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12 . . ·

.........- -"'

I

extbook on the

PHILIPPINE CONSTITUTION By

~

HECTORS. DE LEON LL.B., UniverRity of the Philippines Member, Integrat ed Bar of the Philippines ~'orm er Associ ate Professor, Far Eastern Univers ity

2005 EDITION

.......---·

Philippine Copyright, 2005 by

ISBN 971-23-4207-7

No portion of this book may be copied or reproduced in books, pamphlets, outlines or notes, whether printed, mimeographed, typewritten, copied in different electronic devices or in any other form, for distribution or sale, without the written permission ofthe author except brief passages in books, articles, reviews, legal papers, and judicial or other official proceedings with proper citation. Any copy of this book without the corresponding number and the signature of the author on this page either proceeds from an illegitimate source or is in possession of one who has no authority to dispose of the same.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR

N.tl.

(.1.·J- 1 j

: ;

.

PREFACE As the supreme law of the land, the Constitution is by no means selfexplanatory. Yet it is so important a document with which every citizen should be fa milia r as it directly and constantly touches every aspect of h is everyday life; indeed, to be r espect ed, obeyed and defended if our nation must grow and survive. This is the reason for the requirement that "all educational institutions shall include the study of the Constitution as part of the curricula." (Art. XIV, Sec. 3[1] .) To help fill the need for a book on the subj ect, particularly· on the college level, this modest volume, now on its eighth edition, has been written. In an attempt to make it easily understandable, the author avoids legal details and elabor ate citations of cases. The provisions are discussed section by section, amplified and explained in relatively nontechnical language for both the beginning student and the layman. The comments on the more important provisions, especially the new ones, occupy m ore space, s etting forth when deemed necessary, th e reasons for their adoption as wall as t heir practical s;gnificance. Also, much needE>d emphasis is given to the provisions on the rights of the citizens as it is imperatively desirable that they have adequate knowledge of them so that they may bett.er exercise their rights and discharge t heir corresponding obligations to others as responsible m embers of a democratic society.

HECTOR S. DE LEON May 2005

iii

OFFICERS OF THE 1986 CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION Cecilia Muiioz-Palma Ambrosio B. Padilla Napoleon G. Rama Jose D. Calderon and Ahmad Domacao Alonto

President Vice-President Floor Leader Assistant Floor Leaders

Committee Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen PREAMBLE, NATIONAL TERRITORY AND DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES Chairman Vice-Chairman

Decoroso R. Rosales Gregorio J. Tingson

CITIZENSHIP, BILL OF RIGHTS POLITICAL RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS Chairman Vice-Chairman

Jose B. Laurel, Jr. Joaquin G. Bernas LEGISLATIVE Hilario G. Davi de, Jr. Adol fo S. Azcuna

Chairman Vice-Chairman

EXECUTIVE Chairman Vice-Chairman

Lorenzo M. Sumulong Florenz D. Regalado JUDICIARY

Chairman Vice-Chairman

Roberto C. Concepcion Ricardo J. Romulo iv

CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS AND AGENCIES Chairman Vice-Chairman

Vicente B. Foz Cirilo A. Rigos LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Chairman Vice-Chairman

Jose N. N olledo Jose D. Calderon

ACCOUNTABILITY OF PUBLIC OFFICERS Chairman Vice-Chairman

Christian S. Monsod Jose C. Colayco

NATIONAL ECONOMY AND PATRIMONY Bernardo M. Villegas Jaime S.L. Tadeo

Chairman Vice-Chairman

HUMAN RESOURCES Chairman Vice-Chairman

Wilfredo V. Villacorta Lugum L. Uka GENERAL PROVISIONS ·

Chairman Vice-Chairman

Florangel Rosario Braid 'J.'eodoro C. Bacani

AMENDMENTS AND TRANSITORY PROVISIONS Chairman Vice-Chairman

Jose E. Suarez Bias F. Ople STEERING

Chairman Vice-Chairman

Jose F.S. Bengzon, Jr. Napoleon G. Rama

PRIVILEGES Chairman Vice-Chairman

Yusuf R. Abubakar Minda Luz M. Quesada

SOCIAL JUSTICE AND SOCIAL SERVICES Chairman

Teresa F . Nieva v

Vice-Chairman

Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon

STYLE Chairman Vice-Chairman

Francisco A. Rodrigo Efrain B. Trefias

SPONSORSIDP Chairman Vice-Chairman

Ser afin V.C. Guingona Edmundo G. Garcia

PUBLIC HEARINGS E dmundo G. Garcia Jose Luis Martin C. Gascon

Chairman Vice-Chairman

NON-DELEGATE OFFICERS Secretary-General Sergeant-at-Arms

Flerida Ruth Romero Roberto M. San Andres -oOo-

vi

THE 48 MEMBERS OF THE 1986 CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSION Commissioners Natividad, Teodulo C. Nieva, Ter esa Ma ria F. Nolledo, .Jose N. Ople, Blas F. Padilla, Ambrogio B. P alma, Cecilia Munoz QueRada, Mi nda Luz M. Rama, Napol eon G. Regal ado, Florenz D. Reyes, Jr. , Rusti co F. de los Rigor, Ciri lo A. Rodrigo, Francisco A. Romulo, Rica rdo J . Rosales, Oecoroso R. Sarmiento. Rene V. Suarez, Jose E. Sumulong, Lorenzo M. Tadeo, J aime S.L. Tan , Christine 0. Tingson, Gregorio J . Trefias, Efrain B. Uka, Lugum L. Villacorta, Wilfreda V. Villegas, B{!rnardo M.

Abubakar , Yusuf R. Alonto, Ahm ad Domacao Aquino, Felicitas S. Azcuna, Adolfo S. Bacani, Teodoro C. Bengzon, Jose, J r. F.S. Bennagen, Ponciano L. Bernas, S .•J., ,Joaquin G. Braid Rosario, Florangel Brocka, Lino 0 . (Resigned) Calderon, .Jose D. Castro, Cris pino M . de Colayco, Jose C. Concepeion, Roberto C. Davide, Hilario, Jr. G. Foz, Vicente B. Garcia, Edmundo G. Gascon, Jose Luis Martin C. Guingona, Serafin V.C. Jamir, Alberto, Jr. B.

Laurel, Jose B. Lerum , Eulogio R. Maambong, Regalado E. Monsod, ChristianS.

- oOo-

vii

PAMBANSANG AWIT NG PILIPINAS

Bayang magiliw, Perlas ng silanganan, Alab ng puso sa dibdib mo'y buhay, Lupang hinirang, duyan ka ng magiting Sa manlulupig di ka pasisiil Sa dagat at bundok, sa simoy at sa langit mong bughaw, May dilag ang tula at awit sa paglayang mina.mahal Ang kislap ng watawat mo'y tagumpay na nagniningning, Ang bituin at araw niya, Kailan pa ma~y di magdidilim. Lupa ng araw ng luwalhati't pagsinta Buhay ay langit sa piling mo. Aming ligaya na pag may mang-a.api Ang mamatay nang dahil sa iyo.

viii

SAYAN KO

Ang bayan kong Pilipinas Lupain ng ginto't bulaklak Pag-ibig nasa kanyang palad Nag-alay ng ganda't dilag At sa kanyang yumi at ganda Dayuhan ay nahalina Bayan ko binihag ka Nasadlak sa dusa lbon mang may layang lumipad Kulungin mo at umiiyak Bayan pa kayang sakdal dilag Ang di magnasang makaalpas Pilipinas kong minumutya Pugad ng luha at dalita Aking adhika Makita kang sakdallaya

ix

Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine Flag

Ako ay Pilipino Buong katapatang nanunumpa Sa watawat ng Pilipin.as At sa bansang kanyang sinasagisag Na may dangal, katarungan at kalayaan Na pinakikilos ng sambayanang Maka-Diyos Maka -tao Makak alikasan at Makabunsa

X

TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface ..................... ..... ........ ...................................... ........................................... Officers of the 1986 Constitutional Commission............................................. The 48 Members of the 1986 Constitutional Commission ............................. Pambansang A wit ng Pilipinas .......................................................................... Bayan Ko ............................................................................................................... Pledge of Allegiance to the Philippine id stressed ................................................................................ 6. N ational purposes and aims in adopting the Constitution.................. 7. Attainment of the constitutional goals ... ......... .... ........... ... ........ .... ......... 8. Changes in the Preamble .......... ................................ ......... .......................

ARTICLE I -

32 32 32 33 33 34 34 35

NATIONAL TERRITORY SECTION 1

1. 2. 3. 4.

Necess ity of constitutional pr ovision on National Territory ............... National Territory of the Philippines................ ...................................... Meaning of a rchipelago .. ...... .... ... ...... ......... ... ... .... .... .... .... ... ..... .. .. ........ .. ... Other territories over which the PQilippines has sovereignty or jur isdiction ................................................ ....... ........ .. 5. Other a reas included in the Philippine archipelago. ...... ....... .... .. .. ....... 6. Three-fold division of navigable waters......................................... ........ 7. Jurisdiction over n avigable w&.ters ... ....... ......................... .... ........ .. ........ . 8 . The archipelagic concept or principle of terr itoriality.. .. ... ..... .... ........ .. 9. The Philippine position .............................................................................

38 39 39 39 40 41 41 42 42

ARTICLE II- DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES

AND STATE POLICIES PRINCIPLES SECTION 1 1.

2. 3. 4.

Th e Philippines , a democratic a nd republican state............................. Manifestations of a democratic a nd republican state. ...... ............ ........ Sovereignty of the people .... ........ .... .. ............. ....... ... .. ...... .. .... .... ............. .. Right of the people to revolt ...................................... ........ ............. ..........

44

44 45 45

SECTION 2 1.

Renunciation of war as an instrument of nationa l policy .................... xii

46

2. 3.

