Ask AI: give the brief summary of the 1973 Constitution of the philippines

The 1973 Constitution of the Philippines, also known as the Marcos Constitution, was drafted in response to the call for constitutional reform under the Ferdinand Marcos regime. It was ratified through a nationwide plebiscite held on January 17, 1973, and replaced the 1935 Constitution. This new constitution played a significant role in the establishment of the autocratic rule of President Marcos, who declared Martial Law in 1972. Key features of the 1973 Constitution include: 1. Presidential System: Just like its predecessor, the 1973 Constitution established a presidential system where the President served as the head of state, head of government, and commander-in-chief of the armed forces. 2. Unicameral Legislature: The 1973 Constitution replaced the bicameral Congress, comprising the Senate and the House of Representatives, with a unicameral National Assembly or Batasang Pambansa. 3. Shift to Parliamentary System: The 1973 Constitution provided for a shift towards a parliamentary system by establishing a Prime Minister position. The Prime Minister would be elected by a majority vote in the National Assembly and would serve as the head of government. 4. Expansion of Presidential Powers: The constitution greatly expanded the powers of the President, who was given the authority to legislate, dissolve the National Assembly, and appoint top-ranking officials. 5. Legal System: The judiciary was headed by the Supreme Court, with the Chief Justice leading the court, and the lower courts composed of regional trial courts, metropolitan trial courts, and other inferior courts. 6. Affirmation of National Sovereignty and Human Rights: The 1973 Constitution sought to reinforce national sovereignty and uphold human rights by emphasizing social justice, freedom, and equality. 7. Amendments and Martial Law: A key feature of the 1973 Constitution was the ease by which it could be amended or revised. This allowed the declaration of Martial Law by President Ferdinand Marcos to gain legal basis, paving the way for his autocratic rule. The 1973 Constitution was a controversial legal document, which critics argue enabled Marcos to consolidate power leading to human rights abuses and widespread corruption. The constitution was in force until its replacement by the 1987 Constitution, which was enacted following the peaceful People Power Revolution that resulted in Marcos' ousting.