Preamble 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 I The National Territory

Preamble We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence, in order to establish a government that shall embody our ideals, promote the general welfare, conserve and develop the patrimony of our Nation, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of democracy under a regime of justice, peace, liberty, and equality, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

Preamble The Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence, in order to establish a government that shall embody their ideals, conserve and develop the patrimony of the nation, promote the general welfare, and secure to themselves and their posterity the blessings of independence under a regime of justice, liberty, and democracy, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

ARTICLE I The National Territory

ARTICLE I The National Territory

Section 1. The national territory Section 1. The Philippines comprises all the territory ceded The national territory comprises comprises the Philippine the Philippine archipelago, with archipelago, with all the islands to the United States by the and waters embraced therein, Treaty of Paris concluded all the islands and waters between the United States and embraced therein, and all other and all the other territories belonging to the Philippines by Spain on the tenth day of territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or historic or legal title, including December, eighteen hundred the territorial sea, the air space, and ninety-eight, the limits jurisdiction, consisting of its the subsoil, the sea-bed, the which are set forth in Article III terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial of said treaty, together with all domains, including its territorial insular shelves, and the sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the submarine areas over which the the islands embraced in the Philippines has sovereignty or treaty concluded at Washington insular shelves, and other jurisdiction. The waters around, between the United States and submarine areas. The waters between, and connecting the Spain on the seventh day of around, between, and islands of the archipelago, November, nineteen hundred, connecting the islands of the irrespective of their breadth and and the treaty concluded archipelago, regardless of their between the United States and breadth and dimensions, form dimensions, form part of the Great Britain on the second day part of the internal waters of the internal waters of the Philippines. of January, nineteen hundred Philippines. and thirty, and all territory over which the present Government

ARTICLE II

ARTICLE II

of the Philippine Islands exercises jurisdiction. ARTICLE II Declaration of Principles

Declaration of Principles and Declaration of Principles and State Policies State Policies

Section 1. Section 1. Principles The Philippines, is a republican The Philippines is a republican state. Sovereignty resides in the state. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government people and all government authority emanates from them. authority emanates from them.

SEC. 1.

The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Section 2. Sovereignty resides in the Section 2. people and all government The defense of the State is a authority emanates from them. The defense of the State is the prime duty of government, and prime duty of government, and in the fulfillment of this duty all in the fulfillment of this duty all citizens may be required by law SEC. 2. The Philippines renounces war citizens may be required by law to render personal military or as an instrument of national to render personal military or civil service. policy, adopts the generally civil service. accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to Section 3. the policy of peace, equality, Section 3. justice, freedom, cooperation, The Philippines renounces war and amity with all nations. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national as an instrument of national policy, and adopts the generally SEC. 3. policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of Civilian authority is, at all accepted principles of international law as part of the times, supreme over the international law as part of the law of the Nation. military. The Armed Forces of law of the land, and adheres to the Philippines is the protector the policy of peace, equality, of the people and the State. Its justice, freedom, cooperation, goal is to secure the sovereignty and amity with all nations. Section 4. of the State and the integrity of the national territory. The natural right and duty of parents in the rearing of the SEC. 4. Section 4. youth for civic efficiency The prime duty of the should receive the aid and Government is to serve and The State shall strengthen the support of the government. protect the people. The family as a basic social

Government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal military or civil service.

institution. The natural right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the aid and support of the government.

Section 5. The promotion of social justice to insure the wellbeing and economic security of all the people should be the concern of the State.

SEC. 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general Section 5. welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of The State recognizes the vital the blessings of democracy. role of the youth in nationbuilding and shall promote their SEC. 6. physical, intellectual and social The separation of Church and well-being. State shall be inviolable.

Section 6. State Policies The State shall promote social justice to ensure the dignity, welfare, and security of all the SEC. 7. people. Towards this end, the The State shall pursue an State shall regulate the independent foreign policy. In acquisition, ownership, use, its relations with other states the enjoyment, and disposition of paramount consideration shall private property, and equitably be national sovereignty, diffuse property ownership and territorial integrity, national profits. interest, and the right to selfdetermination. SEC. 8. Section 7. The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and The State shall establish, pursues a policy of freedom maintain, and ensure adequate from nuclear weapons in its social services in the field of territory. education, health, housing, employment, welfare, and SEC. 9. social security to guarantee the The State shall promote a just enjoyment of the people of a

and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.

decent standard of living.

Section 8. Civilian authority is at all times supreme over the military.

SEC. 10. Section 9. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national The State shall afford development. protection to labor, promote full employment and equality in SEC. 11. employment, ensure equal work The State values the dignity of opportunities regardless of sex, every human person and race, or creed, and regulate the guarantees full respect for relation between workers and human rights. employers. The State shall assure the rights of workers to SEC. 12. self-organization, collective The State recognizes the bargaining, security of tenure, sanctity of family life and shall and just and humane conditions protect and strengthen the of work. The State may provide family as a basic autonomous for compulsory arbitration. social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The Section 10. natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of The State shall guarantee and the youth for civic efficiency promote the autonomy of local and the development of moral government units, especially character shall receive the the barrio, to ensure their fullest support of the Government. development as self-reliant communities. SEC. 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nationbuilding and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and

nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. SEC. 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men. SEC. 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. SEC. 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. SEC. 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. SEC. 18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare. SEC. 19. The State shall develop a selfreliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.

SEC. 20. The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments. SEC. 21. The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform. SEC. 22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development. SEC. 23. The State shall encourage nongovernmental, communitybased, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation. SEC. 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building. SEC. 25. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments. SEC. 26. The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.

SEC. 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption. SEC. 28. Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.

ARTICLE VI Legislative Department

ARTICLE VIII The National Assembly

ARTICLE VI Legislative Department

SEC 1. The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum. SEC. 2. The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines, as may be provided by law.

Section 1.

Section 1.

The Legislative power shall be The Legislative power shall be vested in a National Assembly. vested in a Congress of the Philippines, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Section 2.

The National Assembly shall be composed of as many Members Section 2. as may be provided by law to be appointed among the The Senate shall be composed provinces, representative of twenty-four Senators who districts, and cities in shall be chosen at large by the accordance with the number of qualified electors of the their respective inhabitants and Philippines, as may be provided SEC. 3. on the basis of a uniform and by law. No person shall be a Senator progressive ratio. Each district unless he is a natural-born shall comprise, as far as citizen of the Philippines, and, practicable, contiguous, on the day of the election, is at compact, and adjacent territory. Section 3. least thirty-five years of age, Representative districts or able to read and write, a provinces already created or The term of office of Senators registered voter, and a resident existing at the time of the shall be six years and shall

of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election.

ratification of this Constitution begin on the thirtieth day of shall have at least one Member December next following their each. election. The first Senators elected under this Constitution shall, in the manner provided by law, be divided equally into SEC. 4. The term of office of the three groups, the Senators of the Section 3. Senators shall be six years and first group, to serve for a term shall commence, unless of six years; those of the second (1) The Members of the otherwise provided by law, at National Assembly shall be group, for four years; and those noon on the thirtieth day of elected by the qualified electors of the third group, for two June next following their in their respective districts for a years. election. No Senator shall serve term of six years which shall for more than two consecutive begin, unless otherwise terms. Voluntary renunciation provided by law, at noon on the of the office for any length of thirtieth day of June next Section 4. time shall not be considered as following their election. an interruption in the continuity No person shall be a Senator of his service for the full term unless he be a natural born for which he was elected. citizen of the Philippines and, at the time of his election, is at (2) In case the National SEC. 5. least thirty-five years of age, a Assembly is dissolved, the (1) The House of newly elected Members shall qualified elector, and a resident Representatives shall be serve the unexpired portion of of the Philippines for not less composed of not more than two the term from the time the than two years immediately hundred and fifty members, Prime Minister convenes the prior to his election. unless otherwise fixed by law, Assembly, which shall not be who shall be elected from later than thirty days legislative districts apportioned immediately following the among the provinces, cities, and elections. Section 5. the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of The House of Representatives their respective inhabitants, and shall be composed of not more on the basis of a uniform and Section 4. than one hundred and twenty progressive ratio, and those Members who shall be who, as provided by law, shall No person shall be a Member apportioned among the several be elected through a party-list of the National Assembly provinces as nearly as may be system of registered national, unless he is a natural-born accorded to the number of their regional, and sectoral parties or citizen of the Philippines and, respective inhabitants, but each organizations. on the day of the election, is at province shall have at least one least twenty-five years of age, Member. The Congress shall by law make an apportionment able to read and write, a (2) The party-list registered voter in the district in within three years after the representatives shall constitute which he shall be elected, and a return of every enumeration, twenty per centum of the total resident thereon for a period of and not otherwise. Until such number of representatives apportionment shall have been not less than one year

including those under the party immediately preceding the day list. For three consecutive terms of the election. after the ratification of this Constitution, one-half of the seats allocated to party-list representatives shall be filled, Section 5. as provided by law, by selection or election from the labor, (1) Unless otherwise provided peasant, urban poor, indigenous by law, the regular election of cultural communities, women, Members of the National youth, and such other sectors as Assembly shall be held on the may be provided by law, except second Monday of May every the religious sector. six years thereafter.

made, the House of Representatives shall have the same number of Members as that fixed by law for the National Assembly, who shall be elected by the qualified electors from the present Assembly districts. Each representative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous and compact territory.

(3) Each legislative district shall Section 6. comprise, as far as practicable, (2) In case a vacancy arises in contiguous, compact, and the National Assembly one year The term of office of the adjacent territory. Each city Members of the House of or more before a regular with a population of at least two election, the Commission on Representatives shall be four hundred fifty thousand, or each Elections shall call a special years and shall begin on the province, shall have at least one election to be held within sixty thirtieth day of December next representative. days after the vacancy occurs. following their election.

(4) Within three years following the return of every census, the Section 6. Section 7. Congress shall make a reappointment of legislative The National Assembly shall No person shall be a Member of districts based on the standards convene once every year on the the House of Representatives provided in this section. fourth Monday of July for its unless he be a natural born citizen of the Philippines, and, regular session, unless a SEC. 6. different date is fixed by law, at the time of his election, is at No person shall be a Member of and shall continue to be in least twenty-five years of age, a the House of Representatives session until thirty days before qualified elector, and a resident unless he is a natural-born the opening of its next regular of the province in which he is citizen of the Philippines and, session, exclusive of Saturdays, chosen for not less than one on the day of the election, is at Sundays, and legal holidays. It year immediately prior to his least twenty-five years of age, may recess for periods not election. able to read and write, and, exceeding thirty days each, and except the party-list not more than ninety days representatives, a registered during the year. However, it voter in the district in which he may be called to session at any Section 8. shall be elected, and a resident time by the Prime Minister to thereof for a period of not less consider such subjects or (1) Elections for Senators and than one year immediately Members of the House of

preceding the day of the election.

legislation as he may designate. Representatives shall be held in the manner and on the dates fixed by law. Section 7. (1) The National Assembly, shall, by a majority vote of all its Members, elect its Speaker from the Members thereof. It shall choose such other officers as it may deem necessary. The election of the President and the Prime Minister shall precede all other business following the election of the Speaker. (2) In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House of Representatives, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law, but the Senator or Member of the House of Representatives thus elected shall serve only for the unexpired term.

SEC. 7. The Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected for a term of three years which shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following their election. No member of the House of Representatives shall serve for more than three consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected.

Section 9.

(2) A majority of the National The Congress shall convene in SEC. 8. regular session once every year Assembly shall constitute a Unless otherwise provided by quorum to do business, but a on the fourth Monday of law, the regular election of the smaller number may adjourn January, unless a different date Senators and the Members of from day to day and may is fixed by law. It may be called the House of Representatives compel the attendance of absent in special session at any time by shall be held on the second Members in such manner, and the President to consider Monday of May. general legislation or only such under such penalties, as the subjects as he may designate. National Assembly may SEC. 9. No special session shall provide. In case of vacancy in the Senate continue longer than thirty days or in the House of and no regular session longer Representatives, a special than one hundred days, election may be called to fill exclusive of Sundays. (3) The National Assembly such vacancy in the manner may determine the rules of its prescribed by law, but the proceedings, punish its Senator or Member of the Members for disorderly House of Representatives thus behavior, and with concurrence elected shall serve only for the of two-thirds of all its unexpired term. Members, suspend or expel a Section 10. Member, but if the penalty is SEC. 10. suspension, this shall not (1) The Senate shall elect its The salaries of Senators and exceed sixty days. President and the House of Members of the House of Representatives its Speaker. Representatives shall be

determined by law. No increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the expiration of the full term of all the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives approving such increase.

