PREAMBLE

We, the sovereign Filipino people, imploring the aid of Almighty God, in order to build a just
and humane society, and establish a Government that shall embody our ideals and aspirations,
promote the common good, conserve and develop our patrimony, and secure to ourselves and
our posterity, the blessings of independence and democracy under the rule of law and a
regime of truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and peace, do ordain and promulgate this
Constitution.
ARTICLE III
BILL OF RIGHTS
Section 1. No person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law,
nor shall any person be denied the equal protection of the laws.
Section 2. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects
against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and for any purpose shall be
inviolable, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue except upon probable cause
to be determined personally by the judge after examination under oath or affirmation of the
complainant and the witnesses he may produce, and particularly describing the place to be
searched and the persons or things to be seized.
Section 3. (1) The privacy of communication and correspondence shall be inviolable except
upon lawful order of the court, or when public safety or order requires otherwise, as
prescribed by law.
(2) Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall be inadmissible
for any purpose in any proceeding.
Section 4. No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the
press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for
redress of grievances.
Section 5. No law shall be made respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the
free exercise thereof. The free exercise and enjoyment of religious profession and worship,
without discrimination or preference, shall forever be allowed. No religious test shall be
required for the exercise of civil or political rights.
Section 6. The liberty of abode and of changing the same within the limits prescribed by law
shall not be impaired except upon lawful order of the court. Neither shall the right to travel be
impaired except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be
provided by law.
Section 7. The right of the people to information on matters of public concern shall be
recognized. Access to official records, and to documents and papers pertaining to official
acts, transactions, or decisions, as well as to government research data used as basis for
policy development, shall be afforded the citizen, subject to such limitations as may be
provided by law.
Section 8. The right of the people, including those employed in the public and private sectors,
to form unions, associations, or societies for purposes not contrary to law shall not be
abridged.
Section 9. Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.
Section 10. No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.
Section 11. Free access to the courts and quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance
shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty.
Section 12. (1) Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have
the right to be informed of his right to remain silent and to have competent and independent
counsel preferably of his own choice. If the person cannot afford the services of counsel, he
must be provided with one. These rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the
presence of counsel.
(2) No torture, force, violence, threat, intimidation, or any other means which vitiate the free
will shall be used against him. Secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado, or other
similar forms of detention are prohibited.
(3) Any confession or admission obtained in violation of this or Section 17 hereof shall be
inadmissible in evidence against him.
(4) The law shall provide for penal and civil sanctions for violations of this section as well as
compensation to and rehabilitation of victims of torture or similar practices, and their
families.
Section 13. All persons, except those charged with offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua
when evidence of guilt is strong, shall, before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, or
be released on recognizance as may be provided by law. The right to bail shall not be
impaired even when the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus is suspended. Excessive bail
shall not be required.
Section 14. (1) No person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due process
of law.

(2) In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is
proved, and shall enjoy the right to be heard by himself and counsel, to be informed of the
nature and cause of the accusation against him, to have a speedy, impartial, and public trial, to
meet the witnesses face to face, and to have compulsory process to secure the attendance of
witnesses and the production of evidence in his behalf. However, after arraignment, trial may
proceed notwithstanding the absence of the accused provided that he has been duly notified
and his failure to appear is unjustifiable.
Section 15. The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended except in cases
of invasion or rebellion when the public safety requires it.
Section 16. All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all
judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.
Section 17. No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.
Section 18. (1) No person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and
aspirations.
(2) No involuntary servitude in any form shall exist except as a punishment for a crime
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.
Section 19. (1) Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman
punishment inflicted. Neither shall the death penalty be imposed, unless, for compelling
reasons involving heinous crimes, the Congress hereafter provides for it. Any death penalty
already imposed shall be reduced to reclusion perpetua.
(2) The employment of physical, psychological, or degrading punishment against any
prisoner or detainee or the use of substandard or inadequate penal facilities under subhuman
conditions shall be dealt with by law.
Section 20. No person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax.
Section 21. No person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offense. If
an act is punished by a law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either shall
constitute a bar to another prosecution for the same act.
Section 22. No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.

