Auline E.

Querubin Q3A

1935 commonwealth constitution *The 1935 Constitution of the Philippines served as the fundamental law of the land from 1935 to 1972. *It establishes the Commonwealth of the Philippines and provides that upon withdrawal of American sovereignty in the country and the declaration of Philippine independence, said commonwealth shall be known as the Republic of the Philippines. * The Constitution enumerates the composition, powers and duties of the three branches of government (the Executive, Legislative and Judicial) and creates the General Auditing Office and lays down the framework in the establishment of the civil service in the country. * The Constitution vests the President with the veto power on legislative bills and emergency powers in times of war and other national emergencies. * Also, the Constitution adopts the Regalian Doctrine or the Principle of State ownership for all its natural wealth and provides for the proper utilization of such wealth by its citizens

The 1973 Constitution *The 1973 Constitution, composed of a preamble and 17 articles, provides for the shift from presidential to parliamentary system of government. *The Constitution vests the legislative power in the National Assembly. A Prime Minister is elected from among the members of the National Assembly and serves as the head of government and commander-in-chief of the Philippine Armed Forces. * A President is elected from among the members of the National Assembly and serves as the symbolic head of state with a six-year term. *The judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court, composed of a Chief Justice and 14 Justices. * The National Assembly exercises the power to define, prescribe and apportion the jurisdiction of the lower courts. All justices of the Supreme Court and judges of the lower courts are appointed by the Prime Minister. * This Constitution retains the

The 1987 Constitution *The 1987 Constitution, composed of a preamble and 18 articles, establishes the Fifth Philippine Republic and restores the presidential form of government. *It also limits the term of office of the President to one six-year term. *The Constitution allows the President to proclaim martial law or suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus for a period not exceeding 60 days in the event of an invasion or rebellion. * However, a majority of the members of Congress, voting jointly, may revoke such declaration or suspension. *A bicameral Congress replaces the unicameral Batasang Pambansa of the 1973 Constitution. *Congress, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives, exercises legislative and non-legislative functions. Among its most important functions is to declare a state of war. *Judicial power is vested in the Supreme Court and other lower courts established by law. *The Judicial and Bar Council submits to the President a list of nominees for appointment to the Supreme Court and to the lower courts. * The Constitution creates the autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao (Autonomous Region

independence of the Commission on Elections and establishes two independent constitutional bodies [Civil Service Commission and the Commission on Audit] as well as the National Economic Development Authority [NEDA].

in Muslim Mindanao-ARMM) and in the Cordilleras (Cordillera Autonomous Region-CAR), the Commission on Human Rights, the Judicial and Bar Council, and the Office of the Ombudsman. *The Constitution institutionalizes the legislative power of the people through a system of initiative and referendum, and also the power to propose constitutional amendments. *The Constitution tasks Congress with the enactment of a land reform law and a local government code. * Filipino is declared as the national language. Section 25 of the Transitory Provisions prohibits the establishment of foreign military facilities except under a new treaty duly concurred in by the Senate. *Check and balance mechanisms among the three equal branches of government are provided for.