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THELOGICDICTATES
ISTHEBILLOFRIGHTSABSOLUTE?
Published:October16,2016
Theveryexactanswerforthisis"No!"
Tounderstandwhatdoesitmean.Keepreading...
ThereisaninstanceinmylifethatIhadaconversationwithmypreviouscolleagues
andwetalkedaboutdeathpenalty.
Ourconversationgoessomethinglikethis:
Me:Areyouinfavorofdeathpenalty?
Heanswered,"Yes,Iam!"
Me:Why?
Herepliedtome,"Itisbecause,thecriminalswillhesitatetocontinuetheiractivities
becauseofthisdeathpenalty.Howaboutyou?"
Me:Iamnotinfavorofdeathpenaltybecauseeventhoughtheyarecriminalsthey
shouldbedeprivedoflifeaccordingtothebillofrights.
Hesaid,"Humanrightsarenotabsolute!Becauseitcanbetakenoutofyouifyou

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commitedsomethingagainstthelaw!"
IpausedandthinkofituntilIwenthome.IttrigerredmymindforsolongsoItriedto
rereadagainthePhilippineConstitutionof1987Article3alsoknownasBillofRights.
ThenIunderstandthattheBillofRightsistrulynotabsolutebutcorrectifyou
understanditwell.Thereisnosuchthingasrightwhichisabsolute.Accordingtothe
famoussaying,"Ineveryrule,thereisanexception!"
Whatdoestheterm"absolute"means?
AccordingtoLivioEnglishDictionary,itdefinedas,
absolute
1.Unconditional;freefromanyconditions,limitations,andrelations:
a.Havingunlimitedpower,withoutlimitssetbyaconstitution,parliament,orother
means;independentinownershiporauthority.
b.Absolutist;arbitrary;despotic.
c.Proceedingfromorcharacteristicofanabsoluteruler.
Furthermore,accordingtoMeriam-Webster'sLearner'sDictionary,
ab·so·luteˈ əˌ ˌ əˈ
adjective
:completeandtotal
:notlimitedinanyway
:havingunlimitedpower
FullDefinition
1a:freefromimperfection:perfect
b:freeorrelativelyfreefrommixture:pure
c:outright,unmitigated<anabsolutelie>
2:being,governedby,orcharacteristicofarulerorauthoritycompletelyfreefrom
constitutionalorotherrestraint<absolutepower>
3:havingnorestriction,exception,orqualification<anabsoluterequirement>
<absolutefreedom>
Theterm"absolute"bynomeansofanydoubtandobjection,itmeansitisofno
limitations,andfreefromanyconditions.
Now,inorderforustounderstandwhyIhavesaid"NO"tothequestionabove,withno
furtherhesitationsearlier,weshouldfirstunderstandwhatisa"right"?Andwhatkind
ofrightisthebillofrights?

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AccordingtoaLawDictionary,
Right-Correct;justorfair.Apowerorprivilege;authoritytodosomething;alegal,
equitable,ormoralentitlementtosomething;anindividualliberty.
Whatisabillofrights?Whatkindofrightsisthebillofrights?
BillofRights-Astatementoffundamentalrightsofcitizenship;adeclarationand
enumerationofaperson'srightsandprivilegeswhichtheConstitutionisdesignedto
protectagainstviolationbythegovernment,orbyindividualorgroupsofindividuals.It
isacharteroflibertiesfortheindividualandalimitationuponthepoweroftheState.
Accordingtoitsdefinition,billofrightsisconsideredtobeaconstitutionalrights.What
isaconstitutionalright?
ConstitutionalRights–conferredandprotectedbytheConstitution.
TheConstitutionalRightsisdividedintofourclassifications:
i. PoliticalRights–thepowertoparticipatedirectlyorindirectlyin
theestablishmentoradministrationofthegovernment.
ii. CivilRights–alawwhichsecuresprivateindividualsforthe
purposeofsecuringenjoymentoftheirmeansofhappiness.
iii. SocialandEconomicRights–intendedtoinsurethewell–being
andeconomicsecurityofanindividual.
iv. RightsoftheAccused–intendedfortheprotectionofaperson
accusedofanycrime.
