Next CSE-PPT: 14 March 2027 · Professional & Subprofessional
Civil Service Exam reviewer on Article III (Bill of Rights) and Article IV (Citizenship) of the 1987 Constitution: due process, searches, custodial rights, bail, double jeopardy and natural-born citizens.
The Bill of Rights in Article III and the rules on citizenship in Article IV are among the most tested parts of the Philippine Constitution. This set covers due process and equal protection, searches and warrants, privacy of communication, freedom of expression and religion, the rights of persons under investigation and of the accused, bail, habeas corpus, double jeopardy, and who is a natural-born Filipino citizen.
Each question names the section of the Constitution it comes from. Learning the rights in the order they appear, from Section 1 (due process) to Section 22 (ex post facto laws), makes it easier to recall them under exam pressure.
Correct answer: B. Article III, Section 1
Article III, Section 1, the first section of the Bill of Rights, guarantees due process and equal protection. Article II, Section 1 declares that the Philippines is a democratic and republican State.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. The judge
Section 2 requires probable cause to be determined personally by the judge, after examination under oath of the complainant and witnesses, and the warrant must particularly describe the place to be searched and the persons or things to be seized.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding
Section 3(2) states that any evidence obtained in violation of the privacy of communication, or of the rule on searches and seizures, shall be inadmissible for any purpose in any proceeding. This is known as the exclusionary rule.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Article III, Section 7
Article III, Section 7 recognises the right of the people to information on matters of public concern and gives access to official records, subject to limitations provided by law. It supports transparency in public service.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Poverty
Section 11 guarantees free access to the courts, quasi-judicial bodies and adequate legal assistance, which shall not be denied to any person by reason of poverty. The Public Attorney's Office helps put this right into practice.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Have competent and independent counsel, preferably of his own choice
Section 12 gives the right to remain silent and to have competent and independent counsel, preferably of one's own choice; if the person cannot afford one, counsel must be provided. These rights cannot be waived except in writing and in the presence of counsel.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Secret detention places and incommunicado detention
Section 12(2) prohibits torture, force, violence, threat and intimidation, as well as secret detention places, solitary, incommunicado or similar forms of detention. Confessions obtained in violation of these rights are inadmissible.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Evidence of guilt is strong
Article III, Section 13 makes everyone bailable before conviction, except those charged with offences punishable by reclusion perpetua when evidence of guilt is strong. Excessive bail shall not be required.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. 14
Section 14(2) presumes the accused innocent until the contrary is proved and gives the rights to be heard, to be informed of the accusation, to a speedy, impartial and public trial, and to meet the witnesses face to face.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Invasion or rebellion, when public safety requires it
Article III, Section 15 allows suspension of the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus only in cases of invasion or rebellion when public safety requires it. Article VII, Section 18 limits any suspension to sixty days unless extended by Congress.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Self-incrimination
Article III, Section 17 states that no person shall be compelled to be a witness against himself. This is the right against self-incrimination, closely linked to the right to remain silent under Section 12.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Debt or non-payment of a poll tax
Section 20 provides that no person shall be imprisoned for debt or non-payment of a poll tax. Fraud connected with a debt, such as estafa, is a separate crime and is not covered by this protection.
Read detailsCorrect answer: B. Double jeopardy
Article III, Section 21 states that no person shall be twice put in jeopardy of punishment for the same offence. If an act is punished by both a law and an ordinance, conviction or acquittal under either bars another prosecution for the same act.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. An ex post facto law
An ex post facto law makes criminal an act done before its passage, or increases the penalty after the fact. Article III, Section 22 prohibits both ex post facto laws and bills of attainder, laws that punish without a judicial trial.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. As punishment for a crime of which the party has been duly convicted
Section 18(2) prohibits involuntary servitude except as a punishment for a crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted. Section 18(1) adds that no person shall be detained solely because of political beliefs and aspirations.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Are citizens from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their citizenship
Natural-born citizens are citizens of the Philippines from birth without having to perform any act to acquire or perfect their citizenship. The Philippines follows the principle of blood relationship (jus sanguinis), not the place of birth.
Read detailsCorrect answer: C. Those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines
Article IV, Section 1 includes those whose fathers or mothers are citizens of the Philippines. Birth on Philippine soil alone does not make a person a citizen, because the Constitution follows jus sanguinis.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. Retains Philippine citizenship unless, by his or her act or omission, he or she is deemed to have renounced it
Section 4 provides that citizens who marry aliens shall retain their citizenship, unless by their act or omission they are deemed, under the law, to have renounced it.
Read detailsCorrect answer: D. Dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and shall be dealt with by law
Section 5 declares that dual allegiance of citizens is inimical to the national interest and shall be dealt with by law. Dual citizenship that arises from the laws of two countries, as under RA 9225, is treated differently from dual allegiance.
Read detailsCorrect answer: A. No religious test is required
Section 5 prohibits laws establishing a religion or prohibiting its free exercise, and states that no religious test shall be required for the exercise of civil or political rights.
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