
Service Law.
SECTION 7. The existing Tanodbayan shall hereafter be known as the O ce
of the Special Prosecutor. It shall continue to function and exercise its powers as now
or hereafter may be provided by law, except those conferred on the O ce of the
Ombudsman created under this Constitution.
SECTION 8. The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall be natural-born citizens
of the 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 o ce in the immediately preceding election. The
Ombudsman must have for ten years or more been a judge or engaged in the practice
of law in the Philippines.
During their tenure, they shall be subject to the same disquali cations and
prohibitions as provided for in Section 2 of Article IX-A of this Constitution.
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 a list of three nominees for every vacancy thereafter. Such appointments shall
require no con rmation. All vacancies shall be lled within three months after they
occur.
SECTION 10. The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall have the rank of
Chairman and Members, respectively, of the Constitutional Commissions, and they shall
receive the same salary, which shall not be decreased during their term of office.
SECTION 11. The Ombudsman and his Deputies shall serve for a term of
seven years without reappointment. They shall not be quali ed to run for any o ce in
the election immediately succeeding their cessation from office.
SECTION 12. The Ombudsman and his Deputies, as protectors of the people,
shall act promptly on complaints led in any form or manner against public o cials or
employees of the Government, or any subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof,
including government-owned or controlled corporations, and shall, in appropriate
cases, notify the complainants of the action taken and the result thereof.
SECTION 13. The O ce of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers,
functions, and duties:
(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 illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient.
(2) Direct, upon complaint or at its own instance, any public official or
employee of 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 expedite
any act or duty required by law, or to stop, prevent, and correct any
abuse or impropriety in the performance of duties.
(3) Direct the officer concerned to take appropriate action against a
public official or employee at fault, and recommend his removal,
suspension, demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and ensure
compliance therewith.
(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 to contracts or transactions entered into by his
office involving the disbursement or use of public funds or properties,
and report any irregularity to the Commission on Audit for appropriate
action.
(5) Request any government agency for assistance and information
necessary in the discharge of its responsibilities, and to examine, if
necessary, pertinent records and documents.
(6) Publicize matters covered by its investigation when circumstances
so warrant and with due prudence.
(7) Determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement,
fraud, and corruption in the Government and make recommendations
for their elimination and the observance of high standards of ethics
and efficiency.
(8) Promulgate its rules of procedure and exercise such other powers or
perform such functions or duties as may be provided by law.
SECTION 14. The O ce of the Ombudsman shall enjoy scal autonomy. Its
approved annual appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released.
SECTION 15. The right of the State to recover properties unlawfully acquired
by public o cials or employees, from them or from their nominees or transferees, shall
not be barred by prescription, laches, or estoppel.
SECTION 16. No loan, guaranty, or other form of nancial accommodation
for any business purpose may be granted, directly or indirectly, by any government-
owned or controlled bank or nancial institution to the President, the Vice-President,
the Members of the Cabinet, the Congress, the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional
Commissions, the Ombudsman, or to any rm or entity in which they have controlling
interest, during their tenure.

SECTION 17. A public o cer or employee shall, upon assumption of o ce
and as often thereafter as may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of
his 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
Commissions and other constitutional o ces, and o cers of the armed forces with
general or ag rank, the declaration shall be disclosed to the public in the manner
provided by law.
SECTION 18. Public o cers and employees owe the State and this
Constitution allegiance at all times, and any public o cer or employee who seeks to
change his citizenship or acquire the status of an immigrant of another country during
his tenure shall be dealt with by law.
ARTICLE XII
National Economy and Patrimony
SECTION 1. The goals of the national economy are a more equitable
distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of
goods and services produced by the nation for the bene t of the people; and an
expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all, especially the
underprivileged.
The State shall promote industrialization and full employment based on sound
agricultural development and agrarian reform, through industries that make full and
e cient use of human and natural resources, and which are competitive in both
domestic and foreign markets. However, the State shall protect Filipino enterprises
against unfair foreign competition and trade practices.
