133-397: • Senate The Constitution of the Philippines ( Filipino : Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas or Konstitusyon ng Pilipinas ) is the supreme law of the Philippines . Its final draft was completed by the Constitutional Commission on October 12, 1986, and ratified by a nationwide plebiscite on February 2, 1987. The Constitution remains unamended to this day. The Constitution consists of
266-549: A jus sanguinis system where citizenship is mainly acquired through a blood relationship with Filipino citizens. Natural-born citizenship forms an important part of the political system as only natural-born Filipinos are eligible to hold high offices, including all elective offices beginning with a representative in the House of Representatives up to the President. Article V mandates various age and residence qualifications to vote and
399-644: A preamble and eighteen articles. It mandates a democratic and republican form of government and includes a bill of rights that guarantees entrenched freedoms and protections against governmental overreach. The Constitution also organizes the main branches of the Philippine government : a legislative department known as the Congress , which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives ; an executive department headed by
532-569: A president ; and a judicial department , which includes the Supreme Court and lower courts. It also establishes three independent constitutional commissions— Civil Service Commission (CSC), the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), and the Commission on Audit (COA)—each enjoying fiscal autonomy. Other governmental bodies created under the Constitution include the Commission on Appointments (CA),
665-524: A semi-presidential system ; and the 1986 Freedom Constitution, briefly implemented after the People Power Revolution . The constitution of the then- First Philippine Republic , the 1899 Malolos Constitution , which aimed to establish the first functional parliamentary republic in Asia , was never fully implemented nationwide and did not lead to international recognition, largely due to the outbreak of
798-427: A base for sending missions to other Asian and Pacific countries such as China, Japan, Formosa , Indochina , and Siam . The Filipinos to an extent resisted Christianisation because they felt an agricultural obligation and connection with their rice fields: large villages took away their resources and they feared the compact environment. This also took away from the encomienda system that depended on land, therefore,
931-477: A bicameral conference committee is created consisting of members from both chambers of Congress to reconcile the differences, or either chamber may instead approve the other chamber's version. While franchise and money bills originate in the House of Representatives, the Senate may still propose or concur with amendments. Only the Senate has the power to approve, via a two-thirds supermajority, or denounce treaties, and
1064-527: A group called PIRMA followed with an attempt to change the constitution through a People's Initiative by way of gathering signatures from voters. Many prominent figures opposed the proposition, including Senator Miriam Defensor-Santiago , who brought the issue all the way to the Supreme Court and eventually won the case. The Supreme Court ruled that the initiative not continue, stating that a People's Initiative requires an enabling law for it to push through. During his presidency, Joseph Ejercito Estrada created
1197-552: A highly resistant Muslim community that existed pre-conquest. The task of the Spanish missionaries, however, was far from complete. By the seventeenth century, the Spaniards had created about 20 large villages and almost completely transformed the native lifestyle. For their Christian efforts, the Spaniards justified their actions by claiming that the small villages were a sign of barbarism and only bigger, more compact communities allowed for
1330-906: A law for the local government, now currently the Local Government Code . Article XI establishes the Office of the Ombudsman which is responsible for investigating and prosecuting government officials. It also vests upon the Congress the power to impeach the President, the Vice President, members of the Supreme Court, and the Ombudsman. Article XII lays down the goals and objectives of the Philippine government in terms of wealth distribution, division of goods and services and to offer job opportunities to elevate
1463-408: A mutable caste system, with any sub-classes varying from one barangay to the next. Generally, patriarchal lords and kings were called datus and rajas , while the mahárlika were the knight-like freedmen and the timawa were freedmen . The alipin or servile class were dependent on the upper classes, an arrangement regarded as slavery by the Spaniards. Intermarriage between the timawa and
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#17328525891691596-589: A number of colleges and internationally known universities. The earliest universities in the Philippines were the University of San Carlos and the University of Santo Tomas , founded during the Spanish colonial period. The Jesuit Ateneo de Manila University , La Salle Brothers De La Salle University , and the Dominican University of Santo Tomas are listed in the "World's Best Colleges and Universities" in
1729-401: A petition of at least twelve percent of all registered voters, and at least three percent of registered voters within each district (called a People's Initiative ). All amendments must be ratified in a national referendum . Article XVIII establishes provisions to allow a clean transition from the preceding provisional constitution to the new Constitution. This includes provisions for directing
1862-493: A police force (presently the Philippine National Police ), the regulation of mass media and advertising industries, the doctrine of sovereign immunity , and others. Article XVII establishes the methods by which the Constitution may be amended or revised. Amendments may be proposed by either: a) a three-fourths vote of all Members of Congress (called a Constituent Assembly ), b) a Constitutional Convention , or c)
1995-457: A richer understanding of Christianity. The Filipinos faced much coercion; the Spaniards knew little of native rituals. The layout of these villages was in gridiron form that allowed for easier navigation and more order. They were also spread far enough to allow for one cabecera or capital parish, and small visita chapels located throughout the villages in which clergy only stayed temporarily for Mass, rituals, or nuptials. The Philippines served as
2128-422: A section numbering that resets for every article. The opening text introduces the constitution and the people as the source of sovereignty. It follows past constitutions, including an appeal to God . The preamble reads: We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just and humane society and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations, promote
2261-661: A sergeant-at-arms. Following this set of officers, the Senate as an institution can then be grouped into the Senate Proper and the Secretariat. The former belongs exclusively to the members of the Senate as well as its committees, while the latter renders support services to the members of the Senate. The Senate was modeled upon the United States Senate ; the two chambers of Congress have roughly equal powers, and every bill or resolution that has to go through both houses needs
