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THELOGICDICTATES

ISTHEBILLOFRIGHTSABSOLUTE?Published:October16,2016

Theveryexactanswerforthisis"No!"

Tounderstandwhatdoesitmean.Keepreading...

ThereisaninstanceinmylifethatIhadaconversationwithmypreviouscolleaguesandwetalkedaboutdeathpenalty.

Ourconversationgoessomethinglikethis:

Me:Areyouinfavorofdeathpenalty?Heanswered,"Yes,Iam!"Me:Why?Herepliedtome,"Itisbecause,thecriminalswillhesitatetocontinuetheiractivitiesbecauseofthisdeathpenalty.Howaboutyou?"Me:Iamnotinfavorofdeathpenaltybecauseeventhoughtheyarecriminalstheyshouldbedeprivedoflifeaccordingtothebillofrights.

Hesaid,"Humanrightsarenotabsolute!Becauseitcanbetakenoutofyouifyou

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commitedsomethingagainstthelaw!"

IpausedandthinkofituntilIwenthome.IttrigerredmymindforsolongsoItriedtorereadagainthePhilippineConstitutionof1987Article3alsoknownasBillofRights.

ThenIunderstandthattheBillofRightsistrulynotabsolutebutcorrectifyouunderstanditwell.Thereisnosuchthingasrightwhichisabsolute.Accordingtothefamoussaying,"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·lute\̍ab-sə-̩lɖt,̩ab-sə-̍\adjective

:completeandtotal:notlimitedinanyway:havingunlimitedpower

FullDefinition

1a:freefromimperfection:perfectb:freeorrelativelyfreefrommixture:purec:outright,unmitigated<anabsolutelie>2:being,governedby,orcharacteristicofarulerorauthoritycompletelyfreefromconstitutionalorotherrestraint<absolutepower>3:havingnorestriction,exception,orqualification<anabsoluterequirement><absolutefreedom>

Theterm"absolute"bynomeansofanydoubtandobjection,itmeansitisofnolimitations,andfreefromanyconditions.

Now,inorderforustounderstandwhyIhavesaid"NO"tothequestionabove,withnofurtherhesitationsearlier,weshouldfirstunderstandwhatisa"right"?Andwhatkindofrightisthebillofrights?

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AccordingtoaLawDictionary,

Right-Correct;justorfair.Apowerorprivilege;authoritytodosomething;alegal,equitable,ormoralentitlementtosomething;anindividualliberty.Whatisabillofrights?Whatkindofrightsisthebillofrights?

BillofRights-Astatementoffundamentalrightsofcitizenship;adeclarationandenumerationofaperson'srightsandprivilegeswhichtheConstitutionisdesignedtoprotectagainstviolationbythegovernment,orbyindividualorgroupsofindividuals.ItisacharteroflibertiesfortheindividualandalimitationuponthepoweroftheState.

Accordingtoitsdefinition,billofrightsisconsideredtobeaconstitutionalrights.Whatisaconstitutionalright?

ConstitutionalRights–conferredandprotectedbytheConstitution.

TheConstitutionalRightsisdividedintofourclassifications:

i. PoliticalRights–thepowertoparticipatedirectlyorindirectlyintheestablishmentoradministrationofthegovernment.

ii. CivilRights–alawwhichsecuresprivateindividualsforthepurposeofsecuringenjoymentoftheirmeansofhappiness.

iii. SocialandEconomicRights–intendedtoinsurethewell–beingandeconomicsecurityofanindividual.

iv. RightsoftheAccused–intendedfortheprotectionofapersonaccusedofanycrime.

Now,basedonthefollowinginformationsgiven,thebillofrights,togivethebenefitofthedoubtcantrulybeconsideredtobenotanabsoluterightsincetheconstitutionitselfwhichprotectsitcanbeammendedorchanged.

Andonemorethingtoconsidertosupportthisconclusion,eventherightsstatedinthebillofrightshaveconditionstofollow.

Now,movingontotherightsstatedintheBillofRights,letusexaminetheserightscarefully.

HereiswhatIunderstandabouteachright:

SECTION1.Nopersonshallbedeprivedoflife,liberty,orpropertywithoutdueprocessoflaw,norshallanypersonbedeniedtheequalprotectionofthelaws.

