rp & us consti matrix

7/31/2019 RP & US Consti Matrix

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1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION US CONSTITUTIONPreamble

We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of AlmightyGod, in order to build a just and humane society and establish aGovernment that shall embody our ideals and aspirations,promote the common good, conserve and develop ourpatrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the

blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of lawand a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, andpeace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

PreambleWe the people of the United States, in order to form a moreperfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare,and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and ourposterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United

States of America.

ARTICLE IThe National Territory

The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, withall the islands and waters embraced therein, and all otherterritories over which the Philippines has sovereignty orjurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerialdomains, including its territorial sea, the seabed, the subsoil, the

insular shelves, and other submarine areas. The waters around,between, and connecting the islands of the archipelago,regardless of their breadth and dimensions, form part of theinternal waters of the Philippines.

ARTICLE IIDeclaration of Principles and State Policies

Principles

SEC. 1.The Philippines is a democratic and republican State.

Sovereignty resides in the people and all government authorityemanates from them.SEC. 2.The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of nationalpolicy, adopts the generally accepted principles of internationallaw as part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy ofpeace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with allnations.SEC. 3.Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The

Amendment I [Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, Petition- 1791]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment ofreligion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging thefreedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the peoplepeaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for aredress of grievances.

Amendment XIX [Electoral Gender Equality - 1920]The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not bedenied or abridged by the United States or by any state onaccount of sex.Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriatelegislation.

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Armed Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the peopleand the State. Its goal is to secure the sovereignty of the Stateand the integrity of the national territory.

SEC. 4.The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect thepeople. The Government may call upon the people to defend theState and, in the fulfillment thereof, all citizens may be required,under conditions provided by law, to render personal military orcivil service.SEC. 5.The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life,liberty, and property, and the promotion of the general welfareare essential for the enjoyment by all the people of the blessingsof democracy.SEC. 6.The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.

State Policies

SEC. 7.The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In itsrelations with other states the paramount consideration shall benational sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, andthe right to self-determination.SEC. 8.The Philippines, consistent with the national interest, adopts andpursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons in itsterritory.

SEC. 9.The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that willensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and freethe people from poverty through policies that provide adequatesocial services, promote full employment, a rising standard ofliving, and an improved quality of life for all.SEC. 10.The State shall promote social justice in all phases of nationaldevelopment.SEC. 11.The State values the dignity of every human person and

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guarantees full respect for human rights.SEC. 12.The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protectand strengthen the family as a basic autonomous socialinstitution. It shall equally protect the life of the mother and thelife of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary rightand duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiencyand the development of moral character shall receive thesupport of the Government.SEC. 13.The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-buildingand shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual,intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youthpatriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement inpublic and civic affairs.SEC. 14.The State recognizes the role of women in nation-building, andshall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women

and men.SEC. 15.The State shall protect and promote the right to health of thepeople and instill health consciousness among them.SEC. 16.The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to abalanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm andharmony of nature.SEC. 17.The State shall give priority to education, science andtechnology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and

nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote totalhuman liberation and development.SEC. 18.The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. Itshall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare.SEC. 19.The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent nationaleconomy effectively controlled by Filipinos.SEC. 20.The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector,encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to

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needed investments.SEC. 21.The State shall promote comprehensive rural development andagrarian reform.SEC. 22.The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenouscultural communities within the framework of national unity anddevelopment.SEC. 23.The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of thenation.SEC. 24.The State recognizes the vital role of communication andinformation in nation-building.SEC. 25.The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments.SEC. 26.

The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities forpublic service, and prohibit political dynasties as may be definedby law.SEC. 27.The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the publicservice and take positive and effective measures against graftand corruption.SEC. 28.Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the Stateadopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all itstransactions involving public interest.

ARTICLE VILegislative Department

SEC 1.The legislative power shall be vested in the Congress of thePhilippines which shall consist of a Senate and a House ofRepresentatives, except to the extent reserved to the people bythe provision on initiative and referendum.

SEC. 2.

ARTICLE ILEGISLATURE

Section. 1.All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in aCongress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senateand House of Representatives.

Section. 2.(1)The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members

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The Senate shall be composed of twenty-four Senators who shallbe elected at large by the qualified voters of the Philippines, asmay be provided by law.

SEC. 3.No person shall be a Senator unless he is a natural-born citizenof the Philippines, and, on the day of the election, is at leastthirty-five years of age, able to read and write, a registeredvoter, and a resident of the Philippines for not less than twoyears immediately preceding the day of the election.

SEC. 4.The term of office of the Senators shall be six years and shallcommence, unless otherwise provided by law, at noon on thethirtieth day of June next following their election. No Senatorshall serve for more than two consecutive terms. Voluntaryrenunciation of the office for any length of time shall not beconsidered as an interruption in the continuity of his service for

the full term for which he was elected.

SEC. 5.(1) The House of Representatives shall be composed of not morethan two hundred and fifty members, unless otherwise fixed bylaw, who shall be elected from legislative districts apportionedamong the provinces, cities, and the Metropolitan Manila area inaccordance with the number of their respective inhabitants, andon the basis of a uniform and progressive ratio, and those who,as provided by law, shall be elected through a party-list systemof registered national, regional, and sectoral parties or

organizations.

(2) The party-list representatives shall constitute twenty percentum of the total number of representatives including thoseunder the party list. For three consecutive terms after theratification of this Constitution, one-half of the seats allocated toparty-list representatives shall be filled, as provided by law, byselection or election from the labor, peasant, urban poor,indigenous cultural communities, women, youth, and such othersectors as may be provided by law, except the religious sector.

chosen every second Year by the People of the several States,and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualificationsrequisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the StateLegislature.

(2)No Person shall be a Representative who shall not haveattained to the Age of twenty five Years, and been seven Years aCitizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, bean Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen.

