1987 CONSTITUTION 1973 CONSTITUTION 1935 CONSTITUTION

Preamble Preamble Preamble

We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the
aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and
humane society and establish a Government that
shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote
the common good, conserve and develop our
patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our
posterity the blessings of independence and
democracy under the rule of law and a regime of
truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace,
do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
ARTICLE I
The National Territory
We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the
aid of Divine Providence, in order to establish a
government that shall embody our ideals,
promote the general welfare, conserve and
develop the patrimony of our Nation, and secure
to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of
democracy under a regime of justice, peace,
liberty, and equality, do ordain and promulgate
this Constitution.
ARTICLE I
The National Territory
The Filipino people, imploring the aid of Divine
Providence, in order to establish a government
that shall embody their ideals, conserve and
develop the patrimony of the nation, promote the
general welfare, and secure to themselves and
their posterity the blessings of independence
under a regime of justice, liberty, and democracy,
do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
ARTICLE I
The National Territory

The national territory comprises the PhilippineSection 1. The national territory comprises the Section 1. The Philippines comprises all the
archipelago, with all the islands and waters Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and territory ceded to the United States by the Treaty
embraced therein, and all other territories over
waters embraced therein, and all the other of Paris concluded between the United States and
which the Philippines has sovereignty or territories belonging to the Philippines by historic Spain on the tenth day of December, eighteen
jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial,
or legal title, including the territorial sea, the air hundred and ninety-eight, the limits which are set
and aerial domains, including its territorial sea,
space, the subsoil, the sea-bed, the insular forth in Article III of said treaty, together with all
the seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and
shelves, and the submarine areas over which the the islands embraced in the treaty concluded at
other submarine areas. The waters around, Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction. The Washington between the United States and Spain
between, and connecting the islands of the waters around, between, and connecting the on the seventh day of November, nineteen
archipelago, regardless of their breadth and islands of the archipelago, irrespective of their hundred, and the treaty concluded between the
dimensions, form part of the internal waters ofbreadth and dimensions, form part of the internal United States and Great Britain on the second
the Philippines. waters of the Philippines. day of January, nineteen hundred and thirty, and
all territory over which the present Government
of the Philippine Islands exercises jurisdiction.
ARTICLE II ARTICLE II ARTICLE II
Declaration of Principles and State Policies Declaration of Principles and State Policies Declaration of Principles

Principles Section 1. Section 1.

The Philippines is a republican state. Sovereignty The Philippines, is a republican state.
SEC. 1. resides in the people and all government Sovereignty resides in the people and all
The Philippines is a democratic and republican authority emanates from them. government authority emanates from them.
State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all
government authority emanates from them. Section 2. Section 2.
The defense of the State is the prime duty of The defense of the State is a prime duty of
SEC. 2. government, and in the fulfillment of this duty all government, and in the fulfillment of this duty all
The Philippines renounces war as an instrument citizens may be required by law to render citizens may be required by law to render
of national policy, adopts the generally accepted personal military or civil service. personal military or civil service.
principles of international law as part of the law
of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, Section 3. Section 3.
equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity The Philippines renounces war as an instrument The Philippines renounces war as an instrument
with all nations. of national policy, adopts the generally accepted of national policy, and adopts the generally
principles of international law as part of the law accepted principles of international law as part of
SEC. 3. of the land, and adheres to the policy of peace, the law of the Nation.
Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity
the military. The Armed Forces of the Philippines with all nations. Section 4.
is the protector of the people and the State. Its The natural right and duty of parents in the
goal is to secure the sovereignty of the State and Section 4. rearing of the youth for civic efficiency should
the integrity of the national territory. The State shall strengthen the family as a basic receive the aid and support of the government.
social institution. The natural right and duty of Section 5. The promotion of social justice to
SEC. 4. parents in the rearing of the youth for civic insure the well-being and economic security of
The prime duty of the Government is to serve efficiency and the development of moral all the people should be the concern of the State.
and protect the people. The Government may call character shall receive the aid and support of the
upon the people to defend the State and, in the government.
fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required,
under conditions provided by law, to render
personal military or civil service.

SEC. 5.
The maintenance of peace and order, the
protection of life, liberty, and property, and the
promotion of the general welfare are essential for
the enjoyment by all the people of the blessings
of democracy.
Section 5.
The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
nation-building and shall promote their physical,
intellectual and social well-being.
Section 6.
 The State shall promote social justice to ensure
SEC. 6. the dignity, welfare, and security of all the
The separation of Church and State shall be people. Towards this end, the State shall regulate
inviolable. the acquisition, ownership, use, enjoyment, and
disposition of private property, and equitably
State Policies diffuse property ownership and profits.

SEC. 7.
The 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.
Section 7.
The State shall establish, maintain, and ensure
adequate social services in the field of education,
health, housing, employment, welfare, and social
security to guarantee the enjoyment of the people
of a decent standard of living.

SEC. 8. Section 8.
The Philippines, consistent with the national Civilian authority is at all times supreme over the
interest, adopts and pursues a policy of freedom military.
from nuclear weapons in its territory.
Section 9.
SEC. 9. The State shall afford protection to labor,
The State shall promote a just and dynamic social promote full employment and equality in
order that will ensure the prosperity and employment, ensure equal work opportunities
independence of the nation and free the people regardless of sex, race, or creed, and regulate the
from poverty through policies that provide relation between workers and employers. The
adequate social services, promote full State shall assure the rights of workers to self-
employment, a rising standard of living, and an organization, collective bargaining, security of
improved quality of life for all. tenure, and just and humane conditions of work.
The State may provide for compulsory
arbitration.
SEC. 10.
The State shall promote social justice in all Section 10.
phases of national development. The State shall guarantee and promote the
autonomy of local government units, especially
SEC. 11. the barrio, to ensure their fullest development as
The State values the dignity of every human self-reliant communities.
person and guarantees full respect for human
rights.

SEC. 12.
The State recognizes the sanctity of family life
and shall protect and strengthen the family as a
basic autonomous social institution. It shall
equally protect the life of the mother and the life
of the unborn from conception. The natural and
primary right and duty of parents in the rearing of
the youth for civic efficiency and the
development of moral character shall receive the
support of the Government.
SEC. 13.
The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in
nation-building and shall promote and protect
their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and
social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth
patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their
involvement in public and civic affairs.

SEC. 14.
The State recognizes the role of women in
nation-building, and shall ensure the fundamental
equality before the law of women and men.

SEC. 15.
The State shall protect and promote the right to
health of the people and instill health
consciousness among them.

SEC. 16.
The State shall protect and advance the right of
the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

SEC. 17.
The State shall give priority to education, science
and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster
patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social
progress, and promote total human liberation and
development.

SEC. 18.
The State affirms labor as a primary social
economic force. It shall protect the rights of
workers and promote their welfare.