Adoption of the generally accepted principles of international law as part of our law ........... ...................... ........... Adherence to t he policy of peace, etc. , with all nations.................... ....

4-6 47

SECTION 3 1.

2.

Supremacy of civilian authority over the military.......... .. .... ................ Armed Forces of the Philippine, protector of the people and the State........ ..... ........ ................................... .... ............................

48 48

SECTION 4 l. 2. 3.

Prime duty of the Government.......................... ....................................... Defense of the State by the people against foreign aggr ession ........... Military and civil service by the people.............. ................ ... ..... ... .........

49 50 50

SECTION 5 1.

Mai ntenance of peace and order, etc. ......................... ..... .. ..... ... ..............

51

SECTION6 1.

2. 3.

Principle of separation of the church and State ..................... ...... ......... Meaning of "establishment of religion clause".......... ............................. No hostility towards religion .................... ................................................

52 52 53

STATE POLICIES SECTION7 1.

Foreign policy of the Philippinl:lS ..................... ........... ........................ .....

54

SECTIONS 1.

Freedom from nuclear weapons policy ........ ................................. ...........

56

SECTION9 1.

Just and dynamic social order... ................. ............ .......... ...................... .

57

SECTION 10 1.

Social justice ............ ....... .. .... .... ............................................ ................... ..

57

SECTION 11 1.

Human dignity and human rights................................ ........... ................

57

SECTION 12 1.

2.

Strengthening the famil y as a basic autonomous social institution ....... ... ..... ... ..... ................... ..... ...... ...... ....................... Right to life of the unborn from conception and of the mother ........... xiii

58 58

3.

Rearing of the youth for civic efficiency and development of moral character ... ............................................................... ..... ........

59

SECTION 13 1.

Role of the yout h in nation-building.................... ............. ............ ...........

60

SECTION 14 1.

Role of women in nation-building. ....... ...... ............. ......... ... ......... ...... ......

62

SECTION 15 1.

Right r,f the people to health ....................................................................

64

SECTION 16 1.

Right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology ......................

64

SECTION 17 1.

Priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports .......................................... ............. .......................

66

SECTION 18 1.

Labor as a primary social economic force ... ....... .... . ........ .... .... .. ....... .. .. ...

S-1

SECTION 19 1.

Self-reliant and independent national economy....................................

66

SECTION 20 1.

Role of the private sector i n the economy .... ......... ..... ......... .... ........ ..... ...

66

SECTION 21 1.

Comprehensive Tural development and Ul(Tarian reform.....................

67

SECTION 22 l.

Rights of indigenous cultura l communities ............................................

67

SECTION 23 1.

~on-governmenta l ,

community-based or sectoral organizations ............ .............................................. :............. ...............

68

SECTION 24 1.

Vital role of communication and information in nat.ion-building ....... .. .. ...... .. .... ... ........... .... ................ .. ..... ....... ......... xiv

69

SECTION23 1.

Autonomy of local governments ...............................................................

69

SECTION 26 1.

Equal access to opporluni ties tor public service....................................

70

SECTION27 1.

Honesty and integrity in public service ..................................................

71

SECTION 28 1.

Full disclosure by the State of all its transactions ...............................

72

ARTICLE III -BILL OF RIGHTS 1. 2. 3. 4.

Concept of a bill of rights .......................................................................... Classes of rights ..... ............ .............. .............. ........ ..... ............................... Classification of constitutional rights..................................................... State authority and individual freedom..................................................

73 73 74 75

SECTION 1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Meaning of due process of law.................................................................. Aspects of due process of law.................................................................... Procedural due process.............................................................................. Substantive due process............................................................................ Persons protected ......... ......... ...................... ... ..... .... ..... ................. .... ..... .... Meaning of life............................................................................................ Meaning of liberty...................................................................................... i\.feaning of property................................................................................... What constitutes deprivation ................................................................... Meaning of equal protection of the laws................................................. Reasonable classificat.ion permitted........................................................ Scope of the guarantee...............................................................................

76 76 77 78 78 78 78 79 79 79 80 80

SECTION2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Meaning of search warrant and warrant of arrest.............................. .. Scope of the protection............................................................................... When search and seizure unreasonable.................................................. Requisites for valid search warrant or warrant of arrest .................... lVteaning of probable cause........................................................................ Sufficiency of affidavit. upon which warrant is based........................... Sufficiency of de::;cription .......................................................................... Right against unreasonable search and seizure, personal................... When search and seizure may be made without warrant .................... When arrest may be made without warrant..........................................

81 81 8~

82 83 83 83 84 85 85

SECTION 3 1.

Meaning of right of privacy....................................................................... KV

86

2.

a.

4. 5.

Basics and purpose of the provision ....... .. .... ...... ... ............ ....... ... .. ......... . Relationship with right againBt. unreasonable searches and seiz !lres ...... ........ .................... ........ .. ......... ........... ......... Limitations on the right ......................................... ................................... Evidence illegally obtained ....................................... ..... ..... ......................

86

86 87 87

SECTION 4 1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Meaning of freedom of speech, of expression, and of the press ........ ... Scope of freedom of expression................................................................. Scope of t erms "speech,'' "expression" and "press" ...... ...................... .... Importance of the guarantee .............. .... ........................................... ....... Freedom of expression not absolute ... ......... ........................................... . Abridgment of ireedom of speech and of the press................ ... ..... ........ Meaning of right of assembly and r ight of petition............................... Relationship with freedom of s peech and of the press.......... .. .. ............

88 88 88 88 89 89 90 90

SECTION 5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Meaning of religious freedom ......... ................. ..................................... .... Meaning of religion ..... ..... ......... .... ........ ................ ...... ......... ......... ............. Aspects of religious freedom ..................... .. .............................................. Freedom of religious profession and worship......................................... Dissemination of religious beliefs ....... ....... .. ............ ...... .... ............ .......... License fee or tax on sale of religious articles ....................................... Religious test prohibited .. ............. ...................... ....... .......... ........ ... .... ......

91 91 91 92 92 93 93

SECTION 6 1. 2.

Meaning of liberty of abode and travel ................. .... .............................. Limitations on the right ............. .... . ................. .... ...... ..... .. ............. ...........

94 94

SECTION 7 1. 2. 3.

Right to information on matters of public concern................................ Scope of the right. .... ........ ... ........... .................. ... ........................................ Limitations on t he rig ht. ...... ...... .... .... .......................................................

95 96 96

SECTION 8 1. 2. 3.

J\.ieaning of right to form associations, etc. ........ ....................... .. ....... .... Purposes of the guarantee.. ..... ......... .... .. ....... .................... ......... .............. Limitation on the right.......................... ....................................................

96 97 97

SECTION9 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Essential or inherent powers of government .................................. ....... Meaning of eminent domain ............................ ........... ,.............. ..... .......... Conditions for or limitations upon its exercise... ................................... Meaning of "taking" ............... ...................... ............................... ........ ....... Meaning of police power ................. ................................ ........................ ... Basis of police power ..... .............. ...... ............... .. ....... ...... ............... ............ Illustrations of police power laws ............................................................ "vi

97 98 98 99 99 99 100

8. 9. 10. 11.

Meaning of taxation................................................................................... Theory and basis of taxation .................................................................... Meaning of taxes......................................................................................... Distinctions among the three powers......................................................

100 100 101 101

SECTION 10 1.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Meaning of obligation of a contract ....... .................................................. Scope of terms "law" and "contract" ........................................................ Purpose of non-impairment prohibition.................................................. Wben obligation of contract impaired..................................................... Freedom to contract not absolute.............................................................

102 102 102 103 103

SECTION 11 1.

2. 3. 4.

Constitutional tights of the accused in criminal cases......................... Reasons for constitutional safeguards ......... .... ....................................... Right to free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies................ Right to adequate legal assistance ..........................................................

103 104 105 105

SECTION 12 1. 2. 3. 4.

Rights of person under investigation ...................................................... Effect of violation of the rights................................................................. When rights can be invoked...................................................................... Waiver of right of silence and to counsel................................................

106 106 107 107

SECTION 13 1.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Meaning of bail .................................................. ......................................... Purpose and for1n of bail ........................................................................... Who may not invoke the right to bail...................................................... Meaning of capital offense ................... ..................................................... Excessive bail prohibited ..........................................................................

107

108 108 109 109

SECTION 14 1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Right to due process of law in criminal cases ........................................ Right to presumption of innocence .......................................................... Statutory presumptions of guilt............................................................... Right to be heard by himself and counsel............................................... Meaning and purpose of arraignment .................................. .... .... ........... Importance of the right to counsel........................................................... Right to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation against him .... ... .. .... ... . ..... .. ...... ... ..... .... . ................. .... .... .... ........... .... .. . Right to have a speedy, impartial, and public trial.............................. Right to confrontation.of witnesses......................................................... Right to compulsory production of witnesses and evidence......................................................................................... Trial in the absence of the accused..........................................................

110 110 111 111 112 112 112 113 114

114 115

SECTION 15

1.

Meaning of writ of habeas corpus ............................................................ xvii

115

2. 3. 4.

Purpose of the writ.. .................................... ............................ ................... How writ operates .................... .... ................ ..................... ............... .......... S uspenflion of the privilege ofthe writ...... .... .. ............. ...... .... ........ .. .. ....

116 116 116

SECTION 16 1.

Right to speedy dispos ition of cas es .... ....... ................ ..... ................. .... ...

117

SECTION 17 1. 2. 3. 4.

Right agai nst self-incrimination .............................................................. S cope of guarantee .. ........... .... .. .. ......... ......... .. ..... ... ......... ... ..... .... ...... ...... .. . Nature of guarantee .... .......... ..... .... ......... .............. .. ............ ... .. ...... ............ Form of t estimony prohibited ...................................................................

118 118 118 :i 19

SECTION 18 L 2. 3. 4.

