Question & AnswerQ&A (1973 CONSTITUTION)
The Philippine national territory comprises all territory ceded to the United States by the Treaty of Paris of 1898, all islands included in treaties between the United States and Spain (1900) and Great Britain (1930), and all territories over which the Philippine government exercises jurisdiction.
Sovereignty resides in the people of the Philippines, and all government authority emanates from them, establishing the Philippines as a republican state.
Protection against deprivation of life, liberty, or property without due process; just compensation for taken private property; security against unreasonable searches and seizures; liberties concerning abode, privacy, speech, religion, assembly; prohibition of ex post facto laws, double jeopardy; right to bail, fair trial, and habeas corpus among others.
Citizens include those who were citizens at the adoption of the Constitution, born in the Philippines of certain foreign parents, those with Filipino fathers or citizens mothers who elect citizenship, and naturalized citizens according to law.
Male citizens 21 years of age or over who can read and write, residing in the Philippines for at least one year and in the municipality for six months. Women suffrage was subject to a plebiscite held within two years after adoption of the Constitution.
Legislative power is vested in a Congress consisting of a Senate and a House of Representatives, with specified membership qualifications, terms, sessions, and procedures.
Senators must be natural-born Filipino citizens at least 35 years old, qualified electors, and residents for two years prior to election. House Members must be natural-born citizens, at least 25 years old, qualified electors, and residents of the province for at least one year.
The President is commander-in-chief of the armed forces, can call the military to suppress violence, invasion, insurrection or rebellion, and may suspend the writ of habeas corpus or place the country under martial law when public safety requires it.
Must be Philippine citizens for five years, at least 40 years old, and have been judges of a court of record or engaged in law practice in the Philippines for ten years or more. Members hold office during good behavior until age 70 or incapacity.
The President, Vice-President, Supreme Court Justices, and Auditor General may be impeached for culpable violation of the Constitution, treason, bribery, or other high crimes. The House of Representatives has the power to impeach, and the Senate tries impeachments. Conviction requires three-fourths of all Senators' votes.