The Constitutional Commission and the 1987 Philippine Constitution

The bread and butter of every attorney in the Philippines are their familiarity with the Philippine constitution. More than wit, charisma, creativity, and ability to grace under pressure, an attorney should know how he can utilize the articles of the constitution into their clients’ favor.

The Constitution of the Philippines is the supreme law of our state. Our current constitution has been drafted in 1987. There have been three other constitutions that have governed our country. This includes the 1935 Commonwealth Constitution, the 1973 Constitution, and the 1986 Freedom Constitution. The 1899 Malolos Constitution was never fully implemented throughout the Philippines and was never internationally recognized due to the American occupation during the time it has been implemented.

Following the People Power and the fall of Martial Law, the late President Cory Aquino sought to ensure the freedom of the people and its return into democratic rule. The Proclamation No. 9 gave birth to the Constitutional Commission of 1986. It was a body composed of 48 national, regional, and sectorial representatives who collectively drafted the current Constitution of the Philippines. The members were appointed by Aquino and are composed by the following:

1. Cecilia Munoz Palma (President)
2. Ambrosio B. Padilla (Vice-President)
3. Napoleon G. Rama (Floor Leader)
4. Ahmad Domocao Alonto (Assistant Floor Leader)
5. Jose D. Calderon (Assistant Floor Leader)
6. Yusuf R. Abubakar
7. Felicitas S. Aquino
8. Adolfo S. Azcuna
9. Teodoro C. Bacani
10. Jose F. S. Bengzon, Jr.
11. Ponciano L. Bennagen
12. Joaquin G. Bernas
13. Florangel Rosario Braid
14. Crispino M. de Castro
15. Jose C. Colayco
16. Roberto R. Concepcion
17. Hilario G. Davide, Jr.
18. Vicente B. Foz
19. Edmundo G. Garcia
20. Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon
21. Serafin V.C. Guingona
22. Alberto M. K. Jamir
23. Jose B. Laurel, Jr.
24. Eulogio R. Lerum
25. Regalado E. Maambong
26. Christian S. Monsod
27. Teodulo C. Natividad
28. Ma. Teresa F. Nieva
29. Jose N. Nolledo
30. Blas F. Ople
31. Minda Luz M. Quesada
32. Florenz D. Regalado
33. Rustico F. de los Reyes, Jr.
34. Cirilo A. Rigos
35. Francisco A. Rodrigo
36. Ricardo J. Romulo
37. Decoroso R. Rosales
38. Rene V. Sarmiento
39. Jose E. Suarez
40. Lorenzo M. Sumulong
41. Jaime S. L. Tadeo
42. Christine O. Tan
43. Gregorio J. Tingson
44. Efrain B. Trenas
45. Lugum L. Uka
46. Wilfrido V. Villacorta
47. Bernardo M. Villegas

The Members of the Constitutional Commission were from different sectors of the society to represent the interest of the public. Some of them are from the House of the Representative, former Justices of the Supreme Court, and political activists during the Marcos Regime, and a Roman Catholic Bishop.

The constitution was ratified by a nationwide plebiscite on February 2, 1987. It contains a preamble and eighteen self-contained articles with a section numbering that resets for every article.

For the attorneys in the Philippines, it is very important to know the nature of our constitution so that they can utilize it. But it is important to know that our constitution plays a big role in our history. Attorney or not, as Filipinos, we need to learn and understand it, after all, ignorance of the law excuses no one.

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