In the pursuit of these goals, all sectors of the economy and all regions of the
country shall be given optimum opportunity to develop. Private enterprises, including
corporations, cooperatives, and similar collective organizations, shall be encouraged to
broaden the base of their ownership.
SECTION 2. All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum,
and other mineral oils, all forces of potential energy, sheries, forests or timber, wildlife,
ora and fauna, and other natural resources are owned by the State. With the exception
of agricultural lands, all other natural resources shall not be 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 such activities, or it may
enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing 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 period not exceeding twenty-
ve years, renewable for not more than twenty- ve years, and under such terms and
conditions as may be provided by law. In cases of water rights for irrigation, water
supply, sheries, or industrial uses other than the development of water power,
beneficial use may be the measure and limit of the grant.
The State shall protect the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters,
territorial sea, and exclusive economic zone, and reserve its use and enjoyment
exclusively to Filipino citizens.
The Congress may, by law, allow small-scale utilization of natural resources by
Filipino citizens, as well as cooperative sh farming, with priority to subsistence
fishermen and fishworkers in rivers, lakes, bays, and lagoons.
The President may enter into agreements with foreign-owned corporations
involving either technical or nancial assistance for large-scale exploration,
development, and utilization of minerals, petroleum, and other mineral oils according to
the general terms and conditions provided by law, based on real contributions to the
economic growth and general welfare of the country. In such agreements, the State
shall promote the development and use of local scientific and technical resources.
The President shall notify the Congress of every contract entered into in
accordance with this provision, within thirty days from its execution.
SECTION 3. Lands of the public domain are classi ed into agricultural, forest
or timber, mineral lands, and national parks. Agricultural lands of the public domain may
be further classi ed by law according to the uses which they may be devoted. Alienable
lands of the public domain shall be limited to agricultural lands. Private corporations or
associations may not hold such alienable lands of the public domain except by lease,
for a period not exceeding twenty- ve years, renewable for not more than twenty- ve
years, and not to exceed one thousand hectares in area. Citizens of the Philippines may
lease not more than ve hundred hectares, or acquire not more than twelve hectares
thereof by purchase, homestead, or grant.
Taking into account the requirements of conservation, ecology, and development,
and subject to the requirements of agrarian reform, the Congress shall determine, by
law, the size of lands of the public domain which may be acquired, developed, held, or
leased and the conditions therefor.
SECTION 4. The Congress shall, as soon as possible, determine by law the
speci c limits of forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on
the ground. Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved and
may not be increased nor diminished, except by law. The Congress shall provide, for
such period as it may determine, measures to prohibit logging in endangered forests
and watershed areas.
SECTION 5. The State, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and
national development policies and programs, shall protect the rights of indigenous
cultural communities to their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and
cultural well-being.
The Congress may provide for the applicability of customary laws governing
property rights or relations in determining the ownership and extent of ancestral
domain.
SECTION 6. The use of property bears a social function, and all economic
agents shall contribute to the common good. Individuals and private groups, including
corporations, cooperatives, and similar collective organizations, shall have the right to
own, establish, and operate economic enterprises, subject to the duty of the State to
promote distributive justice and to intervene when the common good so demands.
SECTION 7. Save in cases of hereditary succession, no private lands shall be
transferred or conveyed except to individuals, corporations, or associations quali ed to
acquire or hold lands of the public domain.
SECTION 8. Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 7 of this Article, a
natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship may be a
transferee of private lands, subject to limitations provided by law.
SECTION 9. The Congress may establish an independent economic and
planning agency headed by the President, which shall, after consultations with the
appropriate public agencies, various private sectors, and local government units,
recommend to Congress, and implement continuing integrated and coordinated
programs and policies for national development.
Until the Congress provides otherwise, the National Economic and Development
Authority shall function as the independent planning agency of the government.
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 corporations or associations at least sixty per centum of whose
capital is owned by such citizens, or such higher percentage as Congress may
prescribe, certain areas of investments. The Congress shall enact measures that will
encourage the formation and operation of enterprises whose capital is wholly owned
by Filipinos.
In the grant of rights, privileges, and concessions covering the national economy
and patrimony, the State shall give preference to qualified Filipinos.