SEC. 19.
The State shall develop a self-reliant and
independent national economy effectively
controlled by Filipinos.

SEC. 20.
The State recognizes the indispensable role of the
private sector, encourages private enterprise, and
provides incentives to needed investments.

SEC. 21.
The State shall promote comprehensive rural
development and agrarian reform.

SEC. 22.
The State recognizes and promotes the rights of
indigenous cultural communities within the
framework of national unity and development.

SEC. 23.
The State shall encourage non-governmental,
community- based, or sectoral organizations that
promote the welfare of the nation.

SEC. 24.
The State recognizes the vital role of
communication and information in nation-
building.

SEC. 25.
The State shall ensure the autonomy of local
governments.

SEC. 26.
The State shall guarantee equal access to
opportunities for public service, and prohibit
political dynasties as may be defined by law.

SEC. 27.
The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in
the public service and take positive and effective
measures against graft and corruption.

SEC. 28.
Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by
law, the State adopts and implements a policy of
full public disclosure of all its transactions
involving public interest.

ARTICLE VI ARTICLE VIII ARTICLE VI

Legislative Department The National Assembly Legislative Department

SEC 1. Section 1. Section 1.

The legislative power shall be vested in the The Legislative power shall be vested in a The Legislative power shall be vested in a
Congress of the Philippines which shall consist National Assembly. Congress of the Philippines, which shall consist
of a Senate and a House of Representatives, of a Senate and a House of Representatives.
except to the extent reserved to the people by the Section 2.
provision on initiative and referendum. The National Assembly shall be composed of as Section 2.
many Members as may be provided by law to be The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four
SEC. 2. appointed among the provinces, representative Senators who shall be chosen at large by the
The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four districts, and cities in accordance with the qualified electors of the Philippines, as may be
Senators who shall be elected at large by the number of their respective inhabitants and on the provided by law.
qualified voters of the Philippines, as may be basis of a uniform and progressive ratio. Each
provided by law. district shall comprise, as far as practicable, Section 3.
contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. The term of office of Senators shall be six years
SEC. 3. Representative districts or provinces already and shall begin on the thirtieth day of December
No person shall be a Senator unless he is a created or existing at the time of the ratification next following their election. The first Senators
natural-born citizen of the Philippines, and, on of this Constitution shall have at least one elected under this Constitution shall, in the
the day of the election, is at least thirty-five years Member each. manner provided by law, be divided equally into
of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, three groups, the Senators of the first group, to
and a resident of the Philippines for not less than Section 3. serve for a term of six years; those of the second
two years immediately preceding the day of the (1) The Members of the National Assembly shall group, for four years; and those of the third
election. be elected by the qualified electors in their group, for two years.
respective districts for a term of six years which
SEC. 4. shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at Section 4.
The term of office of the Senators shall be six noon on the thirtieth day of June next following No person shall be a Senator unless he be a
years and shall commence, unless otherwise their election. natural born citizen of the Philippines and, at the
provided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of time of his election, is at least thirty-five years of
June next following their election. No Senator (2) In case the National Assembly is dissolved, age, a qualified elector, and a resident of the
shall serve for more than two consecutive terms. the newly elected Members shall serve the Philippines for not less than two years
Voluntary renunciation of the office for any unexpired portion of the term from the time the immediately prior to his election.
length of time shall not be considered as an Prime Minister convenes the Assembly, which
interruption in the continuity of his service for shall not be later than thirty days immediately Section 5.
the full term for which he was elected. following the elections. The House of Representatives shall be composed
of not more than one hundred and twenty
SEC. 5. Section 4. Members who shall be apportioned among the
(1) The House of Representatives shall be No person shall be a Member of the National several provinces as nearly as may be accorded
composed of not more than two hundred and fifty Assembly unless he is a natural-born citizen of to the number of their respective inhabitants, but
members, unless otherwise fixed by law, who the Philippines and, on the day of the election, is each province shall have at least one Member.
shall be elected from legislative districts at least twenty-five years of age, able to read and The Congress shall by law make an
apportioned among the provinces, cities, and the write, a registered voter in the district in which apportionment within three years after the return
Metropolitan Manila area in accordance with the he shall be elected, and a resident thereon for a of every enumeration, and not otherwise. Until
number of their respective inhabitants, and on the period of not less than one year immediately such apportionment shall have been made, the
basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and preceding the day of the election. House of Representatives shall have the same
those who, as provided by law, shall be elected number of Members as that fixed by law for the
through a party-list system of registered national, Section 5. National Assembly, who shall be elected by the
regional, and sectoral parties or organizations. (1) Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular qualified electors from the present Assembly
election of Members of the National Assembly districts. Each representative district shall
(2) The party-list representatives shall constitute shall be held on the second Monday of May comprise, as far as practicable, contiguous and
twenty per centum of the total number of every six years thereafter. compact territory.
representatives including those under the party
list. For three consecutive terms after the (2) In case a vacancy arises in the National Section 6.
ratification of this Constitution, one-half of the Assembly one year or more before a regular The term of office of the Members of the House
seats allocated to party-list representatives shall election, the Commission on Elections shall call of Representatives shall be four years and shall
be filled, as provided by law, by selection or a special election to be held within sixty days begin on the thirtieth day of December next
election from the labor, peasant, urban poor, after the vacancy occurs. following their election.
indigenous cultural communities, women, youth,
and such other sectors as may be provided by Section 6. Section 7.
law, except the religious sector. The National Assembly shall convene once every No person shall be a Member of the House of
year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular Representatives unless he be a natural born
(3) Each legislative district shall comprise, as far session, unless a different date is fixed by law, citizen of the Philippines, and, at the time of his
as practicable, contiguous, compact, and adjacent and shall continue to be in session until thirty election, is at least twenty-five years of age, a
territory. Each city with a population of at least days before the opening of its next regular qualified elector, and a resident of the province in
two hundred fifty thousand, or each province, session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and which he is chosen for not less than one year
shall have at least one representative. legal holidays. It may recess for periods not immediately prior to his election.
exceeding thirty days each, and not more than
(4) Within three years following the return of ninety days during the year. However, it may be Section 8.
every census, the Congress shall make a called to session at any time by the Prime (1) Elections for Senators and Members of the
reappointment of legislative districts based on the Minister to consider such subjects or legislation House of Representatives shall be held in the
standards provided in this section. as he may designate. manner and on the dates fixed by law.

