QuestionsQuestions (BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 122)
Batas Pambansa Blg. 122, approved March 10, 1981, titled “An Act to Submit to the Filipino People… the Amendments to the Constitution… Proposed by the Batasang Pambansa… Constituent Assembly…”
On April 7, 1981.
Amendments proposed in Batasang Pambansa Resolutions Nos. 2, 3 and 1, as reflected in the text’s Official Ballot and the body of the act.
The amendments had to be published at least once in each of the English and Pilipino newspapers of nationwide circulation (last publication not later than March 17, 1981) and posted in a conspicuous place in every municipal, city and provincial office building not later than March 17, 1981, with sufficient copies furnished to each polling place.
COMELEC was empowered to promulgate rules and regulations to assure widest dissemination of information through broadcast and print media and the barangays.
In English, and in appropriate cases, in Arabic as provided by the Election Code of 1978.
To vote for approval, write “Yes” (or its equivalent) in the blank space; to vote for rejection, write “No” (or its equivalent).
To approve or reject amendments establishing a modified parliamentary system, amending Articles VII, VIII and IX of the Constitution, with features such as a directly elected President, a parliamentary legislature, and executive powers shared with a Prime Minister and Executive Committee.
The President may not dissolve the Batasang Pambansa: (1) within 18 months preceding a regular election; (2) within 18 months immediately following such election; (3) during pendency of impeachment proceedings against the President; or (4) when the Executive Committee or the Speaker, in appropriate cases, exercises the powers or discharges the duties of the President.
The President is elected by direct vote of the people for a term of six years.
The President shall be immune from suit during his tenure; thereafter, no suit whatsoever shall lie for official acts done by him or others pursuant to his specific orders during his tenure (including the incumbent referred to in Article XVII).
Except as member of the Executive Committee, no elective official shall be eligible for appointment to any office or position during his tenure, unless otherwise provided by law.
Each of the two parties whose candidates for President obtained the first and second highest number of votes in the last preceding presidential election must have obtained at least 10% of the total number of votes cast.
They may be represented in the registration board, board of election inspectors, board of canvassers, or similar bodies, and may be granted other rights or privileges as provided by law.
Changing political party affiliation during an elective officer’s term of office, or by a candidate within six months immediately preceding or following an election, is prohibited unless otherwise provided by law.
It provides that a natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of private land for use as his residence, as Batasang Pambansa shall provide.
Those that functioned in local elections of January 30, 1980 were reappointed to serve in the same polling centers, subject to COMELEC’s power to make new appointments or transfers whenever needed.
Citizens Election Committees prepare and sign three copies of the plebiscite returns (one in the ballot box, two delivered—original to Municipal Election Registrar, later to Provincial Election Officer and COMELEC). After completion, the Provincial/City Board of Canvassers prepares a certificate of canvass in duplicate and sends the original to COMELEC. Finally, COMELEC en banc canvasses and proclaims the result using authenticated certificates.
The plebiscite is conducted and supervised by COMELEC and governed by the pertinent provisions of the 1978 Election Code and other applicable laws; the act takes effect upon approval.