The State shall regulate and exercise authority over foreign investments within its
national jurisdiction and in accordance with its national goals and priorities.
SECTION 11. No franchise, certi cate, or any other form of authorization for
the operation of a public utility shall be granted except to citizens of the Philippines or
to 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,
certi cate, or authorization be exclusive in character or for a longer period than fty
years. Neither shall any such franchise or right be granted except under the condition
that it shall be subject to amendment, alteration, or repeal by the Congress when the
common good so requires. The State shall encourage equity participation in public
utilities by the general public. The participation of foreign investors in the governing
body of any public utility enterprise shall be limited to their proportionate share in its
capital, and all the executive and managing o cers of such corporation or association
must be citizens of the Philippines.
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 competitive.
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 reciprocity.
SECTION 14. The sustained development of a reservoir of national talents
consisting of Filipino scientists, entrepreneurs, professionals, managers, high-level
technical manpower and skilled workers and craftsmen in all elds shall be promoted
by the State. The State shall encourage appropriate technology and regulate its transfer
for the national benefit.
The practice of all professions in the Philippines shall be limited to Filipino
citizens, save in cases prescribed by law.
SECTION 15. The Congress shall create an agency to promote the viability
and growth of cooperatives as instruments for social justice and economic
development.
SECTION 16. The Congress shall not, except by general law, provide for the
formation, organization, or regulation of private corporations. Government-owned or
controlled corporations may be created or established by special charters in the
interest of the common good and subject to the test of economic viability.
SECTION 17. In times of national emergency, when the public interest so
requires, the State may, during the emergency and under reasonable terms prescribed
by it, temporarily take over or direct the operation of any privately owned public utility
or business affected with public interest.
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 public ownership utilities and other private enterprises to be operated by the
Government.
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
allowed.
SECTION 20. The Congress shall establish an independent central monetary
authority, the members of whose governing board must be natural-born Filipino
citizens, of known probity, integrity, and patriotism, the majority of whom shall come
from the private sector. They shall also be subject to such other quali cations and
disabilities as may be prescribed by law. The authority shall provide policy direction in
the areas of money, banking, and credit. It shall have supervision over the operations of
banks and exercise such regulatory powers as may be provided by law over the
operations of finance companies and other institutions performing similar functions.
Until the Congress otherwise provides, the Central Bank of the Philippines,
operating under existing laws, shall function as the central monetary authority.
SECTION 21. Foreign loans may only be incurred in accordance with law and
the regulation of the monetary authority. Information on foreign loans obtained or
guaranteed by the Government shall be made available to the public.
SECTION 22. Acts which circumvent or negate any of the provisions of this
Article shall be considered inimical to the national interest and subject to criminal and
civil sanctions, as may be provided by law.
ARTICLE XIII
Social Justice and Human Rights
SECTION 1. The Congress shall give highest priority to the enactment of
measures that protect and enhance the right of all the people to human dignity, reduce
social, economic, and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably
diffusing wealth and political power for the common good.
To this end, the State shall regulate the acquisition, ownership, use, and
disposition of property and its increments.
SECTION 2. The promotion of social justice shall include the commitment to
create economic opportunities based on freedom of initiative and self-reliance.
Labor
SECTION 3. The State shall afford full protection to labor, local and overseas,
organized and unorganized, and promote full employment and equality of employment
opportunities for all.
It shall guarantee the rights of all workers to self-organization, collective
bargaining and negotiations, and peaceful concerted activities, including the right to
strike in accordance with law. They shall be entitled to security of tenure, humane
conditions 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.
The State shall promote the principle of shared responsibility between workers
and employers and the preferential use of voluntary modes in settling disputes,
including conciliation, and shall enforce their mutual compliance therewith to foster
industrial peace.
The State shall regulate the relations between workers and employers,
recognizing 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.