SEC. 6. Section 7. (2) In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the

No person shall be a Member of the House of (1) The National Assembly, shall, by a majority House of Representatives, a special election may
Representatives unless he is a natural-born vote of all its Members, elect its Speaker from be called to fill such vacancy in the manner
citizen of the Philippines and, on the day of the the Members thereof. It shall choose such other prescribed by law, but the Senator or Member of
election, is at least twenty-five years of age, able officers as it may deem necessary. the House of Representatives thus elected shall
to read and write, and, except the party-list The election of the President and the Prime serve only for the unexpired term.
representatives, a registered voter in the district Minister shall precede all other business
in which he shall be elected, and a resident following the election of the Speaker. Section 9.
thereof for a period of not less than one year The Congress shall convene in regular session
immediately preceding the day of the election. (2) A majority of the National Assembly shall once every year on the fourth Monday of
constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller January, unless a different date is fixed by law. It
number may adjourn from day to day and may may be called in special session at any time by
compel the attendance of absent Members in the President to consider general legislation or
SEC. 7. such manner, and under such penalties, as the only such subjects as he may designate. No
The Members of the House of Representatives National Assembly may provide. special session shall continue longer than thirty
shall be elected for a term of three years which days and no regular session longer than one
shall begin, unless otherwise provided by law, at (3) The National Assembly may determine the hundred days, exclusive of Sundays.
noon on the thirtieth day of June next following rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for
their election. disorderly behavior, and with concurrence of
No member of the House of Representatives shall two-thirds of all its Members, suspend or expel a Section 10.
serve for more than three consecutive terms. Member, but if the penalty is suspension, this (1) The Senate shall elect its President and the
Voluntary renunciation of the office for any shall not exceed sixty days. House of Representatives its Speaker.
length of time shall not be considered as an Each House shall choose such other officers as
interruption in the continuity of his service for (4) The National Assembly shall keep a Journal may be required.
the full term for which he was elected. of its proceedings, and from time to time publish
the same, excepting such parts as may, in its (2) A majority of each House shall constitute a
SEC. 8. judgment, affect national security; and the yeas quorum to do business, but a smaller number
Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular and nays on any question shall, at the request of may adjourn from day to day and may compel
election of the Senators and the Members of the one-fifth of the Members present, be entered in the attendance of absent Members in such
House of Representatives shall be held on the the Journal. manner and under such penalties as such House
second Monday of May. may provide.
Section 8.
SEC. 9. (1) Unless otherwise provided by law, each (3) Each House may determine the rule of its
In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House Member of the National Assembly shall receive proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly
of Representatives, a special election may be an annual salary of sixty thousand pesos. The behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds
called to fill such vacancy in the manner Speaker of the National Assembly shall receive of all its Members, expel a Member.
prescribed by law, but the Senator or Member of an annual salary of seventy-five thousand pesos.
the House of Representatives thus elected shall No increase in salary shall take effect until after (4) Each House shall keep a Journal of its
serve only for the unexpired term. the expiration of the term of the Members of the proceedings, and from time to time publish the
National Assembly approving such increase. same, excepting such parts as may in its
SEC. 10. judgment requires secrecy; and the yeas and nays
The salaries of Senators and Members of the (2) The records and books of accounts of the on any question shall, at the request of one-fifth
House of Representatives shall be determined by National Assembly shall be open to the public in of the Members present, be entered into the
law. No increase in said compensation shall take accordance with law, and such books shall be Journal.
effect until after the expiration of the full term of audited by the Commission on Audit which shall
all the Members of the Senate and the House of publish annually the itemized expenditures for (5) Neither House during the sessions of the
Representatives approving such increase. each Member. Congress shall, without the consent of the other,
adjourn for more than three days, nor to any
SEC. 11. Section 9. other place than that in which the two Houses
A Senator or Member of the House of A Member of the National Assembly shall, in all shall be sitting.
Representatives shall, in all offenses punishable offenses punishable by not more than six years
by not more than six years imprisonment, be imprisonment, be privileged from arrest during Section 11.
privileged from arrest while the Congress is in his attendance at its sessions, and in going to and The Senate and the House of Representatives
session. No member shall be questioned nor be returning from the same; but the National shall have an Electoral Tribunal which shall be
held liable in any other place for any speech or Assembly shall surrender the Member involved the sole judge of all contests relating to the
debate in the Congress or in any committee to the custody of the law within twenty-four election, returns, and qualifications of their
thereof. hours after its adjournment for a recess or its next respective Members. Each Electoral Tribunal
session, otherwise such privilege shall cease shall be composed of nine Members, three of
SEC. 12. upon its failure to do so. A Member shall not be whom shall be Justices of the Supreme Court to
All Members of the Senate and the House of questioned or held liable in any other place for be designated by the Chief Justice, and the
Representatives shall, upon assumption of office, any speech or debate in the Assembly or in any remaining six shall be Members of the Senate or
make a full disclosure of their financial and committee thereof. the House of Representatives, as the case may be,
business interests. They shall notify the House who shall be chosen by each House, three upon
concerned of a potential conflict of interest that Section 10. nomination of the party having the largest
may arise from the filing of a proposed A Member of the National Assembly shall not number of votes and three of the party having the
legislation of which they are authors. hold any other office or employment in the second largest numbers of votes therein. The
government, or any subdivision, agency, or senior Justice in each Electoral Tribunal shall be
SEC. 13. instrumentality thereof, including government- its Chairman.
No Senator or a Member of the House of owned or controlled corporations during his
Representatives may hold any other office or tenure except that of Prime Minister or Member
employment in the Government, or any of the Cabinet. Neither shall he be appointed to Section 12.
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, any civil office which may have been created or There shall be a Commission on Appointments
including government-owned or controlled the emoluments thereof increased while he was a consisting of twelve Senators and twelve
corporations or their subsidiaries, during his term Member of the National Assembly. Members of the House of Representatives,
without forfeiting his seat. Neither shall he be elected by each House, respectively, on the basis
appointed to any office which may have been Section 11. of proportional representation of the political
created or the emoluments thereof increased No Member of the National Assembly shall parties therein. The president of the Senate shall
during the term for which he was elected. appear as counsel before any court inferior to a be the Chairman ex officio of the Commission,
court with appellate jurisdiction, before any court but shall not vote except in case of tie.
SEC. 14. in any civil case wherein the government, or any
No Senator or Member of the House of subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof is
Representatives may personally appear as the adverse party, or before any administrative Section 13.
counsel before any court of justice or before the body. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, be The Electoral Tribunal and the Commission on
Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and other interested financially in any contract with, or in Appointments shall be constituted within thirty
administrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly any franchise or special privilege granted by, the days after the Senate and the House of
or indirectly, be interested financially in any government, or any subdivision, agency, or Representatives shall have been organized with
contract with, or in any franchise or special instrumentality thereof, including any the election of their President and Speaker,
privilege granted by the Government, or any government-owned or controlled corporation, respectively. The Commission on Appointments
subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, during his term of office. He shall not intervene shall meet only while the Congress is in session,
including any government-owned or controlled in any matter before any office of the at the call of its Chairman or a majority of its
corporation, or its subsidiary, during his term of government for his pecuniary benefit. Members, to discharge such powers and
office. He shall not intervene in any matter functions as are herein conferred upon it.
before any office of the Government for his Section 12. Section 14.
pecuniary benefit or where he may be called (1) There shall be a question hour at least once a The Senators and the Members of the House of
upon to act on account of his office. month or as often as the rules of the National Representatives shall, unless otherwise provided
Assembly may provide, which shall be included by law, receive an annual compensation of seven
in its agenda, during which the Prime Minister or thousand two hundred pesos each, including per
SEC. 15. any Minister may be required to appear and diems and other emoluments or allowances and
The Congress shall convene once every year on answer questions and interpellations by Members exclusive only of traveling expenses to and from
the fourth Monday of July for its regular session, of the National Assembly. Written questions shall their respective districts in the case of Members
unless a different date is fixed by law, and shall be submitted to the Speaker at least three days of the House of Representatives, and to an from
continue to be in session for such number of days before a scheduled question hour. Interpellations their places of residence in the case of Senators,
as it may determine until thirty days before the shall not be limited to the written questions, but when attending sessions of the Congress. No
opening of its next regular session, exclusive of may cover matters related thereto. The agenda increase in said compensation shall take effect
Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The shall specify the subjects of the question hour. until after the expiration of the full term of all the
President may call a special session at any time. When the security of the State so requires and the Members of the Senate and of the House of
Prime Minister so states in writing, the question Representatives approving such increase. Until
SEC. 16. hour shall be conducted in executive session. otherwise provided by law, the President of the
(1) The Senate shall elect its President and the Senate and the Speaker of the House of
House of Representatives its Speaker, by a (2) The National Assembly or any of its Representatives shall each receive an annual
majority vote of all its respective Members. committees may conduct inquiries in aid of compensation of sixteen thousand pesos.
Each House shall choose such other officers as it legislation in accordance with its duly published
may deem necessary. rules of procedure. The rights of persons
(2) A majority of each House shall constitute a appearing in such inquiries shall be respected. Section 15.
quorum to do business, but a smaller number The Senators and Members of the House of
may adjourn from day to day and may compel Section 13. Representatives shall in all cases except treason,
the attendance of absent Members in such (1) The National Assembly may withdraw its felony, and breach of the peace, be privileged
manner, and under such penalties, as such House confidence from the Prime Minister only by from arrest during their attendance at the session
may provide. electing a successor by a majority vote of all its of the Congress, and in going to and returning
(3) Each House may determine the rules of its Members. No motion for the election of such from the same; and for any speech or debate
proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly successor shall be debated and voted upon until therein, they shall not be questioned in any other
behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds after the lapse of three days from the submittal of place.
of all its Members, suspend or expel a Member. A such motion.
penalty for suspension, when imposed, shall not
exceed sixty days. (2) The Prime Minister may advise the President Section 16.
(4) Each House shall keep a Journal of its in writing to dissolve the National Assembly No Senator or Member of the House of
proceedings, and from time to time publish the whenever the need arises for a popular vote of Representatives may hold any other office or
same, excepting such parts as may, in its confidence on fundamental issues, but not on a employment in the government without forfeiting
judgment, affect national security; and the yeas matter involving his own personal integrity. his seat, nor shall any Senator or Member of the
and nays on any question shall, at the request of Whereupon, the President shall dissolve the House of Representatives, during the time for
one-fifth of the members present, be entered in National Assembly not earlier than five days nor which he was elected, be appointed to any civil
the Journal. later than ten days from his receipt of the advice, office which may have been created or the
Each House shall also keep a Record of its and call for an election on a date set by the Prime emoluments whereof shall have been increased
proceedings. Minister which shall not be earlier than forty-five while he was a Member of the Congress.
(5) Neither House during the sessions of the days nor later than sixty days from the date of Section 17.
Congress shall, without the consent of the other, such dissolution. However, no dissolution of the No Senator or Member of the House of
adjourn for more than three days, nor to any National Assembly shall take place within nine Representatives shall directly or indirectly be
other place than that in which the two Houses months immediately preceding a regular election financially interested in any contract with the
shall be sitting. or within nine months immediately following any government or any subdivision or instrumentality
 general election. thereof, or in any franchise or special privilege
SEC. 17. granted by the Congress during his term of
The Senate and the House of Representatives (3) In case of dissolution of the National office. He shall not appear as counsel before the
shall each have an Electoral Tribunal which shall Assembly or the termination of its regular term, Electoral Tribunals or before any court in any
be the sole judge of all contests relating to the the incumbent Prime Minister and the Cabinet civil case wherein the Government or any
election, returns, and qualifications of their shall continue to conduct the affairs of subdivision or instrumentality thereof is the
respective Members. Each Electoral Tribunal government until the new National Assembly is adverse party, or in any criminal case wherein an
shall be composed of nine Members, three of convoked and a Prime Minister is elected and has officer or employee of the government is accused
whom shall be Justices of the Supreme Court to qualified. of an offense committed in relation to his office,
be designated by the Chief Justice, and the or collect any fee for his appearance in any
remaining six shall be Members of the Senate or Section 14. administrative proceedings; or accept
the House of Representatives, as the case may be, (1) Except as otherwise provided in this employment to intervene in any cause or matter
who shall be chosen on the basis of proportional Constitution, no treaty shall be valid and where he may be called upon to act on account of
representation from the political parties and the effective unless concurred in by a majority of all his office. No Member of the Commission on
parties or organizations registered under the the Members of the National Assembly. Appointments shall appear as counsel before any
party-list system represented therein. The senior court inferior to a collegiate court of appellate
Justice in the Electoral Tribunal shall be it (2) The National Assembly, by a vote of two- jurisdiction.
Chairman. thirds of all its Members, shall have the sole
power to declare the existence of a state of war.

