Constitution of the Philippines

1987 COnstitution. The 1987 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 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

Malolos Constitution of 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 democratic 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.

1935 Constitution

1943 Constitution

1973 Constitution

External Link

• Full text of the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines (http://www.supremecourt.gov.ph/Constitution/Constitution)