Lesson 11

The Bill of Rights

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 the laws.

The due process clause is a fundamental, constitutional guarantee that all legal
proceedings will be fair and that one will be given notice of the proceedings and an
opportunity to be heard before the government acts to take away one's life, liberty, or
property. Also, a constitutional guarantee that a law shall not be unreasonable,

The application of constitutional due process is traditionally divided into the two categories
of substantive due process and procedural due process. These categories are derived
from a distinction that is made between two types of law. Substantive due process creates,
defines, and regulates rights, whereas procedural law enforces those rights or seeks
redress for their violation. It is concerned with such issues as freedom of speech and
privacy, whereas procedural due process is concerned with provisions such as the right to
adequate notice of a lawsuit, the right to be present during testimony, and the right to have
a counsel or lawyer.

The equal protection clause means that the states must apply the law equally and
cannot give preference to one person or class of persons over another.

Section 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects 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.

Search Warrant and Warrant of Arrest

Search Warrant is an order in writing, issued in the name of the People of the Philippines,
signed by a judge and directed to a peace officer, commanding him to search for certain
personal property and bring it before the court.

Warrant of Arrest is a written order or command to arrest a person designated, i.e. to take
him into custody in order that he may bound to answer for the commission of an offense.

Requisites of a valid search warrant and warrant of arrest

1. It must be issued upon probable cause.

2. The probably cause must be determined personally by the judge himself.

3. Such determination of a probable cause must be made after examination by the

judge of the complainant and the witnesses he may produce.

4. The warrant must particularly describe the place to be searched, and the persons
or things to be seized.

Search and seizure made without warrant

1. Where there is consent or waiver.

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2. Where search is an incident to a lawful arrest.

3. In the case of contraband or forfeited goods being transported by ship, automobile

or other vehicle, where the officer making it has reasonable cause for believing that
the latter contains them, in view of the difficulty attendant to securing a search
warrant.

4. Where, without a search, the possession of articles prohibited by law is disclosed to

plain view or is open to eye and hand.

5. As an incident of inspection, supervision and regulation in the exercise of police

power.

Arrest made without warrant

1. When in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually

committing, or is attempting to commit an offense.

2. When an offense has in fact just been committed and he has personal knowledge of
facts indicating that the person to be arrested has committed it.

3. When the person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal
establishment or place where he is serving final judgment or temporarily confined
while his case is pending, or has escaped while being transferred from one
confinement to another.

What is the rule on search and seizure, at least insofar as this &@$dam^ country is
concerned?

Well, the rule is even enshrined in the 1987 Consitution (Section 2, Article II or otherwise
known as the "Bill of Rights") as follows:

SEC. 2. The right of the peole to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects
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.

So we need a warrant?

Yes. As the general rule. Law enforcement should apply for one first before effecting a
search.

How?

It applies for one in court. The simplified procedure, under Rule 126 of the Rules on
Criminal Procedure is as follows:

1. Application for warrant with a competent court

2. Examination of judge of applicant and witnesses to personally determinine probable

cause

3. Issuance of warrant.

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The warrant cannot be a "general warrant," meaning, it cannot be a fishing expedition. It

must state the suspected offense and only be limited to:

(a) Subject of the offense;

(b) Stolen or embezzled and other proceeds, or fruits of the offense; o
(c) Used or intended to be used as the means of committing an offense.
(Section 2, Rule 126, Rules of Criminal Procedure)
It cannot be issued if there is no suspected offense, like "I have not heard from him in over
a month now."

You said there are exemptions. What are they?

Warrantless searches and seizures may be made without a warrant in the following
instances:

(1) search incident to a lawful arrest, (Section 13, Rule 126)

(2) search of a moving motor vehicle,
(3) search in violation of custom laws,
(4) seizure of the evidence in plain view,
(5) when the accused himself waives his right against unreasonable searches and
seizures,
(6) stop and frisk and
(7) exigent and emergency circumstances.
These instances, however do not dispense with the requisite of probable cause before a
warrantless search and seizure can be lawfully conducted. In warrantless search cases,
probable cause must only be based on reasonable ground of suspicion or belief that a
crime has been committed or is about to be committed. (People vs. Melly Sarap, et. al.,
G.R. No. 132165, 26 March 2003)

What if I'm the landlord and I give my consent, will that cut it?

It will only cut the cheeze...

Of course not! The actual occupant must give consent or waive the right to a warrantless
seizure and the landlord cannot do it for him.

