ART III - BILL OF RIGHTS

To limit government power and protect individual rights

What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

A constitutional guarantee protecting individuals from government abuse

What is the Bill of Rights?

That all persons possess inherent dignity regardless of status

Why are all individuals entitled to rights?

Rights inherent to human beings by virtue of existence

What are natural rights?

Life, liberty, property, and pursuit of happiness

What are examples of natural rights?

Rights expressly guaranteed by the Constitution and protected from ordinary legislation

What are constitutional rights?

Freedom of expression, due process, equal protection

What are examples of constitutional rights?

Rights created by statute and alterable by Congress

What are statutory rights?

Minimum wage, labor benefits, SSS privileges

What are examples of statutory rights?

Rights enabling citizens to participate in government processes

What are political rights?

Right to vote, right to run for office, right to information

What are examples of political rights?

Rights ensuring freedom from arbitrary government interference

What are civil rights?

Due process, equal protection, freedom of speech

What are examples of civil rights?

Rights relating to welfare, economic stability, and security

What are social and economic rights?

Just compensation and rights connected to livelihood and property

What are examples of social and economic rights?

Rights protecting persons charged with crimes from abusive prosecution

What are rights of the accused?

Right to counsel, presumption of innocence, speedy trial

What are examples of rights of the accused?

A person is considered innocent until proven guilty

What is the presumption of innocence?

A government intrusion without warrant or justification

What is an unreasonable search?

Protection against arbitrary intrusion into persons, houses, papers, and effects

What is the meaning of searches and seizures?

To prevent both anarchy and tyranny

Why must liberty and authority be balanced?

Anarchy

What results when liberty becomes absolute?

Tyranny

What results when authority becomes absolute?

To promote both individual welfare and the common good

What is the dual purpose of the State?

Reasonable limits imposed to protect safety, order, or general welfare

What are reasonable restrictions on rights?

When public safety, order, or general welfare require it

When may rights be restricted?

The State must sometimes yield to protect fundamental individual freedoms

Why must the State sometimes give way to the individual?

The individual must sometimes yield for the protection of the community

Why must the individual sometimes give way to public welfare?

That government must respect all legal rights owed to a person

What is due process?

That laws must apply equally to all persons under similar conditions

What is equal protection of the laws?

The judicial power to determine constitutionality of government actions

What is judicial review?

To balance the rights of individuals against the powers of the State

What is the role of the judiciary regarding rights?

Because unrestricted rights could threaten public order and welfare

Why are rights not absolute?

Constitutional boundaries that prevent governmental overreach

What protects citizens from abusive government action?

They originate from nature or God, not from the State

Where do natural rights come from?

Congress may amend or repeal them through ordinary legislation

How may statutory rights be modified or removed?

To protect personal liberty and prevent arbitrary government action

What is the purpose of civil rights?

To allow citizens to influence government and its decisions

What is the purpose of political rights?

To ensure community safety, order, and welfare when necessary

Why may individual rights be limited?

To preserve the general welfare when individual conduct threatens public interests

When must the individual yield to the State?

Common good

What constitutional ideal justifies limiting individual rights when necessary?

Freedom to choose where to live and move

What is liberty of abode?

Protection of speech, press, and expression from government interference

What is freedom of expression?

No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law, nor denied equal protection of the laws

What is the full text of Article III, Section 1 of the 1987 Constitution?

Due process of law and equal protection of the laws

What two constitutional guarantees are found in Article III, Section 1?

Protection against deprivation of life, liberty, or property without fair law and fair procedure

What is the due process guarantee under Section 1?

Protection ensuring that persons similarly situated are treated alike under the law

What is the equal protection guarantee under Section 1?

Life, liberty, and property

What three interests are explicitly protected in Article III, Section 1?

All persons within Philippine jurisdiction, including aliens and private corporations

Who is protected under Section 1?

Municipal corporations because they are mere creatures of the State

Who is NOT protected under Section 1?

A restraint on all three inherent powers of the State: police power, taxation, and eminent domain

What is the scope of Section 1 as explained in the text?

Due process of law

What constitutional requirement ensures fairness in both law and enforcement under Section 1?

Equal protection of the laws

What constitutional requirement prevents unreasonable or arbitrary classifications under Section 1?