COMPARISON OF 1973

AND 1987 CONSTITUTION

OF THE PHILIPPINES
 ARTICLE 1- NATIONAL TERITORY
1987
 The national territory comprises the
Philippine archipelago, with all the islands
and waters embraced therein, and all
other territories over which the Philippines
has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of
its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains,
including its territorial sea, the seabed, the
subsoil, the insular shelves, and other
ssubmarine areas. The waters around,
between, and connecting the islands of
the archipelago, regardless of their
breadth and dimensions, form part of the
internal waters of the Philippines.
1973
 Section 1. The national territory
comprises the Philippine archipelago,
with all the islands and waters
embraced therein, and all the other
territories belonging to the Philippines by
historic or legal title, including the
territorial sea, the air space, the subsoil,
the sea-bed, the insular shelves, and the
submarine areas over which the
Philippines has sovereignty or
jurisdiction. The waters around,
between, and connecting the islands of
the archipelago, irrespective of their
breadth and dimensions, form part of
the internal waters of the Philippines.
SYNTHESIS
 ARTICLE 2- DECLARATION OF
PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
1987
 Principles
 SEC. 1.The Philippines is a democratic and
republican State. Sovereignty resides in the
people and all government authority
emanates from them.
 SEC. 2.
The Philippines renounces war as an
instrument of national policy, adopts the
generally accepted principles of
international law as part of the law of the
land and adheres to the policy of peace,
equality, justice, freedom, cooperation,
and amity with all nations.
1973
 Section 1. The Philippines is a republican state.
Sovereignty resides in the people and all
government authority emanates from them.
 Section 2.The defense of the State is the prime
duty of government, and in the fulfillment of this
duty all citizens may be required by law to
render personal military or civil service.
Section 3.The Philippines renounces war as an
instrument of national policy, adopts the
generally accepted principles of international
law as part of the law of the land, and adheres
to the policy of peace, equality, justice,
freedom, cooperation, and amity with all
nations.
 ARTICLE 2- DECLARATION OF
PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
1987
 SEC. 3.Civilian authority is, at all times,
supreme over the military. The Armed
Forces of the Philippines is the protector of
the people and the State. Its goal is to
secure the sovereignty of the State and the
integrity of the national territory.
 SEC. 4. The prime duty of the Government is
to serve and protect the people. The
Government may call upon the people to  Section 6.The State shall promote social justice
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.
1973
 Section 4.The State shall strengthen the family as
a basic social 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 State recognizes the vital role of
the youth in nation-building and shall promote
their physical, intellectual and social well-being.
to ensure the dignity, welfare, and security of all
the people. Towards this end, the State shall
regulate the acquisition, ownership, use,
enjoyment, and disposition of private property,
and equitably diffuse property ownership and
profits.
 ARTICLE 2- DECLARATION OF
PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
1987
 SEC. 5 The maintenance of peace and
order, the protection of life, liberty, and
property, and the promotion of the
general welfare are essential for the
enjoyment by all the people of the
blessings of democracy.
 SEC. 6. The separation of Church and
State shall be inviolable.
1973
 Section 7.The State shall establish,
maintain, and ensure adequate social
services in the field of education, health,
housing, employment, welfare, and
social security to guarantee the
enjoyment of the people of a decent
standard of living.
 Section 8. Civilian authority is at all times
supreme over the military.
 ARTICLE 2- DECLARATION OF
PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
1987
 State Policies
 SEC. 7. The State shall pursue an
independent foreign policy. In its relations
with other states the paramount
consideration shall be national sovereignty,
territorial integrity, national interest, and the
right to self-determination.
 SEC. 8. The Philippines, consistent with the
national interest, adopts and pursues a
policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in
its territory.
1973
 Section 9. The State shall afford protection to
labor, promote full employment and equality in
employment, ensure equal work opportunities
regardless of sex, race, or creed, and regulate
the relation between workers and employers.
The State shall assure the rights of workers to self-
organization, collective bargaining, security of
tenure, and just and humane conditions of work.
The State may provide for compulsory
arbitration.
 Section 10. The State shall guarantee and
promote the autonomy of local government
units, especially the barrio, to ensure their fullest
development as self-reliant communities.
 ARTICLE 2- DECLARATION OF
PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
1987
 SEC. 9. The State shall promote a just 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.
 SEC. 10. The State shall promote social justice in
all phases of national development.
 SEC. 11.
The State values the dignity of every human
person and guarantees full respect for human
rights.
 SEC. 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of
family life and shall protect and strengthen the
family as a basic autonomous social institution. It
shall equally protect the life of the mother and
the life of the unborn from conception. The
natural and primary right and duty of parents in
the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and
the development of moral character shall
receive the support of the Government.
 SEC. 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the
youth in nation-building 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.
