Politics And Governance Subject

1. BY: Jocelyn M. Gallegos

2.  What principles underlie state policy in
the Philippines?
 What is the content of Article II of the
1987 Philippine Constitution?
 How should Article II of the Constitution
be understood?

3. Composed of 28 sections
Sections 1 through 6
discuss state principles
Sections 7 through 28
outline state policies

4. PRINCIPLES

5.  Republican democracy
› Democracy = periodic elections, etc.
› Republicanism = rule through elected
representatives
› Overriding principle:
“Sovereignty resides in the people.”

6.  Renunciation of war and commitment to
international law
› Philippines cannot declare war on another
country (offensive)
› The country can only declare an existing state of
war (defensive)
› International law forms part of the country’s own
laws

7.  Supremacy of civilian authority
› Civilian authority takes precedence over
military authority
› The President is the Commander in Chief of
the Armed Forces
› The Armed Forces exist to protect the people
and the state

8.  The prime duty of government is to serve
and protect the people
 Separation of Church and State
› The government cannot establish, endorse or
favor any religion
› This separation shall be inviolable

9. POLICIES

10.  Pursuit of an independent foreign policy
 Recognition of local government autonomy
 Equal access to public service
 Guarantee for human rights
 Non-absolute ban on nuclear weapons in
the national territory

11.  Preference for private-sector led economic
development
› Principle of subsidiarity
 Safeguarding of labor rights
 Rural development and agrarian reform
 Commitment to social justice
› “Preferential option for the poor”

12.  Respect for the sanctity of the family,
protection of the unborn and support for
youth development
› Prohibition on divorce
› Prohibition on abortion
 Safeguarding of the rights of indigenous
communities

13.  Dedication to maintaining the integrity of
the public service
› Taking measures against graft and corruption
 Freedom of information
› Full public disclosure of government transactions
involving the public interest

14.  Prohibition of political dynasties
› To ensure equal access to public service
› As defined by law
 Encourage the development of civil society

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