(4) The National Assembly shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in its judgment, affect national SEC. 11. security; and the yeas and nays A Senator or Member of the on any question shall, at the House of Representatives shall, request of one-fifth of the in all offenses punishable by not Members present, be entered in more than six years the Journal. imprisonment, be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session. No member shall be questioned nor be held liable Section 8. in any other place for any speech or debate in the (1) Unless otherwise provided Congress or in any committee by law, each Member of the thereof. National Assembly shall receive an annual salary of SEC. 12. sixty thousand pesos. The All Members of the Senate and Speaker of the National the House of Representatives Assembly shall receive an shall, upon assumption of annual salary of seventy-five office, make a full disclosure of thousand pesos. No increase in their financial and business salary shall take effect until interests. They shall notify the after the expiration of the term House concerned of a potential of the Members of the National conflict of interest that may Assembly approving such arise from the filing of a increase. proposed legislation of which they are authors.

Each House shall choose such other officers as may be required.

(2) A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may compel the attendance of absent Members in such manner and under such penalties as such House may provide.

(3) Each House may determine the rule of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members, expel a Member.

(4) Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may in its judgment requires secrecy; and the yeas and nays on any question shall, at the SEC. 13. (2) The records and books of request of one-fifth of the No Senator or a Member of the accounts of the National Members present, be entered House of Representatives may Assembly shall be open to the into the Journal. hold any other office or public in accordance with law, employment in the and such books shall be audited Government, or any by the Commission on Audit subdivision, agency, or which shall publish annually (5) Neither House during the instrumentality thereof, the itemized expenditures for sessions of the Congress shall, including government-owned or each Member. without the consent of the other, controlled corporations or their adjourn for more than three subsidiaries, during his term days, nor to any other place

without forfeiting his seat. than that in which the two Neither shall he be appointed to Houses shall be sitting. any office which may have been Section 9. created or the emoluments thereof increased during the A Member of the National term for which he was elected. Assembly shall, in all offenses Section 11. punishable by not more than six SEC. 14. years imprisonment, be The Senate and the House of No Senator or Member of the privileged from arrest during Representatives shall have an House of Representatives may his attendance at its sessions, Electoral Tribunal which shall personally appear as counsel and in going to and returning be the sole judge of all contests before any court of justice or from the same; but the National relating to the election, returns, before the Electoral Tribunals, Assembly shall surrender the and qualifications of their or quasi-judicial and other Member involved to the respective Members. Each administrative bodies. Neither custody of the law within Electoral Tribunal shall be shall he, directly or indirectly, twenty-four hours after its composed of nine Members, be interested financially in any adjournment for a recess or its three of whom shall be Justices contract with, or in any next session, otherwise such of the Supreme Court to be franchise or special privilege privilege shall cease upon its designated by the Chief Justice, granted by the Government, or failure to do so. A Member and the remaining six shall be any subdivision, agency, or shall not be questioned or held Members of the Senate or the instrumentality thereof, liable in any other place for any House of Representatives, as including any governmentspeech or debate in the the case may be, who shall be owned or controlled Assembly or in any committee chosen by each House, three corporation, or its subsidiary, thereof. upon nomination of the party during his term of office. He having the largest number of shall not intervene in any matter votes and three of the party before any office of the having the second largest Government for his pecuniary Section 10. numbers of votes therein. The benefit or where he may be senior Justice in each Electoral called upon to act on account of A Member of the National Tribunal shall be its Chairman. his office. Assembly shall not hold any other office or employment in SEC. 15. the government, or any The Congress shall convene subdivision, agency, or once every year on the fourth instrumentality thereof, Monday of July for its regular including government-owned Section 12. session, unless a different date or controlled corporations is fixed by law, and shall during his tenure except that of There shall be a Commission on continue to be in session for Prime Minister or Member of Appointments consisting of such number of days as it may the Cabinet. Neither shall he be twelve Senators and twelve determine until thirty days appointed to any civil office Members of the House of before the opening of its next which may have been created Representatives, elected by regular session, exclusive of or the emoluments thereof each House, respectively, on the Saturdays, Sundays, and legal increased while he was a basis of proportional holidays. The President may Member of the National representation of the political

call a special session at any time.

Assembly.

SEC. 16. (1) The Senate shall elect its Section 11. President and the House of Representatives its Speaker, by No Member of the National a majority vote of all its Assembly shall appear as respective Members. counsel before any court Each House shall choose such inferior to a court with other officers as it may deem appellate jurisdiction, before Section 13. necessary. any court in any civil case (2) A majority of each House wherein the government, or any The Electoral Tribunal and the shall constitute a quorum to do subdivision, agency, or Commission on Appointments business, but a smaller number instrumentality thereof is the shall be constituted within may adjourn from day to day adverse party, or before any thirty days after the Senate and and may compel the attendance administrative body. Neither the House of Representatives of absent Members in such shall he, directly or indirectly, shall have been organized with manner, and under such be interested financially in any the election of their President penalties, as such House may contract with, or in any and Speaker, respectively. The provide. franchise or special privilege Commission on Appointments (3) Each House may determine granted by, the government, or shall meet only while the the rules of its proceedings, any subdivision, agency, or Congress is in session, at the punish its Members for instrumentality thereof, call of its Chairman or a disorderly behavior, and, with including any governmentmajority of its Members, to the concurrence of two-thirds of owned or controlled discharge such powers and all its Members, suspend or corporation, during his term of functions as are herein expel a Member. A penalty for office. He shall not intervene in conferred upon it. suspension, when imposed, any matter before any office of shall not exceed sixty days. the government for his Section 14. (4) Each House shall keep a pecuniary benefit. Journal of its proceedings, and The Senators and the Members from time to time publish the of the House of Representatives same, excepting such parts as shall, unless otherwise provided may, in its judgment, affect by law, receive an annual Section 12. national security; and the yeas compensation of seven and nays on any question shall, (1) There shall be a question thousand two hundred pesos at the request of one-fifth of the hour at least once a month or as each, including per diems and members present, be entered in often as the rules of the other emoluments or the Journal. National Assembly may allowances and exclusive only Each House shall also keep a provide, which shall be of traveling expenses to and Record of its proceedings. included in its agenda, during from their respective districts in (5) Neither House during the which the Prime Minister or the case of Members of the sessions of the Congress shall, any Minister may be required House of Representatives, and without the consent of the other, to appear and answer questions to an from their places of adjourn for more than three and interpellations by Members residence in the case of

parties therein. The president of the Senate shall be the Chairman ex officio of the Commission, but shall not vote except in case of tie.

days, nor to any other place than that in which the two Houses shall be sitting. SEC. 17. The Senate and the House of Representatives shall each have an Electoral Tribunal which shall be the sole judge of all contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications of their respective Members. Each Electoral Tribunal shall be composed of nine Members, three of whom shall be Justices of the Supreme Court to be designated by the Chief Justice, and the remaining six shall be Members of the Senate or the House of Representatives, as the case may be, who shall be chosen on the basis of proportional representation from the political parties and the parties or organizations registered under the party-list system represented therein. The senior Justice in the Electoral Tribunal shall be it Chairman.

of the National Assembly. Senators, when attending Written questions shall be sessions of the Congress. No submitted to the Speaker at increase in said compensation least three days before a shall take effect until after the scheduled question hour. expiration of the full term of all Interpellations shall not be the Members of the Senate and limited to the written questions, of the House of Representatives but may cover matters related approving such increase. Until thereto. The agenda shall otherwise provided by law, the specify the subjects of the President of the Senate and the question hour. When the Speaker of the House of security of the State so requires Representatives shall each and the Prime Minister so states receive an annual compensation in writing, the question hour of sixteen thousand pesos. shall be conducted in executive session.

(2) The National Assembly or any of its committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with its duly published rules of procedure. The rights of persons appearing in such inquiries shall be respected.

Section 15. The Senators and Members of the House of Representatives shall in all cases except treason, felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged from arrest during their attendance at the session of the Congress, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate therein, they shall not be questioned in any other place.

SEC. 18. Section 13. There shall be a Commission on Appointments consisting of the (1) The National Assembly President of the Senate, as ex may withdraw its confidence officio Chairman, twelve from the Prime Minister only Senators, and twelve Members by electing a successor by a of the House of majority vote of all its Representatives, elected by Members. No motion for the Section 16. each House on the basis of election of such successor shall proportional representation be debated and voted upon until No Senator or Member of the from the political parties or after the lapse of three days House of Representatives may organizations registered under from the submittal of such hold any other office or the party-list system represented motion. employment in the government therein. The Chairman of the without forfeiting his seat, nor Commission shall not vote, shall any Senator or Member of except in case of a tie. The the House of Representatives,

Commission shall act on all appointments submitted to it within thirty session days of the Congress from their submission. The Commission shall rule by a majority vote of all the Members.

(2) The Prime Minister may during the time for which he advise the President in writing was elected, be appointed to to dissolve the National any civil office which may have Assembly whenever the need been created or the emoluments arises for a popular vote of whereof shall have been confidence on fundamental increased while he was a issues, but not on a matter Member of the Congress. involving his own personal integrity. Whereupon, the SEC. 19. Section 17. The Electoral Tribunals and the President shall dissolve the Commission on Appointments National Assembly not earlier No Senator or Member of the shall be constituted within thirty than five days nor later than ten House of Representatives shall days after the Senate and the days from his receipt of the directly or indirectly be House of Representatives shall advice, and call for an election financially interested in any have been organized with the on a date set by the Prime contract with the government or election of the President and the Minister which shall not be any subdivision or Speaker. The Commission on earlier than forty-five days nor instrumentality thereof, or in Appointments shall meet only later than sixty days from the any franchise or special while the Congress is in date of such dissolution. privilege granted by the session, at the call of its However, no dissolution of the Congress during his term of Chairman or a majority of all its National Assembly shall take office. He shall not appear as Members, to discharge such place within nine months counsel before the Electoral powers and functions as are immediately preceding a Tribunals or before any court in herein conferred upon it. regular election or within nine any civil case wherein the months immediately following Government or any subdivision any general election. SEC. 20. or instrumentality thereof is the The records and books of adverse party, or in any accounts of the Congress shall criminal case wherein an officer be preserved and be open to the or employee of the government public in accordance with law, (3) In case of dissolution of the is accused of an offense and such books shall be audited National Assembly or the committed in relation to his by the Commission on Audit termination of its regular term, office, or collect any fee for his which shall publish annually an the incumbent Prime Minister appearance in any itemized list of amounts paid to and the Cabinet shall continue administrative proceedings; or and expenses incurred for each to conduct the affairs of accept employment to intervene Member. government until the new in any cause or matter where he National Assembly is convoked may be called upon to act on SEC. 21. and a Prime Minister is elected account of his office. No The Senate or the House of and has qualified. Member of the Commission on Representatives or any of its Appointments shall appear as respective committees may counsel before any court conduct inquiries in aid of inferior to a collegiate court of legislation in accordance with Section 14. appellate jurisdiction. its duly published rules of procedure. The rights of persons (1) Except as otherwise appearing in or affected by such provided in this Constitution,

inquiries shall be respected.

SEC. 22. The heads of departments may upon their own initiative, with the consent of the President, or upon the request of either House, as the rules of each House shall provide, appear before and be heard by such House on any matter pertaining to their departments. Written questions shall be submitted to the President of the Senate or the Speaker of the House of Representatives at least three Section 15. days before their scheduled appearance. Interpellations shall In times of war or other not be limited to written national emergency, the questions, but may cover National Assembly may by law matters related thereto. When authorize the Prime Minister, the security of the State or the for a limited period and subject public interest so requires and to such restrictions as it may the President so states in prescribe, to exercise powers writing, the appearance shall be necessary and proper to carry conducted in executive session. out a declared national policy. Unless sooner withdrawn by SEC. 23. resolution of the National (1) The Congress, by a vote of Assembly, such powers shall two-thirds of both Houses in cease upon its next joint session assembled, voting adjournment. separately, shall have the sole power to declare the existence of a state of war. Section 16. (2) In times of war or other national emergency, the Congress may, by law, authorize the President, for a limited period and subject to such restrictions as it may prescribe, to exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out a declared national policy. Unless sooner withdrawn by (1) The Prime Minister shall submit to the National Assembly within thirty days from the opening of each regular session, as the basis of the general appropriations bill, a budget of receipts based on existing and proposed revenue measures, and of expenditures. The form, content, and manner

no treaty shall be valid and Section 18. effective unless concurred in by a majority of all the Members All appropriation, revenue or of the National Assembly. tariff bills, bills authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills, shall originate exclusively (2) The National Assembly, by in the House of Representatives, but the Senate a vote of two-thirds of all its Members, shall have the sole may propose or concur with power to declare the existence amendments. of a state of war.