As a matter of fact even if there is a warrant, this rule applies:

Sec. 8. Search of house, room, or premises to be made in presence of two witnesses. –

No search of a house, room, or any other premises shall be made except in the presence
of the lawful occupant thereof or any member of his family or in the absence of the latter,
two witnesses of sufficient age and discretion residing in the same locality.
Of course, there may be complications such as the lease contract has expired and the
landlord is specifically authorized by it to break open the room or house and holding the
personal properties therein for purposes of enforcing payment on the lease. But that's
another matter...

What can you do if law enforcement violates these rules?

You can file a lot of charges against them, ranging administrative charges for misconduct,
criminal charges for, let say obstruction of justice or even plain robbery or theft, plus, a civil
case for damages under Article 32 of the Civil Code which says:

Art. 32. Any public officer or employee, or any private individual, who directly or indirectly
obstructs, defeats, violates or in any manner impedes or impairs any of the following rights
and liberties of another person shall be liable to the latter for damages:

xxx

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(9) The right to be secure in one's person, house, papers, and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizures

xxx

In any of the cases referred to in this article, whether or not the defendant's act or omission
constitutes a criminal offense, the aggrieved party has a right to commence an entirely
separate and distinct civil action for damages, and for other relief. Such civil action shall
proceed independently of any criminal prosecution (if the latter be instituted), and may be
proved by a preponderance of evidence.
What is the definition of arrest?

According to the Section 1, Rule 113 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure:

Section 1. Definition of arrest. – Arrest is the taking of a person into custody in order that
he may be bound to answer for the commission of an offense.

So a person is arrested in order to put him under the control of the authorities and make
him answer for a criminal offense.

What is the general rule as regards arrests?

For that, we have to go to Section 2, Article III of the 1987 Constitution, that states:

SEC. 2 The right of the peole to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects
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.

So the general rule is no warrant, no arrest?

Yes. And please do try to remember this because this is a constitutional guarantee...

But of course, there are exemptions:

Sec. 5. Arrest without warrant; when lawful. – A peace officer or a private person may,
without a warrant, arrest a person:

(a) When, in his presence, the person to be arrested has committed, is actually
committing, or is attempting to commit an offense;

(b) When an offense has just been committed and he has probable cause to believe based
on personal knowledge of facts or circumstances that the person to be arrested has
committed it; and

(c) When the person to be arrested is a prisoner who has escaped from a penal
establishment or place where he is serving final judgment or is temporarily confined while
his case is pending, or has escaped while being transferred from one confinement to
another.

Can you give examples of each?

Sure.

a. If a snatcher snatched the wallet of a police officer, obviously, he can arrest that guy
without a warrant.

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b. If a woman, just had her bag snatched, runs in tears to a police officer and points to a
male person running away from the scene with a ladies handbag, the police officer can
arrest the snatcher without a warrant. From this example, the police officer has probable
cause to believe that a crime has just been committed and the snatcher was probably
guilty (because who else runs away fast from somewhere with a ladies handbag when he
is male?).

c. If a convict escapes while in captivity, the police officer naturally does not need to apply
for a warrant because by then the convict would have been long gone.

What is the extend of the force allowed in effecting a warrant?

According to Section 2 of Rule 113 of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure:

No violence or unnecessary force shall be used in making an arrest. The person arrested
shall not be subject to a greater restraint than is necessary for his detention.

Anything else to consider?

An officer making a lawful arrest may orally summon as many persons as he deems
necessary to assist him in effecting the arrest. Every person so summoned by an officer
shall assist him in effecting the arrest when he can render such assistance without
detriment to himself.

An officer, in order to make an arrest either by virtue of a warrant, or without a warrant,

may break into any building or enclosure where the person to be arrested is or is
reasonably believed to be, if he is refused admittance thereto, after announcing his
authority and purpose.

So in the case of hot pursuits, there is no need apply for a search warrant when a person
to be arrested (be it with a warrant or without one, provided it is a valid warrantless arrest)
goes into a house or building, contrary to what the police now says.

Of course, the police officer must likewise carefully assess the situation. If the person to be
arrested goes into an armory, he should think twice. It's only but logical...

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 the preceding section shall be
inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.

Wiretapping

Section 1 of Republic Act No. 4200, otherwise known as the "Anti-Wire Tapping Act,"
states:

It shall be unlawful for any person, not being authorized by all the parties to any private
communication or spoken word, to tap any wire or cable, or by using any other device or
arrangement, to secretly overhear, intercept, or record such communication or spoken
word by using a device commonly known as a dictaphone or dictagraph or dectaphone or
walkie-talkie or tape recorder, or however otherwise described.

