What Is 1987 Constitution plebiscite, 1987

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1987 Constitution plebiscite in the Philippines was held on February 2, 1987, to ratify a new constitution drafted after the fall of Ferdinand Marcos. It was approved by 76.3% of voters, with a turnout of about 77%, marking a pivotal return to democratic governance.

Key Facts

76.3% of voters approved the 1987 Constitution in the plebiscite
Voter turnout was approximately 77% of registered voters
The plebiscite was held on February 2, 1987
The constitution replaced the 1973 Marcos-era charter
Over 21 million Filipinos participated in the vote

Overview

The 1987 Philippine Constitution plebiscite was a landmark democratic event that followed the peaceful People Power Revolution of 1986, which ousted dictator Ferdinand Marcos. It marked the formal transition from authoritarian rule to a restored democratic government under President Corazon Aquino.

The new constitution was drafted by a 48-member Constitutional Commission appointed by Aquino and completed in October 1986. The plebiscite allowed citizens to directly approve or reject the proposed charter, reinforcing the legitimacy of the new democratic framework.

February 2, 1987 was the official date of the plebiscite, held across all provinces, cities, and municipalities in the Philippines.
The constitution was drafted by a Constitutional Commission of 48 members, led by former Supreme Court Justice Cecilia Muñoz-Palma, appointed by President Aquino in 1986.
76.3% of voters voted “Yes” to ratify the constitution, while 23.7% opposed it, according to official Commission on Elections (COMELEC) results.
Approximately 21.2 million Filipinos cast ballots out of around 27.5 million registered voters, reflecting a turnout of about 77%.
The 1987 Constitution replaced the 1973 Marcos-era constitution, which had been used to justify martial law and extended presidential powers.

How It Works

A plebiscite is a direct vote by the electorate on a specific proposal, such as a constitutional amendment or new charter. In the case of 1987, it allowed Filipino citizens to ratify a new foundational legal document after years of dictatorship.

Term: A plebiscite is a national referendum on constitutional changes. In 1987, it enabled citizens to directly approve the new charter.
The process was administered by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC), which organized polling stations and ensured transparency during the voting process.
Eligible voters included all Filipino citizens aged 18 and above who were registered and not disqualified by law.
The ballot asked a simple yes-or-no question: “Do you approve the 1987 Constitution?” with no additional options or amendments.
Results were tallied provincially and nationally, with safeguards against fraud, including citizen watchdog groups like NAMFREL.
The constitution took effect on February 11, 1987, when President Aquino issued Proclamation No. 3, officially promulgating the new charter.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1987 Constitution plebiscite differed significantly from past constitutional votes in terms of process, participation, and political context. The following table highlights key comparisons with earlier constitutional referendums in Philippine history.

Event	Year	Approval Rate	Turnout	Political Context
1935 Constitution Plebiscite	1935	Over 90%	~40%	U.S.-sponsored transition to Commonwealth
1973 Constitution Ratification	1973	Claimed 90%+ (disputed)	Low (via citizen assemblies)	Marcos martial law; process widely criticized
1987 Constitution Plebiscite	1987	76.3%	~77%	Post-Marcos democracy restoration
1991 Constitution Review Attempt	1991	Failed	Low	Proposed amendments rejected
2018 Federalism Campaign	2018–2019	Not held	N/A	Proposed shift; no plebiscite conducted

This comparison shows that the 1987 vote was unique in its legitimacy and public trust. Unlike the controversial 1973 ratification under Marcos, the 1987 plebiscite was widely seen as free and fair, with high civic engagement and transparent monitoring.

Why It Matters

The 1987 Constitution plebiscite was more than a legal formality—it symbolized the Filipino people’s reclaiming of sovereignty after decades of authoritarianism. Its passage laid the foundation for democratic institutions, civil liberties, and checks on executive power.

The constitution established a presidential system with term limits, preventing future leaders from extending their rule beyond six years.
It strengthened the independence of the judiciary, including the creation of the Judicial and Bar Council to appoint judges.
It enshrined human rights protections, including due process, freedom of speech, and safeguards against arbitrary detention.
The charter created the Commission on Human Rights (CHR), a constitutional body to investigate abuses.
Local governments gained more autonomy under the 1991 Local Government Code, inspired by the 1987 framework.
The plebiscite set a precedent for people-powered constitutional legitimacy, influencing later reform movements.

The 1987 Constitution remains in effect today, surviving numerous attempts at amendment. Its ratification through a credible, mass-participation plebiscite continues to serve as a benchmark for democratic integrity in the Philippines.