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-Thisisreallyatruestatementofyourrightasaperson.Youcannotbedeprivedoflife,liberty,orpropertybutthisisnotanabsoluteright!Becauseyourlife,yourliberty,oryourpropertycanbetakenoutofyouwithdueprocessoflaw,soyourlife,yourfreedom,yourpropertycanbetakenoutofyouifyoucommitanythingwhichisagainstthelaw,andifyou'vebeenprovenguiltyofcommitingacrime.Itisyourrighttoliveinfreedombutitisnotabsolutebecauseitcanbetakenoutofypuonceyoucommitsomethingagainstanotherlaw.Becauseifthisrightisabsolutethenanypersoncandoanythingsincetheirrighttoliveinfreedomcannotbetakenoutfromthem,butthatisnotthecase.

-Notetheconditionbeingstated:withoutdueprocessoflaw.

SECTION2.Therightofthepeopletobesecureintheirpersons,houses,papers,andeffectsagainstunreasonablesearchesandseizuresofwhatevernatureandforanypurposeshallbeinviolable,andnosearchwarrantorwarrantofarrestshallissueexceptuponprobablecausetobedeterminedpersonallybythejudgeafterexaminationunderoathoraffirmationofthecomplainantandthewitnesseshemayproduce,andparticularlydescribingtheplacetobesearchedandthepersonsorthingstobeseized.

-Thisisalsoanexampleofalimitedright!Why?Becauseoftheconditionsofexercisingthisright.Youcannotbesearchednorarrestediftherewillbenoasearchwarrantandawarrantofarrestbeingpresentedtoyoubuttheconditionthereisthatyoucanbesearchedandarrestedifthereisasearchwarrantandawarrantofarrestbeingpresentedtoyou.

-Alsothereisanarrestorseizurethatcanbemadewithoutissuanceofwarrantofarrestorseqrchwarant.Howcouldthisbepossible?

WHENSEARCHANDSEIZUREMAYBEMADEWITHOUTWARRANT

1.Wherethereisconsentorwaiver.2.Wheresearchisanincidenttoalawfularrest.3.Inthecaseofcontrabandorforfeitedgoodsbeingtransported.4.Thepossessionofarticlesprohibitedbylawisdisclosedtoplainvieworisopen

toeyeandhand.5.Asanincidentofinspection,supervisionandregulationintheexerciseofpolice

power.6.Routinarysearchesusuallymadeattheborderoratportsofentryintheinterest

ofnationalsecurityandforproperenforcementorcustomsandimmigrationlaws

WHENARRESTMAYBEMADEWITHOUTWARRANT

1.When,inhispresence,thepersontobearrestedhascommitted,isactuallycommitting,orisattemptingtocommitanoffense.

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2.Whenanoffensehasinfactjustbeencommittedandhasbeenpersonalknowledgeoffactsindicatingthatapersontobearrestedhascommittedit.

3.Whenapersontobearrestedisaprisonerwhohasescapedfromapenalestablishmentwhereheisservingfinaljudgmentortemporarilyconfinedwhilehiscaseispending,orhasescapedwhilebeingtransferred.

SECTION3.(1)Theprivacyofcommunicationandcorrespondenceshallbeinviolableexceptuponlawfulorderofthecourt,orwhenpublicsafetyororderrequiresotherwiseasprescribedbylaw.(2)Anyevidenceobtainedinviolationofthisortheprecedingsectionshallbeinadmissibleforanypurposeinanyproceeding.

-Therightofprivacymeansitistherighttobeleftalone.Whatdowemeanbytheterm"inviolable"?Inviolablemeansasecurityfromanyviolationorprofanation.Therighttoprivacyisreallyinviolable,becausenoonecanevergetthatprivacytoyoueventhegovernmentunlessitisorderedbythecourt,thereisaninterventionofthecourt,orwhenpublicsafetyororderrequiresotherwise.Therighttoprivacyhasalsolimitsandconditionstobefollowed.

SECTION4.Nolawshallbepassedabridgingthefreedomofspeech,ofexpression,orofthepress,ortherightofthepeoplepeaceablytoassembleandpetitiontheGovernmentforredressofgrievances.

-Whatdowemeanbytheterm"abridge"?AccordingtoMeriamWebster'sLearner'sDictionary,itisdefinedastobeofnodeprivationandnottobeshortenindurationorextent.Whatisthescopeofthisfreedomofspeech,ofexpression,orofthepress?Therightmeansthepeoplearefreetospeakandpublishwhateverpleasesthemwithoutpreviousrestraint,andtobeprotectedagainstanyresponsibilityforsodoingaslongasitdoesnotviolatethelaw,orinjuresomeone’scharacter,reputation,orbusiness.Thepeoplehavetherightsofassemblyandpetition,therighttoformassociationsorsocietiesnotcontrarytothelaw,andtherighttoreligiousfreedom.Thisrighthasalsolimitations,youcannotexpressnorpublishanythingyouwantthatmayputdistrusttoanyothersocietiesororganizationsoranygovernmentofficialsandthegovernmentitself.Beclearofwhatyousayandbecarefulofwhattosay.