Section 19. (1) The President shall submit within fifteen days of the opening of each regular session of the Congress a budget of receipts and expenditures, which shall be the basis of the general appropriations bill. The Congress may not increase the appropriations recommended by the President for the operation of the Government as specified in the Budget, except the appropriations for the Congress and the Judicial Department. The form of the Budget and the information that it should contain shall be prescribed by law. (2) No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the general appropriations bill unless it relates specifically to some particular appropriation therein; and any such provision or enactment shall be limited in its operation to such appropriation.

resolution of the Congress, such of preparation of the budget Section 20. powers shall cease upon the shall be prescribed by law. next adjournment thereof. (1) Every bill passed by the (2) No provision or enactment Congress shall, before it SEC. 24. shall be embraced in the becomes a law, be presented to All appropriation, revenue or general appropriations bill the President. If he approves the tariff bills, bills authorizing unless it relates specifically to same, he shall sign it; but if not, increase of public debt, bills of some particular appropriation he shall return it with his local application, and private therein. Any such provision or objections to the House where it bills shall originate exclusively enactment shall be limited in its originated, which shall enter the in the House of Representatives, operation to the appropriation objections at large on its but the Senate may propose or to which it relates. Journal and proceed to concur with amendments. reconsider it. If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of SEC. 25. all the Members of such House (1) The Congress may not (3) The procedure in approving shall agree to pass the bill, it increase the appropriations appropriations for the National shall be sent together, with the recommended by the President Assembly shall strictly follow objections, to the House by for the operation of the which it shall likewise be the procedure for approving Government as specified in the appropriations for other reconsidered, and if approved budget. The form, content, and departments and agencies. by two-thirds of all the manner of preparation of the Members of that House, it shall budget shall be prescribed by become a law. In all such cases, law. the votes of each House shall be (4) A special appropriations bill determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the Members shall specify the purpose for (2) No provision or enactment which it is intended, and shall voting for and against shall be shall be embraced in the general be supported by funds actually entered on its Journal. If any appropriations bill unless it available as certified to by the bill shall not be returned by the relates specifically to some President as herein provided National Treasurer, or to be particular appropriation therein. raised by a corresponding within twenty days (Sundays Any such provision or excepted) after it shall have revenue proposal included enactment shall be limited in its therein. been presented to him, the same operation to the appropriation to shall become a law in like which it relates. manner as if he had signed it, unless the Congress by adjournment prevent its return, (5) No law shall be passed in which case it shall become a (3) The procedure in approving authorizing any transfer of appropriations for the Congress appropriations; however, the law unless vetoed by the President within thirty days shall strictly follow the Prime Minister, the Speaker, after adjournment. procedure for approving the Chief Justice of the appropriations for other Supreme Court, and the heads departments or agencies. of Constitutional Commissions may by law be authorized to (2) The President shall have the augment any item in the (4) A special appropriations bill general appropriations law for power to veto any particular

shall specify the purpose for which it is intended, and shall be supported by funds actually available as certified by the National Treasurer, or to be raised by a corresponding revenue proposed therein.

their respective offices from saving in other items of their respective appropriations.

(5) No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations; however, the President, the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the Constitutional Commissions may, by law, be authorized to augment any item in the general appropriations law for their respective offices from savings in other items of their respective appropriations.

(6) Discretionary funds appropriated for particular officials shall be disbursed only for public purposes to be supported by appropriate vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may be prescribed by law.

(7) If, by the end of any fiscal year, the Congress shall have failed to pass the general appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the general appropriations law for the preceding fiscal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and effect until (3) Charitable institutions, the general appropriations bill is churches, personages or passed by the Congress. convents appurtenant thereto,

item or items of an appropriation bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items to which he does not object. When a provision of an appropriation bill affects one or (6) If, by the end of the fiscal more items of the same, the President cannot veto the year, the National Assembly provision without at the same shall have failed to pass the general appropriations bill for time, vetoing the particular item or items to which it relates. The the ensuing fiscal year, the general appropriations law for item or items objected to shall the preceding fiscal year shall not take effect except in the be deemed re-enacted and shall manner heretofore provided as remain in force and effect until to bills returned to the Congress the general appropriations bill without the approval of the President. If the veto refers to a is passed by the National bill or any item of an Assembly. appropriation bill which appropriates a sum in excess of ten per centum of the total amount voted in the Section 17. appropriation bill for the (1) The rule of taxation shall be general expenses of the Government for the preceding uniform and equitable. The National Assembly shall evolve year, or if it should refer to a bill authorizing an increase of a progressive system of the public debt, the same shall taxation. not become a law unless approved by three-fourths of all the Members of each House. (2) The National Assembly may by law authorize the Prime Minister to fix within specified (3) The President shall have the limits, and subject to such limitations and restrictions as it power to veto any separate item may impose, tariff rates, import or items in a revenue of tariff and export quotas, tonnage and bill, and the item or items shall wharfage dues, and other duties not take effect except in the manner provided as to bills or imposts. vetoed by the President.

Section 21.

SEC. 26. (1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.

mosques and non-profit cemeteries, and all lands, buildings and improvements actually, directly, and exclusively used for religious or charitable purposes shall be exempt from taxation.

(1) No bill which may be enacted into law shall embrace more than one subject which shall be expressed in the title of the bill.

(2) No bill passed by either House shall become a law unless it has passed three (4) No law granting any tax readings on separate days, and exemption shall be passed printed copies thereof in its without the concurrence of a final form have been distributed majority of all the Members of to its members three days the National Assembly. before its passage, except when the President certifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet a public Section 18. calamity or emergency. Upon the last reading of a bill, no (1) No money shall be paid out amendment thereto shall be of the Treasury except in allowed, and the vote thereon pursuance of an appropriation shall be taken immediately made by law. thereafter, and the yeas and nays entered in the Journal.

(2) No bill shall be passed by either House unless it shall have been printed and copies thereof in its final form furnished its Members at least three calendar days prior to its passage, except when the President shall have certified to the necessity of its immediate enactment. Upon the last reading of a bill no amendment thereof shall be allowed, and the question upon its passage shall be taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays entered on the Journal.

SEC. 27. Section 22. (2) No public money or (1) Every bill passed by the property shall ever be Congress shall, before it appropriated, applied, paid, or (1) The rule of taxation shall be becomes a law, be presented to used, directly or indirectly, for uniform. the President. If he approves the the use, benefit, or support of same, he shall sign it; any sect, church, denomination, otherwise, he shall veto it and sectarian institution, or system return the same with his of religion or for the use, (2) The Congress may by law objections to the House where it benefit, or support of any authorize the President, subject originated, which shall enter the priest, preacher, minister, or to such limitations and objections at large in its Journal other religious teacher or restrictions as it may impose, to and proceed to reconsider it. If, dignitary as such, except when fix, within specified limits, after such reconsideration, two- such priest, preacher, minister, tariff rates, import or export thirds of all the Members of or dignitary is assigned to the quotas, and tonnage and such House shall agree to pass armed forces, or to any penal wharfage dues. the bill, it shall be sent, together institution, or government with the objections, to the other orphanage or leprosarium. House by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if (3) Cemeteries, churches, and

approved by two-thirds of all parsonages or convents the Members of that House, it appurtenant thereto, and all shall become a law. In all such Section 19. lands, buildings, and cases, the votes of each House improvements used exclusively shall be determined by yeas or (1) Every bill shall become a for religious, charitable, or nays, and the names of the law unless it has passed three educational purposes shall be Members voting for or against readings on separate days, and exempt from taxation. shall be entered in its Journal. printed copies thereof in its The President shall final form have been distributed communicate his veto of any to the Members three days bill to the House where it before its passage, except when Section 23. originated within thirty days the Prime Minister certifies to after the day of receipt thereof; the necessity of its immediate (1) All money collected on any otherwise, it shall become a law enactment to meet a public tax levied for a special purpose as if he had signed it. calamity or emergency. Upon shall be treated as a special fund the last reading of a bill, no and paid out for such purpose amendment thereto shall be only. If the purpose for which a (2) The President shall have the allowed, and the vote thereon special fund was crated has power to veto any particular shall be taken immediately been fulfilled or abandoned, the item or items in an thereafter, and the yeas and balance, if any, shall be appropriation, revenue, or tariff nays entered in the Journal. transferred to the general funds bill, but the veto shall not affect of the Government. the item or items to which he does not object. (2) No bill except those of local application shall be calendared (2) No money shall be paid out SEC. 28. without the prior of Treasury except in pursuance (1) The rule of taxation shall be recommendation of the of an appropriation made by uniform and equitable. The Cabinet. law. Congress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation. Section 20. (2)The Congress may, by law, authorize the President to fix within specified limits, and subject to such limitations and restrictions as it may impose, tariff rates, import and export quotas, tonnage and wharfage dues, and other duties or imposts within the framework of the national development program of the Government. (1) Every bill passed by the national Assembly shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the Prime Minister. If he approves the same he shall sign it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same with his objections to the National Assembly. The bill may be reconsidered by the National Assembly and, if approved by two-thirds of all its Members, (3) No public money, or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, or used, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution or system of religion, for the use, benefit, or support of any priest, preacher, ministers, or other religious teacher or dignitary as such except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces

(3)Charitable institutions, shall become a law. The Prime or to any penal institution, churches and parsonages or Minister shall act on every bill orphanage or leprosarium. covenants appurtenant thereto, passed by the National mosques, non-profit cemeteries, Assembly within thirty days and all lands, buildings, and after the date of receipt thereof; improvements, actually, otherwise, it shall become a law Section 24. directly, and exclusively used as if he had signed it. for religious, charitable, or The heads of departments upon educational purposes shall be (2) The Prime Minister shall their own initiative or upon the exempt from taxation. have the power to veto any request of either House may particular item or items in appear before and be heard by appropriation, revenue, or tariff such House on any matter (4) No law granting any tax bill, but the veto shall not affect pertaining to their departments, exemption shall be passed the item or items to which he unless the public interest shall without the concurrence of a does not object. require otherwise and the majority of all the Members of President shall so state in the Congress. writing. SEC. 29. (1) No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law. Section 25. The Congress, shall, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of each House, have the sole power to declare war. Section 26. In times of war and other national emergency the Congress may by law authorize the President, for a limited period, and subject to such restrictions as it may prescribe, to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out a declared national policy.

(2) No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium.

(3) All money collected on any tax levied for a special purpose shall be treated as a special fund

and paid out for such purpose only. If the purpose for which a special fund was created has been fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall be transferred to the general funds of the Government. SEC. 30. No law shall be passed increasing the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as provided in this Constitution without its advice and concurrence. SEC. 31. No law granting a title of royalty or nobility shall be enacted. SEC. 32. The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom, whereby the people can directly propose and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law or part thereof passed by the Congress or local legislative body after the registration of a petition therefor signed by at least ten per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters thereof. ARTICLE VII Executive Department

ARTICLE VII The President and VicePresident

ARTICLE VII Executive Department

SEC 1. The executive power shall be vested in the President of the

Section 1.

Philippines.

The executive power shall be vested in a President of the SEC. 2. The President shall be the head Philippines. No person may be elected of state and chief executive of President unless he is a natural- the Republic of the Philippines. born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read Section 2. and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, Section 2. The President shall hold his and a resident of the Philippines office during a term of four for at least ten years There shall be a Vice-President years and together with the immediately preceding such Vice-President chosen for the who shall have the same election. same term, shall be elected by qualifications and term of office as the President and may direct vote of the people. The SEC. 3. be removed from office in the returns of every election for There shall be a Vice-President same manner as the President President and Vice-President, who shall have the same duly certified by the board of as provided in Article XIII, qualifications and term of office Section 2 of this Constitution. canvassers of each province or and be elected with and in the city, shall be transmitted to the same manner as the President. seat of the National He may be removed from office Government, directed to the in the same manner as the President of the Senate, who The Vice-President may be President. appointed as a member of the shall, in the presence of the The Vice-President may be Cabinet and may be nominated Senate and the House of appointed as a Member of the and elected as Prime Minister. Representatives, open all the Cabinet. Such appointment certificates, and the votes shall requires no confirmation. then be counted. The person respectively having the highest SEC. 4. number of votes for President The Vice-President shall be The President and the Viceand Vice-President shall be elected with and in the same President shall be elected by declared elected, but in case manner as the President. direct vote of the people for a two or more shall have an equal term of six years which shall and the highest number of votes begin at noon on the thirtieth for their office, one of them day of June following the day The President shall be elected shall be chosen President or of the election and shall end at from among the Members of Vice-President, as the case may noon of the same date six years the National Assembly by a be, by a majority vote of the thereafter. The President shall majority vote of all its Members of the Congress in not be eligible for any Members for a term of six years joint session assembled. reelection. No person who has from the date he takes his oath succeeded as President and has of office, which shall not be served as such for more than later than three days after the four years shall be qualified for proclamation of the National Section 3. election to the same office at Assembly, nor in any case any time. No person may be elected to the earlier than the expiration of office of the President or Vicethe term of his predecessor. Section 1.

No Vice-President shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of the service for the full term for which he was elected. Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election for President and Vice-President shall be held on the second Monday of May.

Upon taking his oath of office, President unless he is a natural the President shall cease to be a born citizen of the Philippines, Member of the National a qualified voter, forty years of Assembly and of any political age or over, and has been a party. He shall be ineligible to resident of the Philippines for at hold any other elective office least ten years immediately during his term. preceding the election.