It shall also be unlawful for any person, be he a participant or not in the act or acts
penalized in the next preceding sentence, to knowingly possess any tape record, wire

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record, disc record, or any other such record, or copies thereof, of any communication or
spoken word secured either before or after the effective date of this Act in the manner
prohibited by this law; or to replay the same for any other person or persons; or to
communicate the contents thereof, either verbally or in writing, or to furnish transcriptions
thereof, whether complete or partial, to any other person: Provided, That the use of such
record or any copies thereof as evidence in any civil, criminal investigation or trial of
offenses mentioned in section 3 hereof, shall not be covered by this prohibition.

First, please bear in mind that this law is mala prohibita, meaning, criminal or malicious
intent need not be proven by the prosecution. The mere act of wire-tapping, even with the
purest of intentions is already punishable under RA 4200, as amended.

What constitutes wire-tapping? or What are its requisites?

1. Any person secretly overhears, intercepts or records any private communication or

spoken word (in layman's terms "eavesdropping"),
2. He does so by tapping wires or cables, by using any other device as stated in the
law, and
3. He does so without the consent of all the parties to such private communication or
spoken word.

Also please bear in mind that Republic Act No. 4200, as amended punishes:

1. The act of wire tapping itself,

2. Possession of taped, wire, disc or any other form of record of such wire tapped
communications
3. Communication about the contents thereof either verbally or in writing,
4. Funishing transcripts thereof to any other person whether such is partial or total.

At this point, I will tow the popular legal theory about this law.

This is a private crime, meaning, at least one of the private parties to this communication
or conversation must file the case against the persons liable under this act.

Only if it is unauthorized by all the parties to such private communication or spoken word
can the record or transcript thereof be considered wire tapped material. Hence, the
Department of Justice cannot motu propio file this case in court.

Also, nobody can effect a warrantless arrest for violation thereof because there will be no
instance when anybody can be caught in flagrante delicto (or "in the act"), insofar as the
violations other than the actual act of eavesdropping is concerned.

This is likewise bourne out of the deliberations when this law was being passed, as quoted
by the Supreme Court in Ramirez vs. Court of Appeals (GR No. 93833, 28 September
1995). During such deliberations, the late Senator Tañada stated, "This is a complete ban
on tape recorded conversations taken without the authorization of all the parties."
[Emphasis supplied.]

How does this apply to "Gloriagate"?

In my opinion, insofar as the President's conversation is concerned, nobody can be

prosecuted under Republic Act No. 4200. No less than the Presidential Spokesman,
suppossedly the mouthpiece and alter ego of the President, admitted and even distributed
copies of the same.

This already constitutes tacit or implicit authorization by at least one the alleged parties to
that private communication. At the very least, one party is estopped from saying he/she did

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not consent to such wire tapped record. With the other party denying he is the other voice
there, there will be no complainant to initiate prosecution for violation of this law.

With this argument, I believe "reasonable doubt" already exists to acquit anyone if
prosecuted for violating this act.

Assuming that it was not the President or the Comelec Commissioner, there will be
difficulties again in prosecuting such violation by such private parties, since they would be,
in effect, likewise admitting to even graver criminal acts that the Comelec and the Justice
Department has the power to initiate motu propio (or on their own).

On a practical level therefore, there will be no complainants to this violation since nobody
will admit to being any one of the voices in this record. Since there will be no complainants,
there will be no successful prosecution.

Oh, and by the way, this is a probationable offense since this is not a crime against
national security, as stated in the Revised Penal Code.

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.

What is the constitutional provision on freedom of speech, expression and of the press?

Article III, Section 4 of the 1987 Constitution states:

No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or
the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the Government for redress of
grievances.

What does "speech," "expression" and "press" include?

They include all forms of expression, whether oral, written, taped or disc recorded. It also
includes movies and symbolic speech such as wearing of armbands as a symbol of
protest.

What are the prohibitions regarding the freedom of speech clause of the constitution?

This constitutional provision prohibits:

1. Prior Restraint
2. Subsequent Punishment

What is Prior Restraint?

It means official government restrictions on the press or other forms of expression in

advance of actual publication or dissemination. This may come in the form of warnings of
closure or unjustifiable licensing systems, etc.

