THE 1987 CONSTITUTION OF THE Section 6.
The liberty of abode detention places, solitary,
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES and of changing the same within incommunicado, or other similar
– ARTICLE III the limits prescribed by law shall forms of detention are prohibited.
not be impaired except upon
ARTICLE III lawful order of the court. Neither (3) Any confession or admission
shall the right to travel be obtained in violation of this or
BILL OF RIGHTS impaired except in the interest of Section 17 hereof shall be
national security, public safety, or inadmissible in evidence against
Section 1. No person shall be him.
deprived of life, liberty, or public health, as may be provided
property without due process of by law.
(4) The law shall provide for penal
law, nor shall any person be Section 7. The right of the and civil sanctions for violations of
denied the equal protection of the people to information on matters this section as well as
laws. of public concern shall be compensation to and
recognized. Access to official rehabilitation of victims of torture
Section 2. The right of the people or similar practices, and their
to be secure in their persons, records, and to documents and
papers pertaining to official acts, families.
houses, papers, and effects
against unreasonable searches transactions, or decisions, as well
Section 13. All persons, except
and seizures of whatever nature as to government research data
those charged with offenses
and for any purpose shall be used as basis for policy
punishable by reclusion Perpetua
inviolable, and no search warrant development, shall be afforded
when evidence of guilt is strong,
or warrant of arrest shall issue the citizen, subject to such
shall, before conviction, be
except upon probable cause to be limitations as may be provided by
bailable by sufficient sureties, or
determined personally by the law.
be released on recognizance as
judge after examination under Section 8. The right of the may be provided by law. The right
oath or affirmation of the people, including those employed to bail shall not be impaired even
complainant and the witnesses he in the public and private sectors, when the privilege of the writ of
may produce, and particularly to form unions, associations, or habeas corpus is suspended.
describing the place to be societies for purposes not Excessive bail shall not be
searched and the persons or contrary to law shall not be required.
things to be seized. abridged.
Section 14. (1) No person shall
Section 3. (1) The privacy of Section 9. Private property shall be held to answer for a criminal
communication and not be taken for public use offense without due process of
correspondence shall be inviolable without just compensation. law.
except upon lawful order of the
court, or when public safety or Section 10. No law impairing the (2) In all criminal prosecutions,
order requires otherwise, as obligation of contracts shall be the accused shall be presumed
prescribed by law. passed. innocent until the contrary is
proved, and shall enjoy the right
(2) Any evidence obtained in Section 11. Free access to the to be heard by himself and
violation of this or the preceding courts and quasi-judicial bodies counsel, to be informed of the
section shall be inadmissible for and adequate legal assistance nature and cause of the
any purpose in any proceeding. shall not be denied to any person accusation against him, to have a
by reason of poverty. speedy, impartial, and public trial,
Section 4. No law shall be to meet the witnesses face to
passed abridging the freedom of Section 12. (1) Any person under face, and to have compulsory
speech, of expression, or of the investigation for the commission process to secure the attendance
press, or the right of the people of an offense shall have the right of witnesses and the production of
peaceably to assemble and to be informed of his right to evidence in his behalf. However,
petition the government for remain silent and to have after arraignment, trial may
redress of grievances. competent and independent proceed notwithstanding the
counsel preferably of his own absence of the accused provided
Section 5. No law shall be made choice. If the person cannot afford
respecting an establishment of that he has been duly notified and
the services of counsel, he must his failure to appear is
religion, or prohibiting the free be provided with one. These
exercise thereof. The free exercise unjustifiable.
rights cannot be waived except in
and enjoyment of religious writing and in the presence of Section 15. The privilege of the
profession and worship, without counsel. writ of habeas corpus shall not be
discrimination or preference, shall suspended except in cases of
forever be allowed. No religious (2) No torture, force, violence, invasion or rebellion when the
test shall be required for the threat, intimidation, or any other public safety requires it.
exercise of civil or political rights. means which vitiate the free will
shall be used against him. Secret
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.
