BILL OF RIGHTS OF 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

ACADEMIC FREEDOM
Article XIV, Section 5, Paragraph (2) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that
the “Academic freedom shall be enjoyed in all institutions of higher learning”.

BILL OF RIGHTS OF THE FILIPINOS

Article III of 1987 Philippine Constitution.

 Establishes individual’s relationship to the State

 Defines individual’s rights; limiting state’s lawful powers
 One of most important political Filipino achievements

Importance of Bill of Rights of the Filipinos

 “ Ten Commandments” of Constitutional faith.

 People’s shield against government abuse
 Means of self-government, sovereignty and truth

ARTICLE III OF 1987 Philippine Constitution provides:

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 be issued 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 a purpose 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.

(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 and 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 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 the 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.

VALUES UNDER THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

1. Introduction:

A common vision for the Philippines is what we need to build a strong nation. We
must be very clear of what we want, how we want to do it and have the collective will to
work together for our common dream.
 As we salute the flag, we resolve to live the good citizenship values.

2. Underlying Principles

a. Good citizenship is the duty of every citizen

b. Good citizenship actions proceeds from Good Citizenship Values

c. The building of a strong, peaceful, progressive nation, of the just and humane
society envisioned in the Philippine Constitution requires that every Filipino
citizen make his unique contribution thereto.

d. Citizens are called to help, affirm and reinforce one another as they seek to be
good citizens.

e. Good governance and good citizenship are inseparable.

PREAMBLE OF THE 1987 PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION

“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 ideals and
aspirations, promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure
to ourselves and posterity the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule
of law and a regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality and peace, do ordain and
promulgate this constitution.

3. GOOD CITIZENSHIP AND CONSTITUTIONAL VALUES:

A. PAGKAMAKA – DIYOS:

1. FAITH IN THE ALMIGHTY GOD

Faith in Almighty God is a basic value of the good Filipino citizen. The Filipino
people are God-centered people. It is this faith in Almighty God that gives resiliency as a
people; that enables the Filipino to struggle through one crisis after another with a smile
on his face and hope in his heart.

2. RESPECT OF LIFE

The State values the dignity of every human person and guarantees full respect for
human rights. The State recognizes the sanctity of family life and shall protect and
strengthen the family as a basic autonomous social institution.

To uphold the good citizenship value of RESPECT OF LIFE means to dwell always on
the principle of pro-life.

Our life has a purpose and destiny.

 3. ORDER

The sanity of the mind, the health of the body, the peace of the city, the security
of the state.

Order ensures all citizens:

1) security,

2) peace (when order is maintained by law enforcement agencies of the

government and other sectors of society),

3) harmony (as a result of the social contract borne out of respect of the human
rights of one another and comply with your duties and responsibilities).

4. WORK

Means to develop a string and positive outlook that hard work, quality work, and
honest work are what make us good, productive, and self-reliant citizens of our country.
Work is the key to our national progress.

5. CONCERN FOR THE FAMILY AND FUTURE

GENERATIONS

Utmost attention must be focused on the family as sanctuary of life and a core
unit of society. Look after the welfare of your family and future generations. A family is
the place of refuge, strength, inspiration, example and source of love for today’s youth at
risk and couples whose values and virtues are challenge daily by the ways of materialism.

The State recognizes the Filipino as the foundation of the nation. It shall
strengthen its solidarity and actively promote its total development.

B. PAGKAMAKA – TAO:

1. LOVE

The “will to do good for others” even though it entails sacrifice of oneself and to
“look after the good and welfare of one another”.

2. FREEDOM

Means giving due recognition and respect to our individuality as persons with
fundamental human rights and duties.

3. PEACE
 Means doing good for others and for our country but let that action of peace
comes from your inner being.

4. TRUTH

Means living and loving passionately with the truth. Truth exacts us to live in
transparency, total honesty and integrity.

5. JUSTICE

Means promotion of social practices that enhance the essence of social justice.
Justice means treating others with high respect and dignity, mindful of their basic human
rights.

The justice system is important as it ensures that all people, regardless of any
form of distinction, will receive the full benefits and protection of the law

C. PAGKAMAKA – BAYAN:

1. UNITY

When we say that UNITY is a good citizenship value, we mean that all of us Filipino
citizens are expected to have our oneness as a people as a guiding principle in our daily
life.

This means that:

 We want our country to be united always that despite the diversity of cultures, of
alliances, of abilities, of opinions, and religious affiliations; we have a fundamental
oneness as a people; that we agree on what we want as a people; that we work
together; doing our part to attain our national vision.

 We are willing to lend a helping hand to others;

 We are to understand those whose views are different from our own;

 We want and will work for what is best for our countrymen.

2. EQUALITY

Means treating one another with equal and utmost dignity and respect of fellow
human beings regardless of his/ her religious or cultural orientation, sex, social status,
race etc.
Equality means cultivating a culture of brotherhood and unity, the precursors for a
strong republic. Treat one another as brother and sister being children of one God and
one nation.
3. RESPECT FOR THE LAW AND GOVERNMENT

Means to follow strictly the rule of law and not the rule of the mob. The law is not
meant to curtail freedom but to ensure that every citizen is responsible while exercising
his/her freedom. The law and the government are not meant to enslave people but they
are meant to establish order in the society.

Obey the laws of the land and support government programs.

4. PATRIOTISM

Means placing:

1) the good of the country above one’s own

2) be a good and loving citizens constantly vigilant for the welfare of our country and;

3) ready to sacrifice for the love of our country.

Patriotism is every person’s sense of duty and responsibility to contribute in the:

1) development of the country,

2) protection of the integrity

3) upholding the rights and dignity of the people.

5. PROMOTION OF THE COMMON GOOD

The term “common good” refers to “the sum total of goods and social conditions
which allow people, either as groups or individuals, to reach their fulfillment more fully
and easily. Do not be greedy and selfish.

D. PAGKAMAKA – KALIKASAN:

1. CONCERN FOR THE ENVIRONMENT

Launching an efficient and sustainable Clean and Green Program nationwide. Keep
your surroundings clean and conserve our natural resources.

We must understand that our very existence and that of generations after us are
threatened by the destruction of the environment. We shall develop a conscious effort to
preserve and protect the environment from further degradation.