2394-470: A state of war, the power of the purse, the power of taxation, and the power of eminent domain. Article VII vests the executive power solely in the President . The President is elected directly for a single six-year term. Re-election is not allowed, except in the case where the President has not yet served for more than four years, in which they may be elected again for a full six-year term. This exception
2527-484: A strong devotion to Mary , evidenced by her patronage of various towns and locales nationwide. Particularly, there are pilgrimage sites dedicated to a specific apparition or title of Mary . With Spanish regalia, indigenous miracle stories, and Asian facial features, Filipino Catholics have created hybridized, localized images, the popular devotions to which have been recognized by various Popes. Filipino Marian images with an established devotion have generally received
2660-513: A study commission for a possible charter change regarding the economic and judiciary provisions of the constitution. The attempt never attained its purpose after various entities opposed it due apparently to the attempt serving the personal interests of the initiators. After the Estrada presidency, the administration of Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo endorsed constitutional changes via a Constitutional Assembly, with then-House Speaker Jose de Venecia leading
2793-401: A system of secret ballots and absentee voting. It also mandates a procedure for overseas and disabled and illiterate Filipinos to vote. Article VI provides for a bicameral legislature called the Congress composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives. It vests upon Congress, among others, the power of investigation and inquiry in aid of legislation, the power to declare the existence of
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#17328525891692926-479: A treaty or decree of the government. It is also tasked to administrate the function of the lower courts. Through the constitution, three independent Constitutional Commissions, namely the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Elections, and Commission on Audit, were created. These Constitutional Commissions have different functions. The constitution also paved a way for the establishment of the Office of
3059-478: A unicameral National Assembly of the Philippines , effectively abolishing the Senate. Not long after the adoption of the 1935 Constitution several amendments began to be proposed. By 1938, the National Assembly began consideration of these proposals, which included restoring the Senate as the upper chamber of Congress. The amendment of the 1935 Constitution to have a bicameral legislature was approved in 1940 and
3192-478: Is a regular occurrence. In early 2023, claims regarding Freemasons distributing Holy Communion in some parishes prompted the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines to restate its stance on "the unacceptability of Masonry, given its serious errors". The Catholic Church is involved in education at all levels. It has founded and continues to sponsor hundreds of secondary and primary schools as well as
3325-534: Is known as the "Constitución Provisional de la República de Filipinas", and was originally written in and promulgated in the Spanish and Tagalog languages. Senate of the Philippines Minority bloc (2) Independent bloc (6) Vacant (1) The Senate of the Philippines ( Filipino : Senado ng Pilipinas ) is the upper house of Congress , the bicameral legislature of the Philippines , with
3458-451: The 1987 Constitution , the 24 senators who were elected in 1987 served until 1992. In 1992, the 12 candidates for the Senate obtaining the highest number of votes served until 1998, while the next 12 served until 1995. Thereafter, each senator elected serves the full six years. From 1945 to 1972, the Senate was a continuing body, with only eight seats up every two years. Aside from having its concurrence on every bill in order to be passed for
3591-653: The Born-again movement during the 70s. The charismatic movement offered In-the-Spirit seminars in the early days, which have now evolved and have different names; they focus on the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit . Some of the charismatic movements were the Ang Ligaya ng Panginoon, Assumption Prayer Group, Couples for Christ , the Brotherhood of Christian Businessmen and Professionals, El Shaddai , Elim Communities, Kerygma,
3724-672: The CBCP President and then-Archbishop of Cebu Cardinal Ricardo Vidal appealed to the Filipinos and the bishops against the government and the fraudulent result of the snap election; with him was then-Archbishop of Manila Cardinal Jaimé Sin , who broadcast over church-owned Radio Veritas a call for people to support anti-regime rebels. The people's response became what is now known as the People Power Revolution , which ousted Marcos. Church and State today maintain generally cordial relations despite differing opinions over specific issues. With
3857-684: The Catholic Church . During the sovereignty of the United States , the American government implemented the separation of church and state , which reduced the significant political power exerted by the Catholic Church and led to the establishment of other faiths (particularly Protestantism ) within the country. A provision of the 1935 Philippine Constitution mimicked the First Amendment to
3990-607: The Catholic Church in the Philippines ( Filipino : Simbahang Katolika sa Pilipinas , Spanish : Iglesia católica en Filipinas ), or the Philippine Catholic Church or Philippine Roman Catholic Church , is part of the world's largest Christian church under the spiritual leadership of the Pope in Rome . The Philippines is one of the two nations in Asia having a substantial portion of
4123-574: The EDSA Shrine , and various parts of the Philippines and the world. Estrada's Vice-President , Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo , succeeded him and was sworn in on the terrace of the shrine in front of Sin. However, in 2008, more than halfway into Arroyo's presidency, the Catholic Church apologized, and the CBCP President at the time and the Archbishop of Jaro , Angel Lagdameo , called EDSA II a mistake. On
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4256-405: The House of Representatives as the lower house . The Senate is composed of 24 senators who are elected at-large (the country forms one district in senatorial elections ) under a plurality-at-large voting system . Senators serve six-year terms with a maximum of two consecutive terms, with half of the senators elected in staggered elections every three years. When the Senate was restored by
4389-504: The Judicial and Bar Council (JBC), the Office of the Ombudsman , and the Commission on Human Rights (CHR). Throughout its history, the Philippines has been governed by three other constitutions: the 1935 Commonwealth Constitution, which established the current presidential system of government; the 1973 Constitution, initially reintroducing the parliamentary system but later amended to adopt
