Chapter 4 Citizenship Training

1. To explain the significance of the constitution in relation to the Bill of Rights.

2. To determine the duties and obligation of every Filipino citizen
3. To demonstrate the proper handling and display of the flag as provided in the Flag
and Heralding Code of the Philippines
4. To inoculate patriotism and love of country to the students
5. To enhance community spirit among the students

Lesson 4.1 The Philippine Constitution and the bill of Rights

The constitution serves as the fundamental law of the Land . It is a

character that creates a government and speaks for the entire people
from home it derives its calm to obedience. It establishes the basic
framework and underlying principles of the government , It refers to
the “ body of rules and principles in accordance with which powers of
sovereignty are regularly exercised” Deleon, 2005.

The 1987 Philippine Constitution was ratified by the Filipino people

in a plebiscite held on February 2, 1987. Embodied in the constitution
is the Preamble, which serves as it prologue. It provides an introduction
to the main object. It set the origin and purpose of the constitution and
serves as an aid in its interpretation. The preamble of the 1987
Constitution is as follow;

We the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a
just and humane society and establish a government that shall embody our deals and aspirations,
promote the common, good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and
our posterity the blessings of our democracy under the rule of law and regime of truth, justice,
freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this Constitution.

Section 1 of Philippine constitution provides that the following are the citizen of the
Philippines:

1. Those who are citizen of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of the constitution;

2. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines;

3. Those born before January 17, 1973, of Filipino mothers, who elect Philippine
citizenship upon reaching the age of majority; and
4. Those who are naturalized in accordance with law.

For every right, there is always a corresponding responsibility. The following are important duties
and obligations of every person who lives in a constitutional democracy like the Philippines (Dela
Cruz, et al, 2005):

1. To be loyal to the Republic

2. To defend the State,
3. To contribute to the development and welfare of the State
4. To uphold the Constitution and obey the laws
5. To cooperate with duly constituted authorities
6. To exercise rights responsibly and with due regard for the right of others,
7. To engage in gainful work, and
8. To register and vote.

Article III of the Philippine Constitution is known as the

Bill of Rights,. This is an enumeration of the people’s rights and
privileges which the Constitution is designed to protect against
violation and abuses. The following is the summary of the
people’s rights.

Section 1. The right to life, liberty, or property without due process of law, and equal
protection of laws
Section 2. The right of the people to be secured in their persons, houses, papers, and
effects against unreasonable searches and seizures
Section 3. 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
Section 4. The freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, and the right to peaceful
assembly.
Section 5. Freedom of religion
Section 6. The liberty of abode and travel
Section 7. The right to information on matters of public concern
Section 8. The right to form unions, associations, or societies
Section 9. The right to private property and just compensation
Section 10. No law impairing the obligation of contract 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.The right of a person to know his rights, right to have a competent
lawyer, right against torture, inhuman, degrading treatment; and right
against illegal detention.
Section 13. Right to bail
Section 14. The right of the accused; right to due process of law; to be informed of
the nature, cause of the accusation against him; right to speedy and
impartial trial; and right to meet the witness face to face
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. The right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial,
quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies
Section 17. The right against self-incrimination
Section 18. Right against involuntary servitude
Section 19. Right of prisoner/detainee; right against degrading treatment
Section 20 The right not be imprisoned with debt or non payment of poll tax.
 Section 21. Right against double jeopardy
Section 22. Right against ex post facto law

In cases of violation of such rights and prior to any questioning during custodial
investigation. The person must be warned that he has corresponding rights. This called
the “Miranda Doctrine.” However the defendant may waive effectuation of these rights,
provided the waiver is voluntary, knowingly, and intelligently

Lesson 4.2 The Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines

Republic Act 8491 is known as the “ Act Prescribing the Code of the National Flag,
Anthem, Motto, coat-of Arms, and other Heraldic Items and Devices of the Philippines.”
The National Flag, which is the most important symbol of the country shall be in blue,
red, and white with an eight-rayed golden-yellow sun and three stars that are five pointed , as
consecrated and honored by the people. It shall be displayed everyday in public buildings, official

residences, public plazas, and institutions of learning.

