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MILITARY
CHARACTER
DEVELOPMENT
MODULE
CODE OF CITIZENSHIP
REFERENCE:EO 217 (CODE OF CITIZENSHIP and ETHICS) of 1939

Time Frame: 4 hours

Outcomes: At the end of this lesson, you should be able to explain the preamble of
the 1987 Philippine Constitution and develop a deeper appreciation of nationalism
and Philippine citizenship and its concomitant privileges, duties, and responsibilities.

READ
“We are engaged in the gigantic task of nation-building in the midst of a troubled and
bewildered world. So that we may succeed in this difficult task, we must forge our
people into a united, patriotic, God-fearing and contented citizenry; a people
influenced by a single devotion—devotion to our native land; a people inspired by a
single will—the will to make our country great and a people animated by a single
hope—the hope that the Philippines may take her rightful place in the family of
nations. For this, we need all the unselfish love, all the unflinching courage, all the
reserve wisdom, all the clear vision, and all the patient devotion of which we are
capable.

The purpose of the preamble in the constitution is an introductory to the

citizenship code and expresses the beliefs, values, philosophy and/or principles of the
Nation. Most codes include a preamble affirming inherent right, self-determination,
the protection of culture and customs and the principles of good governance, as in
the case of our Constitution.

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PREAMBLE, 1987 Philippine Constitution

“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.”

Therefore, an Executive Order was issued to implement this constitutional

provision. EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 217- PRESCRIBING CERTAIN CIVIC AND
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES TO BE TAUGHT IN ALL SCHOOLS IN THE PHILIPPINES.
The purpose of this Executive Order states that:

Whereas section five of Article XIII of the Constitution provides that all schools
shall aim to develop moral character, personal discipline, civic conscience, and to
teach the duties of citizenship;
Whereas in order to comply with the above constitutional provision, it is necessary
that a Code of Citizenship and Ethics be adopted and taught in the
schools;

Important Terms:

▪ Code - a systematic statement of a body of law; a system of principles or

rules.
▪ Citizenship - is personal and more or less permanent membership in a
political community. It denotes possession within that particular
political community of full civil and political rights subject to special
disqualifications such as minority. It imposes the duty of allegiance to
the political community.

THE excerpt from EO 217 of 1939:

The following civic and ethical principles that is required to all schools to teach:

1. Have faith in Divine Providence that guides the destinies of men and nations.

2. Love your country for it is the home of your people, the seat of your affections, and
the source of your happiness and well-being. Its defense is your primary duty. Be
ready at all times to sacrifice and die for it if necessary.

3. Respect the Constitution which is the expression of your sovereign will. The
government is your government. It has been established for your safety and
welfare. Obey the laws and see that they are observed by all and that public officials
comply with their duties.

4. Pay your taxes willingly and promptly. Citizenship implies not only rights but also
obligations.
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 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride.

5. Safeguard the purity of suffrage and abide by the decisions of the majority.

6. Love and respect your parents. It is your duty to serve them gratefully and well.

7. Value your honor as you value your life. Poverty with honor is preferable to wealth
with dishonor.

8. Be truthful and be honest in thought and in action. Be just and charitable, courteous
but dignified in your dealings with your fellow men.

9. Lead a clean and frugal life. Do not indulge in frivolity or pretense. Be simple in
your dress and modest in your behavior.

10. Live up to the noble traditions of our people. Venerate the memory of our
heroes. Their lives point the way to duty and honor.

11. Be industrious. Be not afraid or ashamed to do manual labor. Productive toil

is conducive to economic security and adds to the wealth of the nation.
12. Rely on your own efforts for your progress and happiness. Be not easily
discouraged. Persevere in the pursuit of your legitimate ambitions.

13. Do your work cheerfully, thoroughly, and well. Work badly done is worse than
work undone. Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.

14. Contribute to the welfare of your community and promote social justice. You
do not live for yourselves and your families alone. You are a part of society to which
you owe definite responsibilities.

15. Cultivate the habit of using goods made in the Philippines. Patronize the
products and trades of your countrymen.

16. Use and develop our natural resources and conserve them for posterity. They
are the inalienable heritage of our people. Do not traffic with your citizenship.

