Your Rights & Government Accountability

The constitutional articles that protect you as a citizen, and hold public officials to account.

Declaration of Principles and State Policies (Article II)

This article lays out the core values the state commits to. Key principles to know:

• • The Philippines is a democratic and republican State — sovereignty resides in the people, government authority flows from them
• • Separation of Church and State — government cannot establish an official religion or unduly interfere in religious affairs
• • Civilian authority over the military — the armed forces answer to civilian leadership (the President), not the other way around
• • Promotion of social justice — the state actively works to reduce social, economic, and political inequalities
• • The family as the foundation of the nation — the state recognizes and protects the family as a basic social institution
• • Protection of the environment — the state is committed to a balanced ecology

We're deliberately not attaching specific section numbers to each of these without verifying them directly against the official text — the concepts themselves are what's tested.

Bill of Rights (Article III)

The single most heavily tested article — genuinely worth extra attention. These are the fundamental freedoms protected from government infringement:

• • Due process — fair legal procedure before the government can deprive someone of life, liberty, or property
• • Equal protection — the law applies equally to everyone in similar circumstances
• • Freedom of speech, of the press, of assembly — core expressive freedoms
• • Freedom of religion — free exercise of religious belief
• • Right against unreasonable searches and seizures — the government generally needs a valid warrant
• • Right to privacy — protection from unwarranted government intrusion
• • Right against self-incrimination — you cannot be compelled to testify against yourself
• • Right to counsel — the right to legal representation, especially under custodial investigation
• • Right to bail — generally guaranteed except for offenses punishable by reclusion perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong
• • Protection against double jeopardy — cannot be tried twice for the same offense
• • Prohibition on ex post facto laws — a law cannot criminalize an act that was legal when it was done
• • Prohibition on bills of attainder — the legislature cannot single out a person or group for punishment without a trial

Suffrage (Article V)

Covers the right and qualifications to vote:

• • Filipino citizens, at least 18 years old, who have resided in the Philippines for a set period
• • Voting is by secret ballot, protecting against coercion or vote-buying
• • Overseas voting allows qualified Filipinos abroad to vote in national elections without returning home

Accountability of Public Officers (Article XI)

Opens with the foundational principle: "Public office is a public trust." Public officials are accountable to the people at all times, expected to serve with integrity, and answerable for their conduct.

• • SALN (Statement of Assets, Liabilities, and Net Worth) — the annual disclosure required of public officials, promoting transparency
• • Ombudsman — investigates and prosecutes corrupt or improper conduct by public officials
• • Impeachment — a process for removing certain high officials (President, VP, Justices, and others as specified) for offenses like culpable violation of the Constitution, bribery, graft and corruption, or betrayal of public trust; the House initiates, the Senate tries

Eligible PH is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the Civil Service Commission. This page is provided as general guidance — always verify current requirements, deadlines, and procedures directly with the CSC.