The Bill of Rights of Filipinos

The Bill Of Rights of Filipinos
“There is no Constitution worthy of the name without a bill or declaration of rights”.
Article III of the Philippine Constitution is the Bill of Rights. It establishes the relationship of the
individual to the State and defines the rights of the individual by limiting the lawful powers of
the State. It is one of the most important political achievements of the Filipinos (Smith, 1945)
Importance of Bill of Rights
A bill of rights is a constitutional enumeration of rights and privileges guaranteed by the State
to all persons within its territory. It is the statement of individual liberties which citizens,
residents and sojourners in the country enjoy abuses in against the exercise of government
power. In short, it is the people’s shield against government abuse.
The peaceful attainment of peace will depend on our nations libertarian use of freedom-
freedom of thought, speech and association. The rights proclaimed in the Bill of Rights are the
“ten commandments” of our constitutional faith. They are the means of self-government and
sovereignty. They are the means to truth. They are the means of and end of security and survival.
Below is the Bill of Rights provided for in Article III, 1987 Philippine constitution:
Section 1.No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor
shall any person be denied the equal protection of law.
Section 2.The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effect against
unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be inviolable,
and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause to be
determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the
complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be
searched and the persons or things to be seized.
Section 3.(1) The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable except upon
lawful order of the court, or when public safety or order requires otherwise, as prescribed by law.
(2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or preceding section shall be
inadmissible for any proceeding.
Section 4.No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press,
or the right of the people to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of
grievances.
Section 5.No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free
exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship, without
discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be required for the
exercise of civil or political rights.
Section 6.The liberty of abode and changing the same within the limits prescribed by law shall
not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be
impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be
provided by law.
Section 7.The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be
recognized. Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official acts,
transaction, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for policy
development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be provided by law.
Section 8.The right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors, to
form unions, association, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be abridged.
Section 9.Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
Section 10.No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.
Section 11.Frees access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance
shall not be denied any person by reason of poverty
Section 12.(1) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have the
right to be informed of his right to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel
preferably of his own choice. If the person cannot afford the services of counsel, he must be
provided with one. These rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the presence of
counsel.
(2) No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate
the free will shall be used against him. Secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or other
similar forms of detention are prohibited.
(3) Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this or Section 17 hereof
shall be inadmissible in evidence against him.
(4) The Law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section
as well as compensation to rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices, and their
families.
Section 13.All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua
when evidence of guilt is strong, shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, or be
released on recognizance as may be provided by law. The right to bail shall not be impaired even
when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended. Excessive bail shall not be
required.
Section 14.(1) No person shall be held to answer for criminal offense without due process of
law.
(2) In criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the
contrary is proved, and shall enjoy the right to heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of
the nature and cause of accusation against him, to have speedy, impartial, and public trial, to
meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of
witnesses and the production of evidence in his behalf. However, after arraignment, trial may
proceed notwithstanding the absence of the accused: Provided, that he has been duly notified and
his failure to appear is unjustifiable.
Section 15.The privilege or writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in case of
invasion or rebellion, when the public safety requires it.
Section 16.All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all
judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.
Section 17.No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
Section 18.(1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and
aspirations.
(2) No involuntary servitude an any form shall exist except as punishment for a
crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.
Section 19.(1) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman
punishment inflicted. Neither shall death penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling reasons
involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. Any death penalty already
imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua.
(2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any
prisoner or detainee or the use of the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under
subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law.
Section 20.No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax.
Section 21.No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If an act
is punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall constitute a bar
to another prosecution for the same act.
Section 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.

The Bill of Rights of Filipinos

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Bill of Rights of Filipinos

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Bill of Rights of Filipinos

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

The Bill Of Rights of Filipinos

“There is no Constitution worthy of the name without a bill or declaration of rights”.

Importance of Bill of Rights

Section 10.No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.

Section 17.No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

Section 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.

You might also like