People Empowerment
PASSPORT TO A NEW PHILIPPINES
PEOPLE-EMPOWERING LAWS
THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION
The Constitution of the Philippines (Saligang Batas ng Pilipinas) is the supreme law of the land. The Constitution currently in effect was enacted in 1987, during the administration of President Corazon Aquino, and is popularly known as the “1987 Constitution.” It went through a period of nationwide information campaign and a plebiscite for its ratification was held on February 2, 1987. More than three-fourth of all votes cast, 76.37% (or 17,059,495 voters) favored ratification as against 22.65% (or 5,058,714 voters) who voted against ratification. On February 11, 1987, the new constitution was proclaimed ratified and took effect.
“PREAMBLE. 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.”
R.A. 6735 or THE INITIATIVE AND REFERENDUM ACT
On August 4, 1989, Congress approved Republic Act No. 6735 entitled “An Act Providing for a System of Initiative and Referendum and Appropriating Funds Therefor.” Section 11 of the law pertinently provides: “Any duly accredited people’s organization, as defined by law, may file a petition for indirect initiative with the House of Representatives, and other legislative bodies. The petition shall contain a summary of the chief purposes and contents of the bill that the organization proposes to be enacted into law by the legislature. The procedure to be followed on the initiative bill shall be the same as the enactment of any legislative measure before the House of Representatives except that the said initiative bill shall have precedence over the pending legislative measures on the committee.”
ABOUT YOUR BARANGAY: BOOK III, TITLE ONE OF R.A. 7160 or THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE OF 1991
As the smallest political unit of the government – with its own territory, government, and resources – the barangay is in fact a “small republic.” Ignored, neglected and exploited by trapos through the years, it is where people need to be shown in real terms how and when to assert their sovereign power and demand good governance right in their own backyard.
DOWNLOAD Gising Barangay Movement Educational Material
Passport to a New Philippines
Is there a way out of the darkness? Where and how do we begin?
Be Part of our Community
Let’s work together for a common goal and help one another achieve it.