(3)Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned amongthe several States which may be included within this Union,according to their respective Numbers, which shall bedetermined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons,including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, andexcluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons. Theactual Enumeration shall be made within three Years after thefirst Meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within

every subsequent Term of ten Years, in such Manner as theyshall by Law direct. The Number of Representatives shall notexceed one for every thirty Thousand, but each State shall haveat Least one Representative; and until such enumeration shall bemade, the State of New Hampshire shall be entitled to chusethree, Massachusetts eight, Rhode-Island and ProvidencePlantations one, Connecticut five, New-York six, New Jersey four,Pennsylvania eight, Delaware one, Maryland six, Virginia ten,North Carolina five, South Carolina five, and Georgia three.

(4)When vacancies happen in the Representation from any State,

the Executive Authority thereof shall issue Writs of Election to fillsuch Vacancies.

(5)The House of Representatives shall chuse their Speaker andother Officers; and shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.

Section. 3.(1)The Senate of the United States shall be composed of twoSenators from each State, chosen by the Legislature thereof, forsix Years; and each Senator shall have one Vote.

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(3) Each legislative district shall comprise, as far as practicable,contiguous, compact, and adjacent territory. Each city with apopulation of at least two hundred fifty thousand, or eachprovince, shall have at least one representative.

(4) Within three years following the return of every census, theCongress shall make a reappointment of legislative districtsbased on the standards provided in this section.

SEC. 6.No person shall be a Member of the House of Representativesunless he is a natural-born citizen of the Philippines and, on theday of the election, is at least twenty-five years of age, able toread and write, and, except the party-list representatives, aregistered voter in the district in which he shall be elected, and aresident thereof for a period of not less than one yearimmediately preceding the day of the election.

SEC. 7.The Members of the House of Representatives shall be electedfor a term of three years which shall begin, unless otherwiseprovided by law, at noon on the thirtieth day of June nextfollowing their election.No member of the House of Representatives shall serve for morethan three consecutive terms. Voluntary renunciation of theoffice for any length of time shall not be considered as aninterruption in the continuity of his service for the full term forwhich he was elected.

SEC. 8.Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election of theSenators and the Members of the House of Representatives shallbe held on the second Monday of May.

SEC. 9.In case of vacancy in the Senate or in the House ofRepresentatives, a special election may be called to fill suchvacancy in the manner prescribed by law, but the Senator orMember of the House of Representatives thus elected shall serveonly for the unexpired term.

(2)Immediately after they shall be assembled in Consequence ofthe first Election, they shall be divided as equally as may be intothree Classes. The Seats of the Senators of the first Class shallbe vacated at the Expiration of the second Year, of the secondClass at the Expiration of the fourth Year, and of the third Classat the Expiration of the sixth Year, so that one third may bechosen every second Year; and if Vacancies happen byResignation, or otherwise, during the Recess of the Legislature ofany State, the Executive thereof may make temporaryAppointments until the next Meeting of the Legislature, whichshall then fill such Vacancies.

(3)No Person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained tothe Age of thirty Years, and been nine Years a Citizen of theUnited States, and who shall not, when elected, be an Inhabitantof that State for which he shall be chosen.

(4)The Vice President of the United States shall be President of

the Senate, but shall have no Vote, unless they be equallydivided.

(5)The Senate shall chuse their other Officers, and also aPresident pro tempore, in the Absence of the Vice President, orwhen he shall exercise the Office of President of the UnitedStates.

(6)The Senate shall have the sole Power to try all Impeachments.When sitting for that Purpose, they shall be on Oath orAffirmation. When the President of the United States is tried, the

Chief Justice shall preside: And no Person shall be convictedwithout the Concurrence of two thirds of the Members present.

(7)Judgment in Cases of Impeachment shall not extend furtherthan to removal from Office, and disqualification to hold andenjoy any Office of honor, Trust or Profit under the United States:but the Party convicted shall nevertheless be liable and subjectto Indictment, Trial, Judgment and Punishment, according to Law.

Section. 4.(1)The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for

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SEC. 10.The salaries of Senators and Members of the House ofRepresentatives shall be determined by law. No increase in saidcompensation shall take effect until after the expiration of thefull term of all the Members of the Senate and the House ofRepresentatives approving such increase.

SEC. 11.A Senator or Member of the House of Representatives shall, in alloffenses punishable by not more than six years imprisonment,be privileged from arrest while the Congress is in session. Nomember shall be questioned nor be held liable in any other placefor any speech or debate in the Congress or in any committeethereof.

SEC. 12.All Members of the Senate and the House of Representatives

shall, upon assumption of office, make a full disclosure of theirfinancial and business interests. They shall notify the Houseconcerned of a potential conflict of interest that may arise fromthe filing of a proposed legislation of which they are authors.

SEC. 13.No Senator or a Member of the House of Representatives mayhold any other office or employment in the Government, or anysubdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, includinggovernment-owned or controlled corporations or theirsubsidiaries, during his term without forfeiting his seat. Neither

shall he be appointed to any office which may have been createdor the emoluments thereof increased during the term for whichhe was elected.

SEC. 14.No Senator or Member of the House of Representatives maypersonally appear as counsel before any court of justice orbefore the Electoral Tribunals, or quasi-judicial and otheradministrative bodies. Neither shall he, directly or indirectly, beinterested financially in any contract with, or in any franchise orspecial privilege granted by the Government, or any subdivision,

Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each Stateby the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time byLaw make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places ofchusing Senators.

(2)The Congress shall assemble at least once in every Year, andsuch Meeting shall be on the first Monday in December [Modifiedby Amendment XX], unless they shall by Law appoint a differentDay.

Section. 5.(1)Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns andQualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shallconstitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number mayadjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel theAttendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under suchPenalties as each House may provide.

(2)Each House may determine the Rules of its Proceedings,punish its Members for disorderly Behaviour, and, with theConcurrence of two thirds, expel a Member.

(3)Each House shall keep a Journal of its Proceedings, and fromtime to time publish the same, excepting such Parts as may intheir Judgment require Secrecy; and the Yeas and Nays of theMembers of either House on any question shall, at the Desire ofone fifth of those Present, be entered on the Journal.

