OBJECTIVES:

            At the end of Module 1, students should be able to:

  Recognize the role of USL as a public-service university, and Louisians as public
servants 
  Understand the rationale behind and the rules governing the conduct of the NSTP
  Explain the purpose of the 1987 Philippine Constitution
  Apply the principles of the 1987 Philippine Constitution and its state policies to specific
cases and issues involving the socio-economic welfare of the people
 
MOTIVATION:

What to do… 
One word. Based on personal experience and previous knowledge, what is the first word that
comes to your mind when you think of NSTP? When you realized you will be taking up this
course for this short course, what one word can you use to describe your idea/ thought/ feeling?
 
PROCESS:
The common perception is a great take-off point to reinforce previous knowledge on the program
and debunk/ unlearn some misconceptions.

NATIONAL SERVICE TRAINING PROGRAM

 
Republic Act (R.A.) 7722 – also known as The Higher Education Act of 1994 
  Republic Act 7722 is the act creating the Commission on Higher Education which covers
both the public and private institutions of higher education as well as degree-granting
programs in all post-secondary educational institutions, be it public or private. One of the
powers and functions of this act which is in line with the goal of the National Service
Training Program [NSTP] is to identify, support, and develop potential centers of
excellence in program areas needed for the development of world-class scholarship,
nation-building, and national development.
Republic Act (R.A.) 9163 – also known as National Service Training Program (NSTP) Act
of 2001
  Republic Act 9163 is an act establishing the National Service Training Program (NSTP)
for tertiary level students, amending for the purpose Republic Act 7077 and Presidential
Decree 1708 and for other purposes.
  A. 9163 – enacted on January 23, 2002- also the date of approval and signature of former
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.
National Service Training Program refers to the program aimed at enhancing civic
consciousness and defense preparedness in the youth by developing the ethic of service and
patriotism while undergoing training in any of its three (3) program components.
 

Program Components
 1.  Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). It refers to the program that is designed to
provide military training to tertiary-level students in order to maintain, train, organize,
and mobilize them for national defense preparedness.
2.  Literacy Training Service (LTS). It refers to the program that is designed to train the
students to teach literacy and numeracy skills to school children, out-of-school youths
and other segments of society in need of their services.
3.  Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS). It refers to the program that is designed to
contribute to the general welfare and betterment of life for the members of the
community or the enhancement of its facilities. It is devoted to improve health, education,
environment, entrepreneurship, safety, recreation, and moral of the citizenry.
 
