My Reflection on the Article IV, Bill of Rights

Constitution of 1973

In this article, I learned that as a citizen of this country, I am protected by the law
regarding all the rights that everyone should have which is the Bill of Rights. Under the law,
status of one person is disregarded. No, matter what is your religion, neither a person is rich or
poor, the law must applied equally. Without the Bill of Rights, the government might have too
much power and might take advantage over me. My lives would become worse and terrible if I
don’t have these rights. All these rights stated in our Constitution are necessary but I will just
choose to study some of them which I think I can express my reflection more. I didn’t have any
experiences about some of the rights but, some of my reflections here were just based from my
own understanding and ideas about the topic.

First is the Section 3 which is The right of the people to be secure in their persons,
houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures of whatever nature and
whatever purpose shall not be violated, and no search warrant or warrant of arrest shall issue
except upon probable cause to be determined by the judge, or such other responsible officer as
maybe authorized by law, 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 (1973 Constitution, COMELEC,2014). Generally, searches and seizures
that are made without a warrant are unconstitutional and invalid. This right clearly states the no
one can arrest me or invade my own privacy if there is no warrant issued by an authorized or
responsible officer. This is an important right that everyone has and should definitely be able to
keep as long as they live and are citizens of this country. If we don’t have this protection, the
police would be randomly barge into our houses whenever they want. The government will not
take advantage and will not have power over us. “Wherever the real power in a government lies,
there is the danger of oppression. In our governments, the real power lies in the majority of the
community, and the invasion of private rights is chiefly to be apprehended, not from the acts of
government contrary to the sense of its constituents, but from acts in which the government is the
mere instrument of the major number of the constituents” (James Madison, Letters and Other
Writings of James Madison, Volume 3). Being a free person in a Republic, protected by a
Constitution providing guidelines thousands have fought for and defended with their lives, my
idea of the right of privacy is no one has any right to know anything about me - excepting what I
choose for them to know (Ed Lewis, Right of Privacy, 2004). As long as I am not doing anything
wrong or harming anyone, no one should harm or accuse me. I value my privacy and I don’t
want it invaded by anyone. I don’t want some voyeurs or spies from anywhere I go. I am not a
criminal and I do not break laws. I even stop at all stop signs, and throw my garbage at the right
place or trash cans, some simple rules that is needed to follow.
 Second is the Section 8. 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 (1973 Constitution, COMELEC, 2014). All
religions must be equally treated. One example of this is the recently Centennial Anniversary
celebration of the Iglesia ni Cristo. President Aquino was there to congratulate them and
celebrate with them. Even if I am not one of them, I respect and felt happy for them because they
are united and they have the freedom to celebrate and rejoice their religion. Another instance was
the yearly celebration of Eidul Fitr, an important celebration for Filipino Muslims, marking the
end of the month-long fast during Ramadan and marks the beginning of the month Shawwal.
Also known as “End of Ramadan” and “Feast of Breaking the Fast”, it is a national public
holiday for all in the Philippines (Proclamation No. 826, s. 2014). In politics, anyone can . In
law, belief must be treated as holy – even as we have no way of knowing, or policing, the
objects and investments of this chimerical force that we call belief and that we unleash as, by
definition, free (Yvonne Sherwood, The politics of religious freedom: On the freedom of the
concepts of religion and belief, 2012). It just shows that every religion has freedom.

Third is the Section 9, No law shall be passed abridging the freedom of speech, or the
press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble and petition the government for redress of
grievances (1973 Constitution, COMELEC, 2014). Whereas, I used to think that this freedom
protects my right to say whatever we want. I remember when I was in high school, one of our
subject teachers always tells this line to us “Say whatever you want to say, it’s a free country
after all”. I have the freedom to express myself through words, music or arts forms than just
saying it. Even though this right is plainly stated in the Constitution, it is often tested by those
who feel that some spoken or written material is offensive and not suitable for children.
“Freedom of speech does not protect you from the consequences of saying stupid shit.” (Jim C.
Hines, Blog post, March 12, 2012) “If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell
people what they do not want to hear” (George Orwell). Press people or media man often
criticize the government. They are free to say or express on national television or radio station
about their opinions on how the government is set up. There are also so many blog posts about
what they think should be done with this country, or writing a controversial stories. “Once a
government is committed to the principle of silencing the voice of opposition, it has only one
way to go, and that is down the path of increasingly repressive measures, until it becomes a
source of terror to all its citizens and creates a country where everyone lives in fear" (Harry S.
Truman, Special Message to the Congress on the Internal Security of the United States, August
8, 1950). Even though we have this kind of freedom, we must also be responsible for what we
are saying. Whatever we say can reflect to our personality. And for the press people, they must
have they basis and research in every exposé that they are revealing. We should be responsible in
using this kind of freedom.

There are many other rights that if I didn’t have them, my lives would be most likely
change significantly, but these rights, the right that protects from illegal searches and seizures,
the right of freedom of each religion and the freedom of speech are the three that would probably
be the most extreme for me. These just shows that without all these rights we are granted, we
would probably not even have any rights. Without these rights, I would be getting arrested left
and right and my privacy would be invaded at all times even if I’m not doing anything wrong,
there would be no unity of religions and I couldn’t really be able to say much without the
government stepping in and getting unhappy. Thanks to the Founding Fathers of this
Constitution. It is a great opportunity to reflect on the rights of freedom that we had now. I’m
just glad that we do have them.
 SAMAR COLLEGE
Catbalogan City, Samar

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION
S/Y 2014 – 2015

Reflection Paper on

The Article IV, Bill of Rights of

(HUM 1 – Logic)
Time: Sat/Sun 7:30 – 9:00 AM

Submitted by:

GODEZANO, JOANNE G.
BSED – 1C

Submitted to:

MR. SONNY S. LUKBAN