NSTP Modules

Module 2- Citizenship Training

Philippine Constitution

Topic Overview:
The module discusses the History of Philippine Constitution, the Preamble, Bill of Rights and
UNDP Principles in Human Rights. These topics are necessary for citizenship training, it will help
develop values of citizenry.

Objectives:
At the end of the module, the student will be able to:
1. Acquire knowledge on the history and legal bases of NSTP
2. Articulate on the Philippine Constitution
3. Apply the values of a good citizen to everyday living.

Philippine Constitution
Since June 12, 1898, Proclamation of Independence, there have been a total of six (6) Philippine
Constitution. Below is the evolution of the constitution:

1. Malolos Constitution (1898 – 1901) – First Philippine Constitution; First republican constitution
in Asia

2. Philippine Organic Act of 1902 & Philippine Autonomy Act of 1916 (1902 – 1935) - The Phil.
Organic Act of 1902 provided a Philippine Assembly composed of Filipino citizen while the Phil.
Autonomy Act of 1916 included the first pledge of Philippine Independence.

3. Commonwealth and Third Republic/1935 Constitution (1935 – 1943 & 1945 – 1972) – The
United States Congress in 1934 passed the Philippine Independence Act that paved way to the
creation of a constitution for the Philippines. Through the 1934 Constitutional Convention, a draft
of the Constitution for the Philippines was produced. It was ratified through a national plebiscite
on May 14, 1935. In November 15, 1935 with the inauguration of the Commonwealth of the
Philippines, the constitution was fully implemented and enforced. Part of its provision states that
the said constitution will remain in effect once independence was declared on July 4, 1946. In
1940, the National Assembly of the Philippines amended the constitution from having a
unicameral assembly to a bicameral congress and changing the term limit of the president from
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six (6) years with no re-election to four (4) years with a possibility of re-election for a
second term. In 1945, the constitution was again observed with the liberation of the country.

4. Japanese-Sponsored Republic/Second Republic/1943 Constitution (1943 – 1945) – The

Japanese-sponsored government nullified the constitution during the World War II. The
government created a Preparatory Committee on Philippine Independence to replace the
constitution. The new constitution was used by the administration under President Jose P. Laurel.

5. Martial Law Constitution/1973 Constitution (1973 – 1986) – During the regime of President
Ferdinand Marcos, a Constitutional Convention was formed to amend the 1935 Constitution.
Through the Presidential Decree No. 86, s. 1972 – creation of a citizen assembly to ratify a drafted
constitution by means of a Viva Voce in place of secret ballots, President Marcos announced the
ratification and its effectivity on January 17, 1973. Although there were several opposition to its
ratification, the 1973 Constitution was deemed valid and was enforced.

6. Freedom Constitution/1987 Constitution (1987 – Present) – After Martial Law and the
democracy was restored, President Corazon Aquino issued the suspension of several provision in
the 1973 Constitution and promulgated a transitory constitution through Proclamation No. 3.
The Constitutional Commission was created by Proclamation No. 9, s. 1986 and was tasked to
write a new charter to replace the previous Constitution. The National Plebiscite for the new
Constitution was held on February 2, 1987. Then, on February 11, 1987, by virtue of Proclamation
No. 58 the new constitution was ratified.

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 Constitutio

Task 1 – Essay
Asynchronous: Submit your output to the teacher’s provided e-mail address.
Printed Modules: Submit your output as to the instruction of your teacher.

Essay: Answer the following question comprehensively.

1. What is the importance of constitution to you as a student?

2. What is your opinion on the issue of constitutional reform during this time of pandemic?
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BILL OF RIGHTS
SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 9 Private property shall not be taken for public use without just compensation.

SEC. 10 No law impairing the obligation of contracts shall be passed.

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SEC. 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.

SEC. 12 1. Any person under investigation for the commission of an offense shall have
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 of violations
of this section as well as compensation to and rehabilitation of victims of torture or
similar practices, and their families.

SEC. 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
securities, 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 16 All persons shall have the right to a speedy disposition of their cases before all judicial,
quasi-judicial, or administrative bodies.

SEC. 17 No person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself.

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SEC. 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.

SEC. 19 1. Excessive fines shall not be imposed, nor cruel, degrading or inhuman
punishment inflicted. Neither shall 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. SEC. 20 No person shall
be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax.

SEC. 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.

