Philippine Constitution 1973 | Readings in Philippine History | Ceu Students

Summary

This video script delves into the history and significance of the Philippine constitutions, highlighting the 1973 Constitution's unique features under President Ferdinand Marcos. It details the shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system, the establishment of a Prime Minister alongside the President, and the legislative changes that allowed Marcos to rule by decree. The script also discusses the constitution's strengths and weaknesses, its impact on democracy, and its enduring legacy on Filipino citizenship, natural resources, and education.

Takeaways

• 📜 A constitution is a foundational set of rules that governs how a country or political organization operates.
• 🏛️ The Philippines has had six different constitutions, with the 1973 Constitution being a significant one discussed in the video.
• 🌱 The first Philippine Constitution, known as the Malolos Constitution, was established after the declaration of independence from Spain in 1898.
• 👨‍🦳 Ferdinand Marcos, the President of the Philippines, initiated the 1973 Constitution to extend his term and rule by decree, shifting from a presidential to a parliamentary system.
• 🏛️ The 1973 Constitution introduced a Prime Minister alongside the President, both elected by the National Assembly, marking a historical change in the political structure.
• 📝 The 1973 Constitution emphasized the duties and obligations of citizens, including military service and loyalty to the state.
• 🔄 The 1973 Constitution saw changes in suffrage, allowing all citizens over 18 to vote without literacy or property requirements.
• 👥 Citizenship laws were clarified, ensuring that Filipinos marrying foreigners retained their citizenship, and their children could also claim Filipino citizenship.
• 🏦 The 1973 Constitution had strengths, such as ensuring health, education, and security for citizens, and weaknesses like allowing Marcos to suppress democratic institutions.
• 🏢 The Constitution mandated transparency in public records and emphasized the importance of preserving the Filipino culture and natural resources.
• 🏛️ The 1973 Constitution's legacy includes significant jurisprudence on national territory, sovereignty, citizenship, and the rights and duties of citizens.

Q & A

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

A constitution is a set of rules that guides how a country, state, or other political organization works.

How many constitutions has the Philippines had in its history according to the video?

The Philippines has had a total of six constitutions.

What is the significance of June 12, 1898, in Philippine history as mentioned in the script?

June 12, 1898, is significant because it marks the declaration of Philippine independence from Spain.

What was the first Philippine constitution called and when was it approved?

The first Philippine constitution was called the Malolos Constitution and it was approved on January 20, 1899.

Why was the 1973 Philippine Constitution created?

The 1973 Philippine Constitution was created because President Ferdinand Marcos wanted to remain in power beyond his legal tenure, leading to the declaration of martial law and the manipulation of a constitutional convention to draft a new constitution that allowed him to rule by decree.

What was the main change in the system of government introduced by the 1973 Constitution?

The 1973 Constitution introduced a shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system of government.

What were the two main positions established by the parliamentary government under the 1973 Constitution?

The parliamentary government established a Prime Minister and a President, both of whom were elected by the National Assembly.

How did the 1973 Constitution change the legislative power in the Philippines?

The 1973 Constitution gave legislative power to the President, acting to avoid the uprising of the New People's Army.

What was the significance of Presidential Decree 86 in 1972 according to the script?

Presidential Decree 86 in 1972, also known as creating Barangay Assemblies, established the barangay as the basic unit of government and is recognized in the 1987 Constitution.

How did the 1973 Constitution change the suffrage or the right to vote in the Philippines?

The 1973 Constitution lowered the voting age to 18 years of age, removed literacy or property requirements, and allowed all citizens who are at least 18 years old and have been residents for at least one year and six months in the place they proposed to vote.

What was the stance of the 1973 Constitution on citizenship for Filipinos married to aliens?

The 1973 Constitution stated that female citizens of the Philippines who married an alien would retain their Philippine citizenship. This was later expanded in the 1987 Constitution to apply to all genders.

What are some of the strengths of the 1973 Philippine Constitution as mentioned in the script?

Some strengths include ensuring citizens' health, education, and security; leading to records and books of accounts being made public; limiting access to natural resources to Filipino citizens; ratifying workers' rights; allowing everyone the right to vote without gender roles; and maintaining and preserving Filipino culture.