SECTION5.Nolawshallbemaderespectinganestablishmentofreligion,orprohibitingthefreeexercisethereof.Thefreeexerciseandenjoymentofreligiousprofessionandworship,withoutdiscriminationorpreference,shallforeverbeallowed.Noreligioustestshallberequiredfortheexerciseofcivilorpoliticalrights.

-Therighttojoininanyreligiousorganizationsorsectors,therighttoworshipGod,topracticehisbeliefandeventoformhisownreligiousorganizationwithoutthelaw'sinterventionagainstit.Thereisaso-called"SeparationofChurchandState"whereinthegovernmentwillnotintervenestothedoctrinesandbeliefsofthechurchandthechurchalsowillnotjoininpolicticsnorshewillintervenestothepoliciesandlawsofthestate.Thereligiousorganizationsareunderthestatelawandiftheorganization

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commitsomethingwhichisagainstthelaw,thentbisisthetimethatthegovernmentwillinterveneandhastherighttoinvestigateandfileacaseagainstsuchorganization,becauseeveryorganizationiswithinthestate'sjurisdiction.Theonlythingthatthestatewillnotinterveneisthechurch'sdoctrinesandbeliefs.Thestatewillnotopposeyourbeliefsanddoctrines.Thefreeexerciseofreligionandenjoymentofreligiousprofessionandworshiphasalsoitsownlimitssinceweareallunderthelaw.

SECTION6.Thelibertyofabodeandofchangingthesamewithinthelimitsprescribedbylawshallnotbeimpairedexceptuponlawfulorderofthecourt.Neithershalltherighttotravelbeimpairedexceptintheinterestofnationalsecurity,publicsafety,orpublichealth,asmaybeprovidedbylaw.

-Thelibertytostayinoneplace,tohavehishomeinanyplacehewantsisarightofaperwon,aswellas,thelibertytotravelwhereverhepleases.Anypersoncouldenjoythisrightwithoutinterferenceofthecourt.But,thislibertyhasalsoconditionstofollowwhichisaccordingtothestatementabove,exceptuponlawfulorderofthecourtandexceptintheinterestofnationalsecurity,publicsafety,orpublichealth,asmaybeprovidedbylaw.So,itispossiblethatthereisatimewhenthelawwillinterveneandwillprohibittravellinginsomeareas,andtoabodeinsuchareasduetosomeriskorotherconcerns.

SECTION7.Therightofthepeopletoinformationonmattersofpublicconcernshallberecognized.Accesstoofficialrecords,andtodocuments,andpaperspertainingtoofficialacts,transactions,ordecisions,aswellastogovernmentresearchdatausedasbasisforpolicydevelopment,shallbeaffordedthecitizen,subjecttosuchlimitationsasmaybeprovidedbylaw.

-Accordingtothisright,thepeoplecanaccessofficialrecordsanddocuments,paperspertainingtoofficialtransactionsanddecisions,andmanyotherofficialdocumentsaslongaspermittedbythelawandthelawcanalsolimitthatandevenprohibitthatrighttobeexercised.Therighttohaveanaccesstopublicrecordsislimitedalsoandcannotbeexercisedeverytime,becausetherearesomecaseswhereinthedocumentsofthegovernmentishighlyconfidentialsoitisprohibitedfordissemination.Thereareonlythingswhichareallowedtothepublictobeseen.

SECTION8.Therightofthepeople,includingthoseemployedinthepublicandprivatesectors,toformunions,associations,orsocietiesforpurposesnotcontrarytolawshallnotbeabridged.

-Itistherightofthepeopletoformassociations,societies,andunionsforpurposesonlynotcontrarytothelaw,andhasbenefitstothemembersinvolve.Theconstitutionallowstheformationoforganizationsaslongasitishelpfulfordevelopmentofeverypersoninvolvedwhethereconomically,sociallyorpersonally.Andthroughthisorganizations,thewelfareofthenationmaybeadvanceandthegovernmentmaytherebyreceiveassistanceinitsever-increasingpublicserviceactivities.Theformationof

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organizationisalsounderlaw'sjurisdictionanditisahouldbeagainstthelawandthegovernment.

