Republic of the Philippines

City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

DETAILED LEARNING MODULE

Title: Constitution
Module No. 15

I. Introduction
What is a Constitution? It is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents
according to which a state or other organization is governed. It symbolizes the country’s
freedom and independence. A backbone of the government. This is the supreme law above all
existing law in a specific government.
In this module, it described the historical evolution of the Philippine constitution from
the 1897 Constitution of Biak-na-Bato to the present constitution, the 1987 constitution.
II. Learning Objectives
After studying this module, you should be able to:
1. Understand the ways on how to amend the Constitution;
2. Recognize the history of the Philippine Constitution; and
3. Deliver the 1899 Malolos Constitution Preamble.
III. Topics and Key Concepts
CONSTITUTIONS
History of Philippine Constitutions
A. 1897 Biak na Bato Constitution.
 Tejeros convention held at San Francisco de Malabon on March 22, 1897 was the result
of the Katipunan Revolution. In this convention, the first president and vice president
was elected by the members of Katipunan. November 1, 1897 the Republic of Biak na
Bato was established. And this was a De Facto Constitutional Republic which means
this is not a formal Government. The Constitution was written by Isabelo Artacho and
Felix Ferrer.
B. 1899 Malolos Constitution
 This is also called as the political Constitution of 1899. It was the First Philippine
Republic. This Constitution was written by Felipe Calderon y Roca and Felipe
Buencamino. It was promulgated on January 21, 1899. The Malolos Constitution was
in operation from January 23, 1899 to March 23 1901. The Salient feauures of this
constitution include the declaration of sovereignty of the people, basic civil rights, and
separation of the Church and State.

The Preamble of the 1899 Malolos constitution

"We, the representative of the Filipino people, lawfully convened, in order to establish
justice, provide for common defense, promote the general welfare, and insure the
benefits of liberty, imploring the aid of the sovereign Legislator of the Universe for the
attainment of these ends, have voted, decreed, and sanctioned the following"
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C. The Acts of the United States Congress

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City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

 Since the Philippines was a territory of the United States during these periods because
of the treaty of Paris on December 10, 1898. These are the ff. acts:
a. Philippine Organic Act of 1902 also known as the Philippine Bill of 1902 was the
first organic law enacted by the US Congress for the Philippines. It provided for
the Creation of the Philippine Assembly composing the Upper house known as
Philippine Commission and Lower house as Philippine Assembly. Proposed by
Henry Cooper. And also called as Cooper Act.
b. Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 also known as the Jones Law, amended the
Phil Organic Act. Remove the Phil commission and replaced by the Senate and
Phil Assembly replaced by the Congress.
c. Tydings-Mcduffie Act this was a ten-year
transitional period granted to the Philippines to
have a self-government. Starting from 1935 –
1945.

d. Land Registration Act of 1902 Also known as the Torrens System (Act 496)
originated from Robert Torrens and which was enacted by the Philippine
Commission on November 6, 1902. 400,000 farmers were without titles at the
start of the American era, absence of records, and accuracy of land records.This
law was created to replace the registration system implemented by the spaniards
and provide certainty of ownership of the land.However this law did not meet the
requirements due to the owners not being awar of such law or could not pay the
fees for the torrens title.
e. Public Land Act of 1903bEnacted by the Philippine Commision on October 7,
1903. Contains 79 sections of set and rules for designated ages and given hectares
of land. Designated any tract of public lands in the Philippines as inalienable
which will be withdrawn from any settlements.

f. Tenancy Act of 1933Has acts which are: Act no. 4054 and 4113 Act no. 4054 or
“The Philippine Rice Share Tenancy Act”, has 27 sections of rules and all by
which is connected to the contract of the land associated by the landlords such as
due dates, taxes, penalties, duration, and the potential share of land.
Act no. 4113 or the “The Sugar Cane Tenancy Contracts”, has 8 sections of rules
and all is related to the agreement to the harvest of sugar canes between and the
owners and the tenant.
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City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

