TABLE OF CONTENTS

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY I
Introduction I
The Current Setup II
The Clamor IV
The Draft V
ACKNOWLEDGMENT XIII
REFERENCES XIV

PREAMBLE 1
TITLE I: THE SOVEREIGNTY 2
Chapter 1: General Provisions 2
Chapter 2: National Territory 2
Chapter 3: State Principles 3
Chapter 4: State Policies 4
Section 1 – Government 4
Section 2 – Social Justice 4
Section 3 – Marriage and Family 5
Section 4 – Women and Youth 6
Section 5 – Health 6
Section 6 – Education 7
Section 7 – Sports 8
Section 8 – Science and Technology 9
Section 9 – Languages 9
Section 10 – Culture, and Arts and Letters 10
Section 11 – Labor and Employment 11
Section 12 – Agrarian Reform and Natural Resources 12
Section 13 – Urban Land Reform and Housing 12
Section 14 – Role and Rights of People’s Organization 12
Chapter 5: Defense Forces of the Philippines 13
TITLE II: THE CITIZENS 16
TITLE III: BILL OF RIGHTS AND DUTIES 17
Chapter 1: Rights and Freedoms 17
 Chapter 2: Duties and Obligations 20
TITLE IV: SUFFRAGE AND POLITICAL PARTIES 21
TITLE V: THE HEAD OF STATE 24
TITLE VI: THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT 29
TITLE VII: THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT 38
TITLE VIII: THE FEDERAL JUDICATURE 44
TITLE IX: THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS 49
Chapter 1: Common Provisions 49
Chapter 2: Civil Service Commission 50
Chapter 3: Commission on Elections 52
Chapter 4: Commission on Audit 55
Chapter 5: Commission on Human Rights 57
Chapter 6: Commission of the Ombudsman 58
Chapter 7: Commission on Federal Competition 61
TITLE X: TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION 64
Chapter 1: Introductory Provisions 64
Chapter 2: Federal Government 68
Chapter 3: Regional Government 71
Section 1 – Powers and Functions 71
Section 2 – Regional Committee 72
TITLE XI: ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS 74
TITLE XII: NATIONAL ECONOMY AND PATRIMONY 76
TITLE XIII: AMENDMENTS OR REVISION 79
TITLE XIV: TRANSITORY PROVISIONS 80
 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

The Northern Luzon Federalist Alliance is a group founded by two (2) Ilocanos who are desiring
for an autonomous Ilocos Region due to their conviction of advocating for the implementation of
federalism in the country and teamed up to spread their advocacies to their families, friends,
acquaintances, and fellow countrymen in various means.

The first founder is Mr. Japheth Alasaas Irreverre, a native of Bantay, Ilocos Sur. He is a graduate
of AB Legal Management at the University of Santo Tomas, and he is currently studying Juris
Doctor at the same university. His federalist conviction started when he was still in his elementary
education years because he was fascinated with the government of the United States of America
wherein he came to know that its sub-national units, the States, have the right to self-determination.
He started to advocate for a Philippine Federal Republic since. He became more convinced with
his advocacy when he came to know about the slow disbursement to the local governments in
getting their fair share of the internal revenue allotment (IRA) and the bastardization of the Ilocano
Orthography by the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) in 2018. Somewhen between 2018 and
2020, he became a part of the CoRRECTTM Movement, a group that also advocates for
Constitutional Reform through Federalism, Parliamentarianism, and Economic Liberalization.

His co-founder, Atty. Eugene Carmelo Cabanilla Pedro, J.D. hails from Laoag City, Ilocos Norte.
He is a graduate of both BS Business Administration and Accountancy, and Juris Doctor at the
University of the Philippines–Diliman Campus. He is a member of the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines (IBP) with expertise in political and criminal laws and he has also a professional
license as a certified public accountant. He became a federalist during his first year of
undergraduate studies as he took it as cultural advocacy against the imposition of Tagalog language
and cultural norms. He also became a more passionate federalist when the bastardization of the
Ilocano Orthography took place in 2018 by the Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF).

They first met on June 29, 2019, with other advocates of equality of the Philippine languages from
all over the country, and discussed Tagalism disguising as Harmonization of Philippine Languages
that is being imposed by the Commission as mentioned earlier. Then as time went by, they started
to discover that they are both advocates of Constitutional Reform through Federalism,
Parliamentarianism, and Neoliberalism, and they started to often talk about federalism,
parliamentarianism, economic liberalization, social conservatism, and other issues of the 1987
Constitution. In mid-2022, they decided to draft this proposed Constitution to lobby it to the
Members of the 19th Congress of the Philippines who advocate Constitutional Reform with the
three-main-point agenda of federalism, parliamentarianism, and economic liberalization.
 THE CURRENT SETUP

The Philippine State is a sovereign democratic republic governed as a unit. The National
Government controls and exercises all powers of the Governments while its sub-national
territories, the Local Governments only exercise those that have been delegated or devolved to
them by the National Government through Article X of the 1987 Constitution and the Republic
Act No. 7160, otherwise known as the “Local Government Code of 1991.” The same Article of
the 1987 Constitution only grants autonomy or the right to self-determination to Muslim Mindanao
and the Cordilleras. They have been granted legislative powers over the following matters: (i)
administrative organization; (ii) creation of sources of revenues; (iii) ancestral domain and natural
resources; (iv) personal, family, and property relations; (v) regional urban and rural planning
development; (vi) economic, social, and tourism development; (vii) educational policies; (viii)
preservation and development of the cultural heritage; and (ix) such other matters as may be
authorized by law for the promotion of the general welfare of the people of the region. In reality,
only a few Regions get much of the share of the allocation of the National Budget and smaller or
less populated Regions tend to receive only pints from the same allocation.

Secondly, it has a presidential system of government that directly elects its National Chief
Executive in the person of the President of the Philippines, who is at the same time the Head of
State and is not a Member of the National Legislature. His term of office shall be only one (1) six-
year term. He is responsible for the faithful execution of the laws of the nation enacted by
Congress. There is also a bicameral Congress of the Philippines composed of the Senate and the
House of Representatives headed by the Senate President and the House Speaker, respectively.
The current twenty-four-member Senate is elected at large by the Republic of the Philippines as
this was revived from the remnants of the 1935 Constitution of the Philippines. They may be
elected for not more than two (2) consecutive six-year terms. The House of Representatives is
composed of eighty per centum (80%) of which are elected from their respective legislative
districts and the remaining twenty per centum (20%) are constituted by party-list representatives.
Such Members may be elected for not more than three (3) consecutive three-year terms.

Since it is a presidential system, there is no fusion of the executive and legislative branches
meaning there is a complete separation of powers. Oftentimes, at the beginning of the term of the
President, many Members of the Congress, especially those from the House of Representatives
elected by their respective legislative districts, switch to the political party or coalition of the
President, and many of them are not even true allies of the elected President. Still, they are just
seeking a renaissance or salvation of their political careers or their constituencies would not suffer
from not getting any favors of share of the National Budget.

One (1) effect of this phenomenon is that there has been the creation of supermajorities in
Congress, especially in the Lower Chamber for the last three (3) Governments even though they
are not original allies meaning they are just political butterflies or worse, bootlickers. Before the
convention of the fifteenth (15th) and seventh (17th) Congresses or the first (1st) State of the
Nation Addresses (SONA) of then-Presidents Benigno S. Aquino III and Rodrigo R. Duterte, most
of those elected district Representatives, who were not originally their political party or coalition
mates, jumped ship to the political parties of these newly-elected Presidents. To add, during the
term of incumbent President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., some winning district Representatives who
did not endorse him during the 2022 Presidential Elections joined the “super mega-majority” bloc
that voted for Leyte First (1st) District Representative Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez as Speaker
of the House of Representatives, whom the President endorsed as House Speaker too. Many of
those who were already allies of President Marcos, Jr. switched from PDP-Laban to Lakas-CMD,
one (1) of the four (4) parties constituting the UniTeam Alliance, the President’s coalition. For the
first time since the Presidency of now House Senior Deputy Speaker and Pampanga Second (2nd)
District Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, her beloved party, Lakas-CMD is the leading
political party in the House of Representatives.

Another effect of it is that numerous times, there have been conflicts of agenda between the two
(2) branches of government, or worse, the elected President is not allied with most of the Members
of the Congress of the Philippines. Throughout the Fifth (5th) Republic of the country, several
instances of non-alignment occurred between the President and his/her supposed allies in the
Congress in the Philippines on several issues, policies, and programs even though such policies
and programs of the President of the Republic are undisputedly for the general welfare and
common good of the Filipino people. There are also instances where the National Legislature has
a difficult time enacting a bill into law because the President of the Republic is not in favor of it
even though such legislation is undisputedly for the general welfare and common good of the
people. The term “checks and balances” has been an alibi by these National Legislators to cover
their non-alignment because of their lobbyists, donors, and special interests. The same is true with
the President of the Republic on multiple occasions.

Thirdly, the 1987 Constitution enshrines protectionist economic policies in Article XII as it
restricts foreign citizens, corporations, or corporations from investing and fully owning such
certain areas of investments and the operation of the public utility to a maximum of forty per
centum (40%) of the capital. This has caused the indestructibility of the native oligarchy as their
competition is scarce to none. They have abused the monopoly, duopoly, or collusion that they
have within their respective industries causing people to be dissatisfied with their commodities.
These are the same oligarchs who have lobbyists and protectors in the Government, especially in
both Houses of the Congress of the Philippines. Protectionist policies often result in fewer jobs or
economic opportunities for the people.

Recently in the Philippine setting or since the 2010 Presidential elections, like their fellow Asians,
Filipinos have been searching for a popular, heroic, and messianic figure who will help solve the
governmental and societal ills of the Philippines such as corruption that was rampant within the
Government back then. The citizenry has been treating the occupant of the Office of the President,
the Head of State, as the unifying figure or symbol of the people. Whenever there is a newly-
elected President, hopes and expectations are high especially when the total votes of the winner
are far-distant from the runner-up of that race. If the elected popular President commits a huge
mistake or mistakes, the people get turned off and they start to be dissatisfied and distrust him, or
worse, despise him. The distrust or loathing causes the people to want to change the leadership
within the Government.
Due to the four (4) short months of the 1986 Constitutional Commission to codify the 1987
Constitution, there are also have been issues, especially in the political and legal aspects, regarding
its matter and form since there are numerous repetitive provisions in the Constitution that could
have been just further explained in the first (1st) Article where it was explicitly mentioned, and
vague provisions have been found throughout the Constitution which is evident because there are
numerous Supreme Court decisions regarding some provisions of the 1987 Constitution. An
example of this is whether or not the midnight appointment ban also applies to Supreme Court
appointments. There was also a case of whether or not a former President, like Joseph M. Ejercito-
Estrada, is still eligible to run for President. And lastly, lawyers and legislators are still also
debating if all of the Members of Congress shall vote separately or in joint session when proposing
an amendment or revision to the Constitution.

THE CLAMOR

It is time to push for a system that grants the right to self-determination to the different Regions
and local governments of the Philippines since these Regional and Local Government Units know
the needs of their constituents better than the National or Central Government. With that, some
powers or matters should be abdicated by National Government to the Regional Governments such
as intra-regional commerce, intra-regional infrastructure, cultural preservation and development,
and agriculture and livestock raising.

To further prevent damage caused by the presidential system to the political party system, there
must be a fusion of both executive and legislative branches to further enhance cooperation between
them, instead of just checking and balancing for the sake of it or any other reason. This is also for
the rehabilitation of this decades-long broken political party system as the system needs party
whips to scrutinize the actions and policies of the ruling party or coalition. In addition, there must
be penalties to be imposed on those politicians who switch political parties just to gain favor from
the National Chief Executive.

The constituents of the Philippines plead for the National Legislature to be cooperative with the
executive and legislative agenda of the National Chief Executive, and vice versa. They want a
quicker implementation of his programs and a speedy passage of his legislative agenda or a
cooperative President that will surely enact the bills into laws that are undisputedly beneficial to
the Filipino people. The solution is the same as the problem mentioned above, shifting to a
parliamentary system as the majority political party or coalition that shall form the Government
and have the Chief Executive will have an easier time hastening the implementation and enactment
of their executive and legislative agenda.

For us to address the issue of the popular, heroic, messianic figure in the name of the President,
the Head of State, losing support from most of his constituents, he shall remain the way he was
portrayed as the popular, heroic, and messianic figure by keeping him “clean” and in the eyes of
constituents and not to make him a controversial figure as much as possible such as preventing
him to control and manage governmental affairs. This is the solution to the problem as most
countries that use a full parliamentary system do not vest the designations of Head of State and
Head of Government in one (1) position or person. Their Head of State is not their Head of
Government to keep their popularity. Examples of unifying and popular Heads of State under this
system are Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth Nations, Prince
Albert II of Monaco, King Harald V of Norway, King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand, Kings
Juan Carlos I and Felipe VI of Spain, President Halimah Yacob of Singapore, King Willem-
Alexander of the Netherlands, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Abdullah of Pahang, Emperors Akihito and
Naruhito of Japan, and Presidents Shimon Peres and Reuven Rivlin of Israel.

The native oligarchy was further strengthened by the protectionist economic policies enshrined in
the 1987 Constitution. The Filipino consumers have been discontented or dissatisfied with most
of their services as the monopoly of these businesses or corporations in their respective industries
made them complacent in offering low-quality commodities for a long time. In accordance with
the book of Proverbs of the Holy Bible, “Iron is sharpened by iron; one person sharpens another.”
It even agrees that one brings out the best of another—businesses are no exception from this
Biblical proverb. The country needs more foreign investors to widen the competition within their
respective industries for the Filipino consumers be guaranteed of better services and more jobs.

THE DRAFT

The Northern Luzon Federalist Alliance Constitutional Draft is primarily divided into fourteen
(14) Titles, instead of Articles. Instead of naming the provisions of the Constitution as Sections as
what the previous Constitutions since 1935 have done, they have been labeled as Articles as it was
inspired by the pattern of the pioneering Political Constitution of 1899, also known as the “Malolos
Constitution.” However, the numbering of the provisions is not continuous from one (1) Title to
another as the numbering restarts to Article 1 in every new Title, which is a deviation from its
inspirational basis.

This Constitutional Draft went from the eighteen (18) Articles of the 1987 Constitution to just
fourteen (14) Titles because there were Articles from the 1987 Constitution that were merged into
a single Title. Many provisions were also transferred to a different Title. There were also revivals
of different provisions from the pre-1987 Constitutions, particularly the pioneering Political
Constitution of 1899, the 1935 Constitution, and the 1973 Constitution. And, some of them were
taken from the PDP-Laban Federalism Institute Draft, the 2018 Consultative Committee to Review
the 1987 Constitution Draft, and the current Constitutions of other countries.

Clarifications are already made to the numerous vague provisions from the 1987 Constitution that
were taken into this Draft to lessen disputes or arguments among the legal experts and the
legislators regarding the Constitution.
The new salient features of this Constitutional Draft are as follows:

I. Articles I, II, III, XIII, XIV, XV, and XVI of the 1987 Constitution have been merged into the
first (1st) Title of this Draft labeled as “The Sovereignty,” which includes five (5) chapters: (1)
General Provisions; (2) National Territory; (3) State Principles; (4) State Policies; and (5) Defense
Forces of the Philippines.

Chapter 2 of this Title tackles the National Territory of the Philippines. In this Chapter, as taken
from both the PDP-Laban Federalism Institute Draft and the 2018 Consultative Committee to
Review the 1987 Constitution Draft, there is an inclusion of the Philippines’ sovereignty over
territories owned by historic right or legal title and those that were adjudicated by the competent
international courts or tribunals in favor of the country.

Under Chapter 3 of this Title, inspired by the Constitution of the Italian Republic, the doctrine of
the separation of Church and State is reworded as “The State and the Church are independent and
sovereign, each within its sphere. Their relations between them shall be governed by benevolent
neutrality,” to better reflect the real essence of this separation doctrine as it never prohibits the
Church from speaking on the issues of the State but the Constitution is using the benevolent
neutrality approach in dealing with the Church meaning it just does not treat [Roman] Catholicism
as the national and/or official religion and it treats it on par with other religious denominations.

Chapter 4 of this Title has fourteen (14) Sections: (1) Government; (2) Social Justice; (3) Marriage
and Family; (4) Women and Youth; (5) Health; (6) Education; (7) Sports; (8) Science and
Technology; (9) Languages; (10) Culture, and Arts and Letters; (11) Labor and Employment; (12)
Agrarian Reform; (13) Urban Land Reform and Housing; and (14) Role and Rights of People’s
Organizations.

As a manifestation of the Alliance’s Social Conservative ideology, Section 3 of the same Chapter
under this Title further prohibits any anti-family life federal legislation by the Federal Parliament
to preserve its inviolability as a social institution such as the legalization or decriminalization of
abortion, an act dissolving a marriage, or civil divorce, and an act recognizing same-sex marriages.

Section 6 of the same Chapter under this Title loosened the restriction on the minimum requirement
of ownership by Filipino citizens, corporations, or associations on the capital of educational
institutions to just more than fifty per centum (50%) from at least sixty per centum (60%).

Section 9 of the same Chapter under this Title now recognizes the equality of all Philippine
languages. The Komisyon ng Wikang Filipino (KWF) is reformed as the new Philippine
Languages Commission (PLC) to be reorganized under the Office of the Prime Minister. It also
tasks the Federal Parliament with legislating for the improvement of the education policy on
Philippine languages. Inspired by the Constitution of the Kingdom of Spain, the concept of
national language has been abolished under this Draft as it retained the recognition of English and
Filipino as the official languages of the Philippines. The regional languages are the auxiliary
official languages in the Regions and shall serve as auxiliary media of instruction therein and they
may be adopted as official languages and/or media of instruction throughout the Federal Republic
by federal law. Spanish and Arabic are not only promoted on a voluntary and optional basis but
they shall now be promoted as heritage languages by federal law to be enacted by the Federal
Parliament. The establishment of a national language has been the cause of Tagalism within the
Philippine society triggering the death or extinction of multiple minor Philippine languages and
the fall of some major Philippine languages. The establishment of the Philippine Languages
Commission (PLC) shall guarantee the equality of the Philippine languages.
Section 10 of the same Chapter under this Title now gives importance to Arts and Letters on par
with Science and Technology. The professionals of Arts and Letters shall now receive the same
benefits and incentives that the professionals of Science and Technology receive.

Chapter 5 of this Title is about the Defense Forces of the Philippines. It includes some of the
contemporary provisions that were taken from Article XIX of the 2018 Consultative Committee
Draft such as the inclusion of (1) space and cyberspace as part of the National Territory of the
Philippines, and (2) the development of effective emergency preparedness, risk reduction, and
response system for natural and man-made disasters and calamities.

II. The second (2nd) Title of this Draft is “The Citizens.” It codified the landmark Supreme Court
decision, Poe-Llamanzares v. COMELEC, which states that living infants of unknown parentage
found within the Philippine territory shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines. Those who
were born to Filipino fathers or mothers outside the Philippine territory are now Filipino citizens.
It also revived a legal condition from the Political Constitution of 1899 that for Citizenship, a
vessel of Philippine registry is considered as part of Philippine territory.

III. The third (3rd) Title is not just about the Bill of Rights anymore as it revived the inclusion of
the Duties and Obligations of Citizens from Article V of the 1973 Constitution however they were
just reworded.

IV. Title IV of the same Draft, which was only about Suffrage, now includes legal provisions
strengthening the political party system of the nation as well by banning political party switching
within two (2) years immediately preceding or following an election. Any person who violates it
shall incur penalties provided in the aforementioned Title.

To enforce party discipline, political parties shall now have party whips and are required to form
a Shadow Cabinet in the Federal Parliament of the Philippines to be responsible for scrutinizing
the work of the Government and to ensure that they are ready to take over in the event of a change
of Government. The Federal Parliament of the Philippines shall provide federal subsidies to
registered political parties based on their electoral performance in the previous election, and the
political parties are now required to publicly account for the sources and use of their funds and
assets.

The same Title also prohibits political dynasties as the relatives within the second (2nd) degree of
consanguinity or affinity, whether such relations are legitimate, illegitimate, half, or full blood,
including the spouse of such candidate shall be prohibited from being a candidate in any of the
federal-level, regional-level, and local-level positions in the same election.

V. As a full parliamentary system, there is a fusion of the executive and legislative branches, which
makes the former shall be accountable to the latter. The full parliamentarian model of this proposed
draft was inspired by the Westminster and the Bundestag Systems. The Head of State, the President
of the Federal Republic, is now completely a ceremonial figurehead, who shall be the symbol of
unity and permanence. The Lower Chamber of the Federal Parliament, the Congress of Deputies,
expresses a vote of confidence on the nominee for Prime Minister, who shall form the Federal
Government by appointing the Federal Cabinet of Ministers. There shall also be an abolition of
the Office of the Vice-President. All Electoral Tribunals that were established under the 1987
Constitution are abolished by this Draft to reduce bureaucracy.

(1) Title V of this Draft is labeled “The Head of State,” which is about the President of the Federal
Republic of the Philippines, of course. Contrary to most of the past Constitutions, including the
1987 Constitution, the President of the Federal Republic shall now only exercise ceremonial
powers such as nominating and appointing the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic. The
Presidential Assent is required for a bill to become a federal law. The President of the Federal
Republic shall be immune from suit during his tenure.

The regular election for the President of the Federal Republic shall be held on the second (2nd)
Monday of November unless provided by federal law or in times of war. He shall be elected by
direct vote of the people, after a nomination process by the Congress of Deputies, for a term of
five (5) years which shall commence at noon on December 30, which was the original date of the
commencement of the term of office of the President during the Third (3rd) Republic.

The newly-added nomination by the Congress of Deputies aims to screen such future candidates
for President, to prevent nuisance candidates from filing and still to be screened by the Commission
on Elections (COMELEC), and to strengthen the political party system of the Philippines. The
Congress of Deputies shall choose two (2) nominees from all applicants who signified their interest
to run for President of the Federal Republic to the Congress of Deputies. The two (2) nominees
chosen shall be the candidates to be voted for by the people at large in the Presidential election.

