DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES

Explanation
The principles and policies as enumerated in Article II encompass the values and aspirations of the
Students. They provide fundamental guidelines which the government is committed to observe in the
conduct of public affairs, specifically, in the enactment of laws by Congress (Legislative), their
enforcement by the executive branch, and in the determination of the validity of statutes and executive
acts by the courts in cases or controversies brought before them.
Constitution distinguished from statute
1. A constitution is a legislation direct from the people, while a statute (see Art. VI, Sec. 1.) is a
legislation from the peoples representatives;
2. A constitution merely states the general framework of the law and the government, while a
statute provides the details of the subject of which it treats;
3. A constitution is intended not merely to meet existing conditions but to govern the future,
while a statute is intended primarily to meet existing conditions only; and
4. A constitution is the supreme or fundamental law of the State to which statutes and all other
laws must conform.
Nature and purpose or function of constitution
Serves as the supreme or fundamental law, a constitution is the charter creating the government. It has
the status of a supreme fundamental law as it speaks for the entire people from whom it derives its
claim to obedience.
The Constitution is binding on all individual citizens and all organs of the government. It occupies the
highest level in the hierarchy of laws. It is the law to which all other laws must conform and in
accordance with which all private rights must be determined and all public authority administered. It
is the test of the legality of all governmental actions, whether proceeding from the highest official or
lowest functionary.
Purpose and necessity of government
Advancement of the public welfare, Government exists and should continue to exist for the benefit of
the people governed. It is necessary for (a) the protection of society and its members, the security of
persons property, the administration of justice, the preservation of the state from external danger,
dealings of the state with foreign powers and (b) the advancement of the physical, economic, social,
and cultural well-being of the people.
Consequence of absence, Government exists to do these things which by their very nature, it is better
equipped to administer for the public welfare than any private individual or group individuals. It is
obvious that without an organized structure of government, anarchy and disorder, and a general
feeling of fear and insecurity will prevail in society, progress and development will not be possible,
and values taken for granted in a free modern society such as truth, freedom, justice, equality, rule of
law, and human dignity can never be enjoyed.