Agrarian and Natural Resources Reform
SECTION 4. The State shall, by law, undertake an agrarian reform program
founded on the right of farmers and regular farmworkers, who are landless, to own
directly or collectively the lands they till or, in the case of other farmworkers, to receive
a just share of the fruits thereof. To this end, the State shall encourage and undertake
the just distribution of all agricultural lands, subject to such priorities and reasonable
retention limits as the Congress may prescribe, taking into account ecological,
developmental, or equity considerations, and subject to the payment of just
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 5. The State shall recognize the right of farmers, farmworkers, and
landowners, as well as cooperatives, and other independent farmers' organizations to
participate in the planning, organization, and management of the program, and shall
provide support to agriculture through appropriate technology and research, and
adequate financial, production, marketing, and other support services.
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 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 the rights of indigenous communities to their ancestral lands.
The State may resettle landless farmers and farmworkers in its own agricultural
estates which shall be distributed to them in the manner provided by law.
SECTION 7. The State shall protect the rights of subsistence shermen,
especially of local communities, to the preferential use of local marine and shing
resources, both inland and offshore. It shall provide support to such shermen through
appropriate technology and research, adequate nancial, production, and marketing
assistance, and other services. The State shall also protect, develop, and conserve such
resources. The protection shall extend to offshore shing grounds of subsistence
shermen against foreign intrusion. Fishworkers shall receive a just share from their
labor in the utilization of marine and fishing resources.
SECTION 8. The State shall provide incentives to landowners to invest the
proceeds of the agrarian reform program to promote industrialization, employment
creation, and privatization of public sector enterprises. Financial instruments used as
payment for their lands shall be honored as equity in enterprises of their choice.
Urban Land Reform and Housing
SECTION 9. The State shall, by law, and for the common good, undertake, in
cooperation with the public sector, a continuing program of urban land reform and
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
shall also promote adequate employment opportunities to such citizens. In the
implementation of such program the State shall respect the rights of small property
owners.
SECTION 10. Urban or rural poor dwellers shall not be evicted nor their
dwellings demolished, except in accordance with law and in a just and humane manner.
No resettlement of urban or rural dwellers shall be undertaken without adequate
consultation with them and the communities where they are to be relocated.
Health
SECTION 11. The State shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development which shall endeavor to make essential goods, health
and other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be
priority for the needs of the underprivileged sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children.
The State shall endeavor to provide free medical care to paupers.
SECTION 12. The State shall establish and maintain an effective food and
drug regulatory system and undertake appropriate health manpower development and
research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems.
SECTION 13. The State shall establish a special agency for disabled persons
for rehabilitation, self-development and self-reliance, and their integration into the
mainstream of society.
Women
SECTION 14. The State shall protect working women by providing safe and
healthful 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 potential in the service of the nation.
Role and Rights of People's Organizations
SECTION 15. The State shall respect the role of independent people's
organizations to enable the people to pursue and protect, within the democratic
framework, their legitimate and collective interests and aspirations through peaceful
and lawful means.
People's organizations are bona fide associations of citizens with demonstrated
capacity to promote the public interest and with identi able leadership, membership,
and structure.
SECTION 16. The right of the people and their organizations to effective and
reasonable participation at all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making
shall not be abridged. The State shall, by law, facilitate the establishment of adequate
consultation mechanisms.
Human Rights
SECTION 17. (1) There is hereby created an independent o ce called the
Commission on Human Rights.
(2) The Commission shall be composed of a Chairman and four Members
who must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and a majority of whom shall be
members of the Bar. The term of o ce and other quali cations and disabilities of the
Members of the Commission shall be provided by law.
(3) Until this Commission is constituted, the existing Presidential Committee
on Human Rights shall continue to exercise its present functions and powers.
(4) The approved annual appropriations of the Commission shall be
automatically and regularly released.
SECTION 18. The Commission on Human Rights shall have the following
powers and functions:
(1) Investigate, on its own or on complaint by any party, all forms of
human rights violations involving civil and political rights;
(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 persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing
abroad, and provide for preventive measures and legal aid services to
the underprivileged whose human rights have been violated or need
protection;
(4) Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or detention facilities;
(5) Establish a continuing program of research, education, and
information to enhance respect for the primacy of human rights;
(6) Recommend to the Congress effective measures to promote human
rights and to provide for compensation to victims of violations of
human rights, or their families;
(7) Monitor the Philippine Government's compliance with international
treaty obligations on human rights;
(8) Grant immunity from prosecution to any person whose testimony or
whose possession of documents or other evidence is necessary or
convenient to determine the truth in any investigation conducted by it
or under its authority;
(9) Request the assistance of any department, bureau, office, or agency
in the performance of its functions;
(10) Appoint its officers and employees in accordance with law; and
(11) Perform such other duties and functions as may be provided by
law.