As a matter of fact, I believe any form of regulation or move by the state that would have a
"chilling effect" on the freedom of speech is covered by the rule against prior restraint.

How about raiding and closing a newspaper for fear it may publish reports "damaging" to
the present adminsitration?

It may be covered by this prohibition.

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"Such closure is in the nature of privious restraint or censorship abhorrent to the freedom
of the press guaranteed under the fundamental law and constitutes virtual denial of the
freedom to express themselves in dissent." (Burgos Sr., vs. Chief of Staff, AFP, 133 SCRA
800 [1985])

Is the prohibition against prior restraint absolute?

Of course not. But any such system of prior restraint comes to court bearing a heavy
presumption against constitutionality.

What are the exemptions?

According to Near vs. Minnesota, 283 US 697 (1931), it is as follows:

When a nation is at war many things that might be said in time of peace are such a
hindrance to its error that their utterance will not be endured so long as men fight and that
no Court could regard them as protected by any constitutional right.' No one would
question but that a government might prevent actual obstruction to its recruiting service or
the publication of the sailing dates of transports or the number and location of troops. On
similar grounds, the primary requirements of decency may be enforced against obscene
publications. The security of the community life may be protected against incitements to
acts of violence and the overthrow by force of orderly government.

Hence, in simple terms:

1. When a nation is at war, any utternance that cannot be endured so long as men fight.
2. Actual troop movement and other tactical/security matters again at time of war (or
arguable rebellion and/or insurrection).
3. Obcenity, at any time
4. Incitements to acts of violence or the overthrow by force of an orderly government.
5. Of course libel is likewise unprotected speech, at any time

What is subsequent punishment?

Simply put, this punishes speech or expression after the fact.

What are the standards of allowable subsequent punishment of expression?

There are three standards:

1. The Clear and Present Danger Test

2. The Dangerous Tendency Test; and
3. The Balancing of Interest Test.

What is the "Clear and Present Danger Rule"?

According to Schenck vs. United States (249 US 47):

"The question in every case is whether the words used are used in such circumstances
and are of such a nature as to create a clear and present danger that they will bring about
the substantive evils that Congress has a right to prevent."

Hence:

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1. There must be a danger

2. It must be clear and present; and
3. Such danger is of such substantive evil that the State/Congress has a right to prevent

Give examples of this danger.

For example, lawless violence, disorder, chaos, rebellion, etc.

What is the "Dangerous Tendency Test"?

Speech may be curtailed or punished when it creates a dangerous tendency which the
State has the right to prevent. All it requires is a rational connection between the speech
and the evil sought to be prevented.

What is the "Balancing of Interest Test"?

It rests on the theory that it is the Court's function in the case before it when it finds public
interests served by legislation (or executive action) on the one hand and freedom of
expression on the other, to balance the one against the other and to arrive at a judgment
where the greater weight must be placed.

In short, it rests on the basis that constitutional freedoms are not absolute and that it may
be abridged to some extent to seve appropriate and important interests. (paraphrased from
Gonzales vs. Comelec, 27 SCRA 899 [1969])

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.

What does the 1987 Constitution provide under the principle of separation of church and
state?

Section 6, Article II of the 1987 Constitution provides:

Section 6. The separation of Church and State shall be inviolable.

While Section 5, Article III thereof provides the clarification:

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.

What is the popular misconception about separation of church and state?

People mistakenly believe that the principle entails each instution minding its own
business. Church does not interfere with the affairs of the State while the State does not
meddle with matters of religion.

Why is it a misconception?

Because it is not accurate by constitutional standards. It is not complete.

What is the more accurate constitutional principle of such separation?

Bear in mind that the bill of rights define a person, an entity or a groups' powers as against

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the state. The more accurate concept is that the bill of rights are the guarantees of the
such persons entities or groups that the all powerful state, the entity that has power over
life, liberty and property, will not touch and just respect. The rights under the constitution
are, in a sense, the limits to such power.

With this principle of mind, separation of church and state entails two principles, namely:

1. The non-establishment clause; and

2. The free expression clause.

What is the principle of non-establishment?

It simply prohibits the establishment of any religion by law (or simply put, there should be
no state-espoused, official or sanctioned religion). More simply, the goverment cannot set
up a church (Board of Education vs. Everson, 330 U.S. 15 [1946]). The government cannot
pass laws which aid one religion, aid all religions or prefer one religion over another.

It cannot, openly or secretly participate in the affairs of any religious organization and vice-
versa.