4522-713: The Philippine Commission of the Insular Government . Under the Philippine Organic Act , from 1907 to 1916, the Philippine Commission headed by the governor-general of the Philippines served as the upper chamber of the Philippine Legislature , with the Philippine Assembly as the elected lower house . At the same time the governor-general also exercised executive powers. In August 1916
4655-505: The Philippine National Police and the Philippine Coast Guard . The President may mobilize these forces to prevent or suppress "lawless violence", invasions or rebellions . However, in cases where public safety necessitates it, the President is authorized to declare a state of martial law throughout the entire Philippines or in specific areas, or to suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus . While it does not specify
4788-405: The Philippines with two major goals: to participate in the spice trade which was previously dominated by Portugal , and to evangelize nearby civilizations, such as China . While many historians claim that the first Catholic Mass in the islands was held on Easter Sunday , March 31, 1521, on a small island near the present day Bukidnon Province , the exact location is disputed. A verified Mass
4921-477: The Philippine–American War . Ruling by decree in the early months of her presidency following the 1986 People Power Revolution , President Corazon Aquino was presented with three options: restore the 1935 Constitution; retain and reform the 1973 Constitution; or pass a new constitution. She decided to have a new constitution and issued Proclamation No. 3 on March 25, 1986, abrogating many provisions in
5054-597: The United States Congress enacted the Philippine Autonomy Act or popularly known as the "Jones Law", which created an elected bicameral Philippine Legislature with the Senate as the upper chamber and with the House of Representatives of the Philippines , previously called the Philippine Assembly, as the lower chamber . The governor-general continued to be the head of the executive branch of
5187-407: The alipin was permitted, which created a more or less flexible system of privileges and labor services. The Spaniards attempted to suppress this class system based on their interpretation that the dependent, servile class was an oppressed group. They failed at completely abolishing the system, but instead eventually worked to use it to their own advantage. Religion and marriage were also issues that
5320-530: The encomendero of the area, and in return the encomendero taught them the Christian faith and protected them from enemies. Although Spain had used this system in America, it did not work as effectively in the Philippines, and the missionaries were not as successful in converting the natives as they had hoped. In 1579, Bishop Salazar and clergymen were outraged because the encomenderos had abused their powers. Although
5453-531: The first biennial elections for the restored upper house was held in November 1941. Instead of the old senatorial districts, senators were elected via the entire country serving as an at-large district, although still under plurality-at-large voting, with voters voting up to eight candidates, and the eight candidates with the highest number of votes being elected. While the Senate from 1916 to 1935 had exclusive confirmation rights over executive appointments, as part of
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5586-433: The president 's signature to become a law, the Senate is the only body that can concur with treaties and try impeachment cases. The president of the Senate is the presiding officer and highest-ranking official of the Senate. They are elected by the entire body to be their leader and are second in the Philippine presidential line of succession . The current officeholder is Francis Escudero . The Senate has its roots in
5719-434: The "Filipino family as the foundation of the nation" (Article XV, Section 1); the recognition of Filipino as "the national language of the Philippines" (Section 6, Article XIV), and even a requirement that "all educational institutions shall undertake regular sports activities throughout the country in cooperation with athletic clubs and other sectors." (Section 19.1, Article XIV) Whether these provisions may, by themselves, be
5852-468: The 16th century. When the Spanish clergy were driven out in 1898, there were so few indigenous clergy that the Catholic Church in the Philippines was in imminent danger of complete ruin. Under American administration, the situation was saved and the proper training of Filipino clergy was undertaken. In 1906, Jorge Barlin was consecrated as the Bishop of Nueva Caceres , making him the first Filipino bishop of
5985-573: The 1973 Constitution adopted by the Marcos regime, including the unicameral legislature (the Batasang Pambansa ), the office of Prime Minister , and additional legislative powers for the President. Often called the "Freedom Constitution", it was intended as a transitional basic law to ensure democracy, freedom of the people, and an orderly transfer of power as the Constitutional Commission
6118-454: The 1987 Constitution. The first attempt was in 1995. A constitution was drafted by then-Secretary of National Security Council Jose Almonte , but was never completed because it was exposed to the media by different non-government organizations. They saw through a potential change regarding the protection of the people's interests in the constitutional draft. In 1997, the Pedrosa couple created
6251-511: The CBCP, on October 14, 2022, released a circular encouraging the faithful to resume attending Sunday Masses; since then, several dioceses and archdioceses lifted its dispensations from physical attendance of Masses. Despite the setbacks brought by the pandemic, in 2021, the Church celebrated the quincentennial of the arrival of Christianity in the country ; the celebrations commemorated the first Mass in
6384-646: The Court held that a provision requiring that the State "protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology" did not require implementing legislation to become the source of operative rights. The Katipunan 's revolution led to the Tejeros Convention where, at San Francisco de Malabón , Cavite , on March 22, 1897, the first presidential and vice presidential elections in Philippine history were held—although only Katipuneros ( viz. members of
6517-609: The Duterte administration, won as Vice-President. While the Cabinet was mentioned several times in the article, the Constitution did not expressly provide for the creation of such body or to specifically enumerate its ordinary powers and duties. The President serves as the commander-in-chief of "all armed forces", which can be construed to encompass not only the Armed Forces of the Philippines but also other armed uniformed services such as
6650-829: The House of Representatives inherited the complex at Quezon City, now called the Batasang Pambansa Complex , while the Senate returned to the Congress Building, until the GSIS Building was finished in 1997. Thus, the country's two houses of Congress meet at different places in Metro Manila . The Senate would eventually move to the New Senate Building at the Navy Village in Fort Bonifacio , Taguig by 2025 at