Section 3.

Section 4.

No person may be elected Elections for President and President unless he is at least Vice-President shall be held fifty years of age at the day of once every four years on a date his election as President, and a to be fixed by law. The returns of every election for resident of the Philippines for President and Vice-President, at least ten years immediately duly certified by the board of preceding his election. canvassers of each province or However, if no Member of the The terms of the President and city, shall be transmitted to the National Assembly is qualified Vice-President shall end at Congress, directed to the or none of those qualified is a noon on the thirtieth day of President of the Senate. Upon candidate for President, any December following the receipt of the certificates of Member thereof may be elected expiration of four years after canvass, the President of the President. their election, and the terms of Senate shall, not later than their successors shall begin thirty days after the day of the from such time. election, open all certificates in the presence of the Senate and Section 4. the House of Representatives in joint public session, and the (1) The President shall have an Section 5. Congress, upon determination official residence and shall of the authenticity and due receive a compensation to be No person shall serve as execution thereof in the manner fixed by law, which shall not be President for more than eight provided by law, canvass the increased or decreased during consecutive years. The period votes. his term of office. He shall not of such service shall be counted receive during his tenure any from the date he shall have other emolument from the commenced to act as President. The person having the highest government or any other Voluntary renunciation of the number of votes shall be source. Until the National office for any length of time proclaimed elected, but in case Assembly shall provide shall not be considered as an two or more shall have an equal otherwise, the President shall interruption in the continuity of and highest number of votes, receive an annual salary of one the service of the incumbent for one of them shall forthwith be hundred thousand pesos. the full term for which he was chosen by the vote of a majority elected. of all the Members of the

Congress, voting separately. The Congress shall promulgate its rules for the canvassing of (2) The President shall not Section 6. the certificates. during his tenure, hold any appointive office, practice any If, at the time fixed for the profession, participate directly beginning of the term of the The Supreme Court, sitting en or indirectly in the management President, the President-elect banc, shall be the sole judge of of any business, or be shall have died, the Viceall contests relating to the financially interested directly or President-elect shall become election, returns, and indirectly in any contract with, President. If a President shall qualifications of the President or in any franchise or special not have been chosen before the or Vice- President, and may privilege granted by, the time fixed for the beginning of promulgate its rules for the government or any subdivision, his term or if the President shall purpose. agency, or instrumentality have failed to qualify, then the thereof, including government- Vice-President shall act as owned or controlled SEC. 5. President until a President shall Before they enter on the corporations. have qualified, and the execution of their office, the Congress may by law provide President, the Vice-President, or for the case wherein neither a the Acting President shall take President-elect nor a Vicethe following oath or President-elect shall have Section 5. affirmation : qualified, declaring who shall In case of permanent disability, then act as President, or the death, removal from office, or manner in which one who is to "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) resignation of the President, the act shall be selected, and such that I will faithfully and person shall act accordingly Speaker of the National conscientiously fulfill my duties Assembly shall act as President until a President or Viceas President (or Vice-President until a successor has been President shall have qualified. or Acting President) of the elected for the unexpired Philippines, preserve and portion of the term of the defend its Constitution, execute President. its laws, do justice to every Section 7. man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So Before he enters on the help me God." (In case of execution of his office, the Section 6. affirmation, last sentence will President shall take the be omitted.) following oath or affirmation : The President shall have the following duties and functions: SEC. 6. "I do solemnly swear (or The President shall have an affirm) that I will faithfully and (1) Address the National official residence. The salaries Assembly at the opening of its conscientiously fulfill my duties of the President and Viceas President of the Philippines, regular session. President shall be determined preserve and defend its by law and shall not be Constitution, execute its laws, decreased during their tenure. do justice to every man, and No increase in said (2) Proclaim the election of the consecrate myself to the service

compensation shall take effect until after the expiration of the term of the incumbent during which such increase was approved. They shall not receive during their tenure any other emolument from the Government or any other source.

Prime Minister.

of the Nation. So help me God." (In case of affirmation, last sentence will be omitted)

(3) Dissolve the National Assembly and call for a general Section 8. election as provided herein. In the event of the removal of the President from office, or his death, resignation, or inability SEC. 7. (4) Accept the resignation of to discharge the powers and The President-elect and the the Cabinet as provided herein. duties of the said office, the Vice-President-elect shall same shall devolve on the Viceassume office at the beginning President, and the Congress of their terms. shall by law provide for the If the President-elect fails to (5) Attest to the appointment or case of removal, death, qualify, the Vice-President-elect cessation from office of resignation, or inability, both of shall act as President until the Members of the Cabinet, and of the President and VicePresident-elect shall have President, declaring what other officers as may be qualified. officer shall then act as provided by law. If a President shall not have President, and such officer shall been chosen, the Viceact accordingly, until the President-elect shall act as disability be removed, or a President until a President shall (6) Appoint all officers and President shall be elected. have been chosen and qualified. employees in his office in If at the beginning of the term accordance with the Civil of the President, the President- Service Law. elect shall have died or have Section 9. become permanently disabled, the Vice-President-elect shall The President shall have an become President. (7) Perform such other duties official residence and receive a and functions of State as may compensation to be ascertained by law which shall be neither be provided by law. Where no President and Viceincreased nor diminished during President shall have been the period of which he shall chosen or shall have qualified, Section 7. have been elected, and he shall or where both shall have died or not receive within the period become permanently disabled, The President shall be immune any other emolument from the the President of the Senate or, from suit during his tenure. Government or any of its in case of his inability, the subdivisions or Speaker of the House of instrumentalities. Until the Representatives shall act as Congress shall provide President until a President or a otherwise, the President shall Vice-President shall have been receive an annual salary of chosen and qualified. thirty thousand pesos. The Vice-President, when not acting

The Congress shall provide for the manner in which one who is to act as President shall be selected until a President or a Vice-President shall have qualified, in case of death, permanent disability, or inability of the officials mentioned in the next preceding paragraph. SEC. 8. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become the President to serve the unexpired term. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of both the President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall then act as President until the President or Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified.

as President, shall receive an annual compensation of fifteen thousand pesos until otherwise provided by law.

Section 10. (1) The President shall have control of all executive departments, bureaus or offices, exercise general provision over all local governments as may be provided by law, and take care that the laws be faithfully executed.

The Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve as President in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President. He shall serve until the President or the VicePresident shall have been elected and qualified, and be subject to the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as the Acting President. SEC. 9.

(2) The President shall be commander-in-chief of all armed forces of the Philippines, and, whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion, insurrection, or rebellion. In case of invasion, insurrection, or rebellion or imminent danger thereof, when the public safety requires it, he may suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, or place the Philippines or any part thereof under Martial Law.

(3) The President shall nominate and with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, shall appoint the heads of the executive departments and bureaus, officers of the Army from the

Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the Vice-President during the term for which he was elected, the President shall nominate a Vice-President from among the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who shall assume office upon confirmation of a majority vote of all the Members of both Houses of the Congress, voting separately. SEC. 10. The Congress shall, at ten o'clock in the morning of the third day after the vacancy in the offices of the President and Vice-President occurs, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call and within seven days enact a law calling for a special election to elect a President and a VicePresident to b held not earlier than forty-five days nor later than sixty days from the time of such call. The bill calling such special election shall be deemed certified under paragraph 2, Section 26, Article VI of this Constitution and shall become law upon its approval on third reading by the Congress.

rank of colonel, of the Navy and Air Forces from the rank of captain or commander, and all other officers of the Government whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and those whom he may be authorized by law to appoint; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of inferior officers, in the President alone, in the courts, or in the heads of departments.

(4) The President shall have the power to make appointments during the recess of the Congress, but such appointments shall be effective only until disapproval by the Commission on Appointments or until the next adjournment of the Congress.

(5) The President shall from time to time give to the Congress information on the state of the Nation, and recommend to its consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.

Appropriations for the special elections shall be charged against any current appropriations and shall be exempt from the requirements of paragraph 4, Section 25, Article VI of this Constitution. The convening of the Congress

(6) The President shall have the power to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction, for all expenses except in case of impeachment, upon such

cannot be suspended nor the special election postponed. No special election shall be called if the vacancy occurs within eighteen months before the date of the next presidential election. SEC. 11. Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the VicePresident as Acting President.

conditions and with such restrictions and limitations as he may deem proper to impose. He shall have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of the Congress.

(7) The President shall have the power, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate to make treaties, and with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, he shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls. He shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers duly accredited to the Government of the Philippines.

Whenever a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

Section 11. (1) The executive departments of the present Government of the Philippine Islands shall continue as now authorized by law until the Congress shall provide otherwise.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall reassume the powers and duties of his office. Meanwhile, should a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet

(2) The heads of the departments and chiefs of bureaus or offices and their assistants shall not, during their continuance in office, engage in the practice of any profession, or intervene, directly or indirectly, in the management or control of any private enterprise which in any way may be affected by the

transmit within five days to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Congress shall decide the issue. For that purpose, the Congress shall convene, if it is not in session, within forty-eight hours, in accordance with its rules and without need of call. If the Congress, within ten days after receipt of the last written declaration, or, if not in session, within twelve days after it is required to assemble, determines by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, voting separately, that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President shall act as the President; otherwise, the President shall continue exercising the powers and duties of his office. SEC. 12. In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health. The Members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not be denied access to the President during such illness. SEC. 13. The President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, and their deputies or assistants

functions of their office; nor shall they, directly or indirectly, be financially interested in any contract with the Government, or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.

(3) The President may appoint the Vice-President as a member of his Cabinet and also as head of an executive department.

shall not, unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, hold any other office or employment during their tenure. They shall not, during said tenure, directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any business, or be financially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise, or special privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. They shall strictly avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office. The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree of the President shall not during his tenure be appointed as members of the Constitutional Commissions, or the Office of the Ombudsman, or as Secretaries, Undersecretaries, chairmen or heads of bureaus or offices, including governmentowned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries. SEC. 14. Appointments extended by an Acting President shall remain effective, unless revoked by the elected President within ninety days from his assumption or reassumption of office. SEC. 15. Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of

his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety. SEC. 16. The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive department, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, or officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in him in this Constitution. He shall also appoint all other officers of the Government whose appointments are not otherwise provided for by law, and those whom he may be authorized by law to appoint. The Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of other officers lower in rank in the President alone, in the courts, or in the heads of departments, agencies, commissions, or boards. The President shall have the power to make appointments during the recess of the Congress, whether voluntary or involuntary, but such appointments shall be effective only until after disapproval by the Commission on Appointments or until the next adjournment of the Congress.

SEC. 17. The President shall control of all the executive departments, bureaus and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed. SEC. 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President. Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety

requires it.

The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hours following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without any need of a call.

The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing. A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or the legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ. The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only to persons judicially charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in or directly connected with the invasion.

During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within

three days, otherwise he shall be released. SEC. 19. Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment. He shall also have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress. SEC. 20. The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary Board, and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law. The Monetary Board shall, within thirty days from the end of every quarter of the calendar year, submit to the Congress a complete report of its decisions on applications for loans to be contracted or guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and controlled corporations which would have the effect of increasing the foreign debt, and containing other matters as may be provided by law. SEC. 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the

Members of the Senate. SEC. 22. The President shall submit to the Congress within thirty days from the opening of the regular session, as the basis of the general appropriations bill, a budget of expenditures and sources of financing, including receipts from existing and proposed revenue measures. SEC. 23. The President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session. He may also appear before it at any other time Credits to the author***

Newer Philippine Law Resources:

UNITED STATES v. NIXON, (418 U.S. 683 (1974)) SOLIVEN VS. JUDGE MAKASIAR-167 SCRA 393 Philippine Constitution Association vs. Enriquez- 235 SCRA 506 HUBERT J. P. WEBB VS. LAURO VIZCONDE- G.R. No. 121234, August 23, 1995 Marcos VS. Manglapus- G.R. No. 88211, September 15, 1989 -

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Article I THE NATIONAL TERRITORY Local Government Units Extradition Amendatory Provisions- peoples initiative Public Offices -

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1987, 1973, 1935 Philippines Constitution Compared/ Comparison Matrix

Category: Constitutional Law 1987 CONSTITUTION Preamble 1973 CONSTITUTION Preamble 1935 CONSTITUTION Preamble The Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine Providence, in order to establish a government that shall embody their ideals, conserve and develop the patrimony of the nation, promote the general welfare, and secure to themselves and their posterity the blessings of independence under a regime of justice, liberty, and democracy, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

We, the sovereign Filipino We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build Divine Providence, in order to a just and humane society and establish a government that establish a Government that shall embody our ideals, shall embody our ideals and promote the general welfare, aspirations, promote the conserve and develop the common good, conserve and patrimony of our Nation, and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of posterity the blessings of democracy under a regime of independence and democracy justice, peace, liberty, and under the rule of law and a equality, do ordain and regime of truth, justice, promulgate this Constitution. freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution. ARTICLE I ARTICLE I The National Territory The National Territory

ARTICLE I The National Territory

Section 1. The national territory Section 1. The Philippines comprises all the territory ceded The national territory comprises comprises the Philippine the Philippine archipelago, with archipelago, with all the islands to the United States by the and waters embraced therein, Treaty of Paris concluded all the islands and waters between the United States and embraced therein, and all other and all the other territories belonging to the Philippines by Spain on the tenth day of territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or historic or legal title, including December, eighteen hundred the territorial sea, the air space, and ninety-eight, the limits jurisdiction, consisting of its the subsoil, the sea-bed, the which are set forth in Article III terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial of said treaty, together with all domains, including its territorial insular shelves, and the

sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the submarine areas over which the the islands embraced in the insular shelves, and other Philippines has sovereignty or treaty concluded at Washington submarine areas. The waters jurisdiction. The waters around, between the United States and around, between, and between, and connecting the Spain on the seventh day of connecting the islands of the islands of the archipelago, November, nineteen hundred, archipelago, regardless of their irrespective of their breadth and and the treaty concluded breadth and dimensions, form dimensions, form part of the between the United States and part of the internal waters of the internal waters of the Great Britain on the second day Philippines. Philippines. of January, nineteen hundred and thirty, and all territory over which the present Government of the Philippine Islands exercises jurisdiction. ARTICLE II ARTICLE II ARTICLE II Declaration of Principles and Declaration of Principles and State Policies State Policies Declaration of Principles

Section 1. Section 1. Principles The Philippines, is a republican The Philippines is a republican state. Sovereignty resides in the state. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government people and all government authority emanates from them. authority emanates from them.