For example, the state cannot, by law establish Roman Catholicism as the state official
religion. The state, on the contrary, should encourage plurality and voluntarism, respecting
the people's right to choose their paths to salvation.

So there is a wall of separation of church and state? But why are religious leaders
"interfering" with state affairs?

Yes there is but to be technical or apologetic about it, the church (or other religious groups)
are not "directly meddling with state affairs. Indirecty is more accurate because they
attempt to guide their flock in their exercise of sovereignty (remember, it resides in the
people and all authority emanates from them).

Are there constitutionally created exemptions to this non-establishment principle?

Yes. Section 28(2), Article VI of the 1987 Constitution states:

(3)Charitable institutions, churches and parsonages or covenants appurtenant thereto,

mosques, non-profit cemeteries, and all lands, buildings, and improvements, actually,
directly, and exclusively used for religious, charitable, or educational purposes shall be
exempt from taxation.
This is an exemption because instead of demanding taxes from all, the State favors all
religions by lifting some tax burden from their shoulders.

Also, Section 29 (2) of the same article states:

(2) No public money or property shall be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly
or indirectly, for the use, benefit, or support of any sect, church, denomination, sectarian
institution, or system of religion, or of any priest, preacher, minister, or other religious
teacher, or dignitary as such, except when such priest, preacher, minister, or dignitary is
assigned to the armed forces, or to any penal institution, or government orphanage or
leprosarium.

Here, religion is assisted or espoused merely as secondary to governmental functions.

What is the principle of free religious expression?

It the state's guarantee the the people shall be free to exercise their chosen religion.

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According to Cantwell vs. Connecticut, 310 U.S. 296 (1940), it has a double aspect. On the
one hand, it forestalls compulsion by law of the acceptance of any creed or the practice of
any form of worship. On the other hand, it safeguards the free exercise of the chosen form
of religion.

Such safeguards include non-discrimination on the basis of religion. No religious test shall
be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.

Does that mean, arguing from the extreme, that the government cannot stop me from
practicing Satanism?

Yes, but every right has a limit, as every right has a corresponding obligation. You are free
to exercise your religion as long as you do not hurt others or violate the law... As long as
your religious practice does not require you to sacrifice virgins... (they're meant to be
loved, not sacrificed...)

Right To Peaceful Assembly

Ok class! Prepare for a long lecture this time.

What is the basis of the right to peaceful assembly in the Philippines?

Its foundation is found in Section 4, Article III of the 1987 Constitution that says:

SEC. 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the
press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the Government for
redress of grievances.

What is the law that implements/regulates it?

It is Batas Pambansa Bilang 880, otherwise known as the "Public Assembly Act of 1985." I
have qouted it in its entirety below:

BATAS PAMBANSA BLG. 880

AN ACT ENSURING THE FREE EXERCISE BY THE PEOPLE OF THEIR RIGHT

PEACEABLY TO ASSEMBLE AND PETITION THE GOVERNMENT FOR OTHER
PURPOSES

Section 1. Title - This Act shall be known as "The Public Assembly Act of 1985."

Section 2. Declaration of policy - The constitutional right of the people peaceably to

assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances is essential and vital to
the strength and stability of the State. To this end, the State shall ensure the free exercise
of such right without prejudice to the rights of others to life, liberty and equal protection of
the law.

Section 3. Definition of terms - For purposes of this Act:

(a) "Public assembly" means any rally, demonstration, march, parade, procession or any
other form of mass or concerted action held in a public place for the purpose of presenting
a lawful cause; or expressing an opinion to the general public on any particular issue; or
protesting or influencing any state of affairs whether political, economic or social; or
petitioning the government for redress of grievances.

The processions, rallies, parades, demonstrations, public meetings and assemblages for

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religious purposes shall be governed by local ordinances: Provided, however, That the
declaration of policy as provided in Section 2 of this Act shall be faithfully observed.

The definition herein contained shall not include picketing and other concerted action in
strike areas by workers and employees resulting from a labor dispute as defined by the
Labor Code, its implementing rules and regulations, and by the Batas Pambansa Bilang
227.

(b) "Public place" shall include any highway, boulevard, avenue, road, street, bridge or
other thoroughfare, park, plaza, square, and/or any open space of public ownership where
the people are allowed access.

(c) "Maximum tolerance" means the highest degree of restraint that the military, police and
other peace keeping authorities shall observe during a public assembly or in the dispersal
of the same.