(4)Neither House, during the Session of Congress, shall, without

the Consent of the other, adjourn for more than three days, norto any other Place than that in which the two Houses shall besitting.

Section. 6.(1)The Senators and Representatives shall receive aCompensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, andpaid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in allCases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, beprivileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session oftheir respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the

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agency, or instrumentality thereof, including any government-owned or controlled corporation, or its subsidiary, during histerm of office. He shall not intervene in any matter before anyoffice of the Government for his pecuniary benefit or where hemay be called upon to act on account of his office.

SEC. 15.The Congress shall convene once every year on the fourthMonday of July for its regular session, unless a different date isfixed by law, and shall continue to be in session for such numberof days as it may determine until thirty days before the openingof its next regular session, exclusive of Saturdays, Sundays, andlegal holidays. The President may call a special session at anytime.

SEC. 16.(1) The Senate shall elect its President and the House ofRepresentatives its Speaker, by a majority vote of all its

respective Members.Each House shall choose such other officers as it may deemnecessary.(2) A majority of each House shall constitute a quorum to dobusiness, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to dayand may compel the attendance of absent Members in suchmanner, and under such penalties, as such House may provide.(3) Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings,punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with theconcurrence of two-thirds of all its Members, suspend or expel aMember. A penalty for suspension, when imposed, shall not

exceed sixty days.(4) Each House shall keep a Journal of its proceedings, and fromtime to time publish the same, excepting such parts as may, inits judgment, affect national security; and the yeas and nays onany question shall, at the request of one-fifth of the memberspresent, be entered in the Journal.Each House shall also keep a Record of its proceedings.(5) Neither House during the sessions of the Congress shall,without the consent of the other, adjourn for more than threedays, nor to any other place than that in which the two Housesshall be sitting.

same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shallnot be questioned in any other Place.

(2)No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for whichhe was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under theAuthority of the United States, which shall have been created, orthe Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during suchtime; and no Person holding any Office under the United States,shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance inOffice.

Section. 7.(1)All Bills for raising Revenue shall originate in the House ofRepresentatives; but the Senate may propose or concur withAmendments as on other Bills.

(2)Every Bill which shall have passed the House ofRepresentatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law,

be presented to the President of the United States; If he approvehe shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections tothat House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter theObjections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it.If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agreeto pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, tothe other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, andif approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law.But in all such Cases the Votes of both Houses shall bedetermined by yeas and Nays, and the Names of the Personsvoting for and against the Bill shall be entered on the Journal of

each House respectively. If any Bill shall not be returned by thePresident within ten Days (Sundays excepted) after it shall havebeen presented to him, the Same shall be a Law, in like Manneras if he had signed it, unless the Congress by their Adjournmentprevent its Return, in which Case it shall not be a Law.

(3)Every Order, Resolution, or Vote to which the Concurrence ofthe Senate and House of Representatives may be necessary(except on a question of Adjournment) shall be presented to thePresident of the United States; and before the Same shall takeEffect, shall be approved by him, or being disapproved by him,

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SEC. 17.The Senate and the House of Representatives shall each have anElectoral Tribunal which shall be the sole judge of all contestsrelating to the election, returns, and qualifications of theirrespective Members. Each Electoral Tribunal shall be composedof nine Members, three of whom shall be Justices of the SupremeCourt to be designated by the Chief Justice, and the remainingsix shall be Members of the Senate or the House ofRepresentatives, as the case may be, who shall be chosen on thebasis of proportional representation from the political parties andthe parties or organizations registered under the party-listsystem represented therein. The senior Justice in the ElectoralTribunal shall be it Chairman.

SEC. 18.There shall be a Commission on Appointments consisting of thePresident of the Senate, as ex officio Chairman, twelve Senators,

and twelve Members of the House of Representatives, elected byeach House on the basis of proportional representation from thepolitical parties or organizations registered under the party-listsystem represented therein. The Chairman of the Commissionshall not vote, except in case of a tie. The Commission shall acton all appointments submitted to it within thirty session days ofthe Congress from their submission. The Commission shall ruleby a majority vote of all the Members.

SEC. 19.The Electoral Tribunals and the Commission on Appointments

shall be constituted within thirty days after the Senate and theHouse of Representatives shall have been organized with theelection of the President and the Speaker. The Commission onAppointments shall meet only while the Congress is in session, atthe call of its Chairman or a majority of all its Members, todischarge such powers and functions as are herein conferredupon it.

SEC. 20.The records and books of accounts of the Congress shall bepreserved and be open to the public in accordance with law, and

shall be repassed by two thirds of the Senate and House ofRepresentatives, according to the Rules and Limitationsprescribed in the Case of a Bill.

Section. 8.(1)The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes,Duties, Imposts and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide forthe common Defence and general Welfare of the United States;but all Duties, Imposts and Excises shall be uniform throughoutthe United States;

(2)To borrow Money on the credit of the United States;

(3)To regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among theseveral States, and with the Indian Tribes;

(4)To establish an uniform Rule of Naturalization, and uniformLaws on the subject of Bankruptcies throughout the United

States;

(5)To coin Money, regulate the Value thereof, and of foreignCoin, and fix the Standard of Weights and Measures;

(6)To provide for the Punishment of counterfeiting the Securitiesand current Coin of the United States;

(7)To establish Post Offices and post Roads;

(8)To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by

securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusiveRight to their respective Writings and Discoveries;

(9)To constitute Tribunals inferior to the supreme Court;

(10)To define and punish Piracies and Felonies committed on thehigh Seas, and Offences against the Law of Nations;

(11)To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, andmake Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

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such books shall be audited by the Commission on Audit whichshall publish annually an itemized list of amounts paid to andexpenses incurred for each Member.

SEC. 21.The Senate or the House of Representatives or any of itsrespective committees may conduct inquiries in aid of legislationin accordance with its duly published rules of procedure. Therights of persons appearing in or affected by such inquiries shallbe respected.

