Preamble: We, the sovereign Filipino people, the State and the integrity of the national
imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to territory.
build a just and humane society and establish a
• Duty to serve in the military Sec 4 The prime
Government that shall embody our ideals and
duty of the Government is to serve and protect
aspirations, promote the common good,
the people. The Government may call upon the
conserve and develop our patrimony, and
people to defend the State and, in the
secure to ourselves and our posterity the
fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required,
blessings of independence and democracy
under conditions provided by law, to render
under the rule of law and a regime of truth,
constituteproject.org PDF generated: 26 Aug
justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do
2021, 16:44 Philippines 1987 Page 4 personal
ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
military or civil service.
ARTICLE I: NATIONAL TERRITORY The national
• Right to life• Right to own property Sec 5 The
territory comprises the Philippine archipelago,
maintenance of peace and order, the protection
with all the islands and waters embraced
of life, liberty, and property, and the promotion
therein, and all other territories over which the
of the general welfare are essential for the
Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction,
enjoyment by all the people of the blessings of
consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial
democracy.
domains, including its territorial sea, the
seabed, the subsoil, the insular shelves, and • Inalienable rights• Separation of church and
other submarine areas. The waters around, state Sec 6 The separation of Church and State
between, and connecting the islands of the shall be inviolable.
archipelago, regardless of their breadth and
dimensions, form part of the internal waters of • Right to self-determination Sec 7 The State
the Philippines shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In
its relations with other states the paramount
ARTICLE II: DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES (1-6) consideration shall be national sovereignty,
AND STATE POLICIES (7-28) territorial integrity, national interest, and the
right to self-determination.
•Type of Government Envisioned Sec 1 The
Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sec 8 The Philippines, consistent with the
Sovereignty resides in the people and all national interest, adopts and pursues a policy of
government authority emanates from them. freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.
• International law Sec 2 The Philippines Sec 9 The State shall promote a just and
renounces war as an instrument of national dynamic social order that will ensure the
policy, adopts the generally accepted principles prosperity and independence of the nation and
of international law as part of the law of the free the people from poverty through policies
land and adheres to the policy of peace, equally, that provide adequate social services, promote
justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with full employment, a rising standard of living, and
all nations. an improved quality of life for all.
Sec 3 Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme Sec 10 The State shall promote social justice in
over the military. The Armed Forces of the all phases of national development.
Philippines is the protector of the people and
the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of
• Human dignity Sec 11 The State values the Sec 18 The State affirms labor as a primary
dignity of every human person and guarantees social economic force. It shall protect the rights
full respect for human rights. of workers and promote their welfare.
• Rights of children• Right to life Sec 12 The Sec 19 The State shall develop a self-reliant and
State recognizes the sanctity of family life and independent national economy effectively
shall protect and strengthen the family as a controlled by Filipinos.
basic autonomous social institution. It shall
Sec 20 The State recognizes the indispensable
equally protect the life of the mother and the
role of the private sector, encourages private
life of the unborn from conception. The natural
enterprise, and provides incentives to needed
and primary right and duty of parents in the
investments.
rearing of the young for civic efficiency and the
development of moral character shall receive Sec 21 The State shall promote comprehensive
the support of the Government. rural development and agrarian reform.
• Rights of children Sec 13 The State recognizes • Right to culture• Indigenous right to self
the vital role of the youth in nation-building and governance Sec 22 The State recognizes and
shall promote and protect their physical, moral, promotes the rights of indigenous cultural
spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It communities within the framework of national
shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and unity and development.
nationalism, and encourage their involvement
in public and civic affairs. constituteproject.org Sec 23 The State shall encourage non-
PDF generated: governmental, community-based, or sectoral
organizations that promote the welfare of the
• Equality regardless of gender Sec 14 The State nation.
recognizes the role of women in nation-
building, and shall ensure the fundamental Sec 24 The State recognizes the vital role of
equality before the law of women and men. communication and information in nation-
building.
• Right to health care Sec 15 The State shall
protect and promote the right to health of the Sec 25 The State shall ensure the autonomy of
people and instill health consciousness among local governments.
them. Sec 26 The State shall guarantee equal access to
• Protection of environment Sec 16 The State opportunities for public service, and prohibit
shall protect and advance the right of the political dynasties as may be defined by law.
people to a balanced and healthful ecology in Sec 27 The State shall maintain honesty and
accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. integrity in the public service and take positive
• Reference to art • Right to culture Sec 17 The and effective measures against graft and
State shall give priority to education, science corruption.
and technology, arts, culture, and sports to Sec 28 Subject to reasonable conditions
foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate prescribed by law, the State adopts and
social progress, and promote total human implements a policy of full public disclosure of
liberation and development. all its transactions involving public interest.