What were the weaknesses of the 1973 Philippine Constitution that contributed to Marcos's downfall?

The weaknesses included allowing Marcos to rule by decree, suppressing democratic institutions, restricting civil freedoms, and increasing the number of Supreme Court justices who were appointed by the president alone without the consent or recommendation of any other body or officials.

What is the long-term contribution of the 1973 Constitution to the Philippines' national territory?

The 1973 Constitution's jurisprudence includes defining the national territory as the Philippine archipelago with all the islands and waters, embracing their inlets and all other territories belonging to the Philippines.

How did the 1973 Constitution address the issue of natural resources in the Philippines?

The 1973 Constitution stated that natural resources must not be alienated and that no license, concession, or lease for the exploration or utilization of any of the natural resources shall be granted.

What provision did the 1973 Constitution make for education in the Philippines?

The 1973 Constitution provided that the state shall maintain a system for free public elementary education and, in areas where finances permit, establish and maintain a system of free public education at least up to the secondary level.

Outlines

00:00

📜 Introduction to the Philippine Constitutions

This paragraph introduces the concept of a constitution and its purpose, specifically focusing on the history of the Philippines' constitutions. It mentions the country's total of six constitutions and delves into the 1973 Philippine Constitution. The paragraph outlines the historical context, from Spanish rule and the rise of national sentiment to the first Philippine Constitution, the Malolos Constitution, established by the Malolos Congress in 1899. It also touches on the 1973 Constitution's origins, which was drafted under President Ferdinand Marcos during his declaration of martial law, aiming to extend his rule beyond the legal tenure.

05:01

🏛 Features and Impact of the 1973 Constitution

The second paragraph discusses the 1973 Constitution's key features, including its composition of a preamble and 17 articles that facilitated a shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system of government. It highlights the deviation from democratic ideals and the establishment of a Prime Minister alongside the President, both elected by the National Assembly. The legislative power was vested in a unicameral National Assembly, and the 1973 Constitution emphasized the duties and obligations of citizens, particularly in military service. The paragraph also compares the 1973 Constitution with the current one, noting similarities and differences in the articles, and discusses the evolution of suffrage and citizenship laws.

10:03

🌟 Strengths and Weaknesses of the 1973 Constitution

This paragraph examines the strengths and weaknesses of the 1973 Constitution. It acknowledges the constitution's role in ensuring citizens' health, education, and security, as well as its provisions for transparency in government records and the protection of natural resources. The constitution is also praised for ratifying workers' rights and preserving Filipino culture. However, the weaknesses are not overlooked, with the constitution enabling Marcos to rule by decree, suppress democratic institutions, and restrict civil freedoms. The paragraph also criticizes the appointment process of Supreme Court justices and the concentration of legislative powers in the hands of the president.

15:03

📚 Contributions and Jurisprudence of the 1973 Constitution

The final paragraph outlines the long-term contributions and jurisprudence of the 1973 Constitution to the Republic of the Philippines. It includes the definition of national territory, principles of state policies, and provisions on citizenship. The paragraph also discusses the bill of rights, the duties and obligations of citizens, and the structure of the government, including the roles of the President, Prime Minister, and the legislative body. It highlights the importance of education and the protection of natural resources, as well as the mechanisms for the removal of high-ranking officials through impeachment for high crimes.

Keywords

💡Constitution

A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. In the video, the term 'constitution' is central as it discusses various Philippine constitutions, focusing on their features and historical context.

💡1973 Philippine Constitution

The 1973 Philippine Constitution was drafted under President Ferdinand Marcos and marked a shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system. It allowed Marcos to rule by decree and is highlighted in the video for its authoritarian features and impact on Philippine governance.

💡Martial Law

Martial Law refers to the imposition of direct military control of normal civilian functions by a government, especially in response to a temporary emergency. The video explains that Marcos declared Martial Law in 1972 to extend his power, which led to the drafting of the 1973 Constitution.

💡Malolos Constitution

The Malolos Constitution was the first Philippine constitution, approved in 1899, which established the First Philippine Republic. The video mentions this constitution as part of the historical context leading up to later constitutions.

