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 hereby ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

📌 Note: The original preamble is already concise, aspirational, and ceremonial in nature. No legal enforcement is derived from it, but it serves symbolic and interpretive functions.

Section 1. Scope of the National Territory

The national territory of the Philippines comprises:

The Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein;

All other territories over which the Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, including territories covered by treaties, conventions, or agreements;

The seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and other submarine areas over which the Philippines has exclusive rights or jurisdiction, consistent with international law;

The airspace above the national territory.

Section 2. Territorial Integrity

The State shall defend its territorial integrity and ensure the sovereignty of its land, air, and sea domains.

Principles Section 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.

Section 2. The Philippines adopts and pursues an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states, it shall be guided by national sovereignty, territorial integrity, self-determination, and non-interference.

Section 3. 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 4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. The Government may call upon the people to defend the State, and all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal, military, or civil service.

Section 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 of all rights and freedoms.

Section 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable. No law shall be enacted respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

State Policies Section 7. The State shall pursue a policy of full respect for human rights, including civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights as defined under the Constitution and international law.

Section 8. 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 unborn from conception.

Section 9. The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that ensures the prosperity and independence of the nation and frees the people from poverty through equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth.

Section 10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development and shall give priority to the welfare of the poor, the vulnerable, and the marginalized.

Section 11. The State shall value the dignity of every human person and guarantee full respect for human rights.

Section 12. The State shall ensure the fundamental equality of women and men before the law and adopt measures to eliminate discrimination and inequality in all spheres of society.

Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of youth in nation-building and shall promote their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism, nationalism, and involvement in public and civic affairs.

Section 14. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.

Section 15. The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and accelerate national development.

Section 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.

Section 17. The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.

Section 18. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development.

Section 19. The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation.

Section 20. The State shall recognize the indispensable role of the private sector, encourage private enterprise, and provide incentives to needed investments.

Section 21. The State shall regulate the acquisition, ownership, use, and disposition of property and natural resources in a manner consistent with the principles of equity and national interest.

Section 22. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption.

Section 23. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments and support their development as effective instruments of local governance.

Section 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation-building. It shall ensure the freedom and development of mass media.

📌 Legally Significant Changes:

Made implicit rights (e.g., gender equality, reproductive health, ecological balance) more explicit.

Added clarifying phrases like “under conditions provided by law”, “as defined by international law”, and “effectively controlled by Filipinos” to align with case law and constitutional jurisprudence.

Avoided vague or duplicative phrasing to reduce judicial ambiguity.

📌 Note: Each section is enforceable in court. Language has been clarified where needed, but the substance of the rights has been preserved or strengthened.

Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor denied the equal protection of the laws.

Section 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, communications, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall be inviolable. No search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause, to be personally determined by a judge, after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the witnesses, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.

Section 3. (a) The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable, except upon lawful order of the court or when public safety or order requires otherwise, as prescribed by law. (b) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.

Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship shall be allowed without discrimination or preference. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.

Section 6. The liberty of abode and of changing the same shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. The right to travel shall not be impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, and as may be provided by law.

Section 7. The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized. Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to reasonable limitations as may be provided by law.

Section 8. The right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to form associations, unions, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged.

Section 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation. Expropriation shall be authorized only in accordance with law.

Section 10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.

Section 11. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.

Section 12. (a) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against them. They shall have the right to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel, preferably of their own choice. If the person cannot afford counsel, one shall be provided without cost. (b) No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiates the free will shall be used against any person. Secret detention places, solitary confinement, incommunicado detention, or other similar forms of detention are prohibited. © Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this section shall be inadmissible in evidence against the person.

Section 13. All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong, shall be bailable. The right to bail shall not be impaired even when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended. Excessive bail shall not be required.

Section 14. (a) No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of law. (b) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt. They shall have the right to be heard by themselves and counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation, to have a speedy, impartial, and public trial, to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of witnesses and the production of evidence in their favor.

Section 15. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of actual invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it. Any suspension shall be for a period not exceeding sixty days, subject to renewal under constitutional procedure.

Section 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.

Section 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against themselves.

Section 18. (a) No person shall be detained solely by reason of political beliefs or affiliations. (b) No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.

Section 19. (a) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment inflicted. (b) The death penalty is prohibited, unless for compelling reasons involving heinous crimes, Congress provides for it. In such cases, the execution shall not contravene international human rights standards.

Section 20. No person shall be imprisoned for non-payment of debt or poll tax.

Section 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If an act is punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall bar another prosecution for the same act.

Section 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.

✅ Summary of Legal Enhancements: Added terms like “authorized only in accordance with law”, “public health”, and “international human rights standards” for alignment with modern jurisprudence.

