WHEREAS, on the basis of preliminary and
initial reports from the field as gathered from barangays (citizens
assemblies) that have so far been established, the people would like to
decide for themselves questions or, issues, both local and national,
affecting their day-to-day lives and future; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, the barangays (citizens assemblies) would like themselves to
be the vehicle for expressing the views of the people on important
issues;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, such barangays (citizens assemblies) desire that they be given
legal status and due recognition as constituting the genuine,
legitimate and valid expression of the popular will; and chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
WHEREAS, the people would like the citizens assemblies to conduct
immediately a referendum on certain specified questions such as the
ratification of the new Constitution, continuance, of martial law, the
convening of Congress on January 22, 1973, and the elections in
November 1973 pursuant to the 1935 Constitution.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the Philippines,
by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution as
Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the Philippines, do
hereby declare as part of the law of the land the following:cralaw:red
1. The present barangays (citizens assemblies) are
created under Presidential Decree No. 86 dated December 31, 1972, shall
constitute the base for citizen participation in governmental affairs
and their collective views shall be considered in the formulation of
national policies or programs and, wherever practicable, shall be
translated into concrete and specific decision; chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
2. Such barangays (citizens assemblies) shall
consider vital national issues not confronting the country, like the
holding of the plebiscite on the new Constitution, the continuation of
martial rule, the convening of Congress on January 22, 1973, and the
holding of elections in November 1973, and others in the future, which
shall serve as guide or basis for action or decision by the national
government;chanroblesvirtualawlibrary
3. The barangays (citizens assemblies) shall conduct
between January 10 and 15, 1973, a referendum on important national
issues, including those specified in paragraph 2 hereof, and submit the
results thereof to the Department of Local Governments and Community
Development immediately thereafter, pursuant to the express will of the
people as reflected in the reports gathered from the many thousands of
barangays (citizens assemblies) throughout the country.
4. This Decree shall take effect immediately.
Done in the City of Manila,
this 5th day of January, in the year of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and
seventy-three.
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