D. The 1935 Philippine Constitution

 This constitution was written in 1934 with the
goal of meeting United States expectation of
political maturity among Philippines leaders so
that a full and real independence could be
granted by the US. During the Commonwealth
period, the form
of government was Presidential system, with
the president serving a six-year term without
reelection. It is provided for a unicameral
National Assembly.
 In 1940, an amendment was done establishing a Bicameral Congress of the Philippines
composed of a Senate and House of Representatives, as well the creation of an
independent electoral commission. Moreover, President's term was changed from six
years without reelection to a four-year term with a maximum of two consecutive terms
in office.
 In the Third Republic, the 1935 Constitution was still in operation, the forum of
government of the Philippines was Unitary Presidential Constitutional Republic. Again,
an amendment was made in 1947, which provided for the provision of the Parity Rights
between the American and Filipino citizens. The Parity Rights granted the U.S. citizens
and corporations equal rights with Filipino citizens over the Philippine natural
resources.
 In 1971, a Constitutional Convention was geld to rewrite or revise the 1935
Constitution. However, so much corruption marred the process. In 1972, President
Ferdinand Marcos proclaimed martial law to suppress the increasing civil strife and the
threat of communist takeover of the government. The proclamation of martial law
suspended the 1935 Constitution.
E. The 1943 Constitution (The Puppet Government)
 The Preparatory Committee for Philippine Independence (PCPI) promulgated the 1943
Constitution during Japanese Occupation composed of a preamble and twelve articles.
The executive power is vested in the President, who is to be elected by the members of
the National Assembly from among themselves. The President is the head of
government, and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. The powers of the President
are: to veto any bill of the Assembly, to promulgate regulations when the Assembly is
not in session and in times of war or national emergency, to declare martial law, to
suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, and to appoint the members of the
Council of State and officials of the local government.
 A limited legislative power is exercised by the unicameral National Assembly whose
members, like the President, are not directly elected by the people. Rather, the Assembly
is to be composed of representatives from each province elected in Kapisanan ng
Paglilingkod sa Bagong Pilipinas (Kalibapi) conventions throughout the country with
appointed governors and mayors as ex-officio members.
 The 1943 Constitution enumerates the duties and rights of the citizens, requires the
government to develop Tagalog as the national language, and stipulates that one year
after the termination of the Great East Asia War or the World War II; a new constitution
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shall be formulated and adopted to replace this Constitution. Following its ratification,
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the second Republic was then formally proclaimed.

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City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

Jose P. Laurel was appointed as President by the National Assembly and was
inaugurated into office in October 14, 1943, and Benigno Simeon Aquino Sr. was the
Speaker of the National Assembly. During the occupation, most Filipinos remained loyal
to the United States, and war crimes committed by forces of the Empire of Japan against
surrendered Allied forces and civilians were documented.
F. The 1973 Constitution
 Was promulgated by the 1973 Constitutional Convention,
after Marcos declared martial law Ruled the Fourth
Philippine Republic from January 17, 1973 to February 22,
1986. A unicameral legislature was established during this
period, whose members were elected for a six-year-term in
office.
 The President was elected from among the members of the
national assembly and eligible for reelections. The elected
President will only serve as purely ceremonial head of the
state. Executive power was exercised by the Prime Minister
who was also elected from amongst the members of the
national assembly. The Prime Minister was the head of the
government and Commander in Chief of the Armed forces.
G. The 1986 Freedom Constitution
 Right after the 1986 People Power Revolution that compelled President Marcos to step
down from power, President Corazon Aquino issued Proclamation No. 3 to serve as a
provisional constitution. The proclamation contained some provisions adopted from the
1973 Constitution. Powers such as Government reorganization, removal of officials,
appointment of a commission to draft a new and more formal Constitution, which upon
ratification, would supplant the Freedom Constitution.
 The first part of Proclamation No.3 reads, Whereas, the new government was installed
through a direct exercise of power of the Filipino people assisted by units of the new
armed forces of the Philippines; whereas the heroic action of the people was done in
defiance of the Provisions of the 1973 constitution, as amended; Whereas, the direct
mandate of the people as manifested by their extraordinary action demands the complete
reorganization of the government, restoration of democracy, protection of basic rights,
rebuilding of confidence in the entire governmental system, eradication of graft and
corruption, restoration of peace and order, maintenance of the supremacy of civilian
authority over the military, and the transition to a government under a new constitution
in the shortest time possible; Whereas, during the period of transition to a new
constitution it must be guaranteed that the government will respect basic human rights
and fundamental freedoms;
 WHERE, I, CORAZON C AQUINO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the power
vested in me by the sovereign mandated of the people, do hereby promulgate the
following Provisional Constitution."
H. The 1987 Constitution.
 The 1987 Philippine Constitution was drafted by a constitutional assembly that was
mandated in Proclamation No.3 the commission composed fifty members appointed by
President Corazon Aquino from various backgrounds: former members of the House of
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Representatives, former justices of the Supreme Court, a Roman Catholic bishop, and
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political activist against the Marcos regime. Cecilia Munoz-Palma, who was a former

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City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