 ARTICLE 2- DECLARATION OF
PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
1987
 SEC. 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of  SEC. 14. The State recognizes the role of women
family life and shall protect and strengthen
the family as a basic autonomous social
institution. It shall equally protect the life of
the mother and the life of the unborn from
conception. The natural and primary right
and duty of parents in the rearing of the
youth for civic efficiency and the
development of moral character shall
receive the support of the Government.
 SEC. 13. The State recognizes the vital role
of the youth in nation-building 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.
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.
 ARTICLE 2- DECLARATION OF
PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
1987
 SEC. 18.The State affirms labor as a primary  SEC. 22. The State recognizes and
social economic force. It shall protect the promotes the rights of indigenous cultural
rights of workers and promote their welfare. communities within the framework of
national unity and development.
 SEC. 19. The State shall develop a self-
 SEC. 23. The State shall encourage non-
reliant and independent national economy governmental, community- based, or
effectively controlled by Filipinos. sectoral organizations that promote the
 SEC. 20. The State recognizes the welfare of the nation.
indispensable role of the private sector,  SEC. 24.The State recognizes the vital role
encourages private enterprise, and of communication and information in
provides incentives to needed investments. nation-building.
 SEC. 21. The State shall promote  SEC. 25. The State shall ensure the
comprehensive rural development and autonomy of local governments.
agrarian reform.
 ARTICLE 2- DECLARATION OF
PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES
1987
 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.
SYNTHESIS
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV
 Section 1. No person shall be deprived of
life, liberty, or property without due process
of law, nor shall any person be denied the
equal protection of the laws.
 Section 2. The right of the people to be
secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects against unreasonable searches and
seizures of whatever nature and for any
purpose shall be inviolable, and no search
warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue
except upon probable cause to be
determined personally by the judge after
examination under oath or affirmation of
the complainant and the witnesses he may
produce, and particularly describing the
place to be searched and the persons or
things to be seized.crala
1973- Article III
 Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life,
liberty, or property without due process of law,
nor shall any person be denied the equal
protection of the laws.
 Section 2. Private property shall not be taken for
public use without just compensation.
 Section 3. The right of the people to be secure in
their persons, houses, papers, and effects
against unreasonable searches and seizures of
whatever nature and whatever purpose shall
not be violated, and no search warrant or
warrant of arrest shall issue except upon
probable cause to be determined by the judge,
or such other responsible officer as maybe
authorized by law, after examination under oath
or affirmation of the complainant and the
witnesses he may produce, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the
persons or things to be seized.
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV
 Section 3. (1) The privacy of
communication and correspondence
shall be inviolable except upon lawful
order of the court, or when public safety
or order requires otherwise, as prescribed
by law.cralaw
 (2) Any evidence obtained in violation of
this or the preceding section shall be
inadmissible for any purpose in any
proceeding.cralaw
 Section 4. No law shall be passed
abridging the freedom of speech, of
expression, or of the press, or the right of
the people peaceably to assemble and
petition the government for redress of
grievances.cralaw
1973- Article III
 Section 4. (1) The privacy of communication and
correspondence shall be inviolable except upon
lawful order of the court, or when public safety
and order require otherwise.
 (2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or
the preceding section shall be inadmissible for
any purpose in any proceeding.cralaw
 Section 5. The liberty of abode and of travel shall
not be impaired except upon lawful order of the
court, or when necessary in the interest of
national security, public safety, or public health.
 Section 6. The right of the people to information
on matters of public concern shall be
recognized. Access to official records, and to
documents and papers pertaining to official
acts, transactions, or decisions, shall be afforded
the citizen subject to such limitations as may be
provided by law.
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV
 Section 5. No law shall be made
respecting an establishment of religion,
or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.
The free exercise and enjoyment of
religious profession and worship, without
discrimination or preference, shall forever
be allowed. No religious test shall be
required for the exercise of civil or
political rights.
 Section 6. The liberty of abode and of
changing the same within the limits
prescribed by law shall not be impaired
except upon lawful order of the court.
Neither shall the right to travel be
impaired except in the interest of
national security, public safety, or public
health, as may be provided by law.
1973- Article III
 Section 7. The right to form associations or
societies for purposes not contrary to the
law shall not be abridged.
 Section 8. No law shall be made
respecting an establishment of religion, or
prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The
free exercise and enjoyment of religious
profession and worship, without
discrimination or preference, shall forever
be allowed. No religious test shall be
required for the exercise of civil or political
rights.
 Section 9. No law shall be passed
abridging the freedom of speech, or the
press, or the right of the people peaceably
to assemble and petition the government
for redress of grievances.
