Evolution of Philippine Constitution

• The Commonwealth Constitution


  1935
• The Commonwealth Constitution


  • After the Treaty of Paris, the Philippines became a colony under US rule. From 1898 to 1901, Philippines under military rule until a civil government was established.
  • The Philippine Organic Act of 1902 and the Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 established a constitutional government.
  • The Hare-Hawes-Cutting Act in 1932 promised Philippine independence, but was opposed by President Manuel L. Quezon.
  • The Tydings-McDuffie Act, also known as the Philippine Independence Act, established a formal constitution in 1934.
• Preamble of 1935 commonwealth: '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.'
• President Corazon Aquino's government decided to create a new constitution reflecting the aspirations and ideals of the Filipino people.


  1986
• Philippines established as "democratic republican State".

  February 2, 1987
• 1987 Constitution after Martial law


  • The system distributes government powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
• Governmental Powers


  • Executive Branch
  • Legislative branch
  • Supreme court and Constitutional Commisions
• Executive Branch


  Headed by the president and his cabinet
• Legislative branch


  Divided into the Senate and House of Representatives
• Governmental Powers


  Are responsible for enforcing laws and regulations. The Office of the Ombudsman investigates complaints of public corruption and misconduct.
• The Malolos Constitution, also known as the Biak-na-Bato Constitution or the First Republic Constitution, was ratified on January 21, 1899.
• The Malolos Congress was the first national assembly to draft a constitution.
• The Malolos Constitution established a republican form of government with a president as its head.
• The Malolos Constitution established a republican form of government with a bicameral congress consisting of an upper house called the Senado (Senate) and a lower house called the Asamblea Nacional (National Assembly).
• The Malolos Constitution established a republican form of government with a bicameral legislature (Senate and National Assembly) and an executive branch headed by a President.
• A vice president would serve as the successor to the president if he died or resigned from office.
• The constitution provided for a president to be elected every four years, but it did not specify whether the position would be hereditary or elective.