A constitution is, according to Naguit (2005), an expression of national ideals and unity for it

beholds the collective ideas and aspirations of the people under the government. Second, it is a
symbol of government’s legitimacy for it depicts the right of a government to rule. Next, an outline
of government structure, because it dictates if the country would be presidential or parliamentary,
unitary or federal. Lastly, an instrument of political instability, due to the fact that it provides the
atmosphere of stability by giving a guide to the government’s courses of actions.

Meanwhile, a constitutional reform, or charter change, pertains to the amendments or revisions

of a circulating constitution. The word ‘amendment’ describe changes that avoid the basic
principles and the general structure, just trying to change a certain provision. On the other hand,
‘revision’ implies alterations to the whole framework itself (Gavilan, 2018).

Furthermore, he expounded the idea that the Philippines had been to many constitutional
reform from Malolos Constitution up to the status quo (Ibid). Before immersing to the new
proposal for the federal state, here is a rundown of Philippines’ constitutional reform emphasizing
on the form of government.

he Malolos Congress adopted a unitary form of government with powers firmly exercised at the center.
TABLE 1. Comparison of the Four Major Constitutions of the Philippines (Naguit, 2005)
OUTSTANDING FEATURES
FORM OF LEGISLATIVE
CONSTITUTION GOVERNMENT CHAMBER HIGHLIGHTS
INSTITUTED
Presidential but the Unicameral with a Provision on
Malolos Constitution president is to be permanent separation of church
elected by the commission that will and state, won by
Congress perform legislative one vote; legislative
work when Congress supreme over the
is not in Session executive (president)
and the judiciary.
Presidential under two Bicameral as Provision on land
1935 Constitution stages: amended reform and bill of
rights, parity rights
1. Commonwealth as amended;
2. Republic extended voting
rights to women;
created a separate
Commission on
Election
1973 Constitution Modified Unicameral Removed the
Parliamentary as requirement of
amended literacy of a person
as prescribed by the
previous charter for
the right to vote; the
President as the real
executive exercise
law making powers
1987 Constitution Presidential Bicameral Removed the
mandatory
registration and
voting under the
previous charter;
broadened Bill of
Rights which
prohibits abortion
and death penalty;
created the Human
Rights Commission,
CAR, and ARMM;
judiciary
strengthened to cover
political questions
formerly beyond its
jurisdiction