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1973 Martial Law Constitution
1973 Martial Law Constitution
Constitution
Dadivas, Dexie
Dumalag, Argie
Espada, Janine
Ferdinand Marcos
(1965-1986)
He was the only and First President to
declare Martial Law and the Longest
serving president of our country.
In 1969 election,
Marcos won his second
term.
Unfortunately, his second
term was commenced by
massive economic
problems and opposition
from radical groups and new
emerged political enemies
Terrible incidents for President Marcos to put
the country into Martial Law:
• The Bombing of Plaza Miranda (August 21, 1971)
• January 30, 1970 in Mendiola causing the death of five students.
• The bombing of public properties and private residences
• Alleged assassination attempts on President Marcos and other national
leaders
• Car ambush of Defense Secretary Juan Ponce Enrile resulting the death of
his driver.
September 21, 1972 – Marcos secretly
signed Proclamation no. 1081 placing the
entire archipelago under Martial Law
1973: CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITARIANISM
• On 24 August 1970, Congress enacted RA No. 6132, Otherwise known as the
Constitutional Convention Act, for the purpose of convening a Constitutional
Convention.
• While in the process of drafting a new Constitution, President Ferdinand Marcos
Declared Martial Law on September 1972.
• The 1973 Constitution, promulgated after Marcos’ declaration of martial law, was
supposed to introduce a parliamentary-style government. Legislative power was
vested in a unicameral National Assembly whose members were elected for six-year
terms. The President was ideally elected as the symbolic and purely ceremonial head
of state chosen from amongst the Members of National Assembly for the six-year term
and could be re-elected to unlimited numbers of terms. Upon election, The President
was not allowed to be a member of political party or hold any other office
From 16-17 October 1976, a majority of barangay voters (also called “Citizen
Assemblies”) approved that martial law should me continued and ratified the amendments
to the Constitution proposed by President Marcos.
The 1976 amendments were::
- An Interim Batasang Pambansa (IBP) substituting for the Interim National Assembly;
- The President would also become the Prime Minister and he would continue to exercise
legislative powers until such time as martial law was lifted.
The sixth Amendment authorized the President to legislate on his own on an “emergency”
basis
- Whenever in the judgement of the president there exists a grave emergency or a threat or
imminence thereof, or whenever the IBP or the regular National Assembly fails or is
unable to act adequately on any matter for any reason that in his judgement requires
immediate action, he may, in order to meet the exigency, issue the necessary decreed,
orders or letters of instructions, which shall form part of the law of the land.
PREAMBLE OF 1973 CONSTITUTION
We. The sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of
Divine Providence, in order to establish a Government that
shall embody our ideals, promote the general welfare,
conserve and develop the patrimony of our Nation, and
secure to ourselves and our posterity the blessing of
democracy under a regime of justice, peace, liberty, and
equality, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.