DECLARATION

OF PRINCIPLES

STATE POLICIES

A. Principles
This portion of the Constitution might be called

the basic political creed of the nation

It lays down the policies that the government is
bound to observe.
These provisions prescribe the fundamental
obligations of the government, particularly
the legislative and the executive departments
as its policy-determining organs.
It is incumbent on the people to demand
fulfillment of these government duties through
the exercise of the right of suffrage.

CREED
- a set of beliefs or principles
or aims that guide someone's
actions.

I. First Part of the Article 2

Enumerates the Principles of the State such as the :
Section 1: Democratic and republican nature of the

Philippine State
Section 2: Renunciation of war as an instrument of
national policy
Section 3: The supremacy of civilian authority over
the military
Section 4: The people's duty to defend the State
Section 6: Separation of Church and State

And so on, Section 5 was

included in the Declaration of
Principles of the 1987
Constitution.

II. Second Part of the

Article 2
Stipulates the State policies such the:
Section 7: Promotion of an independent

foreign policy
Section 10: Promotion of social justice
Section 13: Recognition of the youth's and
women's role in nation-building
Section 21: Promotion of a comprehensive
rural development and agrarian reform

Similarly, Section
8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17,18,19,2
0,22,23,24,25,26,27,28 was
added in the state policies of
the 1987 Constitution.

Section 1
The Philippines is a

democratic and republican

State. Sovereignty resides in
the people and all
government authority
emanates from them.

Democratic
and
Republic

Section 1
This article is a reproduction

of Article II, Section I of the

1935 Constitution, maintained
under Section I, Article II of
the 1973 Constitution.

Section 1
The requirements of a democratic and republican state are
as follows:
Cardinal rights embodied in the Bill of Rights
The principle that the State cannot be sued without its consent
The principle that ours is a government of laws and not of men
The principle that the legislature cannot pass irrepealably laws
Election through popular will
The principle that an office is a public trust
The rule against undue delegation of legislative power.

Section 1
SOVEREIGNTY
- is the supreme power of the state to
command obedience from all the
inhabitants, whether citizen or alien. This
power resides in the people. Therefore, they
have the right to constitute their own
government, define and provide the powers
it may exercise within legal limits. This right
may be exercised directly or indirectly.

Section 1
The Philippines is a

democratic and republican

State. Sovereignty resides in
the people and all
government authority
emanates from them.

Section 2
The Philippines renounces war as

an instrument of national 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.

Section 2
Section 2 is a substantial

reproduction of the contents

of. Section 3, Article II of the
1935 Constitution.

Section 2
This particular proviso is divided into three

parts
Renunciation of war as an instrument of

national policy
Adoption of the generally accepted principles of
international law as part of the law of the land
Adherence to the policy of peace, equality,
justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with
all nations.

Section 2
Renunciation of war as a national policy
In renouncing war as an instrument of national policy

expressly declared in the Constitution, the Philippines

affirms the 1934 and the 1971 Constitutional
Convention's belief that an effective means of outlaw
war is to prohibit the same in the Constitution.
This particular proviso contemplates, as it was
contemplated under the 1935 Constitution, defensive
war, not aggressive war. This was inspired by the Ke
llog-Briand Pact of 27 August 1928 which renounces wars
of aggression.

What is the reason why the

Constitution makes defense of
the state the prime duty of
government ?

The power to wage a defensive

war is an inherent part of
sovereignty.

under section 4 of Article II of the

charter.

Section 3
Civilian authority is at all
times supreme over the
military.

Supremacy of civilian authority

over the military is inherent in
democratic and republican
states. Superiority of civilian
authority over the military is
regarded as an essential
constituent of the fabric of
political life.

Section 3

ALWAYS REMEMBER!!!!

Section 3
The President of the Philippines
is always a civilian. At the same
time, he is the Commander-inChief of all the Armed Forces;
the army, the navy and the air
force, including the Capital
command.

Secjtion 3
Role of the Armed Forces
The Armed Forces of the Philippines is

the protector of the people and the

State. Its goal is to secure the
sovereignty of the State and the
integrity of the national territory.

Section 4

The Prime Duty of

Government is to serve and
protect the people.

Section 4
It is the right of a state to exact compulsory

military service of its citizen and such

exaction does not violate the principle of
involuntary servitude.
This proviso was incorporated in view of the

recognized inadequacy of a voluntary system

both in terms of military effectiveness and in
terms of equality between the rich and the
poor.

Section 5
The maintenance of peace
and order, the protection
of life, liberty, and
property, and the
promotion of the general
welfare.

Section 5
The maintenance of peace

and order, the protection of

life, liberty, and property, and
the promotion of the general
welfare are essential for the
enjoyment by all the people
of the blessings of democracy.

Section 5
For the Filipino people to secure unto
themselves and their posterity the blessings
of independence and democracy as envisioned
in the Preamble of the 1987 Constitution, it
is necessary for the Government
to maintain peace and order
protect life, liberty and property
promote the general welfare

Section 6

The separation of the church

and state shall be inviolable.

Section 6
The union of the church and the state is
prejudicial to both. The provisions of the 1987
Constitution that compliments the principle of
separation of the church and state are found
under:
Section 5, Article III
Section 29 (2) of Article VI
Section 28 (3) of Article VI
Section 28 (3) of Article IX-C

The Church and the State

are two entities that play
an important role in our
life.

- Late Jaime Cardinal Sin

Section 6
Let us keep them separate, by all
means, but let us not interpret
separation as segregation. Let us
believe that they can work hand
in hand, separate but parallel like
two tracks on the railroad leading
to the same destination.

Section 7

Independent Foreign Policy of

the Philippines.

Section 7
The State shall pursue an
independent foreign policy. In its
relations with other states the
paramount consideration shall
benational sovereignty,
territorial integrity, national
interest, and the right to selfdetermination.

Section 8
The Philippines, consistent with
the national interest, adopts
and pursues a policy of
freedom from nuclear
weapons in its territory.

Section 9
The State 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.

Section 10

The State shall promote social

justice in all phases of national
development.

Section 11

The State values the dignity of

every human person and
guarantees full respect for
human rights.

Section 12
The State recognizes the sanctity of family
life and shall protect and strengthen the
family as a basic autonomous social
institution. It shall equally protect the life
of the mother and the life of the unborn
from conception. The natural and primary
right and duty of parents in the rearing of
the youth for civic efficiency and the
development of moral character shall
receive the support of the Government.

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

Section 14

The State recognizes the role of

women in nation-building, and shall
ensure the fundamental equality
before the law of women and men.

Section 15

The State shall protect and promote

the right to health of the people and
instill health consciousness among
them.

Section 16

The State shall protect and advance

the right of the people to a balanced
and healthful ecology in accord with
the rhythm and harmony of nature.

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

Section 18

The State affirms labor as a primary

social economic force. It shall protect
the rights of workers and promote
their welfare.

Section 19

The State shall develop a self-reliant

and independent national economy
effectively controlled by Filipinos.

Section 20

The State recognizes the indispensable

role of the private sector, encourages
private enterprise, and provides
incentives to needed investments.

Section 21

The State shall promote

comprehensive rural development
and agrarian reform.

Section 22

The State recognizes and promotes the

rights of indigenous cultural
communities within the framework of
national unity and development.

Section 23

The State shall encourage nongovernmental, community-based, or

sectoral organizations that promote
the welfare of the nation.

Section 24

The State recognizes the vital role of

communication and information in
nation-building.

Section 25

The State shall ensure the autonomy

of local governments.

Section 26

The State shall guarantee equal access

to opportunities for public service,
and prohibit political dynasties as
may be defined by law.

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

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

The End...