Clarified bail standards and habeas corpus suspension language.

Preserved all substantive rights while tightening up vague or archaic expressions.

Section 1. The following are citizens of the Philippines:

(a) Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of this Constitution;

(b) Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines at the time of their birth;

© Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship upon reaching the age of majority, in accordance with procedures established by law;

(d) Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

Section 2. Natural-born citizens are those who are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their Philippine citizenship, whether their citizenship is established by jus sanguinis (right of blood), constitutional provision, or statute. Persons who elect Philippine citizenship under Section 1© are not considered natural-born citizens.

Section 3. Philippine citizenship may be lost or reacquired in the manner provided by law.

Section 4. Citizens of the Philippines who marry foreigners shall retain their Philippine citizenship, unless by their act or omission they are deemed, under law, to have renounced it.

Section 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and shall be dealt with by law. Dual citizenship, when conferred or recognized under international law or statute, shall not in itself constitute dual allegiance.

✅ Legal and Technical Enhancements: Clarified natural-born vs. naturalized status using well-defined legal categories.

Modernized phrasing (e.g., jus sanguinis) to align with constitutional and international law language.

Distinguished dual citizenship from dual allegiance, which is often misunderstood in public discourse.

Preserved citizenship by election for those born before 1973, while ensuring legal structure remains intact for descendants abroad.

SECTION 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified by law, who are at least eighteen years of age and who have resided in the Philippines for at least one year and in the place where they propose to vote for at least six months immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.

SECTION 2. The Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot, as well as a system for absentee voting by qualified Filipinos abroad.

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SECTION 1. The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of the Philippines, which shall consist of a Senate and a House of Representatives.

SECTION 2. The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shall be elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines.

SECTION 3. No person shall be a Senator unless he or she is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least thirty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than two years immediately preceding the day of the election.

SECTION 4. The term of office of Senators shall be six years and shall commence at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following their election. No Senator shall serve for more than two consecutive terms.

SECTION 5. The House of Representatives shall be composed of not more than two hundred fifty members, unless otherwise fixed by law, who shall be elected from legislative districts apportioned among the provinces, cities, and the Metropolitan Manila area and those who shall be elected through a party-list system of registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or organizations.

SECTION 6. No person shall be a Member of the House of Representatives unless he or she is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least twenty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and a resident of the district where he or she shall be elected for at least one year immediately preceding the day of the election.

SECTION 7. The term of office of Members of the House of Representatives shall be three years and shall begin at noon on the thirtieth day of June next following their election. No Member of the House of Representatives shall serve for more than three consecutive terms.

(Additional sections regarding legislative powers, procedures, appropriations, etc., would follow here.)

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SECTION 1. The executive power shall be vested in the President of the Philippines.

SECTION 2. No person may be elected President unless he or she is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read and write, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and a resident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediately preceding such election.

SECTION 3. The President and Vice-President shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years. The President shall not be eligible for any reelection.

SECTION 4. The Vice-President shall have the same qualifications and term of office as the President and may be removed from office in the same manner.

SECTION 5. The President shall have control of all executive departments, bureaus, and offices. He or she shall ensure that the laws be faithfully executed.

SECTION 6. The President is the Commander-in-Chief of all armed forces of the Philippines and may call out such forces to prevent or suppress lawless violence, invasion, or rebellion.

(Additional sections on appointments, pardons, veto powers, and succession would follow here.)

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Section 1. Judicial Power Judicial power shall be vested in one Supreme Court and in such lower courts as may be established by law.

Judicial power includes the duty of the courts to:

Settle actual controversies involving legally demandable and enforceable rights; and

Determine whether there has been a grave abuse of discretion amounting to lack or excess of jurisdiction on the part of any branch or instrumentality of the Government.

Section 2. Independence of the Judiciary The Judiciary shall be independent and coequal with the Executive and Legislative departments.

No law shall be passed reorganizing the Judiciary when its effect is to undermine its independence.

Judges shall decide cases free from improper influence, pressure, or interference, direct or indirect, from any source.

Section 3. The Supreme Court The Supreme Court shall be composed of:

One Chief Justice, and

Fourteen Associate Justices.

It shall sit en banc or in divisions of three, five, or seven Members, as determined by law or its own rules.

Section 4. Qualifications of Justices To qualify for appointment to the Supreme Court, a person must:

Be a natural-born citizen of the Philippines;

Be at least forty (40) years of age;

Have been a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines for at least fifteen (15) years; and

Possess proven competence, integrity, probity, and independence.