SEC. 1.

The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Section 2. Sovereignty resides in the Section 2. people and all government The defense of the State is a authority emanates from them. The defense of the State is the prime duty of government, and prime duty of government, and in the fulfillment of this duty all in the fulfillment of this duty all citizens may be required by law SEC. 2. The Philippines renounces war citizens may be required by law to render personal military or as an instrument of national to render personal military or civil service. policy, adopts the generally civil service. accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to Section 3. the policy of peace, equality, Section 3. justice, freedom, cooperation, The Philippines renounces war and amity with all nations. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national as an instrument of national policy, and adopts the generally SEC. 3. policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of Civilian authority is, at all accepted principles of international law as part of the times, supreme over the international law as part of the

military. The Armed Forces of law of the land, and adheres to law of the Nation. the Philippines is the protector the policy of peace, equality, of the people and the State. Its justice, freedom, cooperation, goal is to secure the sovereignty and amity with all nations. of the State and the integrity of Section 4. the national territory. The natural right and duty of SEC. 4. parents in the rearing of the Section 4. The prime duty of the youth for civic efficiency Government is to serve and The State shall strengthen the should receive the aid and protect the people. The family as a basic social support of the government. Government may call upon the institution. The natural right people to defend the State and, and duty of parents in the Section 5. The promotion of in the fulfillment thereof, all rearing of the youth for civic social justice to insure the wellcitizens may be required, under efficiency and the development being and economic security of conditions provided by law, to of moral character shall receive all the people should be the render personal military or civil the aid and support of the concern of the State. service. government. SEC. 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general Section 5. welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people of The State recognizes the vital the blessings of democracy. role of the youth in nationbuilding and shall promote their SEC. 6. physical, intellectual and social The separation of Church and well-being. State shall be inviolable.

Section 6. State Policies The State shall promote social justice to ensure the dignity, welfare, and security of all the SEC. 7. people. Towards this end, the The State shall pursue an State shall regulate the independent foreign policy. In acquisition, ownership, use, its relations with other states the enjoyment, and disposition of paramount consideration shall private property, and equitably be national sovereignty, diffuse property ownership and territorial integrity, national profits. interest, and the right to self-

determination. SEC. 8. Section 7. The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts and The State shall establish, pursues a policy of freedom maintain, and ensure adequate from nuclear weapons in its social services in the field of territory. education, health, housing, employment, welfare, and SEC. 9. social security to guarantee the The State shall promote a just enjoyment of the people of a and dynamic social order that decent standard of living. will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide Section 8. adequate social services, promote full employment, a Civilian authority is at all times rising standard of living, and an supreme over the military. improved quality of life for all.

SEC. 10. Section 9. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national The State shall afford development. protection to labor, promote full employment and equality in SEC. 11. employment, ensure equal work The State values the dignity of opportunities regardless of sex, every human person and race, or creed, and regulate the guarantees full respect for relation between workers and human rights. employers. The State shall assure the rights of workers to SEC. 12. self-organization, collective The State recognizes the bargaining, security of tenure, sanctity of family life and shall and just and humane conditions protect and strengthen the of work. The State may provide family as a basic autonomous for compulsory arbitration. social institution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The Section 10. natural and primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of The State shall guarantee and the youth for civic efficiency promote the autonomy of local and the development of moral government units, especially

character shall receive the support of the Government. SEC. 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nationbuilding and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs. SEC. 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men. SEC. 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. SEC. 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. SEC. 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development. SEC. 18.

the barrio, to ensure their fullest development as self-reliant communities.

The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare. SEC. 19. The State shall develop a selfreliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. SEC. 20. The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to needed investments. SEC. 21. The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform. SEC. 22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development. SEC. 23. The State shall encourage nongovernmental, communitybased, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation. SEC. 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building.

SEC. 25. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments. SEC. 26. The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law. SEC. 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption. SEC. 28. Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.

ARTICLE VI Legislative Department

ARTICLE VIII The National Assembly

ARTICLE VI Legislative Department

SEC 1. The legislative power shall be Section 1. vested in the Congress of the Philippines which shall consist The Legislative power shall be of a Senate and a House of vested in a National Assembly. Representatives, except to the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative and referendum. Section 2.

Section 1. The Legislative power shall be vested in a Congress of the Philippines, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

SEC. 2. The National Assembly shall be The Senate shall be composed composed of as many Members Section 2. of twenty-four Senators who as may be provided by law to

shall be elected at large by the be appointed among the qualified voters of the provinces, representative Philippines, as may be provided districts, and cities in by law. accordance with the number of their respective inhabitants and on the basis of a uniform and SEC. 3. No person shall be a Senator progressive ratio. Each district unless he is a natural-born shall comprise, as far as citizen of the Philippines, and, practicable, contiguous, on the day of the election, is at compact, and adjacent territory. least thirty-five years of age, Representative districts or able to read and write, a provinces already created or registered voter, and a resident existing at the time of the of the Philippines for not less ratification of this Constitution than two years immediately shall have at least one Member preceding the day of the each. election.

The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be chosen at large by the qualified electors of the Philippines, as may be provided by law.

Section 3.

The term of office of Senators shall be six years and shall begin on the thirtieth day of December next following their election. The first Senators elected under this Constitution shall, in the manner provided SEC. 4. by law, be divided equally into The term of office of the three groups, the Senators of Section 3. Senators shall be six years and the first group, to serve for a shall commence, unless (1) The Members of the term of six years; those of the otherwise provided by law, at National Assembly shall be second group, for four years; noon on the thirtieth day of elected by the qualified electors and those of the third group, for June next following their in their respective districts for a two years. election. No Senator shall serve term of six years which shall for more than two consecutive begin, unless otherwise terms. Voluntary renunciation provided by law, at noon on the of the office for any length of thirtieth day of June next Section 4. time shall not be considered as following their election. an interruption in the continuity No person shall be a Senator of his service for the full term unless he be a natural born for which he was elected. citizen of the Philippines and, at (2) In case the National the time of his election, is at SEC. 5. Assembly is dissolved, the least thirty-five years of age, a (1) The House of newly elected Members shall qualified elector, and a resident Representatives shall be serve the unexpired portion of of the Philippines for not less composed of not more than two the term from the time the than two years immediately hundred and fifty members, Prime Minister convenes the prior to his election. unless otherwise fixed by law, Assembly, which shall not be who shall be elected from later than thirty days legislative districts apportioned immediately following the among the provinces, cities, and elections. Section 5. the Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the number of The House of Representatives their respective inhabitants, and shall be composed of not more

on the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and those who, as provided by law, shall be elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations.

than one hundred and twenty Members who shall be No person shall be a Member of apportioned among the several the National Assembly unless provinces as nearly as may be he is a natural-born citizen of accorded to the number of their the Philippines and, on the day respective inhabitants, but each province shall have at least one of the election, is at least twenty-five years of age, able to Member. The Congress shall by law make an apportionment read and write, a registered (2) The party-list voter in the district in which he within three years after the representatives shall constitute shall be elected, and a resident return of every enumeration, twenty per centum of the total thereon for a period of not less and not otherwise. Until such apportionment shall have been number of representatives than one year immediately made, the House of including those under the party preceding the day of the Representatives shall have the list. For three consecutive terms election. same number of Members as after the ratification of this that fixed by law for the Constitution, one-half of the National Assembly, who shall seats allocated to party-list be elected by the qualified representatives shall be filled, Section 5. electors from the present as provided by law, by selection or election from the labor, (1) Unless otherwise provided Assembly districts. Each peasant, urban poor, indigenous by law, the regular election of representative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, cultural communities, women, Members of the National youth, and such other sectors as Assembly shall be held on the contiguous and compact may be provided by law, except second Monday of May every territory. the religious sector. six years thereafter. Section 4.

(3) Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. Each city with a population of at least two hundred fifty thousand, or each province, shall have at least one representative.

Section 6. (2) In case a vacancy arises in the National Assembly one year The term of office of the Members of the House of or more before a regular Representatives shall be four election, the Commission on years and shall begin on the Elections shall call a special election to be held within sixty thirtieth day of December next days after the vacancy occurs. following their election.

(4) Within three years Section 6. following the return of every census, the Congress shall make The National Assembly shall a reappointment of legislative convene once every year on the districts based on the standards fourth Monday of July for its provided in this section. regular session, unless a different date is fixed by law,

Section 7. No person shall be a Member of the House of Representatives unless he be a natural born citizen of the Philippines, and, at the time of his election, is at

and shall continue to be in SEC. 6. No person shall be a Member of session until thirty days before the House of Representatives the opening of its next regular unless he is a natural-born session, exclusive of Saturdays, citizen of the Philippines and, Sundays, and legal holidays. It on the day of the election, is at may recess for periods not least twenty-five years of age, exceeding thirty days each, and able to read and write, and, not more than ninety days except the party-list during the year. However, it representatives, a registered may be called to session at any voter in the district in which he time by the Prime Minister to shall be elected, and a resident consider such subjects or thereof for a period of not less legislation as he may designate. than one year immediately preceding the day of the election. Section 7. SEC. 7. The Members of the House of Representatives shall be elected for a term of three years which shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following their election. No member of the House of Representatives shall serve for more than three consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected. (1) The National Assembly, shall, by a majority vote of all its Members, elect its Speaker from the Members thereof. It shall choose such other officers as it may deem necessary. The election of the President and the Prime Minister shall precede all other business following the election of the Speaker.

least twenty-five years of age, a qualified elector, and a resident of the province in which he is chosen for not less than one year immediately prior to his election.

Section 8. (1) Elections for Senators and Members of the House of Representatives shall be held in the manner and on the dates fixed by law.

(2) In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House of Representatives, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law, but the Senator or Member of the House of Representatives thus elected shall serve only for the unexpired term.

Section 9.

(2) A majority of the National Assembly shall constitute a The Congress shall convene in quorum to do business, but a regular session once every year SEC. 8. smaller number may adjourn on the fourth Monday of Unless otherwise provided by from day to day and may January, unless a different date law, the regular election of the compel the attendance of absent is fixed by law. It may be called Senators and the Members of Members in such manner, and in special session at any time by the House of Representatives under such penalties, as the the President to consider shall be held on the second National Assembly may general legislation or only such Monday of May. provide. subjects as he may designate. No special session shall SEC. 9. continue longer than thirty days In case of vacancy in the Senate and no regular session longer

or in the House of Representatives, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner prescribed by law, but the Senator or Member of the House of Representatives thus elected shall serve only for the unexpired term. SEC. 10. The salaries of Senators and Members of the House of Representatives shall be determined by law. No increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the expiration of the full term of all the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives approving such increase.

(3) The National Assembly may than one hundred days, determine the rules of its exclusive of Sundays. proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and with concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members, suspend or expel a Member, but if the penalty is Section 10. suspension, this shall not exceed sixty days. (1) The Senate shall elect its President and the House of Representatives its Speaker. (4) The National Assembly shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, in its judgment, affect national security; and the yeas and nays on any question shall, at the request of one-fifth of the Members present, be entered in the Journal. Each House shall choose such other officers as may be required.