6783-447: The House of Representatives will renew efforts at changing the 1987 charter for them to regulate economic sectors that can be opened for foreign investors, but this time through People's Initiative . Law expert Michael Henry Yusingco commented that Romualdez should show there is clear public support to amend it because without any such proof, plans will encounter hitches like before. The preamble and eighteen self-contained articles with
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#17328525891696916-426: The House of Representatives. There are twenty-four senators and the House is composed of district representatives. It also created opportunities for under-represented sectors of community to select their representative through party-list system. The judiciary branch comprises the Supreme Court and the lower courts. The Supreme Court is granted the power to hear any cases that deals with the constitutionality of law, about
7049-545: The House, to run for the leadership of the Senate, but Osmeña preferred to continue leading the lower house. Quezon then ran for the Senate and became Senate President serving for 19 years (1916–1935). This setup continued until 1935, when the Philippine Independence Act or the "Tydings–McDuffie Act" was passed by the U.S. Congress which granted the Filipinos the right to frame their own constitution in preparation for their independence, wherein they established
7182-516: The Insular Government. Senators then were elected via senatorial districts via plurality-at-large voting ; each district grouped several provinces and each elected two senators except for "non-Christian" provinces where the governor-general of the Philippines appointed the senators for the district. Future president Manuel L. Quezon , who was then Philippine Resident Commissioner , encouraged future president Sergio Osmeña , then Speaker of
7315-554: The Katipunan) were able to take part, and not the general populace. A later meeting of the revolutionary government established there, held on November 1, 1897, at Biak-na-Bato in the town of San Miguel de Mayumo in Bulacan , established the Republic of Biak-na-Bato . The republic had a constitution drafted by Isabelo Artacho and Félix Ferrer and was based on the first Cuban Constitution . It
7448-588: The Light of Jesus Family, Shalom, and Soldiers of Christ. The Catholic Church's Neocatechumenal Way in the Philippines has been established for more than 40 years. Membership in the Philippines now exceeds 35,000 persons in more than 1,000 communities, with concentrations in Manila and Iloilo province. A neocatechumenal diocesan seminary, Redemptoris Mater , is located in Parañaque, while many families in mission are all over
7581-550: The Ombudsman, which has a function of promoting and ensuring an ethical and lawful conduct of the government. There are three possible methods by which the Constitution can be amended: a Constituent assembly (Con-Ass), Constitutional Convention (Con-Con), or People's Initiative . All three methods require ratification by majority vote in a national referendum . Following the administration of Corazon Aquino , succeeding administrations made several attempts to amend or change
7714-562: The Parian (or bazaar) during the 1580s to trade silk and other goods for Mexican silver. The Spaniards anticipated revolts from the Chinese and were constantly suspicious of them. The Spanish government was highly dependent on the influx of silver from Mexico and Peru, since it supported the government in Manila, to continue the Christianization of the archipelago. The most difficult challenges for
7847-438: The Philippines (CEAP), the national association of Catholic schools in the country founded in 1941. The Catholic Church wields great influence on Philippine society and politics, notably reaching its political peak in 1986. Then-Archbishops of Cebu and Manila —Cardinals Ricardo Vidal and Jaime Sin , respectively—were influential during the People Power Revolution of 1986 against dictator Ferdinand E. Marcos . Vidal, who
7980-427: The Philippines . This is how the Senate looked like after the beginning of every Congress under the 1987 constitution. The parties are arranged alphabetically, with independents at the rightmost side. Vacancies are denoted by dashes after the independents. Senators may switch parties or become independents mid-term. Catholic Church in the Philippines As part of the worldwide Catholic Church ,
8113-408: The Philippines has sovereignty or jurisdiction, consisting of its terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains, 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 the internal waters of the Philippines. Article II lays out
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#17328525891698246-439: The Philippines strongly opposed the Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 , commonly known as the RH Bill. The country's populace – 80% of which self-identify as Catholic – was deeply divided in its opinions over the issue. Members of the CBCP vehemently denounced and repeatedly attempted to block President Benigno Aquino III 's plan to push for the passage of the reproductive health bill . The bill, which
8379-416: The Senate and House Committees on Justice, and representatives from the legal profession. Article IX establishes three constitutional commissions, which are governmental bodies that are independent of the three main branches of government. These are the Civil Service Commission , the Commission on Elections , and the Commission on Audit . Article X pursues for local autonomy and mandates Congress to enact
8512-458: The Senate is organized to elect its officers. Specifically, the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides a definite statement to it: (1) The Senate shall elect its President and the House of Representatives its Speaker by a vote of all its respective members. (2) Each House shall choose such other officers as it may deem necessary. (3) Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its Members for disorderly behavior, and, with
8645-457: The Senate secretary and the Senate sergeant at arms who are elected by the senators from among the employees and staff of the Senate. Meanwhile, the Senate president, Senate president pro-tempore, the majority floor leader and the minority floor leader are elected by the senators from among themselves. Article VI, Section 2 of the 1987 Philippine Constitution provides that the Senate shall be composed of 24 senators who shall be elected at-large by
8778-426: The Senate's temporary headquarters was at the half-ruined Manila City Hall . Congress then returned to the Legislative Building in 1950 upon its reconstruction. When President Ferdinand Marcos dissolved Congress in 1972, he built a new legislative complex in Quezon City . The unicameral parliament known as the Batasang Pambansa eventually met there in 1978. With the restoration of the bicameral legislature in 1987,
8911-459: The Spaniards, it took many years for the natives to truly grasp key concepts of Christianity. In Catholicism, four main sacraments attracted the natives but only for ritualistic reasons, and they did not fully alter their lifestyle as the Spaniards had hoped. Baptism was believed to simply cure ailments, while Matrimony was a concept many natives could not understand and thus they violated the sanctity of monogamy. They were, however, allowed to keep