ARTICLE V
DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS OF CITIZENS
Section 1. It shall be the duty of the citizen to be loyal to the Republic and to honor the
Philippine flag, to defend the State and contribute to its development and welfare, to uphold
the Constitution and obey the laws, and to cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in
the attainment and preservation of a just and orderly society
Section 2. The rights of the individual impose upon him the correlative duty to exercise them
responsibly and with due regard for the rights of others.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of every citizen to engage in gainful work to assure himself and
his family a life worthy of human dignity.
Section 4. It shall be the obligation of every citizen qualified to vote to register and cast his
vote.
UNITED NATIONS PRINCIPLES ON HUMAN RIGHTS
Universality and Inalienability: Human rights are universal and inalienable. All people
everywhere in the world are entitled to them. The universality of human rights is
encompassed in the words of Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “All
human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights.”
Indivisibility: Human rights are indivisible. Whether they relate to civil, cultural, economic,
political or social issues, human rights are inherent to the dignity of every human person.
Consequently, all human rights have equal status, and cannot be positioned in a hierarchical
order. Denial of one right invariably impedes enjoyment of other rights. Thus, the right of
everyone to an adequate standard of living cannot be compromised at the expense of other
rights, such as the right to health or the right to education.
Interdependence and Interrelatedness: Human rights are interdependent and interrelated. Each
one contributes to the realization of a person’s human dignity through the satisfaction of his
or her developmental, physical, psychological and spiritual needs. The fulfilment of one right
often depends, wholly or in part, upon the fulfilment of others. For instance, fulfilment of the
right to health may depend, in certain circumstances, on fulfilment of the right to
development, to education or to information.

Equality and Non-discrimination: All individuals are equal as human beings and by virtue of
the inherent dignity of each human person. No one, therefore, should suffer discrimination on
the basis of race, colour, ethnicity, gender, age, language, sexual orientation, religion,
political or other opinion, national, social or geographical origin, disability, property, birth or
other status as established by human rights standards.
Participation and Inclusion: All people have the right to participate in and access information
relating to the decision-making processes that affect their lives and well-being. Rights-based
approaches require a high degree of participation by communities, civil society, minorities,
women, young people, indigenous peoples and other identified groups.
Accountability and Rule of Law: States and other duty-bearers are answerable for the
observance of human rights. In this regard, they have to comply with the legal norms and
standards enshrined in international human rights instruments. Where they fail to do so,
aggrieved rights-holders are entitled to institute proceedings for appropriate redress before a
competent court or other adjudicator in accordance with the rules and procedures provided by
law. Individuals, the media, civil society and the international community play important
roles in holding governments accountable for their obligation to uphold human rights.
UNFPA supports the integration of human rights standards into all stages of its programming
framework, including:
Analyzing the immediate, underlying and structural causes of human rights violations
Setting strategies and goals to address the main causes of human rights violations and to
empower the most vulnerable people as well as to reinforce the capacity of duty bearers.
Supporting initiatives for the establishment or improvement of an enabling legal and social
framework on population and development, reproductive health and gender equality
Following the recommendations of UN treaty bodies such as the Committee on the
Elimination of Discrimination Against Women
Evaluating and monitoring programmes with participatory processes and using human rights
indicators
UNFPA also recognizes that a rights-based approach should be founded on an analysis of
gender and social exclusion to ensure that programmes reach marginal and vulnerable
segments of the population, especially poor women and young people.