SECTION9.Privatepropertyshallnotbetakenforpublicusewithoutjustcompensation.

-Anyprivatepropertywhichisownedbysomeonecanbetakenoutofyouforthebenefitsofthegeneralpublic.Thegovernmentshallpayyouajustcompensationorpaymenttothatpropertythatwouldbetakenfromyou.Thepersonhavenorighttorefusesincethewelfareofthegeneralpublicistheconcernhere,northepersoncannotdictatehisownpriceofhisproperty,itisthelawthatdeterminedhowmuchisthecompenstaionforyou.

SECTION10.Nolawimpairingtheobligationofcontractsshallbepassed.

-Thepurposeofnon-impairmentoftheobligationotcontractsistosecurethattheduties,obligations,thefulfillmentoflawfulpromiseswillbefollowedandfulfilledbybothpartiesinvolved.Thetermsandobligationsofthecontractshouldbefollowedaccordingtotheconstitution,andnolawcanimpairedanycontract,butthisfreedomofcontractisnotabsolutebecauseitcanonlymadeintoeffect,andperformitsdutiesandresponsibilities,ifitisnotcontrarytolaw,morals,goodcustoms,publicorder,orpublicpolicy,also,includescontractsenteredintobythegovernment.

SECTION11.Freeaccesstothecourtsandquasi-judicialbodiesandadequatelegalassistanceshallnotbedeniedtoanypersonbyreasonofpoverty.

SECTION12.(1)Anypersonunderinvestigationforthecommissionofanoffenseshallhavetherighttobeinformedofhisrighttoremainsilentandtohavecompetentandindependentcounselpreferablyofhisownchoice.Ifthepersoncannotaffordtheservicesofcounsel,hemustbeprovidedwithone.Theserightscannotbewaivedexceptinwritingandinthepresenceofcounsel.(2)Notorture,force,violence,threat,intimidation,oranyothermeanswhichvitiatethefreewillshallbeusedagainsthim.Secretdetentionplaces,solitary,incommunicado,orothersimilarformsofdetentionareprohibited.(3)AnyconfessionoradmissionobtainedinviolationofthisorSection17hereofshallbeinadmissibleinevidenceagainsthim.(4)Thelawshallprovideforpenalandcivilsanctionsforviolationsofthissectionaswellascompensationtoandrehabilitationofvictimsoftortureorsimilarpractices,andtheirfamilies.

SECTION13.Allpersons,exceptthosechargedwithoffensespunishablebyreclusionperpetuawhenevidenceofguiltisstrong,shall,beforeconviction,bebailablebysufficientsureties,orbereleasedonrecognizanceasmaybeprovidedbylaw.Therighttobailshallnotbeimpairedevenwhentheprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpusissuspended.Excessivebailshallnotberequired.

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SECTION14.(1)Nopersonshallbeheldtoanswerforacriminaloffensewithoutdueprocessoflaw.(2)Inallcriminalprosecutions,theaccusedshallbepresumedinnocentuntilthecontraryisproved,andshallenjoytherighttobeheardbyhimselfandcounsel,tobeinformedofthenatureandcauseoftheaccusationagainsthim,tohaveaspeedy,impartial,andpublictrial,tomeetthewitnessesfacetoface,andtohavecompulsoryprocesstosecuretheattendanceofwitnessesandtheproductionofevidenceinhisbehalf.However,afterarraignment,trialmayproceednotwithstandingtheabsenceoftheaccusedprovidedthathehasbeendulynotifiedandhisfailuretoappearisunjustifiable.

Constitutionalrightsoftheaccusedincriminalcases

1.Therighttoadequatelegalassistance.

2.Theright,whenunderinvestigationforthecommissionofanoffensetobeinformedofhisrighttoremainsilentandtohavecounsel.

3.Therightagainsttheuseoftorture,force,violence,threat,intimidationoranyothermeanswhichvitiatesthefreewill.

4.Therightagainstbeingheldinsecret,incommunicado,orsimilarformsofsolitarydetention.

5.Therighttobailandagainstexcessivebail.

6.Therighttodueprocessoflaw.

7.Therighttopresumptionofinnocence.

8.Therighttobeheardbyhimselfandcounsel.

9.Therighttobeperformedofthenatureandcauseoftheaccusationagainsthim.

10.Therighttohaveaspeedy,impartial,andpublictrial.