9044-411: The Spanish colonial period, the five earliest regular orders assigned to Christianize the natives were the Augustinians , who came with Legazpi , the Discalced Franciscans (1578), the Jesuits (1581), the Dominican friars (1587) and the Augustinian Recollects (simply called the Recoletos, 1606). In 1594, all had agreed to cover a specific area of the archipelago to deal with the vast dispersion of
9177-478: The Spanish crown. The Philippines is home to many of the world's major religious congregations, these include the Rogationists of the Heart of Jesus, the Redemptorists , Augustinians , Recollects , Jesuits , Dominicans , Benedictines , Franciscans , Carmelites , Divine Word Missionaries , De La Salle Christian Brothers , Salesians of Don Bosco , the indigenous Religious of the Virgin Mary , and Clerics Regular of St. Paul are known as Barnabites . During
9310-406: The Spanish missionaries wanted to reform. Polygyny was not uncommon, but was mostly confined to wealthier chieftains. Divorce and remarriage were also common as long as the reasons were justified. Accepted reasons for divorce included illness, infertility, or finding better potential to take as a spouse. The missionaries also disagreed with the practices of paying dowries , the " bride price " where
9443-403: The Times Higher Education-QS World University Rankings. Other Catholic educational institutions in the country include the Notre Dame institution system in Mindanao, the Rogationist College in Silang, Cavite, and the Divine Word and Saint Louis school systems in Luzon. More than 1,500 Catholic schools throughout the Philippines are members of the Catholic Educational Association of
9576-491: The United States Constitution and added the sentences: " The exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without discrimination or preference, shall be forever allowed. No religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil political rights. " But the Philippine experience has shown that this theoretical wall of separation has been crossed several times by secular authorities and culturally
9709-525: The Vice-President are elected separately from each other. It is thus common in the Philippines for the President and the Vice-President to come from two entirely different parties or alliances. For example, in 2016, Rodrigo Duterte , running on a nationalist and populist platform, was elected President. Meanwhile, Leni Robredo , a member of the Liberal Party and the most prominent opposition figure during
9842-562: The Western church and state separation has been viewed as blasphemous among the Filipino people. It was during the American Period when newer religious orders arrived in the Philippines. The Spanish friars gradually fled by the hundreds and left parishes without pastors. This prompted bishops to ask for non-Spanish Religious Congregations to set up foundations in the Philippines and help augment
9975-437: The basic social and political creed of the Philippines, particularly the implementation of the constitution and sets forth the objectives of the government. Some essential provisions are: Article III enumerates specific protections against the abuse of state power, most of which are similar to the provisions of the U.S. Constitution. Some essential provisions are: Similar to U.S. jurisprudence and other common law jurisdictions,
10108-590: The building had been awarded to Hilmarcs Construction Corporation, the same company the Senate investigated for alleged overpriced construction of the Makati City Hall Parking Building II in 2015. The reception to the design was mixed, with some Filipino netizens comparing it to a garbage can . By early 2021, the New Senate Building's construction was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in
10241-476: The church to rally public support against the administration's war on drugs were less effective due to Duterte's popularity and high trust rating . Some churches reportedly offered sanctuary to those who fear death due to the drug war violence. During the 2022 presidential elections campaign , the church supported and endorsed the candidacy of vice president Leni Robredo in an effort to prevent Bongbong Marcos , son of dictator Ferdinand Marcos , from winning
10374-514: The commission. Several issues were of particular contention during the commission's sessions, including the form of government to adopt, the abolition of the death penalty, the retention of U.S. bases in Clark and Subic , and the integration of economic policies into the constitution. Lino Brocka , a film director and political activist who was a member of the commission, walked out before the constitution's completion, and two other delegates dissented from
10507-424: The common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution. The national territory comprises the Philippine archipelago, with all the islands and waters embraced therein, and all other territories over which
10640-416: The compromises that restored the Senate in 1941, the power of confirming executive appointments has been exercised by a joint Commission on Appointments composed of members of both houses. However, the Senate since its restoration and the independence of the Philippines in 1946 has the power to ratify treaties. The Senate finally convened in 1945 and served as the upper chamber of Congress from thereon until
10773-410: The concurrence of two-thirds of all its Members, suspend or expel a Member. A penalty of suspension, when imposed, shall not exceed sixty days. By virtue of these provisions of the 1987 Philippine Constitution , the Senate adopts its own rules, otherwise known as the "Rules of the Senate." The Rules of the Senate provide the following officers: a president , a president pro tempore , a secretary and
10906-404: The consent of both chambers before being passed for the president's signature. Once a bill is defeated in the Senate, it is lost. Once a bill is approved by the Senate on third reading , the bill is passed to the House of Representatives, unless an identical bill has also been passed by the lower house. When a counterpart bill in the lower house is different from the one passed by the Senate, either
11039-558: The country and the re-enactment of the first Baptism in Cebu City , among others. In 2024, the Philippine Church marked the declaration of Antipolo Cathedral as the country's first international shrine . NOTE: This statistics is from Annuario Pontificio (via GCatholic.org) and will be updated year-to-year. PHILIPPINE CATHOLIC STATISTICS (Per Diocese) A number of Catholic Charismatic Renewal movements emerged vis-a-vis
11172-514: The death of Pope John Paul II in 2005, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo declared three days of national mourning and was one of many dignitaries at his funeral in Vatican City . Political turmoil in the Philippines widened the rift between the State and the Church. Arroyo's press secretary Ignacio Bunye called the bishops and priests who attended an anti-Arroyo protest as hypocrites and "people who hide their true plans". The Catholic Church in