Guiding Principles/ Importance
Guiding Principle. All citizens should defend the security and promote the general welfare of
the State through military or civil service.
1.  Section 2 of R.A. 9163 affirmed that it is the prime duty of the government to serve and
protect its citizens. In turn, it shall be the responsibility of the citizens to defend the
security of the state and in fulfillment thereof, the government may require each citizen to
render personal, military, or civil service. 
Role of Youth
1.  In recognition of the vital role of the youth in nation-building, the State shall promote
civic consciousness among them and shall develop their physical, moral, spiritual,
intellectual, and social well-being. It shall inculcate the ideals of patriotism, nationalism,
and advance their involvement in public and civic affairs.
2.  As the most valuable resources of the nation, they shall be motivated, trained, organized,
and involved in the military, literary, civic welfare programs and other similar endeavors
in the service of the nation.
Program Implementation
  All incoming first-year students, male and female, starting School Year 2002- 2003,
enrolled in any baccalaureate and in at least two (2) year technical-vocational or associate
courses, are required to complete one (1) NSTP component of their choice, as
a graduation requirement.
  All higher and technical-vocational education institutions must offer at least one (1) of
the NSTP components.
  State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), shall offer the ROTC component and at least
one (1) other NSTP component
  The Philippine Military Academy (PMA), Philippine Merchant Marine Academy
(PMMA), and the Philippine National Police Academy (PNPA) are exempted from the
NSTP. 
  Private higher and technical-vocational education institutions with at least 350 student
cadets, may offer the ROTC component and consequently establish and maintain a
Department of Military Science and Tactics (DMST), subject to the existing rules and
regulations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP).
NSTP Values 
  Citizenship
  Patriotism 
  Moral Virtues
  Respect for the rights of civilians
  Adherence to the Constitution
Duration and Equivalent Course Unit
   Each of the NSTP components shall be undertaken for an academic period of two (2)
semesters. It shall be credited for three (3) units per semester, for fifty-four (54) to ninety
(90) training hours per semester.
  Earned NSTP units shall not be included in the computation of Grade Point Average
(GPA) grades of college graduating students.
Organization of NSTP Graduates
  Graduates of non-ROTC components of NSTP shall belong to the National Service
Reserve Corps (NSPC), and could be tapped by the State for literacy and civic welfare
activities, especially in times of calamities through joint efforts of DND, CHED, TESDA,
in coordination with DILG, DSWD, and other concerned agencies/ associations. 
  Graduates of the ROTC program shall form part of the Citizens Armed Force pursuant to
RA 7077, subject to the requirements of DND
Historical Context of NSTP
National Defense Act/ Commonwealth Act No. 1. This act highlighted the necessity of
national defense of the country against colonizers considering the historical background of
massive military advancement of an adventurist and power-driven Western nations poised to
extend their territories and resources. This took effect on the auspices of the US government and
was still working its way towards achieving full independence.
This act emphasized
1. The preservation of the State as the obligation of every citizen.
2. The employment of the nation’s citizens and resources for national defense
through national mobilization, which included the execution of all measures
necessary to pass from a peace to a war footing. 
3. The supremacy of the civil authority and the responsibility of the President of the
Philippines, as Commander-in-Chief of all military forces, to see to it that the
mobilization measures are prepared at all times.
4. A national mobilization in any case of threatened or actual aggression
This act mandated
1.  All Filipinos are liable to military service, for which they are obliged to go through
Preparatory Military Service (PMT) beginning with youth in school, starting at the age of
ten years until he reached the age of twenty-one years. 
2.  It authorized the establishment and maintenance of Reserve Officer Training units at
colleges and universities.
 
Citizen Armed Forces/ Republic Act No. 7077. This act is summarized as follows:
1.
1. The maintenance of a standing or regular military forces in times of peace
consonant to its adequate and actual needs for the security of the State but which
can be rapidly executed by the well-disciplined Citizen Armed Force in the event
of war, invasion, or rebellion. 
2. Maximum opportunity for the CAF to participate in safeguarding the security of
the State and in assisting socioeconomic development.
3. Organization, training, and maintenance of the CAF to ensure their readiness to
immediately respond to the call to service.
4. Promotion and development of public support to the important role of CAF as the
protector of the people and the State
Military training for students enrolled in colleges, universities, and similar institutions of
learning is mandatory pursuant to the provisions of the National Defense Act and the
1987 Constitution.
 
National Service Training Act/ Republic Act No. 9163. This act made ROTC an optional
component and included female students in the training program.
 
Meaning of Constitution
            Constitution is that written instrument by which the fundamental powers of the
government are established, limited, and defined and by which these powers are distributed
among the several departments or branches for their safe and useful exercise for the benefit of
the people.
Note: The three essential parts of a Constitution are: the bill of rights, governmental organization
and functions, and method of amendment.

Nature and Purpose of the Constitution

1. Serves as the supreme or fundamental law. It is binding on all individual citizens and all
organs of the government. It is the law to which all other laws must conform and in
accordance with which all private rights must be determined and all public authority
administered.
2. Establishers basic framework and underlying principles of government. It prescribes the
permanent framework of the system of government and to assign to the different
department or branches, their respective powers, and duties, and to establish certain basic
principles on which the government is founded.
Kinds of Constitution
Origin and History
1.  Conventional or enacted. One which is enacted by the constitutional assembly or granted
by a monarch to his subjects.
2.  Cumulative or evolved. One which is a product of growth or a long period of
development originating in customs, traditions, judicial decisions, etc., rather than from a
deliberate and formal enactment.
Form
1.  One which has been given definite written form at a particular time by a specially
constituted authority.
2.  One which is entirely the product of political evolution, consisting largely of a mass of
customs, usages and judicial decisions together with a smaller body of statutory
enactments of a fundamental character, usually bearing different dates. 
Manner of Amending 
1.  Rigid or inelastic. One regarded as a document of special sanctity, which cannot be
amended or altered except by some special machinery more cumbrous than the ordinary
legislative process.
2.  Flexible or elastic. One which possesses no higher legal authority than ordinary laws and
which may be altered in the way as other laws.
Note: The Philippine Constitution is classified as conventional or enacted, written, and rigid or
inelastic.

