Civil Service Exam (Subprofessional) General Information — Philippine Constitution — Preamble, Declaration of Principles & Bill of RightsCheat Sheet
One-page cheat sheet for Civil Service Exam (Subprofessional) General Information — Philippine Constitution — Preamble, Declaration of Principles & Bill of Rights. Every formula, definition, and key fact you need for this chapter, condensed to a single printable page. Designed for the final review session before the Civil Service Exam (Subprofessional) 2026.
Exam context
The Career Service Examination — Subprofessional Level is conducted by Civil Service Commission (CSC) and is scheduled for Bi-annual — March and August 2026. The General Information subtest is marked as "~15% weightage" in the official pattern, and Philippine Constitution — Preamble, Declaration of Principles & Bill of Rights appears in position 1st of 7 in the Civil Service Exam (Subprofessional) General Information review rotation. Passing mark: 80%. Recent Civil Service Exam (Subprofessional) 2026 papers have drawn roughly 17 questions from this subject.
Philippine Constitution — Preamble, Declaration of Principles & Bill of Rights - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for mastering the fundamental law of the Philippines — essential for CSE and all major Philippine exams.
Sections
Section Title
The Preamble
Important Facts
- Preamble has 75 words — one of the world's longest
- Forms no integral part of Constitution — cannot be invoked as source of enforceable rights
- Serves as aid in constitutional interpretation
- Shows who authored the Constitution and its purposes
- Philippines is only predominantly Christian nation in Asia-Pacific
Key Definitions
Term
Preamble
Example
We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God...
Definition
Introductory part derived from Latin 'preambulare' meaning 'to walk before' — the prologue of the Constitution
Term
Sovereign Filipino People
Example
Constitution begins and ends with this phrase to show people's authority
Definition
Source of all government authority; distinct from 'people of the Philippines' which includes aliens
Common Values
Value
12 nautical miles
Symbol
19 km
Quantity
Territorial Sea
Section Title
National Territory (Article I)
Important Facts
- National territory includes terrestrial, fluvial, and aerial domains
- Includes territorial sea, seabed, subsoil, insular shelves
- High seas are NOT part of national territory — they are res communes
- Baseline determines maritime boundaries
Key Definitions
Term
Archipelagic Doctrine
Example
Waters between Philippine islands are internal waters regardless of breadth
Definition
Islands and waters viewed as unity forming one territorial unit
Term
Territorial Sea
Example
Foreign vessels have right of innocent passage
Definition
12 nautical miles from low-water mark where Philippines exercises sovereignty
Term
Internal Waters
Example
Manila Bay, Laguna Lake
Definition
Waters around, between, and connecting Philippine islands — part of national territory
Diagrams To Know
- Map showing territorial waters and exclusive economic zones
- Archipelagic baselines diagram
Section Title
Declaration of Principles (Article II, Sec 1-6)
Important Facts
- Civilian authority is ALWAYS supreme over military
- Prime duty of government: serve and protect the people
- Separation of Church and State is INVIOLABLE
- Armed Forces protects people and State
- Citizens may be required to render military/civil service
Key Definitions
Term
Democratic and Republican State
Example
Senators and Representatives elected by voters
Definition
Government by representatives chosen by the people at large
Term
Sovereignty
Example
All government authority emanates from the people
Definition
Supreme authority to govern — resides in the people
Term
Renunciation of War
Example
Defensive war is still allowed for national defense
Definition
Philippines renounces AGGRESSIVE war as instrument of national policy
Section Title
State Policies (Article II, Sec 7-28)
Important Facts
- State values human dignity and guarantees human rights
- Family is basic autonomous social institution
- Life of unborn protected FROM CONCEPTION
- Youth vital role in nation-building
- Women's fundamental equality before the law
- Labor is primary social economic force
- Self-reliant economy controlled by Filipinos
- Political dynasties prohibited
- Full public disclosure of government transactions
Key Definitions
Term
Social Justice
Example
Progressive taxation, labor protection, agrarian reform
