1987 Philippine Constitution

The Constitution of the Philippines (Filipino: Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas) is the constitution
or supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines. Its final draft was completed by the
Constitutional Commission on October 12, 1986 and was ratified by a nationwide plebiscite on
February 2, 1987.

Three other constitutions have effectively governed the country in its history: the 1935
Commonwealth Constitution, the 1973 Constitution, and the 1986 Freedom Constitution. The
earliest constitution establishing a "Philippine Republic," the 1899 Malolos Constitution, was
never fully implemented throughout the Philippines and did not establish a state that was
internationally recognized, due in great part to the impending American occupation during its
adoption.

Preamble

The preamble introduces the constitution and the source of sovereignty, the people. It follows the
pattern in past constitutions, including an appeal to God. The preamble reads:[1]

We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of 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.

Article 1. National Territory

The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters
embraced therein, and all other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or
jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, including its territorial sea,
the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around,
between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago, regardless of their breadth and
dimensions, form part of the internal waters of the Philippines.
Article 3. Bill of Rights
Article 3 enumerates specific protections against the abuse of state power, most of which are
similar to the provisions of the U.S. Constitution. Some essential provisions are:
a right to due process and equal protection of law
a right against searches and seizures without a warrant issued by a judge
a right to privacy
The right to freedom of speech and expression, freedom of the press, freedom of
assembly, and the right to petition
The free exercise of religion
a right of abode and the right to travel
a right to information on matters of public concern
a right to form associations
a right of free access to courts
the right to remain silent and to have competent legal counsel
a right to bail and against excessive bail conditions
a right to habeas corpus
the right to a speedy trial
the right against self-incrimination
the right to political beliefs and aspirations
a prohibition against cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment
protection against imprisonment for debt
the right against double jeopardy
prohibition of ex post facto laws and bills of attainder.
Similar to U.S. jurisprudence and other common law jurisdictions, the scope and limitations of
these rights have largely been determined by the Supreme Court through case law.