1981 Philippine constitutional plebiscite

1981 Philippine constitutional plebiscite

April 7, 1981
Changing the form of government
For   79.53% Against   20.47%
Certain prohibitions on elective officials
For   78.95% Against   21.05%
Allowing natural-born citizens who lost citizenship to own land
For   77.55% Against   22.45%

A national plebscite and local plebiscites were held on April 7, 1981 in the Philippines.^[1] The plebiscite was set to amend the following revisions made by the Interim Batasang Pambansa, pursuant to Batasang Pambansa Blg. 122:^[2]

• Call for the establishment of a modified parliamentary system, amending for this purpose Articles VII, VIII and IX of the Philippine Constitution
• Institute electoral reforms
• Provides that a natural-born citizen of the Philippines who has lost his Philippine citizenship may be a transferee of private land, for use by him as residence

Also were held in certain areas the creation of three municipalities in Bohol, South Cotabato and Zamboanga del Norte:

• For the creation of the new municipality of Bien Unido, Bohol, from certain barangays of Alibon and Trinidad, Bohol^[3]
• For the creation of the new municipality of Sto. Niño, South Cotabato from certain barangays of Banga and Norala, South Cotabato^[4]
• For the creation of the new municipality of Baliguian, Zamboanga del Norte, from certain Barangays of Siocon, Zamboanga del Norte^[5]

Results

The majority of the Filipino people voted "Yes" to the terms and constitutional amendments.^[2]

On changing the form of government

Do you approve of to amend the constitution and establish a modified parliamentary system?

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	13,847,765	79.53
No	3,564,675	20.47
Total votes	17,412,440	100.00

Question #1 of the 1981 Philippine constitutional plebiscite results (excluding invalid votes)
Yes 13,847,765 (79.5%)	No 3,564,675 (20.5%)
▲ 50%

On prohibiting elective officials from being appointed, limiting participation to two largest parties only, and prohibiting party-switching

Do you want to prohibit elective officials from being eligible for appointment during their term, except as member of the Executive Committee? Do you want to entitle accreditation to the top two political parties only? Do you want to prohibit public officers from changing political party affiliations during their term?

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	13,774,799	78.95
No	3,672,644	21.05
Total votes	17,447,443	100.00

Question #2 of the 1981 Philippine constitutional plebiscite results (excluding invalid votes)
Yes 13,774,799 (79%)	No 3,672,644 (21%)
▲ 50%

On allowing erstwhile natural-born citizens who lost citizenship to own land

Do you want to allow natural-born citizens of the Philippines who have lost their citizenship to own land?

Choice	Votes	%
Yes	13,382,300	77.55
No	3,874,416	22.45
Total votes	17,256,716	100.00

Question #3 of the 1981 Philippine constitutional plebiscite results (excluding invalid votes)
Yes 13,382,300 (77.5%)	No 3,874,416 (22.5%)
▲ 50%

See also

• Commission on Elections
• Politics of the Philippines
• Philippine elections
• President of the Philippines

References

1. Zaide, Sonia (1999). The Philippines: A Unique Nation. Quezon City: All Nations Publishing Co. p. 392. ISBN 971-642-071-4.
2. "Proclamation No. 2077, s. 1981 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
3. "Proclamation No. 2068, s. 1981 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
4. "Proclamation No. 2053, s. 1981 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2018-11-02.
5. "Proclamation No. 2069, s. 1981 | GOVPH". Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines. Retrieved 2018-11-02.