💡Prime Minister

The Prime Minister is the head of a parliamentary government. The 1973 Constitution introduced this role for the first time in Philippine history, as discussed in the video.

💡Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights outlines the fundamental rights and freedoms guaranteed to all citizens. Both the 1935 and 1973 constitutions of the Philippines included a Bill of Rights, which is a key feature mentioned in the video.

💡Legislative Power

Legislative power refers to the authority to make laws and is vested in the legislature. The video contrasts the 1973 Constitution, where legislative power was given to the President, with previous and current setups where it is vested in a bicameral Congress.

💡Presidential Decree

A Presidential Decree is a rule of law issued by the President. The video discusses how President Marcos used presidential decrees extensively during Martial Law to enforce his policies.

💡Suffrage

Suffrage is the right to vote in political elections. The video highlights changes in suffrage laws, such as lowering the voting age to 18 and removing literacy requirements, introduced by the 1973 Constitution.

💡Citizenship

Citizenship refers to the status of being a recognized member of a state, with specific rights and duties. The video explains the provisions of the 1973 Constitution regarding who is considered a citizen of the Philippines, including those born to Filipino parents and those who marry aliens.

Highlights

A constitution is a set of rules guiding how a country operates.

The Philippines has had six constitutions in its history.

The 1973 Philippine Constitution was drafted under President Ferdinand Marcos' martial law.

The 1973 Constitution allowed Marcos to rule by decree until 1978.

It introduced a shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system of government.

The 1973 Constitution established a Prime Minister and President elected by the National Assembly.

Legislative power was vested in the President, deviating from democratic ideals.

The Constitution emphasized duties and obligations of citizens, including military service.

Citizenship rules were clarified, including for those married to aliens and their offspring.

The 1973 Constitution's strengths included ensuring citizens' health, education, and security.

It led to transparency in public records and the right to information on public matters.

Natural resources were limited to Filipino citizens, aiming to preserve and protect them.

The Constitution ratified the rights of workers, including freedom of association and protection from discrimination.

Suffrage was expanded to include all citizens aged 18 and above, regardless of literacy or property.

The 1973 Constitution had weaknesses, including Marcos' authoritarian rule and suppression of democratic institutions.

It allowed for the appointment of Supreme Court justices by the President alone, without checks and balances.

The Constitution's downfall was its contribution to Marcos' corrupt and extravagant rule.

The 1973 Constitution's jurisprudence includes the definition of national territory and principles of state sovereignty.

It contributed to the protection of workers' rights and the impeachment process for high-ranking officials.

The Constitution emphasized the preservation of natural resources and the importance of education.

