QuestionsQuestions (1935 CONSTITUTION)
It comprises (1) all territory ceded by Spain to the United States under the Treaty of Paris (Dec. 10, 1898), within the limits in Article III of that treaty; (2) all islands included in the treaty concluded at Washington between the U.S. and Spain (Nov. 7, 1900); (3) the treaty with Great Britain (Jan. 2, 1930); and (4) all territory over which the present Government of the Philippine Islands exercises jurisdiction.
The Philippines is a republican state; sovereignty resides in the people; and all government authority emanates from them.
It renounces war as an instrument of national policy and adopts generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the Nation.
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law; and no person shall be denied equal protection of the laws.
Warrants may issue only upon probable cause determined by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and witnesses, and must particularly describe the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.
It shall be inviolate except upon lawful order of the court, or when public safety and order require otherwise.
Freedom of speech and of the press, and the right to peaceably assemble and petition for redress of grievances are protected; no law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting free exercise thereof; religious freedom cannot be discriminated against; no religious test is required for civil or political rights; the right to form associations or societies for purposes not contrary to law is not abridged.
No law impairing the obligation of contracts; no ex post facto law or bill of attainder; no person shall be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense (and conviction/acquittal under law and ordinance for the same act bars another prosecution).
Except in cases of invasion, insurrection, or rebellion, when public safety requires it; and if suspended, it may be suspended wherever during such period the necessity for suspension exists.
Suffrage may be exercised by male citizens not otherwise disqualified by law, at least 21 years old, able to read and write, and who have resided in the Philippines for one year and in the municipality where they propose to vote for at least six months preceding the election. The National Assembly was also to extend voting to women via a plebiscite within two years after adoption if at least 300,000 eligible women voted affirmatively.
Congress consists of a Senate and a House of Representatives. Senators serve six-year terms; House members serve four-year terms.
All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, authorizing increase of the public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall originate exclusively in the House of Representatives; the Senate may propose or concur with amendments.
The President may veto and return a bill with objections to the originating House; passage over veto requires two-thirds of all Members of that House, then the other House must also approve by two-thirds. If the President does not return a bill within twenty days (Sundays excepted) after presentation, it becomes law unless Congress adjourns in which case it becomes law unless vetoed within thirty days after adjournment.
No bill may embrace more than one subject which shall be expressed in the title of the bill.
Judicial power is vested in one Supreme Court and such inferior courts as may be established by law. Congress may define and apportion jurisdiction but may not deprive the Supreme Court of its original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors, public ministers, and consuls, nor its appellate power to review final judgments of inferior courts, including cases involving constitutionality or validity of treaties, laws, ordinances, or executive orders/regulations; legality of taxes; trial court jurisdiction in issue; cases with death/life imprisonment; and errors/questions of law.
Supreme Court members must be citizens for five years, at least 40 years old, and have been a judge of a court of record or engaged in practice of law in the Philippines for ten years or more. They hold office during good behavior until age seventy or incapacity. Their compensation must not be diminished during continuance in office.
Impeachable: President, Vice-President, Supreme Court Justices, and the Auditor General for culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, or other high crimes. The House has the sole power of impeachment by two-thirds vote of all its Members. The Senate has the sole power to try; when trying the President, the Chief Justice presides. Conviction requires concurrence of three-fourths of all Senate Members.