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Article 29. When the accused in a criminal prosecution is (4) Freedom from arbitrary or illegal detention;
acquitted on the ground that his guilt has not been proved beyond
reasonable doubt, a civil action for damages for the same act or (5) Freedom of suffrage;
omission may be instituted. Such action requires only a
preponderance of evidence. Upon motion of the defendant, the (6) The right against deprivation of property without due
court may require the plaintiff to file a bond to answer for process of law;
damages in case the complaint should be found to be malicious.
(7) The right to a just compensation when private property
If in a criminal case the judgment of acquittal is based upon is taken for public use;
reasonable doubt, the court shall so declare. In the absence of
any declaration to that effect, it may be inferred from the text of
(8) The right to the equal protection of the laws;
the decision whether or not the acquittal is due to that ground.
(9) The right to be secure in one's person, house, papers, In any of the cases referred to in this article, whether or
and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures; not the defendant's act or omission constitutes a criminal
offense, the aggrieved party has a right to commence an
(10) The liberty of abode and of changing the same; entirely separate and distinct civil action for damages, and
for other relief. Such civil action shall proceed
(11) The privacy of communication and correspondence; independently of any criminal prosecution (if the latter be
instituted), and may be proved by a preponderance of
evidence.
(12) The right to become a member of associations or
societies for purposes not contrary to law;
The indemnity shall include moral damages. Exemplary damages
may also be adjudicated.
(13) The right to take part in a peaceable assembly to
petition the Government for redress of grievances;
The responsibility herein set forth is not demandable from a judge
unless his act or omission constitutes a violation of the Penal
(14) The right to be a free from involuntary servitude in
Code or other penal statute.
any form;
Article 33. In cases of defamation, fraud, and physical injuries a
(15) The right of the accused against excessive bail;
civil action for damages, entirely separate and distinct from the
criminal action, may be brought by the injured party. Such civil
(16) The right of the accused to be heard by himself and action shall proceed independently of the criminal prosecution,
counsel, to be informed of the nature and cause of the and shall require only a preponderance of evidence.
accusation against him, to have a speedy and public trial,
to meet the witnesses face to face, and to have
Article 34. When a member of a city or municipal police force
compulsory process to secure the attendance of witness
refuses or fails to render aid or protection to any person in case of
in his behalf;
danger to life or property, such peace officer shall be primarily
liable for damages, and the city or municipality shall be
(17) Freedom from being compelled to be a witness subsidiarily responsible therefor. The civil action herein
against one's self, or from being forced to confess guilt, or recognized shall be independent of any criminal proceedings, and
from being induced by a promise of immunity or reward to a preponderance of evidence shall suffice to support such action.
make such confession, except when the person
confessing becomes a State witness;
Article 35. When a person, claiming to be injured by a criminal
offense, charges another with the same, for which no
(18) Freedom from excessive fines, or cruel and unusual independent civil action is granted in this Code or any special law,
punishment, unless the same is imposed or inflicted in but the justice of the peace finds no reasonable grounds to
accordance with a statute which has not been judicially believe that a crime has been committed, or the prosecuting
declared unconstitutional; and attorney refuses or fails to institute criminal proceedings, the
complaint may bring a civil action for damages against the
(19) Freedom of access to the courts.
alleged offender. Such civil action may be supported by a Article 38. Minority, insanity or imbecility, the state of being a
preponderance of evidence. Upon the defendant's motion, the deaf-mute, prodigality and civil interdiction are mere restrictions
court may require the plaintiff to file a bond to indemnify the on capacity to act, and do not exempt the incapacitated person
defendant in case the complaint should be found to be malicious. from certain obligations, as when the latter arise from his acts or
from property relations, such as easements. (32a)
If during the pendency of the civil action, an information should be
presented by the prosecuting attorney, the civil action shall be Article 39. The following circumstances, among others, modify or
suspended until the termination of the criminal proceedings. limit capacity to act: age, insanity, imbecility, the state of being a
deaf-mute, penalty, prodigality, family relations, alienage,
Article 36. Pre-judicial questions, which must be decided before absence, insolvency and trusteeship. The consequences of these
any criminal prosecution may be instituted or may proceed, shall circumstances are governed in this Code, other codes, the Rules
be governed by rules of court which the Supreme Court shall of Court, and in special laws. Capacity to act is not limited on
promulgate and which shall not be in conflict with the provisions account of religious belief or political opinion.
of this Code.
A married woman, twenty-one years of age or over, is qualified
for all acts of civil life, except in cases specified by law. (n)
See
THE FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES, As Amended Executive
Order 209
THE CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE CODE, As CHAPTER 2
Amended Presidential Decree No. 603 Natural Persons
CHAPTER 1
General Provisions