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%

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v t e

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%

References

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

v t e Elections and referendums in the Philippines
General elections	1898 1907 1909 1912 1916 1919 1922 1925 1928 1931 1934 1935 1941 1943 1946 1949 1953 1957 1961 1965 1969 1978 1984 1987 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2019 2022
Presidential elections	1935 1941 1946 1949 1953 1957 1961 1965 1969 1981 1986 1992 1998 2004 2010 2016 2022
Senate elections	1916 1919 1922 1925 1928 1931 1934 1941 1946 1947 1949 1951 1953 1955 1957 1959 1961 1963 1965 1967 1969 1971 1987 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2019 2022 Special elections
House elections	1898 1907 1909 1912 1916 1919 1922 1925 1928 1931 1934 1935 1938 1941 1943 1946 1949 1953 1957 1961 1965 1969 1978 1984 1987 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2019 2022
Constitutional conventions	1934 1970
Local elections	1895 1899 1905 1909 1912 1919 1922 1925 1928 1931 1934 1937 1941 1943 1947 1951 1955 1959 1963 1967 1971 1980 1988 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004 2007 2010 2013 2016 2019 2022
Barangay elections	1960 1962 1964 1968 1972 1982 1989 1994 1997 2002 2007 2010 2013 2018 2023
Referendums	1599 1935 1937 1939 1940 1947 1967 1973 (Jan) 1973 (Jul) 1975 1976 1977 1981 (Apr) 1981 (Jun) 1984 1987
Per year Per type Presidential Senatorial Barangay Special Local elections and plebiscites

This page was last edited on 24 September 2023, at 17:45