Preamble, A1 1987 Constitution

1. Preamble

The Preamble of the 1987 Constitution 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 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.

Noteworthy aspects of preamble:

1) The Filipino people is a religious people; and

2) They implore the aid of the Almighty in order to:

a. Religious faith

The Filipino people is a religious people who believe in the divine, the Almighty God.

While it is subsequently declared in the next provisions of the 1987 Constitution that there shall be a separation of Church and State, the fact that the opening salvo of the constitution is a recognition of the religiosity of the Filipino is a testament to deeply held religious convictions, which may at times play a crucial role in national debates that touch upon such subject.

For example, R.A. 10354 or The Responsible Parenthood and Reproductive Health Act of 2012 (commonly referred to as the R.H. Law) was challenged on various grounds particularly by the religious sectors. In effect, eight (8) items therein were declared unconstitutional.

See related:

• R.A. 10354 – The Responsible Par...