SEC. 22 No ex post facto law or bill of attainder shall be enacted.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FILIPINO CITIZENS

1. It is the duty of every Filipino to respect, honor and give due accord to his Filipino
heritage, patrimony, values and tradition.
2. It is the duty of every Filipino to contribute to the development, welfare and nation-
building of its country.
3. It is the duty of every Filipino to engage in gainful work to assure himself and his family
a life of worthy of human dignity.
4. Loyalty to the federal republic and national consciousness, aspirations and ideals shall
be asked from every Filipino citizen.
5. Every Filipino citizen is asked to uphold this Constitution, obey the laws of the land, pay
taxes and duties, and to cooperate with the duly constituted authorities in the
attainment and preservation of a just and orderly society.
6. Every Filipino citizen must give due honor to the Philippine flag, National Anthem,
Philippine President and other national symbols and emblems.
7. It is the duty of very Filipino citizen to defend the national territory from aggressive
invaders, protect the sovereignty of its people, and preserve the continuity of a just,
human society and government.
8. It is the duty of every Filipino to report to the proper authorities all plots of terrorism,
plans of rebellion, subversion, or insurrection toward the duly and legally acknowledge
government, and other acts that will compromise the union and sovereignty of the
federal republic.
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9. It is the obligation of every Filipino, to report corrupt, dishonest or fraudulent

government officials to the proper forum, courts and agencies. A Filipino shall not tempt
or bribe government officials, steal from the coffers of the government, or escape or
abandon his lawful responsibilities.
10. It is the responsibilities of every Filipino to elect officials of government as a means of
demonstrating his personal ideas and aspirations for the motherland. Omission or
abstention from this responsibility may indicate a person’s renunciation of his rights
of suffrage. No fine or inappropriate or excessive penalty shall be asked from him as
reparation for his choice not to vote. People, who lost their social right of suffrage,
may reclaim such rights accordance of law.

Task 2: Assignment - Concept Poster

If the Philippine Constitution mandates the Bill of Rights of the Filipino people, what is also our
reciprocal obligation to the State? With your answer, create a Concept Poster.

The output should be put in the Google slide, a link will be provided by the teacher and must be
presented during synchronous class. For students that are using printed modules, output must be
submitted as to the instruction of the teacher.

The students’ task is to create a poster that explains their topic. There are two constraints:

1. It must be self-explanatory. If you gave it to a person without walking her through it,
would he understand?

2. It must be visual. Words and labels are good, but text alone will not be enough to get
people’s attention, or help them understand. When creating their poster, participants may be
helped by thinking about three kinds of explanation:

Note: This part is for students using printed modules. Those who take asynchronous
evaluation, wait for the teacher’s announcement post on the online platform
provided.

A. True or False. Write PROTECTION if the statement is right and write VIOLATION if the
statement is wrong in the space provided.
_______________ 1. Human rights first became internationally recognised after World War.
_______________ 2. People have the right to say whatever they want.
_______________ 3. All people have equal rights.
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_______________ 4. Do children have their own special rights, as well as other human rights?
_______________ 5. The police are the organisation responsible for making sure people in Australia
have their human rights respected and protected.

B. Determine what principle of human rights stated in each statement.

_______________ 1. A principle that is about ensuring that every individual has the same
opportunity to make the most of their lives and talents.
_______________ 2. The international community must treat human rights globally in a fair
and equal manner, onthe same footing, and with the same emphasis
whether they relate to civil, cultural, economic, political or social issues.
_______________ 3. It means that human rights must be the same everywhere and for
everyone. These principle of human rights ensures the dignity and worth
_______________ 4. It is the ability to hold individual human rights violators responsible for their
actions.
________________ 5. Rights-based approaches require a high degree of involvement by
communities, civil society, minorities, women, young people,
indigenous peoples and other identified groups to the decision-making
processes that affect their lives and well-being, as well as to
informations.

C. Answer each question consicely.

To whom does the Human Rights apply?

Mapua NSTP Program Module- Mapua Univerity. Retrieved at:

https://www.mapua.edu.ph/Campus%20Life/SOCIP/Assets/CWTS/NSTP%202019
%20Module.pdf Retrieved on June 5, 2020.

https://www.unfpa.org/resources/human-rights-principles

https://www.humanrights.gov.au/publications/what-universal-declarationhuman-rights