CHAPTER 4.2 THE 1899 MALOLOS CONSTITUTION OF THE PHILIPPINES

Summary

This video discusses the 1899 Malolos Constitution, a pivotal document in Philippine history. The presenter, Amir B. Daud from BSS W1A, explains its structure, consisting of 93 articles divided into 14 titles. The Malolos Constitution was influenced by various global constitutions, including those of Spain, Belgium, and Mexico. Key topics include the separation of church and state, the rights of Filipino citizens, and the legislative, executive, and judicial powers. Notably, the president served a four-year term without re-election, and the judicial power was vested in the Supreme Court.

Takeaways

• 📜 The topic of discussion is the 1899 Malolos Constitution, as part of Philippine history.
• 👤 The speaker introducing the topic is Amir B. Daud from BSS W1A.
• 📅 The Malolos Constitution was composed of 93 articles divided into 14 titles and was officially promulgated in 1899.
• 🇪🇸 The constitution was influenced by the Spanish Constitution of 1812, which was the first in Spain, and was also shaped by other constitutions like those of Belgium, Mexico, Brazil, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.
• 📚 The constitution is based on earlier Filipino legal documents, including the Katipunan's laws and Emilio Jacinto's 1896 writings.
• ⚖️ The Malolos Constitution introduced a separation of powers between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.
• 📝 The legislative power required laws to be approved by the Assembly before enactment.
• 👑 The executive power was vested in the President, who served a four-year term with no reelection. There was no vice president.
• 🏛️ Judicial power was entrusted to the Supreme Court, which had the sole authority to apply and interpret the law.
• ⛪ The constitution also established the separation of church and state, promoting equality among religions in the Philippines.

Q & A

What is the Malolos Constitution of 1899?

The Malolos Constitution of 1899 was the first constitution of the Philippines, composed of 93 articles divided into 14 titles. It established the framework for the Philippine government during the revolution against Spain.

What influence did other countries have on the Malolos Constitution?

The Malolos Constitution was influenced by the charters of Belgium, Mexico, Brazil, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Guatemala, and the French Constitution of 1793, due to their similar social, political, technological, and governance conditions with the Philippines.

Who was the main author of the Malolos Constitution?

Felipe Calderon was the main author of the Malolos Constitution.

Which previous documents influenced the drafting of the Malolos Constitution?

Influences included the laws and morals of Katipunan (1896), the Biak-na-Bato Constitution (1897), the Mabin Constitutional Program (1898), the provisional constitution of Mariano Ponce (1898), and the Spanish Constitution and autonomy project (1898).

What are the key points of Title IV of the Malolos Constitution?

Title IV discusses the rights of Filipino citizens, focusing on their national and individual rights.

What does Title III of the Malolos Constitution cover?

Title III is about religion, particularly emphasizing the equality of all religions in the Philippines and the separation of church and state.

How was legislative power organized under the Malolos Constitution?

Legislative power was vested in an assembly, and no bill could become law without the approval of this legislative body.

What were the provisions for the executive power in the Malolos Constitution?

The executive power was vested in the president, who would serve a four-year term without the possibility of re-election. There was no vice president, and in case of a vacancy, the president was elected by the constituent assembly.

What was the role of the judiciary under the Malolos Constitution?

The judiciary's power was vested in the Supreme Court and its justices. The courts were responsible for applying the law, with judicial power concentrated in the Supreme Court and other courts established by law.

What was the official language of the Malolos Constitution?

The official language of the Malolos Constitution was Spanish.