The PREAMBLE

(Philippine 1987 Constitution)

University of San Carlos

Department of Political Science
POSC _____

Philippine Government & Constitution

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Learning Objectives
To serve as a formal introduction to the
study of the 1987 Constitution;
To understand the importance and function
of the Preamble; and
To provide a comparative approach of
appreciating the Preamble of the present
and past constitutions.

What is a Preamble?
Etymology: Latin term Preambulare which
means to walk before.
It is a prologue or an introduction of the
constitution.
Nota Bene! (Take Note)
It is not an essential part of the Constitution
(Notice that it is not one of the Essential
Requisites of a Good Written Constitution.)
BUT it is an important part because it serves a
very vital function.
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How important is it?

Object & Value
Sets down the origin & purposes of the
Constitution
It provides for the outline of and the spirit behind the
Constitution.
It tells who are the authors and for whom it is
promulgated
States the general purpose which are intended to be
achieved

Serves as an aid in its interpretation

For purposes of construction

The 1987 Constitution

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.
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Comparative Approach of the study the

Phil. Constitutions Preamble
Number of Words: 75 (1987) one of the worlds longest
An indication of a very TALKATIVE Constitution!

60 (1973)
Divine Intervention:
Almighty God (1987)
Divine Providence (1935 & 1973)

 The use of 1st person approach vs. 3rd person

approach
Insertion of the phrases:
To build a just and humane society
The Rule of Law
Aspirations
Truth
Love

Pls. check the

meanings.

The 1899 Constitution

We, the Representatives of the
Filipino people, lawfully convened, in
order to establish justice, provide for
common defense, promote the general
welfare, and insure the benefits of
liberty, imploring the aid
of the Sovereign Legislator of the
Universe for the attainment of these
ends, have voted, decreed, and
sanctioned the following:
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The 1935 Constitution

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.

The 1973 Constitution

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.
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Draft Constitution of the Federal Republic

of the Phil. with a Parliamentary Government
(By the Citizens Movement for a Federal Philippines)
Edited by Jose V. Abueva

We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the

aid of the Almighty God, in order to build a
peaceful, just and humane society and establish
a Government of integrity and competence that
shall embody our patrimony, and secure to
ourselves and our posterity the blessings of
independence, democracy, and a thriving
national economy (From Rodolfo Vicerra) under
the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice,
freedom, love equality and peace, do ordain and
promulgate this constitution of the Federal
republic of the Philippines. (Present preamble as
amended)

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References
De Leon, Hector (2005). Textbook on the
Philippine Constitution. Philippines: Rex
Bookstore. Pp. 32-37.
Toward a Federal Republic of the
Philippines with a Parliamentary
Government (2002). Jose V. Abueva. Pp.
103-158.
http://www.gov.ph
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