(d) "Modification of permit" shall include the change of the place and time of the public
assembly, rerouting of the parade or street march, the volume of loud-speakers or sound
system and similar changes.

Section 4. Permit when required and when not required - A written permit shall be required
for any person or persons to organize and hold a public assembly in a public place.
However, no permit shall be required if the public assembly shall be done or made in a
freedom park duly established by law or ordinance or in private property, in which case
only the consent of the owner or the one entitled to its legal possession is required, or in
the campus of a government-owned and operated educational institution which shall be
subject to the rules and regulations of said educational institution. Political meetings or
rallies held during any election campaign period as provided for by law are not covered by
this Act.

Section 5. Application requirements - All applications for a permit shall comply with the
following guidelines:

(a) The applications shall be in writing and shall include the names of the leaders or
organizers; the purpose of such public assembly; the date, time and duration thereof, and
place or streets to be used for the intended activity; and the probable number of persons
participating, the transport and the public address systems to be used.

(b) The application shall incorporate the duty and responsibility of applicant under Section
8 hereof.

(c) The application shall be filed with the office of the mayor of the city or municipality in
whose jurisdiction the intended activity is to be held, at least five (5) working days before
the scheduled public assembly.

(d) Upon receipt of the application, which must be duly acknowledged in writing, the office
of the city or municipal mayor shall cause the same to immediately be posted at a
conspicuous place in the city or municipal building.

Section 6. Action to be taken on the application -

(a) It shall be the duty of the mayor or any official acting in his behalf to issue or grant a
permit unless there is clear and convincing evidence that the public assembly will create a
clear and present danger to public order, public safety, public convenience, public morals
or public health.

(b) The mayor or any official acting in his behalf shall act on the application within two (2)
working days from the date the application was filed, failing which, the permit shall be

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deemed granted. Should for any reason the mayor or any official acting in his behalf refuse
to accept the application for a permit, said application shall be posted by the applicant on
the premises of the office of the mayor and shall be deemed to have been filed.

(c) If the mayor is of the view that there is imminent and grave danger of a substantive evil
warranting the denial or modification of the permit, he shall immediately inform the
applicant who must be heard on the matter.

(d) The action on the permit shall be in writing and served on the application within twenty-
four hours.

(e) If the mayor or any official acting in his behalf denies the application or modifies the
terms thereof in his permit, the applicant may contest the decision in an appropriate court
of law.

(f) In case suit is brought before the Metropolitan Trial Court, the Municipal Trial Court, the
Municipal Circuit Trial Court, the Regional Trial Court, or the Intermediate Appellate Court,
its decisions may be appealed to the appropriate court within forty-eight (48) hours after
receipt of the same. No appeal bond and record on appeal shall be required. A decision
granting such permit or modifying it in terms satisfactory to the applicant shall, be
immediately executory.

(g) All cases filed in court under this Section shall be decided within twenty-four (24) hours
from date of filing. Cases filed hereunder shall be immediately endorsed to the executive
judge for disposition or, in his absence, to the next in rank.

(h) In all cases, any decision may be appealed to the Supreme Court.

(i) Telegraphic appeals to be followed by formal appeals are hereby allowed.

Section 7. Use of public thoroughfare - Should the proposed public assembly involve the
use, for an appreciable length of time, of any public highway, boulevard, avenue, road or
street, the mayor or any official acting in his behalf may, to prevent grave public
inconvenience, designate the route thereof which is convenient to the participants or
reroute the vehicular traffic to another direction so that there will be no serious or undue
interference with the free flow of commerce and trade.

Section 8. Responsibility of applicant - It shall be the duty and responsibility of the leaders
and organizers of a public assembly to take all reasonable measures and steps to the end
that the intended public assembly shall be conducted peacefully in accordance with the
terms of the permit. These shall include but not be limited to the following:

(a) To inform the participants of their responsibility under the permit;

(b) To police the ranks of the demonstrators in order to prevent non-demonstrators from
disrupting the lawful activities of the public assembly;

(c) To confer with local government officials concerned and law enforcers to the end that
the public assembly may be held peacefully;

(d) To see to it that the public assembly undertaken shall not go beyond the time stated in
the permit; and

(e) To take positive steps that demonstrators do not molest any person or do any act
unduly interfering with the rights of other persons not participating in the public assembly.

Section 9. Non-interference by law enforcement authorities - Law enforcement agencies

shall not interfere with the holding of a public assembly. However, to adequately ensure

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public safety, a law enforcement contingent under the command of a responsible police
officer may be detailed and stationed in a place at least one hundred (100) meter away
from the area of activity ready to maintain peace and order at all times.