Associate Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, was elected by the commission as its
president. The final draft of the 1987 Constitution was finished on October 12, 1986 and
was presented to President Aquino on October. The constitution ratified on February 8,
1987 through a nationwide plebiscite.
Ways on how to Amend the Constitution:
1. Constitutional Convention – this compose the Bicameral and other sects from our economy.
Churches, teachers, and etc. This required a quorum which means the 50% of total delegates
plus 1. For example, if the convention consists of 100 participants in order to change the
constitution 51 should be the votes of those who agreed.
2. Constitutional Assembly – this compose the Bicameral the Senate and the Congress. And it
requires ¾ votes in order to change the constitution.
3. Peoples Iniative – This compose by a written protest that was signed by 2/3 of the total
population. This is what happened during the 1986 Freedom Constitution.
IV. Teaching and Learning Materials and Resources
Paper and Pen, Internet/Data, Notebook/Book.

V. Learning Task
Answer the ff. questions
1. Why is it important to study the Constitution?
2. As a Filipino, do we had the right knowledge and understanding about our own constitution?
If yes, Explain why. If no, what you will do to understand our constitution?
3. Do we really base our law/s according to what is written to our constitution? Why?
4. Considering the date of our current constitution, do you think it’s time to change our
constitution? And what do you think is the best way to change it?
VI. Reference

 Ligan, et al., (2018). Readings in the Philippine History, Mutya Publishing, Inc.

Reflection part

What are your reflections on this module?

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 Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314
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 Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

Title: Local History

Module No. 16

I. Introduction
Local History is the key understanding the different cultures & perspective of
small communities. In this module we will discuss Local History. The importance and
goals of Local history. And the History of Olongapo City.

II. Learning Objectives

After studying this module, you should be able to:
a. Understand local history.
b. Value the importance of Local History
c. Promote the Local History of your Hometown.
III. Topics and Key Concepts
Local History
Local history is the key understanding the different cultures and
perspectives of small communities. It presents the past events and experiences
of single communities that live equally unique among the others. It may be the
history of a municipalities, countryside, a residential area, or a metropolis
neighborhood. It is the study of history in a geographically local context and it
often concentrates on the local community. It incorporates cultural and social
aspects of history. Local history is not merely national history writ small but a
study of past events in a given geographical but one that is based on a wide
variety of documentary evidence and placed in a comparative context that is
both regional and national.
Goals of Local History
The goal of Local History is to allow the students to be directly
engaged in doing it. When the students participate in gathering of data, they
should bear in mind that this will bring them the higher sense of community
involvement. The students will learn to analyze data with a careful and critical
eye for the most intricate details and to enable them to question the foreseen
data. It also enables students to gain a greater interest in history. It helps the
students to analyze data the smallest details that made his local history unique
from the others. Another goal of Local History is to remove the stereotyping
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but rather appreciate the history of a community.

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Why Local History is important?

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City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

Local History gives us a whole new perspective toward crucial events

that took place in our communities. It is unfortunate that there was a very
limited writing that were done to include the local histories. Looking at the
major moments in history are undoubtedly important, but it is also just as
beneficial to see history in the small and unrecognizable events of the
community. Here are some reasons why Local history is Important
A. Local History Teaches About Community
General Locations and common objects in your community can
follow the extensive ancestry of previous generations on the places
you live. It will gain you a better grasp of understanding the past and
perceiving the present learning by more of your own community’s
origin.
B. Local History Depicts Shared Experiences
As we learn about people or places that were important years
ago in our city, we realize that those residents reared children,
worked hard to make a living, immigrated to an unfamiliar place, or
had an entrepreneurial spirit that they used to build a business. As we
learn about these shared experiences. It can often visit preserved
historic landmarks within a city. These preserved landmarks serve as
sources for first-hand accounts of the people who experienced life in
the community - decades or centuries earlier.
C. Local History Teaches Us about The Human Condition
Local history holds records of families and people who settled
in the city centuries ago. These records also depict personal letters,
papers, and photographs of families, business, and events that shaped
the city’s history. These records show us, personally and accurately,
about how people lived live decades or centuries earlier. Museum
exhibits show us these records and help visitors cultivate empathy – a
deeper understanding of the circumstances and concepts surrounding
and event or live in a certain time period.
Local History should be taken as the primary concern of many of us
for it brings us closer to our hometown. We become conscious of own
uniqueness, practice and desires. One may never achieve a full understanding
of the Filipinos and the Philippine History if he/she failed to study the history
of his/her own town, city, province or region.