Advantages and Disadvantages of a Written Constitution 

1. It has the advantage of clearness and definiteness over an unwritten one. This is because
it is prepared with great care and deliberation.
2. Its disadvantage lies in the difficulty of its amendment. This prevents the immediate
introduction of needed changes and may retard the healthy growth and progress of the
state. 
 

Requisites of a Good Written Constitution

Form
1. Brief. In a few provisions, it outlines the structure of the government of the whole state
and the rights of the citizens.
2. Broad. It describes the powers and functions of the government, and of the relations
between the governing body and the governed as comprehensive as possible.
3. Definite. It is clear enough to draw opposing interpretations of essential features of the
constitution.
Contents
1. Constitution of the Government. This part deals with the framework of government and
its power. It also defines the electorate.
2. Constitution of Liberty. This sets forth the fundamental rights of the people and imposes
certain limitations on the powers of the government as a means of securing the enjoyment
of these rights.
3. Constitutions of Sovereignty. This points out the mode of procedure of amending or
revising the Constitution.
Constitution distinguished from statute
Constitution Statute

It is legislation from the people’s

It is legislation from the people.
representative.

It states the general frameworks of the law It provides details of the subject of which it
and government. treats.

It is intended not merely to meet existing It is intended primarily to meet the existing
conditions but to govern the future. conditions only.

It is the supreme or fundamental law of the

It conforms with the Constitution.
land.

 
The Hierarchy of Laws 
 
Respect for the hierarchy of laws is fundamental to the rule of law, as it dictates how the
different levels of law will apply in practice. In general, the fundamental levels of hierarchy
consist of a constitution or founding document; statutes or legislation;regulations; and
procedures.
 
 

The Hierarchy of Laws – A Snapshot

Constitution ü Establishes the innate characteristics of the state and its sovereignty;
outlines the rights and responsibilities of its citizens – as such it is
the supreme law.
 ü Establishes the country’s governance structure.

ü All other laws must adhere to the constitution.

ü The constitution should reflect and adhere to a country’s international

obligations.

ü Trans-border agreements that have different impacts on the country’s

law, depending on the treaty language and the way a country’s
constitution manages them.
International
Laws ü Sometimes only a limited degree of compliance with treaties, and
some treaties that enshrine fundamental rights are not always
followed through in the signatory nation’s constitution, or through
domestic enforcement.

ü Statutes are enacted by the legislative branch of government and

govern a wide range of issues that require regulation in a modern,
democratic state – including elections.
Statutes /
Legislation ü Must adhere to the constitution and international law.

ü Amended by the same process as first enacted, and enforced by a

country’s enforcement agencies.

ü Common law is law made by the courts, not legislature, and is not a
level of hierarchy per se.

ü It consists of the judgments of courts, to interpret the wording of

Common-
statute law, to protect the principles of natural justice, to fill a gap in
Law / Case
the law, or to deal with an unforeseen situation not covered by
Law
statute.

ü A judgment of a court may award damages, punishment, sanction, or

other remedial action, enforced by a country’s enforcement agencies.

ü A form of delegated legislation, developed and enacted by ministers,

department heads, or by an independent body or commission, to
administer their responsibilities.

ü Must adhere to the constitution, international law, and governing

Regulations statute, and can be enforced in the same way as statutory law.

ü Provide detail on the administration of principles in the law.

ü A violation of regulation can be treated as an offense and enforced as

such.

Procedure ü A procedure is a description of the required steps necessary to

complete a process.

ü Procedures are generally written by an administrative body to ensure

 that the law and regulations are applied consistently and fairly to all
parties.

ü Enforcement of a procedure is generally achieved by requesting

compliance as a condition of completing a process or receiving a
benefit (for example, candidacy) – rather than sanction or
punishment.

ü A written set of rules, principles or standards to govern the behavior

of certain groups.
Codes of
ü Enforcement of codes of conduct depends on whether they are
Conduct considered “soft” or “hard” law. Codes of conduct are considered
“soft law” when they are not passed by a lawmaking body and thus
rely on voluntary compliance.

