CSE
Professional LevelSub-Professional Level
Practice Exams

The 1987 Philippine Constitution (Sub-Professional)

As a future public servant, you must know the supreme law of the land.

Sa madaling salita: Ang Konstitusyon ang pinakamataas na batas. Lahat ng lingkod-bayan ay sumusumpa na susunod dito.

1. Key Principles

  • Sovereignty resides in the people: "Ang kapangyarihan ay nasa taumbayan." Tayo ang pumipili ng mga namumuno.
  • Public office is a public trust: Ang mga opisyal at empleyado ng gobyerno ay mananagot sa taumbayan at dapat laging unahin ang interes ng publiko.
  • Separation of powers: Nahahati ang kapangyarihan sa legislative, executive, at judicial branches.
  • Checks and balances: Walang isang sangay ang dapat mangibabaw sa dalawa pa.

1.1 Why This Matters In The Exam

Civil Service items usually ask for the basic function of each branch, the meaning of rights in Article III, and the general idea that government power comes from the people.

2. Article III: The Bill of Rights (Mga Karapatan)

Ito ang pinakamahalagang bahagi para sa exam. Pinoprotektahan nito ang tao laban sa pang-aabuso ng gobyerno.

Karapatan Paliwanag
Due Process Hindi pwedeng alisan ng buhay, kalayaan, o ari-arian nang walang tamang proseso ng batas.
Search and Seizure Bawal ang pag-search nang walang warrant mula sa judge.
Freedom of Speech Karapatang magsalita at magpahayag ng opinyon.
Right to Privacy Protektado ang iyong mga sulat at tawag.
Miranda Rights "You have the right to remain silent..." Karapatan ng mga inaaresto.

More Rights To Remember

  • Freedom of religion: May karapatan kang pumili ng pananampalataya.
  • Right to counsel: May karapatan ang akusado sa abogado.
  • Presumption of innocence: Itinuturing na inosente ang tao hangga't hindi napapatunayan ang kasalanan.
  • Right against self-incrimination: Hindi mo kailangang idiin ang sarili mo.
  • Right to a speedy disposition of cases: Hindi dapat matagal ang kaso nang walang dahilan.

3. The Three Branches of Government

Dito nahahati ang kapangyarihan para magkaroon ng "Checks and Balances".

  1. Legislative (Legislatibo): Tagagawa ng batas. (Congress: Senate & House of Reps)
  2. Executive (Ehekutibo): Tagapagtupad ng batas. (President & Vice-President)
  3. Judicial (Hudikatura): Tagapagpaliwanag ng batas. (Supreme Court & Lower Courts)

4. Quick Constitutional Facts

  • The Philippines has a bicameral Congress: the Senate and the House of Representatives.
  • The Senate has 24 members.
  • The President serves a six-year term.
  • The Constitution also recognizes the Commission on Human Rights as an independent office.

5. Memory Aid

  • Legislative = makes laws
  • Executive = enforces laws
  • Judicial = interprets laws
  • Bill of Rights = protects the people
  • Checks and balances = shared power

Practice Questions

1. The principle that "sovereignty resides in the people" means authority belongs to: A. The President B. The Congress C. The Filipino citizens D. The Supreme Court Answer: C. Rationale: Ang kapangyarihan ay nagmumula sa mga mamamayan.

2. Which branch of government approves the national budget? A. Executive Branch B. Judicial Branch C. Legislative Branch D. COA Answer: C. Rationale: Ang Congress (Legislative) ang may "power of the purse" o kapangyarihan sa pondo.

3. A person is arrested and immediately questioned without a lawyer. This violates: A. Right to Privacy B. Rights of the Accused C. Right to Travel D. Freedom of Religion Answer: B. Rationale: Karapatan ng bawat akusado na magkaroon ng abogado (Miranda Rights).

4. How many senators are in the Philippine Senate? A. 12 B. 24 C. 50 D. 100 Answer: B (24).

5. What is the term of office for the President? A. 4 years B. 6 years C. 10 years D. 12 years Answer: B (6 years). Rationale: Ibig sabihin, pagkatapos ng 6 na taon, hindi na siya pwedeng tumakbo ulit (no re-election).

6. What principle means the government gets its authority from the people? A. Separation of powers B. Sovereignty resides in the people C. Judicial review D. Federalism Answer: B. Rationale: Ang kapangyarihan ay nagsisimula sa mamamayan.

7. Which right protects a person from being forced to testify against himself or herself? A. Right to travel B. Right against self-incrimination C. Freedom of speech D. Right to privacy Answer: B. Rationale: Hindi mo kailangang idiin ang sarili mo.

Remember: The Constitution is the shield of the people against tyranny. (Ang Konstitusyon ang kalasag ng bayan.)