This was inspired by the two-round Presidential Election of the French Republic but with a twist,
the Congress selecting two (2) nominees but not the general electorate to prevent such higher
expenditures on the electoral process. Limiting it to two (2) candidates for the President of the
Federal Republic is to guarantee us to get a majority of votes for the winning candidate solidifying
him/her to be the symbol of unity and permanence of the Federal Republic of the Philippines.

A new provision is now added that any person who has served as President under the previous
Constitutions or President of the Federal Republic, shall not be eligible to be a candidate in any
future election for any elective position.

(2) Title VI of this Draft is about the Legislative Power, which is vested in the Federal Parliament
of the Philippines. It shall now consist of the now-renamed Congress of Deputies and the Senate.
The renaming of the Lower Chamber to the “Congress of Deputies” was an inspiration from the
Spanish Congress of Deputies and a compromise with the misconception of many of the citizens
that Congress refers to as the House of Representatives. They, including the media outlet
journalists and the politicians themselves, rarely refer to the legislators of the Lower Chamber as
“Representatives” but they call them more “Congressmen,” “Congresistas,” or “Diputados” in the
Philippine languages, especially among the elders.

The regular election for the Members of the Federal Parliament shall be held on the second (2nd)
Monday of November unless provided by federal law or in times of war. Their term of office shall
be five (5) years which shall commence at noon of June 30.

The Congress of Deputies shall follow the mixed-member proportional representation

parliamentary system as sixty per centum (60%) of which shall be elected from single-member
federal legislative districts and the remaining forty per centum (40%) shall be elected for political
party representatives voted in a proportional representation system nationwide. There shall be a
five percent (5%) threshold for the political parties voted in a proportional representation system
nationwide. Political parties that did not obtain the threshold but secured at least one (1) from the
federal legislative districts shall be allocated seats in the Congress of Deputies following the per
centum of votes that the political parties received in the political party voting nationwide in the
proportional representation system. Since it is a parliamentary system, the term limit for Deputies
is lifted. Imposing term limits to the term of Members of the Congress of Deputies, the Lower
Chamber, in a parliamentary system is antithetical to its purpose.
In each Region, four (4) Senators, and in each Territory, two (2) Senators, shall be elected by the
registered voters thereof and shall represent their respective Region or Territory, as the case may
be, in the Senate. No Senator shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms. The Senate to
be established under this Draft was based on the Canadian model wherein the Territories also have
a representation but less compared to the Provinces.

There shall be a question period as often as may be necessary and as the rules of the Congress of
Deputies may provide, which shall be included in its agenda, during which the Prime Minister of
the Federal Republic and/or the rest of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers shall appear and answer
questions and interpellations by the Deputies. The question period may be held at any time while
the Congress of Deputies is in session.

(3) Title VII of this Draft is about the Executive Power, which is vested in the Federal Government
of the Philippines, which shall be led by the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic of the
Philippines, the National Chief Executive, with the assistance of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers
of the Philippines.

The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic may also be known by other official titles provided in
Title VII of the same. He shall appoint, with the concurrence of the Senate, the Federal Cabinet of
Ministers who shall be the heads of Ministries, at least one-half (1/2) of whom shall come from
the Federal Parliament of the Philippines, either the Congress of Deputies or the Senate.

Any Member of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers may be removed at the discretion of the Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic. No concurrence of the Senate shall be required if the appointed
Federal Cabinet Minister is also a Member of the Congress of Deputies or the Senate.

The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall also be vested with the designation of being the
Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces of the Philippines and the Chief Architect of the
Foreign Policy of the Philippines.

As the Chief Architect of Foreign Policy, he shall have the power in signing treaties and
international agreements; provided, that no treaty or international agreement shall be valid and
effective unless concurred upon by at least two-thirds (2/3) of all the Members of the Senate and
that the Senate shall not concur to any treaty, convention, and agreement, affecting the matters
pertaining to the jurisdiction of the Regions, without the consent of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
Regional Legislatures.

Like the President of the Federal Republic, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall be
immune from suit during his tenure.

VI. Title VIII of the same Draft is about the Federal Judicature. The Judicial power shall be vested
in a Federal Supreme Court of the Philippines, and such courts, as it invests with federal
jurisdiction, and in such other lower federal courts as both may be established by the federal law.

Each Region may enter into an agreement with the Federal Republic for the joint establishment in
the territory of the said Region of trial courts conferred with the power to hear and settle
controversies, whether they involve matters under the jurisdiction of the Federal Republic or the
Region; provided that controversies on matters under federal jurisdiction shall be appealed to the
proper federal appellate court and controversies on matters under regional jurisdiction to the proper
regional appellate court.

The trial courts established under the previous Constitutions shall have the power to hear and settle
controversies, whether they involve matters under federal or regional jurisdiction unless the
Region in which they are located establishes separate trial courts exclusively to hear controversies
involving matters under regional jurisdiction.

The Justices of the Federal Supreme Court and the Judges of the other federal courts created by
the Federal Parliament shall be appointed by the President of the Federal Republic from a list of
at least three (3) nominees prepared after appropriate public hearings by the Integrated Bar of the
Philippines and approved by the Senate according to its rules. The Judicial Bar Council, which
was an original invention of the 1987 Constitution, is abolished.

The Federal Supreme Court cases must now be decided or resolved within twelve (12) months
from the date of submission for the Federal Supreme Court, and, unless reduced by the Federal
Supreme Court, eight (8) months for all lower collegiate courts, and three (3) months for all other
lower courts.

VII. There shall be three (3) new Constitutional Commissions in addition to the existing three (3).
Two (2) of them were originally classified as independent Constitutional Bodies: the Commission
on Human Rights (CHR), and the Office of the Ombudsman. The remaining one (1) was an
independent quasi-judicial that was elevated to a Constitutional Commission.

The Chief Commissioners and the members of the Constitutional Commissions shall be appointed
by the President of the Federal Republic with the confirmation of the Senate of the Federal
Republic for a term of seven (7) years without re-appointment at all future times.

The Constitutional Commissions shall have Regional Offices in each Region. Each Regional
Office shall be headed by a Regional Chief, assisted by two (2) Deputy Regional Chiefs.

VIII. Title X of the Draft transforms the Philippines into a federal form of government meaning
there shall be political and administrative autonomy of the Regions, and an abdication of powers
by the National Government to the Regional Governments. The type of federalist model that this
draft is creating is the holding together federation to respect the diversity of the identities of the
different peoples or ethnic groups of the Philippines.

Autonomous Regions created by an Organic Act and ratified under a plebiscite by the 1987
Constitution are automatically recognized as Regions of the Federal Republic. Areas not forming
part of the Regions but over which the Philippines has sovereignty are called Territories. The
Territories shall be governed by federal law. A single province may form a Region.

The Regions shall be guided by their respective Regional Constitutions not by the Local
Government Code since it shall be repealed. Their Regional Constitutions shall be ratified upon
obtaining the majority of the votes cast in the plebiscite.

The Federal Republic recognizes the territorial integrity of the Regions. Regions may not be
abolished, merged, or divided, and no new Regions may be created within the territories of the
Regions, without the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of the registered voters in the Regions affected.
Until otherwise provided by regional law, the constituent political subdivisions of the Regions
shall be the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays created under the 1987 Constitution.

Patterned after the Federal Republic’s full parliamentary system model, the Regional Governments
shall have the same: a ceremonial Head of the Region, Regional Legislature, Executive, and
Judicature. The ceremonial Head of the Region, whose official designation and title may be
provided by regional law, shall be elected by direct vote of the people of the Region. The Regional
Legislature, whose official institutional name may be provided by regional law, shall consist of
twenty (20) members per one million (1,000,000) persons, based on the population of the Region
at the time of the plebiscite, to be allocated to regional legislative districts as determined by the
Regional Legislature. The Regional Executive shall be responsible to the Regional Legislature and
shall be headed by a First Minister, whose official designation and title may be provided by
regional law. The Regional Judicature shall consist of a Regional High Court, whose official
institutional name may be provided by regional law, having five (5) members appointed by the
ceremonial Head of the Region and confirmed by the majority of Regional Legislature, and such
lower regional courts as the Regional Legislature may create.

The creation of the Regions shall not signify the division of sovereignty between the Federal
Republic and the Regions. Regions or any of its component local government units or any of its
territory shall not secede from the Philippines and any act of secession shall be dealt with under
federal laws. The Federal Government shall exercise the necessary powers to ensure that the
Federal Republic of the Philippines shall remain inseparable and indivisible.

Highly urbanized cities and independent component cities, a creation of the 1987 Constitution and
the Local Government Code of 1991, shall cease to be first-level local government units, and the
jurisdiction over them shall revert to the provinces to which they geographically or originally
belong. Henceforth, they shall have the same powers and functions as component cities.

All powers, functions, and responsibilities of the National Government in the previous
Constitutions of the Philippines shall be vested in the Federal Government, except the powers,
functions, and responsibilities designated to the Regions under this Constitution.

Matters not expressly assigned to the Federal Republic under the present Constitution are deemed
to be delegated to the Regions.

The Regional Governments now have the power of eminent domain.

Upon creation of a Region, a Regional Committee for each region, which serves as a transitional
authority like the Bangsamoro Transitional Authority, shall be organized and be composed of the
incumbent Governors of Provinces within the Region and twenty (20) additional members per one
million (1,000,000) persons residing within the Region. In single province Regions, the Regional
Committee shall be composed of the Mayors of Cities and Municipalities and five (5) additional
members per million (1,000,000) persons residing within the Region.

The Federal Republic shall obtain the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of the Regional Legislatures
before ratifying any treaty that affects the jurisdictions and powers of the Regions.

IX. Instead of the House of Representatives, the Congress of Deputies shall have the exclusive
power to initiate all cases of impeachment. The impeachment procedure stays the same.

With the abolition of the Office of the Vice-President, the impeachable officers are now as follows:
the President of the Federal Republic; the Members of the Federal Supreme Court; and the
Members of the Constitutional Commissions.

X. Title XII of this Draft now espouses neoliberal economic policies as it lifted the Constitutional
provisions restricting foreign citizens, corporations, or corporations to own in areas of investments
and the operation of the public utility to a maximum of forty per centum (40%) of the capital. This
Draft now gives the Federal Parliament to regulate or deregulate these certain investments and
operations of the public utilities by federal law. Better yet, it provides more economic opportunities
to the Filipinos and the consumers will be satisfied with the services of these investors if the
competition gets wider.
The exploration, development, and utilization of natural resources toward sustainable
development, including conservation, protection, and enhancement of the environment is still
under the control and supervision of the Federal Republic. However, it also gives the Federal
Parliament by federal law to enter into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing
agreements.

Only Filipino citizens, corporations, or associations more than fifty per centum (50%) of the capital
of which is owned by such citizens shall be allowed to engage in the advertising industry.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is renamed to Federal Economic
and Development Authority (FEDA).

The Bangko Sentral Ng Pilipinas (BSP) is renamed to Federal Bank of the Philippines (FBP).

XI. Title XIII of the same Draft now clarifies that when the Federal Parliament proposes any
amendment to or revision of this Constitution, it must vote separately.

The people may directly propose through initiative upon a petition of at least ten per centum (10%)
of the total number of registered voters, of which every legislative electoral district must be
represented by at least three per centum (3%) of the registered voters therein. No amendment under
this Article shall be authorized within five (5) years following the ratification of this Constitution
nor oftener than once every two (2) years thereafter.

The democratic and republican character of the government, its federal structure, its
indissolubility, and permanence shall not be subject to amendments or revisions.

Any amendment to, or revision of, the Constitution through Constituent Assembly or
Constitutional Convention shall be valid when ratified by a majority of votes cast in each region
in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty (60) days nor later than ninety (90) days
after the approval of such amendment or revision.

Any amendment through the People’s Initiative shall be valid when ratified by a majority of votes
cast in each Region in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty (60) days nor later
than ninety (90) days after the certification by the Commission on Elections of the sufficiency of
the petition.
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The proponents of the Northern Luzon Federalist Alliance Constitutional Draft would like to
express their utmost gratitude to the following:

Mr. Ivan Dominique C. Pulanco, M.D. for the comments and suggestions regarding the
provisions of the Constitutional Draft and his support of the cause;

Ms. Alyssa Marie P. Cambaling for the proofreading of the Constitutional Draft and her
support of the cause;

Mr. Ivan A. Buenaventura for designing the logo of the Northern Luzon Federalist
Alliance;

Dreamstime.com for the Philippine National Flag design in our cover;

The persons behind the lobbying of the Northern Luzon Federalist Alliance Draft; and

The family, relatives, friends of inner and outer circles, and acquaintances especially those
who support Constitutional Reforms.

May God bless them all always!

 REFERENCES

1789 Constitution of the United States of America, as amended.

1867 Constitution of Canada, as amended.

1899 Political Constitution of the Philippines.

1901 Constitution of the Commonwealth of Australia, as amended.

1935 Constitution of the Philippines.

1946 Constitution of Japan.

1947 Constitution of the Italian Republic, as amended.

1949 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Germany, as amended.

1957 Constitution of the Federation of Malaysia, as amended.

1958 Constitution of the French Republic, as amended.

1958 Constitution of the State of Israel, as amended.

1973 Constitution of the Philippines, as amended.

1978 Constitution of the Kingdom of Spain, as amended.

1987 Constitution of the Philippines.

2018 Consultative Committee to Review the 1987 Constitution Draft.

German Federal Electoral Act of 1993, as amended.

New Zealand Electoral Act of 1993, as amended.

PDP-Laban Federalism Institute Constitutional Draft.

The Centrist Proposal for the Revision of the 1987 Constitution.

 PREAMBLE

We, the sovereign Filipinos, imploring the aid of the Almighty and Merciful God, shall build a
great society of humaneness, justice, solidarity, and strength and establish a Government that
embodies our ideals and aspirations, promotes the common good, conserves and develops our
patrimony, and secures the graces of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a
regime of truth, justice, liberty, love, equality, and peace to ourselves and our posterity through
ordaining and promulgating this Constitution of the Federal Republic of the Philippines.
 TITLE I
THE SOVEREIGNTY

CHAPTER 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. The Philippine State shall be officially called “the Philippines” or “Federal Republic of
the Philippines.”

The flag of the Philippines shall be red, white, and blue, with a sun and three stars, as consecrated
and honored by the people and recognized by federal law.

The national anthem shall be the “Marcha Real Filipina,” composed by Julian Felipe. If the
national anthem is played with its lyrics, its Spanish lyrics based on the poem, “Filipinas,” by Jose
Palma, may be used. In the federal regions and territories, translations of the said poem into local
languages may be used.

Article 2. By federal law, the Federal Parliament of the Philippines may adopt a new name for the
country, a national anthem, or a national seal, which shall all be truly reflective and symbolic of
the ideals, history, and traditions of the people. Such federal law shall take effect only upon its
ratification by the people in a national referendum.

CHAPTER 2

NATIONAL TERRITORY

Article 3. The Philippines has sovereignty over its territory, consisting of the islands and waters
encompassed by its archipelagic baselines, its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, and its
airspace. It has sovereignty over islands and features outside its archipelagic baselines according
to the laws of the Federal Republic, the law of nations, and the judgments of competent
international courts or tribunals. It likewise has sovereignty over other territories belonging to the
Philippines by historic right or legal title. It shall have sovereignty over the territories of federal
regions and territories joining the Federal Republic after its formation.

Article 4. The Philippines has sovereign rights over that maritime expanse beyond its territorial
sea to the extent reserved to it by international law, as well as over its extended continental shelf,
including the Philippine Rise. Its citizens shall enjoy the right to all resources within these areas.
 CHAPTER 3

STATE PRINCIPLES

Article 5. The Philippines is a federal parliamentary democratic republic. It recognizes the right
to self-determination and autonomy of the peoples comprising it. Exercising their right to self-
determination and autonomy, the peoples of the Philippines promulgated and ratified this
Constitution towards federalization within the framework of unity among the said peoples and the
Constitution.

Article 6. Sovereignty resides in and all government authority emanates from the citizenry.
Philippine citizens exercise their sovereignty through the Federal Republic, over matters delegated
to it under this Constitution, through the Regions, over matters delegated to them under or not
specifically provided for by this Constitution, and by themselves over matters expressly reserved
to them under this Constitution.

Article 7. The Federal Republic and the Regions recognize that the maintenance of peace and
order, the protection of life, liberty, and property, promotion of economic growth and efficiency,
and the enhancement of the people’s well-being and general welfare are essential for the enjoyment
by all the people of the blessings of democracy and federation.

Article 8. The Federal Republic and the Regions may not be sued without their consent.

Article 9. The Federal Republic renounces war as an instrument of federal policy, adopts the
generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land, and adheres to the
policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all nations.

Article 10. The State and the Church are independent and sovereign, each within its sphere. Their
relations between them shall be governed by benevolent neutrality.

Article 11. The Federal Republic shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with
other states, the paramount consideration shall be the Philippine State’s sovereignty, territorial
integrity, national interest, and the right to self-determination of its peoples. The Federal Republic
shall obtain the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of the Regional Legislatures before ratifying any treaty
that affects the jurisdictions and powers of the Regions.

Article 12. The Philippine State, consistent with the national interest, adopts and pursues a policy
of freedom from nuclear weapons in its territory.
 CHAPTER 4

STATE POLICIES

Section 1–Government

Article 13. The Federal Republic shall ensure and shall not infringe, in any way, the autonomy,
jurisdiction, and powers of the Regions, following the principles of federation. The Federal
Republic shall also promote the economic viability of the Regions. In turn, the Regions, having
exclusive jurisdiction over their constituent local governments, shall ensure the autonomy and the
economic viability of the said local governments in line with the principle of subsidiarity. The
Federal Parliament shall provide a program of partnership aid to the various Regions in support of
their development programs and the basic needs of poor and needy constituents.

Article 14. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall guarantee equal access to opportunities
for public service and they hereby prohibit political dynasties.

Article 15. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall maintain honesty and integrity in public
service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption.

Article 16. The Federal Republic and the Regions adopt and implement a policy of full public
disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest subject to reasonable conditions
prescribed by federal and regional laws.

Section 2–Social Justice

Article 17. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall promote a just and dynamic social order
that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty
through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard
of living, and an improved quality of life for all.

Article 18. The Federal Republic shall promote social justice in all phases of national
development.

Article 19. The Federal Republic values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full
respect for human rights.
 Section 3–Marriage and Family

Article 20. The Federal Republic recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.

Article 21. The Federal Republic recognizes the Filipino family as the foundation of the nation.
Accordingly, it shall strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.

Article 22. Marriage, as an inviolable social institution, is the foundation of the family and shall
be protected by the Federal Republic, which shall not enact any federal law dissolving it.

Article 23. The Federal Republic shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the
unborn child starting from conception.

Article 24. Marriage is a permanent union between a man and a woman entered into in accordance
with federal law for the establishment of conjugal and family life.

Article 25. 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.

Article 26. The Federal Republic shall defend:

(i) The right of spouses to found a family by their religious convictions and the demands of
responsible parenthood;

(ii) The right of children to assistance, including proper care and nutrition, and special
protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, cruelty, exploitation, and other conditions
prejudicial to their development;

(iii) The right of the family to a family living wage and income; and

(iv) The right of families or family associations to participate in the planning and
implementation of policies and programs that affect them.

Article 27. The family shall take care of its elderly members and the Federal Republic may also
do so through just programs of social security.
 Section 4–Women and Youth

Article 28. The Federal Republic and the Regions recognize the role of women in nation-building
and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.

Article 29. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall protect working women by providing safe
and healthful working conditions, taking into account their maternal functions, and such facilities
and opportunities that will enhance their welfare and enable them to realize their full potential in
the service of the nation.

Article 30. The Federal Republic and the Regions recognize 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.

Section 5–Health

Article 31. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall protect and promote the right to health of
the people and instill health consciousness among them.

Article 32. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall protect and advance the right of the peoples
to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.

Article 33. The Federal and Regional Governments shall adopt an integrated and comprehensive
approach to health development and make food, basic commodities, medicines, drugs, health, and
other social services available to all the people at affordable cost. There shall be priority assistance
to underprivileged, sick, elderly, disabled, women, and children. They shall also provide free
medical care to indigents and those living below the poverty line as defined by federal and regional
laws.

Article 34. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall establish and maintain an effective food
and drug regulatory system and undertake appropriate health, manpower development, and
research, responsive to the country's health needs and problems.

Article 35. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall establish a special agency for disabled
persons for their rehabilitation, self-development, self-reliance, and their integration into the
mainstream of society.
 Section 6–Education

Article 36.

(1) The Federal Republic shall give priority to education and sports to foster patriotism and
nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.

(2) The Federal Republic 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.

Article 37. The Federal Republic shall:

(i) Establish, maintain, and support a complete, adequate, and integrated system of education
relevant to the needs of the people and society;

(ii) Establish and maintain a system of free public education at the elementary and high school
levels. Without limiting the natural rights of parents to rear their children, elementary education
is compulsory for all children of school age;

(iii) Establish and maintain a system of scholarship grants, student loan programs, subsidies,
and other incentives which shall be available to deserving students in both public and private
schools, especially to the under-privileged;

(iv) Encourage non-formal, informal, and indigenous learning systems, as well as self-learning,
independent, and out-of-school study programs particularly those that respond to community
needs; and

(v) Provide adult citizens, the disabled, and out-of-school youth with training in civics,
vocational efficiency, and other skills.

Article 38.
(1) All educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as part of the curricula.

(2) They shall inculcate patriotism and nationalism, foster love of humanity, respect for human
rights, appreciation of the role of national heroes in the historical development of the country,
teach the rights and duties of citizenship, strengthen ethical and spiritual values, develop moral
character and personal discipline, encourage critical and creative thinking, broaden scientific and
technological knowledge, and promote vocational efficiency.