SEC. 22.The heads of departments may upon their own initiative, withthe consent of the President, or upon the request of eitherHouse, as the rules of each House shall provide, appear beforeand be heard by such House on any matter pertaining to theirdepartments. Written questions shall be submitted to thePresident of the Senate or the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives at least three days before their scheduledappearance. Interpellations shall not be limited to writtenquestions, but may cover matters related thereto. When thesecurity of the State or the public interest so requires and thePresident so states in writing, the appearance shall be conductedin executive session.

SEC. 23.(1) The Congress, by a vote of two-thirds of both Houses in jointsession assembled, voting separately, shall have the sole powerto declare the existence of a state of war.

(2) In times of war or other national emergency, the Congressmay, by law, authorize the President, for a limited period andsubject to such restrictions as it may prescribe, to exercisepowers necessary and proper to carry out a declared nationalpolicy. Unless sooner withdrawn by resolution of the Congress,such powers shall cease upon the next adjournment thereof.

SEC. 24.All appropriation, revenue or tariff bills, bills authorizing increaseof public debt, bills of local application, and private bills shall

(12)To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Moneyto that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

(13)To provide and maintain a Navy;

(14)To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of theland and naval Forces;

(15)To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws ofthe Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

(16)To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining, theMilitia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employedin the Service of the United States, reserving to the Statesrespectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authorityof training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed byCongress;

(17)To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever,over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, byCession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress,become the Seat of the Government of the United States, and toexercise like Authority over all Places purchased by the Consentof the Legislature of the State in which the Same shall be, for theErection of Forts, Magazines, Arsenals, dock-Yards, and otherneedful Buildings; And

(18)To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper forcarrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other

Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of theUnited States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.

Section. 9.(1)The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of theStates now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not beprohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eighthundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on suchImportation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.

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originate exclusively in the House of Representatives, but theSenate may propose or concur with amendments.

SEC. 25.(1) The Congress may not increase the appropriationsrecommended by the President for the operation of theGovernment as specified in the budget. The form, content, andmanner of preparation of the budget shall be prescribed by law.

(2) No provision or enactment shall be embraced in the generalappropriations bill unless it relates specifically to some particularappropriation therein. Any such provision or enactment shall belimited in its operation to the appropriation to which it relates.

(3) The procedure in approving appropriations for the Congressshall strictly follow the procedure for approving appropriationsfor other departments or agencies.

(4) A special appropriations bill shall specify the purpose forwhich it is intended, and shall be supported by funds actuallyavailable as certified by the National Treasurer, or to be raisedby a corresponding revenue proposed therein.

(5) No law shall be passed authorizing any transfer ofappropriations; however, the President, the President of theSenate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the ChiefJustice of the Supreme Court, and the ConstitutionalCommissions may, by law, be authorized to augment any item inthe general appropriations law for their respective offices from

savings in other items of their respective appropriations.

(6) Discretionary funds appropriated for particular officials shallbe disbursed only for public purposes to be supported byappropriate vouchers and subject to such guidelines as may beprescribed by law.

(7) If, by the end of any fiscal year, the Congress shall havefailed to pass the general appropriations bill for the ensuingfiscal year, the general appropriations law for the precedingfiscal year shall be deemed reenacted and shall remain in force

(2)The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not besuspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion thepublic Safety may require it.

(3)No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed.

(4)No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless inProportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directedto be taken.

(5)No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from anyState.

(6)No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerceor Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; norshall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter,clear, or pay Duties in another.

(7)No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but inConsequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regularStatement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of allpublic Money shall be published from time to time.

(8)No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: Andno Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall,without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present,Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King,Prince, or foreign State.

Section. 10.(1)No State shall enter into any Treaty, Alliance, orConfederation; grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal; coin Money;emit Bills of Credit; make any Thing but gold and silver Coin aTender in Payment of Debts; pass any Bill of Attainder, ex postfacto Law, or Law impairing the Obligation of Contracts, or grantany Title of Nobility.

(2)No State shall, without the Consent of the Congress, lay anyImposts or Duties on Imports or Exports, except what may beabsolutely necessary for executing it's inspection Laws; and the

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and effect until the general appropriations bill is passed by theCongress.

SEC. 26.(1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall embrace only onesubject which shall be expressed in the title thereof.

(2) No bill passed by either House shall become a law unless ithas passed three readings on separate days, and printed copiesthereof in its final form have been distributed to its membersthree days before its passage, except when the Presidentcertifies to the necessity of its immediate enactment to meet apublic calamity or emergency. Upon the last reading of a bill, noamendment thereto shall be allowed, and the vote thereon shallbe taken immediately thereafter, and the yeas and nays enteredin the Journal.

SEC. 27.(1) Every bill passed by the Congress shall, before it becomes alaw, be presented to the President. If he approves the same, heshall sign it; otherwise, he shall veto it and return the same withhis objections to the House where it originated, which shall enterthe objections at large in its Journal and proceed to reconsider it.If, after such reconsideration, two-thirds of all the Members ofsuch House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent, togetherwith the objections, to the other House by which it shall likewisebe reconsidered, and if approved by two-thirds of all theMembers of that House, it shall become a law. In all such cases,the votes of each House shall be determined by yeas or nays,

and the names of the Members voting for or against shall beentered in its Journal. The President shall communicate his vetoof any bill to the House where it originated within thirty daysafter the day of receipt thereof; otherwise, it shall become a lawas if he had signed it.

(2) The President shall have the power to veto any particularitem or items in an appropriation, revenue, or tariff bill, but theveto shall not affect the item or items to which he does notobject.

net Produce of all Duties and Imposts, laid by any State onImports or Exports, shall be for the Use of the Treasury of theUnited States; and all such Laws shall be subject to the Revisionand Controul of the Congress.

(3)No State shall, without the Consent of Congress, lay any Dutyof Tonnage, keep Troops, or Ships of War in time of Peace, enterinto any Agreement or Compact with another State, or with aforeign Power, or engage in War, unless actually invaded, or insuch imminent Danger as will not admit of delay.