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV 1973- Article III
 Section 7. The right of the people to  Section 10. No law granting a title of
information on matters of public concern royalty or nobility shall be enacted.
shall be recognized. Access to official
 Section 11. No law impairing the
records, and to documents and papers
obligation of contracts shall be passed.
pertaining to official acts, transactions, or
decisions, as well as to government  Section 12. No ex post facto law or bill of
research data used as basis for policy attainder shall be enacted.
development, shall be afforded the
 Section 13. No person shall be
citizen, subject to such limitations as may
imprisoned for debt or non-payment of
be provided by law.
a poll tax.
 Section 8. The right of the people,
 Section 14. No involuntary servitude in
including those employed in the public
any form shall exist except as a
and private sectors, to form unions,
punishment for a crime whereof the
associations, or societies for purposes not
party shall have been duly convicted.
contrary to law shall not be abridged.
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV 1973- Article III
 Section 9. Private property shall not be  Section 15. The privilege of the writ of
taken for public use without just habeas corpus shall not be suspended
compensation. except in cases of invasion, insurrection,
 Section 10. No law impairing the or rebellion, or imminent danger thereof,
obligation of contracts shall be passed. when the public safety requires it.

 Section 11. Free access to the courts and  Section 16. All persons, shall have the
quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal right to a speedy disposition of their
assistance shall not be denied to any cases in all judicial, quasi-judicial, or
person by reason of poverty. administrative bodies.
 Section 17. No person shall be held to
answer for a criminal offense without
due process of law
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV
 Section 12. (1) Any person under
investigation for the commission of an
offense shall have the right to be informed
of his right to remain silent and to have
competent and independent counsel
preferably of his own choice. If the person
cannot afford the services of counsel, he
must be provided with one. These rights
cannot be waived except in writing and in
the presence of counsel.
(2) No torture, force, violence, threat,
intimidation, or any other means which
vitiate the free will shall be used against
him. Secret detention places,
solitary, incommunicado, or other similar
forms of detention are prohibited.
1973- Article III
 Section 18. All persons, except those charged
with capital offenses when evidence of guilt is
strong shall, before conviction, be bailable by
sufficient sureties. Excessive bail shall not be
required.
 Section 19. In all criminal prosecutions, the
accused shall be presumed innocent until the
contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to
be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed
of the nature and cause of the accusation
against him, to have a speedy, impartial, and
public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face,
and to have compulsory process to secure the
attendance of witnesses and the production of
evidence in his behalf. However, after
arraignment, trial may proceed notwithstanding
the absence of the accused provided that he
has been duly notified and his failure to appear
is unjustified.
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV 1973- Article III
(3) Any confession or admission  Section 20. No person shall be
obtained in violation of this or Section 17
hereof shall be inadmissible in compelled to be a witness against
evidence against him. himself. Any person under investigation
(4) The law shall provide for penal and for the commission of an offense shall
civil sanctions for violations of this section have the right to remain silent and to
as well as compensation to the counsel, and to be informed of such
rehabilitation of victims of torture or
similar practices, and their families. right. No force, violence, threat,
intimidation, or any other means which
 Section 13. All persons, except those
charged with offenses punishable vitiates the free will shall be used against
by reclusion perpetua when evidence of him. Any confession obtained in
guilt is strong, shall, before conviction, be violation of this section shall be
bailable by sufficient sureties, or be
released on recognizance as may be inadmissible in evidence.
provided by law. The right to bail shall not
be impaired even when the privilege of the  Section 21. Excessive fines shall not be
writ of habeas corpus is suspended. imposed nor cruel or unusual
Excessive bail shall not be required. punishment inflicted.
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV 1973- Article III
 Section 14. (1) No person shall be held to  Section 22. No person shall be twice put
answer for a criminal offense without due
process of law. in jeopardy of punishment for the same
offense. If an act is punished by a law
 (2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused
shall be presumed innocent until the and an ordinance, conviction or
contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right acquittal under either shall constitute a
to be heard by himself and counsel, to be bar to another prosecution for the same
informed of the nature and cause of the
accusation against him, to have a speedy, act.
impartial, and public trial, to meet the
witnesses face to face, and to have  Section 23. Free access to the courts
compulsory process to secure the shall not be denied to any person by
attendance of witnesses and the reason of poverty.
production of evidence in his behalf.
However, after arraignment, trial may
proceed notwithstanding the absence of
the accused: Provided, that he has been
duly notified and his failure to appear is
unjustifiable.
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV 1973- Article III
 Section 15. The privilege of the writ
of habeas corpus shall not be suspended
except in cases of invasion or rebellion,
when the public safety requires it.cralaw
 Section 16. All persons shall have the right
to a speedy disposition of their cases
before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or
administrative bodies.cralaw
 Section 17. No person shall be compelled
to be a witness against himself.cralaw
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV 1973- Article III
 Section 18. (1) No person shall be detained solely
by reason of his political beliefs and aspirations.
 (2) No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist
except as a punishment for a crime whereof the
party shall have been duly convicted.