Section 5. Powers of the Supreme Court The Supreme Court shall have the following powers:

(a) Exercise original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls, and over petitions for certiorari, prohibition, mandamus, quo warranto, and habeas corpus;

(b) Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm final judgments and orders of lower courts in:

All criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or higher;

Cases involving the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, law, executive order, or regulation;

Cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, or toll;

Cases in which the jurisdiction of any court is in issue;

All other cases as provided by law.

© Assign temporarily judges to other stations when public interest so requires; (d) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice; (e) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights, pleading, practice, and procedure in all courts; (f) Appoint all officials and employees of the Judiciary.

Section 6. Judicial and Bar Council A Judicial and Bar Council (JBC) shall recommend appointees to the Judiciary. It shall be composed of:

The Chief Justice as ex officio Chairperson;

The Secretary of Justice and a representative of Congress as ex officio members;

A representative from the Integrated Bar, a law professor, a retired justice, and a representative from the private sector, all appointed by the President with the consent of the Commission on Appointments.

The JBC shall submit to the President a shortlist of at least three nominees for every judicial vacancy.

Section 7. Appointment and Tenure of Judges The President shall appoint judges from the list submitted by the JBC.

Judges shall hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of seventy (70) years, unless sooner removed for cause as provided by law.

They shall not be designated to any other government office or agency.

Section 8. Lower Courts Congress shall establish and define the jurisdiction of lower courts, which may include:

Regional Trial Courts;

Metropolitan and Municipal Trial Courts;

Shari’a Courts; and

Other special courts as may be created by law.

Section 9. Fiscal Autonomy The Judiciary shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Appropriations for the Judiciary may not be reduced below the amount appropriated for the previous year, and after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.

Section 10. Public Access and Transparency All court proceedings shall be public, except when the court, in its discretion, determines that the public interest or the right to privacy requires otherwise.

Decisions of courts shall state clearly the facts and legal bases on which they are based, and shall be accessible to the public.

Section 11. Prohibition on Delay Cases or matters submitted for decision shall be resolved within:

Twenty-four (24) months from submission in the Supreme Court;

Twelve (12) months in lower collegiate courts; and

Three (3) months in all other lower courts, unless otherwise extended by the Supreme Court for just cause.

✅ Key Improvements: Clearer definition of judicial power and scope of review (especially grave abuse of discretion).

Strengthened language around judicial independence and fiscal autonomy.

More structured composition and role of the Judicial and Bar Council.

Constitutional deadline on decisions to address delays in justice.

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SECTION 1. The Constitutional Commissions, which shall be independent, are the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Elections, and the Commission on Audit.

SECTION 2. Each Commission shall consist of a Chairperson and two Commissioners who shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and, at the time of their appointment, at least thirty-five years of age, with proven integrity and competence.

(Additional detailed provisions follow per commission.)

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SECTION 1. The territorial and political subdivisions of the Republic of the Philippines are the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays. There shall be autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras as provided by law.

SECTION 2. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments. Local government units shall enjoy genuine and meaningful local autonomy to enable them to attain their fullest development.

(Additional sections on decentralization, taxing powers, and responsibilities follow.)

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SECTION 1. Public office is a public trust. Public officers and employees must, at all times, be accountable to the people, serve them with utmost responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency, act with patriotism and justice, and lead modest lives.

SECTION 2. The President, Vice-President, Members of the Supreme Court, Members of the Constitutional Commissions, and the Ombudsman may be removed from office by impeachment.

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SECTION 1. The goals of the national economy are a more equitable distribution of opportunities, income, and wealth; a sustained increase in the amount of goods and services produced by the nation; and an expanding productivity as the key to raising the quality of life for all.

(Additional sections on foreign investment, regulation, natural resources, and development strategies follow.)

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SECTION 1. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.

SECTION 2. The State shall protect and enhance the right of all people to human dignity, reduce social, economic, and political inequalities, and remove cultural inequities by equitably diffusing wealth and political power for the common good.

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SECTION 1. The State shall protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels and shall take appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all.

SECTION 2. 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.

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SECTION 1. The State recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation. Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.

SECTION 2. Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall be protected by the State.

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(Contains provisions on the national flag, armed forces, police, ownership of media, and other general concerns.)

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SECTION 1. Any amendment to or revision of this Constitution may be proposed by: (a) The Congress, upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members; or (b) A constitutional convention.

SECTION 2. Amendments may also be directly proposed by the people through initiative upon a petition of at least twelve percent of the total number of registered voters.

SECTION 3. All amendments or revisions shall be valid only when ratified by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite held not earlier than sixty days nor later than ninety days after the approval of such proposal.

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DONE in convention this \_\_\_ day of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, 20.