Article III: 1987 Philippine Constitution - Bill of Rights

Vocabulary practice flashcards reviewing all sections and key legal concepts covered under Article III (Bill of Rights) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Article III, Section 1

Provides that 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.

Right to Life

A fundamental constitutional right protected under Section 1 against deprivation without due process of law.

Right to Liberty

A constitutional right guaranteed under Section 1 protecting individuals from arbitrary physical restraint or unreasonable freedom restrictions.

Right to Property

A constitutional right under Section 1 ensuring that an individual's private property cannot be taken without due process of law.

Article III, Section 2

Guarantees 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.

Probable Cause (Section 2)

The requirement determined personally by a judge, after examination under oath or affirmation of the complainant and witnesses, before a search warrant or warrant of arrest can be issued.

Article III, Section 3

Protects the privacy of communication and correspondence, and states that evidence obtained in violation of Section 2 or Section 3 is inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.

Exclusionary Rule

The doctrine under Section 3(2) rendering any evidence obtained in violation of Section 2 or Section 3 completely inadmissible in any proceeding.

Article III, Section 4

Prohibits the passage of any law abridging freedom of speech, expression, the press, or the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government for redress of grievances.

Article III, Section 5

Prohibits laws respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting its free exercise, and bars religious tests for the exercise of civil or political rights.

Article III, Section 6

Protects the liberty of abode and changing the same (impaired only upon lawful order of the court) and the right to travel (impaired only for national security, public safety, or public health).

Article III, Section 7

Recognizes the right of the people to information on matters of public concern, including access to official records, documents, and government research data.

Article III, Section 8

Protects the right of citizens, including those in the public and private sectors, to form unions, associations, or societies for purposes not contrary to law.

Article III, Section 9

States that private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.

Police Power

One of the inherent powers of the State to enact laws promoting public health, safety, morals, and general welfare.

Power of Taxation

An inherent power of the State to raise revenue by collecting monetary contributions from individuals and property within its jurisdiction.

Power of Eminent Domain

An inherent power of the State to expropriate private property for public use upon payment of just compensation.

Article III, Section 10

Prohibits the enactment of any law that impairs the obligation of contracts.

Article III, Section 11

Guarantees free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance to all persons regardless of poverty.

Article III, Section 12

Protects individuals under custodial investigation, guaranteeing rights to remain silent, competent independent counsel, prohibition of torture or secret detention, and inadmissibility of coerced confessions.

Article III, Section 13

Guarantees the right to bail before conviction for all persons except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong.

Article III, Section 14

Outlines procedural due process in criminal cases, presumption of innocence, right to counsel, speedy trial, witness confrontation, and conditions for trial in absentia.

Trial in Absentia

A legal provision under Section 14(2) allowing criminal proceedings to continue despite the accused's absence after arraignment, provided due notice was given and the absence is unjustifiable.

Article III, Section 15

States that the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in cases of invasion or rebellion when public safety requires it.

Article III, Section 16

Ensures all persons have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.

Article III, Section 17

Provides that no person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

Article III, Section 18

Bars detention based solely on political beliefs and forbids involuntary servitude except as punishment for a crime whereof the party has been duly convicted.

Exceptions to Involuntary Servitude Prohibition

Legitimate grounds for required service including crime punishment, State defense service, compliance with DOLE return-to-work orders, military/naval enlistment, and parental authority over children.

Article III, Section 19

Prohibits excessive fines, cruel, degrading or inhuman punishment, substandard penal facilities, and restricts the imposition of the death penalty.

Article III, Section 20

Guarantees that no person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax.

Article III, Section 21

Protects individuals from double jeopardy, ensuring no person is twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense.

Article III, Section 22

Explicitly prohibits the enactment of any ex post facto law or bill of attainder.

Ex Post Facto Law

A law that criminalizes an act committed before its passage, aggravates a crime, increases its punishment, or lowers the evidentiary threshold required for conviction.