Bill of Rights

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The Constitution of the Philippines is the governing law of the Philippines. The Constitution that is currently in effect was enacted in 1987, during the administration of President Corazon Aquino. The Constitution of the Philippines is popularly known as the 1987 Constitution. Prior to the 1987 Constitution, there were several other Constitutions in the Philippines. The previous constitutional documents include the 1935 Commonwealth Constitution, the 1973 Constitution and the 1986 Freedom Constitution. The 1987 Constitution is composed of a preamble, followed by 18 different sections known as articles. The first article outlines the specific boundaries of the Philippine territory. The second article of the Constitution covers the basic policies of the state, such as that the government is a democratic and republican state and that war is not allowed as a tool of national policy. The third article in the Constitution is the Philippine Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights is composed of 22 sections that cover the basic rights and liberties of the people of the Philippines. Some of the rights that are protected by the Philippine Bill of Rights are very similar to those protected by the Bill of Rights of the United States. For example, the Philippine Bill of Rights protects against unlawful search and seizure by authorities, provides for freedom of speech and press and offers protection from religious persecution. The Philippine Bill of Rights also covers the legal rights to habeas corpus and against incrimination oneself. Private property is afforded protection under the Bill of Rights, as is the right to personal political beliefs without oppression. The 1987 Constitution and especially the Bill of Rights marked rapid movement towards a more democratic union in the Philippines. By providing legal documentation of a citizen's rights, the government put its residents at
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