# Presidential Decree No. 637 (Marcos)

Source: Official Gazette. Vol. 71, No. 6. Office of the President. 1975. pp. 642–645.
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MALACAÑANG RESIDENCE OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES MANILA
PRESIDENTIAL DECREE No. 637
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 in me vested by the Constitution, do hereby decree and order the following:
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, Parañaque, Pateros, San Juan del Monte, Taguig, Pasig and Marikina in the province of Rizal;
    On Local Officials
    1. 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 up 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
    1. 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?
    2. Do you want the President to continue exercising the same?
    3. There are suggestions that martial law be lifted. Do you want martial law to continue?
    On the Legislative Body
    1. 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.
1. 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?
On Martial Law
1. 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?
2. Do you want the President to continue exercising the same?
3. There are suggestions that martial law be lifted. Do you want martial law to continue?
On the Legislative Body
1. 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?
Sec. 2. Educational and Information Campaign. — Without prejudice to the rights of private individuals t o 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.
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.
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.
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:
1. Removes, tears down, mutilates or otherwise destroys any translated poster displayed in the places required in this decree;
2. Impedes, obstructs, delays or otherwise frustrates the distribution of informative or educational leaflets, brochures and other materials;
3. Prints and distributes materials which tend maliciously to distort through misleading translation the questions herein adopted.
Sec. 6. Promulgation of Rules and Regulations. — The Commission on Elections shall promulgate rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of this decree.
Sec. 7. Appropriations. — To carry out the provisions of this decree the sum of THREE MILLION PESOS (₱3,000,000.00) is hereby appropriated out of any funds in the National Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, executive orders, decree, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, inconsistent with the provisions of this Decree are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.
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 Republic of the Philippines
By the President:
(Sgd.) Alejandro Melchor Executive Secretary
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