B. STATE POLICIES
Independent foreign policy
Section 7. The State shall pursue an independent foreign policy. In its relations with other states the paramount consideration shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest, and the right of self-determination.
The foreign policy simply means the direction that it may pursue in its relations with the other states is geared, at all times, on what is always best for its national interest.
Supervening realities resulting from political and technological developments taking place around the world, made more potent by the emergence of new and independent smaller states, have made more imperative the re-examination of Philippine foreign policy necessary in its relation with the other states in the international community. Accordingly, the 1987 Constitution has now expressly spelled out with unmistakable impact the foreign policy that the Philippines must pursue which must be an independent one. At the same time, the Philippines, in its relations with other states in the international community, the paramount considerations shall be national sovereignty, territorial integrity, national interest and the right of self-determination.
Section 8. The Philippines consistent with the national interest adopts and pursues a policy of freedom from nuclear weapons.
Section 9. The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through policies that provide adequate social services, promote full employment, a rising standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.
This provision imposes upon the State the task of promoting a just and dynamic social order that shall ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and, at the same time, free the people from poverty. This objective can only be achieve by the adoption of policies that will provide:
a) adequate social services;
b) promote full employment:
c) a rising standard of living: and
d) an improved quality of life for all.
The social services to enable the people to have a decent standard of living that the State must provide include the following:
1) Social security services including hospitalization and medical services;
2) Free education;
3) Massive housing program;
4) Employment opportunities, including those
5) That which uplifts the conditions of the aged and the less fortunate people who have always less in life and should have more in law.
Section 10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.
"Social justice is just giving those with less in life more in law."
This policy on social justice as now worded in the Constitution has widened in scope beyond its economic and social aspects of human activity into the domain of labor, education, health, public office, etc, but always looking toward the upliftment of the poor- those who have less in life deserve something more in law.
In Calalang vs. Williams, (79 Phil. 726) the Supreme Court defined social justice thus:
"Social justice is neither communism nor despotism neither atomism nor anarchy but is the humanization of the laws and the equalization of social and economic forces by the State so that justice in its rational and objectively secular conception; may at least be approximated. Social justice means the promotion of the welfare of the people, the adoption of the government of measures calculated to insure economic stability of all the component elements of society, through the maintenance of a proper economic and social equilibrium in the interrelations of the members of the community, constitutionally, through the adoption of measure legally justifiable, or extra-constitutionally, through the exercise of powers underlying the existence of all governments on the time-honored principle of salus populi est suprema lex."
Section 11. The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for human rights.
The State is mandated to value the human dignity of every human person and guarantees unto him full respect of his human rights.
The Bill of Rights provision in the Constitution embodied under Article III thereof secures every person against any violation of his rights as a human being.
Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall equally protect the life of the mother and the life of the unborn from conception. The natural and primary right and duty of the parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the development of moral character shall receive the support of the government.
This provision on the family as a basic social institution contemplates the following aspects:
1. Recognition by the State of the sanctity of family life;
2. Protection of the life of the mother and that of the child against abortion;
3. The duty of the parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency; and
4. The development of moral character.
Article XV of the Constitution which deals on the family, has been modified and at the same time enlarged by the New Family Code. (Executive Order No. 209).
Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of youth in nation building and shall promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism, and encourage their involvement in public and civic affairs.
This declared policy directs the State to promote and protect the physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well being of the youth as a necessary consequence of its recognition of its role in nation building. The implementation of this provision, not being self-executing, requires the government through the legislature to appropriate the necessary funds therefor. This is so because the Constitution provides that no money shall be spent out of the treasury unless it is in pursuance to an appropriation by law.
The overall implications of this particular constitutional provisions constitutes the preparation of the youth as future leaders for as Rizal said, the youth are the hopes of the fatherland. And the youth cannot participate in public and civic affairs properly unless they are embued with the spirit of patriotism and nationalism.
Section 14. The State recognizes the role of women in nation building and shall ensure the fundamental equality before the law of women and men.
The role of women is recognized by the State as a constitutional declared policy with respect to their role in nation building. The fundamental equality of men and women is guaranteed constitutional protection.