SEC. 11. A Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment, be privileged Section 8. from arrest while the Congress is in session. No member shall (1) Unless otherwise provided be questioned nor be held liable by law, each Member of the in any other place for any National Assembly shall (3) Each House may determine speech or debate in the receive an annual salary of sixty the rule of its proceedings, Congress or in any committee thousand pesos. The Speaker of punish its Members for thereof. the National Assembly shall disorderly behavior, and, with receive an annual salary of the concurrence of two-thirds of SEC. 12. seventy-five thousand pesos. all its Members, expel a All Members of the Senate and No increase in salary shall take Member. the House of Representatives effect until after the expiration shall, upon assumption of of the term of the Members of office, make a full disclosure of the National Assembly their financial and business approving such increase. (4) Each House shall keep a interests. They shall notify the Journal of its proceedings, and House concerned of a potential from time to time publish the conflict of interest that may same, excepting such parts as arise from the filing of a (2) The records and books of may in its judgment requires

(2) A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day and may compel the attendance of absent Members in such manner and under such penalties as such House may provide.

proposed legislation of which they are authors.

accounts of the National secrecy; and the yeas and nays Assembly shall be open to the on any question shall, at the public in accordance with law, request of one-fifth of the and such books shall be audited Members present, be entered SEC. 13. No Senator or a Member of the by the Commission on Audit into the Journal. House of Representatives may which shall publish annually hold any other office or the itemized expenditures for employment in the each Member. Government, or any (5) Neither House during the subdivision, agency, or sessions of the Congress shall, instrumentality thereof, without the consent of the including government-owned or Section 9. other, adjourn for more than controlled corporations or their three days, nor to any other subsidiaries, during his term place than that in which the two A Member of the National without forfeiting his seat. Assembly shall, in all offenses Houses shall be sitting. Neither shall he be appointed to punishable by not more than six any office which may have years imprisonment, be been created or the emoluments privileged from arrest during thereof increased during the his attendance at its sessions, Section 11. term for which he was elected. and in going to and returning from the same; but the National The Senate and the House of SEC. 14. Assembly shall surrender the Representatives shall have an No Senator or Member of the Member involved to the Electoral Tribunal which shall House of Representatives may custody of the law within be the sole judge of all contests personally appear as counsel twenty-four hours after its relating to the election, returns, before any court of justice or adjournment for a recess or its and qualifications of their before the Electoral Tribunals, next session, otherwise such respective Members. Each or quasi-judicial and other privilege shall cease upon its Electoral Tribunal shall be administrative bodies. Neither failure to do so. A Member composed of nine Members, shall he, directly or indirectly, shall not be questioned or held three of whom shall be Justices be interested financially in any liable in any other place for any of the Supreme Court to be contract with, or in any speech or debate in the designated by the Chief Justice, franchise or special privilege Assembly or in any committee and the remaining six shall be granted by the Government, or thereof. Members of the Senate or the any subdivision, agency, or House of Representatives, as instrumentality thereof, the case may be, who shall be including any governmentchosen by each House, three owned or controlled upon nomination of the party Section 10. corporation, or its subsidiary, having the largest number of during his term of office. He votes and three of the party A Member of the National shall not intervene in any matter Assembly shall not hold any having the second largest before any office of the other office or employment in numbers of votes therein. The Government for his pecuniary the government, or any senior Justice in each Electoral benefit or where he may be Tribunal shall be its Chairman. subdivision, agency, or called upon to act on account of instrumentality thereof, his office. including government-owned or

controlled corporations during his tenure except that of Prime Minister or Member of the Cabinet. Neither shall he be appointed to any civil office Section 12. which may have been created or the emoluments thereof There shall be a Commission on increased while he was a Appointments consisting of Member of the National twelve Senators and twelve Assembly. Members of the House of Representatives, elected by each House, respectively, on the basis of proportional representation of the political Section 11. parties therein. The president of No Member of the National the Senate shall be the Assembly shall appear as Chairman ex officio of the SEC. 16. counsel before any court Commission, but shall not vote (1) The Senate shall elect its inferior to a court with appellate except in case of tie. President and the House of jurisdiction, before any court in Representatives its Speaker, by any civil case wherein the a majority vote of all its government, or any subdivision, respective Members. agency, or instrumentality Each House shall choose such thereof is the adverse party, or other officers as it may deem before any administrative body. Section 13. necessary. Neither shall he, directly or (2) A majority of each House indirectly, be interested The Electoral Tribunal and the shall constitute a quorum to do financially in any contract with, Commission on Appointments business, but a smaller number or in any franchise or special shall be constituted within may adjourn from day to day privilege granted by, the thirty days after the Senate and and may compel the attendance government, or any subdivision, the House of Representatives of absent Members in such agency, or instrumentality shall have been organized with manner, and under such thereof, including any the election of their President penalties, as such House may government-owned or and Speaker, respectively. The provide. controlled corporation, during Commission on Appointments (3) Each House may determine his term of office. He shall not shall meet only while the the rules of its proceedings, intervene in any matter before Congress is in session, at the punish its Members for any office of the government call of its Chairman or a disorderly behavior, and, with for his pecuniary benefit. majority of its Members, to the concurrence of two-thirds of discharge such powers and all its Members, suspend or functions as are herein expel a Member. A penalty for conferred upon it. suspension, when imposed, Section 12. shall not exceed sixty days. Section 14. (4) Each House shall keep a (1) There shall be a question Journal of its proceedings, and hour at least once a month or as The Senators and the Members SEC. 15. The Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session, unless a different date is fixed by law, and shall continue to be in session for such number of days as it may determine until thirty days before the opening of its next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The President may call a special session at any time.

from time to time publish the often as the rules of the of the House of Representatives same, excepting such parts as National Assembly may shall, unless otherwise provided may, in its judgment, affect provide, which shall be by law, receive an annual national security; and the yeas included in its agenda, during compensation of seven and nays on any question shall, which the Prime Minister or thousand two hundred pesos at the request of one-fifth of the any Minister may be required to each, including per diems and members present, be entered in appear and answer questions other emoluments or the Journal. and interpellations by Members allowances and exclusive only Each House shall also keep a of the National Assembly. of traveling expenses to and Record of its proceedings. Written questions shall be from their respective districts in (5) Neither House during the submitted to the Speaker at the case of Members of the sessions of the Congress shall, least three days before a House of Representatives, and without the consent of the scheduled question hour. to an from their places of other, adjourn for more than Interpellations shall not be residence in the case of three days, nor to any other limited to the written questions, Senators, when attending place than that in which the two but may cover matters related sessions of the Congress. No Houses shall be sitting. thereto. The agenda shall increase in said compensation specify the subjects of the shall take effect until after the question hour. When the expiration of the full term of all SEC. 17. The Senate and the House of security of the State so requires the Members of the Senate and Representatives shall each have and the Prime Minister so states of the House of Representatives an Electoral Tribunal which in writing, the question hour approving such increase. Until shall be the sole judge of all shall be conducted in executive otherwise provided by law, the contests relating to the election, session. President of the Senate and the returns, and qualifications of Speaker of the House of their respective Members. Each Representatives shall each Electoral Tribunal shall be receive an annual compensation composed of nine Members, (2) The National Assembly or of sixteen thousand pesos. three of whom shall be Justices any of its committees may of the Supreme Court to be conduct inquiries in aid of designated by the Chief Justice, legislation in accordance with and the remaining six shall be its duly published rules of Members of the Senate or the procedure. The rights of House of Representatives, as persons appearing in such Section 15. the case may be, who shall be inquiries shall be respected. chosen on the basis of The Senators and Members of proportional representation the House of Representatives from the political parties and shall in all cases except treason, the parties or organizations felony, and breach of the peace, Section 13. registered under the party-list be privileged from arrest during system represented therein. The (1) The National Assembly may their attendance at the session senior Justice in the Electoral withdraw its confidence from of the Congress, and in going to Tribunal shall be it Chairman. the Prime Minister only by and returning from the same; and for any speech or debate electing a successor by a SEC. 18. therein, they shall not be majority vote of all its There shall be a Commission on Members. No motion for the

Appointments consisting of the President of the Senate, as ex officio Chairman, twelve Senators, and twelve Members of the House of Representatives, elected by each House on the basis of proportional representation from the political parties or organizations registered under the party-list system represented therein. The Chairman of the Commission shall not vote, except in case of a tie. The Commission shall act on all appointments submitted to it within thirty session days of the Congress from their submission. The Commission shall rule by a majority vote of all the Members.

election of such successor shall questioned in any other place. be debated and voted upon until after the lapse of three days from the submittal of such motion. Section 16. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives may hold any other office or employment in the government without forfeiting his seat, nor shall any Senator or Member of the House of Representatives, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil office which may have been created or the emoluments whereof shall have been increased while he was a Member of the Congress. Section 17. No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall directly or indirectly be financially interested in any contract with the government or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof, or in any franchise or special privilege granted by the Congress during his term of office. He shall not appear as counsel before the Electoral Tribunals or before any court in any civil case wherein the Government or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof is the adverse party, or in any criminal case wherein an officer or employee of the government is accused of an offense committed in relation to his

(2) The Prime Minister may advise the President in writing to dissolve the National Assembly whenever the need arises for a popular vote of confidence on fundamental issues, but not on a matter involving his own personal integrity. Whereupon, the President shall dissolve the National Assembly not earlier than five days nor later than ten days from his receipt of the advice, and call for an election SEC. 19. on a date set by the Prime The Electoral Tribunals and the Minister which shall not be Commission on Appointments earlier than forty-five days nor shall be constituted within later than sixty days from the thirty days after the Senate and date of such dissolution. the House of Representatives However, no dissolution of the shall have been organized with National Assembly shall take the election of the President and place within nine months the Speaker. The Commission immediately preceding a on Appointments shall meet regular election or within nine only while the Congress is in months immediately following session, at the call of its any general election. Chairman or a majority of all its Members, to discharge such powers and functions as are herein conferred upon it. (3) In case of dissolution of the National Assembly or the SEC. 20. termination of its regular term, The records and books of the incumbent Prime Minister accounts of the Congress shall and the Cabinet shall continue be preserved and be open to the to conduct the affairs of public in accordance with law, government until the new and such books shall be audited National Assembly is convoked by the Commission on Audit and a Prime Minister is elected

which shall publish annually an and has qualified. office, or collect any fee for his itemized list of amounts paid to appearance in any and expenses incurred for each administrative proceedings; or Member. accept employment to intervene in any cause or matter where he Section 14. may be called upon to act on SEC. 21. The Senate or the House of account of his office. No (1) Except as otherwise Representatives or any of its provided in this Constitution, Member of the Commission on respective committees may Appointments shall appear as no treaty shall be valid and conduct inquiries in aid of effective unless concurred in by counsel before any court legislation in accordance with a majority of all the Members inferior to a collegiate court of its duly published rules of appellate jurisdiction. of the National Assembly. procedure. The rights of persons appearing in or affected by such inquiries shall be respected. (2) The National Assembly, by Section 18. a vote of two-thirds of all its SEC. 22. Members, shall have the sole All appropriation, revenue or The heads of departments may power to declare the existence tariff bills, bills authorizing upon their own initiative, with of a state of war. increase of the public debt, bills the consent of the President, or of local application, and private upon the request of either bills, shall originate exclusively House, as the rules of each in the House of House shall provide, appear Representatives, but the Senate Section 15. before and be heard by such may propose or concur with House on any matter pertaining In times of war or other amendments. to their departments. Written national emergency, the questions shall be submitted to National Assembly may by law the President of the Senate or authorize the Prime Minister, the Speaker of the House of for a limited period and subject Section 19. Representatives at least three to such restrictions as it may days before their scheduled prescribe, to exercise powers (1) The President shall submit appearance. Interpellations shall necessary and proper to carry within fifteen days of the not be limited to written out a declared national policy. opening of each regular session questions, but may cover of the Congress a budget of Unless sooner withdrawn by matters related thereto. When resolution of the National receipts and expenditures, the security of the State or the Assembly, such powers shall which shall be the basis of the public interest so requires and cease upon its next general appropriations bill. The the President so states in Congress may not increase the adjournment. writing, the appearance shall be appropriations recommended conducted in executive session. by the President for the operation of the Government as SEC. 23. specified in the Budget, except Section 16. (1) The Congress, by a vote of the appropriations for the two-thirds of both Houses in Congress and the Judicial (1) The Prime Minister shall joint session assembled, voting submit to the National Department. The form of the

