Article III: The Bill of Rights (1987 Philippine Constitution)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, protections, legal clauses, and constitutional principles found in Article III (Bill of Rights) of the 1987 Philippine Constitution.

Bill of Rights

A constitutional protection that safeguards the fundamental rights and freedoms of every individual, acting as the people's shield against government abuse, overreach, and injustice.

Natural Rights

Rights that are inherent to a person as a creation of GOD, such as the right to live, love, and exist.

Constitutional Rights

Rights expressly granted and protected by the Constitution, broadly categorized into Civil Rights and Political Rights.

Statutory Rights

Rights provided and granted by laws enacted by the legislature, which can also be modified or abolished by the same body.

Procedural Due Process

A component of due process focusing on fair procedures in legal proceedings, including written notice, an impartial hearing, defense, and a written decision.

Substantive Due Process

A component of due process requiring that laws themselves must be fair, just, and reasonable.

Facial Due Process

A component of due process requiring that a law must be clear on its face without ambiguity.

Equal Protection of the Laws

The constitutional guarantee that all persons are entitled to equal treatment under the law without arbitrary discrimination.

Probable Cause

Reasonable grounds to believe an offense occurred and that the items or person sought are related to it.

Exclusionary Rule

A rule declaring that any evidence obtained through an illegal search, illegal seizure, or illegal surveillance is inadmissible in any proceeding.

Establishment Clause

A constitutional provision prohibiting the government from establishing an official state religion, favoring one religion over another, or spending state funds to support any religious group.

Free Exercise Clause

A constitutional provision guaranteeing that everyone has the right to practice, worship, change, or teach their beliefs without state interference.

No Religious Test

The prohibition against requiring belief or participation in a specific religion to vote, hold a government job, run for office, or exercise rights.

Liberty of Abode

The right to choose where to live and to change one's residence freely, which can only be impaired by a lawful order of the court.

Right to Travel

The right to move freely within the country, travel abroad, and return to the Philippines, which can only be restricted for national security, public safety, or public health.

Eminent Domain

The power of the state to take private property for public use upon payment of just compensation.

Just Compensation

The fair market value of private property paid to the owner at the time of taking by the state for public use, determined through due process.

Non-Impairment of Contracts

The guarantee that the government cannot pass new laws that cancel, reduce, or retroactively alter obligations under a valid, lawful contract.

Miranda Warning / Custodial Rights

The set of rights guaranteed during custodial investigation, including the right to remain silent, right to competent and independent counsel, prohibition of force/torture, and prohibition of secret detention facilities.

Bail

Money, property, or a surety bond given to the court to guarantee release from detention while trial is pending.

Trial in Absentia

A criminal proceeding that continues in the absence of the accused after arraignment and due notice, if they unjustifiably fail to appear.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A judicial order requiring a detaining officer to bring a detainee to court so a judge can determine if the detention is lawful.

Right Against Self-Incrimination

The constitutional right ensuring no person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself or forced to provide evidence of his own guilt.

Involuntary Servitude

Forced labor or slavery, which is prohibited except as punishment for a crime where the individual has been duly convicted.

Double Jeopardy

Re-prosecuting an individual for the exact same offense after they have already been validly convicted or acquitted.

Ex Post Facto Law

A retroactive penal law that criminalizes an action done before the law was passed, aggravates a crime, inflicts a greater punishment, or alters legal rules of evidence retroactively.

Bill of Attainder

A legislative act that declares a named person or group guilty of a crime and inflicts punishment without the benefit of a judicial trial.