Philippine Constitution & General Information - Cheat Sheet
Your last-minute revision companion for the most exam-critical facts about Philippine government, constitution, symbols, and civic knowledge for LET Elementary.
1987 Constitution Structure
Important facts
- 18 Articles total in the 1987 Constitution
- Article I: National Territory
- Article II: Declaration of Principles and State Policies
- Article III: Bill of Rights (most tested)
- Article VI: Legislative Department
- Article VII: Executive Department
- Article VIII: Judicial Department
- Article XIV: Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports
Key definitions
Preamble
Example
Affirms democratic and humane values as foundation
Opens with 'We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God...' - establishes sovereignty in the people
Constitutional Commission
Example
Ratified February 2, 1987 via plebiscite
Body that drafted the 1987 Constitution after People Power Revolution
Diagrams to know
- 18 Articles of the Constitution organizational chart
- Three branches of government structure
Bill of Rights (Article III) - Most Tested
Important facts
- Section 2: Unreasonable searches and seizures - warrant required
- Section 4: Freedom of speech, press, expression, and assembly
- Section 5: Free exercise of religion
- Section 7: Right to information on matters of public concern
- Section 9: Eminent domain with just compensation
- Section 11: Free access to courts and adequate legal assistance
- Section 20: No imprisonment for debt
- Section 21: No double jeopardy
- Section 22: No ex post facto law or bill of attainder
Key definitions
Due Process
Example
Section 1 - fundamental protection
No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law
Miranda Rights
Example
Section 12 - rights of the accused
Right to remain silent, right to counsel during custodial investigation
Habeas Corpus
Example
Section 15 - protection against illegal detention
Writ requiring person under arrest to be brought before judge
Diagrams to know
- Bill of Rights sections overview
- Rights of the accused flowchart
Three Branches of Government
Common values
Value
6 years
Symbol
No re-election
Quantity
Presidential term
Value
6 years
Symbol
Max 2 consecutive
Quantity
Senate term
Value
3 years
Symbol
Max 3 consecutive
Quantity
House term
Important facts
- President: 6-year term, NO re-election
- Senate: 24 senators, 6-year term, max 2 consecutive terms
- House: 3-year term, max 3 consecutive terms
- Supreme Court: 15 justices, Chief Justice leads
- President is Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces
- Congress has power of the purse
- Judiciary interprets laws and constitution
Key definitions
Separation of Powers
Example
Checks and balances system
Division of government into three co-equal branches: Executive, Legislative, Judicial
Bicameral Legislature
Example
Both must pass identical bills to become law
Two-chamber congress: Senate (upper) and House of Representatives (lower)
Diagrams to know
- Government structure organizational chart
- Legislative process flowchart
- Court system hierarchy
Constitutional Commissions & Local Government
Important facts
- Civil Service Commission (CSC) - civil service employees
- Commission on Elections (COMELEC) - elections and political parties
- Commission on Audit (COA) - government expenditures
- Local levels: Province → City/Municipality → Barangay
- Officials: Governor, Mayor, Punong Barangay (3-year terms)
- BARMM - Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao
- CAR - Cordillera Administrative Region
Key definitions
Constitutional Commissions
Example
Article IX - checks on government power
Three independent bodies: CSC, COMELEC, COA with fiscal autonomy
Local Government Code
Example
Provides autonomy to provinces, cities, municipalities, barangays
RA 7160 (1991) - law governing local government units
Diagrams to know
- Constitutional commissions structure
- Local government hierarchy
National Symbols & Identity
Important facts
- National Language: Filipino
- National Anthem: Lupang Hinirang (music: Julián Felipe, lyrics: José Palma)
- National Animal: Carabao
- National Bird: Philippine Eagle
- National Fish: Milkfish (Bangus)
- National Flower: Sampaguita
- National Tree: Narra
- National Fruit: Mango
- National Sport: Arnis (RA 9850, 2009)
- Flag's 8 rays = 8 provinces in 1896 revolt
- Flag's 3 stars = Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao
Key definitions
Philippine Flag
Example
Red up = wartime, Blue up = peacetime
Blue field (peace), red field (war), white triangle with sun (8 rays) and 3 stars
National Motto
Example
Four fundamental values of Filipino people
Maka-Diyos, Maka-Tao, Makakalikasan, at Makabansa
Diagrams to know
- Philippine flag design and meaning
- National symbols collection
Key Historical Dates & Presidents
Common values
Value
333 years
Symbol
1565-1898
Quantity
Spanish rule
Value
48 years
Symbol
1898-1946
Quantity
American rule
Important facts
- March 16, 1521 - Magellan lands in Philippines