11305-427: The declaration of martial law by President Ferdinand Marcos in 1972, which shut down Congress. The Senate was resurrected in 1987 upon the ratification of the 1987 Constitution . However, instead of eight senators being replaced after every election, it was changed to twelve. In the Senate, the officers are the Senate president , Senate president pro tempore , majority floor leader , minority floor leader and
11438-549: The disruption of continuous warfare with them, the Spanish militarized the local populations, importing soldiers from Latin America, and constructed networks of fortresses across the islands. As the Spanish and their local allies were in a state of constant war against pirates and slavers, the Philippines became a drain on the Vice-royalty of New Spain in Mexico City, which paid to maintaining control of Las Islas Filipinas in lieu of
11571-479: The earliest. As the Senate has rented GSIS for the office space, it asked the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) to present suitable sites for it to move to, with the Senate eyeing the Navy Village property along Lawton Avenue as its favored site. In 2018, a building designed by AECOM was chosen as winner for the new home for the Senate and was expected to be built by 2022. Civil works to erect
11704-646: The early 16th century in Cebu by way of colonization . Catholicism served as the country's state religion during the Spanish colonial period ; since the American colonial period , the faith today is practiced in the context of a secular state . In 2020, it was estimated that 85.7 million Filipinos, or roughly 78.8% of the population, profess the Catholic faith. Starting in the 16th century Spanish pirates and settlers arrived in
11837-530: The election. Robredo, who won in 18 of the 86 dioceses in the country, lost the presidential race in a landslide. The Philippines has been active in sending Catholic missionaries around the world and has been a training center for foreign priests and nuns. To spread the Christian religion and the teachings of Jesus Christ, missionaries enter local communities. Depending on where a missionary or group of missionaries are travelling, their work will vary (international or local communities). The Philippines has shown
11970-468: The elections of the first members of the new Congress and of the President and the Vice President, specifying the current courts and the term limits of judges, specifying the initial salary for key members of government, mandating the newly elected Congress to pass laws to fulfill obligations set by these transitory provisions, and defining grace periods and limitations for previous treaties, laws, orders, and other instruments. This article also establishes that
12103-403: The encomenderos lost tributes. However, the missionaries continued their proselytising efforts, one strategy being targeting noble children. These scions of now-tributary monarchs and rulers were subjected to intense education in religious doctrine and the Spanish language, with the theory that they in turn could convert their elders, and eventually the nobleman's subjects. Despite the progress of
12236-439: The extent of the President's powers during martial law, the Constitution explicitly prohibits the suspension of the Constitution, the replacement of civilian courts and assemblies, and the use of military courts and agencies over civilians when civilian courts are still operational during such state. The proclamation of martial law also does not automatically suspend the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus. Article VIII vests
12369-410: The faith. In return, the Spaniards agreed to protect the natives from their enemies, mostly Japanese, Chinese, and Muslim pirates. Several factors slowed the Spaniards' attempts to spread Christianity throughout the archipelago. The low number of missionaries on the island made it difficult to reach all the people and harder to convert them. This was also due to the fact that the route to the Philippines
12502-432: The final draft. The Commission finished the final draft on October 12, 1986, and presented it to Aquino on October 15. The constitution was ratified by a nationwide plebiscite on February 2, 1987 . The constitution provided for three governmental branches, namely the executive , legislative , and judicial branches . The executive branch is headed by the president and his appointed cabinet members. The executive, same with
12635-442: The groom paid his father-in-law in gold, and "bride-service", in which the groom performed manual labor for the bride's family, a custom which persisted until the late 20th century. Missionaries disapproved of these because they felt bride-price was an act of selling one's daughter, and labor services in the household of the father allowed premarital sex between the bride and groom, which contradicted Christian beliefs. Pre-conquest,
12768-405: The guarantee of religious freedom in the Philippines, the Catholic clergy subsequently remained in the political background as a source of moral influence, especially during elections. Political candidates continue to court the clergy and religious leaders for support. In the 21st century, Catholic practice ranges from traditional orthodoxy, to Folk Catholicism and Charismatic Catholicism . At
12901-525: The islands with as little conflict as possible, ordered by Phillip II. Lieutenant Legazpi set up colonies in an effort to make peace with the natives and achieve swift conquest. Christianity expanded from Cebu when the remaining Spanish missionaries were forced westwards due to conflict with the Portuguese, and laid the foundations of the Christian community in the Panay between around 1560 to 1571. A year later
13034-487: The islands. The Way has been mostly concentrated on evangelization initiatives under the authority of the local bishops. The Catholic Church in the Philippines is organized into 72 dioceses in 16 Ecclesiastical Provinces , as well as 7 Apostolic Vicariates and a Military Ordinariate . Due to large number of attendees, virtually all Masses in the Philippines employ the use of extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion ; commissioning of ministers and renewal of their vows
13167-561: The judicial power upon the Supreme Court and other lower courts as may be established by law (by Congress). While the power to appoint justices and judges still reside with the President, the President from a list of at least three nominees prepared by the Judicial and Bar Council for every vacancy, a body composed of the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court , the Secretary of Justice , the Chairs of
13300-567: The lack of pastors. The American Jesuits and other religious orders from their American province filled the void left by their Spanish counterparts, creating a counterbalance to the growth of Protestant congregations by American Protestant missionaries. After the war, most of the religious orders resumed their ecclesiastical duties and helped in the rehabilitation of towns and cities ravaged by war. Classes in Catholic schools run by religious orders resumed, with American priests specializing in academic and scientific fields fulfilling faculty roles until
13433-451: The last of which was in 2011 when the tribunal awarded the protest of Koko Pimentel against Migz Zubiri . The qualifications for membership in the Senate are expressly stated in Section 3, Art. VI of the 1987 Philippine Constitution as follows: Under the Constitution , " Congress shall convene once every year on the fourth Monday of July for its regular session...". During this time,
