Category: General Information
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Topic 1 of 4
Exam Area: General Information
Professional & Subprofessional • Topic 1 of 4
1987 Philippine Constitution Essentials
Ang 1987 Philippine Constitution (ratified noong February 2, 1987) ang pinakamataas na batas sa Pilipinas (Supreme Law of the Land). Sa CSE Professional at Subprofessional, laging lumalabas ang Preamble, Bill of Rights, Citizenship, Suffrage, kwalipikasyon at termino ng 3 Branches of Government, Constitutional Commissions, at Accountability of Public Officers.
Learning Objectives:
- Matandaan ang mahahalagang salita at diwa ng Preamble, National Territory (Art. I), at Declaration of Principles and State Policies (Art. II).
- Maunawaan ang Bill of Rights (Art. III), partikular ang Due Process, Search Warrant vs. Warrant of Arrest, Miranda Rights, at Non-Imprisonment for Debt.
- Makilala ang tuntunin sa Philippine Citizenship (Art. IV: Jus Sanguinis vs. Jus Soli at Natural-Born Citizens) at Suffrage (Art. V).
- Mai-kompara nang walang kalituhan ang 3 Co-Equal Branches of Government (Articles VI, VII, VIII), ang 3 Independent Constitutional Commissions (Art. IX: CSC, COMELEC, COA), at Public Accountability (Art. XI).
Bakit mahalaga sa CSE: Parehong sakop ng General Information subtest sa Professional at Subprofessional levels ang 1987 Constitution. Kabisaduhin ang eksaktong edad, haba ng termino, term limits, at kung sino lang ang puwedeng mag-issue ng warrant.
1
Articles I & II • Foundational Principles
Preamble, National Territory (Art. I) & Declaration of Principles (Art. II)
Saan nagmumula ang kapangyarihan ng pamahalaan at ano ang mga batayang polisiya ng Estado?
Nagsisimula ang 1987 Constitution sa Preamble (mula sa salitang Latin na preambulare na ibig sabihin ay "to walk before"). Hindi ito nagbibigay ng kapangyarihan o karapatan sa sarili nito, ngunit tinutukoy nito kung sino ang may-akda ng Konstitusyon ("We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God...") at ang mga layunin ng pagtatatag ng isang just and humane society.
Verified Constitutional Text • Preamble, Art. I & Art. II
Verbatim 1987 Constitutional Preamble & Key Articles I–II Provisions
"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 (National Territory): Sakop ang Philippine archipelago, lahat ng iba pang teritoryo kung saan may sovereignty o jurisdiction ang Pilipinas, kasama ang terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, territorial sea, seabed, subsoil, insular shelves, at internal waters (Archipelagic Doctrine: ang mga katubigan sa paligid, pagitan, at nagdurugtong sa mga isla ng kapuluan ay bahagi ng internal waters).
- Article II, Section 1 (Republican & Democratic State): "Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them."
- Article II, Section 2 (Renunciation of War): Itinatakwil ng Pilipinas ang war as an instrument of national policy (ngunit pinapayagan sa Art. VI, Sec. 23 ang pagdedeklara ng Kongreso ng existence of a state of war bilang depensa).
- Article II, Section 3 (Civilian Supremacy): "Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military." Ang Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) ay protector of the people and the State.
- Article II, Section 6: "The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable."
- Article II, Section 12: Pinoprotektahan ng Estado ang buhay ng ina at ang buhay ng unborn from conception.
- Article II, Section 16 (Balanced & Healthful Ecology): Karapatan ng mamamayan sa isang balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.
Key Takeaway: Tandaan: Sa 1987 Preamble, ginamit ang 'imploring the aid of Almighty God' (hindi 'Divine Providence' ng 1973 Constitution), at idinagdag ang mga salitang 'truth, love, and aspirational common good'.
Halimbawa / Direct Example
Sample Question 1: Declaration of Principles (Article II)
Under Article II of the 1987 Philippine Constitution, where does sovereignty reside and from whom does all government authority emanate?
A
The President of the Philippines as Chief Executive
B
The three co-equal branches of the national government
C
The Filipino people
D
The Supreme Court as final arbiter of the Constitution
Tamang Sagot: Choice C (The Filipino people)
Paliwanag: Ayon sa Article II, Section 1 ng 1987 Constitution: 'The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authority emanates from them.'
Huwag Ipagpalit: 'War as an Instrument of National Policy' vs. 'Existence of a State of War'
Bantayan ang eksaktong wording sa CSE: kapag tinanong kung sino ang nagdedeklara ng existence of a state of war, ang sagot ay Congress (2/3 vote of both Houses in joint session assembled, voting separately)—hindi ang Pangulo!
