House Speaker Martin Romualdez highlighted the importance of adherence to the Constitution, saying no leader should be above the country’s Charter and its laws.
Romualdez delivered this statement before the Philippine Constitution Association (PHILCONSA), where he sits as president, during their gathering at the Manila Polo Club in Makati City on Monday night to observe Constitution Day.
PHILCONSA chairman and former Supreme Court Chief Justice Reynato Puno, jurists, and lawyers attended the event with Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia as guest of honor and keynote speaker.
“The Constitution is not a passive document; it commands obedience, it imposes limits, and most importantly, it demands accountability. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no institution, no office, and no leader is ever beyond the reach of the law,” Romualdez said.
The seasoned lawmaker reminded his colleagues that the Constitution “is the soul of a nation.” He noted moments in history when it was “tested by the tides of politics,” but remained “resilient” despite constant challenges.
“It (Constitution) is the bedrock upon which governments rise and fall, the covenant that binds leaders to their duty, and the shield that protects the rights of every citizen,” Romualdez said, reminding fellow public servants of their responsibility to protect it.
The Speaker told his fellow constitutionalists that as they celebrate Constitution Day, “we do not simply commemorate a document—we reaffirm a legacy, a duty, and a cause that demands vigilance from all of us.”
He noted that PHILCONSA “has stood for decades as the guardian of constitutionalism in our country, a sentinel against any erosion of the principles that define our Republic.”
Romualdez said it was fitting that they were joined in observing Constitution Day by Comelec Chairman Garcia, “whose work is directly tied to the preservation of our democratic process.”
“Electoral integrity is not just a matter of legal compliance; it is the lifeblood of democracy. When elections lose credibility, governments lose legitimacy. The duty that rests on the shoulders of Comelec is immense, and Chairman Garcia’s leadership comes at a time when trust in institutions is constantly under scrutiny,” he said.
Romualdez said the role of constitutionalists “is to ensure that the rule of law does not become mere rhetoric.” He acknowledged PHILCONSA members, jurists and lawyers for their dedication to this important cause.
“Let this gathering serve as a renewal of that commitment. As we honor the legacy of those who framed our fundamental law, let us also recognize our obligation to defend it, interpret it with integrity, and apply it without fear or favor,” he said.