Now,basedonthefollowinginformationsgiven,thebillofrights,togivethebenefitof
thedoubtcantrulybeconsideredtobenotanabsoluterightsincetheconstitution
itselfwhichprotectsitcanbeammendedorchanged.
Andonemorethingtoconsidertosupportthisconclusion,eventherightsstatedinthe
billofrightshaveconditionstofollow.
Now,movingontotherightsstatedintheBillofRights,letusexaminetheserights
carefully.
HereiswhatIunderstandabouteachright:
SECTION1.Nopersonshallbedeprivedoflife,liberty,orpropertywithoutdue
processoflaw,norshallanypersonbedeniedtheequalprotectionofthelaws.

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-Thisisreallyatruestatementofyourrightasaperson.Youcannotbedeprivedoflife,
liberty,orpropertybutthisisnotanabsoluteright!Becauseyourlife,yourliberty,or
yourpropertycanbetakenoutofyouwithdueprocessoflaw,soyourlife,your
freedom,yourpropertycanbetakenoutofyouifyoucommitanythingwhichis
againstthelaw,andifyou'vebeenprovenguiltyofcommitingacrime.Itisyourrightto
liveinfreedombutitisnotabsolutebecauseitcanbetakenoutofypuonceyou
commitsomethingagainstanotherlaw.Becauseifthisrightisabsolutethenany
personcandoanythingsincetheirrighttoliveinfreedomcannotbetakenoutfrom
them,butthatisnotthecase.
-Notetheconditionbeingstated:withoutdueprocessoflaw.
SECTION2.Therightofthepeopletobesecureintheirpersons,houses,papers,and
effectsagainstunreasonablesearchesandseizuresofwhatevernatureandforany
purposeshallbeinviolable,andnosearchwarrantorwarrantofarrestshallissue
exceptuponprobablecausetobedeterminedpersonallybythejudgeafter
examinationunderoathoraffirmationofthecomplainantandthewitnesseshemay
produce,andparticularlydescribingtheplacetobesearchedandthepersonsor
thingstobeseized.
-Thisisalsoanexampleofalimitedright!Why?Becauseoftheconditionsof
exercisingthisright.Youcannotbesearchednorarrestediftherewillbenoasearch
warrantandawarrantofarrestbeingpresentedtoyoubuttheconditionthereisthat
youcanbesearchedandarrestedifthereisasearchwarrantandawarrantofarrest
beingpresentedtoyou.
-Alsothereisanarrestorseizurethatcanbemadewithoutissuanceofwarrantof
arrestorseqrchwarant.Howcouldthisbepossible?
WHENSEARCHANDSEIZUREMAYBEMADEWITHOUTWARRANT
1.Wherethereisconsentorwaiver.
2.Wheresearchisanincidenttoalawfularrest.
3.Inthecaseofcontrabandorforfeitedgoodsbeingtransported.
4.Thepossessionofarticlesprohibitedbylawisdisclosedtoplainvieworisopen
toeyeandhand.
5.Asanincidentofinspection,supervisionandregulationintheexerciseofpolice
power.
6.Routinarysearchesusuallymadeattheborderoratportsofentryintheinterest
ofnationalsecurityandforproperenforcementorcustomsandimmigration
laws
WHENARRESTMAYBEMADEWITHOUTWARRANT
1.When,inhispresence,thepersontobearrestedhascommitted,isactually
committing,orisattemptingtocommitanoffense.

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2.Whenanoffensehasinfactjustbeencommittedandhasbeenpersonal
knowledgeoffactsindicatingthatapersontobearrestedhascommittedit.
3.Whenapersontobearrestedisaprisonerwhohasescapedfromapenal
establishmentwhereheisservingfinaljudgmentortemporarilyconfinedwhile
hiscaseispending,orhasescapedwhilebeingtransferred.
