Syllabus: Human Rights 1

UNIBERSIDAD DE MANILA
COLLEGE OF LAW
Cecilia Muñoz-Palma St., cor. Antonio J. Villegas St.
Mehan Gardens, Ermita, Manila

HUMAN RIGHTS
by: ATTY. KURT FRANCIS O. PLECERDA

I. Definition and Origin of Human Rights

II. Human Rights as a Subject

III.Human Rights Laws of the Philippines

• The Philippine Constitution
• Rights of the Child
• Rights of Women
• Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Persons (LGBT)
• Rights of Senior Citizens
• Rights of Disabled Persons
• Rights of Workers and Laborers
• Rights to Social Security
• Right to Health
• Right to a healthy environment
• Right to life, liberty and security
• Remedies of unjustly arrested and/or detained persons
• Rights of accused, victims and witnesses of crimes
• Other human rights violations penalized
• Human Rights Mechanisms

IV. Kinds of Human Rights

As to struggle and recognition
• First Generation of Human Rights (Political and Civil Rights)
• Second Generation of Human Rights (Economic, Social and Cultural
Rights)
• Third Generation of Rights (Solidarity Rights: right ot development, right
to clean environment and right to live in peace)
As to source
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• Natural Rights
• Constitutional Rights
• Statutory Rights
As to recipient
• Individual Rights
• Collective Rights
As to aspect of life
• Civil Rights
• Political Rights
• Economic and social rights
• Political Rights
• Cultural Rights
As to Derogability
• Non-derogable or absolute rights
• Derogable or relative rights

V. Attributes/Principles of Human Rights

• Inherent; Fundamental; Inalienable; Imprescriptible;Indivisible; Universal;
Interdependent; and Equal.
Readings:
1.Simon vs. Commission on Human Rights G.R. No. 100150, January 5, 1994.
2. Soriao vs. Pineda, CA-GR SP No. 31546, August 10, 1994.
3. Oposa vs. Factoran, 224 SCRA 792 (1993)
4. Baldoza vs. Dimaano 71 SCRA 152 (1976)
5. David vs. Pres. Gloria Arroyo, et al., G.R. No. 171396 (2006)
6. Almario vs. The Executive Secretary, 701 SCRA 269 (2013)
7. Vivares vs. St. Theresa's College, G.R. No. 202666, September 29, 2014
8. Pestilos vs. Generoso, G.R. No. 182601, November 10, 2014.

VI. Theories of Sources of Rights

• Religious or Theological Approach
• The Natural Law Theory
• The Historical Theory
• The Functional or Sociological Approach
• The Positivist Theory
• The Marxist Theory
• Theory Based on Equality and Respect
• Theory Based on Justice
• Theory Based on Dignity of Man
• The Ulitilitarian Theory
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VII. Human Rights as an International Concern

VIII. Civil and Political Rights (FIRST GENERATION of RIGHTS)

• Bill of Rights in the 1987 Philippine Constitution
• Comprehensive Agreement on Respect for Human Rights and International
Humanitarian Law
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

Readings:
1. Orquiola vs. Tandang Sora Development Corporation 386 SCRA 301 (2002)
2. Stonehill vs. Diokno, 20 SCRA 383 (1967)
3. Government of Hongkong vs. Olalia, G.R. No. 153875, April 19, 2007
4. Time Inc., vs. Hill, 385 U.S. 374 (1967)
5. Hudgen vs. National Labor Relations Board, 424 U.S. 507 (1976)
6. Rubi vs. Provincial Board of Mindoro, 39 Phil. 660
7. U.S. vs. Bustos, 37 Phil. 731
8. Disini vs. Secretary of Justice, G.R. No. 203335, February 18, 2014
9. Araullo vs. Aquino III, G.R. No. 209287, July 1, 2014
10. Diocese of Bacolod vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 205728, January 21, 2015

IX. Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (Second Generation of Rights)

• Social Justice and Human Rights in the 1987 Constitution
• Universal Declaration of Human Rights
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

