ADOPTING THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS CONCERNING THE QUESTIONS FOR SUBMISSION IN THE JANUARY 30, 1975 REFERENDUM; PROVIDING FOR AN INFORMATION AND EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR THE DISSEMINATION AND EXPLANATION OF THE QUESTIONS INCLUDING THE TRANSLATION THEREOF INTO THE MAJOR DIALECTS AND APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR.

• Number: Presidential Decree No. 637
• Sections: 10

Preamble

WHEREAS, pursuant to the powers granted it under

Proclamation No. 1366, promulgated on December 31, 1974, the Commission

on Elections has resolved to recommend the questions to be resolved and

determined by the members of barangays (citizens assemblies) in the

National Referendum on January 30, 1975;

WHEREAS, I am satisfied that these questions were formulated

by the Commission on Elections after due and extensive consultations

with the people on a nationwide scale and has taken steps through other

various ways to ascertain the issues uppermost in the mind of the

nation;

WHEREAS, in order to enable the barangay members to cast

their votes intelligently and with full understanding of the issues

involved, it is urgent to wage in all areas an effective, intensive,

massive educational and information campaign particularly in the urban

and rural communities:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, FERDINAND E. MARCOS, President of the

Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by the Constitution,

do hereby decree and order the following:

Section 1 Referendum Questions.

SECTION 1. Referendum Questions. —

The questions to be submitted in the January 30, 1975, shall be as

follows:

I

For the Greater Manila Area comprising the cities of Manila,

Quezon, Pasay, and Caloocan; and the municipalities of Valenzuela in the

province of Bulacan and Las Piñas; Makati, Malabon, Mandaluyong,

Muntinlupa, Navotas, Paraiiaque, Pateros, San Juan del Monte, Taguig,

Pasig and Marikina in the province of Rizal;

On Local

Officials

There are proposals to restructure the government of Greater

Manila (four cities and 13 municipalities) into an integrated

Manager-Commission type appointed by the President. Under these

proposals, the cities and municipalities concerned shall retain their

political identities and boundaries as well as their government

organization; the present elective officials, unless sooner removed by

the President may be retained lip to December 31, 1975, when their terms

end, but shall not exercise powers pertaining to appropriations,

taxation and appointments. Do you favor this proposal?

On Martial Law

Inherent in his powers as Commander-in-Chief and under the

Constitution ratified and formally adopted by the people on January 17,

1973, the President of the Philippines has been issuing proclamations,

orders, decrees and instructions with the force of law. Do you approve

of the manner the President has exercised this power?

Do you want the President to continue exercising the same?

There are suggestions that martial law be lifted. Do you want

martial law to continue?

On the Legislative Body

In the January, 1973 referendum, the people decided that there be

no elections in the meantime and the interim Assembly should not be

convened by the President.

Now do you want the President to convene the interim National

Assembly immediately?

II

For areas outside of the Greater Manila

Area.

On Local Officials

The terms of office of your local elective officials expire on

December 31, 1975. Do you want their successors to be appointed by the

President or elected in accordance with the Constitution?

Do you want their successors to be appointed by the President or

elected in accordance with the Constitution?

On Martial Law

Inherent in his powers as Commander-in-Chief and under the

Constitution ratified and formally adopted by the people on January 17,

1973, the President of the Philippines has been issuing proclamations,

orders, decrees and instruction with the force of law. Do you approve of

the manner the President has exercised this power?

Do you want the President to continue exercising the same?

There are suggestions that martial law be lifted. Do you want

martial law to continue?

On the Legislative Body

In the January, 1973 referendum, the people decided that

there be no elections in the meantime and the interim Assembly should

not be convened by the President.

Do you want the President to convene the interim National

Assembly immediately?

Section 2 Educational and Information Campaign.

SEC. 2. Educational and Information Campaign. —

Without prejudice to the rights of private individuals to engage in

discussion or debates on the questions as provided by a separate decree,

orally or in writing, the Commission on Elections shall disseminate the

questions herein adopted as widely as possible through the fastest

possible means and shall explain to the people in the simplest manner to

assure that the barangay members fully understand the meaning and sense

of the issues involved.

Section 3 Assistance of other Agencies.

SEC. 3. Assistance of other Agencies. — To

implement the provision of the preceding section, the Commission on

Elections is hereby empowered to avail of the facilities and personnel

of any department, government office, agency or instrumentality after

due consultations with the respective heads thereof.

Section 4 Translation into Major Dialects.

SEC. 4. Translation into Major Dialects. — The

questions, shall be translated into all the dialects spoken by at least

50,000 persons and such translation shall be printed in poster form in

sufficient number using cheap but appropriate material.

At least two weeks before the referendum the printed translation

shall be displayed in all conspicuous places in the areas where the

dialect used in the translation is spoken; Provided, however,

That in each referendum center on referendum day, there shall be posted

in a place that can be seen by all as many copies as necessary of the

printed posters of the translated questions.

Section 5 Prohibited acts and penalty.

SEC. 5. Prohibited

acts and penalty. — The penalty of imprisonment from six months but

not more than one year shall be imposed upon a person who:

Removes, tears down, mutilates or otherwise destroys any

translated poster displayed in the places required in this decree;

Impedes, obstructs, delays or otherwise frustrates the

distribution of informative or educational leaflets, brochures and other

materials;

Prints and distributes materials which tend maliciously to

distort through misleading translation the questions herein adopted.

Section 6 Promulgation of rules and regulations.

SEC. 6. Promulgation of rules and regulations. — The

Commission on Elections shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry

out the provisions of this decree.

Section 7 Appropriations.

SEC. 7. Appropriations. — To carry out the

provisions of this decree the sum of three million pesos (P3,000,000.00)

is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not

otherwise appropriated.

Section 8 Repealing clause.

SEC. 8. Repealing clause. — All laws, executive

orders, decrees, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent

with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed, amended or

modified accordingly.

Section 9 Effectivity.

SEC. 9. Effectivity. — This Decree shall take

effect immediately.

Done in the City of Manila, this 7th day of January, in the year

of Our Lord, nineteen hundred and seventy-five.

(Sgd.)

FERDINAND E. MARCOS

President of the Philippines

By the President:

(Sgd.)

ALEJANDRO MELCHOR

Executive Secretary