Ateneo School of Government holds public lecture on the 1987 Constitution for public servants

In its commitment to enhancing the effectiveness of public service in the Philippines, the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) recently held a public lecture titled, "The 1987 Constitution in Practice: An Open Lecture for Public Servants", on 25 March 2025 at Leong Hall 111, Ateneo de Manila University. The event aimed to provide public sector leaders and employees with practical tools to integrate the principles of the Philippine Constitution into their daily governance and decision-making processes.

The lecture brought together individuals committed to public service with around 150 attendees from a diverse range of sectors—including National Government Agencies and Local Government Units, Private Sector, as well as the academe. The session was hosted by Ms Sharon Grace S. Yabut, Head of the Executive Education Program at ASoG, who warmly welcomed participants and introduced the subject matter expert, Atty Michael Henry Yusingco, LLM.

Atty Yusingco, a senior research fellow at ASoG and an expert on public policy, governance, and constitutional reform, served as the primary resource person for the lecture. Drawing from his extensive background as seasoned legal and political analyst, Atty. Yusingco guided the participants through the challenges of Constitutional Rot, the basic elements of the 1987 Constitution, and the importance of connecting with the Constitution in their daily public service work. He emphasized the importance of understanding our constitution because it allows us to know what our benefits are. 

The discussions were further enriched by a live question and answer session, effectively moderated by Mr Leon G Flores III, Professor of Praxis at ASoG. The Q&A segment sparked engaging conversations, with questions revolving around the issue of political dynasties—a topic that remains relevant in the Philippine political discourse.

Ms Yabut, on behalf of Dr Philip Arnold P. Tuaño, Dean of the Ateneo School of Government, concluded the program by expressing her gratitude to Atty. Yusingco, Mr. Flores, and all the attendees for their participation. She emphasized the importance of understanding the Constitution, stating, "Understanding the 1987 Constitution is essential to strengthening democratic institutions, and weaving this understanding into developing a resilient and adaptive workforce as it empowers both public servants and citizens to hold systems accountable and uphold the rule of law. By deepening constitutional literacy, we lay the groundwork for more resilient, transparent, and responsive governance."

This lecture is part of ASOG’s mission to make governance principles, such as those enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, more accessible and actionable for public servants and leaders. ASOG remains committed to enhancing public service, ensuring that public servants are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate the complexities of governance and uphold democratic values.