(3) At the option expressed in writing by the parents or guardians, religion and values education
shall be allowed to be taught to their children or wards in public elementary and high schools
within the regular class hours by instructors designated or approved by the religious authorities of
the religion to which the children or wards belong, without additional cost to the Government.

Article 39. The Federal Republic recognizes the complementary roles of public and private
institutions in the educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of
all educational institutions.
Article 40.

(1) The Federal Republic recognizes the complementary roles of public and private institutions in
the educational system and shall exercise reasonable supervision and regulation of all educational
institutions.

(2) Educational institutions, other than those established by religious groups and mission boards,
shall be owned solely by citizens of the Philippines or corporations or associations with more than
fifty per centum (50%) of the capital which is owned by such citizens.

(3) All revenues and assets of non-stock, non-profit educational institutions used actually, directly,
and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from taxes and duties. Upon the
dissolution or cessation of the corporate existence of such institutions, their assets shall be disposed
of in the manner provided by law.

Proprietary educational institutions, including those cooperatively owned, may likewise be entitled
to such exemptions, subject to the limitations provided by law, including restrictions on dividends
and provisions for reinvestment.

(4) Subject to conditions prescribed by law, all grants, endowments, donations, or contributions
used actually, directly, and exclusively for educational purposes shall be exempt from tax.

(5) No educational institution shall be established exclusively for aliens and no group of aliens
shall comprise more than one-third (1/3) of the enrollment in any school. The provisions of this
subsection shall not apply to schools established for foreign diplomatic personnel and their
dependents and unless otherwise provided by law, for other foreign temporary residents

Article 41.

(1) The Federal Republic shall take into account regional and sectoral needs and conditions and
shall encourage local planning in the development of educational policies and programs.

(2) Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning.

(3) Every citizen has a right to select a profession or course of study, subject to fair, reasonable,
and equitable admission and academic requirements.

(4) The Federal Republic shall enhance the right of teachers to professional advancement and
protect non-teaching academic and non-academic personnel.

(5) The Federal Republic shall assign the highest budgetary priority to education and ensure that
teaching will attract and retain its rightful share of the best available talents through adequate
remuneration and other means of job satisfaction and fulfillment.

Section 7–Sports

Article 42. The Federal Republic shall promote physical education and encourage sports
programs, league competitions, and amateur sports, including training for international
competitions, to foster self-discipline, teamwork, and excellence for the development of a healthy
and alert citizenry.

Article 43. All educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the
country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors.

Section 8–Science and Technology

Article 44. Science and technology are essential for national development and progress. The
Federal Republic shall give priority to research and development, invention, innovation, and their
utilization; and to science and technology education, training, and services. It shall support
indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and their
application to the country's productive systems and national life.

Article 45. The Federal Parliament may provide incentives, including tax deductions, to encourage
private participation in programs of basic and applied scientific research. Scholarships, grants-in-
aid, or other forms of incentives shall be provided to deserving science students, researchers,
scientists, inventors, technologists, and specially gifted citizens.

Article 46. The Federal Republic shall regulate the transfer and promote the adaptation of
technology from all sources for the national benefit. It shall encourage the widest participation of
private groups, Regional Governments, and community-based organizations in the generation and
utilization of science and technology.

Article 47. The Federal Republic shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of scientists,
inventors, artists, and other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly
when beneficial to the people, for such period as may be provided by law.

Section 9–Languages

Article 48. The Federal Republic recognizes the vital role of learning and communication in
nation-building and it promotes the joint development, propagation, and preservation of the
languages and cultures, to enrich and enliven the people’s lives and strengthen national unity in
diversity.

Article 49. The Federal Parliament shall establish the Philippine Languages Commission, under
the Office of the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, composed of representatives of various
Regions and disciplines that shall undertake, coordinate, and promote research for the
development, propagation, and preservation of the Philippine languages.

Article 50. In line with the previous provision, the Federal Parliament shall be tasked with
legislating the improvement of the education policy on Philippine languages.

Article 51.

(1) For purposes of communication and instruction, the official languages of the Philippines are
English and Filipino, until otherwise provided by federal law.

(2) The regional languages are the auxiliary official languages in the Regions and shall serve as
auxiliary media of instruction therein. Federal law may adopt the regional languages as official
languages and/or media of instruction throughout the Federal Republic.

(3) Spanish and Arabic shall be promoted as heritage languages by federal law to be enacted by
the Federal Parliament.

Article 52. This Constitution shall be officially promulgated in English, Filipino, and regional
languages and translated into each Philippine language, Spanish and Arabic. In case of conflict,
the English text shall prevail.

Section 10–Culture, and Arts and Letters

Article 53. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall foster the preservation, enrichment, and
dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture based on the principle of unity in diversity in a
climate of free artistic and intellectual expression.

Article 54. The Federal Republic shall conserve, promote, and popularize the nation’s historical
and cultural heritage and resources, as well as fine artistic creations.

Article 55. The Federal Republic shall patronize arts and letters. It shall give priority to research,
development, and intellectualization. It shall support indigenous, appropriate, and self-reliant
intellectual and literary capabilities, and their application to the country’s philosophical or
intellectual systems and national life.

Article 56. The Federal Parliament may provide incentives, including tax deductions, to encourage
private participation in the programs of arts and letters. Scholarships, grants-in-aid, or other forms
of incentives shall be provided to such but not limited to deserving arts and letters students,
researchers, historians, philosophers, literalists, creative writers, historians, and specially gifted
citizens.

Article 57. The Federal Republic shall regulate the transfer and promote the adaptation of arts and
letters from all sources for the national benefit. It shall encourage the widest participation of private
groups, Regional Governments, and community-based organizations in the generation and
utilization of arts and letters.

Article 58. The Federal Republic shall protect and secure the exclusive rights of arts and letters
experts such as researchers, historians, philosophers, literalists, creative writers, historians, and
other gifted citizens to their intellectual property and creations, particularly when beneficial to the
people, for such period as may be provided by law.

Article 59. All the country’s artistic and historic wealth constitutes the cultural treasure of the
nation and shall be under the protection of the Federal Republic which may regulate its disposition.

Article 60. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall recognize, respect, and protect the rights
of indigenous cultural communities to preserve and develop their cultures, traditions, and
institutions. It shall consider these rights in the formulation of national unity in plans and policies.

Article 61. The Federal Parliament of the Philippines may create a consultative body to advise the
Prime Minister of the Federal Republic on policies affecting indigenous cultural communities, the
majority of the members of which shall come from such communities.

Article 62.

(1) The Federal Republic shall ensure equal access to cultural opportunities through the
educational system, public or private cultural entities, scholarships, grants and other incentives,
community cultural centers, and other public venues.

(2) The Federal Republic shall encourage and support research and studies on the fine arts and
culture.

Section 11–Labor and Employment

Article 63. The Federal Republic affirms labor as a primary social economic force.

Article 64. The Federal Republic shall protect the rights of labor, promote employment
opportunities, and pursue the economic goal of full employment. Well-established rights include
the right of workers to self-organization, collective bargaining and negotiation, and peaceful
concerted activities, including the right to strike under federal law. Workers shall enjoy equitable
treatment and freedom from discrimination on matters of employment tenure, working conditions,
and wage levels.

Article 65. The Federal Republic shall regulate worker-employer relations with the objectives of
promoting shared responsibility between workers and employers; the preferential use of voluntary
modes of settling disputes to preserve industrial peace; and achieving economic expansion towards
employment growth.

Article 66. The Federal Republic shall, from time to time, review to increase the pensions and
other benefits due to retirees of both the government and the private sectors.

Section 12–Agrarian Reform and Natural Resources

Article 67. The Federal Republic shall promote economic expansion, higher productivity, and
equitable distribution of the fruits of growth in the agricultural sector, including the reform of land
ownership arrangements to correct historical injustices and remove impediments to growth.

Section 13–Urban Land Reform and Housing

Article 68. The Federal Republic shall promote the construction of affordable housing and the
provision of basic social services to homeless citizens in urban areas and resettlement areas.
Informal settlers shall neither be evicted nor resettled except under law and upon prior consultation
with them and with the communities where they will be resettled.

Section 14–Role and Rights of People’s Organizations

Article 69. The Federal Republic shall empower civil society through its non-governmental,
community-based, or sectoral organizations and its professional and civic associations and
foundations that promote the welfare of the nation.

Article 70. The Federal Republic shall respect the role of independent people’s organizations to
enable the people to pursue and protect, within the democratic framework, their legitimate and
collective interests and aspirations through peaceful and lawful means.

People’s organizations are bona fide associations of citizens with demonstrated capacity to
promote the public interest and with identifiable leadership, membership, and structure.
Article 71. The right of the people and their organizations to effective and reasonable participation
at all levels of social, political, and economic decision-making shall not be abridged. The Federal
Republic shall, by law, facilitate the establishment of adequate consultation mechanisms.

CHAPTER 5

DEFENSE FORCES OF THE PHILIPPINES

Article 72. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Government is the
protector of the people and the Federal Republic. The Defense Forces of the Philippines shall
secure the sovereignty of the Federal Republic and the integrity of its national territory, including
its land, air, space, and cyberspace, preserve national peace, and support social and economic
development.

Article 73. The Defense Forces of the Philippines shall be composed of a citizen defense force
that shall undergo military training and serve as may be provided by federal law. It shall keep a
regular force necessary for the security of the Federal Republic.

Article 74.

(1) All members of the Defense Forces shall take an oath or affirmation to uphold and defend this
Constitution.

(2) The Defense Forces shall respect and uphold the rights of the people.

(3) The Federal Republic shall strengthen the patriotic spirit and nationalist consciousness of the
military, and respect for people's rights in the performance of their duty.

(4) Professionalism in the Defense Forces and adequate remuneration and benefits of its members
shall be a prime concern of the Federal Republic. The Defense Forces shall be insulated from
partisan politics. No member of the military shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any partisan
political activity, except to vote.

(5) No member of the Defense Forces in the active service shall, at any time, be appointed or
designated in any capacity to a civilian position in the Government, including government-owned
or controlled corporations or any of their subsidiaries.

(6) Federal laws on the retirement of military officers shall not allow extension of their service
except during times of war or other national emergencies as may be declared by the Federal
Parliament or the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, as the case may be.

(7) The officers and personnel of the regular force of the Defense Forces shall be recruited
proportionately from all Regions as far as practicable.

(8) The tour of duty of the Chief of Staff of the Defense Forces shall not exceed three (3) years
from the time of appointment unless sooner removed by the Prime Minister of the Federal
Republic. However, in times of war or other national emergencies declared by the Federal
Parliament, the Prime Minister may extend such tour of duty. They shall not be extended beyond
compulsory retirement age except during times of war or other national emergencies as may be
declared by the Federal Parliament or the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, as the case may
be.

Article 75. The Federal Republic shall provide immediate and adequate care, benefits, and other
forms of assistance to war veterans and veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses,
and orphans. Funds shall be provided therefor and due consideration shall be given to them in the
disposition of agricultural lands of the public domain and, in appropriate cases, in the utilization
of natural resources.

Article 76.

(1) The Federal Republic shall establish and continuously develop effective information and cyber
security infrastructure to protect itself and the people from unauthorized domestic or foreign
intrusion such as cyberattacks and cyber warfare on its public utilities, cyber installations, and
private entities.

(2) In the event of a cyberattack on any public utility, private entity, or cyber installation, the
magnitude and speed of which, clearly endangers the security of the Federal Republic, the Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic, as Commander-in-Chief of the Defense Forces of the Philippines,
shall take all necessary actions to repel and quell the attack.

(3) As soon as the cyberattack has been quelled, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall
report to the Federal Parliament the nature of the attack and the actions taken to repel it. The
Federal Parliament shall take appropriate action on the report.

(4) The Federal Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceeding filed by any citizen, the
sufficiency of the factual basis of the cyberattack and determine whether the action of the Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic is reasonable and proportionate to repel and quell the attack. The
Federal Supreme Court must promulgate its decision within thirty (30) days from the time of filing.

Article 77. The Federal Republic shall have criminal jurisdiction over all those who violate its
national and cyber security laws wherever the crime is committed.

Article 78.

(1) The Federal Republic shall develop an effective emergency preparedness, risk reduction, and
response system for natural and man-made disasters and calamities. It shall train and maintain a
federal disaster response and relief corps under the Ministry of National Defense.

(2) Each of the Regions shall establish its regional disaster response and relief office which shall
streamline and resolve hazards and risks in urban planning which contribute to disaster
vulnerability.
Article 79. During times of natural or man-made disasters and calamities, the Regions shall
primarily respond through their local government units, officials, and agencies. The Prime Minister
of the Federal Republic through the Executive Ministries shall provide relief and rehabilitative
assistance to the affected region.

Article 80. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic and the Federal Parliament, within six (6)
months from the assumption of office, shall update the National Security Policy and Strategy in
accordance with their assessment of current evolving and future threats as well as a national policy
on the modernization of the Defense Forces so that they can effectively and fully perform their
constitutional mandate.

In the exercise of executive function, the investigation and prosecution of crimes are hereby vested
in the Ministry of Justice.
 TITLE II
THE CITIZENS

Article 1. The following are citizens of the Philippines:

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

(ii) Those who were born to Filipino fathers or mothers within and outside of the Philippine
territory;

(iii) Those who were living infants of unknown parentage found within the Philippine territory;

(iv) Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine citizenship
upon reaching the age of majority; and

(v) Those who are naturalized under federal law.

For this purpose, a vessel of Philippine registry is considered as part of Philippine territory.

Article 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. Those who elect
Philippine citizenship under Article 1, paragraphs (iii) and (iv) of this Title shall be deemed
natural-born citizens.

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

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

Article 5. Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and shall be dealt with by
federal law.
 TITLE III
BILL OF RIGHTS AND DUTIES

CHAPTER 1

RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS

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

Article 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable, and
no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause to be determined
personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and the
witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the persons or
things to be seized.

Article 3.

(1) 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.

(2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding Article shall be inadmissible for
any purpose in any proceeding.

Article 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.

Article 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, without
discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the
exercise of civil or political rights.

Article 6. The liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits prescribed by law shall
not be impaired except upon the lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be
impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be
provided by law.
Article 7. The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be recognized.
Access to official records, 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 to the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.

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

Article 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.

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

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

Article 12.

(1) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the right to be
informed of his right to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel preferably
of his own choice. If the person cannot afford the services of counsel, he must be provided with
one. These rights cannot be waived except in writing and the presence of counsel.

(2) No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate the free will
shall be used against him. Secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or other similar forms
of detention are prohibited.

(3) Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this or Article 17 hereof shall be
inadmissible in evidence against him.

(4) The law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this Article as well as
compensation to and rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices, and their families.

Article 13. All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua when
evidence of guilt is strong, shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, or be released
on recognizance as may be provided by law. 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.

Article 14.

(1) No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process of law.

(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is
proved, and shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the nature
and cause of the accusation against him, 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 his behalf. However, after arraignment, trial may proceed
notwithstanding the absence of the accused provided that he has been duly notified and his failure
to appear is unjustifiable.

Article 15. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of
invasion or rebellion when public safety requires it.

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

Article 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

Article 18.

(1) No person shall be detained solely because of his political beliefs and aspirations.

(2) No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist except as a punishment for a crime whereof
the party shall have been duly convicted.

Article 19.

(1) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading, or inhuman punishment inflicted.
Neither shall the death penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons involving heinous
crimes, the Federal Parliament hereafter provides for it. Any death penalty already imposed shall
be reduced to reclusion perpetua.

(2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any prisoner or
detainee or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman conditions shall
be dealt with by law.

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

Article 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 constitute a bar to
another prosecution for the same act.

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

 CHAPTER 2

DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS

Article 23. Every citizen must be loyal to the Federal Republic and its Regions, honor the
Philippine flag and Regional flags, defend the Federal Republic and its Regions, contribute to their
development and welfare, uphold this Constitution and obey the laws, and cooperate with the duly
constituted authorities in the attainment and preservation of a just and orderly society.

Article 24. Every person must, in the exercise of his rights and the performance of his duties, act
with justice, give everyone his due, and observe honesty and good faith.

Article 25. Every citizen shall be engaged in gainful work to assure himself and his family a life
worthy of human dignity.

Article 26. Every qualified citizen is obliged to vote to register and cast his vote.
 TITLE IV
SUFFRAGE AND POLITICAL PARTIES

Article 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified
by law, who are at least eighteen (18) years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines
for at least one (1) year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six (6) months
immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirements shall
be imposed on the exercise of suffrage. The residency requirement mentioned herein shall not
apply to qualified voters residing or working overseas. The residency requirement of such citizens
is defined by federal and regional laws.

Article 2. The Federal Parliament of the Philippines 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.

It shall also design a procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote without the assistance of
other persons. Until then, they shall be allowed to vote under existing laws and such rules as the
Commission on Elections may promulgate to protect the secrecy of the ballot.

Article 3. The Federal Republic shall ensure the development of political parties as mechanisms
of representation and democratic governance. Every political party shall be registered with the
Commission on Elections which shall ensure that the political party has duly adopted its program
and platform of government.

Religious denominations and sects shall not be registered.

Those that seek to achieve their goals through violence or unlawful means, refuse to uphold and
adhere to this Constitution, or that are supported by any foreign government shall likewise be
refused registration.

Financial contributions from foreign governments and their agencies to political parties,
organizations, coalitions, or candidates related to elections, constitute interference in national
affairs, and, when accepted, shall be an additional ground for the cancellation of their registration
with the Commission, in addition to other penalties that may be prescribed by federal law.

Article 4.

(1) To ensure strong and cohesive political parties, political party switching shall be banned two
(2) years after the adoption of this Constitution. Thereafter, no elective public official may change
his political party affiliation during his term of office and no candidate for any elective public
office may change his political party affiliation within two (2) years immediately preceding or
following an election: provided, that he may resign at any time so long as he does not join any
other political party within two (2) years immediately preceding or following an election. Any
elected official who violates this provision shall lose his seat, be barred from being appointed to a
public office, be prohibited from running in the next two (2) elections, and be required to return
any party funds they used for the campaign. No political party shall accept any member in
violation of this provision; otherwise, the political party shall be dealt with by federal law.

(2) Political parties shall have party whips to enforce party discipline. Opposition parties are
required to form a Shadow Cabinet in the Federal Parliament of the Philippines to be responsible
for scrutinizing the work of the Government and to ensure that they are ready to take over in the
event of a change of Government.

Article 5. By federal law, the Federal Parliament of the Philippines shall provide federal subsidy
to registered political parties based on their electoral performance in the previous election:
provided, that all funds released shall be subject to audit by the Commission on Audit. Political
parties shall publicly account for the sources and use of their funds and assets.

Article 6. Political dynasties shall be prohibited as follows:

(i) For Federal Government positions: whenever a candidate has filed a certificate of candidacy
in an election for the position of President, Member of the Congress of Deputies, or Member
of the Senate, the relatives within the second (2nd) degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether
such relations are legitimate, illegitimate, half, or full blood, including the spouse of such
candidate shall be prohibited from being a candidate in any of the said positions in the same
election. The prohibition in the preceding sentence shall apply to the relatives of nominees of
political parties under the proportional representation system of election in Article 2(1) of Title
VI of the Constitution. The same kind of relatives of a candidate who has filed a certificate of
candidacy for the position of member of the Congress of Deputies including such relatives of
the nominees of political parties under the said proportional representation system shall be
prohibited from being a candidate for any elective local government position in where such
candidate or nominee is running, which shall be within the electoral district for a single member
federal legislative district candidate or within the nominees of political parties for the
proportional representation system.

(ii) For Regional Government positions: whenever a candidate has filed a certificate of
candidacy for any elective executive, legislative, or any other elective position within the
regional government, the relatives within the second (2nd) degree of consanguinity or affinity,
whether such relations are legitimate, illegitimate, half, or full blood, including the spouse of
such candidate shall be prohibited from being a candidate in the same election in any of the
regional or local government position within the region.

(iii) For Local Government positions: whenever a candidate has filed a certificate of candidacy
for any elective executive and legislative position in the local government units, the relatives
within the second (2nd) degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether such relations are
legitimate, illegitimate, half, or full blood, including the spouse of such candidate shall be
prohibited from being a candidate in the same election for any elective local government
position where such candidate is running for a local government position, which shall be within
the province, for provincial government candidate; within the city, for a city government
candidate; within a municipality, for municipal government candidate; or within the barangay,
for barangay government candidate.

(4) Dispute settlement: in case there is a dispute between a candidate and his relatives within
the second (2nd) degree of consanguinity or affinity, whether such relations are legitimate,
illegitimate, half, or full blood, including the spouse, who are likewise candidates in an election
as to who shall be prohibited from being a candidate in an election in the accordance with this
article, the candidates shall amicably settle the matter, otherwise, the dispute shall be settled
by raffle or drawing of lots conducted by the Commission on Elections.
 TITLE V
THE HEAD OF STATE

Article 1. The Head of State of the Federal Republic of the Philippines shall be the President of
the Federal Republic of the Philippines, who is the symbol of unity and permanence.

Article 2.

(1) No person shall be the President of the Federal Republic unless he is a natural-born citizen of
the Philippines and, on the day of the election, at least forty-five (45) years of age, able to read and
write, and a registered voter, and domiciled in the Federal Republic of the Philippines for not less
than ten (10) years immediately preceding the day of the election and nominated by at least twenty
per centum (20%) of all the Members of the Congress of Deputies, who are registered members of
a registered political party or a coalition of registered political parties or nominated by the
incumbent Members of the Congress of Deputies who were elected by at least twenty-five per
centum (25%) of the total votes cast in the immediately preceding election for all positions for the
Members of the Congress of Deputies including votes of political parties under the proportional
representation system.

For nomination, the Congress of the Deputies shall choose two (2) nominees from all applicants
who signified their interest to run for President of the Federal Republic to the Congress of
Deputies. The two (2) nominees chosen shall be the candidates to be voted for by the people at
large in the Presidential election.

(2) The President of the Federal Republic shall be elected by direct vote of the people for a term
of five (5) years which shall commence at noon on the thirtieth (30th) day of December following
his election unless otherwise provided by federal law or in times of war.

