The 1987 Constitution

Of The Republic Of The PHilippines

Article IIDeclaration Of Principles

And State Policies

Principles

Section 1.• The Philippines is a democratic

and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.

A republican government is a democratic government by representatives chosen by the people at large. The essence therefore, of a republican state is indirect rule.Section 1 impliedly recognizes that the people, as the ultimate judges of their destiny, can resort to revolution as a matter of right.A provision in the Constitution, however, expressly recognizing the people’s right to revolt against an oppressive or tyrannical government is not necessary and proper.

Examples:

Section 2The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of

international law as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of

peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.

The declaration refers only to the renunciation by the Philippines of aggressive war, not a war in defense of her national honor and integrity. Thus, when provoked and attacked the Philippines can retaliate and engage into war. International law refers to the body of rules and principles which governs the relations of nations and their

respective peoples in their intercourse with one another. The Philippines seeks only peace and friendship with her neighbors and all countries of the world, regardless of race, creed, ideology, and political system, on the basis of mutual trust, respect, and cooperation.

Examples:

CIVILIAN AUTHORITY IS, AT ALL TIMES, SUPREME OVER THE MILITARY. THE ARMED FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES IS THE PROTECTOR OF THE PEOPLE AND THE STATE. ITS GOAL IS TO SECURE THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE STATE AND THE INTEGRITY OF THE NATIONAL TERRITORY.

Section 3

Supremacy of civilian authority over the military. Armed Forces of the Philippines, protector of the people and State.

Inherent in a republican system.A safeguard against military dictatorship.

EXAMPLES:

Section 4The prime duty of the Government is to

serve and protect the people. The Government may call upon the people to

defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to

render personal, military or civil service.

“… the foremost duty of the government is to serve and protect the people. The government exist for the people and not the

people for the government.” the government may call upon the people to defend the State.

For self-preservation and to defend its territorial honor and integrity, the Philippines can engage in a defensive war.

The defense of the State is one of the duties of a citizen.

Defending the State: Personal, Military and civil service.

Section 5The maintenance of peace

and order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, and

promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the people

of the blessings of democracy.

Only when peace and order, security, and a life of dignity are established and maintained, will political stability and economic prosperity become attainable and

the people truly enjoy the “blessings of independence and democracy.”

Section 6The separation of Church and State

shall be inviolable.

The principle simply means that the Church is not to interfere in

purely political matters or temporal aspects of man’s life and

the State, in purely matters of religion and morals, which are the

exclusive concerns of the other.

STATE POLICIES

Section 7The State shall pursue an independent

foreign policy. In its relations with other states the paramount consideration shall be

national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right to self-

determination.

• Our basic foreign policy objective is to establish friendly relations with all countries of the world regardless of race, religion, ideology and social system and to promote as much beneficial relationship with them particularly in economic and trade activities.

Section 8The Philippines, consistent with the national interest,

adopts and pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.

Freedom from nuclear weapons

Nuclear Weapons

Section 9• The State shall promote a just and

dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.

Just and dynamic social order.

Free the People From Poverty

Section 10• The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development

• In the fulfillment of this duty, the State must give preferential attention to the welfare of the less fortunate members of the community, those who have less in life