11.Therightstomeetthewitnessesfacetoface.

12.Therighttohavecompulsoryprocesstosecuretheattendanceofwitnessesandtheproductionofevidenceinhisbehalf.

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,intimidationoranyothermeanswhichvitiatesthefreewill.

4.Againstbeingheldinsecret,incommunicado,orsimilarformsofsolitarydetention.

-Therightsmentionedaboveshouldnotbeignoredandshouldbegivenanimportancesothattoknowwhoisthetrueguiltyornot.

SECTION15.Theprivilegeofthewritofhabeascorpusshallnotbesuspendedexceptincasesofinvasionorrebellionwhenthepublicsafetyrequiresit.

-Whatisthewritofhabeascorpus?Thewritofhabeascorpusisadocumentfroma

courtorderingsomeonetobringajailedpersonbeforeajudgeorcourttofindoutif

thatpersonshouldreallybeinjail.Buttheprivilegeofthiswritcanbesuspendedin

casesofinvasionorrebellionandwhenthepublicsafetyisconcerned.Thisrightis

alsonotabsolutebecausenoteveryonecanavailtheprivilegeandthereareconditions

tofollow.

SECTION16.Allpersonsshallhavetherighttoaspeedydispositionoftheircasesbeforealljudicial,quasi-judicial,oradministrativebodies.

SECTION17.Nopersonshallbecompelledtobeawitnessagainsthimself.

SECTION18.(1)Nopersonshallbedetainedsolelybyreasonofhispoliticalbeliefsandaspirations.(2)Noinvoluntaryservitudeinanyfromshallexistexceptaspunishmentforacrimewhereofthepartyshallhavebeendulyconvicted.

SECTION19.(1)Excessivefinesshallnotbeimposed,norcruel,degradingorinhumanpunishmentinflicted.Neithershallthedeathpenaltybeimposed,unless,forcompellingreasonsinvolvingheinouscrimes,theCongresshereafterprovidesforit.Anydeathpenaltyalreadyimposedshallbereducedtoreclusionperpetua.(2)Theemploymentofphysical,psychological,ordegradingpunishmentagainstanyprisonerordetaineeortheuseofsubstandardorinadequatepenalfacilitiesundersubhumanconditionsshallbedealtwithbylaw.

SECTION20.Nopersonshallbeimprisonedfordebtornon-paymentofapolltax.

SECTION21.Nopersonshallbetwiceputinjeopardyofpunishmentforthesameoffense.Ifanactispunishedbyalawandanordinance,convictionoracquittalundereithershallconstituteabartoanotherprosecutionforthesameact.

SECTION22.Noexpostfactolaworbillofattaindershallbeenacted.

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Theserightsaretrueandshouldbefollowedbecauseifthetermeandconditionsstatedherewillnotbefollowedthentheserightswillhavenpuseatallandtheserightswillneverbeabsoluteatall.TheserightsareallunderthejurisdictionofourConstitution.

AswhatIhavesaidawhileago,"Ineveryrule,thereisanexception."

Whatdoesitmeannow?

Ifrulenumber1(Section1:Nopersonshallbedeprivedoflife,liberty,orproperty...)butthereisanexceptionstatedhere(withoutdueprocessoflaw).Meaning,youhavetherighttolive,tobefree,tohaveaproperty,butitcanbetakenoutofyouthroughdueprocessoflaw(provingthatyouareguiltycommittingacrime).Youcanlivefreelyinthiscountryexceptonlyifyoucommitacrime!

Alloftherightsthatwehavearenotreallyabsoluterights,becauseevenourrightshaveconditionsinexercisingit.Theyhavelimitations.

Letussetthisclear.Thisbloghasnoobjectionorprotestagainsthebillofrights.Thisonlywantstoinformthereaderthatourrightsarenotreallyabsolute.

Logicdictatesourrightshaveitsownlimitationsbecauseifthereisnotwewilldoabsolutelyanythingandthiscountrywouldbesurelyinchaosifthatisthecase.

Therightsbeinggiventousbytheconstitutionshouldbevaluedandbegivenanimportance.Aslongaswehavethatrights,wearetruelyprotectedfromanyharm.Butrememberalsothattheserightsarenotabsolutesodonotabuseitandbecarefulandbewiseinexercisingourrights.

References:

MerriamWebster'sDictionaryLivioEnglishDictionary1987PhilippineConstitutionhttps://tamayaosbc.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/bill-of-rights/conceptofabillofrights-141012024655-conversion-gate02.docx