The National Flag shall be permanently hoisted front of the following
1. Malacañang Palace
2. Senate of Philippines building
3. Rizal Monument in luneta
4. Bonifacio Monument in Caloocan City
5. Emilio Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit Cavity
6. Barasaoin Church Historical Landmark in Malolos, Bulacan
7. Marcela Agoncillo Historical Landmark in Taal, Batangas
8. Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers (Libingan ng mga Bayani in Taguig City
9. Mauseleo de los Veteranos de la Revolution,North Cemetery in Manaila
10. All international ports of entry
11. All other places as maybe designated by the national Historical Institute
 The National Flag shall also be displayed in private buildings and residences or raised in the
open flag-staffs in front of the said buildings every April 9 (Araw ng Kagitingan ), May 1 ( Labor),
May 28 (National Flag Days)June 12 ( Independence Day), Last Sunday of August ( National
Heroes Day), November 30 (Bonifacio Day), and December 30 (Rizal Day) and on such other days
as maybe declared or approved by the President and/or local chief executives. It shal be raised
in an inclement weather. If already raised , it shall not be lowered for the whole day. A worn out
flag should not be there away, It should be burned solemnly, ashes collected and buried. National
Falg shall be replaced immediately when it begin to show sign of wear and tear.
The National Flag shall be flown at half must as of mourning on all the buildings and places
Where it is displayed , as provided on the day of the official announcement of the death of any
of the following officials:
1. The President or former President for Ten (10) days.
2. The Vice –President, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, President if the Senate
and Speaker of the House of Representative, for seven (7) days;
3. Cabinet Secretaries, Associate Justices of the Supreme Court, Member of the Senate
and House of Representative the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
, and the Director General of the Philippines National Police, or equivalent on rack for
five ( 5) days;
4. Heads of National Government Agencies (NGAs), including Government Owned and
Controller Corporation (GOCCs) and Government Financial Institutions (GFis), or
equivalent in rank for the (3) days.
5. The Commanding Generals of the Philippines Air Force and the Philippine Army and
the Flag Officer in Command of the Philippine Navy, or equivalent in rank, for three
(3) days;
6. Governors, Vice- Governors, City and Municipal Mayors, City and Municipal Vice Mayors
for (3) days;
7. Member of Sangguniang Bayan on the day of Interment;
8. Veterans of the previous wars, Barangay Chairman, and Barangay Councilmen on the
day of internment.
9. Power National or Local Government official, appointment or elected , other than those
specified above, on the day of internment, within their former respective territorial
jurisdiction and by resolution of the respective Sanggunians;
10. Regional Directors, Superintendent, Superintendent, Supervisors, Principals, Teachers,
and other school officials, on the day of internment and by order of the proper school
authorities concerned;
11. Recipients of national orders and decoration, on the day of the internment and by
order of the President of the Congress; and
12. Other persons to be determined by the Institute, including the former Vice-President,
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court , the President of the Senate, and the Speaker
of the House of Representatives for period of less than seven (7) days.