No person shall serve as President of the Federal Republic for more than two (2) consecutive terms.
The period of such service shall be counted from the date he shall have commenced to act as
President.

The person, who has served as President under the previous Constitutions or President of the
Federal Republic, shall not be eligible to be a candidate in any future election for any elective
position.

Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an
interruption in the continuity of the service for the full term of which he was elected.

Article 3.

(1) The regular election for the President of the Federal Republic shall be held on the second (2nd)
Monday of November unless provided by federal law or in times of war; provided that the Election
for the position of President shall not be held on the day of the General Federal Parliamentary
Elections.
(2) The returns of every election for President duly certified by the Board of Canvassers of each
Region, shall be transmitted to the Federal Parliament, directed to the Speaker of the Senate. Upon
receipt of the Certificates of Canvass, the Speaker of the Senate shall, not later than thirty (30)
days after the day of the election, open all the certificates in the presence of the Congress of
Deputies and the Senate in joint public session, and the Federal Parliament, upon determination of
the authenticity and due execution thereof in the manner provided by federal law, canvass the
votes.

The person having the highest number of votes shall be proclaimed elected, but in case two or
more shall have an equal and highest number of votes, one of them shall forthwith be chosen by
the vote of a majority of all the Members of both Chambers of Federal Parliament, voting
separately.

The Federal Parliament shall promulgate its rules for the canvassing of the certificates.

Article 4.

(1) The President-elect shall assume office at the beginning of his term. If the President-elect fails
to qualify, the Speaker of the Senate shall act as President until the President-elect shall have
qualified. If a President shall not have been chosen, the Speaker of the Senate shall act as President
until a President shall have been chosen and qualified.

(2) If at the beginning of the term of the President, the President-elect shall have died or shall have
become permanently disabled, the Speaker of the Senate shall act as President of the Federal
Republic until a President shall be chosen and qualified.

In case of the permanent disability of the Speaker of the Senate to act as President of the Federal
Republic under the preceding paragraphs, the Speaker of the Congress of Deputies shall act as
President until a President shall have been chosen and qualified.

The Federal Parliament may enact or amend federal laws that provide for how one who is to act as
President shall be selected until a President shall have qualified, in case of death or permanent
disability of the officials mentioned in the next preceding paragraph.

Article 5. Before he enters on the execution of his office, the President or the Acting President, as
the case may be, shall take the following oath or affirmation:

“I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and conscientiously fulfill my duties
as President (Acting President) of the Federal Republic of the Philippines, preserve and
defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, and consecrate myself to
the service of the Nation. So, help me, God.” (In case of affirmation, the last sentence will
be omitted.)

Article 6. The President of the Federal Republic shall have an official residence. The salary of the
President shall be determined by federal law and shall not be decreased during his tenure. No
increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the expiration of the term of the
incumbent during which such increase was approved. He shall not receive during his tenure any
other emolument from the Government or any other source.
Article 7. In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of the
President, the Speaker of the Senate, or in case of his inability, the Speaker of the Congress of
Deputies shall then act as President until the President shall have been elected and qualified.

The Federal Parliament may enact or amend federal laws to provide who shall serve as President
in case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of the Acting President. He shall serve until
the President shall have been elected and qualified, and be subject to the same restrictions of
powers and disqualifications as the Acting President.

Article 8.

(1) The Federal Parliament shall, at ten o’clock in the morning (10:00 AM) of the third (3rd) day
after the vacancy in the Offices of the President convene under its rules without need of a call and
within seven (7) days, enact a federal law calling for a special election to elect a President to be
held not earlier than forty-five days nor later than sixty days from the time of such call.

(2) The bill calling for such special election shall be deemed certified under Title VI, Article 26(3),
of this Constitution and shall become federal law upon its approval on the third (3rd) reading by
the Federal Parliament. Appropriations for the special election shall be charged against any current
appropriations and shall be exempt from the requirements of Title VI, Article 25 of this
Constitution. The convening of the Federal Parliament cannot be suspended nor the special
election postponed. No special election shall be called if the vacancy occurs within eighteen (18)
months before the date of the next Presidential election.

Article 9.

(1) Whenever the President of the Federal Republic transmits to the Prime Minister of the Federal
Republic his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,
and until he transmits to the Prime Minister a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and
duties shall be discharged by the Speaker of the Senate as Acting President.

(2) Whenever a majority of all the Federal Cabinet of Ministers transmit to the Prime Minister
their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his
office, the Speaker of the Senate shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as
Acting President.

(3) Thereafter, when the President transmits to the Prime Minister his written declaration that no
permanent disability exists, he shall reassume the powers and duties of his office. Meanwhile,
should a majority of all the Federal Cabinet Ministers transmit within five (5) days to the Speakers
of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate, their written declaration that the President is unable
to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Federal Parliament, in joint session, shall
decide the issue. For that purpose, the Federal Parliament shall convene, if it is not in session,
within forty-eight (48) hours, under its rules and without the need of a call.

(4) If the Federal Parliament, within ten (10) days after receipt of the last written declaration, or,
if not in session, within twelve (12) days after it is required to assemble, determines by a two-
thirds (2/3) vote of both Chambers of Federal Parliament, voting separately, that the President is
unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Speaker of the Senate shall act as
President; otherwise, the President of the Federal Republic shall continue exercising the powers
and duties of his office.

Article 10. In case of serious illness of the President of the Federal Republic, the public shall be
informed of the state of his health through the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic and the rest
of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers.

Article 11.

(1) Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, the President shall not 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 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.

(2) The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth (4th) civil degree,
whether such relations are legitimate, illegitimate, half, or full blood, of the President shall not,
during his tenure, be appointed as Members of the Constitutional Commissions, or the Office of
the Ombudsman, or as Ministers, Deputy Ministers, chairmen or heads of bureaus or offices,
including government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.

Article 12.

(1) The President of the Federal Republic shall have the power to appoint the Prime Minister of
the Federal Republic under Title VII of this Constitution, the Members of the Federal Supreme
Court and other members of the Federal Judicature, the Federal Constitutional Commissions, and
Sandiganbayan.

(2) Appointments extended by an Acting President of the Federal Republic shall remain effective,
unless revoked by the elected President, within ninety (90) days from his assumption or
reassumption of office.

(3) Two (2) months immediately before the next Presidential Election and up to the end of his
term, the President of the Federal Republic or Acting President shall not make appointments,
except temporary appointments to positions when continued vacancies therein will prejudice
public service or endanger public safety.

Article 13.

(1) Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise provided in this Constitution, the President of
the Federal Republic may grant reprieves, commutations, and pardons, and remit fines and
forfeitures, after conviction by final judgment.

(2) He shall also have the power to grant amnesty with the concurrence of a majority of all the
Members of the Federal Parliament voting separately.
Article 14. The President of the Federal Republic shall address the Federal Parliament in the
chamber of the Congress of Deputies at the opening of its regular session to present the program
of government and legislative agenda for the said session, formulated upon the advice of the Prime
Minister and the Federal Cabinet of Ministers. He may also appear before it at any other time.

Article 15. The President of the Federal Republic shall submit to the Federal Parliament of the
Philippines, within thirty (30) days from the opening of every regular session an annual report on
the operations and activities of the Office of the President of the Federal Republic.

Article 16. The President of the Federal Republic shall be immune from suit during his tenure.
 TITLE VI
THE FEDERAL PARLIAMENT

Article 1. The Legislative Power of the Federal Republic of the Philippines shall be vested in the
Federal Parliament of the Philippines, which shall consist of two Chambers: the Congress of
Deputies of the Philippines, and the Senate of the Philippines, except over matters pertaining to
the jurisdiction of the Regions and the extent reserved to the people by the provision on initiative
and referendum.

Article 2.

(1) The first sixty per centum (60%) of the Congress of Deputies shall be elected from each federal
legislative district, which shall have one (1) seat in the Congress of Deputies and the remaining
forty per centum (40%) thereof shall be elected nationwide through proportional representation
allowed to cast a vote for a political party with a closed-list of nominees. Every voter shall vote
for one (1) registered political party with a closed list of nominees; provided, that these nominees
are qualified to be Deputies as provided in Article 3(1) of this Title.

Political parties that obtain at least five per centum (5%) of the valid votes cast under the
proportional party representation system shall be considered elected and shall be allocated seats in
proportion to the number of votes they received. Those that did not obtain the threshold provided
in the previous paragraph shall only be allocated seats in proportion to the number of votes they
received if they have obtained at least one (1) seat from the elected legislative electoral districts.

However, the composition of the Congress of Deputies shall increase if a political party wins more
federal legislative districts than it is entitled to base on its share of the nationwide political party
vote. When this happens, the political party keeps the extra seats and the Congress of Deputies is
increased by that number of seats until the next election.

(2) The current number of Members of the House of Representatives elected by their respective
legislative electoral districts shall consist of the first sixty per centum (60%) of the Congress of
Deputies for the first Federal Parliamentary Elections under the promulgation of this new
Constitution.

(3) Each single-member federal legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable, a
contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. Until otherwise provided by federal law, the
legislative electoral districts under the 1987 Constitution shall remain, although the Regions may
modify municipal boundaries under Article 19(1)(ii), Chapter 3, Title X of this Constitution.

(4) Within four (4) years following the return of every national census, the Federal Parliament of
the Philippines is mandated to pass a reapportionment law or to make reapportionments of federal
legislative district districts based on the standards provided in this Article. For the reapportionment
of federal legislative district districts, the Regions and the Territories shall submit to the Federal
Parliament of the Philippines data on the metes and bounds, population, and other relevant
information about their constituent local government units.

Article 3.
(1) No person shall be a Deputy unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines, at least
twenty-five (25) years of age on the day of the election, and able to read and write.

Except for one elected through the proportional representation system, he must be a registered
voter and domiciled in the federal legislative district where he is to be elected for a period of not
less than five (5) years immediately preceding the day of the election.

(2) The Deputies shall be elected for a term of five (5) years which shall begin at noon on the
thirtieth (30th) day of June following their election unless otherwise provided by federal law or in
times of war.

Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an
interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term for which he was elected.

Article 4.

(1) The Senate shall be the Chamber of territorial representation for the Federal Republic of the
Philippines.

(2) In each Region, four (4) Senators, and in each Territory, two (2) Senators, shall be elected by
the registered voters thereof and shall represent their respective Region or Territory, as the case
may be, in the Senate.

Article 5.

(1) No person shall be a Senator unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on the
day of the election, at least forty (40) years of age, able to read and write, a registered voter, and
domiciled in the Region or Territory in which he was elected as Senator for not less than five (5)
years immediately preceding the day of the election.

(2) The Senators shall be elected for a term of five (5) years which shall commence at noon on the
thirtieth (30th) day of June following their election unless otherwise provided by federal law or in
times of war.

No Senator shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of time shall not be considered as an
interruption in the continuity of his service for the full term of which he was elected.

Article 6. No person, at the same time, be a Member of both Chambers of the Federal Parliament
of the Philippines, nor be elected to the Congress of Deputies for more than one (1) federal
legislative district, nor be elected as a single member federal legislative district and a political
party nominee under the said proportional representation system, nor be elected to the Senate of
the Federal Republic for more than one (1) Region.

Article 7. The regular general election of the Members of the Federal Parliament shall be held on
the second (2nd) Monday of May unless otherwise provided by federal law or in times of war.
Article 8. In case of vacancy in the Federal Parliament of the Philippines, either in the Congress
of Deputies or in the Senate, a special election may be called to fill such vacancy in the manner
prescribed by federal law, but the Member of the Congress of Deputies or the Senate thus elected
shall serve only for the unexpired term.

Article 10. The salaries of the Members of the Federal Parliament shall be determined by federal
law. No increase in said compensation shall take effect until after the expiration of the full term of
all the Members of the Federal Parliament approving such increase.

Article 11. In all offenses punishable by not more than six (6) years imprisonment, a Member of
Federal Parliament shall be privileged from arrest while the Federal Parliament is in session. No
Deputy or Senator shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other place for any speech or debate
in the Federal Parliament or any committee thereof.

Article 12. Upon assumption of office, all Members of Federal Parliament shall make full
disclosure of their financial and business interests. They shall notify the Chamber concerned of a
potential conflict of interest that may arise from the filing of proposed legislation of which they
are authors.

Article 13. No Member of Federal Parliament may hold any other office or employment in the
Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned
or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries, during his term without forfeiting his seat. Neither
shall he be appointed to any office which may have been created or the emoluments thereof
increased during the term for which he was elected. This Article shall not be applicable if the
Member of the Federal Parliament, either a Deputy or a Senator, is appointed to the Federal Cabinet
of Ministers; provided that a Deputy or Senator may not hold more than one (1) position in the
Federal Cabinet of Ministers concurrently; provided further that, if the Prime Minister of the
Federal Republic decides to perform the functions of one or more positions in the Federal Cabinet
of Ministers, he shall not receive compensation for such positions in addition to his compensation
as Prime Minister.

Article 14. No Member of Federal Parliament may personally appear as counsel before any court
of justice, or quasi-judicial and other administrative bodies, whether federal or regional. Neither
shall he, directly or indirectly, be interested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise or
special privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality
thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during his
term of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before any office of the Government for his
pecuniary benefit or where he may be called upon to act on account of his office. A Member of
Federal Parliament is prohibited from pursuing any private venture or participating in any private
business for financial gain during his term of office and he shall divest himself of any business
interest before assuming office.
Article 15. The Federal Parliament shall convene once every year on the fourth (4th) Monday of
July for its regular session, unless a different date is fixed by federal law, and shall continue to be
in session for such number of days as it may determine until thirty (30) days before the opening of
its next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, and legal holidays. The Prime Minister
may call a special session at any time.

Article 16.

(1) Both Chambers of the Federal Parliament, the Congress of Deputies, and the Senate, shall elect
their respective Speakers by a majority vote of all its respective Members. The Congress of
Deputies and the Senate shall each choose such other officers as it may deem necessary.

(2) A majority of each Chamber shall constitute a quorum to do business, but a smaller number
may adjourn from day to day and may compel the attendance of absent Members in such manner,
and under such penalties, as such Chamber may provide. The majority vote of the Congress of
Deputies or the Senate shall mean the votes by the majority of the members present in the session
of the Congress of Deputies or the Senate, provided that there is a quorum. Such majority vote
shall be sufficient to constitute approval or concurrence unless otherwise provided in the
Constitution.

(3) Each Chamber may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly
behavior, and, with the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of all its Members, suspend or expel a
Member. A penalty of suspension, when imposed, shall not exceed sixty (60) days.

(4) Each Chamber shall keep a journal of its proceedings, and from time to time publish the same,
excepting such parts as may, in its judgment, affect national security; and the yeas and nays on any
question shall, at the request of one-fifth (1/5) of the Members present, be entered in the Journal.
Each Chamber shall also keep a record of its proceedings.

Article 17. No appointment by the President or the Prime Minister as provided in the Constitution
shall become final and effective unless there is a concurrence of the Senate. The Senate shall act
on all appointments submitted to it within fifteen (15) session days of the Federal Parliament from
their submission. The Senate shall rule by a majority vote of all the Members. This Article shall
not be applicable if the Member of Federal Parliament, either a Deputy or a Senator, is appointed
to the Federal Cabinet of Ministers.

Article 18. The records and books of accounts of the Federal Parliament shall be preserved and be
open to the public under federal law, and such books shall be audited by the Commission on Audit
which shall publish annually an itemized list of amounts paid to and expenses for each Member.

Article 19. Within its powers vested under the Constitution, the Congress of Deputies, the Senate,
or any of their respective committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislation under its duly
published rules of procedure. The rights of persons appearing in or affected by, such inquiries shall
be respected.
Article 20. There shall be a question period as often as may be necessary and as the rules of the
Congress of Deputies may provide, which shall be included in its agenda, during which the Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic and/or the rest of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers shall appear
and answer questions and interpellations by the Deputies. The question period may be held at any
time while the Congress of Deputies is in session.

Article 21.

(1) The Federal Parliament shall have the sole power to declare the existence of a state of war. For
this purpose, both Chambers of the Federal Parliament shall discuss the matter in joint session.
Thereafter, the Chambers of the Federal Parliament shall vote separately. The declaration of the
existence of a state of war shall be made when, there being a quorum, it obtains the two-thirds
(2/3) votes of the Congress of Deputies and the two-thirds (2/3) vote of the Senate.

(2) In times of war or other national emergencies, the Federal Parliament may, by federal law,
authorize the Prime Minister, for a limited period and subject to such restrictions as it may
prescribe, exercise powers necessary and proper to carry out a declared federal policy. Unless
sooner withdrawn by resolution of the Federal Parliament, such powers shall cease upon the next
adjournment thereof.

Article 22. All appropriation, revenue, or tariff bills, bills authorizing the increase of the public
debt, bills of local application, and private bills, shall originate exclusively in the Congress of
Deputies.

Article 23.

(1) The Federal Parliament may not increase the appropriations recommended by the Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic for the operation of the Federal Government as specified in the
budget. The form, content, and manner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by federal
law.

(2) No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the General Appropriations Bill unless it
relates specifically to some particular appropriation therein. Any such provision or enactment shall
be limited in its operation to the appropriation to which it relates.

(3) The procedure for approving appropriations for the Federal Parliament shall strictly follow the
procedure for approving appropriations for other ministries and agencies.

(4) A special appropriations bill shall specify the purpose for which it is intended, and shall be
supported by funds actually available as certified by the Federal Treasurer or to be raised by a
corresponding revenue proposal therein.

(5) No federal law shall be passed authorizing any transfer of appropriations; however, the
President, the Prime Minister, the Speakers of both the Congress of Deputies and the Senate, the
Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court, and the heads of Constitutional Commissions may,
by federal law, be 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 vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may be
prescribed by federal law.

(7) If by the end of any fiscal year, the Federal Parliament 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 re-enacted and shall remain in force and effect until the general
appropriations bill is passed by the Federal Parliament. This paragraph shall also apply in case the
Congress of Deputies is dissolved.

Article 24.

(1) The Congress of Deputies and the Senate are competent to propose legislation.

(2) Every bill shall embrace only one (1) subject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.

(3) No bill passed by either Chamber of the Federal Parliament shall become a federal law unless
it has passed three (3) readings on separate days, and printed copies thereof in its final form have
been distributed to its members three (3) days before its passage, except when the Prime Minister
of the Federal Republic 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. A majority vote following Article 16(2) of this Title shall be required to pass a bill unless
otherwise provided in the Constitution.

(4) The Senate shall have the power to approve international treaties, conventions, and agreements
subscribed by the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, as well as decisions to end, suspend,
modify and make interpretative declarations related to such treaties and conventions; provided
that, the Senate shall not concur to any treaty, convention, and agreement, affecting the matters
pertaining to the jurisdiction of the Regions, without the consent of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
regional legislatures. It shall analyze the foreign policy developed by the Prime Minister based on
the reports submitted to the Senate by the Prime Minister and the concerned Federal Cabinet
Minister.

Article 25.

(1) A bill passed by the Federal Parliament shall, before it becomes a federal law, be presented to
the President of the Federal Republic, who, upon the advice of the Federal Government acting
through the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, may assent to or veto the same.

In case a bill is vetoed, the same shall be returned with the objections thereto to the Chamber where
it originated, which shall enter the objections at large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it.

If, after such reconsideration, a two-thirds (2/3) majority of all the members of such Chamber shall
agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, together with the objections, to the other Chamber by which
it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds (2/3) majority of all the members
of such Chamber, it shall become a federal law.

In all such cases, the votes of each Chamber shall be determined by yeas or nays, and the names
of the Members voting for or against shall be entered in its Journal.
The veto of any bill shall be communicated to the Chamber where it originated within fifteen (15)
days after the date of receipt thereof, otherwise, it shall become a federal law as if Presidential
Assent has been given thereto.

(2) The President, upon the advice of the Federal Government acting through the Prime Minister,
may 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. Budget transfers to the regions under the
equalization fund to be created for this purpose in Title X of this Constitution cannot be vetoed.

Article 26.

(1) The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. The Federal Parliament shall evolve a
progressive system of taxation.

(2) The Federal Parliament may, by federal law, authorize the Prime Minister of the Federal
Republic 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 personages or convents 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 federal law granting any tax exemption shall be passed without the concurrence of a
majority of all the Members of the Congress of Deputies and a majority of all the Members of the
Senate voting separately.

Article 27.

(1) No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation made by
federal 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,
system of religion, or any priest, preacher, minister, other religious teachers, or dignitary as such,
except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the defense forces, or 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.

Article 28. No federal law shall be passed increasing the appellate jurisdiction of the Federal
Supreme Court as provided in this Constitution without its advice and concurrence.

Article 29. No federal law granting a title of royalty or nobility shall be enacted.
Article 30. The Federal Parliament of the Philippines may enact or amend federal laws that provide
for a system of initiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom, whereby the people can
directly propose and enact federal laws or approve or reject any act or federal law or part thereof
passed by the Federal Parliament, after the registration of a petition therefor signed by at least two
per centum (2%) of the total number of registered voters, of which every federal legislative district
must be represented by at least one per centum (1%) of the registered voters thereof.

Article 31. Members of the Congress of Deputies and the Senate may be removed from office
through recall as may be provided by federal law.

Article 32.

(1) The Congress of Deputies may express a vote of no confidence on the incumbent Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic through a majority vote of all its Members and a motion
requesting the President to dismiss the Prime Minister. If the vote of no confidence is not
overturned within fifteen (15) days from the time of its expression, the President shall then dismiss
the incumbent Prime Minister and appoint a new Prime Minister following the provisions of Title
VII of the Constitution.

(2) In case the vote of no confidence is not overturned, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic
may advise in writing the President of the Federal Republic to dissolve the Congress of Deputies
based on a vote of no confidence on the Federal Government by a majority of all the Members of
the Congress of Deputies, in which case, the President shall dissolve the Congress of Deputies and
call for a new election for the positions of the Members of the Congress of Deputies. The President
shall dissolve the Congress of Deputies not earlier than five (5) days nor later than ten (10) days
from his receipt of the advice of the Prime Minister.