SUMMARY
The Executive order 217, of 1939 clearly provides for the Sixteen (16) Civic
and Ethical principles that as a Filipino Citizen must have or do, such as:

1. Have faith in Divine Providence

2. Love your country
3. Respect the Constitution
4. Pay your taxes
5. Safeguard the purity of suffrage
6. Love and respect your parents
7. Value your honor
8. Be truthful and be honest in thought and action
9. Lead a clean and frugal life
10. Live up to the noble traditions of our people
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 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride.

11. Be industrious
12. Rely on your own efforts
13. Do your work cheerfully, thoroughly, and well
14. Contribute to the welfare of your community
15. Cultivate the habit of using goods made in the Philippines
16. Use and develop our natural resources

According to former President Manuel L. Quezon, “The life of a nation depends

upon the moral and virtue of its citizens” .
A nation, if it is to grow up strong and progressive, must be moved by the force
of its own dynamic moral energy. The seeds of moral discipline must be nurtured from
within, not from without. History teaches that the rise and fall of nations depend
essentially upon the underlying moral strength of their citizens. And the frantic despair
and the spiritual blackout now experienced by many nations of the world are due
primarily to their failure to grasp this basic fact.

Character means strength and power and will. Character, however, may be true
or false, right or wrong, good or evil. In any case, it is the man of character that molds
and shapes the destinies of men and of nations, for weal or for woe. Hence, the
transcendental importance of giving our people the proper and correct character
training.

The Code of Ethics is designed to formulate a way of life for free people which
must be didactic rather than legislative. The code is drawn on the history and culture
of the people for whose benefit it is promulgated. In our quest for inspiration you are
taught to direct your gaze upon our own heroes, our own traditions and our own
history.The genius of our past must kindle the throbbing mind of the present and
inspire the future with its immortal fire.

This “Code of Ethics” is not to foster exaggerated nationalism, or to glorify narrow

and blind patriotism. Its object is higher, purer, nobler. It is to strengthen your moral
fiber as a youth; to keep alive in your hearts the value of ethical principles; and to
proclaim the truth that moral discipline is your only sure road to national greatness.

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Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride.

Name:_______________________________________ Date:____________

Course:______________________________________ Score:___________

ACTIVITY # 1: Code of Citizenship

After thorough reading of the Code of Citizenship, answer the following questions:

1. What are your duties and responsibilities as a

a) Filipino citizen,

b) son/daughter, and

c) 1st year college student.

2. What are your privileges as a Filipino citizen? Give at least five (5).

3. As an ROTC cadet and a netizen, how can you use social media to promote love
of country and respect for the Constitution? Cite at least five (5) ways.

4. Have you been a good citizen in the past few months amid the chaos and anxiety
brought about by COVID-19 pandemic? If yes, enumerate at least five (5) specific
ways on how you were able to demonstrate good citizenship. If not, cite at least
five (5) ways on how you can improve and become a good citizen.

5. Former President Manuel L. Quezon stated, “The life of a nation depends upon the
moral and virtue of its citizens”. In five (5) to six (6) sentences, share your thoughts
on this.

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Army Core Purpose: Serving the people, securing the land

 Army Vision: By 2028, a world-class Army that is a source of national pride.

Name:_______________________________________ Date:____________
Course:______________________________________ Score:___________

ASSESSMENT # 1: Code of Citizenship

Multiple choice. Write the correct answer on the space provided.
______1.We, the ______ Filipino people ...
a. independent c. blessed
b. free d. sovereign

______2.Imploring the aid of ________ ...

a. Almighty c. China
b. USA d. United Nations
______3.In order to build a just and _____ society.
a. caring c. humane
b. perfect d. equal

______4.And establish a government that shall _____ our ideals and aspirations.
a.represent c. protect
b. embody d. serve

______5.Promote the common good, conserve and develop our ________.

a. natural resources c. patrimony
b. posterity d. environment

______6. And secure to ourselves and ______.

a. aspiration c. posterity
b. patrimony d. faith

______7. The blessings of independence and _______ under the rule of law.
a. equality c. democracy
b. sovereignty d. order

______8. And a _____ of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace.
a. blessing c. aspiration
b. regime d. rule

______9. Do _____..
a. ordain c. bless
b. approve d. anoint
______10. And _______ this constitution.
a. ordain
b. promulgate
c. anoint
d. bless

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