Module 2

Citizenship Training

Learning Outcomes

1.Distinguish between citizenship and nationality

2.Determine the following: who are considered Filipino citizens and how to acquire Filipino
citizenship; and the rights and obligations of Filipino citizens
3. Provide examples of how the rights of a Filipino citizen are protected in the Philippines
4. Give examples of acts that show that the citizen’s duties and obligations are performed
5. Propose a solution to human rights violations/abuses

Pretest

Directions: Tell whether the statement is TRUE or FALSE. Write TRUE if the statement is correct and
FALSE if otherwise.

___________1. Lilian’s parents are Americans, but Lilian was born in the Philippines; hence, she is a
Filipino citizen.
___________2. Bryan, born of a Filipino mother and an English father, may be considered Filipino and
English by nationality.
___________3. Gil is a German, but has lived in the Philippines for a long time. Gil can be a Filipino
citizen once granted naturalization.
___________4. When a suspect is searched without a search warrant, his/her freedom of speech is
violated.
___________5. If a factory is emitting harmful substances that affects your health, you have the right to
complain by virtue of your right for privacy.
___________6. The ethnic minorities of the Philippines are protected by their right to self-
determination.
___________7. The freedom to choose who to worship as a god is freedom of religion.
___________8. When a person stands in attention while the Philippine flag is being raised, s/he is
honoring the Philippine flag.
___________9. Though Alice has the right to her property, she still pays the squatters in her lot before
they get evicted. This is an example of exercising one’s right responsibly.
__________10. The free basic education is an indicator of satisfying one’s right to basic education.
Citizenship and Nationality

What is citizenship?

Citizenship is given by a government of a country to individuals who meet the requirements set
by the country’s law. It is considered a political status since it is a manifestation of citizenship
recognition granted by a country to individuals. People may acquire multiple citizenship; for example,
you can be both a Filipino and an American citizen provided that you meet the legal requirements. In
addition, you may give up your citizenship to your country.

What is nationality?

Nationality is not legally conferred. It is innate; meaning, it is inherited from parents. For
example, your nationality is Filipino because you are a Filipino by birth. Your parents are Filipinos. Your
nationality cannot be taken from you. Even if you migrate to another country and acquire a citizenship
there, you remain a Filipino by nationality, unless you renounce being a Filipino. Article 15 under
Universal Declaration of Human Rights states the following:

1.“Everyone has the right to a nationality.”

2.“No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his nationality nor denied the right to change his
nationality.”

Who are considered Filipino citizens?

The 1987 Constitution, Article IV, Section 1 considers the following Filipino citizens:

1.Those who are citizens of the Philippines at the time of the adoption of the 1987 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 to the law.

How can Philippine citizenship be acquired?

1.Filipino by birth
a.Jus soli (right of soil). A person’s nationality is determined by the place of birth (e.g. the
territory of a given state)

b.Jus sanguinis (right of blood). A person acquires the nationality of his/her natural parent/s.
 2.“Filipino by naturalization which is the judicial act of adopting a foreigner and clothing him
with the privileges of a native-born citizen. It implies the renunciation of a former nationality
and the fact of entrance into a similar relation towards a new body politic.”

Rights and Obligations of Filipino Citizens

What are the rights of Filipino citizens?

Human rights are “standards that recognize and protect the dignity of all human beings
(UNICEF, n.d.).” These rights are aimed at protecting people from political, legal, and social
abuses (Gavilan, 2015). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) characterizes human
rights as follows:
1.Universal and inalienable. Universality means all of us are equally entitled to our human rights
while inalienability guarantees the protection of these rights, which cannot be taken away from
us unless we have violated the laws and after due process we are found guilty.
2. Indivisible. All types of rights are equal. One right is not more important than another; their
status is the same.
3.Inter-dependence and inter-relatedness. Rights are related and inter-dependent, i.e., one right
can be realized once another right is realized. For instance, the realization of the right to
practice one’s profession is dependent on the realization of the right to education.
4.Equality and non-discrimination. Regardless of race, color, sex, ethnicity, age, language,
religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, disability, property, birth or other
status, every human being is entitled to his/her human rights. UDCHR states, "All human beings
are born free and equal in dignity and rights."

