1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION constitutional definition of “natural-born” citizen and the retention of Philippine

citizenship of those who marry aliens unless they have renounced it.
ARTICLE I: National Territory
ARTICLE V: Suffrage
Summary: Article I states the scope and extent of the country's territory, including the
internal waters; and terrestrial, fluvial and aerial domains. Furthermore, the waters Summary: Article V stipulates the qualifications of the Filipinos who have the right
to vote. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement is imposed on the
around, between, and connecting the islands of the Philippines form part of the
exercise of suffrage. The Congress is tasked to provide a system to protect the
country's internal waters (based on the Archipelagic Doctrine). ballots, a system of overseas absentee voting, and a procedure for the disabled and
illiterates to vote without the assistance of other persons.
ARTICLE II: Declaration of Principles and State Policies
ARTICLE VI: Legislative Department
Summary: Article II contains 28 sections divided into two parts. The first part
enumerates the principles of the State such as the democratic and republican nature of Summary: Article VI provides for the establishment of a bicameral legislature, its
the Philippine State; the supremacy of civilian authority over the military; the composition, terms of office, powers and functions as the legislative branch of the
people's duty to defend the State; separation of Church and State; and renunciation of government. Under this Article, the people can also exercise legislative powers
war as an instrument of national policy. While the second part stipulates the State through a system of initiative and referendum. The members of the Senate, or the
policies such as the promotion of an independent foreign policy; recognition of the Upper house, are elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines and are to
youth's and women's role in nation-building; promotion of a comprehensive rural serve for six years with a maximum of two terms. While there are two kinds of
development and agrarian reform; and the promotion of social justice. members of the House of Representatives or the Lower House of Congress, namely,
the representatives elected by district and those elected through the party-list system.
ARTICLE III: Bill of Rights The term of office of the members of the lower house is shorter than the Senate. Each
Summary: Article III recognizes the individual rights of the Filipino people and member of the House of Representatives is elected for a term of three years with a
guarantees its protection against abuses. Included in the bill of rights are: due process maximum of three terms. The powers of Congress include the passage of bills, levy
of law; equal protection of the laws; protection against unreasonable searches and taxes, approve appropriation, declare a state of war, and confirm presidential
seizures; right to privacy of communication and correspondence; and the right to free appointments through the Commission of Appointments.
speech, expression and to peaceably assemble. The specific rights of the accused are
likewise presented, such as; right to bail, right to criminal due process, right to ARTICLE VII: Executive Department
speedy disposition of cases, right against self-incrimination, non-imprisonment for
non payment of debt or a poll tax, and right against double jeopardy. It further Summary: Article VII stipulates the qualifications, duties and functions of the
prohibits the enactment of an ex post facto law or a bill of attainder. President and Vice-President. It expressly states that the executive power is vested in
the President of the Philippines. The President and the Vice-President are elected by
ARTICLE IV: Citizenship direct vote of the qualified voters of the Philippines for a six-year term. While the
President is not qualified for re-election, the vice-president can serve two (2)
Summary: Article IV enumerates the conditions of being citizens of the Philippines consecutive terms. This article stipulates that the President is the head of state, the
and the manner of acquiring and losing Philippine citizenship. It also provides for the chief executive of government, and the commander-in-chief of the armed forces.
However, certain protections are declared against abuses of executive power such as initiative, referendum, and recall. Lastly, the Commission on Audit examines, audits,
the prohibition against practice of any other profession, prohibition against and settles all accounts pertaining to the funds and property, owned or held in trust
appointment of spouse and relatives to certain positions in government and limitation by, or pertaining to the government.
on the declaration of martial law or suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus to a period not exceeding 60 days. ARTICLE X: Local Government

ARTICLE VIII: Judicial Department Summary: Article X provides for a decentralized local government administration
through the various territorial and political subdivisions such as, the autonomous
Summary: Article VIII provides for the composition, powers and functions of the regions, provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. This article further
judiciary. The judicial power is vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower mandates Congress to enact a local government code for a more responsive and
courts as may be established by law. Composed of the Chief Justice and 14 Associate accountable local government structure, and an organic act for the autonomous
Justices, the Supreme Court has administrative supervision over all courts and its regions in Muslim Mindanao and in the Cordilleras.
personnel. Among the notable powers of the Supreme Court are its exercise of
original jurisdiction on cases involving ambassadors, public ministers and consuls; ARTICLE XI: Accountability of Public Officers
review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm judgments or decisions of lower courts; rule
on the constitutionality of laws and treaties; and appoint officials and employees of Summary: Article XI states that public office is a public trust. This article enumerates
the judiciary. Furthermore, the members of the Supreme Court and the judges of the officials that may be impeached, the grounds for impeachment, and the rules of
lower courts are appointed by the President from a list of at least three nominees impeachment. The House of Representatives initiates all impeachment cases, while
prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council (JBC). They must be natural-born citizens the Senate conducts the trial and decides on all impeachment cases. This article also
of the Philippines and must be at least forty years of age. They will hold office during provides for the creation of special judicial institutions as instruments of public
good behavior until the age of 70 years or become incapacitated to discharge the accountability namely, the Sandiganbayan as the anti-graft court, the Office of the
duties of their office. The JBC, which is created in this article, is under the Ombudsman and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.
supervision of the Supreme Court and has the principal function of nominating
appointments to the judiciary ARTICLE XII: National Economy and Patrimony

