Gen. Info - The Evolution of the Philippine Constitution.

Summary

In this video, Maria Luisa Rivera explores the evolution of the Philippine Constitution, explaining its definition and importance as the supreme law of the land. The script traces the history from the 1899 Malolos Constitution to the current 1987 Constitution, highlighting key features and the impact of each on governance. It emphasizes the Constitution's role in maintaining law and order, protecting citizens' rights, and limiting government power, illustrating the dynamic interplay between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

Takeaways

• 📜 A constitution is a set of fundamental rules that governs a country, state, or political organization, acting as the supreme law of the land.
• 🏛 The Philippine Constitution, ratified on February 2, 1987, is celebrated on Constitution Day every year on February 2nd.
• 👥 The constitution establishes the powers and responsibilities of the government and the rights of the people, which are illegal for the government to violate.
• 🤔 The importance of a constitution includes maintaining law and order, imposing rules and regulations, and protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens.
• 📚 The Philippine Constitution has evolved through six iterations, with only three effectively governing the country: the 1935, 1973, and 1987 Constitutions.
• 🇵🇭 The 1899 Malolos Constitution was the first constitution of the Philippine Republic and the first republican constitution in Asia.
• 🏢 The 1935 Constitution introduced a bicameral legislature and the right to vote, and it was the first to be fully implemented before being interrupted by the Japanese occupation.
• 👥 The 1973 Constitution established a parliamentary government with a prime minister and the president, and it legalized all presidential decrees issued during martial law.
• 🔄 The 1986 'Freedom Constitution' was a transitional document that abolished the 1973 Constitution and vested both executive and legislative powers in President Aquino temporarily.
• 🔄 The 1987 Constitution, currently in effect, revolves around themes of national sovereignty, democratic governance, human rights, and social justice.
• 🏀 The 1987 Constitution provides for a separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, with a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful.

Q & A

What is the definition of a constitution according to the video?

A constitution is a set of rules that guides how a country, state, or other political organization works. It is like a rulebook for the government, and all rules stated in it must be followed by the government.

Why is a constitution referred to as the 'supreme law of the land'?

The constitution is referred to as the 'supreme law of the land' because it is the highest law in the country. The government cannot pass a law that goes against the constitution, and all laws must comply with its principles.

What is Constitution Day in the Philippines, and when is it celebrated?

Constitution Day in the Philippines is celebrated on February 2nd. It commemorates the ratification of the latest constitution on February 2, 1987.

Why is it important for a country to have a constitution?

A constitution is important for maintaining law and order, imposing rules and regulations, protecting the rights and freedoms of citizens, and limiting the powers of the government.

How many constitutions has the Philippines had, and which ones effectively governed the country?

The Philippines has had a total of six constitutions. The ones that effectively governed the country are the 1935 Constitution, the 1973 Constitution, and the 1987 Constitution.

What were the salient features of the 1899 Malolos Constitution?

The salient features of the 1899 Malolos Constitution included a popular representative government, a unicameral legislature, separation of church and state, a bill of rights, and compulsory and free basic education.

Why was the 1935 Constitution significant, and what interrupted its implementation?

The 1935 Constitution was significant because it provided the legal basis for the Commonwealth government as a transition before granting Philippine independence. Its implementation was interrupted by the Japanese occupation during World War II.

What was the 1943 Constitution, and why was it short-lived?

The 1943 Constitution was the constitution of the Japanese-sponsored Second Republic of the Philippines. It was short-lived because it was only recognized in Japanese-controlled areas and was ignored by the United States and the Philippine government in exile.

How did President Marcos influence the 1973 Constitution, and what were its key features?

President Marcos influenced the 1973 Constitution by declaring martial law and influencing the ongoing Constitutional Convention. Its key features included establishing a parliamentary government, vesting legislative powers in a unicameral National Assembly, and legalizing all decrees and orders of the president.

What were the themes of the 1987 Philippine Constitution?

The themes of the 1987 Philippine Constitution were upholding national sovereignty, ensuring democratic governance and preventing dictatorship, respecting human rights and civil liberties, and promoting social justice.

What is the significance of the separation of powers and system of checks and balances in the Philippine government?

The separation of powers and system of checks and balances are significant because they ensure that no branch of government becomes too powerful. Each branch (executive, legislative, and judicial) has the authority to check the actions of the others, maintaining a balance of power.