SEC. 18. Section 15. Section 18.

There shall be a Commission on Appointments In times of war or other national emergency, the All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills
consisting of the President of the Senate, as ex National Assembly may by law authorize the authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of
officio Chairman, twelve Senators, and twelve Prime Minister, for a limited period and subject local application, and private bills, shall originate
Members of the House of Representatives, to such restrictions as it may prescribe, to exclusively in the House of Representatives, but
elected by each House on the basis of exercise powers necessary and proper to carry the Senate may propose or concur with
proportional representation from the political out a declared national policy. Unless sooner amendments.
parties or organizations registered under the withdrawn by resolution of the National
party-list system represented therein. The Assembly, such powers shall cease upon its next Section 19.
Chairman of the Commission shall not vote, adjournment. (1) The President shall submit within fifteen days
except in case of a tie. The Commission shall act of the opening of each regular session of the
on all appointments submitted to it within thirty Section 16. Congress a budget of receipts and expenditures,
session days of the Congress from their (1) The Prime Minister shall submit to the which shall be the basis of the general
submission. The Commission shall rule by a National Assembly within thirty days from the appropriations bill. The Congress may not
majority vote of all the Members. opening of each regular session, as the basis of increase the appropriations recommended by the
the general appropriations bill, a budget of President for the operation of the Government as
SEC. 19. receipts based on existing and proposed revenue specified in the Budget, except the appropriations
The Electoral Tribunals and the Commission on measures, and of expenditures. The form, for the Congress and the Judicial Department.
Appointments shall be constituted within thirty content, and manner of preparation of the budget The form of the Budget and the information that
days after the Senate and the House of shall be prescribed by law. it should contain shall be prescribed by law.
Representatives shall have been organized with (2) No provision or enactment shall be embraced (2) No provision or enactment shall be embraced
the election of the President and the Speaker. The in the general appropriations bill unless it relates in the general appropriations bill unless it relates
Commission on Appointments shall meet only specifically to some particular appropriation specifically to some particular appropriation
while the Congress is in session, at the call of its therein. Any such provision or enactment shall be therein; and any such provision or enactment
Chairman or a majority of all its Members, to limited in its operation to the appropriation to shall be limited in its operation to such
discharge such powers and functions as are which it relates. appropriation.
herein conferred upon it.
(3) The procedure in approving appropriations Section 20.
SEC. 20. for the National Assembly shall strictly follow (1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall,
The records and books of accounts of the the procedure for approving appropriations for before it becomes a law, be presented to the
Congress shall be preserved and be open to the other departments and agencies. President. If he approves the same, he shall sign
public in accordance with law, and such books it; but if not, he shall return it with his objections
shall be audited by the Commission on Audit (4) A special appropriations bill shall specify the to the House where it originated, which shall
which shall publish annually an itemized list of purpose for which it is intended, and shall be enter the objections at large on its Journal and
amounts paid to and expenses incurred for each supported by funds actually available as certified proceed to reconsider it. If, after such
Member. to by the National Treasurer, or to be raised by a reconsideration, two-thirds of all the Members of
corresponding revenue proposal included therein. such House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be
SEC. 21. sent together, with the objections, to the House
The Senate or the House of Representatives or (5) No law shall be passed authorizing any by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if
any of its respective committees may conduct transfer of appropriations; however, the Prime approved by two-thirds of all the Members of
inquiries in aid of legislation in accordance with Minister, the Speaker, the Chief Justice of the that House, it shall become a law. In all such
its duly published rules of procedure. The rights Supreme Court, and the heads of Constitutional cases, the votes of each House shall be
of persons appearing in or affected by such Commissions may by law be authorized to determined by yeas and nays, and the names of
inquiries shall be respected. augment any item in the general appropriations the Members voting for and against shall be
law for their respective offices from saving in entered on its Journal. If any bill shall not be
SEC. 22. other items of their respective appropriations. returned by the President as herein provided
The heads of departments may upon their own within twenty days (Sundays excepted) after it
initiative, with the consent of the President, or (6) If, by the end of the fiscal year, the National shall have been presented to him, the same shall
upon the request of either House, as the rules of Assembly shall have failed to pass the general become a law in like manner as if he had signed
each House shall provide, appear before and be appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the it, unless the Congress by adjournment prevent
heard by such House on any matter pertaining to general appropriations law for the preceding its return, in which case it shall become a law
their departments. Written questions shall be fiscal year shall be deemed re-enacted and shall unless vetoed by the President within thirty days
submitted to the President of the Senate or the remain in force and effect until the general after adjournment.
Speaker of the House of Representatives at least appropriations bill is passed by the National
three days before their scheduled appearance. Assembly. (2) The President shall have the power to veto
Interpellations shall not be limited to written any particular item or items of an appropriation
questions, but may cover matters related thereto. Section 17. bill, but the veto shall not affect the item or items
When the security of the State or the public (1) The rule of taxation shall be uniform and to which he does not object. When a provision of
interest so requires and the President so states in equitable. The National Assembly shall evolve a an appropriation bill affects one or more items of
writing, the appearance shall be conducted in progressive system of taxation. the same, the President cannot veto the provision
executive session. without at the same time, vetoing the particular
(2) The National Assembly may by law authorize item or items to which it relates. The item or
SEC. 23. the Prime Minister to fix within specified limits, items objected to shall not take effect except in
(1) The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both and subject to such limitations and restrictions as the manner heretofore provided as to bills
Houses in joint session assembled, voting it may impose, tariff rates, import and export returned to the Congress without the approval of
separately, shall have the sole power to declare quotas, tonnage and wharfage dues, and other the President. If the veto refers to a bill or any
the existence of a state of war. duties or imposts. item of an appropriation bill which appropriates a
sum in excess of ten per centum of the total
(2) In times of war or other national emergency, (3) Charitable institutions, churches, personages amount voted in the appropriation bill for the
the Congress may, by law, authorize the or convents appurtenant thereto, mosques and general expenses of the Government for the
President, for a limited period and subject to such non-profit cemeteries, and all lands, buildings preceding year, or if it should refer to a bill
restrictions as it may prescribe, to exercise and improvements actually, directly, and authorizing an increase of the public debt, the
powers necessary and proper to carry out a exclusively used for religious or charitable same shall not become a law unless approved by
declared national policy. Unless sooner purposes shall be exempt from taxation. three-fourths of all the Members of each House.
withdrawn by resolution of the Congress, such
powers shall cease upon the next adjournment (4) No law granting any tax exemption shall be (3) The President shall have the power to veto
thereof. passed without the concurrence of a majority of any separate item or items in a revenue of tariff
all the Members of the National Assembly. bill, and the item or items shall not take effect
SEC. 24. except in the manner provided as to bills vetoed
All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills Section 18. by the President.
authorizing increase of public debt, bills of local (1) No money shall be paid out of the Treasury
application, and private bills shall originate except in pursuance of an appropriation made by Section 21.
exclusively in the House of Representatives, but law. (1) No bill which may be enacted into law shall
the Senate may propose or concur with embrace more than one subject which shall be
amendments. (2) No public money or property shall ever be expressed in the title of the bill.
appropriated, applied, paid, or used, directly or
SEC. 25. indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any (2) No bill shall be passed by either House unless
(1) The Congress may not increase the sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution, it shall have been printed and copies thereof in its
appropriations recommended by the President for or system of religion or for the use, benefit, or final form furnished its Members at least three
the operation of the Government as specified in support of any priest, preacher, minister, or other calendar days prior to its passage, except when
the budget. The form, content, and manner of religious teacher or dignitary as such, except the President shall have certified to the necessity
preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary of its immediate enactment. Upon the last
law. is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal reading of a bill no amendment thereof shall be
institution, or government orphanage or allowed, and the question upon its passage shall
(2) No provision or enactment shall be embraced leprosarium. be taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and
in the general appropriations bill unless it relates nays entered on the Journal.
specifically to some particular appropriation Section 19.
therein. Any such provision or enactment shall be (1) Every bill shall become a law unless it has Section 22.
limited in its operation to the appropriation to passed three readings on separate days, and (1) The rule of taxation shall be uniform.
which it relates. printed copies thereof in its final form have been
distributed to the Members three days before its (2) The Congress may by law authorize the
(3) The procedure in approving appropriations passage, except when the Prime Minister certifies President, subject to such limitations and
for the Congress shall strictly follow the to the necessity of its immediate enactment to restrictions as it may impose, to fix, within
procedure for approving appropriations for other meet a public calamity or emergency. Upon the specified limits, tariff rates, import or export
departments or agencies. last reading of a bill, no amendment thereto shall quotas, and tonnage and wharfage dues.
be allowed, and the vote thereon shall be taken
(4) A special appropriations bill shall specify the immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays (3) Cemeteries, churches, and parsonages or
purpose for which it is intended, and shall be entered in the Journal. convents appurtenant thereto, and all lands,
supported by funds actually available as certified buildings, and improvements used exclusively
by the National Treasurer, or to be raised by a (2) No bill except those of local application shall for religious, charitable, or educational purposes
corresponding revenue proposed therein. be calendared without the prior recommendation shall be exempt from taxation.
of the Cabinet.
(5) No law shall be passed authorizing any Section 23.
transfer of appropriations; however, the Section 20. (1) All money collected on any tax levied for a
President, the President of the Senate, the (1) Every bill passed by the national Assembly special purpose shall be treated as a special fund
Speaker of the House of Representatives, the shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the and paid out for such purpose only. If the purpose
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the Prime Minister. If he approves the same he shall for which a special fund was crated has been
Constitutional Commissions may, by law, be sign it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall
authorized to augment any item in the general
appropriations law for their respective offices
from savings in other items of their respective
appropriations.
(6) Discretionary funds appropriated for
particular officials shall be disbursed only for
public purposes to be supported by appropriate (2) The Prime Minister shall have the power to
vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may veto any particular item or items in
be prescribed by law.
(7) If, by the end of any fiscal year, the Congress does not object.
shall have failed to pass the general
appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year, the
general appropriations law for the preceding
fiscal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall
remain in force and effect until the general
appropriations bill is passed by the Congress.
SEC. 26.
(1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall
embrace only one subject which shall be
expressed in the title thereof.
(2) No bill passed by either House shall become a
law unless it has passed three readings on
separate days, and printed copies thereof in its
final form have been distributed to its members
three days before its passage, except when the
President certifies to the necessity of its
immediate enactment to meet a public calamity
or emergency. Upon the last reading of a bill, no
amendment thereto shall be allowed, and the vote
thereon shall be taken immediately thereafter,
and the yeas and nays entered in the Journal.
same with his objections to the National
Assembly. The bill may be reconsidered by the
National Assembly and, if approved by two-
thirds of all its Members, shall become a law.
The Prime Minister shall act on every bill passed
by the National Assembly within thirty days after
the date of receipt thereof; otherwise, it shall
become a law as if he had signed it.
appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto
shall not affect the item or items to which he
be transferred to the general funds of the
Government.
(2) No money shall be paid out of Treasury
except in pursuance of an appropriation made by
law.
(3) No public money, or property shall ever be
appropriated, applied, or used, directly or
indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any
sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution
or system of religion, for the use, benefit, or
support of any priest, preacher, ministers, or
other religious teacher or dignitary as such except
when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary
is assigned to the armed forces or to any penal
institution, orphanage or leprosarium.
Section 24.
The heads of departments upon their own
initiative or upon the request of either House may
appear before and be heard by such House on any
matter pertaining to their departments, unless the
public interest shall require otherwise and the
President shall so state in writing.
Section 25.
The Congress, shall, with the concurrence of
two-thirds of all the Members of each House,
have the sole power to declare war.
Section 26. In times of war and other national
emergency the Congress may by law authorize
the President, for a limited period, and subject to
such restrictions as it may prescribe, to
promulgate rules and regulations to carry out a
declared national policy.