SECTION3.(1)Theprivacyofcommunicationandcorrespondenceshallbeinviolable
exceptuponlawfulorderofthecourt,orwhenpublicsafetyororderrequires
otherwiseasprescribedbylaw.(2)Anyevidenceobtainedinviolationofthisorthe
precedingsectionshallbeinadmissibleforanypurposeinanyproceeding.
-Therightofprivacymeansitistherighttobeleftalone.Whatdowemeanbythe
term"inviolable"?Inviolablemeansasecurityfromanyviolationorprofanation.The
righttoprivacyisreallyinviolable,becausenoonecanevergetthatprivacytoyou
eventhegovernmentunlessitisorderedbythecourt,thereisaninterventionofthe
court,orwhenpublicsafetyororderrequiresotherwise.Therighttoprivacyhasalso
limitsandconditionstobefollowed.
SECTION4.Nolawshallbepassedabridgingthefreedomofspeech,ofexpression,or
ofthepress,ortherightofthepeoplepeaceablytoassembleandpetitionthe
Governmentforredressofgrievances.
-Whatdowemeanbytheterm"abridge"?AccordingtoMeriamWebster'sLearner's
Dictionary,itisdefinedastobeofnodeprivationandnottobeshortenindurationor
extent.Whatisthescopeofthisfreedomofspeech,ofexpression,orofthepress?The
rightmeansthepeoplearefreetospeakandpublishwhateverpleasesthemwithout
previousrestraint,andtobeprotectedagainstanyresponsibilityforsodoingaslong
asitdoesnotviolatethelaw,orinjuresomeone’scharacter,reputation,orbusiness.
Thepeoplehavetherightsofassemblyandpetition,therighttoformassociationsor
societiesnotcontrarytothelaw,andtherighttoreligiousfreedom.Thisrighthasalso
limitations,youcannotexpressnorpublishanythingyouwantthatmayputdistrustto
anyothersocietiesororganizationsoranygovernmentofficialsandthegovernment
itself.Beclearofwhatyousayandbecarefulofwhattosay.
SECTION5.Nolawshallbemaderespectinganestablishmentofreligion,or
prohibitingthefreeexercisethereof.Thefreeexerciseandenjoymentofreligious
professionandworship,withoutdiscriminationorpreference,shallforeverbeallowed.
Noreligioustestshallberequiredfortheexerciseofcivilorpoliticalrights.
-Therighttojoininanyreligiousorganizationsorsectors,therighttoworshipGod,to
practicehisbeliefandeventoformhisownreligiousorganizationwithoutthelaw's
interventionagainstit.Thereisaso-called"SeparationofChurchandState"wherein
thegovernmentwillnotintervenestothedoctrinesandbeliefsofthechurchandthe
churchalsowillnotjoininpolicticsnorshewillintervenestothepoliciesandlawsof
thestate.Thereligiousorganizationsareunderthestatelawandiftheorganization

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commitsomethingwhichisagainstthelaw,thentbisisthetimethatthegovernment
willinterveneandhastherighttoinvestigateandfileacaseagainstsuchorganization,
becauseeveryorganizationiswithinthestate'sjurisdiction.Theonlythingthatthe
statewillnotinterveneisthechurch'sdoctrinesandbeliefs.Thestatewillnotoppose
yourbeliefsanddoctrines.Thefreeexerciseofreligionandenjoymentofreligious
professionandworshiphasalsoitsownlimitssinceweareallunderthelaw.
SECTION6.Thelibertyofabodeandofchangingthesamewithinthelimits
prescribedbylawshallnotbeimpairedexceptuponlawfulorderofthecourt.Neither
shalltherighttotravelbeimpairedexceptintheinterestofnationalsecurity,public
safety,orpublichealth,asmaybeprovidedbylaw.