ARTICLE IX: Constitutional Commissions Summary: Article XII declares the aims of the State for a more equitable distribution
of opportunities, income, and wealth; sustainable development and industrialization;
Summary: Article IX stipulates the creation of three independent constitutional and full employment of its citizens. All natural resources except agricultural lands are
commissions such as, the Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Commission on owned by the State. It stipulates the limitations on the exploration, development and
Elections (COMELEC), and the Commission on Audit (COA). Each commission utilization of these natural resources by Filipino citizens, private corporations or
enjoys fiscal autonomy, appoints their officials and employees in accordance with associations, and foreign-owned corporations. Congress is mandated to establish an
law, and is composed of commissioners appointed by the President with the consent independent economic and planning agency and an independent central monetary
of the Commission on Appointments. The Civil Service Commission is the central authority. Section 17 grants the State the power to take over or direct the operation of
personnel agency of the government and establishes a career service based on merit any privately-owned public utility or business affected with public interest in times of
and fitness. The Commission on Elections, on the other hand, enforces and national emergency.
administers all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election, plebiscite,
Article XIII: Social Justice and Human Rights Summary: Article XVI contains provisions on twelve subjects. The design of the
Philippine flag is set forth in the first section, followed by a section on any change,
Summary: Article XIII declares that the State shall promote social justice, agrarian by law, of the name of the country, national anthem and national seal. Section 3
and natural resources reform, urban land reform and housing; protect labor; recognize hereof provides for the general rule on State's immunity from suit. The composition
the rights of every citizen and people's organization, and adopt an integrated health of the Armed Forces of the Philippines as well as other provisions on the military
development program. It also mandates Congress to enact a law creating an such as recruitment, appointment, and retirement of soldiers and officers are likewise
independent Commission on Human Rights, with the responsibility of investigating found in this article. This article further provides for the establishment of a national
cases of human rights violation. and civilian police force. It also stipulates general provisions on the benefits,
pensions and assistance to war veterans, their spouses and orphans, as well as to the
ARTICLE XIV: Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports retirees of the government and the private sectors. It is also mandated that the State
shall protect the consumer against trade malpractices, respect the freedom of speech
Summary: Article XIV declares the principles of the State on education, language, and of the press, regulate the ownership and management of mass media and the
science and technology, arts and culture, and sports. On education, the State shall advertising industry. Lastly, it is stipulated that Congress may create a consultative
protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education. This article also body on indigenous cultural communities.
mandates that education shall be accessible to all. On language, this article states that
Filipino is the national language of the Philippines. Filipino shall be used as a ARTICLE XVII: Amendments or Revisions
medium of official communication and as language of instruction in the educational
system. Furthermore, Congress is mandated to establish a national language Summary: Article XVII stipulates that any amendment to, and revision of the
commission. On science and technology, priority is given on research and Constitution may be proposed by a three-fourths vote of all the members of Congress
development, incentives are provided to science students, researchers, scientists and and a constitutional convention. The people may likewise propose amendments
gifted citizens to encourage scientific research. On arts and culture, the State shall through an initiative of at least twelve percent of total registered voters. It further
promote the Philippine national culture and shall preserve, and develop the cultures, states that any amendment or revision is not valid without a ratification by a majority
traditions and institutions of the indigenous cultural communities. Lastly on sports, of votes cast in a plebiscite.
the State shall promote physical education and different sports activities to foster
self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence. ARTICLE XVIII: Transitory Provisions

ARTICLE XV: The Family Summary: Article XVIII stipulates specific provisions that are temporary in nature on
the first elections, the judiciary, legal codes, international agreements, civil service
Summary: Article XV recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. and private armies. It stipulates the dates of the first elections of the members of the
The constitutional definition of marriage is found herein. It further provides for Congress, the first local elections and the first regular elections for the President and
specific provisions to protect the rights of spouses, children, family and family Vice-President. This article further provides for the continued enforcement of all
associations. The duty of the family and the State to care for the elderly is likewise existing laws which are consistent with this Constitution as well as the continued
set forth in this article. exercise of jurisdiction of all courts, until otherwise provided by law. Section 24
mandates that all private armies and other paramilitary groups outside the armed
ARTICLE XVI: General Provisions forces of the Philippines be dismantled. An important provision on the expiration of
the Military Bases Agreement in 1991 includes a declaration that no foreign military
bases, troops or facilities shall be allowed in the Philippines except under a treaty
duly concurred in by the Senate. The last part hereof is with regard to the
sequestration or freeze order concerning the recovery of ill-gotten wealth.