Amendment XVI [Income Tax - 1913]The Congress shall have power to lay and collect taxes onincomes, from whatever source derived, without apportionmentamong the several states, and without regard to any census orenumeration.

Amendment XVII [Election of Senators - 1913]The Senate of the United States shall be composed of twoSenators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for sixyears; and each Senator shall have one vote. The electors ineach state shall have the qualifications requisite for electors ofthe most numerous branch of the state legislatures.

When vacancies happen in the representation of any state in theSenate, the executive authority of such state shall issue writs ofelection to fill such vacancies: Provided, that the legislature ofany state may empower the executive thereof to maketemporary appointments until the people fill the vacancies by

election as the legislature may direct.

This amendment shall not be so construed as to affect theelection or term of any Senator chosen before it becomes validas part of the Constitution.

Amendment XX [Presidential Term & Succession - 1933]Section 1.The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noonon the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators andRepresentatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years in

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SEC. 28.(1) The rule of taxation shall be uniform and equitable. TheCongress shall evolve a progressive system of taxation.

(2)The Congress may, by law, authorize the President to fixwithin specified limits, and subject to such limitations andrestrictions as it may impose, tariff rates, import and exportquotas, tonnage and wharfage dues, and other duties or impostswithin the framework of the national development program ofthe Government.

(3)Charitable institutions, churches and parsonages or covenantsappurtenant thereto, mosques, non-profit cemeteries, and alllands, buildings, and improvements, actually, directly, andexclusively used for religious, charitable, or educationalpurposes shall be exempt from taxation.

(4) No law granting any tax exemption shall be passed withoutthe concurrence of a majority of all the Members of theCongress.

SEC. 29.(1) No money shall be paid out of the Treasury except inpursuance of an appropriation made by law.

(2) No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied,paid, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit, orsupport of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian institution,

or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister, orother religious teacher, or dignitary as such, except when suchpriest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is assigned to the armedforces, or to any penal institution, or government orphanage orleprosarium.

(3) All money collected on any tax levied for a special purposeshall be treated as a special fund and paid out for such purposeonly. If the purpose for which a special fund was created hasbeen fulfilled or abandoned, the balance, if any, shall betransferred to the general funds of the Government.

which such terms would have ended if this article had not beenratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2.The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, andsuch meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January,unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 3.If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of thePresident, the President elect shall have died, the Vice Presidentelect shall become President. If a President shall not have beenchosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or ifthe President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the VicePresident elect shall act as President until a President shall havequalified; and the Congress may by law provide for the casewherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shallhave qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or themanner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and suchperson shall act accordingly until a President or Vice Presidentshall have qualified.

Section 4.The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death ofany of the persons from whom the House of Representativesmay choose a President whenever the right of choice shall havedevolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of thepersons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice Presidentwhenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Section 5.Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of Octoberfollowing the ratification of this article.

Section 6.This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratifiedas an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures ofthree-fourths of the several states within seven years from thedate of its submission.

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SEC. 30.No law shall be passed increasing the appellate jurisdiction ofthe Supreme Court as provided in this Constitution without itsadvice and concurrence.

SEC. 31.No law granting a title of royalty or nobility shall be enacted.

SEC. 32.The Congress shall, as early as possible, provide for a system ofinitiative and referendum, and the exceptions therefrom,whereby the people can directly propose and enact laws orapprove or reject any act or law or part thereof passed by theCongress or local legislative body after the registration of apetition therefor signed by at least ten per centum of the totalnumber of registered voters, of which every legislative districtmust be represented by at least three per centum of theregistered voters thereof.

ARTICLE VIIExecutive Department

SEC 1.The executive power shall be vested in the President of thePhilippines.

SEC. 2.No person may be elected President unless he is a natural-born

citizen of the Philippines, a registered voter, able to read andwrite, at least forty years of age on the day of the election, and aresident of the Philippines for at least ten years immediatelypreceding such election.

SEC. 3.There shall be a Vice-President who shall have the samequalifications and term of office and be elected with and in thesame manner as the President. He may be removed from officein the same manner as the President.The Vice-President may be appointed as a Member of the

ARTICLE IIPRESIDENCY

Section. 1.(1)The executive Power shall be vested in a President of theUnited States of America. He shall hold his Office during theTerm of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosenfor the same Term, be elected, as follows:

(2)Each State shall appoint, in such Manner as the Legislaturethereof may direct, a Number of Electors, equal to the wholeNumber of Senators and Representatives to which the State maybe entitled in the Congress: but no Senator or Representative, orPerson holding an Office of Trust or Profit under the UnitedStates, shall be appointed an Elector.

(3)The Electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote byBallot for two Persons, of whom one at least shall not be anInhabitant of the same State with themselves. And they shallmake a List of all the Persons voted for, and of the Number of

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Cabinet. Such appointment requires no confirmation.

SEC. 4.The President and the Vice-President shall be elected by directvote of the people for a term of six years which shall begin atnoon on the thirtieth day of June following the day of the electionand shall end at noon of the same date six years thereafter. ThePresident shall not be eligible for any reelection. No person whohas succeeded as President and has served as such for morethan four years shall be qualified for election to the same officeat any time.

No Vice-President shall serve for more than two consecutiveterms. Voluntary renunciation of the office for any length of timeshall not be considered as an interruption in the continuity of theservice for the full term for which he was elected.Unless otherwise provided by law, the regular election forPresident and Vice-President shall be held on the second Mondayof May.

The returns of every election for President and Vice-President,duly certified by the board of canvassers of each province orcity, shall be transmitted to the Congress, directed to thePresident of the Senate. Upon receipt of the certificates ofcanvass, the President of the Senate shall, not later than thirtydays after the day of the election, open all certificates in thepresence of the Senate and the House of Representatives in jointpublic session, and the Congress, upon determination of theauthenticity and due execution thereof in the manner provided

by law, canvass the votes.

