PA 103- PHILIPPINE ADMINISTRATIVE THOUGHTS AND INSTITUTIONS

Bachelor in Public Administration

MODULE 1
THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
ARTICLE II
DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

For better understanding of the whole concepts of the Philippine Government, it is

necessary to discuss the declaration of principles as stated in the Article II of 1987 Constitution.
This sets the overall picture of the general principles of the state.

At the end of this lesson the student should be able to:

1. Understand the overall principle of the state;

2. Explain the Philippines as democratic and republican state;
3. Appreciate the relevance of the separation of Church and the state.

SECTION 1. The Philippines is a democratic and republican State. Sovereignty resides

in the people and all government authority emanates from them.

The Philippines, a democratic and republican state

A republican government is a democratic government by representatives chosen by the

people at large. The essence therefore, of a republican state is indirect rule.

The Philippines, a democratic and republican state. It embodies some features of a pure or
direct democracy:

1. Initiative- is a process that enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by

placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the
ballot.
2. Referendum- is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is invited to vote on a
particular proposal. Some definitions of 'plebiscite' suggest that it is a type of vote
to change the constitution or government of a country.
3. Recall- voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote
before that official's term has ended.

MANIFESTATIONS OF A DEMOCRATIC AND REPUBLICAN STATE

1. The existence of a bill of rights.

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Pablo Borbon Campus
PA 103- PHILIPPINE ADMINISTRATIVE THOUGHTS AND INSTITUTIONS
Bachelor in Public Administration

2. The observance of the rule of majority.

3. The observance of the principle that ours is a government of laws, and not of men.
4. The presence of election through popular will.
5. The observance of the principle of separation of powers and the system of checks
and balances.
6. The observance of the principle that the legislation cannot pass irrepealable laws.
7. The observance of the law on public officers.
8. The observance of the principle that the State cannot be sued without its consent.

Sovereignty implies the supreme authority to govern, thus the Filipino people, being
sovereign people have the right:

1. to constitute their own government,

2. to change it,
3. Define its jurisdiction and powers.

Exercised indirectly through public officials. Exercised directly through suffrage.

SECTION 2. The Philippines renounces war as an instrument of national policy, adopts

the generally accepted principles of international law as part of the law of the land and
adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation, and amity with all
nations.

● With the conflict in the claim of Spratlys intensifying, China decided to launch an
all-out attack to the Philippines. Can the Philippines engage in war?

The declaration refers only to the renunciation by the Philippines of aggressive war, not
a war in defense of her national honor and integrity. Thus, when provoked and attacked the
Philippines can retaliate and engage into war.

Adoption of the generally accepted principles of international law as part of our International
law refers to the body of rules and principles which governs the relations of nations and their
respective peoples in their intercourse with one another

Adoption of the generally accepted principles of international law as part of our law. The
doctrine of incorporation is the automatic adoption of international law as part of the law of the
Philippines.

The Philippines seeks only peace and friendship with her neighbors and all countries of
the world, regardless of race, creed, ideology, and political system, on the basis of mutual
trust, respect, and cooperation. Adherence to the policy of peace, etc., with all nations

SECTION 3. Civilian authority is, at all times, supreme over the military. The Armed
Forces of the Philippines is the protector of the people and the State. Its goal is to secure
the sovereignty of the State and the integrity of the national territory.

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Pablo Borbon Campus
PA 103- PHILIPPINE ADMINISTRATIVE THOUGHTS AND INSTITUTIONS
Bachelor in Public Administration

Supremacy of civilian authority over the military inherent in a republican system

safeguard against military dictatorship

The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. The
Government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof, all
citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law,

1. to render personal service

2. military or civil service

The foremost duty of the government is to serve and protect the people. The
government exists for the people and not the people for the government.

Defense of the State by the people against foreign aggression the government may call upon the
people to defend the State. For self-preservation and to defend its territorial honor and integrity,
the Philippines can engage in a defensive war. The defense of the State is one of the duties of a
citizen.

SECTION 4. The prime duty of the Government is to serve and protect the people. The
Government may call upon the people to defend the State and, in the fulfillment thereof,
all citizens may be required, under conditions provided by law, to render personal,
military or civil service.

● Defense of the State performed through an army Compulsory Personal By law Military
and civil service by the people.
● The term refers to any service for the defense of the State other than as soldiers, like as
workers in munition factories.

SECTION 5. The maintenance of peace and order, the protection of life, liberty, and
property, and promotion of the general welfare are essential for the enjoyment by all the
people of the blessings of democracy.

● Only when peace and order, security, and a life of dignity are established and
maintained, will political stability and economic prosperity become attainable and
the people truly enjoy the “blessings of independence and democracy.

SECTION 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.

● The Church is not to interfere in purely political matters or temporal aspects of man’s life
and

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Pablo Borbon Campus
PA 103- PHILIPPINE ADMINISTRATIVE THOUGHTS AND INSTITUTIONS
Bachelor in Public Administration

● The State, in purely matters of religion and morals, which are the exclusive concerns of
the other.

The State:

1. Shall have no official religion

2. Cannot set up a church:
a. whether or not supported with funds;
b. nor aid one religion,
c. aid all religions, or
d. Prefer one religion over another.

Every person is free to profess belief or disbelief in any religion.

Every religious minister is free to practice his calling; The State cannot punish a person for
entertaining or professing religious beliefs or disbeliefs.

The command that Church and State be separate is not to be interpreted to mean hostility
to religion. Our Constitution and laws exempt from taxation, properties devoted exclusively
to religious purposes;

HOWEVER:

● The use of public money or property is not prohibited when a priest, preacher,
minister, or dignitary as such is assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal
institution, or government orphanage or leprosarium;
● Optional religious instruction in public elementary and high school is by
constitutional mandate allowed.

Thursday and Friday of Holy Week, Christmas Day and Sundays are made legal
holidays because of the idea that their observance is conducive to beneficial moral results;

The law punishes polygamy and bigamy, and certain crimes against worship are
considered crimes against the fundamental laws of the State.

1. Do a crowdsourcing asking them the advantages and disadvantages of the separation of

church and the state. List them down then;
2. Make a narrative report regarding the result of the study.

Batangas State University

Pablo Borbon Campus
PA 103- PHILIPPINE ADMINISTRATIVE THOUGHTS AND INSTITUTIONS
Bachelor in Public Administration

Identify the terms being defined.

1. _______________ is when voters can remove an elected official from office through a
direct vote before that official's term has ended.
2. __________________________ is being avoided on the principle that civilian authority
is supreme over the military.
3. As manifestation of state and church separation, the state
____________________________________ and
______________________________________.
4. _________________is a process that enables citizens to bypass their state legislature by
placing proposed statutes and, in some states, constitutional amendments on the ballot.
5. - 7. The rights of the sovereign Filipino people.

Batangas State University

Pablo Borbon Campus