SECTION 19. The Congress may provide for other cases of violations of
human rights that should fall within the authority of the Commission, taking into
account its recommendations.
ARTICLE XIV
Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports
Education
SECTION 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to
quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education
accessible to all.
SECTION 2. The State shall:
(1) Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and
integrated system of education relevant to the needs of the people
and society;
(2) Establish and maintain a system of free public education in the
elementary and high school levels. Without limiting the natural right of
parents to rear their children, elementary education is compulsory for
all children of school age;
(3) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan
programs, subsidies, and other incentives which shall be available to
deserving students in both public and private schools, especially to
the underprivileged;
(4) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as
well as self-learning, independent, and out-of-school study programs
particularly those that respond to community needs; and
(5) Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth with
training in civics, vocational efficiency, and other skills.
SECTION 3. (1) All educational institutions shall include the study of the
Constitution as part of the curricula.
(2) They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity,
respect 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
ethical and spiritual values, develop moral character and personal discipline, encourage
critical and creative thinking, broaden scienti c and technological knowledge, and
promote vocational efficiency.
(3) At the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians, religion
shall be 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 authorities of the religion to which the children or wards belong, without
additional cost to the Government.
SECTION 4. (1) The State recognizes the complementary roles of public and
private institutions in the educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision
and regulation of all educational institutions.
(2) Educational institutions, other than those established by religious groups
and mission boards, shall be owned solely by citizens of the Philippines or corporations
or 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
all educational institutions.
The control and administration of educational institutions shall be vested in
citizens of the Philippines.
No educational institution shall be established exclusively for aliens and no group
of aliens shall comprise more than one-third of the enrollment in any school. The
provisions of this subsection shall not apply to schools established for foreign
diplomatic personnel and their dependents and, unless otherwise provided by law, for
other foreign temporary residents.
(3) All revenues and assets of non-stock, non-pro t educational institutions
used 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
institutions, their assets shall be disposed of in the manner provided by law.
Proprietary educational institutions, including those cooperatively owned, may
likewise be entitled to such exemptions subject to the limitations provided by law
including restrictions on dividends and provisions for reinvestment.
(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 conditions and shall encourage local planning in the development of educational
policies and programs.
(2) Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning.
(3) Every citizen has a right to select a profession or course of study, subject
to fair, reasonable, and equitable admission and academic requirements.
(4) The State shall enhance the right of teachers to professional
advancement. Non-teaching academic and non-academic personnel shall enjoy the
protection of the State.
(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 adequate remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.
Language
SECTION 6. The national language of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves,
it shall be further developed and enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other
languages.
Subject to provisions of law and as the Congress may deem appropriate, the
Government shall take steps to initiate and sustain the use of Filipino as a medium of
official communication and as language of instruction in the educational system.
SECTION 7. For purposes of communication and instruction, the o cial
languages of the Philippines are Filipino and, until otherwise provided by law, English.
The regional languages are the auxiliary o cial languages in the regions and shall
serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein.
Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted on a voluntary and optional basis.
SECTION 8. This Constitution shall be promulgated in Filipino and English
and shall be translated into major regional languages, Arabic, and Spanish.
SECTION 9. The Congress shall establish a national language commission
composed of representatives of various regions and disciplines which shall undertake,
coordinate, and promote researches for the development, propagation, and
preservation of Filipino and other languages.
Science and Technology
SECTION 10. Science and technology are essential for national development
and progress. The State shall give priority to research and development, invention,
innovation, and their utilization; and to science and technology education, training, and
services. It shall support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scienti c and
technological capabilities, and their application to the country's productive systems
and national life.
