We,
the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to
build a just and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody
our ideals and aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our
patrimony, and secure to ourselves and our posterity, the blessings of
independence and democracy under the rule of law and a regime of truth,
justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.
(Preamble, Philippine Constitution 1987)
Preamble or
preparatory statement, derived from old French “Preambule,” from Latin “Praembulus”
in English translation “going before.”
It is not a
source of power or right for any public officers or branches of the government.
However, it is very evident that the Preamble is manifestation of the sovereign
will of the Filipino people. It lays down the origin, scope, and purpose of the
Constitution.
The Supreme
Court stated that the preamble does not confer rights nor impose duties.
Moreover, it indicates authorship of the Constitution, enumerates the primary
aims and aspirations of the framers; and serves as an aid in the construction
of the Constitution.