-Thelibertytostayinoneplace,tohavehishomeinanyplacehewantsisarightofa
perwon,aswellas,thelibertytotravelwhereverhepleases.Anypersoncouldenjoy
thisrightwithoutinterferenceofthecourt.But,thislibertyhasalsoconditionstofollow
whichisaccordingtothestatementabove,exceptuponlawfulorderofthecourtand
exceptintheinterestofnationalsecurity,publicsafety,orpublichealth,asmaybe
providedbylaw.So,itispossiblethatthereisatimewhenthelawwillinterveneand
willprohibittravellinginsomeareas,andtoabodeinsuchareasduetosomeriskor
otherconcerns.
SECTION7.Therightofthepeopletoinformationonmattersofpublicconcernshall
berecognized.Accesstoofficialrecords,andtodocuments,andpaperspertainingto
officialacts,transactions,ordecisions,aswellastogovernmentresearchdataused
asbasisforpolicydevelopment,shallbeaffordedthecitizen,subjecttosuch
limitationsasmaybeprovidedbylaw.
-Accordingtothisright,thepeoplecanaccessofficialrecordsanddocuments,papers
pertainingtoofficialtransactionsanddecisions,andmanyotherofficialdocumentsas
longaspermittedbythelawandthelawcanalsolimitthatandevenprohibitthatright
tobeexercised.Therighttohaveanaccesstopublicrecordsislimitedalsoand
cannotbeexercisedeverytime,becausetherearesomecaseswhereinthedocuments
ofthegovernmentishighlyconfidentialsoitisprohibitedfordissemination.Thereare
onlythingswhichareallowedtothepublictobeseen.
SECTION8.Therightofthepeople,includingthoseemployedinthepublicand
privatesectors,toformunions,associations,orsocietiesforpurposesnotcontraryto
lawshallnotbeabridged.
-Itistherightofthepeopletoformassociations,societies,andunionsforpurposes
onlynotcontrarytothelaw,andhasbenefitstothemembersinvolve.Theconstitution
allowstheformationoforganizationsaslongasitishelpfulfordevelopmentofevery
personinvolvedwhethereconomically,sociallyorpersonally.Andthroughthis
organizations,thewelfareofthenationmaybeadvanceandthegovernmentmaythere
byreceiveassistanceinitsever-increasingpublicserviceactivities.Theformationof

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organizationisalsounderlaw'sjurisdictionanditisahouldbeagainstthelawandthe
government.
SECTION9.Privatepropertyshallnotbetakenforpublicusewithoutjust
compensation.
-Anyprivatepropertywhichisownedbysomeonecanbetakenoutofyouforthe
benefitsofthegeneralpublic.Thegovernmentshallpayyouajustcompensationor
paymenttothatpropertythatwouldbetakenfromyou.Thepersonhavenorightto
refusesincethewelfareofthegeneralpublicistheconcernhere,northepersoncannot
dictatehisownpriceofhisproperty,itisthelawthatdeterminedhowmuchisthe
compenstaionforyou.
SECTION10.Nolawimpairingtheobligationofcontractsshallbepassed.
-Thepurposeofnon-impairmentoftheobligationotcontractsistosecurethatthe
duties,obligations,thefulfillmentoflawfulpromiseswillbefollowedandfulfilledby
bothpartiesinvolved.Thetermsandobligationsofthecontractshouldbefollowed
accordingtotheconstitution,andnolawcanimpairedanycontract,butthisfreedomof
contractisnotabsolutebecauseitcanonlymadeintoeffect,andperformitsduties
andresponsibilities,ifitisnotcontrarytolaw,morals,goodcustoms,publicorder,or
publicpolicy,also,includescontractsenteredintobythegovernment.
SECTION11.Freeaccesstothecourtsandquasi-judicialbodiesandadequatelegal
assistanceshallnotbedeniedtoanypersonbyreasonofpoverty.