Section 10. Police assistance when requested - It shall be imperative for law enforcement
agencies, when their assistance is requested by the leaders or organizers, to perform their
duties always mindful that their responsibility to provide proper protection to those
exercising their right peaceably to assemble and the freedom of expression is primordial.
Towards this end, law enforcement agencies shall observe the following guidelines:

(a) Members of the law enforcement contingent who deal with the demonstrators shall be
in complete uniform with their nameplates and units to which they belong displayed
prominently on the front and dorsal parts of their uniform and must observe the policy of
"maximum tolerance" as herein defined;

(b) The members of the law enforcement contingent shall not carry any kind of firearms but
may be equipped with baton or riot sticks, shields, crash helmets with visor, gas masks,
boots or ankle high shoes with shin guards;

(c) Tear gas, smoke grenades, water cannons, or any similar anti-riot device shall not be
used unless the public assembly is attended by actual violence or serious threats of
violence, or deliberate destruction of property.

Section 11. Dispersal of public assembly with permit - No public assembly with a permit
shall be dispersed. However, when an assembly becomes violent, the police may disperse
such public assembly as follows:

(a) At the first sign of impending violence, the ranking officer of the law enforcement
contingent shall call the attention of the leaders of the public assembly and ask the latter to
prevent any possible disturbance;

(b) If actual violence starts to a point where rocks or other harmful objects from the
participants are thrown at the police or at the non-participants, or at any property causing
damage to such property, the ranking officer of the law enforcement contingent shall
audibly warn the participants that if the disturbance persists, the public assembly will be
dispersed;

(c) If the violence or disturbances prevailing as stated in the preceding subparagraph

should not stop or abate, the ranking officer of the law enforcement contingent shall
audibly issue a warning to the participants of the public assembly, and after allowing a
reasonable period of time to lapse, shall immediately order it to forthwith disperse;

(d) No arrest of any leader, organizer or participant shall also be made during the public
assembly unless he violates during the assembly a law, statute, ordinance or any provision
of this Act. Such arrest shall be governed by Article 125 of the Revised Penal Code, as
amended:

(e) Isolated acts or incidents of disorder or branch of the peace during the public assembly
shall not constitute a group for dispersal.

Section 12. Dispersal of public assembly without permit - When the public assembly is held
without a permit where a permit is required, the said public assembly may be peacefully
dispersed.

Section 13. Prohibited acts - The following shall constitute violations of this Act:

(a) The holding of any public assembly as defined in this Act by any leader or organizer
without having first secured that written permit where a permit is required from the office

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concerned, or the use of such permit for such purposes in any place other than those set
out in said permit: Provided, however, That no person can be punished or held criminally
liable for participating in or attending an otherwise peaceful assembly;

(b) Arbitrary and unjustified denial or modification of a permit in violation of the provisions
of this Act by the mayor or any other official acting in his behalf.

(c) The unjustified and arbitrary refusal to accept or acknowledge receipt of the application
for a permit by the mayor or any official acting in his behalf;

(d) Obstructing, impeding, disrupting or otherwise denying the exercise of the right to
peaceful assembly;

(e) The unnecessary firing of firearms by a member of any law enforcement agency or any
person to disperse the public assembly;

(f) Acts in violation of Section 10 hereof;

(g) Acts described hereunder if committed within one hundred (100) meters from the area
of activity of the public assembly or on the occasion thereof;

1. the carrying of a deadly or offensive weapon or device such as firearm, pillbox, bomb,
and the like;

2. the carrying of a bladed weapon and the like;

3 the malicious burning of any object in the streets or thoroughfares;

4. the carrying of firearms by members of the law enforcement unit;

5. the interfering with or intentionally disturbing the holding of a public assembly by the use
of a motor vehicle, its horns and loud sound systems.

Section 14. Penalties - Any person found guilty and convicted of any of the prohibited acts
defined in the immediately preceding Section shall be punished as follows:

(a) violation of subparagraph (a) shall be punished by imprisonment of one month and one
day to six months;

(b) violations of subparagraphs (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and item 4, subparagraph (g) shall be
punished by imprisonment of six months and one day to six years;

(c) violation of item 1, subparagraph (g) shall be punished by imprisonment of six months
and one day to six years without prejudice to prosecution under Presidential Decree No.
1866;

(d) violations of item 2, item 3, or item 5 of subparagraph (g) shall be punished by

imprisonment of one day to thirty days.

