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 their
future;
WHEREAS, the barangays (citizens assemblies) would like:
themselves to be the vehicle for expressing the views of the people on important
national issues;
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
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:
The present barangays (citizens assemblies) arc 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;
Such barangays (citizens assemblies) shall consider vital national issues
now 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;
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.
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 seventy-three.
(Sgd.) FERDINAND E. MARCOS
President
Republic of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.) ALEJANDRO MELCHOR
Executive Secretary