Constitution of the Philippines

The Constitution of the Philippines (Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas in Filipino) is the supreme law of the Philippines.

Table of contents

1 Freedom Constitution, 1987
2 Previous Constitutions

2.1 Constituci�n Pol�tica de Malolos, 1899
2.2 Constitution of the Philippine Commonwealth, 1935
2.3 Constitution of the Second (Japanese puppet) Republic, 1943
2.4 Constitution of the Third Republic, 1946
2.5 Kilusang Bagong Lipunan Constitution, 1971
2.6 External Link

Freedom Constitution, 1987

The 1987 Freedom Constitution is the one currently in effect and was created following the ascendancy of Corazon Aquino to presidency in 1986. She formed a commission to frame a new constitution to replace the 1973 Constitution formed during the reign of her predecessor Ferdinand Marcos.

The commission finished the draft charter within four months and a majority of voters approved it in a referendum in February 1987.

The Preamble reads:

"We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and established 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."

Previous Constitutions

Constituci�n Pol�tica de Malolos, 1899

Following the declaration of independence from Spain, by the Revolutionary Government, a congress was held in Malolos, Bulacan in 1899 to draw up a constitution. It was the first republican constitution in Asia. The document states that the people has exclusive sovereignty. It states basic civil rights, separated the church and state, and called for the creation of an Assembly of Representatives which would act as the legislative body. It also calls for a Presidential form of government with the president elected for a term of four years by a majority of the Assembly.

The Preamble reads:

"Nosotros los Representantes del Pueblo Filipino, convocados leg�timamente para establecer la justicia, proveer a la defensa com�n, promover el bien general y asegurar los beneficios de la libertad, implorando el auxili� del Soberano Legislador del Universo para alcanzar estos fines, hemos votado, decretado y sancionado la siguiente:"