Right aga inst detention soleiy by r eason of political beliefs and a spiraticns .................................................................................... Meaning of involuntary servitude .... ............ ..................... ............... ........ Purpose and basis of the prohibition ... .. .... .. .. .... .. ... .. . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. .. .. ... .. .. Exceptions to prohibition.... ...... ... .. .... .. ........... ........... .... ....................... ....

120 120 12 1 12 1

SECTION 19 1.

2. 3.

4.

Right again st excessi ve fines ...... .. ... .......... .......... ...... .... ... ...... ......... .. ... .. .. Right aga ins t cruel , degrading, or inhuman punishments .................. Purpose of the guarantee .......................................................................... Imposition of the death penalty ........................ ....................... ............ ....

122

122 123 12:3

SECTION 20 1.

2. 3. 4.

5.

J\.leaning of debt .. .... ... . .... .. ...... ...... .... ..... ... .... .. .. ..... .............. ... ....... ............. P urpose of prohibition against imprisonment for debt ........... ......... .... . Prohibition limited to contractua l obligations only ............ ......... .... .. ... Meaning of poll t ax ..................................................................................... Purpose of prohibition against imprisonment for non-payment of poll tax ..... ......................................... ........ ......... ..::-:..

125 125 125 126 126

SECTION 21 1. 2. 3. 4.

Right against double jeopardy.................................................................. Requisites for existence of double jeopardy.................. ..................... .. ... Right to appeal in criminal cases .. ... ......... ...... ............ .. .. .. ... ........... .. .. .. .. . Classes of double jeopa rdy ..... ..... .................. .. ............................ ..............

126 127 127 127

SECTION 22 1.

2. 3. 4.

Meaning of ex post facto law ... .. .. ... .. ......... .. ... ... .... ...... ... ... .. ....... .. ........ .. ... Character istics of ex post facto law ................................. ......................... Meaning of bill of attainder......... ............................................... .............. P urpose of prohibition against bill of attainder ....... ....... ................ ..... .

xviii

128 128 128 129

ARTICLE IV- CITIZENSHIP SECTION 1 1. 2.

.....

3.

5.

6. 7.

8.

9. 10. 11. 12.

Meaning of citizenship and citizen ......................................................... . Distinguished from nationality and nationals ...................................... . Meaning of subject and alien .................................................................... General ways of acquiring citizenship .................................................. .. Citizens by birth ........................................................................................ . Citizens at the time of the adoption of the Constitution ..................... . Citizens by blood relationship ................................................................. . Citizens through el~ction under the 1935 Constitution ..................... .. Citizens by naturalization ...................................................................... .. Meaning of naturalization ........................................................................ Nature of naturalization .......................................................................... . Ways of acquiring citizenship by naturalization .................................. .

130 130 131 131 131 132 132 132 133 134 134 134

SECTION2 1.

Kinds of citizens under the Constitution ................................................

135

SECTION3 1. 2.

Loss of citizenship ................................................. .... ................................. Reacquisition of lost Philippine citizenship . ..........................................

136 137

SECTION4 1.

Effect of marriage of citizen to an alien..................................................

137

SECTION5 1.

2. 3. 4.

Dual allegiance of citizens ........................................................................ Retention and reacquisition of citizenship ...................... ....................... Rights with corresponding obligations.................................................... Duties and obligations of citizens............................................................

137 1:18 139 140

ARTICLE V- SUFFRAGE SECTION 1 1. 2. 3. {. 5. 6. 7. 8.

9. 10. 11. 12.

Meaning of suffrage . ..... .. ........ .......... ... ... .. ................... .. ...... .. .. .. ... .. .. .... .... . Nature of suffrage ...................................... .............................. .... ... .. .... ..... Scope of suffrage......................................................................................... Qualifications of voters.............................................................................. Age qualification......................................................................................... Residence qualification.............................................................................. Persons disqualified td' vote...................................................................... Arguments justifying the lowering of voting age from 21 to 18 ........................................................................................ Arguments justifying removal of literacy requirement........................ Property requirement prohibited............................................................. Other substantive requirements prohibited........................................... Compulsory suffrage .................................................................................. xix

144 144 144 145 145 146 146 147 147 148 149 150

SECTION 2 1.

2.

System for securing the secrecy and sanctity of the ballot ........ .... .. ........... .. . ..................................................... ......... System for absentee ,·oting by qualified Filipinos ................................

151

152

ARTICLE VI- LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT SECTION 1 Meaning of legisla tive pov1er .......... ................................................ .......... Meaning of law ... .. .. .... ........ ............. .... ........ ............. ... ........... ........... ... ....... 3 . Function of Ia v;.s ...... ......................... ............. .......................................... ... 4. Legislative power vested in Congr ess ....... .............................................. 5. Advantages of bicameralism.......... ............ .... ........ ............... ............ ........ 6. Dis adv ant ages of bicameralism ................................................................ 7. Scope of legislative power of Congress .......... ........ .... ..................~. . .... ..... 8 . Clas5ification of powers of C ongress ........... ...... .. .. ... ...... .. ........... ............ 9. Principle of separation of powers............................................................. 10. Principle of checks and balances. ......................... ...... ...... ............ ............ 1.

153

'2.

153 153 154 154 154

155 155

156 157

SECTIONS 2-4 1. 2.

The S enate. ...... ........ .... .. ...... ............. ........ ....... ............ ....... ..... ........ .. .......... Meanin g of r egistered voter and r esidence .............................................

158 159

SECTIONS 5-7 1. 2. 3. 4.

The House of Repre~ entative s .... ...... ... ... ... .......... ........ .. .. ................ ......... Number, el ection/selection a nd classificat ion of members ................... Apportionmen t of elected representatives ........................ ...................... Party-list and sector a l ;:epre sentation .... ............. ............ ... ....... .. .. .........

160 161 162 163

SECTIONS 8-9 1.

Kinds of election for member s of Congress .............................................

164

SECTION 10 1.

Salariel:l of members of Congress .... ......... :............ ............ ................. ......

165

SECTION 11 1. 2. 3. 4.

Freedom fro m arrest of members of Congress ....... ......... .... ..... .... ..... ..... When immunity cannot be invoked ........................................ ............. .... Freedom from being quest ioned for speech and debate ........................ When immunity cannot be claimed ........ .. .. ............. ..... .. .... ... .... ............ ..

165 166 166 166

SECTION 12 1.

Disclosure of financial and business interests .......................................

167

SECTION IS 1.

Disqua lification to hold any other office or employment ........ .............. XX

167

SECTION 14 1.

Fiduciary position of members ...... .................. .. ... .... ........ .... ....................

169

SECTION 15 l.

Sessions of Congress .... .................................... ............. ........ .... .................

170

SECTiON 16 1. Officers of Congress .. ..... .. .. .... .... .... .... ...... .. . .. .. .. ... .. ... .. .. ...... .. .. .... .... ..... ..... . 2. Powers and functions of Senate President and House Speaker .......... 3. Meaning of quorum .. ..... .. ........ .. ... .................. ........................... .. ............... 4. Basis of quorum in each House ................ ................................................ 5. Adjournment in absence of quorum ............ ............................................. 6. Meaning and function of rules of procedure........................................... 7. Limitation"t on power to determine rules......................... ....................... 8. Nature of power of each House to punish its members........................ 9. Votcsrequired................... ................................................ .......................... 10. Each House sole judge of disorderly behavior............... .... ..................... 11. Meaning of legislative journa l .......................................... ........................· 12. Purpose of journal-keeping requi rement........... .............................. ....... 13. Matters to be entered in the journal ............................. ........ .................. 14. Adjournment by either House without consent of the other................

171 171 172 172 172 173 173 173 174 174 17 4 174

175 175

SECTIONS 17·19 1. 2.

Electoral Tribunal in each House .... .................................... .................... The Commission ~n Appointments in Congress .. ..... .............................

176 177

SECTION 20 1.

Records of Congress open to public................................ ...................... ....

178

SECTION 21 1. 2.

Power oflegislative inquiry and jnvestigation ........ ..... .... .......... ........... Scope of the power....................................................................... ......... ......

179 179

SECTION 22 1.

Appearance of heads of departments before each House .....................

180

SECTION 23 1.

2. 3.

Power to declare existence of a state of war... ........ .. ... ................ ........... War contemplated ..... ... ... ... ........ .. .................... .............. ..... ......... .............. Delegation of cmerge11cy powers .............. .................. ....... .......................

181 181 181

SECTION 24 1. 2.

Meaning of appropriations bill................................................................. Kinds of appropriations ..... ... ..... .... ......... ..... ........ .................. .................... xxi

182 182

3. 4.

:Meaning of other bills.............. .... .... ............................................... ........... Bills which must originate exclu ~ ively in the H ouse of Representa tives.......................... ............. ................................... .....

183 183

SECTION 25 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

7. 8. 9. 10.

Meaning of bu dget....... ................................... .... .......................... ............. Submission of proposed budget by the President...................... ............ lncreaae of appropriation recommended by the President.. ............ ..... Prohibition agains t riders........ .. .... ....... .............. ... ......... .... .... ........ .......... Procedure in approving appro priations ........... ........... .... .. ............ .. ...... .. Requir ements with respect io special appropriations bill.................... Requir ement t o insure a balanced budget.............................. ........ ....... Prohibition against transler of fun ds .......................... ................. ......... .. Rule as to discretionary funds ....... ......................... .............. .... .... .. .......... Automatic reap propriation ...... .. ...... .............. .. .. .. ..... ........ ....... ....... .... ......