The person having the highest number of votes shall beproclaimed elected, but in case two or more shall have an equaland highest number of votes, one of them shall forthwith bechosen by the vote of a majority of all the Members of theCongress, voting separately.The Congress shall promulgate its rules for the canvassing of thecertificates.

The Supreme Court, sitting en banc, shall be the sole judge of all

Votes for each; which List they shall sign and certify, andtransmit sealed to the Seat of the Government of the UnitedStates, directed to the President of the Senate. The President ofthe Senate shall, in the Presence of the Senate and House ofRepresentatives, open all the Certificates, and the Votes shallthen be counted. The Person having the greatest Number ofVotes shall be the President, if such Number be a Majority of thewhole Number of Electors appointed; and if there be more thanone who have such Majority, and have an equal Number ofVotes, then the House of Representatives shall immediatelychuse by Ballot one of them for President; and if no Person havea Majority, then from the five highest on the List the said Houseshall in like Manner chuse the President. But in chusing thePresident, the Votes shall be taken by States, the Representationfrom each State having one Vote; a quorum for this Purpose shallconsist of a Member or Members from two thirds of the States,and a Majority of all the States shall be necessary to a Choice. Inevery Case, after the Choice of the President, the Person havingthe greatest Number of Votes of the Electors shall be the VicePresident. But if there should remain two or more who haveequal Votes, the Senate shall chuse from them by Ballot the VicePresident.

(4)The Congress may determine the Time of chusing theElectors, and the Day on which they shall give their Votes; whichDay shall be the same throughout the United States.

(5)No Person except a natural born Citizen, or a Citizen of theUnited States, at the time of the Adoption of this Constitution,

shall be eligible to the Office of President; neither shall anyPerson be eligible to that Office who shall not have attained tothe Age of thirty five Years, and been fourteen Years a Residentwithin the United States.

(6)In Case of the Removal of the President from Office, or of hisDeath, Resignation, or Inability to discharge the Powers andDuties of the said Office, the Same shall devolve on the VicePresident, and the Congress may by Law provide for the Case ofRemoval, Death, Resignation or Inability, both of the Presidentand Vice President, declaring what Officer shall then act as

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contests relating to the election, returns, and qualifications ofthe President or Vice- President, and may promulgate its rulesfor the purpose.

SEC. 5.Before they enter on the execution of their office, the President,the Vice-President, or the Acting President shall take thefollowing oath or affirmation :

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully andconscientiously fulfill my duties as President (or Vice-President orActing President) of the Philippines, preserve and defend itsConstitution, execute its laws, do justice to every man, andconsecrate myself to the service of the Nation. So help me God."(In case of affirmation, last sentence will be omitted.)

SEC. 6.The President shall have an official residence. The salaries of thePresident and Vice-President shall be determined by law andshall not be decreased during their tenure. No increase in saidcompensation shall take effect until after the expiration of theterm of the incumbent during which such increase wasapproved. They shall not receive during their tenure any otheremolument from the Government or any other source.

SEC. 7.The President-elect and the Vice-President-elect shall assumeoffice at the beginning of their terms.If the President-elect fails to qualify, the Vice-President-elect

shall act as President until the President-elect shall havequalified.If a President shall not have been chosen, the Vice-President-elect shall act as President until a President shall have beenchosen and qualified.If at the beginning of the term of the President, the President-elect shall have died or have become permanently disabled, theVice-President-elect shall become President.

Where no President and Vice-President shall have been chosenor shall have qualified, or where both shall have died or become

President, and such Officer shall act accordingly, until theDisability be removed, or a President shall be elected.

(7)The President shall, at stated Times, receive for his Services, aCompensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminishedduring the Period for which he shall have been elected, and heshall not receive within that Period any other Emolument fromthe United States, or any of them.

(8)Before he enter on the Execution of his Office, he shall takethe following Oath or Affirmation: "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute theOffice of President of the United States, and will to the best ofmy Ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of theUnited States."

Section. 2.(1)The President shall be Commander in Chief of the Army andNavy of the United States, and of the Militia of the several States,when called into the actual Service of the United States; he mayrequire the Opinion, in writing, of the principal Officer in each ofthe executive Departments, upon any Subject relating to theDuties of their respective Offices, and he shall have Power togrant Reprieves and Pardons for Offences against the UnitedStates, except in Cases of Impeachment.

(2)He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent ofthe Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators

present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with theAdvice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors,other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court,and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointmentsare not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall beestablished by Law: but the Congress may by Law vest theAppointment of such inferior Officers, as they think proper, in thePresident alone, in the Courts of Law, or in the Heads ofDepartments.

(3)The President shall have Power to fill up all Vacancies that

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permanently disabled, the President of the Senate or, in case ofhis inability, the Speaker of the House of Representatives shallact as President until a President or a Vice-President shall havebeen chosen and qualified.

The Congress shall provide for the manner in which one who is toact as President shall be selected until a President or a Vice-President shall have qualified, in case of death, permanent

disability, or inability of the officials mentioned in the nextpreceding paragraph.

SEC. 8.In case of death, permanent disability, removal from office, orresignation of the President, the Vice-President shall become thePresident to serve the unexpired term. In case of death,permanent disability, removal from office, or resignation of boththe President and Vice-President, the President of the Senate or,in case of his inability, the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives, shall then act as President until the President orVice-President shall have been elected and qualified.

The Congress shall, by law, provide who shall serve as Presidentin case of death, permanent disability, or resignation of theActing President. He shall serve until the President or the Vice-President shall have been elected and qualified, and be subjectto the same restrictions of powers and disqualifications as theActing President.

SEC. 9.

Whenever there is a vacancy in the Office of the Vice-Presidentduring the term for which he was elected, the President shallnominate a Vice-President from among the Members of theSenate and the House of Representatives who shall assumeoffice upon confirmation of a majority vote of all the Members ofboth Houses of the Congress, voting separately.

