Citizenship

Training
N ST P M OD ULE 2
Bill of Rights
1987 Philippine Constitution
LESSON 1
Preamble
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 our
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.
Bill of Rights
SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.
Bill of Rights
SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 9 Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.

SEC. 10 No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.

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 against
him.

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

SEC. 16 All persons 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 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.
Bill of Rights
SEC. 19

1. Excessive fines 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 any prisoner or detainee or the use
of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman conditions shall be dealt with by law.

SEC. 20 No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax.

SEC. 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.

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