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Declaration of Principles

and State Policies

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Overview

What principles underlie statepolicy in the Philippines?

What is the content of Article II ofthe 1987 Philippine Constitution?

How should Article II of theConstitution be understood?

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Article II

Composed of 28 sections

Sections 1 through 6 discussstate principles

Sections 7 through 28 outlinestate policies

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PRINCIPLES

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State Principles

Republican democracy

Democracy = periodic elections, etc.

Republicanism = rule through electedrepresentatives

Overriding principle:

Sovereignty resides in the people.

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State Principles

Renunciation of war andcommitment to international law

Philippines cannot declare war onanother country (offensive)

The country can only declare anexisting state of war (defensive)

International law forms part of the

countrys own laws

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State Principles

Supremacy of civilian authority

Civilian authority takes precedence

over military authorityThe President is the Commander in

Chief of the Armed Forces

The Armed Forces exist to protect thepeople and the state

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State Principles

The prime duty of government is toserve and protect the people

Separation of Church and State

The government cannot establish,endorse or favor any religion

This separation shall be inviolable

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POLICIES

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State Policies

Pursuit of an independent foreignpolicy

Recognition of local governmentautonomy

Equal access to public service

Guarantee for human rightsNon-absolute ban on nuclear

weapons in the national territory

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State Policies

Preference for private-sector ledeconomic development

Principle of subsidiaritySafeguarding of labor rights

Rural development and agrarian

reformCommitment to social justice

Preferential option for the poor

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State Policies

Respect for the sanctity of thefamily, protection of the unborn and

support for youth developmentProhibition on divorce

Prohibition on abortion

Safeguarding of the rights ofindigenous communities

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State Policies

Dedication to maintaining theintegrity of the public service

Taking measures against graft andcorruption

Freedom of information

Full public disclosure of governmenttransactions involving the public

interest

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State Policies

Prohibition of political dynasties

To ensure equal access to public

serviceAs defined by law

Encourage the development of civilsociety

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