Transcripts

hey you

do you know what is a constitution is

do you know its purpose

here in the philippines we have a total

of six constitutions

and in this video we will talk about one

of its constitutions

the 1973 philippine constitution

um but what is a constitution

a constitution is a set of rules that

guides how a country

state or other political organization

works

so how did philippine constitution

started

um how it started for more than 300

years of spanish rule

nationally sentiment began to grow among

groups of indios

or filipinos fueled in large measure by

the writings of national hero

hasserisal and other illustrators

a revolution happened against spain and

declared philippine independence in

kawitkavite

on june 12 1898. what became known as

the malolos congress

was convened on september 15 1898

and the first philippine constitution

called the malola's constitution

it was approved on january 20 1899

ushering what is called the first

philippine republic

so how did 1973 constitution started

let's find out

president ferdinand marcus was the first

president

to be re-elected because of his desires

of remaining in power

beyond his legal tenure he declared

martial law

in 1972 just before his last term

he then manipulated an ongoing

constitutional convention

and caused the drafting of a new

constitution

the 1973 constitution

which allowed him to rule by decree

until 1978

when the presidential system of the 1935

constitution was replaced

with a new and parliamentary one

and here are the five important features

of the 1973 constitution

content of the constitution the 1973

constitution is composed of a preamble

and 17 articles that provides for the

shift from presidential to parliamentary

system of government

its constitution was a deviation from

the philippines commitment

to democratic ideals former president

marcus

euphemistically called the 1973

constitution

as authoritarian nature yet democratic

in practice

both the 1935 and the 1973 constitution

had in the mandatory process and

elaborate bill of rights

and next we have established a prime

minister and president

for the first time in philippine history

a parliamentary government

established a prime minister and the

president both were elected by the

national assembly

and we have legislative power the

legislative power is vested in a

congress which is divided into two

houses

the senate and the house of

representatives in the unicameral

national assembly

in 1973 constitution legislative power

was given to the president

in an acting laws compulsory to avoid

the uprising of

new people's army also the justices of

the heart were invited

by the president alone without the

consent approval or recommendation of

anybody

or officials party rights according to

gabrielle john they recall this

study president panel raw has believed

that the philippines needed support from

the americans to be able to restore its

economy

that is why the liberal party under

manuel rojas

favored the grant of parity rights but

president marcos terminated priority

rights between americans and filipinos

lastly emphasize duties and obligations

there is an emphasis of the duties and

obligations of the citizens

especially in giving military services

and joining military forces

stated in article 5 of the 1973

constitution

it shall be the duty of the citizens to

be loyal to the republic and to honor

the philippine flag

to defend the state and contribute to

its development

and welfare to uphold the constitution

and obey the laws

and to cooperate with the duly

constituted authorities in the

attainment

and preservation of a just an orderly

society

it was during the marcus administration

where the 1973 philippine constitution

was ratified

if you are going to compare the 1973

constitution

and the current constitution that we're

following you will notice that the

articles have the same meaning

it's just that the description for every

article in the 1987 constitution

are more elaborated some of these

articles are the article 1 national

territory

article 2 declaration of principles in

the state policies

in the article 3 bill of rights formerly

article 4

bill of rights of the 1973 philippine

constitution

section 4 that says no law shall be

passed abridging the freedom of speech

of expression or of the press for the

right of the people peaceably to

assemble

and petition the government for the

readiness of grievances

let me discuss the presidential decrees

a decree is a rule of law usually issued

by a head of state such as the president

it was a former president of the

philippines ferdinand e marcos

who innovated the idea of presidential

decrease with the proclamation of

martial law

one of the important decrees is the

presidential decline number 86

series of 1972 also known as creating

burgangai

or citizen assemblies now

the barangay is considered as the basic

unit of the government

and is recognized in the 1987

constitution

another example is the presidential

degree 1177

known as the budget reform degree which

commonly known as the port barrel

and the source of the greatest scam

whose mastermind was said to be

mrs janet lim napoles

now let's talk about suffrage or the

right to vote in political election

during the 1935 constitution only male

citizens with at least 21 years of age

and who is able to read and write are

allowed to vote

but it was changed in article 6 of 1973

constitution

where all citizens of the philippines

who is at least

18 years of age are allowed to vote

there is no literacy or property

requirement but he

or she should be a resident for at least

one year and six months

in the place he or she proposed to vote

and this is still

applied and followed in the present day

next is article 3 which talks about

citizenship who are the citizens of the

philippines

well basically if your parents are

filipino citizens

then you are a filipino citizen but what

if

you married an alien the alien i am

talking about

is not this but this

a foreign person who is a permanent

resident of the country

but does not have citizenship if this

happens

you are still a filipino

[Applause]

