Topic for this week: Philippine Constitution

The Constitution of the Philippines (Filipino: Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas), popularly known as the 1987 Constitution, is the constitution or the supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines. It was enacted in 1987, during the administration of President Corazón C. Aquino.^[1]
Philippine constitutional law experts recognise three other previous constitutions as having effectively governed the country — the 1935 Commonwealth Constitution, the 1973 Constitution, and the 1986 Freedom Constitution.^[2][3]
Constitutions for the Philippines were also drafted and adopted during the short-lived governments of Presidents Emilio Aguinaldo (1899) and José P. Laurel (1943).


The Constitution is divided into 18 parts (excluding the Preamble) which are called Articles.

• Article I - National Territory
• Article II - Declaration of Principles and State Policies
• Article III - Bill of Rights
• Article IV - Citizenship
• Article V - Suffrage
• Article VI - Legislative Department
• Article VII - Executive Department
• Article VIII - Judicial Department
• Article IX - Constitutional Commission
• Article X - Local Government
• Article XI - Accountability of Public Officers
• Article XII - National Economy and Patrimony
• Article XIII - Social Justice and Human Rights
• Article XIV - Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture and Sports
• Article XV - The Family
• Article XVI - General Provisions
• Article XVII - Amendments or Revisions
• Article XVIII - Transitory Provisions
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  The Preamble reads:
  

  “

  Preamble We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of the 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.[ Who are the Citizens of the Philippines?     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. What are the Duties and obligations of a Philippine citizen? 1)defend our country from enemies and invaders 2)Pay his or her taxes willingly or promptly 3)Be loyal to our country 4)take care and conserve our natural resources 5)help our country for growth and development 6)keep our surroundings clean 7)study well and and become a productive individual 8)obey the laws and maintain peace and order in the community 9)preserve the Filipino culture and identity 10)participate actively in various government program 11)vote wisely and choose candidates who can serve the people and our country 12)respect of the rights of others