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GENERAL PROVISIONS
SEC 1.
The flag of the Philippines shall be red, white, and blue,
with a sun and three stars, as consecrated and honored by
the people and recognized by law.
SEC. 2.
The Congress may, by law, adopt a new name for the country,
a national anthem, or a national seal, which shall be truly
reflective and symbolic of the ideals, history, and
traditions of the people. Such law shall take effect only
upon its ratification by the people in a national
referendum.
SEC. 3.
The State may not be sued without its consent.
SEC. 4.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines shall be composed of a
citizen armed force which shall undergo military training
and serve, as may be provided by law. It shall keep a
regular force necessary for the security of the State.
SEC. 5.
(1) All members of the armed forces shall take an oath or
affirmation to uphold and defend this Constitution.
(2) The State shall strengthen the patriotic spirit and
nationalist consciousness of the military, and respect for
people's rights in the performance of their duty.
(3) Professionalism in the armed forces and adequate
remuneration and benefits of its members shall be a prime
concern of the State. The armed forces shall be insulated
from partisan politics.
No member of the military shall engage directly or
indirectly in any partisan political activity, except to
vote.
(4) No member of the armed forces in the active service
shall, at any time, be appointed or designated in any
capacity to a civilian position in the Government including
government-owned or controlled corporations or any of their
subsidiaries.
(5) Laws on retirement of military officers shall not allow
extension of their service.
(6) The officers and men of the regular force of the armed
forces shall be recruited proportionately from all provinces
and cities as far as practicable.
(7) The tour of duty of the Chief of Staff of the Armed
forces shall not exceed three years. However, in times of
war or other national emergency declared by the Congress,
the President may extend such tour of duty.
SEC. 6.
The State shall establish and maintain one police force,
which shall be national in scope and civilian in character,
to be administered and controlled by a national police
commission. The authority of local executives over the
police units in their jurisdiction shall be provided by law.
SEC. 7.
The State shall provide immediate and adequate care,
benefits, and other forms of assistance to war veterans and
veterans of military campaigns, their surviving spouses and
orphans. Funds shall be provided therefore and due
consideration shall be given them in the disposition of
agricultural lands of the public domain and, in appropriate
cases, in the utilization of natural resources.
SEC. 8.
The State shall, from time to time, review to upgrade the
pensions and other benefits due to retirees of both the
government and the private sectors.
SEC. 9.
The State shall protect consumers from trade malpractices
and from substandard or hazardous products.
SEC. 10.
The State shall provide the policy environment for the full
development of Filipino capability and the emergence of
communication structures suitable to the needs and
aspirations of the nation and the balanced flow of
information into, out of, and across the country, in
accordance with a policy that respects the freedom of speech
and of the press.
SEC. 11.
(1) The ownership and management of mass media shall be
limited to citizens of the Philippines, or to corporations,
cooperatives or associations, wholly-owned and managed by
such citizens.
The Congress shall regulate or prohibit monopolies in
commercial mass media when the public interest so requires.
No combinations in restraint of trade or unfair competition
therein shall be allowed.
(2) The advertising industry is impressed with public
interest, and shall be regulated by law for the protection
of consumers and the promotion of the general welfare.
Only Filipino citizens or corporations or associations at
least seventy per centum of the capital of which is owned by
such citizens shall be allowed to engage in the advertising
industry.
The participation of foreign investors in the governing body
of entities in such industry shall be limited to their
proportionate share in the capital thereof, and all the
executive and managing officers of such entities must be
citizens of the Philippines.
SEC. 12.
The Congress may create a consultative body to advise the
President on policies affecting indigenous cultural
communities, the majority of the members of which shall come
from such communities. |