SECTION 11. The Congress may provide for incentives, including tax
deductions, to encourage private participation in programs of basic and applied
scienti c research. Scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms of incentives shall be
provided to deserving science students, researchers, scientists, inventors,
technologists, and specially gifted citizens.
SECTION 12. The State shall regulate the transfer and promote the
adaptation of technology from all sources for the national bene t. It shall encourage
the widest participation of private groups, local governments, and community-based
organizations in the generation and utilization of science and technology.
SECTION 13. The State shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of
scientists, inventors, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and
creations, particularly when bene cial to the people, for such period as may be
provided by law.
Arts and Culture
SECTION 14. The State shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and
dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in
diversity in a climate of free artistic and intellectual expression.
SECTION 15. Arts and letters shall enjoy the patronage of the State. The
State shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation's historical and cultural
heritage and resources, as well as artistic creations.
SECTION 16. All the country's artistic and historic wealth constitutes the
cultural treasure of the nation and shall be under the protection of the State which may
regulate its disposition.
SECTION 17. The State shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights of
indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and
institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national plans and
policies.
SECTION 18. (1) The State shall ensure equal access to cultural
opportunities through the educational system, public or private cultural entities,
scholarships, grants and other incentives, and community cultural centers, and other
public venues.
(2) The State shall encourage and support researches and studies on the arts
and culture.
Sports
SECTION 19. (1) The State shall promote physical education and encourage
sports programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for
international competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the
development of a healthy and alert citizenry.
(2) All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities
throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.
ARTICLE XV
The Family
SECTION 1. The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the
nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total
development.
SECTION 2. Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of
the family and shall be protected by the State.
SECTION 3. The State shall defend:
(1) The right of spouses to found a family in accordance with their
religious convictions and the demands of responsible parenthood;
(2) The right of children to assistance, including proper care and
nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse,
cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their
development;
(3) The right of the family to a family living wage and income; and
(4) The right of families or family associations to participate in the
planning and implementation of policies and programs that affect
them.
SECTION 4. The family has the duty to care for its elderly members but the
State may also do so through just programs of social security.
ARTICLE XVI
General Provisions
SECTION 1. The ag of the Philippines shall be red, white, and blue, with a sun
and three stars, as consecrated and honored by the people and recognized by law.
SECTION 2. The Congress may, by law, adopt a new name for the country, a
national anthem, or a national seal, which shall all be truly re ective and symbolic of the
ideals, history, and traditions of the people. Such law shall take effect only upon its
ratification by the people in a national referendum.
SECTION 3. The State may not be sued without its consent.
SECTION 4. The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be composed of a
citizen armed 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.
SECTION 5. (1) All members of the armed forces shall take an oath or
affirmation to uphold and defend this Constitution.
(2) The State shall strengthen the patriotic spirit and nationalist
consciousness of the military, and respect for people's rights in the performance of
their duty.
(3) Professionalism in the armed forces and adequate remuneration and
bene ts of its members shall be a prime concern of the State. The armed forces shall
be insulated from partisan politics.
No member of the military shall engage directly or indirectly in any partisan
political activity, except to vote.
(4) No member of the armed forces in the active service shall, at any time, be
appointed or designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the Government
including government-owned or controlled corporations or any of their subsidiaries.
(5) Laws on retirement of military o cers shall not allow extension of their
service.
(6) The o cers and men of the regular force of the armed forces shall be
recruited proportionately from all provinces and cities as far as practicable.
(7) The tour of duty of the Chief of Staff of the armed forces shall not exceed
three years. However, in times of war or other national emergency declared by the
Congress, the President may extend such tour of duty.
SECTION 6. The State shall establish and maintain one police force, which
shall be national in scope and civilian in character, to be administered and controlled by
a national police commission. The authority of local executives over the police units in
their jurisdiction shall be provided by law.
SECTION 7. The State shall provide immediate and adequate care, bene ts,
and other forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns, their
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 domain and, in
appropriate cases, in the utilization of natural resources.
SECTION 8. The State shall, from time to time, review to upgrade the
pensions and other bene ts due to retirees of both the government and the private
sectors.
SECTION 9. The State shall protect consumers from trade malpractices and
from substandard or hazardous products.