SEC. 10.The Congress shall, at ten o'clock in the morning of the third dayafter the vacancy in the offices of the President and Vice-President occurs, convene in accordance with its rules without

may happen during the Recess of the Senate, by grantingCommissions which shall expire at the End of their next Session.

Section. 3.He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information ofthe State of the Union, and recommend to their Considerationsuch Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient; hemay, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either

of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, withRespect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them tosuch Time as he shall think proper; he shall receive Ambassadorsand other public Ministers; he shall take Care that the Laws befaithfully executed, and shall Commission all the Officers of theUnited States.

Section. 4.The President, Vice President and all civil Officers of the UnitedStates, shall be removed from Office on Impeachment for, andConviction of, Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes andMisdemeanors.

Amendment XII [1804-Presidential Elections]The electors shall meet in their respective states and vote byballot for President and Vice-President, one of whom, at least,shall not be an inhabitant of the same state with themselves;they shall name in their ballots the person voted for as President,and in distinct ballots the person voted for as Vice-President, andthey shall make distinct lists of all persons voted for asPresident, and of all persons voted for as Vice-President, and of

the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign andcertify, and transmit sealed to the seat of the government of theUnited States, directed to the President of the Senate;--ThePresident of the Senate shall, in the presence of the Senate andHouse of Representatives, open all the certificates and the votesshall then be counted;--the person having the greatest numberof votes for President, shall be the President, if such number be amajority of the whole number of electors appointed; and if noperson have such majority, then from the persons having thehighest numbers not exceeding three on the list of those votedfor as President, the House of Representatives shall choose

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need of a call and within seven days enact a law calling for aspecial election to elect a President and a Vice-President to bheld not earlier than forty-five days nor later than sixty daysfrom the time of such call. The bill calling such special electionshall be deemed certified under paragraph 2, Section 26, ArticleVI of this Constitution and shall become law upon its approval onthird reading by the Congress.

Appropriations for the special elections shall be charged againstany current appropriations and shall be exempt from therequirements of paragraph 4, Section 25, Article VI of thisConstitution. The convening of the Congress cannot besuspended nor the special election postponed. No specialelection shall be called if the vacancy occurs within eighteenmonths before the date of the next presidential election.

SEC. 11.Whenever the President transmits to the President of the Senateand the Speaker of the House of Representatives his writtendeclaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and dutiesof his office and until he transmits to them a written declarationto the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged bythe Vice-President as Acting President.

Whenever a majority of all the Members of the Cabinet transmitto the President of the Senate and to the Speaker of the Houseof Representatives their written declaration that the President isunable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the

office as Acting President.

Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President of theSenate and to the Speaker of the House of Representatives hiswritten declaration that no inability exists, he shall reassume thepowers and duties of his office. Meanwhile, should a majority ofall the Members of the Cabinet transmit within five days to thePresident of the Senate and to the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives their written declaration that the President isunable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, theCongress shall decide the issue. For that purpose, the Congress

immediately, by ballot, the President. But in choosing thePresident, the votes shall be taken by states, the representationfrom each state having one vote; a quorum for this purpose shallconsist of a member or members from two-thirds of the states,and a majority of all the states shall be necessary to a choice.And if the House of Representatives shall not choose a Presidentwhenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, before thefourth day of March next following, then the Vice-President shall

act as President, as in the case of the death or otherconstitutional disability of the President. The person having thegreatest number of votes as Vice-President, shall be the Vice-President, if such number be a majority of the whole number ofelectors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then fromthe two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose theVice-President; a quorum for the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of thewhole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no personconstitutionally ineligible to the office of President shall beeligible to that of Vice-President of the United States.

Amendment XX [Presidential Term & Succession - 1933]Section 1. [Terms]The terms of the President and Vice President shall end at noonon the 20th day of January, and the terms of Senators andRepresentatives at noon on the 3d day of January, of the years inwhich such terms would have ended if this article had not beenratified; and the terms of their successors shall then begin.

Section 2.[Congressional Sessions]

The Congress shall assemble at least once in every year, andsuch meeting shall begin at noon on the 3d day of January,unless they shall by law appoint a different day.

Section 3.[Presidential Succession]If, at the time fixed for the beginning of the term of thePresident, the President elect shall have died, the Vice Presidentelect shall become President. If a President shall not have beenchosen before the time fixed for the beginning of his term, or ifthe President elect shall have failed to qualify, then the VicePresident elect shall act as President until a President shall have

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shall convene, if it is not in session, within forty-eight hours, inaccordance with its rules and without need of call.If the Congress, within ten days after receipt of the last writtendeclaration, or, if not in session, within twelve days after it isrequired to assemble, determines by a two-thirds vote of bothHouses, voting separately, that the President is unable todischarge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice-Presidentshall act as the President; otherwise, the President shall continue

exercising the powers and duties of his office.

SEC. 12.In case of serious illness of the President, the public shall beinformed of the state of his health. The Members of the Cabinetin charge of national security and foreign relations and the Chiefof Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, shall not bedenied access to the President during such illness.

SEC. 13.The President, Vice-President, the Members of the Cabinet, andtheir deputies or assistants shall not, unless otherwise providedin this Constitution, hold any other office or employment duringtheir tenure. They shall not, during said tenure, directly orindirectly, practice any other profession, participate in anybusiness, or be financially interested in any contract with, or inany franchise, or special privilege granted by the Government orany subdivision, agency, or instrumentality thereof, includinggovernment-owned or controlled corporations or theirsubsidiaries. They shall strictly avoid conflict of interest in theconduct of their office.

The spouse and relatives by consanguinity or affinity within thefourth civil degree of the President shall not during his tenure beappointed as members of the Constitutional Commissions, or theOffice of the Ombudsman, or as Secretaries, Undersecretaries,chairmen or heads of bureaus or offices, including government-owned or controlled corporations and their subsidiaries.

SEC. 14.Appointments extended by an Acting President shall remaineffective, unless revoked by the elected President within ninetydays from his assumption or reassumption of office.

qualified; and the Congress may by law provide for the casewherein neither a President elect nor a Vice President elect shallhave qualified, declaring who shall then act as President, or themanner in which one who is to act shall be selected, and suchperson shall act accordingly until a President or Vice Presidentshall have qualified.