185 185 185 186 186 187

187 187 187 188

SECTION 26 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

Limitations on the power of Congress ................ ................ ..................... Prohibition agains t delegation oflcgislative powers ..... ....... .. .............. Prohibition agains t the enactment of irrepealable laws.. .... .. .. .. .. ... ..... Requirements a~:~ to subject a nd ti tle of bills.............. ..... ................... .. .. Meanin g of hodge-podge or log-r olling legislation ...... ...... ... .............. .... Effect of violation of requirem~n t ..................................... .. ............ ... .. .... Exceptions to the requirement ..................... .... ..................... .......... ..... .... Steps in the pa8sage of a bill .. .. ..... ....... ...... .... .................... ......... .... ... ... .. Purpose of provision requiring three readings of bill .. ........ .. .. .... ...... ... Certifica tion of bills by the President ............... .......................... ............ Purpose of requirement that yea:; a nd nays be en tered in the journa l .. ..................... ......... ............. ..... .... ..................... .... ........

188 189 189 190 190 190 191 191 l92 193 193

SECTION27 1. 2. 3. 4. 6. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Meaning of bill ..... .................... ......... ..... ........ ........ .. ............ .... ................. .. Meaning of stat u te ...... ......... ......... ............................. .... ..................... ....... How statutes identified ............................... ....... ............................. ... ...... Forma] parts of a Ja w................ .... .... .......................... .............................. When bill may become a law ..... .. ... ... ............ .. .. .......... ......... .. .. .. .. ...... ....... Veto power of the President .. ............. ..... .......... ....... .. .. ......... .... .... .. .. .. .. .... P urpose of veto .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. . Pock et veto not a llowed ..... ... ...... .... ... ..... .... ...... ... ..... .... .... ...... .... ... .. .. .... ... When partial veto aJlowed ............ ....... ....... ....... ...... ... ......... .... ...... ... ...... Mea n ing of resol ution.... ..... .... ....... .. .... ....... .. ... ................. .. .. ........ ..... ..... UAe of resolutions .. .. ............ ....... .. ... ... .. .. .... .. ............... ..... .. .. .. .. .. ........ ..... Kin ds of r esolutions .... .......... .. .. ... ....... ............. ............ ...... ................ .. .... ..

194 194 194 194 195 195 196 196 196 196 197 197

SECTION 28 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

U niformity in taxa tion...................... .............. .......... .. ..... ........... ....... .. ...... Equity in taxation .. .................. ...... .. .................. .. ... .. ..... ........ .. ...... ... .. ....... Progr essive syst em of taxation.... .. .. ...... ............ ... .. .. .. ............ .. .. .. ......... .. Delegation of taxing power t o fix t a riff rat es, etc. .. ............. ................. Exe mption of certain entities and properties from property taxes..... xxii

1.98 198 199 199 199

6.

Votes req uired for grant of t ax exemption ..............................................

~00

SECTION 29 1. 2. 3. 4.

The powe r of appropriation ............ ........... ....... .... .... .... ........ ......... ......... ... Meanin g of ~ app ropria~ion made by law" .................... .............. .............. P rohibition against "JSe of public money or property for religious rurpose ..... ............ .... .... ...... ........ .... ............ ..... .... ..... ..... . Expenditure of special fund........ ...................... .... ....................................

200 20 1 20 1 202

SECTION 30 1.

Law increasing appellate juris diction of Supreme Court ................. ....

203

SECTION 31 1.

P r ol-.ibitiun against gr anting title of royalty or nobility.. ....... ...... .. ......

20~

SECTION 32 1.

2.

Mean ing of initiative a nd referendu m ........ ..... .. .. .... ..... .......... ..... .. ......... · C ongress to provide a system of initiative and referendu m ... .... .. .......

204 204

ARTICLE VII- EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT SECTION 1 1.

2.

President, t he E xecutive ................................................ ........................... Meaning of executive pow'3r ................................................. .. ....... ... .. .......

206 206

SECTION 2 1.

q ualifications of the President and Vice-President.... .. ........ ... ... .... ......

207

SECTION 3 1.

The Vice-President ...................... .......................... ............................. ........

207

SECTION 4 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

E lection of t h e Presi den t and Vice -P resident ................................. ...... . Term of office of t h e President and Vice-Pre ~ident ...................... ....... .. Term of office distinguished from tenure of office; right L(> hold office; and office... ..... .. .. ... .............. .... .. .... .. ......... .... ...... .... ...... Reelection of President a nd Vice-Presi dent ............ ...... .. ... .... ..... ........ ... Reasonll for proh ibition 2.gainst r e-election of Pr esident ...... .. ............. Canvassing of r eturns and proclamation ............. ....... ... .... . ..... ............. Election contest involving the position of President or Vice-President ................. ...................... ....... .... .............. .... .............

208 209 209 210 210 211 212

SECTION 5 1.

Oath or affirmation of the President, Vice-Pr.esident , or Acting President...................... ............. .... .......................... .... ........ xxiii

212

SECTION 6 1.

Official r esidence and compensation of the Presid~nt and Vice-President...... ... ................. ................................................. ...

213

SECTIONS 7-8 1. 2. 3. 4.

Classes of Presidenti al succe!!sion ......... .......... ....... ... .............. ..... .... .... .. . When Vice-President s h all act as President .... .................. .................... When Vice-President shall become Prc!:!ident ....................... ................. Where there a re no President and Vice-President.......... .. .. .............. ....

214 215 215 215

SECTION9 1.

Vacancy in the Office of the Vice-President ........................... .. ... ......... .

216

SECTION 10 1.

Vacancy in the Offices of both the President and Vice-President.......

216

SECTION 11 1.

Rules in case of temporary disability of the Presiden t.. .......... ..... ........

217

SECTION 12 1.

When public to be informed of Prt~sident's state of health...................

218

SECTION 13 1.

2.

Disabilities of President , Vice-President, Ml~m bc rs of Cabinet. and their d eputies a nd assistants ..............·.... .............. Rule on nepotis m .. ..................... ......................... ........................................

219 220

SECTION 14 1.

Appoint ments extended h.v an Acting President..... ....... ............. ... ...... ..

220

SECTION 15 1.

Appointments preceding a presidential elction . ........ ............ .......... ..

221

SECTION 16 1.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Meaning of appointment ... .... ... ... ... .. ............ ....... .. .... ....... ........ .. .. .. .. ...... Nat.t..re of power to appoint .. ....... .. .. .. ....... .. ................ ... .. .............. .. .... ... .. Officials whose appointments are vested in the President.................. Confirm ation of appoint ments by Commission on Appointments ....... Appointment by other officials......... ........... ..... ...... .... ................. .......... Kinds of presidential appointments ........................ ........................... ..... Ad interim appointments ............................. .......... ............. .................... .. Kinds of appointment in the career services .. .. ..... ............................... .. Steps in the a ppointing process .......... ..... ............................. .. ........... .. .. .. xxiv

222 222 222 223 224 224 224 225 225

10. 11. 12. 13.

Kinds of acceptance.......... .......................... ........ ........................................ Meaning of designation ......................................................... ..... ... ............ Removal power of t he President............................................................... Extent of the President's power to remove.............................................

226 226 226 227

SECTION 17 l..

2. 3.

Power of control over all executive departments, bureaus and offices ... .................. ............................ ..................... ....... Nature and extent of the power of control................... ................. .......... Power to insure that the laws be faithfully executed.. .. ..................... ..

227 228 228

SECTION 18 1. 2.

Military power of the President ............................................................... Powers of President as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces ... .. .... ..... ........... ...... .... .... ... ..... .. .... ....... ..... .... .... ... 3. Authority of Congress over the armed forces........ ................................. 4. Power to suspend privilege of writ of habeas corpus ............................ 5. Power to declare martial law ...................................................................: 6. Meaning of martial law ............................................................................. 7. Basis, object, and duration of martial law.. ............................................ 8. Restr ictions on the exercise of the two powers . .. .. .. .. .. ... .. . .. .. .. .. .. ... .. ...... 9. Effects of a state of martial law...............................................................

229 230 230 230 231 231 231 232 233

SECTION 19 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

Pardoning power ......................................................................................... Meaning of reprieve and suspension of sentence .................................. Meaning of commutation .. ..... ..................... ........ ...... ...... ........................... Meaning of pardon ........................................................................... .......... Object of pardoning power ..................................................... ................... Kinds of pardon ..... ...... ..................... .......................... ................... ............. Limitations upon the pardoning power................................ .............. ..... Effects of pardon.... .. ......... ..... ............................................. ..... ....... ............ Remission of fines and forfeitures .................................................... ....... Meaning of amnesty............................................................... .... ................ Effect of amnesty........................................................................... ............. Pardon and amnesty distinguished.........................................................

234 234 234 234 235 235 235 235 236 236 236 236

SECTION 20 1.

Authority to contract and guarantee foreign loans ...............................

237

SECTION21 1. 2.

3.

Meaning of treaty ...... ,.......................................... ....... ........ ..... ..... ............. Distinguished from international agreement and ex~utive agreement ........................................ ........................... Steps in treaty-making..............................................................................

238 238 239

SECTION22 1.

Budgetary power of the President........................................................... XXV

239

SECTION 23 1.

Prerogative to address and appear before Congress.............................

240

ARTICLE Vlll- JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT SECTION 1 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Meaning of judicial power......................................... ........... ..................... Scope of judicial power ................................... ... .... .... .... ... ........... .............. Giving of advisory opinions not a judicial function. ... ........................... Judicial power vested in one Supreme Court and in lower courts...... Organization of courts ...... .............. .... ............. ............................. ............. Quasi-judicial agencies........ ................... ......... ...... .................................... Importance of the judicia ry .................................. ....... ................. ............. Independence of the judiciary ..................................................................

241 241 242 243 243

244 244 245

SECTION 2 1. 2.

Power to apportion jurisdiction of various courts vested in Congress .................................................. ... ......................... Jurisdiction of courts ....... ............ ........................... ....... ..................... .......

246 247

1.

SECTION 3 Fiscal autonomy ......... ... .................. .. .... ...................... ..... ... .. .............. ........

247

SECTION 4 l.

