Constitution Presentation Philippines Alexander Ng

Constitution of the Philippines Since the Declaration of Independence in 1898, the Philippines has undergone many amendments to its constitution The current constitution in place is the Constitution of 1987 The Constitution of Philippines is the supreme law in the country.

Violations to Civil Liberties Situation: President: Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo What: “Calibrated Preventive Response” (CPR) meant to prevent public assemblies and demonstrations (the staging of Anti- Arroyo rallies). Result: Police and Military involvement = detentions and deaths

Bill of Rights Under the Bill of Rights in the Philippine Constitution, it is outlined much like in the Canadian Constitution that: -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 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.

Arbitrary persecutions Situation: What: incidents of assassinated journalists, human rights defenders and political activists. Result: 32 leaders and members of political officials who have been executed by police and military. These acts, challenges the sections 18, 7 and 2 of the Constitution: Bill of Rights.

Bill of Rights -Section 18. That states that no person shall be detained solely by reason of his political beliefs and aspirations. -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 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…

Violation of Labour and Human Rights Situation: What: clear violations of labor rights and human rights Result: mass massacres, assassinations, torture, death threats and intimidations, abductions, assaults on common workers, militant trade union leaders, farmers, human rights advocates and other political activists including church people, teachers and lawyers.

Bill of Rights -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 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.

Are the Rights and Freedoms of the Philippine citizens being violated? Yes