(3) The President of the Federal Republic may also dissolve the Congress of Deputies for the
failure of the Federal Parliament to pass a budget for two (2) successive plenary votes or for two
(2) successive majority votes of no confidence on the Prime Minister as set under paragraph 1 of
this Article.

(4) In all cases of dissolution of the Congress of Deputies, the President of the Federal Republic
shall call for an election on a date which shall not be earlier than forty-five (45) days nor later than
sixty (60) days from the date of such dissolution.

(5) In case of dissolution of the Congress of Deputies or the termination of the regular term of
office of its members, every seat for the position of the Members of the Congress of Deputies shall
become vacant but the incumbent Prime Minister of the Federal Republic and the rest of the
Federal Cabinet of Ministers shall continue to conduct the affairs of Government until the new
Congress of Deputies has been elected and a new Prime Minister of the Federal Republic has been
appointed following the provisions of Title VII of the Constitution.

(6) In case of dissolution of the Congress of Deputies, the Senate shall not be dissolved and the
Senators shall continue their terms of office following the Constitution and prevailing federal laws.

(7) No dissolution of the Congress of Deputies shall take place in any of the following:
(a) During times of war or a state of emergency declared by the President of the Federal
Republic unless lifted by a majority vote of the Members of the Senate of the Federal Republic
present in a session where there is a quorum;

(b) Within six (6) months immediately preceding or immediately following any election for
Members of the Congress of Deputies;

(c) Within one (1) year immediately following a dissolution of the Congress of Deputies;

(d) During the pendency of impeachment proceedings against the President of the Federal
Republic; or

(e) Successive dissolution for the same reason.

 TITLE VII
THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Article 1. The Executive Power of the Federal Republic of the Philippines shall be vested in the
Federal Government of the Philippines, which shall be led by the Prime Minister of the Federal
Republic of the Philippines with the assistance of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers of the
Philippines.

Article 2. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall head and have direct and primary
control over all of the different Executive Ministries, Bureaus, and Offices. He shall ensure that
the federal laws be faithfully executed. As the head thereof, he may also be known by these other
official titles:

(i) President of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers of the Philippines;

(ii) President of the Federal Government of the Philippines; and

(iii) President of the Government of the Federal Republic of the Philippines.

Article 3.

(1) The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic under this Constitution shall follow the historical
lineage of the National Chief Executives of the Philippines from its first Governor-General Miguel
Lopez de Legazpi to his successors during the Spanish Occupation to the President of the First
Philippine Republic to the Governors-General and High Commissioners during the American
Occupation, to the Presidents of the Commonwealth Period, the Second Republic, the Third
Republic, the Fourth Republic, and the Fifth Republic.

(2) It shall also follow the historical lineage of the former Prime Ministers of the Philippines, which
includes the inaugural holder, the heroic “Sublime Paralytic” and “Brains of the Revolution”
Apolinario Mabini, the President of the Council of the Government of the First Republic.

Article 4. Aside from the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, the Federal Cabinet of Ministers
shall consist of the heads of all of the different Ministries as provided by federal law.

Article 5. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic and the Federal Cabinet of Ministers shall
be responsible to the Congress of Deputies for the program of government and determine the
guidelines of federal policy.

Article 6.

(1) Upon the assumption into office of the Members of the Congress of Deputies after every
general election of the Federal Parliament, the President of the Federal Republic shall nominate,
without delay, an incumbent Deputy from the Congress of Deputies for the position of the Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic, who shall be a member of the political party or coalition of the
political parties representing the majority of all the Members of the Congress of Deputies. The
President shall likewise nominate a Deputy for the position of the Prime Minister upon the
dismissal, death, resignation, or permanent disability of the Prime Minister.

(2) The nominee shall submit to the Congress of Deputies the Program of Government he intends
to form and seek the confidence of the Congress of Deputies. If the Congress of Deputies, by a
vote of the majority vote of all the Members of Congress of Deputies, invests the nominee with its
confidence, the President of the Federal Republic shall appoint the nominee as the Prime Minister
of the Federal Republic. In the absence of such vote of confidence by the Congress of Deputies,
the President shall continue to nominate another Member of the Congress of Deputies following
this Article of this Title until there is the required vote of confidence from the Congress of
Deputies.

(3) Upon appointment, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall serve as such unless
dismissed by the President of the Federal Republic according to the applicable provisions of the
Constitution. The outgoing Prime Minister of the Federal Republic and the Federal Cabinet of
Ministers shall continue to conduct the affairs of Government until a new Prime Minister is
appointed. In case of the death or permanent disability of the Prime Minister, the third paragraph
of Article 7(2) of this Title shall govern.

(4) Whenever an incumbent Prime Minister or Acting Prime Minister shall cease to be a Member
of the Congress of Deputies due to the end of his term, he shall continue to perform the functions
of a Prime Minister until a new Prime Minister of the Federal Republic is appointed by the
President of the Federal Republic.

Article 7.

(1) The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall appoint, with the concurrence of the Senate,
the Federal Cabinet of Ministers who shall be the heads of Ministries, at least one-half (1/2) of
whom shall come from the Federal Parliament of the Philippines, either the Congress of Deputies
or the Senate.

Any Member of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers may be removed at the discretion of the Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic.

No concurrence of the Senate shall be required if the appointed Federal Cabinet Minister is also a
Member of the Congress of Deputies or the Senate.

(2) The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall appoint the Deputy Prime Minister of the
Federal Republic from among the Members of the Congress of Deputies who shall likewise be
appointed as a Federal Cabinet Minister.

He shall perform such functions as may be assigned to him by the Prime Minister.

In case the Prime Minister shall be unable to perform his functions due to death or permanent
disability, the Deputy Prime Minister shall perform the functions of the Prime Minister until a new
Prime Minister shall be appointed.
Article 8. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, the Acting Prime Minister, the Deputy
Prime Minister, and the Federal Cabinet of Ministers, on assuming office, shall take the following
oath or affirmation:

“I, <full name of the person>, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully and
conscientiously fulfill my duties as <name of position> of the Federal Republic of the
Philippines, preserve and defend its Constitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man
and consecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So, help me, God.” (in case of
affirmation, the last sentence will be omitted)

Article 9.

(1) The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall appoint, with the concurrence of the Senate,
the ambassadors, other public ministers, and consuls, or officers of the Defense Forces from the
rank of Colonel or Naval Captain, and other officers whose appointments are vested in him by this
Constitution.

(2) The Federal Parliament may, by federal law, vest the appointment of other officers lower in
rank in the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic alone.

(3) The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall appoint the heads of federal bureaus and
offices, all other officers of the Federal Government whose appointments are not otherwise
provided for by federal law, and those whom he may be authorized by federal law to appoint.

(4) Except for the appointive powers vested in the President of the Federal Republic by this
Constitution, all other appointive powers exercised by the President in the 1987 Constitution and
existing federal laws are deemed amended and vested in the Prime Minister of the Federal
Republic.

(5) Appointments extended by an Acting Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall remain
effective, unless revoked by the new Prime Minister within ninety (90) days from his assumption
or reassumption of office.

(6) Two (2) months immediately before the next Federal Parliamentary Elections or Congressional
Elections and up to the end of his term, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic or Acting Prime
Minister shall not make appointments, except temporary appointments to positions when
continued vacancies therein will prejudice public service or endanger public safety.

Article 10. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall have an official residence. The
salaries and emoluments of the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic and the Federal Cabinet of
Ministers shall be fixed by federal law which shall not be increased or decreased during their tenure
of office. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall receive the same salary as that of the
President of the Federal Republic until otherwise provided by federal law.

Article 11. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic and the Federal Cabinet of Ministers shall
be subject to Articles 13 and 14 of Title VI of the Constitution and may not appear as counsel
before any court or administrative body, or participate in the management of any business, or any
practice any profession.
Article 12. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic or any of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers
may resign for any cause without vacating his seat in the Congress of Deputies. In case of any
permanent disability of the Prime Minister to perform his functions as Prime Minister, the
President of the Federal Republic shall nominate without delay and appoint a new Prime Minister
following Article 6 of this Title.

Article 13. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall set the domestic agenda and shall be
responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Government and president over all the meetings
of the Federal Cabinet of Ministers.

Article 14.

(1) Unless otherwise provided in this Constitution, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic and
the Federal Cabinet of Ministers and their deputies shall not hold any other office or employment
during their tenure, except for the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, and the Federal Cabinet
of Ministers who serve as Members of either Chamber of the Federal Parliament. They shall not,
during their tenure, directly or indirectly, practice any other profession, participate in any business,
or be financially interested in any contract with, or 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.

(2) The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within the fourth (4th) civil degree,
whether such relations are legitimate, illegitimate, half, or full blood, of the Prime Minister of the
Federal Republic, and the Federal Cabinet of Ministers and their deputies shall not, during their
tenure, be appointed as Members of the Constitutional Commissions, or as Ministers, Deputy
Ministers, Chairman or Heads of Bureaus or Offices, including government-owned or controlled
corporations and their subsidiaries.

Article 15.

(1) The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall be Commander-in-Chief of all Defense
Forces of the Philippines.

(2) Whenever it becomes necessary, he may call out such Defense Forces to prevent or suppress
lawless violence, invasion, or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion, when public safety
requires it, he may, for a period not exceeding sixty (60) days, suspend the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial law. Within forty-eight
(48) hours from the proclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of
habeas corpus, the Prime Minister shall submit a report in person or in writing to the Federal
Parliament of the Philippines.

(3) The Federal Parliament, voting jointly, by a vote of 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 Prime Minister. Upon the initiative of the Prime Minister, the Federal Parliament may,
in the same manner, extend such proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by the
Federal Parliament, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and public safety requires it.
(4) The Federal Parliament, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four (24) hours following such
proclamation or suspension, convene following its rules without need of a call.

(5) The Federal 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 (30)
days from its filing.

(6) A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of the Constitution, supplant the
functioning of the civil courts or legislatures, nor authorize the conferment of jurisdiction o
military courts and agencies over civilians where civil courts can function, nor automatically
suspend the privilege of the writ.

(7) 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 invasion.

(8) During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any person thus arrested or detained shall be
judicially charged within three (3) days, otherwise, he shall be released.

Article 16. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic may contract or guarantee foreign loans
on behalf of the Federal Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence of the Monetary
Board, and subject to such limitations as may be provided by federal law. The Monetary Board
shall, within thirty (30) days from the end of every quarter of the calendar year, submit to the
Federal Parliament a complete report of its decision 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
federal law.

Article 17. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall have the power in signing treaties
and international agreements; provided, that no treaty or international agreement shall be valid and
effective unless concurred upon by at least two-thirds (2/3) of all Members of the Senate and that
the Senate shall not concur to any treaty, convention, and agreement, affecting the matters
pertaining to the jurisdiction of the Regions, without the consents of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
Regional Legislatures.

Article 18. All powers, functions, and limitations of the President of the Philippines under the
Nineteen Eighty-Seven (1987) Constitution and the federal laws of the land which are not herein
provided for or conferred upon by any official shall be deemed, and hereby, vested in the Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic, unless otherwise provided by the Constitution.

Article 19. The Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall submit to the Federal Parliament of
the Philippines, within thirty (30) days from the opening of every 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.
Article 20. Like the President of the Federal Republic, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic
shall be immune from suit during his tenure.
 TITLE VIII
THE FEDERAL JUDICATURE

Article 1.

(1) The Judicial Power of the Federal Republic of the Philippines shall be vested in a Federal
Supreme Court of the Philippines, to be the High Court, and in such courts, as it invests with
federal jurisdiction, and in such other lower federal courts as both may be established by the federal
law.

(2) Each Region may enter into an agreement with the Federal Republic for the joint establishment
in the territory of the said Region of trial courts conferred with the power to hear and settle
controversies, whether they involve matters under the jurisdiction of the Federal Republic or the
Region; provided that controversies on matters under federal jurisdiction shall be appealed to the
proper federal appellate court and controversies on matters under regional jurisdiction to the proper
regional appellate court.

(3) The trial courts established under the previous Constitutions shall have the power to hear and
settle controversies, whether they involve matters under federal or regional jurisdiction unless the
Region in which they are located establishes separate trial courts exclusively to hear controversies
involving matters under regional jurisdiction.

Article 2. The judicial power vested in the Federal Judicature includes the duty of federal courts
of justice to settle actual controversies involving rights that are legally demandable and enforceable
under federal law and to determine whether or not 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
Federal Government.

Article 3. The Federal Parliament shall have the power to define, prescribe, and apportion the
jurisdiction of the various federal courts but may not deprive the Federal Supreme Court of its
jurisdiction over cases enumerated in Article 6 of this Title. No federal law shall be passed
reorganizing the Federal Judicature when it undermines the security of tenure of its Members.

Article 4.

(1) The Federal Supreme Court shall be composed of a Chief Justice and fourteen Associate (14)
Justices. It may sit en banc or at its discretion, in divisions of three (3), five (5), or seven (7)
Members.

(2) The Justices of the Federal Supreme Court and the Judges of the other federal courts created
by the Federal Parliament shall be appointed by the President of the Federal Republic from a list
of at least three (3) nominees prepared after appropriate public hearings by the Integrated Bar of
the Philippines and approved by the Senate according to its rules. If the Judge to be appointed shall
sit in a trial court vested with the power to hear and determine controversies involving matters
whether, under federal jurisdiction or regional jurisdiction, the appointee should be licensed to
practice law by the Judicature of the Region where the trial court is located, and the list of nominees
shall be prepared by the relevant regional chapter of the Integrated Bar of the Philippines. Such
appointments need no confirmation. Any vacancy shall be filled within ninety (90) days from the
occurrence thereof.

Any justice and judge within the Federal Judicature of the Philippines may not be removed by the
President of the Federal Republic unless he resigns or is removed from office by impeachment for,
and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption,
other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust.

(3) The appointment of a Justice of the Federal Supreme Court shall be for a term expiring upon
his attaining the age of seventy (70) years, and a person shall not be appointed as a Justice of the
Federal Supreme Court if he has attained that age.

(4) The appointment of a justice or judge of a federal court established by the Federal Parliament
shall be for a term expiring upon his attaining the age that is, at the time of his appointment, the
maximum age for justices or judges of that court and a person shall not be appointed as a Justice
of such a court if he has attained the age that is for the time being the maximum age for Justices
of that court.

Subject to this provision, the maximum age for justices or judges of any court established by
federal law is seventy (70) years.

(5) No person shall be appointed Member of the Federal Supreme Court or any lower collegiate
federal court unless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines. A Member of the Federal
Supreme Court must be at least forty (40) years of age, and must have been for fifteen (15) years
or more, a judge of a lower court or engaged in the practice of law in the Philippines.

The Federal Parliament shall prescribe the qualifications of judges of lower federal courts, but no
person may be appointed judge thereof unless he is a citizen of the Philippines and a member of
the Philippine Bar.

A Member of the Federal Judicature must be a person of proven competence, integrity, probity,
and independence.

Article 5. The Federal Judicature shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Appropriations for the Federal
Judicature may not be reduced by the Federal Parliament below the amount appropriated for the
previous year and, after approval, shall be automatically and regularly released.

Article 6. The Federal Supreme Court shall have the following powers:

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

(ii) Review, revise, reverse, modify, or affirm on appeal or certiorari, as the law or the Rules
of Court may provide, final judgments and orders of lower courts in:

(a) All cases in which the constitutionality or validity of any treaty, international or
executive agreement, law, presidential decree, proclamation, order, instruction, ordinance,
or regulation is in question.
 (b) All cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assessment, toll, or any penalty
imposed in relation thereto.

(c) All cases in which the jurisdiction of any lower court is in issue.

(d) All federal criminal cases in which the penalty imposed is reclusion perpetua or higher.

(e) All cases in which only an error or question of law is involved.

(iii) The foraging notwithstanding, appeals decided by the highest court of each Region
involving controversies on matters falling under regional jurisdiction shall not be appealed to
the Federal Supreme Court or any federal appellate court, unless there is an issue raised at the
earliest opportunity on whether the regional law involved is ultra vires for regulating matters
under federal jurisdiction, or infringes any of the rights protected by this Constitution, or is
violative of this Constitution in any other manner. Acts of Regional Governments and their
agencies and instrumentalities, as well as of regional public officers, when committed with
grave abuse of discretion for infringing the rights protected by this Constitution, shall also be
cognizable by the Federal Supreme Court when such grave abuse of discretion is raised at the
earliest opportunity.

(iv) Assign temporarily judges of lower federal courts to other stations as public interest may
require. Such temporary assignment shall not exceed six (6) months without the consent of the
judge concerned.

(v) Order a change of venue or place of trial to avoid a miscarriage of justice.

(vi) Promulgate rules concerning the protection and enforcement of constitutional rights,
pleading, practice, and procedure in all federal courts, the admission to the practice of law in
federal courts, the integrated bar, and legal assistance to the underprivileged. Such rules shall
provide a simplified and inexpensive procedure for the speedy disposition of cases shall be
uniform for all courts of the same grade, and shall not diminish, increase, or modify substantive
rights. Rules of procedure of special courts and quasi-judicial bodies shall remain effective
unless disapproved by the Federal Supreme Court. For the avoidance of doubt, the highest
court of a Region has the power to promulgate rules concerning pleading, practice, and
procedure in regional courts, and the admission to the practice of law in regional courts. In the
case of trial courts vested with the power to hear and determine controversies involving
matters, whether under federal or regional jurisdiction, the federal rules of court shall prevail.
The Federal Supreme Court shall coordinate with the highest court of each Region, such that
the qualifying exam administered by the said highest court shall qualify a successful candidate
to practice law in federal courts and the regional courts of such Region.

(vii) Appoint all officials and employees of the Federal Judicature following the Civil Service
Law.

Article 7. The Federal Supreme Court shall have administrative supervision over all federal courts
and the personnel thereof.

Article 8. The salary of the Chief Justice and the Associate Justices of the Federal Supreme Court
and judges of lower federal courts shall be fixed by law. During their continuance in office, their
salaries shall not be decreased.
Article 9. The Members of the Federal Supreme Court and judges of lower federal courts shall
hold office during good behavior until they reach the age of seventy years or become incapacitated
to discharge the duties of their office. The Federal Supreme Court en banc shall have the power to
discipline judges of lower federal courts or order their dismissal by a vote of a majority of the
Members who actually took part in the deliberations on the issues in the case and voted thereon.

Article 10. The Members of the Federal Supreme Court and other federal courts established by
federal law shall not be designated to any agency performing quasi-judicial or administrative
functions.

Article 11. The conclusions of the Federal Supreme Court in any case submitted to it for decision
en banc or in a division shall be reached in consultation before the case is assigned to a Member
for the writing of the opinion of the Court. A certification to this effect signed by the Chief Justice
shall be issued and a copy thereof attached to the record of the case and served upon the parties.
Any Members who took no part, dissented, or abstained from a decision or resolution, must state
the reason therefor. The same requirements shall be observed by all lower collegiate courts.

Article 12. No decision shall be rendered by any court without expressing therein clearly and
distinctly the facts and the law on which it is based. No petition for review or motion for
reconsideration of a decision of the court shall be refused due course or denied without stating the
legal basis therefor.

Article 13.

(1) All cases or matters filed after the effectivity of this Constitution must be decided or resolved
within twelve (12) months from the date of submission for the Federal Supreme Court, and, unless
reduced by the Federal Supreme Court, eight (8) months for all lower collegiate courts, and three
(3) months for all other lower courts.

(2) A case or matter shall be deemed submitted for decision or resolution upon the filing of the last
pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the Rules of Court or by the court itself.

(3) Upon the expiration of the corresponding period, a certification to this effect signed by the
Chief Justice or the presiding judge shall forthwith be issued and a copy thereof attached to the
record of the case or matter, and served upon the parties. The certification shall state why a decision
or resolution has not been rendered or issued within said period.

(4) Despite the expiration of the applicable mandatory period, the court, without prejudice to such
responsibility as may have been incurred in consequence thereof, shall decide or resolve the case
or matter submitted thereto for determination, without further delay.
Article 14. The Federal Supreme Court shall submit to the President of the Federal Republic and
the Federal Parliament an annual report on the operations and activities of the Federal Judicature
within thirty (30) days from the opening of each regular session of the Federal Parliament.
 TITLE IX
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS

CHAPTER 1

COMMON PROVISIONS

Article 1. There shall be independent six (6) Constitutional Commissions and they are as follows:
the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on Elections, the Commission on Audit, the
Commission on Human Rights, the Commission of the Ombudsman, and the Commission on
Federal Competition. The Constitutional Commissions shall have Regional Offices in each
Region. Each Regional Office shall be headed by a Regional Chief, assisted by two (2) Deputy
Regional Chiefs.

Article 2. The Chief Commissioners and the members of the Constitutional Commissions shall be
appointed by the President of the Federal Republic with the confirmation of the Senate for a term
of seven (7) years without re-appointment at all future times.

Article 3. Appointment to any vacancy shall only be for the unexpired term of the predecessor. In
no case shall any member be appointed or designated in a temporary or acting capacity. All
vacancies shall be filled within ninety (90) days after they occur by the same appointing authority.

Article 4. Unless consistent with the primary functions of the office, no member of a Constitutional
Commission, Regional Chief, and Deputy Chief shall, during his tenure, hold any other office or
employment. Neither shall he engage in the practice of any profession or in the active management
or control of any business which, in any way, may be affected by the functions of his office, nor
shall he be financially interested, directly or indirectly, in any contract with, or any franchise or
privilege granted by the Government, any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities,
including government-owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.

Article 5. The salary of the Chief Commissioner and the Associate Commissioners, as well as the
Regional Chiefs and Deputy Regional Chiefs, shall be fixed by federal law and shall not be
decreased during their tenure. During their continuance in office, their salary shall not be decreased
by the Federal Parliament. Neither shall their retirement and other benefits be reduced. They shall
have the power to retain and use their savings or income for any of their activities or undertakings,
except the grant of additional bonuses and incentives to their officials and personnel.