Mali / Huwag Gagawin:
Inakalang hindi kailanman maaaring magdeklara ng tungkol sa digmaan ang Pilipinas sa ilalim ng Konstitusyon.
Tama / Gawin Ito:
Ang ipinagbabawal sa Article II, Section 2 ay ang aggressive war ('war as an instrument of national policy'). Ngunit sa Article VI, Section 23(1), ang Congress (sa botong 2/3 ng parehong Kapulungan, voting separately) ay may sole power na magdeklara ng 'existence of a state of war' (defensive war).
2
Articles III, IV & V • Rights, Citizenship & Voting
Bill of Rights (Art. III), Citizenship (Art. IV) & Suffrage (Art. V)
Mga batayang proteksyon ng mamamayan laban sa pag-abuso ng kapangyarihan at mga tuntunin sa pagka-Pilipino.
Ang Article III (Bill of Rights) ay nagsisilbing pananggalang ng mamamayan laban sa pang-aabuso ng Estado. Samantala, itinatakda ng Article IV (Citizenship) kung sino ang mga Pilipino batay sa Jus Sanguinis (karapatan sa dugo ng magulang), at ng Article V (Suffrage) ang karapatang bumoto.
Concept Diagram
Article III (Bill of Rights) & Article IV (Citizenship) Essentials
Mahahalagang pagkakaiba sa Bill of Rights at Citizenship na madalas itanong sa Civil Service Exam.
Visual Takeaway: Tanging JUDGE lamang ang puwedeng mag-issue ng Search Warrant o Warrant of Arrest (Art. III, Sec. 2). Sa Citizenship (Art. IV), sinusunod ng Pilipinas ang Jus Sanguinis (dugo ng magulang), hindi Jus Soli (lugar ng kapanganakan).
High-Frequency Legal Distinctions • CSE Focus
Important Distinctions to Remember in Articles III, IV, and V
- Search Warrant vs. Warrant of Arrest (Art. III, Sec. 2): Ang Search Warrant ay utos ng Judge para maghalughog ng partikular na lugar at kumpiskahin ang partikular na gamit (personal property). Ang Warrant of Arrest ay utos ng Judge para dakpin ang isang tao. Hindi maaaring mag-issue nito ang pulis, piskal (prosecutor), o mayor!
- 3 Inherent Powers of the State:
1. Police Power — kapangyarihang mag-regulate ng kalayaan at ari-arian para sa general welfare.
2. Power of Eminent Domain (Art. III, Sec. 9) — pagkuha ng private property for public use matapos magbayad ng just compensation.
3. Power of Taxation — paniningil ng buwis bilang lifeblood of the government. - Non-Imprisonment for Debt or Poll Tax (Art. III, Sec. 20): Walang sinuman ang maaaring ikulong dahil sa hindi pagbabayad ng utang (debt) o poll tax (cedula / community tax). (Paalala: Maaaring makulong kung may kasamang panloloko/estafa o pagtalbog ng tseke sa ilalim ng BP 22, o hindi pagbabayad ng income tax/tax evasion!).
- Natural-Born Citizens (Art. IV, Sec. 2): Mga mamamayan ng Pilipinas mula sa kapanganakan na hindi na kailangang gumawa ng anumang hakbang upang makuha o makumpleto ang kanilang pagka-Pilipino. Kasama rito ang mga ipinanganak bago mag-January 17, 1973 sa mga Pilipinang ina na pinili (elected) ang Philippine citizenship pagsapit sa edad na 21.
- Dual Citizenship vs. Dual Allegiance (Art. IV, Sec. 5): Ang Dual Citizenship ay hindi sinasadya at bunga ng magkaibang batas ng dalawang bansa (hal. anak ng Pilipino na ipinanganak sa bansang sumusunod sa Jus Soli). Ang Dual Allegiance (boluntaryong katapatan sa ibang bansa) ang idineklarang "inimical to the national interest and shall be dealt with by law."
Key Takeaway: Kabisaduhin ang kaibahan ng Search Warrant vs. Warrant of Arrest, Jus Sanguinis vs. Jus Soli, at Dual Citizenship vs. Dual Allegiance.
Halimbawa / Direct Example
Sample Question 2: Bill of Rights & Inherent Powers of the State
The national government needs a parcel of privately owned agricultural land to construct a public flood-control dike. Under Article III, Section 9 of the 1987 Constitution, what inherent power of the State is exercised, and what mandatory condition must be fulfilled?
