BILL OF RIGHTS

• Human rights


  The civil and political rights of a person, introduced in the 1987 Philippine Constitution, which was adopted from the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights prepared by the United Nations
• Article I of the UN Charter states that the UN aims to achieve international co-operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion
• Human rights in the Philippines are defined as the civil and political rights of a person
• Bill of Rights in the 1987 Philippine Constitution


  • Due Process of Law and Equal Protection
  • Protection from Unreasonable Searches and Seizures
  • Freedom of Expression
  • Privacy of Communication and Correspondence
  • Separation of Religion and Law / Freedom of Religion
  • Right to Travel and Reside
  • Right of People to Information on Matters of Public Concern
  • Right to Form Union
  • Right to Just Compensation
  • Non-Impairment Clause
  • Access to Courts and Legal Assistance
  • Right of The Person Under Custodial Investigation
  • Right to Bail
  • Right of the Accused
  • Writ of Habeas Corpus Right Against Involuntary Servitude
  • Right to a Speedy Trial
  • Right Against Self-incrimination
  • Protection Against Detention
  • Prohibition of Excessive Fines, Cruel Punishment, and Death Penalty
  • No Imprisonment for Debt or Non-payment of Poll Tax
  • Protection Against Double Jeopardy
  • Prohibition of ex post facto laws and bills of attainder
• Thousands of people filed complaints as victims of human rights violations during the Martial Law in the Philippines, with a huge record of reports about abduction and torture
• A wheel of torture was used by the police to torture inmates in one area of the country during Martial Law
• Issues on the violations against Human Rights during the Declaration of Martial Law


  • Releasing of information in public was strictly censored
  • Abuse committed by the military
  • Vigilantism and Deathsquad
  • Displacement of Lumad people in their community
  • Disappearances and murders of journalists
  • Rampant Vigilante Killings of Suspected Drug Suspects
• Suspected drug user killings and death penalty proposals prompted rallies, including masked protests near the Presidential Palace and demonstrations by Catholic nuns against extrajudicial killings
• Department of Justice


  The principal law agency of the Philippines that investigates crimes, prosecutes offenders, serves as the legal representative of the government, provides free legal assistance, promotes dispute resolution, and performs other functions
• Commission on Human Rights


  An independent office provided for in the Philippine Constitution to investigate all forms of human rights violations involving the civil and political rights of the Philippines
• Department of Labor and Employment


  Aims to protect and promote the welfare of Filipino workers both in the country and abroad, providing services such as job search assistance, capacity building, skills training, social protection, and work accident/illness prevention
• Social justice describes the relationship between the individual and society as fair and just, which is relevant to making actions in accordance to the rules or standards of the constitution, and is directed to human rights and equality in terms of wealth distribution, opportunities for activities, personal and social privileges
• Self-Reliance


  An individual's ability to do things and make decisions independently, having the confidence in exercising one's judgement
• Freedom of Initiative


  The ability of a person to assess and do things independently
• Section 2 of Article XIII of the 1987 Philippine Constitution states that the promotion of social justice shall include the commitment to create economic opportunities based on freedom of initiative and self-reliance
• Social injustice refers to situations and issues relating to unequal and abusive relationships among people, particularly human rights violations, exploitation, abuse, and discrimination directed toward certain individuals or groups
• The International Labor Organization estimates that there are about 2.1 million child laborers aged 7-15 years old in the Philippines
• The Hacienda Luisita massacre resulted in the deaths of twelve farmers and two children, with hundreds injured in the violence
• Action Program for Judicial Reform


  The institution that upholds justice in the performance of its duties, established in 2001 to implement reforms to improve the delivery of justice and services of the judiciary throughout the country
• Objectives of the Action Program for Judicial Reform


  • Improvement of judicial systems and procedures, including streamlining rules and establishing alternative dispute resolution mechanisms
  • Institutional development by establishing a judiciary that is independent from politics
  • Human resource management, particularly the improvement of legal education
  • Institutional integrity development to counter corruption within the judiciary
  • Better access to justice by the poor through affordable and effective means
  • Establish reform support systems by educating the public
• Community plans should take into consideration the diverse characteristics and backgrounds of community members to ensure that their needs are identified and taken into consideration, Planning and Decision making should be democratic with members of the community and concerned groups consulted to come up with the best program that would benefit the entire community
• Section 7-13

  
• Section 13-22

  
• The Philippine Judiciary


  is the institution that upholds justice in the performance of its duties.
• Supreme Court of the Philippines


  taken steps to implement reforms to improve the delivery of justice and improve the services of the judiciary throughout the country
• Article I of the UN Charter states that the UN aims: "To achieve international co operation in solving international problems of an economic, social, cultural, or humanitarian character, and in promoting and encouraging respect for human rights and for fundamental freedoms for all without distinction as to race, sex, language, or religion"
• In the Philippines, the rights of Filipinos are expressed in Article III of the 1987 Philippine Constitution. This is also called the Bill of Rights which includes 22 sections that present the Filipino citizen's rights and privileges. The constitution is expected to protect the Filipinos in relation to these rights.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
• No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.
• Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.
• Rights of a person under investigation for the commission of an offense

  • (1) 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 the rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices and their families.
• 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.