Article 6. The Constitutional Commissions shall appoint their officials and employees following
federal law.
Article 7. The Constitutional Commissions shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Their approved annual
appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released. Neither shall their retirement and
other benefits be reduced.

Article 8. Each Constitutional Commission en banc may promulgate its own rules concerning
pleadings and practice before it or before any of its offices. Such rules, however, shall not diminish,
increase, or modify substantive rights.

Article 9. Each Constitutional Commission shall decide by a majority vote of all its Members, any
case or matter brought before it within sixty (60) days from the date of its submission for decision
or resolution. A case or matter is deemed submitted for decision or resolution upon the filing of
the last pleading, brief, or memorandum required by the rules of the Commission or by the
Commission itself. Unless otherwise provided by this Constitution or by federal law, any decision,
order, or ruling of each Commission may be brought to the Supreme Court on certiorari by the
aggrieved party within thirty days from receipt of a copy thereof.

According to their duty to administer and implement regional laws involving the matters and areas
of their competence, the regional offices of the Constitutional Commissions shall in like manner
decide by a majority vote of all its Members any case or matter brought before them within sixty
(60) days from the date of its submission for decision or resolution. Any decision, order, or ruling
of the regional offices of the Constitutional Commissions, in connection with the administration
and implementation of regional law, shall be elevated to the highest court of the relevant Region
following the rules of procedure of the said Region.

Article 10. In case of resignation, death, or permanent disability of the Chairperson of any
Commission to discharge his functions, the most senior member shall serve as acting head until
the appointment of a permanent one.

Article 11. No spouse or relative of any of the Chairpersons or members or the regional chiefs or
deputy regional chiefs within the fourth (4th) civil degree of consanguinity or affinity may
personally appear as counsel or agent on any matter pending before the Commission concerned or
transact business therein, directly or indirectly, during their incumbency and within one (1) year
from cessation from office.

CHAPTER 2

CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION

Article 12. There shall be a Civil Service Commission (CSC) composed of a Chief Commissioner
and three (3) Associate Commissioners who shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and,
at the time of their appointment, at least thirty-five (35) years of age, with proven capacity for
public administration, and must not have been candidates for any elective position in the elections
immediately preceding their appointment. The Regional Chiefs and the Deputy Regional Chiefs
shall also possess such qualifications, in addition to being residents of the Regions where their
Regional Office is located.

Article 13.

(1) The civil service embraces all branches, subdivisions, instrumentalities, and agencies of the
Government, including government-owned or controlled corporations with original charters.

(2) Appointments in the civil service shall be made only according to merit and fitness to be
determined, as far as practicable, and, except to positions which are policy-determining, primarily
confidential, or highly technical, by competitive examination.

(3) No officer or employee of the civil service shall be removed or suspended except for cause
provided by law.

(4) No officer or employee in the civil service shall engage, directly or indirectly, in any
electioneering or partisan political campaign.

(5) The right to self-organization shall not be denied to government employees.

(6) Temporary employees of the Government shall be given such protection as may be provided
by law.

Article 14.

(1) The Civil Service Commission, as the personnel agency of the Government, shall establish a
career service and adopt measures to promote morale, efficiency, integrity, responsiveness,
progressiveness, and courtesy in the civil service. It shall strengthen the merit and rewards system,
integrate all human resources development programs for all levels and ranks, and institutionalize
a management climate conducive to public accountability. It shall submit to the President of the
Federal Republic and the Federal Parliament an annual report on its personnel programs. The
annual report on the personnel programs implemented in a Region shall also be submitted to the
said Region’s executive and legislature.

(2) In the discharge of its duties, the Civil Service Commission shall not impair the autonomy of
the Regions.

(3) The Commission may review on appeal final orders and decisions of its regional offices with
respect to federal positions. Orders and decisions of the regional offices with respect to regional
positions shall be elevated to the highest courts of the relevant Region.

Article 15. All public officials and employees shall take on oath or affirmation to uphold and
defend the Constitution and other laws promulgated by the Federal Republic and the Regions.

Article 16. Upon consultation with the Civil Service Commission and the Federal Cabinet
Ministers concerned, the Federal Parliament of the Philippines shall provide for the standardization
of compensation for public officials and employees, including those in government-owned or
controlled corporations and their subsidiaries, taking into account the nature of the responsibilities
pertaining to, and the qualifications required for, the positions.

Article 17. No candidate who has lost in any election shall, within one (1) year after such election,
be appointed to any office in the Government or any Government-owned or controlled
corporations or any of their subsidiaries.

Article 18. No elective official shall be eligible for appointment or designation in any capacity to
any public office or position during his tenure. Unless otherwise allowed by law or by the primary
functions of his position, no appointive official shall hold any other office or employment in the
Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including government-owned
or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.

Article 19. Unless specifically authorized by federal law, no elective or appointive public officer
or employee shall receive additional, double, or indirect compensation nor accept without the
consent of the Federal Parliament of the Philippines, any present, emolument, office, or title of any
kind from any foreign government. Pensions or gratuities shall not be considered as additional,
double, or indirect compensation.

Article 20. There shall be a Regional Office of the Commission in each Region which shall be
guided by the minimum standards and policies set by the Federal Office. The Regional Legislatures
may enact regional laws which provide for the standards, policies, qualifications, and
compensation of public officials and employees under their respective jurisdictions equal to or
higher than the minimum standards set by the Federal Parliament, taking into account the nature
of the responsibilities pertaining to the qualifications needed for the position, and the requirements
in their respective regions. Such enactments shall govern the Regional Office.

Article 21. The ceremonial Head of the Region shall appoint members of the Civil Service
Commission–Regional Office with the consent of the Regional Legislature. They may not be
removed, except for cause as provided by regional law. The Regional Office shall have the
authority to select their personnel and manage their respective offices.

CHAPTER 3

COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS

Article 22.

(1) There shall be a Commission on Elections (COMELEC) composed of a Chief Commissioner

and seven (7) Associate Commissioners who shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and,
at the time of their appointment, at least thirty-five (35) years of age, holders of a college degree,
and must not have been candidates for any elective positions in the immediately preceding
elections. However, a majority thereof, including the Chief Commissioner, shall be members of
the Philippine Bar who have been engaged in the practice of law for at least ten (10) years. In
addition to the aforementioned qualifications provided, three (3) of the Associate Commissioners
shall be a resident of Luzon, two (2) from Visayas, and two (2) from Mindanao. The regional
chiefs and the deputy regional chiefs shall also possess such qualifications, in addition to being
residents of and licensed to practice law in the regional courts of the Regions where their regional
office is located.

(2) The Chief Commissioner and the Associate Commissioners shall be appointed by the President
with the concurrence of the Senate for a term of seven (7) years without reappointment. Of those
first appointed, one (1) Member shall hold office for seven (7) years, one (1) Member for five (5)
years, and the last Member for three (3) years, without reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy
shall be only for the unexpired term of the predecessor. In no case shall any Member be appointed
or designated in a temporary or acting capacity.

Article 23. The Commission on Elections shall exercise the following powers and functions:

(i) Enforce and administer all laws and regulations relative to the conduct of an election,
plebiscite, initiative, referendum, and recall;

(ii) Administer all election activities including the determination of the number and location
of polling places, the appointment of election officials and inspectors, and registration of
voters;

(iii) Deputize, with the concurrence of the President of the Federal Republic and the Prime
Minister of the Federal Republic, law enforcement agencies and instrumentalities of the
government, including the Defense Forces of the Philippines, for the exclusive purpose of
ensuring free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible elections;

(iv) Register political parties, organizations, or coalitions;

(v) File petitions in court for inclusion or exclusion of voters;

(vi) Conduct investigations in cases involving election offenses to file criminal complaints
before the appropriate prosecution offices;

(vii) Recommend to the Federal Parliament effective measures to regulate election spending,
including limitation of places where propaganda materials shall be posted, and to prevent and
penalize all forms of election frauds, offenses, malpractices, and nuisance candidacies;

(viii) Recommend to the President of the Federal Republic the removal of any officer or
employee it has deputized, or the imposition of any other disciplinary action, for violation or
disregard of, or disobedience to its directive, order, or decision;

(ix) Submit to the President of the Federal Republic and the Federal Parliament a
comprehensive report on the conduct of each election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, or
recall, and to the relevant regional executive and legislature in connection with the regional
election, plebiscite, initiative, referendum, or recall; and
 (x) Exercise exclusive original jurisdiction over all contests relating to the elections, returns,
and qualifications of all elective federal officials, including the Deputies, Senators, and the
President of the Federal Republic.

Article 24. The Commission on Elections shall promulgate its rules of procedure to expedite the
disposition of election cases, including pre-proclamation controversies. All such federal election
cases shall be heard and decided in division, provided that motions for reconsideration of decisions
shall be decided by the Commission en banc.

Article 25. The Commission may, during the election period, supervise or regulate the enjoyment
or utilization of all franchises or permits for the operation of transportation and other public
utilities, media of communication or information, and all grants, special privileges, or concessions
granted by the Government or any subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any
government-owned or controlled corporation or its subsidiary. Such supervision or regulation shall
aim to ensure equal opportunity, and equal rates therefor, for public information campaigns and
forums among candidates in connection to holding free, orderly, honest, peaceful, and credible
elections.

Article 26. No pardon, amnesty, parole, or suspension of sentence for violation of election laws,
rules, and regulations shall be granted by the President of the Federal Republic without the
favorable recommendation of the Commission.

Article 27. The election period shall commence ninety (90) days before the day of the election and
shall end thirty (30) days thereafter unless otherwise fixed by the Commission in special cases.
The campaign period for Regional elections shall be limited to a maximum of thirty (30) days
unless otherwise fixed by regional law, while those for the President shall be for a maximum of
ninety (90) days. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall coordinate with one another so that
the conduct of federal and regional elections is synchronous to the extent possible.

Article 28. Bona fide candidates for any public office shall be free from any form of harassment
and discrimination.

Article 29. Funds certified by the Commission as necessary to defray the expenses for holding
regular and special elections, plebiscites, initiatives, referenda, and recalls, shall be provided in the
regular or special appropriations and, once approved, shall be released automatically upon
certification by the Chief Commissioner of the Commission.

Article 30. The appreciation of ballots, counting of votes, and the overall conduct of any election,
whether it be manual, automated, or a combination of both, shall be accessible, verifiable, and
open to public scrutiny at all stages.
Article 31. The Commission on Elections shall establish corresponding Canvassing Boards to
canvass election results and proclaim winners in the regional and local elections.

Article 32. Not later than six (6) months before any election, any registered voter or registered
political party may file, with the Federal Supreme Court, a petition to determine compliance with
all processes, procedures, and preparations relative to the conduct of the elections.

Article 33. The Commission shall establish Regional Offices to assist the Commission which shall
perform the same functions as the Commission at the regional and local levels, subject to the
authority of the Federal Office. The regional offices shall administer and implement the regional
election code and other regional election laws. The Commission’s regional offices shall have
jurisdiction over all contests relating to the elections, returns, and qualifications of all elective
regional officials, and appellate jurisdiction over all contests involving elective officials of local
government units decided by trial courts.

CHAPTER 4

COMMISSION ON AUDIT

Article 34.

(1) There shall be a Commission on Audit (COA) composed of a Chief Commissioner and three
(3) Associate Commissioners, who shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines and, at the time
of their appointment, at least thirty-five (35) years of age, Certified Public Accountants with not
less than ten (10) years of auditing experience, or members of the Philippine Bar who have been
engaged in the practice of law for at least ten (10) years, and must not have been candidates for
any elective position in the elections immediately preceding their appointment. At no time shall
all Members of the Commission belong to the same profession. The regional chiefs and the deputy
regional chiefs shall also possess such qualifications, in addition to being residents of and if the
appointee is a lawyer, licensed to practice law in the regional courts of the Regions where their
regional office is located.

(2) The Chief Commissioner and the Associate Commissioners shall be appointed by the President
of the Federal Republic with the confirmation of the Senate for a term of seven (7) years without
reappointment. Of those first appointed, the Chief Commissioner shall hold office for seven (7)
years, two (2) Commissioners for five years, and the other Commissioner for three (3) years,
without reappointment. Appointment to any vacancy shall be only for the unexpired portion of the
term of the predecessor. In no case shall any Member be appointed or designated in a temporary
or acting capacity.

Article 35.
(1) The Commission on Audit shall have the power, authority, and duty to examine, audit, and
settle all accounts pertaining to the revenue and receipts of, and expenditures or uses of funds and
property, owned or held in trust by, or pertaining to, the Government, or any of its subdivisions,
agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations with
original charters, and on a post-audit basis:

(a) Constitutional bodies, commissions, and offices that have been granted fiscal autonomy
under this Constitution;

(b) Autonomous state colleges and universities;

(c) other government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries; and

(d) such non-governmental entities receiving subsidy or equity, directly or indirectly, from or
through the Government, which are required by law or the granting institution to submit to
such audit as a condition of subsidy or equity.

(2) However, where the internal control system of the audited agencies is inadequate, the
Commission may adopt such measures, including temporary or special pre-audit, as are necessary
and appropriate to correct the deficiencies. It shall keep the general accounts of the Government
and, for such period as may be provided by law, preserve the vouchers and other supporting papers
pertaining thereto.

(3) The Commission shall have exclusive authority, subject to the limitations provided in this
Chapter of this Title, to define the scope of its audit and examination, establish the techniques and
methods required therefor, and promulgate accounting and auditing rules and regulations,
including those for the prevention and disallowance of irregular, unnecessary, excessive,
extravagant, or unconscionable expenditures or uses of government funds and properties.

Article 36. No law shall be passed exempting any entity of the Government or its subsidiaries in
any guise whatsoever, or any investment of public funds, from the jurisdiction of the Commission
on Audit.

Article 37. The Commission shall submit to the President and the Federal Parliament, within the
time fixed by federal law, an annual report covering the financial condition and operation of the
Government, its subdivisions, agencies, and instrumentalities, including government-owned or
controlled corporations, and non-governmental entities subject to its audit, and recommend
measures necessary to improve their effectiveness and efficiency. It shall submit such other reports
as may be required by federal law.

Article 38. The Commission shall establish regional offices to assist the Commission which shall
perform the same functions as the Commission at the regional and local levels, subject to the
authority of the Federal Office. The regional offices shall administer and implement regional laws
on the audit of regional government agencies, instrumentalities, and government-owned and
controlled corporations.
 CHAPTER 5

COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS

Article 39.

(1) There shall be a Commission on Human Rights (CHR) composed of a Chief Commissioner
and three (3) Associate Commissioners who must be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at
least thirty-five (35) years of age at the time of their appointment, holders of a college degree or
its equivalent, and must not have been candidates for any elective position in the immediately
preceding election. The regional chiefs and the deputy regional chiefs shall also possess such
qualifications, in addition to being residents of the Regions where their regional office is located.

(2) The Chief Commissioner and the Associate Commissioners shall be appointed by the President
of the Federal Republic with the confirmation of the Senate for a term of seven (7) years without
reappointment. Of those first appointed, the Chief Commissioner and one (1) Commissioner shall
hold office for seven (7) years and two (2) Commissioners shall hold office for five (5) years.

(3) The approved annual appropriations of the Commission shall be automatically and regularly
released.

Article 40. The Federal Commission on Human Rights shall have the following powers and duties:

(i) Investigate, on its own or complaint by any party, all forms of human rights violations
involving, but not limited to, civil, political, socio-economic, cultural, and environmental
rights, committed by state and non-state actors;

(ii) Recommend the prosecution of state and non-state actors to the proper authority for
violation of human rights;

(iii) Exercise the power to cite in contempt following the Rules of Court;

(iv) Provide preventive measures and legal assistance to all victims whose human rights have
been violated or who may need protection and, in appropriate cases, conduct case build-up for
the prosecution of criminal offenses;

(v) Exercise visitorial powers over jails, prisons, or analogous detention facilities: Provided,
that in case of detention facilities inside military camps, the visitorial power can be exercised
only upon the issuance of a court order allowing such;

(vi) Establish a continuing program on research, education, and information to enhance respect
for the primacy of human rights in government and society;

(vii) Recommend to Congress legal and effective measures for the protection and promotion
of human rights of all persons within the Philippines, as well as Filipinos residing abroad, and
to provide remedies to victims of violations of human rights and their families;

(viii) Monitor the compliance of the Federal and Regional Governments with treaty obligations
on human rights;
 (ix) Grant immunity and establish a witness protection program for persons whose testimony
or whose possession of documents or other evidence is necessary to determine the truth in any
investigation conducted by it or under its authority;

(x) Coordinate with the Federal and Regional Governments or any of their subdivisions,
agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-owned or controlled corporations, in the
performance of its functions; and

(xi) Coordinate with, and render capacity-building assistance to, all human rights agencies.

Article 41. A human rights violation is any violation of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution
and by international human rights covenants and treaties to which the Philippines is a party,
perpetrated by the State or non-state actors. The Federal Parliament may provide for other cases
of violations of human rights that should fall within the authority of the Commission, taking
account of its recommendations.

CHAPTER 6

COMMISSION OF THE OMBUDSMAN

Article 42. There shall be a Commission of the Ombudsman (COTO) composed of the Chief
Ombudsman chairing the Commission, and four (4) Associate Ombudsmen: two (2) representing
Luzon, one (1) for Visayas, and one for (1) Mindanao. There shall be a Deputy Ombudsman for
the military establishment and the uniformed law enforcement offices, and at least one (1) Deputy
Ombudsman for each region.

Article 43. The Chief Ombudsman, the Associate Ombudsmen, the Deputies, and the Special
Prosecutor shall be natural-born citizens of the Philippines, at least forty-five (45) years old at the
time of their appointment, of recognized probity, independence, competence, and integrity,
members of the Philippine Bar, and must not have been candidates for any elective office in the
immediately preceding election. The Chief Ombudsman, the Associate Ombudsmen, the Deputies,
and the Special Prosecutor must have been a judge or engaged in the active practice of law in the
Philippines for at least fifteen (15) years.

Article 44. The existing Office of the Special Prosecutor. It shall continue to function and exercise
its powers as now or hereafter may be provided by federal law, except those conferred on the
Commission of the Ombudsman created under this Constitution.

Article 45. The Chief Ombudsman, the Associate Ombudsmen, the Deputies, and the Special
Prosecutor shall serve for a term of seven (7) years without reappointment. They shall not be
qualified to run for any office in the election immediately succeeding their cessation from office.
Neither are they allowed to appear, nor to practice before, the Commission of the Ombudsman
within two (2) years following their cessation from office. Of those first appointed, the Chief
Ombudsman and two (2) Associates shall hold office for seven (7) years and two (2) Associates
for five (5) years, without reappointment.

Article 46. The Chief Ombudsman, the Associate Ombudsmen, and his Deputies shall be
appointed by the President of the Federal Republic. Such appointments shall require confirmation
from the Senate. All vacancies shall be filled within ninety (90) days after they occur.

Article 47. The officials and employees of the Commission of the Ombudsman, other than the
Associates and Deputies, shall be appointed by the Chief Ombudsman, according to the Civil
Service Law.

Article 48. The Chief Ombudsman and his Associates and Deputies shall receive the same salary
which shall not be decreased during their term of office.

Article 49. The Office of the Ombudsman shall enjoy fiscal autonomy. Its approved annual
appropriations shall be automatically and regularly released.

Article 50. The Chief Ombudsman, the Associate Ombudsmen, the Deputies, and the Special
Prosecutor, shall not, during their tenure, hold any other office or employment. 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 any special privilege granted
by the government or any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including government-
owned or controlled corporations or their subsidiaries.

Article 51. The Commission of the Ombudsman, as protector of the people, shall act promptly on
complaints filed in any form or manner against public officials or employees of the Federal and
Regional Governments, or any of their subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including
government-owned or controlled corporations with or without original charters and their
subsidiaries, and shall, in appropriate cases, notify the complainants of the action taken and its
result.

Article 52. The Commission of the Ombudsman shall be the only authorized body to prosecute
graft and corruption at the federal and regional levels of government and other offenses committed
concerning their office. The Office of the Special Prosecutor shall be responsible for the
prosecution of all graft and corruption cases as herein provided.

Article 53. The Commission of the Ombudsman shall decide, by a majority vote of all its members,
any case or matter brought before it within one hundred twenty (120) days from the date of its
filing. Unless otherwise provided by the Constitution or by federal law, any decision, order, or
ruling of the Commission may be brought to the Federal Supreme Court on appeal or certiorari
by the aggrieved party within thirty (30) days from its receipt.

Article 54. The Commission of the Ombudsman shall have the following powers, functions, and
duties:

(i) Investigate and prosecute on its own or on a complaint by any person, any act or omission
of any public officer or employee, office or agency, when such act or omission appears to be
illegal, unjust, improper, or inefficient;

(ii) Exercise disciplinary authority over all elective and appointive officials of the Federal and
Regional Governments and their subdivisions, agencies instrumentalities, including members
of the cabinet, local government, government-owned or controlled corporations, and their
subsidiaries, following paragraph (i) of this Article, except over officials who may be removed
by impeachment; Provided, that when the penalty imposed is removal from the service or
higher, the evidence required shall be clear and convincing.