A brief History of Olongapo City

Watch the legend of Olongapo here. youtube.com/watch?v=nyol4PR4FXw.
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 Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

Olongapo, officially the City of Olongapo, or simply

as Olongapo City, is a 1st class highly urbanized
city in Central Luzon (Region III), Philippines. Located
in the province of Zambales but governed independently
from the province, it has a population of 233,040 people
according to the 2015 census.
• Olongapo was first inhabited by the Aetas before it was discovered by the Spaniards.
It was then a small fishing village of Subic with the majority of the people getting
their livelihood through it. When the Spaniards came and conquered the town on
1884, they made it as their navy settlement. King Alfonso II declared Subic Bay as
Spain’s stronghold in the Far East because of its notable deep-water harbor and the
protection provided by the mountains surrounding the place against strong winds.
• After 14 years of Spanish-American War, Admiral George Dewey took Olongapo and
Subic Bay, making the bay area and the whole Olongapo as U.S. Military reservation.
Millions of dollars were spent converting the base. Estimated cost spent was $170
million. But after 8 years, the Filipino citizens demanded that Olongapo be returned to
the governance of the Philippines. Thus, in December 7, 1959 Olongapo was turned
over to the Philippine government and changed into a municipality by virtue of
Executive Order No. 366 by issuance of President Carlos P. Garcia.
• Seven years later, President Ferdinand E. Marcos signed Republic Act No. 4645 on
June 1, 1966 making Olongapo as a chartered city. In 1983, Olongapo City became
the highly urbanized city in Central Luzon.
• On June 15, 1991, Mount Pinatubo erupted causing extensive damage at the U.S.
Facility and in Olongapo City.  It was also noted that in this year, the Senate of the
Philippines rejected the Treaty agreement between the Republic of the Philippines and
the United States of America.
• A year later, President Corazon Aquino signed R.A. 7227 creating Subic Bay
Metropolitan Authority and appointed Mayor Richard J. Gordon as Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer.
• On November 24, 1992, the U.S. Naval Facility was turned over to the Philippine
Government, and Subic was turned over to the governance of Subic Bay Metropolitan
Authority (SBMA).

Historical Places
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City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314
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 Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

Ulo ng Apo: A towering and majestic marker located at the rotonda in Bajac-
Bajac. A very visible and tangible tourist attraction to glorify the legend of the

city.
Rizal Triangle is the alpha or omega of many civic, political and religious
activities in the city. Both the Rizal monument and the stage appeared to be part of
the resources turned over by the American government to the Philippines in
December 1959. 

Marikit Park: One of the earliest parks of Olongapo, it has become famous in its
time.
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 Republic of the Philippines
City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

The Spanish Gate, located at the corner of Dewey Avenue and Samson Road
in Olongapo City, was built in 1885 when the Spanish Navy authorized the construction
of the Arsenal de Olongapo, after King Alfonso II of Spain issued a royal decree
declaring Subic Bay as a naval port in 1884.

Kalapati (The Dove
Monument): Mr. Kasanobu Miyazaki, a Japanese owner of an accounting firm in Aioi City,
Japan, requested that a shrine be built in New Cabalan where his brother, Capt. Masanobu
Miyazaki died in battle at the Zig Zag Pass. Mayor Gordon suggested instead a peace
monument dedicated to the Filipino, American and Japanese lives that were lost in that battle.
The monument was thus built at the junction of the national highway and the road into New
Cabalan.

Tappan Park is the oldest and most symbolic park in Olongapo and Subic Bay area.
The park was named after Navy Yard Commandant, Captain Benjamin Tappan.
IV. Teaching and Learning Materials and Resources
Notebooks, Pen, Speaker, Laptop / Cellphone, and Internet/Data.
V. Learning Task
a. Answer the Ff. questions
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a. As a student how can you promote your local history in a simplest

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way possible?
b. If you’ll be given a chance to

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City of Olongapo
GORDON COLLEGE
Olongapo City Sports Complex, East Tapinac, Olongapo City
Tel. No. (047) 224-2089 loc. 314

b. Create a brochure that tells about the ff.

a. Local History definition based from your own learnings.
b. Promotion of Local History of your hometown.
i. History
ii. Culture
iii. Famous Tourist Spots.
VI. Reference
 Ligan, et al., (2018). Readings in the Philippine History, Mutya Publishing, Inc.
 Kammen, Carol; Wilson, Amy (2012). Encyclopedia of Local History, 2nd ed.
Lanham, MD: AltaMira
 Kids World 2020. Alamat ng Olongapo. Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nyol4PR4FXw

Reflection part

What are your reflections on this module?

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