separately, shall have the sole Assembly within thirty days Budget and the information that power to declare the existence from the opening of each it should contain shall be of a state of war. regular session, as the basis of prescribed by law. the general appropriations bill, a budget of receipts based on (2) No provision or enactment existing and proposed revenue shall be embraced in the general (2) In times of war or other measures, and of expenditures. appropriations bill unless it national emergency, the The form, content, and manner relates specifically to some Congress may, by law, of preparation of the budget authorize the President, for a particular appropriation therein; shall be prescribed by law. limited period and subject to and any such provision or such restrictions as it may enactment shall be limited in its prescribe, to exercise powers (2) No provision or enactment operation to such appropriation. necessary and proper to carry shall be embraced in the general out a declared national policy. appropriations bill unless it Unless sooner withdrawn by relates specifically to some resolution of the Congress, such particular appropriation therein. Section 20. powers shall cease upon the Any such provision or next adjournment thereof. enactment shall be limited in its (1) Every bill passed by the operation to the appropriation Congress shall, before it to which it relates. SEC. 24. becomes a law, be presented to All appropriation, revenue or the President. If he approves the tariff bills, bills authorizing same, he shall sign it; but if not, increase of public debt, bills of he shall return it with his local application, and private (3) The procedure in approving objections to the House where it bills shall originate exclusively appropriations for the National originated, which shall enter the in the House of Assembly shall strictly follow objections at large on its Representatives, but the Senate the procedure for approving Journal and proceed to may propose or concur with appropriations for other reconsider it. If, after such amendments. departments and agencies. reconsideration, two-thirds of all the Members of such House SEC. 25. shall agree to pass the bill, it (1) The Congress may not shall be sent together, with the increase the appropriations (4) A special appropriations bill objections, to the House by recommended by the President shall specify the purpose for which it shall likewise be for the operation of the which it is intended, and shall reconsidered, and if approved Government as specified in the be supported by funds actually by two-thirds of all the budget. The form, content, and available as certified to by the Members of that House, it shall manner of preparation of the become a law. In all such cases, National Treasurer, or to be budget shall be prescribed by raised by a corresponding the votes of each House shall be law. determined by yeas and nays, revenue proposal included and the names of the Members therein. voting for and against shall be (2) No provision or enactment entered on its Journal. If any shall be embraced in the general bill shall not be returned by the appropriations bill unless it President as herein provided (5) No law shall be passed relates specifically to some within twenty days (Sundays authorizing any transfer of

particular appropriation therein. appropriations; however, the excepted) after it shall have Any such provision or Prime Minister, the Speaker, been presented to him, the same enactment shall be limited in its the Chief Justice of the shall become a law in like operation to the appropriation Supreme Court, and the heads manner as if he had signed it, to which it relates. of Constitutional Commissions unless the Congress by may by law be authorized to adjournment prevent its return, augment any item in the general in which case it shall become a law unless vetoed by the (3) The procedure in approving appropriations law for their appropriations for the Congress respective offices from saving President within thirty days in other items of their after adjournment. shall strictly follow the respective appropriations. procedure for approving appropriations for other departments or agencies. (2) The President shall have the (6) If, by the end of the fiscal power to veto any particular (4) A special appropriations bill year, the National Assembly item or items of an shall specify the purpose for shall have failed to pass the appropriation bill, but the veto which it is intended, and shall general appropriations bill for shall not affect the item or be supported by funds actually the ensuing fiscal year, the items to which he does not available as certified by the general appropriations law for object. When a provision of an National Treasurer, or to be the preceding fiscal year shall appropriation bill affects one or raised by a corresponding be deemed re-enacted and shall more items of the same, the revenue proposed therein. remain in force and effect until President cannot veto the the general appropriations bill provision without at the same is passed by the National time, vetoing the particular item Assembly. or items to which it relates. The (5) No law shall be passed item or items objected to shall authorizing any transfer of not take effect except in the appropriations; however, the manner heretofore provided as President, the President of the to bills returned to the Congress Senate, the Speaker of the Section 17. without the approval of the House of Representatives, the Chief Justice of the Supreme (1) The rule of taxation shall be President. If the veto refers to a bill or any item of an Court, and the Constitutional uniform and equitable. The Commissions may, by law, be National Assembly shall evolve appropriation bill which appropriates a sum in excess of authorized to augment any item a progressive system of ten per centum of the total in the general appropriations taxation. amount voted in the law for their respective offices appropriation bill for the from savings in other items of general expenses of the their respective appropriations. (2) The National Assembly may Government for the preceding year, or if it should refer to a by law authorize the Prime (6) Discretionary funds Minister to fix within specified bill authorizing an increase of the public debt, the same shall appropriated for particular limits, and subject to such officials shall be disbursed only limitations and restrictions as it not become a law unless for public purposes to be may impose, tariff rates, import approved by three-fourths of all supported by appropriate and export quotas, tonnage and

vouchers and subject to such wharfage dues, and other duties the Members of each House. guidelines as may be prescribed or imposts. by law. (3) The President shall have the power to veto any separate item or items in a revenue of tariff bill, and the item or items shall not take effect except in the manner provided as to bills vetoed by the President.

(7) If, by the end of any fiscal year, the Congress shall have failed to pass the general appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the general appropriations law for the preceding fiscal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force and effect until the general appropriations bill is passed by the Congress. SEC. 26. (1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only one subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.

(3) Charitable institutions, churches, personages or convents appurtenant thereto, mosques and non-profit cemeteries, and all lands, buildings and improvements actually, directly, and exclusively used for religious or charitable purposes shall be exempt from taxation. Section 21.

(4) No law granting any tax exemption shall be passed without the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the National Assembly.

(1) No bill which may be enacted into law shall embrace more than one subject which shall be expressed in the title of the bill.

(2) No bill passed by either (2) No bill shall be passed by House shall become a law either House unless it shall have unless it has passed three Section 18. been printed and copies thereof readings on separate days, and in its final form furnished its printed copies thereof in its (1) No money shall be paid out Members at least three calendar final form have been distributed of the Treasury except in days prior to its passage, except to its members three days pursuance of an appropriation when the President shall have before its passage, except when made by law. certified to the necessity of its the President certifies to the immediate enactment. Upon the necessity of its immediate last reading of a bill no enactment to meet a public amendment thereof shall be calamity or emergency. Upon (2) No public money or allowed, and the question upon the last reading of a bill, no its passage shall be taken property shall ever be amendment thereto shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or immediately thereafter, and the allowed, and the vote thereon used, directly or indirectly, for yeas and nays entered on the shall be taken immediately the use, benefit, or support of Journal. thereafter, and the yeas and any sect, church, denomination, nays entered in the Journal. sectarian institution, or system of religion or for the use, SEC. 27. benefit, or support of any priest, Section 22. (1) Every bill passed by the preacher, minister, or other Congress shall, before it religious teacher or dignitary as (1) The rule of taxation shall be

becomes a law, be presented to such, except when such priest, uniform. the President. If he approves the preacher, minister, or dignitary same, he shall sign it; is assigned to the armed forces, otherwise, he shall veto it and or to any penal institution, or return the same with his government orphanage or (2) The Congress may by law objections to the House where it leprosarium. authorize the President, subject originated, which shall enter the to such limitations and objections at large in its Journal restrictions as it may impose, to and proceed to reconsider it. If, fix, within specified limits, after such reconsideration, two- Section 19. tariff rates, import or export thirds of all the Members of quotas, and tonnage and such House shall agree to pass (1) Every bill shall become a wharfage dues. the bill, it shall be sent, together law unless it has passed three with the objections, to the other readings on separate days, and House by which it shall printed copies thereof in its likewise be reconsidered, and if final form have been distributed (3) Cemeteries, churches, and approved by two-thirds of all to the Members three days parsonages or convents the Members of that House, it before its passage, except when appurtenant thereto, and all shall become a law. In all such the Prime Minister certifies to lands, buildings, and cases, the votes of each House the necessity of its immediate improvements used exclusively shall be determined by yeas or enactment to meet a public for religious, charitable, or nays, and the names of the calamity or emergency. Upon educational purposes shall be Members voting for or against the last reading of a bill, no exempt from taxation. shall be entered in its Journal. amendment thereto shall be The President shall allowed, and the vote thereon communicate his veto of any shall be taken immediately bill to the House where it thereafter, and the yeas and Section 23. originated within thirty days nays entered in the Journal. after the day of receipt thereof; (1) All money collected on any otherwise, it shall become a law tax levied for a special purpose as if he had signed it. shall be treated as a special (2) No bill except those of local fund and paid out for such application shall be calendared purpose only. If the purpose for (2) The President shall have the without the prior which a special fund was crated power to veto any particular recommendation of the Cabinet. has been fulfilled or abandoned, item or items in an the balance, if any, shall be appropriation, revenue, or tariff transferred to the general funds bill, but the veto shall not affect of the Government. the item or items to which he Section 20. does not object. (1) Every bill passed by the national Assembly shall, before (2) No money shall be paid out SEC. 28. it becomes a law, be presented of Treasury except in pursuance (1) The rule of taxation shall be to the Prime Minister. If he of an appropriation made by uniform and equitable. The approves the same he shall sign law. Congress shall evolve a it; otherwise, he shall veto it

progressive system of taxation. and return the same with his objections to the National Assembly. The bill may be (3) No public money, or (2)The Congress may, by law, reconsidered by the National property shall ever be authorize the President to fix Assembly and, if approved by appropriated, applied, or used, two-thirds of all its Members, directly or indirectly, for the within specified limits, and subject to such limitations and shall become a law. The Prime use, benefit, or support of any restrictions as it may impose, Minister shall act on every bill sect, church, denomination, tariff rates, import and export passed by the National sectarian institution or system quotas, tonnage and wharfage Assembly within thirty days of religion, for the use, benefit, after the date of receipt thereof; or support of any priest, dues, and other duties or imposts within the framework otherwise, it shall become a law preacher, ministers, or other as if he had signed it. of the national development religious teacher or dignitary as program of the Government. such except when such priest, (2) The Prime Minister shall preacher, minister, or dignitary have the power to veto any is assigned to the armed forces particular item or items in or to any penal institution, (3)Charitable institutions, appropriation, revenue, or tariff orphanage or leprosarium. churches and parsonages or covenants appurtenant thereto, bill, but the veto shall not affect mosques, non-profit cemeteries, the item or items to which he does not object. and all lands, buildings, and improvements, actually, Section 24. directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable, or The heads of departments upon educational purposes shall be their own initiative or upon the exempt from taxation. request of either House may appear before and be heard by such House on any matter (4) No law granting any tax pertaining to their departments, exemption shall be passed unless the public interest shall without the concurrence of a require otherwise and the majority of all the Members of President shall so state in the Congress. writing. SEC. 29. (1) No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by law. Section 25. The Congress, shall, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of each House, have the sole power to declare war. Section 26. In times of war and other national emergency the Congress may by law authorize the President, for a limited

(2) No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any

sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium.

period, and subject to such restrictions as it may prescribe, to promulgate rules and regulations to carry out a declared national policy.

(3) All money collected on any tax levied for a special purpose shall be treated as a special fund and paid out for such purpose only. If the purpose for which a special fund was created has been fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall be transferred to the general funds of the Government. SEC. 30. No law shall be passed increasing the appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as provided in this Constitution without its advice and concurrence. SEC. 31. No law granting a title of royalty or nobility shall be enacted. SEC. 32. The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom, whereby the people can directly propose and enact laws or approve or reject any act or law

or part thereof passed by the Congress or local legislative body after the registration of a petition therefor signed by at least ten per centum of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative district must be represented by at least three per centum of the registered voters thereof. ARTICLE VII Executive Department

ARTICLE VII The President and VicePresident

ARTICLE VII Executive Department

SEC 1. The executive power shall be vested in the President of the Philippines.

Section 1. Section 1. The executive power shall be The President shall be the head vested in a President of the of state and chief executive of Philippines. the Republic of the Philippines.