The National Flag shall also be flown at half-mast during the death anniversary of heroes
and heroines, calamities or grave adversary of national or international solemnity as
ordered by the Office of the President as may recommended by the Institute. It shall be
permanently hoisted at half-mast day and night throughtout the year at the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier, Libingan ng mga Bayani, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig , Metro Manila;
Mauseleo de Los Vesteranas de la Revolicion, North Cemetery, Manila, and in all memorial
 cemeteries dedicated to war veterans. The National Flag of these declared sites shall be
properly illuminated at night.
The following are prohibited acts:
1. To illuminate, deface, trample on, cast contempt, or commit any act of omission
casting dishonor or ridicule upon the National Flag or over its surface;
2. To dip the flag to any person or object by way of complement salute;
3. To use the National Flag as drapery; tablecloth; as covering for ceilings, walls, statues
or other objects; as pennant in the hood , side, back and top of motor vehicles; as a
staff or whip; for unveiling monuments or statues; and as trademark s , or for
industrial, commercial, agricultural labels or designs;
4. To display the National Flag under any painting or picture; horizontally, it shall always
be hoisted aloft and be allowed to fall freely; below any flat form; to discotheques,
cockpits, night and day clubs, casino. gambling joints and places of vice or where
frivolity prevails, to use or displays or be part of any advertisement or infomercial;
5. To wear the National Flag in whole or in part as a costume or uniform
6. To add any figure, mark picture, design, drawings, advertisement, or imprint of any
nature; to print or attach representation of the National Flag on hankerchiefs, napkins,
cushions, and articles of merchandise; and
7. To display in public any foreign flag; except in embassies and other diplomatic
establishments, and in offices of international organizations; to display in front of
buildings or offices occupied by aliens.
Lesson 4.3 The Volunteer Act of 2007
Former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo signed
the Republic Act 9418 on April 102007, Also known
as the “Volunteer Acts Act of 2007,” institutionalize
voluntarism as a strategy for national development
and international cooperation. It aims to promote
the participation of various sector of the Filipino
society in public and civic affairs and “ adopt and
strengthen the practice of voluntarism as a strategy
in order to attain national development and
understanding (Sec.2).
Section 3 further assets that it shall be the policy of
the State to promote the participation of various
sectors of the Filipino society, and as necessary,
international and foreign volunteer organization in
public and civic affairs, and adopt to strengthen the practice of volunteerism as a strategy in
order to attain national development and international understanding.
What is Volunteerism? It refers to an act involving a wide range of activities , including
traditional forms of mutual aid and development interventions that provides an enabling and
empowering environment both on the part of the beneficiary receiving and the volunteer
rendering the act, undertaken for reasons arising from socio-development, business or corporate
orientation, commitment or conviction, for the attainment of public good, where monetary and
other incentives or reward are not the primary motivating factor. (Sec.4)

What is a Volunteer? It refers to an individual or group of people who for reasons arising from
their developmental, business and corporate orientation, commitment, or conviction, contribute
time, services, and resources weather in full-time or part-time basis to a just and essential social
development cause, mission, or endeavor in the belief that their activity as well as to themselves.
What is a Volunteer Service Organization? It refers to a local or foreign group that recruits,
trains, deploys, and supports volunteer worker to programs and projects implemented by them
or by other organizations or any group that provides services and
resources, including but not limited to information capability building ,
advocacy , and networking for the attainment of the common good.
What is the Volunteer Sector? They refer to those sectors of
Philippine society that organized themselves into volunteers to take
advocacy and action primarily for local and national development as
well as international cooperation and understanding.

Role of Modalities of Volunteerism in the Private Section

a. Volunteerism in the academic includes, but not limited to provision of technical
assistance and sharing technology within the academic circle, target communities and
other clienteles and the upgrading of the quality education and curriculum
methodologies while providing career enhancement and exposure to the volunteerism.
b. Volunteerism in the corporate sector as expression of corporate social responsibility
and citizenship refers to activities recognized by the company, where employees give
their time, skills and resources in the service of the company’s internal and /or external
communities. These volunteering activities including. But are not limited to employee
giving of material resources to specific causes; employee –led fund-raising activities
including. but are not limited to employee giving of material resources to specific
causes; employee-led fund raising activities; one-time outreach activities;
environmental campaign; medical and health related advocacies; knowledge and
change management; scholarship programs and sharing of business and development
skills through mentoring, tutoring, training business consulting/advising and rendering
of pro-bono services on a case to case basis.
c. Volunteerism by not for profit organizations includes, but is not limited to, provision
of complementary service delivery and human resource development in underserved
communities as well as advocacy and articulation of the cause of the disadvantaged
and vulnerable groups.
d. Volunteerism by foreign volunteer organizations includes, is not limited to, provision
of technical assistance not locally accessible in property development areas within the
framework of technical cooperation and socio-cultural exchange.

The government shall coordinate, facilitate, and encourage the participation of the
voluntary sector in the promotion, utilization, and recognition of volunteerism in national
development and international cooperation. This shall be achieved through the provision of
enabling and conductive environment for volunteer work.