ü Terms such as “guidelines” and “instructions” are uncertain in

meaning and can result in ambiguity, particularly with regard to
enforceability.
Guidelines,
Instructions, ü “Policies” are broad, informative statements of intent regarding
principles to be followed, priority programs.
and Policies
ü These should not be used as if they were elements of the structure of
the hierarchy of laws.

 
Note: In terms of the basic elements of the hierarchy, a constitution states the grounding legal
and democratic principles that its government is obligated to uphold, and because of this is
considered the supreme law in a country or state to which all other laws must adhere.
A statute is a law enacted by a legislature to govern society, and its authority is derived from the
constitution or founding document of a country, which authorizes the legislature to enact
it. Regulations are issued under the authority of a statute by a division of the government or by
a special body, such as BIR, DENR, NEDA, and others. For this reason, they are sometimes
referred to as “delegated” legislation, and they provide administrative and technical detail to
carry out the purpose of the statute. Finally, procedures describe the required steps necessary to
complete a process and are generally written by an administrative body to ensure that the law and
regulations are applied consistently and fairly to all parties.
 

Basic Principles underlying the 1987 Constitution

            The Constitution is founded upon certain fundamental principles of government that
have become part and parcel of our cherished democratic heritage as a people. Among these
principles are as follows:
1. Recognition of the aid of the Almighty God
2. Sovereignty of the People 
3. Renunciation of War as an Instrument of National Policy
4. Supremacy of Civilian Authority over the Military
5. Separation of the Church and the State
6. Recognition of the Importance of the Family as the Basic Social Institution and of
the Vital Role of the Youth in Nation-Building
7. Guarantee of Human Rights
 8. Government through Suffrage
9. Separation of Powers
10. Independence of the Judiciary
11. Guarantee of Local Autonomy
12. High Sense of Public Service Morality and Accountability of Public Officers
13. Nationalization of Natural Resources and Certain Private Enterprises affected with Public
Interest
14. Non-suability of the State
15. Rule of the Majority
16. Government of Laws and Not of Men
 

Rule of the Majority

            The observance of the rule of the majority is an unwritten law of popular government.
The wishes of the majority prevail over those of the minority. The device of the majority is a
practicable rule of law based on reason and experience. Democracy assumes that in a society of
rational beings, the judgment and experience of the few; and hence, that the verdict of the
majority will more likely be correct than that of the minority.

Government of Law and Not of Men

            Rule of Law is meant that no man in this country is above or beyond the law. Every
man, however high and mighty his position may be, possesses no greater rights than other man in
the eyes of the law.

Section 9. The State shall promote a just and dynamic social order that will ensure the
prosperity and independence of the nation and free the people from poverty through
policies that provide adequate social service, promote full employment, a rising
standard of living, and an improved quality of life for all.
 
Just and dynamic social order
 The Preamble calls for the “establishment of a just and humane society.” Such a society
must ensure the prosperity and independence of the nation and free the underprivileged
and the marginalized sectors of our population from poverty. 
  The goal is to reduce the political and economic power of a privileged few by equalizing
widely differing standards and opportunities for advancement and to raise the masses of
our people from poverty to a qualitative worthy of human dignity. 
 With the eradication of mass poverty, the State solves at the same time a chain of social
problems that comes with it- social unrest, breakdown of family systems, diseases,
ignorance, criminality, and low productivity. 
 
Section 10. The State shall promote social justice in all phases of national development.
Social Justice
 The State must give preferential treatment to the welfare of the less fortunate members of
the community- the poor, the underprivileged, those who have less in life. 
Section 11. The State values dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect
of human rights.
 
Human Dignity and Human Rights
 In a democratic state, the individual enjoys certain rights which cannot be modified or
taken away by the law-making body. These rights are recognized or guaranteed because
of the belief in the inherent dignity and worth of every human person.
 The value accorded to human dignity is measured by the extent of respect of human
rights. In pursuit of this constitutional policy, it is the duty of the State to enact measures
and develop programs that will promote human dignity and protect the people from any
threat of violence or use of force or deception for the purpose of exploitation. 
Section 12. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution. It shall equally protect
the life of the mothers and the life of the born from conception. The natural and primary
right and duty of parents in the rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and the
development of moral character shall receive the support of the Government.
 