2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

Composition of the Supreme Court.......................................................... Sitting procedure ............................................................ ...... ...................... Cases to be heard or decided en bane and vote required...................... Meaning of executive agreement............................ .................................. Classes of executi ·1e agreements ........................ ...................................... Meaning of power of judicial review.......................... .................. ............ Limitations on exercise of power of judicial review ....................... ....... Justiciable question disti n guished from political question .............. ....

248 248 249 250 250 250 251 251

SECTION 5 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

Original jurisdiction of Supreme Court over cases affecting ambassadors, etc. ................................................................ Original jurisdiction of Supreme Court over petitions for certiorari, etc. ....... ................. ............. ....... ..................... ............... Exclusive appellate jurisdiction of the Supreme Court............. ........... Assignment of judges of lower courts to other stations ..................... ... Change of venue or place of trial ........ ................... ........................ .......... Rule-making power of the Supreme Court ..............:.............................. Limitations on the rule-making power of the Supreme Court ............ Substantive and procedural law/rights distinguished.......................... Appointment of officials and employees ..................................................

253 254 255 255 256 256 258 259 259

SECTIONS

1.

Administrative supervision over lower courts .................. ..................... xxvi

260

SECTION 7 1. 2.

3. 4.

Qualifications for members of the Suprem~ Court and any lower collegiate court........................................................... Authority of Congress to alter qualifications of certain constitutional officers ................. ............. ..... .. .................. ....... ........ ... Qualifications of judges of lower courts ..... ............ ................................. The admini stration of justice ...................................................................

261 261 26 1 262

SECTIONS 8-9 1.

Appointment of members of the Supreme Court and judges of lower courts . .. . .. ... .. .. .. .... .. . .. ... .. . .. .. .... .. ... .. .. .. ................

264

SECTION 10 1.

Compensation of members of the judiciary ............................................

265

SECTION 11 1. 2. 3.

Tenure of office of members of t he judiciary .......................................... Meaning of good behavior ......................................................................... Disciplining or dismissal of judges of lower courts ........................... ....

266 267 267

SECTION 12 1.

Prohibition against designation to quasj-judicial and/or administrative agencies.................................. ....... ............. ...

267

SECTION 13 1. 2.

Procedure in rendering decisions .................. ........................................... Requirement in case of non-participation, dissent, or abstention..... .

268 269

SECTION 14 1. 2.

Meaning of decision......................... ............................................ .............. . Form of decision of court ..... .................................... .................. .... ........ ....

269 269

SECTION 15 1. 2.

Maximum periods for rendition of decisions................................... ....... Time limitations mandatory..... ............................................ .. ..................

271 27 1

SECTION 16 1.

Submission of annual report............................. .................. ......................

272

AR'l'ICLE IX- CONSTITUTIONAL COMMISSIONS A. COMMON PROVISIONS

SECTION 1 1.

Independent constitutional bodies........................................................... xxvii

273

SECTION2 1.

Disabilities of members of Constitutional Commissions......................

274

SECTION 3 1.

Compensation of members of Constitutional Commissions .................

27 4

SECTION4 1. 2.

Appointment and removal of officials and employees........................... Other common features.............................................................................

27 4 275

SECTION 5 1.

Fiscal autonomy..........................................................................................

276

SECTION 6 1.

Rules of procedure......................................................................................

276

SECTION7 1.

Rendition of decision and judicial review...............................................

276

SECTION 8 1.

Additional functions under the law.........................................................

27i

B. THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION SECTION 1 1.

2. 3. 4. 5.

Composition of the Civil Service Commission........................................ Qualifications ofmembers ........................................................................ Appointment and terms of office .............................................................. Rotational scheme of appointment ....................... ................................... Reasons for creation of the Commission.................................................

277 278 278 278 279

SECTION2 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9.

10. 11. 12.

Meaning of Civit Service ........................................................................... Scope of the Civil Service .......................................................................... Constitutional classification of positions in the Civil Service............. The merit system........................................................................................ Non-competitive positions......................................................................... Guarantee of security of tenure .................................~............................. Meaning of"for cause provided by law".................................................. Abolition of position ................... ................................................................ Prohibition against electioneering and other partisan political campaign............................................................................... Meaning of electioneering or partisan political campaign................... Activities not covered................................................................................. Right of government employees to self-organization ............................ xxviii

280 280 280 281 282 283 283 284 284 285 285 286

13. 14.

Right of government employees to strike ..... .......................................... Protection oftemporttry employees.................... ......... .............................

286 287

SECTION 3 1.

2. 3.

4.

Powers and functi on~; of the Commission ............................................... Importance of a permanen t civil service ................................................. Purpose of providing a civil service system. ........................................... Basic requisites of a civil service system............ .......... ........... ...............

287 288 289 289

SECTION 4 Oath to dt!fend and support the

Con:~titution

........................................

290

1. Standardization of compensation............... ..... .........................................

290

1.

SECTION 5

SECTION 6 1.

I neligibility for appointment of defeated candidate in an election ... .. .. ........... .. ... ...... .. ..... .................. .. ... .. ............ .. ...........

291

SECTION 7 1.

2.

Ineligibility for a ppointment of e lective officials ....... .......................... .. P rohibition ag ain ~t hol ding more than one position by appoin tive officials ............... ... ........ ...... ......................... ................

292 292

SECTION 8 1.

2. 3.

Prohibition agains t additional, double, or ind irect compensation...... E"c 2ptions to the prohibition ........ .. .. ........... .. ...... .... ...... .................... ... ... Prohibition again,-.t acceptance of any present, etc. from any foreign st.ate ................................. .................................................

293 293 294

C. T H E COMMISSION ON ELECTIONS SECTION 1 1.

2. 3. 4.

Composition of the Commission on Elections ........................................ Qualifications of members ....... ................................. ..................... ........... Appointment and terms of office ....... ......................... ............ ............ ...... P urpose of the Commission ............................... ....... .......... .. ..... ................

295 295 296 296

SECTION 2 1. 2. 3.

Powers and functions Ofthe Commission............................................... Finality of decisions ............... ........ ........ ......... ..... ................................... ... Rationale of r egistration of political parties .............................. ............

298

300 301

SECTION 3 1.

Hearing of election cases.......... ............................ ..................................... xxix

301

SECTION 4 1.

Regulation of public utilities a nd media ............................. ............ ........

302

SEC'flON 5 1. 2. 3.

Pardon, etc., of violators of eleetion laws ............. ............. .................. ... Meaning of parole ..... ..... ........................................... ..... ..... ........................ Meaning of suspension of se ntence............................... .. .... ........ .............

303 303 303

SECTIONS 2.

1.

Meaning of pol itical party .... .. .................. .. ... .. .. .. .. .................... ........ .. .. .... F r ee and open party system.. ..... .. .......................... ....... .... .. .. ..... ....... ........

30:3 303

1.

SECTION 7 Party-list. ~-;ystem ... ... ........................................................ ..........................

306

SECTION 8 1.

Membership ()f political pnrties, etc. in registration boards, etc. .......

307

SECTION 9 I. 2.

Election per iod ..... .... ... .. ... ...................... ................... ..... .......... ........... .. .. .... Campaign period .............. ................................................. .. .......................

308 308

SECTION 10 1.

Protection against harassment and discrimination ................... ...........

308

SECTION 11 1.

AutomaLic

relea~;e

of appropriations .......... ................ .. ...........................

309

D. THE COMMISSION ON AUDIT

SECTION 1 l.

2. 3. 4.

Composition of the Commiss:on on Audit............................................... taken into account ....................... ............. ............. ........ ..... .......... ................. . 2. Institutions of hi gher !earning t o enjoy academic freedom ................. 3 . 'Meaning of academic freedom ... .... ....................... ... ..... ......... ................. .. 4 . Importance of g uarantee of aca demic freedom ...................................... 5. Guarantee not a cademic licens e .... ....................... ....... .. ............. .............. 6. Right of every citizen to select a profession or cou n;~ of study ... . .. ... ... .. ..... ... .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. ... .. ..... ... .. .. .. ... ... .. .... .... .. ... .. .. .. .. .... 7. Right of teachers t o profession a l a dva ncement ...... ... .. .... .. .. ... ............... 8. Right of non-tea ching academic a n d non-academic per sonnel ........... . 9. State to assign the h ighest budget a ry priority to education................. .......... .................. ... ......................................... . 10. Duty of State to improve lot of t eachers .... ....... .................. ............. .... ..

455 456 456 157 457 458 458 460

461

461

LANGUAGE SECTION 6 1. 2.

3. 4. 5. 6.

Concept of lan guage .............. :......... ..... .... ............................... ................. .. Importance of la nguage ............................... ..... .......................... ........ .... .. National language is Filipino .. ..... .............................. .... ........................ .. Pilipino not immediately abrogated ...... ............ ..... .... ..... .............. ....... ... Need for a oHtionallanguage .. ..................... ... ........ ..... .... .... .................. .. . Use of Filipino as a medium of offici al communica tion and langu age of instruction .... ............................... ............................

462 462 462 463 464

464

SECTION 7 l.

2. 3. 4.

Official languages ofthe Philippines ...................... ................................ Need for communication skills in E nglish...... ...... .. ............................... . Auxiliary offi cia l languages.. .. ... ......... ................ .. .... .. ..... .... .. .............. .. ... Difference bet ween officia l la ng uage and national lan guage ...... ...... .. x.xxix

465 465 466 467

SECTION 8 1. 2.

Constitution oflicially promulgated in Filipino and English...... ........ . Translation and interpretation ............................... ..... .... .... ....................

467 467

SECTION 9 1.

National language

commi ~?s ion

to be

establi::;ht~d

..................................

46R

SCIENCE &'lD TECHNOLOGY SECTIONS 10-13 1. 2.

3. 4. 5.

Concept of science and technology ... ....................................................... . Science and technology essen tial for national development and progress . ................. . ................ ......................... .... Promotion of science and t echnology................. ...................................... Science and technology education and training ............ ................. ........ Right to inventions, etc ., to be secured...................... ............. .......... ......