What are the classification of rights in the context of the Philippines?

I.Individual Rights
A.Natural Rights

1. Right to Life. Nobody, including the government, has the right to end your life. The government is
bound to protect its constituents’ right to life

B. Legal Rights

1. The right of a person to be secure in his/her person, house, papers, and effects against
unreasonable searches and seizures.

a. Right of a person not to allow his person, house, office, papers, and effects to be
searched, without a search warrant issued by a judged. The search warrant must particularly
describe the places to be searched and the person or things to be seized.
2. Rights of person under investigations

3. Rights of an accused

4. Rights of a person under arrest

5. Rights of a person under detentions

Article III of the 1987 Constitution

Sec. 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.

(4)The law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section as well as
compensation to and rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices, and their families.

Sec. 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.

Sec. 15 The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except before in cases
of invasion, or rebellion when the public safety requires it.

Sec. 16 All person shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial,
quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.
 Sec. 17 No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

Sec. 18 (1) No person shall detained solely by reason of his political belief and aspirations.

Sec. 19 (1) excessive fine 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 prisoner or

detainee or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman condition
shall be dealt with by law.

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

II. Collective Rights (“People’s Rights” or “Solidarity Rights”)

These are rights that can only be enjoyed with the company of others. These are
the following:
1. Right to peaceably assemble. The 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.”

2. Right to peace. The Article II, Section 2 of the 1987 Constitution states, “The Philippines renounces
war as an instrument of national policy, adopts the generally accepted principles of international law as
part of the law of the land and adheres to the policy of peace, equality, justice, freedom, cooperation,
and amity with all nations.”

3. Right to development and self-determination. The right to development means every human being
possesses the right to constantly improve his/her well-being while the right to self-determination refers
to the right of the people “to choose its own political status and to determine its own form of economic,
cultural and social development.” The United Nations Human Rights’ (UNCHR) Declaration on the Right
to Development says, “The right to development is an inalienable human right by virtue of which every
human person and all peoples are entitled to participate in, contribute to, and enjoy economic, social,
cultural and political development, in which all human rights and fundamental freedoms can be fully
realized (Article 1, Section 1). The human right to development also implies the full realization of the
right of peoples to self-determination, which includes, subject to the relevant provisions of both
International Covenants on Human Rights, the exercise of their inalienable right to full sovereignty over
all their natural wealth and resources (Article 1, Section 2).”
4. Right to environment. Article II, Section 16 of the Philippine Constitution states that “the State shall
protect the right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and
harmony of nature.”

III. Civil Rights

These are rights that ensure peoples' physical and mental integrity, life and
safety; protection from discrimination on grounds such as race, gender, national origin, colour,
sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, or disability; and individual rights such as privacy, the
freedoms of thought and conscience, speech and expression, religion, the press, assembly and
movement.

Article III of the 1987 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 the laws.

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.

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.

Section 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.

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 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.

IV. Political Rights

These rights include natural justice (procedural fairness) in law, such as the
rights of the accused, including the right to a fair trial; due process; the right to seek redress or a
legal remedy; and rights of participation in civil society and politics such as freedom of
association, the right to assemble, the right to petition, the right of self-defense, and the right to
vote.

Article V of the 1987 Constitution

Section 1. Suffrage may be exercised by all citizens of the Philippines not otherwise disqualified
by law, who are at least eighteen years of age, and who shall have resided in the Philippines for
at least one year, and in the place wherein they propose to vote, for at least six months
immediately preceding the election. No literacy, property, or other substantive requirement
shall be imposed on the exercise of suffrage.

Section 2. The Congress shall provide a system for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot
as well as a system for absentee voting by qualified Filipinos abroad.