A
Police Power; approval of the Barangay Council
B
Power of Eminent Domain; payment of just compensation
C
Power of Taxation; issuance of a tax exemption certificate
D
Ex Post Facto Power; issuance of a judicial search warrant
Tamang Sagot: Choice B (Power of Eminent Domain; payment of just compensation)
Paliwanag: Ayon sa Article III, Section 9: 'Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.' Ang kapangyarihang kumuha ng pribadong lupa para sa public use na may bayad na just compensation ay tinatawag na Power of Eminent Domain.
Step-by-Step Legal Analysis
-
1
Tukuyin ang aksyon ng Estado sa sitwasyonKinuha ang pribadong lupa (private property) upang gawing pampublikong dike (public use).
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2
I-distinguish sa Police Power at TaxationSa Police Power, nire-regulate o sinisira ang isang bagay na mapanganib (walang bayad). Sa Eminent Domain, ginagamit ng publiko ang pribadong ari-arian kaya kailangang bayaran ng Just Compensation.
-
3
Ilapat ang Article III, Section 9Kaya ang tamang sagot ay Power of Eminent Domain at payment of just compensation (Choice B).
Final Answer:
Choice B (Power of Eminent Domain; payment of just compensation)
3
Articles VI, VII, VIII, IX & XI • Government Structure
The 3 Co-Equal Branches, Constitutional Commissions & Accountability
Kumpletong paghahambing ng Legislative, Executive, Judicial, CSC/COMELEC/COA, at Impeachment rules.
Concept Diagram
1987 Philippine Constitution: Structure of Government & Constitutional Commissions
Paghambingin ang tungkulin, komposisyon, edad, at termino ng bawat sangay ng pamahalaan at ng tatlong Constitutional Commissions.
Visual Takeaway: Ang Pangulo ay may 6-year term na WALANG re-election; ang Senators ay may 6-year term (max 2 consecutive); at ang House Representatives ay may 3-year term (max 3 consecutive).
Reference Table
Master Qualifications & Term Table (Articles VI, VII, VIII & IX)
| Position / Body | Min. Age | Term & Term Limit | Key Constitutional Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| President (Art. VII) | 40 years on election day | 6 years; NO re-election | Natural-born citizen, registered voter, able to read and write, at least 10 years resident of the PH immediately preceding the election. |
| Vice President (Art. VII) | 40 years on election day | 6 years; max 2 consecutive terms | Same qualifications as the President; presidential line of succession: VP → Senate President → Speaker of the House. |
| Senator (Art. VI) | 35 years on election day | 6 years; max 2 consecutive terms | 24 Senators elected at-large; natural-born citizen, registered voter, able to read and write, at least 2 years resident of the PH. |
| House Representative (Art. VI) | 25 years on election day | 3 years; max 3 consecutive terms | Natural-born citizen, registered voter in the district (except party-list), at least 1 year resident in the district. |
| Supreme Court Justice (Art. VIII) | 40 years | Hold office during good behavior until age 70 | 1 Chief Justice + 14 Associate Justices; natural-born citizen; at least 15 years judge of a lower court or engaged in law practice in the PH. |
| CSC / COMELEC / COA (Art. IX) | 35 years at appointment | 7 years without reappointment | Independent Constitutional Commissions with fiscal autonomy; natural-born citizens; appointed by President with consent of Commission on Appointments. |
Kabisaduhin ang minimum age, residency, at term limits dahil paborito itong paghalu-haluin sa choices ng CSE.
Visual Takeaway: Lahat ng national officials sa talahanayang ito ay kailangang Natural-Born Filipino Citizens.
Verified Constitutional Provision • Art. XI, Secs. 1–3
Article XI: Accountability of Public Officers & Impeachment Rules
- Section 1 (Core Principle): "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 (5 Exclusive Groups of Impeachable Officials):
1. President of the Philippines
2. Vice-President of the Philippines
3. Members of the Supreme Court (Chief Justice & 14 Associate Justices)
4. Members of the Constitutional Commissions (CSC, COMELEC, COA)
5. The Ombudsman
(Paalala: Ang mga Senators, Congressmen, at Cabinet Secretaries ay HINDI impeachable officials!) - 6 Grounds for Impeachment (Art. XI, Sec. 2): Culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption, other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.
Key Takeaway: Ang House of Representatives ay may EXCLUSIVE power to INITIATE impeachment (1/3 vote), habang ang Senate ay may SOLE power to TRY and DECIDE impeachment cases (2/3 vote to convict).
Halimbawa / Direct Example
Sample Question 3: Constitutional Commissions & Impeachment (Articles IX & XI)
Which of the following public officials may be removed from office ONLY by impeachment under Article XI, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution, and which legislative chamber has the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment?
