Activity 1- Essay

25 Points

1. What is a law? Give its importance.

Answer: Law is a system of rules created and enforced through social or governmental
institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has
been variously described as a science and the art of justice. Law is present in our daily life and in
everything we do. We cannot think a second without law. Whatever we can see around us
everything is connected with the law. … Law is not just a thing to obey for yourself but making a
peaceful society.

2. What is justice? Give an example.

Answer: Justice, in its broadest sense, is the principle that people receive that which they
deserve, with the interpretation of what then constitutes “deserving” being impacted upon by
numerous fields, with many differing viewpoints and perspectives, including the concepts of
moral correctness based on ethics, rationality, law, religion, equity and fairness. The state will
sometimes endeavour to increase justice by operating courts and enforcing their rulings. An
example of justice is someone being set free from prison after dna evidence shows they are
innocent.

3. According to the Supreme Court of the Philippines, justice is symbolically represented by a

blindfolded woman, holding with one hand a sword and with the other a balance. What does
it mean? Explain.
Answer : These represent impartiality and the obligation of the law (through its representatives)
to weigh the evidence presented to the court. Each side of a legal case needs to be looked at and
comparisons made as justice is done.

4. Briefly explain the principle of separation of powers among the three branches of the
government.
Answer: Separation of powers, therefore, refers to the division of government responsibilities
into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another. The
intent is to prevent the concentration of power and provide for checks and balances.
5. What is the primary function of CJS in our country? Defend your answer in one or two
sentences only.
Answer: Law enforcement is the first pillar of the criminal justice system, because it is the system that
individuals first encounter when they go against the law. It is also the most visible system to society,
because we see law enforcement officers every day. It is a step for seeking justice and to punish those
who go against the law.