it was clearly stated in the 1973

constitution

article 3 section 2 that the female

citizens of the philippines

who marry an alien shall retain her

philippine citizenship

then it was developed in 1987

constitution

article 4 section 4 that the citizens of

the philippines

who marry an alien shall retain their

citizenship

in short this applies to all gender

now let's say you already married an

alien

he is chinese and you have a daughter so

basically

your daughter is half chinese and half

filipino

but what about her citizenship

according to article 3 section 1

those whose father or mother are

citizens of the philippines

are considered filipino citizen

so your daughter is a filipino citizen

though you have to perform some

paperwork to prove that your daughter is

a filipino

to sum up this story short dual citizens

are considered filipino

as long as one of its parents are

filipino citizen

and this citizenship law is still

followed in the present day

strengths first is the constitution

ensures the citizens of the philippines

is health

education and security second the

constitution led the records and books

of account of each member to the public

also because the constitution allows us

the people of the philippines

the right of the people to information

on matters of public concern shall be

recognized

third the natural resources of the

philippines are limited to the citizen

itself

this is one of the strength of the

constitution i noticed because

we need to limit the access of our

natural resources because if we allow

anyone to have access to our resources

probably it will not take long and it

will destroy

fourth the constitution ratifies the

rights of the workers

it is one of the threat of the

constitution because

it's a freedom of association to equal

opportunity and to protect our workers

against discrimination

fifth the constitution allows everyone

the right to vote

no gender role six is maintaining and

preserving of the filipino culture

understanding of how things came to be

and why they are

the way they are serves as guide to

accumulated knowledge of the past

also understand the value of freedom

respect

and peace along with strengths

the 1973 philippine constitution

also has its weaknesses

this constitution allowed marcos the

rule by decree

until the year 1978 when the

presidential system

of the 1935 constitution was replaced

with a parliamentary one

under this new system marcus held on to

power

and continued to govern by decree

suppressing democratic institutions

and restricting civil freedoms

in 1981 martial was officially lifted

but marcus continued to rule by the

expedient

of being reelected in the force of an

election the new six-year term

he continued to suppress descent and

thousands of vocal objectors to his rule

either

mysteriously disappeared or were

incarcerated

having to hold on to power corruption

allowed marcus and his wife imelda

to live extravagantly causing resentment

domestically and criticism

internationally

the 1973 constitution increased

the numbers of the members of the

supreme court

however the justices of the court were

appointed by the president alone

without the constant approval or

recommendation of

any other body or officials

read large also during this period was

the relationship

between the court and the chief

executive who

under amendment number six to the 1973

constitution

had assumed legislative powers even

while an elected legislative body

continued to function this 1973

constitution

had become the downfall of marx's

administration

as filipinos unified to once again

achieve

[Applause]

democracy

for the long-term contribution of the

1973 constitution of the republic of the

philippines

the jurisprudence includes that the

philippines

has its national territory the national

territory comprises the philippine

archipelago with all the islands and

waters

embrace their inn and all the other

territories

belonging to the philippines the

historic right or legal

title declaration of principles

and state policies the philippine as a

republican

state sovereignty resides in the people

and all governmental authority

citizenship the following are citizens

of the philippines

those who are citizens of the

philippines the time of the adoption of

this constitution

those whose fathers or mothers are

citizens of the philippines

those who elect philippine citizenship

pursuant to the provisions of the

constitution of the 1935

those who are naturalized in accordance

with law

we also have the bill of rights

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 the constitution also has

the jurisprudence of the duties and

obligations of citizens

it shall be the duty of the citizen to

be loyal to the republic and to honor

the philippine

flag to defend the state and contribute

to its development and welfare

the suffrage suffrage shall be exercised

by citizens of the philippines

not otherwise disqualified by law

who are 18 years of age or over the

president

the president shall be the head of state

and chief executive of the republic of

the philippines

the legislative power shall be vested in

pasang

composed of not more than 200 members

unless otherwise

provided by law shall include

representatives elected from the

different regions of the philippines

the prime minister the cabinet and the

executive

committee there shall be a cabinet which

shall be composed of ministers

with or without portfolio appointed by

the president

the 1972 constitution of the republic of

the philippines has many contributions

to the nation

like article 12 section 2 which states

that no officer or employee in the civil

service

should be suspended or dismissed except

for costs provided by law

it gives right and protects the workers

from people who abuses their power

also article 13 section 2 which states

that the

president the justices of the supreme

court and the members of the

constitutional commission

shall be removed from office on

impeachment for

and conviction of culpable violation of

the constitution

treason bravery or graft and corruption

this helps the citizens of the

philippines to have a better government

because those who will commit high

crimes will be removed because of this

law

the philippines has many natural

resources and it should be preserved and

protected

article 14 section 8 has a big

contribution for that

because it states that natural resources

must not be alienated

no licensed concession or lease for the

exploration or utilization of

any of the natural resources shall be

granted

education is really important and

according to article 15 section 8

number 5 the state shall maintain a

system for free public elementary

education and in areas where finances

permit

establish and maintain a system of free

public education at least

up to the secondary level this law is

very helpful

especially to those who cannot afford

private schools

education is also the key to success so

having free education is a big relief to

many filipinos

[Music]

you