SECTION 10. The State shall provide the policy environment for the full
development of Filipino capability and the emergence of communication structures
suitable to the needs and aspirations of the nation and the balanced flow of information
into, out of, and across the country, in accordance with a policy that respects the
freedom of speech and of the press.
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-owned and managed by such citizens.
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
competition therein shall be allowed.
(2) The advertising industry is impressed with public interest, and shall be
regulated by law for the protection of consumers and the promotion of the general
welfare.
Only Filipino citizens or corporations or associations at least seventy per centum
of the capital of which is owned by such citizens shall be allowed to engage in the
advertising industry.
The participation of foreign investors in the governing body of entities in such
industry shall be limited to their proportionate share in the capital thereof, and all the
executive and managing officers of such entities must be citizens of the Philippines.
SECTION 12. The Congress may create a consultative body to advise the
President on policies affecting indigenous cultural communities, the majority of the
members of which shall come from such communities.
ARTICLE XVII
Amendments or Revisions
SECTION 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be
proposed by:
(1) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or
(2) A constitutional convention.
SECTION 2. Amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly
proposed by 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 at least three per centum of the registered voters therein. No
amendment under this section shall be authorized within ve years following the
ratification of this Constitution nor oftener than once every five years thereafter.
The Congress shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this right.
SECTION 3. The Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of all its Members,
call a constitutional convention, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to the
electorate the question of calling such a convention.
SECTION 4. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution under Section
1 hereof shall be valid when rati ed by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite which
shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after the approval of
such amendment or revision.
Any amendment under Section 2 hereof shall be valid when rati ed by a majority
of the votes cast in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty days nor later
than ninety days after the certi cation by the Commission on Elections of the
sufficiency of the petition.
ARTICLE XVIII
Transitory Provisions
SECTION 1. The rst elections of Members of the Congress under this
Constitution shall be held on the second Monday of May, 1987.
The first local elections shall be held on a date to be determined by the President,
which may be simultaneous with the election of the Members of the Congress. It shall
include the election of all Members of the city or municipal councils in the Metropolitan
Manila area.
SECTION 2. The Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and the
local o cials rst elected under this Constitution shall serve until noon of June 30,
1992.
Of the Senators elected in the election of 1992, the rst twelve obtaining the
highest number of votes shall serve for six years and the remaining twelve for three
years.
SECTION 3. All existing laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations,
letters of instructions, and other executive issuances not inconsistent with this
Constitution shall remain operative until amended, repealed, or revoked.
SECTION 4. All existing treaties or international agreements which have not
been rati ed shall not be renewed or extended without the concurrence of at least two-
thirds of all the Members of the Senate.
SECTION 5. The six-year term of the incumbent President and Vice-President
elected in the February 7, 1986 election is, for purposes of synchronization of elections,
hereby extended to noon of June 30, 1992.
The rst regular elections for the President and Vice-President under this
Constitution shall be held on the second Monday of May, 1992.
SECTION 6. The incumbent President shall continue to exercise legislative
powers until the first Congress is convened.
SECTION 7. Until a law is passed, the President may ll by appointment from
a list of nominees by the respective sectors the seats reserved for sectoral
representation in paragraph (2), Section 5 of Article VI of this Constitution.
SECTION 8. Until otherwise provided by the Congress, the President may
constitute the Metropolitan Authority to be composed of the heads of all local
government units comprising the Metropolitan Manila area.
SECTION 9. A sub-province shall continue to exist and operate until it is
converted into a regular province or until its component municipalities are reverted to
the mother province.
SECTION 10. All courts existing at the time of the rati cation of this
Constitution shall continue to exercise their jurisdiction, until otherwise provided by law.
The provisions of the existing Rules of Court, judiciary acts, and procedural laws not
inconsistent with this Constitution shall remain operative unless amended or repealed
by the Supreme Court or the Congress.
SECTION 11. The incumbent Members of the Judiciary shall continue in
o ce until they reach the age of seventy years or become incapacitated to discharge
the duties of their office or are removed for cause.