Section 4.[Congressional Succession]

The Congress may by law provide for the case of the death ofany of the persons from whom the House of Representativesmay choose a President whenever the right of choice shall havedevolved upon them, and for the case of the death of any of thepersons from whom the Senate may choose a Vice Presidentwhenever the right of choice shall have devolved upon them.

Section 5.[Enforcement]Sections 1 and 2 shall take effect on the 15th day of Octoberfollowing the ratification of this article.

Section 6.[Amendment Procedure]This article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratifiedas an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures ofthree-fourths of the several states within seven years from thedate of its submission.

Amendment XXV [Presidential Succession - 1967]Section 1. [Vice President]In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death

or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.

Section 2.[Vice President Replacement]Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President,the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall takeoffice upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses ofCongress.

Section 3.[Vice President as Acting President]Whenever the President transmits to the President pro temporeof the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives

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SEC. 15.Two months immediately before the next presidential electionsand up to the end of his term, a President or Acting Presidentshall not make appointments, except temporary appointments toexecutive positions when continued vacancies therein willprejudice public service or endanger public safety.

SEC. 16.The President shall nominate and, with the consent of theCommission on Appointments, appoint the heads of theexecutive department, ambassadors, other public ministers andconsuls, or officers of the armed forces from the rank of colonelor naval captain, and other officers whose appointments arevested in him in this Constitution. He shall also appoint all otherofficers of the Government whose appointments are nototherwise provided for by law, and those whom he may beauthorized by law to appoint. The Congress may, by law, vestthe appointment of other officers lower in rank in the Presidentalone, in the courts, or in the heads of departments, agencies,commissions, or boards.The President shall have the power to make appointments duringthe recess of the Congress, whether voluntary or involuntary, butsuch appointments shall be effective only until after disapprovalby the Commission on Appointments or until the nextadjournment of the Congress.

SEC. 17.The President shall control of all the executive departments,bureaus and offices. He shall ensure that the laws be faithfullyexecuted.

SEC. 18.The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of all armedforces of the Philippines and whenever it becomes necessary, hemay call out such armed forces to prevent or suppress lawlessviolence, invasion or rebellion. In case of invasion or rebellion,when the public safety requires it, he may, for a period notexceeding sixty days, suspend the privilege of the writ of habeascorpus or place the Philippines or any part thereof under martial

his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powersand duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a writtendeclaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall bedischarged by the Vice President as Acting President.

Section 4.[Vice President as Acting President]Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either theprincipal officers of the executive departments or of such other

body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the Presidentpro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives their written declaration that the President isunable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the VicePresident shall immediately assume the powers and duties of theoffice as Acting President.Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President protempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives his written declaration that no inability exists,he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless theVice President and a majority of either the principal officers ofthe executive department or of such other body as Congressmay by law provide, transmit within four days to the Presidentpro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House ofRepresentatives their written declaration that the President isunable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling withinforty-eight hours for that purpose if not in session. If theCongress, within twenty-one days after receipt of the latterwritten declaration, or, if Congress is not in session, withintwenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble,determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the Presidentis unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, theVice President shall continue to discharge the same as ActingPresident; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers andduties of his office.

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law. Within forty-eight hours from the proclamation of martiallaw or the suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeascorpus, the President shall submit a report in person or in writingto the Congress. The Congress, voting jointly, by a vote of atleast a majority of all its Members in regular or special session,may revoke such proclamation or suspension, which revocationshall not be set aside by the President. Upon the initiative of thePresident, the Congress may, in the same manner, extend such

proclamation or suspension for a period to be determined by theCongress, if the invasion or rebellion shall persist and publicsafety requires it.

The Congress, if not in session, shall, within twenty-four hoursfollowing such proclamation or suspension, convene inaccordance with its rules without any need of a call.

The Supreme Court may review, in an appropriate proceedingfiled by any citizen, the sufficiency of the factual basis of theproclamation of martial law or the suspension of the privilege ofthe writ or the extension thereof, and must promulgate itsdecision thereon within thirty days from its filing.A state of martial law does not suspend the operation of theConstitution, nor supplant the functioning of the civil courts orthe legislative assemblies, nor authorize the conferment ofjurisdiction on military courts and agencies over civilians wherecivil courts are able to function, nor automatically suspend theprivilege of the writ.The suspension of the privilege of the writ shall apply only topersons judicially charged for rebellion or offenses inherent in ordirectly connected with the invasion.

During the suspension of the privilege of the writ, any personthus arrested or detained shall be judicially charged within threedays, otherwise he shall be released.

SEC. 19.Except in cases of impeachment, or as otherwise provided in thisConstitution, the President may grant reprieves, commutationsand pardons, and remit fines and forfeitures, after conviction byfinal judgment.

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He shall also have the power to grant amnesty with theconcurrence of a majority of all the Members of the Congress.

SEC. 20.The President may contract or guarantee foreign loans on behalfof the Republic of the Philippines with the prior concurrence ofthe Monetary Board, and subject to such limitations as may beprovided by law. The Monetary Board shall, within thirty days

from the end of every quarter of the calendar year, submit to theCongress a complete report of its decisions on applications forloans to be contracted or guaranteed by the Government orgovernment-owned and controlled corporations which wouldhave the effect of increasing the foreign debt, and containingother matters as may be provided by law.

SEC. 21.No treaty or international agreement shall be valid and effectiveunless concurred in by at least two-thirds of all the Members ofthe Senate.

SEC. 22.The President shall submit to the Congress within thirty daysfrom the opening of the regular session, as the basis of thegeneral appropriations bill, a budget of expenditures and sourcesof financing, including receipts from existing and proposedrevenue measures.

SEC. 23.The President shall address the Congress at the opening of itsregular session. He may also appear before it at any other time

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rp & us consti matrix

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