The Congress shall also design a procedure for the disabled and the illiterates to vote without
the assistance of other persons. Until then, they shall be allowed to vote under existing laws and
such rules as the Commission on Elections may promulgate to protect the secrecy of the ballot.
V. Social and Economic Rights

These are rights that are directed towards ensuring the people’s well being,
happiness and financial security.
a. Right of all people to self determination
b. Right to work
c. Right to enjoy and favorable conditions of work
d. Right of trade unions
e. Right to social security
f. Marriage and family rights
g. Right to adequate standard of living
h. Right to health
I. Right to education
j. Right to property
l. Promotion of social justice

VI. Cultural Rights

These rights aim at preserving and enriching national culture through free
artistic and intellectual expression. Article 7 of the Universal Declaration of Human RIghts states,
“Everyone has the right to freely participate in the cultural life of the community, to enjoy the
arts and to share in scientific advancement and its benefits (Section 1); everyone has the right to
the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from any scientific, literary or artistic
production of which he is the author (Section 2).

What are the duties and obligations of a Filipino citizen?

The 1987 Philippine constitution outlines the duties and obligations of Filipino
citizens. The following are their obligations:
1.To be loyal to the Republic
2.To honor the Philippine flag
3.To defend the state and contribute to its development and welfare
4.To uphold the Constitution and obey the laws
5.To cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the attainment and preservation of a just
and orderly society
6.To exercise their rights responsibly with due regard to the right of others
7.To engage in gainful work to assure themselves and their family a life worthy of human dignity
8.To register and cast their vote
 Worksheet 1

Directions: The following are the duties and obligations of a Filipino Citizen. Give an example of an act
that shows the performance of such duty or obligation.

1. Be loyal to the Republic

________________________________________________________________________
2. Honor the Philippine flag
________________________________________________________________________
3. Defend the state
________________________________________________________________________
4. Contribute to the development and welfare of the country
________________________________________________________________________
5. Uphold the Constitution and obey the laws
________________________________________________________________________

6. Cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the attainment and preservation of a just and
orderly society
________________________________________________________________________
7. Exercise the rights responsibly and with due regards for the rights of others
________________________________________________________________________
8. Engage in gainful work to assure himself and his family a life worthy of human dignity
________________________________________________________________________
9. To register and cast his vote, if qualified to vote
________________________________________________________________________

WORKSHEET 2
Directions: We have our rights, but with these rights come our responsibility. The following is a list of a
few of our rights as Filipino citizens. State its corresponding responsibility. The first one is done for you,
but you still have to provide your answer for right to education.

Rights Corresponding Responsibility

1. Right to education Studying religiously to obtain passing grades

2. Freedom of speech
3. Marriage and family rights
4. Right to vote
5. Right to work
6. Freedom of movement
7. Right to property
8. Freedom of religion
9. Right to adequate standard of
living
10. Right to health

Worksheet 3

I. Directions: Enumerate five rights and discuss how these rights are protected in the Philippines.

1. ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

4. ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

5. ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

II. Directions: Name three human rights abuses in the Philippines and propose a solution to the problem.

1. ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

References

Bureau of Immigration. “Citizenship”. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://immigration.gov.ph/faqs/citizenship

“#Civil & Political Rights”. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.frontlinedefenders.org/en/right/civil-

political-rights

“Difference Between Nationality and Citizenship”. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.differencebetween.net/miscellaneous/difference-between-nationality-and-
citizenship/

Gavilan, J. (2015). “Things to know: Human rights in the Philippines.” Retrieved from
https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/human-rights-philippines

Human Rights Advocacy. (n.d.). “Human Rights”. Retrieved from

https://sites.google.com/site/humanrightspromotions/human-rights-philippines

Official Gazette. (n.d.). “The 1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines”. Retrieved from
https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/constitutions/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-
philippines/the-1987-constitution-of-the-republic-of-the-philippines-article-iii/#:~:text=No
%20law%20shall%20be%20passed,prohibiting%20the%20free%20exercise%20thereof.

“Right to science and culture”. (n.d.). Retrieved from

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Right_to_science_and_culture

UNICEF. (n.d.). “What are human rights?”. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/child-rights-

convention/what-are-human-rights
Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization. (2017). “Self-Determination”. Retrieved from
https://unpo.org/article/4957