PHILIPPINE BILL OF RIGHTS IN GENERAL

Introduction

Philippines' long journey of chains and oppression from the past rulers and colonizers has added vibrant colors to what is called now the Philippine Bill of Rights. Being a good location for port traders, the Philippines as a result had been colonized by the Spanish for almost 300 years. Also, numerous wars were surpassed by the Filipinos to fight for the freedoms and rights that we experiencing today. Thus, this Bill is actually an achievement for us Filipinos. It manifests our victory over oppression and inequality.

Philippines' Bill of Rights changes through time and the most recent development so far is the 1987 Bill of Rights as contained in Article III of the 1987 Constitution. 

This was drafted by the Philippine Constitutional Commission in 1986 following the downfall of the then President Ferdinand Marcos and the first people power revolution. The Philippine Constitution is mostly patterned with the American Constitution, so as well as its provisions on the Bill of rights are also and almost patterned with this. 

The Bill of Rights along with the whole part of the Constitution was ratified by the people in a plebiscite held in 1987. Hence, the start of the major changes and development to the rights and freedom of the Filipinos.

The Bill of Rights

Bill of rights as defined and quoted in the case of PBM Employees Organization v. Philippine Blooming Mills, G.R. No. L-31195, June 5, 1973, is the series of prescriptions setting forth the fundamental civil and political rights of the individual and imposing limitations on the powers of government as a means of securing the enjoyment of those rights. The Bill of rights is designed to preserve the ideals of liberty, equality, and security against the assaults of opportunism, the expediency of the passing hour, the erosion of small encroachments, and the scorn and derision of those who have no patience with general principles.

This definition only points out the rights of the people against abuse by the State. The State is so powerful that people tend to shut their mouths and not to speak their minds in fear of conviction.

Absolute power can be oppressive and abusive. That is why the Bill of Rights is made just to protect the people of the State who are in the inmost weakest and vulnerable situations.

Civil Rights

Philippine Bill of Rights guarantees Civil rights to the people. History shows how Filipinos are abused by the Government in denying fundamental rights to own land and properties. Discrimination is so vulgar in terms of status in society and inequality of rights. People can't even have the right to travel or to have privacy. There's even no process on how to defend one's self. Homes have no privacy for the government intrusions as well as properties can be seized at any time. Courts are somehow inaccessible and bias. Companies and contracts are managed by the government. People's secrets and privacy can be known by the government. There's a lot of civil rights violations before this Bill of Rights is enforced. Maybe I am not here and publishing this article if we did not achieve this Bill because people then have no right or freedom of expression.

Political Rights

These guaranteed rights refer to the right to participate, directly or indirectly,  in the establishment or administration of government. 

These rights protects us from being muted and disinterested with the management of the government. We are now vested with the power to vote and be elected in government positions. The government is not a government of men but of laws,  and the power should not be concentrated on one ruler or dictator. That is why this part of the bill of rights is very important to us Filipinos. We have obtained our rights to suffrage and to hold office. These rights opened opportunities for those who are willing to serve the government of laws and not of men. 

In the next article, we will discuss the rights that are specifically granted by the constitution.