SECTION12.(1)Anypersonunderinvestigationforthecommissionofanoffense
shallhavetherighttobeinformedofhisrighttoremainsilentandtohavecompetent
andindependentcounselpreferablyofhisownchoice.Ifthepersoncannotaffordthe
servicesofcounsel,hemustbeprovidedwithone.Theserightscannotbewaived
exceptinwritingandinthepresenceofcounsel.(2)Notorture,force,violence,threat,
intimidation,oranyothermeanswhichvitiatethefreewillshallbeusedagainsthim.
Secretdetentionplaces,solitary,incommunicado,orothersimilarformsofdetention
areprohibited.(3)Anyconfessionoradmissionobtainedinviolationofthisor
Section17hereofshallbeinadmissibleinevidenceagainsthim.(4)Thelawshall
provideforpenalandcivilsanctionsforviolationsofthissectionaswellas
compensationtoandrehabilitationofvictimsoftortureorsimilarpractices,andtheir
families.
SECTION13.Allpersons,exceptthosechargedwithoffensespunishablebyreclusion
perpetuawhenevidenceofguiltisstrong,shall,beforeconviction,bebailableby
sufficientsureties,orbereleasedonrecognizanceasmaybeprovidedbylaw.The
righttobailshallnotbeimpairedevenwhentheprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpus
issuspended.Excessivebailshallnotberequired.

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SECTION14.(1)Nopersonshallbeheldtoanswerforacriminaloffensewithoutdue
processoflaw.(2)Inallcriminalprosecutions,theaccusedshallbepresumed
innocentuntilthecontraryisproved,andshallenjoytherighttobeheardbyhimself
andcounsel,tobeinformedofthenatureandcauseoftheaccusationagainsthim,to
haveaspeedy,impartial,andpublictrial,tomeetthewitnessesfacetoface,andto
havecompulsoryprocesstosecuretheattendanceofwitnessesandtheproduction
ofevidenceinhisbehalf.However,afterarraignment,trialmayproceed
notwithstandingtheabsenceoftheaccusedprovidedthathehasbeendulynotified
andhisfailuretoappearisunjustifiable.
Constitutionalrightsoftheaccusedincriminalcases
1.Therighttoadequatelegalassistance.
2.Theright,whenunderinvestigationforthecommissionofanoffensetobe
informedofhisrighttoremainsilentandtohavecounsel.
3.Therightagainsttheuseoftorture,force,violence,threat,intimidationorany
othermeanswhichvitiatesthefreewill.
4.Therightagainstbeingheldinsecret,incommunicado,orsimilarformsof
solitarydetention.
5.Therighttobailandagainstexcessivebail.
6.Therighttodueprocessoflaw.
7.Therighttopresumptionofinnocence.
8.Therighttobeheardbyhimselfandcounsel.
9.Therighttobeperformedofthenatureandcauseoftheaccusationagainsthim.
10.Therighttohaveaspeedy,impartial,andpublictrial.
11.Therightstomeetthewitnessesfacetoface.
12.Therighttohavecompulsoryprocesstosecuretheattendanceofwitnesses
andtheproductionofevidenceinhisbehalf.
13.Therightagainstself-incrimination.
14.Therightagainstdetentionbyreasonofpoliticalbeliefsandaspirations.
15.Therightagainstexcessivefines.
16.Therightagainstcruel,degradingorinhumanpunishment.
17.Therightagainstinflictionofthedeathpenaltyexceptforheinouscrimes;and
18.Therightagainstdoublejeopardy.
Rightsofpersonunderinvestigation
1.Tobeinformedofhisrighttoremainsilent.
2.Tohavecompetentandindependentcounselpreferablyofhisownchoiceortobe
providedwithone.

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3.Againsttheuseoftorture,force,violence,threat,intimidationoranyothermeans
whichvitiatesthefreewill.
4.Againstbeingheldinsecret,incommunicado,orsimilarformsofsolitarydetention.
-Therightsmentionedaboveshouldnotbeignoredandshouldbegivenan
importancesothattoknowwhoisthetrueguiltyornot.