Women today have invaded politics and have shown their performance in this area equal to that of man.
It is but fitting that their role in nation building be recognized by the State. After all, there is that saying that whoever rocks the cradle rules the world.
Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them.
Section 16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature.\
Priorities in education, technology, arts, culture and sports
Section 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and nationalism, accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and development.
The Filipino people, either singly or collectively, deserve, at this stage of our history, to be liberated from the incidence of illiteracy, colonial mentality, bad habits, inhuman attitudes all of which constitute hindrance to the total development of the human personality. And this can be achieved by the State by giving priority to education, science and technology, arts culture and sports in order
a. to foster patriotism and nationalism;
b. to accelerate social progress; and
c. to promote human liberation and development.
Role of labor
Section 18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect the rights of workers and promote their welfare.
Under Philippine Law, labor embraces all physical work done wholly or partly for a purpose other than the pleasure derived from its performance, without reference to whether it is done by an employee for an employer.
In the operation of business enterprises, capital cannot exist without labor on one hand and labor cannot exist without capital on the other. Business is one of the most important lifeblood of a nation. Hence, in this section under discussion, the State affirms labor as a primary social economic force and, as a necessary consequence, it becomes the duty of the State to protect the rights of the workers and promote their welfare.
Self-reliant and independent national economy
Section 19. The State shall develop a self-reliant and independent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos.
Three very important policies are contemplated under this section:
1) Philippine economy must be independent, not subservient to foreign control and denomination;
2) That such national economy must be self-reliant; and
3) That it must be effectively controlled by Filipinos.
Role of the private sector
Section 20. The State recognizes the indispensable role of the private sector, encourages private enterprise, and provides incentives to need investments.
One of the most important targets of the State in the development of the national economy is an increased participation of the private sector through an expanded investment initiatives, whether local or foreign.
Rural development and agrarian reforms
Section 21. The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reforms.
The main thrust of this constitutional mandate is the promotion of a comprehensive rural development to free 70% of our rural inhabitants from the bondage of nationwide poverty, which requires the adoption of effective and meaningful land reform program.
Indigenous cultural communities
Section 22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development.
The cultural minorities have always been the most neglected people in the mainstream of Philippine society. Governmental action had heretofore, been focused on political development.
People's organizations
Section 23. The State shall encourage non-governmental community-based, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation.
These non-governmental organizations as contemplated under this section, refers to bonafide associations of citizens with demonstrated capacity to promote the public interest and with identifiable leadership, membership and structure.
Communication and information
Section 24. The State recognizes the vital role of communication and information in nation building.
For the first time in the history of the Philippines with respect to constitution-making, the role of communication and information is given due recognition. These matters as contemplated under this section, refers to print (newspaper) and broadcast(radio and television) media, including motion pictures, advertising, cable, telephone and telegraph.
Autonomous local governments
Section 25. The State shall ensure the autonomy of local governments.
The local governments referred to under this section are those governments organized within the territorial and political subdivision of the Republic of the Philippines such as provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays all of which, constitutionality enjoy local autonomy.
This particular constitutional provision directs that there shall be autonomous regions in Muslim Mindanao and the Cordilleras as therein provided for.
Widening areas of public service and dynasties
Section 26. The State shall guarantee equal access to opportunities for public service and prohibit political dynasties as may be defined by law.
Historically, the access to opportunities for public service are dictated by powerful politicians who have succeeded to entrench their political dynasties with awesome power which they continuously wield in a complacent society. Consequently, access to opportunities for public service has been distributed to protegees regardless of their talents and qualifications. In other words, political positions have been made subject to inheritance, so to speak, at the expense of public welfare.
Honesty in public service
Section 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service and take positive and effective measures against graft and corruption.
Government functionaries, from the top to the lowly employees are the servants of the people. The office vested in each is a public trust, requiring them to serve with honesty and integrity.
Disclosure of state transactions
Section 28. Subject to reasonable conditions prescribed by law, the State adopts and implements a policy of full public disclosure of all its transactions involving public interest.
The reasonable conditions contemplated under this constitutional constraints refer to rules of procedure that must not negate the right of any citizen to know such public transactions particularly in the field of expenditures of public funds.
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