469 469 4 71

4 72 473 '•,,,',,,

ARTS AND CULTURE

\.

\\

SECTION 14 1. 2.

3. 4.

Conceptofart sand culture... .. .. .. .. ..... .. ..................... .. ...... .. .... .................. Importance of culture ................................................................................ Promotion of cultu re .... .......... .... .... .................. .... ...................................... Preservation, enrichmen t, and dynamic evolution of a Filipino national culture........ .. .................................. .................

474 4 74 4 75

4 76

SECTIONS 15-16 1.

Cultural trea::;ures ofthe nation .............................. .. .. .......... ..................

4 78

SECTION 17 1.

Rights of indigenous cult ural communities.......... .......................... .......

4 79

SECTION 18 1.

Equal access to cultural opportunities....................................................

480

SPORTS SECTION 19 1. 2.

Concept of sports .......................... ................ .................... ......... ............... .. Promotion of s port;, ...... ............................ ....... ......... :...... .. .. .............. .........

480 48 0

ARTICLE XV -THE FAMILY SECTION 1 l.

Concept of family ...... ................................................. ......... ........................ xl

482

~-

Importance of the family to the State ................................................... .. The Filipino family, the fonr.clation of the nation ................................ . Sphere of law on fan1ily ........................................................................... ..

482

483 484

SECTION 2 1. 2.

Concept of marrid forcef8,616,536 with a growth rab of 2 a2'iL 1

1 ~See

TEX'l"SOOK 0~ THF.

6

PHILIPPl~E

CONSTlTCTION

,Zer _wl:lic!l th!:! jurisdiclion of

the ~tat~ .~~t.e.nds, but also the'f!Y~'=§..~nd J.ik~ "therein , a .~Lt.ain area. of.the

sea wJ~~c_h.ab.ut& upon itB coasts and the a ir space above it. Thus, the domain of the state may be described as terrestrial, ..... ·- . fl. uvial, . . maritiri1e, -- -4·- and C!erial. -~ ~-

~

The smallest s tate in point of territory is Vatican , located just outside the western boundary of Rome with a n area of on ly 1/() s quare mile or 0.43 squa r e kilometer. It would flt in Rizal Park in Manila. The Republic of Nau ru h as an area of about eight (8) square miles or 20 square kilometers . The former Sovi et Unjon 17 was t h e largest state in point of territory with its total la nd a rea of about 8,599, 776 square miles. Now, the biggest st.ate is Can ada, having a n a r ea of:~,852 , 000 square miles whi.ch covers a sur face n early as large as E urope. T h e Ph jlippines has a total land area of about 115,707 squar e miles or 299,681 :.>quare kilometers; 1-'(3) Q.ourrnment.- It refers to

th~~l:lcy__.thl:o a~h

which thc.Yt:ill_Qf!,he

~d, ex.£i.~~~~-~~:~ carried_Q..l_lt. The word is sometimes u~ e'a

to refer to the person or aggregate of th ose persons in whose ha nd::; a r e placed for t he time being t he function of political control. This "body of men" is usually spoken of as "~drn.i.uisir.awm . " The ordinary citizens of a country a r e a par t of the state, but a.re not par t of the government; a nd ( 4) .SD..uerdg.n.ty. - The term m ay be defin ed as the _8!J-_2.J:e.m_e_,P 9."~~er_ of the state> to.£Qm.111and a_~g _ e!lfor t enure. Monarchies a re fur ther classi· fted in to: · /_...r··· 1) Absolute mona.rch:y or one in which the ruler rilles by divine r ight; and

21 L imited monarchy or one in whkh the ruler rule1-:. in accordantt! w!th a constitution; ~W.\IIt ~~n-j~ c.,. .~~ lh J A•·t\~fa_cy or _pt~e in which political power is exercised by a fe w privil eged class which is known 11!-; an a ristocracy or oligarch y; and . .·D em?.lcracy L~\) or .P{te m - w h IC - h po1·ttl new Constitution on February 2, 1987. (Art. XVIII , Sec. 27.)

D. CONCEPT OF CONSTITUTION Meaning of constitution.

In its broad sense , the term constitution refers to "that body of rules and princj_p].e.s ia accu:r.er vice." Each citiY.tm shall rcndor the service in any of the program!~ or a combination thcrerof and t;uch senicc shall be 1.:redited in h is favor for the purpose of fulfilling educational requiremcommendation,:;. Su bsequently, RA. No. 7077 (,Tunc 27, 19911, the ucitizcn Armed Forces of the Philippine:; Resen· ist Act,'' was enacted . R.A. No. 916:1 (::;ee note 1 to Sec. 13.1 ame nded Sections 2 and a of Presidential Dccr~o No. l 706 ;ind Sections :JH and 39 of R.A. No. 7077.

TEXTBOOK

t)!\'

THE PHILIPPINE CO:-;"STITUTION

Sec. 6

Principle of separation of the church and State.

The principle of the SE>para tion of Church and State being inviolable (i.e., secured or protected from violation) is implied from the constitutional prohibitions that "no law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion" (Art. III, Sec. 5.1 and that "no public money or property shall ever be appropriated, applied, paid, or employed, directly or indirectly, for the use, benefit , or s upport of any sed, church, denomination, sectarian institution or system of n~ligion.'' (Art. VI , Sec. 29l21.) Settion 6 merely affirms this old constitutional principle. The principle simply mean s that the church is not to interfere in purely political matters or temporal aspects of man's life and the State, in purely matters of r elig ion and morals. which are the exclusive concerns of the other. 1 The demarcation line C'alls on the two institutions to "render unto Ceasar the t hings that are Ceasar's and unto God the things t hat are God's." Thi s is not as simple as it appears for the exact di vidir.g line between t he r espective domains or jurisdict ions of the Church and t he St~te has always been the subject matter of much disagreement.2 The term "church," as

us~d

in the Constitution, coYers all faiths .

Meaning of "establishment of religion clause.''

The ph•·ase "no law respecting an establishment of religion " h as been referred to a s the "establishment of religion clau se."3 In the words of

'Durin~ th e Sp11 nish !·egimf!. not only wa;; there no !>cpflrlltion of church and State, but the church arrogated unt u its;>lf powr:rs that properly be longed to the Sll:lte. Th~ church tolerated, and l t ) 80m!c' extent. perpctun~ d the abuses of the coloni al regi m e . The original ra ~ionale behi nd the separa tion was t hH;(·ording to th e gos p e l a!! falli ng with in its di ,·i ne missio n. In con nection wi t.h the Day of Prayt?r fo r the Nation held on September 2 1, 1999 i11it.iated by the Cath olic Church, t h e Archh i;;h"P of ~1anil a issued a circular giving th e main r-pn;on, so ul a nd body, spiritual a nd temporal; Fourth, because the ii . 132-133; see Aglipa~· Y.i> . Ruiz. 64 Phil. 20 1. 11 'ln a speech before the Manila Rotarians on July 24 , 1979, Jaime Cardinal Sin said: "The Church and tho State are two e ntities that play an importa nt role in our life. Let us keep them separate hy all means hut let us not interpre t se paration as segregation. Let us believe th al;;o th ~ concern of the influence of peen t h a t may lead children to j uvenile delinquE'ncy Without t heir parents guiding them, m a ny yo ung people arc led to go a 1:1 tray a nd to de,·elop di~t orted values and undesirable beha viors. Both the church and i h "' ~sistance andiur inccntiv~ to t h ose l:l ludf~nts who wi ll take t his tomponen t . Tht• RO TC i ~ made opt ional by t he Act.. The literru:y training .Yt!rt•ice' is de~i gnlld lo train s tud ents to b~>co r:-u• teachers of literacy. a nd numeracy :;kills to sc hoolchildren, out-uf·llchoolyoulh and ';: h ~ r ~e-gments of society. The ,·ir.·ic u·el/'are train ing :>til'l!ice refers to programs or acti\'itit· < t ~•.:l t ('·~·ntribute to the general we lfnn:: and betterment oflifc for communi tic:; or t.he ~nhan c.:-n:c·n t uf its facilitie$ , especially thoe devoted to improving health, education, cnvirc>n::lelit . .-rttrepreneurship, safety, r~c­ reation and rnol'als of the citizenry. The Commission on H igher Education !CHED •a na T ~chn u:al Education and Skills Development Authority !.i t Corazun C. Aqu ino, 1986-1992 and P resident Gloria Macapagal·Arroyo, 2001prcsen t .

AR'J'. H.- DECLARATION 01'' PR1NCII'U:S AND STATE POLICIES State Polici{!S

63

welfare and the country as a whole. It 1~ sirnpleases. The State has the obligation to promote and pro tect the right of the people to health. To better fulfill th is duty, it m ust instill health consciousn ess among the people. This topic is discus:sed lengthily under Article XUI (Social Justice and Human Rights), Soctions 11 to 13. SEC.16. The State shall protect and advance the right of the people to a balanced a nd healthful ecology in accord with the rhythm and harmony of nature. Right of the people to a balanced and healthful ecology.

Ecology is tha t branch of science th at dealH with the study of the interrelationships t1f living things (organis ms , pl ants and a nimal s! and their environments. (s ee Art. XII, Sec. 3. J (1) Causes of' environm ental degradation. -The Constitution, in Section 16, takes cognizance of the continuing degrad ation of the Philippine environment which has become a matter of national concern caused by r a pid urbanizai.ion (migration of peopie from rural area.;; to urban centersJ, industrial g rowth, population expansion, na tural r esources utilization, the us e of modern technology, and ot.her socio-economic factors, and consequently, the need for at1 environmental protection program to prevent further injury an.d/or damage to plant and a nimal life and property and, more important, to protect human life, health and safety.'

( 2 ) Effect on quality of life.- Many people today are u nable t!:' wol'lu.wide attention to the importance of sustaining the environment and enhancing the political actwn to protect its lite-supporting features.