FLAG HERALDIC CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES

R.A. No. 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, “reverence and respect shall
at all times be accorded the flag, the anthem and other national symbols which embody the
national ideals and traditions and which express the principles of sovereignty and national
solidarity.”
R.A. No. 8491 states that the flag shall be displayed in all public buildings, official
residences, public plazas, and institutions of learning every day throughout the year. The flag
ceremony shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the
Philippine National Anthem, with the assembly standing in formation facing the flag.
The moment the first note of the anthem is heard, everyone in the premises shall come to
attention and place their right palms over their chests; moving vehicles shall stop; those with
hats shall uncover; while those in military, scouting, security guard, and citizens military
training uniforms shall give salute prescribed by their regulations.
Additionally, the law forbids any act or omission that mutilates, tramples, or casts dishonor or
ridicule upon the flag. Using the flag as tablecloth, drapery, or covering for ceilings, statues,
and other objects; displaying the flag under any painting or picture or below any platform; as
well as wearing the flag, in whole or in part, as a costume or uniform, is not allowed. The law
also prohibits adding any word, figure, mark, design picture, advertisement, drawing, or
imprint of any nature on the flag.
Furthermore, R.A. No. 8491 also forbids printing, painting, or attaching representations of the
flag on handkerchiefs, napkins, cushions, and other articles of merchandise or using and
displaying the flag as part of any advertisement or infomercial.
Per Presidential Proclamation No. 374 s. 1965, 28 May of every year is declared as “National
Flag Day” to commemorate the first unfurling of the flag after the Philippine Revolutionary
Army defeated the Spanish forces in the Battle at Alapan, Imus, Cavite in 1898.
On 23 May 1994, Executive Order No. 179 was issued extending the period of celebrating
National Flag Day from 28 May to 12 June. During this period, all offices, agencies, and
instrumentalities of government, business establishments, learning institutions, and private
homes are encouraged to proudly display the Philippine flag.

GOOD CITIZENSHIP
All Filipinos must be Good Citizens.
1. All Filipinos are citizens of our republic
2. All Filipinos must live according to these values, whether rich or poor, young or old,
Catholic ,Muslim or Protestant
3. We must live according to these values in all our actions, at all times, in all
circumstances.
Good Citizenship Contributes to Nation-building
1. Living according to these values is not going to be easy.
2. However, living according these values will bring good fruit
3. The good fruit of good citizenship actions will not only benefit us personally but will
benefit our country as well.
4. The good fruit of good citizenship action is what contributes to nation-building.

Good Citizenship Engenders Love of Country

1. Good citizenship action, no matter how small, contribute to nation-building
2. Through their good citizenship action:
a. Even poor can contribute to nation-building
b. Even children can contribute to nation-building
3. In good citizenship action we show our love for our country.
4. Through good citizenship actions we develop our sense of nation hood, which has
heretofore eluded us, as a people.
Good Citizenship Engenders Unity.
1. Our core Filipino values are out values.
2. A sense of our shared values can be strong force to unite us, as a people despite our
difference.
3. Citizenship based on shared values can be a basis for unity.
The Urgency of Living According to our Filipino Values.
1. More urgently, our nation is plagued by myriad of social ills;, corruption, criminality,
gambling, drugs, violence, dirty politics etc.
2. These social ills are destroying our country and bringing untold suffering to our
people.
3. The root cause of all these social ills is our loss of moral values.
 4. The only way to root out these social ills is to go back to our values and be a good
citizens.

Our Filipino Values

Section 1-A Promotion of the Filipino Values embodied in the Preamble of the 1987
1. The value of being maka-Diyos, which encompasses faith in the almighty
2. the Value of being maka-tao, which include truth, justice, freedom, love, equality, and
peace.
3. the Value of being maka-bayan, which includes respect for law, the government of the
Republic of the Philippines and its instrumentalities, patriotism, promotion of the common
good and building a just and humane society
4. the Value of being maka-kalikasan, which involves the conversation and development of
our patrimony.