SEC. 27.
(1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall,
before it becomes a law, be presented to the
President. If he approves the same, he shall sign
it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same
with his objections to the House where it
originated, which shall enter the objections at
large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it.
If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of all the
Members of such House shall agree to pass the
bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections,
to the other House by which it shall likewise be
reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of all
the Members of that House, it shall become a
law. In all such cases, the votes of each House
shall be determined by yeas or nays, and the
names of the Members voting for or against shall
be entered in its Journal. The President shall
communicate his veto of any bill to the House
where it originated within thirty days after the
day of receipt thereof; otherwise, it shall become
a law as if he had signed it.

(2) The President shall have the power to veto

any particular item or items in an appropriation,
revenue, or tariff bill, but the veto shall not affect
the item or items to which he does not object.

SEC. 28.
(1) The rule of taxation shall be uniform and
equitable. The Congress shall evolve a
progressive system of taxation.

(2)The Congress may, by law, authorize the

President to fix within specified limits, and
subject to such limitations and restrictions as it
may impose, tariff rates, import and export
quotas, tonnage and wharfage dues, and other
duties or imposts within the framework of the
national development program of the
Government.

(3)Charitable institutions, churches and

parsonages or covenants appurtenant thereto,
mosques, non-profit cemeteries, and all lands,
buildings, and improvements, actually, directly,
and exclusively used for religious, charitable, or
educational purposes shall be exempt from
taxation.

(4) No law granting any tax exemption shall be

passed without the concurrence of a majority of
all the Members of the Congress.

SEC. 29.
(1) No money shall be paid out of the Treasury
except in pursuance of an appropriation made by
law.

(2) No public money or property shall be

appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly
or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of
any sect, church, denomination, sectarian
institution, or system of religion, or of any priest,
preacher, minister, or other religious teacher, or
dignitary as such, except when such priest,
preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the
armed forces, or to any penal institution, or
government orphanage or leprosarium.

(3) All money collected on any tax levied for a

special purpose shall be treated as a special fund
and paid out for such purpose only. If the purpose
for which a special fund was created has been
fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall
be transferred to the general funds of the
Government.

SEC. 30.
No law shall be passed increasing the appellate
jurisdiction of the Supreme Court as provided in
this Constitution without its advice and
concurrence.

SEC. 31.
No law granting a title of royalty or nobility shall
be enacted.

SEC. 32.
The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide
for a system of initiative and referendum, and the
exceptions therefrom, whereby the people can
directly propose and enact laws or approve or
reject any act or law or part thereof passed by the
Congress or local legislative body after the
registration of a petition therefor signed by at
least ten per centum of the total number of
registered voters, of which every legislative
district must be represented by at least three per
centum of the registered voters thereof.
ARTICLE VII ARTICLE VII
Executive Department The President and Vice-President

SEC 1. Section 1.
The executive power shall be vested in the The President shall be the head of state and chief
President of the Philippines. executive of the Republic of the Philippines.