66

TEXTBOOK

0~

THE PH!LIPf>lNE CONSTITUTIOl"

::lcr ;;. 17-20

SEC. 17. The State shall give priority to education, science and t echnology, arts, culture, and sports to foster patriotism and n ationalism , accelerate social progress, and promote total human liberation and develop ment. Priority to education, science and technology, arts, culture and sports.

Thi::-; topic is discussed under Article XIV with the above subj ects as title.

SEC. 18. The State affirms labor as a primary social economic force. It shall protect thE' rights of workers aud promote their welfare. Labor as a primary social economic force.

This topic is discussed under Article Xl ll 1 Social Rights), Section 3.

Ju~ti ctJ

and Human

SEC. 19. The State shall d e velop a self-reliant and independ· ent national economy effectively controlled by Filipinos. Self-reliant and independent national economy.

Section 19 states the Co)n;stitutiona] guidelines in the development of the economy: economic s!:!lf-reliance, independent national economy, a nd effective F ilipino control of the economy. This topic is di1;eussed in detail under Article XII (National Economy and P atrimony), Section J.

SEC. 20. The State recognizes the indispe nsable role of the private sector, encourages private e nterprise, and provides incentives to needed investme nts. Rote of the private sector in the economy.

In r ecognition of the jndispens able role of th ~ private sector as the main engine of economic development, tht' S t a t e is · mandated to encourage private enterprise and to provide incentives to needed investments, whether local or foreign. The Constit ution does n'Jt fa vor an economy managed or controlled by the State. Governme nt is often con.:,idered a poor manager . Controls breed corruption and d iscourage business. They play favorites, thus discouraging those not favored. Under the principle of subsidiary adoi-'ted by the Cons titution in the a bove provision, the government should not engage in particular busi ness

Sees. 21-22

ART. II. -DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES AND STATE POLICIES State Policies

67

activities which can be competently and efficiently undertaken by the private sector unless the latter is timid or does not want to enter into a specific industry or enterprise. (see Art. XII, Sec. 6.) The government was not established to engage in bu:)iness. The duty of the State is to make the economy a system fot free and private ente1·prise with the least government intenention in business affairs. This topic is discussed fully under Article XII (National Economy and Patrimony), Sections 1, 2, 6, 10, 16, 17, and 18.

SEC. 21. The State shall promote comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform. Comprehensive rural development and agrarian reform.

"Comprehensive rural development" covers all phases of rural development- economic, social, political, cultural, and even industrial. This topic is discussed under Article XIII (Social Justice and Human Rights), Sections 4 to 8 and Article XII (National Economy and Patrimony), Section l.

SEC. 22. The State recognizes and promotes the 1·ights of indigenous cultural communities within the framework of national unity and development. Rights of indigenous cultural communities.

As used in the Constitution. the term "indigenous cultural communities" refers to those non-dominant groups 1 in our country which possess and wish to preserve ethnic, religious, or linguistic traditions or characteristics markedly different from the rest of the population. 2 Section 22 recognizes constitutionally the existence and the rights of the indigenous cultural communities. It directs the State to promote their rights within the framework of national unity and development. Thus, the State is bound to consider the customs, traditions, beliefs and interests of indigenous cultural minorities in the formulation and implementation of state policies and programs. In a multi-ethnic society like ours, the above

'They c:onsist of about sixty-three (63) ethni~· or tnbal gToup;; scattered throughout the country from Batanes inhabited by lvatan tribe; lii Saranggani inhabited by Samals. About half of the members of these tri~al group;; lu:>lon.,: :v :hE' )lu;;lirn group that dominates the provinces of Cotabato, Lanao, ~uln. Zamb•langa. and Basilan. 2See Committe,; on National Integration Report :\o. 1, Annex B-1, p. 1, Feb. 2, 1972, 1971 Constitutional Convention Se~ Pre;;ide:mial Denee No. 1414 (June 9, 1978).

TEXTBOOK ON THf necessary in promoting the goal of national unity and devel opment.3 (see Art. XVI , Sec. 12.) Under the provision, the government may even enact laws especially for them taking into account their customs, traditions, belie fs, and intel·ests.4

SEC. 23. The State shall encourage non-governmental, community-based, or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation. Non-governmental, community-based or sectoral organizations.

The State is required to encourage these organizations because recent events have shown that, under responsible leadership, they ca n be active contributors to the political, social , and economic growth of the country. It should r efrain from any actuation t hat would tend to interfere or subvert the rights of these organizations which in the words of the Constitution are community-based or sectoral organizations that promote the welfare of the nation . This topic is discussed at length under Article XIII (Social Justice and Human Righb; ), Sections 15 and 16 which categorically state the role and rights of people's organizations as vehicles to enable the people to part.icipate and intervene meaningfully and effective ly in decisions which direL"tly affect their lives.

SEC. 2'1. The State recognizes the vital role of communication a nd information in nation-building.

·'The Phili ppinns, perhaps owing lto its >t rnous People.

Sees. 25-26

ART. IJ.- DECL.-\RAT!ON OF PRIN CIPL}:S AN D STATE POLICH~~ St at e Polici~>

69

Vital role of communication and information in nation-building. Communication and information , a~ U!-;t'ld above, include not only print or broadcast media (radio and television) bu t als o motion pictures , advertising, cabl e, tele phone and teleg•·aph. 1 Those mean~ of communication designed to gath er a nd convey ne\\'S or inform ation to the public are called P.J.jlf?.S . Tf~ because they reach the mass of the people. (see Art. XVI, Sec. · 11[1]. ) That t hey play a critical role in nation-building is very obvious . (1 ) Form ation of an enlightened c:itizenr:y. - Mass media ~h ape people's thoughts and beliefs , their attitudes and va lues. In a country like the Philippines composed of people with diverse cultures, they can be an effective instrument in promoting nat iona l integration and preserving Filipino values and t raditions. By educating the citizenry on important pubHc issues, they also he lp create a s trong, vigilant and enligh tened public opinion so essential to the successful opera tion of a t'epublican democracy. (2 I Promotion o(efficienc,'}' and economy in government. a.nd business. In fo r mation and comm unication can be used to li nk our geographically dispersed population and help effect fas ter delivery of educational, medical, and oth er public services in remote areas of the country. In a ny organization , ready information maximizes int~rnal elfkiency. Partjcularly in busi ness, il reduces cost of production and services.

(3) Developm ent of society. - On the mater ial side , it is diffic ult to im agine a progressive country, in today's wn-:-ld of hi gh -tech computers , internets, cyherc;pace and informat.ion highways, vvith antiquated communication a nd information structures. In the l f.Li>t few years, the world ha s witne ssed a steady stream of technological progress in this fie ld. The Philippines must keep abreast of communicaLion innov·ations but a t t he same time be selective and discriminating Lo insure t hat only t.ho~:~e "suita ble to the needs a nd aspira t ions of th e nation" !Ibid.; Sec. 10.) Hrr. adapted. Utilized and m nnap.;ed wise ly and e fficiently, communication and informat ion are very u~;e ful tools for the fH.:onomic, social, cul tural and political d evel cpment. of society.

SEC. 25. T he State s hall ensur e the autonomy nfl o c~ I go,·ernm ent s . Autonomy of local governments. T his topic is

discus s(~d

in Articl e X (Local Gr.n·ernmr.nt l.

SEC. 26. Th e S t ate sh a ll guarantee equ a l access to opportun ities for public serv ice, and p rohibit political dynasties a s may be defined by law. 1 1'elecommunication companie:; that me rt> ly sl'ne all carriers lor tnm!'mitting spl:'cific messngcs to sp ecific addressees (.IT reci p ient~ a re public u tili t.ies (Art . XII. Sec. 11. l, m •t ma ss media.

7()

TEXTBOOK ON THE

PH I LIPPT~ E

CONSTITCTION

Sec. 26

Equal access to opportunities for public service.

This topic is discussed under Article VI (Legjslat.ive D~partment), Sections 4, 5, and 7 and Article X (Local Governmen ti, Section 8. Addition ally:

Limitation of terms of office. - The provisions li miting the ter ms of offi ce of elective officials (President, Vice-President, Senators , Representatives, and local officials) enha nce equal access to political opportunities although they ma y not completely do a way with the evils s pawned by political dynasties that proliferated i.1. th e country in the past. With his political and economic r esources, an elective official can have a close kin or trusted foll ower run for the same position and continue to exercise control through the latter. Hence, the need for a declaration expressly prohibiting political dynasties. (1)

Prohibition of political dynasties. - The constitutional policy on the prohibition of political dynasties expresses a national commitment to democratize election and appointment to positiuns in the government and eliminate a principal obs tacle t o "equal a ccess to opportunities for public ser vice." It is not uncommon to have most of the top e lective positions in a province (or city l down to the barangays occupied by one family and close relatives of t he fa mily members. Politicia ns form husband-wife teams, or father-mother, son -daughter t eams and hold to elective posiLiC'ns for decades. The dominance of political fa milies in the past not only kept more deserving but poor individuals from running or winning in elections; it also enabled powerful a nd affluent politicians to corner appointive po~ition s for their relatives and foll ow ers as if th ey alone are gifte d with the ability to serve the country . 1 (2)

(3) Prohibition con stitutionally m andated. - Th e law imp lem en ting the constitutional policy shall define what constitutes political dyna3ties , having in mind the evils sought to be e t·adicated an d the! nted to ins ure the widest possible hase for the se lection of elective go\·ernment officials regardless of political, economic. and social status. Xo~ e that the State is expressly mandated to prohibit "pol i~ ical dynasti es:· Congr e ::;~ ha:s no discretion on the matter except merely to spe ll out the meaning and scope of the t erm.