13566-412: The lives of Filipino people. This section also provides important provisions such as: Article XIII divulge the utmost responsibility of the Congress to give the highest priority in enactments of such measures which protects and enhances the rights of all the people to human dignity through affirming that present social, economic and political inequalities as well as cultural inequities among the elites and
13699-663: The local church community in Manila. Herrera travelled further in the Espiritu Santo and shipwrecked in Catanduanes , where he died attempting to convert the natives. In 1572, the Spaniards led by Juan de Salcedo marched north from Manila with the second batch of Augustinian missionaries and pioneered the evangelization in the Ilocos (starting with Vigan) and the Cagayan regions. Under the encomienda system, Filipinos had to pay tribute to
13832-679: The mid-1970s. American and foreign bishops were gradually succeeded by Filipino bishops by the 1950s. The Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965 instituted a dramatic change for the Catholic Church in the Philippines, transforming the Latin Spanish church imposed upon the country to a Filipino church deeply rooted in Philippine culture and language. When the Philippines was placed under Martial Law by 10th president and dictator Ferdinand Marcos Sr. , relations between Church and State changed dramatically, as some bishops expressly and openly opposed Martial Law. The turning point came in 1986 when
13965-412: The missionaries were the dispersion of the Filipinos and the wide variety of languages and dialects. The geographical isolation forced the Filipino population into numerous small villages, and every other province supported a different language. Furthermore, frequent privateering from Japanese Wokou pirates and slave-raiding by Muslims blocked Spanish attempts to Christianize the archipelago, and to offset
14098-421: The natives had followed a variety of monotheistic and polytheistic faiths, often localized forms of Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam or Tantrism mixed with Animism. Bathala (Tagalog – Central Luzon) or Laon (Visayan) was the ultimate creator deity above subordinate gods and goddesses. Natives Filipinos also worshiped nature and venerated the spirits of their ancestors , whom they propitiated with sacrifices. There
14231-552: The natives were resistant, they could not organize into a unified resistance towards the Spaniards, partly due to geography and ethno- linguistic differences . The Spaniards were disapproving of the lifestyle they observed in the natives. They blamed the influence of the Devil and desired to "liberate the natives from their evil ways". Over time, geographical limitations had shifted the natives into barangays , small kinship units consisting of about 30 to 100 families. Each barangay had
14364-675: The natives. The Augustinians and Franciscans mainly covered the Tagalog country while the Jesuits had a small area. The Dominicans encompassed the Parian. The provinces of Pampanga and Ilocos were assigned to the Augustinians. The province of Camarines went to the Franciscans. The Augustinians and Jesuits were also assigned the Visayan Islands . The Christian conquest had not reached Mindanao due to
14497-409: The new Constitution will take effect when ratified by a majority of votes in a plebiscite. The Constitution also contains several other provisions enumerating various state policies including, i.e., the affirmation of labor "as a primary social economic force" (Section 14, Article II); the equal protection of "the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception" (Section 12, Article II);
14630-631: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Mass gatherings were prohibited as part of community quarantines to contain the virus; this prompted the Church to broadcast most liturgical services and spiritual activities through the Internet, television, and radio, and the CBCP allowed bishops to dispense the faithful from Sunday obligation. Physical Holy Masses in churches gradually resumed by June at limited capacities, but were suspended multiple times in response to multiple surges of cases between August 2020 and January 2022. As quarantine restrictions eased,
14763-402: The other two co-equal branches, has limited power. This is to ensure that the country will be "safeguarded" if martial law is to be declared. The president can still declare martial law, but it expires within 60 days and Congress can either reject or extend it. The task of the Supreme Court is to review whether a declaration of martial law is just. The legislative power consists of the Senate and
14896-476: The poor shall be reduced or removed in order to secure equitable welfare and common good among Filipino people. It also establishes the role of the Commission on Human Rights which ensures appropriate legal measures for the protection of human rights of all the persons within the Philippines as well as Filipinos residing abroad. Moreover, this section also lays down salient provisions such as: Article XV establishes
15029-456: The population professing the Catholic faith, along with East Timor , and has the third largest Catholic population in the world after Brazil and Mexico . The episcopal conference responsible in governing the faith is the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP). Christianity , through Catholicism, was first brought to the Philippine islands by Spanish pirates, missionaries and settlers , who arrived in waves beginning in
15162-561: The possibility of implementing federalism on the country. Following his ascension as president after the 2016 presidential election , he signed Executive Order No. 10 on December 7, 2016, creating the Consultative Committee to Review the 1987 Constitution. A year after Bongbong Marcos was proclaimed president, his first cousin Speaker Martin Romualdez told an economic forum on December 11, 2023 that legislators from
15295-712: The power to try and convict, via a two-thirds supermajority, an impeached official. The Senate currently meets at the GSIS Building along Jose W. Diokno Boulevard in Pasay . Built on land reclaimed from Manila Bay , the Senate shares the complex with the Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). The Senate previously met at the Old Legislative Building in Manila until May 1997. The Senate occupied
15428-411: The qualified voters of the Philippines , as may be provided by law. The composition of the Senate is smaller in number as compared to the House of Representatives . The members of this chamber are elected at large by the entire electorate. The rationale for this rule intends to make the Senate a training ground for national leaders and possibly a springboard for the presidency . It follows also that
15561-410: The recognition of the state on the Filipino family as the basic foundation of the nation as it shall reinforce and bolster its solidarity and steadily promote its development. Alongside with this, it also states important provisions such as: Article XVI contains several general provisions, such as a general description of the national flag , the establishment of the Armed Forces of the Philippines and