SEC. 2. Section 2.
No person may be elected President unless he is a There shall be a Vice-President who shall have
natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a the same qualifications and term of office as the
registered voter, able to read and write, at least President and may be removed from office in the
forty years of age on the day of the election, and same manner as the President as provided in
a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years Article XIII, Section 2 of this Constitution.
immediately preceding such election.
The Vice-President may be appointed as a
SEC. 3. member of the Cabinet and may be nominated
There shall be a Vice-President who shall have and elected as Prime Minister.
the same qualifications and term of office and be
elected with and in the same manner as the The Vice-President shall be elected with and in
President. He may be removed from office in the the same manner as the President.
same manner as the President.
The Vice-President may be appointed as a The President shall be elected from among the
Member of the Cabinet. Such appointment Members of the National Assembly by a majority
requires no confirmation. vote of all its Members for a term of six years
from the date he takes his oath of office, which
SEC. 4. shall not be later than three days after the
The President and the Vice-President shall be proclamation of the National Assembly, nor in
elected by direct vote of the people for a term of any case earlier than the expiration of the term of
six years which shall begin at noon on the his predecessor. Upon taking his oath of office,
thirtieth day of June following the day of the the President shall cease to be a Member of the
election and shall end at noon of the same date National Assembly and of any political party. He
six years thereafter. The President shall not be shall be ineligible to hold any other elective
eligible for any reelection. No person who has office during his term.
succeeded as President and has served as such for
more than four years shall be qualified for Section 3.
election to the same office at any time. No person may be elected President unless he is
at least fifty years of age at the day of his election
No Vice-President shall serve for more than two as President, and a resident of the Philippines for
consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of the at least ten years immediately preceding his
office for any length of time shall not be election. However, if no Member of the National
considered as an interruption in the continuity of Assembly is qualified or none of those qualified
the service for the full term for which he was is a candidate for President, any Member thereof
elected. may be elected President.
Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular
election for President and Vice-President shall be Section 4.
held on the second Monday of May. (1) The President shall have an official residence
and shall receive a compensation to be fixed by
The returns of every election for President and law, which shall not be increased or decreased
Vice-President, duly certified by the board of during his term of office. He shall not receive
canvassers of each province or city, shall be during his tenure any other emolument from the
transmitted to the Congress, directed to the government or any other source. Until the
President of the Senate. Upon receipt of the National Assembly shall provide otherwise, the
certificates of canvass, the President of the President shall receive an annual salary of one
Senate shall, not later than thirty days after the hundred thousand pesos.
day of the election, open all certificates in the
presence of the Senate and the House of (2) The President shall not during his tenure, hold
Representatives in joint public session, and the any appointive office, practice any profession,
Congress, upon determination of the authenticity participate directly or indirectly in the
and due execution thereof in the manner provided management of any business, or be financially
by law, canvass the votes. interested directly or indirectly in any contract
with, or in any franchise or special privilege
The person having the highest number of votes granted by, the government or any subdivision,
shall be proclaimed elected, but in case two or agency, or instrumentality thereof, including
more shall have an equal and highest number of government-owned or controlled corporations.
votes, one of them shall forthwith be chosen by
the vote of a majority of all the Members of the Section 5.
Congress, voting separately. In case of permanent disability, death, removal
The Congress shall promulgate its rules for the from office, or resignation of the President, the
canvassing of the certificates. Speaker of the National Assembly shall act as
President until a successor has been elected for
The Supreme Court, sitting en banc, shall be the the unexpired portion of the term of the
sole judge of all contests relating to the election, President.
returns, and qualifications of the President or
Vice- President, and may promulgate its rules for Section 6.
the purpose. The President shall have the following duties and
functions:
SEC. 5.
Before they enter on the execution of their office, (1) Address the National Assembly at the
the President, the Vice-President, or the Acting opening of its regular session.
President shall take the following oath or
affirmation : (2) Proclaim the election of the Prime Minister.
"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will (3) Dissolve the National Assembly and call for a
faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties as general election as provided herein.
President (or Vice-President or Acting President)
of the Philippines, preserve and defend its (4) Accept the resignation of the Cabinet as
Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every provided herein.
man, and consecrate myself to the service of the
Nation. So help me God." (In case of affirmation, (5) Attest to the appointment or cessation from
last sentence will be omitted.) office of Members of the Cabinet, and of other
officers as may be provided by law.
SEC. 6.
The President shall have an official residence. (6) Appoint all officers and employees in his
The salaries of the President and Vice-President office in accordance with the Civil Service Law.
shall be determined by law and shall not be
decreased during their tenure. No increase in said (7) Perform such other duties and functions of
compensation shall take effect until after the State as may be provided by law.
expiration of the term of the incumbent during
which such increase was approved. They shall Section 7.
not receive during their tenure any other The President shall be immune from suit during
emolument from the Government or any other his tenure.
source.

SEC. 7.
The President-elect and the Vice-President-elect
shall assume office at the beginning of their
terms.
If the President-elect fails to qualify, the Vice-
President-elect shall act as President until the
President-elect shall have qualified.
If a President shall not have been chosen, the
Vice-President-elect shall act as President until a
President shall have been chosen and qualified.
If at the beginning of the term of the President,
the President-elect shall have died or have
become permanently disabled, the Vice-
President-elect shall become President.

Where no President and Vice-President shall

have been chosen or shall have qualified, or
where both shall have died or become
permanently disabled, the President of the Senate
or, in case of his inability, the Speaker of the
House of Representatives shall act as President
until a President or a Vice-President shall have
been chosen and qualified.

The Congress shall provide for the manner in

which one who is to act as President shall be
selected until a President or a Vice-President
shall have qualified, in case of death, permanent
disability, or inability of the officials mentioned
in the next preceding paragraph.
SEC. 8.
In case of death, permanent disability, removal
from office, or resignation of the President, the
Vice-President shall become the President to
serve the unexpired term. In case of death,
permanent disability, removal from office, or
resignation of both the President and Vice-
President, the President of the Senate or, in case
of his inability, the Speaker of the House of
Representatives, shall then act as President until
the President or Vice-President shall have been
elected and qualified.

The Congress shall, by law, provide who shall

serve as President in case of death, permanent
disability, or resignation of the Acting President.
He shall serve until the President or the Vice-
President shall have been elected and qualified,
and be subject to the same restrictions of powers
and disqualifications as the Acting President.

SEC. 9.
Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the
Vice-President during the term for which he was
elected, the President shall nominate a Vice-
President from among the Members of the Senate
and the House of Representatives who shall
assume office upon confirmation of a majority
vote of all the Members of both Houses of the
Congress, voting separately.