1 'fhe m ulti-party system (see Art. IX·C, Sec. 6 .J is designed not only to guarantee wider access to opportuni ties for public s cr·vicc but it is also mea nt t o do away with politica l dynasties as en uncia ted in Section 26, togeth er with th e te rm li mits impose d lik ewisP. by the Constitutio·n on elective public officials. (sec ArL. VI, Sees. 4. 1: Art. VII, Sec. 4; Art. X, Sec. 8.) As n oted above, h owe ver, the membe rs of the political clan , because cflh eir political clout, are th e ones who get elected, and those who a r A not elected, get a ppoi n ted to h igh positions in the nalional government.

Sec. 27

ART. ll.- DECLARATION OF PRlNClPLES AND STATE POLICIES State l'olicie~

71

SEC. 27. The State shall maintain honesty and integrity in the public service And take positive and effective measures against graft and ~o.rruption. Honesty and integrity in public service. ( 1) The perennial problem of graft and corruption. - In the Philippines, every new administration since the postwar period has made a pledge to eradicate graft and corruption in government. The popular perception, however, is that this baneful ill has become more rampant and sophisticated through the years. To be sure, the above provision was incorporated in the Constitution because of revelations of "unprecedented magnitude" of graft and corruption allegedly perpetrated by officials in the highe~:;t drcle of the government during a previous regime. ( 2) Ways to attach problem . - The malady of graft and corruption must he eliminated or at least minin1ized to a tolerable degree because of the staggering amount of public money that has been lost through it. What is needed is moralleadet·ship by example on the part of the top officials in the government and a continuing, uncompromising, well-coordinated campaign against all forms of dishonesty and venality in the public service which have considerably slowed down thE: socio-economic progress of our country. Having honest Presidents with the best of intentions is nni enough to reduce corruption to minimal proportion. This perennial problem cannot be solved by mere empty promises and congressional inquiries, but by prosecuting without fear or favor and putting behind bars so-called '"big fishe s'' found to be involved as concrete examples of the government's determin a tion to achieve decency in the public ::;ervice.

Any campaign against this scourge of society will be made more effective if accompanied by a morality cru~:;ade. 1 (3) Need for honesty and integrity in public: service. - The ful fillment of the constitutional mandate will go a long way in strengthening the

'Exec. Order No. 314 (April :10, 2004), a~ a mended by Exec. Order N o. 317 >June 8, 2004). creates th~ Prc»idential Commi!!!don on Va lues Formation (PCVF), ht-tlderl h.\' the l'n~sident as Chairper;;on . The PCVF "!'lhall servf'1Y'.--:' !v .

-- oOo-

Article Ill BILL OF RIGHTS

Concept of a bill of rights. ~Jilll.Jlir.ig}J!Ji_may

be defined as a declaration and enumeration of a

pcr~nd privileges which the Constitution is designed to protect

agamst violations by the government, or by an individual or groups of individuals. It is a charter of liberties for the individual and a limitation upon the power of the State. 1 Its basis is the social importance accorded to the individual in a democratic or republican state, the belief that every human being has intrinsic dignity ~.nd worth which must be respected and safeguarded. The new Constitution incorporates in Article Ill all the basic rights in the former Charter. It also awards new rights to the individual. (see Sees. 8, 11, 12, 13, 18[1], 19.) Classes of rights.

The rights that a citizen of a democratic into:

state~enjoys

may be classified

Natural rights. -They are those rights possessed by every citizen without being grantea by the State for they are given to man by God as a human being created to His image so that he may live a happy life. Examples are the right to life and the right to Jove; (1)

(2) Constitutional rights. -They are those rights which are conferred and protected by tne Cot'iStitution. Since they are part of the fundamental law, they cannot be modified or taken away by the law-making body; and (3) S,tatutG•ry rights. They are those rights which are provided by laws promulgated by tne law-making body and. consequently, may be abolished by the same body. Examples are the right to receive a minimum wage and the right to adopt a child by an unrelated person.

'See 1 Cooley 534-535: 3 Black, Constitutiona! Law. :3rc.l ed, pp. 9-10.

73

74

'T'EXT BOOK ON THE PHILTPPI:-.E CONSTITUTION

Classification of constitutional rights.

The human rights secured hy the Constituti on include social and economic rights not just political and civi I rights . They are as follows: ( 1) Political rights. ··- They are such rights of the citizens which give :-----...,...._ them tne power to participate, dir ectly or indirectly, in the establishment or administration of the government. 2 Among these rights are the right of citiz enship (Art. IV.), the right of suffrage (Art. V. ), and the right to information on matters of public concern (Sec. 7. ); (2) ()uil 1jgl]J.s. -They are those rights which the law will enforce at the insta;-ceof private individuals for t he purpose of securing to them the enjoyment of their means of happiness.;; They include the rights to due process and equal protection (Jf t he laws (Sec. 1. ); the rights against involuntary servitude (Sec. 18f 21.) and imprisonment for non-paymE.>nt of debt or a poll tax (Sec. 20 .); the constitutional rights of the accused I Sees. 11 to 22); the social and economic rights (in.f'ra .J; religious freedom t Sec. 5 !: iiberty of abode a nd of changing the same (S(':and the right again:;t impairment of obligation of a contract . (Sec. 10.) F reedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, the right of assembly a nd petition, and the right to form associations (Sees. 4, 8.) a re likewise civil rights. However, they partake of the nature of political rights when they are utilized as a means to participate in the government; (3 ) Social and economic rights. -They include those rights which are intended to insure the well-being and economic security of the individu~ll. The right to property (Sec. 1. ) and the right. to just compensation for private property taken for public use lSec. 9.) belong more appropriately under this third category of r ights. They are also provided in the articles dealing with the promotion of social justice (Art. XIIU, the conservation and utilization of natural r(~sources (Art. XII, Sec. 2. ), and the promotion of education (Art. XIV, Sees. 1. 2, 5[ 4, 51. ), :>cience and technology (Ibid., Sees. 10-13.), and arts and culture. ([bid., Sees. 17. 18.) Political and civil rights can have meaning only if co ncrete mt>asures are taken to breathe life and substan ~e t.o social and economic rights which include cu ltural rights; 4 a nd (4) Rights of the accused. - They are the (civill rights intended for t he protection of a person accused of any crime, like the right a gainst unrea'-Vs he may produce; and ·

(4) The warrant must partit:ula rly describE- th e place to be :::earched, and the persons or things to be seized. The law prohibits the issuance of a seal'ch warrc.nt fur more than one :specific offe nse. 7

56 c ..J. 1166. ' He::.t cr ,., .Un ited States. 205 U.S. 57. '•Ex Parte Johnson, 96 U.S. 727; sec Sec. all). ';Only the judge C!lll validly determine the existence of probable cause for the issuance of a war ran t of a rrest or search warrant and he must $0 det.e:-mine per;;onally. 7 Rules (If Court, Rule 126, Sec. 3. Such a s for "illegal traffic of narcotics and contraband'' which is a generic tf'rm covering all f{Oods exported from or imported into the country contrary to a pplicable f;latntes. N't~cessarily' t hen, more tha n one o ff~nse could arise from the activ ity designated. (C•1stro vs. P;lba.lan, L-281i42, April 30, 1976.) 3

ART. III. - BILL OF RIGHTS

8 :~

Meaning of probable cause.

By probah~ Cf4M~Ke is meant such facts and circumstances antecedent to the issuance of a warrant sufficie nt in themselves to induce a cautious man to rely upon them and act in pursuance thereof. 8 It·presupposes the introduction of competent proof that the party against whom a warrant is sought to be issued has performed particular acts, or committed specif'ic omissions, violating a given provision of our criminal laws ." Sufficiency of affidavit upon which warrant is. based. I

)'he true test of suffi ciency of an affidavit to warrant issuance of a settrch warrant is whether it had been'drawn in such manner that perjury could be charged thereon and affiant be held liable for damages caused. Thus, where it was shown that in the application sworn to, the affiant made his own personal inves tigation, and testified that at his own knowledge , he knew that the accused was lending money without a license, cha r ging us urious r ates of in ter est , a nd was keeping and using books of accounts and records rela tive to h is activities as money lender, his affidavit was considered sufficient for he could be liable for perjury if the facts turned out to be not as stated under oath. 10 'fhe affidavit is .insufficient if it is based on mere information and belief, or on mere hearsay .11 Sufficiency of description. (1 ) .El~e._. - A description ofthe place to be searched is sufficient if th e officer with a s earch warrant can. with reasonable effort , ascertain a nd identify the place intended. Thus, it has been held that the description of the building to be searched as "building No. 123 Rizal Avenue, Manila .. is a sufficient designation of th e premises to be searched .12 (2) Person. -As a rule, a wa rrant of arrest for the apprehension of an unnamed party upon whom it is to be served is void except. in those cases where it contains a description of the person or such as will enable the officer to identify the accused. Accordingly, in a case where the search warrant stated that John Doe (used when the name of the person is unknown ) had gambling apparat u s in his possession in the building occu-

"Al va rez vs. CFI, 66 Phil. 33; U.S . vs. Addison. 2H PhiL :36o. ~La Chemise Lacoste If>'. FernAnde:.:, 129 SCRA :l7J. ~fa,· :21. 1984 ; Stonehill vs. Diokno, ?,() SCRA :383, June 19, 1967. Thi~ degree of proof i>- lower than prima facie. (see S€c. 14[2]; Art. XVlll, Sec. 26, par. 2.) l"Yec Sue Koy vs. Almeda, 70 Phil. 141. ~ 'Alvarez vs. CFI. 64 Phil. 3:3. 1 ~Peoplc vs. Veloso, 48 Phil. 169.

Tlf thE:! property to be seized, the description mul::lt be rath et:··general, it is no t r equi red that a technical description be given as thiR would mean no search warrant could issue. Thus , in a case, the dc::;cription "that there are being kept in said premisc~s hooks, receipts, lists, charts and other pap ~~rs used by him in connection \Vith his acti vities as money lender , charging e!~anp~ c1.d'!-~.P!..