Bill of Rights

Philippine Constitution
September 14, 2024

Article III
Bill of Rights
Defined as a
declaration and
enumeration of the
individual rights and
privileges which the
Constitution is designed
to protect against
violations by the
government or any
individual or groups of
individuals
Classification of Rights
1. Natural Rights – possessed by every citizen without being granted by the State for they are
conferred by God so that human being may live a fulfilled life. Examples: the right to live ; the right to
love.
2. Constitutional Rights- conferred and protected by the Constitution. They cannot be modified or
taken away by the laws-making body. Constitutional Rights are classified as follows:
2.1. Political Rights – clothes the citizens with the power to participate , directly or indirectly, in
the establishment or administration of the government. Examples: right of citizenships; suffrage.
2.2. Civil Rights – enforced by law at the instance of private individuals for the purpose of
securing to them the enjoyment of their means of happiness.
2.3. Social and Economic Rights – intended to ensure the well- being and economic security of
the individual.
2.4. Rights of the Accused – intended for the protection of a person accused of any crime.
3. Statutory Rights – provided by laws promulgated by the law-making body and may be abolished
by the same body.
The Rights of the individual as provided
under the Bill of Rights (Article III)
Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty , or property without
due process of laws, nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of
the laws.
Section 2. The right of persons to be secure in their persons, houses, papers

and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever
nature 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 witness he may produce, and particularly describing the
place to be searched and the person 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 purposes 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 the 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.

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Philippine Constitution

September 14, 2024

Section 2. The right of persons to be secure in their persons, houses, papers

Section 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

Section 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for

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

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