SEC. 10.
The Congress shall, at ten o'clock in the morning
of the third day after the vacancy in the offices of
the President and Vice-President occurs, convene
in accordance with its rules without need of a call
and within seven days enact a law calling for a
special election to elect a President and a Vice-
President to b held not earlier than forty-five
days nor later than sixty days from the time of
such call. The bill calling such special election
shall be deemed certified under paragraph 2,
Section 26, Article VI of this Constitution and
shall become law upon its approval on third
reading by the Congress.

Appropriations for the special elections shall be

charged against any current appropriations and
shall be exempt from the requirements of
paragraph 4, Section 25, Article VI of this
Constitution. The convening of the Congress
cannot be suspended nor the special election
postponed. No special election shall be called if
the vacancy occurs within eighteen months
before the date of the next presidential election.

SEC. 11.
Whenever the President transmits to the
President of the Senate and the Speaker of the
House of Representatives his written declaration
that he is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of his office and until he transmits to them
a written declaration to the contrary, such powers
and duties shall be discharged by the Vice-
President as Acting President.

Whenever a majority of all the Members of the

Cabinet transmit to the President of the Senate
and to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives their written declaration that the
President is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of his office, the Vice-President shall
immediately assume the powers and duties of the
office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the

President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the
House of Representatives his written declaration
that no inability exists, he shall reassume the
powers and duties of his office. Meanwhile,
should a majority of all the Members of the
Cabinet transmit within five days to the President
of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House of
Representatives their written declaration that the
President is unable to discharge the powers and
duties of his office, the Congress shall decide the
issue. For that purpose, the Congress shall
convene, if it is not in session, within forty-eight
hours, in accordance with its rules and without
need of call.
If the Congress, within ten days after receipt of
the last written declaration, or, if not in session,
within twelve days after it is required to
assemble, determines by a two-thirds vote of
both Houses, voting separately, that the President
is unable to discharge the powers and duties of
his office, the Vice-President shall act as the
President; otherwise, the President shall continue
exercising the powers and duties of his office.

SEC. 12.
In case of serious illness of the President, the
public shall be informed of the state of his health.
The Members of the Cabinet in charge of
national security and foreign relations and the
Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the
Philippines, shall not be denied access to the
President during such illness.

SEC. 13.
The President, Vice-President, the Members of
the Cabinet, and their deputies or assistants shall
not, unless otherwise provided in this
Constitution, hold any other office or
employment during their tenure. They shall not,
during said tenure, directly or indirectly, practice
any other profession, participate in any business,
or be financially interested in any contract with,
or in any franchise, or special privilege granted
by the Government or any subdivision, agency,
or instrumentality thereof, including government-
owned or controlled corporations or their
subsidiaries. They shall strictly avoid conflict of
interest in the conduct of their office.
The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or
affinity within the fourth civil degree of the
President shall not during his tenure be appointed
as members of the Constitutional Commissions,
or the Office of the Ombudsman, or as
Secretaries, Undersecretaries, chairmen or heads
of bureaus or offices, including government-
owned or controlled corporations and their
subsidiaries.

SEC. 14.
Appointments extended by an Acting President
shall remain effective, unless revoked by the
elected President within ninety days from his
assumption or reassumption of office.

SEC. 15.
Two months immediately before the next
presidential elections and up to the end of his
term, a President or Acting President shall not
make appointments, except temporary
appointments to executive positions when
continued vacancies therein will prejudice public
service or endanger public safety.

SEC. 16.
The President shall nominate and, with the
consent of the Commission on Appointments,
appoint the heads of the executive department,
ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls,
or officers of the armed forces from the rank of
colonel or naval captain, and other officers
whose appointments are vested in him in this
Constitution. He shall also appoint all other
officers of the Government whose appointments
are not otherwise provided for by law, and those
whom he may be authorized by law to appoint.
The Congress may, by law, vest the appointment
of other officers lower in rank in the President
alone, in the courts, or in the heads of
departments, agencies, commissions, or boards.
The President shall have the power to make
appointments during the recess of the Congress,
whether voluntary or involuntary, but such
appointments shall be effective only until after
disapproval by the Commission on Appointments
or until the next adjournment of the Congress.

SEC. 17.
The President shall control of all the executive
departments, bureaus and offices. He shall ensure
that the laws be faithfully executed.

SEC. 18.
The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief
of all armed forces of the Philippines and
whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out
such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawless
violence, invasion or rebellion. In case of
invasion or rebellion, when the public safety
requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding
sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part
thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight
hours from the proclamation of martial law or the
suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas
corpus, the President shall submit a report in
person or in writing to the Congress. The
Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of at least a
majority of all its Members in regular or special
session, may revoke such proclamation or
suspension, which revocation shall not be set
aside by the President. Upon the initiative of the
President, the Congress may, in the same manner,
extend such proclamation or suspension for a
period to be determined by the Congress, if the
invasion or rebellion shall persist and public
safety requires it.

The Congress, if not in session, shall, within

twenty-four hours following such proclamation
or suspension, convene in accordance with its
rules without any need of a call.
The Supreme Court may review, in an
appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the
sufficiency of the factual basis of the
proclamation of martial law or the suspension of
the privilege of the writ or the extension thereof,
and must promulgate its decision thereon within
thirty days from its filing.
A state of martial law does not suspend the
operation of the Constitution, nor supplant the
functioning of the civil courts or the legislative
assemblies, nor authorize the conferment of
jurisdiction on military courts and agencies over
civilians where civil courts are able to function,
nor automatically suspend the privilege of the
writ.
The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall
apply only to persons judicially charged for
rebellion or offenses inherent in or directly
connected with the invasion.

During the suspension of the privilege of the

writ, any person thus arrested or detained shall be
judicially charged within three days, otherwise he
shall be released.

SEC. 19.
Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise
provided in this Constitution, the President may
grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, and
remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction by
final judgment.
He shall also have the power to grant amnesty
with the concurrence of a majority of all the
Members of the Congress.

SEC. 20.
The President may contract or guarantee foreign
loans on behalf of the Republic of the Philippines
with the prior concurrence of the Monetary
Board, and subject to such limitations as may be
provided
by law. The Monetary Board shall, within thirty
days from the end of every quarter of the
calendar year, submit to the Congress a complete
report of its decisions on applications for loans to
be contracted or guaranteed by the Government
or government-owned and controlled
corporations which would have the effect of
increasing the foreign debt, and containing other
matters as may be provided by law.

SEC. 21.
No treaty or international agreement shall be
valid and effective unless concurred in by at least
two-thirds of all the Members of the Senate.

SEC. 22.
The President shall submit to the Congress
within thirty days from the opening of the regular
session, as the basis of the general appropriations
bill, a budget of expenditures and sources of
financing, including receipts from existing and
proposed revenue measures.

SEC. 23.
The President shall address the Congress at the
opening of its regular session. He may also
appear before it at any other time