The Philippines is a staunch advocate of the promotion and protection of human rights. The country not only guarantees and protects human rights under the 1987 Constitution; it is also a signatory to various international treaties and conventions that protect the rights of all people.
As enshrined in the 1987 Constitution, the government promotes respect for social justice and human rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of expression, as well as the rights of workers, children, women and indigenous peoples.
The adherence and advocacy of freedom and democracy and the protection of human rights are central to Philippine policies which aim to protect every Filipino to enjoy all his rights. In this regard, the government is exerting every effort to ensure respect for all human rights, promote regional and global cooperation for human rights and integrate human rights paradigm within all work carried out by government agencies.
All the branches of government, with the assistance and support of its citizens, work together in ensuring that everyone is accorded their human rights—whatever the race, religion or political inclinations.
For its part, the legislative branch exerts all efforts to ensure that the laws it passes are in accordance with set international conventions and treaties on human rights. The judiciary has also been making significant strides towards expediting human rights cases as well as giving credence to the rights of the marginal; oozed sectors in society.
The Philippines builds its democracy with human rights as its cornerstone. Only with the full protection and adherence to human rights can the country secure peace, promote the rule of law, combat crime, strengthen the democracy and prevent humanitarian crises.
As per the 1987 Constitution of Philippines
- 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.
- 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 be issued 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.
- 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. Any evidence obtained in violation of this or the preceding section shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding.
- 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.
