Chapter 4.1 _ Evolution of the Philippine Constitution and the 1897: Constitution of Biak-na-Bato

Summary

In this report, Abdul Kadir Mobina explores the evolution of the Philippine Constitution, focusing on the 1897 Biak-na-Bato Constitution, the first formal attempt by Filipino revolutionaries to establish a government during the fight for independence from Spain. He explains the constitution's structure, including the Supreme Council (executive), the Supreme Council of Grace and Justice (judicial), and the Assembly of Representatives (legislative). Although inspired by the Cuban Constitution and drafted in Spanish, it was never fully implemented due to a truce with Spain. The preamble emphasizes the revolution's goal: separating from Spanish rule and forming an independent Philippine Republic representing the people's aspirations.

Takeaways

• 😀 The constitution is a set of fundamental principles that govern a state or organization, serving as the 'rulebook' of a country.
• 😀 The word 'constitution' signifies the coming together of distinct entities into one unified body.
• 😀 The current Philippine Constitution has been in effect since 1987, with earlier constitutions including the 1985 Commonwealth, 1973, and 1986 Freedom Constitutions.
• 😀 Filipinos made early attempts to draft constitutions during their struggle for independence from Spain.
• 😀 The 1897 Biak-na-Bato Constitution was a provisional constitution of the Philippine Republic during the revolution against Spain.
• 😀 The Biak-na-Bato Constitution was influenced by the Cuban Constitution and originally written in Spanish, later translated into Tagalog.
• 😀 The government under the Biak-na-Bato Constitution was organized into three main organs: the Supreme Council (executive), the Supreme Council of Grace and Justice (judicial), and the Assembly of Representatives (legislative).
• 😀 The Supreme Council was headed by the president and four department secretaries: Interior, Foreign Affairs, Treasury, and War.
• 😀 The Biak-na-Bato Constitution was never fully implemented due to the truce signed between the Philippine revolutionary forces and the Spanish government (Pact of Biak-na-Bato).
• 😀 The preamble of the Biak-na-Bato Constitution emphasized the revolution’s goal of separating from Spanish rule and forming an independent Philippine Republic.

Q & A

What is a constitution?

A constitution is a set of fundamental principles according to which a state or organization is governed. It serves as a rulebook for the country, outlining government structure, basic principles, and the rights of people.

Why is the constitution considered the most important law in a country?

The constitution is the highest law because it lays down the fundamental principles that guide all other laws and government actions, ensuring the protection of citizens’ rights and the proper functioning of the state.

Which Philippine constitution is currently in effect?

The 1987 Constitution is currently the supreme law of the Republic of the Philippines.

What were the earlier constitutions that governed the Philippines?

Earlier effective constitutions include the 1985 Commonwealth Constitution, the 1973 Constitution, and the 1986 Freedom Constitution.

What was the Biak-na-Bato Constitution?

The Biak-na-Bato Constitution, promulgated on November 1, 1897, was the first formal constitution created by Filipino revolutionaries during the struggle for independence from Spain.

Who wrote the Biak-na-Bato Constitution and in what language?

It was written by Isabelo Artacho and Felix Ferrer in Spanish and later translated into Tagalog.

What influenced the Biak-na-Bato Constitution?

The constitution was influenced by the Cuban Constitution.

What were the main government organs under the Biak-na-Bato Constitution?

The main organs were: 1) Supreme Council (executive branch), 2) Concilio de Gracia y Justicia or Supreme Council of Grace and Justice (judicial branch), and 3) Assembly of Representatives (legislative branch).

Why was the Biak-na-Bato Constitution never fully implemented?

It was never fully implemented due to the Pact of Biak-na-Bato, which established a truce between the Spanish government and the Philippine Revolutionary Army.

What was the purpose of the preamble of the Biak-na-Bato Constitution?

The preamble stated the goal of the revolution: to separate the Philippines from Spanish rule and establish an independent Philippine Republic, reflecting the desires of the Filipino people.

How did the Biak-na-Bato Constitution structure the roles of its government branches?

The Supreme Council functioned as the executive branch, the Supreme Council of Grace and Justice served as the judicial branch, and the Assembly of Representatives acted as the legislative branch responsible for creating a new constitution and electing representatives after the revolution.