SEC. 2. No person may be elected President unless he is a naturalborn citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read Section 2. and write, at least forty years of Section 2. age on the day of the election, The President shall hold his and a resident of the Philippines There shall be a Vice-President office during a term of four for at least ten years who shall have the same years and together with the immediately preceding such qualifications and term of office Vice-President chosen for the election. as the President and may be same term, shall be elected by removed from office in the direct vote of the people. The SEC. 3. same manner as the President as returns of every election for There shall be a Vice-President provided in Article XIII, President and Vice-President, who shall have the same Section 2 of this Constitution. duly certified by the board of qualifications and term of office canvassers of each province or and be elected with and in the city, shall be transmitted to the same manner as the President. seat of the National He may be removed from office The Vice-President may be Government, directed to the in the same manner as the appointed as a member of the President of the Senate, who President. Cabinet and may be nominated shall, in the presence of the The Vice-President may be and elected as Prime Minister. Senate and the House of appointed as a Member of the Representatives, open all the Cabinet. Such appointment certificates, and the votes shall requires no confirmation. then be counted. The person respectively having the highest The Vice-President shall be SEC. 4. number of votes for President elected with and in the same

The President and the VicePresident shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June following the day of the election and shall end at noon of the same date six years thereafter. The President shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person who has succeeded as President and has served as such for more than four years shall be qualified for election to the same office at any time.

and Vice-President shall be declared elected, but in case two or more shall have an equal and the highest number of votes The President shall be elected for their office, one of them shall be chosen President or from among the Members of Vice-President, as the case may the National Assembly by a majority vote of all its Members be, by a majority vote of the for a term of six years from the Members of the Congress in date he takes his oath of office, joint session assembled. which shall not be later than three days after the proclamation of the National Assembly, nor in any case Section 3. earlier than the expiration of the term of his predecessor. Upon No person may be elected to the taking his oath of office, the office of the President or VicePresident shall cease to be a President unless he is a natural No Vice-President shall serve Member of the National born citizen of the Philippines, for more than two consecutive Assembly and of any political a qualified voter, forty years of terms. Voluntary renunciation party. He shall be ineligible to age or over, and has been a of the office for any length of hold any other elective office resident of the Philippines for at time shall not be considered as during his term. least ten years immediately an interruption in the continuity preceding the election. of the service for the full term for which he was elected. Unless otherwise provided by Section 3. law, the regular election for Section 4. President and Vice-President No person may be elected shall be held on the second President unless he is at least Elections for President and Monday of May. fifty years of age at the day of Vice-President shall be held his election as President, and a once every four years on a date resident of the Philippines for at to be fixed by law. The returns of every election least ten years immediately for President and Vicepreceding his election. President, duly certified by the However, if no Member of the board of canvassers of each National Assembly is qualified The terms of the President and province or city, shall be or none of those qualified is a Vice-President shall end at transmitted to the Congress, candidate for President, any noon on the thirtieth day of directed to the President of the Member thereof may be elected December following the Senate. Upon receipt of the President. expiration of four years after certificates of canvass, the their election, and the terms of President of the Senate shall, their successors shall begin not later than thirty days after from such time. the day of the election, open all Section 4. certificates in the presence of

manner as the President.

the Senate and the House of (1) The President shall have an Representatives in joint public official residence and shall session, and the Congress, upon receive a compensation to be Section 5. determination of the fixed by law, which shall not be authenticity and due execution increased or decreased during No person shall serve as thereof in the manner provided his term of office. He shall not President for more than eight by law, canvass the votes. receive during his tenure any consecutive years. The period other emolument from the of such service shall be counted government or any other from the date he shall have The person having the highest source. Until the National commenced to act as President. Assembly shall provide number of votes shall be Voluntary renunciation of the proclaimed elected, but in case otherwise, the President shall office for any length of time two or more shall have an equal receive an annual salary of one shall not be considered as an and highest number of votes, hundred thousand pesos. interruption in the continuity of one of them shall forthwith be the service of the incumbent for chosen by the vote of a majority the full term for which he was of all the Members of the elected. Congress, voting separately. (2) The President shall not The Congress shall promulgate during his tenure, hold any its rules for the canvassing of appointive office, practice any the certificates. profession, participate directly Section 6. or indirectly in the management of any business, or be If, at the time fixed for the The Supreme Court, sitting en financially interested directly or beginning of the term of the banc, shall be the sole judge of indirectly in any contract with, President, the President-elect all contests relating to the or in any franchise or special shall have died, the Viceelection, returns, and privilege granted by, the President-elect shall become qualifications of the President government or any subdivision, President. If a President shall or Vice- President, and may agency, or instrumentality not have been chosen before the promulgate its rules for the thereof, including government- time fixed for the beginning of purpose. owned or controlled his term or if the President shall corporations. have failed to qualify, then the SEC. 5. Vice-President shall act as Before they enter on the President until a President shall execution of their office, the have qualified, and the President, the Vice-President, Section 5. Congress may by law provide or the Acting President shall for the case wherein neither a take the following oath or In case of permanent disability, President-elect nor a Viceaffirmation : death, removal from office, or President-elect shall have resignation of the President, the qualified, declaring who shall Speaker of the National then act as President, or the "I do solemnly swear (or Assembly shall act as President manner in which one who is to affirm) that I will faithfully and until a successor has been act shall be selected, and such conscientiously fulfill my duties elected for the unexpired person shall act accordingly as President (or Vice-President portion of the term of the until a President or Viceor Acting President) of the

Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God." (In case of affirmation, last sentence will be omitted.) SEC. 6. The President shall have an official residence. The salaries of the President and VicePresident shall be determined by law and shall not be decreased during their tenure. No increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the expiration of the term of the incumbent during which such increase was approved. They shall not receive during their tenure any other emolument from the Government or any other source.

President.

President shall have qualified.

Section 6.

Section 7.

The President shall have the Before he enters on the following duties and functions: execution of his office, the President shall take the following oath or affirmation : (1) Address the National Assembly at the opening of its regular session. "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as President of the Philippines, (2) Proclaim the election of the preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, Prime Minister. do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God." (In case of affirmation, last (3) Dissolve the National Assembly and call for a general sentence will be omitted) election as provided herein. Section 8. In the event of the removal of the President from office, or his death, resignation, or inability to discharge the powers and duties of the said office, the same shall devolve on the VicePresident, and the Congress shall by law provide for the case of removal, death, resignation, or inability, both of the President and VicePresident, declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the disability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

(4) Accept the resignation of SEC. 7. the Cabinet as provided herein. The President-elect and the Vice-President-elect shall assume office at the beginning of their terms. (5) Attest to the appointment or If the President-elect fails to cessation from office of qualify, the Vice-PresidentMembers of the Cabinet, and of elect shall act as President until other officers as may be the President-elect shall have provided by law. qualified. If a President shall not have been chosen, the VicePresident-elect shall act as (6) Appoint all officers and President until a President shall employees in his office in have been chosen and qualified. accordance with the Civil If at the beginning of the term Service Law. of the President, the Presidentelect shall have died or have become permanently disabled,

the Vice-President-elect shall become President.

The President shall have an official residence and receive a Where no President and Vicecompensation to be ascertained President shall have been Section 7. by law which shall be neither chosen or shall have qualified, increased nor diminished during or where both shall have died or The President shall be immune the period of which he shall become permanently disabled, from suit during his tenure. have been elected, and he shall the President of the Senate or, not receive within the period in case of his inability, the any other emolument from the Speaker of the House of Government or any of its Representatives shall act as subdivisions or President until a President or a instrumentalities. Until the Vice-President shall have been Congress shall provide chosen and qualified. otherwise, the President shall receive an annual salary of thirty thousand pesos. The Vice-President, when not acting The Congress shall provide for as President, shall receive an the manner in which one who is annual compensation of fifteen to act as President shall be thousand pesos until otherwise selected until a President or a provided by law. Vice-President shall have qualified, in case of death, permanent disability, or inability of the officials mentioned in the next preceding Section 10. paragraph. (1) The President shall have SEC. 8. control of all executive In case of death, permanent departments, bureaus or offices, disability, removal from office, exercise general provision over or resignation of the President, all local governments as may be the Vice-President shall become provided by law, and take care the President to serve the that the laws be faithfully unexpired term. In case of executed. death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of both the President and Vice-President, (2) The President shall be the President of the Senate or, commander-in-chief of all in case of his inability, the armed forces of the Philippines, Speaker of the House of and, whenever it becomes Representatives, shall then act necessary, he may call out such as President until the President armed forces to prevent or or Vice-President shall have suppress lawless violence,

(7) Perform such other duties and functions of State as may be provided by law.

Section 9.

been elected and qualified.

The Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve as President in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President. He shall serve until the President or the VicePresident shall have been elected and qualified, and be subject to the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as the Acting President. SEC. 9. Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the Vice-President during the term for which he was elected, the President shall nominate a Vice-President from among the Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives who shall assume office upon confirmation of a majority vote of all the Members of both Houses of the Congress, voting separately. SEC. 10. The Congress shall, at ten o'clock in the morning of the third day after the vacancy in the offices of the President and Vice-President occurs, convene in accordance with its rules without need of a call and within seven days enact a law calling for a special election to elect a President and a VicePresident to b held not earlier than forty-five days nor later than sixty days from the time of such call. The bill calling such

invasion, insurrection, or rebellion. In case of invasion, insurrection, or rebellion or imminent danger thereof, when the public safety requires it, he may suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus, or place the Philippines or any part thereof under Martial Law.

(3) The President shall nominate and with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, shall appoint the heads of the executive departments and bureaus, officers of the Army from the rank of colonel, of the Navy and Air Forces from the rank of captain or commander, and all other officers of the Government whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and those whom he may be authorized by law to appoint; but the Congress may by law vest the appointment of inferior officers, in the President alone, in the courts, or in the heads of departments.

(4) The President shall have the power to make appointments during the recess of the Congress, but such appointments shall be effective only until disapproval by the Commission on Appointments or until the next adjournment of the Congress.

special election shall be deemed certified under paragraph 2, Section 26, Article VI of this Constitution and shall become law upon its approval on third reading by the Congress.

(5) The President shall from time to time give to the Congress information on the state of the Nation, and recommend to its consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.

Appropriations for the special elections shall be charged against any current appropriations and shall be exempt from the requirements of paragraph 4, Section 25, Article VI of this Constitution. The convening of the Congress cannot be suspended nor the special election postponed. No special election shall be called if the vacancy occurs within eighteen months before the date of the next presidential election. SEC. 11. Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice-President as Acting President.

(6) The President shall have the power to grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction, for all expenses except in case of impeachment, upon such conditions and with such restrictions and limitations as he may deem proper to impose. He shall have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of the Congress.

(7) The President shall have the power, with the concurrence of two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate to make treaties, and with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, he shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls. He shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers duly accredited to the Government of the Philippines.

Whenever a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the

Section 11. (1) The executive departments

President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

of the present Government of the Philippine Islands shall continue as now authorized by law until the Congress shall provide otherwise.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall reassume the powers and duties of his office. Meanwhile, should a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmit within five days to the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Congress shall decide the issue. For that purpose, the Congress shall convene, if it is not in session, within forty-eight hours, in accordance with its rules and without need of call. If the Congress, within ten days after receipt of the last written declaration, or, if not in session, within twelve days after it is required to assemble, determines by a two-thirds vote of both Houses, voting separately, that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President shall act as the President; otherwise, the President shall continue exercising the powers and duties of his office.

(2) The heads of the departments and chiefs of bureaus or offices and their assistants shall not, during their continuance in office, engage in the practice of any profession, or intervene, directly or indirectly, in the management or control of any private enterprise which in any way may be affected by the functions of their office; nor shall they, directly or indirectly, be financially interested in any contract with the Government, or any subdivision or instrumentality thereof.

(3) The President may appoint the Vice-President as a member of his Cabinet and also as head of an executive department.

SEC. 12. In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall be informed of the state of his health. The Members of the Cabinet in charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not be denied access to the President during such illness. SEC. 13. The President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, and their deputies or assistants shall not, unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, hold any other office or employment during their tenure. They shall not, during said tenure, directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any business, or be financially interested in any contract with, or in any franchise, or special privilege granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including governmentowned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries. They shall strictly avoid conflict of interest in the conduct of their office. The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth civil degree of the President shall not during his tenure be appointed as members of the Constitutional Commissions, or the Office of the Ombudsman, or as

Secretaries, Undersecretaries, chairmen or heads of bureaus or offices, including governmentowned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries. SEC. 14. Appointments extended by an Acting President shall remain effective, unless revoked by the elected President within ninety days from his assumption or reassumption of office. SEC. 15. Two months immediately before the next presidential elections and up to the end of his term, a President or Acting President shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to executive positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety. SEC. 16. The President shall nominate and, with the consent of the Commission on Appointments, appoint the heads of the executive department, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, or officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonel or naval captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in him in this Constitution. He shall also appoint all other officers of the Government whose appointments are not otherwise provided for by law, and those whom he may be

authorized by law to appoint. The Congress may, by law, vest the appointment of other officers lower in rank in the President alone, in the courts, or in the heads of departments, agencies, commissions, or boards. The President shall have the power to make appointments during the recess of the Congress, whether voluntary or involuntary, but such appointments shall be effective only until after disapproval by the Commission on Appointments or until the next adjournment of the Congress. SEC. 17. The President shall control of all the executive departments, bureaus and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed. SEC. 18. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of

habeas corpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Congress. The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a majority of all its Members in regular or special session, may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocation shall not be set aside by the President. Upon the initiative of the President, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the Congress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.

The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hours following such proclamation or suspension, convene in accordance with its rules without any need of a call.

The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ or the extension thereof, and must promulgate its decision thereon within thirty days from its filing. A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts or the legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of

jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend the privilege of the writ. The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only to persons judicially charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in or directly connected with the invasion.

During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within three days, otherwise he shall be released. SEC. 19. Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment. He shall also have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress. SEC. 20. The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary Board, and subject to such limitations as may be provided by law. The Monetary Board shall, within thirty days from

the end of every quarter of the calendar year, submit to the Congress a complete report of its decisions on applications for loans to be contracted or guaranteed by the Government or government-owned and controlled corporations which would have the effect of increasing the foreign debt, and containing other matters as may be provided by law. SEC. 21. No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effective unless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate. SEC. 22. The President shall submit to the Congress within thirty days from the opening of the regular session, as the basis of the general appropriations bill, a budget of expenditures and sources of financing, including receipts from existing and proposed revenue measures. SEC. 23. The President shall address the Congress at the opening of its regular session. He may also appear before it at any other time