(iii) Direct, upon complaint or at its instance, any officer or employee of the Federal and
Regional Governments, or any of their subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, as well as
any government-owned or controlled corporation with an original charter, to perform and
expedite any act or duty required by federal or regional law, or to stop, prevent, and correct
any abuse or impropriety in the performance of duties;

(iv) Take appropriate action against a public officer or employee at fault or who neglects to
perform an act or discharge a duty required by law, and order his removal, suspension,
demotion, fine, censure, or prosecution, and ensure compliance therewith;

(v) Direct the officer concerned, in any appropriate case, and subject to such limitations as it
may provide in its rules of procedure, to furnish it with copies of documents relating to
contracts or transactions entered into by his office involving the disbursement or use of public
funds or properties and report any irregularity to the Commission on Audit for appropriate
action;

(vi) Request any government agency for assistance and information necessary in the discharge
of its responsibilities, and to examine, if necessary, pertinent records and documents;

(vii) Publicize matters covered by its investigation when circumstances so warrant and with
due prudence;

(viii) Determine the causes of inefficiency, red tape, mismanagement, fraud, and corruption in
the government, and make recommendations for their elimination and the observance of high
standards of ethics and efficiency;

(ix) Punish for contempt under the Rules of Court and the same procedure and with the same
penalties provided; and

(x) Promulgate its rules of procedure and exercise such other powers or perform such other
functions or duties as the law may provide. The Commission of the Ombudsman shall give
priority to complaints filed against high-ranking elective and appointive officials, complaints
involving grave offenses, and complaints involving large sums of money or properties.
Article 55. The Commission of the Ombudsman may preventively suspend any officer or
employee under its authority pending an investigation if in its judgment the evidence of guilt is
strong and (1) the charge against such officer involves dishonesty, oppression, gross misconduct,
or neglect in the performance of duty, (2) the charges would warrant removal from the service, or
(3) the continued stay of the respondent in office may prejudice the case filed against him. The
preventive suspension shall continue until the investigation is terminated by the Federal
Ombudsman Commission but in no case shall it exceed six (6) months, except when the delay in
the disposition of the case is due to fault, negligence, or upon the petition of the respondent, in
which case, the period of such delay shall not be counted in computing the period of preventive
suspension herein provided.

Article 56. No writ of injunction shall be issued by any court to delay an investigation being
conducted by the Commission of the Ombudsman unless there is prima facie evidence that the
subject matter of the investigation is outside the jurisdiction of the Commission of the
Ombudsman. The Federal Supreme Court shall hear, on appeal or certiorari, any appeal or
application for a remedy against the decision or findings of the Commission of the Ombudsman.

Article 57. Under federal law and the Rules of Court, the Commission of the Ombudsman may
grant immunity from criminal prosecution to any person whose possession and production of
documents or other evidence may be necessary to determine the truth in any of its hearings,
inquiries, or proceedings. The immunity granted shall not exempt the witness from criminal
prosecution for perjury or false testimony, nor shall he be exempt from demotion or removal from
office.

CHAPTER 7

COMMISSION ON FEDERAL COMPETITION

Article 58.

(1) There shall be a Commission on Federal Competition (CFC) composed of a Chief

Commissioner and three (3) Associate Commissioners who must be natural-born citizens of the
Philippines, at least thirty-five (35) years of age at the time of their appointment, of good moral
character, of recognized probity and independence, and must have distinguished themselves
professionally in public, civic, or academic service in any of the following fields: economics, law,
finance, commerce, or engineering. They must have been in the active practice of their professions
for at least ten (10) years, and must not have been candidates for any elective national or local
office in the immediately preceding election, whether regular or special. However, at least one (1)
shall be a member of the Philippine Bar with at least ten (10) years of experience in the active
practice of law, and at least one (1) shall be an economist.

(2) With the confirmation of the Senate, the Chief Commissioner and the Commissioners shall be
appointed by the President of the Federal Republic for a term of seven (7) years without
reappointment. Of the first set of appointees, the Chief Commissioner and one (1) Associate
Commissioner shall hold office for a term of seven (7) years and two (2) Associate Commissioners
for a term of five (5) years.

Article 59. The Chief Commissioner and the Commissioners shall avoid conflict of interest in the
conduct of their office. They shall not be allowed to personally appear or practice as counsel or
agent on any matter pending before the Commission for two (2) years following their cessation
from office.

Article 60. The Commission shall enforce and implement all federal laws and regulations on
competition. It shall exercise the following powers and duties:

(i) Conduct inquiry, investigate, hear, and decide cases involving any violation of competition
laws upon receipt of a verified complaint, or at their instance, or upon referral by the concerned
regulatory agency, and institute the appropriate civil or criminal proceedings;

(ii) Review proposed mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, and other business combinations
that substantially lessen competition in the relevant market;

(iii) Monitor and undertake consultation with stakeholders and affected agencies to understand
market behavior;

(iv) After notice and hearing and upon finding based on substantial evidence that an entity has
entered into an anti-competitive agreement or has abused its dominant position, stop or redress
the same by applying remedies such as, but not limited to, issuance of injunctions, requirement
of divestment, and disgorgement of excess profits;

(v) Conduct administrative proceedings, impose sanctions, fines, or penalties for any non-
compliance with or breach of competition laws and regulations, and punish for contempt as
provided by federal law;

(vi) Issue subpoena duces tecum and subpoena ad testificandum, require the production of
books, records, or other documents or data which relate to any matter relevant to the
investigation and personal appearance before the Commission, summon witnesses, administer
oaths, and issue interim orders, such as show cause orders and cease and desist orders after due
notice and hearing as provided by federal law;

(vii) Upon order of the court, undertake inspections of business premises and other offices,
land, and vehicles, as used by the entity, where it reasonably suspects that relevant books, tax
records, or other documents which relate to any matter relevant to the investigation are kept to
prevent the removal, concealment, tampering with, or destruction of the books, records, or
other documents;

(viii) Issue adjustment or divestiture orders, including orders for corporate reorganization or
divestment, in the manner and under such terms and conditions as provided by federal law;

(ix) Deputize any and all enforcement agencies of the government or seek the aid and support
of any private institution, corporation, entity, or association in the implementation of its orders
and directives;

(x) Monitor compliance by the person or entities concerned with the cease and desist order or
consent judgment;
 (xi) Issue advisory opinions and guidelines on competition matters for the effective
enforcement of competition laws and submit annual and special reports to Federal Parliament,
including proposed legislation for the regulation of commerce, trade, or industry;

(xii) Monitor and analyze the practice of competition in markets that affect the Philippine
economy, implement and oversee measures to promote transparency and accountability, and
ensure that prohibitions and requirements of competition laws are adhered to;

(xiii) Conduct, publish, and disseminate studies and reports on anti-competitive conduct and
agreements to inform and guide the industry and consumers;

(xiv) Act as the official representative of the Philippine government in international

competition matters, and promote capacity building and the sharing of best practices with other
competition-related bodies;

(xv) Advocate pro-competitive policies of the government by (a) reviewing economic and
administrative regulations, on its own or upon request, as to whether or not they adversely
affect relevant market competition, advising the concerned agencies against such regulations;
and (b) advising the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic on the competitive implications
of government actions, policies and programs; and

(xvi) Perform such other functions as may be provided by federal law.

Article 61. Any three (3) members of the Commission shall constitute a quorum and the
affirmative vote of three (3) members shall be necessary for the adoption of any rule, ruling, order,
resolution, decision, or other acts of the Commission. Cases before the Commission shall be
decided within one hundred twenty (120) days from filing and its decisions may be elevated to the
Federal Supreme Court by appeal or certiorari. The appeal shall not stay the order, ruling, or
decision sought to be reviewed, unless the Federal Supreme Court directs otherwise.
 TITLE X
TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTORY PROVISIONS

Article 1.

(1) The Federal Republic of the Philippines shall be composed of Regions, which have autonomy,
jurisdiction, and power over matters delegated to them under and over matters not specifically
provided for by this Constitution. Autonomous Regions created by an Organic Act and ratified
under a plebiscite by the 1987 Constitution are automatically recognized as Regions of the Federal
Republic. Areas not forming part of Regions but over which the Philippines has sovereignty are
called Territories. The Territories shall be governed by federal law.

(2) The Federal Republic recognizes the territorial integrity of the Regions. Regions may not be
abolished, merged, or divided, and no new Regions may be created within the territories of the
Regions, without the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of the registered voters in the Regions affected.

(3) Until otherwise provided by regional law, the constituent political subdivisions of the Regions
shall be the provinces, cities, municipalities, and barangays created under the 1987 Constitution.

Article 2. The Regions shall have autonomy, jurisdiction, and power over matters delegated to
them under and over matters not specifically provided for by this Constitution. Their autonomy,
jurisdiction, and power over the said matters shall not be infringed by the Federal Republic.
Chapter 3, Section 1, Article 19 of this Title shall be liberally construed in favor of the Regions
and doubts shall be resolved in favor of devolution. The political subdivisions of the Regions shall
enjoy local autonomy.

Article 3. The Regions shall be entitled to an equitable share in the proceeds of the utilization and
development of the national wealth within their respective areas, in the manner agreed upon by the
Federal Republic and the Regions concerned. The Regions shall provide for the equitable share of
local governments in which the national wealth is located.

Article 4. The autonomy devolved to the Regions is both administrative autonomy and political
autonomy. Regional autonomy shall be based on the following principles:

(i) Autonomy: the citizens of the Philippines have delegated the exercise of their sovereignty
between the Federal Republic and the Regions. The Regions shall exclusively decide over
matters specifically delegated to them under and over matters not specifically provided for by
this Constitution, to promote their welfare and development;
 (ii) Subsidiarity: government services are rendered more efficiently by the government
instrumentality nearest to the people being served;

(iii) Solidarity: the Regions shall act with cooperation and interdependence with the Federal
Republic and other Regions for the unity, good, and welfare of the entire Philippines, and shall
give full faith and credit to the acts of one and the other;

(iv) Decentralization and devolution: the Regions have the autonomy, power, and jurisdiction
over such matters delegated under and over matters not specifically provided for by this
Constitution. Before the creation of a Region, its constituent areas may be constituted into an
organized Territory, to which the Federal Republic shall grant and transfer powers, autonomy,
and functions in accordance with the organized Territory’s competence, capacity, and
resources, until such time that the organized Territory have sufficient competence, capacity,
and resources to become a federalized Region of the Federal Republic;

(v) Democratic: both the Federal Republic and the Regions shall be democratic and republican;

(vi) Accountability: This Constitution shall primarily govern the Federal Republic, except
when the specific provisions thereof provide for their application to the Regions. The rights
provided for and protected by this Constitution shall not be infringed by either the Federal
Republic or the Regions. The Regions shall also be subject to federal law, over matters
delegated by this Constitution to the Federal Republic, and their constitutions and laws. They
shall be held accountable for the efficient and honest governance of the constituent local
governments within their territories and boundaries; and

(vii) Development of Regional Culture and Civic Virtues: without infringing the exclusive
jurisdiction of the Regions over regional culture, the Federal Republic shall give aid to the
preservation and development of regional culture and civic virtues for greater understanding,
tolerance, and unity towards nation building.

Article 5.

(1) There shall be created Regions of the Federal Republic each consisting of provinces, cities,
municipalities, barangays, and geographical areas with sufficient territories, inhabitants, and
resources necessary to sustain and promote a stable and efficient regional government, sharing
common and distinctive historical and cultural heritage, economic and social structures, or other
relevant characteristics within the framework of this Constitution, national sovereignty, as well as
territorial integrity of the Federal Republic. Autonomous Regions created by an Organic Act and
ratified under a plebiscite by virtue of the 1987 Constitution are automatically recognized as
Regions of the Federal Republic. Their Organic Act, insofar as they are not contrary to this
Constitution, shall be the Regional Constitution of the said Autonomous Regions until they are
superseded or amended.

(2) The Regions and the local government units that agreed to constitute them are listed in the First
Schedule attached to this Constitution. Upon the ratification of this Constitution, they shall be
deemed to be federalized as Regions of the Federal Republic. Within one (1) year from the
ratification of this Constitution, the local government units who agreed among themselves to form
their own Region shall elect a regional constitutional convention, consisting of two (2)
representatives per congressional district under the 1987 Constitution, who shall draft the Regional
Constitution. The regional constitutional convention shall finish the draft Regional Constitution
within one (1) year from the time it is constituted. The final draft of the Regional Constitution
must be approved by a majority of the regional constitutional convention. Once the final draft of
the Regional Constitution shall have been thus approved, the same shall be presented to the citizens
of the proposed Region for ratification within ninety (90) days from the said approval. The
Regional Constitution is deemed ratified upon obtaining the majority vote of the votes cast in the
plebiscite for its ratification.

If the Regional Constitution is not ratified, the Regional Government shall nevertheless have a
ceremonial Head of the Region, Regional Legislature, Executive, and Judicature. The ceremonial
Head of the Region, whose official designation and title may be provided by regional law, shall be
elected by direct vote of the people of the Region. The Regional Legislature, whose official
institutional name may be provided by regional law, shall consist of twenty (20) members per one
million (1,000,000) persons, based on the population of the Region at the time of the plebiscite, to
be allocated to regional legislative districts as determined by the Regional Legislature. The
Regional Executive shall be responsible to the Regional Legislature and shall be headed by a First
Minister, whose official designation and title may be provided by regional law. The Regional
Judicature shall consist of a Regional High Court, whose official institutional name may be
provided by regional law, having five (5) members appointed by the ceremonial Head of the
Region and confirmed by the majority of Regional Legislature, and such lower regional courts as
the Regional Legislature may create.

(3) The first-level local government units under the 1987 Constitution that have not yet signified
their intention to form their own Regions may, at any time from the ratification of this Constitution,
agree among themselves to do so. The said agreement shall be contained in resolutions passed by
the provincial or city councils of the said first-level government units. When all the first-level
government units have passed the required resolutions, they shall compile them and transmit them
to the President of the Federal Republic, who, within thirty (30) days from his receipt of the
compiled resolutions, shall call upon the said first level local government units to form a regional
constitutional convention. The drafting and ratification of the Regional Constitution shall follow
the procedure outlined in the next preceding paragraph. The Regional Constitution shall then be
transmitted for approval to the Federal Parliament within thirty (30) days from its ratification. The
Federal Parliament must convene within five (5) days from the transmission of the Regional
Constitution. The approval of the Federal Parliament is obtained when the majority in each
Chamber of the Federal Parliament approves it. Upon the approval of the Regional Constitution
by the Federal Parliament, the Region is deemed federalized. If the first level local government
unit is a province, it may be federalized as a Region, provided that it has at least one million
(1,000,000) inhabitants. Should a single province be federalized as a Region, its provincial
government shall be constituted as the Regional Government.

(4) If the Federal Parliament does not approve a Regional Constitution, it shall constitute the
involved first-level local government units into an organized Territory, granting and transferring
to the said organized Territory powers, autonomy, and functions in accordance with the organized
Territory’s competence, capacity, and resources. The proposed Regional Constitution of the
organized Territory shall be reviewed again in five (5) years for approval of the Federal Parliament.
If the approval again is not obtained, the first level local governments involved shall remain as an
organized Territory and the Federal Parliament may enlarge the powers, autonomy, and functions
granted to the said organized Territory. The said organized Territory may again opt to be a
federalized Region after five (5) years from the last disapproval of its Regional Constitution. At
such a time that the organized Territory opts again to be a federalized Region, it may submit for
approval the same Regional Constitution or draft another in accordance with the procedure under
the second paragraph of this provision.
(5) Any territory, which is not yet under the sovereignty of the Philippines, may be placed under
its sovereignty by the means allowed by international law, either as an unincorporated territory or
an incorporated territory. An incorporated territory is one that is deemed an integral part of the
Philippines; otherwise, it is an unincorporated territory. An incorporated territory may be
federalized as a Region through the procedure laid down in the next two (2) preceding paragraphs.
Any treaty of accession with territories that will become incorporated territories shall contain a
provision on the procedure to be federalized as a Region in accordance with this Constitution. The
rights provided for and protected by this Constitution shall be respected in any unincorporated
territory and shall not be infringed.

Article 6.

(1) The Regions shall remain integral and inseparable parts of the territory of the Philippines. Their
creation shall not signify the division of sovereignty between the Federal Republic and the
Regions. The sovereignty of the citizens of the Philippines shall remain undivided and indivisible,
although they exercise their sovereignty by delegating specific matters to the Federal Republic and
to the Regions. The people of the Regions shall uphold this Constitution as the fundamental law
of the land and unequivocally owe allegiance and fidelity to the Federal Republic of the
Philippines.

(2) Regions or any of its component local government units or any of its territory shall not secede
from the Philippines and any act of secession shall be dealt with under federal laws. The Federal
Government shall exercise the necessary powers to ensure that the Federal Republic of the
Philippines shall remain inseparable and indivisible.

Article 7. The first-level local government units under the 1987 Constitution that have not yet
signified their intention to form their own Regions may also opt to be incorporated into an already
existing Region contiguous to them or whose shoreline is nearest to the shoreline of the first-level
local government unit, if it is an island, instead of forming their own Regions. In such a case, such
first-level local government unit shall be incorporated into its chosen Region if the integration is
approved by a majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the said first-level local government unit
and by the majority of the votes cast in a plebiscite in the Region involved.

Article 8. The powers and functions of Autonomous Regions created, established, and enacted
under an Organic Act under the 1987 Constitution shall be recognized and not diminished,
although such powers and functions may be delegated by this Constitution to the Federal Republic
unless the said Regions and the Federal Republic agree that the former shall turn over the said
powers and functions to the Federal Republic.

Article 9. Upon the ratification of this Constitution, in local government units that did not opt to
be federalized as Regions, highly urbanized cities and independent component cities shall cease to
be first-level local government units and the jurisdiction over them shall revert to the provinces to
which they geographically or originally belong. Henceforth, they shall have the same powers and
functions as component cities.
Article 10.

(1) The Regional Governments shall have a just share, as determined by federal law, in the federal
taxes and revenues which shall be automatically released to them provided that the share of
Regional Governments shall not be less than fifty per centum (50%) of all federal taxes and
revenues.

(2) The Federal Parliament shall, by federal law, institute a fair and equitable system of sharing
and equalization between the Regions, provided that the share of Regional Governments shall be
adjusted in accordance with the needs and capacity of a Region.

CHAPTER 2

FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Article 11. The Federal Government shall exercise authority and responsibility over national
powers and functions in the executive, legislative and judicial branches as described and provided
in the Constitution and all national and federal government agencies and instrumentalities, which
are not devolved, transferred or designated by this Constitution to the Regions. The national
agencies and instrumentalities under the 1987 Constitution whose matters of jurisdiction are
delegated by this Constitution to the Regions are hereby abolished, and their regional offices shall
perform the functions of such agencies and instrumentalities in their respective Regions. The
Federal Government shall complete the transfer of resources and technology, both tangible and
intangible, to the regional offices within the period of transition provided under this Constitution.

Article 12. All powers, functions, and responsibilities of the National Government in the previous
Constitutions of the Philippines shall be vested in the Federal Government, except the powers,
functions, and responsibilities designated to the Regions under this Constitution.

Article 13. All laws of national application enacted under previous Constitutions of the Philippines
shall continue to have force and effect. Those whose subject matters are delegated to the Federal
Republic under this Constitution shall be considered federal laws; otherwise; they shall be
considered regional laws. Should a law passed under previous Constitutions of the Philippines
contain some provisions governing matters delegated to the Federal Republic and some governing
matters delegated to the Regions, such provisions governing matters delegated to the Federal
Republic shall be considered part of federal law and those governing matters governing matters
delegated to the Regions shall be considered part of regional law. The Federal Republic and the
Regions shall have the right to abrogate or amend such laws enacted under previous Constitutions
which are considered federal laws or regional laws, as the case may be.

Article 14.

(1) The Federal Republic holds exclusive powers over the following matters:
(i) Regulation of the basic conditions guaranteeing the equality of all Filipinos in the exercise
of their rights and in the fulfillment of their Constitutional duties;

(ii) Citizenship, immigration, emigration, and the status of aliens;

(iii) International relations and ratification of treaties; provided that, if a treaty affects the
jurisdictions and powers of the Regions, the consent of two-thirds (2/3) of the Regional
Legislatures shall be obtained before the treaty is ratified;

(iv) National defense;

(v) Administration of justice;

(vi) Inter-regional commerce and competition in inter-regional commerce; criminal and

penitentiary legislation; procedural legislation, without prejudice to the necessary special
applications in these fields derived from the peculiar features of the substantive law of the
Regions;

(vii) Labor legislation without prejudice to its execution by the bodies of the Regions;

(viii) Legislation on intellectual and industrial property;

(ix) Customs and tariff regulations; foreign trade;

(x) Monetary system: foreign currency, exchange, and convertibility; bases for the regulations
concerning credit, banking, and insurance;

(xi) Legislation on weights and measures, determination of the official time;

(xii) Bases and coordination of general planning of economic activity;

(xiii) General finances and the Federal Debt;

(xiv) External health measures; bases and general coordination of health matters; legislation
on pharmaceutical products;

(xv) Basic legislation and financial system of the Social Security, without prejudice to the
implementation of its services by the Regions;

(xvi) The bases of the legal system of Public Administration and the statutes of their public
officials shall, in any case, guarantee that all persons under said administration will receive
equal treatment; the common administrative procedure, without prejudice to the special
features of the Region’s own organizations; legislation on compulsory expropriation; basic
legislation on contracts and administrative concessions and the system of liability of all Public
Administrations;

(xvii) Sea fishing, without prejudice to the powers which, in the regulations governing this
sector, shall be conferred on the Regions;

(xviii) Merchant navy and the registry of ships; lighting of coasts and signals at sea; general-
purpose ports; general-purpose airports; control of air space, air traffic, and transport;
registration of aircraft;

(xix) Railways and land transport passing through the territory of more than one (1) Region;
the general system of communications; motor vehicle traffic; Post Office services and
telecommunications; air and underwater cables and radio communications;
 (xx) Legislation, regulation, and concession of hydraulic resources and development when the
waters flow through more than one (1) Region, and authorization for hydro-electrical
installations when their development affects another Region or when energy transport goes
beyond its territorial area;

(xxi) Basic legislation on environmental protection, without prejudice to the powers of the
Regions to establish additional protective measures; basic legislation on woodlands, forestry,
and livestock trails;

(xxii) Public works of general benefit or whose execution affects more than one (1) Region;

(xxiii) Bases of the organization of mining and energy;

(xxiv) Outer space;

(xxv) Legislation on marriage and family relations;

(xxvi) Basic rules relating to the organization of the press, radio and television, and, in general,
all the means of social communication, without prejudice to the powers vested in the Regions
related to their development and implementation;

(xxvii) Protection of the Philippines’ cultural and artistic heritage and national monuments
against exportation and despoliation; museums, libraries, and archives belonging to the Federal
Republic, without prejudice to their management by the Regions;

(xxviii) Public safety, without prejudice to the possibility of the creation of police forces by
the Regions, in the manner to be laid down in their respective Regional Constitutions and
within the framework to be established by an Organic Act;

(xxix) Regulation of the conditions relative to the obtaining, issuing, and standardization of
academic degrees and professional qualifications and basic rules for the development of
education under Section 6, Chapter 4, Title I of the Constitution, in order to guarantee the
fulfillment of the obligations of the public authorities in this matter;

(xxx) Statistics for Federal Republic purposes; and

(xxxi) Authorization for popular consultations through the holding of referendums.