- 1565 - Spanish colonization begins (Legazpi)
- June 12, 1898 - Declaration of Independence (Kawit, Cavite)
- 1898-1946 - American colonial period
- 1941-1945 - Japanese occupation
- July 4, 1946 - Philippine Independence recognized by US
- September 21, 1972 - Martial Law declared by Marcos
- Current President: Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. (2022-present)
Key definitions
People Power Revolution
Example
Led to 1987 Constitution and restoration of democracy
February 22-25, 1986 peaceful uprising that ended Marcos dictatorship
Philippine Independence
Example
June 12 is official Independence Day
June 12, 1898 proclaimed by Aguinaldo; July 4, 1946 recognized by US
Diagrams to know
- Philippine historical timeline
- Presidential succession chart
Philippine Heroes & Geography
Common values
Value
7,641
Symbol
Three island groups
Quantity
Total islands
Value
17
Symbol
Including NCR and BARMM
Quantity
Administrative regions
Important facts
- Andrés Bonifacio - 'Father of Philippine Revolution', founded Katipunan
- Emilio Aguinaldo - First President of the Republic
- Apolinario Mabini - 'Brains of the Revolution'
- Antonio Luna - General and military strategist
- Gabriela Silang - First Filipino female revolutionary leader
- Tandang Sora (Melchora Aquino) - 'Mother of the Katipunan'
- Largest island: Luzon
- Highest peak: Mount Apo (2,954 m)
- Longest river: Cagayan River
- Largest lake: Laguna de Bay
- 17 administrative regions including NCR
Key definitions
National Hero
Example
Martyred December 30, 1896 at Bagumbayan
José Rizal - author of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo
Philippine Archipelago
Example
Total land area approximately 300,000 km²
7,641 islands grouped into Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao
Diagrams to know
- Philippine heroes and their contributions
- Philippine map with major islands and regions
Government Agencies & Education
Important facts
- DepEd - basic education (K-12)
- CHED - higher education
- TESDA - technical-vocational education
- DOH - Department of Health
- DSWD - Department of Social Welfare and Development
- DOLE - Department of Labor and Employment
- Constitution mandates free public basic education
- Constitution promotes academic freedom
- Constitution requires values education
- Mother tongue as primary medium of instruction in early grades
Key definitions
Article XIV
Example
Mandates free public basic education and academic freedom
Constitutional provision on Education, Science and Technology, Arts, Culture, and Sports
DepEd
Example
Implements mother tongue, Filipino, and English as media of instruction
Department of Education - responsible for basic education (K-12)
Diagrams to know
- Government agencies organizational chart
- Education system structure
Must remember
- 1987 Constitution has 18 Articles, ratified February 2, 1987
- Bill of Rights is Article III - most tested in LET
- President serves 6-year term with NO re-election allowed
- Senate: 24 members, 6-year term; House: 3-year term
- Three Constitutional Commissions: CSC, COMELEC, COA
- Philippine flag: Blue up = peace, Red up = war; 8 rays = 8 provinces in 1896 revolt
- National Hero: José Rizal (Noli Me Tangere, El Filibusterismo)
- Independence Day: June 12, 1898 (proclaimed), July 4, 1946 (US recognition)
- 7,641 islands in three groups: Luzon, Visayas, Mindanao
- Article XIV mandates free public basic education and academic freedom
Last minute tips
- Focus on Bill of Rights sections - they appear in multiple LET questions
- Memorize exact terms of office: President (6 years, no re-election), Senate (6 years), House (3 years)
- Remember the difference between proclamation (June 12, 1898) and recognition (July 4, 1946) of independence
- Know the 'Big 3' Constitutional Commissions and their specific functions
- Article XIV (Education) often connects to teaching profession questions - know the education mandates
Comparison tables
Government Branches Comparison
| Branch | Head | Term | Key Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive | President | 6 years, no re-election | Execute laws, Commander-in-Chief |
| Legislative | Senate President/House Speaker | 6 years (Senate), 3 years (House) | Make laws, power of purse |
| Judicial | Chief Justice | Until age 70 | Interpret laws, judicial review |
Constitutional Commissions
| Commission | Abbreviation | Primary Function |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Service Commission | CSC | Civil service employees and merit system |
| Commission on Elections | COMELEC | Elections and political parties |
| Commission on Audit | COA | Government expenditures and accountability |
Diagrams
1987 Philippine Constitution Overview
Comprehensive overview of the 1987 Constitution's structure and key components
Three Branches of Government
Organizational structure showing the three branches of government and their key characteristics
Key Philippine Historical Dates
Timeline of the most important dates in Philippine history for LET exam