Voter Citizenship Education

Voter education can have an important impact on integrity. In addition to the dissemination
of balanced and objective information on what voters need to know in order to exercise
their right to vote, such as what time the polls open, on what day, the offices that are being
contested and how to mark a valid ballot, voter education usually provides information
about the electoral process and why voting is important. In some countries it is an integral
part of the larger civic education programmes which they undertake to educate their
citizens.

Voter education is supposed to be targeted at promoting the participation of an informed

and responsible citizenry. Voters need to understand their rights and responsibilities under
their constitution and election law so that they can fulfill their obligations in an informed
manner. According to Civitas, voter education should also 'nurture competent and
responsible participation. Such participation involves more than just attempting to influence
public policy. Competent and responsible participation must be based upon moral
deliberation, knowledge and reflective inquiry'.
There seems to be consensus that building a democratic culture is an important key to the
protection of a free and fair election, and that is why in many democracies voter education
starts even in elementary schools as part of the basic civic education program. The rationale
behind this is that students can relay important information to their parents, as well as
understand their role in a democracy when they become eligible for voting.

Badly designed or nonexistent voter education program can create integrity problems. Too
optimistic messages on the ease of voting can lead voters to unrealistic expectations on the
time they need to allow to, for example, wait in line at the polls. Or badly designed
messages on election security could increase voter feelings of insecurity.

Voter education is expected to provide factual information for voters in a neutral way so
they can participate knowledgeably. If voter education has a partisan content, it is more like
political propaganda, which is primarily designed to influence public opinion and build
support for a particular position or candidate. Voter education can provide factual
information for voters in a neutral way so they can participate knowledgeably.

In many countries, voter education also provides information for voters with special needs
so they know how they can participate and where they can get assistance. These can be
citizens abroad who need to know if they are eligible and able to vote overseas, or it can be
physically handicapped voters who need special access facilities.

Information needed to participate

Integrity requires that voters be able to participate on an equal basis with all other voters.
One of the responsibilities of electoral managers is to ensure that voters receive the basic
information needed to participate equally - for example: when, where and how to register
and to vote; what documents they will have to bring; how to mark a ballot so that it is valid
and can be counted accurately. All of this information has important integrity ramifications.
For example, if voters do not know where to register, they might not be able to vote on
election day.

In most democracies election managers have the responsibility to ensure that all citizens
receive this basic information and that it is neutral in content and nonpartisan in
presentation. In some systems they can be assisted by civil society groups, either officially
or by voluntary work done by these NGOs. In South Africa, for instance, accreditation by
the Election Commission is required to provide voter education. Only those applicants who
meet the Commission's standards and who can promote 'voter education and conditions
conducive to free and fair elections' will receive accreditation. The Commission's standards
include ability to conduct activities effectively, impartially, independent of registered
parties or candidate contesting the election. The applicant must also subscribe to the code
governing persons accredited to provide voter education. 184
Information needed to make an informed choice

The integrity of the election outcome depends on voters being able to make an informed
choice among the different candidates and issues. If they are provided with partial or
inaccurate information, it can affect the way they vote. Having access to objective and
neutral information assists voters in making an informed choice. This information can be
provided in the campaign period by the different candidates, parties and the media. This
includes the political platforms of the different candidates, campaign pledges and their past
history of accomplishments or unkept promises. Voters also usually want to know political
affiliation, sources of candidate funding and other essential elements that factor into a
voter's decision to support or not support a particular candidate.

Having sufficient information to make an informed choice is an important integrity issue

because of its effect on voting and is addressed further in

Information needed to protect integrity of process

Voter education can also be used to increase the transparency of the electoral process at the
same time that it builds support for the integrity of the elections. The public needs to be
reassured that the election managers are taking every precaution to ensure a free, fair and
credible election, that their vote will be counted accurately, and that the election results will
represent the will of the people.

In addition, basic mechanisms designed to protect the integrity of the process need to be
publicized. This usually includes information on the security features of the electoral
materials and processes, how to identify registration or polling fraud and where to make
complaints