15694-409: The scope and limitations of these rights have largely been determined by the Supreme Court through case law. Article IV defines the citizenship of Filipinos. It enumerates two kinds of citizens: natural-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Natural-born citizens are those who are citizens from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect Philippine citizenship. The Philippines follows
15827-504: The second batch of missionaries reached Cebu. The island became the ecclesiastical "seat" and the center for evangelization. Missionary Fray Alfonso Jimenez OSA traveled into the Camarines region through the islands of Masbate, Leyte, Samar, and Burias and centered the church on Naga City . He was named the first apostle of the region. By 1571 Fray Herrera, who was assigned as chaplain of Legazpi, advanced further north from Panay and founded
15960-494: The senator will have a broader outlook of the problems of the country, instead of being restricted by narrow viewpoints and interests by having a national rather than only a district constituency. The Senate Electoral Tribunal (SET) composed of three Supreme Court justices and six senators determines election protests on already-seated senators. There had been three instances where the SET has replaced senators due to election protests,
16093-474: The source of enforceable rights without accompanying legislation has been the subject of considerable debate in the legal sphere and within the Supreme Court. The Court, for example, has ruled that a provision requiring that the State "guarantee equal access to opportunities to public service" could not be enforced without accompanying legislation, and thus could not bar the disallowance of so-called "nuisance candidates" in presidential elections. But in another case,
16226-426: The tradition of dowry , which was accepted into law; "bride-price" and "bride-service" were practiced by natives despite labels of heresy. Confession was required of everyone once a year, and the clergy used the confessionario , a bilingual text aid, to help natives understand the rite's meaning and what they had to confess. Locals were initially apprehensive, but gradually used the rite to excuse excesses throughout
16359-770: The upper floors (the Session Hall now restored to its semi-former glory) while the House of Representatives occupied the lower floors (now occupied by the permanent exhibit of Juan Luna 's Spoliarium as the museum's centerpiece), with the National Library at the basement. When the Legislative Building was ruined in World War II, the House of Representatives temporarily met at the Old Japanese Schoolhouse at Lepanto Street (modern-day S. H. Loyola Street), while
16492-574: The way. However, due to political controversies surrounding Arroyo's administration, including the possibility of term extension, the proposal was rejected by the Supreme Court. The next attempt was from then-Speaker of the House Feliciano Belmonte Jr . during President Benigno Aquino III 's administration. Belmonte attempted to introduce amendments to the Constitution focusing on economic provisions aiming toward liberalization. The effort did not succeed. President Rodrigo Duterte oversaw
16625-448: The year. Communion was given out selectively, for this was one of the most important sacraments that the missionaries did not want to risk having the natives violate. To help their cause, evangelism was done in the native language. The Doctrina Christiana is a book of catechism, the alphabet, and basic prayers in Tagalog (both in the Latin alphabet and Baybayin ) and Spanish published in
16758-406: Was a rigorous journey, and some clergy fell ill or waited years for an opportunity to travel there. For others, the climate difference once they arrived was unbearable. Other missionaries desired to go to Japan or China instead and some who remained were more interested in mercantilism. The Spaniards also came into conflict with the Chinese population in the Philippines. The Chinese had set up shops in
16891-435: Was drafting a permanent charter. The Constitutional Commission was composed of forty-eight members appointed by Aquino from varied backgrounds, including several former members of the House of Representatives , former justices of the Supreme Court , a Catholic bishop , and political activists against the Marcos regime. Aquino appointed Cecilia Muñoz-Palma , a former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court , as president of
17024-574: Was held at the island-port of Mazaua (present-day Limasawa ) as recorded by the Venetian diarist Antonio Pigafetta , who travelled to the islands in 1521 on the Spanish expedition led by Ferdinand Magellan . Later, the Legazpi expedition of 1565 that was organized from Mexico City marked the beginning of the Hispanisation of the Philippines, beginning with Cebu . This expedition was an effort to occupy
17157-467: Was popular among the public, was signed into law by Aquino, and was seen as a point of waning moral and political influence of the Catholic Church in the country. During the Duterte administration , the Catholic Church in the Philippines was vocally critical of extrajudicial killings taking place during the war on drugs , in what the church sees as the administration's approval of the bloodshed. Efforts by
17290-638: Was president of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) at that time, led the rest of the Philippine bishops and made a joint declaration against Marcos and the results of the snap election, while Sin appealed to the public via radio to march along Epifanio delos Santos Avenue in support of rebel forces. Some seven million people responded in the non-violent revolution which lasted from February 22–25, effectively driving Marcos out of power and into exile in Hawaii. In 1989, President Corazon Aquino asked Vidal to convince General Jose Comendador, who
17423-512: Was ritualistic drinking and many rituals aimed to cure certain illnesses. Magic and superstition were also practiced. The Spaniards saw themselves as liberating the natives from sinful practices and showing them the correct path to God. In 1599, negotiation began between a number of lords and their freemen and the Spaniards. The native rulers agreed to submit to the rule of the Castilian king and convert to Christianity, and allow missionaries to spread
17556-482: Was sympathetic to the rebel forces fighting her government, to peacefully surrender. Vidal's efforts averted what could have been a bloody coup. In October 2000, Sin expressed his dismay over the allegations of corruption against President Joseph Estrada . His call sparked the second EDSA Revolution, dubbed as " EDSA Dos ". Vidal personally asked Estrada to step down, to which he agreed at around 12:20 p.m. of January 20, 2001, after five continuous days of protest at
17689-457: Was utilized by Gloria Macapagal Arroyo during the 2004 presidential election , which she eventually won. The Constitution also establishes the position of Vice-President , who can serve for up to two consecutive six-year terms. The Vice-President may optionally be appointed as member of the Cabinet . The President and the Vice-President must meet the following qualifications: The President and
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