 Section 19. (1) Excessive fines shall not be
imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman
punishment inflicted. Neither shall death penalty
be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons
involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter
provides for it. Any death penalty already
imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua.
 (2) The employment of physical, psychological, or
degrading punishment against any prisoner or
detainee or the use of substandard or
inadequate penal facilities under subhuman
conditions shall be dealt with by law.
 Bill of Rights
1987- Article IV 1973- Article III
 Section 20. No person shall be imprisoned
for debt or non-payment of a poll
tax.cralaw
 Section 21. No person shall be twice put
in jeopardy of punishment for the same
offense. If an act is punished by a law
and an ordinance, conviction or
acquittal under either shall constitute a
bar to another prosecution for the same
act.cralaw
 Section 22. No ex post facto law or bill of
attainder shall be enacted.
SYNTHESIS
 Citizenship
1987- Article III 1973- Article IV
 Section 1. The following are citizens of the  Section 1. The following are citizens of
Philippines: the
[1] Those who are citizens of the
Philippines at the time of the adoption  (1) Those who are citizens of the
of this Constitution;[2] Those whose Philippines at the time of the adoption
fathers or mothers are citizens of the of this Constitution.(2) Those whose
Philippines; fathers and mothers are citizens of the
[3] Those born before January 17, 1973, Philippines.
of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine  (3) Those who elect Philippine citizenship
citizenship upon reaching the age of pursuant to the provisions of the
majority; and Constitution of nineteen hundred and
[4] Those who are naturalized in thirty-five.
accordance with law.  (4) Those who are naturalized in
accordance with law.
 Citizenship
1987- Article III
 Section 2. Natural-born citizens are those
who are citizens of the Philippines from birth
without having to perform any act to
acquire or perfect their Philippine
citizenship. Those who elect Philippine
citizenship in accordance with paragraph
(3), Section 1 hereof shall be deemed
natural-born citizens.
 Section 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost
or reacquired in the manner provided by
law.
 Section 4. Citizens of the Philippines who
marry aliens shall retain their citizenship,
unless by their act or omission, they are
deemed, under the law, to have
renounced it.
 Section 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is
inimical to the national interest and shall be
dealt with by law.
1973- Article IV
 Section 2. A female citizen of the
Philippines who marries an alien retains
her Philippine citizenship, unless by her
act or omission she is deemed, under
the law, to have renounced her
citizenship
 Section 3. Philippine citizenship may be
lost or reacquired in the manner
provided by law.
 Section 4. A natural-born citizen is one
who is a citizen of the Philippines from
birth without having to perform any act
to acquire or perfect his Philippine
citizenship.
 Suffrage
1987- Article V
 Section 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all
citizens of the Philippines not otherwise
disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen
years of age, and who shall have resided in the
Philippines for at least one year, and in the place
wherein they propose to vote, for at least six
months immediately preceding the election. No
literacy, property, or other substantive
requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of
suffrage.
 Section 2. The Congress shall provide a system for
securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot as
well as a system for absentee voting by qualified
Filipinos abroad.cralaw
 The Congress shall also design a procedure for
the disabled and the illiterates to vote without
the assistance of other persons. Until then, they
shall be allowed to vote under existing laws and
such rules as the Commission on Elections may
promulgate to protect the secrecy of the ballot.
1973- Article VI
 Section 1. Suffrage shall be exercised by
citizens of the Philippines not otherwise
disqualified by law, who are eighteen
years of age or over and who shall have
resided in the Philippines for at least one
year and in the place wherein they
propose to vote for at least six months
preceding the election. No literacy,
property or other substantive
requirement shall be imposed on the
exercise of, suffrage. The Batasang
Pambansa shall provide a system for the
purpose of securing the secrecy and
sanctity of the vote.
SYNTHESIS
 The Legislative Department
1987- Article VI
 Section 2. Natural-born citizens are those
who are citizens of the Philippines from birth
without having to perform any act to
acquire or perfect their Philippine
citizenship. Those who elect Philippine
citizenship in accordance with paragraph
(3), Section 1 hereof shall be deemed
natural-born citizens.
 Section 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost
or reacquired in the manner provided by
law.
 Section 4. Citizens of the Philippines who
marry aliens shall retain their citizenship,
unless by their act or omission, they are
deemed, under the law, to have
renounced it.
 Section 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is
inimical to the national interest and shall be
dealt with by law.
1973- Article IV
 Section 2. A female citizen of the
Philippines who marries an alien retains
her Philippine citizenship, unless by her
act or omission she is deemed, under
the law, to have renounced her
citizenship
 Section 3. Philippine citizenship may be
lost or reacquired in the manner
provided by law.
 Section 4. A natural-born citizen is one
who is a citizen of the Philippines from
birth without having to perform any act
to acquire or perfect his Philippine
citizenship.