The New Law in the Philippines

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 29 views

Introduction

The Philippines is a country with a rich history and a complex legal system. The country's constitution is the supreme law of the land, and it serves as the foundation for all laws and regulations. Recently, there have been changes to the Philippine constitution, which have sparked interest and debate among citizens, lawyers, and scholars. In this article, we will delve into the new law in the Philippines, specifically focusing on primary sources and secondary sources.

What are Primary Sources?

Primary sources are original materials that provide firsthand information about a particular topic or event. In the context of law, primary sources include:

Constitutional provisions: The Philippine Constitution is a primary source of law, as it outlines the fundamental principles and structure of the government.
Statutes: Laws passed by Congress, such as the Batas Pambansa (National Laws), are primary sources of law.
Regulations: Administrative regulations, such as those issued by government agencies, are also primary sources of law.
Court decisions: Judicial decisions, including those of the Supreme Court, are primary sources of law.

What are Secondary Sources?

Secondary sources, on the other hand, are materials that provide analysis, interpretation, or commentary on primary sources. In the context of law, secondary sources include:

Commentaries: Books, articles, and other writings that provide analysis and interpretation of primary sources are secondary sources.
Treatises: Comprehensive works that cover a particular area of law are secondary sources.
Case digests: Collections of court decisions that provide summaries and analysis are secondary sources.
Law review articles: Articles published in law journals that provide analysis and commentary on primary sources are secondary sources.

The New Law in the Philippines

The new law in the Philippines refers to the changes made to the country's constitution, which were approved through a national referendum in 1987. The new constitution, also known as the 1987 Constitution, introduced significant changes to the country's government structure, economy, and social policies.

Key Changes

Some of the key changes introduced by the new constitution include:

Shift from a presidential to a parliamentary system: The new constitution introduced a parliamentary system, where the prime minister is the head of government, rather than the president.
Increased powers of the Congress: The new constitution gave more powers to the Congress, including the ability to impeach the president and other high-ranking officials.
Protection of individual rights: The new constitution introduced new provisions that protect individual rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and security of person.
Economic reforms: The new constitution introduced significant economic reforms, including the promotion of private enterprise and the protection of foreign investment.

Primary Sources vs Secondary Sources: A Comparison

To illustrate the difference between primary and secondary sources, let's consider an example. Suppose we want to understand the provisions of the 1987 Constitution regarding the protection of individual rights. We can consult the following primary sources:

The 1987 Constitution: This is the original document that outlines the fundamental principles and structure of the government.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations: These are the regulations that implement the provisions of the 1987 Constitution.

On the other hand, we can consult the following secondary sources:

Commentaries on the 1987 Constitution: These are books, articles, and other writings that provide analysis and interpretation of the 1987 Constitution.
Law review articles: These are articles published in law journals that provide analysis and commentary on the 1987 Constitution.

Conclusion

In conclusion, primary sources and secondary sources are two distinct types of materials that provide different types of information. Primary sources provide firsthand information about a particular topic or event, while secondary sources provide analysis, interpretation, or commentary on primary sources. Understanding the difference between primary and secondary sources is essential for anyone who wants to navigate the complex legal system of the Philippines.

Recommendations

For those who want to learn more about the new law in the Philippines, we recommend the following:

Consult primary sources: Consult the original documents, such as the 1987 Constitution and the Implementing Rules and Regulations.
Consult secondary sources: Consult commentaries, law review articles, and other secondary sources that provide analysis and interpretation of primary sources.
Seek the advice of a lawyer: If you have specific questions or concerns about the new law in the Philippines, seek the advice of a lawyer who is familiar with the country's legal system.

Glossary

Primary sources: Original materials that provide firsthand information about a particular topic or event.
Secondary sources: Materials that provide analysis, interpretation, or commentary on primary sources.
Constitutional provisions: Provisions of the Philippine Constitution that outline the fundamental principles and structure of the government.
Statutes: Laws passed by Congress, such as the Batas Pambansa (National Laws).
Regulations: Administrative regulations, such as those issued by government agencies.
Court decisions: Judicial decisions, including those of the Supreme Court.

References

The 1987 Constitution: The original document that outlines the fundamental principles and structure of the government.
The Implementing Rules and Regulations: Regulations that implement the provisions of the 1987 Constitution.
Commentaries on the 1987 Constitution: Books, articles, and other writings that provide analysis and interpretation of the 1987 Constitution.
Law review articles: Articles published in law journals that provide analysis and commentary on the 1987 Constitution.

About the Author

The author is a lawyer who specializes in constitutional law and has extensive experience in navigating the complex legal system of the Philippines.

Introduction

In our previous article, we discussed the new law in the Philippines, specifically focusing on primary sources and secondary sources. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the new law in the Philippines, including primary sources and secondary sources.

Q&A

Q1: What is the difference between primary sources and secondary sources?

A1: Primary sources are original materials that provide firsthand information about a particular topic or event. Secondary sources, on the other hand, are materials that provide analysis, interpretation, or commentary on primary sources.

Q2: What are some examples of primary sources in the Philippines?

A2: Some examples of primary sources in the Philippines include:

The 1987 Constitution: The original document that outlines the fundamental principles and structure of the government.
Statutes: Laws passed by Congress, such as the Batas Pambansa (National Laws).
Regulations: Administrative regulations, such as those issued by government agencies.
Court decisions: Judicial decisions, including those of the Supreme Court.

Q3: What are some examples of secondary sources in the Philippines?

A3: Some examples of secondary sources in the Philippines include:

Commentaries on the 1987 Constitution: Books, articles, and other writings that provide analysis and interpretation of the 1987 Constitution.
Law review articles: Articles published in law journals that provide analysis and commentary on the 1987 Constitution.
Treatises: Comprehensive works that cover a particular area of law.
Case digests: Collections of court decisions that provide summaries and analysis.

Q4: Why is it important to understand the difference between primary and secondary sources?

A4: Understanding the difference between primary and secondary sources is essential for anyone who wants to navigate the complex legal system of the Philippines. Primary sources provide firsthand information about a particular topic or event, while secondary sources provide analysis, interpretation, or commentary on primary sources.

Q5: How can I find primary and secondary sources in the Philippines?

A5: You can find primary and secondary sources in the Philippines by:

Consulting government websites: Government websites, such as the Official Gazette, provide access to primary sources, such as laws and regulations.
Visiting law libraries: Law libraries, such as the Supreme Court Library, provide access to primary and secondary sources, including books, articles, and other materials.
Searching online databases: Online databases, such as LexisNexis and Westlaw, provide access to primary and secondary sources, including court decisions and law review articles.

Q6: Can I use secondary sources as evidence in court?

A6: While secondary sources can be useful for research and analysis, they are not typically considered evidence in court. Primary sources, such as court decisions and statutes, are generally considered more reliable and authoritative.

Q7: How can I ensure that my sources are reliable and trustworthy?

A7: To ensure that your sources are reliable and trustworthy, you should:

Verify the author's credentials: Check the author's qualifications and expertise in the field.
Check the publication date: Ensure that the source is up-to-date and relevant to your research.
Evaluate the source's credibility: Consider the source's reputation, bias, and potential conflicts of interest.