SECTION 12. The Supreme Court shall, within one year after the rati cation of
this Constitution, adopt a systematic plan to expedite the decision or resolution of
cases or matters pending in the Supreme Court or the lower courts prior to the
effectivity of this Constitution. A similar plan shall be adopted for all special courts and
quasi-judicial bodies.
SECTION 13. The legal effect of the lapse, before the rati cation of this
Constitution, of the applicable period for the decision or resolution of the cases or
matters submitted for adjudication by the courts, shall be determined by the Supreme
Court as soon as practicable.
SECTION 14. The provisions of paragraphs (3) and (4), Section 15 of Article
VIII of this Constitution shall apply to cases or matters led before the rati cation of
this Constitution, when the applicable period lapses after such ratification.
SECTION 15. The incumbent Members of the Civil Service Commission, the
Commission on Elections, and the Commission on Audit shall continue in o ce for one
year after the rati cation of this Constitution, unless they are sooner removed for cause
or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their o ce or appointed to a new
term thereunder. In no case shall any Member serve longer than seven years including
service before the ratification of this Constitution.
SECTION 16. Career civil service employees separated from the service not
for cause but as a result of the reorganization pursuant to Proclamation No. 3 dated
March 25, 1986 and the reorganization following the rati cation of this Constitution
shall be entitled to appropriate separation pay and to retirement and other bene ts
accruing to them under the laws of general application in force at the time of their
separation. In lieu thereof, at the option of the employees, they may be considered for
employment in the Government or in any of its subdivisions, instrumentalities, or
agencies, including government-owned or controlled corporations and their
subsidiaries. This provision also applies to career o cers whose resignation, tendered
in line with the existing policy, had been accepted.
SECTION 17. Until the Congress provides otherwise, the President shall
receive an annual salary of three hundred thousand pesos; the Vice-President, the
President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Chief
Justice of the Supreme Court, two hundred forty thousand pesos each; the Senators,
the Members of the House of Representatives, the Associate Justices of the Supreme
Court, and the Chairmen of the Constitutional Commissions, two hundred four thousand
pesos each; and the Members of the Constitutional Commissions, one hundred eighty
thousand pesos each.
SECTION 18. At the earliest possible time, the Government shall increase the
salary scales of the other officials and employees of the National Government.
SECTION 19. All properties, records, equipment, buildings, facilities, and
other assets of any o ce or body abolished or reorganized under Proclamation No. 3
dated March 25, 1986 or this Constitution shall be transferred to the o ce or body to
which its powers, functions, and responsibilities substantially pertain.
SECTION 20. The rst 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 e cacious 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 rati cation
of this Constitution.
SECTION 22. At the earliest possible time, the Government shall expropriate
idle or abandoned agricultural lands as may be de ned 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 ve years from its rati cation 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.
SECTION 25. After the expiration in 1991 of the Agreement between the
Republic of 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 a treaty duly concurred in by the Senate and, when the Congress so requires,
rati ed by a majority of the votes cast by the people in a national referendum held for
that purpose, and recognized as a treaty by the other contracting State.
SECTION 26. The authority to issue sequestration or freeze orders under
Proclamation No. 3 dated March 25, 1986 in relation to the recovery of ill-gotten wealth
shall remain operative for not more than eighteen months after the rati cation of this
Constitution. However, in the national interest, as certi ed by the President, the
Congress may extend said period.
A sequestration or freeze order shall be issued only upon showing of a prima
facie case. The order and the list of the sequestered or frozen properties shall forthwith
be registered with the proper court. For orders issued before the rati cation of this
Constitution, the corresponding judicial action or proceeding shall be led within six
months from its rati cation. For those issued after such rati cation, the judicial action
or proceeding shall be commenced within six months from the issuance thereof.
The sequestration or freeze order is deemed automatically lifted if no judicial
action or proceeding is commenced as herein provided.
SECTION 27. This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its
rati cation by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite held for the purpose and shall
supersede all previous Constitutions.
Ratified: February 2, 1987

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February 2, 1987

THE 1987 CONSTITUTION

THE CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

SECTION 2. Natural-born citizens are those who are citizens of the

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