THE LAW
SHOULD NOT
BEND FOR
POWER.
Authority is legitimate only when it remains
within the Constitution and the law.
ABOVE THE LAW
OF LAW
A PUBLIC TRUST
A symbol of corruption. Never a portrait of a person.
Corruption doesn’t
always begin
with stolen money.
Corruption does not begin only with stolen money. It can also begin when rules are ignored, authority is stretched beyond its limits, or laws are bent to serve convenience, influence, or private interest.
The question is not just who holds power.
It is where that power comes from—and what limits it.
Authority flows
downward.
Legal limits
flow upward.
Government directives do not exist in isolation. Lower-level rules and instructions must derive their authority from, and remain consistent with, higher legal authorities.
This diagram is a simplified educational illustration. The precise legal relationship among statutes, regulations, executive issuances, ordinances, and administrative rules depends on their constitutional and statutory authority.
The Administrative Code is itself a statute; this is not a rigid ranking of every legal instrument.
Hover, focus, or tap a level to examine its legal limits.
THE CONSTITUTION
CANNOT SIMPLY BE
OVERRIDDEN.
The Constitution is the fundamental legal framework of government. An ordinary office order, internal guideline, executive instruction, ordinance, regulation, or statute cannot simply be treated as authority to disregard a constitutional limitation.
Changing a rule is different from
changing the Constitution.
If a lower directive conflicts with superior law, the issue is not solved merely by calling the directive a “policy.” Its legal authority must still come from a valid higher source.
YES—BUT ONLY THROUGH
THE CONSTITUTIONAL PROCESS.
The Constitution can be changed. An instruction or a shortcut cannot change it.
Congress
An amendment or revision may be proposed by Congress upon a vote of three-fourths of all its Members.
Constitutional Convention
A constitutional convention may propose amendments or revisions. Congress may call one by a two-thirds vote, or submit the question of calling one to the electorate by majority vote.
People’s Initiative
Amendments may also be directly proposed through a people’s initiative subject to the requirements stated in Article XVII.
Every legislative district must be represented by at least 3% of its registered voters. Subject to the full constitutional requirements and applicable law.
1987 Constitution, Article XVII, Section 2RATIFICATION BY THE PEOPLE
A proposed constitutional amendment or revision does not become valid merely because officials propose it. Article XVII requires ratification by a majority of the votes cast in the required plebiscite.
1987 Constitution, Article XVII, Section 4ACTION
CONSTITUTIONAL QUESTIONS ARE SUBJECT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW.
The Constitution gives the Supreme Court authority to review cases questioning the constitutionality or validity of laws, executive issuances, ordinances, regulations, and similar government actions.
Judicial review operates through actual cases and the applicable rules of jurisdiction and procedure.
1987 Constitution, Article VIII, Section 5(2)(a)WHEN THE LAW IS BENT
FOR CONVENIENCE,
THE RULE OF LAW WEAKENS.
Rules may be interpreted, amended, repealed, or challenged through lawful processes. But authority should not be manufactured merely to reach a preferred result.
A policy cannot invent power it was never given.
An office order cannot become a substitute for law.
Authority must have a legal source.
Accountability requires transparency.
The same rules should apply regardless of who benefits.
CORRUPTION IS
MORE THAN MONEY.
Misuse of Public Resources
Public resources should serve public purposes.
Abuse of Authority
Government powers should only be exercised within lawful limits.
Favoritism and Conflict of Interest
Official decisions should not be distorted by private interests.
Manipulation of Rules
Changing or selectively applying rules to obtain a predetermined result undermines institutional trust.
Public office is
a public trust.
1987 Philippine Constitution, Article XI, Section 1Public officers and employees are expected to remain accountable to the people and serve with responsibility, integrity, loyalty, and efficiency.
GO TO
THE SOURCE.
Know the words behind the principles.
Primary reference: The LawPhil Project — 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.
Article XVII
Amendments or Revisions
Article VIII, Section 5
Judicial Review
Article XI, Section 1
Accountability of Public Officers
Article III, Section 4
Freedom of speech, peaceful assembly, and petition for redress of grievances
POWER HAS LIMITS.
THE CONSTITUTION
DEFINES THEM.
THE LAW SHOULD NOT BEND TO FIT THE PERSON.
THE PERSON EXERCISING AUTHORITY MUST ACT WITHIN THE LAW.
Know the hierarchy. Know the source of authority. Ask for accountability.