Advantages And Disadvantages Of 1987 Constitution Of The Philippines

What is 1987 Constitution Of The Philippines?

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is the current constitution of the country. It was promulgated on February 11, 1987, following the ouster of former President Ferdinand Marcos and the restoration of democracy in the Philippines. The 1987 Constitution is considered one of the most significant achievements of the Philippine democratic movement and has several advantages that have contributed to the country’s development.

One of the most significant advantages of the 1987 Constitution is its emphasis on human rights and civil liberties. The Constitution contains several provisions that protect the rights of citizens, such as freedom of speech, the right to due process, and the right to a fair trial. These provisions have played a critical role in promoting democracy and preventing abuses of power by the government.

Another advantage of the 1987 Constitution is its provisions for decentralization and local government autonomy. The Constitution provides for the establishment of autonomous regions for Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras and grants local governments greater powers and resources. This has led to greater participation and engagement by citizens in the governance process, as well as the development of local initiatives and programs that address the unique needs of each region.

The 1987 Constitution also established several independent bodies that promote accountability and transparency in government. These include the Commission on Human Rights, the Commission on Elections, and the Ombudsman. These institutions have played a critical role in promoting transparency and preventing corruption in government.

Furthermore, the 1987 Constitution provides for the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. This ensures that no one branch has unchecked power and provides a system of checks and balances to prevent abuses of power.

In conclusion, the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines has several advantages that have contributed to the country’s democratic development. Its emphasis on human rights and civil liberties, decentralization and local government autonomy, independent bodies that promote accountability and transparency, and separation of powers between the different branches of government have played a critical role in promoting democracy, preventing abuses of power, and promoting the welfare of the Filipino people. Despite some challenges and criticisms, the 1987 Constitution remains a vital pillar of Philippine democracy and will continue to guide the country’s development in the years to come.

Advantages of 1987 Constitution Of The Philippines

The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines is the current constitution of the country, and it has several advantages that have contributed to the country’s development. Some of the most significant advantages of the 1987 Constitution are:

Protection of Human Rights and Civil Liberties: The 1987 Constitution of the Philippines contains several provisions that protect the fundamental rights of citizens, such as freedom of speech, the press, and religion. It also provides for the protection of the right to life, liberty, and property, as well as the right to due process and a fair trial. These provisions have played a critical role in promoting democracy and preventing abuses of power by the government.
Decentralization and Local Government Autonomy: The 1987 Constitution provides for the establishment of autonomous regions for Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras, as well as granting local governments greater powers and resources. This has led to greater participation and engagement by citizens in the governance process, as well as the development of local initiatives and programs that address the unique needs of each region.
Independent Bodies that Promote Accountability and Transparency: The 1987 Constitution established several independent bodies that promote accountability and transparency in government. These include the Commission on Human Rights, the Commission on Elections, and the Ombudsman. These institutions have played a critical role in promoting transparency and preventing corruption in government.
Separation of Powers: The 1987 Constitution provides for the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. This ensures that no one branch has unchecked power and provides a system of checks and balances to prevent abuses of power.
Promotion of Social Justice and Human Development: The 1987 Constitution includes provisions that promote social justice and human development, such as the protection of labor rights, the promotion of gender equality, and the provision of social services and benefits to the poor and marginalized.

In conclusion, the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines has several advantages that have contributed to the country’s democratic development. Its emphasis on human rights and civil liberties, decentralization and local government autonomy, independent bodies that promote accountability and transparency, separation of powers, and promotion of social justice and human development have played a critical role in promoting democracy, preventing abuses of power, and promoting the welfare of the Filipino people.

Disadvantages of 1987 Constitution Of The Philippines

While the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines has several advantages, it also has some disadvantages that have hindered the country’s development in certain areas. Some of the most significant disadvantages of the 1987 Constitution are:

Economic Restrictions: The 1987 Constitution contains several economic provisions that restrict foreign ownership of land, public utilities, and other industries. This has limited foreign investment and has hindered the growth of the economy in some sectors.
Lengthy and Costly Electoral Processes: The electoral process in the Philippines is often lengthy and costly, with candidates required to go through several layers of vetting and verification. This has resulted in a large number of cases of vote buying and other forms of electoral fraud.
Inefficient Bureaucracy: Despite the provisions in the 1987 Constitution that promote accountability and transparency, the Philippine bureaucracy remains inefficient and plagued by corruption. This has hindered the delivery of basic services to citizens and has led to a lack of trust in government.
Weaknesses in Law Enforcement: The 1987 Constitution provides for the protection of human rights and civil liberties, but law enforcement agencies in the Philippines have been criticized for their weaknesses in enforcing the law and protecting citizens. This has resulted in a high level of crime and a lack of safety and security in some areas.
Political Dynasties: The 1987 Constitution contains no specific provisions to prevent political dynasties, which has led to a concentration of political power among a small number of families. This has resulted in a lack of competition in politics and limited opportunities for new leaders to emerge.

In conclusion, while the 1987 Constitution of the Philippines has several advantages that have contributed to the country’s development, it also has some disadvantages that have hindered progress in certain areas. Its economic restrictions, lengthy and costly electoral processes, inefficient bureaucracy, weaknesses in law enforcement, and political dynasties have all contributed to challenges in promoting democracy and development in the country.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of 1987 Constitution Of The Philippines