(2) Without prejudice to the jurisdiction which may be assumed by the Regions, the Federal
Republic shall consider the promotion of culture a duty and an essential function and shall facilitate
cultural communication between the Regions, in collaboration with them.

(3) Matters not expressly assigned to the Federal Republic by virtue of the present Constitution
are deemed to be delegated to the Regions.

Article 15. The Federal Government, through the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, shall
exercise general supervision over the Regional Governments to ensure that the laws are faithfully
executed.

Article 16. The preservation of peace and order within the Regions and their territories shall be
the responsibility of police agencies which shall be organized, maintained, supervised, and utilized
in accordance with applicable laws. The defense and security of the Regions and their territories
shall be the responsibility of the Federal Government.

CHAPTER 3

REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS

Section 1–Powers and Functions

Article 17. The Regional Governments shall exercise powers and functions as mandated by this
Constitution and their respective Regional Constitutions for the proper governance and
development of their constituent local government units. Such powers and functions shall not be
infringed by the Federal Republic.

Article 18. The Regional Government has the power of eminent domain.

Article 19.

(1) The Regions shall have exclusive powers over the following matters:

(i) Organization of their institutions of Regional Government; appointment and election to the
institutions of Regional Government; regional executive, legislature, and judicature; initiative
and referendum on regional laws and local ordinances;

(ii) Local government units within their respective territories and changes in the municipal
boundaries within their territory; regional government-owned and controlled corporations and
entities;

(iii) Civil law except for marriage and family relations; delicts in violation of regional law;

(iii) Town and country planning and housing;

(iv) Public works of benefit to the Region, within its territory;

(v) Railways and roads whose routes lie exclusively within the territory of the Region and
transport by the above means or by cable which also fulfills the same conditions;

(vi) Ports of haven, recreational ports, and airports, and, in general, those which are not
engaged in commercial activities;

(vii) Agriculture and livestock raising, following general economic planning;

(viii) Woodlands and forestry;

(ix) Environmental protection management;

(x) Planning, construction, and operation of hydraulic projects, canals, and irrigation of benefit
to the Region; mineral and thermal waters;
 (xi) Inland water fishing, aquaculture, shooting, and river fishing;

(xii) Local fairs;

(xiii) Promotion of the economic development of the Region within the objectives set by the
National Economic Policy; intra-regional commerce and competition in intra-regional
commerce;

(xiv) Handicrafts;

(xv) Museums, libraries, and music conservatories of interest to the Regions;

(xvi) The Regions’ monuments of interest;

(xvii) The promotion of culture, of research, and, when applicable, the teaching, development,
promotion, and normalization of the languages of the Region; the specific rules for the
development of education; curriculum; media of instruction, provided that the Regions shall
ensure its residents are proficient in the official languages of the Regions and the Federal
Republic;

(xviii) The promotion and planning of tourism within its territorial area;

(xix) The promotion of sports and the proper use of leisure;

(xx) Social assistance:

(xxi) Health and hygiene;

(xxii) The supervision and protection of its buildings and facilities; coordination and other
powers relating to local police forces under the terms to be laid down by a Regional
Constitution; and

(xxiii) System of production, sale, possession, and use of arms and explosives.

(2) All matters not specifically and expressly delegated to the Federal Republic and to the Regions
are deemed to be under the jurisdiction of the Regions.

Section 2–Regional Committee

Article 20.

(1) Upon creation of a Region, a Regional Committee for each region shall be organized and be
composed of the incumbent Governors of Provinces within the Region and twenty (20) additional
members per one million (1,000,000) persons residing within the Region. In single province
Regions, the Regional Committee shall be composed of the Mayors of Cities and Municipalities
and five (5) additional members per million (1,000,000) persons residing within the Region. For
Regions federalized at the ratification of this Constitution, the additional members shall be based
on the regional population at the time of the said ratification. For the Regions federalized after the
ratification of this Constitution, the additional members shall be based on the regional population
at the time the Federal Parliament approves the Regional Constitution. The additional members
shall be appointed by the Federal President upon the advice of the Federal Parliament not later
than thirty (30) days from the creation of the Region. The members of the Committee shall be bona
fide residents of the Region.

(2) The Regional Committee shall be responsible for the organization of the Regional Government,
as provided under the Regional Constitution or under the second paragraph of Article 5 of Chapter
1 of this Title. The Regional Committee shall be the Interim Regional Government, acting as a
collegial body, with executive and legislative powers subject to following:

(a) Chairmanship of the Committee shall be by succession and rotation among its members
who are Governors of Provinces, where each member of the Committee from each Province
shall be given a term of one (1) year to serve as Chairman;

(b) The Committee, through the members who are Governors of Provinces or Mayors of Cities
or Municipalities, as the case may be, shall exercise the executive powers of the Region as a
collegial body called the Regional Executive Council. The Regional Executive Council shall
designate by a majority vote of all its members a Regional Chief Administrator who shall be a
professional manager to exercise the executive functions of the Regional Executive Committee
and act as the Chief Executive Official of the Region. The Regional Chief Administrator shall
serve at the pleasure of the Regional Executive Council and may be replaced by the Regional
Executive Council at any time. Incumbent members of the Committee are prohibited from
acting as the Regional Chief Administrator. The Chairman of the Committee shall act as the
chief executive officer until a Regional Chief Administrator is qualified and appointed;

(c) As the agencies and instrumentalities of the Regional Government get organized, the power
of appointment of Regional Government positions shall be vested in the Regional Executive
Council. The national agencies and instrumentalities under the 1987 Constitution that are to be
transferred to the Regions, because of the delegation to the Regions of the matters over which
they have jurisdiction, shall be under the executive supervision of the Regional Executive
Council; the positions transferred to the Regions shall be filled by the Regional Executive
Council;

(d) The Committee shall create and organize the government offices and bureaucracy
necessary for the effective and efficient functioning of the Regional Government;

(e) The Committee shall exercise the legislative powers over matters under the jurisdiction of
the Regions under this Constitution. The Committee shall initiate and enact legislation. The
enactment of the Regional Administrative Code, Regional Revenue Code, the Regional Local
Government Code, Regional Election Code, and the Regional Educational Code shall be
prioritized;

(f) In the exercise of its functions, the Committee shall be assisted by a Regional Consultative
Assembly composed of representatives from the Federal Government and from different
sectors and non-governmental organizations to be appointed by the Federal President upon the
advice of the Federal Parliament. The representatives from the Federal Government shall
advise the Committee on the matters previously under the jurisdiction of the national
government under previous Constitutions that are now delegated to the Regions under this
Constitution; and

(g) The Committee shall perform its functions within the period of transition provided under
this Constitution, after which the first regional elections shall be conducted.
 TITLE XI
ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS

Article 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.

Article 2. The President of the Federal Republic, the Members of the Federal Supreme Court, and
the Members of the Constitutional Commissions may be removed from office on impeachment
for, and conviction of, culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, graft and corruption,
other high crimes, or betrayal of public trust. All other public officers and employees may be
removed from office as provided by law, but not by impeachment.

Article 3.

(1) The Congress of Deputies shall have the exclusive power to initiate all cases of impeachment.

(2) A verified complaint for impeachment may be filed by any Member of the Congress of
Deputies or by any citizen upon a resolution or endorsement by any Member thereof, which shall
be included in the Order of Business within seven (7) session days, and referred to the proper
Committee within three (3) session days thereafter. The Committee, after hearing, and by a
majority vote of all its Members, shall submit its report to the Congress of Deputies within thirty
(30) session days from such referral, together with the corresponding resolution. The resolution
shall be calendared for consideration by the Congress of Deputies within five (5) session days from
receipt thereof.

(3) A vote of at least one-third (1/3) of all the Members of the Congress of Deputies shall be
necessary either to affirm a favorable resolution with the Articles of Impeachment of the
Committee or override its contrary resolution. The vote of each Member shall be recorded.

(4) In case the verified complaint or resolution of impeachment is filed by at least one-third (1/3)
of all the Members of the Congress of Deputies, the same shall constitute the Articles of
Impeachment, and trial by the Senate shall forthwith proceed.

(5) No impeachment proceedings shall be initiated against the same official more than once within
a period of one (1) year.

(6) The Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment. When sitting
for that purpose, the Senators shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President of the Federal
Republic is on trial, the Chief Justice of the Federal Supreme Court shall preside, but shall not
vote. No person shall be convicted without the concurrence of two-thirds (2/3) of all the Members
of the Senate.

(7) Judgment in cases of impeachment shall not extend further than removal from office and
disqualification to hold any office under the Federal Republic of the Philippines, but the party
convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subject to prosecution, trial, and punishment, according
to law.
(8) The Federal Parliament of the Philippines shall promulgate its rules on impeachment to
effectively carry out the purpose of this Article.

Article 4. The present anti-graft court known as the Sandiganbayan shall continue to function and
exercise its jurisdiction as now or hereafter may be provided by federal law.

Article 5. The right of the Federal Republic to recover properties unlawfully acquired by public
officials or employees, from them or from their nominees or transferees, shall not be barred by
prescription, laches, or estoppel.

Article 6. No loan, guaranty, or other forms of financial accommodation for any business purpose
may be granted, directly or indirectly, by any government-owned or controlled bank or financial
institution to the President of the Federal Republic, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic,
the Federal Cabinet of Ministers, the Federal Parliament, the Federal Supreme Court, and the
Constitutional Commissions, or to any firm or entity in which they have controlling interest, during
their tenure.

Article 7. A public officer or employee shall, upon assumption of office and as often thereafter as
may be required by law, submit a declaration under oath of his assets, liabilities, and net worth. In
the case of the President of the Federal Republic, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, the
Federal Cabinet of Ministers, the Federal Parliament, the Federal Supreme Court the Constitutional
Commissions, and the officers of the Defense Forces with general or flag rank, the declaration
shall be disclosed to the public in the manner provided by law.

Article 8. Public officers and employees owe the Federal Republic and the Constitution perpetual
allegiance, and any public officer or employee who seeks to change his citizenship or acquire the
status of an immigrant of another country during his tenure shall be dealt with by federal law.
 TITLE XII
NATIONAL ECONOMY AND PATRIMONY

Article 1. The goals of the national economy are a sustained increase in the number of goods and
services produced by the nation for the benefit of the people and expanding productivity as the key
to raising the quality of life for all, especially the underprivileged, and more equitable distribution
of opportunities, income and wealth.

The Federal Republic shall enhance economic efficiency and promote free competition in trade,
industry, and commercial activities. No anti-competitive agreement or abuse of dominant position
shall be allowed.

Article 2. All lands of the public domain, waters, minerals, coal, petroleum, and other mineral oils,
all forces of potential energy, fisheries, forests or timber, wildlife, flora and fauna, and other natural
resources are owned by the Federal Republic and the Regions. With the exception of agricultural
lands, all other natural resources shall not be alienated. The exploration, development, and
utilization of natural resources toward sustainable development, including conservation,
protection, and enhancement of the environment shall be under the full control and supervision of
the Federal Republic. The Federal Republic may directly undertake such activities, or it may enter
into co-production, joint venture, or production-sharing agreements under such terms as may be
provided by law.

The Federal Republic shall protect the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial
sea, seabed, and exclusive economic zone.

The Federal Republic and the Regions shall regulate the development of the nation’s natural
resources towards the efficient use of these resources consistent with sound environmental
policies.

Article 3. Lands of the public domain are classified into agricultural lands, reclaimed lands, forest
or timber lands, mineral lands, and national parks. agricultural lands of the public domain may be
further classified by law according to the uses to which they may be devoted.

Taking into account the requirements of conservation, ecology, and development, and subject to
the requirements of agrarian reform, the Federal Parliament shall determine, by law, the area of
lands of the public domain which may be acquired, developed, held, or leased and the conditions
therefor.

The Federal Parliament and the Regional Legislatures shall determine by law the specific limits of
forest lands and national parks, marking clearly their boundaries on the ground as soon as possible.
Thereafter, such forest lands and national parks shall be conserved and may not be increased nor
diminished, except by law. It shall also provide for such period as it may determine, measures to
prohibit logging in endangered forests and watershed areas.
Article 4. The Federal Republic, subject to the provisions of this Constitution and national
development policies and programs, shall protect the rights of indigenous cultural communities to
their ancestral lands to ensure their economic, social, and cultural well-being.

Article 5. The Federal Republic shall regulate and exercise authority over foreign investments
within its national jurisdiction and in accordance with its national goals and priorities.

Article 6. The Federal Republic and the Regions shall pursue a trade policy that enhances Filipino
competitiveness and serves the public interest, with due regard for equity and reciprocity.

Article 7. The Federal Republic shall promote the sustained development of a reservoir of national
talents consisting of Filipino scientists, inventors, entrepreneurs, professionals, managers, high-
level technical human resources, skilled workers, and craftspeople in all fields. It shall encourage
appropriate technology and regulate its transfer for the national benefit.

Article 8. The Federal Republic shall promote the preferential use of Filipino labor, domestic
materials, and locally produced goods, and adopt measures that help make them competitive.

Article 9. The Federal Parliament shall strengthen the viability of cooperatives as instruments for
social justice and economic development.

Article 10. The Federal Parliament shall not, except by general law, provide for the formation,
organization, or regulation of private corporations. Government-owned or controlled corporations
may be created or established by special charters in the interest of the common good and subject
to the test of economic viability. It shall periodically review the social and economic viability of
such corporations as often as may be deemed necessary, but at least once every five (5) years.

Article 11. In times of national emergency, the Federal Republic may, when the public interest so
requires, and under reasonable terms prescribed by it, temporarily direct or take over the operation
of any privately owned public utility or business.

Article 12. The Federal Republic may, in the interest of national welfare or defense, establish and
operate vital industries, facilities, and assets, and upon payment of just compensation, transfer to
public ownership utilities and other private enterprises to be operated by the Government.

Article 13. The Federal Republic shall protect consumers from trade malpractices and from
substandard or hazardous products.
Article 14. The Federal Republic shall provide the policy environment for the full development of
Filipino capability and the emergence of communication structures suitable to the needs and
aspirations of the nation and the balanced flow of information into, out of, and across the country,
in accordance with a policy that respects the freedom of speech and of the press.

Article 15.

(1) The Federal Parliament of the Philippines shall regulate or prohibit monopolies in commercial
mass media when the public interest so requires. No combinations in restraint of trade or unfair
competition therein shall be allowed.

The ownership and management of mass media shall be limited to citizens of the Philippines, or
to corporations, cooperatives, or associations, wholly owned and managed by such citizens.

(2) The advertising industry is impressed with public interest and shall be regulated by law for the
protection of consumers and the promotion of the general welfare.

Only Filipino citizens, corporations, or associations more than fifty per centum (50%) of the capital
of which is owned by such citizens shall be allowed to engage in the advertising industry.

The participation of foreign investors in the governing body of entities in such industry shall be
limited to their proportionate share in the capital thereof, and all the executive and managing
officers of such entities must be citizens of the Philippines.

Article 16. The Federal Parliament may establish an independent economic and planning agency
headed by the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic, which shall, after consultations with the
appropriate public agencies, various private sectors, and local government units, recommend to
Parliament, and implement continuing integrated and coordinated programs and policies for
national development.

Until the Federal Parliament provides otherwise, the Federal Economic and Development
Authority (FEDA) shall function as the independent planning agency of the Government.

Article 17. Unless the Federal Parliament of the Philippines provides otherwise, the Federal Bank
of the Philippines (FBP), operating under existing federal laws, shall function as the Central
Monetary Authority.

Article 18. Foreign loans may only be incurred in accordance with federal law. Information on
foreign loans obtained or guaranteed by the Government shall be made available to the public.

Article 19. Acts that circumvent or negate any of the provisions of this Title shall be considered
inimical to the national interest and subject to criminal and civil sanctions, as may be provided by
federal law.
 TITLE XIII
AMENDMENTS OR REVISION

Article 1. Any amendment to, or revision of, this Constitution may be proposed by:

(i) The Federal Parliament, upon a vote of three-fourths (3/4) of all its Members, voting
separately; or

(ii) A Constitutional Convention.

Article 2. The Federal Parliament may, by a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of all its members voting
separately, call a Constitutional Convention, or by a majority vote of all its Members, submit to
the electorate the question of calling such a convention.

Article 3. Amendments to this Constitution may likewise be directly proposed by the people
through initiative upon a petition of at least ten per centum (10%) of the total number of registered
voters, of which every legislative electoral district must be represented by at least three per centum
(3%) of the registered voters therein. No amendment under this Article shall be authorized within
five (5) years following the ratification of this Constitution nor oftener than once every two (2)
years thereafter.

The Federal Parliament shall provide for the implementation of the exercise of this right.

Article 4. The democratic and republican character of the government, its federal structure, its
indissolubility, and permanence shall not be subject to amendments or revisions.

Article 5.

(1) Any amendment to, or revision of, the Constitution under Section 1 shall be valid when ratified
by a majority of votes cast in each region in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty
(60) days nor later than ninety (90) days after the approval of such amendment or revision.

(2) Any amendment under Article 3 of this Title shall be valid when ratified by a majority of votes
cast in each Region in a plebiscite which shall be held not earlier than sixty (60) days nor later
than ninety (90) days after the certification by the Commission on Elections of the sufficiency of
the petition.
 TITLE XIV
TRANSITORY PROVISIONS

Article 1. The first elections of Members of the Federal Parliament of the Philippines under this
Constitution shall be held on the second (2nd) Monday of May 2028.

Article 2. The term of the President and the Vice-President elected on 09 May 2022 shall be until
June 30, 2028. For the purposes of following the provisions of this Constitution, the position of
the Vice-President shall be abolished.

After the ratification of this Constitution, the first Presidential election shall be on the second (2nd)
Monday of May and on the same day as the first election for Members of the Federal Parliament.

The term of the first President of the Federal Republic shall start at noon on the thirtieth (30th) of
June following his election and shall end on the thirtieth (30th) of December two (2) years and six
(6) months after his assumption into office.

Article 3. Following the provisions of this Constitution, the incumbent President may opt to run
for reelection for the first Presidential election after its ratification. If he chooses not to, he shall
not be eligible to be a candidate in any future election for any elective position.

If he is reelected, he shall also continue to exercise executive powers until the first Federal
Parliament has expressed a vote of confidence on the nominee for Prime Minister of the Federal
Republic. From thereon, the Prime Minister of the Federal Republic shall exercise such vested
executive powers and the President of the Federal Republic shall only exercise ceremonial powers
provided by this Constitution and by federal law.

Article 4. All existing laws, decrees, executive orders, proclamations, letters of instructions, and
other executive issuances not inconsistent with this Constitution shall remain operative until
amended, repealed, or revoked.

Article 5. All existing treaties or international agreements which have not been ratified shall not
be renewed or extended without the concurrence of at least two-thirds (2/3) of all the Members of
the Senate, and it shall not concur to any treaty, convention, and agreement, affecting the matters
pertaining to the jurisdiction of the Regions, without the consent of at least two-thirds (2/3) of the
regional legislatures.

Article 6. All courts existing at the time of the ratification of this Constitution shall continue to
exercise their jurisdiction until otherwise provided by law. The provisions of the existing Rules of
Court, judicature acts, and procedural laws not inconsistent with this Constitution shall remain
operative unless amended or repealed by the Federal Supreme Court or the Federal Parliament.
Article 7. The incumbent Members of the Federal Judicature shall continue in office until they
reach the age of seventy (70) years or become incapacitated to discharge the duties of their office
or are removed for cause.

Article 8. The Federal Supreme Court shall, within one (1) year after the ratification of this
Constitution, adopt a systematic plan to expedite the decision or resolution of cases or matters
pending in the Federal Supreme Court or the lower courts prior to the effectivity of this
Constitution. A similar plan shall be adopted for all special courts and quasi-judicial bodies.

Article 9. The legal effect of the lapse, before the ratification of this Constitution, of the applicable
period for the decision or resolution of the cases or matters submitted for adjudication by the
courts, shall be determined by the Federal Supreme Court as soon as practicable.

Article 10. The incumbent Members of the Civil Service Commission, the Commission on
Elections, the Commission on Audit, and the newly-reclassified Constitutional Commissions
under this Constitution shall continue in office for one (1) year after the ratification of this
Constitution unless they are sooner removed for cause or become incapacitated to discharge the
duties of their office or appointed to a new term thereunder. In no case shall any Member serve
longer than seven (7) years including service before the ratification of this Constitution.

Article 11. All officials of the Government under the 1987 Constitution shall continue to hold
office unless removed because of reorganization in accordance with the transition plan.

Article 12. Permanent employees of the government separated from service as a result of the
reorganization of government shall be entitled to separation pay, early retirement pay, retirement
pay, or other appropriate benefits accruing to them under existing laws. In lieu thereof, at the option
of the employees, they may be considered for employment in the Federal Government, the
Regional Government, or in any of its subdivisions, agencies, or instrumentalities, including
government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries in accordance with the
existing civil service laws, the corporate charters of these corporations, and other relevant statutes.

Article 13. Temporary employees in Government service shall be given such benefits as may be
provided in the transition plan.

Article 14. All properties, records, equipment, buildings, facilities, and other assets of any office
or body abolished or reorganized under the Constitution shall be transferred to the office or body
to which its powers, functions, and responsibilities substantially pertain.
Article 15. This Constitution shall take effect immediately upon its ratification by a majority of
the votes cast in a plebiscite held for the purpose and shall supersede all previous Constitutions.