SECTION15.Theprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpusshallnotbesuspendedexcept
incasesofinvasionorrebellionwhenthepublicsafetyrequiresit.
-Whatisthewritofhabeascorpus?Thewritofhabeascorpusisadocumentfroma
courtorderingsomeonetobringajailedpersonbeforeajudgeorcourttofindoutif
thatpersonshouldreallybeinjail.Buttheprivilegeofthiswritcanbesuspendedin
casesofinvasionorrebellionandwhenthepublicsafetyisconcerned.Thisrightis
alsonotabsolutebecausenoteveryonecanavailtheprivilegeandthereareconditions
tofollow.
SECTION16.Allpersonsshallhavetherighttoaspeedydispositionoftheircases
beforealljudicial,quasi-judicial,oradministrativebodies.
SECTION17.Nopersonshallbecompelledtobeawitnessagainsthimself.
SECTION18.(1)Nopersonshallbedetainedsolelybyreasonofhispoliticalbeliefs
andaspirations.(2)Noinvoluntaryservitudeinanyfromshallexistexceptas
punishmentforacrimewhereofthepartyshallhavebeendulyconvicted.
SECTION19.(1)Excessivefinesshallnotbeimposed,norcruel,degradingor
inhumanpunishmentinflicted.Neithershallthedeathpenaltybeimposed,unless,for
compellingreasonsinvolvingheinouscrimes,theCongresshereafterprovidesforit.
Anydeathpenaltyalreadyimposedshallbereducedtoreclusionperpetua.(2)The
employmentofphysical,psychological,ordegradingpunishmentagainstany
prisonerordetaineeortheuseofsubstandardorinadequatepenalfacilitiesunder
subhumanconditionsshallbedealtwithbylaw.
SECTION20.Nopersonshallbeimprisonedfordebtornon-paymentofapolltax.
SECTION21.Nopersonshallbetwiceputinjeopardyofpunishmentforthesame
offense.Ifanactispunishedbyalawandanordinance,convictionoracquittalunder
eithershallconstituteabartoanotherprosecutionforthesameact.
SECTION22.Noexpostfactolaworbillofattaindershallbeenacted.

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Theserightsaretrueandshouldbefollowedbecauseifthetermeandconditions
statedherewillnotbefollowedthentheserightswillhavenpuseatallandtheserights
willneverbeabsoluteatall.Theserightsareallunderthejurisdictionofour
Constitution.
AswhatIhavesaidawhileago,"Ineveryrule,thereisanexception."
Whatdoesitmeannow?
Ifrulenumber1(Section1:Nopersonshallbedeprivedoflife,liberty,orproperty...)but
thereisanexceptionstatedhere(withoutdueprocessoflaw).Meaning,youhavethe
righttolive,tobefree,tohaveaproperty,butitcanbetakenoutofyouthroughdue
processoflaw(provingthatyouareguiltycommittingacrime).Youcanlivefreelyin
thiscountryexceptonlyifyoucommitacrime!
Alloftherightsthatwehavearenotreallyabsoluterights,becauseevenourrights
haveconditionsinexercisingit.Theyhavelimitations.
Letussetthisclear.Thisbloghasnoobjectionorprotestagainsthebillofrights.This
onlywantstoinformthereaderthatourrightsarenotreallyabsolute.
Logicdictatesourrightshaveitsownlimitationsbecauseifthereisnotwewilldo
absolutelyanythingandthiscountrywouldbesurelyinchaosifthatisthecase.
Therightsbeinggiventousbytheconstitutionshouldbevaluedandbegivenan
importance.Aslongaswehavethatrights,wearetruelyprotectedfromanyharm.But
rememberalsothattheserightsarenotabsolutesodonotabuseitandbecarefuland
bewiseinexercisingourrights.
References:
MerriamWebster'sDictionary
LivioEnglishDictionary
1987PhilippineConstitution
https://tamayaosbc.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/bill-of-rights/
conceptofabillofrights-141012024655-conversion-gate02.docx