Readings:
1. JMM Promotions and Management , Inc., vs. Court of Appeals, 260 SCRA 319 (1996)
2. Bernardo vs. NLRC, G.R. No. 122917, July 12, 1999
3. Calalang vs. Williams, 70 Phil. 726 (1940)
4. Phil. Merchant Marine School, Inc., vs. Court of Appeals, 244 SCRA 770 (1995)
5. MMDA vs. Concerned Citizens of Manila Bay, G.R. Nos. 171947-48, December 18, 2008
6. Tablarin vs. Gutierrez, 154 SCRA 730
7. Miriam College Foundation vs. Court of Appeals, G.R. No. 127930, November 15, 2000
8. SSS Employees vs. Court of Appeals, 175 SCRA 638 (2012)

X. Solidarity/Collective Rights (Third Generation of Rights)

• Peace, Development, Environment
• Women, Children, Persons with Disabilities, Indigenous Peoples

Readings:
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1. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (1979)

2. Magna Carta of Women (2009)
3. Convention on the Rights of the Child (1990)
4. Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (2008)
5. Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007)
6. Villegas vs. Subido 109 SCRA 1 (1981)
7. People vs. Leachon, G.R. No. 108725, September 25, 1998
8. PT &T vs. NLRC G.R. No. 118978, May 23, 1997
9. Philippine Association of Service Exporters Inc., vs. Drilon, 163 SCRA 386
10. Villavicencio vs. Lukban, 39 Phil 778

XI. Remedies and Procedures for Responding to Human Rights Violations and
Abuses
• Human Rights Violations
• Remedies
1. Domestic Remedies
2. Administrative Remedies
3. International Remedies
• The Reporting Requirement
• Investigations of Communications/Complaints
• The International Criminal Court
Readings:
1. R.A. No. 10368 (The Human Rights Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013)
2. R.A. No. 9851 (An Act on Crimes Against International Humanitarian Law)
3. Republic vs. Sandoval 220 Scra 124 (1993)
4. Aberca vs. Ver 160 SCRA 590 (1998)
5. Secretary of National Defense vs. Manalo, G.R. No. 180906, October 7, 2008
6. Chitchat Ng vs. Canada, Communication No. 469/1991, Human Rights Committee;
Views of Committee, November 5, 1993, UN Doc A/49/40 (1844), Vol.II, @ 189
7. Villar vs. All Tech Contractors, Inc., et al. (April 2012)
8. Concerned Citizens of Obando vs. Ecoshield Development Corp., et al. (October 2011)
9. Carino vs. CHR, 204 SCRA 483 (1991)
10. EPZA vs. CHR, 208 SCRA 125 (1992)
11. Civil Liberties Union of the Philippines vs. Executive Secretary 194 SCRA 317 (1991)
12. National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NACCP) vs. Alabama,
357 U.S. 449
13. Kilosbayan Foundation and Bantay Katarungan Foundation vs. Janolo, et al. G.R. No.
180543 August 18, 2010.
14. Social Justice Secretary vs. Drilon, et al., G.R. No. 208493, November 19, 2013.
15. Poe-Llamanzares vs. Comelec, G.R. No. 221697 and G.R. Nos. 221698-700, March 28,
2016.

READ:
• Republic Act No. 11479, otherwise known as “AN ACT TO PREVENT, PROHIBIT
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AND PENALIZE TERRORISM, THEREBY REPEALING REPUBLIC ACT NO. 9372,

OTHERWISE KNOWN AS THE “HUMAN SECURITY ACT OF 2007”
• Southern Hemisphere Engagement Network Inc., et.al.,vs. Anti-Terrorism
Council, et.al., G.R. No. 178552. October 5, 2010.

Sources: (a) Human Rights Law, Human Rights Culture (2017 Edition), by Comm. Rene V. Sarmiento;
(b) Human Rights – An Introductory Course (2000 Edition), by Justice (ret.) Jorge R. Coquia;
(c) International and Philippine Human Rights Law (2013 Edition), by Atty. Pepita Jane A. Petralba.

ATTY. KURT FRANCIS O. PLECERDA

HUMAN RIGHTS

Objectives:
1. To introduce students to the history, definition and developments of different rights of human
beings.
2. To study the different human rights laws of the Philippines and International Humanitarian
Laws and Conventions.
3. To emphasize the remedies and procedures for responding to human rights violations and
abuses.

Grading:

30%- Midterm Exam

30%- Final Exam
30%- Quizzes and Recitations
10%- Attendance