Strengthening the family as a basic autonomous social institution
 The State is mandated to recognize the sacredness of family life and to strengthen the
family. Under the provision, the government may not enact any law or initiate measures
that would break up or weaken the family as a social unit or in the guise of protecting the
family, interfere in purely internal family matters which does not involve the social order
or any public policy.
 The Civil Code of the Philippines lays down the general principles which sustain the
solidarity of the family not only for the guidance of the courts and administrative officials
but also for their wholesome influence upon the members of the family.
Rearing the Youth for Civic Efficiency and Development of Moral Character
1. A duty both of parents and government. – The common welfare of society, as well as the
good of the individual, depends to a great extent upon the proper education and training
of children. The youth of today will be tomorrow’s citizens. These citizens will be as they
have been prepared and guided in the youth. The government, therefore, should equally,
share in the inherent right and duty of parents in the training of their children to be good,
useful, and worthy citizens by giving them support to prepare their children for future
positions of responsibility. 
2. Right of State to interfere with the education of children. – The State cannot by law
compel the parents to make their children accept instruction in public schools only. Such
a law constitutes an unreasonable interference with the liberty of parents to direct the
upbringing of parents to direct the upbringing and education of children under their
control. The State, however, has the power reasonably regulate all schools, their children
and pupils; to require that all children of proper age attend school, that teachers shall be
of good moral character and patriotic disposition, that certain studies plainly essential to
good citizenship must be taught, and that nothing be taught which is manifestly inimical
to public welfare.   
3. The State and Parental Obligations. – While the primary responsibility for educating the
child rests in the family, the State has a distinct interest in this matter since a proper
education- humanistic, vocational, moral, religious, civic- is necessary for social well-
being. It is the duty of the State to see that these obligations are fulfilled by parents, and
to supply the essential educational facilities which private initiate is unable to furnish.
Section 13. The State recognizes the vital role of the youth in nation-building and shall
promote and protect their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual, and social well-being. It
shall inculcate in the youth patriotism and nationalism and encourage their involvement
in public and civic affairs.
 
Role of the Youth in Nation Building
 1. Today’s youth, more knowledgeable and intelligent. – Today’s youth are better educated
and far more well-informed and articulate and politically conscious. 
2. Duty of the State. – The youth constitute a rich reservoir of productive manpower.
Recognizing their vital role in shaping the country’s destiny, the Constitution lends it
support to the promotion of their welfare. It is the duty of the State to enable the youth to
develop physically, morally, spiritually, intellectually, and socially, in a wholesome and
normal manner, and thus, transform them into healthy, upright, intelligent, and useful
citizens and potential community leaders. It shall inculcate in the youth, patriotism and
nationalism, promote positive personal and social values among them, and encourage
their active involvement and participation in public and civic affairs to the fullest extent
possible.
3. Today’s youth, tomorrow’s leaders. – By harnessing the enterprising spirit and
progressive idealism of the youth, young people can become effective players in our
collective effort to build the modern Philippines and, properly trained and guided, will in
time, assume dignity and honor the places of their elders in the high councils of the
nation. 
 
Section 18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect
the rights of workers and promote their welfare.
Section 22. The State recognizes and promotes the rights of indigenous cultural
communities within the framework of national unity and development.
 
Rights of indigenous cultural communities 
 Indigenous cultural communities refer to those non-dominant groups in our country
which possess and wish to preserve ethnic, religious, or linguistic tradition or
characteristics markedly different from the rest of the population.
 The State must promote their rights. The State is bound to consider the customs,
traditions, beliefs, and interests of indigenous cultural minorities in the formulation and
implementation of state policies and programs.

Learning Task
Based on the discussion on the nature and purposes of the National Service Training Program and the
salient nature and provisions of the Philippine Constitution, how can youth live up to the challenge of
taking charge of the society? Can you share your personal experience on how you see yourself effecting
impact to your family, friends and your immediate society?
RUBRIC:
 
5 points- content
3 points- organization
2 points- conventions

MOTIVATION (PARTICIPATION 1)
Direction: On a clean sheet of paper, portray yourself through a drawing.
Guide questions:
1. How do you perceive yourself 6 years from now?
2. What factor/s do you think made you achieve such?
3. Is education an impetus for this achievement/s?
4. Be able to share the story behind your drawing in the class.