Philippine Constitution Basics - Animated Guide

The story of the 1987 Philippine Constitution begins with a period of authoritarian rule.Under the Marcos regime, from 1965 to 1986, the Philippines experienced significant restrictions on civil liberties and concentrated power.The 1973 Constitution was enacted under Martial Law, consolidating power in the hands of President Marcos.In 1986, the historic People Power Revolution, led by Corazon Aquino, peacefully overthrew the dictatorship.This led to the creation of the 1987 Constitution, with three primary goals: protecting human rights, establishing representative democracy, and ensuring checks and balances.The Constitutional Commission, composed of 48 members from diverse backgrounds, worked for four months to draft the new constitution.The new constitution was ratified in 1987, marking the formal restoration of democracy in the Philippines.With this historical foundation established, we can now examine the structure and main articles of the constitution.The Philippine Constitution is organized into eighteen articles, each addressing specific aspects of governance.Article Three contains the Bill of Rights, which protects fundamental freedoms and civil liberties.The constitution establishes three co-equal branches of government, creating a system of checks and balances.The Legislative branch, composed of Congress, makes the laws.The Executive branch, led by the President, implements and enforces these laws.The Judicial branch, headed by the Supreme Court, interprets the laws and ensures their constitutionality.This system of checks and balances ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful, maintaining the balance of power in Philippine governance.The Philippine Constitution establishes both rights and duties for its citizens.Let's first examine the fundamental rights guaranteed to every Filipino citizen.Freedom of speech allows citizens to express their opinions freely through various means.The right to education ensures access to quality learning opportunities for all Filipinos.Due process guarantees fair treatment in all legal proceedings.Now let's examine the important duties that come with these rights.The duty to pay taxes ensures the government can provide essential services to all citizens.National service may be required to defend and develop the country.Voting is both a right and a duty to ensure good governance.These rights and duties work together to create a balanced and functioning democracy.