Definition
Promotion of welfare of all people with special concern for underprivileged
Term
Independent Foreign Policy
Example
Nuclear-free policy consistent with national interest
Definition
Paramount considerations: national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest
Section Title
Bill of Rights — Fundamental Rights (Article III, Sec 1-11)
Important Facts
- Search warrants must particularly describe place and things to be seized
- Privacy of communication inviolable except upon lawful court order
- No law abridging freedom of speech, press, assembly
- No religious test for civil/political rights
- Right to information on matters of public concern
- Right to form unions, associations for lawful purposes
- Private property requires just compensation for public use
Key Definitions
Term
Due Process
Example
Right to fair trial, present evidence, cross-examine witnesses
Definition
Fair judicial treatment — no deprivation of life, liberty, property without opportunity to defend
Term
Equal Protection
Example
Similar situations must be treated similarly by law
Definition
Equal treatment under the law — no unreasonable discrimination
Term
Probable Cause
Example
Required for valid search warrant or warrant of arrest
Definition
Reasonable grounds supported by evidence that crime committed or property connected to crime
Section Title
Bill of Rights — Rights of Accused (Article III, Sec 12-22)
Important Facts
- All persons bailable except those charged with reclusion perpetua when evidence strong
- Presumption of innocence in criminal cases
- Right to speedy, impartial, public trial
- Right against self-incrimination
- No detention solely for political beliefs
- No excessive fines or cruel punishment
- No imprisonment for debt or poll tax
- No ex post facto law or bill of attainder
Key Definitions
Term
Miranda Rights
Example
Must be informed before custodial investigation begins
Definition
Right to remain silent, right to competent counsel during investigation
Term
Habeas Corpus
Example
Can be suspended only in invasion or rebellion
Definition
Writ requiring production of detained person to determine lawfulness of detention
Term
Double Jeopardy
Example
Once acquitted, cannot be retried for same crime
Definition
No person tried twice for same offense
Diagrams To Know
- Miranda rights flowchart
- Criminal procedure timeline
Must Remember
- Preamble: 'We, the sovereign Filipino people...' — source of constitutional authority
- Article I: Archipelagic doctrine — waters between islands are internal waters
- Article II, Sec 1: Philippines is democratic and republican; sovereignty resides in people
- Article II, Sec 2: Renounces AGGRESSIVE war (not defensive war)
- Article II, Sec 3: Civilian authority ALWAYS supreme over military
- Article III, Sec 1: Due process and equal protection — no deprivation without fair procedure
- Article III, Sec 2: Probable cause required for search warrants and arrest warrants
- Article III, Sec 12: Miranda rights — right to counsel and remain silent during investigation
- Article III, Sec 15: Habeas corpus can be suspended only in invasion or rebellion
- Bill of Rights protects individuals against government abuse — charter of liberties
Last Minute Tips
- Memorize exact Article and Section numbers — frequently asked in exams
- Distinguish aggressive war (renounced) from defensive war (allowed)
- Remember: Preamble cannot be source of enforceable rights but aids interpretation
- Focus on EXCEPTIONS to rights — when can they be limited or suspended
- Know the difference between internal waters and territorial sea for territory questions
Comparison Tables
Rows
Values
- God/Nature
- No
- Life, liberty, love
Property
Natural Rights
Values
- Constitution
- Only by amendment
- Due process, suffrage
Property
Constitutional Rights
Values
- Laws
- Yes, by legislation
- Minimum wage, adoption
Property
Statutory Rights
Columns
- Type
- Source
- Can be Modified
- Examples
Table Title
Natural Rights vs Constitutional Rights vs Statutory Rights
Rows
Values
- Participate in government
- Suffrage, right to information
Property
Political Rights
Values
- Individual protection
- Due process, free speech
Property
Civil Rights
Values
- Welfare and security
- Right to property, education
Property
Social-Economic Rights
Values
- Criminal protection
- Bail, presumption of innocence
Property
Rights of Accused
Columns
- Type
- Purpose
- Examples
Table Title
Types of Constitutional Rights
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