A
Senate President; the Supreme Court En Banc
B
Chairman of the Civil Service Commission; the House of Representatives
C
Secretary of Justice; the Senate of the Philippines
D
Solicitor General; the Office of the Ombudsman
Tamang Sagot: Choice B (Chairman of the Civil Service Commission; the House of Representatives)
Paliwanag: Ang Chairman at Commissioners ng CSC (bilang miyembro ng Constitutional Commissions) ay kabilang sa 5 impeachable officials sa ilalim ng Art. XI, Sec. 2. Ayon naman sa Art. XI, Sec. 3(1), 'The House of Representatives shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment.'
Memory Shortcut sa Impeachment Roles: I-H at T-S!
• I-H (Initiate = House of Representatives): Kailangan ng 1/3 vote ng lahat ng miyembro ng House para i-endorso ang Articles of Impeachment. (Limitasyon: Walang impeachment proceeding na puwedeng simulan laban sa parehong opisyal nang higit sa isang beses sa loob ng isang taon).
• T-S (Try & Decide = Senate): Kailangan ng 2/3 vote ng lahat ng Senators para ma-convict at matanggal sa puwesto. Kapag ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas ang nililitis, ang Chief Justice ng Supreme Court ang magpe-preside, ngunit hindi siya boboto.
• T-S (Try & Decide = Senate): Kailangan ng 2/3 vote ng lahat ng Senators para ma-convict at matanggal sa puwesto. Kapag ang Pangulo ng Pilipinas ang nililitis, ang Chief Justice ng Supreme Court ang magpe-preside, ngunit hindi siya boboto.
4
Authoritative Sources • Legal Verification
Verified References for Lesson 1
Mga opisyal at pangunahing sanggunian na ginamit sa araling ito.
| Source Title | Issuing Agency / Institution | Relevant Article / Provision | Official URL | Date Accessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines | Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines | Preamble; Articles I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII, IX (A–D), and XI | officialgazette.gov.ph | 2026-11-06 |
| 1987 Philippine Constitution (Full Constitutional Text) | Arellano Law Foundation — The Lawphil Project | Articles I–XI (National Territory, Bill of Rights, Citizenship, Branches, Commissions, Accountability) | lawphil.net | 2026-11-06 |
| 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines | Supreme Court of the Philippines E-Library | Article VIII (Judicial Department) & Article III (Bill of Rights) | elibrary.judiciary.gov.ph | 2026-11-06 |
Quick Recap: 1987 Philippine Constitution Master Points
- Preamble & Art. II: Ang soberanya ay nagmumula sa Filipino people; civilian authority is at all times supreme over the military; itinatakwil ang aggressive war.
- Art. III (Bill of Rights): Tanging JUDGE lamang ang puwedeng mag-issue ng Search Warrant o Warrant of Arrest; walang nakukulong sa utang (debt) o non-payment of poll tax (cedula).
- Art. IV & V: Sinusunod ng Pilipinas ang Jus Sanguinis (blood relation); bawal ang literacy o property requirement sa pagboto (Suffrage, min. age 18).
- Articles VI, VII, VIII: President = 6 yrs (no re-election, min. age 40); Senators = 6 yrs (max 2 terms, min. age 35); House Reps = 3 yrs (max 3 terms, min. age 25); SC = 1 Chief Justice + 14 Associate Justices (retire at 70).
- Articles IX & XI: Ang 3 Constitutional Commissions ay CSC, COMELEC, at COA (7-yr term, no reappointment). Sa Impeachment, House ang nag-i-initiate (1/3 vote) at Senate ang naglilitis (2/3 vote).
Supplementary Video References
Want Another Explanation?
Sometimes, learning a topic becomes easier when you hear it explained in a different way. Here are some independently selected videos that may help you understand this lesson better.
YouTube
CIVIL SERVICE EXAM | General Information: Philippine Constitution | CSE Online Reviewer
Reviews key provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution including the Preamble, Bill of Rights, Citizenship, and the three branches of government.
YouTube
Part 1 | 1987 Philippine Constitution Reviewer | 100 Review Questions
Provides a structured question-and-answer walkthrough of foundational articles, state principles, and constitutional mandates.
YouTube
Part 2 | 1987 Philippine Constitution Reviewer | 100 Review Questions
Continues the 1987 Constitution review covering the Legislative, Executive, and Judicial departments and the Constitutional Commissions.
These videos are independently selected by ToolBayan for supplementary educational purposes. All videos remain the property of their respective creators and channels. ToolBayan is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or officially endorsed by the featured creators or channels.
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