Section 15. Freedom parks - Every city and municipality in the country shall within six
months after the effectivity of this Act establish or designate at least one suitable "freedom
park" or mall in their respective jurisdictions which, as far as practicable, shall be centrally
located within the poblacion where demonstrations and meetings may be held at any time
without the need of any prior permit.

In the cities and municipalities of Metropolitan Manila, the respective mayors shall
establish the freedom parks within the period of six months from the effectivity of this Act.

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Section 16. Constitutionality - Should any provision of this Act be declared invalid or
unconstitutional, the validity or constitutionality of the other provisions shall not be affected
thereby.

Section 17. Repealing clause - All laws, decrees, letters of instructions, resolutions, orders,
ordinances or parts thereof which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are
hereby repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Section 18. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Approved, October 22, 1985.

Wait a minute! This was before the 1987 Constitution. How come it is still in force?

For as long as the law is consistent with the new constitution, it is not repealed. Following
your logic would mean the Civil Code and the Revised Penal Code should have been
repealed long ago, but still enforced now.

This law was based on the Supreme Court ruling in JBL Reyes vs. Bagatsing (125 SCRA
665 [1983]).

In summary, it set down the basic principles by stating:

"xxx The applicants for a permit to hold an assembly should inform the licensing authority
of the date, the public place where and the time when it will take place. If it were a private
place, only the consent of the owner or the one entitled to its legal possession is required.
Such application should be filed well ahead in time to enable the public official concerned
to appraise whether there may be valid objections to the grant of the permit or to its grant
but at another public place. It is an indispensable condition to such refusal or modification
that the clear and present danger test be the standard for the decision reached. If he is of
the view that there is such an imminent and grave danger of a substantive evil, the
applicants must be heard on the matter. Thereafter, his decision, whether favorable or
adverse, must be transmitted to them at the earliest opportunity. Thus if so minded, then,
can have recourse to the proper judicial authority. Free speech and peaceable assembly,
along with the other intellectual freedoms, are highly ranked in our scheme of constitutional
values. It cannot be too strongly stressed that on the judiciary, — even more so than on
the other departments — rests the grave and delicate responsibility of assuring respect for
and deference to such preferred rights. No verbal formula, no sanctifying phrase can, of
course, dispense with what has been so felicitiously termed by Justice Holmes "as the
sovereign prerogative of judgment." Nonetheless, the presumption must be to incline the
weight of the scales of justice on the side of such rights, enjoying as they do precedence
and primacy."

So what are the salient features of this law for holding a peaceful rally or assembly?

Take note of all of these, class:

1. The general rule is indeed, "No Permit, No Rally," in a public place. The exemptions are
if it is held in a freedom park established by law or ordinance, on private property (with the
owner's consent, of course), or on government campuses subject to school regulations.

2. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT CANNOT DENY ISSUANCE OF A PERMIT, unless there

is CLEAR and CONVINCING EVIDENCE that the public assembly will create a clear and
present danger to public order, public safety, public convenience, public morals or public
health.

No intelligence reports, please. These cannot be considered evidence. Besides, you know

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what the joke says: Military/Police intelligence is even lower that human and animal
intelligence.

3. If the local government does not act on the application for permit within 2 working days
from filing, it is deemed granted. So the rallyists can even present its application for permit
and show it was filed two days before.

4. In case of denial of application, the applicant should be immediately informed, so it can

resort to judicial remedies.

5. The applicant may contest this decision of the local government, and the decision
should be rendered 24 hours after filing.

6. There is also the right to appeal such court decision within 48 hours. This is likewise
exempt from the usual appeal bond and fees. Telegraphic appeals (arguably fax and email
forms also) followed by the formal appeal shall be allowed.

7. Law enforcement is limited to 100 meters away.

8. Isolated acts or incidents of disorder or breach of peace shall not be grounds for
dispersal.

9. The "calibrated response" should be governed by Sections 11 and 12 of this law, any
police/military memorandum inconsistent with this is illegal and can be dealt with through
its penal provisions.

10. Every city and municipality should have at least one freedom park.

Section 6. The liberty of abode and of 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, transactions, 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, associations, 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. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal
assistance shall not be denied to 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.

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(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 the 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 a criminal offense without due
process of law.

(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary
is proved, and shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of
the nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a 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 of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in
cases 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 in any form shall exist except as a 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 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.

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